Disclaimer: Still don't own Teen Titans.

A/N: Bonus Update: Time for an interlude! Yeay! And, since it's an interlude, all bets are off! We're switching to present tense! And an omniscient narrative voice! Isn't it exciting? Well, I like to think so.

This would have been up sooner, but I had trouble uploading it.

Demon Hunters

Chapter 17: Interlude- Dark Forces

A teenaged boy with dark hair and dark clothes walks through the streets of Jump City. He wears a black trench coat and a curious sword is strapped across his back. He makes his way through the crowds; the people seem to part for him. Perhaps the sword is intimidating, or maybe his stature, his presence, is just so overwhelming that they can't help but take a step back.

But more than likely, it is the two pairs of demonic red eyes that glint out from behind the boy's messy hair.

Most people will write this off as some sort of illusion. A few, just a few, will wonder if it's something more. It will only be once he reaches his destination, a dark alley at the edge of town, that he will be recognized for what he truly is, and that is only because he will meet his fellow demons.

Demons come in all shapes and sizes, and a wide variety is represented by the assembled demons in the alley.

None of the demons are foolish enough to see the boy as anything other than demonic, that much is clear, but one of the smaller demons voices the question that most are contemplating.

This… boy summoned us here? How can one so young Call so many?

The boy grins, one set of his eyes glinting. I am perhaps more than I seem.

The small demon, whose form resembles a large alley cat, makes a growling noise. Little half-blood. Why should we listen to you?

With a wave of his hand, the boy slams the cat-like demon against the wall of the alley. He squeezes with his hand, and the demon's throat constricts.

The demon hisses and scratches at the invisible force that holds it pressed to the wall, but to no avail.

Only when it has stopped moving does the boy release his grip.

A general murmur ripples through the assembled demons: Trigon?

The boy tips his head forward, pleased. He waits for a moment, letting this sink in. When he finally speaks, he speaks aloud. "Are you familiar with the Demon Hunters Solaris and Lunis?"

A few are, most are not. Of the demon slayers at work in the world, this particular clan of Hunters isn't well known to any demon left to talk about it. Their work isn't flashy, but their efficiency is enough to gain distinction of sorts. Those who know of them realize the importance of their demise.

"This body," he says, with a gesture towards himself, "is their brother."

A general uproar stirs to life as the demons begin to comprehend the exact terms of Trigon's current form on this plane.

"And this," the boy says, reaching behind him to pull forth the sword strapped to his back, "Is the Blade of the Pure."

All the demons draw back, whether consciously or unconsciously. Even those who know nothing of the Hunters have heard of this legendary weapon.

The boy holds up the sword, ignoring how even through the sheath, the sword begins to burn his hands where he holds it.

After a moment, he replaces the sword on his back. One foolish demon, nearer than the others, eyes the sword with a greedy look. He is unconvinced that the boy standing before him was Trigon. The boy certainly doesn't feel like Trigon, but then again, physical form can have an unusual effect on demons, particularly half-demon hosts.

I trust you have heard of the protections on this sword, the boy says, switching back to speaking in their minds.

The greedy demon makes a grab for the sword. His hand clasps the hilt, which sears the demonic skin it touches on contact. The demon recoils and tries to back away, but the boy brings his power down on it, crushing it flat against the ground.

It's quickly made quite clear that Trigon's calm exterior goes no further than a thin layer of formality. The foolish demon disappears in a flurry of red power and raw hatred. Whatever effect the boy's body might have on Trigon, it has not diminished his rage, or his power.

So. Now are you ready to hear the plan?

The other demons slowly murmur their consent, and the cruel glint comes back into the boy's eyes as the demons cluster around him, waiting for instructions.

It's only a matter of time, now, the boy who was Pax thinks. Just a matter of time.