Alrighty, the next story may be a little while coming. But it will be worth the wait... it's a Nevermore story. Thanks for reading.

Chapter X

A Time For Healing

Peter sat on the floor, feeling empty. The suit was gone. Not completely... they still had the bit that survived, but Peter was determined never again to touch it.

It was only on Cyborg behest that he hadn't destroyed it outright. With the right study, it could still potentially cure cancer. Cyborg had volunteered the theory that being linked with Peter had caused it to go unstable again, due to their shared experience in a foreign universe.

Raven sat down next to him.

"How are you?" she asked, looking at him.

"Fine," he said. "Raven, I'm so sorry. I should have listened to you..."

She put a finger to his lips, and then kissed him. It was full, rich, and sweet... true love between them.

All was forgiven, but never to be forgotten. And there were still some things left to be done.

When they broke apart, she pulled out a small hand mirror. Peter looked at it.

"What is that?" he asked her. She looked at it as well.

"Let's just say..." she said slowly, "that it's time we really got to know each other..."

Jason Todd was stirring.

Slade looked down at him, mixed feelings in his gut.

Jason had failed, as Slade expected he would. But he hadn't driven Peter as far as he could have. Slade had hoped that the suit would break Peter down to the point where he could be susceptible to becoming his apprentice. But no... his will had been stronger than that.

Cyborg's attack on Jason had resulted in the permanent bonding of him with the suit. In pain and death they had fully formed, Carnage in his might. Now Slade had to keep him on a tighter leash.

It still was disconcerting how easy Spider-Man had found him. He had almost caught him in the act of... but no. He hadn't, and that was good. Slade would have to be more careful in future, because though Spider-Man wasn't wearing the suit anymore, they still had it.

There was still time to enact other plans. But now he had to deal with Jason Todd.

"What happened?" he mumbled, clutching his head as he sat up. "Where's the Titans?"

"You almost died," Slade explained. "It was only because I arrived at the scene that you are still here."

"Oh, okay," Jason said, looking down at himself. "I don't want it, Slade. Get it off me."

"Unfortunately, that's impossible," Slade said, clasping his hands behind him.

"Don't give me that!" Jason snapped. "Get it off! This thing... it's a monster, it has innocent blood on its hands..."

"Correction," Slade interrupted. "There's blood on your hands. It is now a part of you. It has bonded completely. There is no way to revert the process."

"What?!" Jason said loudly. "No... it can't... I need to get it off me!"

"There is no way. This is who you are now."

Jason clutched his head with both hands.

"NO!" he yelled.

Slade felt a stab of pity, crushed instantly by the knowledge that Jason had willingly taken the risk of wearing the suit. This was the price of power.

Thank you, and good night.