Disclaimer: If Teen Titans was really mine, it wouldn't have ended with just 5 seasons.

a.n. If you didn't read Influence, here's the breakdown: Raven joined Slade and X, Speedy, Hotspot, and Aqualad tried to stop them.

I'm gonna be bringing in characters from the comic books, but seeing as how I've never read the comic books, I hope you don't mind if they're not at all like they are in the books. But I'll try!

Prologue

Raven floated in front of the large attic windows, silhouetted against the early morning light. Her long cape lightly glided back and forth, even though there was no draft. Her legs were crossed, her arms were spread out, and her expression was calm.

"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos..." she chanted to the windows. It was only in the early morning hours that she found it easiest to meditate. When the headquarters was devoid of drones working and noisy machinery. With it was just peace and quiet, and–

"What do you think you're doing?" a voice barked from behind. Raven turned abruptly, stifling a gasp, and found Slade standing not too far from her, arms folded across his chest. He was sending her a stern look... sterner than usual.

"I was... I was meditating," Raven said slowly, a quizzical expression adorning her face. Slade always encouraged her to meditate, but now the girl felt like she was in trouble for some reason.

"And what about the meditation I taught you? I thought I told you not to use anything else." He stalked forward suddenly and Raven dropped to her feet.

"I have been using yours," she quickly defended. "But I just wanted to meditate like I used to. Just once." There was a hint of a tone clinging to her words; a tone she used when she felt threatened.

"That old chant of yours that got you nowhere? Do you want to lose all your progress? After this whole time?" he chided.

"No," said Raven with the faintest pout. "But I also don't want to lose my connection to my home." She pulled her hood over her head as Slade stepped around her and looked out the vast windows. The rising sun made the buildings around them gleam, most notably Titans Tower, sitting amongst the sparkling bay.

"Your home?" he repeated. "The home that's long gone... that you can never get back to?" Slade glanced at her over his shoulder. "Stop living in the past, Raven. Azarath is no longer part of your life. Move on before you get too nostalgic."

"Right, since you hate all things sentimental," the girl muttered. She put her hands on her hips and stared at Slade's transparent reflection. "Just because you seemed to have a dysfunctional home life, why do I have to suffer?"

"That's not the point," Slade replied, his voice echoing off the wall of windows. "The point is you really got a handle on your powers with your new meditation and I don't want to see you screw that up." He turned to stare at her with a gaze to end the argument. "Understand?"

"Fine," huffed Raven. With a defeated scowl, she headed for the kitchen area. "I need some tea."