Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans. All Tamaranians mentioned are mine. Stealing is bad 'mkay?

Two left, there are two chapters left. I would like to thank all of my readers, but I will wait until the last chapter to finish my gratitude. Though I would like do dedicate a chapter to each of you, my real dedicated readers haven't shown up until really late. I do have one more to thank, and that's DIWaRrIa. This one's for you man.

I have a lot of battle to overlook, so I'll hope you'll bear with me on this. Though I've written battle sequences before, I never have with one this grand a scale. This one's a biggie, so I hope you'll enjoy it.

One more song guys, I hope you like it. After this, the finale is going to speak for itself. Oddly enough, I think it speaks on behalf of Slade, and all the baggage he's carrying in this story.


Chaptire 12: The Cruel Angel's Thesis

"How About You" by Staind

The Andorkori Monastery had welcomed the morning, as the Godstar loomed in the distance. Legasnouro was the first to wake from his sleep, his eyes already showing a burning desire. He got out of bed and prepared for the moments to come.

Robin slowly opened her eyes, still groggy from last night's activities. He slowly turned to his side, to see the young Tamaran of his dreams sleeping soundly. Robin slowly got up and got dressed. He had a moment to himself yesterday, but he knew of what was to come. After he had dressed, he picked up the Royal Staff, and exited the room. Robin was about the go the rooftop of the monastery, but he found Legasnouro ahead of him. Legasnouro had a stern look, more than usual for the master monk.

"Have you come to get me? I know I'm a little late and all but-"said Robin.
Legasnouro held his hand up, "I have a good idea why you're late Robin," he said. "But now is not the time for such folly. I need you and the others to get up and come with me to the war room of the monastery."
"What's this about Legasnouro? You're quite rushed," said Robin, quirking an eyebrow.
"Slade is here Robin," said Legasnouro grimly, "prepare for battle."

It was a half – hour after the previous scene, and the Titans were now led to the war room, the very heart of the monastery. It was a very simple room, with one large table with numerous chairs. The only real piece of technology was the projector at the end of the table. Legasnouro was at one end of the table, and then motioned the Titans to take a seat, to which they obliged.

"Titans," said Legasnouro, "the Godstar is on a direct course for the monastery. It is our belief they intend to destroy us, and all who dwell here."
"What are our options?" asked Starfire.
"The Godstar had a mediocre platoon of troopers, mostly refugees and robots. They are to be the ground support for the Godstar, until it is ready to fire."
"Sacrificial lambs," mumbled Cyborg.
"Exactly," said Robin, "Slade has never fought his own battles."
"Who will take care of those guys?" asked Terra.
"I want Beast Boy and Terra to support our students in battle. You are to keep them at bay. Robin, Raven, Cyborg, and Starfire will infiltrate the Godstar to destroy it from the inside – out," stated Legasnouro.
"How do you intend to get us in there?" asked Raven.
"You can do it Raven, you've have grown much during these past days. It should be ok to transport them through the metal," said Legasnouro.
"Yes, but the air itself? I'm not sure," she said, a frown on her face. The Titans were surprised at their friend's reaction.
"Raven, you'll do fine. It's natural to have doubts when trying something new. You won't evolve as a person if you don't."
Raven held her head down, and then uplifted it in a smile. Beast Boy was about to have an attack. "When are you able to do that? I've never seen you so happy."
Raven blushed in embarrassment, "I'll tell you later."
"Enough, do we all know what we are to do?" asked Legasnouro. All the Titans nodded.
"Robin," said Legasnouro, turning his attention to him, "it's time to use the staff."
Robin nodded, and then left the war room with the other titans.

Slade, inside the Godstar, stood over the morning horizon, taking in his new target.

"Its time," he said, "I've played with them long enough. If I can destroy their prestigious monastery, they will lose hope quickly. It will all be a manner of picking when I wish all of them to die afterwards." He turned his head to his right. "Malren," said Slade, "dispatch the troops. Let them bring my message of destruction with them."
"Yes master," said Malren, and he left to convey the orders.

If someone else showed you the way
Would you take the wheel and steer?
It hurts me that you're not ashamed
Of what you're doing here
If they jumped off a bridge
Would you meet them on the ground?
Or would you try to claim
That it never made a sound?

As the Godstar loomed ever closer, the monastery west gates opened. The monastery monks began to flood out into formation, Terra and Beast Boy in the frontlines. The monastery army stood their ground, seeing their approaching foes in the distance.

Terra looked over to Beast Boy, who seemed determined to do what he had to do.

"Beast Boy," she said so that he could hear her, "what are we going to do? Stay here and hold our ground, or charge them head on?"
"I don't know," he said, "last time we fought, we really only charged head on. After the results of that mess, I'm not sure.' Beast Boy shook his head, "ah, what the hell? C'mon Terra, lets go say hello to Slade's goons." Terra nodded, and the two ordered the army to charge head on into the enemy.

The students used similar tactics as the Royal Army: a group of six or seven students would keep charging, while another group stayed behind and let loose a volley of energy bolts. This tactic was alternated between groups until the army was close enough to engage in melee. The volleys punched through the normal troopers of Slade, but the heavier robots proved to be resistant to a swift defeat. The two forces clashed in the middle ground, bodies flinging back due to the difference in some weight. Beast Boy at this point, changed into a Rhino, making a beeline right through the enemy forces. When he got to a point in the middle, he changed his arms into one's of a gorilla, and continued his onslaught by slamming into his foes. Terra surfed into the air, chucking variable sizes of rock and ground at the robots, seeing them as a more viable threat.

Everyone plays the hand they're dealt
And learns to walk through life themselves
Not everything in life is handed on a plate
When people think your words are true
It doesn't matter what you do
I sold my soul to get here
How about you?

From the monastery rooftop, the remaining Titans and Legasnouro stood there watching the carnage on the battlefield. Cyborg and Raven stood there, a look of grave concern on their faces. Starfire stood there, honoring the sacrifices of the students by watching them until the end. Robin was looking at the ensuing war, and turned to Legasnouro.

"You sure they're going to be alright," he asked his tutor.
"Yes," he said, holding a giant sword much like a zwiehander. "After I see that you have embarked, I will join the fray. Robin, you must go now, this will be our only chance to stop that madman."
Robin nodded, and turned to Raven. "Well," he said, "ready when you guys are."

Raven and the others nodded, to which Robin, Cyborg, and Starfire formed a circle around Raven. Raven closed her eyes, channeling her power. After some channeling, Raven's eyes glowed her infamous white.

"Azarath, Metrion, Zynthos!" shouted Raven. A dome of blackness surrounded the group, which enveloped them in black energy. The energy took the form of a raven, and then shot toward the Godstar.

Malren approached his master, who was observing the battle below. "Master Slade," he said, "it appears that Terra and one of the Titans are engaging our troops below."
"Yes Malren," said Slade, "quite predictable, it's not like them to just sit by. I'm hoping to destroy them in a more intimate fashion."
"Very well," said Malren, "then surely, my master foresaw that the other four titans have infiltrated the Godstar. Some of our men briefly announced their arrival."
"I see, well, send my remaining generals after them. I'm sure Benalglife (Nature's Blight), Zrevrocov (No Mercy), and Genjiallo (Demon Soul)."
"Master, there's something you should know," said Malren, "one of the titans, he's carrying the Royal Staff."
Slade's one eye grew in shock. "What! No one should be able to use that staff! Who is it Malren?"
"It appears to be Robin, Master Slade."

Slade bowed his head, and then started to laugh with the fury of a lion. "Robin," he said in rage, "no matter what, you always seem to be there to thwart me. Well, not this time! I will not be denied what I've waited my entire life for!" Slade took his staff from his utility belt. "Malren, I will be in the core."
"But Master, what about Robin?" asked Malren.
"I know he will show himself. I will be there, and I'll crush his skull in with my bare hands!" With that, Slade took leave of the command center.

So you choose to force your hand
What a strange way to make friends
And you always change the rules
So the drama never ends
And you blindly go through life
Judging only by its worth
Just try not to forget
That the meek inherit earth

Robin, Raven, Cyborg, and Starfire were busy themselves taking care of Slade's minions. They were fighting a path through them. After what seemed like endless waves of troops, the Titans found a doorway that seemed to lead in to the center of the Godstar. When they opened the door, the Titans were greeted with a flurry of energy bolts. Raven, thinking fast, created a wall of force in front of them. When the bolts ceased, the group of warriors found themselves in front of three men. Each was garbed in battle armor, much like the Royal Army, and had visors to keep their identity hidden.

"Looks like they don't like us barging in," said Cyborg.
"I don't care what they like, we need to find Slade," said Robin.
"If you want Master Slade, he's through us," said one of the unknown figures, and he pointed to an elevator across the command center. "That leads to the core, not that you'll ever make it there."
"Titans, looks like they're three in all," said Robin.
"I got the one on the left," said Cyborg, changing his arm into his sonic cannon
"I have the one on the right," said Raven, who put her hands up in defense.
"I'll go through the one in the middle," said Starfire, whose eyes glowed green.
"I'll go after Slade. After you guys get rid of these clowns, get out of here. I don't want you around when I blow this place out of the sky."
"But Robin," said Starfire with worry, "what if you can't escape in time?"
Robin simply turned to Starfire and smiled. "Star, I promise that I'm coming back. Please, I want you to believe that."

Starfire looked at Robin, and simply nodded in agreement.

Robin turned to their opponents. "Titans, go!" shouted Robin, and the quartet charged forward. Robin leaped over the middle guy, and made a beeline for the elevator.

"Hey, get back here," shouted one of the men, only to be shot in the stomach by a Star Bolt. The man turned back around, grunting in pain.
"I am your opponent monster!" said Starfire, her eyes aglow with righteous fury.

Robin was heading downward on the elevator, the staff clutched tightly in his hand. He closed his eyes in anticipation. Though his wished it under different circumstances, he wanted to defeat Slade once and for all. Now was the time to put all he had learned, and gained, to use. The elevator door opened, and a sudden bright glow caused Robin to shield his eyes. After they adjusted to the brightness, Robin opened his eyes to see a large glowing mass of energy contained in a tube. The tube had countless connectors attached to it, flowing to numerous parts of the Godstar. A small walkway connected the elevator to a platform surrounding the tube.

Everyone plays the hand they're dealt
And learns to walk through life themselves
Not everything in life is handed on a plate
When people think your words are true
It doesn't matter what you do
I sold my soul to get here
How about you?

Robin looked at the shapeless mass. "What the hell is that?" he asked himself.
"It is the rarest substance in the universe: anti – matter," came a voice ahead of him.Robin recognized the voice, "Slade," he looked down the walkway to see the masked man, sitting there waiting for him.

"My father had discovered the thing that people all over the world could only dream of producing," Slade spoke. "He dreamed of the wonderful things Tamaran could use with it. But then, the Royal Family called my family traitors, and we were exiled. My father, feeling betrayal like he had never known, decided to use it against the very people he created it for. Now fifty years later, he lives on through me, and I harbor the same hatred." Slade picked himself up and turned to Robin.
"I would of have never thought though," he said to Robin, "that you would help them destroy their own mistake."

"You made your own mistakes Slade," Robin spat back, "you blame everyone on this planet, when it's your father who should deserve your rage."

"My father deserved understanding! He wished this planet to evolve, to rise against beliefs etched in stone, and this is how they repay a revolutionary? No more betrayal, I have too much too show the universe to have it. Today Robin, I bury the kingdom of Tamaran. And, not even you will be enough to stop me." With that Slade unlatched the safety on his staff, extending it to full length.

"Revolution," said Robin, preparing himself for attack, "you don't wish to liberate Tamaran, you wish its untold destruction. The people here decided long ago what they wanted, and who are you to say otherwise? It isn't about liberation; it's about revenge. That's all you are about Slade. It ends here; if you are the freedom of Tamaran, then they no longer need you."

"Well, then it begins," said Slade, "your order against my freedom. Only one will survive for the next millennia, and I intend to make my freedom that one!"

So please don't take offense
This is just a point of view
'Cause I'm the only one who
Will say these things to you

Slade rushed Robin, and did a roundhouse swing with his staff. Robin dodged the first attack, only to have Slade hit him with the other end in the stomach. Robin was pushed back, and quickly held the staff up to avoid a finishing blow from Slade. After standing his ground, Robin began his own assault; a swift tempo of staff jabs. Slade defected each jab, and then came forward into Robin's space, grabbing him and throwing him to the ground. Robin moaned in pain, but quickly regained his focus, blocking another finishing blow by Slade, and tripping the villain with an attack of his own. Both men took the moment in time to pick themselves and get ready again. Slade approached Robin, and delivered a quick jab to the gut. After stunning his prey, Slade wrapped his staff behind Robin's neck, and pressed Robin against his own body, choking the boy wonder with his own body weight. Robin struggled, gasping for breath. Knowing his time was limited, Robin started to jab his elbows into Slade's neck, striking the large veins of nerves located there. Slade cringed, but then backed off in pain leaving Robin on the floor gasping for air. Slade rubbed his neck, then turned it, making a loud cracking noise. Slade, seeing his prey, leaped into the air, his staff aiming for Robin's neck.

Back on the command deck, Raven, Cyborg, and Starfire were having their fair share of battle with Slade's generals. Raven, used her power and formed bullet – sized energy bolts, to which she shot at her opponent, only to have them deflected. The man created a small sword with his battle gauntlet, and assaulted the sorceress, causing her to shield herself. The general was smirking, amused at Raven's tactic.

"What's wrong? Are we afraid of a real fight?" he asked her.
"No, just choosing the right time to attack," Raven replied.
"Hah! Good luck, as long as I keep attacking, you'll never get in a hit."
"I'm not attacking your body," said Raven, as she let down her shield, dodged an attack, and placed her hand on the general's head. "I'm attacking your mind!" Raven formed a sphere around the general's head, and the muffled sound of screaming could be heard through the energy. The general's body went limp, and when Raven was finished, fell limp to the ground.
"Don't worry, I didn't kill you," she said to the unconscious body. "I leave that decision to the planet's people."

Starfire was busy having fisticuffs with her opponent, seeing as he didn't have a weapon. The general was blocking her attacks swiftly. "Do you really think you're a match for me? I was trained by Slade," he barked at Starfire.
"Yes, for you see," she said, getting behind and grabbing her opponent in a submission move, "I have a better teacher!" The general grunted, but slowly felt weaker, until he also fell to the floor.
"Is that all of them?" asked Raven walking up to Starfire.
"I think we still need to deal with the one fighting Cyborg," replied Starfire. Then, they saw a body fly in front of them, colliding into the wall. They looked in the other direction, to see Cyborg dusting off his hands. "These Tamaranians need to reconsider their ban on technology. That was too easy," said Cyborg.
"Should we go for Robin," asked Raven.
"No, he told us to leave after we defeated these guys," said Starfire.
"Starfire, are you sure Robin's going to be ok with Slade alone?" said Cyborg. Robin had been in this situation before.
"Cyborg, Robin asked me to trust," said Starfire, "and I trust him more than anyone. He promised he'd come back. I know he'll keep that promise."
Cyborg looked at his alien friend, and just nodded and sighed. "Alright," he said, "you win. Raven, you mind taking all of us out of here?"
"No problem," said Raven, holding her thumb up.
The others looked at her stunned. "Legasnouro was right, you have changed a lot," said Cyborg.

Robin, looking up, started to close his eyes, and channeled the Jendiandor. The staff glowed, accepting his power. Robin got on one knee, and shot the staff's tip upward. What happened next came to an instant in time. Slade choked out, blood staining his mask. The madman looked downward, and found his body impaled onto a glowing blade. He looked at Robin, still panting slightly from lack of air. Robin stood there for a moment, and then quickly slid the blade out of Slade's body. Slade dropped his staff, and fell to the cold metal walkway. Slade lay there, using his last energy to cry out.

"Finally," he said, "my family can suffer no more..." he said, and then his body became silent.

Robin looked at his dead enemy, feeling a new feeling for him: pity. Robin turned to the anti – matter container, and channeled his energy into the staff, making it glow violently. When he felt the staff at its peak, he pointed it at the mass itself.

Everyone plays the hand they're dealt
And learns to walk through life themselves
Not everything in life is handed on a plate
When people think your words are true
It doesn't matter what you do
I sold my soul to get here
How about you?

"Tamaran Korivelius! (Star Crusher)" shouted Robin, and the staff unleashed a brilliant red beam of light.

The beam burned through the container easily, and collided with the anti – matter. Robin kept the beam pointed at the mass, until it slowly fizzled out, having used all it's energy. Robin at first was shocked; had he failed? But then, a loud screeching sound emitted from the anti – matter. The large mass of energy slowly grew smaller, until it simply winked out of existence. Robin took a sigh of relief; it was over. Now that the Godstar's power source was dead, it could no longer kill anyone. Robin now only had one way to escape now, seeing that all power to the Godstar was destroyed. Robin channeled his power one last time, and the staff formed a blade. Robin took the blade, and slashed at the air, forming a portal. Robin stepped inside, disappearing from the Godstar, never to return.

When he slashed himself out of his ethereal portal, Robin had found himself back on the rooftop of the monastery. He stood there, and looked to the sky, to see the Godstar falling to the ground. Below, he could see the various troops of Slade, scrambling away from the point of impact. Beast Boy, Terra, and Legasnouro; seeing this, took to retreating the students back to the monastery. As they ran, the Godstar collided with the ground, creating a loud boom, and a tremendous cloud of smoke and dust that spread out far away from the area. When the dust and smoke cleared, the survivors saw the Godstar, lifeless and decadent. A roar of victory and cheer overcame the monastery army. The battle had been won. The students began their way back to the monastery. Robin sat in his place on top of the roof. He lay down, and looked to the sky above. The others would be back soon, and he wanted to be ready for the upcoming celebration.


"Thank You!" To the Following:

ssjgokillo
Thank you for the review!

clueless90
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter! Thanks for the review!

Penguin
To answer your question: the soldiers with the Titans back in chapter 5 either captured or killed. Some wouldn't go peacefully. Tamaran thought them to be little threat, so they were kept in captivity. Don't worry, they're being taken care of, they'll be dealt with after Earth and Tamaran communication is back up to speed.

Archer of the Titan
I'm glad you enjoy it. I'm thinking you should leave a box of Kleenex by your computer (lol) Thanks for your continued support!

ssjEasterBunny
Thanks for the review. I'm glad you agreed with my decision. I'm one away, hope you'll stick with me until the end.

Marchwarden's Blue Eyed S
I'm glad you're elated for the dedication. It was the least I could do, you've been there for me. I meant what I said: I hope you can use the inspiration in some way to better yourself. Keep up the good work with your own story.

KPAAF Everyone! One more time :D!