A/N: It's almost 11/11/11! Who all's excited? Okay, so anyway, this chapter features more plot points and conflicts; to me it seems kinda awkwardly written. Nothing bad in this chapter, just like chapters 1 & 2.

Hope you enjoy, and forgive me for any awkwardness in this chapter. It was more difficult to write than I expected.

Upon their arrival, Raven and Starfire were greeted with the usual scene and atmosphere in the operations room. Cyborg and Beast Boy were in heated competition in their usual game. Robin sat on the sidelines cheering for both as they made advances on each other, not sure which to root for.

"Friends!" Starfire exuberantly opened her arms and went to greet them. The game paused and all three boys looked over the back of the sofa. Beast Boy and Cyborg ducked as she grabbed the back of the sofa and swung herself over, landing between the two. Raven just stared, not sure what to think.

Robin leaned forward to look at Starfire with a smile. "Where have you been all day?"

"Yeah, don't you usually stay at the tower?" Beast Boy piped in.

Starfire kicked her flats off and propped her feet up on the table. "It was glorious! Raven and I-"

"Whoa, back the truck up." Beast Boy stopped her. "You and Raven went somewhere? Raven, the Raven that never goes anywhere? You sure we're talking about the same person here?"

"Yes! We went to the mall of shopping and then had a divine feast of pizza!" Starfire sighed in contentment and relaxed on the sofa.

"Sounds like you had a pretty good time," Robin continued; Starfire gave a smile and nod. Robin turned to the back of the room. "Raven, did you-" As he said this, everyone followed his line of sight. Raven, however, was nowhere to be seen.

"What's with her? She's always disappearing," Beast Boy picked up his controller and restarted the game; Cyborg hesitated before taking his and pursuing after him.

"It's just how she is, Beast Boy." Robin again had his eyes glued to the screen.

"The man's got a point." Cyborg pitched in, punching his green teammate.

"She doesn't have to be so creepy."

Starfire looked around at each of them, feeling a bit uncomfortable that they were talking about Raven. She excused herself and quickly darted for the door, but Robin's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Starfire, is everything okay? Why the rush?"

She turned to look at him with her usual happy smile. "I am just tired from today. I think I will retire early." Robin shrugged and turned back to the screen, and Starfire continued on.

Raven stopped outside her room. She sighed as she stared at the open doorway; she'd have to make sure Beast Boy hadn't touched anything again. Raven started to go inside when she had the feeling someone was behind her. She spun around to find Cyborg looming over her. "Uh...were you following me?"

"No, I came to talk to you about your door. What happened to it?"

"Starfire. She...woke me up this morning, so we could go to the mall. I had the door locked."

Cyborg's face turned questioning. "Why didn't she just knock louder?"

"That's what I thought." Raven looked at the doorway, then back to Cyborg. "You don't mind replacing it do you?"

"Of course not, Rae." He crossed his arms and gave a friendly smirk. "I know how you like your privacy. I can't say I blame you, because of BB."

"Thanks. When can you have it finished?"

"Well, if I start now, maybe in about an hour and a half."

Raven was disappointed but didn't show it. "Okay. Is there anything you need me to do?"

"Nah, just go meditate or something. I'll let you know when it's finished. And don't worry; no one's getting in here while I'm working on it."

Raven nodded and walked away. She turned the corner and found herself looking at Starfire's door. I have to talk to her, she thought. I have to know what's going on. Raven knew it was only going to bother her until she knew.

She stopped outside of Starfire's door and took a deep breath before knocking on the door. Almost immediately the door opened and Starfire pulled Raven into a warm embrace. It wasn't crushing as it usually was, and Raven awkwardly returned the hug. She pressed on Starfire's shoulder when she didn't let go and backed away. Raven noticed that Starfire had changed into more casual attire since their departure.

"Friend Raven, why do you come to my room?" Starfire clasped her hands in front of her and gave a friendly smile, as was the norm.

"Actually I wanted to talk to you, Starfire. May I come in?"

Starfire's face became serious. She nodded and stepped aside to allow Raven inside. "Of course,"

Raven stepped inside Starfire's room; it was ironic, even the two girl's rooms were polar opposites. "What is it you wish to talk about, Raven?"

She had to think. She wanted to ask Starfire what was with her being so close to her today, but she also knew there was the matter that Starfire wanted to know what was going on with her. Perhaps it was just Starfire's way of expressing close friendship, and that she just didn't display it in such way until today. Maybe it was part of her culture. Raven's mind settled, and she chose the latter.

Raven sat on the edge of Starfire's bed. "We never got to discuss my...issues. I know how concerned you are."

Starfire sat next to Raven. "Yes. Forgive me, but I wanted to have a good time with you. I feared such talk might ruin the occasion."

Raven nodded and turned to face Starfire completely. "Star, you remember how I told everyone Trigon was my father, right? Trigon himself may be physically gone, but...part of him will always be inside me."

Starfire looked confused. "But why would this be of any problem? Was the prophecy not fulfilled?"

Raven gave a slight sigh. "The prophecy of my birth was completed, to act as a portal for Trigon to come into this world. His blood, his..." She paused, searching for words to say that were descriptive but simple enough that Starfire would understand. "his so called 'legacy' lives on inside me, because we share a common trait."

"Raven, you have done nothing to be matched to Trigon." Starfire placed a hand to one of Raven's; they were very warm, as if her skin were cold as ice. "As Robin said, you dared to go against what the prophecy foretold."

"See, the thing is," raven looked to the floor, trying to find a distraction. "I've been getting these horrible dreams and flashbacks, all of them having to do with Trigon, the destruction of my friends, myself...just so many bad things. It's so mocking, that he's gone and it still effects me. In some of my dreams he puts me down, says I'm made of nothing but darkness and that all I could ever be is evil, and sometimes I have to agree with him."

Starfire pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned to look Raven in the face. Raven shifted her eyes in Starfire's direction as to question her gaze. "You must think I'm insane telling you this."

Starfire shook her head. "I believe you are still suffering from the trauma and shock you experienced when we battled the Trigon." Raven's eyes shifted back down, void of feeling. "And Raven," Raven looked at Starfire again. "Just because the Trigon says you are made of darkness, that does not mean it is a bad thing. Can darkness not be used for good? It is simply misunderstood, much like you are."

A slight smile crossed Raven's lips. "Yeah. I guess you're right. Thanks, Star."

Starfire smiled and opened her arms to invite Raven into a hug which Raven graciously accepted. It did not last as long as it usually would, and when Starfire pulled away, Raven saw something in her face that made her curious. "Starfire, I know this may be a stupid question, but why do you like to hug me so much? I mean, more than usual...and you don't crush me."

Starfire shifted a little and played with her fingers. "Forgive me, friend. I know you do not like the hugging, but you always seem like you need one."

Raven found that she was surprised. "To be honest, I don't mind your hugging. Most of the reason I've told people to get off, mostly you, is because they crush me. Of course, you haven't been doing that lately, and..it feels nice for once."

"Sometimes it is medicine in itself to hold and be held by another." Starfire closed her eyes and crossed her arms across her chest, as if to hug herself. Her words are true, Raven thought. Starfire's hugs were comforting and brought her peace in such a stressful time.

"Anyway," Raven pushed herself to her feet. "Thanks for listening, Star. I could've told someone else, but I don't think they'd listen. I mean, you just seem to understand more."

"Of course, Raven. I would gladly help you with anything I can, you know that."

Raven started for the door, but hesitated. "Starfire, are you going to be leaving the tower tonight?"

Starfire tilted her head in confusion. "I will not be for some time. Why do you ask?"

Raven looked down at her feet. "The nightmares I've been having are almost nightly. I've woken up to my own screaming and thrashing, and I've even hurt myself before. I'm afraid of what happens outside of my nightmares. If it's not too much to ask, would you check on me before you leave?"

The alien nodded. "I will."

Raven let out a small sigh. "I'll make it up to you, I promise. I need to go check to see how my new door is coming along. I guess I'll see you in the morning?"

Starfire smiled and stood up, walking with Raven to the door. "Yes. Thank you for stopping by, Raven. I hope your sleeping goes well."

Raven stepped out into the hallway and headed back to her room. She found that Cyborg was still there. She could see that the door was in the doorway, but could see something was wrong. As Raven came closer, Cyborg noticed her and stopped tinkering with the door. "How's the door coming along, Cyborg?"

He rubbed the back of his head. "I'm having some trouble getting it to fit in properly; the frame was banged up pretty bad."

"So, what exactly isn't working?" Raven took a look at the door; it looked like it were in properly, except that it was opened slightly.

"It's not sliding like it should be. It has to be forced open by hand." Cyborg pulled it open a little more, enough to get a small view into Raven's room. "I'm getting sick of trying to deal with it."

"I was actually about to go to bed anyway. You can just work on it tomorrow." Raven shrugged, indifferent to his decision.

"Yeah. I might end up tearing it back down if I keep going. Anyway, have a good night, Rae." Cyborg turned and walked away. Raven passed through the half closed door into her room, the feeling of sleep heavy on her mind.

"What you have concealed, you shall become."

The sky was black and the smell of ash assaulted Raven's nose. She staggered to her feet and looked around; she was outside the old library. All around her were post-Armageddon ruins.

"What you have concealed, you shall become."

Raven spun in each direction, trying to find the voice. She looked up to find the two pairs of red eyes that she knew so well. Her heart sunk as a mocking laugh rang through her ears. "Father..."

"Hello again, Raven."

Dangerous black flames formed around Raven and she clenched her fists. "I know you're not real! I destroyed you!"

"On the contrary, my dear child, I am eternal." The eyes vanished, and Raven relaxed. She hoped nothing was to happen next, but she knew it was a futile hope.

"Dear Raven,"

Raven turned to find Trigon behind her. Panic struck her heart and she tried to flee; Trigon snatched her up in his hand and brought it to his face. His hand opened, and he smiled devilishly down upon a fallen Raven. "Why do you hide from what you are?"

"I know who I am!" Raven forced herself to rise. "I know that I am nothing like you!"

Trigon's eyes narrowed. "Look at what you've done." He motioned his free hand to the hell around him. "Look at the destruction you've brought."

Anger flared inside of Raven. The black flames formed around her again. "I didn't do this! You did! You used me to get here, to cause all of this!"

Trigon bellowed a laugh and grazed a claw across Raven's cheek. "No matter how much you deny it, there will always be evil in you. You and I are the same; our blood is the same. You'll always be daddy's little girl, whether you like it or not."

"I'm nothing like you! I'll never be you!" Raven screamed it over and over, the flames around her growing higher and more dangerous. Trigon closed his fist around her and scoffed.

"You don't have a choice." His fist became tighter and tighter, and Trigon's face lit up with a cruel smile as he heard Raven scream in pain. "You have been and always will be mine to command. What you have concealed, you shall become."

A/N: I thought it was about time for another nightmare. Yes, this all has some significance, don't worry. So how was this chapter? Not too cheesy? Reviews would be great.

I'm already working on ideas for the next chapter. I should have it posted within the next few weeks.