Welcome! Okay, so I'm starting a new story that hopefully you will find quite fantastic. And to the people who have started to read the Red/Rae story, don't worry I haven't forgotten it. I'm actually working on chapter as we speak :D Anyway I really hope you like this. Uhm, it takes place two years after the show was cancelled, here are the ages:

Cyborg – 21

Robin – 19

Starfire – 19

Raven – 18

Beast Boy – 17

Disclaimer: Well I don't own Teen Titans at ALL. Honestly, if I did, I don't think I'd be stuck on I would be actually making episodes. Anyway, read on! Enjoi

The Downfall of Us All

By Table For Two

Prologue: Named For Murder

The old haunt.

Yes, this is what I preferred to call the aged and abandoned chemical factory. A bit childish perhaps, but it fit well.

How many years I've spent in this same stone fortress playing pretenses with the five heroes of this Godforsaken city, I will never know.

I've grown quite apathetic towards time, so if more than just a couple of years have passed since my… absence, then so be it. It'll make for more of an interesting game in the long run anyway. In the end, everything will have gone as planned, and the world will be at my mercy.

Hmm…World domination… such a cliché term and yet… so alluring… If only it were more simplistic. Hah, more simplistic indeed…

It was very interesting how much this factory has been through, and it still stood strong. Of course, my glass monitor screens were utterly obliterated, all the gears and machinery had broken down and rusted over, but it was still there. This building has held quite a few unwanted memories, but it was all in good nature towards the game.

I rose up out of my throne and moved to the railing along the massive walkway that was in the middle of this damned factory. I crossed my hands behind my back as I narrowed my eyes at the broken monitors ahead of me.

It was time I ceased all the petty pretenses for the Titans, all the studying, and all the planning. Nothing I'd set for them was to do anything except provide me with information and entertainment. Possibly, once or twice, I may have set out to lower their defenses, only to taste victory for a moment before it was ripped from my grasp.

This game was like my own complex version of chess… I had my pawns, I had the knights, the rooks, the bishops, the kings, the queens… Sacrifice of the queen… Such an old trick, but it worked every time. The Titans thought that they've won… but I've only sacrificed the queen.

Terra was that queen. She was this sacrifice of my lovely game. She had done everything perfectly. The girl would have been a perfect piece to the Titan's demise, but that wasn't the plan. No, it was a mere sacrifice to push them from their pedestal. And it worked splendidly. The young changeling was severely hurt from the girl's betrayal, especially when she 'returned'.

I smirked at the memory.

Truly saddening that I had to erase her memory just to be able to chip away at the foolish heroes. Such a waste. But that's what was supposed to happen. She was supposed to fail; she was my sacrifice. The fake set back. And now, the Titans thought this game was over.

But, no, it was only the beginning.

Speaking of which, the boy should be arriving soon.

As if on cue, I heard the doors crash open along with the quiet, musical tapping of swift footsteps making their way to my side. Without turning my attention away from the shattered glass screen in front of me, I spoke.

"Impeccable timing, Ailex. I was beginning to worry."

He chuckled before turning his back to me and examining the factory around and below us. "Don't strain yourself too much, Jadden. I'd hate for your game to be poisoned by your relentless worries of my tardiness."

I chuckled at the boy's hidden venom. Of course he'd be hurt that I left him out of all my plans until now. I'd taken residence here, while he resided in the dark realm waiting for my orders to strike. My apprentice was never one to be fooled. Then again, that retched girl that was able to find a way to destroy Ailex has always been a thorn in my side. However, he took care of her a long time ago…

"So, when does this master plan of yours set spin, and turn the Titans live to hell, Jadden?"

"All in do time, child." A smirk spread it's way across my masked face as I heard Ailex growl at my comment. "But first, I have an order that needs to be carried out." I turned to face him. Even though his face was shrouded in the shadows of his usual hood, I could still feel the waves of excitement roll off of him. I chuckled again and turned away.

I sensed his presence right next to me and out of the corner of my eye that wasn't blocked by my mask, I watched as he knelt down next to me. "Of course, Jadden.

I smirked again behind my mask. "Begin phase one of our game, Ailex." He rose from the ground and nodded. "Go. Now. Hire those to weaken, kill those who fail." He nodded again and turned to leave. I turned as well.

"Oh, and Ailex, don't fail me, or it will be the last mistake that you ever make.

"Yes, Jadden."

"That is a name that I've quite outgrown, my apprentice."

"Then what should I call you if I cannot call you by what I've always known?"

"A simple name. A name for murder."

"And that is?"

I paused and turned away once again. "Slade."

Well whaddya think? It's just the prologue, and I have chapter 1 already written in my journal. It'll be longer than this one I promise :D But anyway review please! It'll be worth your while!

Catch ya, later!

Table For Two