Fan Fiction ❯ In The Mind Of Another ❯ In The Mind Of Another ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2: In The Mind Of Another

 

Raven exited Red X's mind and re-entered her own, she had the information she had sought out but it only brought more questions with it. She sighed and looked to X who was still in a coma. She had hit on a nerve; she never should have asked why he knew. The doctors were still watching her some relieved, some angry. Without a word to any of them she put her cowl up and left.

It was already dark outside when she exited the hospital. She didn't know the time, but it disturbed her greatly as it had been nearly noon when she had gone to the hospital. It was still cold outside though, that never really changed in winter. She pulled her cowl closer and started walking. It was snowing outside, lightly, and a thin dusting layered the ground. Raven cursed her clothing and shivered, continuing to walk on. She didn't notice the man until he bumped into her. Raven looked to the man to apologize, it was a homeless man in ratty clothes. Memories of Red X destroying robots that looked like normal people, specifically homeless people had come to her mind immediately, as did the thought of a machine sneaking into the hospital to finish off X. “Azarath Metrion Zinthos!” She yelled and several dark claws grabbed the man.

The man yelled and Raven released him sending him tumbling to the ground as she cursed her stupidity. She ran to the man and helped him up, finding herself being surrounded by a small crowd, a lot more people than she had expected to see outside on such a chilly night. She looked around warily, if Slade knew X was still alive... Would Slade attack X in the hospital? She walked back to the hospital, grabbing her communicator as she did; X needed a guard posted at his room.

Cyborg picked up on the other end, he did not look happy in the slightest, “Where have you been, it's been nearly six hours.”

“I…” Raven took a breath, had she really been in his head for nearly six hours? “that doesn't matter right now, X needs a guard posted at his room, he's vulnerable. If Slade wants him dead no small time cop is going to be enough to stop him.”

“Fine, I'll send Beast Boy. Did you learn anything?”

Raven paused, unsure as to whether she should tell Robin personally or not, “I'll wait until Beast Boy is here, then I'll return, I need to speak to Robin on that matter.”

Cyborg glared at her, frustrated, “Robin isn't exactly… coherent.”

“What?”

Cyborg looked off to the side, “He hasn't been doing well since he found that room, he hasn't been making any sense. He's been rambling about Haley's Circus. There were posters of performers from that circus was plastered all over X's room.”

Raven paused, “X knew a lot about Robin, probably more than both of us combined. He wouldn't tell me why or how he knew, but he knows who Robin is, behind the mask.”

Cyborg's eye went wide, “What?”

“Send Beast Boy, when he gets here, I'll come back and tell you everything I've learned.” Raven said and turned off the communicator.

 

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Raven entered the operations room, followed by Cyborg. Starfire hadn't left Robin's side since they had come home. They sat down, “So, exactly how much did Red X know about Robin?”

“He knows who he is and why he started fighting crime, probably more.” Raven said bluntly, “I also know why Robin is talking about Haley's circus. He was a performer there, his family was killed when some petty thug cut the high wires and his family fell to their death.”

“You mean… the Flying Graysons were his parents?” Cyborg

“It seems possible, he did say he wouldn't let me take his family away again when I moved towards the poster.”

“How did he know all this?” Cyborg asked, the information still sinking in.

Raven looked down, “He was there, I saw it with him, in his mind.”

“Do you have any clue as to who he is?”

Raven shook her head, “I asked him how he knew everything, but he refused to answer. He knew the family Cyborg, he actually sounded guilty they died.”

“So, X knows Robin?” Raven nodded and Cyborg sat back on the couch, “He's going to enjoy that immensely.”

“You told me he was rambling, what was he saying?” Raven asked quietly.

“He was on and off, sometimes he seemed enthralled with some thought, other times he was yelling about a Zucco, you have any…”

“Zucco was the one who killed his family. Red X told me, although he wasn't sure of the name.” She got up, “I think it's time I talked to Robin.”

The corridors were silent except for the steady sound of Cyborg walking, Raven made no sound as she walked to the infirmary. Taking a moment outside, they knocked on the door and heard Starfire inside, trying to talk to Robin who was at the moment silent. “Star, can we come in?” Cyborg asked, and looked at Raven, “She's been trying to talk to him all day… she sort of got angry last time I walked in on her a few hours ago.” He shrugged and the door opened. Starfire was smiling, but it was obviously forced.

Raven smiled to her weakly and walked inside, Robin was lying still, looking up at the ceiling a few tears trailing down from the edges of his masks. “Ok Robin…” She took a seat next to him and began to levitate, “…let's see if I can help… Azarath Metrion Zinthos…” A dark raven appeared behind her and flew into Robin.

Memories of his earlier life, happy and sad flooded her mind as she entered his. Finally coming to grips she entered his mindscape, which looked like a circus tent. Inside Robin was kneeling in front of his parents, crying. Raven took a few tentative steps forward, Robin was still grieving, and he probably always would. Robin whirled, grabbing a birdarang, but then letting his arm fall to his side. “It's you… I…”

“I understand what's going on Robin, I know the Flying Graysons were your parents.” Raven said, taking a few steps forward, looking sadly at the bodies on the ground.

“But how? I never told you…” Robin asked, watching her utterly confused.

“Robin, Red X knows a lot about you. He knows who you are, and he knows about your parents.” She said, taking a step closer to him.

“But… why? How? It makes no sense…” Robin said, looking back at his parents longingly.

Raven shook her head, “Considering his walls were plastered with the posters from Haley's Circus, I think it might make sense. His past and your past are somehow connected, I don't know how.”

“I… how…” Robin looked at her, confusion covering his face.

“I know this is a hard time for you Robin, but I want you to pull it together, we cannot afford you to fall apart on us. You saw what Slade did, he could attack Titan's Tower.”

Robin stared back at his parents and then nodded, “Let's go.” Inside Raven felt herself crumble a little, he needed this, she could sense it, he needed to grieve so much, but she couldn't let him, not like this, not now.

She extended her hand, “Take my hand, I can help you regain control.” He nodded and grabbed her hand, more flashes, more memories of past hurts struck her. She winced and Robin tried to pull his hand away but she held tightly, “Trust me Robin. I can help you.” For a moment Raven stared into Robin's eyes, scrutinizing him, after she was done, he would be in complete control, she just hoped she could handle it. For the briefest of instants, Robin's emotions filtered into Raven, he stood utterly stunned as Raven shuddered and winced, letting loose a low growl. “How do you feel?” She said, still drained from the experience.

“I feel… odd…” he looked back at his parents, and then back to Raven, “I feel less. Raven, what did you do to me?” he said as angrily as he could.

Raven stumbled backwards a few steps and regained her balance, “I took the intensity of your emotions, I can handle them, don't worry, they will return.” Robin looked at her uncomfortably; it was certainly something he did not enjoy. He had barely felt anything when he had looked back at his parents… Raven shook her head and put her cowl up, “Let's go.” She said as if nothing had happened, and outstretched his hand again.

He looked at it warily for a moment, “You're not going to... suck out more of my emotions are you?” She shook her head and he very cautiously grabbed her hand. Lights flashed and Robin sat up, looking around. Starfire grabbed him and nearly squeezed the air from his lungs. Cyborg wiped the sweat from his brow, and Raven took a few steps back, as if she had been struck. All eyes turned to Raven who quickly turned away.

“I… need to meditate.” She said and a broken tone of voice and ran out of the room.

Raven exited the room and leaned up against a wall, trying to dry her eyes, she couldn't help it. Even with her level of self-control and discipline, she couldn't help but cry, she felt so useless, so hopeless and lost… The door opened and Robin exited, Raven quickly turned and started to walk away, more than ever she had to meditate, she hadn't lied about that. “Raven…”

“I…” Her voice was breaking she could barely speak in her current state, “…need to meditate…” she involuntarily wiped tears from her eyes and tried to move forward, but a hand fell on her shoulder.

“Raven, I want to thank you for this… I know it's hard.” Raven nodded without turning then rushed to her room trying her best not to cry out.

“What is wrong with friend Raven?” Starfire asked, watching Raven stumble as she ran.

“She paid a price for helping. Just like X.” Robin said, and walked to his room.

 

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Raven tried her best to meditate, but her emotions, Robin's emotions, were overwhelming. She had been trying for at least an hour, but could barely control herself enough to keep her powers from coming to the fro and destroying her room. It just seemed so hopeless…

The knock on the door interrupted her concentration and a few books flew off the shelves. She looked at the clock next to her bed, it was past two, there was another knock at the door and Raven got up shakily, “Who… who is it?” she asked, wiping tears away from her eyes.

“It's me.” Robin replied simply, his tone was even no hint of any emotion in it, “Can I come in?”

“I…” She had never let anyone into her room before, although they had all burst in when she had freed Malchior… another wave of sadness hit her, this time welling from within herself, “I… yes…” She said and sat back down, trying to wipe the tears from her face before Robin could see them.

The door opened and Robin stepped inside, the room was dark, he could only barely make out Raven sitting on her bed. “I wanted to thank you.” He said, and then stopped.

Raven stifled a small sob, trying to form words between the tears, “I'm sorry.” Her voice trailed off and put her head in her hands, sobbing. She was pathetic in this state she could barely even speak…

Robin walked over to her and sat down next to her, “Raven, I want to thank you for this. It's a burden you didn't have to bear, but you took it upon yourself to help me.” Raven looked up for the briefest of moments, trying her best to try to control herself. Robin smiled weakly, “I brought you some tissues.” He said and held them up, Raven tried to laugh and grabbed them, dabbing her eyes and then blowing her nose. Robin shook his head, “I probably should have brought more. Raven, I need to speak to Red X.”

Raven looked up at him, her cheeks still red and raw, “I… don't know if I can do that…” She swallowed the hard lump in her throat.

Robin nodded and stared down at the floor, “I know I'm asking a lot of you, but I need to know what he knows about me, and how he knows about me. I know it might not work, but I'm asking you to try Raven, please at least try.”

Raven watched him, she should have anticipated this, she should have known. After everything that had happened, of course Robin would have wanted to find out how and why Red X knew about him. She just felt so weak… her emotions were running rampant… she could barely control herself. “I can try…” She mumbled, and wiped another tear from her face.

Robin nodded getting up, “Well let's go.”

She looked at him, horrified, “But… but… it's two am… Robin, I…” She wiped more tears away from her eyes, “I don't know if I can control my powers in this state, let alone try something like this…”

Robin looked at the door for a moment, the kneeled down in front of her, “Raven, please I have to do this. I have to do it now.” He grabbed her hands, “Please, I need this.”

She watched him, sensing both fear and pain within him, even in her weakened state she knew she had to do this; it was why she had done it in the first place. She nodded and darkness swirled around them, enveloping them and transporting them to the hospital.

Beast Boy sat in the chair inside X's room, snoring. Raven and Robin looked at him for a moment, “What's he doing here?” Robin asked, taking a step towards him.

Raven breathed out a low sigh, “He's supposed to be guarding X in case Slade sends someone.”

Robin looked back at Raven, raising an eyebrow, “Whose bright idea was it to send Beast Boy?” Raven quickly looked away, covering her head with her cowl, “Oh…” Robin blinked and looked back to Beast Boy, “Beast Boy! WAKE UP!”

Beast Boy lunged forward from his suddenly interrupted slumber, “AH! What's wrong what? Where am I?” He shook his head, “Robin? Raven? What are you…” He saw Red X on the cot in front of him, “Oh… right… guard duty…” He smiled and scratched the back of his head embarrassed.

“Can you wait outside? And try not to fall asleep this time.” Robin said, glaring at him. Beast Boy nodded taking a step towards the door, when he heard a strange noise, he looked over to find Raven. She sounded as if… no… she couldn't be crying. Robin tensed up slightly, “I need Raven's help to communicate with Red X, and we need to be alone.”

Beast Boy exited the room quietly and Robin walked back over to Raven, “About before, I didn't mean…” Robin stopped himself realizing he did mean it; she was foolish to send Beast Boy to guard Red X. Beast Boy was barely able to keep himself up past twelve, even on movie night, and she sent him to guard Red X for the night. It didn't sit well with him…

Raven didn't respond, using everything she could to finally rein in her emotions with one final, forceful effort. She shuddered involuntarily, causing Robin to raise an eyebrow, but then she took a seat next to Red X. He watched her for a moment more then nodded in assent, “Are you ready?”

Raven nodded, “Sit next to me and hold my hand” Raven, holding her arm out towards him, “It may take a minute.” she looked over to Red X, “I don't if we can both enter his mind…”

“Why didn't you tell me you saw him without his mask on?” Robin said, cutting her off. He looked at Red X and frowned, he didn't recognize him… he sensed something familiar… but he just couldn't place it.

Raven blinked and looked completely surprised, “I didn't…”

Robin eyed her suspiciously, “We'll talk on that later, just get me into his mind.”

Raven nodded unsteadily and Robin took her hand abruptly; Raven was acting weird. She had been the one to find parents. She had seen Red X's real face and hadn't said anything. She had entered Red X's mind and she hadn't told him what had gone on. Then she had left Beast Boy to guard X leaving X vulnerable. She had sucked his emotions out before telling him… it was almost as if she didn't want him realizing who X really was.

Robin's emotions were coming back Raven could feel it. They were struggling back into his mind, quicker than she had anticipated. She wouldn't be able to help him if they entered Red X's mind, “Robin, I don't think we should…”

Robin glared at her and she stopped, the words caught in her throat, “I think we should, now do it.” His tone was menacing, something she had not heard from him since he was hallucinating about Slade. Robin's rage grew; she was trying to prevent him from doing this! She was trying to hold him back! What was she hiding?

She choked back any more arguments and focused what reserves of energy and inner strength she had left. Raven began to chant, “Azarath Metrion Zinthos… Azarath… Metrion… Zinthos…” The room seemed to shake, and then Raven sighed heavily, “I don't have the strength to do this…”

Robin barely suppressed yelling at her. She was lying to him! Lying directly to his face! She didn't want him entering Red X's mind, she was just trying to keep him out by saying she couldn't. “Try again.” Robin said coldly, trying to hide the malice that tinged his voice.

Raven watched him, he starred at her sternly; he wasn't going to give up. They might be here all night… “Azarath… Metrion… Zinthos…” Nothing happened and strain built upon Raven, she was starting to feel weaker, the emotions she had taken from Robin were going to resurface…

“Try again.” Robin's growled indignantly.

“Azarath Metrion Zinthos…”

“Try again!” He growled at her, his grip tightening on her hand.

“I can't, it's not going to work.” Raven said, starting to loose control again, tears running down her face.

“It will work! TRY HARDER!” His grip was crushing her hand and she winced.

“Robin, you're hurting me, LET GO!” Raven said and pulled her hand away.

“I see you treat your teammates oh so well.”

Robin blinked and looked at Red X. He was still in the bed, connected to dozens of machines. Letting go of Raven's hand, he took a step towards the fallen thief, “How?”

“You've been here a while bird-brain, or should I call you Dick? Yeah, that has a better ring to it. It seems, Dick, that little-miss-gothic doesn't realize her own strength.” The prone figure hadn't moved his lips, the voice was coming from elsewhere in the room, Robin whirled and saw Red X standing at the doorway, “Welcome to my mind Dick. I'm sure you're going to enjoy.” He winked, the door opened out and he gracefully took a step out, disappearing into the darkness behind.

Robin rushed to the doorway, passing Raven, and peered into the darkness, he couldn't see anything. He growled and turned to Raven, who was still rubbing her hand, “Raven, what just happened?”

“I don't know, this is Red X's mind. I didn't know we got in… it must work differently when two people try to enter…” She said, taking a step away from Robin.

Robin looked back into the doorway, walked over to Raven, grabbed her hand and pulled her to the doorway, “You're coming with me.” He said and without another word he dragged her through the doorway. Raven stumbled and nearly fell but Robin didn't notice, only dragging her further into the darkness.

“Now, now, that's no way to treat a lady Dick, didn't you ever learn that?”

Robin growled, looking around frantically to find X but finding only darkness, “I don't have time for games X, tell me what you know and how you know it.”

Raven tried to pull away from his grip but Robin tightened it, with a glare directed back at her. His emotions were returning… but not in any real order. He was filling with anger he was hurting her… “Robin, let go!” She said and he released her, without him holding her up she stumbled backwards into the darkness only to be caught by Red X.

Raven looked up to see Red X looking down at her, “Well hello, lil' miss gothic, I see you found another little birdie to play with; only he's not playing so nicely. Want to go with someone else for a while?” Raven blinked, and then looked to Robin. What she saw was a foot heading for her face, she nearly gasped, but Red X shoved her under the blow, throwing himself underneath it as well.

“What game have you two been playing here?” Robin snarled, Raven's mouth went agape, he was loosing control again, and there was no way she could help him in her weakened state.

“Robin, please…”

She had lied to him, lied to him this entire time! She had been playing with him, toying with him, all this time to get him into Red X's mind, where he was vulnerable. Not as vulnerable as she thought he was… “I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!” Robin yelled and launched himself at her and X again.

“Do you dance?” X asked coyly, and then twirled her out of the way of Robin's attack. She stared at him, still in shock from what was going on, when he pulled her close to him, “I think you do. In fact, I bet you do it very well.” He winked, and dipped her as Robin punched air where she had been seconds before. Making an odd motion, he pulled her back up to avoid a kick, twirled her again, and then let go, letting her spin a few times as she tried to steady herself. Finally regaining her balance she saw she was several feet away from either Red X or Robin. “Sorry, but I have other things to attend to, maybe later we can continue?” He said, neatly dodging another one of Robin's blows by tilting his head. He wheeled and dodged; still not turning around, while Robin tried again and again to hit him, “I hope you understand.” X winked at Raven again then whirled, grabbing Robin's fist, “So, Dick, you dance?”

Robin growled and threw his other fist forward, but X caught it, “I remember now, Dick, you never were a dancer. You were always FLYING!” X shouted, threw himself on his back, put his foot into Robin's stomach and tossed him into the air. Robin tried to twist in mid-air, but only succeeded in landing on his back. Raven looked between the two, but before she could say anything, Red X smiled and walked back into the darkness of his mind, disappearing from sight.

Robin got up and sneered, “Who does he think he is?”

“… Robin… this is his mind.” Raven said sheepishly.

“Raven don't you dare side with him!” He growled and she took a step back, “I want to know where Red X is, and I want to find out what he knows about me and why.”

“We aren't going to find anything out without his help, he's the one you have to ask… not me.” Raven said, and recoiled from Robin's withering glare.

Robin snarled, advancing on the quaking Raven, “What were you doing with him anyway? What are you two doing together?”

Raven took a few steps backward and fell, landing hard, and started to crawl away, “Please, I didn't do anything with him… Robin, please…” He was loosing control; paranoia and anger didn't mesh well, especially within Robin.

“Why did he help you?” Raven pushed herself farther away but he didn't stop, taking another few steps, “Why are you hiding things from me?”

Raven tried to regain her rapidly deteriorating composure, and stopped retreating, “I… I… I'm not hiding anything.”

“Then why are you running from me?” Robin asked in a menacing tone, taking a last few steps and reached Raven, “Answer me!”

“I… you have to control your emotions…” Tears began to fall down her face again. Too much… it was too much…

“I am in control!” He shouted angrily, reaching down, grabbing her arms and lifting her into the air. Raven's breath became rapid; she was completely terrified, as Robin became little more than a snarling beast in front of her very eyes. What had she done? “STOP PLAYING GAMES WITH ME!” He frowned and tossed her away from him.

She hit the ground hard, the entire weight of her body landing on her wrist. She winced, at the least she had sprained her wrist, at worst it was fractured. Turning herself over, she looked up at Robin who was standing over her, “Robin… please… I haven't done anything…”

Robin reached down again. Raven was in no shape to fight him before he had hurt her wrist, how was she going to protect herself now? All she could do was feebly hold out her good arm to protect herself. It didn't matter, as Robin never actually reached her. Robin flew to the side, grabbing his side where Red X had kicked him, “Now, now, play nice Dick; if you don't play nice with your friends they won't be friends for much longer.”

Red X turned and faced Raven, holding out a hand, “Something tells me you should come with me. Birdbrain over there seems to be going psycho.”

Raven stared at her friend who was on his hands and knees, grabbing at the place X had kicked him. He wasn't stable… she couldn't help him… she winced again as she accidentally applied pressure to her wrist. Red X left his hand outstretched to her, “Come on, bird girl, before Dickie over there goes ballistic again.”

She looked to him, then to Robin, “This isn't wise…” she murmured to herself, and grabbed his hand.

Robin managed to stagger to his feet when Red X pulled Raven to hers, his eyes widened, he had been right all along… she was working with Red X. With a shout, he rushed forward but X had altered the reality of his mind and he and Raven disappeared into the darkness. Robin threw himself deeper and deeper into the darkness, searching for them. Hatred and paranoia ran rampant as he thought of her betrayal. Robin pushed himself forward, not knowing where he was going, and too filled with hate to care.

How could she do this to him? That witch! She had been plotting this! She must have learned about his past while in his mind, and used it against him! What was she planning to do, leave him in Red X's mind and write him off as a casualty? That's just what she would do, abandon him, right after leading him into a trap!

Robin listened for anything, but no sounds filtered through the darkness. He was alone in the mind of another, trapped and abandoned by a traitor. And the thought of being stuck in Red X's mind was almost as stomach turning as being betrayed by Raven. “Don't you think you were being a bit harsh on little miss gothic back there?” Robin whirled to find Red X behind him, leaning up against some invisible wall in the darkness.

Robin's fists shook with anger, and he threw his hand forward, pointing at X, “No more games X, tell me what you know! TELL ME HOW YOU KNOW ME!”

“What's the matter kid, don't you want to play?” X said, and tipped his head to the side.

Robin roared and launched himself forward; desperate to reach Red X before he disappeared again. Red X simply rolled his eyes, “Kid, you are taking life way too seriously.” Red X leisurely reached over and pulled down on a switch, causing Robin to stop dead in his tracks…