Everyone followed Rex, cautious and confused. Rex stopped suddenly in front of a huge rock that was sticking out of the center of a huge sinkhole.

Welcome to the snake pit, he said, smiling.

Whatever, can we please get this over with, said Raven. Melissa glanced at her, her mind peering deep inside her thoughts. They were strange. She hardly had a taste. She was almost inhuman. Melissa had guessed most of these kids were alien-like, because one was green, and one had large green eyes, and odd eyebrows, but their thoughts tasted pretty normal. But Raven's didn't. They tasted familiar, but she just couldn't place it.

Beast Boy, come up, Robin said. Rex will help you figure out your talent.

Beast Boy came up, a little scared.

Hey Melissa, Rex said, breaking her concentration. She glared at him, and Rex shrunk back. I was just going to ask if you have the knife.

Beast Boy screamed like a girl, and stepped back. Knife! You never said anything about a knife! You guys aren't Midnighters, or whatever you called it! You're murderers! Fucking MURDERERS!

Beast Boy, calm down, Robin said. Rex just explained it to me. They just need a little of your blood.

said Rex. Pretty painless, to tell you the truth.

Jessica snorted. Speak for yourself.

But really, just a simple finger poke or something would do it. Melissa, how about that knife?

I don't have it, she said. I didn't really expect to need it.

I have something, said Robin, taking out one of his weapons. It had sharp edges, sharp enough to cut someone's finger.

That'll do, said Dess, grabbing it from his hands. Give me your finger!

Beast Boy cried, and started to run.

Don't be such a girl, said Cyborg, rolling his eyes, and grabbing his arm before he could go too far. Cut em, Dess.

she said, smiling at him. She bend over him, and began stabbing his finger.

Uh....... Dess.

Stab stab

Dess, that's........

STAB STAB

Rex cried. We only need a couple drops, thanks.

Beast Boy's face was pale.

Rex took his hand, and held it over a little depression on a shelf on the rock.

Suddenly, just like it did with Jessica, the rock split, and a symbol formed from his blood. It was a small finger with a stick balanced on the tip.

What does it mean? Jonathan asked.

It means......... Match-bringer.

Dess cried. Now Jessica won't ever be without matches again!

Melissa nodded. So, where're his matches?

Look in your pocket, Robin said.
Beast Boy reached in his pocket. Out came a whole packet of matches.

Hey, I don't remember packing these! he cried.

You really are the match-bringer, Starfire laughed.

Now for Raven. But we need to give some time for Dess to fix the rock. She fixed it after we found out Jessica's talent. How long do you think it'll take?

After spending all those hours fixing it the last time?

Um.... yes. If you don't think you can do it tonight......

I was just playing Rex. It'll only take like five minutes or less.

said Rex, his frown suddenly fading.

They all sat down, waiting for Dess to finish.

Raven folded her legs and began to mediate. Melissa took this time to get a clear reading of her. She tasted a little bitter, like lemon zest almost, but a lot thicker, and less strength to her. Not that she wasn't' strong, it was just her taste that was weak, like weak tea, or juice that was watered down too much. It was a little dull. She was getting pretty bored of her, but she still tasted familiar. Maybe finding her talent would help her get a clear scan of her.

I got it, Dess said, standing aside, revealing the newly fixed stone.

Rex smiled, and turned to Raven. It's your turn.

Raven got up, and walked over to Robin, who was cleaning off his weapon. Here, nice and clean.

Raven took it, and cut a slit in her palm, effortlessly. Blackish-red blood poured from it, as she clenched her fist over the shelf.

Suddenly, Melissa let out a faint cry as she realized what she tasted like.

Rex, she's.... But her blood was already breaking the stone, forming into a symbol that looked like a darkling, but had a human face.

A darkling, she finished softly.

That can't be right. It says you're a darkling, Jessica said, staring at the symbol.

Not just any darkling, Rex said, groaning. You're their leader.

Raven blinked at them. So..... what does that mean?

Suddenly, Dess let out a muffled scream. I think that's what it means!
They all looked over to where Dess was staring. It was a darkling army.