Chapter 11
Robin has fallen asleep at Starfire's bedside. He's been searching, frantically, all night for an update on her symptoms, with no luck. Raven silently leaves the room and hovers down the corridor. She turns the corner and bumps into Beast boy. "Beast boy! What are you doing up so late?" Raven asks, quietly. "You know what's up with Starfire, don't you? I saw it in you're eyes." he knows, ignoring her question. She hesitates, but gives a slight nod of her head. "When Cesare ran his sword through her, she instantly healed because of her powers. Unfortunately, she needed to keep those powers running for it to stay healed. The wound re-opened while we were persuading the assassin. She has slipped into a critical state...and...I don't think I can get her out of it." Raven explains, sadly. Beast boy looks distraught. He tries to speak; but no words come out of his mouth. "Have you told Robin?" he manages to splutter. Raven shakes her head. "He'll go over board with the situation and most likely make it worse." she tells him. "But, you will help her?" Raven goes to speak, but frowns a Beast boy; realising something. "Those words didn't come from your mouth." she examines. Then, she turns on her heels and sees that the newest assassin asked the question. "Of course I'll try. She's my best friend." Raven confirms. With that, she storms down the corridor and in her room; to look for cures.
Robin moves his head slightly as the glow of a faint green, white and red wakes him up. His eyes adjust to the sudden flush of light and he sees a type of cocoon around Starfire. He can see through it, but it contains the three different lights that woke him up. He glares at it, wondering what it does. He goes to touch it, but stops himself. 'I don't know what'll happen if I touch it.' he thinks to himself, 'Raven might know.' he suggests. He dashes out of the room, down the corridor and, making it easier, bumps into Raven halfway there. "Robin what's wrong?" Raven asks, picking up a book she dropped on impact. "Somethings happened to Starfire!" he pants, trying to catch his breath. Her eyes widen and she darts back down the corridor with him. They burst through the door and the cocoon is still surrounding her. "Ok, this is going to make it harder." Raven mutters to herself, setting the book down on the side. "Whats happening to her?" Robin question, urgently. Raven rubs the back of her neck. "Her body has gone into a 'protective' state. Slyvana's powers are forcing her to stay alive, her evil side can't let her die and her normal side is working with them to heal her." she explains. As soon as the words are out of her mouth, she wish she never said them. Robin explodes! "What do you mean DIE?!? What's happened to her?!?" he demands to know. Raven winces at his loud, worried voice. "Well, before she saved you, Cesare was able to run her through with his sword. Fortunately, because of her new powers it didn't affect her. But now... It's taking it's toll." raven explains. Robin's eyes widen. "She's dying?!" Robin exclaims. "No... Not yet." she, attempts, reassure. "How long does she have left?! And why didn't she, or more importantly you, tell me about this?" he questions, annoyed. "For this reason exactly. You would explode, take it over the top. Eventually you're going to start blaming yourself and stumble into depression. It's best that you leave it to me." Raven says, placing her hand on his back for reassurance. He tries to speak, but stutters and then stops trying. Raven manages to push him out and shut the door. Then, she turns to her book and flicks through a few pages. "There's no cure!" Raven breathes; to herself "Oh, there's one." a voice corrects. "Slade!" she snarls, her eyes darting across the room. Slade emerges from the shadows and makes a beeline toward Starfire. He reaches out for her, but is stopped by Ravens warning. "Don't! I don't know what'll happen. What I do know is you'll break the protective wall." Raven growls. Slade gives a small chuckle. "But I do." his fingers travel through the light, shortly followed by his hand, when the light shatters and fades. Starfire jolts and gasps for air, but can't get any! She falls limp, drops back down and her eyes close. Raven's eyes start to glow white and she picks up a bed, opposite her, with her telekinetic powers. Slade sighs in disappointment. "You should know better Raven." Slade taunts. He takes hold of a silver ball and throws it at her. Just before it reaches her, It breaks into four and a net is released. It wraps, tightly around her, restraining her from movement and using her powers. Slade lifts Starfire into his arms and walks towards the window. "ROBIN!!!" Raven screams for help. Slade shakes his head, laughing and jumps out the open window, just before the others come rushing in. "Raven, are you Ok?!" Robin asks, helping beast boy remove the net. Ezio glances at the bed were Starfire was lying. "Um... Where is Starfire?" he asks, urgently. Robin looks over to the bed as well and his eyes widen. "Raven?" he questions. There is a slight hesitation as she feels the groups eyes locked on her. "S... Slade took her." she answers, confirming their worst fears.
