Okay, a much larger chapter this time around, chock full of dramatic goodness!

In response to Letselina, yeah, the last chapter was a bit of a filler chapter, unfortunately. I needed a transition. In retrospect, I should have joined chapters 7 and 8 together. Oh, well.

Gothichika wondered what the pairing of this story is. Honestly, there really isn't one. There's a lot of implication and confusion (hey! Just like being a teen!), but nothing definite happens.

Or does it?! Muahahahaha!

That said, there's a bunch of implication! Especially in this chapter.

Anyway, on to the chapter!

Chapter 9: The Long Night

Raven returned to the living room, her eyes narrowing at the scene. Cyborg and Starfire were staring blankly at where Harbinger sat with Beast Boy. Rather than his normal green tone, the changeling was as red as a beet. The reason was easy to determine; Harbinger was draped over his form like a blanket. Red eyes swiveled to regard the cloaked figure a wide, predatory smile crossing her lips.

"There you are, my dear!" Harbinger called out, "We were all just getting acquainted. Why don't you join us?"

Raven made a non-committal grunt and turned towards the kitchen to brew herself some soothing herbal tea.

"Listen, uh... Harbinger," Cyborg began, "Maybe you should move away from Beast Boy for a bit."

"Yes!" Starfire agreed enthusiastically, "You may be squeezing him too tight and causing his brain to lack the flow of blood."

Harbinger smirked slightly, "I don't think that is the reason for any lack of blood, but all right if it disturbs you both so much." Slowly, she untangled herself from the green titan who still appeared quite stunned at the attention.

Raven came back into the room, hands cupping the tea but her eyes never leaving their dark visitor. Soon after, Robin returned and after they had all sat down, Harbinger informed the Titans of the Church of Starry Wisdom and their dread god Ba'Cthuga.

After the tale was over, Raven spoke, "You seem to know quite a lot about this."

Harbinger shrugged absently, "It's a living."

"How did Vivian 'invite' you?" Beast Boy asked, his voice slightly suspicious.

"A ritual," Harbinger stated, "She does have a gift with languages, as she's told you. She managed to discover an incantation to summon me. We then worked out the exchange."

"Can she hear us?"

The dark woman smirked slightly at Beast Boy, tilting her head, "Aww, you're worried about her, aren't you? Don't worry, she'll be back in the morning. That's the deal. As to your question... hmm, not exactly. While I am able to have access to all her knowledge, I'm afraid the human mind just isn't capable of accessing over twelve eons worth of information. Besides, humans need sleep; she is able to see some of what happens when I am in control, but it's as if in a dream. Vague and... indistinct." Harbinger paused then smiled widely at Beast Boy, "I can, however, leave a message for her when she awakes, if you want?"

Beast Boy shook his head, "That's okay. I'll talk to her myself in the morning."

"This deal seems rather one sided," Raven cut in, sipping her tea.

Harbinger snorted lightly, "Hardly. If it was, she wouldn't have agreed to it, would she? She gets what she wants. And so do I." Her red eyes turned towards Beast Boy again, teasing and cold as if sizing up a purchase. He swallowed nervously.

Robin was more practical in his questioning, "How do we take out these cultists? Do they have any powers or specific weaknesses?"

Harbinger looked back to the Boy Wonder and nodded, "Yes. Ba'Cthuga gives his followers certain... gifts. What they get is entirely up to the god and to the rank they hold in the church. Most of the Initiates are just plain humans, though a few may have investments in superior strength. The higher-ups typically have mental powers. Telepathy and that sort of thing. A High Priest will have a variety of investments and will be difficult to take out. Fortunately, you only need to concentrate on taking out the High Priest. If he falls, the others will retreat. The Church is very... hierarchical."

"How do we recognize the High Priest?" Robin asked.

"He'll be easy to spot," Harbinger replied, "The Initiates wear black robes. The Acolytes have dark blue robes... rather like Raven... The High Priest wears red robes with ceremonial gold writing on a length of cloth around the shoulders."

"Are you certain that the Highest of Priests will be at the warehouse?" Star inquired curiously.

"For something this important? Oh yeah," Harbinger grinned viciously, "This is what they're always trying to do, after all."

"These mental powers you mentioned," Cyborg stated, folding his mental hands, "How do we protect against them?"

"Don't look into their eyes," Harbinger replied with a smile.

Silence presided over the living room for several moments before Robin clapped his hands and stood, "Well, that should be all for tonight anyway. We should all get some rest. I'll turn all the tower's defenses on tonight." He looked over to Harbinger, "Just to keep you safe, of course."

"Of course," the dark woman replied with a thin smile.

The titans all retired to their rooms, but sleep was not in store for Beast Boy. He lay in his darkened room, staring up at the ceiling, hands folded behind his head, mind racing with questions to ask Vivian in the morning. Assuming the demon thing wasn't lying. There was a soft knock at the door and Beast Boy sighed. "Come in."

The door opened and a soft, familiar voice murmured quietly, "Hello, Beast Boy."

The green titan frowned, trying to place the voice. It sounded so familiar. He turned his head towards the entrance and did a double-take, staring at the blonde girl standing there.

"T... Terra?!"

She was clad in the uniform she wore when she was a member of the titans. Terra smiled, but it was a playful and vicious smile. Like a dagger half unsheathed. "Not quite," she purred softly, the blue eyes fading to a solid red.

Beast Boy remained stunned for a moment before a dark countenance crossed his features. "Harbinger. I... what are you doing?"

Harbinger grinned widely and approached slowly, still in Terra's form, "Well... since the others are asleep, I thought I'd pay you a little visit. One on one."

Beast Boy shook his head, rising to a seating position and still glowering at the figure, "No, I mean... why are you like that?"

"Don't you like it?" Harbinger asked with upraised eyebrows, twirling around in place, "I think it's rather nice, myself. She certainly occupies a special place in your mind."

Beast Boy frowned deeply, "So you're a telepath, huh? I don't like having my mind intruded, y'know."

The figure chuckled, advancing further, "No, not a telepath. Not exactly, anyway. I can only tell what people want. And you want this Terra, didn't you?"

Beast Boy glared at Harbinger, "Get out. Leave me alone."

The woman sighed as black smoke twirled around her, turning her back into the black form of the Harbinger. "Oh, come now. I was only trying to be friendly. I was just trying to give you what you want."

"You don't know what I want," Beast Boy replied with a growl.

"That's where you're mistaken," Harbinger replied softly, advancing further, snaking one arm then the other about his shoulders, "I know exactly what you want. You want to love and be loved back, don't you? You want to find someone who doesn't mind your skin is green. Someone who needs you, just as much as you need them. You want respect and for someone to look up to you. And you thought you found that in Terra. And you think you found that in Vivian."

A multitude of conflicting emotions ran through Beast Boy as he stared, mesmerized, into the red eyes of the dark woman. "N... no," he said weakly, his shaky voice betraying his confusion.

"I can be anyone you want," whispered Harbinger, pressing herself closer to the now blushing boy, "Any time you want. You don't have to be alone anymore. You don't have to hide behind jokes. I know what you need, what you want." She began to move her lips closer to his, just a hairs breath away, Beast Boy paralyzed to inaction.

Suddenly, there was a cold wind that cut through them and they both looked towards the doorway. Standing there was the form of Raven, her cloak billowing behind her, eyes glowing bright white. Although her face was a mask of neutrality, anger simply wafted off of her in almost visible waves.

Beast Boy blinked, shaken out of his reverie by the sight. "Raven!" he exclaimed before quickly backing away from the scandalously close Harbinger, "I... I can explain... it's not what it looks like!"

"Beast Boy," Raven murmured quietly, voice icy calm, "Please leave. I want to have a discussion with our guest."

Beast Boy frowned slightly, "Hey, this is my room."

"Leave. Now!" Raven hissed, her voice echoing slightly. Beast Boy swallowed visibly and headed for the exit, rubbing the back of his head as he left, "Gee, look at the time! Why it's practically morning! I better go make some soy pancakes!" With that, he hurried out of the room.

Raven and Harbinger stared at each other, Raven looking calm and dangerous, Harbinger looking vaguely amused and cocky. The dark woman placed a hand on her hip and smirked, "Well?"

"While you are here," Raven murmured, voice even, "You will not, I repeat, NOT mess with my friends. Understand?"

"I wasn't messing with anyone," Harbinger replied in an oh-so-innocent voice, "I was just having a nice private moment with the green wonder there. You know, it's very rude to walk into someone's room without knocking."

Raven's still glowing eyes narrowed, "Leave him alone or--"

"You'll what?" Harbinger interrupted, taking a step forward, vicious, evil grin on her face, "Kill me? This body is only a host. You'll be only murdering Vivian. Then we'll see just how much lover boy takes to you."

"I'll destroy you," Raven stated with certainty.

Musical, mocking laughter erupted from the dark figure, her head tilting to one side, "Quite the threat, little girl. And completely empty. Better, more powerful beings have tried and all have failed. Your pathetic attempts would tickle at best. You don't have the power to do that."

"Are you so sure?" Raven asked, lips pulling into a tight line.

"Yes," Harbinger replied with just as much certainty as the girl opposite her, "At least, as you are now." She smiled slowly, walking closer to the cloaked titan. "There is a way you could get the power needed," she purred softly, "Just... give in to your rage. Your hate. All those emotions you keep so locked and hidden. With that power, you might be able to destroy me." Harbinger began to circle Raven slowly, "But you'll never do that will you? No... you're too scared. Terrified at what that would mean, aren't you?"

"I'm warning you..."

"Temper, temper, little one," Harbinger replied with a hiss to her voice, "You wouldn't want daddy dearest to wake up, would you?"

With an effort, Raven forced the bubbling rage in her down, threatening to overtake her mind. Silently she repeated the mantra of her magic words to calm herself. Finally, Raven took a deep breath and said in deadly calm, "I swear, if you dare hurt him or any of my friends--"

Again, she was cut off by a faux gasp of surprise from Harbinger who placed a scandalized hand against her chest, "What? You think I would hurt him? No, no, my dear. I only wanted to help him."

"You call what you were doing helping?" Raven whispered dangerously.

"I could light fire in his dreams until his dying day," Harbinger replied, flashing a wicked grin, "If you are truly the friend you claim to be, would you really prevent that pleasure? Would you not let even the tiniest bright spot in his life? I could give him everything he ever wanted. What could you give him? More insults? More comments at his expense?"

Raven again felt the rage boil inside her and was about to make a nasty reply when there was the sound of someone clearing their throat from the doorway. Standing there was Robin, a faint frown on his features.

"Harbinger," he stated calmly, "I want to have a word with you alone. Could you please accompany me to my room?"

The dark lady paused then beamed brightly, "Of course, my fine feathered friend." She chuckled and glided past Robin, out into the hallway. As Robin turned to leave, Raven caught hold of his wrist, her eyes finally returning to their normal color. "Don't go off alone with her. Take someone with you. Anyone. Star, Cyborg, me... anyone."

Robin paused, looking over his shoulder. "It's okay, Raven. I saw what happened. Don't worry."

"You don't understand," Raven whispered, "She knows things. I don't know how, exactly, but she knows precisely which buttons to push."

Robin smiled and shook his head, smiling, "Don't worry, Rae. I know what I'm doing." Raven pursed her lips then nodded, releasing his wrist. Her eyes never left Harbinger's form as she and Robin walked down the hallway.

Once inside Robin's cluttered room with the door shut, he turned around and glared at the dark woman. "What do you think you're doing?"

Harbinger paused, gazing around at the walls stuffed with newspaper clippings before shrugging, "Just having a little talk with Raven, that's all. She's quite the excitable girl underneath that hard exterior."

Robin's eyes narrowed behind his mask, "That's not what I mean and you know it. I'm happy for your help, Harbinger, but I will not allow you to harass my team, understand me?"

"I wasn't harassing anyone," Harbinger murmured innocently, "I merely wanted to give Beast Boy a little something that Raven took exception to."

"May I suggest that you keep your 'gifts' to yourself in the future." It was a statement, an order, not a request.

Harbinger paused then walked towards Robin's cluttered desk, fingertips running over the myriad of junk and papers scattered across it. "It must be hard," she purred softly, "To hold this team together. A real chore herding these cats. A very big weight on the shoulders of one so young."

"I'm not interested in conversation, Harbinger," Robin stated flatly, "I just want to make things clear: don't bother my team members."

"I know what you want," Harbinger murmured softly, turning her red eyes towards the Boy Wonder, "You're most complex, you know that? You're so resentful of the long pointy-eared shadow that follows you. So desperately struggling against the darkness that threatens to overcome you. "

Robin glared at Harbinger, "Stop it."

Harbinger smiled slowly, walking towards Robin, "I know that you feel others are out of reach. Especially those of the female persuasion. On pedestals or... otherwise engaged." Suddenly, black smoke enveloped her form, clearing to reveal a tall woman in white face makeup with a jester hat and a form-fitting black and red body suit. "How do I look, Mistah R?"

The black smoke enveloped her again, clearing once more to reveal another woman in a black full-body suit, two small ears sewn into the hood. "Meow!"

And again, the black smoke swirled around Harbinger's changing form, this time clearing to reveal a woman with red hair and a green leotard, vines wrapping around her legs, "Or maybe this better suits your fancy? A bit of a more... earthy girl. But if you prefer someone more your age, and keeping with the green theme..."

Black smoke cascaded about Harbinger yet again, this time revealing a shorter girl in a purple top and miniskirt with green eyes. Solid green eyes. She blinked in a parody of Starfire's wide-eyed innocence, clasping her hands together, "Oh, by the Moons of Centaur! It does appear as if my friend Robin is in need of some Venusian Masseuse relaxation techniques!" Grinning wickedly, she approached the stunned Robin.

"Enough!" Robin yelled, grabbing the pseudo-Starfire's wrists and forcing her back, "Listen to me, Harbinger. I've had enough of your games. You will not bother me or my team again, got it? We're working together to prevent Ba'Cthuga from coming to earth, but I will not tolerate you doing this sort of thing. Do you understand me?"

For a moment, the false Starfire glared at Robin before black smoke wrapped around her and returned her to her original demonic look. "Suit yourself," she purred, pulling away from the masked hero, "I was only trying to give you what you wanted. But if you refuse, who am I to argue? I'll just wait until morning quietly in the living room."

"You do that," Robin stated coldly, releasing Harbinger and stepping away, "I'll be watching you."

"I bet you say that to all the girls," Harbinger murmured quietly, turning around and stepping out of the room, "Good night, Robin."