NOTES: Well, no one reviewed last chapter, so I don't need to reply to anyone. Heh, I don't even know if anyone is still reading this, but that is not gonna stop me frm posting. I don't leave stuff unfinished. (I'm stubborn, what can I say?)
As a heads up, since I'm simply trying to finish this story, I'm not paying a lot of attention to typos...of course, once I've completely finished writing, I will go back and fix whatever mistakes may exist within each chapter. So, anyway, here's chapter 12:
Chapter Twelve: End Game
Beast Boy tossed and turned in is bed groaning quietly. As the days passed it was getting harder and harder for him to get a good night's sleep. His dreams were haunted by dark visions and threatening messages. With every passing night, Beast Boy could feel the evil inside him growing stronger, and it was taking every last ounce of his strength to keep it locked away.
"I'm coming for you Matthew Logan. You cannot escape your destiny. I will find you!" Beast Boy looked around frantically hoping to catch even the slightest glimpse of the demon. He stood prepared to fight, but knew that he would not stand a chance on his own. Sweat dripped down his face as he wandered around slowly in a nervous panic. He traveled through a barren wasteland of hardened volcanic rock. Columns of fire spewed from the earth and towered high above Beast Boy's head. "There is nowhere left for you to hide!" Beast Boy wheeled around and saw Slade sanding behind him. He charged forward and swung a fist toward Beast Boy. He ducked out of the way and ran full tilt in the opposite direction. There was no need to look back; he knew Slade was chasing him. His threatening laugh echoed all around him. Beast Boy covered his ears as he ran hoping to block out the horrible sound, but it was useless.
Beast Boy opened his mouth to scream, but no sound came out. He was alone, and sooner or later, Slade was going to find him and hand him over to Trigon. The fear of being captured gave Beast Boy an unnatural boost of energy. He charged through the incarnation of hell as fast as his legs would carry him. He tried to morph into a faster animal, but something was draining his powers and keeping him locked in human form.
Suddenly, Beast Boy saw a dark figure lying on the path before him. He slowed to a stop and bent down to find his mother lying motionless on the ground. He reached out a hand and pulled the tattered cloak away from her head. Her face was scarred and horribly mutilated. Her limbs were bent in unnatural directions, and numerous bones had been shattered in a crippled mess. Much of the flesh had been torn from her body and only charred scraps remained. Tears welled up in Beast Boy's eyes as he began to whimper like a helpless toddler.
He reached out and gathered his mother's broken body into his arms. He began to rock her gently as he wailed uncontrollably. Suddenly, Raven gasped and struggled to lift her head. Beast Boy's eyes met hers and he smiled slightly. She opened her mouth and whispered softly, "Beast Boy…I…I'm sorry." Then, her body went limp and she died. Beast Boy huddled over the bloody corpse as tears poured down his face.
He jumped to his feet and looked around slowly. His fists were clenched at his side as he searched the surrounding area. He knew Slade was behind this, and Beast Boy was going to make him pay. He tilted his head toward the sky and roared. The call was answered by a threatening growl. Beast Boy turned to see a figure clothed in red hovering over his mother's body.
The figure looked up to reveal twin sets of slanted red eyes. Beast Boy growled, "You! You did this." The stranger smiled mischievously, revealing a set of vampire like fangs. Beast Boy threw himself at the creature and tore the cloak away. He stood up slowly and started to back away. "No…" He gasped quietly, "No…that's impossible." Raven smiled back at him, "You cannot escape your destiny my son." The red eyes narrowed and she lunged at Beast Boy, knocking him to the ground. He used her momentum against her and threw her off the path and down into the flames. She wailed in agony as her body was devoured by the fires of hell. "What have I done?" Beat Boy slumped to his knees and buried his head in his hands. He cried until there were no tears left to shed.
Beast Boy gasped as he woke up to find himself inside Titans Tower. His sheets were soaked with sweat, and they were clinging to his body. He pried them off as he pushed himself up and onto his feet. He raised a hand and rubbed his head gently. "The nightmares are getting worse," he mumbled. Beast Boy walked out of his room slowly and into the dark hallway. He ran his hand along the wall and guided himself toward the main room.
The doors slid open and Beast Boy was temporarily blinded by the fluorescent lighting. He groaned and rubbed his eyes roughly trying to adjust. Finally, his vision faded back t normal and he walked over to the kitchen to take a pop from the fridge. "Someone left the lights on again," he mumbled to himself." He headed over to the couch and jumped when he found Terra sprawled out staring at the ceiling. She lifted her head slightly and smiled, "Can't sleep either huh?" Beast Boy smirked, "You have no idea."
Terra sat up and made room for Beast Boy to sit down. She shook her head, "I still don't feel right about this." Beast boy nodded, "I know. Believe me, I didn't ask to stay behind. I'm the whole reason they're doing this to begin with. I really feel like I should have gone along." Terra sighed and stared out the massive windows overlooking the ocean. "This whole thing happened way too fast," she said quietly. "Nightwing and the others left two months ago. I didn't even have a chance to settle in before this whole thing started." Beast Boy looked down at the floor, "Yeah, and I didn't really help when I left the team." Terra shook her head, "Don't blame yourself Beast Boy. I played a bigger part in this than you realize. If I hadn't joined up with Slade, I would be as old as your parents and living in the Watchtower."
Terra sighed heavily, "You guys are the only friends I ever had. I can't just sit here and watch the League risk their lives like this. It isn't fair." Beast Boy shrugged, "It's part of the job description. We don't have much of a choice." Terra shook her head, "We should. Nightwing isn't part of this team anymore, so why does he get to tell us what to do." Beast Boy smirked, "I dunno. But he's always been stubborn. Even you know that. Nothing we could have done would make him change his mind."
He stood up slowly and started to leave. Halfway across the room he turned back to Terra. "I know there's more to this than Nightwing told us. He left us here for a reason. Right now, I'd be more worried about Jump City than I would about the League. They can handle themselves." He looked away and sighed, "My nightmares are getting worse. Something is coming Terra. And I'm worried that we won't be able to stop it." He left the room quietly and Terra was once again alone. She sighed and sprawled out on the couch. She wanted to get up and go to her room, but all the strength had left her. She merely closed her eyes and let herself slowly drift off to sleep.
Terra opened her eyes a few hours later to find the TV on. Warlock looked over at her and smiled, "Good morning sunshine!" Terra growled and kicked him, "Shut up." She pushed herself up off the couch and walked over to the kitchen to find something to eat. Warlock surfed through the channels in search of something other than poorly drawn Saturday morning cartoons. He sighed heavily, "Look at this show. Ninja Turtles...where do people come up with these things?" Terra looked back toward the TV and shook her head, "Are you serious? I watched that show when I was like eight. I can't believe it's still on!" Warlock smirked, "It shouldn't be. It might have been good twenty-five years ago, but now…" Terra nodded, "Yeah. Ninja Turtles and The Land Before Time…the two things from my childhood that don't know the meaning of the words "the end." She walked back over to the couch and sat down, "So how do you think the others are holding up?" Warlock shook his head, "I'm trying not to think about it." He looked over at her and smiled, "But I'm sure they're fine."
Hardened volcanic rock extended in every direction as far as the eye could see. The sky was stained a threatening orange from the flames shooting up from the earth. Raven looked around cautiously as she led the others through the strange world. There was a faint hint of sulfur in the air, and everyone was feeling uneasy. Raven sighed, "He's hiding…" Changeling stared at her, "Hiding? What does he have to be afraid of?" Raven shook her head, "Nothing. But, he knows why we're here, and he won't show himself until he's ready."
Suddenly, Raven stopped and grabbed her side. She doubled over and groaned in pain. Her eyes flickered and turned red for an instant, then faded back to normal. She stood up breathing heavily. Nightwing watched her carefully, "Are you ok?" Raven nodded, "He's trying to reach my anger. Coming here has made his influence stronger. I'll have to work harder to block him out." She stood up slowly, "Let's keep moving. We can't be caught off guard." Changeling looked over at Cyborg, "Am I the only one who feels a little uneasy here?" Cyborg shook his head, "Shut up BB."
"Stop!" The others jumped and came to a rough halt behind Raven. She looked around slowly, "He's close now." They stood completely still and studied the world around them looking for any sign of the demon. Nightwing had his bowstaff ready and Starfire's hands were beginning to glow a threatening green color. Suddenly, Raven grabbed her head and collapsed to her knees. She started to mumble quietly, "Azarath, Metrion, Zynthos…Azarath, Metrion Zynthos…" Changeling took a step forward and reached for Raven. He jerked his hand back in surprise when Raven unleashed an agonizing scream. She craned her head to the sky and roared.
Raven bent over and continued to scream. Orange markings appeared all over her body and her eyes shifted into a violent red color. Changeling stepped forward cautiously, "Rae, are you…" Raven cut him off. Her voice was a low threatening growl, "Stay back!" Suddenly, a deep, booming voice echoed all around them, "Come to me my child!" Raven climbed to her feet and pulled her hands away from her head. She closed her eyes tightly and shouted at the top of her lungs, "You will never take me demon!"
"Azarath, Metrion, Zynthos...Azarath, Metrion, Zynthos…" Raven concentrated heavily using every last ounce of strength in her soul to block Trigon out of her mind. As she repeated the same three words again and again, the orange markings slowly started to fade away. She lifted her head toward the sky and focused herself. Then, her eyes shot open and she screamed, "NO! I wont give you control!" Her eyes shifted between their normal violet color and the demonic red. Raven struggled to stay in command, "Azarath….Metrion…Zynthos…no…no…stay out…Azarath…STAY OUT!" Dark energy erupted from Raven's body. Those with her were scattered along the path. She was floating a foot above the ground. Her whole body twitching as she fought for command.
The dark voice spoke again, "Come forth my child!" Raven howled in pain. She arched her back as the orange markings reappeared and began to glow. The ground started to shake, and Raven's body started to convulse violently. She screamed in agony. Changeling watched from below in panic as her body began to pull apart. Raven roared to the sky. Her cloak split in half. Half white, half red. Suddenly, a tremendous crack echoed across the sky. Raven fell toward the ground where she landed in Changeling's arms.
An evil laugh echoed near by, and the group looked up to see a figure clothed in red floating above them. A pair of pale hands reached up and pulled down the hood to reveal twin sets of glowing red eyes, and long, vampire like fangs. Starfire gasped, "Raven! You did not tell us that you too have an evil sister!" The figure glared at the group standing below her as she spoke, "I am the evil you have concealed!" Changeling started to back away, "Oh great, an evil Anti-Raven."
Beast Boy was pacing around the main room of Titans Tower mumbling to himself. He looked up as the doors opened and Terra and Warlock walked in. Terra slumped down on the couch, "Would you give it up Beast Boy! There's nothing we an do now!" Beast Boy hook his head, "I know but still…they should have taken us along." He turned and started to leave the room, "I'm goin outside."
Warlock dropped down on the couch and sighed, "You think he'll ever get over it?" Terra shrugged, "I dunno, but I do agree with him. We should have gone with them, Warlock. We could have helped." Warlock smirked, "Maybe we still can…" Terra stared at him blankly, "How?" Warlock shrugged, "Raven's not the only one who can open a portal to another dimension." Terra eyed him carefully, "What?"
Warlock stared out the window, "How do you think I got here? My world was destroyed. The war I'd been fighting my entire life; we lost. So I left. I came here to become stronger. One of these days, I'm going back to fix everything. I'm gonna win the fight I couldn't five years ago." He stuttered slightly, "B…but that's not important right now. You don't want Nightwing controlling our life do you? This is your chance. It's your team now Terra; you call the shots. Just say the word and I'll take you to Trigon."
Terra stood up slowly, "I want to talk to the others. They deserve a chance to come along." Warlock nodded, "Good idea. I think they were all mad at the League's decision." Terra nodded as she walked over to the main screen. She pulled up the communicator and sighed, "Titans! Main room, now!" Within minutes, the other three Titans had joined Warlock and Terra n the main room. Terra stood before them with a nervous look on her face. She hesitated as she made eye contact with Beast Boy, "Ok, I don't really know how to say this…I know you guys were mad about what Nightwing said, but we really can't change his decision."
Beast Boy glared at her, "Thanks for reminding us." Terra sighed, "Shut up Beast Boy. I'm goin somewhere with this…Anyway, I know you guys don't want to feel left out." Falcon eyed her carefully, "What are you talking about?" Terra smiled mischievously "Warlock is gonna open a portal and take us to meet up with the others. If you don't want to miss out, this is your chance." Beast Boy jumped up, "Are you serious?" Terra nodded. Falcon grinned, "Count me in." The others nodded in agreement. Terra glanced out the window, "Ok, you've got five minutes, and then we're moving out." Warlock glanced over at Terra and smirked, "Heh, Nightwing's gonna be pissed." Terra nodded, "Yeah, well screw him."
Raven groaned as she opened her eyes. Changeling smiled nervously as he set her down, "Glad you're awake. We've got a situation on our hands." He gestured to the creature floating above them. Raven looked up and gasped, "Oh No." The creature lowly lowered itself to the ground, "I am the darkness inside you Raven. I am your anger. I am you jealousy. I am your RAGE!" Rage lunged forward and threw her pale claws around Raven's neck and pushed her to the ground. Raven growled, "Take your hands off me demon!" Raven's eyes turned white and Rave was thrown into the air surrounded in dark energy. Suddenly, the orb of energy burst, and Rage slowly lowered herself to the ground, "Your magic is useless against me."
Raven glared at the demon, "I don't need magic to defeat you!" She turned to the others, "Trigon needs my anger to open the portal. If we can destroy her, this will all be over!" Nightwing smirked, "Say no more." He pulled out his bowstaff and leapt at the demon. Rage unleashed a shield of dark energy and sent him flying backward. Rage closed her eyes tightly, "Azarath…Metrion…Zynthos!" Her body began to split apart. "Anger, Hatred, Jealousy, Lust, come forth!" The demons body split apart. One demon had become five. Rage grinned, "There is no stopping it Raven. This is your destiny!" The demons charged toward Raven glowing with dark energy. Changeling morphed into a gorilla and jumped between Raven and her dark alter-egos. He roared and swung a fist in their direction. Rage leapt into the air and slammed her foot into Changeling's chest. The kick sent him flaying across the path. He reverted to his normal form and groaned in pain.
The demons continued to press forward grinning mischievously as they advanced on Raven. The other heroes jumped into the action fighting with everything they had. Dark energy was all around them blocking every attempt to strike the dark creatures. Frostbyte roared as he unleashed a heavy stream of ice from his hands. Unfortunately, the extreme heat of the world around him melted his projectiles almost instantly. He sighed heavily, "Well that was productive."
Vortex sent a violent gust f wind through the group of demons scattering them in all directions, but they landed gracefully on the ground ad charged in to attack again. It was useless, nothing worked against them. Raven's dark emotions had the home court advantage, and the Justice League was fighting a losing battle. Cyborg roared as he charged toward the demons. His immense strength shattering heir protective energy shields. He echoed his attacks with a blast from his sonic cannon. He was slowly beginning to push the demons back. Then, they engulfed him in dark energy and threw him out of their way. Rage sighed, "You cannot stop us Raven. There is no hope for your kind."
Raven hesitated. She had one final trick up her sleeve. The fight was going nowhere, but she knew one surefire way to end the struggle. Raven glared at her evil counterparts, "If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that there is always hope. There is always a way out!" Rage stepped forward laughing quietly, "Dear Raven, by coming to this world, you set us free. We will take control, and your world will end. There is nothing you can do to change that.
Suddenly, a violent rush of wind tore through the gathered crowd. A portal opened in the middle of the path revealing a tiny shred of Titans Tower. In the blink of an eye, Terra and her team had joined the others in Trigon's world. Nightwing glared at Terra, "Terra! What are you doing here? I told you to stay behind!" Terra returned his icy stare, "You're not the leader of the Titans anymore Nightwing! I am! You can tell me what to do, but that doesn't mean I have to listen."
Rage roared, "Ha! You think more worthless mortals will help? You cannot win." Raven shook her head, "This isn't over yet. I can still save the world." Rage smirked, "Don't toy with me, Raven. There is nothing you can do!" Raven's eyes started to glow. The deep violet faded until only an eerie white remained. She moved slowly toward the edge of the path and looked down into the fire. Raven turned back and glared at her dark emotions, "Yes there is!" She closed her eyes and fell backward into the fire. An agonizing scream echoed all around as the flames surged up into the sky. Changeling ran to the edge, "Raven! NO!" He was about to jump when Nightwing reached forward and pulled him back.
Rage and the other dark emotions screamed in pain as the flesh began to melt off of their bones. The gathered superheroes turned away allowing only their agonizing screeches to enter their minds. The demons slowly faded away until nothing remained but the stench of burning flesh. The flames surged up in the shape of a large raven, and quickly fell back into the canyon.
Suddenly, a deep, booking voice echoed al around them, "You mortals shall pay for this treachery!" Trigon rose from the fires and roared at the top of his lungs. He looked down at the path below and forced an evil smile. He lifted his hands above his head and a giant ball f fire began to form. "You ave only delayed the inevitable. Some day, another will come, and I will destroy your world. But, until that time comes, I shall have to settle with destroying you!"
Warlock jumped back, "We have to get out of here!" He turned and created a portal back to the Tower. "Quick! Everyone move!" One by one, they leapt through and returned to their dimension. Beast Boy was the last to go. He stood on the path staring out into the flames, "Why, mom? Why?" He turned his back and stepped through the portal. Trigon reached out and grabbed Beast Boy as he stepped through, "You will not escape me!" On the other end, Changeling held tight to his son's hands puling with very ounce of strength he could manage. Suddenly, Beast Boy sailed through the portal and landed with a thud on the floor.
The twelve heroes sat unmoving on the floor of the main room. No one wanted to believe what had just happened. Cyborg stood alone staring out the window over the calm ocean. Nightwing and Starfire were huddled together in the middle of the room. Starfire wailed uncontrollably, and Nightwing stroked her hair gently as a small stream of tears fell from beneath his mask. Changeling sat alone in the corner with his legs pulled into his chest and his head resting on his knees. His body shook violently as he mumbled through his tears, "No…Raven…please…" Beast Boy stood up and walked over to his father, tears streaming own his face. Changeling looked up with a deep sorrow reflecting in his eyes. Beast Boy collapsed to the ground and simply stared at his father.
Terra was alone and unable to cry. She had seen he look in Raven's eyes before she fell. Raven wanted to die. It was the only way to stop the demons. Raven had sacrificed herself to save them. Half-breed or not, Raven was truly a hero. Terra smiled slightly, but concealed it from her friends. "Thank you Raven," she whispered softly. Terra gasped as she heard a faint voice echo in her mind, "Don't disappoint me Terra."
That night, Beast Boy stood in front of his bathroom mirror. He rubbed his head gently trying to sooth a pounding headache. Suddenly, he heard a voice in his head, "This isn't over Beast Boy. Your part has just begun." Beast Boy's eyes glowed red for an instant before returning to their normal green color. He jumped back from the mirror, "No…"
End Chapter 12
There is more coming, including an ending that I'm really psyched to write, just because it sounds so cool in my head (how it sounds in writing however is a completely different matter). So yeah, I think I counted 4 or 5 more chapters. I knew from day one this would be longer than New Beginnng, but I didn't think it would be this much longer. I guess I'm getting carried away. Well...for now, I leave what readers may be out there with this and hopefully the next chapter will be up sometime in the relatively near future.