Note: This story is the first fanfic I ever wrote, and incidentally, once I had finished my best friends, Alex and Kelly, informed me that in the original DC comics, Mirage was a screwed up chick. She apparently had black hair and blue eyes, much like Illusion in this story, and at one time made herself look like Starfire and had sex with Robin. Then, when Robin turned evil, he raped Mirage and Mirage had a very crazy child.

In response to this I have only one thing to say: that is not my Mirage. All my TT fics will be based on the show aired on WB and Cartoon Network. She looks, acts, and is nothing like her former predecessor. I consider this the REAL Mirage. Keep this in mind while you read. This character was modeled after the Mirage in my mind.

Disclaimer: Wish I did, but no. No, unfortunately, I don't own the Teen Titans.

Prelude to Blood

A girl backed slowly away from some unknown threat. Strange glittering lights radiated from her skin, and a sword, wispy at first, but the weapon growing more solid, appeared in her hands. "I'm not going back!" she shouted wildly at the dark figure approaching her.

The unknown menace's eyes began to glow an eerie red, and she gasped in horror as three more shapes took form, their eyes glowing as red as the taller demon. "But you will, Mirage. You will indeed."

The three shapes stopped not far from the girl, and the imposing man's curious gaze grew brighter, more deadly. Mirage felt confused and vague, but fought to keep her mind. Trails of crimson dripped on her arms, and her body ached from the long battle that had been fought that night. She heard herself growl quietly, hardly aware of what she said. "You know I can play your mind games, Brother."

A smirk grazed the man's lips. "I do, but can they?"

To weak to fight back, Mirage watched as Jinx stepped into the dim light, her hand beginning to glow as she conjured. A spectrum of violet light filled her vision, pain storming through her body as she was slammed against the wall. The graceful, merciful blackness followed closely...

Chapter One-Identity

Robin landed cat-like in the alley where the disturbance had been reported, the rest of the team not far behind. Dim shadows moved up ahead, but nothing definite could be seen. He crept closer and witnessed the glimmer of strange lights, and the mummer of voices. Cyborg appeared to his left, grave expression craved upon his face.

"Anything?" he asked in a low tone as Starfire, Raven, and Beast Boy fell into position. Robins shook his head, bemused.

"Not yet. There are sounds coming from--"

But he was cut off by a figure flying through the air and into a stone wall; Jinx followed close behind, her eyes holding a strange glow.

"Titans, go!" Robin shouted commandingly as everyone sprang into action, Raven in the lead, having never quite forgiven Jinx for coming into her room un-invited.

Te hooded half-demon chanted slowly, her eyes freakish in the dim light. "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos!" She shouted the last word, flinging a wave of dark telekinetic energy at her opponent, who sprang nimbly to the side and disappeared around a corner. A green cheetah sprang after her, Cyborg going to look for other villains that may have met there.

Starfire flew to a higher altitude and noticed the last retreating shadows of someone unknown. A star bolt clung to her hand in hesitation. She turned to Robin.

"Perhaps they merely came to 'hang-out'?" She glided and stood beside Robin, who examined a bleeding, unconscious girl suck in an unnatural position next to some trash cans.

"I don't think so, Starfire."

The Tameranian's eyes grew wide. "She has been savaged by the wild Glorfex!"

Robin looked back quizzically. "I'm pretty sure we don't have any Glorfexes on Earth. Just criminals."

Beast Boy and Cyborg returned, fruitless in their search. They neared Starfire and Robin, craning their necks to look at the girl. Beast Boy's mouth dropped as he backed away slightly.

"What is she?"

The girl had skin white as fallen snow that seemed to glimmer in the half light. Dark clothes accentuated this fact, along with a black trench coat that lay in folds about her. Long, mid-back in length silver hair fell down her clothing, almost as radiant as the girl's skin. Strangest of all, an almost fog like haze surrounded the girl.

Raven sighed and raised an eyebrow at the freaked green boy.

"Yeah...she's unusual. Green is such a natural color."

Robin gave a puzzled frown. "Whoever she is, she can't stay here. We'll have to take her back to the Tower."

Beast Boy waved his arms wildly as Cyborg picked her up and group began to walk away.

"Wait! We can't take her back! She's probably some mutant zombie come to eat our brains. If we get eaten, it is so not my fault. Hey...dudes, wait up! What if there're other zombie chicks around?"