Author's Notes: I think, by far, this was our favorite chapter to write. There was so much each of us was excited to work with, and it is fair to say that we each pulled the absolute best of our abilities to make this chapter possible. Really, really, really wished we owned the Teen Titans right about now, but nope.

Chapter 7: The Big Lie

The Titans felt the rush and heat of dry, desert winds. "Where are we?" Robin asked quickly, asking the question on all their minds.

Carnus shielded his eyes from the beating sun as he scanned the area. "Just north of the Dead Sea, if I did this right."

Given how much of the supernatural elements of Earth he had encountered in the past few days, Archangel found that a very apt name. Robin crossed his arms. "So, the Middle East."

Carnus looked at the others. "Does he always ask dumb obvious questions?" They were quiet, just glaring at the hellion. Carnus shrugged. "We'd better get moving. The less time Lilith has, the better for all of us."

He started walking, and only reluctantly did the others follow. It was not a miserable walk. Despite being a desert, there was still a significant amount of growth and natural life to be found, more than what Archangel was used to on his own home planet. His mind was still reeling from the whole idea of where they were going. So much of this Earthly myth resembled his own culture, and he could not understand it. He had always recognized that Malakb, the great solar deity, worked in mysterious ways to oversee all his creation, but this felt too . . . . weird. Too uncanny, he thought.

Archangel felt the gloved hand of his leader hold him, along with Starfire, back. "Now, listen," he began. "He needs us because he can't touch this sword. I'll wager that something as powerful as this would have a good effect on him too. As soon as we get it, we need to make our move. He may be helping us, but the unspeakable things he's done . . . "

"But Carnus will be expecting such a deception, would he not?" Starfire asked.

"It'd be stupid of him not to," Robin said. "We all need to keep our eyes out for a double-cross or evasive action from him. Um . . . I meant . . . " He stopped, realizing what he had said.

Archangel waved him off. "I understand this turn of Earthly phrase. No offense, taken. This Carnus, just how powerful is he?"

Robin sighed. "Pretty bad. From what we've noticed, he only actually fights as a self-defense, preferring manipulation to anything else. He's . . . he's pretty good at possession, so be warry of that."

Starfire gave an involuntary shudder at the memory of having been under Carnus' control herself. "May I ask what you mean by possession? Like claiming someone?"

"It's an ability he and most spirits have to, without permission, take control of someone's mind and body." Archangel nodded at the interesting, and frightening talent. "I need you to keep close to him," Robin added. "He doesn't know you or what you are. That means he's underestimating you, and is probably fascinated by you, a perfect combination to put him into a small sense of calm with us. He'll still suspect us, but maybe not immediately."

Archangel nodded and walked on ahead. For once, he did agree with Robin's decision. He was far too curious about this enemy that his friends feared so much. He just desperately hoped that they really did stand a chance against Carnus, and it was not just Robin giving them false hope.


Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy all looked with hesitation at the chained dragon in front of them. Getting him to camp was a pain, and making sure he wasn't going anywhere was even tougher. Right now he was chained from head to toe to the ground, his jaws clamped together. His black, slitted eyes watching the Titans hungrily, just waiting for them to make a move.

"Soooooo, what now?" Beast Boy asked.

"Now we find Lilith's hideout," Raven answered dryly.

"So we hit the phonebook or what?" None of the Titans took their eyes off of the dragon, his head swaying with each move they made.

"Think . . . he knows where Lilith is camping out?" Cyborg asked pointing to the dragon.

"Probably. Go for it Beast Boy." Raven and Cyborg took a large step back leaving Beast Boy in front of the dragon.

"Wa-wait why me?"

"You speak to animals after all," Raven pointed out.

"Pfft, not dragons. Besides his mouth is chained, he's not 'talking' anytime soon." Drake let out a snarl, jumping at Beast Boy who shrieked and cowered behind Raven's cloak.

"Really?" she said with a roll of her eyes.

"Jeez if Robin was here, he'd find a clue in like two seconds flat," groaned Cyborg.

"Ok then. W.W.R.D. What would Robin do?"

Raven rolled her eyes at the changeling's words. "He's not here, so we have to figure out what WE would do."

They nodded quietly, all the while the dragon watched them. "Well I'd try talking to him, but that's already out."

"I'd try to see inside his mind, but he's impervious to my magic."

"I'd scan him, but I doubt I'd get anything out of it." While Cyborg spoke, Beast Boy noticed something glittering on Drake's underbelly. Cautiously he tip toed to the dragon, who raised his shoulders and hissed as a warning. "BB, what are you doing?"

Beat Boy ignored them keeping eye contact with the dragon in front of him. "It's . . . ok," he said soothingly, "I just need to . . " Beast Boy carefully moved one of his fingers to his the dragons belly scales, inching closer and closer, all while maintaining perfect eye contact. Beast Boy made no sudden moves, no threatening gestures, just slowly . . . and carefully . . . lightly . . . touched one of his scales-

The dragon jerked against the chains sending Beast Boy screaming back to his fellow Titans. "Are you insane BB?"

"I've been called that, but I had to see what this was." He placed his finger underneath Cyborg's nose.

"Pixy dust? You scare us to death for pixy dust?" Raven deadpanned.

"Uh, that ain't pixy dust," Cyborg was already scanning the odd substance Beast Boy had collected. "According to my scanners, it's," DING, "Gold?"

"Gold?" Beast Boy and Raven shared puzzled looks.

"Well dragons are known to horde treasure," Raven stated. "But where on earth would he find gold?"

"Helena, Montana," Cyborg answered. He was already typing away on his forearm. "It was a big deal during the gold rush, and rumor is they still have some mines over that way. Thinks that's where psycho lady is?"

"Well it's the best lead we have. I vote we go."

"But Raven, what if-"

Raven held up a hand to silence their concerns. "For one you need me to get you there in a timely fashion, and secondly she has an . . . effect on men."

Beast Boy looked to Cyborg for backup. "Sorry BB she's right. I don't like it either, but I'd feel better if she came with us."

Beast Boy sighed in defeat, there was no talking Raven out of this. The Titans turned to Drake, who was still angrily glaring at them. "Just sit tight, Drake, hopefully when this is all over you'll be back to normal." Raven opened a black portal next to her, the three teens stepping inside to Helena, Montana.


"So, where exactly is the garden?" Robin asked from behind Carnus. "I thought its location was supposed to be unknown."

Carnus gave a snorting laugh. Humans were quite forgetful, and dense, he thought. "Oh, sweet boy, it is indeed very real, and the answers have been in front of you the whole time. I'm honestly surprised Trigon's little girl didn't look into it. She does read several other languages, am I correct?"

Robin did not answer that. The less information the demon had on them, the better, no matter how useless to him it seemed. And he was more than eager not to indulge any of his interests in Raven. Carnus seemed to like to flaunt his experience with her, and Robin was not going to give him the benefit of letting him think he had any control over her or any of them because of her. "Just get to the point," he said shortly.

"Very well," Carnus said with a shrug. "Have you ever heard of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah?"

Archangel and Starfire only listened, not familiar at all with Earthly religious narratives. "Vaguely," Robin said. "Two cities of incredible sin and corruption literally destroyed by fire and brimstone? Sounds like your kind of people."

Carnus grinned. "Please, there's no art in what they were guilty of. Do you know what sort of sin got them in trouble?" He took the silence from Robin as a sign to continue. "Well, most people will tell you it was the citizens' attempt to rape the angelic visitors who asked merely to be treated as guests. While such a violation of the divine is a big no-no, there was something that God considered worse."

"Such as?" Robin asked, raising an eyebrow. He could not think of too many things that would be worse.

"Let's put it this way, the citizens weren't too good at sharing. They did not welcome guests to their cities. They did not like sharing their homes or resources. In short, they violated one of the most ancient laws of all: never turn away guests."

"Why were they not interested in sharing their resources?" Archangel asked. He understood why such would be a normal situation on his world. War had made most resources scarce, and only further strife was to be expected. But there was something that Carnus seemed to be implying that he could not understand.

Carnus laughed again. "I'm glad you asked, my furry friend. Sodom and Gomorrah were blessed with a great abundance, thanks in no small part to being situated very close to Eden. The same waters that flowed from the garden blessed their fields. They had their own little slice of paradise, and wanted to keep it all to themselves."

Robin interrupted, "Wait, where does it say anything about that?"

Carnus shook his head. "You weren't listening. I said, it's all there in black in white. Although, I suppose if you've never spoken in Hebrew, you wouldn't understand. The words used to describe Sodom and Gomorrah are some of the exact same words to describe Eden. While that doesn't sound like much, that was a small hint to those who were willing to listen."

"And where exactly did you 'listen?'"

Carnus smiled, but it wasn't his usual smug smile, something different. "I paid attention in Sunday school."

Robin scoffed. "Like something like YOU would ever set foot in a church."

Carnus glanced back and Robin, an unfamiliar glint in his eye. "No . . . I suppose something like me wouldn't." What was that? Robin asked himself, but before he could think more on it, Carnus spoke again. "Now, I'll grant you, these days, there are some spells to keep wandering eyes from accidently stumbling on the garden. Ah, here we are."

They stood before an open and empty field, nothing remarkable to note. Archangel sniffed, and only detected a hint of something unusual, but it was faint, almost hidden. Robin was immediately suspicious of a trap. "Please, I do not understand," Starfire said, speaking for all of them. "This is the Garden of Eden?"

Carnus raised a hand, touching what appeared to be an invisible barrier. "Not quite. We're as far as Gomorrah, but it's not far from here."

The barrier rippled like a pond being struck by a pebble, and the barrier vanished, the empty field along with it. Before them now was a burnt wasteland. The ground still smoldered, trees withered and blackened, buildings crumbled all of it looking as though it had happened only a few hours before. "How . . . ?" Robin started to ask.

"Only beings of . . . our sort can still see it," Carnus explained, leading the way. "Wanted to leave a message for everyone. A damn good way to do it, if you ask me."

A solemn silence befell the group as they followed behind. It was like walking through a warzone, with only the silence of the dead to accompany them.

Carnus walked alongside Archangel, watching him intently as they walked. From the moment he had seen this . . . creature, he had been incredibly fascinated. Oh sure, picking apart metahumans never yielded a dull moment, but this was something different. In fact, both alien members of the Titans struck his fancy. He knew what to expect out of Earth-bound creation, even if they did have special powers, but something like Starfire or Archangel meant a plethora of possibilities. Starfire would be a little too hard to take apart. From what he had learned of her, her people were resilient, tough, and surprisingly hard to harm. Furthermore, she had her own personal guard dog in Robin, two really if he counted the being walking beside him. With only the three of them, it was not hard to notice the tension between the three.
But Archangel could be harmed. He was not practically invulnerable like the Tamaranean. And some of the similarities Archangel had to demons and angels had not gone unnoticed by Carnus. He had to know more. There had to be a connection.

"I do not believe we've been properly introduced." He stated to Archangel.

Archangel kept his gaze forward. "I know all about you, and what you did to those Titans. So if you would please keep your distance before your foul stench forces me to do something I may regret."

Carnus snickered. "I like you already. I can't help but notice that you're not bothered by all of this," Carnus said slowly, noting the Visiri's reaction. "You've seen this sort of thing before."

Archangel's eyebrow raised, and his head tilted sideways towards him. He had been instructed by Robin to keep Carnus distracted, but that did not put him in any form of ease about speaking to him. "It is not all that dissimilar to how my people leave an enemy city."

Carnus nodded, taking a look around. "Is that so? I notice your people's ability to control fire. How does that work? Dragon's breathe it, you however?"

"That is information I do not care to share with the likes of you."

"Of course not, silly me." He eyed Archangel closely again. "Hmm, but is that the reason why you're not chatty? You don't even know yourself."

"Lies," Archangel hissed, a small flicker of a flame on his fingertips.

Carnus smiled, bringing his face close to Archangel's, who could smell the death and rot on the breath of the demon. "Hm, you only understand it on the level of a basic belief, but you don't know how it works."

Archangel's brows knit together as he thought about what was being said. He said nothing, and sighed, turning away from Carnus. If that is what he wanted to believe, so be it. What good would it be explaining an "El" to a being who did not contain one? But his taunting wasn't done yet. "Well what else can we shoot the breeze about, after all, it's still quite a walk to the garden, and I love making new friends. You know you and I aren't that different."

Archangel stopped spinning around. "You and I are NOTHING alike!" he roared.

Carnus already did what he set out to do. "Come on, you don't fit in on your world, and I didn't in mine. You see I remember my humanity, many of my other brothers and sisters don't, making myself an oddity, no surprise you, uh, left. What interests me is why? Why here, oh great and powerful 'Archangel?' Is it that princess from Tamaran?"

He still said nothing, but Carnus could note the slight changes in his body language: the flared nostrils, the slightly larger chest as he took in deep breaths, the pinned back ears; he had him. "There's nothing to be ashamed of my friend. The difference between you and I, however, is that I KNOW what I am and I've excepted it, but you on the other hand, are still trying to convince yourself of the "Big Lie" you keep telling yourself. The heroic Archie, the friend Archie, the cuddly Archie. If they believe it, then YOU believe it. But the truth is, you're just like your people, and you are a perfect fit."

Archangel turned on him, his face close to Carnus' as he desired nothing more than to headbutt him into tomorrow. Full flames danced on his palms. Robin and Starfire were still farther away, and could not hear what was being said, but worried when they saw their friend stop, and took a defensive position. "It's true, you know," Carnus pressed on. "You never can escape your past. You are a warrior. You are a killer. You are a savage, and the best part is that you enjoy it."

Archangel wanted nothing more than to set the demon ablaze, tear him in half with his own sword, and destroy him in that moment. But then, what good would that do? That would prove Carnus right. He heard Robin and Starfire preparing to go on the offensive in the distance. They would see and they would know.

He let the fire extinguish in his hands. Fire born of anger made the el, the soul, burn uncontrollably, he knew. "Let us just go then," he said stiffly.

Carnus smiled. This would be too easy.

Archangel remained silent the rest of the way, following several paces behind Carnus. He did not want a repeat of his talk with him. Yet, he could not shake the feeling that Carnus' words contained more truth than he realized. Starfire may have believed in him, may have believed he was capable of rising above his situation, believed he was different from his family. But as eight long years had passed since their fathers had refused to speak to each other again, that hope had diminished bit by bit. He was no longer the same, and that frightened him most.

Every night was plagued by the screams within his memory of those he had killed, nameless, faceless enemies, true, but people all the same. He could try arguing it was self-defense, his only means of preserving his own life, but that was not entirely true either.

And what would Starfire say if she knew about Saraqael? What would she think if she knew that poisoning his own brother was the reason he was here? It had been for the better, he kept telling himself. Saraqael had never let it go that his betrothal to Blackfire had fallen apart due to the insensitivity of Emperor Myand'r. His brother and his father had wanted vengeance, and his father had settled for giving away Tamaranean military secrets to the Gordanians. But Saraqael wanted more. He wanted every single one of the Tamaranean royals to suffer. Upon hearing of Starfire's escape from Gordanian slavery and taking the crown from her sister, a horrible idea came to his brother. Saraqael would use all four of his brothers to enact his little scheme. They would kill Galfore, Blackfire, and Starfire before Tamaran knew what hit it, and it was going to be Archangel's job to eliminate Starfire.

He could not stand for that, could not bear the thought of killing the one person he truly cared for. Saraqael deeply underestimated him. He had banked on the idea that Archangel was weak, submissive, and easy to manipulate, not to mention that Saraqael had made himself the tribe chief, and knew that meant total control over Archangel. He had never once thought about what sort of knowledge Archangel had as keeper of the Great Garden.

Archangel knew he could not best his brother physically, but there were other ways. The poison of the rasse flower was supposed to have been untraceable, that is until one of his younger brothers had caught him. Death in a fight was honorable. Death by deceptive means was unforgivable, and now, here he was, banished. Not that Archangel missed his homeworld all that much. In the grand scheme of things, he was happier here. But at what cost, he wondered? Perhaps there could have been another way. Instead he had become the monster he feared within himself.

A hand touched his shoulder, bringing him out of his spiraling thoughts. Starfire could never possibly understand the things he had done, even if he had deluded himself into believing it had been for the better goal of saving her. But she had tried, and that was the most anyone could have done. Maybe one day, he would tell her, and hope that she could still try to understand.

The burnt landscape was finally giving way to fertile fields and meadows once more, and as they had rightly assumed, they were getting close. Robin spotted it first, an overgrown, nearly tropical forest in the middle of the deserts of the Middle East.

This had to be it, but Carnus held them all back. "Not so fast," he said cautiously. "This isn't going to be easy. We don't just waltz up, take the sword, and go. Remember where we are."

It suddenly seemed like much farther. The four proceeded carefully, waiting for something to come after them. Never did they expect anything to come up and grab them. Archangel nearly tripped, thinking he had missed a rock in the ground. As he tried to pull himself free, he realized something had ahold of his leg. A vine had sprung from the ground and wrapped itself around his ankle. Half a dozen more popped out, each making a grab for the others.

Starfire darted into the air, nearly being caught herself. However, she could not get low enough to try and free the others without risk of being caught herself. She tried blasting a few focused starbolts at the vines, but found they were much tougher than they looked. They were also starting to become aware of how much of a challenge Starfire was. A few shot up so high, they only missed her feet by an inch or so.

Robin pulled out a birdarang and tried slicing through the vines. That only worked for a little while. He was able to cut himself free once, and tried to run, but was strangled by even more. Each of the vines tried dragging down Robin, Archangel, and Carnus below the ground. Archangel strained, but with his one free hand, he grabbed his sword from its sheath on his back. It was instantly set ablaze.

Archangel sliced through the vines, the fires burning and making the vines shrivel up into dried husks. Starfire distracted the new vines coming for him with starbolts, knocking them back before they could touch him. With much struggle, he freed Robin. "We've got to make a run for that garden," Robin said, catching his breath. "Now!"

"Wait where is our-"

An unholy demonic growl roared from their demonic companion. The vines that held Carnus bound were shredded as if they were nothing more then simple heads of lettuce as Carnus spun away from the vines like a spinning top of knives. He joined the others, two enormous hunting knives smoking with black nether in his hands. "Worry not. I am more then capable of handling myself." he grinned.

Archangel snorted. "I do believe the plant life is gone."

Indeed, they were gone, and the land had resumed to an eerie quiet. That is, until they heard a low rumble beneath their feet. Gigantic beings began to rise from the ground, brushing thousands of years of rock and moss from their bodies. They were hairy, humanoid creatures with rather undiscernible features. Built like tanks, it was clear what their purpose was. "Nephilim," Carnus said. "Well, the big guy upstairs is starting to get more theatrical."


An infuriated Lilith screamed a scream that would rival that of the Ireland Banshee, shaking the walls of the abandoned mines under her blind fury. Her "children" scattering in all different directions in an attempt to escape her fury. "How DARE they take MY dragon from ME! HE IS MIIIIIIINE!" She heard her children scampering away back into the crevices of the cave walls. Her rage forgotten seeing as how she was now standing in the darkness of the cave alone. "Wait," she pleaded to the shadows, "please don't leave. Mommy was just having a temper tantrum is all." Her pleas were met with silence. Sure, she could MAKE them come back to her, but really what was the point of that. Her children, didn't love her . . . not really.

But HE did. Drake did. He chose her over the Titans. He protected her, comforted her, and did as she said. He was the perfect beast,

"And they took him away from MEEEEEEEEE!" she shrieked, once again rattling the cave walls.

"Did you ever think, maybe he's just not that into you?"

Lilith met the gaze of the mechanical, green and pale Titans. She scowled. "Where's MY dragon?" she demanded.

The three remained silent. "He's somewhere you can't get your needy hands on," said Cyborg.

She snorted a laugh. "Needy? He picked me, he chose ME! Over you, over that pink haired nobody, over all of you he chose ME!"

Beast Boy knit his brows together, the light bulbs going off over his head. "You threatened us. That's why he said yes to you. You threatened all of us."

"Especially Kole I bet," Raven finished.

Lilith's face twisted in fury. "It doesn't matter, he chose ME! He could have let you die, but he said yes to ME! He-he loves me."

"Dude, can you say abandonment issues?"

Her hate filled eyes narrowed at the changeling. "I'll ask again. WHERE. IS. HE!" The cavern shook again, rocks and large boulders falling from the ceiling.

Raven threw up a shield, protecting her friends from the fallen debris. "You're not getting your needy hands on him, or any of us!" she shouted.

Lilith trembled in rage, her lip curling in a sinister sneer. "We'll see about that," she snarled. Her eyes began to glow a deep violet, before throwing her arms out to the side and throwing her face back towards the top of the mines.

Beast Boy began shaking under the black shield. "I thought you'd be over the whole 'my magic is cold' thing." Raven said dryly.

"I-It's not that." Beast Boy looked up, and even through the black of her shield, could see enormous fury, eight legged creatures crawling towards them. "My p-prey senses are tingling."


Gnark swung from branch to branch, his kid sister on his back. "There," she said, pointing, "that's their camp." Her teammates followed closely behind each until the forest broke and they each landed feet from the Titans West ship.

"I do not see our comrades," Red Star noted. Wildebeest snorted, pointing towards a section of the ship. There they could see the dragon chained, and lying on his belly.

Kole gasped and ran over to the dragon. "Gnark!" He wrapped an arm around her, pinning her to his body.

"Kole do not get to close, he may attack," Red Star ordered.

"He can't attack me, he's chained down." Kole squirmed, but Gnark wasn't letting up.

"Let us just wait until Kid Flash gets back with-"

"Here!" The three speedsters came to a stop in front of their team, a pale girl with pink hair and a purple witch's outfit in Kid Flashes arms.

"Not getting slow are you comrade?" Red Star smirked.

"Pfft, not even close." Kid Flash set his girlfriend, Jinx, down. "One witch per request."

"Do you think you can help him?" Kole asked still in the caveman's arm.

"Hey, give me a sec," Jinx set her hands on her hips. "I just got here."

"You must forgive her, she is . . . attached to our reptilian friend."

Jinx raised a brow then shot a knowing smirk at the girl. "Ooooo Kole, crushing on the dragon boy," she teased. Kole blushed, burying her face into Gnarks chest to which he gave a hearty laugh to. Jinx shook her head and approached the bound dragon. The dragon hissed at her, pulling against the chains that held him down. Jinx held her hands up, not showing any sign of fear. "Easy dragon boy," she cooed. "Just wanna talk."

"No offense Jinx, but if Raven couldn't find a way to snap him out of this, what makes you think you can?" Kole asked.

"No offense taken. Raven's magic and my own are on two different sides of the spectrum. While her's revolve around emotion and the mind, mine will focuses on the magic itself." She turned to them. "Think of it this way, when you do you know how a radio, or our communicators work?"

"Ondas de radio?" Mas asked.

"I think he means radio waves?" Kid Flash translated.

"Exactly. The command is sent from one area via radio waves to the receiver. In this case, this 'Lilith' is sending commands and Drake is receiving them, but I won't be touching either of them."

"You're going after to radio waves?" Red Star asked.

"Sort of," She turned to the dragon who was still snarling and hissing. "I'm going to block the commands." Her eyes began to glow and eerie pink, her gaze fixed on the dragon chained down. His own eyes began glowing the same shade, and began thrashing against the chains.

"Jinx you're hurting him!" Kole shouted.

"I have to!" she shouted back. She raised her hands out over the dragon, her magic pulsing from her body. She grit her teeth, a small droplet of blood escaping from her nose. "Man this magic is tough." she grunted.

"If it's too much pull back," Kid Flash warned.

"No . . . I can . . . do this!" An explosion of pink energy shut from her fingertips washing over the dragon, finally it faded into nothingness, and Jinx fell to her knees.

Kid Flash was by her side in less than a second helping her to the ground. "Jinx I told you not to-"

"Since when do I listen to you?" She smirked. "Besides, I think it worked."

Everyone turned to the dragon, their mouths dropping. He sat on his haunches as if he was a docile house pet, looking over the group with large curious hazel eyes.

"Gnark?" his face twisted with confusion.

"He wants to know if you're sure, he hasn't changed back or anything," Kole translated.

"I'm not sure how his power works, just know the 'signal' is being blocked. But if you need to test it, by all means." she gestured for someone to approach the dragon.

Gnark set Kole down who cautiously approached the dragon who again, stared with curiosity at the pinkette. "Drake? Are you in there?" He leaned his head closer to her, his nostrils flaring taking in her scent, then began nuzzling her head like a kitten. Jinx snapped her fingers, her hexes breaking apart the chains around his mouth. They gasped at first, then recoiled when they saw his long forked tongue began licking over her face.

She giggled, pushing him away playfully. "Well it doesn't seem like he's under this Lilith's control anymore. But why has he not changed into his human form?" Red Star wondered.

"His necklace. Lilith still has it," Kole answered, she was currently scratching under the dragons chin, producing a purr to sound from his throat.

"Then you'll need that, and fast. I have no idea how long I can block the signal for." Jinx got to her feet.

"Well we need to find Lilith to do that, do you think he can take us?" Kid Flash pointed to the dragon.

"Permite tener Kole pregunta," said Manos.

"He says you should ask."

Kole looked to the dragon. "Um, can you take us to Lilith?" He snorted, steam billowing from his jaws and nostrils. "Is that a yes?" He nuzzled her head again producing another giggle to escape.

"Works for me." Jinx snapped her fingers again breaking off the chains completely.

"Alright then, let's go find us a d'yavol."


"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven's unique shadow magic reached over some boulders positioned overhead and with a jerk of her arms pulled the boulders loose and sent them crashing down on top of the giant spiders. Though they were a lot more resilient then she initially thought. All the boulders did was slightly stun them, but with a quick shake of their heads were back on the attack. She took a quick headcount of her teammates. Cyborg was shooting away with his cannon, with Beast Boy shifted from shape to shape clawing and biting at the arachnids. Then her amethyst gaze was pulled to Lilith.

The temptress was watching the battle with mild interest, but her eyes locked with Raven's, and malicious smirk spreading across her lips. Raven's eyes glowed a bright white, but Lilith spun around running deep into the tunnels of the mountain. Raven glanced at the others, who hadn't noticed Lilith take her leave, and made the decision, a bad one mind you, to follow her, alone.

Raven floated through the tunnels, keeping her eyes and her senses pealed for Lilith. "Aw, poor Raven." Lilith's musical tone echoed through the tunnels, seeming to come from everywhere at once. "Such a tragic tale."

Raven scoffed, "I don't know what you're talking about." She stopped her advance into the tunnel, her eyes searching frantically for Lilith, but she couldn't sense her at all.

The sweet, chime of her laugh now filled the tunnels. "Oh don't you, child of Trigon."

"He was never my father," Raven growled.

"No, of course not, but my issue isn't with your father." Raven backed up, right into the curvacious form of the temptress, her voice now breathing into her ears. "It's with your mother."

Raven didn't move, but blasted her soul-self backwards kicking Lilith away from her. Lilith fell back, landing on the cold floor of the tunnel. "You don't know anything about me or my mother," Raven hissed as she now faced Lilith.

Lilith smirked. "I know your mother didn't want you, and your father only used you." Lilith wore an expression that bordered on actual pity, confusing the young demoness, but Raven wasn't falling for it.

"I've long since accepted my past for what it was, it doesn't rule over me."

"Maybe." Lilith got to her feet. "But you can't help the nagging feeling in the back of your mind of knowing your mother had so much hate for you that she would rather KILL herself then to even burden her womb with you."

"SHUT UP!" Raven blasted at Lilith with her powers, but she had vanished from her strike.

"It doesn't have to be that way Raven. You don't have to be alone anymore." Once again Lilith's voice began to come from the walls but Raven couldn't find her. "You can finally be loved, like you always wanted."

"I'm already loved, I already have a family. You only want slaves."

"No my dear Raven," Lilith emerged from the shadows getting in the young demoness's face, "I want you . . . to be happy." Once again Raven was taken aback again Lilith's seemingly genuine behavior toward her. Lilith looked down at Raven with pity in her gaze. "Oh my dear Raven, I know what it's like to not be loved, to be alone in the merciless world, I know what it's like to be thrown away like yesterday's garbage."

Raven remained transfixed on Lilith's gaze, her eyes staring into her very soul. "I-I wasn't thrown away," Raven stammered. "Azar, the monks, they took me in."

Lilith scoffed. "But where was your mother Raven? Where was she when you were told to bottle your emotions? Where was she when you were told to NEVER have any contact with people, to never feel the joy of friendship, or the touch of a lovers hand against your own? Was she there to ease your nightmares, to dry your tears, was she?"

Raven felt the sting of tears at the corners of her eyes. "N-no."

Lilith cupped Raven's face with her left hand. "Raven, my dear, a mother never abandons her children. I will never…" Her right hand came up, the Ring of Solomon glowing a golden yellow. "Ever abandon you." The ring made contact with her cheek. "Just like I know you won't abandon me."


"Where the hell is Raven?" Cyborg bellowed as he blasted the spiders.

Beast Boy shifted from bull to his human form. "I don't know!" All at once the spiders ceased their assault, crawling back into the darkness of the caverns. "Uh, did I say the magic word?"

Both teens gathered together, Cyborg's bionic eye taking notice of a violet haired silhouette. "Raven you missed the action."

"Where'd you run off to? Potty break?" Beast Boy demanded, but Raven remained motionless. "Hello anybody-" Beast Boy looked into her eyes and gasped. They were a glassy violet, void of pupils, looking like a violet clear marble. "R-Raven?"

Lilith emerged from behind the young demoness, her hands on her shoulders. Lilith brought her lips to Raven's ear. "Whom do you love, my dear Raven?"

"My real mother," Raven responded in a robotic tone, "Lilith."