A/N- to the awesome readers who are following this story and to all the reviewers who make me smile every time I open my e-mail thank you.
They say patience is a virtue, and I think you've waited long enough for some action.
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Never ending flames blanketed the ground far beneath the rickety old bridge below Slade's feet, but he didn't worry. The burning symbol on his mask insured his immortality. He continued on his way to his masters chambers, a evil smirk hidden under the rusted old trade mark mask. Reaching the door he awaits to be called in. Slowly the large doors open and he makes his way over to throne were Trigon is seated.
"Master." He says as he bows low.
"Rise Slade. What news have you for me?" Trigon asks, his voice a loud hiss that chills the bones.
"It seems your only child has gotten married." Slade waited to be rewarded for finding out this well kept secret. 'The old fool was strong and took a week to finally break.' After the unfortunate elder told him, Slade feed him to some vile hound-like animals that roamed this plain. Still bowing Slade wondered where his prize was. He looked up at Trigon and saw the demon gripping his throne so fiercely he shattered the arm made of stone. A hellish cry burst forth from his mouth and all this world knew it would be lucky to survive this day. Slade would be luck to survive the next minute.
Trigon grabbed and slammed the pitiful man into a wall, crushing him with his body. Slade could feel his skin burning and bubbling as the demon pressed into him.
"What do you mean married?" He hissed. Coughing up blood Slade began to talk.
"The man, he was an elder on Azarath. He said he was to preform the union himself, but was captured. He said they would marry the two anyway."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, yes master, I am sure."
Trigon released Slade and watched him slide down the wall he was pressed against.
"Gather some men, you will make your way to earth today. I want her betrothed dead by the end of the week. Understood?"
"Yes master." Slade gasped and crawled from the room.
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The Titans woke up to what was quickly becoming a familiar sight. Lily cooking breakfast for the team. At first they told her she didn't have to cook for them everyday, they would put her in rotation if she wanted, but she told them no. If she was going to be living here she was going to make herself useful. The Titans joked and called her mother. First she started cooking, then cleaning, and by the time she scolded Cyborg and Beast boy for fighting over the remote to the tv, the joke stuck. Cyborg was the first, and last, to ask Raven if that makes her dad. He ran out of the room yelling sorry at the look she gave him.
"Morning everyone." Lily greeted them as she placed the last pancake on cyborgs plate. She always made their favorites. Everyone said good morning and went to work on the food in front of them. Raven watched from her spot on the couch. Usually she's the first one up, but now she's become accustomed to Lily's presents. The first time it was silent and awkward, now the silence is comfortable, only broken by simple questions now and then. It was strange how easy she has come to be a regular and welcomed presents in the tower. 'It will be odd when she is gone.' Raven mused to herself, before a white hot pain shot through her body.
Her scream broke up the happy morning conversations. Then Titans rushed to her to see what was wrong. They watched as she withered in pain on the floor unable to answer their questions and pleas of what was wrong. Everything swirled together in Ravens eyes before it went black. She was quickly rushed to the infirmary by the rest of the Titans and they began scanning and running test on her. Lily stood at the door to the room and watched as they placed strange machines on Raven and read what appeared on screens. She didn't understand any of it and she felt useless and simple-minded in the room.
"I can't find anything wrong with her, everything appears to be fine." Cyborg said re-reading the monitor.
"It can't be fine, look at her." Beast boy yelled at him.
"Everybody calm down!" Robin got their attention. "Look, we can't find anything wrong with her, obviously it's not physical. We know not everything with Raven is as it seems, maybe this is one of those moments were she has to get out of this on her own." he finished looking at the concerned and frustrated faces of his friends.
"I may be able to help." Lily's small voice came from the doorway. Everyone turned and noticed her for the first time.
"What do you mean?" Robin asked eying Lily curiously.
"On Azarath we are all taught to meditate in the same manner as Raven, though I am not as skilled as her, I maybe able to try and reach her in her mind."
"Do you think you can do that, without harming yourself?" Robin asked stepping up to Lily to look her in the eye.
"I'm not a hundred percent sure, but it's worth a try." Robin nodded his agreement.
Ten minutes later the team was standing outside the infirmary, while Lily tried to enter Raven's mind. All arguments stopped when Lily assured them she wanted to try. Cyborg and Starfire thought it was worth a try until Beast boy reminded them of what was in her mind, then they quickly changed sides. Robin saw no other choice and reluctantly backed Lily in her want to help. She had kicked them out of the room and locked the door. Sitting beside Raven she began the chant she was taught and the one she heard Raven repeat so many times in her room. "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos." Over and over words floated until Lily felt a strange pulling sensation, like the one she felt in the portal, but not as strong. When she opened her eyes, she realized she had done it, she was in Raven's mind.
It was a strange place, a barren land scape that surprised Lily. She didn't know what to expect, but this wasn't it. Looking around she realized she didn't know what to do. 'Maybe I should just call out to her?' Seeing that as her best option she gathered her courage and called out to her.
"Raven. Raven, where are you?" Lily waited for some sort of answer. After a few moments she was about to call out again when she saw a lone figure in the distance making it's way to her. Smiling Lily began making her way over to the figure.
