Two Birds With One Stone

Disclaimer: No, I do not own the Teen Titans. No matter how well I write them. Or whatever. The term "Sister-in-God" does not belong to me. Tad Williams used it first.

I was dreaming when I wrote this/ So sue me if I go too fast

Dedicated to:

sekai no yakusoku ,Arein ,Chica de Los Ojos Café ,The Komodo Dragon Phoenix , and castle in the air, all great writers and faithful reviewers.

And

Emily Karnes - Who will probably never read this.

Chapter Sixteen (Part One): Slade

In the end, I understood why fate had thrown Robin in my path. When I first knew him, I couldn't comprehend why anyone would think that a mere human could help me bring down the evil that was Scath. But I soon came to see that he wasn't a "mere" human. No. He was strong. Not just physically, but mentally as well. He was capable of putting up emotional barriers similar to my own so that the pains of his past would not interfere with his present.

Still, I wondered what use any of this would be against the destruction I would unwillingly help create.

I only just understood it that moment. Hope. Humans, for all their useless carbon and extra fat, had two things that I needed. Robin loved me. And he believed in me. It was his heart and his sheer hopeful stubbornness that kept me alive in spirit, and it was that which would fuel me.

"Friend Robin, are you certain this is working?" Starfire called. The flame demons didn't give in.

Robin didn't answer. The powers Raven had somehow left him were fading, there was no sign of Sister-in-God, and the massive face of Trigon the Terrible continued to leer down at him.

Beastboy had been injured, a burn across his back, but he continued to fight. Cyborg was showing signs that his internal battery was dying, and Even Starfire seemed to have lost the spark of bright side she always possessed.

Raven? He paused for a moment, certain he had felt her nearby.

"Robin!" momentarily distracted, Robin was unaware of Scath's hand coming down over him. Even if he had tried to jump out of the way or put up a fight he would have been too late.

That's why it came as a great surprise to him to look up and see none other than Slade standing there, having kicked the hand away.

"Slade!"

Robin was on his feet in an instant, his bo staff out.

"Save your energy, boy," Slade drawled.

"Why did you help me? What do you want?"

"Your finger," Slade answered. Robin was sure he was smirking behind the mask.

"My... finger?"

Slade gave a curt nod and threw something small and bright to him. Robin caught it deftly. A ring. A plain gold ring with a line of symbols on the inside. Red, burning symbols that he'd seen once before. Without hesitation, he slipped the ring over his finger and held his breath.

Chapter Sixteen (Part Two): The White Raven

When Slade died, my father promised him immortality, should he do his bidding. Fool that he was, he agreed. My father never keeps promises. Slade was used. But of course, being my father's minion made him assessable to me. Mainly because of the mark my father had inscribed on his forehead. A mark that was proof of their contract. I can essentially use anything inscribed with this mark or contact anyone who holds it.

Bearing this in mind, and the fact that Slade was disappointed with my father's lack of completion of their deal, I knew he would help me. Reluctantly, yes. But still.

The ring of Azar would not only protect Robin and his friends, it would allow me to reach the bond I shared with Robin. Thus, two parts of my spirit united, I would be able to return in a physical sense. Though it was difficult to know how long the effect would last.

As soon as the ring was on his finger, Robin once again felt Raven's presence. Her warmth, the scent of vanilla. The symbols seemed to be burning through the ring. A moment later, Raven was standing there, clothed in a white cloak, her hair tumbling over her shoulders. She looked so much like Sister-in-God.

"Raven..."

"Don't touch me," she warned. It was a command, but he could clearly feel the pain behind each syllable.

"Do you still have hope that you will be able to defeat me, Daughter?" Scath's voice was as terrible as ever.

"Hope is all I have," she answered calmly.

It was a new energy that sprung to life at her fingertips. White-hot lightning fire danced in her palms, and Robin knew she was unleashing the most powerful weapon she had.

Every ounce of her emotion.

One blast was all it took. Raven did not hold anything back and it all came full force, shaking the very air.

When Robin opened his eyes, everything was right again. The sky was blue, his friends were at his side, and they were standing a top the building across from Wayne Enterprise. The sun glinted off of the buildings. It looked as though nothing had happened.

"Friend Raven!"

Starfire's cry brought Robin back to reality.

"Don't touch me, Starfire."

Robin knelt at her side. "Raven? Are you hurt?"

"No... but I don't have much time."

"Don't talk like that."

Beastboy, Cyborg, and Starfire backed away, worried looks on their faces.

Raven favored him with a small smile. "It was hope that I needed." Robin returned the smile and pulled her into his arms. He felt her quiver. "Robin..." She twined her fingers in his hair and pulled him toward her to kiss him. "I love you."

And she was gone.

As simply was she had come.

Writer's note: As always, thanks to all those who read, reviewed, and are now waiting most anxiously for the next chapter. I would also like to thank the people who liked this story enough to make it part of a C2.

No. This is not the end.

I have two epilogues for this thing coming up soon, then I'm going to start another fic entitled "Rules of Play" which looks promising. Another Robin+ Raven, of course. In light of that, I would like to announce a contest. In this next fic, Robin and Raven will converse over the internet in a forum, so I need some original names for them. I'm thinking of "SonGrayEyes" for Robin, but I'm open to suggestions. Especially from my faithful reviewers.

Go review already.

Signed,

The writer, you fools