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Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans so lets not try and sue me since I don't have anything to sue for

Ch. 25: Peace of Mind

Raven gave one last vain effort to overcome the darkness surrounding her but found there was no escape and sadly began quietly said her good bye to her friends and Robin, hoping they would hear her. Suddenly she felt something overcome her that was not cold but warm and inviting. On instinct, she embraced this warmth hoping it would save her and she immediately felt her consciousness rip out of the darkness. It felt like she was floating away as she barely noticed that she was leaving SoulBurn's mind. It was only a few seconds but it felt like a few hours to Raven though she didn't mind. The feeling this warmth was giving her was only matched by the feeling Robin gave to her when he held her or told her he loved her. She finally felt her consciousness stop moving and found herself completely surrounded in white. A voice appearing out of nowhere startled her but it sounded vaguely familiar.

"Hello my little Raven. I am so glad to see you again." Raven watched as a person appeared at a distance in front of her slowly getting closer. Raven could tell it was a woman and was surprised that she could even see her. The flowing white gown of the woman should have blended in perfectly with the surroundings. As the woman came into perfect view, Raven studied her carefully. It only took her a few seconds to recognize her face, the face that had helped haunt her guilt-ridden nightmares. When she had still been alive, this woman had been known as Arella and Raven found her eyes widened in total shock as she only managed to get out one word.

"Mama…." The woman in front of her was beautiful to say the least. She had long black hair and dark blue eyes. She was slightly taller than Raven but had the same graceful curves of her daughter. At the sound of Raven's voice, the woman gave Raven the warmest of smiles. The two stood there staring at each other with Raven unsure what to do, her mother choosing to speak first.

"You have become such a beautiful woman my daughter and such a wonderful person. I am so proud of you." Raven could feel the tears starting to flow as she lowered her head in shame. She spoke in a quiet voice.

"But I killed you...it was me that killed you and Azarath. How can you be proud of me...I've done such terrible things." The tears were now fully falling from Raven's eyes yet she kept her head down. She was afraid to look at her mother's reaction. Raven quickly found herself embraced in a loving hug from her mother as she pulled her daughter to her and began speaking soothing words.

"Shh my little Raven. I do not blame you for what happened. I know that it was Trigon who did all those terrible things. It is I who did wrong when I allowed myself to be kept from you. You do not have to carry around this guilt anymore Raven. You are my beautiful, innocent daughter, and that is what you always will be. I love you Raven. I love you so very much." Raven carefully looked into her mother's eyes and felt the love radiating off her. Raven reached her arms around her mother's waist and hugged tightly crying into her shoulder.

"I love you too mama. I love you too." If anyone would have seen this embrace, they would have seen something very different. They would have seen a small little purple haired child hugging their mother who had kneeled down to meet her embrace. They stayed that way for what felt like an eternity, both women with tears of happiness flowing down their faces.. Eventually Raven slowly pushed away, sniffling and wiping her eyes.

"How am I here mother? Am I dead? Please tell me I'm not, I can't leave Robin." Arella smiled slightly at her panicky daughter.

"Do not worry Raven, you are not dead. It is just that you were in much danger and needed to be saved. A friend brought you here to safety so that I could talk to you. You needed to be free of your guilt so you can truly be happy and I knew I could do this for you." Raven eyed her mother.

"A friend?" Arella smiled again.

"Now where are my manners, Michael please come out and meet my daughter though I am sure you already know her. I believe she wants to thank you for saving her life."

As with her mother, another person appeared off in the distance. As this one got closer, Raven let out a gasp. This person was definitely male and very tall. He seemed to be dressed in a white robe but his strong build could still be seen underneath. He seemed to be about middle age and had long blonde hair with very pale blue eyes, eyes she had only seen once before. Of course the most noticeably feature were two enormous glowing white wings coming from his back. As he got closer, Raven could only describe him as ridiculously good-looking. He seemed to radiate with the same warmth that had carried her here, saving her from the darkness. When he spoke his voice was like beautiful music.

"Hello Raven. It is a pleasure to meet you. I have watched you for almost your entire life and I must say I am honored to meet someone like you." Raven watched the angel extend his hand but could not shake it. It finally dawned on Raven who this was. He was an angel and his name was Michael. Raven suddenly realized something very important: The Arch-Angel Michael, First and most powerful of all Angels in the High Heavens was standing in front of her. Raven's eyes widened as she looked at the towering figure and immediately dropped to one knee with her head down.

"No it is the up most honor that I get the chance to meet you. I hope I have not disrespected you in any way. I thank you most graciously for my rescue though I don't think I could ever thank you enough." Raven was shocked when she heard two people laughing in front of her. She slowly looked up and saw her mother and Michael laughing at her. Michael was even clutching his sides he was laughing so hard. He regained enough composure to speak in between chuckles.

"Rise daughter of Arella. You'll find that a majority of we angels are not big fans of formality and people bowing down to us. It actually embarrasses us. In my heart, I am no better than you so do not treat me as so. You really just reminded me of your mother when I first met her. She did something so very similar." Raven looked over to her mother who was turning slightly red and smiling sheepishly which caused Raven to blush slightly. One thing Raven did notice is that Michael called her daughter of Arella rather than daughter of Trigon. It made her feel good.

"I still wish to say thank you for saving me though." A breathtakingly beautiful smile formed on Michael's face.

"You are most welcome Raven. I couldn't let Robin have to live the rest of his life without you."

"You know about Robin?" Arella spoke next.

"Of course Raven and let me say he is quite the handsome one with those blue eyes. He seemed a little fidgety when I talked to him but I could tell he loved you so very much as I know you love him too. I'm just amazed that after all this time you two haven't been intimate yet." Raven could feel her entire face go beat read.

"Mother!" Raven was so embarrassed. Why did her mother have to bring up her personal life in front of an Arch-Angel. However, her mind changed course when she realized something. "It was you who spoke to Robin in that vision he told me about. It was you who tried to help us fight the prophecy."

"Yes it was Raven with the help of Michael of course. We did all we could to try and help."

"Your telling me all you could do was a few cryptic visions. I find that hard to believe." Michael spoke up.

"I know it sounds strange but it is true. We angels must be very careful to maintain a balance in the mortal realm. If we try to interact too much with it, it could have terrible consequences. And because of a particular presence in the mortal realm, we are all but locked out. To interfere too much now would be very, very disastrous.

"You mean SoulBurn don't you." Michael's face seemed to darken for a second at the sound of the name but quickly returned to its angelic look.

"Yes. It is Azrael's presence that keeps us from helping anymore than small things like visions. In fact, saving you was definitely, as you mortals say, pushing it." Raven butted in.

"He doesn't like being called Azrael you know." A slight chuckle escaped Michael's lips but quickly ended.

"He never did like his name though I suppose his reason for not liking it now is more obvious, but anyways, I believe you went into SoulBurn's mind to find answers and I hope I can give them to you. It is far too dangerous to try to go into his mind again." The way Michael said the last line, Raven knew it was serious.

"What is it that you can tell me about him. There are so many questions that there are no answers to."

"Raven, you have come seeking answers to if Lucifer is up to something again and that is what I shall answer. I will answer no other questions about SoulBurn." His voice never raised but Raven got the point.

"It is unclear how SoulBurn has returned from Hell. He was a living mortal when he entered into Hell so there was nothing stopping his return to the mortal realm as long as he remained alive. If he freed himself while there, he could have easily used his powers to escape and no demon could have followed."

"You haven't answered the important question. Is he a threat? Is my Father up to something?"

"I can not say for sure Raven. No one in the high heavens can see what occurs in Hell just as no one in Hell can see here, that is unless they enter into the mortal realm. Both Heaven and Hell can see almost everything that occurs in the mortal realm though interaction with it is almost nonexistence. We angels can view vast amounts of worlds at any given moment and can hear almost anything but I know of no prophecies that deal with anything like this and I could not view what happened while SoulBurn was trapped in Hell. I can tell you that the essence of SoulBurn before he went into Hell has not changed dramatically since his return though it is a little darker. I imagine that is from his hellish experiences he spoke to you about." Raven shuddered slightly at being reminded of what had happened to SoulBurn. "Right now my senses tell me that he is the same person he was when he helped fight against Slade."

"But what about what lies behind that barrier in his mind, what you needed to save me from. That sure as hell felt like a major threat."

"Raven, watch your language." Raven looked sheepishly at her mother.

"I'm sorry mother and I apologize to you Michael. That was unnecessary." Michael laughed slightly.

"You should hear the words that come out of Gabriel's mouth. Now that is inappropriate." Everyone couldn't help but smile. Michael continued speaking.

"That barrier should have never been. It was an unexpected occurrence but did work out in our favor at the time. I won't go in to the details but as long as that barrier stays up, SoulBurn is definitely no threat. However, even if by some unbelievable act it comes down, I still believe the threat won't be drastic."

"But what about that darkness I felt, if that was unleashed…." Michael cut her off with a wave of his hand.

"That darkness is as much a part of SoulBurn as was the part that reached out to me and allowed me to save you, however both are currently locked away. You have two choices Raven. You can either simply kill SoulBurn and ensure he never will be a threat."

"How about a realistic option." Raven quickly responded with that. There was no way they were going to kill him. He risked his life for her even when she barely knew him, when she was a threat to the universe. She would not abandon him for what he nor any of her friends never could do to her.

"The second option is to simply accept him as he is right now and have faith that everything will work out." Raven let out a deep sigh.

"So that is it. You really don't have any answers for me and won't tell me anything else." The Arch-Angel nodded his head slowly.

"Well though I am grateful for you saving me and allowing me to see my mother, I can't say I'm all to happy with this little information session."

"It is all I can say for my own reasons. Some things are best let to work themselves out." Again Raven nodded slightly.

"It is time to send you back to your body Raven. It will only have been a few seconds in the mortal realm so no one will be too worried about you suddenly fainting." Raven nodded and approached her mother. Arella spoke first.

"I am glad I got to see you again daughter. I will miss you and know that I will always love you." Raven hugged her mother who quickly returned the embrace.

"I love you too mama. I will see you again. I promise." And with that Raven faded away back to her body. The two figures stood there in silence for a few seconds before Michael spoke.

"And now all we can do is pray for the safety and happiness of our children."

Meanwhile back in the tower, Robin was holding Raven who had apparently fainted for a few seconds. She was still breathing but he was still concerned. Suddenly her eyes fluttered open and Robin was met with the sight of two beautiful amethyst eyes. Raven immediately pulled Robin's head down to her and kissed him. He eventually pulled away.

"What was that for?" Raven gave Robin a huge smile.

"I'm just happy to see you again." Robin returned her smile and helped her to her feet. Raven could feel SoulBurn's eyes upon her and a worrisome emotion coming from him.

She turned to SoulBurn who was sitting pensively on the couch.

"There is nothing to worry about SoulBurn. As far as I can tell, you are no threat. You are finally free of Hell and can now return to enjoying your life." SoulBurn warmly smiled and Raven found herself pulled into an unexpected hug from the much taller SoulBurn.

"Thank You Raven. Thank You so much." Raven reluctantly returned the hug. SoulBurn eventually let go when a loud commotion could be heard coming off the elevator. It was Cyborg's voice that was heard first.

"Now you guys better be done with what you're talking about cuz we've been waiting out there forever and you're not the only ones who wants answers." Cyborg was followed by Terra and Beast Boy who were carrying far too much beach stuff than they should have, depositing it messily on the floor. After that came Starfire, Bumble Bee, and the rest of Titan's East, lastly came Blackfire. Raven was the first to respond.

"We are done talking Cyborg but I do have to go have a conversation with Robin. You introduce SoulBurn to everyone and grill up some food. It is about time to eat."

"Right away little lady. It is time for the real iron chef to cook up some delicious meat for everybody, isn't that right B.B." Raven and Robin left the room as the inevitable meat versus tofu fight erupted. This left SoulBurn standing slightly nervous in front of the remaining people. Everyone seemed to be staring at him waiting for him to say something. His voice came out slightly quiet.

"Uhm Hello.