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A/N: Another update. Still the same day. More problems for Raven. I mean why not have her entire life crumbling about now. She opened Pandora's box of emotions and now everyone's taking advantage of it. Kind of in a mental lull right now. Trying to make sure I know exactly where I'm going with everything. Trying to make sure everything makes sense all the way to the end. Let me know if I screwed up anything.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Teen Titans so don't even try suing me for the minuscule property I have.

Ch. 10: A Dark Reminder

In a dark cavern deep inside Slade's lair, a conversation was currently going on between Slade and his Master. As usual, Slade was kneeled before a burning symbol and a booming voice erupted from it.

"Emissary! Does the name Malchior mean anything to you? I believe I felt his power within this realm."

"I do not know him personally Lord Trigon, but from what Blood told me, he is currently trapped in a book in the possession of your daughter. During my "absence" Blood was fighting rather unsuccessfully against the Titan. He observed an encounter involving this Malchior. It is rather amazing what type of surveillance equipment one can get into Titan's Tower without being noticed. Apparently, this Malchior tried to use your daughter to free himself from a cursed book. He was successful but your daughter locked him away again no more than a few minutes after his escape. It seems Malchior manipulated Raven, using her insecurities against her, to trick her into believing that he was really some mage who was in love with her. Apparently she believed she loved him as well. She was rather angry. It was rather ingenious if I do say so myself."

"I do not care what your opinion is emissary."

"I am sorry Master. May I ask what your connection is to this Malchior?"

"Eons ago, there was a dark Mage on the planet of Azarath who desired more power. I reached out to him. In exchange for helping to create portals to allow my minions into his realm, I would grant him increased power to complete his task, as well as kill a few choice enemies. Upon receiving his power, he was transformed into a great Black Dragon and was successful in my requests. However, he foolishly began believing that he had dominion over my followers who came through these temporary portals. It was an act of betrayal that would have brought a terrible punishment had he not been defeated by some mortal mage of divine power. Apparently he was locked in this book that is in my daughters possession. Interesting. I may have a chance for some revenge I had not expected. Leave me Emissary. I believe I am going to pay my daughter a little visit."

Back at Titan's Tower:

The rest of the day past uneventful at Titan's Tower. Everyone tried to keep up with their regular routines. Starfire played with Silkie. Beast Boy and Cyborg played video games. After patching up SoulBurn, the two tried to get him to join in but he politely refused. He seemed quite confused by all the technology around him. He seemed to know what everything was when it was explained, but it was as if he had never seen something as simple as a T.V. himself.

He had asked if he could read something that would help him get acquainted with the titans, something that would tell him of their powers and possible inform him of what villains they might face so he could be prepared. Robin had provided him with a stack of papers that did not contain too much information, and nothing that could be used to endanger the titans.

Robin had spent most of the day researching every possible database he could find that might hold a clue to anything that might help him with the prophecy. He had found absolutely nothing. He wasn't completely surprised by the results as most of what was going on was either older than Humans or came from a different world. In a sense he knew his searches would come up fruitless, but he was just trying to take his mind off Raven. The entire day had passed and no one had seen her since her brief appearance during breakfast. She had made it clear that no one should bother her, and all the titans had followed her request, though all of them constantly thought of her.

Soon enough night had come and all the Titans had retired to bed. SoulBurn had been offered the guest room rather than the infirmary and he had accepted. There was no telling how long he would be here and who knew when the beds in the infirmary would be needed. The only one who did not sleep was Robin.

He was currently in the gym utterly destroying a punching bag that had someone been unlucky enough to be chosen as the enemy of the day. Every punch, every kick contained all his fears and frustrations that had built up over the course of the day, nearly all of them involving Raven. Eventually he had used everything he had and collapsed to his knees trying to catch his breath. He clenched his fists as it felt like his lungs were going to collapse. He only had one thought going through his head. 'I'm not going to ever give up on you Raven.'

Even as hours passed, Raven had not moved from her spot on the floor. Exhaustion had finally taken her, and she had fallen asleep still curled up in a little ball covered by her cloak. Unbeknownst to her, a malevolent presence was using his connection to her to enter her dreams, lowering her defenses to try and take control.

Raven P.O.V:

I had found myself in a beautiful landscape. It was a serene pond surrounded by trees. A breeze gently caressed her face. It was so peaceful. A small smile crept to my face.

"This is where I would have taken us on our first date Rae." I immediately turned around to find Robin standing there with a grim look on his face. He was shaking his head as if I had done something wrong.

"What…what do you mean Robin?"

"I couldn't believe it when I found out Raven. How could you have told Malchior you loved him. How could have you given him your first kiss. I can barely look at you…you whore."

"Robin please, you don't understand, I was confused…I…"

"Save it Raven. I don't want to hear your excuses. Didn't you understand how much I loved you. Do you know how much I would have given just to see you smile once. I would have given you eternal happiness but you preferred a lie to the real thing." A look of disgust had formed on his face. I could feel the tears starting to fall down my cheeks. I reached out a hand to him, but he only slapped it away.

"Please Robin. Please…I'm so very sorry. Please don't leave me. Please don't leave me alone. I'll do anything…" I wrapped my arms around me as I starting shaking from my sobs. I didn't want to look at his face. A malicious smile had crossed his face.

"I want you to destroy Malchior Raven. If you destroy him, then I will know that I am the only one you love."

"He's already locked away for all eternity Robin. Isn't that enough?" My voice was desperate and shaky as I spoke.

"No Raven it isn't. How do I know you aren't secretly talking to him when I'm not there. I can't trust you till he's gone."

"But..but I can't destroy him. I don't have the power." I felt a hand gently caress my cheek. I looked up to see Robin staring into my eyes.

"You have the power Raven. Use your demon side. It is capable of destroying Malchior and then, then I will love you forever."

"But I can't…I won't" I was cut off by Robin placing a gentle kiss on my lips. It was soft yet burning. It made my head feel light.

"Please Raven. Just do it. I'll stand by you and make sure nothing bad happens. I love you. Your human side as well as your demon side. Please, allow me to love you Destroy Malchior.

"Okay Robin. I will, for you." As if out of nowhere the book that contained Malchior was in front of me. It once again opened to the fake eyes of the mage. I felt Robin clutching my hand protectively. I allowed my demon side to take over. Four burning eyes formed on my face. I could feel power coursing through my entire body.

"Demonspawn! What are you doing? Please don't kill me. Please stop." Malchior's voice rang out from the book showing fear for the first time. His voice was drowned out by Robin's in my ear.

"Remember what he did to you Raven. Remember what he tried to take from you Raven. And now he is the only thing that stands between you and me." I let out a scream of rage as black energy combined with Hellfire itself was unleashed from my hands. Malchior let out one last scream as the book, along with his essence, was consumed. I calmed down and noticed Robin was no longer holding my hand. A dark laugh echoed from behind me. All the warmth immediately left my body yet it felt like my mind was on fire.

"Very good my daughter. I knew you had it in you. Did it not feel liberating to express your true power." I did not want to turn around but my body moved on its own accord.

"I must thank you daughter for ridding me of that traitor Malchior. I couldn't have done it better myself." There stood Trigon. He was not the towering presence that he normally was but the red skinned demonlord still stood more than ten feet tall. My eyes widened in horror as I saw his claw pushed right through Robin's chest. Robin's eyes were wide but lifeless. Blood dripped steadily from the wound.

"Do you finally understand the price of your emotions daughter. How easily you've been manipulated once again. And to think all because of something as worthless as love. If you wanted love you could have made an entire universe worship you by standing by my side. Instead you cling to the hope that this mortal could truly love you." Robin's body was thrown to the ground it front of me. "How very foolish daughter. You will all die. You will all die." I took one more looked at the bleeding corpse of Robin and screamed.

I woke up and fell over immediately. How did I get standing. What is going on? I looked around my room and saw that the chest holding the book was empty and there was a black scotch mark on my floor. Oh no! It really happened. I really destroyed the book. I really destroyed Malchior. I allowed myself to lose control while I slept and let my demon side take over. My whole body was shaking from the shock of it all. What if I had hurt someone. What if I had killed one of my friends. I should have been stronger. I should have resisted my feelings. This is all Robin's fault! If he would just leave me alone. If he would get it through his head that we can never be together, that I am not allowed to be loved like that. A knock was suddenly at my door followed by Robin's frantic voice.

"Raven! Raven! Are you in there? Please say something. I heard a scream. Oh god please just say something." I knew if I didn't say something he was going to bust down the door.

"I'm fine Robin. Leave me alone now." My voice was cold and ruthless. I did not want to talk to him nor be anywhere near him right now.

"Are you sure Raven?" I could feel the concern in his voice but I would not allow myself to be taken in by that.

"I am not going to say it again Robin. Leave me the hell alone right now!" Anger had spiked within me and I could hear a light bulb explode outside in the hallway. I could hear a startled yelp from Robin. A few seconds passed before I heard a defeated sigh come from outside me door and the footsteps of Robin walking away. Fighting to control my raging emotions I began meditating. It would carry on through the night and well into the daylight hours. All thoughts of Robin were purged from my mind.