4

Ah...I hate summer. It's too hot. And I hate the heat. But enough about my hatred of summer.

I do not own Teen Titans.

~TBR~

The triplets smiled as they were greeted by Changeling. He had scooped the three up and spun them around. "How did you guy get here?" He asked.

"Raven and Kyd Wykkyd." Ruby beamed. "They sent back word for you guys."

Jasper nodded. "Kyd Wykkyd says Raven hasn't been good to herself. But he wouldn't tell me what he meant. And he also says that he's going to take care of her."

Changeling frowned. He knew what Kyd Wykkyd meant, and he didn't like the sound of it. Smiling he asked, "what was Raven's message?"

Emerald smiled. "She says she can't leave until she gets these bracelets off. And not to worry about her she's doing fine. She also says that she hopes Starfire and Nightwing's wedding goes well."

Changeling nodded. That's great news. Why don't you go to Starfire? She'll be in her room going over wedding details."

The kids nodded and ran off. Changeling shook his head and laid down on the couch. He knew Raven was depressed. But he never knew how badly.

~TBR~

Raven woke up early and looked over to see Kyd Wykkyd still asleep. Instead of going out like usual she went to his side and waited. She developed this habit two days after he found out. And it's now been a week. She wondered how her team was holding up and if the hunters were being stopped. She wondered how Cyborg and Bee were doing. If Cyborg proposed yet. She sighed softly and felt herself smiling as she thought of the kids. Melvin, now 13, Timmy, now 9, and Teether, now 6. Her kids. She smiled. Then that big bear named bobby that Melvin created and turned real. She already missed the triplets. She had grown fond of them as well. Then there's Esmeralda who also had laid her eggs and was now waiting for them to hatch. The eggs were the size of ones hand. They were a silver and gold swirl that was rigged like gravel. Raven cringed at the thought of something hard and ruff like that coming out of ones body. But she felt a lonely feeling consume her. She wanted something, but didn't know what. Maybe it was her friends?

'What are you thinking about?' Raven looked to her right and saw Kyd Wykkyd staring up at her. Concern filled his eyes.

Raven smiled reassuringly. "Nothing." She replied softly.

Kyd Wykkyd sat up. 'Raven. I know you miss them. You'll see them again. I know you will.'

Raven looked to the two dragons. Esmeralda was awake and watching the two with curious eyes while her husband slept. Sighing Raven shook her head.

"I'm going to go take a walk. Come with me?" Kyd Wykkyd nodded.

The two walked for a good five minuets in silence. Kyd Wykkyd would glance at Raven every now and then and see her sad expression. 'Okay,' Kyd Wykkyd spoke. 'Whats up?' He stopped and turned to face Raven.

Raven smiled. 'Nothing.' Kyd narrowed his eyes. 'I just feel... Lonely, I guess. I mean. I have you. And it's great. But...'

Kyd Wykkyd smiled sadly. 'What makes you feel this way? What are you thinking about?'

Raven chuckled. 'Since when did you become a therapist?'

'Just answer.'

Raven smiled. 'I think about my kids. And then I think about Bumblebee and how she told me she was pregnant. Then I think about Cyborg and wonder if he proposed. And I think about Esmeralda and her eggs.'

Kyd Wykkyd smiled. He pulled Raven onto a hug and started laughing. 'You love kids. And everyone seems to be one or have one. You just want one of your own.'

Raven thought about it and smiled. 'I don't think I'm alone. My demon also wants one.'

'Strange. I thought demons only had kids to spread.'

'That's kind of true. But it's also because you're with your mate and you want to have a creation of your love.'

'Mate?'

Raven pulled away. 'Yeah... Demons have mates. They're often born with one. Rather or not that demon has been born.' Kyd Wykkyd nodded. 'Usually when a demon meets it's mate they perform a wedding ceremony. It can be violent or sensual. Depending on if you're full demon.'

Kyd Wykkyd thought for a second. 'What about this second puberty I heard about?'

Raven frowned. 'You haven't had yours?' Kyd shook his head. 'Neither have I...' Shaking her head Raven explained, 'second puberty is one of the most painful things to experience. It happens before we are granted full power. But the problem is that, we being part human, have no control over our demons. We become them for a day maybe a week.'

'Why is it painful?'

Raven smiled. 'Lets just say you'll need another demon with you.' She laughed at the expression on Kyd Wykkyd's face. 'Oh relax Wykkyd. You won't die.'

'Wykkyd?' Raven nodded. 'Why?'

'Well, you're not a kid anymore.' Wykkyd smiled, showing his approval. The two walked some more and found a tree filled with fruit.

Wykkyd turned his head to Raven. 'Eliot.' He spoke. Raven's nose scrunched up. 'Its my name.'

Raven smiled. 'Rachel.'

~TBR~

Nightwing frowned as he watched the news. More deaths have been happening and he was getting frustrated. Nothing was being done about it and there he was, a hero, staying at home helping his fiancé plan a wedding. He knew it sounded bad. But he'd rather these men be delt with than get married.

"Starfire, we should do something. Warn the other titans and try to get more outside help."

"I know Richard. But what can we do? They have beaten us before."

Richard sighed. "I know. But that doesn't mean we can't keep our city safe. I'll ask Cyborg and Changeling to upgrade security in the city. A way for us to know where those men are."

"That sounds like a plan." Starfire said. "And we can also tell the titans to do patrols twice a day."

"That's perfect." Richard smiled. He hugged Starfire and kissed her cheek. "Have I told you that I love you?" Starfire giggled and sat on the couch.

A portal opened in the room to the left of the TV. Harold stepped out and smiled. "I heard ya needed a messenger. And more specifically, a rescuer."

~TBR~

Esmeralda had waited all day for her eggs to hatch. Olmec had gathered food for the hatchlings to eat. Eliot and Rachel had waited next to a fire. Also waiting for their food to cook. Rachel new Eliot was having a hard time controlling his demon and she could only guess that he was close to puberty. She held his hand and smiled reassuringly.

Esmeralda gasped. "They're hatching." Rachel smiled and rushed over to the nest. Eliot joined her and wrapped his arm around her waist. The two weren't together, but they've grown close.

Rachel watched with excitement as the first egg cracked. It was shortly followed by a second then a third. Three out of the four eggs were hatching. A head popped out followed by a small cry. The three eggs hatched and there were three adorable dragons in the nest. They watched the forth egg; waiting for a crack. Rachel felt her hope slipping until there was a small sound. She watched as the egg cracked and a foot popped out followed by another. The egg started to move around on those two legs before falling. Olmec laughed before helping the little one.

Eliot tightened his arm around Rachel and smiled. The two watched the new parents with their four babies. The first born was a forest green with brownish red eyes. The second was orange with yellow eyes. The third was purple with purple eyes. The youngest, and smallest, was silver with gold eyes. They were all beautiful.

Raven looked up to Eliot and noticed a change in his expression. She placed a hand over his and squeezed.

'Its time.' She spoke softly.

~TBR~

Harold had sat down on the couch as the Titans explained everything that happened. They all talked at once giving the man a headache.

"Okay." Harold interrupted. "So there's this guy who took Raven and Kyd Wykkyd and he's apart of this bigger thing that was broadcasted live and now there's a lot of death happening to people he thinks are impure. Or, what I think to be the case, not fully human."

Changeling nodddd. "Dude, he calls this place The Vacuum."

Harold's eyes widen. "I know that place. It was a beautiful area. But at night it becomes hell." Harold stood up and began pacing. "It suddenly turned into a prison and colonies also began to form. Half the area is corrupted and cruel while the other half remains free and what of originally was."

"So what is the problem?" Nightwing asked.

"Where Raven is. These people will kill anything and eat anything. I'll find her and give her your message. But if she's held prisoner, there's no real saying if she will escape." Harold lowered is head. "I'm sorry."

Bee smiled. "It's okay. We know Raven. She'll be fine." She handed Harold a letter. "Here. This is my letter to her." Harold accepted the job and soon, everyone gave him their letter.

Harold nodded before blowing his horn. "I'll be back in a few days."

Harold stepped into his portal and Entered the Vacuum. Harold frowned as he looked around. He had no idea where Raven was. He saw a river and started to walk up it. Little did he realize Raven was walking his way. Only five meters behind.

~TBR~

"It's okay Eliot. We just need to get to the water." Raven spoke softly. She stopped suddenly and turned around. Olmec had been following them. "What is it?"

Olmec was the size of a small dog and decided to rest on Raven's shoulder. "It's tradition for mothers to be alone with their new borns for a day." He looked at Eliot and saw his pale-well, paler, face. "Is he okay?"

Raven shook her head. "Not really. I need to get him to water."

Olmec nodded. "Hop on." Olmec had turned into a horse size dragon and squatted down for them to get on. Raven helped Eliot on before getting on herself. Olmec took to the sky and flew off.

"Eliot, look." Rachel said. She pointed to the sky.

Eliot smiled. 'Its beautiful." He signed. He looked to Rachel with a smile. 'But I've seem better."

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Oh really? Where?" Eliot didn't respond. "That's what I thought."

The trio landed on the other side of the river. Rachel had used her powers to get Eliot off and into the water. She went in after him and held him close.

"It's okay Eliot. This should help." Rachel looked over to Olmec. "Do you guys have Sunrain in this world?" Olmec nodded. "Where? I need it."

Olmec frowned. "It grows close to a village west of here. But it's a long ways away."

Rachel looked at the river. "This flows East to west. I think I'll be fine." Eliot shook his head. "But you need it." Eliot still shook his head. "Well it's either that or demon blood."

'Blood.' Raven rolled her eyes. 'Theres nothing wrong with it.'

"Yes, there is. Not only does it help you but it's part of the marriage ritual."

'Oh...' Eliot blushed. He sat up in the water and looked around. 'What are those?' He pointed to footprints in the sand. They were a few feet away and seemed to have started from nowhere.

Olmec looked to the foot prints. "Shoes," he said. "The ones people wear here don't leave marks and are handmade."

Rachel thought for a second and smiled. "Olmec. I need you to follow those prints and see if there's a man in blue with a blue cape and hood and a trumpet." Seeing the confused looks she sighed. "He's a friend. Goes by Herald. He travels through dimensions." Olmec didn't seem to budge. "He can help." Olmec sighed and nodded his head. "Thank you." Olmec stretched his wings out and flew away.

'Rachel, aren't you afraid?' Eliot asked.

'Afraid of what?' Rachel looked down at Eliot. She was sat behind him in the water.

'Of me? You said I would have no control.'

Rachel just smiled. 'Of course not.' She held his hand tightly. 'And you shouldn't worry. You can't hurt me.'

Eliot just laughed. 'Can I get out of the water now?' Raven nodded.

Once the two were up Eliot had taken his shirt off. They made themselves clothes from cloth trees. Or leaves since cloth tree's leaves were as soft as cotton. He laid down in the sand with a smile. Rachel laid next to him and watched the stars.

'I think I found it.' He spoke suddenly.

Rachel looked over and asked, 'what?'

Eliot just smiled. 'You'll find out when you do.' Rachel laughed at his words. 'Man, I'm tired.' Eliot yawned.

'Then sleep. When you wake up I'll have medicine for you.' Eliot smiled and closed his eyes. Just like that he was out like a light.

~TBR~

Eliot saw nothing. Absolutely nothing. He felt his demon inside grow but that was it. "Ah, freedom. Such a beautiful thing." Eliot felt his eyes roll. "And there's nothing you can do about it."

'Don't be so hopeful. It may only be a day.'

The demon laughed. "Or a week. Can you imagine? A whole week of me and Rachel. Oh the fun!"

Eliot frowned. 'Don't hurt her.'

"Hurt her? Why would I do that? She is out friend." Suddenly a pair of eyes were in front of him. Three glowing red eyes. "Besides, she means too much to us." Eliot sighed and couldn't resist the smile. "Maybe I could speed things up for you."

'Don't you dare! She doesn't even like me and I'd rather have control of my own body.'

The demon laughed. "Maybe it's time I tell you something." Eliot narrowed his eyes. "I know you know about mates. Care to put two and two together?"

Eliot frowned. 'Even so I wouldn't dare do anything.'

Laughing again the demon replied, "neither would I. She's not even a full demon! And here you are becoming one. She wouldn't be worth it after this!"

'Shut up.'

"But look at her. She has such a sexy body."

'Be quite!'

"And she knows her way around. I'm surprised neither of you have made a move."

'Enough!'

Eliot shot up awake. He looked over and saw Raven in her own turmoil. Her face was scrunched up and he suddenly felt himself moving towards her and pick her up. He cradled the young demoness in his arms and smiled.

"I guess I was wrong." A voice spoke in his head. "Her time is also coming. Oh, the wonders of mates. How everything happens together."

~TBR~

"Rachel... Rachel..."

Rachel opened her eyes and saw, "Mom?"

"Rachel. Who is this?"

"What? Who?" Rachel looked around and saw no one.

"What on earth is going on?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I-I don't know what to say."

"About what!?"

"I can't believe you. You are much too young. Get out of my sight."

"Mom? Mom! No! I didn't do anything! Mom!" Rachel fell to the ground in tears.

"Don't cry." A new voice spoke up.

"What do you want?" Rachel asked. "You shouldn't be out."

"Oh... Rachel. I'm out because you want me out."

"No I don't."

The demon laughed. "You're right. I'm out because i can."

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, don't you know? Mates do a lot of things together."

'Eliot!' Rachel thought.

"That's right. I thought you would have noticed by now."

Rachel frowned. "I don't want a mate."

The demon actually seemed, sincere. The demon sighed. "I know you don't, Rachel. But we were born with one."

"But it's not fair that I do to get to choose."

The demon placed an arm around her other half. "But it's better this way. Mates are for life. Could you have guaranteed that some human would have stayed?" Rachel shook her head. "Exactly. Besides. Have you seen this man? He's bound to have a-"

"Shut up! I don't want to hear it."

The demon laughed. "Truth is Raven. You don't know if you can have kids. Do you want them?"

"Of course I would love to have one. Why would you bother asking?"

"Just think of the huge drag they will be. And demons? So much worse."

"Why are you saying this?"

"I'm only telling you what you've been thinking." The demon smiled. "We don't even know if we can have kids."

Rachel frowned. "Will you please stop talking."

"Our genes may not allow it. Or our father may use them as his next portal."

"No he won't. I'll make sure of it."

"I bet Eliot wouldn't even want to be a father. He is a villain. What if we don't make a good mother? Sure the other kids like us. But we didn't know them for long. And we don't raise them. We help take car of them. With motherly friends."

Rachel started crying. "That's not true."

The demon laughed. "But it is. We bring kids into this world. We ruin millions of lives. More importantly there's. Eliot is more demon then us. Three fourths demon. Our kids would be five eighths. Our father would love them."

"I don't want to hear anymore." Rachel bawled. "Please! Just, go away!"

The demon laughed at Rachel. "And you're just a pathetic little girl. Unable to control your emotions. We all know your not worth it. Even our team leader knows it. Why else would he go behind your back and not trust your words."

Rachel just curled up and cried.

~TBR~

Harold had walked up river for two hours now. He decided to rest and leaned against a tree. He closed his eyes only to reopen them when he felt something land.

"Hello," Harold spoke with a smile.

Olmec bowed his head. "Are you Harold?" Harold nodded. "Raven sent me for you."

"She did? What for?"

"She needs your help."

"Are you two friends?" Olmec shook his head. "Then what are you."

"She is close to my wife. And provided us a home away from hunters."

Harold only nodded. "Where is she?" Olmec looked down the river. "Ah, so I have been going the wrong way."

Olmec changed his size to a small building. "Hop on."

~TBR~

So, some of you may be wondering why I have dragons in here. Trust me when I say they become important later on.

Please review your thoughts! Thank you!