Chapter Nine:
In The Final Moment.

The short alliance made with Slade was awkward if nothing else, and Beast Boy could feel aggravation and caution vibrating from Robin (animal senses). He didn't blame the leader, Slade was hardly trust-worthy, but they might need his help. And if they failed, they didn't want any other Titan's put in danger. Not to mention the honorary teammates and East Titans where too far off to make it here in time, Terra needed stopped now. The air was tense from everyone holding their breath as they walked through the dark cave. Beast Boy trailed the back even though he usually preferred the middle. Right now he just felt singled out from the rest of the team, and acted on the feeling.

Their was no lighting in the cave, because Robin insisted on being as less noticeable as possible. Beast Boy almost made a joke about not being noticeable even though he was green- Robin looked like a traffic light. Raven was creepy, Starfire was an alien and Cyborg a well- cyborg. Not to mention Slade in the group- but he hadn't been able to bring himself to joke right now. So had just pushed it aside. Everything seemed heavy hearted and final, and power vibrated throughout the cave that sent shivering sensations down his spine. The changelings hands shook every now and then from the powerful feeling that lingered around them, telling him that Terra was indeed in here.

Slowly with caution they stopped in front of the entrance that lead to the core. Beast Boy tried to peak over the shoulders that blocked his way with no success, so then quickly morphed into a rat and scurried to the front. He stopped beside Robin and looked ahead while standing up on his hind legs. His ears pinned forward as far as they would go as he watched the broken angel begin to summon her power to use. He felt his heart reach out, trying to break through his body towards her, he felt his mind spin suddenly with excitement at her sight. He watched her with her back to him, her hands made slow movements. She seemed to glow with a yellow tint to it while her hair started to flutter from the force of her energy.

"Okay Titan's, remember-" Robin started but Beast Boy didn't wait and bolted forward. "Beast Boy!" Robin called as the green rat ran forward towards the geomancer.

Beast Boy watched Tara turn around suddenly without concern. Her eyes blazed a sun bright yellow, showing a sign of her power. He morphed back into his human state and stared at her with a pleading look on his face. They stood there, he didn't know how long. One minute, maybe more- all he was concentrated on was the girl in front of him. Giving off another plea, asking for another way.

"Please... don't do this." He whispered. Beast Boy felt his heart race in his pleading, he felt his pulse shoot up with a tense sensation.

Tara raised her eyebrow to him with a grin on her face. She swiped her hand on the air suddenly and the earth obeyed by throwing Beast Boy aside.

"TITANS-!" Robin's voice rang as they rushed forward, but Tara turned to them and swished her hand towards them. Making a large wall block their way and re-grow as they fought against the wall that kept them from their teammate.

Beast Boy moaned as he picked himself up. As he stood, he rubbed his head for a moment before pushing aside the throbbing ache. He turned back to Tara who turned towards him as well. "Terra, you can fight this! Your stronger then she is!" He encouraged.

"Shut up!" Tara screeched before the earth sent the green teen tumbling over the stoned ground once more. "Everything is your fault anyways!" She spat coldly as she walked forward. Her fists glowed brightly with enraged energy.

Beast Boy opened his eyes and lifted himself back up again. "You can break through!" His voice came out raspy from strange excitement that filled him chest with eager pain. The sound of blasts filled the room from the Titan's continued attacks on the blocked entrance. "It's your choice, it doesn't have to end like this!"

Tara snarled before throwing him up against the wall. He grunted with clenched teeth as the earth held him in a tight hold to the wall. Tara held her hand up, keeping the earth in place as she came face to face with him. "Nothing is going to end but you and this stupid city! Its time to pay back everything that you let happen to us, and everyone in this city who just blamed and accused what they saw on the surface!"

Beast Boy stared at her, his mouth gapping slightly at her words. So she thought he was to blame for everything? Was it? Was it all his fault? Did he let it happen to her? A new pain slammed him in the chest and clogged his throat. He watched as a tear started to make its way down her cheek before dripping off her chin.

"The world turned its back on us, you turned your back on us." Her voice croaked as they stared at each other. Beast Boy felt her words sting into his heart, did she mean that? Obviously, and it hurt. That moment seemed to drag out forever, each staring at the other. One glaring with a memorable hate and pain, the other out of heartbreak. Blame seemed to be able to go around the table this time, each being able to take their own share of it fairly. Their attention was drawn aside when a loud blast broke through. Through the smoke ran four Titans and villain.

"Titans, GO!" Robin shouted as he pulled his bo-staff out and swung it around.

With Tara's attention drawn aside, the earth let Beast Boy slip out and move aside before Starbolts rained down on the blonde geomancer. No luck, the earth had come to Tara's rescue and protected her with shields.

Tara sighed with annoyance before removing the shield and throwing the earth towards Robin, only to watch him slide under it and knock her feet out from under her. Tara yelped with surprise before back flipping back into a standing position. Her eyes caught fire once more before she met Robin head on with her own mortal combat moves. She threw fast series of punches and uppercuts, but his martial art skills skied higher and the leader blocked her attacks swiftly then threw her back.

Again Tara skidded, bringing up dust under her heels. Her eye brows lower into a snarling look as she thrusted her hands into the air with a scream. The stone obeyed with loyal power and flung itself at Robin in all directions. Knocking the Titan out for the time being.

The sound of wires charging caught Tara's ear. Thinking quickly she threw herself to the ground and formed another dome like shield around her body right before blue lasers pounded towards her with brutal force. The attack was followed by merciless starbolts and dark energy attacks. Tara hid under there in the dark, waiting quietly as she stared into the nothing. The dark formed a hugging sensation of safety to her, keeping her safe and hidden'. But she had no time to savor that rare feeling before she grunted and swung the dome away and rolled to the side. Dodging more laser fire with her fancy footwork. Dust started to form clouds of hide-aways in the area from the attacks, and Tara used them to her advantage.

She slipped into them, sliding around with a fluid grace as she waited for the Titan's to be lured into her trap. A small grin wavered over her face as she moved her hand to the side as it glowed. The small pieces of earth stirred at command and the dust flooded the room with a lung-clogging feel. Muffled coughs and sputters uttered to her, but Tara stayed silent, putting Slade's... 'training' to use. But the blonde failed to realize the mistake of that, after a sharp S carved tool whistled in the air and sliced her arm.

Tara shrieked and gripped her arm out of instinct as blood started to sip out. But the pain was erased by the boiling feeling in her heart, the one that kept her fueled and without mercy. The feeling of betrayal by both sides, the feeling of overwhelming pain she had endured crying herself to sleep so many times. That pain was one that never left, it lingered deep in her heart, and urged her to get revenge. Her hand slipped from her arm, now dripping with blood as they glowed yellow. Her brows slanted while her lips formed a thin line on her mouth. Those deep eyes were replaced by yellow fury as the earth roared back to vengeful life. Tara brought up a slab of earth and threw it at the green glow above her, getting a pitched scream from the alien before she slipped through the dust. Her light footsteps where soundless. She sent another slab at Cyborg, sending the surprised robot to his knees before Tara ran past him- the earth throwing itself into him as she did. Tara didn't look back as Cyborg gave his own scream of pain before passing out, her eyes stayed ahead and focused as she rushed through her own hiding.

Three down- three to go. The dust was quickly starting to settle, and the blonde hurried through. Excitement filled her gut and cheered her on faster and faster, making each footstep quiet and eager. Her fists clenched with their own eagerness for the taste of blood. Her face awaited that satisfying look on the traitors faces, her ears waited for more screams of pain. They would taste of she had suffered, they would understand- even if it was too late. Her life was hell, and she was more then happy to share the suffering.

A black force slapped her hard across the face, pushing Tara back with surprise. She grunted before looking up while allowing those two strands of hair to frame her face. Blood tinkled down her cheek bone, following the bone line before dripping off her chin. Leaving a crimson stain over her already dirty face. But her eyes stayed narrowed on her appoint, standing in front of her with a dark fury.

Raven almost intimidated the X-Titan. Her blue cape swirled around her small body from the intense power the empath commanded. Her eyes shined white with rage, and Tara could feel the power that was vibrating from her. Raven's feet floated just inches from the ground, while her hands stayed at her sides glowing a florescent black. Tara raised her eyebrow, as if daring the Titan to take the first move.

Raven took it. With a sharp scream she sliced her hand into the air. Dark matter shot towards Tara in a sharp claw form, making a quick grab at her. But Tara swished herself aside and smirked before thrusting her fist in the air then throwing it towards Raven. Earth rumbled before bringing itself up and flinging itself at Raven- who of course blocked it with a shield. The empath grunted, fighting back against Tara's power with her own. Both pushed against the earth, fighting it back and forth towards the other. Tara clenched her teeth and grunted once more, pushing her open palms forward, pushing against an invisible barrier. She bent her head down and jammed her eyes shut, pushing harder against Raven's power.

Shadow vrs Earth. Both trying to push the other back further in hate and emotional rage. The strain made Tara's head throb and spin, as if pushing against a magnetic force she slowly took a step forward. But Raven grunted and pushed harder and shoved Tara back a few more steps. Annoyed- Tara stepped aside and watched the slab of rock fly in the direction.

"Enough kids play." She sneered before charging at Raven with clenched fists. Raven didn't seem phased as she met Tara head on with her own physical attacks. Yellow clashed with black as the glowing fists threw themselves at the other. Tara gripped Raven's wrist and swung the empath to the ground. But Raven refused to be thrown so easily and with clenched teeth, dragged Tara down with her and then threw her aside.

Tara yelped as her body bounced on the stone. Her bare knees broke open with scrapes, and her hand's held their own wounds. Again though, it was a small amount of pain for her to notice as she swiftly picked herself up and lunged at Raven. They rolled over the stone, each grunting and growling. Raven's eyes caught on with a blinding white before dark matter pushed Tara aside and held her to the dirty ground. Raven stood up, holding her sharp fingers out. The energy formed a sharp hand around Tara, holding her down with a suffocating pressure. She gasped for breath with sharp intakes, but the empath kept pushing harder and harder, cutting off her air path. Panic swept threw the Geomancer as she gave a sharp and pitched scream before the earth rose to save her. Hurdling itself at Raven with extreme force and pressure, slamming her into the wall with a loud thud.

Raven cried out with an alien scream before slinking down to the floor motionless. Tara stood up with a snarl on her face, and had no time to cheer her small victory before another sharply carved weapon whistled towards her. The blonde ducked the attack only to be surprised by a hard-smashing upper-cut. The force of it was enough to through her back and make her vision blurry. The attacker gave her no reaction time before kicking her in the stomach. Tara doubled over, gripping her torso with a cringed face, her head ducked down. Her energy was slowly draining, and she felt Terra scratching her way to the surface. She couldn't let herself become weak, she couldn't let Terra regained preacious control, then all this would be for nothing. Her heavy panting ceased as Tara sharply lifted her head up with glowing power.

Slade didn't waist time as he tried to throw in another fierce attack. But his arm was caught in midair by a fist of earth and threw him aside with a loud bang, trumpeting his hit against the solid wall. A sharp pain vibrated from him, and Tara seized the moment and picked herself up quickly then rushed towards him. The earth rumbled with its excitement as she used it and the wall behind the masked man grabbed him by the throat. Tara stood straight and tall, looking down as the once proud and menacing man struggled in a betrayed grasp. A crude smile slithered onto her face as her eyebrows slanted. Watching him struggle for air, watching her own brutal work with a laughing grin. Somehow she could feel his life slowly being taken away, she could sense the feeling of death that was trying to linger in the air. It felt vengeful and content, it was what she was waiting for.

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Beast Boy forced himself forward, the whole fight seemed to be going on without him. He just stood in his corner, trying to summon his nerve and will to move, but his legs refused to move. He was stuck on the side lines, unable to save either side of the battle. His friends fell, one by one they where thrown down in front of him, but still he couldn't move to save them. Inside, something boiled and cried, raged and simmered all at the same time. His emotions where battling back and forth, raging their own war from within and leaving him helpless to the one going on outside. Guilt struck him with a horrible feel, as Raven was thrown to the side with that cruel force, and even a sting of need hit him when Slade became the next victim. He closed his eyes tight and wrapped his arms around his head, trying to calm himself down and help. But that raging battle refused to stop, and he was left on his own.

They needed him, the city needed him- Terra needed him. How could he just stand here and watch as everyone was thrown to the side like rag dolls? What was holding him in the middle of all this? Beast Boy opened his eyes and stared down at the ground and summoned all his will power, this was the moment, he had to pick a path. Suddenly his arms left his side as the teen surged forward. His body took another shape, of a large cat. Beast Boy pounded his padded feet against the crumbled earth, swiftly flying towards the battle with unnatural speed. As the blonde came in sight, he thrusted himself forward and into the air with a high scream he tackled her.

Tara yelped as she was tackled to the side with a hard pound. Beast Boy rolled over quickly and lifted his lips up into a daring snarl. She slowly rose, as the earth let go of Slade and let him pass out, her hair started fluttering about her head- giving off her power. He was memorized shortly by her, but forced that attracted feeling aside and held his attacking position. As she stood up, he could feel a raged power vibrate from her small form, a growling power that was clawing to the top. It scared him, but Beast Boy only swished his tail and hissed his challenge.

Tara seemed unphased as she threw her hands into the air with a loud cry. The earth obeyed and thrusted itself up under him. Beast Boy jumped and quickly changed forms into a hawk, swiftly flying around and then diving down at Tara with a intense speed. Tara turned in time however and swiped her hand out and the earth blocked his way. Making Beast Boy do a quick nose dive as his belly just barely flew half an inch above the ground. He changed forms again and this time into his human one. Letting his mind take in the battle scene before he blindly ran around like a headless chicken. Or he might end up as one.

She turned to face him slowly, first looking over her shoulder then turning her thin figure to face him. She looked so at ease with the whole battle, it all seemed so natural to her. So familiar and almost fun. Beast Boy watched as she tucked herself in before running forward with glowing fists. He was surprised by her move and his legs locked up- rendering him unable to move once more before she tackled him to the ground. They rolled dangoursly close to the edge before she pinned him down with a surprisingly strong grip. Beast Boy took in a sharp breath, and felt his stomach churn as their eyes locked. He felt something when they where this close, almost like a voice too far to be heard, yet the tune was still there. The words cried again and again, calling him with some helpless tone.

Beast Boy snorted before slitting his eyes and grabbing Tara's thin arms. His hands where able to wrap fully around each one as he threw her over his head. Tara cried out as she hit the hard flooring. Not waiting another second, Beast Boy jumped to his feet and jumped at the girl as a wolf. He bit into her arm, making the geomancer cry to the earth for saving, and it came with a packed force. Throwing him aside. He barked a yelp and slowly stood back up, only to be punched on his sensitive nose by a hard fist. Another yelp left him without his notice as a queasy pain shook his head into a throbbing ache. He took a few steps back, shaking his head before looking up to see Tara standing over him. His lips curled as he snarled once more, but Tara threw a large boulder his way.

Animal senses seemed to light up like fire in his mind, allowing Beast Boy to jump over the earth and bounce back onto Tara, landing on her chest and biting into her shoulder, only inches from her neck. Her blood stained his lips and left a bitter taste in his mouth. It made his stomach feel ready to burst, and a sharp heart pain swelled once more at the pain he was made to cause her. Beast Boy looked down, crimson blood stained almost every inch of Terra's body, and it flowed, it made him sick. Beast Boy resumed human form and rolled to the side when she didn't move. Sharp panic hit him with such a sting that the room seemed to spin around them.

"No no no no no no no." He mumbled to himself with a shaky voice. Even though this was what he was supposed to do, sudden change of mind slapped across him, telling him at the last minute to change his mind. "T-terra, d-don't... c'mon." His voice was gruff and mumbled as his hands started to shake. He took in a sharp breath of relief when her chest rose slowly.

"Beast Boy..." She mumbled, with that voice he knew so well. Her head turned to the side, and he quickly scooped her up into his arms and cradled her softly. But she didn't grin, she only frowned as blood tinkled from her scalp. "Don't stop."

He frowned, "What?"

"Finish it." Her clouded eyes closed with awaiting.

"No!" Beast Boy screamed, shaking his head fiercely so that his hair bounced around his head.

"... Save me." She whispered quietly before a loud scream blasted from her mouth. Her body tensed and shook violently, the earth followed and shook with its own power and transformation. The next thing he knew, a fist was thrown up into his chin, throwing him backwards. He moaned as he rolled to his side, trembling with overwhelming pain, physical and mental. He had the sudden urge to just curl up in a ball and hide from the world, hiding behind his own eye lids. Blocking out the pain and suffering that was going on, blocking out Terra's plea. Everything was so cruel and twisted, his young mind started to just break down from the pressure. He shook violently, as if pleading for everything to go away and let him hide in his own mind.

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Tara stood up slowly, glancing over towards the pitiful state the green Titan was in. She snorted towards him before dancing across the ground towards the pillar in the middle of the room. Side stepping around the beaten down bodies of once renowned and proud Titans and villain. Victory seemed to settle in her cold heart, making her lips stay glued into a grin. She stepped up onto the pillar and looked around the room, she had enough power to do this still, she could pull off this attack and end all their lives. Dust swirled around the room as her power started to growl from within.

"No, please, stop!!!" Terra screamed as she clawed from inside, desperately trying to break free.

Tara ignored her with a slanted look as she closed her eyes, digging inside her mind to find her true power source. Finding that spot from within that was able to do anything, and defy nature itself. Life and death where her slaves, she had the power to spare or end someone else, she had the power to control nature. She was gifted with the power of a goddess, this was her curse and gift, hers to do with it as she wished, and if she wanted a long awaited revenge, then that was what she was going to get. And more, so much more, nothing on earth could stop her. She could take out every Titan, since she had no need of any alliance. Every villain, everyone. She had no side to take, no good or evil, so both where her enemies.

Her hateful emotions where strong, and they called to the power from within, they beckoned it to the surface for use, to show itself. It answered with a breath taking feel, coming to Tara with a powerful vibrant flowing in her veins. Every inch of her body now felt invisible, she felt the power within every inch of her body, and it almost overwhelmed her. Her blood rushed eagerly, making her body heat up as if she where burring within her skin. As Tara opened her eyes, the very thought of the volcano made the entire cave shake with command.

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Beast Boy stayed curled in himself, only pushing himself away further when the ground shook with warning. Inside, he finally broke down, unable to handle it anymore. His entire life seemed to be caved in, trapping him inside to do nothing but cry for a savor. All the death that he had endured in his young life finally came to him, finally hitting him so hard that he couldn't move. His parents, his kidnappers, everyone who had witnessed die now suddenly haunted him, and the thought of watching one more person die, the thought of causing someone so close to him die, held him down with stabbing pain. Beast Boy had never felt like this before, the feeling of complete agony, complete pain and pressure. The feeling of knowing that a happy ending is something that wont happen, that a sad romance is the only thing that he can hold.

He tried to pull himself together, like he had done so many times in the past, but it didn't work and he was still held down by his emotions. A voice whispered inside his head, that familiar and heavenly voice Terra held.

"Beast Boy..." She whispered, he didn't know how, but he welcomed that soft feel of her voice in his ear.

"Terra...?"

"You have to hurry. Please."

"I can't do this, I just can't."

"Beast Boy, you have to."

"Why?!"

"Because if you don't, you'll never heal."

"That's stupid, I can't do it!"

"Why not?"

"Because I love you too much to hurt you anymore!!"

"Then finish this, for me, for you- please."

He opened his eyes, slowly, and stared hard at the ground. is arms pushed on the ground, lifting his torso up from the bloody ground. His head ached with his inner struggles, and the overwhelming amount of pain he felt over his body. He just stared down for a moment, talking to himself, trying to sooth himself and gain some sort of nerve. But time was against him, and the volcano started rumbling with its awareness. He looked up to the side, where Tara stood with her arms outstretched, beckoning the deadly volcano to life, so that it could end many others. Beast Boy's chest rose steadily as he stared at her, taken away by her- even in the blood spoken state she was in. Her blonde hair was matted and crisp with dried mud and crimson liquid. Her arms and legs endured countless gashes and forming scabs, but still he found himself captivated by her, and felt that swelling lump in his chest once more. It was for her, a final request- and in a cruel way, a test. A final test to show he did feel for her, but could find it in himself to move on, as painful as the aspiration would be.

Gathering his courage, Beast Boy stood up. His legs shook and felt terribly weak. The earth's constant moving refused to help him at all- not wanting its mistress to face her fate. One salient step, Beast Boy kept his eyes forward on Tara's back. Tears struggled to break free, but he refused himself the privilege of crying and took himself forward with painful steps. His fists clenched together, his fingers pushing hard against his ripped gloved palm. His heart beat wildly, with a grousum excitement and horrible thrill of what he was doing. She wasn't far, and her power kept her mind elsewhere, unaware of him behind her. The earth continued to thunder its life, and the volcano core heated up. But his steps stayed slow and steady, savoring the final moments with morbid love.

Thousands of thoughts rushed through his young mind, arguments sparked up against and with his cause. But his legs didn't listen as they continued forward, taking him closer to both of their dooms. Memories flooded him, and soon his bottom lip trembled with the emotional pain he was causing himself. Every moment from that day in the desert, to the current moment was brought back to life like a movie in his mind, showing him every hurtful and loving emotion they had shared at one point. Beast Boy was closer now, so close, he could see her details better, and of course the gashes. Silently, sharp and long claws slid out from his finger tips, ready to do their job. His offending hand pushed back, ready to deliver the blow when Tara turned around sharply. Her eyes glowed fire yellow, but he saw blue behind it, he saw Terra behind Tara. They locked eyes, his hand held back and ready, her face both pleading and hateful.

The volcano was now an almost unbearable heat as the lave started to return from its stone state, sweat tinkled down his forehead and over his blood stained face. He felt it go down his back spine as well, leaving a sticky trail, his eyes stayed in hers though, soaking up this moment. Sudden weakness overwhelmed him however, and his arm trembled terribly despite his will. The urge to just cry became stronger, and doubt in his own inner strength swelled increasingly.

Tara laughed suddenly with an inhuman voice. "You can't do it, can you?" She mocked.

Beast Boy looked down and jammed his eyes closed as a sob left him with sudden force. The tears started to run freely down his face, washing it of some of the blood and dirt. His arm felt so weak, his body trembled as he made his choice. For him, for her, for them. "Terra... I'm sorry." He whispered before giving a high scream and thrusting his hand forward.

Okay, I wanted to make this chapter longer (its about 7 and a half pages long) but I can only fit so much detail in without boring you guys, so I hope it was okay. I swear I have the hardest time trying not to make the Titan's seem so weak, so sorry about that too. I posted this RIGHT after I wrote the final part there- so no previews again (uh- sorry about that too)

Being a HUGE BBT fan, this fic is getting painful to write xD Hope you enjoyed it though, and hopefully I wont be too long on the final chapter.

...Please Read and Review...