Well, this is the second moment I ever envisioned and planned for this story, before even writing the first chapter. I hope it's good. Feedback very much welcome.
Raven was not too happy when she heard of the festival, to put it mildly. She wasn't a people person, and disliked public appearances for many reasons, starting with her need to remain calm and composed, and lack of any experience with it.
She listed them all to Robin in her typical, emotionless voice, hoping to avoid having to go here, but sadly, as usual, Boy Wonder proved to be very well prepared. He listed his arguments in an equally calm manner, pointing out all the good she could achieve by appearing there even for a moment, and that she can disappear without a word after the opening ceremony and no one will be surprised. In fact, he said, she was already known for being very camera-shy and rarely appearing, so everyone expects her to mysteriously 'disappear' from the festival.
She was aware of the fact that people noticed her lack of public appearances and tendency to disappear, but was surprised to learn it didn't make people distrustful of her. While it used to be the case, her appearance at the hospital during Christmas change her from 'mysterious' to 'mysterious, cool and amazing' in the eyes of many.
Hilariously enough, she learned that she become fan-favorite of many socially-shy and neurodivergent people – Robin actually had to explain what 'neurodivergent' means – and this thought made her surprisingly emotional. After hearing this, and focusing on controlling her powers despite overflowing emotions, she absentmindedly agreed to appear on the festival.
Of course, she fought a little bitterly as she was standing on a scene while some local talking head was praising them, it was probably also part of Robin's plan. He knew her well, and despite vowing to never again make all those complicated plans against his friends, he was still very analytical and prone to overpreparing. He was also way too good at doing… well, everything. It really felt like with enough time to prepare, there are only few things he couldn't do, defeating his entire team among them.
Seeing as the talking head – finally – left the stage, allowing Robin to step forward, she nearly sighed with impatience. Fortunately for her, the team leader only said few words, thanking the people for accepting and supporting them, and promising to do his best to protect the city. Everyone cheered loudly, and Raven winced. Alright, enough of this; all those emotions were already too much, the crowd was ecstatic, and now also loud.
They wanted to see her mysterious and cool? Despite the growing headache, she smiled slightly. Alright then. She theatrically created a portal above her, causing the crowd to fall silent, and then equally dramatically flew up, disappearing in it.
She appeared not far from the festival, in an abandoned building nearby, and stood there for a few minutes, confused. What happened to her? She was very conscious about any kind of attention since she was little, and it only grew worse with time. What made her suddenly do this theatrical exit?
Her friends, she realized. Aside from her mother, they were the first people who accepted her, unconditionally. They were still not aware of the full truth about her – and she was still reluctant about telling them – but Beast Boy and Cyborg were inside her soul, and they remained her friends nonetheless. Even ready to fight her father, if it was necessary.
She honestly doubted it would do any good, sadly. What could her friends do against someone like Trigon? Maybe Justice League could do something, depending how good of a sorceress this Zatanna is, but Trigon conquered many worlds, some brimming with magic, without any real challenge.
On that note, Raven wondered how are their preparations going. Against all reason, she hoped they could find something, anything, to stop her father if he ever comes here. From what she heard, Batman was basically Robin, but even more so; always prepared for everything. If he believed her, she was sure he will do his best to prepare an emergency plan.
She flew to the Tower, thinking about any way to spend the rest of her day. Deciding she was in mood for reading – and realizing she had entire building to herself – she landed on the roof and went to the living room, grabbing a book on her way.
She was in the middle of a chapter, when her communicator pinged. She sighed – somehow, all alarms and other things always happened mid-chapter – and took it, only to see a message from Alexander. She read it, and quickly got up; he found an extremely rare book on a topic she may be interested in, and wanted to see her as quickly as possible, since the book seemed to be magical in nature.
Of course, reading this, she went to the roof and flew as fast as she could, even deciding to teleport once she was close enough. Not only a very, very rare book, but also magical in nature? Considering that one of the topics she asked him about was advanced and forbidden demonology, she wanted to be there as fast as possible.
As usual, to avoid bringing any attention to his shop, she materialized through the floor. Weirdly, though, she didn't feel Alexander in the building. Was something wrong, or was he is his hidden vault?
She was too focused on that to realize what was below her, and it was already too late. With a near-silent click, the circle on the ground was closed and red-light barrier surrounded her on all sides; it even pushed her feet up a little, creating identical wall of force below her.
What? Raven quickly looked around, and realized that someone just closed the circle when she arrived. Judging by her not detecting them, it was either someone with advanced mental training, or automated device. But why? Who could have known she was there? She cursed her habit of always materializing in the middle of the shop, in the very same place.
She looked up, trying to find any weak spot above her, when she noticed something new. Since when Alexander's shop had this big water sprinkler system installer? Did he install new fire suppression system since she was last here?
Her answer came when it suddenly activated, showering her with water.
Holy water.
Raven screamed and fell to the floor, trying to shield her face from the horrible, burning sensation. It felt like her entire body was sprayed with acid; her clothing quickly grew wet, and burned her just like the liquid itself, and her arms were burning with horrible pain.
Raven grabbed her communicator with her second, already red hand and pressed the alarm button. "Raven to Titans, I need help!"
When she took a breath, she nearly choked; the fine mist of holy water flew into her mouth and burned it, and she could feel her throat hurting just from the small amount she took in. But worse, there was no answer. No other Titan reacted. What's going on? Having no other choice, she switched to League emergency channel. "This is Raven, I need help! Any, anyone?!" She choked on the mist, coughing as is started to burn her throat. She couldn't even scream; every breath was just increasing her suffering. And there was still no answer.
Raven tried to power through the pain and focus. She couldn't stay here; if she dies, Trigon will come through her. She can't! She crawled to the edge of her prison, and looked closely at the symbols. What she saw made her blood turn to ice.
She would expect it to be the work of some demonologist from Earth; or, failing that, maybe her father's cult. But both of those groups would use different names, symbols, iconography. There was only one group who could have made this; the group she trusted and told so much about herself, and her father.
The Justice League. They, or more specifically probably this Zatanna women, had to make this. But why?! Didn't they realize they would bring Trigon here? End their own world?
Raven tried to find out any way to break out, but the circle was perfect. She walked into a magical circle so powerful, it could hold being much stronger than she was. She was going to die here, and damn this whole world, and there was nothing she could do. She wanted to cry, but at the same time, there was also another emotion growing in her. Anger.
She looked at the symbols around her, feeling boiling anger, so hot it felt hotter than the burning on her skin. All these symbols, they were just... wrong.
In order to capture a demon, the circle had to include as much information about the demon ad possible. Names, multiple if known, iconography, same rule. Some titles, the more official the better. Everything the demonologist could find.
And this circle was not made for Raven, the daughter of Arella. It was made for the Gem. For the Heir of Trigon. Spawn of Trigon. All those disgusting things she hoped she left behind her. She looked at them, furious. No, it can't be the end! She punched the indestructible barrier, ignoring the horrible pain on her entire body. She will not die like this! If she was to die, it will be on her terms, and not in her father's shadow!
She knew it was hopeless. The summoning circles, even if based on things like opinions or beliefs, were impossible to break normally. Summoned demon of suffering couldn't just declare 'I am no longer demon of suffering, call me a demon of good' and have the circle disappear. It would have to be a deep change, deep enough to truly change a nature of summoned or imprisoned creature. Something so strong that reality itself had to acknowledge it.
Raven was right. She couldn't change who she was on a whim. But, she didn't have to; because she already changed. That was the truth, not just something she said or thought sometimes. In truth, in reality, she WAS Raven, daughter of Arella. It was who she was; no more, no less.
Raven faced reality, and told it to back down. And reality backed down, and acknowledged her. For it was true; this magic was never able to keep Raven. That was the greatest weakness of this circle, something that Zatanna could not predict or understand. Raven was not who she was born as, and she was not defined by it in the slightest.
The indestructible magical circle burst like soap bubble. Shocked, in pain, Raven didn't have the time to understand what happened. She used last remains of her strength to crawl to the closed doors, away from the burning rain, and there she finally lost consciousness, last of her strength leaving her.
She never heard when Robin finally managed to call her; she was already unconscious.
Raven's magical powers are too vast and varied for any normal attack to work. The only option, according to Zatanna, is to lure her into a specially-prepared, magical circle that would imprison her for as long as necessary. She already prepared all the symbols, incantations and a long, complicated non-magical instructions in case she was taken out first. As much as I loathe magic, I must be ready to stop Raven if necessary.
- Agamemnon Contingency. File codename: Angel
