Authoress' Notes: Sowee for the long delay. I just realized that…well…not much romance has been going on between Robin and Raven, so…yeah…I wasn't sure what to write here anymore.
I apologize, too, for the past chapters. I just realized how weird this story ran. To be honest, I don't like this fic anymore. It's just…awful. But since I hate to leave things unfinished, and it's the end already anyway, I'll write this for those who still read it.
You have my eternal gratitude for sticking with me.
Oh yeah, I don't own Teen Titans, so go find another person to sue.
H
Seeing Beyond the Dark
NineWeakness, Strength, and the Battle that balances both
Raven looked pleadingly at Robin, biting her lip in unusual anxiety. "Destroy the stone. It would kill me, but it's our only chance of salvation and leaving this encounter with your life."
Robin shook his head. "If it means a life without you, then that's no choice at all!"
"No, you have to understand. If you destroy the Ethrium, it would kill me. But if Seki kills me, it won't destroy the Ethrium." Raven whispered. "He doesn't know that."
Nairu cut between them. "But what about Beastboy, and Star, and Cyborg? He still has them prisoners."
Faint tracings of a smile formed, and Raven nodded her head. "I have a plan for that too. Please Robin. Do this for me."
Raven placed her hands around Robin's neck, hugging him. Robin was left in confusion. "Rae, anything but that."
For a moment, Raven leaned her head against his chest, feeling safe and secure, feeling strong. But she withdrew, looking at his bewildered face. She leaned on tiptoe, closing the space between them as her lips covered his warm ones.
The kiss was sweet. Robin pressed deeper with matched ardor, as the stormy sensation gripped him. He wrapped his arms around Raven, enveloping them both in passionate splendor.
Raven abruptly broke off, smiling as a tear slid down her cheek. "You are my Strength. You have to be strong—for me. If I don't have your strength, then I am weak. Then you will become my weakness."
"But—" Raven silenced him, placing a finger over his lips. "No, listen to me. You always gave me strength. I give you my love, I give you my life. I love you so much, Robin."
Robin cupped her cheek. "I love you too. I don't want it to end like this…"
"I'm happy to hear that. Your love will be my strength. Even if I'm not beside you, I'll always be in your heart. But if you really love me, you'll let me go."
Raven pulled away. She smiled once more, then turned to Seki, not giving him a chance to say anymore.
"Seki, release them first before we give the crystal to you." She said, her voice booming around the area.
Seki laughed insanely. "What do you take me for? I want a fair exchange!" He pulled a sword out of his belt, holding it dangerously near Beastoy's throat.
Raven almost flinched. "I won't let you harm them. Alright, take me hostage then. You need me for the ritual separation of the Ethrium. Otherwise, when I am destroyed, so too, will it." She fabricated.
Seki narrowed his eyes. "What's in it for you? Why are you doing this?"
"I only want my friends to be safe." Raven spoke honestly.
Seki thought for a moment. "Fine. You come here first. We'll release these four, then you give us the crystal. No funny business, unless you want everyone dead."
Raven nodded. "Alright."
She walked forward, face inscrutable. Robin caught her wrist. "No, Raven!"
Raven didn't look at him, fighting to control the tears. "Don't make this any harder. If you love me, let me go."
Robin's grip weakened, but he didn't pull away. Raven glared at Seki, then pulled her arm away, walking purposefully to him. When she was halfway the distance, she stopped.
"Now, let them go."
Seki nodded to his gang, and Beastboy, Starfire, Cyborg and the policeman were let go. "No funny business!" Seki warned.
Raven nodded, then they began the exchange. When Raven was near enough for them to hear, she whispered. "Don't worry, guys." And then walked on.
Seki grabbed her, shoving her to the back of the group just as the four hostages reached where she stood a while ago, halfway between them.
"Now, if you don't want us to shoot your friends halfway, send someone to bring the crystal."
Behind him, Raven nodded, and Robin sighed. He pulled the Ethrium from his neck, gazing at it and hopelessly hating it.
You have to be strong—for me.
Robin held his breath, trying to make a decision. He blinked, then nodded. Holding the crystal that Raven gave him—it seemed—so long ago, he gathered his wits.
He went the distance and the four others crossed the area. Seki came forward then, meeting him halfway.
The four eventually reached Nairu. Robin stopped as he stood face-to-face with the enemy. He gazed at the crystal.
"Give it to me." Seki ordered, reaching out his hand, but not close enough for Robin to do any harm.
To be strong…
To be strong…
For me.
Robin shut his eyes, knowing it was time. I won't be your weakness. "I will be your Strength!" He opened his eyes and in one swift movement, threw the fragile, glowing stone to the ground.
Everything seemed to shift to slow motion. Robin watched the stone fell, then looked at Raven and whispered. "Because I love you." A deep, growing ache stung him. He knew it. He was losing her.
Seki's eyes widened, and he plunged for the stone. "NOOOOOOOOOO!" He screamed, holding his hand out.
Raven smiled, and mouthed her last words, "Thank you."
Nairu watched hopelessly, knowing the pain Robin must've felt. "I'm glad…you let her go." She whispered, then turned around, sobbing into Ralph's open arms. Ralph only watched, unable to say, or think anything.
Beastboy watched in disbelief. He didn't know what was happening, but from what he gathered from Raven's words, destroying the stone would mean—
"NO! Robin! Raaaaaavvvveeeeennnnnn!" He cried, running towards it, hoping that somehow…somehow…he could catch it.
Starfire bit her lip, having arrived at the same conclusion. She nodded at Cyborg, then caught ì¥Áqð¿Š1bjbjqPqP.X::Š)ÿÿÿÿÿÿ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¸0000,ì¥Áqð¿Š1bjbjqPqP.X::Š)ÿÿÿÿÿÿ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¸0000,0l¸6î¤0¤0¤0¤0¤0¤0¤0¤0û5ý5ý5ý5ý5ý5ý5$j7hÒ9š!6¤‡1¤0¤0‡1‡1!6¤¤¤0¤066«5«5«5‡1®¤¤0¤¤0û5«5‡1û5«5«5¤¤«5¤0˜0
RY‡aÅ053Z«5û5L606«5l:4"l:«5w she was disappearing. From the tips of her toes, going the way upwards, she was vanishing.
To where she didn't know. She didn't care. She had Robin's love, and that would survive her through anywhere and anything.
Nairu didn't look, just sobbed and Ralph bowed his head. "Goodbye, my friend."
Only Beastboy saw it, second by second. And suddenly, raw anger erupted inside him. At this, at Starfire and Cyborg for holding him back when he could've done something, at Raven, and most especially, at Robin. Because in his view, he killed her. And he would never forgive him.
Starfire and Cyborg looked away. Robin slid silently to the ground, as the last remains of Raven joined the smoke in the air.
But then, something unexpected happened.
"You STUPID, INSOLENT FOOL!" Seki yelled, going madly for Robin's throat. Robin didn't do anything, didn't care if he died…would he meet Raven then? Would he? Because if then, then he wanted to die.
However, Seki's words were subdued by the sound of a loud bang, that shook all of them.
Robin blinked, but Seki was now sprawled at the ground, clutching his throat, as if he was suffocated. He rolled across the floor, trying to pull an invisible grip from his neck. His head seemed to change into a pale blue, losing its circulation.
His hand first went limp as oxygen was deprived of his brain. Then his whole body stopped abruptly and his hand fell to the floor. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, and an eerie silence hung in the air.
Robin backed away.
Seki was dead.
Despite his loss, he felt a sense of righteousness, because it wall all over.
Suddenly, a breeze passed, ruffling his black hair. And maybe he was imagining it, but a soft, familiar voice rang in his ear.
"I won't let you harm anyone, anymore. Especially not the one I love."
Then the moment was over, and he was looking at the corpse of a man. Then a bell rang and three dozen men in SWAT uniform barged in the town square, pointing their guns at Seki's gang.
Robin realized that Raven had prepared for all this. Because…because she knew, knew she would die…
Another wave of pain engulfed him, a pain and emptiness so strong it surrounded his vision, and he fainted.
H
Authoress' Notes: Woah, that chapter sure was short. YEAH! This fic has come to an end! Actually, there's still an epilogue, so watch out for that.
At first, I didn't know how I was gonna make this chapter, so I thought for days and days, then in the end, it took only around two hours to write the whole thing!
But this short, short (hey, it's only nine chapters!) is coming to an end! Oh, I'm so happy! My first finished ficcie in this site. WOOT! So here's the awaited Rob and Rae's kiss and the goodbye. I know I put such a bad ending to it, with one of the main characters dying and all, but come on, it was hard to form another ending.
And if I put a good one, it would seem all too happy-ever-afterish! Hehe, there's still Beastboy's reaction, and I hope you look forward to that. I'll put Author Responses next time, but please review.
I'll give those reviewers a surprise at the epilogue. Really.
Angels and Apocalypses,
Yume