Chapter Nine-Private Battle

Beast Boy moved through the museum as a wolf, keeping his nocturnal eyes focused for any sign of movement. He heard whispers down the hall, and noticed Illusion speaking to an antique mirror, holding a conversation with the reflection which did not mirror the girl's black hair and piercing blue eyes, but instead showed silver locks and changing orbs.

"You will help me…it will only hurt for a few minutes. You know I have no option but to subdue you."

Illusion replaced the mirror and moved forward, only to find a dark shape, like that of a bird, blocking her path. Suddenly she saw a jet of green light hit her in the side, slamming her into the museum wall. A bo staff was placed up against her, trapping her against the wall. Illusion glared at Robin.

"Why do you need to get rid of her?"

Illusion looked Robin in the eye, her blue eyes glittering strangely. "The same reason you want to get rid of Slade. But you're not sure he's gone, are you?"

His frown deepened as he saw Slade rise from the wall and easily knock aside his bo staff. Robin jumped in the air, about to catch Slade in the chest, but Slade caught his foot, slinging him to the floor. Next thing he knew Raven was standing over him and Beast Boy was running after Illusion.

"Focus. She's just playing with your mind."

"I know," Robin stood, brushing himself off. "I won't happen again."

Starfire glided forward. "Umm…Robin? I believe our team is about to be 'ambushed'."

A door behind them slammed and Brother Blood, Jinx, and Mammoth entered.

Beast Boy ran nimbly after Illusion, only to find her against the wall, clutching her head and moaning softly. First she was Mirage, then Illusion, Mirage, Illusion. The pain was excruciating, filling every particle of her and making her want to tear her throat out from screaming, but no sound could come out. Beast Boy reverted to human form and moved forward just as Mirage came back into focus, lingering longer than before.

"Dude, you've got to fight it!"

"I—can't!" gasped Mirage, tears streaming down her face. "Illusion's too strong!"

Beast Boy knelt beside her. "You're, like, just as strong! Fight back!"

She was starting to change again, and Beast Boy looked behind him to see a reflection of a very worn, but haughty Illusion. Suddenly he had an idea.

"How is she hurting you?"
"Things I've done…horrible…murder…thefts…"

"Make her think of what's she's done. Like, turn the tables."

She groaned and concentrated, shaking horribly. Reaching out, Mirage grasped Beast Boy wrist.

The door slammed open with considerable force. Brother Blood moved forward, smirking as he saw Mirage.

"Ready to go home, daughter?"

She stood, still shaking, using Beast Boy as support to stand, grimacing in pain. In the other room Robin, Starfire, and Raven held off Jinx and Mammoth. Straightening slightly as she stood, her eyes glowed silver as she spoke.

"That is my home no longer!" Raising her hand, she surrounded him with illusionary fog as his eyes flickered red while he tried to suppress the pain. Mirage was hitting him with the memories of what he had tortured himself with. He had a good daughter, a righteous daughter. Mirage moved forward as her strength grew.

"I never wanted to be in the H.I.V.E. I never wanted to be your daughter. You set Illusion loose. You made her my problem. You are the root of the problem. And I never want to see you again."

She materialized her silver sword, but made it to wound the mind this time. Then she struck. And as she felt his pain, the pain Illusion caused began to set in again.

Jinx and Mammoth lay unconscious from the barrage the three Titans had unleashed upon them. Robin moved toward the other room, where both Mirage and Brother Blood lay in agony. Beast Boy held an antique mirror that showed Illusion ridden by unmentionable pain as well. Robin nodded as he took the mirror, and without another thought, broke it.

Immediately Mirage stopped moving. She was out cold.