A/N: Wow. So, it's been over a year since I've updated. I wrote up to five chapters, but I unfortunately spilt a delicious smoothie all over my laptop. Destroying all files – including a research paper for my SOC 181 that semester, and everything pertaining to this fanfiction. I was hurt and deeply saddened, more for the loss of the delectable Razmatazz and this story rather than my schoolwork. Excuses they are, but after spending three months without a laptop, I lost interest in this story and simply forgot. That is the truth. However, I stumbled upon a flash drive that I apparently saved a quarter of chapter four on, thus, I became inspired once more.

Also, big thanks to all the reviews, favorites, and follows. It brightens my day.

Let's begin with chapter three shall we.

Of Azarath

Chapter Three: A Witch, a Bumblebee, and a Really Good Book

"Anything discussed within this room will not leave it."

Bumblebee's words were sharp and direct, causing the other three titans to stiffen. The female leader allowed a pregnant pause as her sunken in eyes scanned each of the titans. She was aware of the thick tension she had caused. It put them on an edge – one that was rocky with anxiety and a steep fall down to complete despair, yet they attempted to remain their composure; the only obvious tic, the excessive twirling of hair between the calloused pads of Starfire's fingers.

Raven shifted her attention from the female titan leader to Nightwing. His body was tense, but his mask made him seem so hollow. She was unaware if the silent pleas her violet eyes were sending bled into his, behind that mask, behind that façade. She desperately wanted him to break the silence. For once, she desired for him to feel her – to feel the uncomfortable, subtle fear that rippled through her body, and to put an end to it.

So he did, "Bumblebee, you know what's said will never be compromised. I need you to continue."

Titans East's pig tailed leader gave an understanding nod and lowered her tired body onto a couch, readjusting herself. She beckoned her hand towards the empty cushions, "Trust me, you're going to need to sit for this, it's a . . ., doozy."

A 'doozy' was not even the laymen's terms Nightwing would have chosen to describe the situation the Titans East were facing as Bumblebee recounted the past events that took place in Steel City. She spoke of the selection of the new Chief of Police, Ernest Petty, a man, she described with a hidden agenda. He was an oddity himself according to her research. His education was basic, achieving a bachelor's degree at a local university in Administration before joining the police academy six years ago. From there he bounced around a few patrol units, nothing incredibly outstanding – in fact, most of his field work was noted just that – mediocre, or as 'mediocre with little room for improvement,' as one senior officer inquired when Petty had applied for a promotion to a different position. That was three years ago.

It concerned Bumblebee, "How can a guy like Petty go from completely ordinary to extraordinary in three years. There's just no way."

Her fists clenched, nails digging into her rough palms. Heat traveled to her face as her large doe eyes began to gloss over. This is what she feared, to be in shambles in front of Robin, the man who granted her the title she carried, yet, she could not help the negative emotions that were boiling over. She had bottled them within her and let them fester for far too long. With her team, she didn't want them to see her panicked, in fear that they too would succumb to the hysteria that was slowly consuming her. She had to remain strong for them, but here, surrounded by the other three titans it was different – they had to be strong for her.

One tear had slid across the heroine's cheekbone, the wetness glistened as it reflected the light, and a liveliness returned to her once dull dark skin as well as an acceptance for the situation. She needed help, she needed them.

A cold hand caressed her shoulder blade, Bumblebee snapped her head to its direction. Raven's solemn face greeted her with a sense of deep understanding present in those dark violet eyes. The sorceress gave slight smile, "Starfire, please go wake Cyborg and Beastboy and tell them of the situation."

The alien gave a sincere smile, "Do not fear friend Bumblebee." She reassured, and swiftly flew through the main room and into the tower's winding hallways.

Nightwing drew his gaze from the shutting door, back to the sullen heroine. "Ernest Petty is a problem, but let's go back to the string of robberies you mentioned. You said you saw the perpetrator?"

"I didn't just see her Robin," her voice became sorrowful as she referred to him as his former identity, the boy she had first befriended, ". . . I spoke to her. She spoke to me."

Bumblebee brought her hands to her temples, rubbing lightly. 'Everything is so messed up.'

With a slight squeeze to Bumblebee's shoulder, Raven tried to ease out information. "What did she say to you? What did you say to her?" Simple, easy questions, and straight to the point. They needed to get all the information out into the open as soon as possible and sort through it. It was apparent that the fate of the Titans East depended on their success.

"You know Raven, I thought she was you," Bumblebee's breathe hitched as she paused, "– no, I hoped she was you." She sighed and shrugged her shoulders, nudging off Raven's hand. "She wore the same creepy blue cloak and then she used her telekin – wait, magic. She used magic." The heroine turned her reddened eyes to meet Raven's shocked expression. The edges of her maroon lips quirked upward slightly. "Tell me Raven, do you use magic?"

A deep growl erupted from Nightwing's throat. 'Did she really think Raven was capable of doing that?' He shook his head slightly and readjusted his slouched posture in an attempt to deter his growing frustration with the fractured leader next to him. 'She's desperate and scared.' He reminded himself. "Bumblebee, what did she say to you?"

Bumblebee kept herself fixated with Raven, but complied, "She told me her name was Brygida. Does that sound familiar to you, Raven?"

Raven shifted her weight and furrowed her eyebrows at Bumblebee's implications, "No. It does not." She glanced at Nightwing, who had his head cocked slightly to the left in a curious fashion. The sorceress ground her teeth. "I assure you that no one I know is named Brygida. Most people from Azarath were named either from the Hebrew language or some form of English. Brygida is Polish." She clarified with her same monotone drawl.

Nightwing's expression softened slightly. 'Bumblebee has to come to her senses now.' Yet, the female leader just raised one of her eyebrows, not swayed by Raven's evidence. "What about from Nole?"

Raven sunk into the supple couch cushion as her body froze. Her palms began perspire, becoming slick against the exposed skin of her lap. "Nole?"

"Yes, she said she was Brygida of Nole." Bumblebee clarified with a slight flare of irritation.

That was all the confirmation Raven needed. She stood up straight, completely rigid. She did not bother to even walk, but instead hovered slightly off the ground, as if she was afraid to break like glass with any slight movements. She felt fragile in this state. The swell of subtle fear from this morning began to build itself within her gut and wriggle its way through body. Slowly, she willed herself across the main room, remaining a foot off the tiled floor.

"Raven!" Nightwing called, his voice hoarse.

Yet, she continued to the door. Her leader jolted up, she could feel his concern and anger rolling off of his lean body. She paused in front of the entrance to the hallway. "Robin. I only know one person from Nole."

Nightwing widened his eyes underneath his mask, slowly piecing together the information. He opened his mouth to usher Raven back, but could not find his voice. Bumblebee remained dumbstruck as she watched the same agonizing realization wash over the former boy wonder.

The door opened, introducing the remainder of the Titans West. The thin green changeling jumped back slightly when he was met with Raven's blank stare, a mere six inches away. "Dude! Don't do that. What are you even doing?"

Raven brushed her teammates aside. "I'm going to see a really good book."

A/N: Not as long as the other chapters, but I feel it's decent. Hope you all enjoyed. It was hard trying to write from memory of what I wrote well over a year ago. I really do want to continue and finish this story, so please stay tuned. I don't expect you to, after all these false promises, but I really shall try.