Fan Fiction ❯ New Horizons ❯ New Horizons chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

New Horizons: chapter 2

Robin slipped in behind the three silent Titans in the medical bay; the stances each took told him things were still tense. "How's Raven Cyborg?" he asked finally. He could see clearly that she wasn't hovering as she ordinarily would were she coherent enough to induce her meditative healing. Cyborg didn't turn from his monitoring station to answer, which worried the boy wonder.

"She got some nasty bruises and a couple of fractures. Her scans don't show sign of concussion but she hasn't regained consciousness or shown any signs of doing so." The biomechanical Titan's shoulders fell before he finally turned to face the standing group. "It's possible the scanners missed something but that's unlikely so next best guess she is just completely drained from the incident and needs to sleep it off. No telling how long that could take however. It might be a good idea for us to take turns sitting in with her until she comes around." Standing he stepped between Starfire and Beastboy heading to the door. "I need a recharge and some minor maintenance. I'll come back in an hour to double check, Ok?" Robin muttered an accepting response as thoughts tumbled through his head. He was kicking himself for letting it happen in the first place but now he was dealing with an even deeper pang of guilt. As leader the buck stopped with him regarding team safety and this time his failure in that had gotten one of those dearest to him badly hurt.

Raven stood in the middle of the winding path of Nevermore. A purely mental existence in which she alone held dominion, though on occasion one of the myriad of her emotional personas would step forward and start changing the mindscape. Right now Fear was running rampant yet the Raven prime did nothing to intervene. All of the varied personas expressed here in Nevermore bore out a depiction equal to the physical state of her real body including Raven prime, each was marked with numerous cuts and scrapes telling of the injuries she had acquired as the mass threaten to crush her. She could feel the bones of her body that had taken the brunt of the forces encountered in her hastily conceived escape. A few ribs screamed as she took a step forward. The gateway out of this astral plane was only a thought away but here thought took on unique form. In her current condition flight would have been preferred but was denied, she was finding it very hard to focus the necessary pattern to induce the ability.

With each labored step she took a sharp pain lashed out from her more serious injuries, knowing that this was just a carry over from her real form didn't make it any easier to ignore. Every wince brought a ripple of pained murmurs to her ears. Her other selves felt the minor agonies as they worked through her core being daring only to voice their disapproval in hushed pained tones. All save one; there was always one that would speak up loudly when she found herself in such a state. The four flaming crimson eyes of her most violent rage flared into existence directly in front of the violet haired mage. For her part Raven prime tried to shove this specter from her path and back into the recesses of her mind, Rage self refused to be shoved aside though. Ever since those two times Rage had been loosed accidentally it was becoming ever so much harder to suppress.

"Yes you silly weak fool I will not be put down so easily anymore. I will step to the forefront in due time with or without your approval." The sinister visage of her demon self split a twisted grin enjoying the attempts of Raven prime to ignore her as she stepped around the crimson shrouded persona. "Where do you think you're going Mistress?" Rage demanded vehemently, her gravelly voice dripping with sarcasm and insult. "You foolish little bitch you should know you can't walk away from me here!" Even as the vile form spoke it dissolved from the spot she had left it only to reform once again in an attempt to bar her passage. "We have the power to deal with that pathetic excuse for a villain without breaking a sweat yet you," Rage rose in height to tower over Raven prime in an attempt to intimidate her, her voice dripping venom as she continued. "You had to restrain yourself lest I or Fear take over and do what we're meant to do!" At this Raven prime finally stopped and looked directly into the four eyes of her demonic self.

"Listen you poor excuse for an attitude. I run this show, not you, not any single individual element of me. I am the complete package and I am the one who decides what we are here to do. Piss me off at your peril." Rage let her towering form shift and drift down to eyelevel with the furious Raven prime.

"Oh I am trembling before thee my dark mistress," she cried with a sinister smirk on her purely evil features. "What the fuck do you think you can do to me?" Raven prime met her grin with a matching one that seemed to cow the monstrous form.

"You will find out soon enough bitch. Oh and before I forget, let me explain something to you." In spite of her battered appearance Raven prime moved as quicksilver gripping the collar of Rages cloak before the vile avatar could move to react. "You are just my most vile rage, the worst of my worst but you are by no means the only type of rage within my mind nor are you the strongest. At best you are merely the least controlled and should push come to shove again I will put a hurting to you so bad even you will learn what begging for sweet merci means. Do. I. Make. My. Self. Clear?" Each word was emphasized by a violent shake of the red cloaked form, a smile dark in its beauty enhanced the impact of Raven primes declarations.

Inza turned her head as she felt the waves of planar energy pour across the universal mind. She smiled to herself in recognition as the waves washed over her astral form, the scent of this energy was very familiar to her and much different than the last time it had been encountered. She was tempted to race towards the source the instant she felt the differences but being who she was restrained herself. Her husband was still off wandering the furthest reaches of the astral plane and she was his anchor. Not surprisingly the moment she thought of his golden helmed form he called out to her though she could tell he was still deep within the universal mind.

"Inza my dear, I do not require your anchor for the rest of this. It might be good for you to make your presence felt to her." Inza smiled at his statement but spoke to decline.

"Husband I will not leave you to the trackless expanses contained herein. As wife and spiritual second it is my duty to anchor you to firm reality." A great chuckle rippled through the mindscape as her thoughts brushed against his.

"Your devotion keeps my heart strong my love but she is also in need of your kind soul. I know the two of you became closer than you have admitted to me." A warmth she had grown to love as much as life itself washed over her soul as she prepared to refute the statement but was cut off, he wasn't finished it seemed. "We hide nothing from each other love even if we do not openly speak of private things. I am not concerned about you or her in that regard but in truth there is another reason I suggest you go to her. It is almost time, she needs to know so she can begin to prepare." Inza's smile fell for the first time in many months.

"I understand my husband; I will seek her out now and relay the message. I do however request you be extremely careful. You may be the master of this realm but even you can get lost and I … I fear that." Before he could respond he felt her mind rocketing away into the distant reaches of the universal mind. He chose not to reach out to her as she left even though it would be a simple matter for him to do so. At present he was faced with a challenge that would require his complete focus. Before him the ghostly form of a white cloaked female smiled and nodded.

Starfire sat at Raven's bedside worry etched on her normally energetic face. `Oh Raven I have not the words to express my sorrow at failing to aid you.' Tears still lingered in the corners of her eyes but she had brought them under control finally, she had been crying since she relieved Cyborg of watch duty and taken her seat beside the stricken mage. Starfire sniffled a bit and reached a hand out to caress Raven's lightly bandaged face, the few cuts she had marring her pale features weren't serious but required covering for a time especially since she wasn't in a position to rapidly heal them herself. Starfire had been the one to remove her uniform and dress her for what appeared now to be an extended stay in the infirmary. The simple green hospital gown contrasted hideously with Raven's light tones but it served to facilitate the ease of redressing the few severe cuts and gashes she bore. A light cast had been applied the full length of her right arm, it wasn't actually broken but there were several hairline fractures in the major bones and the cast would prevent her from using it and injuring them further should she not be able to heal them completely when she woke up.

With a deep sigh Starfire slipped her hand from the prone girl's delicate face and curled her fingers loosely around the fingers jutting from the end of the cast. She hated to see anyone in such a state and it was tearing her up. When Robin had broken his arm in that accident while he was chasing Johnny Rancid she spent the entire time it took to set the bones and apply the cast in a state of profound concern, she felt the same now. More so in fact as Robin had been alert and coherent if a touch hostile at the time. She forgave him for shouting at her when she tried to examine the arm as he cradled it. Raven couldn't even do that currently.

Robin smiled as he walked through the door to the infirmary and caught sight of Starfire lightly clasping Raven's hand. `They do make an interesting couple.' He thought to himself as he leaned against the frame concealing the containment security door. "She is going to be alright Star." He said with more conviction than he felt. The moment he spoke her head snapped around and new tears could be seen in the corners of her eyes. She stood to run to him but the pressure of Raven's fingers against her hand halted her mid-step. Robin could see the anguish on her face clearly and took action to spare her anymore of the grief, it only took him three steps to reach her and wrap his arms gently around her in a comforting hug. As soon as he did so her free arm gripped him tightly and she let loose with a shuddering mournful cry as the tears fell anew. He too felt the anguish on a deep level and in the privacy of that embrace let his own tears of grief and sorrow flow freely. Starfire tensed as she felt the silent sobs run through his slender form shaking them both slightly, her response was to pull him in closer and hold him as he had been doing for her.

Inza's flight across the mindscape was over in a thought, traveling in this plane was as simple as thinking of going to a place and appearing there with the next breath. The mind she sought was well guarded but she knew the key to surmounting its defenses, she had after all taught the girl the barrier technique in use. Assuming a cross legged position at the point of resistance she began the simple chant to get the attention of the barriers creator and was pleased when access was granted almost instantly. The vast expanse of Nevermore opened before her as she entered Raven's mindscape and began the search for the primary ego. Chuckling to herself as she flew through the ether she noted little had changed despite of all the training. `The girl is nothing if not persistent; she always insisted this was soothing to her spirit.' It might well be true; the mind of any given individual reserved its own piece of tranquility in a fundamentally unique manner. Her own `center' was vaguely reminiscent of ancient Japan with its ornate structures and pristine forests. She was native born to America but her roots originated in the countryside of that ancient land.

Her first glimpse of the persona she sought startled her, the `avatar' one presented in the mindscape reflected the condition of the person's mindstate typically but she had to remind herself Raven wasn't a typical person. In this case she knew Raven's distressed state meant her physical form was hurt badly, not life threatening but traumatic enough to force the wounds appearance here. Raven was seated in a spot to the right of her portal of return, which confused the priestess, why would she be sitting there and not return to the waking world? The energy she was giving off earlier was radiant in a positive way; there was nothing dire keeping her here as far as Inza could determine.

"Raven are you ok?" she asked as she touched down in front of the cloaked girl. When Raven looked up to greet her she knew instantly something was amiss. The Titan she knew rarely cried even with all the training she had helped her with yet tears wear streaming down her face.

"Don't mind me Inza I'm fine. I just noticed something reaching out to me here as I neared the portal and stopped to investigate." She drug her sleeved arm across her eyes wiping away the tears that hadn't yet had the chance to fall and forced a smile to her face causing Inza a moments concern until she felt the emanation that touched Raven so.

Nevermore didn't behave as other planes of thought, being partly demonic in nature it in itself was outside the planes of regular thought, elevated as it were, by the vast well of power that fed the spirit of its master. As one approached the portal of return Raven used to leave her thoughtscape a number of things could happen depending on her level of awareness at the time. Right now the energies of two beings had `leaked' into Nevermore near its weakest point. Inza could feel a great sorrow in both of those entities and something much deeper, which puzzled her momentarily. Casting a glance to Raven she waited for permission from the master of the realm to examine closer. Raven wanted to refuse but couldn't; Inza had done so much for her she deserved the chance to understand a bit more and so consented with an embarrassed blush and subtle nod.

Kneeling with a grace born of nearly a century's practice Inza took her place before Raven prime and began a monotone chant to align her energies with that of her one time student. Eyes closed she reached towards Raven's forehead with two outstretched fingers until they came in contact with the bloodstone adorning the younger woman's ajna chakra, the place Raven considered representative of her spiritual center. Immediately the energies of the pair united washing back and forth between them as they merged on a deeper level. Once the link was firmly established Inza could clearly make out the essence of the beings she had sensed before, one was clearly female with a spicy sweet aura, and the other held a deep seated strength that hinted at a sharp well honed mind. Still connected to her former student Inza opened an eye to gaze upon Raven's face for a moment where she saw the answer she had been looking for to her unasked question. She broke the link gently and stood saying simply, "I see."

Raven started to pull the cowl of her cloak up over her head to let shadow hide her face only to have Inza stop her with a knowing smile. "I hope to meet them one day Raven. It seems they are as drawn to you as you are to them." The blush Raven had been trying to hide behind shadow flared anew and her smile broadened.

"Anything is possible Inza but as yet I have only begun to explain my feelings to the one. The other will be harder because…" Inza silenced her with a finger to her lips.

"No need to explain to me dear Raven, remember it was I who helped guide you to the path you're on now." When Raven nodded she took a step back and really looked at the girl, no young woman, standing before her. Apparent injuries aside she looked in good health and spirit. "You have continued with the training as instructed?" she asked turning her attention to the environs surrounding them, many of the personas had taken up residence around them and she had to restrain the momentary shudder she felt. In normal beings such a spectacle would indicate a mental defect of some magnitude but where as it was Raven's mind it was, for the time being, healthy.

"Yes I have worked hard to keep the schedule, there have been times I lapsed in my diligence but only on the off occasion when forces beyond my control dictated I tend other things."

Inza nodded as she approached the childlike persona representing the innocent Raven, it was one of her incarnations Inza hoped would last a long time though she could see the changes in Innocence that signified growth and maturity already beginning. Mussing the pink clad avatar's hair teasingly she let her voice go quiet as she decided it was time to tell Raven what Fate had asked her to pass along.

"It is almost time Raven. We have nearly completed our preparations and will be soon calling you to the spire." In the moment the last of her words slipped into silence all the persona avatars vanished and she could feel a new power rising in the woman behind her. Turning to face the young sorceress she smiled at what she saw. Raven prime was positively glowing with happiness though a hint of trepidation was still evident. It was understandable she have some concern, what they would be attempting offered no guarantees of success and the very real potential to kill her in the process.

The infirmary was silent save for the intermittent bleeps of the life readouts recording and displaying Raven's current state. Starfire and Robin had settled down for a long few hours of watching until Beastboy would relieve them in the morning. After the emotional venting both Robin and Starfire were drained but with only one chair handy and neither of them feeling up to retrieving another they elected to share, Robin sitting on the chair Star sitting on his lap. His legs had gone numb some time ago but he ignored them, it was worth the discomfort to have Starfire so close. He longed to hold her like this when they weren't sitting watch over an injured friend but he pushed such thoughts from his mind. Now wasn't the time for such. He cast his gaze from the fiery red hair dominating his forward field of view to the violet haired beauty laid in the bed to his side. He marveled in silence at how much she had changed since they had first met, back then her pale features were even rounder than they appeared now. In the interleaving time since she had grown into a stunning figure. The softness of her youthful face had matured into a well defined though slightly Asian face, her Goth appearance a natural look other Goths envied with a jealous passion. The only makeup she wore was a slight grey shadow to highlight the violet depths that were her eyes, a feature he found the most attractive. He was so lost in his examination of their wounded teammate he failed to notice Starfire watching him with somewhat mixed emotions playing out on her face.

She watched him examining Raven trying not to let her jealousy surface; it wouldn't be fair to either of them though she was mildly upset that in this time he was just staring so openly at her. Raven was hurt and needed them to be there for her then, realizing she had done the same she chastised herself mentally. She turned to look at the face of her closest friend; Raven was a beauty to be reckoned with even in her current state. She smiled at the girl in the bed warmly remembering the previous day and the new developments between them. She wasn't sure how far she wanted things to progress but she knew she wanted to explore this new aspect of their relationship. The hardest part wasn't figuring that out, it was figuring out where Robin would fit in if he didn't abandon her outright. She didn't even want to consider that possibility. For the moment both were moot points.

"Robin?" she asked hesitantly, "What will we do if she doesn't wake up?" No one had asked the question as yet but she knew it needed to be considered in case she didn't recover.

Raven felt a dramatic shift in the energies coming from that warm spot she was hesitant to leave, it felt like a profound sense of loss sweeping over her and she didn't like it in the least. Not when she knew she was the cause. Inza smiled warmly noting the concern for her loved ones that she wouldn't admit to a few months ago. She had changed markedly since the summons to the spire, Raven had come to them a frightened powerhouse barely in control of the magic coursing through every fiber of her being and left a whole person save for the necessary role Nevermore played in her psyche. It would always be a part of her even if what was planned succeeded but it would change radically. Stepping in close to her friend and student Inza put her arms around the young woman and hugged her fiercely, the girl had become a very special person in her life and she was happy to see her making such progress. Releasing the young woman proved harder than she had anticipated when she closed her arms around her but it was time.

"Go on Raven they need to know you're alright. We will contact you when the time is right." With that she simply winked out of existence in Nevermore though Raven could still feel the warmth of her spirit all around her. `Thank you Inza, for everything.' She thought to herself as she stepped to the portal and readied her mind for the leap to reality.

Robin was leaning his head against Starfire's shoulder sleeping soundly; Starfire was still awake though only just. Beastboy could only smile at the scene as he walked in. He had planned on putting on a bit of a show when he relieved Starfire but seeing Robin and her together as they watched over Raven he changed his mind. Even if she wouldn't admit it Raven would understand his need to be the comedian in light of the grave situation but Star and Robin wouldn't be so forgiving.

"Hey Star it's time." He put a gentle hand on her shoulder to get her full attention. The weary set to her eyes almost broke his heart. It had obviously been a rough night for her. As she rose to her feet Robin roused from his slumber, he looked as rough as Star and Beastboy had to stifle a laugh. Robin's normally spiky hair was pressed flat from where he had been resting his head against Starfire.

Being the most alert of the trio Beastboy was the first to notice the change in the Raven's bio-monitors. He didn't pretend to understand them completely but her heart rate increased and the signal registering her brainwaves was climbing, a mass of squiggly lines to be certain but definitely on the move.

"Guys I think she's coming too!" Starfire spun on her heals at his declaration returning quickly to the bedside as he leaned closer to her face listening for a change in her breathing. When her eyes flickered open he almost jumped out of his green skin, his heart rocketed into orbit as the adrenaline her movement stirred took affect.

"Jeez Raven you had me scared girl!" He blurted out quickly before leaning close to hug her as tightly as he dared. The cast on her arm and the bandages on her face both served as an irrefutable reminder that while she was back with them she was still out of commission. Raven blushed at the display but reached around with her good arm to return the embrace.

"Thanks B, sorry I scared you like that." He pulled back so he could look into her eyes, they weren't the best of friends but he still cared for her deeply and despite his clowning nature he had been as torn up as anyone else. Plastering his patented snaggle toothed grin on firmly he wiped at his eyes with his sleeve and stepped back so Robin and Star could speak with her.

"I'll go see if I can't whip you up a bit of tea sit tight." He was gone before she could say thanks leaving only Starfire and Robin to keep her company until he returned with the promised tea. Starfire could barely contain herself at the revival of her friend; she was a wreck from the trying emotional havoc Raven's injuries and apparent coma brought to bear. Robin was faring little better though he hid it more successfully. The mask helped. Raven could easily see it had been a trying time for them both and wanted to console them but before she could say a word Robin stepped towards the bed bent down and ran a finger over her forehead moving an errant strand of her violet locks from the charm affixed to her chakra point. Leaning close he stunned both girls kissing her ever so lightly on the point just below the blood red stone.

"Glad to have you back, Rae, I thought we lost you." His voice cracked on the last words as he struggled with the sudden release of a long night's anguish. Without another word or waiting for her to reply he spun on his heal and raced out of the room leaving Starfire and Raven in a daze.

Raven's eyes couldn't get any wider as she reached her good hand to the spot he had kissed, a fraction of a second later the stunned look was replaced with one of horror as she realized he had done so in full view of Starfire. Starfire was still staring at the door Robin raced out of when Raven tried to stammer words of apology only to have them fail her entirely. She had managed to regain Starfire's undivided attention but couldn't read the alien girl's expression. From her vantage it looked as if Star was fighting an internal war that she was ill-prepared to face. All that changed as she stepped into the spot Robin vacated. Her large emerald eyes were full of emotions Raven couldn't place which scared the mage more than any enemy she had ever faced. Starfire leaned in close causing Raven to flinch away, a motion that halted her instantly. Her face softened as she realized Raven had been fearful of her reaction to Robin's kiss, to ease her friends mind she bent to Raven's forehead and softly kissed the exact same spot Robin had then, embolden by the lack of reaction or resistance she lowered her face and lightly pressed her lips against Raven's lingering only long enough to feel the pleasant warmth she found in them cross to her own.

"It is indeed good to have you back dearest Raven." Tears spilled out uncontrollably as she broke down and bawled on her friend's shoulder.

Cyborg let the door close hoping its quiet hiss wouldn't interrupt the girls. He had seen the first and last kiss and knew now was not the time for him to rush in. Right now they needed their privacy. He caught Beastboy on his way back to the living area. No words were needed to convey to him the need to let the pair be alone for the time being. Cyborg took a last look back and let out a relieved sigh. Things wouldn't be the same, of that he was certain, but as long as Raven was alright then they could get past any difficulty the new situation might present.

"C'mon B, leave the tea here. We can bring it in later." He said taking the serving tray from the shaking hands of a rather upset changeling. Beastboy had been in a wild tear when he rushed in hollering `she's awake!' He was glad the changeling had woken him early but what he had just seen meant for a time he couldn't be his usual macho self. He only hoped he could convince Beastboy to tone things down for a few days, otherwise things could get messy.

Robin stood at the edge of the tower's eastern rampart watching as the sun crested the city he served without question. `How could I have been so stupid,' he shouted to himself, his eyes clenched shut in anger as he berated himself for his lack of self control. `Star was standing right there and I kissed another girl, she probably hates me now.' His mind raced back to the event tormenting him so profoundly. He could still feel the warmth of her pale skin under his lips; he could see the alarm in her eyes as he pulled away. He thought it would have been less cruel of him to simply slap Starfire instead of letting her watch as his kissed the shadowy sorceress. Letting out a breath of frustration and self denigration he turned away from the glorious golden and red hued sunrise, right now he felt he didn't deserve the right to view such a beautiful sight. He didn't deserve the obvious love Starfire had for him; he was torn between the two women that meant the most to him when he should be dedicated to only one of them. Balled fists pressed firmly against his eyes as he fought the hardest internal war he had ever faced, not even his turmoil over the menace that was Slade could compare to this despair. Typical of a hero's existence life chose that moment to intervene; his com-unit bleeped its insistent alert chime. The energetic theme it played so cheerfully a bitter counter to his internal debate. Without a second thought he stood and shoved his personal demons to the furthest reaches of his mind to be dealt with later.

The team, Raven included, was gathered and waiting for him in the conference section of the living area. One look to the determined but still injured mage struck a hard blow to his normally confident demeanor; he refused to let her join them in this condition. Cyborg had done so before nearly at the cost of his sense of self when Fixit had attempted to `repair' what he considered to be Cy's imperfections of flesh.

Beastboy looked up from the monitor station and announced, "It's Control Freak, he's at the Jump City Comicon." The display showed a frantic scene of chaos as Control Freak fired his technomage remote control at numerous toys and displays which instantly became an army of impressive, if diminutive, warriors. Everyone looked to Raven who paled under her already haunting façade. She thought for a moment about insisting she would be fine but knew the suggestion would be soundly put down and opted to wave off joining them.

"Go on I'll be fine, I wouldn't be of much help right now anyway." Starfire looked from Robin to Raven and back again.

"She has only just recovered I wish to remain here and make sure she will truly be fine, if that is acceptable." Her eyes pleaded silently with Robin who nodded in acceptance.

"We'll be shorthanded but I agree someone needs to stay here. Rerun the diagnostics just to be sure nothing was missed in the initial scans." He turned abruptly to face Cyborg and Beastboy raising a clenched fist. "The three of us can put down Control Freaks remote." He didn't wait for them to acknowledge the decision as he bolted for the door followed closely by the augmented human and the changeling.

Raven glared at Starfire who was energetically doting over her, she was injured not invalid. The scans showed a few minor discrepancies from the initial examine but nothing to note as putting her at risk. "Starfire much as I appreciate the attention I can still walk you know. It's my arm that's banged up not my legs." She was fighting the urge to leap out of her friends comforting if embarrassing arms which held her cradled close. Starfire simply smiled and kept flying down the hall only stopping at the entrance to Raven's room.

"I seem to have my hands full friend Raven could you please open the door?" Letting out an amused yet exasperated sigh the shadow master complied waving a hand over the trigger sensor. All of her embarrassment left her the moment she saw her bed or more specifically the disturbingly squishy larva thing occupying it.

"What the hell is Silky doing on MY bed?" she blared in outrage. Starfire let her head droop as a flush of embarrassment washed over her.

"I am not certain Raven, I think he too has been worried for you and since he could not get into the infirmary he must have decided to wait here." Settling her boot clad feet to the floor Starfire deposited Raven on the edge of her oval bed and called out to the sickeningly cute monster in the making. "Wake up Silky your Knorfka is here!" How Starfire could get so worked up over the mutant insect Raven thought she would never know. She had never laid a hand on its boneless wet looking body as every time she looked at the thing it sent a repulsed shiver down her spine. She watched in abject disgust as Starfire bent to retrieve the critter only to be startled when it popped its head up and gurgled at its `parent'. Starfires hands were almost to the point of collecting Silky when it noticed Raven's presence and did the impossible, with legs totally incapable of the action it leapt at the injured Titan squealing joyfully as it flew in a slow arc to land in her lap.

Raven for her part was displaying heroic resolve by not flinging the thing from her lap and stomping it into a messy pulp. With one eye closed in disgust she looked at the somewhat jiggly mass squirming in her lap only to be surprised at what she saw it do. It made motions of sniffing the various bandages on her legs before worming its way to the cast on her arm and sniffing once more. It made a piteous sound as its pupiless eyes rotated on the semi-stalks supporting them, for a nearly alien type of life it was clear it could tell she was hurt and surprisingly it appeared to be on the verge of tears as it looked up to the face of its friend. It made soft audible chirps and peeps as it tucked what passed for its head and gently rubbed against her stomach attempting to sooth her in its own way. Raven wasn't sure if she should be disturbed or astonished at the creature's behavior and took a moment to consider her options as Starfire watched on in quiet glee. Giving in against her better judgment Raven carefully laid her good hand on the shiny pink skin only to find it wasn't what she had expected from its appearance at a distance. Instead of being wet or slimy it was smooth and soft, warm to the touch despite being a cold blooded species. Her casual if hesitant caress elicited a purr of contentment from the creature which she found much to her surprise far more soothing than she had thought possible. `Why me?' was all she could think of as she listened to Starfire rant and rave about the newly formed friendship.

Cyborg shook his head in shear amazement at the scene playing out before his optics. Thousands of tiny versions of him were running amuck chasing and harassing a number of hapless civilians who were fleeing from the depths of the convention hall while a number of cosplayers were actually running back into the chaos contained in the massive structure. When a dozen Robin wannabe's raced inside he knew things would be getting complicated, he could only hope there wouldn't be any Beastboy imitators. That was not an image he wanted in his data files. Once inside he could tell it was going to be a disturbing day. Control Freak was in the center of a mass of cosplayers dedicated to the villains of several anime universes not to mention scifi and fantasy tales. The most disturbing aspect of the sight before him, he had to concede, was the amount of bare skin parading around. Guys and girls alike were dressed in outfits that would put a blush on the face of a porn star.

Opposite the teaming hordes of would be villains stood an equally teaming horde of would be heroes in equally flamboyant garb. Just as much exposed skin threatened to blind the on looking Titans who found it particularly disturbing to see the Bishiboys in all too tight or nearly non existent outfits, they made the group of Robin's who varied in form from pudgy and round to gigantic and overly muscled seem almost normal; throughout it all the artificially animated action figures under the digital spell of Control Freaks remote pillaged and plundered the hundreds of display booths still standing. As the Titan trio stepped into the space between the two opposing sides, things went from merely chaotic to utterly insane. Good and evil cosplayers collided in a mélange of gaudy outfits and barely intelligible cries declaring attack moves. For a moment the trio feared the press of the crowd but soon found that the surge of good and evil bishis was the real danger. They had their hands full keeping the boys surrounding them from getting a handful.

Starfire lay on her side while watching Raven as she hovered in her healing meditation, instead of her normal cross legged position she was laying prone three inches off the dark satin sheets adorning her bed. Every once in a while she would fight to stifle a giggle as Silky made himself comfortable on her washboard stomach; his stubby legs were constantly finding the most ticklish spots she had. After a scant few minutes she resigned to giving up, the constant tickling from Silky and Star's close scrutiny made the necessary concentration all but impossible. Letting out her breath she allowed the energy holding her above the bed to dissipate settling her gently to its surface where she rolled to face Starfire, Silky was none to happy to be dislodged in such a manner but finding himself between the two he curled up feeling secure in their presence. Starfire glanced down at her small charge and smiled broadly, she hadn't expected Raven to be so tolerant of the little mutant. Much to her pleasure the critter managed to hit the only weakness Raven couldn't hide, her sense of the absurd. She had to admit the thing was indeed absurdly cute, in a maggoty freakish kind of way. When she looked back to Raven she found herself mere inches from the violet eyed beauty, her face instantly flushed at the proximity and time slowed to a crawl.

"Star," she swallowed as her name was spoken in hushed tones.

"Yes Raven?"

With a sideways grin the mage managed to defuse the mounting tension, "Silky is eating the important part of this stupid gown." The lanky alien's eyes bulged before she glanced down between her and Raven only to nearly have them pop out of her head when she saw the creature had eaten a sizable hole in the lower front of the gown Raven was still wearing. Both girls blushed furiously when she reached down to collect Silky revealing what his appetite had exposed but his body kept covered.

"I will retrieve a new garment for you Raven. She said hastily as she all but leaped off the bed with the mutant larva in her arms then rocketed out of the room. Raven chuckled to herself as her closet opened and one of her dark cloaks drifted to her hand. When Starfire returned new patients gown in hand Silky was notably absent.

"Where's the little mutant Star?" she asked as she slipped out of the shredded garment she wore and into the new one, she didn't like the idea of wearing the thing but with all the cuts and scrapes she had not to mention the cast immobilizing her arm she had little choice, until she could get the time alone to properly heal herself. Starfire stepped in behind her to tie the loose straps holding the thing closed and breathed deeply. Raven's scent was beginning to return to normal and she enjoyed being close enough to savor it.

"Raven," she paused midway down the other girl's back as she remembered the promise Raven had made prior to the dinner the other night. "You never did tell me of how you came to your new level of control as you promised remember?" Raven scowled for a moment as she thought back on the promise while looking at her current state of wellbeing.

"Yes I remember Star though to look at me now you couldn't say I have learned all that much. With all my new strength I still got thrashed in a battle." Raven clenched her fists tightly tensing in the recent memory.

Robin smirked as Control Freak was presented a challenge he obviously hadn't planned on. His animated toy and poster army was being dealt a crushing blow by the horde of cosplayers with Cyborg and Beastboy leading the charge while Robin and more than thirty cosplay Robin's advanced on the pudgy otaku. While he was hesitant to go into battle with a bunch of hero worshiping amateurs he had to admit they were doing remarkably well. The horde of evil cosplayers fell quickly to them with a generous dose of assistance from the less organized but no less effective good cosplayers leaving the real Titans to take point.

"Give it up Control Freak; your appearance has been officially cancelled." How he could smile so broadly after delivering such a cornball line Control Freak would give his yearly allowance to know. He wasn't about to concede the battle yet however in spite being grossly outnumbered. Striking a defiant pose he adjusted the remote animator in his palm, his finger finding the right button from memory.

"That's not in the original script boy blunder." Grinning maniacally he swung the remote over the heads of the Robin group zapping the dozen garish banners hanging there. Moments later the banners took on a serpentine silhouette and began raining down on the determined group of Robin's. The real one took quick stock of the situation before launching a birdarang at the water cooler nearest Control Freak spraying him with a small flood of liquid. Unfortunately it didn't have the expected effect.

"Hah! Did you think you can beat me the same way twice dorkboy?" the demented fanboy taunted as he shook off the water drenching his coat then held out the remote and gave it a quick shake flinging droplets of water at Robin. "It's been water proofed dumbass." With a flippant grin he pointed the remote at a mannequin dressed in red robes with a massive sword, which instantly sprang to life charging straight for Robin.

Cyborg cried tearlessly as he continued stomping on the miniscule versions of himself. He had lost track of Beastboy amidst the maze of dealer booths but with the last flattened Cyborg action figure with light up sonic punch he was free to track down his teammates. He didn't go far when Robin was flung past his line of sight followed by a white haired dog-eared mannequin. Ducking below the booth table that kept him out of sight he waited for his moment to strike, Control Freak was enjoying the fight between the Inuyasha puppet and Robin and his laughter could be clearly heard over the din of the still rowdy room. A roundish shadow edged across the gap between booths and he leapt around the corner in an attempt to tackle the nerd only to catch the massive bulk of Beastboy's hippo form as it sailed off the end of the giant now animated Unicron display. Control Freak casually stepped into view and twirled the remote gunslinger style as he watched the planet devouring transformer stomp its fiberglass foot down on the two dazed Titans. Robin entered the picture again as the Inuyasha figure swatted him towards the towering monster mechanoid. Robin landed with a thud at the thing's feet managing to roll away just in time to avoid being scooped up in its talon tipped fingers. Cyborg wasn't so fortunate; when his eyes stopped swirling he found himself nearly twenty feet off the floor. Beastboy was out of it for the moment, the stomp had more of an impact on his body than it had Cyborg

The massive transformer flipped Cyborg in his hand catching him by the feet before slamming him into the solid ground repeatedly. Robin could only watch as he was forced to go on the defensive again. For being such a large sword the mannequin wielded it like a baton forcing the boy wonder back with each successive strike until he tripped over the prone form of Beastboy. Before he could roll out of the way the heavy fiberglass weapon was at his throat pinning him to the spot. Cyborg crashed to the floor next to the trio a moment later as Control Freak stepped up to savor his victory.

"Damn that was too easy." He smirked confidently as he sidestepped around the heel of the giant display piece. "I am a bit disappointed guys; I was looking forward to beating the five of you senseless then dressing you up in silly costumes. Oh wait! You already are in silly costumes." His grin darkened as he placed a boot on Robin's chest and leaned closer. "Still it would have been nice to see that red head and the Goth bitch in something more … titillating. Oh who am I kidding I would have just dressed them in chains and enjoyed the view. Oh well, maybe after I'm done here I'll swing by the tower and pay them a visit." He was enjoying the site of pure hatred on Robin's face almost to the point he nearly missed it at first, a peculiar sound reached his ears and he felt the person under his foot shift around almost pitching him off balance. In a heartbeat three things happened at once, Robin fired his grappling hook through the midsection of the mannequin waiting only long enough for it to embed itself in the distant ceiling before letting the hand grip end go allowing it to drag the thing away. A large animalistic foot appeared from beneath Robin as he shifted due to the transformation happening out of sight, the foot lashed out with the force of a pissed off kangaroo landing squarely in the space where Control Freaks balls were causing the portly villain to double over and drop his remote as he clutched his crotch. The final event in the sequence delivered the finishing blow as Cyborg's sonic cannon lanced out striking Control Freak at full power sending him sailing across the expanse of the room. Robin stood partly to allow Beastboy to get up and partly to retrieve the device that had caused all the trouble, Control Freaks remote. Holding it firmly in his hand he keyed it off and marched to the spot Control Freak had landed, the goomba was still recovering from the swift kick below the belt when he noticed the boy wonder approaching. Coughing a bit as he stood Control Freak was still doubled over clutching his family jewels, "Real heroes wouldn't have done that!" Robin smirked and drew back his fist curled tightly around the animation remote.

"The shows over Control Freak you bastard." Cyborg and Beastboy glared at the bad guy as Robin slammed his fist into the fanboy's face shattering the remote and dropping Control Freak like a stone. Neither of them would say a word about the excessive use of force, the creep deserved everything he got including the low blow. He had crossed a line he shouldn't have especially in light of the recent events the Titans had been through.

Starfire stared at Raven as she listened to the sorceress complain about her apparent lack of skill as displayed by the wounds she suffered in the battle with Cinderblock until she could take no more and clamped her hand down on the shorter girl's shoulder then spun her none to carefully around to look into her face. "Enough Raven you are being far too harsh on yourself." Starfire cringed inside as she saw the flash of physical pain wash over Raven's face. Raven was cradling the cast covering her arm protectively making Starfire regret the sudden ill-advised move. "Oh friend I am sorry I did not mean to cause you further pain but I couldn't take anymore. Your powers demand a degree of focus to function at their best and at the time of the accident you had no chance to focus properly." Her eyes fell as she remembered the moment clearly. She herself was having trouble thinking fast enough to avoid being pummeled by the falling debris. "When I saw your barrier collapse I thought …" Her voice choked up and failed her giving Raven a chance to respond.

"It's ok Star you're right there was a lot happening and I couldn't focus well enough to fly out of danger, I really am lucky to have survived though." She took a deep breath as she thought back over the hasty escape that hurt her but saved her life. She turned her back to Star and grinned asking, "Do you think you could finish up back there? It's a bit drafty." Star giggled as she looked to the untied lower half of the garment which was exposing Raven's tush, in a moment of devilish fun she decided to surprise Raven and playfully pinched the rounded flesh of her rear eliciting a startled `EEP' from the butts owner. "No Fair!" Raven declared as she waved her good hand around behind her in an attempt to swat away Starfire's brazen pinches. "Just wait till your standing there mostly naked and I get my turn!" Starfire grinned at the thought and focused on tying the last of the straps securing Raven's modesty as best the garment could.

"That could be most … enjoyable, Rae." When Raven turned to face her she could barely contain the urge to smother her with kisses, the bright blush on her ashen features was indescribably attractive. Taking her good hand Star guided her back to the bed and urged her to sit comfortably, until Raven was restored to full health she would have to contain her piqued curiosity and interest. "Now that you are dressed and as comfortable as I can currently make you can you please enlighten me about the events that have improved your control so much? Do not try to deny it Rae." She added when Raven looked ready to argue the point again. "I have known you for only a short time and still even I can see you have changed significantly." Sighing in defeat the shadow master acquiesced though she found it hard to concentrate with the current seating arrangement, Starfire had opted to sit on the floor directly in front of her, and though the alien girls gaze was fixed on her face she felt the brevity of her current attire would prove embarrassing should her line of sight drift south.

"You remember the fight with the Joker when he decided to pay Robin a visit?" she began.

(Cue flashback)

Starfire and Raven floated skyward as they struggled with the new heat exchangers to be mounted on top of the tower, the fight with Malchior left the rooftop a shambles. The gaping hole had been repaired finally and now they could make the repairs to the towers cooling system. The girls were the only ones capable of hefting the massive system to the roof and at that they were struggling. They would have hired a sky crane but the repairs from dragon induced damage, as with most damages done to the tower in a major battle, weren't covered by their insurance. The stipend they received from the Justice League financiers only covered structural repairs and their own bank accounts were rather limited so they tried to keep the damage to a minimal. That was easier said than done however, their line of work and lack of anonymity left their profile quite high and open to frontal attack at the worst of times.

When the heat exchangers were finally in place and Cyborg was bolting them down the pair of weary girls allowed themselves a moments rest. Robin presented them with a tray of iced tea and large glasses before he joined Cyborg in making the connections to restore the towers a/c system. They savored the fresh cold drink and eagerly awaited the moment when they could return to the towers cool interior. The tower depended on the a/c as Jump city was on the lower west coast and the average temperature was short sleeve comfortable almost two hundred days of the year which meant any building without central air was more like a furnace on the sunnier days and merely oven like in the cooler times. A brief spot of relief drifted between the tower rooftop and the sun high above bringing a sigh of contentment to those working on it. The moment was all to brief as the shadow proved to be a threat from above. Starfire was the first to identify the threat for what it was; her keen eyesight suited for free travel in the depths of space spotted the first object thrown from the airship long before it got in visual site of her teammates.

"Titans Heads UP!" she bellowed as the comically painted box screamed down and embedded itself in the roof followed by dozens more. High above them a twisted laugh rang out as the blimp passed and turned to make a second pass over the tower. The titans could now make out the clown painted on the skin of the massive aircraft; Robin could only stare in abject horror as one of his worst nightmares began to unfold. Shaking himself out of his shocked state he raced to Starfire's side and pushed her away from the box she was examining.

"Titans we have to get out of here! Now!" Grabbing Starfire's arm in one hand he lead her past Raven and caught her as well almost dragging them away from the point of impact. His quick reaction bought them the time needed though only just barely, a few steps away from the closest of the boxes they witnessed their world come apart violently. The entire top of the tower exploded as the first wave of the Jokers jack in the box bombs went off. From the protective shell Raven had thrown up around the three of them they watched as the demented clown did his best to utterly destroy the tower from above. By the time they had crossed the small gulf of air separating them from the blimp their home was essentially destroyed. They heard the rush of its collapse as they began their assault on the floating fortress.