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Raven walked through the streets of this new city where she had landed when she escaped from her father's control. It was dark and cold as the rain poured steadily on top of her head. Really she had no idea what she should be doing, the world had changed so much since she had last been here. However in her last incarnations she had been older, and people knew her for what and who she was. She was used to people staying away from her. This time she had run away when she turned ten, still just a child.

She'd been here for almost three months and had yet to meet anyone or find a place to stay. Of course she knew it didn't help that she only moved around at night. She remembered her past and had no desir to see the hatred and revulsion on anyones face as she had before. Only her father had looked at her without cringing. Even his subjects had stayed away out of fear. Still though she preferred to move at night and avoid most contact she could still see the world had change. Now there were strange structures she knew were called skyscrapers and it seemed as if they truly did touch the sky. Modern man had no idea how good they had it. Still she could look around and see the filth and corruption that was destroying the city.

Tonight however, everything was about to change. Hungry she moved silently through the streets her cloak billowing behind her as she darted from shadow to shadow. She knew she should be able to do whatever she wanted just by thinking it but she had run away before her father could teach her to fully master her powers. She was still wary of falling under his control.

Finally she found what she was looking for. In the more seedy, run down part of the city she found a small convenient store, and true to it's name there was conveniently a back door down a damp alleyway that was like all others in this part of town, littered with trash and the only people she saw at night. Naturally the store was closed and the back door chained shut. Finding a crow bar she broke the chain and pried the door open. Moving swiftly and silently she checked the shelves grabbing whatever she could. She hadn't eaten in just over 24 hours and she was starving. Before she left she went to the back and grabbed several things of water.

Grabbing bags from behind the counter she loaded as many things as she could and disappeared out the back as silently as she had come. Back in the alley she left quickly and found a quiet spot to eat some of what she had stolen. Almost an hour later she was again on the move. She knew the sun would come up soon and she had no desire to find herself caught up in it. She retreated to the place where she usually sleaped, a condemned apartment building she knew was slated for demolition.

She had no idea that there was a shadow moving across the roof tops, silently watching her every move, curious about the young girl he had found so long ago. He had been watching for almost a month, observing her every move and though she didn't know it, protecting her during the day, from those fools who might locate her. She also had no way of knowing that her guardian was little more than a kid himself, only 18 years of age, and like her forever alone, and living behind the scenes forever in darkness. She didn't know he would come to be part of her life, or that he would become her guardian, protector, and teacher.

The time, he knew was almost right. There was something different about this girl, though he wasn't sure what. All he knew was that she would be perfect for his plans, and that she reminded him of his recently lost son, who he had no intention of finding again, though he did indeed miss the boy. Yeas he had no doubt she would fit his plans. All he had to do was win her trust, and make her admire him. She would make a fine apprentice when the time was right. He'd give it another week, and then reveal himself to her.

One day it would be his time, and she would be standing by his side, rising to power along with him. She would serve him and one day take over, he could feel it deep inside. Though he knew not how things would transpire, he knew one thing for sure. Though it would take many years, and they would have to fight many battles, she would help him achieve his goals. He knew that she would help him bring Jump City to it's knees and that one day the inhabitants of the city would whisper his name in fear, and hers in awe. One day the city would fall and all would bow down before him, and forever whisper his name as they would that of a god.

As he continued to watch her he noted with satisfaction that she made it back to her temporary home. Silently he slipped in through a door on the roof and settled in for another watchful day, where he knew she would need his silent protection for the time being. After all, he couldn't allow any harm to befall his future apprentice. Yes he knew that it would happen some, day, in his glorious future.

One day all would kneel and know the name of Slade.