Disclaimer: Teen Titans isn't mine

For those who are unfamiliar, Green Lantern's name is John Stewart and Martian Manhunter is J'onn J'onzz. I'll refer to them by name because it's shorter to type.

As usual, standard warning, this story contains mature content, ie: graphic violence, psychological trauma, and character death, among other things. Be warned.

And finally, I'll leave it up to you, the astute reader, to pick holes in Raven's arguments if you wish to do so.

"Speech"

Thoughts


Look up. What do you see?

Everything's black. It's another moonless night, as always.

Down. All around us. Where are we?

This hellhole of a world? Why are you asking something like that?

Where are we? Where is this?

No clue. I don't know how to describe this. I'm not good with words, like you. It's just where we are.

Hmph. Close your eyes. Listen. Hear that? What does it sound like?

Screams. Shouts. People are dying - it sounds like they're being hurt, just briefly, then their voices vanish.

How does it feel?

I don't know. Am I supposed to feel bad?

That's up to you.

It already happens every day. So many people die. You get used to it after a while.

More are born to take their places. Unfortunately, it is often the weak ones who multiply, and end up propagating this... pestilence.

Oh well. Sucks.

You don't seem to care very much.

I'm an opportunist, ya know. Do what I can to survive in this shit show. Ask me to take care of someone else? That's a little too much, considering most of them would throw me aside in a heartbeat if they didn't need me anymore.

They are the ones screaming at night.

The ones doing the screaming aren't any better than the ones causing the screaming. Know it from experience.

Scum breeds scum.

Sure, something like that.

Feel that? The breeze... what does the wind carry?

The stench of burning flesh. It's kind of warm, but... not in a good way. I don't know how else to describe it.

There is no need. Just feel.

Mmm. How does it make you feel?

It reminds me of home.

Pff. Homesick?

No, I despise that place. I'd destroy it if, if that were within my power. I would erase my father from existence, and - ah... never mind.

No, please, go on.

Some other time.

Your past-

I'll tell you some day. Maybe once this is all over.

This?

This. This... what is around us? What are we to do, in this world? Once this is all over...

Oh... I still don't get it.

Look. No, just kidding. Don't look. Just feel. Once it's done... then I'll let you know.

Are we even going to get that far?

We will. There is too much blood in this world not to go that far.

But the League-

I think we can give them a run for their money. What do you say?

They're kind of strong... but then again, I guess the fight's not always about raw strength.

You're also forgetting one thing.

I am?

Yes. They're heroes. They won't kill us on sight if they can avoid it. Remember this well... those who fight with the intent to capture are inevitably the ones who end up losing. Fight with the intent to kill. Kill if you must. The ones who are left standing always have a way to come back...

Speaking from experience?

As are you.

I - that's kind of different, though. They didn't think - they didn't think I'd become their enemy. If they hadn't forgotten about me - I was their friend -

Were you? Think about it for a minute.

Well, they made a big deal out of me wanting to stop being a thief-

Who are you?

I'm... why are you asking such a thing? How am I supposed to answer something like that?

For heroes, it's always about the moral compass, my dear. They believe in saving people and defending... justice. With your own eyes, look around. Listen. What is there, here, that is worth saving? Where is this justice of which they speak?

Never existed to begin with. Their justice put me in that filthy shithole- justice is only a pretty word they use for when they- when they save people... oh, so that's what you're talking about. Nobody's even worth saving.

The ones worth something are the ones dealt justice.

She opened her eyes. "Justice. Heh."

"Get it now? This is what I'm talking about."

"That was a really convoluted way of putting it though-"

"Or, you're just not good with words."

"You didn't even explain anything!"

"Need I?" A pale hand parted the dank air. "Is this not enough for you?" Two violet eyes shifted. "Are they not enough for you? You are no hero, so you must realize... these cries fall on deaf ears. These screams, begging to be... exterminated. Purged."

"I... so we're saving them, huh."

"People don't know what's good for themselves. It takes an outside force to give them what they require, even if they do not think they want it. But in truth, it is what they need..."

"But what about the other guys? You know, them."

"We're saving them too. Sort of. There just happens to be a lot of pain involved in the process."

A pair of pink eyes widened slightly, and their owner flashed a grin. "So that means we get to have more fun tonight? Gonna do some more hero hunting?"

"Actually, it seems like they're coming to us. New ones, that is. Stronger ones."

"Is that going to be a problem?"

The violet eyes flashed crimson for a moment, just briefly, before closing. "No. Not at all."


Titan's Tower - Nightfall

"Whatever this thing is, it's out to get us," Robin muttered. "I'm telling you, it's specifically out-"

"We heard the first time."

"GL, Martian Manhunter, I know you two are strong, but-"

"But what? Let's be real for a minute. This thing, whatever it is, isn't something we won't be able to handle. We've fought against plenty of strong things before."

"Correction. Superman has."

"Don't be selling us out just yet, boy-"

"John, I think he is just worried. His friends-"

"I realize that. But Robin, the way to deal with these villains isn't to be afraid. I know from experience. Always put up a strong front, as much as you can. The appearance of strength is often taken as such. It'll at least make them more cautious."

"So..."

"So, if you don't show any signs of trying to stop them, what's going to make them stop preying on innocent people? Who will stop these criminals, if not us?"

"I..." Robin gritted his teeth. "I can't send my friends to their deaths. I'm sorry, but I just can't. It's not right."

"But that doesn't mean we shouldn't go."

Robin held up his hands. "Fine. Just don't underestimate this thing."

"Very well," J'onn put a hand to his chin. "Do you know what our enemy might be? Or who it is, if it is indeed human?"

"I... it has to be someone with a grudge or something," Robin sighed. "I can think of one person, but it's probably not her."

"Why? What happened?"

"She was thrown in jail, but the prison she was kept in was closed down and she was never transferred out. We..." he sighed. "We should have checked up on her. Yes, yes, I know. I don't know why none of us visited - if I had known-"

"And she survived?" John cut him off.

"Maybe. It wasn't clear to us. But regardless, this probably isn't her doing. This guy seems to be using a lot of fire and dark magic, which aren't her powers. This is someone else's doing."

The two older heroes looked at each other, then back at Robin. "Who is this girl? If she's still at large, we can't just let her go running around. You understand-"

"That's unimportant at the moment."

"No, it's not. She could somehow be connected. She could have hired someone or gotten a friend to do the dirty work."

"She was part of the old HIVE academy. None of them had these powers. Forget that. None of them were this strong... nor brutal."

"Robin, who is this person?" J'onn held out a hand. "I understand that you wish not to bother her any more, but-"

"It's not about that," Robin muttered. "What are you going to do with her if you find her?"

"Nothing drastic."

"I don't want to ruin her life again. If she even has any kind of life left."

"Admirable. But with the condition this city's in, it seems unlikely that she'll find anything at all. In fact, it would be better for her if we were to keep an eye on her."

"The condition this city's in," Robin repeated, raising an eyebrow. "As if anywhere else is any better? Crime rates are even higher in all of the other major cities. And don't even get me started on other countries-"

"We're well aware. That doesn't make Jump a good place to live."

"Then what is good?"

"Nowhere, to be quite frank. But for now, that can be overlooked. Who is she?"

Robin sighed, sitting back. "I suppose you're right. Her name was Jinx - I imagine it hasn't changed. Remember her? The one with pink hair and eyes, with the pink hexes."

"No. J'onn, do you?"

"I do not."

"That's fine then. We'll stay on the lookout for someone who matches the description. If we figure anything out, we'll let you know."

Robin nodded. "Fine. I'll wait until you do."

"What's the point in doing that - right. Batman's protege."

Robin offered the pair a brief smirk as they walked out the door before looking down at his hands darkly, frowning to himself. A minute or two passed in silence, then he looked up, sensing something strange in the air. There was something... no. There's nothing. It's just a feeling, nothing else. Nothing can get in through these walls without triggering the alarms. I'm just being paranoid. Right?

He looked back down. Then up again. There are screams coming from outside. It's always been like that, but why do they seem especially loud tonight? Probably just my imagination again. I didn't get enough sleep last night. I'll probably sleep in tomorrow if I have the time. But there's just so many things to do... he yawned. Then looked up again as he felt something brush against his shoulder.

"Hello?"

Silence. Nothing.

Robin grimaced. Guess it's time for coffee.


"Hmm."

"Yes?"

Jinx sat back, watching the warm glow of a flaming pyre dance before her eyes. "You know how you were talking about purging everything and all that stuff?"

"What about it?"

"Won't it take a while like this? I mean, you're only destroying small parts of the city every time we do this. I mean, there's still the rest of the world..."

"True. But you know, if I wanted to, I could erase this whole city in an instant. I've regained enough of my power to do that at this point. We do have another goal in mind at the moment, though."

Jinx grinned. "That's true. So who's the bait for, then?"

Raven put a hand to her chin. "I'm not sure at the moment. It seems like the rats are hiding in their hole, so it could be the other two."

"The other two?"

"Let's see. They were part of that League that you mentioned. I think they were Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter."

"Oh. Uhh..." Jinx frowned.

"It shouldn't be a problem. They didn't seem strong enough to challenge me-"

"No, it's just... if you take them down, the whole League's going to get involved in this. And then we might have trouble..."

"Aren't they going to get involved anyway? If we show that we're actually going to be a huge threat to their precious sidekicks, they'll probably intervene anyway. So there's no difference."

"Uh huh."

"You don't believe me?"

"I'm just... worried. They're strong. You might get hurt..."

Raven's eyes widened slightly, then softened. "I see." She looked up. "But you know, we could get hurt at any time through all of this. Vengeance comes with risk."

"I... guess so." Jinx sighed. "But still better than living in this hellhole forever. This place disgusts me." She paused, thinking for a moment. "Is this anything like where you-"

"Hold that thought," Raven muttered. "They're coming."

"Already?"

"Considering I made this to lure them here," Raven gestured to the flames swirling around them, "I would have expected them to arrive sooner. Anyway, think you can lead one of them away? I'd rather deal with them one by one. This Green Lantern seems strong. I want to deal with him first."

"Okay. So I just gotta lead the other one away? Gotcha." Jinx's eyes flashed with excitement. "Haven't done this in so long."

"Done what?"

"Playing around with heroes like this. Hey babe, mind turning down the heat a bit? I've got an idea."

"I'll just make you immune to the fire. There. Go ahead."

Jinx nodded as Raven withdrew into the shadows. A moment later, she caught sight of two figures flying above the flames in the sky and promptly began screaming.

"Help! Help me! Someone? Anyone?"

The two shadows paused for a moment, then began flying down toward her. As they came in view, she waved her arms frantically, drawing their attention away from the figure lurking in the flickering darkness.

"Thanks goodness you're here," Jinx breathed out heavily as they landed. "Please, can you get me out of here?"

J'onn stared at for a moment, then his eyes widened. "You are the Titans' old friend. Well, perhaps not friend any more."

"I-" she bit her lip. How should I respond to that? Should I try to make him pity me or should I just be normal? Uh... "They abandoned me," she said softly, then winced in fake pain as the fire drew closer. "Can we talk about this somewhere else? I'm really scared of fire-"

"Certainly," J'onn muttered, trying not to look at the flames as well. "John, could you scout out the area and see if you can find anything? These flames make me... uncomfortable."

"Yeah." He looked at the pinkette warily, but after a moment, nodded briskly at her as well. "Sorry about that whole situation with the jail. I wish we had known about it so we could have done something, but unfortunately we were not told."

"It wasn't your fault," Jinx said lightly. "But thanks anyway. Can we go now?"

"As you wish."


These flames... John pointed a fist at the reddish, almost crimson fire, and tried containing them with the power of his ring, but every time the green light came close to the flames, it shattered instantly. Strange. So these flames are interfering with the radiation created by my ring. It must be emitting something by itself as well. Maybe that's why it's this odd color. But what could have created something like this? I've never seen anything with enough intensity to interfere with the constructs that my ring makes...

He held a hand out toward the fire, then drew it back. It's not very hot either. But it seems to be plenty destructive. It's probably unlikely that someone managed to create something that could burn like this, so it has to be magical in nature. Judging solely by the color, I'd say demon magic. It sort of resembles Etrigan's hellfire, except this stuff seems stronger.

"Maybe I should pay Etrigan a visit..." John muttered quietly, then looked up as he felt something brush up against his leg. "Who's there?"

He tensed, looking around warily, but saw nothing. There was, however, a sensation in the air that was completely unmistakable - he had felt it many times before, and it had to mean only one thing. That bloodlust... someone's around. The perpetrator of this?

"Show yourself! I know you're there!"

There was a soft, feminine laugh. "Afraid?"

A woman? No, just a girl?

"Who are you?"

"Who am I?" she repeated after him, and it occurred to him that he could not tell where her voice was coming from. "Who do you think I am?"

"Answer the damn question."

"Or else what?" She laughed softly again, and the flames flickered wildly as she did, mirroring her voice. "Or you'll use that green light on me? Looks like it isn't working so well with my fire around."

John gritted his teeth and flew up, out of the range of the fire into the night sky.

"Where do you think you're going?"

His eyes widened as her voice sounded again, from all directions, the same, quiet monotone as when he was in the fire - she was following him.

"Am I?"

"You-!"

"Neurotic, aren't we? Scared?"

John raised his fist and green light surrounded him. "Where are you? Show yourself!"

"Think hard. Ask yourself. Where am I? Need I show myself? Do I even have anything to show you?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means this."

Suddenly, fire exploded everywhere around him, hovering in mid air, dispelling the green light. "You've already seen me. I've already shown you what lies within me."

His eyes narrowed. "What are you?"

A demon. It wasn't a lie, necessarily. Fire does run in my blood. "Guess."

"I'm not here to play games with you. Answer the question."

The flames drew in. "My, my. Impatient, are we? Here, I'll give you a hint." And suddenly, her voice was right in his ear. "I'm a physical manifestation of that which you fear most."

He felt something slice into him and screamed in pain as it ran straight through his body. His eyes traveled down and widened - there appeared to be nothing there - it was as if his body had just suddenly broken apart of its own volition.

Shit. Shit shit shit. I have to get out of here. I have to run-

"Run where? Why run from me?"

"Get back!" Green light formed around him, close enough to his own body so that it was not dispelled by the flames, but enough to hopefully keep whatever the thing was away from him. "How did you get that close without me noticing?"

"Good question," her voice sounded in his other ear.

Fuck. He screamed again as he felt his body split apart further, almost from the inside out, like a swarm of blades in his stomach trying to force their way out of his body.

"The darkness is my territory." Two pairs of red eyes opened in front of him. "Actually, you might say that I am the darkness. It's not a matter of how close or far I am. I am here. There is nowhere to run."

He coughed up a mouthful of blood and gritted his teeth, trying to force down the pain. "You are the darkness? Give me a break. In that case, all I have to do is-" he broke off as something sliced into his wrist, freeing his hand from his arm instantly.

Surprisingly, he could still hear her voice, calm and almost mirthful, through his own screams. "What are you going to do without that ring? Did you think I wouldn't notice?"

"Who are you?!" he screamed again. "Show yourself!"

She sighed. "I already told you. I am what you fear most. In this world, where heroes try to bring what they believe to be justice and order to society, chaos is thought to be the greatest enemy. But, in truth, that is probably just a naive way of thinking of these things. Truthfully," she leaned in, breathing lightly on his cheek, "chaos is reality. Goodbye."

The flames closed in, masking the implosion of crimson in the sky, and a moment later, the scorched pieces of what remained dropped down, hardly recognizable save for the face, still contorted in pain, but - in those unblinking eyes - mostly terror.

Something in the darkness followed soon after; as it closed in on the fire below, the shape of a large, dark raven became apparent, one whose body was nothing but ethereal blackness except for the two pairs of red eyes that gleamed hatefully. She landed on the ground amidst the fire and the form began to condense back into the small, thin form of a young girl, garbed in a black cloak and body suit beneath.

Humming to herself, she dispelled the flames and began gathering the body parts with her powers.


"Do you hate them?" J'onn asked quietly.

Jinx looked up. "I hate this place."

"The old HIVE academy hideout?"

"It brings back too many memories."

The martian nodded, closing his eyes and clasping his fingers together. "Are you going to answer the first question?"

Jinx bit her lip. "I'm not too happy with them. You understand, right?"

"I do."

"But... I suppose part of it is... just the city not caring at all. They let everyone in that prison rot. Because they're too corrupt and decrepit to care." Hmm. Also what Raven was referring to, I think. I think I'm starting to get it!

"Unfortunately, that is how this world is."

"I know, I know. But it hurts to be on the receiving end, ya know?"

J'onn shook his head. "I'm afraid I have never had the experience. But I can sympathize."

Sympathy and empathy are two different things, asshole. "I suppose that's all I can ask for."

"I think that you, perhaps, deserve more." J'onn murmured. "One murder, and I am told it is an accidental one, should not be a cause for what you went through."

It shouldn't have landed me in jail in the first place! The guy tried to kill us! It was fucking self defense. And besides, what's one worthless life anyway? Ruin two lives 'cause someone wanted to be retarded and try to fight us. Well, correction. A guy who wasn't strong enough to fight the Titans tried to fight them. Raven and me, though... fuck. I'm through with all this heroism stuff. People are worthless. One life isn't worth shit.

J'onn frowned. "I apologize for being so insistent, but I really must know. Do you hate the Titans?"

Jinx blinked a few times. "Uhh. To some degree. I mean, I couldn't possible just forget about them abandoning me..."

"Understandable."

Idiot. You really don't get it, do you? But that's fine. Jinx's eyes shifted as she sensed something - someone, rather - enter the room with them.

She looked around again. It was a large room - the old HIVE academy's training room to be precise, but with all the equipment gone and the walls beginning to crumble away. Fallen into disrepair, like everything else. The lights also did not work too well, but she had long grown accustomed to living in the dark, and the pink irises gleamed inscrutably as she stared past J'onn, looking straight at Raven.

Her lips curved up briefly. Funny how I can tell right when you come close but none of these guys can.

The two pairs of crimson eyes gleamed back and she heard soft laughter in her mind. That's because I want you to know, my dear. And the fact that your powers are closer to mine than his helps.

"Is someone there? Did you feel that?"

"Feel what?"

"There's something..." J'onn stood, closing his eyes.

He's a telepath too. Careful, Rae.

The darkness seemed to swirl in response. Perhaps, but I noticed something earlier. There is something about these heroes...

What about them?

The darkness closed in. They're so easy to fuck with. They can only deal with straightforward attacks. But anything that comes from the shadows... they can't handle. All that raw power they have... wasted because they can't deal with things they can't see?

"Someone is here."

Jinx stood as well. "Yeah. I think you're right." She took a deep breath. "Y-you can deal with this, right? I'm scared."

"Do not worry. We will be fine. I will get us out of here-"

Abruptly, their surroundings burst aflame. The walls, the ceiling, even the ground - beneath it, at least, they both could feel the floor get hot - the crimson fire, enclosing them on all sides.

"Going somewhere?" Raven's voice echoed everywhere.

J'onn's eyes widened. "This fire-"

Raven laughed. "Looks like my prediction was right. Scared of fire, are we? Or perhaps weak to it? I was watching you earlier..."

You sound like a creeper, Rae.

Maybe I am. You never know.

J'onn looked around, trying to sound imposing. "Who are you? What do you have against the Titans?"

"Who knows... surely you don't."

The martian closed his eyes, trying to sense the figure lurking in the fire. Sensing everything in his surroundings - beside him was that girl, and all around were the crimson flames, pouring out dreadful, chaotic light everywhere, but there was nothing besides that. Nobody else - no, that wasn't quite it either. There was something there along with the flames, almost as if she was a part of the fire itself...

"Trying to figure out what I am? I'll give you a hint. I'm not human. Nor a meta human, for that matter."

"A demon," J'onn whispered. "The energies from your fire... it is not hard to tell."

"That was quick. Looks like you're sharper than your partner was."

"What? What do you mean," he spoke slowly, voice tight with dread.

"What do you think? Are demons known for showing mercy?"

"But-"

"But nothing." The flames closed in and darkness began oozing out of them, tendrils of black swarming through the light, encircling them both. "Whatever weakness it happens to be, I will use it against you. Don't expect mercy, for there shall be none. Unlike others you may have encountered, I will kill you at the first possible chance."

"What... is the point in doing such a thing?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"But-"

"No buts. The mere fact that you call yourself a hero and try to 'save' people means that you do not understand. You'll simple disagree with me if I tell you why you must die."

"I won't go down without a fight."

"What nonsense." The darkness swirled around again, then stabbed inward, the impossibly sharp blades tearing through stone as they passed through his body and cut into the ground.

But in the end, they did just that - passed straight through him.

He can become invulnerable, I think. You can't hurt him with physical attacks.

Could have told me earlier.

Just use the fire! That should work.

Maybe. Or hmm. I have a better idea. Want to get your hands dirty?

Jinx's eyes lit up. I get what you mean. Sure, why not.

The darkness drew back. "Do you ever wonder..." Raven's voice trailed off. "Do you ever think about if you are doing what is right?"

"Excuse me?"

"Hmph. You're playing the hero, after all. But really now, are you one? Are you really saving people?"

"Am I doing what is right? I could ask you the same question, demon."

"Please. In this world," and in mine, "right and wrong do not matter. Here, one fights for one's own survival, and that is it. The weak die, the strong carry on. That is the way of things."

"I understand that, but heroes try to mold the world into what it should be rather than what it is."

"And the way you are trying to do that, is it working? Or better yet, the world you are trying to create, what is so different about it?"

"People will not have to live in pain and terror for all their lives. Whereas you are a catalyst for that terror! You are the cause-"

"Me? I'm only trying to destroy everything. There can be no right and wrong once it's all gone, correct? Then nobody has to worry about anything. Once they are all dead..."

"And that is better?"

"Sure. Once you're dead, you don't have to care about anything. Unless, of course, you are strong enough to withstand all this... 'terror'. Which none of you seem to be able to deal with. But if you're strong enough to deal with that, then by all means, carry on."

"How can you be the judge of that? How can you judge who is strong enough to live, and who would be better off dead?"

"Me? Simple. Because, I know what people think and I know how they feel. Their pain is my pain. Their fear is my fear. So I know... everything is better off gone."

"That is nonsense. What you are suggesting is far worse than the world we heroes fight for. One where people care for each other and-"

"Hmph. Then let me ask you this. If you could give up your life to save one other person, and just one, would you do it?"

"I... but I can save more than one-"

"Suppose you were a normal person, without all these... powers."

"I... it is hard to say."

"Indeed, it must be hard to imagine." The darkness drew back further, and all that was left was the crackling flames. "But let me tell you. Humans are filthy creatures. Everyone is an enemy, and must be treated as one. Whenever someone has power, or wealth, or something of value, others will try to take it. Thus people can only do what they must to protect what is theirs - they kill other people, even if it means that sharing their possessions could save others. You know why?"

"No."

"Because there are so many people who are trying to take their valuables that they, themselves, would be left with nothing in the end. Well that, and the fact that the more one owns, the greater security one has, to some degree. Everyone is an enemy."

"That is not true. I have friends. I have comrades who have saved my life many times. And I have saved the lives of many as well. For example, this girl-" J'onn broke off and howled in pain as something stabbed into his body.

He tried to turn invulnerable again, but the blade ran him through another time, and another, and he collapsed to his knees as the roaring flames surged around him.

"Sorry," Jinx grinned. "It was just such a good moment to come in."

"No worries," Raven replied smoothly, appearing out of the darkness. "I was getting sick of arguing with him anyway." She looked down, then kicked the martian in the face, hard.

And then, as he grunted and collapsed down further, the fire flooded in, searing his flesh - just enough to burn off the top layer of skin, but not enough to kill him.

"Empathy and sympathy are two different things, asshole," she whispered in his ear over his screams. "Just because you feel bad for people doesn't mean you understand what kind of pain they go through. So, lay there and burn until you do understand that pain. Then maybe you'll realize that what you're doing is only prolonging it. Or maybe not. Maybe you'll just die first before you come to that realization."

Jinx snorted. "Maybe? You don't intend on letting him live, do you?"

Raven rolled her eyes. "Oh, you know me so well."

The pinkette smirked as the crimson light grew darker - the color of blood - as the demoness poured more power into it. More and more, until the martian's body was nothing but a smoldering ruin. And even then, not stopping until the flesh had been seared from his bones, and his limbs and body had been rent apart by the intensity of the heat.

"Umm, Rae. He's not really recognizable..." Jinx prodded the head with her foot.

"He will be when I put him with the other corpse. Only one has to be identified, and their minds will take care of the rest."

"Psh." The pink haired girl moved closer, looking at the other girl curiously. "But you know..."

"Yes?"

"When you were talking about everyone being an enemy and all that..."

Raven's eyes widened for a moment, then she laughed. "Worried about that? You're so silly sometimes..." she put a hand over her face as Jinx blushed. "There are exceptions to everything. One is when you can truly empathize and sympathize with another. Then, you can become friends."

Jinx grinned. "So then you should have lots of friends!"

"Not really. Just because I can empathize doesn't mean I care. If you're too weak to stand up on your own, I'm not going to carry you. But you, my dear..." Raven smiled. "You survived all by yourself. And you're strong enough to deal with all of the shit that goes on in this world. That's why I like you."

"I'm the best, aren't I?"

The demoness closed her eyes, smirking. "Maybe. But I'm the one doing all of the hard work."

"Well I can't play those mind games like you can, miss disembodied voice. Like seriously, the way you can get close to 'em without being noticed is creepy as fuck."

"But I thought people loved it when I got close to them," Raven's voice suddenly grew husky and she moved closer to Jinx, touching her cheek. "Just kidding. We should probably clean up a bit."

"Aww, that actually felt nice."

"I'll give you a massage later or something, if that's what you want. But for now-"

"But why do we need to clean up?"

"Hmm. Well, I don't know. It's not like there's really any evidence here. I suppose you're right. Fine, then at least let me pack up these gross things first."

"You're the one who made them all burnt and smelly!"

"Yeah, yeah, my fault, my fault. But the best gifts are the toasty ones. Wonder how they'll react this time."

"Do I get to watch?"

"Sure, just don't get too excited."


"I think I'm beginning to like human food more."

"Um, Rae? That's a piece of raw meat. Not exactly normal human food."

"... whatever. So, when do you want to go meet these friends of yours?"

"Hmm. How about we give 'em another week to find us?"

"They won't be able to, in that time frame. Unless I give them some clues?"

"Sure, why not. It makes everything more fun."

"Okay. By the way, where is the League based?"

"Mmm, in some satellite thingy in the sky. It's called the Watchtower."

"Approximately where is this?"

"No clue! Never been there. Titans' database probably has its orbit or something though, if you want to go looking through that. Why, you gonna go stalk the League?"

"What else would I be doing? Raiding their fridge?"

"You could..." Jinx laughed. "Hey. Hey, baby cakes."

"Yes?"

"Can I get that massage now?"

Raven sighed. "Only if I get to go first."

"Heh, okay. You're gonna need to get out of those clothes first, though..."

The demoness blushed, but complied, revealing her pale, bare skin as she peeled the dark bodysuit off. "You know," she murmured as she laid down on a couch, "I sometimes forget what having a body feels like."

"Well you're in that weird energy form a lot of the time," Jinx rubbed some oil on Raven's back and pressed in.

"No, it's not that. All of this death... rather, the way I do it. Makes me think of them more like ragdolls. Sometimes forget how messy it can get."

"Oh well. Used to be scared of all that gore and stuff, but not anymore. Bodies are just bodies. Can be torn apart like anything else. Though..." she snickered, "I like yours, if you know what I mean."

Raven shivered as Jinx ran a finger down her spine. "Are you suggesting..."

"You're the mind reader!"

"I've never done anything like this before."

"Well, now, that's going to change, isn't it?"

"But you should know that demonesses can get quite... aggressive. Or so I've been told."

"Oooh, I can't wait. But I'm in control right now, you know."

Raven let out a low, guttural noise, a cross between a growl and a moan. "The worse you make it for me now," she muttered, "the worse it's going to be for you when it's your turn."

"Please. I can already tell, you're the begging type. Music to my ears, really."

Jinx's hand ran down Raven's back, then over her legs, then up again, before she made the other girl flip over. "We'll just have to find out who caves in first, then."