Heeloo everybody and welcome to the next-to-last chapter of 'Mere Memory'! just to tell you, this chapter is fairly short…I think…but anyhoo. Not much to say here, so on with the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans…see? Nothin new…oh, and I don't own Hoobastank's 'The Reason' either…

Mere Memory

Chapter 9ine: Protect or Punish

The next few days passed with no sight of sound of Slade. Karigan was progressing greatly in her power-study with Raven. On the first day, she found that betrayal and any form of discrimination were other triggers of her anger, and therefore powers. Once she was able to tap into her powers regularly, lighting the candles had been particularly easy; and the same case with Beast Boys possessions. What Karigan was really hung up on was using fire and telekinesis at the same time. She even almost hit Raven once with the little clapping monkey. One day, much to the surprise of both of them, Starfire came up to the roof and told Karigan about her 'Righteous Fury'. "I think of my friends being harmed by the enemy." Star had explained, and that had actually helped Karigan acquire more control.

Karigan never saw much of the rest of the Titans, but that was due to the constant training with Raven. When she did receive breaks, they never seemed to be around; and whenever she tried finding them and excited Star would usher her back up to the roof without so much as a word. Karigan figured they were up to something, and that they were being incredibly sneaky about it.

Raven had given her a break, and Karigan knew exactly what she was going to do; find the rest of her teammates. But even before she could do that they all found her and practically dragged her to her room.

"Guys, what is it?" she demanded, stopping in her tracks.

"We got a surprise!" Beast Boy answered in a sing-song voice. That must've been the cue, because Cyborg opened her door as Karigan turned around. Her jaw dropped and then she smiled broadly. While Karigan had been training, Robin, Cyborg, Beast Boy and occasionally Starfire had re-done Karigan's room. Nothing was burnt or damaged by water, the walls were the colour of rust, and somehow all of her things had ended up there too. Karigan was rendered speechless as she stepped into her room.

"Star wanted to paint the walls pink, but we figured that wasn't your colour." Robin explained, smiling as well. "Cyborg and Beast Boy picked up your stuff from your old room. If there's anything missing, we can retrieve it later." Karigan still had a huge grin plastered on her face, and was practically insane with happiness.

"Thanks guys." Then she did something no one had expected-hugged all of them, including Raven, since she had helped keep her out of her room. And her hugs made Starfire's run for their money.

"You're welcome." Robin replied.

"Hey man, we just helped; it was all Robin's idea." Cyborg stated. Karigan's smile grew, and the Boy Wonder blushed a variety of shades of crimson. Suddenly, out of the blue, Karigan's stomach grumbled loudly.

"Anyone up for pizza?" she asked, closing the door to her newly finished room.

"Booyah!" Cyborg shouted, "Meat lovers all the way!" he added, sprinting downstairs.

"Dude! Vegetarian here!" Beast Boy yelled, changing into cheetah and sprang after him. The remaining Titans could hear them arguing over tofu or all meat. Raven rolled her eyes and floated after them. Starfire then flew off shouting something about putting mustard on top. Karigan made a face.

"We better get down there before World War III starts." Robin nodded in agreement and they both ran downstairs.

Later that night after pizza, video games, and a movie, Karigan lay in bed stared at the ceiling. Her mother's funeral was tomorrow. (yeah…I kinda forgot about Andrea until now…oops) She didn't expect many people to show up, mostly her mom's friends from work, and her aunt and two cousins. Joy, this'll be a pleasant time. Seeing dear, old Aunt Pegg again. Karigan and her aunt didn't get along, at least not since she accidentally set alight her couch and almost burned Peggs house down.

Then it was back to training. No news from or about Slade in three days was not good news. "He's planning, regrouping, waiting." She had told Robin the other day. "He won't wait long, just long enough for us to prepare, then he'll draw us out with some diversion. He wants a challenge." "And he'll get one." Was Robin's response. But for Slade to have the challenge he wanted, Karigan needed to train more, and she knew he wouldn't wait much longer.

"Oh well…" she sighed, rolling onto her side. What will come, will come, she thought as her mind slipped into unconsciousness.

Karigan was correct in thinking that not a lot of people would attend her mother's funeral. She was also right about her aunt; she was very cool with Karigan. The service was short and simple, and lasted probably only an hour. Through the whole thing Karigan was numb, even though her emotions were under control. But she didn't let on sad hour ruin her whole day. Andrea was gone, and there was nothing she could do about it.

As soon as Karigan got home she changed and headed to the roof to meet Raven. Today she'd push herself to be able to master fire and moving objects at the same time. After a few hours of grueling practice and failed attempts, she was finally able to do just that. Raven suggested they take a break, so Karigan went downstairs for some food. She also took the chance to ask Robin if she could borrow a few of his bird-a-rangs. He didn't ask any questions but gave her a puzzled look along with his useful weapons. Karigan quickly thanked him and hurried back to the roof to present her idea to Raven. She planned on equipping the bird-a-rangs with flame to do more damage, and considering she had no clue how to throw them, just use her mind to throw them. Raven liked the idea and told Karigan to go for it. The new Titan mastered that quickly and soon the pillows on stick were reduced to piles of ash.

Raven announced to Karigan that she was ready to proceed to the next level; fighting her.

"Enemies won't go easy on you and neither will I." Karigan nodded and they began. Their battle went on for hours, each taking breaks at irregular intervals. Karigan was doing fairly well for a beginner, at least she wasn't seriously injured or dead yet. Finally, after night fell, Raven called it quits and said they'd continue this tomorrow. Karigan agreed, but stayed on the roof.

The night was cool, but too cool, and breezy. She sat on the edge of her new home looking over the bay below and the sparkling city in the distance. Karigan heard the door to the roof open and footsteps approaching her. Robin sat down next to her, secretly admiring her beauty. The light breeze wafted her charcoal hair in the air. The waning moon hanging in the night sky gave her an ethereal glow. They were both silent for some time, unspoken words weighing heavy in the air. Finally, Karigan brought to the surface what had been troubling her for the last few days.

"He won't stay in prison. He will escape." Robin nodded solemnly.

"I know." Then Karigan continued.

"We're going to have to kill him." She finished in a monotone voice, her set face showing no emotion. For awhile, Robin kept silent, fighting a battle of wills within him. Karigan waited patiently, knowing he was struggling with the idea; and she could almost hear him speaking. Titans protect, not punish. That was exactly what he was thinking. "Yes." Deep down he knew that it would always narrow down to this, but he didn't expect someone else to come to terms with this before him. He finally made up his mind.

I found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you.

Karigan sighed and stood up, beginning to head for the door. But she stopped halfway, her heart telling her to stay, her head telling her to go. It's been two years since Jake…time to move on. So she made up her mind, and went back to Robin and sat down next to him, but a little bit closer.

I found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you.

gah…the only part of this chapter I had in mind was the last little bit with Karigan and Robin. But I figured you people needed to know what else made her mad and such…but anyhoo, another filler chapter…but the next one is gonna be very good, I promise. And it's the last chapter too…poo...-cries-the sequel is prolly gonna be very angsty, among other things…teehee. Wonder if I'll get anyone to cry… right there, I could be lying about it being sad, you just never know now do ya? BLAHA! Yeah, I know the song in here was only a wee lil bit, but it fits, and the rest of it didn't, so if you don't likey, well too badey! Evil rules…please review…krakr out…!