Chap.8

Brett's Plan

For a time, the world seemed to stand still. Raven had no sense of anything around her. All she knew was the thoughts that echoed within her mind. He sacrificed himself for me. What do I do? How can I save him? Can I save him? It was a jumbled, frantic mess of thoughts, coming from a frantic and horrific event. Of course, Raven had a special understanding of it. She knew the evil her father was capable of, and what he could do on his own. But that evil with Brett's powers added to it… such a thing was too horrible to imagine. It could have taken hours before Raven could have calmed down enough to work out a plan. But Sara's voice cut through the chatter and re-focused her on the task at hand.

"Raven! C'mon, get me out of this thing!" Sara yelled, still trapped inside the rocky prison. Raven shook her head at the sound, clearing out the cobwebs. Looking over towards her friends she saw that their color was returning, which calmed her down a bit. They were still unconscious, so there was little point in releasing them just yet. Gesturing towards the fox, Raven's power spread out over the rock and reduced it to dust. Sara shakily stepped out, then looked at the girl with anger in her eyes. "What did you do to make him care so much!" she cried, distraught at what had happened. But this was not the time to press Raven about anything, especially something this felt this horrible over. "Don't start, ok! You think I don't care about this too?" Raven cried, her barely contained feelings almost overwhelming her. "I had no idea that he planned this, and I certainly didn't ask him to. I'm sick of you trying to blame everything on me. I can't help what I am, but at least it didn't matter to him! At least he tried to help me, instead of kill me!"

"And what did it get him!" Sara asked, her anger and grief over what had happened fueling her words. "He spent everything he had on trying to save you, and now it may have cost him his soul!" Walking to Raven , she grabbed the empathy in close, wanting her next words to be completely understood. But as she did, a piece of paper fluttered to the ground from Raven's hood. "What the.." they both said, their anger forgotten. Looking down, they saw that the words Read Me were inscribed on it in Brett's handwriting. "He must have put it there when he grabbed me." Raven said. Letting go of the girl, Sara bent down and picked it up. Unfolding it, she began to read aloud.

My friends,

If you are reading this, then my plan has gone into effect. I have been possessed by the spirit of Trigon, and my body belongs to him. Don't think that this was spur-of-the-moment. I have been researching the demon for months, trying to see if there was some way of blocking him from Raven. By possessing me, he has given us a chance to do that. But before he can be stopped I need to give you the tools. Raven, my sword will still be with you guys. Even in my body, no being of evil may touch it. Pick it up and place your hand on the stone in its hilt.

Sara stopped at this point, and looked over at the spot where the Shadowblade lay. It was still sheathed, lying on the ground, and seemingly waiting to be used. She then looked at Raven, and motioned for her to move. Slowly the empath walked over to the sword. Picking it up, she did as instructed, placing her hand upon the stone. the second she had done this, the stone began to glow. Before she could move, the shadowfire exploded from the stone, engulfing her in its flame. Sara watched in amazement as the flames covered the girl, while at the same time, they entered her body through her eyes and mouth. Raven gave no sign of pain, but seemed to surge as the power flowed into her. Finally, the flames disappeared, and they saw the finished product. The armor of the Nightstalker, worn so proudly by Brett, now covered Raven. It had altered itself, fitting to the shape of her body. Her cloak and hood remained, but the cloak had been enhanced with the metal spines of the Nightstalker's cape. The helmet appeared in Raven's hand, fitted to slide under her hood. "Whaa.. How did this happen!" Raven asked, as she looked over her armored form. Sara quickly went back to the note.

Before I put my plan into action, I transferred all of my shadow powers into the blade. That is how I was able to escape, since the stone no longer had meta-human strength to drain. However, my healing powers remain with my body. But not my immortality, which remains with my spirit. Raven, you and Sara need to work together to stop Trigon. With my powers enhancing yours, there is a chance. According to my research, Trigon was locked away by the powers of good and evil, and only such powers can lock him away again. It also says that if Trigon is destroyed in a mortal form, he will be forever trapped in Hell. You must destroy my body and lock him away. I don't know what will happen to me, but it does not matter. Destroying that evil and saving both Raven and the world will be reward enough. Perhaps the Mages will resurrect me, perhaps not. Either way, you must do this thing. I know that it will be hard, but you are heroes. I know you will do what is right, even if your hearts break. That is our way. I have never been prouder to serve with anyone, save the Knights. I wish you peace, my new family. Sara, my sweet wife I am sorry that I have to leave you again. But if I am not returned to you, I will always watch over you. Raven, Sara and I will never be able to recreate the family we once had. If I could have been anyone else's father, I wish I could have been yours. I know that makes you uncomfortable, but it is the truth.

Farewell

Brett

The Nightstalker

Sara finished the note and folded it into her pocket. Then she looked over at Raven. As the empath rose to her feet, Sara said, "We don't have a choice, do we?" "No, I suppose not." Raven answered, as she picked up the sword and strapped it to her back. "This doesn't mean I trust you." The fox said. "It doesn't mean I care." Raven replied. The two of them took a hard look at each other. Neither one fully trusted the other; it was unlikely either ever would. The only thing that they agreed on was that the monster that had once been their friend had to be put to rest. "He's going to die for you, you know." Sara said. "Not if I can help it." Raven answered. "There has to be a way to separate them. I'm going to find it, and then I'm going to send my father back to hell. But I know I need your help. So we have to trust each other. No more secrets, so there's something you're gonna tell me, just like there's something I'm gonna tell you." Sara began to ask what it was, but then a sound came from behind them. Both turned to see Robin break out of his stone prison. Falling to the ground, he gasped for air, still weakened from the time spent within the rock. Raven and Sara quickly went over to him, gently helping him to his feet. "Are you ok?" Raven asked. "I think so." Robin wheezed. But then he noticed Raven's new armor. "What happened to you?" he asked. "Where's Brett?" The girls looked at each other, then Sara said, "Let's get the others out, then we'll explain."

The girls went to work; smashing the stone around each hero and freeing them form the earth's clutch. When each one had been freed, Sara and Raven told the story of Brett's plan (leaving out certain details) and read his note aloud. When they finished, both Titans and BRATS were in disbelief. "I can't believe this." Bartman said. "How are we supposed to destroy him? I mean, Brett made the WILDBRATS. How can we…" "We're not going to." Raven said. "We're going to save him." "How?" Cyborg asked. "None of us know anything about exorcisms." "No, we do." Sara said. "It's the best shot we have." "Then we'd best get going." Beast Boy said, getting up and heading for the cave entrance. The others began to follow, but Raven said that she and Sara would catch up in a minute.

When the others were out of range, Raven turned to Sara and said, "Ok, now we're gonna share. Brett said in the note that if he could have been anyone else's father, he would've been mine." "So?" Sara asked. "If he said else, that's means there was someone first. Who is he talking about?" Sara shook her head. "He really doesn't like to talk about the past does he? Brett was talking about our son."