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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. 37: There Is Always Hope
All of the original Titans left could feel the tears flowing freely down their faces yet the one who should have been crying the most had barely even blinked since the massive explosion. Raven still sat on her knees, now with her eyes closed. Her skin seemed to grow paler by the second and it barely looked like she was breathing.
SoulBurn stood there with millions of thoughts flowing through his head, staring at the prone form of Raven. With the death of Lucifer, the darkness of her soul had completely dissipated leaving only her own now within her body. Though she was still half demon in body, she was now free completely of the taint of her Father. However, at this moment, that meant absolutely nothing. He could see her inner light fading, completely giving in to the desire to fade away. Though Robin had every noble intention in his actions, SoulBurn had the terrible feeling that Raven would never have a will to live again.
SoulBurn watched as Raven's eyes slowly opened. Her eyes were cold, hollow. Her eyes were so lifeless that SoulBurn knew that they would probably haunt him forever, even if he lived another nine hundred million years. SouBurn could no longer look at the eyes and closed his own trying to clear his thoughts. His entire existence was now blatantly clear to him. He was not SoulBurn, but rather Azrael, a fallen angel who was tainted by Lucifer shortly after his birth, a being who was always meant to help bring Hell to the Universe. However, by a simple twist of fate, he was given a second chance to be what he was born to be, not what he was created to be. SoulBurn was that second chance but sadly, that was not him, not right now. Suddenly, Starfire's scream rang out.
"Sister! Why are you not breathing? Sister, Please wake up!" SoulBurn turned around in a flash and saw Starfire shaking the form of Blackfire. Frantic thoughts raced through SoulBurn's head as he raced over to Blackfire. She was supposed to be okay. She was supposed to make it. Again Starfire was yelling.
"Raven! I thought you said you healed her. I thought you said she would survive. Please hurry and use your healing powers before it is too late." Raven's voice came out completely dead, beyond the monotone that once dominated her words.
"It is too late Starfire. Everything is too late. I have little power left and could never use them as I am right now. I was unable to heal her before...it will not happen now." The sheer emptiness of Raven's voice made everyone shiver slightly.
"No Raven! There must be a way! There is always a way!" Again Raven's voice chilled the air.
"No hope. There is no hope. It is all gone, gone in a flash of red." SoulBurn who was kneeling beside Blackfire and her sister, could feel the last bit of life leave Blackfire. She was gone. He gently caressed the side of her cold, pale face as a single tear escaped his eye.
He clenched his fists as he slowly rose to his feet and looked around himself. Raven was fading away, Starfire continued to sob relentlessly as she held her sister and Beast Boy and Terra simply stood next to each other with a look of total devastation and hopelessness. Mas simply sat on the ground holding his knees to his chest while Bumble Bee continued to stare off into nothingness. Finally, SoulBurn stared off at a city that was almost completely gone, the final stand of good versus evil. Beast Boy and Terra watched as SoulBurn watched walked a few steps out in front of the group. They were completely confused by what was going on. SoulBurn began speaking to what seemed to be the sky.
"Father! I know you are there. I know you can hear and see everything that has transpired. Show yourself now!." Everyone seemed to hear a response thought it seemed to exist within their minds rather that their ears.
"The balance must be respected. That is how it must be." SoulBurn lashed back at the voice.
"Enough! The Lord of Hell has just been completely destroyed from all existence in the mortal realm. The balance is gone right now! Get down here right now!" Pure white energy seemed to radiate off of SoulBurn as he spoke. The true Titans recognized it as the same energy that had finally brought down Slade in the battle of the prophecy. Again a response was heard in everyone's minds.
"So be it." A brilliant flash of white, brighter than even what SoulBurn was producing suddenly engulfed everything. The remaining Titans all shielded their eyes but even then they could still see the blinding light. Eventually the light relented and the Titan's vision slowly came back into focus. Beast Boy and Terra could see two figures in front of SoulBurn. One seemed to tower over the other and they almost thought they could see two wings extending from his back. The smaller figure glided forward as if she wasn't even touching the ground toward Raven. Everyone was shocked when she kneeled down by the small girl and embraced her in a gentle hug. It was even stranger when they realized just how much this being looked like Raven, though an older version. The strange woman began speaking gently to Raven who had yet to move or respond to the actions.
"My sweet little Raven. I am so sorry. It should have never come to this. It should have never come to this." The woman began crying gently as she held Raven tighter, yet Raven still did nothing. It was a terrible sight. Even in the embrace of her mother, Raven was still completely dead.
Terra, Beast Boy, and Starfire's eyes slowly drifted toward the other figure that had appeared, the one SoulBurn had called to...the one he had called father. The being could only be described as angelic in every sense of the word. In appearance as well as the aura and feelings he admitted from within. On closer inspection, there truly were great white wings extending from his back and also they noticed one important other feature: his eyes were the same exact pale blue as SoulBurn's. Had Raven been aware of her surroundings, she would have easily recognized the being as the Arch-Angel Michael, first among all heavenly beings. The rest of the Titans were simply in awe of this being who managed to make them all feel safe and warm by his mere presence. However, SoulBurn simply stood in front of him, eyes locked on the one who was his father, the one who had banished him to the mortal realm.
"Hello Azrael. It is finally good to be by you once again. I am sorry for everything that has happened. I…" Michael was cut off by a rather angry sounding SoulBurn.
"Of course your sorry. Everyone is sorry. Your sorry, I'm sorry, the Titans are sorry, but that won't change anything now will it." The great Arch-Angel slowly lowered his head.
"If you must blame someone son, then blame me. It was I who allowed this all to start. It was I who was not able to see the grand plan that Lucifer had set in motion. It was I who never saw how my own son had been tainted." A dead silence formed after the final words. Not even a gentle breeze seemed to permeate the area. It was Beast Boy who spoke next
"Um, I don't want to interrupt anything but could you tell us what's going SoulBurn. I believe we have the right to know." SoulBurn turned around and his eyes seemed to soften slightly but quickly returned to a very cold look.
"I believe I will allow my father to explain everything. It is he who has witnessed everything that has happened from the beginning...the absolute beginning." Michael raised his head back up and looked over at Beast Boy and Terra. Starfire floated up, still holding her sister in her arms, staring with red, puffy eyes at the sight in front of her.
"Greetings great warriors of the mortal realm. I wish I was meeting you under other circumstances but that was not to be. I am the Arch-Angel Michael, first guardian of the High Heavans and all existence for that matter, though I believe I have failed in that duty. The young woman holding Raven is Arella, Raven's mother. Everyone's eyes drifted over to Raven and her mother. Arella was still whispering softly into her daughter's ear, trying to get threw to her, but Raven's eyes remained dead to the living world.
"I know it means very little, but I must again say how sorry I am for the great tragedy that has occurred to you all and your city, but I will start from the beginning. Angels were born of heaven long ago, before the mortal realm was created, long before the dimension of Hell was created as a prison. Angels are immortal beings who are supposed to represent the purity of existence. Eventually the mortal realm was created and it became the duty of Heaven to watch over it. The mortal realm was not a perfect place, but it was a place where all things were possible, a place where no one was limited by fate and destiny. At this time, everything was the way it was supposed to be."
"However, one angel was gifted with the ability to see into the future, to see everything that would come. His name was Lucifer. He was very popular amongst the beings of heaven and eventually began believing he was above all other creation and that it was he who should control all realms of existence. He believed he could bring about perfect harmony to everything that was and would ever be." Michael let out a regretful sigh.
"I once called Lucifer friend as he was the first angel created after me and thusly we had a bond that went beyond many things. He came to me at this time, telling me of his grand vision, of his great plan, asking that I stand by him and help bring it about. It was then that I knew his pride had turned into madness. It was then that I could no longer deny that my friend was falling away from what angels were meant to be. I tried to help him, tried to make him see the error of his ways but he only grew worse, claiming that I was a traitor to his vision, that I was betraying the light by turning against him." The Titan's all listened attentively, finally hearing the truths of all that they had fought against. It was at this point that Michael's voice became very sad.
"It was also at this time that I had just become a father. My Soulmate Elysia was the most beautiful, kind, and gentle of all our kind though she never fell into pride as Lucifer did. Our love was beyond description, existed as long as time itself. However, it took us a very long time to finally have a child. Souls do not breed as mortal beings due but rather combine their essences with other souls to create new life, though normally this type of combining occurs between an angel and the passed on soul of a mortal."
"In a sense, Heaven is similar to the mortal realm though it is a place where there the evil of existence struggles to find any place in the hearts of its residents. It is a society that will exist for all eternity, where people have the opportunity to find the perfect happiness they may have not found in their lives. What made the joining between me and my Soulmate so special was that it was between two higher beings...between two angels. This had never happened before in all existence as for whatever reason, two angels had never fallen in love with each other. The result was a pure born angel who we named Azrael, the first ever born of his kind. It was the happiest moment of our existence, the happiest we had ever been in our billions of years of existence in heaven."
A dark look appeared on the heavenly features of Michael and SoulBurn's body seemed to be shaking slightly. Whatever was next to be said was visibly bothering both of them.
"It was not long after that Lucifer launched a attack with a few followers against myself and the majority of heaven which refused to see the glory of his vision. The attack came sudden and without warning but in the end the side of the true light triumphed. However, Lucifer was not defeated quickly enough. He…He destroyed Elysia. He destroyed my Soulmate and Azrael's mother when Azrael was only a few days old." A dead silence...not even a breathe drawn was heard.
"I can not tell you what it feels like for all existence when an angel dies. It is an unimaginable feeling of emptiness and pain all at the same time. It was and still is the only time that a true angel was killed. The devastation that was wrought on Heaven and the mortal realm nearly ripped the fabric of existence apart. Mortal worlds were destroyed along with all their people, the paradise of Heaven was nearly lost. In my rage, in my confusion and pain, I tapped into my connection to the energy that flows within everything, the connection that all pure angels have. My connection is the strongest as I was the first and it allowed me to strip the angelic powers from Lucifer and all his followers. I can still remember their screams of pain as I did it to them. I then cast them into another realm that should have locked them away for all eternity, the realm that would become Hell. It was then that Lucifer's true plan started to unfold, though I never knew that fact." SoulBurn raised a hand to silence his father.
"I shall tell the rest of the story for it is my past that will be spoken of." Michael gave a small nod and SoulBurn turned toward his friends.
"I may look about 18 or 19, but in fact I am slightly over nine hundred million years old in your Earth years." All the Titan's eyes widened at this information.
"Those born of heaven do not age the same way as mortals. We grow up physically very slowly, eventually stopping at an age where one would look like my father. Ever since my birth, those around me were slightly weary of me. A small bit of darkness lingered in me even then and most believed that it was a result of the situation I was born into and being so close to the death of my mother at such a young age. They believed that over time it would leave me and I would become what was expected.
"However, it did not. As I grew, I became angry, prideful, cold. I believed that all mortals were beneath those of pure angelic essence and that it was our destiny to lead them all, whether alive or dead to a perfect universe. Those in the high heavens can see into the mortal realm and watch what they choose to. To prove my superiority, I studied millions of mortal worlds, learned millions of languages and cultures. I studied the greatest fighting techniques ever created to enhance my already incredible power. I wanted to show just how I was truly beyond any mortal.
The whole time, had it not been for who my father was, I am sure now that I would have been cast into Hell much sooner. However, those of heaven still remembered what had happened to my mother...they could never forget and because of that they still pitied me enough to allow things to go. My father could not truly face what was happening as he had already lost his soulmate. He could not bear to lose me as well so he helped protect me.
My power continued to increase as well as my disdain for all mortals. It was borderline hate at this point and the fact that my power was now almost equal to my father's was beginning to scare those in Heaven. They were afraid of what would happen if I surpassed him. They were afraid of what I would be capable of.
It was at this time that I began questioning that perhaps Lucifer had been right in his quest. Everyone was horrified that I would believe the same monster who destroyed my mother could have been right in his madness. Those of heaven had enough. They came to my father, demanding that I do something as he was the only one who could. Still my father could not bear to throw me into the eternal damnation that was Hell. He could not lock me away with Lucifer and the other Fallen Angels, even as Lucifer's power continued to grow, effecting the mortal realm in some places, especially Azarath, where Raven was born.
Instead he came up with an idea. He believed that if he made me mortal, powerless, and sent me to live as a mortal, that I would learn to appreciate all life. He hoped that I would learn to respect balance and all those things that truly embody heaven. He hoped that I would understand what he tried to teach me and would return to him and stand by his side if Lucifer every posed a greater threat. In the end, my father was right, and thanks to all of you I learned to do just that.
"Yet it was my exile of heaven that started the chain of events that inevitably led us to this exact moment. My exile had been the catalyst to Lucifer's release though it did not work out in the end. I was supposed to voluntary release Lucifer and join him against my father. The ultimate revenge against my father, to have to fight his own son as he stood beside his greatest enemy.
Something Lucifer had set in place right before his exile allowed me to maintain my powers in the mortal realm, yet my darkened essence was locked in some twist of fate. This left me somewhat of a shell driven only by my instincts, the instincts of an angel, rather than the darkness that polluted me. This being would become known as SoulBurn and would fight along your side against the darkness and become your friend. At this moment now, I am a mixture of Azrael and SoulBurn, a very powerful conscience if you will. The taint of my soul has lessened with the defeat of Trigon though unlike Raven who is not completely free of him, I am not. He existed within me for far too long and will always be a permanent part of my essence. There will always be a small bit of darkness within me even as I fight the urge to become once more the being that was cast from heaven." A small smile crept to SoulBurn's face.
"It was all of you who helped show me that I had been wrong and that mortals were not beneath me, but equal to me in every way. It was all of you who showed me kindness, friendship, humor, and hope. One of you even showed me what it meant to feel true love." Everyone looked at Blackfire who was still in Starfire's arms and could feel a twinge of sadness enter them all. SoulBurn continued speaking after a brief silence.
"And now, it is time for Azrael to make amends with the universe. It is time I proved that I truly do understand what I was meant to learn." Everyone looked on as grim determination radiated from SoulBurn. It was his father who spoke next.
"What are you planning on doing son? You know as well as I do that nothing can be done to erase the great tragedy that has occurred here."
"There is one way father. I am going to turn back time. I am going to make it as if this battle never happened. I will make sure this city is returned to normal and all those who sacrificed themselves to stop Lucifer will be returned to the world of the living." Raven's body seemed to shake slightly at this information and once again an empty voice emanated from her.
"No hope. He is gone and will never come back. All alone. Always will be all alone." It was heart wrenching to hear for all of them. Terra spoke next.
"Hey SoulBurn. I'm not quite sure I understand everything that is going on here but won't doing what you say your doing bring back Lucifer. Won't making it as if this battle never happened save him as well?" It was Michael who responded.
"No matter what happens. Lucifer is gone. When he was destroyed his essence had nowhere to go. It has no place in Heaven and is locked out of Hell from when he became mortal. It simply faded into nothingness. No matter what, he is gone forever. The greatest nightmare has finally ended." Everyone wanted to smile at this news but still were unable to. Too much still had been lost. SoulBurn's father addressed his son.
"Still Azrael, you know you can't do what you are saying. Even I do not have the power to do something as this." SoulBurn laughed slightly.
"It can be done father for two reasons. One I am willing to give everything I am to bring it about. The other is that I am now stronger than even you now." Michael's eyes widened at his son then his face set into a look that told him to prove it. Everyone watched as white energy slowly began building up around SoulBurn. His entire body seemed to radiate it effortlessly. Once again the Titans found themselves shielding their eyes. When the light disappeared SoulBurn once again stood there but they all knew this was not SoulBurn, but rather Azrael. Two enormous white wings, just like Michael, now sprung from his back. He seemed to hover just above the ground and radiated the same feeling of safety that his father did.
"You see father, I have returned to myself what you took away when you made me mortal. I have returned my pure angelic essence to myself. I am now as I once was, an immortal being of the High Heavens. You no longer can control me in any way for I have surpassed your power." The Arch-Angel Michael carefully studied his son in front of him.
"So what do you plan to do now my son. What do you plan to do now that you are the most powerful being in all existence?" Everything seemed to stand still for what felt like an eternity as they waited for Azrael to respond. A warm smile crossed his face as he turned around studying all the survivors of the battle, Blackfire's prone form, as well as Raven and her mother still in the same position they had been in since she arrived.
"I am going to give it all up father. I now understand that in some way, something must be given to obtain what we wish to do. I will give up my immortality. I will give up my standing as an angel. I will give up all my power and I even will give up millions of years of experience and memories. I am willing to give it all up to do what I wish to do." The two heavenly beings stared at each other for a nearly a minute, everyone was holding their breaths though no one realized it.
"I am very proud of you my son, more proud than I ever thought I could be." Michael glided forward and embraced his son who returned the hug quickly. The hug was short but it was all that was necessary. It had taken so very long, but Michael finally had the son who was born to him and Azrael finally understood all that his father had tried to teach him. Michael stepped back and his voice softened significantly.
"It is time to go Arella. It is time to return to Heaven." Raven's mother reluctantly pulled away and looked one last time into her daughter's eyes. Though almost nothing had been changed, she could see a small sparkle in her eyes.
"Everything will be okay daughter. Hope will always find a way to triumph." Arella joined the side of Michael and looked up at the taller form of the Arch-Angel with a warm smile which was gracefully returned. Azrael studied the interaction carefully.
"So I see you finally have found someone else father. I am glad that you have found some one to help fill the void that mother left so long ago." A blush could be clearly seen on Arella's face as she looked down. Michael reached out and grabbed her hand.
"Yes son. I have found another wonderful soul that I can say I truly love." A sad look suddenly formed on Michael's face.
"Azrael. You understand that by doing what you are doing, you will save everyone but you will be leaving behind Blackfire. You understand that you will lose her." A small smile formed on Azrael's face.
"Remember father. There is always faith and hope. Things will find a way of working out. Good bye father. Good bye Arella. I will see you again." The two had no idea what would happen but gave small nods and disappeared in a flash of light. Azrael turned around to face his remaining friends. His eyes were glowing white as was the rest of his body. He looked down at Raven.
"Raven. Robin will be returned to your side. You have finally gained your freedom from your father. You have earned the chance to no longer have any destiny outside the one you chose. Take care of everyone for me." Raven's eyes turned toward Azrael filled with the slightest bit of hope.
"Thank You." It was never said but could be felt between their minds.
"Beast Boy, Terra. You two are kind, generous, and helped me appreciate the humor and carefreeness that I never knew existed. Tragedy may have separated you once, I hope it never will again. Good luck." Beast Boy placed his arm around Terra and pulled her close to him.
"Thanks man."
"Starfire. You have always been a shining beacon of light in a very dark world. A light that always found a way to endure even in the darkest of circumstances. A light that reached me even in my worst moments. Never change little one and please, please take care of your sister. I love her very much and remember, she will always need her little Kori." Tears were flowing freely from Starfire's green eyes.
"Good Bye my friend. I will miss you greatly." Azrael smiled.
"As you said before Starfire, there is always hope." The young Tamaranian smiled, a true smile of happiness.
"It is time my friends. It is time to set right what has been wronged. To return what has been taken. The mortal realm will no longer be twisted by the whims of greater beings. Destiny and fate created by higher beings will no longer govern the lives of mortals. Everything will be as it was always meant to be. The mortal realm will be returned to a place where anything is possible, whether it be good or bad, without Heaven or Hells interference. You all can create your own lives, your own fates. Good Bye my friends." Azrael closed his eyes and white energy slowly emerged from his body. It quickly engulfed all those around him but did not stop there, the energy continued to grow out in all directions. It would have felt like an eternity to any mortal being, but to Azreal it only took a few minutes. Eventually his power pushed to all corners of the Universe though Azrael could feel himself fading away. He opened his eyes, could feel his connection fully to everything in the mortal realm, to every mortal being in the universe and muttered a few words.
"There will always be love and hope to lead you on," and just like that, it was over.
