War Mage was in Titans Tower, ready to bend the rules and tell them all about his Enemy and the magic world he came from. Then, in the distance he could feel a geomancer's life force nearing the tower.

"Perhaps this story is for another day, it would do well if you all forgot about me as well." War Mage said. Before any of the Titans could react (or in some cases, understand) to what he said...

"OBLIVIATE!"

Two men were standing atop a high castle tower watching the sunset.

"Your plan didn't work out like you thought it would, did it Professor?" the younger one asked. He had wild red hair, a massive broadsword and a plain red robe.

"Mistakes are made by all people, even the wisest of us," the other said softly. He, however, was much older, wearing a blue robe and curious half-moon spectacles.

"But your mistake could destroy him, you know," the first said.

"Or make him stronger. He has grown immensely because of the path circumstance laid out for him. Soon he will be strong enough to take on the Enemy." the other replied.

"Perhaps, but that path has killed the hero, now all that is left is the heartless soldier, just like the rest of us." With that, the young man turned his back and began to walk away.

"Yet," the aged man started, "underneath all that he still holds hope, just like all of us, Mr. Weasley"

Ron Weasley turned around and gave a small smile, "For the world's sake, I hope you're right, Professor Dumbledore."

"Raven? Raven, please wake up."

Raven awoke to see Terra and the other Titans waking up, looking tired and groggy. Beast Boy sat up, fiercely rubbing his head.

"Um, not to sound stupid, but, I have no idea why we all crashed here in the front room... or what happened last night."

Starfire looked surprised and added, "Peculiar, I too have no memory of the occurrences last night. Robin? Do you have any recollection of last night?"

Robin concentrated for a moment, and then said, "Yeah, we were fighting the HIVE last night, and... we beat them, but when we got back... I don't know, I must have been so tired I just fell asleep on the couch."

Raven was about to tell them about their encounter with the mysterious War Mage, but Logic whispered, You also remember that you said you would take care of the stranger yourself. People like him would run, possibly even become hostile, at group of heroes, but not to one.

Raven quickly lied,"Don't worry about it Starfire, we fought the HIVE, got a few shots to the head, then went home. I don't forget things easily." This seemed to be acceptable for everyone, save Robin, who was rubbing his temples furiously and trying to remember what happened. It seemed Robin's well-trained mind hadn't been completely affected by War Mage's memory charm.

Then there was Terra, she looked very nervous, and Raven knew exactly why. She had once secretly followed Terra on her 'nights out' and found her at a pub on the outskirts of town. It turned out Terra went there from time to time to get a drink. While Raven abhorred alcohol, she understood Terra's struggle with her powers and her one release, even if it was an artificial one. She hid the fact that Terra wasn't there last night and was drinking elsewhere.

Yes, Raven knew all about Terra's secrets.

Raven was silently floating through the forest on the outskirts of Jump City. After a little hassle, Raven escaped the Tower before Cyborg's 'complete medical scan'. She shuddered at the thought, and then returned her thoughts to the elusive War Mage. I need to figure out how he's connected to that technology Gizmo had. I don't know if he knows anything about Slade but if he's as strong as I sensed, Slade knows about him. Lost in thought, Raven ran right into a tree.

"Ow!"

"GYYAAAHHHH!!!"

War Mage fell off the tree he was sleeping in and landed head first, on the ground right beside Raven. He slowly opened his eyes and saw one gothic Titan towering over him. With a jolt, he shot up and threw on his cloak. "Aren't you supposed to be at your Tower not recalling any memories of me?" Raven scowled and tapped her temple. "You underestimated the powers of my mind." War Mage smirked. "I guess so, but I'm also guessing you didn't come here just to flaunt your mental powers." Raven's patience was growing thin. "Don't act stupid, I want answers."

With a dramatic sigh, War Mage said, "Since it's obvious you won't let up until I tell you everything, and I really don't have the time, I'll give the Cliff's Notes. I am a Hit Wizard, and my job is to keep dark magic with dark wizards. I've been traveling across the globe assassinating, incapacitating, and/or obliviating people of power trying to grab more with the help of magic." Raven was silent, but skeptical. He's hiding the truth, perhaps if I probe his mind... Reaching out with her mind, she began to feel around the perimeter of his.

Then something unexpected happened.

His mind threw Raven forcefully back into her own. The shock sent her reeling to the ground. She slowly opened her eyes and saw one glaring wizard tower over her. "It seems you have underestimated the powers of my mind." She looked down, she hadn't thought about the consequences, she was wrong to try and grope around his mind and probe into his secrets. "I'm... sorry..." The coldness in his eyes slowly left and his glare softened.

With the weakest of smiles, he said, "I think it would be pretty fair for me to be really ticked right now," Raven looked down in shame. "But I know you were doing what you think you had to do in order to protect your city." With that, he smiled and offered her a hand up, which she gratefully accepted. Now eye to eye, she asked, "So... that thing Gizmo had was dark magic?" He nodded. "Yeah, I learned a powerful wizard was transferring black magicks into tech weaponry with devastating results. He has been selling these on the black market with the #1 purchaser being Slade"

"So, why not stop the dark wizard from creating the weaponry? You know, nip this at the bud."

War Mage shut his eyes tightly and clenched his fist. "Believe me when I say I've tried. He has evaded me at every turn, and when I ever have encountered him, I barely manage to escape with my life." Raven was hit with a wave of déjà vu as she was reminded of Robin's obsession with Slade. "Hopefully, I can gather some information about my Enemy while purging this city of Slade and his magic technology."

"Don't underestimate Slade, he has a cunning unlike anyone I've ever seen" Raven warned.

War Mage just smirked. "Not to worry, I will find and defeat Slade. Even if I do have any trouble, you guys are fighting him too, right? Fighting a criminal with a team of superheroes on my side? How hard could it be?" With that, War Mage saluted her and disappeared.

Harder than you think, wizard. A silent watcher whispered.

Raven returned to the Tower and gasped in shock at the sight she was met with. The 'T' was riddled with holes, the heavy, super-enforced entrance was blown open and Slade's robots were littering the ground. Quickly searching out the out the rest of the team she was met with an even more horrifying sight. Robin had blood running down across his forehead and his left arm was clearly broken, but with his right, he was using a miniature welding torch to repair a heavily damaged Cyborg. Starfire, while having no serious injuries, was looking unnaturally pale and had many minor cuts that were being tended to by an unhurt Beast Boy. Starfire looked up and breathed, "Raven, thank X'hal you unharmed" Raven looked at the destruction and asked, "How did this happen?"

Beast Boy looked at her with more sadness and rage in his eyes than she had ever seen before.

"It's her fault,"

"Terra did this."

Two shadowy figures were silently moving along the cities' many back alleys. One was the mysterious criminal mastermind, Slade, and the other was his apprentice, Terra. Terra was glaring at everything in eyesight. Beast Boy had lied to her, he promised to be her friend forever, yet turned his back on her when she needed his help the most. There were no more second thoughts now; she would follow Slade to the ends of the Earth, if it meant the death of the Teen Titans. Her silent brooding was interrupted by the voice a drunk that managed to spot them.

"Hey, isn't it a bit late fo' a gurly liken you to be out?" The drunk asked. Terra merely scowled at him and dug deeper into the shadows with Slade. "Hey, I knows you though! You's that bad guy them titans are always fightin's , You is Slade!" He lolled over to them and grabbed Terra by the shoulders. "A gurly likes you shouldn' be arounds him, he's a crimin..., criman..., a bad guy."

"Terra, dispose of this nuisance. Quickly." Slade ordered. Terra smiled malevolently. "With pleasure." A rock shot towards the man, but the drunk stumbled out the rock's path. "Whoa, tha's interestin'." He slurred. Frowning slightly, Terra sent a volley of rocks aimed directly at the center of his forehead. But, the drunk tripped over his shoelaces, making the rocks fly right over his head. Now Terra was mad. Lifting a rock five times the size of the drunk, she shouted, "Get out of the way of this one!"

"Terra, calm yourself." Slade said. He turned to the drunken man. "Your disguise spells are flawless, but you lack the necessary tact to fool anyone, War Mage." The drunk smirked at Slade's words. With a flash, the haggard man was replaced with a confident-looking teen. "Heh, you are as clever as Raven said." War Mage commented. "Well, I guess we can skip the pleasantries then and move right to business. I want those weapons you received."

"Very well, but if you wish to speak business with me you must first go through my apprentice." Slade then looked toward Terra, "You have gained your first victory against the Titans, now prove your strength against this wizard. Kill him." Terra popped her neck. "Gladly, this guy was making me mad anyway."

War Mage drew his sword set himself in a defensive position. "No matter who you make me fight, I will do whatever it takes in order to defeat my Enemy." Terra lifted the earth beneath her and charged at him.

Whatever it takes... War Mage thought as he prepared for battle.