Slade's Manipulation

Chapter 4: More Than One Problem

"KNOWLEDGE! KNOWLEDGE!!" Passion called out as the team progressed down the path. "Hmm, she usually answers by now. She must be busy" she remarked.

"Busy? How can she be busy?" Beast boy marveled.

"Saving Raven, obviously. Damn, how ignorant can you get?" a voice drawled behind the group. The titans swiveled on their spots to be face to face with an orange cloaked Raven. Her hood was pulled up, unlike the emotions they had thus encountered.

"Maybe we can help! How is she helping? Oh, may you lead us to Knowledge Orange Raven?" Starfire pleaded.

"Why the hell would I know how she's helping? That's her job, not mine." Orange Raven huffed.

"Stop being so crude, don't you care for Raven's wellbeing? Don't you want to help her?" Passion countered.

"First of all, it's my fucking nature. Second we all know that if Raven's gone then Rage will never take over. If Raven dies, the possibility of her demon side destroying what you love is zero, Passion. Rage isn't the only stepping stone. Take out the source and bingo! The world might have a future without her."

Beast boy and Starfire were silent with shock. They never knew, or acknowledged, how scared Raven must've been of her dark side, and in turn how much she loathed herself.

"How could you say that about yourself?" Robin voiced, his eyes heavy with concern. He knew they were seeing Raven's raw emotions: her uncensored feelings and thoughts about her life, friends, and herself. This is what she must've meant about the areas of her mind no one should see...

The shadow under the hood quivered, but just barely. "Oh don't give me that. Everyone has thought it at least once. Don't try making this a pity party, bird boy."

~~~

Cyborg had managed to get Raven back to the tower before she awoke. He definitely wasn't taking any chances and put her on anesthetics to keep her that way. He didn't initially notice, but she was covered with cuts, scrapes, and bruises from head to toe. Her right wrist was swollen, red and appeared to be sprained, if not broken. Her right ankle didn't look right either.

Have you always been this prone to injuries, I mean seriously? Either way, why aren't you healing yourself? Cyborg mentally inquired to himself. He tended to her wounds as best he could. The bags under her eyes were more prominent up close.

She must be exhausted. That must be why I found her passed out. But why? She didn't seem to use a whole lot of energy back there... He heard a stomach growl, but it wasn't his. A moan escaped Raven's dry, cracked lips and Cyborg realized yet another thing.

She hasn't consumed anything since this whole thing started has she! I don't recall seeing her at breakfast that morning... "What's wrong? Why haven't you been taking care of yourself?" Cy mused aloud. He connected an IV to her arm, hoping to offset some of her dehydration, though slightly hesitant in fear of waking her (even if she was currently drugged). He connected a second IV as well for anesthetics, just in case.

I hope the guys figure this out soon...

~~~

I never knew how nice sleep felt. How long does it usually last I wonder...

Idiot. You're not supposed to be sleeping. You still have work to do.

Don't call me an idiot. And I can do as I please, no one will tell me what to do.

I helped you gain this power, and you're not using it very well. If you don't do it, I will take over and do it for you.

No. I won't let you.

"Rage? Are you listening?" spoke Knowledge.

Why should I? You only care for Raven.

"If you continue at the rate you're going, you will destroy us all."

How so huh?

"Well, we all know Raven didn't sleep last night so you're controlling a sleep-deprived body. We also know Raven didn't eat this morning. Have you eaten or drunken anything since you took over?"

Well, no but I can do this on my own! Be gone, I don't need your help!

And thus Rage fell into her blissful sleep once more, her exhaustion taking over.

~~~

"Rude is right... The thought has come to mind many times. I just love you guys and the Earth too much to put it in danger. But that's why I hope Raven will prevail and overcome Rage" Passion acknowledged.

"Well with things as they are now honey, that hope will be pointless."

"Are you going to help us or just bully Raven some more?" Beast boy barked. Seeing this side of Raven angered him.

Rude rolled her eyes. "We've been here moron. Knowledge is through that door last time I checked."

"Dude, we have not moved a single-" Beast boy's jaw went slack. The rock they were standing on stopped at the gray walls of a building. Arches formed the entrance with oak doors sealing the way. They couldn't see the roof from their position, but it seemed endless.

"Knowledge! We have guests! They came to help!!" Passion called through the doors. No response.

"YO! Knowledge! You want help or not?!" Rude bellowed.

Knowledge appeared in front of them. Her bespectacled eyes narrowed and her lip thinned. "I am very busy if you haven't noticed. Sorting through memories and thoughts is very time-consuming. How do you want to help?" she responded curtly.

"However we can. But should we start by finding Raven?" Robin asked.

"She is concealing herself from everyone though I do think she will appear soon. I think you'll find what you are looking for if you stay here. Otherwise, I cannot think of a way you can aid me. I am the only one who can enter here and I've really got to get back, many things are happening and I need to plan..." She proceeded to enter the building once more.

"Excuse me, what do you mean by 'many things are happening'? May you tell us?" Starfire inquired.

Knowledge's head fell. "Rage is destroying this body, I haven't figured out what sorcery is behind this, and Raven is wandering around in here incapable of teleporting and getting help quickly. The only way I can help is if I have answers for her when she comes." She then rushed inside before anyone could ask another question.

~~~

Raven was wandering through her mind, trying to stay hidden. Not only was her head pounding and stomach doing flips, she was as exhausted as Rage, still connected with her body. Worst. Day. Ever. The hunger pangs didn't help with her nausea and her throat was dry with thirst. Focus. Her body in here reflected her outward body, displaying every cut and bruise. Calm down. Azarath Metrion -. As the cherry on top, her vision was blurry, again. Why do I even try? The world would be better off. The thought just popped into her head. No, everything I love wouldn't be. Keep hope and prevail.

Why am I thinking this now, of all times?! Raven thought furiously. The two thoughts had disrupted her thin concentration. I need to plan. Another thought pushed its way to the surface. Then it dawned on her. Did they really enter my mind? Again?! The pounding became stronger and her stomach somersaulted.

Rage wouldn't consult Knowledge... I'll go to her. As quickly as she could travel in her state, Raven went to Knowledge's library. Rage really doesn't know how to avoid injury. Her ankle was sprained making movement rather difficult. She couldn't use her powers due to exhaustion though she was feeling slightly refreshed. Rage must be sleeping, finally. But it didn't last long. She used the little energy she could muster to get to her destination. At last, through the haze she saw Beast boy, his skin a stark difference to their surroundings, before collapsing.