Raven, Part 3

The room was silent while Raven reviewed the information Al had given her. Healer and Sasha confirmed they were on their way, and Raven felt embarrassed for calling them so quickly. The first timeline she reviewed had branched, but the separated timelines had already reconverged. The second and third timelines had veered slightly off of their original path but weren't currently a threat. Raven took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She didn't want to be a failure on her first attempt. She shook those thoughts out of her head and reviewed the following timeline.

Xorus-5-3 was the world in question. The timeline had branched from Xorus-5-2 and was on a collision course with Xorus-6-1. Raven almost shouted in glee when finding an actual anomaly. She verified that the Preservers had not yet made their way to Xorus and gathered more information about the situation.

The world had a unified government that had just completed its biannual presidential election. The victor should have been the current president, Minervina Euphemia, but for some reason, the Unified Parliament declared Ethan Logan the winner. Ethan is vastly underqualified and will lead Xorus to poverty and ruin. Raven started to come up with ideas to solve the problem when Healer and Sasha walked in.

Sasha was in a lovely flower-patterned sundress that didn't hide her feminine curves. Even though Healer wasn't that much older than Raven, she felt like he gave off "Dad" vibes, especially with the oversized tee shirt and sweatpants he wore. Sasha smiled at the young girls gathered in Raven's home. Raven reviewed the final timeline while Sasha talked with Iona.

"Well, it seems I missed girl's night. Are you all getting along?"

Iona looked nervous and hastily stood up to apologize.

"I'm sorry, Sasha, we should have invited you, but I just wanted to meet Raven formally."

Sasha went over to Iona and stroked her hair. Even Raven felt warm from Sasha's motherly smile as she rustled Nessa's head next.

"Don't be sorry; I am glad you girls have each other. You can always hang out and do things without me or my approval."

Raven turned back to Al and brought up the hologram showing Xorus-5. She didn't want to get caught up in the head patting and friendly conversation. She was happy to be a part of Sanctuary but was content being alone in the background. She cleared her throat and explained why she had called Healer and Sasha.

She described the prompt she gave Al and the results he had given her. Four of the five were false positives, but Xorus needed their attention. She explained the election and her idea to investigate the Unified Parliament and force them to overturn the false result. Healer stood further back from everyone with his arms folded. He listened to every word and, when she finished, had an amused smile on his face. Raven was about to lash out at him for his smug look, but Sasha spoke up first. 

"I see. It would be better to prevent the branching in the first place, but only if we all agree that doing so differs from destroying a timeline."

Raven was still glaring at Healer when he took a couple of steps forward. 

"I agree. Timelines reconverge on their own all the time. If we can either prevent the branching or converge the timelines, I would find that an acceptable outcome. Anything that prevents The Preservers from completing their mission."

Raven looked to the side and thought about the suggestion. The only way she could think of that working was to go back in time. Technically, timelines were infinite, and there was no forward or backward in time, but each timeline did have a "present." The present was relative to the time passed in Sanctuary and the Preserver's headquarters since their creation. It would be possible to enter a timeline at a different time than the present, but it would require a very precise portal.

"So that's why you needed someone who was good with portals and teleporting. You need me to create portals that can reach any point in time in a timeline."

Healer was still fronting his annoying smile.

"Precisely, pun intended. Can you do it?"

Raven rolled her eyes and thought about mocking him, but she just turned around to Al's display. The coordinates appeared on the hologram, and Raven studied them. She could see the specific destination as well as the number indicating time. She wasn't sure how other people created portals, but she just had to visualize where she wanted to be. She closed her eyes and thought about the numbers. She pictured the time as one week earlier. Raven extended her hand and let the magic flow through her until the portal opened.

Raven opened her eyes to Sasha, Healer, Iona, and Nessa, who were staring at her intently. She crossed her arms and glared. 

"Did you all seriously need to watch me?"

Sasha gave her that sweet smile before crushing her world.

"You were just too cute sticking out your tongue while concentrating."

Iona and Nessa giggled, and Raven shot them with a piercing look. While she maintained her glare, Healer went over to the devices Al had connected to it and tossed one just inside of the portal. 

"Al, track that device."

"Yes, Master Healer."

The device was tracked to Xorus five days before the election results were announced. Healer approached Raven and put his hand up for a high five. Raven turned her glare toward him instead. Sasha's radiant smile peeked through behind him, and Raven softened. She completed the high five. 

"How long will you and Sasha be gone?"

"I have to stay here. The training requires my complete attention, especially since Skeeter is still spending time with his daughter. You and Sasha can easily complete the mission."

Raven violently shook her head and her arms.

"No, no, no, I don't want to go to another world."

Sasha came over and put her hand on Raven's shoulder. Raven's eyes started to tear up as she thought about everything that had happened to her before coming to Sanctuary.

"You and I are the strongest mages here. No one else is ready. This is also new territory that the leader of the Multiverse Defense Force should be experienced in. I will be there the entire time. Who knows? We might even have some fun."

Raven was still scared and anxious, but Sasha's warm smile and sweet voice calmed her nerves. She wondered if she had someone like Sasha in her previous life if things would have been better for her. Raven sighed and let her head fall. She gathered her strength and looked Sasha right in the eyes.

"Okay, I'll do it. Let me grab my cloak."

Sasha grabbed a couple of communicators and another of the tracking devices. She gave Iona and Nessa long hugs with some words of comfort about leaving for a few days. She kissed Healer way too passionately and sensual for the situation and with children present before turning to Raven.

"Ready to go, sweetheart?"

Raven groaned at the term of endearment and didn't say anything. She stepped forward in front of the portal and took a deep breath. Sasha walked up beside her and put her arm around Raven. Together, they stepped through the portal, and it closed behind them.