Chap. 7
Sacrifices
Brett, Sara, and Starfire reached Raven's room and flung the door open. Inside they found the other Titans and BRATS waiting for them. The room was just as Starfire had said. The furniture was thrown all over, books littered the floor, and even the wallpaper had been torn up. But the most ominous sight was the symbol that had been burned into the wall space above Raven's bed. It was the same enigmatic mark that they had seen on Slade when he had returned from the grave. Only two of them had known what it meant then, and now there were three who understood its dark meaning.
Robin was the first to speak. "How did Slade get through the security? I thought you changed the codes, Cyborg." "I did." The bionic teen answered. "But Slade came back from the dead. I don't think that getting past the system is that hard for him now." "I just wish we knew what he wanted with her." Neuron said, as he examined the symbol. "Hell, I wish we knew anything about this mess." "Maybe someone can tell us then." Bartman said. "Brett, you're the supernatural expert here. You said you didn't get a good look at the mark last time, I'd say you've got a chance now. What does it mean?"
The bat nodded, and walked over to the symbol. Pretending to look it over, he began to craft the answer he would give. He knew what it meant of course; few in his circle did not know the mark of Trigon. However, he didn't want to tell them everything just yet. No, he wanted to believe that Raven would tell them herself someday. Besides, whether they knew everything or not would not make a difference right now. "Well?" Beast Boy asked. Turning around, Brett said, "This is the mark of a hell-demon." "A hell-demon?" Starfire asked, not understanding the difference. "A hell-demon is one of the chief demons in the Pit." Brett explained. "They're the only ones with the power to bring back the dead. For a price of course."
"Do you have any idea which one brought Slade back?" Bartman asked. Brett opened his mouth to answer, but before he could, Sara said, "Oh, this one has a name all right." Everyone turned to face her then, curious to find the answer. Brett however, only looked at his wife with an expression of anger and wanting. Brett hoped that she would have enough mercy not to say what he was afraid to. He knew what she probably would say of course, that the demon was Raven's father. But he knew that once that was said, Raven would never forgive either of them. Worse, the others would hate him for not telling them in the first place. God, why do I keep so many secrets? He wondered. First Sara, now Trigon. And I haven't even told them about him yet…
"But no one knows what it is." came Sara's voice, cutting through his inner thoughts. For a moment, Brett thought that he had misheard, but then she continued. "All that we really know is that he's been locked up in hell since creation and that he needs a special kind of vessel to get out." "Like a half-demon." Neuron said thoughtfully. "But how does Slade fit in?" "Old story." Sara said. "Villain dies, goes to hell, makes deal with demon, comes back. Slade must've promised to bring him Raven." "Hmm. Raven said that she had some kind of destiny. Maybe this is it." Robin commented, remembering his experience on her birthday. "Whatever the case, we need to find her." Milhouse said. "Has anyone tried her communicator?"
"You mean it's not here?" Cyborg asked. The boy shook his head. "Well, I suppose it's worth a try then." With that, Cy fiddled with the controls on his arm, trying to get a signal. Finally, he got something. "According to this, she's in the caverns, about the spot where we put Slade to rest." "Then let's go." Beast Boy said, moving towards the door.
But Nelson grabbed him by the collar before he could make it out. "Hold it, Greenie." He said. "This seems a little too convenient." "He's right." Robin said. "That's the first place we would've looked. Slade wants us to find him." "Why?" asked Starfire. "I don't know, but we can't just go running in there with out a plan." Turning to Sara, Robin asked, "Does Slade need us for any kind of ritual?" "I doubt it." The fox answered. "He probably just wants us to watch." Robin nodded, and began to think. Suddenly he said, "Do you think you can make something to stop his flames, Cyborg?" "Sure, just gimme some time." Was the reply. "All right, you've got half-an-hour, then we move out." With that, the heroes began to leave the room. Brett however, simply stared at Sara for a moment. The fox just shrugged her shoulders and left.
True to his word, Cyborg created an anti-incendiary device in just under the time limit. Once the device was tested, the heroes made tracks for the caverns. Parking the cars in front of the caves, they exited and took a look at the entrance. None of them were looking forward to this expedition. The memory of Terra was still fresh on everyone's mind, and they had no wish to re-visit the site of her demise. Beast Boy, especially, was grappling with what to do. Part of him was afraid to think about what that cave held for him. But he realized a stronger part was desperate to save Raven. I can't lose another friend. He thought, and with that, he took a step forward and walked into the cave. Within minutes, he heard the others following.
Slowly, the group made their way through the caverns. It was not easy going, because of the numerous twists and turns the paths seemed to take. Every few seconds, a formation seemed to block their way, or the ground would vanish. Thankfully, light from Sara and Starfire made sure there were no serious injuries. Still, everyone was nervous just from the knowledge they were going to have a fight a demon and Slade. Worse still, the two members who knew the most about their enemies had their mind on other things.
"Why didn't you tell them?" Brett asked, keeping his voice low. He and Sara had made sure that they were near the back of the line so that they could speak, but he didn't want to take chances. True, this meant more secrets, but the bat didn't think about that right now. "Because you were right." Sara whispered. "I don't have any right to call her a monster, not after what I've been through. But Brett, you do realize how far this might go. If she is… changed, we're going to have too…" "I know." He answered. "I've been prepared for that for a long time. But I want to make sure that you're going to save her before you destroy her." At that, Sara's face grew dark. "You honestly think I wouldn't do that? Brett, if you do care about her this much, I think I can certainly try. Besides, I don't want her corrupted for the world's sake." "All right. Just remember that."
The fox nodded and they continued to move on. Soon they reached the large room where Slade had been buried. The lava had hollowed it out, creating a large circular effect. There was a huge gap in the floor, right across from a huge platform. One by one, each of the heroes leapt onto it. Looking around, they waited for a sign that their enemy was present.
However, they found nothing. "I don't get it. This is where the signal was coming from. She's got to be here." Cyborg said. "Maybe if we split up?" Polar suggested. "Oh, I don't think you'll have time for that." A familiar voice said from up above. Suddenly the ground began to shake beneath the heroes' feet. Before anyone could move, the stone seemed to liquefy beneath them. It wrapped around their bodies in an instant, trapping them inside. They struggled to escape, but to no avail. Worse, the longer they were trapped, the weaker they began to feel. One by one, each hero felt the world slip out from under them. They faded into pools of blackness, unable to stay awake.
Slade leapt down from the ceiling then. Once he might've feared such a drop, but re-born, he had no fear of anything. Carrying the unconscious Raven on his shoulders, he walked past each of her friends, shaking his head at their foolishness. "I really expected better from you." He said. "But I guess that's too much, isn't it 'Stalker?" "Come and find out Slade." The bat snarled, fighting against his prison. For some reason, he and Sara had not lost consciousness and were still trying to get out. "I don't think I'll have to." Slade answered, looking right in the bat's face. "My master will see to you personally, once he escapes." Turning to Sara, he said, "My, you do have good taste. Why if she wasn't a freak, I just might find her attractive." Sara gave no response, except a deep-seated snarl. "Feisty too. Now where was I?"
Slade deposited Raven on the ground. Placing his hand on her forehead, he softly began to chant. Suddenly, Raven sat up with a scream, sweat running down her face. "Pleasant dreams?" Slade asked. "What is this?" Raven asked, looking around. Then she saw her friends, and her confusion turned to anger. "Release them!" she cried, her hands glowing with black energy. "Oh but if I could." Slade answered. "You see, I'm doing more then trapping them. The ground is keeping them still by draining off their meta-human energy. They're actually holding themselves prisoner. And frankly, they don't have much longer to live. The Knights only survive because their power is infinite. But your other friends… well." "What do you want for them?" Raven demanded. "Oh Raven, it's not what I want, it's what he wants."
Sudnely there was a blast of heat from the back of the cave. Everyone turned to see a huge fiery circle blazing in the cave wall. As they watched, four yellow eyes appeared within it. At the sight of them, Raven went cold. "Father." She whispered. "Yes Raven. And he wants you." Slade said. "Go to him. Give him a way out and I'll release your friends." "Raven no!" Brett screamed. "He'll posses you, and Slade will kill us anyway!" "Don't trust him!" Sara yelled. But Raven just took a look at the others. Beast Boy's green skin was almost completely white. He wouldn't last much longer, and the others were the same. Head down, Raven began to walk towards the portal, to the end of everything that she was.
Brett watched this, and knew it was time for him to act. He'd been planning for this day a long time, just as he had told Sara. At first, he simply planned to kill; that seemed easiest. But now, he planned to save, and he knew just how to do it. Brett had read up on Trigon, and in doing so, learned of a weakness the demon held. If Brett exploited this weakness, it could possibly lead to his own death, but Brett didn't care. Within the stone, he moved his hand to his sword and put everything into motion. He began to chant, a low, rhythmic rhyme of words that had never been put down by mankind. Suddenly, the stone around him broke away. Brett dropped to the ground, hoping that his escape hadn't been heard. He was lucky; Slade and Raven were so focused on what was about to happen they hadn't heard a thing. Sara had also had enough good sense not to shout when he'd escaped. Turning to his wife, Brett mouthed, "I love you." Then he placed his sword on the ground and began to run.
A tendril of smoke had emerged from the fire-hole. It stretched forth, growing a little more each second. Soon it would completely enfold Raven and the possession would be complete. The empathy knew this, even as she walked forward. She had read about it for years, knowing that fate that was in front of her. Finally, she stopped, completely ready for the next step. The smoke seemed to bolt forward, as though it was alive and eager to fulfill its need. And it would have too, but then Raven felt something pull on her hood. Without warning, she was thrown to the ground, out of the smoke's path. As she looked up, she saw the mist enter the body of Brett. The bat began to struggle, his body shaking violently. Before Raven could do anything, blazing red energy shot forth from the bat's eyes and mouth. It covered him like a slimly blanket, enfolding every part of his body. Suddenly with a burst, it vanished. When it did, Brett was gone.
The being that remained was a mockery of the bat. It stood eight feet tall, its fur blood red with black streaks. It was heavily muscled, almost to the point of seeming ludicrous. Huge wings grew from its back. But the worst was when Raven saw its face. The kind, caring face of Brett had been twisted into a slanting monstrosity. Its jaw was filled with teeth, and the entire face seemed ruptured and demonic. Worst of all were the four yellow eyes that were now present in the skull. The figure took one look at Raven, then threw back its head and laughed, a deep chilling sound that was the most horrible Raven had ever heard. Pumping its wings, the monster flew up through the cave ceiling, rubble falling in its wake. Raven set up a shield around herself and the others and the rocks bounced harmlessly off. Finally, she was able to drop it, just in time to see Slade fly off after the being he called master and that she had once called friend.
