Slade's Manipulation

Chapter 6: A New Controller

You need to wake up. We had a bargain.

Rage for once was at peace, continuing to slumber away. If she did try, she couldn't wake up, though she didn't really want to. Relax dark one, I am exhausted.

I have a mission and as I stated before, I do not need you to complete it. The mysterious figure that had given Rage this power stalked off in a determined state of mind. Rage never saw their face and began to wonder what it looked like. Then she wondered why they had never shown them self to her.

Does that being think they're better than me to not show their appearance?! Rage felt belittled by this realization. They're not better than me, and I'll stop them. As she ran through the plan the figure had given her to complete, she connected the dots. They mean to destroy Raven! That will destroy me too! This newfound anger fueled Rage to awaken fully. But she did not awake to where she was expecting. How the hell did I end up back here?!

She woke up back in Nevermore, not in Raven's body, and she could see the Titans in the distance.

~~~

In the infirmary, Raven's vitals slowed to a normal pace again. Cyborg had been pacing for hours, concerned about the effects of continuous stress on her body would do. When the sound of consistent beeps filled the room, he almost fainted with relief. He wasn't sure if Raven, almost his little sister, would make it, and he didn't want to lose her. They had been through too much. "She's strong, she'll make it." He continued the mantra in his head, trying to convince himself out of worry.

Suddenly, Cyborg heard a growl from the bed. Raven's eyes were wide open, but nothing like he'd ever seen. He was looking into a set of four, unblinking, black eyes.

"R-raven?" Cyborg asked nervously.

As soon as he spoke, Raven, or whatever was controlling her, violently fought the restraints. So, not Raven... "Sorry, but whatever I make, no one can break!" he said with pride.

"Fool, I will complete my mission, and no one can stop me." A dead voice escaped her lips.

Yea, sure...time for more anesthetics. Cyborg remotely gave another dose (or two, for good measure) to Raven through the IVs. Raven's black eyes widened as she felt the drug take over. Before she fell unconscious (again), the dead voice rang out once more: "You will not contain me for long!"

They really need to hurry up! Cyborg thought frantically.

~~~

"So, we need to find your other 'emoticlones'?" Beast boy asked, emphasizing the quotation marks with his fingers. Raven had just finished answering most of their questions and explained the next course of action. "How are we supposed to do that?!" Beast boy whined in desperation.

"No, I need to. You guys need to leave." Raven's look was stern, trying to convey the importance of the matter. She was on her feet, using Starfire for support.

"Raven, Beast boy already told us that we might be trapped here forever-"Starfire began.

"No, with my plan, there won't be a Nevermore anymore. We can't take the risk. I have to gather each of my emotions and finish this."

"Maybe they can help, you still need to locate at least three emoticlones," Knowledge interjected.

"Why can't you do that magic spell thingy like last time to gather them here?" Beast boy asked.

"I don't have enough energy to stand, let alone perform powerful spells at the moment."

"And what if she loses?" Timid immediately whimpered.

"Raven, we're a team. We knew there were risks when we came here and we accepted them. Let us help you. Like you just said, you can barely stand." Robin's face was also stern, but his eyes soft, pleading her to let them stay.

"They will keep you balanced, and in your current condition you can't move very well," Knowledge reasoned.

"If we encounter Rage, I don't know how-"

"And the green one is funny anyway..." Happy added, only loud enough for Raven to hear.

"Enough!" Raven declared furiously. She was glaring at the emoticlones. "I cannot and will not put them in danger! They're my only family!" Just as she was going to switch focus and finish her response to Robin, Rage and Passion appeared in front of the group.

"Found two!" Beast boy exclaimed, eyes wide at Rage.

~~~

On a monitor, a picture of Raven in the infirmary fighting restraints was projected. The angle seemed to be from a high corner of the room that captured some of the view outside.

"So her demon side has finally separated itself and taken over. Her willpower is stronger than I had thought, but I shouldn't be surprised." Slade leaned back in his chair, proud of his handiwork. "S.T.A.R. labs fulfilled my request admirably."

"Sir, someone has responded to the ad and is here." Wintergreen stood at the door to the office, patiently awaiting orders.

"Send him in." Finally. Cinderblock, Plasmus, and Overload were not enough to distract the Titans...

Wintergreen left momentarily to retrieve the guest. "I wonder who- oh."