Baker X: I love you T2 (in a platonic way, I assure). Good reviews make this whole thing worth it.
With that addressed, I'll give you what you wanted as well. Infact, I've been putting this off myself for quite some time, and it's not because I forgot...(well, I did kinda, but I remembered a few chapters later) so I figured here's a good little bonding experience for our Gothy Titan and her even darker new friend. I'm gonna try to stay as true to the original comic book origin as I can, but no promises. This ones a bit of a short one, but it's chalk full of storyline information! Have fun everyone!
The Legal Information: All characters present in the Teen Titans outside of Smoke, Clive, Sherri, and all others that are not seen in the show or comic book belong to me. All other characters, such as Starfire, Raven, and Slade, belong to their respective copyright holders. In other words, I do not own the Teen Titans, so anything that I say or have them do in this fanfiction does not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the creators of the Show/Comic or any of it's affiliates.
I'm working really hard at trying to sound smart, aren't I.
Dark Patriot
18 Years Back...
Raven heard a ring come from her communicator. She picked it up and shielded it within her robes from the biting wind. Robin's face appeared with a worried look.
Robin: " Raven! Glad I could finally get a hold of you! Are you alright?"
Raven: " I'm fine. I'm here with Clive and Blackfire."
Robin: " I see. Have you seen anyone else?"
Raven: " I haven't actually. And yourself?"
Robin: " I'm fine. I'm here with Beastboy and Terra, and we've taken some refuge in the junkyard. Think you guys could try and meet us here?"
Raven: " That's almost halfway across town. Sorry Robin, but not in this weather."
Robin: " I understand."
Clive reached into the folds of Raven's robe and snatched the communicator away, leaving only a slightly bewildered and blushing Raven.
Clive: " How about Starfire and Cyborg? Where are they?"
Robin: "....I don't know."
Clive: " WHAT! You can't just lose them!"
Robin: " The storm is causing too much interferance with the communicators to track them or make any kind of connection with them. In short, it's cutting off our communications over long distances. We were lucky we could contact you."
Clive: " Then what should we do?"
Robin: " Why don't you ask Black where he sent them!"
Clive: " I can't! He can only use his powers when he's in this world....oh nevermind. I'll just do it myself."
Clive fumed for a moment, handing the communicator over to Blackfire, while Raven made a daring attempt to snatch it back during the transfer. Clive read deeply into his shadow, searching over the area's close by first for signs of Cyborg and Starfire. After a few moments of the others watching him in silence, he opened his eyes with a smirk.
Clive: " They're in Soho right now."
Robin: " Alright then. We still have to get ourselves grouped together. Blackfire, are you strong enough to fight these winds and this cold to make it here to where the three of us are?"
Blackfire: " Look who you're talking to Robin...I can do anything!"
Robin: " Right. Then you come here and we'll start discussing a plan. Clive, Raven, head for Starfire and Cyborg! Since they aren't answering their communicators, they may be in trouble."
Raven: " Why send both of us?"
Robin: " Because if you can't use your full powers, I want someone there to make sure you'll be safe."
Clive: " Ah. Well then, I'm cool with the plan. Ready you two?"
Blackfire: " Always..."
Raven: " Let's just get this over with."
Clive's black suit disappeared for a moment, leaving him in his fairly standard hawaiian over shirt, undershirt and shorts. He took off his hawaiian shirt and goggles, handing them to Blackfire.
Clive: " They may not be your fashion, but maybe that shirt will give you some resistance to that wind. Same for the goggles...to keep your eyes from drying out and freezing, or whatever."
Blackfire: " But what about you?"
Clive: " Don't worry, I've got Black and this suit thing to protect me. I'll be alright."
Blackfire gave him a hug and even kissed him on the cheek in appreciation.
Blackfire: " Thanks a lot Clive. I'll definitely owe you one after this."
Clive: " Just don't lose those...I like them too much."
Raven: " Can we please hurry up?"
Clive: " Sorry...OK! LET'S GO!"
The trio split up as Blackfire made her way up the street. She stayed on the ground, not risking being blown around in flight. It would be better too, since she could use her immense strength to keep her ground and trudge through the high winds. Clive and Raven made a break for it, heading south towards the Soho area. He put his arm around her shoulders, keeping them together and still allowing them to stay warm. Thankfully, they were travelling with the wind, so they weren't being slowed down any, and infact, rushed quite a bit. The pair made haste, not stopping for anything, and were thankful that they didn't have to worry about anyone else, as the streets were as empty as that of a ghost town's. Soon though, their luck turned sour as the wind kicked up in their faces. Clive raised his shadow infront of them both to shield them from the biting winds, but still it was cold enough to freeze them solid. Raven doubled their protection with a shield of her own to surround them, but this made it so they couldn't travel any farther.
Raven: " I can't keep this up forever!"
Clive: " Well, the winds are getting heavy this way. It might be suicide for us to continue."
Raven: " Then what should we do?"
Clive: " Well...here! Let's just take some shelter in this old building here..."
Raven: " Are you sure?"
Clive: " Hey, it's your funeral. Atleast I'm wearing pants. You and that little one piece can stay out here if you want."
Raven took a moment to consider his advice. With that, she used her powers to unlock the door of the large office building and enter inside. It was abandoned, or rather just not occupied at all. A big 'For Sale' sign sat in one of the few small windows, leaving the room to be fairly dark. The pair sat down towards the center of the empty enclosure, waiting for some kind of shift in the winds.
Raven: " You know...we never had that talk..."
Clive: " What talk?"
Raven: " About Black."
Clive: " When was that?"
Raven: " Idiot. It was a while ago, after that party..."
Clive: " Oh yeah. That."
Raven: " Well? Since we've got nothing better to do and I'm stuck here with you, we might as well get this over with."
Clive: " Right now?"
Raven: " What does Black think?"
Clive looked to the ground and listened well to Black as he spoke to Clive.
Black: " I do wish to speak with the girl Clive. Now, allow me the use of your body..."
Clive: " What are you planning?"
Black: " I wish to speak with her about...her heritage."
Clive: " Yeah right. Whatever. Anyways, let's just get this done with."
Raven gave him a strange look, seeing him talk to a shadow that made no sound in return. Clive stood up as the shadow on the ground over took his body. It began to expand and take shape, twisting and contorting it's limbs until the creature finally appeared. Black opened his eyes, kneeling down on the ground, and looked about to gather his surroundings. The area was pretty big and open, even enough for him to stand up to his full height and more. He stretched out and whipped his tail around some, getting some of the stiffness out of his body. Afterwards, he sat down in a fairly ackward indian style position, which would have probably been natural to him, since his legs had multiple joints in them.
Raven: " So..."
Black: " I believe it was you who wanted to talk with me, little girl."
Raven: " I'm not some kind of little girl..."
Black: " Perhaps in this culture, but to me, you're life is but a mere moment compared to mine."
Raven: " So, I guess my first question is...what are you?"
Black: " I'm not too much different than yourself. Though, there is no name for what I am, as I am unique."
Raven: " So what...you're some kind of monster?"
Black: " That will do."
Raven: " What is it about me that interests you?"
Black grinned, though it couldn't be seen. Raven however, had a feeling that he was, and was prepared for the unexpected at this point.
Black: " You fear me. I can smell it. I can feel it. It's so heavy in the air, that I could taste it. Do you know why that is?"
Raven: " Perhaps it's because I don't know anything about you...particularly what you're capable of."
Black: " Then allow me to illuminate this for you. In my life, I have seen planets born and planets destroyed. I've witnessed the birth civilazations, as well as their destruction. In many places, I'm revered as a God and hated as a Devil."
Raven: " So what is your origin then? You're not helping me at all."
Black: " I'm creature of sorts. My powers derive from the Realm of Shades."
Raven: " Is that the place Clive drags us through when we teleport with him?"
Black: " Indeed. That is where I'm from. Every being has some connection to it, and that connects me to every being, in some way."
Raven: " Ok...I think I understand all that...so why don't you tell me what's got you so interested in me."
Black: " You're no human. No...not entirely anyways. I know a human smell, and I know that of a demons. You have both, but neither entirely, half demon."
Raven fell silent, developing a strong idea on what Black was getting to. Black wrenched his body a bit, exposing his stomach a bit. There was an area that wasn't quite as dark as the rest of his body, but it was so hard that no mere person could see it without it being pointed out and closely examined.
Black: " This is a wound of mine. It has a very deep rooted history within both myself and the universe. Twas mere months ago that it was reopened and further delayed the healing of it."
Raven: " That was where Starfire blasted you with her eye beams..."
Black: " Yes, that girl which Clive is so infatuated with...she reopened it, but didn't create it. No...not even her powers could have done that!"
Raven: " Would you mind not talking in riddles..."
Black: " You wouldn't understand us. We old ones...we've lived for so long...we've seen so much...can you blame us, if sanity is somewhat scarce at times?"
Raven: " Nevermind...just tell me what this all is coming to."
Black: " When I first met you, I too notice of your smell and aura. It's been 18 years since I experienced both of those exact sensations. For 18 years ago, I recieved this wound in a terrible battle that would have been my end, had I not taken the measures I did to preserve my life."
Raven: " You mean..."
Black: " Your father."
Raven: "...."
Black: " You have his smell...you have his aura...I can feel him inside you...lurking...waiting..."
Raven: " What is this all about?"
Black: " Over 18 years ago, your father and myself fought a great battle. We fought for years before, and this last time wasn't much different than before, except that this time, both of us had decided to stick it out until the end. That battle lasted longer than any between us, and we fought until there was nothing left. In the end, we were too evenly matched. But, as our powers collided, many innocents were killed and places were destroyed. When I took the slight moment to think about it...he was able to gather the upper hand over me and strike me here, in my chest, where you can see that I've been wounded. Still though, I dealt your father some critical blows, and so, I settled to the measures that I have with Clive, and now I see the measures he took to ensure his safety."
Raven: " You mean...you know?"
Black: " I do."
Raven: " I see. Father had seeded a piece of himself into me. That's why I spend so much time meditating, to keep him at bay. But he's been more restless as of late, and it's getting harder to do."
Black: " He became a parasite to you. I followed a similar plan, though with a less harmful out come on my host."
Raven: " If I don't keep that part of me in check...I'll become just like him..."
Black: " And then he can take your power to become even more terrible. A devious and underhanded plan that I expect him to follow. Interesting."
Raven: " I helped form the Titans in hopes of gathering heroes to fight off Trigon when he comes. That's how we all gathered together."
Black: " So...it's not that you're really trying to surpress your father for good...you're just trying to buy time so everyone will be ready..."
Raven: " It's terrible really. My existance is only for one purpose; to make sure that Trigon is defeated. Other than that, I've got no reasons."
Black: " I could end that for you. Infact, I could end Trigon's life along with yours...it would be very easy..."
Raven: " Could you do it? It might work..."
Black: " Is that what you want?"
Raven: " Even though I've got my friends...I'm an outsider. Starfire fits in more than she believes...atleast she can have fun. I want to express myself, I want to be a kid! There's so much I want to do that I can't. Even now, as I say this...I'm venting my emotions and feelings, and I shouldn't even do that. Most of my life is miserable...and the only thing that helps me get through it is my friends...but even they can't take it all away. Go ahead...do it. Kill me. It'll take care of two birds with the same stone."
Black stood upright and straightened out his body. He reached down and picked the smaller, much more fragile girl off the ground, placing a single black clawed hand around her neck. She held onto his arm as he raised her up off her feet and into the air, so she could meet his cold, icy blue eyed stare. His tail whipped around, curling back and was brought up to her face. The tip of it had formed into blade which looked sharp enough to punch through any sort of object. He brought it up and pushed it against her, just under her left breast, adding some pressure to let her know what was about to happen. He continued to stare at her without an expression on his face, while he watched her sweat slightly. He pulled back his tail, like a scorpion ready to strike, and she closed her eyes and held her breath, awaiting her fate.
Black: " Perhaps now...you may rest."
The bladed tail shot forwards, but stopped just short of her. Infact, it was still pressed again in that same spot on her upper torso, but it did not even draw blood. After a few ackward moments, she peeked an eye open, seeing that he hadn't decided to go through with it.
Raven: " Why didn't you do it?"
Black: " You're a foolish girl. You almost had me believe that this is what you want...but I can tell otherwise. You care for your friends, which you have right to do. They all care for you deeply and you know what would happen if they found out you had been killed. True, I could end the threat of Trigon upon this world and some of the misery you live with...but I now refuse to do so."
Raven: " Why? You'll be putting others in danger!"
Black: " Don't lie to yourself. You don't want to die. If you did, you wouldn't have been so tense. You wouldn't have been so AFRAID! If you want something, you shouldn't fear it. You want to live, so you fear death...even though you'll have to live with this misery you claim you have. No, I won't kill you if you can't accept it."
Raven: " But I can and have!"
Black: " DON'T YOU LIE TO ME LITTLE GIRL! I can tell. You're afraid to die. And even if I did kill you...it wouldn't make things right. I must kill Trigon, not some girl that he's attached himself to. It just won't be the same. The vengance I owe him can only rest on his shoulders...not yours. Killing you would ultimately be unsatisfying."
Raven: " But...if you don't, it'll make things harder in the end."
Black: " I make it a point not to regret any decisions I make. This will be no different."
The pair sat in silence for a few moments more, until Black sighed heavily and stood up.
Raven: " What's wrong?"
Black: " I cannot maintain my form for much longer. Though we are inactive, my strength drains the longer I exist in this plane. I need to rest now, just incase Clive were to need my strength."
Raven: " I see. Can I ask you a question before you go?"
Black: " What is it?"
Raven: " Clive can use your powers...can you use his?"
Black looked around, then balled his fist, surrounding it in some kind of energy. He held it out towards Raven, then released his fist and let the energy disappear.
Black: " Yes. Just as he can use my powers freely, I can his. But he is not fully aware of his powers, as he only knows how to apply them in their most basic forms. He would be truely a frightening adversary if he knew how to apply his powers to their fullest. He could part the ground with a single step, tear buildings down with "
Raven: " But what stops him?"
Black: " A lack of understanding."
Raven: " Well...I'm not honestly shocked there..."
Black: " My time is up here in this world, so I must depart. Child of Trigon...do not despair. While you suffer greatly, there will always be others to help you carry your burden. I am one of them, and so is Clive. Despite how he may act, he does regard you as a friend."
Raven: " Thank you."
Black gave her a nod, then slumped to the ground, exhaling a vast amount of air. His body slowly faded away, leaving Clive laying on the ground, sprawled out like he had been asleep the entire time. He pushed himself up lazily off the ground, looking around and shaking out his limbs.
Clive: " Well, you guys were together a while...should I ask what happened? Or is it one of those secret girl talk things?"
Raven: " Everything's fine."
Clive: " Well, that's just peachy. Ok, so lets get back to our searching for Starfire and Cyborg."
Raven: " A good idea for once. You're learning."
Clive: " Hey hey! This coming from the girl with the shortest attention span ever!"
Raven: " Shortest attention span ever? Care to elaborate?"
Clive: " Of course! If you had any kind of attention span, you'd realize how awesome I was."
Raven: " Do you ever get tired of being yourself?"
Clive: " How could I?"
The pair left the building and entered back into the streets, seeing the the wind was blowing with them, as opposed to being against them. They continued to make their way to Cyborg and Starfire, braving the cold and Clive's bad jokes as they would go.
With that addressed, I'll give you what you wanted as well. Infact, I've been putting this off myself for quite some time, and it's not because I forgot...(well, I did kinda, but I remembered a few chapters later) so I figured here's a good little bonding experience for our Gothy Titan and her even darker new friend. I'm gonna try to stay as true to the original comic book origin as I can, but no promises. This ones a bit of a short one, but it's chalk full of storyline information! Have fun everyone!
The Legal Information: All characters present in the Teen Titans outside of Smoke, Clive, Sherri, and all others that are not seen in the show or comic book belong to me. All other characters, such as Starfire, Raven, and Slade, belong to their respective copyright holders. In other words, I do not own the Teen Titans, so anything that I say or have them do in this fanfiction does not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the creators of the Show/Comic or any of it's affiliates.
I'm working really hard at trying to sound smart, aren't I.
Dark Patriot
18 Years Back...
Raven heard a ring come from her communicator. She picked it up and shielded it within her robes from the biting wind. Robin's face appeared with a worried look.
Robin: " Raven! Glad I could finally get a hold of you! Are you alright?"
Raven: " I'm fine. I'm here with Clive and Blackfire."
Robin: " I see. Have you seen anyone else?"
Raven: " I haven't actually. And yourself?"
Robin: " I'm fine. I'm here with Beastboy and Terra, and we've taken some refuge in the junkyard. Think you guys could try and meet us here?"
Raven: " That's almost halfway across town. Sorry Robin, but not in this weather."
Robin: " I understand."
Clive reached into the folds of Raven's robe and snatched the communicator away, leaving only a slightly bewildered and blushing Raven.
Clive: " How about Starfire and Cyborg? Where are they?"
Robin: "....I don't know."
Clive: " WHAT! You can't just lose them!"
Robin: " The storm is causing too much interferance with the communicators to track them or make any kind of connection with them. In short, it's cutting off our communications over long distances. We were lucky we could contact you."
Clive: " Then what should we do?"
Robin: " Why don't you ask Black where he sent them!"
Clive: " I can't! He can only use his powers when he's in this world....oh nevermind. I'll just do it myself."
Clive fumed for a moment, handing the communicator over to Blackfire, while Raven made a daring attempt to snatch it back during the transfer. Clive read deeply into his shadow, searching over the area's close by first for signs of Cyborg and Starfire. After a few moments of the others watching him in silence, he opened his eyes with a smirk.
Clive: " They're in Soho right now."
Robin: " Alright then. We still have to get ourselves grouped together. Blackfire, are you strong enough to fight these winds and this cold to make it here to where the three of us are?"
Blackfire: " Look who you're talking to Robin...I can do anything!"
Robin: " Right. Then you come here and we'll start discussing a plan. Clive, Raven, head for Starfire and Cyborg! Since they aren't answering their communicators, they may be in trouble."
Raven: " Why send both of us?"
Robin: " Because if you can't use your full powers, I want someone there to make sure you'll be safe."
Clive: " Ah. Well then, I'm cool with the plan. Ready you two?"
Blackfire: " Always..."
Raven: " Let's just get this over with."
Clive's black suit disappeared for a moment, leaving him in his fairly standard hawaiian over shirt, undershirt and shorts. He took off his hawaiian shirt and goggles, handing them to Blackfire.
Clive: " They may not be your fashion, but maybe that shirt will give you some resistance to that wind. Same for the goggles...to keep your eyes from drying out and freezing, or whatever."
Blackfire: " But what about you?"
Clive: " Don't worry, I've got Black and this suit thing to protect me. I'll be alright."
Blackfire gave him a hug and even kissed him on the cheek in appreciation.
Blackfire: " Thanks a lot Clive. I'll definitely owe you one after this."
Clive: " Just don't lose those...I like them too much."
Raven: " Can we please hurry up?"
Clive: " Sorry...OK! LET'S GO!"
The trio split up as Blackfire made her way up the street. She stayed on the ground, not risking being blown around in flight. It would be better too, since she could use her immense strength to keep her ground and trudge through the high winds. Clive and Raven made a break for it, heading south towards the Soho area. He put his arm around her shoulders, keeping them together and still allowing them to stay warm. Thankfully, they were travelling with the wind, so they weren't being slowed down any, and infact, rushed quite a bit. The pair made haste, not stopping for anything, and were thankful that they didn't have to worry about anyone else, as the streets were as empty as that of a ghost town's. Soon though, their luck turned sour as the wind kicked up in their faces. Clive raised his shadow infront of them both to shield them from the biting winds, but still it was cold enough to freeze them solid. Raven doubled their protection with a shield of her own to surround them, but this made it so they couldn't travel any farther.
Raven: " I can't keep this up forever!"
Clive: " Well, the winds are getting heavy this way. It might be suicide for us to continue."
Raven: " Then what should we do?"
Clive: " Well...here! Let's just take some shelter in this old building here..."
Raven: " Are you sure?"
Clive: " Hey, it's your funeral. Atleast I'm wearing pants. You and that little one piece can stay out here if you want."
Raven took a moment to consider his advice. With that, she used her powers to unlock the door of the large office building and enter inside. It was abandoned, or rather just not occupied at all. A big 'For Sale' sign sat in one of the few small windows, leaving the room to be fairly dark. The pair sat down towards the center of the empty enclosure, waiting for some kind of shift in the winds.
Raven: " You know...we never had that talk..."
Clive: " What talk?"
Raven: " About Black."
Clive: " When was that?"
Raven: " Idiot. It was a while ago, after that party..."
Clive: " Oh yeah. That."
Raven: " Well? Since we've got nothing better to do and I'm stuck here with you, we might as well get this over with."
Clive: " Right now?"
Raven: " What does Black think?"
Clive looked to the ground and listened well to Black as he spoke to Clive.
Black: " I do wish to speak with the girl Clive. Now, allow me the use of your body..."
Clive: " What are you planning?"
Black: " I wish to speak with her about...her heritage."
Clive: " Yeah right. Whatever. Anyways, let's just get this done with."
Raven gave him a strange look, seeing him talk to a shadow that made no sound in return. Clive stood up as the shadow on the ground over took his body. It began to expand and take shape, twisting and contorting it's limbs until the creature finally appeared. Black opened his eyes, kneeling down on the ground, and looked about to gather his surroundings. The area was pretty big and open, even enough for him to stand up to his full height and more. He stretched out and whipped his tail around some, getting some of the stiffness out of his body. Afterwards, he sat down in a fairly ackward indian style position, which would have probably been natural to him, since his legs had multiple joints in them.
Raven: " So..."
Black: " I believe it was you who wanted to talk with me, little girl."
Raven: " I'm not some kind of little girl..."
Black: " Perhaps in this culture, but to me, you're life is but a mere moment compared to mine."
Raven: " So, I guess my first question is...what are you?"
Black: " I'm not too much different than yourself. Though, there is no name for what I am, as I am unique."
Raven: " So what...you're some kind of monster?"
Black: " That will do."
Raven: " What is it about me that interests you?"
Black grinned, though it couldn't be seen. Raven however, had a feeling that he was, and was prepared for the unexpected at this point.
Black: " You fear me. I can smell it. I can feel it. It's so heavy in the air, that I could taste it. Do you know why that is?"
Raven: " Perhaps it's because I don't know anything about you...particularly what you're capable of."
Black: " Then allow me to illuminate this for you. In my life, I have seen planets born and planets destroyed. I've witnessed the birth civilazations, as well as their destruction. In many places, I'm revered as a God and hated as a Devil."
Raven: " So what is your origin then? You're not helping me at all."
Black: " I'm creature of sorts. My powers derive from the Realm of Shades."
Raven: " Is that the place Clive drags us through when we teleport with him?"
Black: " Indeed. That is where I'm from. Every being has some connection to it, and that connects me to every being, in some way."
Raven: " Ok...I think I understand all that...so why don't you tell me what's got you so interested in me."
Black: " You're no human. No...not entirely anyways. I know a human smell, and I know that of a demons. You have both, but neither entirely, half demon."
Raven fell silent, developing a strong idea on what Black was getting to. Black wrenched his body a bit, exposing his stomach a bit. There was an area that wasn't quite as dark as the rest of his body, but it was so hard that no mere person could see it without it being pointed out and closely examined.
Black: " This is a wound of mine. It has a very deep rooted history within both myself and the universe. Twas mere months ago that it was reopened and further delayed the healing of it."
Raven: " That was where Starfire blasted you with her eye beams..."
Black: " Yes, that girl which Clive is so infatuated with...she reopened it, but didn't create it. No...not even her powers could have done that!"
Raven: " Would you mind not talking in riddles..."
Black: " You wouldn't understand us. We old ones...we've lived for so long...we've seen so much...can you blame us, if sanity is somewhat scarce at times?"
Raven: " Nevermind...just tell me what this all is coming to."
Black: " When I first met you, I too notice of your smell and aura. It's been 18 years since I experienced both of those exact sensations. For 18 years ago, I recieved this wound in a terrible battle that would have been my end, had I not taken the measures I did to preserve my life."
Raven: " You mean..."
Black: " Your father."
Raven: "...."
Black: " You have his smell...you have his aura...I can feel him inside you...lurking...waiting..."
Raven: " What is this all about?"
Black: " Over 18 years ago, your father and myself fought a great battle. We fought for years before, and this last time wasn't much different than before, except that this time, both of us had decided to stick it out until the end. That battle lasted longer than any between us, and we fought until there was nothing left. In the end, we were too evenly matched. But, as our powers collided, many innocents were killed and places were destroyed. When I took the slight moment to think about it...he was able to gather the upper hand over me and strike me here, in my chest, where you can see that I've been wounded. Still though, I dealt your father some critical blows, and so, I settled to the measures that I have with Clive, and now I see the measures he took to ensure his safety."
Raven: " You mean...you know?"
Black: " I do."
Raven: " I see. Father had seeded a piece of himself into me. That's why I spend so much time meditating, to keep him at bay. But he's been more restless as of late, and it's getting harder to do."
Black: " He became a parasite to you. I followed a similar plan, though with a less harmful out come on my host."
Raven: " If I don't keep that part of me in check...I'll become just like him..."
Black: " And then he can take your power to become even more terrible. A devious and underhanded plan that I expect him to follow. Interesting."
Raven: " I helped form the Titans in hopes of gathering heroes to fight off Trigon when he comes. That's how we all gathered together."
Black: " So...it's not that you're really trying to surpress your father for good...you're just trying to buy time so everyone will be ready..."
Raven: " It's terrible really. My existance is only for one purpose; to make sure that Trigon is defeated. Other than that, I've got no reasons."
Black: " I could end that for you. Infact, I could end Trigon's life along with yours...it would be very easy..."
Raven: " Could you do it? It might work..."
Black: " Is that what you want?"
Raven: " Even though I've got my friends...I'm an outsider. Starfire fits in more than she believes...atleast she can have fun. I want to express myself, I want to be a kid! There's so much I want to do that I can't. Even now, as I say this...I'm venting my emotions and feelings, and I shouldn't even do that. Most of my life is miserable...and the only thing that helps me get through it is my friends...but even they can't take it all away. Go ahead...do it. Kill me. It'll take care of two birds with the same stone."
Black stood upright and straightened out his body. He reached down and picked the smaller, much more fragile girl off the ground, placing a single black clawed hand around her neck. She held onto his arm as he raised her up off her feet and into the air, so she could meet his cold, icy blue eyed stare. His tail whipped around, curling back and was brought up to her face. The tip of it had formed into blade which looked sharp enough to punch through any sort of object. He brought it up and pushed it against her, just under her left breast, adding some pressure to let her know what was about to happen. He continued to stare at her without an expression on his face, while he watched her sweat slightly. He pulled back his tail, like a scorpion ready to strike, and she closed her eyes and held her breath, awaiting her fate.
Black: " Perhaps now...you may rest."
The bladed tail shot forwards, but stopped just short of her. Infact, it was still pressed again in that same spot on her upper torso, but it did not even draw blood. After a few ackward moments, she peeked an eye open, seeing that he hadn't decided to go through with it.
Raven: " Why didn't you do it?"
Black: " You're a foolish girl. You almost had me believe that this is what you want...but I can tell otherwise. You care for your friends, which you have right to do. They all care for you deeply and you know what would happen if they found out you had been killed. True, I could end the threat of Trigon upon this world and some of the misery you live with...but I now refuse to do so."
Raven: " Why? You'll be putting others in danger!"
Black: " Don't lie to yourself. You don't want to die. If you did, you wouldn't have been so tense. You wouldn't have been so AFRAID! If you want something, you shouldn't fear it. You want to live, so you fear death...even though you'll have to live with this misery you claim you have. No, I won't kill you if you can't accept it."
Raven: " But I can and have!"
Black: " DON'T YOU LIE TO ME LITTLE GIRL! I can tell. You're afraid to die. And even if I did kill you...it wouldn't make things right. I must kill Trigon, not some girl that he's attached himself to. It just won't be the same. The vengance I owe him can only rest on his shoulders...not yours. Killing you would ultimately be unsatisfying."
Raven: " But...if you don't, it'll make things harder in the end."
Black: " I make it a point not to regret any decisions I make. This will be no different."
The pair sat in silence for a few moments more, until Black sighed heavily and stood up.
Raven: " What's wrong?"
Black: " I cannot maintain my form for much longer. Though we are inactive, my strength drains the longer I exist in this plane. I need to rest now, just incase Clive were to need my strength."
Raven: " I see. Can I ask you a question before you go?"
Black: " What is it?"
Raven: " Clive can use your powers...can you use his?"
Black looked around, then balled his fist, surrounding it in some kind of energy. He held it out towards Raven, then released his fist and let the energy disappear.
Black: " Yes. Just as he can use my powers freely, I can his. But he is not fully aware of his powers, as he only knows how to apply them in their most basic forms. He would be truely a frightening adversary if he knew how to apply his powers to their fullest. He could part the ground with a single step, tear buildings down with "
Raven: " But what stops him?"
Black: " A lack of understanding."
Raven: " Well...I'm not honestly shocked there..."
Black: " My time is up here in this world, so I must depart. Child of Trigon...do not despair. While you suffer greatly, there will always be others to help you carry your burden. I am one of them, and so is Clive. Despite how he may act, he does regard you as a friend."
Raven: " Thank you."
Black gave her a nod, then slumped to the ground, exhaling a vast amount of air. His body slowly faded away, leaving Clive laying on the ground, sprawled out like he had been asleep the entire time. He pushed himself up lazily off the ground, looking around and shaking out his limbs.
Clive: " Well, you guys were together a while...should I ask what happened? Or is it one of those secret girl talk things?"
Raven: " Everything's fine."
Clive: " Well, that's just peachy. Ok, so lets get back to our searching for Starfire and Cyborg."
Raven: " A good idea for once. You're learning."
Clive: " Hey hey! This coming from the girl with the shortest attention span ever!"
Raven: " Shortest attention span ever? Care to elaborate?"
Clive: " Of course! If you had any kind of attention span, you'd realize how awesome I was."
Raven: " Do you ever get tired of being yourself?"
Clive: " How could I?"
The pair left the building and entered back into the streets, seeing the the wind was blowing with them, as opposed to being against them. They continued to make their way to Cyborg and Starfire, braving the cold and Clive's bad jokes as they would go.