PART 2: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

Just say die... but that'd be pessimistic

In your mind... we can walk across water

Please don't cry... it's just a prayer for the dying

I just don't know what's got into me.

Chapter 8: PRAYER FOR THE DYING

The Amazon river basin was covered with dying fish. Mad Destiny grimaced. "It's disgusting," he muttered. His hair reached down into the water, and brought it out. It was withered and sickly. He cut it off with another strand. "And it's spreading." He moved down the river, looking carefully for whatever danger came before him.

He eventually came to a jaguar, which looked diseased and vacant. It lunged at him and he grabbed it with his hair and brought it close to him. "What's wrong?" The jaguar tried to scratch him. "What's wrong?" It growled. "You're sick. Let me cure you." He breathed into the jaguar's mouth, and the growling ceased. It looked at him pensively. "It's all right. Come with me."

The jaguar followed the strange man through the wilderness.

It saw some prey on the way, but it wasn't hungry.

***********************

Robin stirred. The lights were dimmed, but he recognized his surroundings. He rose to his feet, and sighed. There was some vague hunger in him, but things seemed different now. There was a strange aggression lingering in the air. He opened the door, only to be greeted by the visage of Cyborg, who stood tense. "Cyborg."

"Robin."

"What happened?" Robin asked.

"We took a beating," Cyborg said. "He was stronger than anything we ever faced before. Starfire said that Mad the Swine kid saved us. If we face another villain like that, we're in trouble."

"Yeah," Robin said. "But we shouldn't lose sight of what we stand for."

"We need to make some sacrifices, Robin," Cyborg said. "You were right."

"No," Robin said. "I don't know what came over me. You were right."

"No," Cyborg grinned, "You were."

"You."

"No, I insist," Cyborg said. "It was you." Robin looked deadly serious. "What's wrong?"

He moved a bit awkwardly, leaning against a wall for support, "I want you to lead the Titans, Cyborg." Cyborg didn't respond immediately, so Robin continued, "You know I wasn't all there, Cyborg. You're the best choice for leader now. You always have been."

"What?" Cyborg asked. He looked a bit offended, "You've always been our leader. Why the change of heart now?"

"Raven. I'm not sure if I'm objective enough on this," Robin said. "I may let my anger get the best of me all too soon." Cyborg was reminded briefly of the incident with Slade. "Trust me. You're the most capable leader right now."

"Okay, then," Cyborg said. "You get rest. We're going to Washington in the morning." He grinned. "And I got some good news for you."

"What's that?" Robin asked. His voice seemed hopeful.

"Beast Boy and Aqualad are both alive."

"Seriously!" Robin demanded, bolting up-right. "That's great!"

"Mr. Jupiter called, saying that they were on their way here. They'd be here by morning. They've got a private jet we can use to get to Washington in a jiffy."

"Why are we going there?"

"Superman's made a call to arms," Cyborg said. "Seems like we've got an intergalactic war on our hands."

"War. Is that the next Rider?" Robin asked. Cyborg looked confused. "The Four Horsemen. Famine, Pestilence, War, and Death," he explained.

"I don't know," Cyborg said. "But I know you're going to need your strength. You look like death warmed over." Robin fell against the wall. "Go on. I'll tell Starfire you're resting." Robin nodded, and turned back to his room. The door shut. "Poor kid."

"Yes," Slade's voice echoed down the hall. "Poor kid indeed."

"You're up, too?"

"Of course," Slade said. "I'm a quick healer." He didn't miss a beat, and continued, "He's wrong, you know. You're not a very good leader. You're intelligent and brave, I'm certain, but you don't have the right instincts."

"I know," Cyborg said. "But he's shaken right now."

"Yes," Slade responded. "But by what, I wonder."

"Raven's betrayal hit him hard," Cyborg said. "It hit all of us hard. I couldn't even bring myself to tell Beast Boy about it."

"No," Slade said, "I think Raven's part of it, but not in the same capacity that you're thinking. I think he's afraid of death. He can't bear to do anything that will lead to it."

"Aren't we all afraid of death?"

"You're young, yet," Slade said. "Death is just one of the things in life you don't understand yet."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cyborg asked. Slade shrugged, laughing. "What's so funny?" Slade didn't answer, but turned and left Cyborg alone to contemplate what he had said.

***********************

Starfire sighed. "He left. I wish he did not leave. He could have spoken to us about a great many things." There was a sound, and she whipped her head around to see what it was.

There stood BC, smiling infuriatingly. "Hello, beautiful. Miss me?"

"I had thought you were gone!" Starfire accused. "Why do you continue to haunt my thoughts?" BC's smile turned upside-down, as did the rest of him, giving him a strange impression. He walked towards her, smiling the whole way. The ceiling was his walkway.

"I couldn't leave. Especially not lips so sweet," he said, blowing her a kiss. She reeled in disgust. "What? What?"

"You are horrible!" she declared. "Leave me be!"

"But I just had to tell you the news," he said. "Your sister's jail is destroyed. She is either dead or escaped, I don't know which. It was in the fleet's pathway on its way down to Earth."

"What?" Starfire said. She paused, her hand unsteady. BC tried to measure her fear or sadness. "My sister is dead?"

"Possibly," BC said. "She could have escaped in the ensuing havoc."

"I do not think she would," Starfire said. "She would not escape until her time was come."

"You have such faith in her," BC said. "She would have been proud of you, I bet."

Starfire frowned, looking through an open window into the city below. What damage Famine had done to the city had long since been reversed, but there was still a deep melancholy over the city. "What's wrong?" BC asked. "Are you afraid?"

"Yes," Starfire said. "I am afraid of losing."

"Afraid of dying."

"Afraid of losing," she asserted. "We cannot lose."

"So you say," BC laughed. "Have fun with that." And then he was gone. Starfire paused. Cyborg entered the room absently and walked to a couch. She floated over to him.

"I do not know what we are to do. We must go to war, and I fear that I will be incapable of aiding."

"Star," Cyborg said, soothingly. "Don't worry. You're strong." He laughed, "And I don't think we'll even see a single battle. Superman could take care of any invader without so much as batting an eye."

"Then why does he call us to Washington District of Columbia?"

"I just don't know, Star," Cyborg said, honestly. "But we gotta be careful."

"Is Robin well?" she asked.

"No," Cyborg said, "He's not. He's basically gave me his job. Star, I'm worried about him. Maybe you should go talk to him." She moved slowly, but put her hand to his shoulder.

"I trust you can perform Robin's duties well," she assured him. "But I will see if he will reconsider for you."

"What makes you--" a beat, then he continued, "You're a lot smarter than you let on. Crazy smart."

"When it suits me," Starfire said, with a smile. "I know you are strained enough."

"Thanks, Star," Cyborg said.

***********************

Europe was pretty this time of year. However, it didn't offer much of a stimuli. America was alive with the furor of the day, but Europe lazily resisted its approach. She was going to delight in the diseased cradle of Western Civilization's downfall when the time came, but for the time, Raven was bored. And she spoke candidly to the air, "BC, I'm bored." The form appeared at this beckon call. "What plaything can you offer me today?"

"Well, M'lady," BC said, "It's almost time for the tides of War to wash over the United States. They'll be launched into their little civil war, and the fear that results will spread across to Europe and Asia, bringing about chaos and calamity to the world. Meanwhile, Pestilence has spread over much of the Third World. It's a riot, to see them mourn their dead, only to be bitten by the same disease that killed them. They're like zombies!"

Raven smiled, a bit, but didn't move, "I'm still bored. I want to play with my champion. When will he surface?"

"He's already made some subtle movements in the streets of Gotham, Central, and Jump City, and is spreading to Metropolis. He's a slow worker, but from what I've seen, his craftsmanship is exquisite. You made a wonderful decision, M'lady." He bowed. "Is there anything else you want done?"

"I want someone to suffer," Raven said, "And I wish to do it personally."

"There are hundreds upon thousands of people in the near vicinity. Shall I round up a few of the yokels?"

"No," Raven said, "Their pleas are boring. I want to cause a special wound."

BC cackled, "May I make a suggestion?"

***********************

Robin looked up as Starfire opened his door. "Oh, hi," he said. "Look, Star, about before. I'm sorry--"

"Shush," she said, lovingly. She sat on his bed and looked over him. "You have frightened Cyborg. He does not need anymore responsibilities as it stands. We need you."

"Star," Robin murmured. "I almost gave the orders to kill someone."

"And that someone nearly killed us," Starfire responded. "You did what you believed was right, even if we did not agree. We need you, Robin. We need you now more than ever."

"Starfire," Robin said, softly. "I'm scared."

"I am too. We all are scared."

"I don't want to get out of bed," he complained. Starfire rolled her eyes lovingly. "What?"

"You are so immature," she retorted. "You need rest, now, but come tomorrow we must go to Washington District of Columbia to discover why Superman has assembled so many heroes from around the world."

"I know," he said. "But I don't feel ready to accept being the leader."

"I understand," Starfire said. "You will likely feel better in the morning." She gently placed a kiss to Robin's forehead, her face lighting up. Robin meekly smiled and closed his eyes.

"Good night," Starfire said, "Sweet prince. Let flights of Angels sing thee to they rest."

***********************

The morning came in short order. They were greeted by the sound of the jubilant laughter of Beast Boy, finally returned. "So, did you guys miss me? Be honest, now!" he laughed. Tempest rolled his eyes.

"Beast Boy!" Starfire cheered.

"Changeling," he muttered. No one paid him any mind.

"We are so happy to see you are still well!" she cried, taking him into a bear hug. "We were so worried. Especially Cyborg, who has of late been most depressed."

"Aw," Cyborg said, bashfully, "It's not like that!"

"Oh, you know it was," Robin said. "He couldn't go a day without trying some new scheme to find you."

"We're glad to see you're all right," Tempest said. "We heard about your run in with that monster."

"Where?" Robin asked. "Who told you about that?"

"A girl named Bette Kane," Changeling said. Robin tensed.

"Betty Kane?" he asked. "No way."

The others laughed, but the jubilation was cut short. "Where's Raven?" Changeling asked. The others grew strangely quiet. "Is she--?" He looked frightened. The others tensed, and looked to one another.

"What's happened?" Tempest asked, concerned.

"Raven, she--" Robin tried to say. He cut himself off.

"She has betrayed us," Starfire said. "Her father has taken her as his pawn."

"What?" Changeling screeched. "No way! That's impossible!"

"It is true," Starfire said, resignedly. The others fell into silence, unsure of what to say. Cyborg broke it, slowly, by clearing his throat. The rest of them looked to him.

"We have to get going to Washington DC."

"Right," Changeling said.

Slade watched from overhead. He shook his head slowly, before making his way towards an exit. "Okay," Cyborg said. "Lead the way, Beast Boy."

"Changeling."

"Whatever," Cyborg retorted.

***********************

"Come, Jaguar," Mad said. "We are near the source." They moved through the growth, sickly and infested, and towards the center of the Amazon jungle. It had taken him a day to travel through. Any branches that were not infected would bend to Destiny's will. But the ones that would not fell to his machete.

He looked at his graying hair with a sense of urgency. "Jaguar, tell me I am not just imagining that I'm aging." Jaguar looked and shook his head. "I'm afraid that Raven is winning. This cannot be!"

Jaguar looked frightened for the boy. There was a hissing sound, and he reared back. His growl alerted Mad to what had startled him. The tree they were passing moved, and venom dripped from above. He looked up into the face of a giant viper. "What manner of devilry is this?"

***********************

Lilith looked at the assorted Titans with a critical eye as they boarded the jet. "Hello," Starfire chirped. She looked comfortable and ready for the trip. Robin, besides her, looked tired and weary. She frowned, and sat near them. At the window besides her was Cyborg, who looked pensive. She waved to him, and he waved back vaguely.

"So," she said, to Robin, "Bette was right. You are pretty cute."

"Please don't mention that name again," Robin asked. Lilith shrugged.

"Why are you so tired?"

"I'm not," Robin said. "I'm just not feeling well."

"Oh," Lilith said. "Tell me a bit about Gar."

"Who?"

"Changeling." A blank stare. "Beast Boy."

"Oh," Robin said. "He's a good kid. We were missing one of our most important teammates without him. And without Raven, the core team was just falling apart. You don't know how relieved we are to see him alive."

Lilith smiled. "I don't know. Maybe I do."

"Maybe," Robin said. "Why do you ask?"

"I want to know more about him."

"Oh," Robin said. "Any particular reason?" He received an enigmatic smile in response. "I see."

"Beast Boy is a most ingenious and clever comedian!"

"There are many things Gar is," Lilith said, but under her breath, to Cyborg, she whispered, "But I wouldn't call him a comedian." Cyborg burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Changeling asked. "What?"

"Nothing," Lilith and Cyborg said at the same time. Changeling rolled his eyes.

"Whatever," Changeling said. "Don't think I don't know I'm a riot."

This just reignited the laughter. Changeling laughed along, cheering up most of the room. All save for Robin, who looked even more miserable.

***********************

The trip landed them in Washington's airport quickly, and soon they were on their way to Pennsylvania Avenue. The streets were eerily quiet and not a single person was out in the streets. The fountains around the monuments babbled quietly with their purpose, but no one watched them in awe. The Capitol was empty, and their halls were as quiet as a crypt.

Washington D.C. looked dead.

It wasn't until they reached the White House that they saw the rows upon rows of superheroes standing at attention. The entirety of the Justice Society stood there, alongside the reincarnate Doom Patrol. Changeling looked a bit confused to see them. There were also smaller groups of super heroes. Loners or partnerships. Each of them looked calm and rigid.

The Teen Titans entered the building not knowing what to expect.

They found the Oval Office doors were wide open, and Superman stood there looking expectantly at them. "Welcome, Teen Titans."

"What's going on outside?" Changeling asked. "Why's everyone acting so weird?"

"They're waiting for their Commanding Officer to instruct them what to do," Superman said. "She's been expecting you."

"Who has?" Robin asked. He felt ill at ease. Something inside him burst with fear and power. "What's going on?"

"The answer to your questions," the deep reverberating voice of War said, "Is that I've come. If you want to know why Superman is helping me, well, it's simple. I am the Second Horseman, War. Like my Brother-in-Arms, Famine, I have a distinct purpose, but unlike him, I retained much of my own natural abilities."

War chuckled a bit before continuing, "As the Rider of War, I have the power to conquer my enemies and subvert them to my will. When his mind admitted defeat, my spell worked over him and now he's my loyal soldier boy. And as are the rest of the heroes outside. Isn't it a wonderful little scheme?"

"Why are you telling us this?" Cyborg asked.

"Dude," Changeling yelled. "He's arrogant."

"She," Starfire reminded.

"She's arrogant," Changeling amended, "And enjoys gloating."

"Well," War said, "It's one of my flaws. I'm working on it. I didn't tell you how to undo it or anything, now did I?"

"No," Robin said. "We'll give you that."

"Okay. Superman," the world's greatest superhero looked attentive, "Fight them."

Superman didn't waste a second. He moved towards them, punching Cyborg in the gut. The metallic body was crushed under the force, and Cyborg's body flew backwards. He hit the wall with a noticeable crash. He turned his attention next to Changeling, who dodged by transforming into a mouse. He weaved under Superman, and transformed into a Stegosaur, and whipped his tail at Superman. The Man of Steel easily countered, throwing him by the tail through the Oval Office window. War ducked to the side.

"This is hopeless," Starfire whined. Tempest's magic pushed Superman back, causing the Man of Tomorrow to run away. Only to appear behind Tempest within a minute, blind-siding him into the Presidential Desk..

"No, it isn't," Robin said, all the while preparing for the assault to turn to him. Superman was about to fly towards Starfire when War raised a finger. He turned and launched himself at Robin. Robin ducked under the attack and came up swinging. Superman tried to grab the offending limbs, but training allowed Robin to maintain his assault. Superman moved backwards.

"Why did you...?" Starfire began.

"Because," War said, removing her helmet, "You and I have a score to settle." The ebony hair flowed down the tanned skin perfectly. The armor seemed to slide off her delicate neck gently. Everything began to make sense. The dynamic of the armor slid down elegantly, its every spike hiding the feminine form within. Starfire gasped.

"Sister!"

***********************

It was something of an amusing farce of a battle. Everything Robin did was obviously being tolerated by Superman. He wondered why. Then it hit him. "Everyone succumbed to the spell," he muttered. "Just like you did." Superman didn't respond, his eyes glazed but still intelligent. There wasn't a vacant expression on him, but the careful turning of a thinking, independent mind.

Robin's fist was grabbed and he was thrown through the door into the field outside where there stood a force of such a magnitude that if an order was given, he would soon be swarmed. Robin didn't like those odds one little bit. He wondered idly when Cyborg and Beast Boy would recover. He wondered if they would.

The fists moved quickly and fiercely, now. Superman pulled no punch, and Robin could only dodge and weave around them as he moved through the front lawn of the White House. Ironic battlefield. "Superman, listen to me. You can turn this around." There was no answer. It was so pitifully Anime style, Robin admitted, but he'd have to use his fists to talk.

He leapt back and threw an electrical disk at Superman. This would slow him down and buy him time to move the battle away from the drones. However, Robin was surprised to see him dodge around it deftly and position himself at the gate. The onslaught came towards him. Robin couldn't force back the strength of the World's Greatest Superhero, but he could use it to his advantage. He took Superman's punch and turned it against him, throwing him into a wall. It wouldn't stop him, but at least it would slow him down.

Superheroes from around the world watched, vacantly, as this fight went on. There were no commands given to them, they didn't do anything but wait at attention. And the Teen Titans were next to join them unless Robin fought, and unless Robin won, he'd be standing at attention for her.

Something burst forth inside of him. Superman came down for a powerful blow, but was forced back. His hand seemed to be weakened by some invisible force.

Someone was protecting him, and it wasn't holy protection. There was a distinct ungodliness to the air

Raven.

***********************

"Yes, dear, dear sister," Blackfire said, shedding the outer layer of her armor. What remained was a slimmer, more agile piece of equipment that reeked of technology. Electricity crackled through it. "Since you sent me to that jail, I've endured Hell. I've just decided to pay back the favor. I said I would, now didn't I?"

"Why are you doing this?" Starfire asked. "This is not right! This is not good!"

"Right and good are all very subjective phrases, little sister. Pay careful mind to that," she said. She drew her sword and put it close to the ground. "Around the world people suffer because of this so-called peace. They call for revolution, and what is revolution but a bloody war? But no! People put a poor face on this. Calling these killings abominations and horrible, horrible tragedies. And yet galaxies apart, the same thing happens and they're considered honorable deaths." Blackfire laughed, "War's in our veins, sister. It's just that your friend gave me everything I wanted. The ambition inside me," she breathed in, "It just grows. I feel like I could take on the world, no, no, I could take on the universe!"

"Sister," Starfire said, "I will stop you if I am forced to. If you are one of the Horsemen of Raven, you will fall." She clenched her fists tight. "I swear it. Even if I must fight you once more."

"Yes," Blackfire said, "Let's fight. One word of warning, should you lose you'll be subject to the same thing as the rest of those zeroes out there, and I'll make sure that when I give the order to finish your little boyfriend, I'll reserve your fist to be the one to finish him."

Starfire's eyes shut as her hands began to glow. She brought them forward. "I will defeat you, then, sister, and reclaim this planet. We are warriors, and we should stop chattering like children."

"There's a Tamaranian attitude! I'm happy to see you've finally grown up," Blackfire laughed, "Good for you." She launched towards Starfire, not wasting another breath before bringing down a rain of starbolts on her. She was cut off as laser beams shut from Starfire's eyes. Barely dodging, she gasped as blood dripped from her cheek. "That's a new trick."

"Silence," Starfire said. She flew up into the air and brought her fist down on Blackfire. Blackfire retorted by throwing her sword at her. The sword cut Starfire's skin on her side, but barely enough. It set itself in the wall behind them. Starfire screamed, her fists glowing with starbolts. They exploded as they made contact with Blackfire's armor, damaging the surface ever so slightly.

She dodged as Blackfire made a lunge for her, only to find her skin being pierced by the sword again. "Did I forget to mention? She also gave me a sword that could fell any foe easily."

"Then that is what defeated Superman," Starfire pondered, idly. She fired Starbolts at the sword, which deflected them easily.

"It's not going to be that easy, Starfire," Blackfire cackled. "It's almost a part of me. I can even control it with my mind." As if to demonstrate, the sword swished through the air in time with her hands. Starfire dropped back to watch the display, planning her next move all the while. There was going to be blood tonight.

***********************

Jaguar stood at an easy stance as Mad's tendril-like hair grasped the snake's maw shut. It hissed in fear, the hair moving to suffocate the monster. Mad's face was not a cool and calm face of a killer, Jaguar noticed, but a compassionate and loving face. Like once in Eden the angel's did walk, so did Mad's face look down upon the mighty creatures with such loving care that he killed that which he could not save.

As soon as the snake's life was extinguished, he moved forward. There was an uneasy silence, but Jaguar's quiet purrs reassured Destiny, who casually petted the jaguar's head, not fearing the maw. Jaguar, like a kitten, purred louder at this comforting grasp. They pushed forward, closer to the center of the Amazon.

When they arrived, they didn't know what had greeted them. Perhaps it had once been Poison Ivy. It was a distinct possibility that Mad didn't throw out. However, what it was now was the most putrid fusion of man and plant that had ever graced the planet. Tendrils seeping with poison filled the tree branches where the hives of insects stayed. Mosquitoes hovered about the honey that dripped from its branches that reached to the heavens. The roots burst out of the ground with devastating force, killing the earth it clutched. And at the direct center, contorted into a form not entirely human, Poison Ivy stood. The bark of the tree covering her mouth, she stood silently, her eyes looking distantly at Mad the Swine.

"Pamela," he said, softly. "What have they done to you?" Jaguar turned, preparing to run. The branches reached to the earth, covering them in a cage. "I'm not about to run, Pamela, you know that."

Silently, Pamela's glazed and yellowed eyes followed him as he walked closer. "What do you have planned for me when I take this step?" he asked. One of the buttresses rooted out of the ground and brought a monster from beneath the soil. What had once been a simple worm had grown into a slobbering parasite. It reached to duck into Mad's mouth, but found every orifice covered by hair. It was thrown aside, clear into the tree with a sickening splat. "Is that it?" He took another step, closer still. "What now?"

Again, the earth cracked open, and a serpent appeared. It moved slowly towards him, and he did not notice. It reared back to strike, but the claw of Jaguar cleared it quickly. Mad took another step forward. "Is that it?" he asked again, "What now?" The earth tore open one final time and a massive maw emerged beneath his feet. He hesitated briefly as he fell, but brought his hair to grab the teeth of the monstrous mouth. Making good use of his time, he crawled on it upwards.

Saliva dropped on his face, bringing a burning sensation with it. He was slowly being digested in the serpentine mouth as he crawled closer and closer to the mouth. It tried to close, shaking the hairs, but he crawled ever upwards. He felt the tongue reach for him, and he kicked at it as his feet hung helplessly off his torso.

The tongue retracted, causing a gagging sensation. Air helped Destiny closer to the exit, and he was launched out of the maw by a monstrous cough. Saliva covered the branches. Pamela stood defenseless against Mad the Swine's careful movement closer. "That's it. You're out of serpents to destroy me." Insects swarmed about him, but his hair threw them aside. "You can't win, Pamela. Just let me help you. He charged to the trunk of the monstrous ash, and descended inside.

****************************

The three defeated Titans rose, suddenly finding their wills extinguished. They looked towards the fight between Starfire and her sister with allegiance not to the younger any longer, but to the conqueror. The blows exchanged were massive. The sword was brought down, but starbolts forced it back up with sheer pressure. The armor Blackfire of War wore was torn at the seams, and now only amplified her left arm. She used that to her advantage, tearing apart Starfire's attack with one hand and defending with the weakened arm.

It mattered not, as with the hatred pumping through her veins, Starfire was more than a match for it. They fought to a stand still, neither wanting to admit defeat to the other. The jealousy and anger they harbored towards each other burst full.

The walls of the White House shook unlike anything that had befallen it in 200 years.

****************************

Robin stood utterly devastated. One lucky hit had left Superman struggling, but he had recovered with his unique brand of power. And there was almost no hope. However, Robin refused to surrender, and launched into a series of attacks surrounding shocking him. Tagging him with electro-disks as quickly as he could, he soon found that Superman wasn't as quick on his feet as the Flash would be.

And he used that to his advantage. No matter how incredible Superman's mind may be, he had the one advantage of speed and agility in his slight form. And he used it for all it was worth.

Superman screamed in pain as the electricity coursed. Robin delighted in the small victory and it bolstered his morale considerably. He felt more confident and his runs were more daring. He peppered them with quick rounds of punches and kicks, and followed them with applying the disk. Superman was kept on his toes, calculating the boy's erratic movements but never managed to understand them.

He waited for the coming assault, hoping to outlast the boy's breath. And much to Robin's misfortune, he was beginning to win. As he weaved around, he noticed his breath was shorter and that he couldn't lay quick enough punches to catch Superman off guard. It was a losing battle, but he persevered regardless.

Until finally Superman knocked the wind clear out of him, sending him into the audience to lay prone. He tried to crawl to his feet, barely managing to make it. He spit out some blood, and looked at Superman dead in the eye. "This isn't over," he said. Superman brought his fist up to lay the finishing blow.

A green glow enveloped his hand and kept him from punching. "Hold up there, big guy. Don't do something you're going to regret in the morning," John Stewart said. "You okay, Robin?"

"You don't know how glad I am to see you," Robin said. His voice burst with appreciation.

"You're hurt," Wonder Woman said. "You should rest."

"Starfire's still in there," he told them. His voice cracked, his nerves frayed. "I need to help her." The rest of the Justice League filed in short order around the group. "I got to help her!" he said. The green glow enveloped Superman completely, holding him off for the moment.

"Whoa there," The Flash said. "Can't be too hasty. Hey, John. How long can you hold him."

"Not too much longer," John answered. Sweat poured down his brow. "He's starting to break free as we speak."

"Okay," Flash said, "Not to worry. Batman said he's got the answer to our prayers." Flash moved to look at each of the super heroes standing attention. "Not a one of them's responding, wing commander."

"That's not good," John said. His voice was strained. "Wonder Woman, Hawk Girl, can you give me a hand here?"

"I was waiting for you to ask," Hawk Girl said. She prepared her mace. The green glow was lifted and Superman was free. He charged at John, only to be repelled by Wonder Woman. Hawk Girl followed quickly with her mace, sending Superman flying.

"Can't you reach him, J'onn?" John Stewart asked. The Martian shook his head.

"Whatever has taken hold of his thoughts is not acting as a direct mind control," The Martian Manhunter said. "I cannot sever a connection that isn't there." John cursed under his breath. "Batman is arriving."

No sooner was that said than the black cowl of Batman emerged. The girls fought off the returning Superman again. "Hold him," Batman commanded tersely. He brought out a sample of kryptonite and held it out. Superman was caught in a hold by Wonder Woman, who brought him down to Batman's level.

The kryptonite made quick work, causing the warrior to crumple to his knees and start to lose consciousness. As he passed out, a certain effect occurred among the assembly. They lost their attentive stances and looked almost dazed, as if waking from a dream. They each felt as weak as Superman had.

"What just happened?" Flash ask. "I think I missed something."

Robin took off at this instant, and hurried into the Oval Office. The Justice League watched him leave, following him as he ran. He found himself watching Starfire knocked to the ground by a bleeding and weary Blackfire. "What's going on?"

"I don't know," Cyborg said. "Why do I feel so weak?"

"Oh man, my head," Changeling complained. "Why do I feel like I just went through one of Haze's vertigo trips again?"

They turned when they heard Starfire's squeak. Blackfire stood with her foot on Starfire's chest. Her sword was held high and a sick grin was plastered on her face. She raised the blade, readying it to strike down. Robin tried to move. He stumbled briefly. He could wait for The Flash or one of the League to stop this. He could pray for them to make it in time.

Or he could take it into his own hands. He took a boomerang from his utility belt and threw it.

It hit Blackfire in the forehead. The blade fell harmlessly besides Starfire, lodging itself three inches from her face. Blackfire fell, dead, to the ground. Robin's mind raced.

"I killed her," he muttered. "Oh my God, I killed her." The Justice League entered the room seconds later, seeing the carnage wreaked on the room. The dead Horseman of War's armor disintegrated, leaving only haggard prison garbs, and her skin immediately turned sickly and weak. Whatever strength had been in those bones had long been lost.

The head burst into pieces as a seed took its place out of her soul. It squirmed about, moving towards Starfire. The Flash intervened in time, sending it towards Hawk Girl to smash with her mace. "What was that?" Flash asked. "I get the feeling something big's been going down and these kids are right in the middle of it."

Batman watched Robin as he repeated softly "I killed her. Oh my God, I killed her."

*****************************

What lay inside Pestilence had not been what Destiny had expected. It was a putrescent green, and barely any air for a creature to breathe. He felt the disease cripple his hair, and leave him defenseless against what he would have to face. His face grew wrinkled and weak. "What are you doing?" he asked. There were several forms in the liquid.

"Every culture believes the world will end differently," said one of the forms. "Which is true?"

"If you're the true Son of God," said another, "Tell us."

"Tell us!" they all resounded.

"What answers can I give you?" Mad asked. "I know only how the world will end, not which belief is true and which is false."

The figures seem satisfied and then, turned to one another and asked, "What is Hell?"

Mad pondered long and hard, "I know the forces of Hell only in passing, but this I know, the physical realm they possess is old and graying and they seek this plain for their own true Heaven. They long for a higher realm, and their dark ambitions won't be stopped with just here. The End of Days means that the world will soon be thrust into a war between Heaven and Hell."

"But what is Hell?" another form asked.

"Hell," Mad said. A beat, then continued, "True Hell is a separation from God. A separation from those you love most." The forms babbled amongst themselves before turning back.

"Man destroys the trees of this forest for their own gain. I have given them power to weaken them and to bring the world back to the plants that it truly belongs to. Is this evil? In seeking retribution for what has been lost, am I evil?"

"Yes! For humanity is young but it knows not what evils it commits. If your plants have souls, let them turn to God and there will be a resolution!" he screamed.

"Do you honestly believe the crap you've just spouted," said a prominent form in the center. The seed grew to a great fount of evil in this soil. "Do you honestly believe it?" The voice of Raven permeated the putrescence. "It's so childish. What is God? Who's wrong, who's right?"

"It doesn't matter," he said. He reached out towards the seed, "I'll return this one to what it was before." The seed reared back. The forms swarmed Mad the Swine, but he pushed them off one by one. Moving through the liquid, he touched the seed, and the two forces met with a frightening force. The light and dark combined and swelled, until neither were left.

The Amazon Forest returned to its form, with the massive Ash destroyed by a bright light. When it had settled, nothing was left in its stead.

*************************

Ichabod awoke with a start. Harley looked up from her silent vigil -- a twenty-four hour Tiny Toons marathon -- to her friend. "Icky! You're awake!"

"I had a vision," he muttered, "Something's happening."

"A vision?" Harley said, distaste apparent in her voice. "What sort of vision?"

"I saw the trees being blown apart and something happening to them. They changed." There was a beat before he looked around and said, "Where am I?"

"The hospital ward," she answered. "You got all crazy there and both of us have been pretty sick. I've recovered fine, but Mad told me to watch you until you woke up. If it weren't for the tube, I'da died by now."

"How long have I been out?"

"A couple of days," she answered. "You were hit bad. You looked like a corpse when we got you. Worried you weren't going to make it."

"Where's Pamela? And Mad for that matter?"

"They're in the Amazon," Harley answered. She took a bite of the cracker jacks she'd been eating. "Mad's trying to get her back. Same thing that happened to you happened to her, but she went underground and we just found her. Things have been getting weirder by the minute. Just this past hour, Professor Tetch came by proclaiming something." She paused to think. "Oh yeah! He said that there had been a giant caterpillar spotted in Central Park."

"I don't see what's so--"

"It was smoking a hookah," she said. Ichabod looked confused. "Things have just started to change. It's like someone's actively remaking everything so that everything you knew was wrong."

"I see," Ichabod said. He looked at her as if she'd grown a second head. She was almost certain she had, and to her glee looked to see if it looked like her. Disappointment was abound when she found she hadn't. "This is just insane, you know."

"So, you guys are back together?" Leslie asked. She took her leather jacket and threw it on a chair. "Got some real bad news for you."

"What?" Harley asked.

"The kid's disappeared," Leslie said. "We lost contact with Mad about an hour ago."

*************************

In a different hospital, Starfire sat comfortably in her bed. Wounds and broken bones had been bandaged and she sat looking at a television that was replaying the scene of the heroes triumphant exiting the White House. There was a feeling of confusion and wonder among the various heroes that had been assembled and they had looked to the Titans as heroes.

It had made Starfire blush to hear the Justice Society claim she was a true champion. She didn't know how to react. And while a part of her was soaring, another was firmly grounded in grief. She remembered looking over the dead form of her sister, drained of all life, and vomited right then and there. There had been nothing so ghastly as those eyes, so cold and glazed, looking up at her. They were wide and listless. The smell had gotten to her. It was foul like rotten eggs.

Was this the price that she had paid? She asked herself over and over again. Was it even that her sister had survived the transformation? Robin looked so distraught when he came in. He was almost skeletal. His eyes were sunken and his cheeks emaciated. She had almost not recognized him if it hadn't been for his distinct color scheme.

"Robin," she asked. The stalwart guardian was at her side in an instant, "What is troubling you?"

"I killed her," he muttered.

"She would have killed me," she told him. "Do not be ashamed. You could think of nothing."

"The Flash was there," he said, "He could have saved you in an instant. There was no reason for me to--" she gently pressed her finger to his lips. "You don't understand."

"I understand that you are sad," she said. She motioned for him to move closer, and she gently brought him into a kiss. "Please, accept this as a token of my gratitude. I would not have been alive should the mockery of what had once been my sister cleaved by skull open." The imagery disturbed Robin, and she noticed it. "I did not mean to disturb you, Robin."

"It's nothing," he said. "Nothing at all." He was distant now, dazed by something. "I, uh, I'll leave you be now."

"I am not finished with you yet," she said sternly. He bowed to her whim. "I wish to also ask you that, once this is all over, that you come along with me to Tamaran. I wish to show it to you."

"Tamaran?" Robin asked. "Isn't that far away?"

"It is not so far," she said, "It is a most wondrous place, Robin! There are fields of green that pass farther than the eyes can see, and mountains of purple and great majesty that the stars reflect gently off. There are rivers so clear that they are like the finest white wine, and there are seas so placid and blue that the sky pales in comparison."

"It sounds beautiful," Robin smiled, comforted. "I'd like to see it someday."

"We will see it soon," she confirmed. She gently took his hand and squeezed it to comfort him. Whatever had loomed in his mind seemed lifted and he smiled once again. "You are tired," she told him. "You need rest."

"I, I think so. We're at the hotel. There's the number there if you need us," he told her. "Don't hesitate, even if it's just for someone to talk to. We'll be there in a flash thanks to, er, The Flash."

Starfire laughed. "I shall not hesitate."

There was a brief moment, and then he brought her lips into a second kiss. "I'm thinking of you."

"I know," she smiled. "I know."

***********************

"Still at large, the Cross Your Heart Killer, known internationally after an escapade in Rome this week, has recently reached his 64th victim. The question on everyone's mind," the newscaster said, "Is where he'll strike next."

"I don't believe this," Raven said. "War has failed and Pestilence has vanished from existence! All my seeds have failed!" She waved her hand and the Coliseum collapsed. "I'm so angry, I could just kill someone."

"Well, that is fitting," BC laughed. "Considering what we have left to do."

"Yes," Raven smiled. "My favorite of them all. The others created chaos and fear through-out the land, but nothing keeps the little kiddies up in their beds at night like my precious, precious Death. He's so efficient in his killings," she sighed dreamily. "Why, if he could, I wish he'd stop all my problems for me right here and right now!"

"Well, one of those can be arranged," said BC, idly. "But now we need to be in the Vatican by dawn. We can't dilly dally about like this. We've got business to attend to."

"BC," she said. She said it with loving tenderness, "BC." She turned to look at him. Her head turned a full 180 degrees. "You know I love watching you work. Go, and terrorize Starfire for me. It'll make me feel better after what she's done."

"Keep your jealousy in check, madam Raven," he warned. "I'll be sure to give her a nightmare or two. You need to be ready to channel all that energy."

"I can't wait until Azarath gets news of this," Raven laughed. "So pathetic, they dedicate their lives to expunging evil, only to create a new Devil for the world to worship."

"Have fun in the Vatican, m'lady. Tell the Pope I said hi. He'll remember the name," he laughed. And then he was gone. Raven's eyes grew dark, and all four looked to the ground. Her rage burst forth, shattering the very foundations of Rome.

**************************

Starfire sat bolt upright in the darkness. Dawn began to peek through the curtains. Something was lurking in the shadows. "Who is there?" she asked. There was a familiar chuckle, and BC appeared, sitting on her lap. "You!" she declared. "I will hit this button." Her warnings went unheeded. He had called her bluff.

"Oh, Starfire," he said, "You're looking lovely. Did you tell Robin that those lips weren't virgin?" He then considered, "And I somehow doubt the other set were anyway. Oh, how cute, you blush." She looked ashamed. "What's wrong? Are you afraid of a little impurity? You certainly showed yourself to be a warrior in the fight there."

"How did you--"

"Foolish question," he said. "Like me, your sister is connected on an astral level to Raven. She sees what I see and what they see and knows everything that she needs to know." He laughed. "Like your reaction, knowing that you have been, in your way, a little spy for Raven in the Titans. How does it feel?"

"You lie!"

"Do I?" BC said. "I distinctly remember not lying this time. Nothing I said there was a lie. But here comes the tricky part. She knows about Robin's fight, and how bravely he endeavored to beat Superman, but who can blame him for needing some help. It's friggin' Supes!"

"Why are you talking to me?" she asked.

"And, your fight with Blackfire was so very dramatic. I expected a declaration of revenge to be made, or something verbal. But no, you just punched away at one another once the showing off had been done. I was impressed."

"Please! Silence!" she said.

"And now there's only one Horseman left. And only a little amount of time left for the world to be saved. It's so cute," he laughed. "The Human Race runs about like chickens with their heads cut off, the USA thinks they're the center of all this, when really what we need, symbolically, is in Europe, oh, and one more thing. The last Horseman is the strongest of them all."

"Please," she murmured. She felt sleep starting to overtake her.

"Good night Starfire," he said, kissing her sleepy lips gently, "And farewell. Forever."

*************************

She awoke again with a start. The room she had once been in was gone. Starfire stared wildly about, unsure of what to make of the atmosphere. She saw only a small child, only three feet tall, and a red headed woman who looked more plant than mammal. The boy walked up to her, and softly said, "Come, walk with me."

She looked at the woman, who was silent and sad. "Come, walk with me," the boy repeated, offering his hand. Starfire took it gently, not sure of what to make of it. "You know, I wanted to talk to you since the first time I met you. I absolutely love how you talk."

"Really?"

"Absolutely!" he laughed. "They call me Mad the Swine. I guess I'm Mad the Swine."

"Yes?" Starfire asked.

"I've come to save you!" he implored. "Please, walk with me."

"What has happened?" she asked. "Where am I?"

"Starfire," the woman finally spoke. "Listen carefully, honey. This isn't exactly going to be easy for you to hear."

"What is it?" she demanded. She bordered on hysterical. "What has happened! Why do I feel so light! Why am I moving when my body was wounded so heavily!"

"Starfire," Mad said, softly. "Walk with me." She felt a sincere calmness in the boy's voice, and she felt calm with it. She began to walk with him. The landscape changed to a balmy beach. She felt happy here. "This is Limbo. Where we must decide if we fight or if we simply fade away. After I saved Pamela's soul, my human guise was utterly wiped out. I'm here to assemble a force to stop Trigon the Terrible from taking over the Earth."

"Like the Titans are! Oh, we could recruit them. Friend Beast Boy and Friend Cyborg are eager to help, and Robin will be most amenable to an alliance with you!" There was a pause, and the boy shook his head.

"There's a distinct barrier between them and us, now, Starfire." They came to a great barrier erected from glass. She looked down from it and saw beneath her the very body her soul had once inhabited. It slept peacefully.

"They're alive," he told her, "And you're dead."

.

.

.

Oh, children of the land

Quicken to a new life, take my hand

end chapter 8