I will most likely rewrite this chapter. I just wanted to post something to show I am still very much working on this story.
Jared, Jesse, and Jacob stared at the dead carcass of their brother, Jack. "We have all the items we need. Can we begin?" Jacob asked.
"Patience, brother," Jared said, "patience. Let's have a little fun first."
"Have a little fun?" Jesse stared at his older brother incredulously. "Have you forgot the winged creature with the Titans? Or his silver weapons that literally burn our skin off? We can't touch him."
"You just have to suck the fun out of everything," Jacob sneered.
"It's called being smart!" Jesse shot back.
"Enough!" Jared separated the two forcefully. "We don't have time for this. We need to run one more test."
"And then what?" Jesse demanded. Jared looked at both of his brothers. "We are more powerful together. Raven now knows this. Jesse and I can reach her in her dreams. But you," he paused, turning to Jacob, "you need to save your strength. You'll be taking the angel."
After a lovely, warm shower, Gabriel sat cross-legged on his bed with his eyes closed. His eyes opened after a moment, and he now stood a foot away from Michael. "Brother," Michael said.
"The Knife of Mors is on Earth," Gabriel said.
"What!"
"It has been on Earth for a few years now," Gabriel explained.
"That makes no sense," Michael said, "this is upsetting. I could have sworn…I've tracked Lucifer to a planet in a different dimension. We have him cornered."
"His army?"
"My scouts have reported no army. This is a game to him," Michael crossed his arms in annoyance.
"We should kill him."
"That isn't up to either you or me," Michael said.
"Still," Gabriel huffed.
"I still don't understand how the Knife of Mors could be on Earth all this time," Michael said with a finger to his chin.
"Like you said," Gabriel replied, "this is a game to him."
"Still, I will speak to those who alerted me of the knife's absence. Someone is lying." Michael finished by stretching his dark black wings. Gabriel took a closer look at his brother. There were bags under his eyes. "Brother," Gabriel placed a hand on Michael's shoulder, "are you well?"
"I-" Michael stopped abruptly as his eyes flashed silver. "Apologies, Gabriel. I must leave. Benjamin is calling for me."
"Okay," Gabriel nodded. "Take care, Brother." Michael bowed his head respectfully before disappearing, and Gabriel returned to his physical body.
Around 10 a.m. the next morning (Red Robin let them sleep in just a little) the team and Gabriel stood shoulder-to-shoulder, facing their leader. "Okay, team," Red Robin stood on the mat, a bo-staff in his hand, "we will be sparring."
"Again?" Bart asked, looking every bit worn out.
"My body is still sore from yesterday's extra training, thank you very much," Garfield said with a yawn. "And speaking of training, what the hell? You put all the heavy hitters on one team. How's that fair?"
"It wasn't supposed to be fair," Red Robin smirked, "we're preparing for Trigon, again. This time, he's accompanied by his sons. The scales are not balanced. But I also said today would be the day we'd return the favor." Red Robin walked over to the bench and held up a drawstring gym bag. "Connor, Cassie, Raven," he called them over. The three Titans walked over to Red Robin with wary looks on their faces. "You guys will be wearing these today," Red Robin held up silver cuffs.
"Oh, come on! Really?" Cassie and Connor began to protest. Even Raven's face scrunched in distaste. "Come on," Red Robin smiled, eyeing his teammates through his mask. The three superpowered Titans reluctantly placed the cuffs on their wrists, locking them in place. The three Titans shuttered as an unpleasant electric shock raced through their bodies. "Ugh," Cassie looked at her hands, "I feel weak."
"I feel empty and useless," Connor added. "Red Robin, is this how you feel every day?" Red Robin glared at his friend. Raven said nothing. She had retained 10% of her powers. Her empathy was all she had, and even that was at minimum strength. She shuddered. Raven didn't like to complain about her powers, but feeling everything was annoying and generally gave her headaches. Right now, though, she would take the headaches over the emptiness she felt. "You guys can use any weapon of your choice, except for your lasso, Cassie," Red Robin added quickly.
"Dang it," Cassie pouted, kicking at the mat.
"Go choose your weapons," Red Robin said before turning to the other four Titans and Gabriel. "Gabriel, I'm going to have to ask you to sit this one out."
"I completely understand, Tim," Gabriel smiled. "I do not mind at all. Watching your team spar will be both enjoyable and informative."
"O-kay," Red Robin said. "Same rules yesterday. Everyone fights everyone."
"But there's four of us," Bart said.
"I'll fight the last man standing," Red Robin said. "This is your chance to enact revenge. Rose, take Raven. Cassie – Bart. Garfield – Connor. Don't hold back."
Five minutes later, Beast Boy lay face down on the floor, off to the side. Gabriel was giving him a friendly pat on the head while Connor looked on worriedly. "No reason to be embarrassed, my young friend," Gabriel spoke comfortingly.
"I really am sorry, Gar," Connor said contritely.
"Why?" Beast Boy mumbled from his spot on the floor, "it's not your fault I flew into your fist."
"Still…" Connor rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"What are the odds of that happening? You lose your balance and start flailing wildly at the exact moment I turn into a housefly?" Beast Boy cried into the floor, more embarrassed than injured.
"Blame Red Robin," Connor said as he held up his wrists, showing the power-canceling cuffs, "he's the one who made me wear these stupid things. I can barely walk in a straight line."
"You rely too much on your power," Red Robin's voice came from behind Connor. "Here you go, Beast Boy," Red Robin said, handing Garfield an icepack. "Put it on your eyes for now to stop the swelling. Raven can take a look at them after training." Beast Boy mumbled his response as he blindly reached for the ice pack.
"Well, what now?" Connor asked.
"Hmm," Red Robin thought, "why don't you fight Gabriel?"
"Without my powers?" Connor's face blanched.
"You'll be fine."
(10 seconds later)
"Fine, you can fight without the cuffs," Red Robin said as he helped the dizzy Superboy to his feet.
"Ow," Connor moaned.
"You'll survive," Red Robin said as he freed Connor from the braces before giving Connor a friendly pat on the back.
Thirty minutes later, Raven was the last one standing. The fight between her and Rose had ended in a draw. Even though Red Robin had told them not to hold back, Rose opted to fight with no weapons. Bart had eventually taken Cassie down. He didn't fare well against Raven, which was a shock to Red Robin. He thought for sure the speedster would take her out. Rose had gone against Cassie, both girls opting for practice swords. Rose actually beat Cassie, twice. Though, Cassie seemed more distracted by her boyfriend, who was fighting shirtless against the angel. Apparently, without her powers, Cassie had little to no attention span.
Red Robin briefly checked on Gabriel and Connor. Both were airborne – using bo-staffs. Turning back to the mat, Red Robin smirked at Raven. "So," he smiled, "think you can go toe-to-toe with me without your powers?"
"I guess we'll find out," Raven said breathlessly. Red Robin picked up two staffs and tossed one to her. Raven caught it effortlessly. She looked at her leader in confusion. She hated the bo-staff, and Tim knew that. "I already know what you can do with your fists," he said as they both got in a fighting stance, "but I want to see what you can do with a weapon." Red Robin immediately attacked her with no warning. Raven clumsily blocked the attack, quickly regaining her footing before Red Robin could strike again.
Red Robin was impressed. So far, Raven had blocked every attack her way. But she had yet to go on the offense. He needed to find a way to get her to attack. A slow smile crept up his face as his mind began formulating a plan.
Raven once again thanked her gods that Red Robin had worn a mask. No way would she have been able to face him with his blue eyes staring intensely at her. It would have been awful. She would have frozen in place, and this fight would already be over. Raven blocked another strike as Red Robin leaned into their crossed staffs. He spoke low enough so only Raven could hear him. "You're defending," Red Robin whispered. Raven merely glared at him. "You need to attack." Raven when for his leg, willingly taking the hit to the shoulder. Red Robin successfully dodged the attack, but at least Raven was able to put space between them. The two circled each other. "Afraid to get close to me?" Red Robin tried egging her.
"You're holding back," was all Raven said. "I thought we weren't doing that." The next thing Raven knew, she had landed on her back with an "ugh."
Red Robin held his bo an inch away from her face, looking down at her with a smirk. "I hate the bo," Raven mumbled.
"Why do you think I chose it?" Red Robin smiled. Raven felt her cheeks heat up. She looked away. "Ahem," someone cleared their voice, getting the attention of the two birds, "are you gonna help her up, or are you two about to fu-"
"Rose!" Cassie interrupted the young assassin sharply, "not in front of the angel."
"He's a celestial being, Cassie," Rose stated.
"It's the same thing," Cassie argued.
"No, it's not."
"Ahem," Red Robin cleared his throat as he helped Raven to her feet. "That was pretty good," he began.
"Can we take these off now?" Cassie groaned, holding up her wrists.
"Yes," Red Robin answered. Raven and Cassie wasted no time disarming the bracelets, throwing them to the floor.
"Hey," Red Robin frowned, "be careful. Those weren't easy to build." Cassie shrugged before beginning to float. "Sorry," Raven said, "extra training tonight?"
"Yep," Red Robin smiled at her. "I have a thing with Batman. We'll shoot for 11."
"You won't be tired?"
"I'll drink coffee."