Shangri-la

Gothic: On the 2/1/04, I finally reached 40 reviews on Shangri-la, so I will take the time now to send my endless worshipping thanks and praise to all of you who have been with me on this fic. It really means a lot to me guys! =^_^= This is the chapter that will decide the fate of the world, - and I'm writing it past my computer time 'cause I got nothing better to do.  So, without further ado, I give you Trigon's Last Stand.

Kitty: Gothic doesn't own the Teen Titans. They belong to DC Comics, if my computer knowledge is correct. Oh, and we're feeling guilty Shattered Life, so don't fail your next test!

Gothic: There, there, now, it's okay to offend Gothic, and call her a bitch…. She knows how much of a scheming little moody cow she can be….

Beast Boy: *drooling over Raven* She's so sexy….

All other Titans: *nervously back away*

Gothic: Lets get this fic on the road, before the Titans lock Beast Boy up! And there is going to be some serious StarxRobin in this chappie!

~+~+~+~+~

Titans Tower was violently unstable. The never-ending battle had shaken the tower to its roots, and now it was about ready to collapse. Trigon had unleashed everything he had upon the Titans, and yet they still stood strong, ready to fight to the death. But Trigon wasn't fighting the Titans at that moment. He was dealing with other 'personal' problems that involved a certain unconscious daughter of his.

I'm losing my control over her. She's breaking free again, trying to fight back. Well, she's not getting away this time. I have to get to her, and fill her with my evil once more. Trigon ducked a cannon blast from Cyborg, then went back to his musings, scratching away a crust of dried blood from where his gem had been smashed in. I know she's further up, on the roof, but if I leave now, the Titans will surprise attack me, I know they will.

Cyborg was one of the few Titans left going, along with the alien sisters, and Raven's siblings. They had seen the battle through to the end, but Cy was still worried about Star and Robin.

I hope they're alright. Then again, they could be dead somewhere, or dying a slow and painful death. He grimly thought. And we're responsible.

~+~+~+~+~

Starfire and Robin were alive, - having fallen through almost 10 stories. Starfire had pulled herself together, and grabbed Robin, but she was too weak to fly. Instead, she managed to slow them down, practically saving their lives, and at the least lessening their injuries. Robin had been badly wounded enough, but he had been unconscious since crash landing. Star had been knocked out, but recovered after a while. She had tended to Robin, and the two now lay together in the caverns of the island underneath the very rickety tower. Robin was conscious, and not conscious, mainly in a half awake half asleep state. But, as the minutes passed, he grew more and more alert, his eyes constantly flicking around him.

"Hello? Can anyone here me?!?!" Starfire shouted up the hole they had fallen down as best as she could, brushing the flecks of dust that fell down into her eyes away.

"Uh, Star. I don' t think they can hear you." Robin called from where he was staggering into consciousness.

"Robin! You are not damaged?" Star joyously bounded over to where Robin had half managed to sit up.

"Working on it. I'm still pretty shaken up from that fall, but I should be fine, again." Robin was nearly able to stand, but his legs gave way and he fell backwards. Star caught him from behind, whilst on her side, so that she was lying beside him, one arm supporting Robin, and the other supporting her position. Robin accepted her help, mainly using her to help get a comfortable spot. This pulled her closer to him, so that they were face to face.

For a minute, they stared half longingly into each other's eyes. Then Robin leaned up, and softly kissed Star on the lips. He was going to pull away again, when Starfire kissed back, putting her arms around him. For a minute they just passionately kissed, enjoying the love that they had found. Robin pulled Star closer to him, so that she was practically on top of him, the kisses deepening.

Then Starfire realised what she was doing. She backed off, retaking her place at his side.

"Star what's wrong?" Robin curiously asked, missing the warmth of her kisses.

"But Robin, you are so badly damaged, so how can we do this?" Star was clearly confused, afraid that by kissing him, she was hurting him. Robin saw this, and began working out the best way to explain the situation to her.

"Look, Star, It doesn't hurt me. Quite the opposite. It's only a headache, and a few cuts, and I'm just a bit tired." Robin noted the worried look in her eyes, and hugged her.

"You are sure it does not damage you?" Star asked.

"Sure." Robin answered.

Starfire smiled. Then she kissed him again. Robin responded by pulling her in close again, kissing back passionately and lovingly. They found something neither had ever experienced before, the love of each other. Tongue kissing was definitely the main 'activity' going on, Star adjusting to this newfound way of life on Earth.

A huge bang rumbled down to the two, causing them to break apart and look up in fright and curiosity.

"What was that?" Star trembled nervously.

"Looks like our resident demon bad guy doesn't know when to quit." Robin grimly reminded them of the current circumstances above.

The two managed to get to their feet, Star supporting Robin, and helping him along. For as Robin had clearly stated, it was too dangerous for them to stay down there in the cavern. Bit by bit, they began to climb upwards, heading for the tower, - or rather what was left of it.

~+~+~+~+~

Beast Boy was, temporarily, positioned as far away from the edge of the building as possible. The battles in reality and fantasy had both managed to put everyone's lives in danger, Raven and Chain apparently slowly losing the battle that was going on.

Beast Boy was extremely worried by now, always by Raven's side. Her eyes were forever pale red, but the hand Beast Boy held would squeeze his own every so often. He had no idea if this was because she was trying to communicate with him, or just reacting randomly because of what was happening in her troubled mind. Right now, he was pretty certain Raven was trying to tell him something.

"Come on Rae! Are you trying to tell me something or what? I don't get it!" Beast Boy was shocked when Raven answered him, - telepathically.

Yes, I am trying to tell you something. I gathered you're worried, but go and help the others. If you don't defeat Trigon, I'll be like this forever. So, if you want the old Raven back, go and help the others defeat Trigon.

"Okay, that's a very scary way to talk to me." Beast Boy half fell backwards, then scrambled forward again.

Um, I'm a telepath. I may be in a coma state, but my brain is still functioning.

"That's freaky. But still, I'll go." Beast Boy, gathering that the only way Raven would come back was to defeat Trigon.

Oh, and remember, his head is his weakness.

"Yeah. I'll remember." Beast Boy smiled, " Remind me to learn more about that telepathy stuff." He then transformed into an eagle to swoop downwards to help. 

Trigon was going down.

Big time.

~+~+~+~+~

Trigon, the big bad demon, wasn't very pleased.

 He had expected better results by now. Why would the damned Titans just go down? He had beaten them down into the ground, and yet they still came back.

Time to finish this pathetic lot off. There's not much of them now, and their little leader's gone down with his little girlfriend. The Titans will be history! With these thoughts. Trigon began aiming to bring Titans down for good. And he was going to start by removing that annoying little robot from the surface of this planet.

"Oh, Cyborg…It's time for you to die…." The angry demon hissed.

"Uh, dude. That is so not happening. " Trigon looked up to see Beast Boy standing on his head, looking down into his eyes. 

"HHHRRRRAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!" Trigon lunged for Beast Boy, who quickly flipped off his head, turned into an eagle, and swooped for his eyes. A gloopy liquid, the colour of pus dripped out of the holes where Trigon's eyes had once been, as the demon howled in pain and rage. Blinded, he had lost one of the most vital senses a demon needed to succeed in life.

"Nice work BB! That oversized demon is nothin' we can't handle now!"  Cyborg shouted in triumph.

The Titans, rejuvenated, rushed forward to finish Trigon off. They had to go for it now, or they might not be able to do it if Trigon got away.

They charged onwards and forwards into danger, power and above all into what was life for them. If they died now, it would be knowing that they had tried their best to defeat Trigon, but just hadn't been successful. It was time for the fighting to really begin.

~+~+~+~+~

Whilst all of this sudden rush of fighting was taking place, Robin and Star were up to the naughtiest of things, and not the most prioritised things either. The two had made their way up so far, reaching the entrance out of the tunnels that led underneath the tower. It was here that there was a bench for one to rest on, - and where Robin and Star were sharing the most fervent of smoochies. With Robin actually seated, and Star in a straddled position on top of him, they were in a world of their own, lost in passion, and the intense delight of losing themselves to the world around them.

It was when a howl of rage from Trigon echoed down to them, that Robin and Starfire broke away from each other. Looking up in fright, both were glad that they had each other.

"We had better go. The others will want our help." Robin held onto Star as he spoke, nuzzling her neck and leaving a trail of light kisses down it. Starfire giggled, her arms around Robin shoulders.

"Yes, we should go back up to help the others. We will come back to this yes?"  

"Yeah, but right now we need to help." Robin gradually shook Star off him, and they began to make their way up, bangs exploding all around the tower outside, and sending shockwaves down the very core of the island. 

"Looks like the others could use our assistance." Robin gave Star a fast kiss on the cheek. "Come on."

~+~+~+~+~

Deep inside the depths of Raven's mind, the battle for sanity, life, and freedom, was taking an unexpected twist. The darkness had dominated the playing field, and had been preparing to complete it's destruction of the pure Raven forever, - killing Chain in the process. And despite Raven's best efforts, it just wasn't enough to eliminate the darkness she had been carrying with her for nearly 16 years.

"It is time…for my reign over the half demon to begin!"

"Not if I can help it." Came Chain's worn voice from behind. Chain badly needed medical attention now, a cut shining wet with blood across her forehead, another wound scratched across her stomach. In short, she was in a bad way.

"You! Why won't you just lay down and scream in peace?!?!" The darkness screeched.

"Because I care about what happens to Raven, and I don't go down easy." Chain replied.

"Then prepare to go down in flames as I rip the still beating heart out of you!" With this, the evil darkness lunged for Chain, and grabbed her by the throat. With quick speed and agility, the darkness straddled the dazed demon, and began to throttle her.

 Chain choked, and grabbed for her throat, desperately trying to get the dark Raven off her. When nothing worked, she went limp, her heart still beating, but Chain's mind unconscious.

"Heh, heh, heh. Watch, dear purity, as I murder your best friend, and show you her heart!" Had the darkness not taken the time to laugh and mock the equally stunned pure Raven, she might of seen the next actions taken.  But lost in power, darkness and the very essence of Trigon himself, the dark Raven saw no opposition coming….

Until it happened.

The darkness aimed for Chain's chest, amidst strangled cries from Raven.  As she was about to plunge her hand into the unconscious demon, her arm was grabbed and forced back so hard, - that it broke.

"Eat on that sucker." Chain's voice was determined, focused, and she knew what she was doing.  For the demon had not been knocked out at all, just pretending, to catch the darkness off guard.

The Dark Raven staggered away, black blood spilling from where Chain's grip had drawn cuts across her wrist and forearm. She howled, and cried, the power she had been receiving from Trigon cut off.

And oh how Trigon felt it.

~+~+~+~+~

Below the two demon bodies, Robin and Starfire had finally arrived on the scene. After witnessing Cyborg crying tears of relief that they were alive, all of the remaining Titans stood up to defeat Trigon once and for all. But he wasn't attempting to kill them now, his empty eye sockets were staring at the blood red skies, murmuring strange words.

"What is he doing? Has he cracked or something?" Robin whispered to Cyborg.

"No, he's losing influence over Raven. Chain must be helping out big time. It's up to us, we have to beat Trigon now." Firgu half whispered back.

"So what, we launch a huge attack on him? He's practically destroyed the tower, and I'm running out of ideas." Beast Boy quietly asked.

Yes, a stealthy attack. Here's what we're gonna do…"

For the next 10 minutes, the teens worked out a plan. Then, everyone carefully moved positions to where they were supposed to be, and waited on Firgu and Robin's orders to attack.

For two whole minutes, though it felt like a lifetime, nobody moved, nobody spoke, nobody breathed. They merely waited, like they had done on that fateful night trying to save Draygion, when all this had really begun. Then, at long last, Robin spoke.

"West side, East side. ATTACK!!!" Robin launched himself out with the teens on the West side of the tower, the teens of the North and south sides still awaiting orders.

"Titans! Take him down!" Robin cried, whilst flying several feet into the air, kicking Trigon full on in the teeth. Two of his fangs shattered into pieces, and three other broke off and splintered.

Star charges after Robin, throwing Starbolts at the remains of the gem and the surrounding areas. Blood spilled from old wounds and new, falling down his face. Unable to see, Trigon couldn't locate the fast Starfire, waving around wildly, until the alien hit him, and he clung to his face in pain.

"North side, South side. ATTACK!!" Firgu and his comrades charged form their hideouts, throwing whatever means possible. For the next 20 minutes, Trigon was beaten into the ground, people, demons, aliens and creatures of the deep sea throwing everything they had at the blind demon. Blood dripped everywhere, rubies on the little clothing he wore were shattered, his fangs were kicked out and left as sharp stubs, and Aqualad even threw his tired self at Trigon, and managed to break his nose. Slowly, bit by bit, the heroes were crawling their way back up.

Unknowing that above them, on the rooftop,  a pure miracle was taking place.

~+~+~+~+~

Back inside Raven's still deeply troubled mind, the darkness was feeling the pain her father felt. The dark Raven was losing power, and beginning to weaken. The devastating assault on Trigon had helped the purity of Raven to regain control, and she was ready to wrap this up. Eventually, with all the strikes being thrown to Trigon going on below, Raven and Chain began to fight.

Blow after blow from the chain whip brought the darkness to her knees. Punch after punch from Raven had the dark side collapsed on her side, pain rushing through her.

 Raven felt the energy from the world outside, and began to summon her powers. She levitated the darkness that was now howling in pain, and flung her into the nearest rock.

"Get….out…of….my…mind…NOW!" Raven threw everything she had at the darkness within.

And felt the light as she finally managed to regain at least some control.

~+~+~+~+~

Below, in the mass destruction of Trigon, the angry demon had at last retaliated by throwing open a portal that released several demon minions. They obeyed their blinded, badly wounded master and charged for the Titans.

"Now we will see who is the better! DIE YOU PATHETIC BEASTS!" Trigon cried to the skies, causing demon ravens, who lived to serve as prison guards on  the other side of the city, to take to the skies in fright.

"Get to his head!!"  Firgu shouted. But in his haste he didn't see the demon who crept up behind him.

And slashed the bloody sword it held right through Firgu's head.

"FIRGU! FIRGU!" Sifria dropped to her knees, tears falling from her eyes. Although she was a pure blooded demon, Sifria had learnt the ways of the human, how they showed emotion and compassion.

But above all, she loved her brother, - and wasn't afraid to show it.

Sunafire meanwhile, reacted different. Her clenched fist shook with rage, as she turned towards Trigon.

"You killed him…." She spoke in a just audible tone, her voice itself harrowing in her wrath. "And now you will pay for it."

Sunafire released her powers in a blast of fury, her body enveloped in a bright white light. She shot a beam of the light that would conquer the darkness, and threw everything she had at him in rage and sadness.

Trigon withered and cried as the immense power caused the tower to completely collapse. The two bodies of Raven and Chain fell downwards as the roof caved in.

"Raven and Chain! They're on the roof! We gotta catch them!" Beast cried, whilst dashing forward to catch one of the two. Raven's body landed square in his arms, Cyborg catching the unconscious Chain. Then, the Teen Titans rushed forward and out of the tower, with the exception of Sunafire, whose powers seemed to protect her. Amongst the ruins of Titans Tower, the alien stood like an angel, fighting back Trigon.

"Look! The skies! They are being painted blue again!" Starfire cried, excitedly pointing upwards in delight, as Beast Boy and Cyborg carefully put Raven and Chain down where they would be safe.

"Sunafire's winning." Moonfire commented, whilst stroking the cheek of the dead demon Firgu. Moonfire had grabbed Firgu, and now protected his blood stained body as if he was alive. It was the kindest thing to her sister to allow her to say goodbye to Firgu.

"Go back to where you belong! Sunafire cried, throwing everything she had at Trigon.

Trigon bellowed a cry of absolute agony, worming and struggling to get out of this death trap.

Sunafire threw everything  she had every ounce of spiritual energy being thrown at Trigon, who was beginning to shrink , as his body withered away to ashes, the black transparent ghost of his former self howling a ghostly cry in defeat.

Trigon the Terrible, one of the most powerful demons known, was dead.

And as Trigon finally got the death he so deserved, the smoky wisps flying up to dissolve themselves in the now blue skies, Raven's body glowed a bright white with Sunafire's powers. Her skin exploded in a purple glow, the human eyes and pale violet skin returning. Her clothing faded back to purple and blue, and the gem in the centre of her forehead faded form black, and glowed a proud red again.

And the others could only watch as the dark side of Raven was torn from her body, howling and crying as it took on the shape of a black ghost like Trigon. It spoke in a harrowing voice, trying desperately to hang onto what it believed was so rightly it's own.

"You cannot escape me! I am who you are, not a problem you can deal away with! You cannot escape who you are!"

Raven raised her head, the violet eyes shining with anger.

"NO. You are not me. This is who I am. AND YOU CANNOT CONTROL ME ANY LONGER!"

Sunafire, who had been exhausting her powers for through Trigon's death, and the condemning of Raven's dark side, spoke at long last.

"It's time you joined who you really belong." Sunafire threw what remaining powers were left in her at the dark Raven. The ghost wept for it's 'mistress', before finally disintegrating into no more than scraps of long forgotten power, wisps blowing away on the wind.

And inside Raven, all of the different sides of Raven gathered around as the skies finally shone bright pastel blue at last, the true purity of Raven, in all her glory, standing in the middle.

Raven lifted her head from where she had been on the ground, as Sunafire rested at last.

"Thank you." Raven whispered.

Sunafire smiled. Then she fell sideways, to collapse onto the ground, and take her last breath, as she joined the one she loved, destined to rest at last.

"Sister!" Starfire and Sweetfire ran for their fallen sibling, as Raven turned towards her friends.

"Did that just happen?" Robin asked in shock.

"You have done what was deemed impossible. You have destroyed Trigon, and tore the darkness out of Raven. She is free to express her emotions as she wishes, with nothing in the way." Draygion was solemn, taking in the death of his brother still, as he watched Raven finally manage to get up, back to her old self.

"So….Trigon's really gone?" Cy asked.

"Yes he is." Sifria added from Beast Boy's side.

"And he won't be coming back." Raven finally spoke, also saddened by Firgu's death. She knelt beside him, fresh tears falling down her face onto the body of her older brother. Stroking the blood stained cheek of the red skinned demon, she wished with all her heart that the two who had died to save her hadn't made such a sacrifice.

"I can't believe Suna's dead….She gave her life and powers to return this world to normal, and destroy Trigon. What a brave Spirit Guide." Moonfire spoke softly, having also joined her sisters.

"Chain….Get out of my head…." Raven spoke with a mocking voice to the still unconscious Chain,  who was still in Raven's mind. With her words, the demon stirred, and blinked open bleary eyes, attempting to sit up. Whilst Sifria helped Chain, Raven turned to Robin, her eyes full of guilt.

"I'm sorry. For both what Trigon has done, and for what  I have done." She did look very guilty, obvious feeling that her evil streak was mainly her fault.

"It wasn't your fault. Trigon influenced you. Who could resist that?" Robin smiled, to which Raven returned the smile.

"But both Firgu and Sunafire are dead. They died because of me." Raven tried, but Robin wasn't having any of it.

"That wasn't you Raven. But you're free now, and you will always be a Titan."

~+~+~+~+~

And as the sun dawned against the light blue skies, the last essence of Trigon vanished, all of his minions and cronies evaporating in the sunlight.

And on the island, where the remains of Titans Tower lay, the body of a alien, who had done the most courageous, brave, valiant thing in her entire life time, was laid to rest, her work finally done.

As the spirit of the Spirit Guide kept ever watch over her city.

~+~+~+~+~

Gothic: *floods of tears* Now that was sad! Why did I let Firgu and Sunafire die? Why did I write 4200 words? Why is my cat waiting outside the back door?

Kitty: Hmmm…….

Gothic: I forgot, for all of you who don't know what my version of a Spirit Guide is, (Which is probably most of my readers….) it's a special alien, who guides restless spirits to their grave. Basically, if a ghost has unfinished business, then he/she will be led to the grave by the Spirit Guide. Kinda like the Grim Reaper, only Spirit Guides are like Slayers, and are only female. And Sunafire gave her life and powers to destroy Trigon, and save Raven. Now she's a restless spirit, keeping watch over the city. (Or rather, what's left of it….)

Raven: I'm not evil anymore! Yay!

BB: I love Raven…..

All Titans: WE KNOW! And please review for Gothic!