Darn it, its here at last. The end. Although it's a bit sad that it's now over I'm also glad that it's ending. Because you can only keep a story going so far; I envisioned it reaching fifty chapters but I don't think anyone could have put up with it being that long. No, time to end it well. And thanks very much for the reviews last chapter. Some of you have been with this since the beginning and that's just fine according to me. Now without any more useless talk let's end this story. Enjoy!


Chapter Forty-Five

Epilogue

Starfire slowly walked up to Markus, he lay curled up where the ground and castle met. She could barely hear him groaning in pain. The sounds of feet crunching in the snow arose. Shandrey supported Robin with his arm over her shoulder. They approached Starfire who immediately lent a helping hand. One of Markus' hands suddenly reached up and grasped the stone wall. The three of them paused, was he seriously still going to fight them? As they were now there was no way they could stand a chance for long. Instead of engaging them further however Markus merely leant against the wall and bowed his head from exhaustion.

"Born in blood, baptized in blood, defeated in blood…." Robin swallowed hard. "In the end…it is all coated with blood. You have accorded yourself to your title well…….Dragon." Robin quietly motioned to Starfire and Shandrey with a jerk of the head. They turned him away and began making their way out of Markus' castle. Robin's last cuts were true to their mark. As they departed they heard the familiar sounds of a body falling apart and foul smell of burning flesh that followed.


48 HOURS LATER………………

In the cold dead of night a black unmarked car pulled through the streets of London. It stopped just outside the entrance to a circular town square. Inside sat three occupants; incredibly sat the former Roman Arbiter Tiberius Becket, to his left sat a rather pale French woman, and across from them both was a dark haired American man. Two bodyguards returned from checking the area and tapped Becket's window. The reflecting lights slowly retracted downwards along with the pane of glass.

"Area is secured sir, they're ready for you." Becket nodded wearisomely. Only After his bodyguard opened the car door for him did Becket step out though he still looked about warily. The most noticeably extraordinary thing about Becket was he was somehow no longer confined to his wheelchair. It was a mystery the answer to which he ardently kept to himself. He lent a helping hand to the French woman and sent a nod to the American man as they followed. Shoulder to shoulder the three of them walked swiftly into the town square. Their black long coats did a well enough job of keep them warm but their breath could easily be seen escaping their mouths. Behind them followed a small contingent of guards and soldiers. Becket's old and grey features scanned the three vampires waiting to greet them. At last they came to a halt and Becket sent them a nod.

"Gentlemen, I trust you are having a pleasant evening."

"Not so much as you Becket I think," answered one vampire. "I was sure you would have been among the first to be slaughtered by Isard."

"Your thoughts of my demise were greatly exaggerated," replied Becket as politely as he could. Another vampire let out a gruff breath of aggravation.

"I suppose some congratulations are in order, it would seem your savior has won you a great victory."

"My dear man we 'ardly zought of the ze Dragon as our savior," said the French woman. "If anyzing he was an abhorrent nuisance who drew far too much attention to our attempts at rebuilding our civilizazion."

"May I introduce you to Amelia Tolour," said Becket stepping aside. "She will be stepping in as France's new Prime Minister as I shall be claiming leadership of England. And this is Jacob Rothman, the soon to be next President of the United States."

"Charming," hissed the lead vampire. "You've built yourself quite a quaint little coalition, but what makes you so certain that we will give up our territories so willingly?" Becket and his colleagues exchanged looks.

Becket cleared his throat. "More than one decade ago you took us by surprise. You had tremendous resources at your disposal but that is no longer the case. All the major vampire powers: the Nocturna Council, The Red Wolf, even Markus Corvinus himself as I now hear it was killed within his own ground…..they have all either been destroyed or fallen into disarray. The vampire nation is far too weak now; we will take our world back by either the pen or the sword." The vampire examined him, deciding Becket's bravado was obviously nothing more than a bluff.

"You would risk open war with the vampire nation just to get a few scraps of dirt back?"

"I believe we have been at war ever since we as a species were brought into being," replied Becket. "We shall make this as simple and as dignified as we can for you. But our position is resolute, and for reasons I will not divulge the deal we are presenting to you will expire with our departure if you refuse." One other vampire smirked at Becket's words: 'reasons I will not divulge'.

"Politics….was never my greatest subject."

"Nor mine," said Becket. He straightened his cuffs and returned his attention to the three vampires before him. "So gentlemen, do we have an accord?" The lead vampire frowned in discontent of their position versus the humans. It sickened him that they were at the mercy of mere mortals.

"Have you considered the magnitude of transition that will be needed for us to return to the way things were?" asked an insistent vampire. "As you said before when we attacked we were party to a vast sum of resources but those no longer exist."

"Your point?" asked the American man. The undead hunter fixed his cold eyes on him.

"The transition will be difficult for our people as we will now be at a serious disadvantage. To maintain the secrecy of our existence-"

"My dear man," interrupted Becket. "If we can agree on anything it is that the secrecy of your existence is no longer something to be concerned about." The vampire looked put in his place. "As I recall when you lived among us in secret many of your kind lived in a large amount of luxury. The only difference will be that you need not use such a degree of anonymity any longer."

"Ze world has returned to 'uman control," said Miss Tolour sternly. "Accept it with a stroke of ze pen and we can depart peacefully." She held out a black leather bound folder and a pen. The three vampire representatives found themselves in a compromising position. Hundreds of years of experience with language, politics, and the way of war have now failed them. Becket was indeed correct that their armies were far too splintered and the morale of their troops at an all time low. Resentfully, the lead vampire took the folder and the pen from her. He and his fellow vampires signed each page and roughly handed it back to the now Prime Minister of France.

"Relish this moment of superiority," he hissed. "There may come a day when you will look out your window and not find the same neighbors as yesterday." Becket took the folder from Tolour without looking away from his vampire counterpart.

"Until that day we shall enjoy it. Goodnight." And like synchronized swimmers Becket, Tolour, and Rothman all turned and walked away from the three irate vampires. The teams of camouflaged sharpshooters keeping watch over the three slowly made their way into the darkness.

----------

Becket allowed his colleagues to leave while he hung back and lit up a dark wooden pipe. Within the shadows a figure approached and stopped just so that his silhouette could not be detected.

"Nicely done, the years as Arbiter have done well for you." Becket breathed in several puffs of smoke.

"I don't take too kindly to extortion."

"Yet you seem to respond very well to it." There was a cool and sinister tone to the figure's voice. "Robin has proven himself to be quite useful when the opportunity presents itself. His wrath has opened many vacancies; all you need do now is fill those vacancies according to my design. It's taken many years Tiberius but finally the world is back where it belongs…poised to quietly submit to me."

Becket took his pipe from his mouth to answer. "You should not get too comfortable. How many years of peace do you think this truce will grant us? Even now the vampires are quite possibly planning another offensive. They're imperviousness to time gives them the advantage of allowing us to become negligent. We may not see hide nor hair of them for years, decades, centuries even." He returned the stem to his lips. "To assume we have claimed a total and decisive victory is folly. Every last one of them would have to be destroyed."

"Leave that to me."

"As I am usually forced to do," said Becket despondently. "I intend to allow Richard to know of my survival, and the return of our species to dominance."

"That is of course your prerogative, but you must not tell Robin of my involvement." Becket scoffed at these words.

"Your involvement? There are times when I am unsure you even exist, you who managed to evade Isard Triton." He paused. "But allow me the chance to see if I have correctly guessed your method." The figure silently granted his wish. "You allow Isard to take your equipment and your base of operations; you remain hidden and unheard of for over a decade; you do nothing to aid or discourage Richard in his quest; and now you come out of the shadows only when Richard has destroyed the greatest vampire to date. Is it your technique to simply let others work in your stead?" Becket's last question was uttered with a tinge of mockery.

"What I do, how I operate…..should be none of your concern Becket. I saw the Red Wolf and The Nocturna Council were planning something of an extravagant nature, and I took advantage of it. As each council member fell I was there to salvage and rebuild in their wake. Robin, The Wolf, The Nocturna Council; I was their greatest enemy and threat and not one of them ever suspected my involvement. The solution to supreme dominance is solved by a simple and uniform equation: you don't fight Robin and the vampires; you get Robin and the vampires to fight each other……and destroy each other." Becket's eyes grew hollow and empty. "It will never again be your place to scoff at such brilliance Becket."

Becket said nothing, never for one second did he wish to submit to this man but his position at the moment forbade him from insubordination. Thus he merely changed the subject. "The UN will reform as you have requested, and diplomatic ties will be rekindled throughout the globe."

"That is wonderful news," said the figure sadistically.

"And all the while the people in all their blissful ignorance shall never know or choose not to know that we have merely traded one dictatorship for another. Mark my words well, there will come a day when we shall truly be free and we will no longer answer to you……Mr. Slade." None other than Slade Wilson silently chuckled in the darkness.

"Just long enough Tiberius……just long enough." He stepped farther back into the darkness. Becket took several seconds of pause before he decided that he was once again alone.


TWO YEARS LATER………………

Shandrey tiptoed down a rather tight stairway until she reached her mother on the bottom level. "Turns out there was a small magnet near the compass so that's what threw us off. Lee should have already made the correction by now so I'm sure we're back on course."

"That's good news," replied Susan. Shandrey watched her mother bring a few stick of incense to life. She knelt before them, backed by a wooden plank adorned with Chinese lettering. Before Susan could begin her prayers Shandrey spoke up.

"Niang!" She didn't shout but it was sharp and quick.

"Yes dear…" Shandrey paused, brushing some hair out of her hair from her eyes. "Jun-Qing?"

"Its two years to the day since Raven and Beast Boy……" Her voice stopped up in her throat. "And…and I have to live with it because Raven is gone because of me." Susan immediately stood and gently held her daughter.

"Jun-Qing you mustn't say such things. I knew Raven and Beast Boy so briefly that I can not speak for their deeper most feelings. But I can assure you that they most of all don't hold you responsible." She brushed her fingers across Shandrey's cheek. "In my dreams I have glimpsed Raven and Beast Boy in spirit," she said kneeling back down. "I can say with much certainty that they are both quite happy and content with one another. I was just about to begin a prayer for them."

"Oh…well I didn't mean to interrupt you."

"Nonsense Jun-Qing, I am always here for you." Nodding Shandrey began to take her leave. But something made her stop, something which had been tugging in the back of her mind even since the day they were reunited.

"You misunderstood me." Susan regarded her curiously.

"I did?"

"Two years ago when you showed me those images and I asked you why you tortured me so much……….I wasn't talking about making see those things-" Her voice cut off for a moment. All the while her mother kept looking at her. "All the years you were alive…….and you never once thought about trying to tell me?" Susan looked her daughter directly in the eyes; a look which Shandrey had come to understand as calculating.

"Do you trust me Jun-Qing?"

"Of course," whispered Shandrey.

"Then trust that I had reasons perhaps beyond even my own understanding." She fixed her daughters hair, Shandrey looked somewhat glassy eyed. "I am here now, that is all that matters to me." Now taking Shandrey by the shoulders she pulled her in for a hug. "And I am not going anywhere." In two years since Shandrey had not grown weary of this action in the slightest. "Now," she said parting. "I believe you are keeping your husband waiting." Smiling Shandrey quickly turned and jogged back up the narrow steps. When she emerged into the sun Shandrey's hair began billowing about in the air, the rather long yacht carrying them across the sea moved majestically through the water. Her eyes spotted Lee standing close to the bow. With a quick glance backward she saw Nayia had taken over steering the rudder for a while. They both caught glimpses and waved to one another. The wind was fast moving but not all cold. The bright sun shown through a scattered assortment of clouds, which would block it out now and again but it was a pleasantly mild trip. Shandrey moved up along the deck, using various ropes for support as she went.

"Lee!" She called. The samurai turned in place and beamed at the sight of her. Without using the next few ropes Shandrey trotted forward with a giggle and nearly tipped off the boat as it slightly rocked. Lee quickly hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her back. She giggled again stepped closer into him. "Thank you."

"You should use more caution, we are of course in the middle of the ocean." Shandrey stole a haphazard glance at the water around them.

"Oh yeah, I completely forgot. You know you're absolutely right Lee. I mean what would I, a waterbender, ever do if I accidentally fell into a giant body of……water." He raised an eyebrow. Smiling she turned so that her back was against his chest and so he could drape his arms around her. Quite satisfied with her position Shandrey moved her gaze down to her left hand and at the ring that snugly fit her middle finger. She smiled as she moved it about and made it catch and bounce the light around. Lee noticed it and gave her a small squeeze.

"Stop fiddling with it."

"I can't help it," she replied with playful scorn. She turned in his arms so that they were now facing one another. She adopted a rather flirty grin. "Besides, when did you become the boss of my ring?" He smiled down at her, that smile which made her heart melt into a puddle.

"When you became the boss of mine." This, Shandrey had to admit, had thrown her for a loop. She pressed tightly against him, perhaps for warmth. Robin-San, I hope this letter will find you and Star-San in good health. By the time you receive it I estimate we will have turned our course eastward. I must admit that even though I am quite impartial to such frequent movements I am subjugated by Shandrey's desire to travel. Nayia watched the two from her far away post at the wheel. She nodded to herself as though she'd envisioned it ever since she'd known them. She had never had the chance to explore thus I decided I could sacrifice my preferences for her comfort. I have not yet heard from Cyborg or Elm since we parted company, but I am sure they are also fairing well. Susan has done well herself, she suffers from minor early onset arthritis but it is nothing that Shandrey's powers cannot soothe. I am hopeful that we will be able to visit you soon. Sincerely, Leonidas Moristu. Hand in hand the samurai and waterbender slowly made their way below deck.


JUMP CITY………………..

….am hopeful that we will be able to visit you soon.

Sincerely,

Leonidas Moristu

Robin finished reading Lee's letter as he sat out on an old stump near the house he had constructed, with Cyborg's kind assistance, from the ruins of their old tower. Within the bedroom on the dresser Robin's sword displayed proudly but was determined to never be used again. Even with that strong declaration, we are only human.

Beside him lay a few piles of neatly chopped wood. He sat for a moment silently caught in his own thoughts. The small amount of time that passed after his battle with Markus was rather eventless. He would not allow himself to go so far as to say that it was boring but it was certainly a departure from the lifestyle he'd grown so accustomed to. Nevertheless he found the quiet and serene humility of how he now lived to be quite enjoyable. It seemed that as time passed humanity really was taking back control of the earth. Jump City was still far from being rebuilt to its former splendor. Thankfully many of Cyborg undersea hydroelectric generators survived and provided them with all the power they needed.

Soft footsteps slowly approached behind him. He knew they belonged to none other than that of the beautiful Tamaranian princess, Starfire. Lee and Shandrey's ceremony had taken place shortly after Robin and Starfire's, as was the general plan.

"Hello Robin."

"Star."

"What is that?" she asked indicating the paper in his hand.

"Oh this, it's a letter from Lee." He folded it up and stowed it away in his pocket. He stood up and they began walking along their shoreline. One major upside of living again on their island was the spectacular view. "They've turned East, toward India I would think. You know Nayia's been trying to learn some cooking from Susan, I'm sure she'll find a whole bunch of new spices."

"And I am sure Lee enjoys traversing the seas so much," joked Starfire. Robin chuckled at the thought.

"I'm sure he is. He said that he hadn't heard from either Cyborg or Elm."

"But Cyborg is living just along the docks," said Starfire.

"I know but I forgot to tell him that in our last letter." She nodded in comprehension. "You know its weird but I really don't know what Elm's up to these days."

"I thought he moved on to either Gotham or Metropolis," said Starfire thoughtfully. "More than likely it is the former rather than the latter. Gotham seemed so forgone without Batman to keep watch."

"Yeah, but if anyone can take over its Elm. That guy will defiantly have his work cut out for him. But I'm sure he could do it."

"Indeed," agreed his wife. They stopped just beside a path that had been worn by frequent walkings. It led from their house to the shoreline. Starfire bent down dipped her hands beneath the clear water. Robin joined her in her new posture, eager to see if something was troubling her.

"Do you remember several days ago when we journeyed to visit Raven and Beast Boy?"

"Yes."

"It just seems so long ago that we lost them." He slung an arm around her shoulders. "After all this time it still does not seem fair, that we should continue living and they be the ones' to perish."

"I know," said Robin. "It's never fair; when good people are suddenly gone. But that doesn't mean every good person is gone with them." Starfire smiled, withdrew her hands, and stood up.

"You are right of course." He stepped up to her and held her arms.

"You hungry?" She nodded with a smile. He began to lead her back up to the house.

"Come on, I'll try my hand at some sushi."

"Oh please Robin you are not are you!?" Exclaimed the red head.

"Well yeah, as a matter of fact. What is this, this lack of faith in your guy companion?" She laughed so suddenly she needed him for support. "Let me see-Let me see if I've got this straight. Are you insinuating that the guy who finally brought down Markus Corvinus isn't even able to prepare a little fish?" She stopped them both and reached up to peck him on the cheek.

"That is precisely what I am suggesting." Robin narrowed his eyes with a somewhat dark grin. She had obviously hoped her kiss would lull him away from her honest comment. "Robin?"

"You just said I'm a lousy chef."

Starfire defended herself with a chortling laugh, "I said no such thing."

"Don't try to cover it up I know what you said I was standing right here."

"I said you would be unable to make the sushi not that you are a bad chef." Robin crossed his arms and scrutinized her as though he were trying to force an incriminating confession out of her.

"Did you?" Grinning mischievously Starfire now crossed her arms.

"You are simply being overly sensitive about the whole thing."

"Am I?"

"Yes! I made no other comment on your other culinary skills. What we are experiencing now is nothing more than a playful argument that will only end in tears of mirth."

"Is it?" By now Starfire was becoming just a tad bit annoyed by his two-word answers. "I think you know what's coming." He began to edge toward her. Instinctively Starfire began backing away.

"Robin…do not……for your own safety I would not attempt-"

"You better start running," warned Robin with a smirk. She took his warning to heart and began running away in a fit of giggles and laughter. Robin of course would show no mercy and chased her all the way back up the path. She glanced over her shoulder and saw that he was getting dangerously close. As soon as Robin was sure he was in reaching distance he lunged forward, however at that moment Starfire's feet left the ground resulting in Robin falling forward into a garden and straightening up with a face full of flowers. She floated back down somewhat though remained about ten feet above him.

"R-Robin!" She positively chuckled at the scene. He spat the assortment of flowers out of mouth and wiped his face clean.

"Awww you big cheater!" She laughed once more and folded her arms behind her back.

"I am not cheating I am just utilizing what I have at my disposal." Robin thought about that logic for a moment. He then allowed her the concession of her being right and stood up.

"Alright, if we're gonna play like tha-OH MY GOD WHAT'S THAT!?!" Starfire suddenly turned around to see what he was pointing at but saw nothing that warranted such alarm. She soon realized she'd been tricked and sent a look of scorn back at him, there was just one problem: Robin was no longer there. Starfire shifted her eyes about warily. Prodigy of the dark knight indeed. The alien quite and cautiously floated about their property, determined not to be ambushed by her husband. Her efforts, while good, were all but in vain. As Starfire round a corner by a tool shed Robin and Cyborg had built she felt a pair of hands come out of nowhere and pull her down by her waist. A moment later Starfire was lying on top of Robin in a soft but very grassy patch. Her tenseness gone away at the sight of him. "I caught you." She placed her hands on either of his shoulders.

"But….I am the one who has you pinned." He shrugged rather carelessly.

"Well, don't be fooled…..it's what I want you to think." Not wanting to waste any more of her breath on words, Starfire allowed the weight of her head to carry her down until her parting lips made contact with Robin's. Over ten year's worth of emotion and pent-up feelings once again poured between the two. I have been many things since my birth; I have been second in line for the throne as princess of Tamaran; I have been a Teen Titan; I have been the cruel Vampire Sovereign Nightingale; and now I am no longer any of those things. Robin and I live together where we once did as an entire family. In a long and arduous trial of blood, sweat, and tears we have lost very close friends, whose impression on me will be forever indelible. I must admit there was a time when I lost hope in our cause, forgetting that no matter how long it takes good conquers all evil. Then Robin found me again, albeit my desire at the time to drain him completely of his blood. But as my maniacal personality discovered Robin could not be destroyed, and for the longest time I was baffled as to why and how. Then as I kissed him I began to slowly come to understand: Robin is human. That is his great power. For no matter the odds or the obstacle Robin has proven that nothing can stop the indomitable human spirit. That is the greatest lesson he has taught me, that is what he has told me through his kiss……The Kiss of the Dragon.

THE END


Well there you have it. That is the end of the longest story I have ever written. I leave it up to you whether or not it's the greatest of my work. Reviewers tend to have a better perspective, seeing how they didn't ever know what was going to happen. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this story as I certainly enjoyed writing it for you. Laters!