Too Much Red

by Pakkrat

Raven finds herself torn between RedX and Robin. That is not the worst part, Slade wants her, villains need her, and one demon aside from dad wants her to suffer! The world is sometimes too much, but who knew it has Too Much Red? Sequel is up and ready!

12. Chapter 12: Grand Finale!

Too Much Red

By: Pakkrat

Chapter 12: Grand Finale!

Disclaimer: Usual ones!

Note: Thanks to Shekron again, he has finished his BRILLIANT story Teen Titans VS Fanfiction, I honestly promote this story as it truly makes one think and this is often lost amongst fanfiction. Moving on, I have decided I probably will not make a sequel to this, as I read over it and thought on things some how making a sequel would take from the story here. I think standing alone, this was one of my best pieces. It's long, but when you get down to it what isn't that was worth while?

Musical Choices: Final Fantasy 9 Kuja's Theme (Shekron got this one hooked on me!), A Night On Bald Mountain, by Fantasia (The Song with demons for many who may not recognize)

…Mayor's Rooftop…

The tallest place in Jump City. An actual saying from the employees is that this roof is the only crossroads from earth to heaven in the city. When the clouds hang low over the city they can actually cast under the roof's railing and tonight was one of those nights. Raven, her arms held above her head with chains stirs slowly her mind now starting to flutter awake. She sees things, things she remembers. The day she received the necklace strikes her mind, and she seems happy. The voice of Joker enters, not at her but to another near her, "This is becoming a hassle. He seems to think he's some kind of royalty making us wait!"

Slade speaks up, "By what Trigon told me, he is a kind of god to his people. He is the only one that can give any Kagejin form after the destruction of Trigonamu."

Bata-Boom giggles, "Oh you both have to lay back… whoops! She's waking up!"

Raven opens her eyes, they are blurred and her body feels weak. Slade's silhouette makes out slowly to her front, "Ah, prepared to join us?" Slade motions his arm and lays his chin on his backhand as if thinking, "Things have become peculiar have they not?"

Raven shakes her head, "Wh… Why did you take me?"

Bata-Boom waddles in as a silhouette to the side of Slade, "Because I was told to." He has his hands drumming his stomach happily, "He said I was meant to first produce subjects of special skill by a specific means. Second, make sure Heretic was to fall under false faith in an ancient legend so he would make the mask necessary for his physical form. Thirdly, I was to wait for when Heretic would contact me and then ready the plans as they fell into place!" Slade is chuckling as Bata-Boom clacked his heels, "I was a good little white boy! Yes-Sir! Eh-he-he!"

Raven notices the silhouette of Joker in a long coat and hat, "Why… did you help?"

Joker though she did not see it smirks, "Oh, simply put I was promised the final laugh on Bat-Breath! Plus, Robin and his head on a mount to my wall! No more reason do I, the master of malicious mirth, need to have!" The Joker chuckles, "That and seeing the horror on the faces of this city will merely abide my appetite till I return to Gotham while your friends blood trickles down these walls!" the three villains begin a small chuckled collective till Raven shakes her head, "How… how can you all be so cruel?"

(Music: Kuja's Theme)

"It's in their nature. Why else would I have used them?" Speaks the voice of a shadow slowly coming forth, the villains all jump from the mere spectral form. Raven's eyes become shaky, her memories now flood in not on the good of Robert but her last image of his death. The scenes spiral out on the figure who attacked him. Raven has her eyes adjust, her face a snarl as her cheeks and eyes crinkle by hate. The roof shakes slightly and she does not worry over the fact her father seems to try and awaken her inner evil. Raven was lost in the hatred, the despising rage of her heart as standing before her now was Akaige. Akaige, his large claw flexed at his side merely bows to her and asks, "Did you sleep well?"

Raven roars out, her eyes become four red eyes, "Monster!" She fires her powerful dark energy out from her eyes and Akaige is struck but not even moved he was slightly pushed but no more, "You killed him! Why? Why did you do it?"

Akaige sighs; his claw is waved to the villains. They leave and he slinks his eyes before striking her hard over the face with his claw, "Ask that question again! You know why, I chose to do it!" She feels his claw tighten on her chin, "I wanted to see you cry for him. I have done it before, made you cry… or other worlds with you." Akaige sees her eyes become human; sadness takes away rage and hate, "I liked your hatred, it was much more becoming."

Raven focuses her power, and tries to turn white but something was wrong… it was not hers to make anymore. "Something the matter?" Akaige has a brow raised; his claw taps his chin, "Hm… Oh! I know!" Akaige raises his claw as if he had a brainstorm, his eyes are sinister in a stare to her own "The light you had found is gone isn't it? You are lost without that love which spawned the collection of your emotions." Akaige shrugs to her now faltering drop on her knees, "Now stop that. I wanted more fight than this! Sure, I wanted to break you but you could give it your all."

Raven was not strong enough, or so she thought. She felt alone, lost, all the things she believed were disappearing in the darkness swallowing her heart, Raven looks up with her tears, "Why me? Why did it have to be now? Why did you have to take him?"

Akaige thinks, "Why now? Why not now? The things I worked hard to alter in this reality just so the idea of MY emergence was plausible were hardest. You see, realities often follow a line of certain similarity. Your worlds though different are similar. The idea," Akaige kneels down to her level so she can look his soulless eyes equally, "Is while this world is similar to the one most people would say is the original it is not. It is a multiple reality compared to the original that spawns all others, but real enough for you and I." Raven is confused, Akaige figures this would happen so he stands and rolls out his claw. The shadow from anything even Raven roll out on the roof and make a scene. This scene was of a Raven like her, but she had the long purple hair protruding under her hood, "Is that me?" Raven looks astonished; her hair looks nicer in the image. Akaige shakes his head no, "That is Karasu, the daughter of my former master and father Trigonamu. So I guess she is my sister." Akaige chuckles, "Funny, never gave it that much thought." Akaige shakes his head returning to Raven. "In that world you and she share a fate of destiny to bring destruction. However, like you she tried to stop it and somehow succeeded by not only beating her father, the servants he held, and trapping him into a world of torment… but you know." Akaige shows the image of a ninja looking man, his one eye covered in a patch. This man holds in his arms a small child which seems to be one of Karasu's cloaks wrapped tightly, "That man, he was one of Trigonamu's servants till Karasu saved him. She purged the demon and allowed him to become a human again. Strange enough, like your worlds equivalent he provided the needed boost in power to defeat my master. This man in your world and mine, he was called Slade."

Raven instantly gets a twitch, "That child… who does it belong to?"

"Karasu and Slade… the child is my greatest adversary, Tsuchi which you know as "Terra"." Raven cringes that meant she had a kid with Slade in another world. "Oh, here I come!" Slade runs off with Tsuchi, Karasu sighs, "I knew you would come."

(A lone shadow was coming from the field, draped in a cape only the red flaming X formation was noticeable from the distance. "Oh, I'm stunned you knew about me at all."

Karasu started circling as he came closer, "I realized Trigonamu would send some lackey to kill me, I did not expect he would use the same Kagejin he forged for Komadori."

"I am one of his more powerful created Kagejin dear Karasu. It is only fitting he gave me a second chance to prove my worth." Akai raised something from his cloak, it was the bone horn of Kagekuma, "Also not to mention the plans for this little toy you left us. My master has devised an amazing plan indeed. It will assist in forming the master's ancient body."

Karasu raised her right brow, "Kagekuma, was that his ancient body?"

Akai laughed, putting the bone away he forced his human hand out and tried to cover his chest to stop the laughing, "No my dear, Malkage failed, he has been considered unworthy of the master as a vassal. He will be separated from the master as soon as all the shadow power you had is taken back to him again." The claw hand reappeared tightening slightly, "Of course only after I kill you will the shadow energy in you return to my master."

Karasu gave a look behind herself, "I have sad news, my shadow powers have been passed on."

Akaige gave a small glare, "What?" he started looking her up and down, "No! You did pass it on! I guess nothing left to do…" Akai leapt forward flashing his claws, "Except end your life!"

The claws dug deep into Karasu's stomach. Akai felt Karasu gag on his shoulder and he sighed pleasingly, she slouched into the attack before falling to her knees. Akai pulled his claws out allowing Karasu to twirl onto her back holding the wound. Akai began walking away, "Why did you… not kill… me?"

Akai turned back giving her a sinister glare, "Since you have no shadow powers why truly kill you? I guess leaving you to die alone in this place is the final torture of Trigonamu." Akai continued leaving Karasu in tears, "Enjoy the final gift from your father.")

Raven looked in horror, "That…" "Was a beautiful matter of mine…" where Raven felt disgust and sadness for her other self… Akaige finds pride and happiness, "I loved what happened next, but we do not have time for such matters. I do have other engagements."

Raven looks onto Akaige who holds his hand over the wall she was chained to, "What are you doing?"

Akaige glares his eyes to her as he writes symbols on the wall with his claw "Opening the door to my world, a friend of yours is reaching the state of darkness I am. He has fought it, and even assisted you for some time." Akaige sighs, "I don't know why but his times with you gave his humanity strive to fight my influence. He can't anymore though he is truly a Kagejin today." Raven is confused, and then it hits her "… Pakkurath…"

"That is the name I gave him." He chuckles a little, "The thing about him I find amusing is I made him inherently evil but some how a part of him tries to face off the wickedness in his design. I know not why or where it stems from, but it has proven difficult for my plans." Akaige finishes the markings, "The idea was I knew I had to have a way of playing you and your friends from outside the villains I enlisted. By sending you to Pakkurath and his natural luster to darkness plus his own capabilities in the magi I figured he was the only one capable of assisting me so I could learn on you more. With that little help I learned all there is on you, now I am ready to finish what I started." Akaige turns away, Raven who was crying or filed by sadness stops, she smirks, "I will stop you." Akaige stops and turns, "They, my friends will stop you."

Akaige closes his eyes, "The last time your father tried to be in this world he let your friends live on your sake. However," Akaige turns about and glowers to the door exiting the roof, "I had no problems killing my sister, let alone my own father. I want nothing but power and killing your friends will mean less to me so hold that knowledge as you are with my child Pakkurath."

Akaige snaps his fingers Raven feels like she is sinking as the shadows under her now wrap up the wall and drags her into them. She gasps for air as she is absorbed into the strange shadows. Akaige shifts through the roof into a room where the other villains are gathered. Harley Quinn pets her hounds that see Akaige and cringe to her. Akaige slowly trails to the machines in the room showing the outside and hallways. Slade walks over saying, "They are here."

Akaige nods, "I know. So is he, Robert or Red X." Slade and Joker are surprised; Bata-Boom seems not as surprised as angry. "Heretic switched places with Red X… just like I planned!"

Slade looks to the computers, "Don't be a fool. This can lead to a disaster if you continue to make Raven jumble about in pain. It is a risky situation with her."

Akaige turns to Slade, "Perhaps you're right. However I have not come this far too just let Raven die. No, I want her to suffer still!"

Slade takes his pause before nodding, "So far I've only been playing my role. As long as I get what I want, I'll do what I'm asked." He gives a glare, "Of course if you betray me Akaige I'll turn on you just like I did with Trigon."

Akaige sighs, "Yes I understand Slade. Now get a move on they will not be long before taking a full assault." Slade, Joker, Harley with the hounds, and Bata-Boom go forth. Akaige shifts himself to the monitors and chuckles, "Mortals…"

(Music: End Song)

On the steps to the mayor's building stood the titans and villains who oddly seemed to be a team. Gizmo is first to snarl "I just… can't believe I am working WITH the teen titans."

Killer Moth takes most to insult, "I know, but in a way we did help the fat-man do this. If we don't hone up to our mistakes we're just as guilty as him." Katepillar Moth (Kitten) slowly flutters over and smiles, "Hey! You know we could always turn into a family of superheroes!"

Killer Moth grabs his chest, "its bad enough you took my dreams of a son-in-law for the scientific evil community, now my dreams of crime? What did I ever do to you!" he shakes his fist to the sky, "Oh… the super science… right…" he slowly lowers his fist in a blush.

Beast Boy looks around, "I don't get it shouldn't there be an army or something here?"

At this soon a large bustle of smoke appears, the voice of Trigon roars forth, "My armies, shall be your armies Slade! This time, fail me not!"

Slade appears in the smoke, with him many flaming specters with hound like skulls flare forth. Slade glares his eye as soon behind him file out the remaining goons now under the Joker's ward. With Bata-Boom come something new, strange robotic variations of Quadro human sized and less perfect in form. Three small armies are assembled around the group of heroes and villains. Beast Boy has glares from everyone in the alliance of good, his form shrunken to a child poking his fingers together, "Yeah I know… you just had to say something didn't you?"

Slade crosses his arms, a sort of glimmer in this turn of events sparkles in his eye, "So what will you do? The numbers are against you this time kids. Not to mention the simple fact you have us to deal with!"

Robin with Red X looks and grins. Red has switched his suit with a Red X backup conveniently held in Robin's R-Cycle. He was still amazed the boy-scout keeps himself prepared for everything. Robin looks back through the mobs to blinking red and blue lights, police cruisers roll in with officers in riot gear soon filing out. Slade raises a brow to Biggs and Wedge who lead the team with orders. They file into block like marching quarters; Robin raises a brow, "Numbers you say?"

Slade looks up, "Sorry, we have a little ace up our sleeves Robin." Above him dangles the unconscious mayor. Robin has not lost his cool, "Good thing because we have a small ace too."

Slade glares, "Oh really?" he hears a voice, "MUMBO JUMBO!" Slade turns to see the mayor has vanished in pink mist, quickly he views the blue magician next to Robin, flapping his cape away there was the mayor under it. Biggs and Wedge take the mayor and hide him within a cruiser till this was over. Slade glares angrily to the roof, "Well? What now?"

Akaige sits in his little room; his eyes are shifting through the screens. He chuckles; it was all as he planned… Mumbo pulls at his collar, "Just remember kids, I don't want any more of those beatings like before." Robin smiles, "Oh, don't worry if you do your job I won't hurt you." Robin shows a dark smile, "I do mean IF you do your job." Mumbo gulps before moving some distance back, Robin's earlier moment with Rage on Mumbo showed to be helpful in coaxing the magician in this endeavor. Still, to win this they needed more than him, they needed a special friend that could maybe save or doom them all.

Slade waits and hears Akaige with orders, he nods. "If you say so." He turns to the titans. "Well, looks like we just got new orders thanks Robin!" he turns around and steps through the doors with Joker spitting on the dirt. Bata-Boom turns about glaring under his goggles to his two sons with hate filled stares shared to him. The villains retreat, Robin is kind of confused why did they… a figure falls on the ground from the roof, Akaige stretches out unsatisfied.

"Why can't you heroes roll over and DIE like good mortals?" Robin has Cyborg smirk and pull down his eyelid, "Make us shadow-butt!"

The small group snickers and laughs but Akaige slinks his eye in hate, "Humans… heroes… they just can't seem to get it. I am something beyond you. Your kind should fear me and my presence. Instead you have to just play on my patience!" Akaige swings his claw into the ground; the fingers melt to what is like a goop that now crawls out to several dark alleys. A strange moaning and growling is heard and the shadows of the alleys pour out like pudding rolling to Akaige's arm. Akaige pulls out his arm then flexes his claw as the immense blob of shadow rolls and pulsates as like some kind of living mass, "I've dealt with your kind time and time again. You merely need to be put in your place like dogs." He shifts to a shadow and crawled the walls of the tower, "Time for you to find out your nightmares are my dreams."

The blob seems to grow in height, its shadow casts over the heroes. Robin feels a chill up his spine, "I have a bad feeling about this…"

… Shadow Realm, Raven…

Raven quickly jolts up and the black slime breaks from her. Raven was not sure where she was but around her she saw floating rocks and the blue, purple, and black haze of clouds surrounding her and the sky she now floats in. She looks to the many rocks twirling weightlessly in this atmosphere of black shadows. Raven realizes it was the shadow realm Akaige must be part of. Raven turns to one stone and sees it is coming at her quickly; she floats past it overhead and watches as it crashes into the stone she was once on. Raven follows the trail it had come from and sees floating slightly over the stone was Pakkurath his smile wicked and yes cruel.

Pakkurath looks on her with his inhuman grin. She remembers many times she and he talked and had several interesting conversations. Now by what Akaige said he was lost to his truest nature as a demon, fallen to darkness under all its influence. Raven though sure it may be worthless decides to make an attempt to help the lost friend. "Pakku…" she sees him raise a palm that now launches two larger masses of rock, she gasps and barely phases through them. Pakkurath was a creature of mind and imagination, in this world his power was much like his own realm. He could manipulate the world immensely and even call on the darkest incantations of magical nature. Worse yet his vast knowledge of monsters, demons, and legends would ensure he had an arsenal far beyond what she had. 'What a great day to have the saying, "Friends like these who needs enemies" to be true!'

Raven makes a full throttle escape while Pakkurath chuckles. Pakkurath disperses in a chant to some kind of small bats. The bats flutter quickly in front of Raven who now stops to their forming into Pakkurath. Pakkurath pushes out his palm and a force pushes on Raven quickly tossing her into a rock mass. He raises his two hands and soon the rock grows vines that wrap on Raven's wrists, "Stay, we have things to talk upon."

Raven glares, "You were my friend! Why are you doing this?" Pakkurath smirks, "Why not? It is all for balance, our balance." Pakkurath floats up to Raven and whispers, "Do you not understand? The fact Akaige is so foolish to believe I will fall in line should be enough now open your eyes."

Raven looks into the shades of Pakkurath, his brows are slanted in a vicious cruelty "You… you are playing him?"

Pakkurath nods, "Yes, I must help him but not serve him. By allowing Akaige to gain what he wishes the alliance with Trigon will allow for a power struggle. When they have destroyed all well, all that is left is evil. Evil will destroy itself, and I will be there to sweep away the lost few still straggling there. You see? I will make balance," Pakkurath breathes deeply, "By destroying all sides that are in the struggle. Good and Evil will die, and only I, balance, shall exist."

Raven has a twitch in her eye, "If I knew you were so crazy…" Pakkurath growls lowly striking out his hand now some force grips her throat through his magic. Pakkurath has a nervous twitch on his right nostril, his grip loosens. "No matter how hard I try killing you is impossible." He holds his right arm at his side with an angry shake, "The human side put in me makes me conscientious of the friendship we shared."

Raven is confused, "Human side? I thought you were a demon."

Pakkurath nods, "I am a demon, but a Kagejin is not a normal breed of demon. We are the shadows of insecurity, and fear. When children cringe before the night their minds see monsters and so we are born. For every nightmare conceived is a new Kagejin, an empire of fears. The shadow realm is vibrant with nightmares and so our lord holds as the strongest of all. Trigonamu was once the nightmare god in our world until he was lost; Akaige the warrior took over after." Pakkurath turns about his face in a snarl, "Akaige… he made me. He designed me from human dreams and nightmares allowing for me to be a balanced creature of Kagejin good and evil. However as the time progressed he influenced me so I became a superior balance. I am neither loyal to evil nor good; my loyalty is to creating and obtaining balance." Pakkurath turns around a smile on his face, "Which by balance I mean destruction of all who dare side with good or evil."

Raven tries to break from her bonds, Pakkurath waves his hand over her and stone arms wrap out and hold her down, Raven snarls as she strains against the arms of monsters from stone but she can not win. Pakkurath nods, "My existence was a shared one. To fully contribute to my essence Akaige designed me with human dreams of purity along with nightmares of horror. The ingredient that caused my natural luster to darkness was the flawless addition of a shadow demon called Malkage who once served Trigonamu. Akaige added his shadow to mine, and so I strived in the magi as it was the same that gave Malkage his power. I am a god compared to him Raven." Pakkurath floats closely to Raven, "I have magic and knowledge Akaige could only dream of. I could obliterate him if I wanted but balance must be served." He frowns; looking at Raven he seems saddened, "In some ways… I envy you my friend." His voice is no longer cruel or wicked, it seems simply mournful, "I never had a real chance to choose my sides. I was destined to be lost. You fought the influence once, do it again?" Raven raises a brow, was this…? "Do it… for them…" Pakkurath grabs his head; quickly floating away he screams then steadies. He turns up in hate; he then forges a ball of fire "I'll make sure I am dominant here. I am the form of balance not him!"

…… The Front Entrance……

The strange blob took a hideous form. The body was like a slug huge it slimes the ground with a black liquid that soon dissolves to the main body again. Its front has a large lump that holds a head of a skull black in color that opens its mouth unleashing several small human like arms. The back lump protrudes tentacles that flap about wildly. The left arm is huge, human like but has claws on its fingers; the right arm is a twig like arm which has the claw of a crab clipping at moment after moment. This beast along with the armies of demons, robots, and goons hold back the titans and officers with no trouble. Robin regroups with Bumble Bee, Killer Moth, and Red X, "What the heck is that thing?"

Killer Moth glares, "Huge and in the way! Why don't you do something?"

Robin has his eyes darting on the monster; its form is like black ooze as even the arms drip as they swing tossing one officer away into several demons. The beast is not worried on who it strikes. Robin gives a look to Mas y Menos, "Hey! I need you two for a second." The twins stroll over; Robin turns back his eyes twitching "I hope this works!"

The beast roars up to the air spouting small blobs of black goop onto men and demons alike, causing the goop to corrode armor and sizzle flames. Slade turns to Akaige in the control room, "What the hell is wrong with that thing?"

Akaige shrugs, "I merely merged some shadow energy into a monster. Unfortunately that means it is wild. No allegiance to me or you, why do you think I called you back?" Akaige turns to the screen with Mas y Menos bolting on the beast, "What are they up to?"

Mas y Menos swirl the beast which barely can bend its bulgy flesh back on them. The little twins are gripped by two tentacles from the back side and held smiling innocently. The creature, its red eyes in a sort of inquisitive snarl looks on the two not noticing the blue disks along its slug body. The disks explode covering the beast in ice. As it coiled from the ordeal the twins grab hands and speedily kick about until they are loose. The monster was trapped in ice so the two twins shoot their hands up in thumbs of pride. This lasted a moment, the ice crackles and the beast bursts through in hellish screams of fury. The two twins gag before speeding to Robin where they hide behind his legs, Robin frowns "We need to stop it even for a little bit…"

Slade is still standing watching now as Beast Boy launches the monster with his dinosaur raptor form, slashing on its back with his jaw and speed. Mammoth launches cars into the beast and as they sink into the goop Cyborg fires with Gizmo to make them explode. The more they attacked and tore away fragments of the beast they merely remolded back. Slade glares to Akaige asking "Will this monster destroy them?"

Akaige shakes his head no, "Highly unlikely but it detains the children while Joker is preparing the next part of my plan." Akaige turns to the screens pleasingly clacking his claws, "Just like I planned, nothing could go wrong now." Slade raises a brow to this before turning away and leaving

…… Shadow Realm……

Pakkurath turns to the distance, and snarls, "You should not keep challenging me Raven." He turns to Raven who is shifting from stone to stone hiding from Pakkurath, "After all we are friends!"

Raven stops and screams "No we are not! My friend in you is dead!" she begins escaping again as Pakkurath follows quickly, "I'll keep resisting you until I'm dead!"

Pakkurath smirks, "In most attributes I enjoy that outcome!" he chuckles to her attempts to toss stone masses at him, "Makes my job a hell of a lot easier than turning you to darkness." Pakkurath waves his hands and the masses are gone, he pursues swiftly to catch up, "Raven! Why do you still resist it? Your destiny was always to destroy the world of mortals so why not give in?"

Raven turns and fires her beams, Pakkurath twirls between the beams soon firing bolts of red lighting into her making her slam back into a mass of stone. "I fight it…" Raven pushes off in a scream "Because I choose to!"

Pakkurath roars out but is punched, he swings around like he was tagged by a mountain even Raven was shocked. She smiles as Pakkurath holds his nose, his eye twitching under his shades, "You are a magi only. You know nothing of hand-to-hand combat. I see… you and the Pakkurath I knew are very different." Raven flies out to expose this weakness best she could, Pakkurath growls lowly letting the blood trickle his nose, "Who needs to know how to fight when you are able to use this power?" he calls out shards of ice that quickly shower the area all around.

……The Front Gate……

Cyborg is flung straight into Mumbo Jumbo; Jumbo holds his white handkerchief up in surrender but a fire demon roasts it. He whimpers, "Guess surrender is not an option."

Aqualad tosses a Quadrone onto two goons who squirm under the heavy metal robot before glaring on the magician, "Coward." Mumbo pulls out from Cyborg screaming "Hey! I resemble that remark!" he quickly hides behind Aqualad as three fire demons roll out on them. Starfire tosses her bolts on the beasts causing them to explode slightly. She lands and smiles, "Friends! Hold your heads high and ready to fight again! We have a plan sure to victory today!"

Jinx tosses her jinxes at some drones and goons destroying weapons, "I hope you're right!"

A large green flying reptile screams in the air, all look and see it has a giant cathedral bell. He drops the bell on the beast and it is trapped inside. Beast Boy lands to rub his hands on his chest, "Yeah, like I said demons can't fight holy items!" then he sees the others who have pale expressions, Beast Boy look back to the large red eyes glaring at him from the beast slowly crawling from under the bell out. Beast Boy screams like a child running to Robin hiding in his back, Robin snarls lowly "Can't anyone think of something?"

Then a large light is flipped on by a simple finger. The beast wails out in pain and swirls off from the stream of light. The titans look to the spy light and see a figure slowly trailing from it. They all gag to… this caped shadow who seems to strike fear in their hearts…

……Wayne Manor……

Alfred smiles intently, he holds a note in his hands. It reads…

Alfred,

I have recuperated and know what I must do. Keep the house safe while I am gone.

P.S. I'm giving you a bonus for the uh… time you dressed like Sailor Moon… sorry about all that…

Alfred sighs, "It takes me cross-dressing in this house to finally get a raise." He smirks to his personal humor before moving on to his duties.

……Front Gates……

The figure shows pointed ears and a black cape, under this the gray suit with a yellow ring with a bat emblem. Batman strolls forth slowly with his cape over his shoulders. Beast Boy has his lips in pucker-awe and eyes sparkling. Robin who was more shocked smiles almost on the verge of clasping his old master in his arms, "Batman!"

Batman turns on the creature still snarling at them, he grabs Speedy's bow and one of his arrows firing it on the monster it catches on flame. Batman returns the bow to the now cooing Speedy with Mas, Menos, and Aqualad looking over his shoulders, Speedy says in a trance, "From this day, I shall never wash this bow again…"

Batman steps next to Robin and asks "Why didn't you think of that?" Robin blinks, "It was a shadow monster, meaning light hurts it. Enough light would kill it didn't I teach you anything Robin?"

Robin glares, "It's Nightwing now…" his tone seems more irritated than meaningful. Batman ignores and looks at the scene, "We need to split into two groups. One stays and assists the police detain this matter. While the other comes with me after Joker."

Robin glares more aggressive, "I'm the leader here Batman!" Batman looks over with his brows narrowed, "My friend is trapped up there and we need to save her."

"Who?" Batman asks, Robin frowns, "Raven…"

"…." Batman looks away and sighs, "Robin will take the lead of the team inside. I will assist until the Joker is apprehended and no further." The titans and others seem upset, "I have no time for kiddy games the Joker is my only responsibility here really. As for you Robin," Batman turns to his former student and simply adds "Do what you do best and save your friend."

Batman turns to Biggs and Wedge now with fire trucks they sprayed the fire demons making them sizzle out and die, goons slipped and Quadrones flopped around from the water. Batman turns to Robin, Robin with the team of Red X, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Starfire, Speak, and Mumbo Jumbo run behind him. Batman runs with Robin at his side, Robin asks in his run "Why are you so aggressive?"

"I'm serious about my work." Batman narrows his eyes, "I though I taught you better Robin."

Robin slows his pace wanting to keep distance, he thinks back to a time… with the true master of martial arts Chui-Hui.

……Sometime Ago, Training Grounds of Chui-Hui……

Robin is in a white judo outfit with an elderly woman walking behind him, she has gray hair fitted in two braids at the back of her ears, and a small hat on her head, along with some red dress like apparel. With her was a wooden cane she used to walk herself around and at times… "Ow!" Robin screams this as the wooden staff hits his head, "You are doing it again, you are taking things much too seriously!"

Robin turns about, he frowns, "I'm sorry… I just want to learn so badly."

Chui-Hui turns to him and smiles with a nod, "Your determination makes you an appt student but you must control your power." Chui looks to a flat stone and smirks to the river near her. She grabs the stone and skips it over the stream easily, "Why does the stone skip?"

Robin blinks, "Um, the aerodynamics of its surface causing tension over the water allows…" he is hit on the head, frowning he looks as Chui drops glades of grass on the water they float. "Why does the grass float?" Robin narrows his eyes but answers "The surface tension of the water holds up against the light displacement of the glades of…" Chui strikes him this time hard on the head tossing him into the water, he is looking up with the water under him, "Why must you always sink?" She seems angry. Robin sighs, "I'm too heavy, my weight displaces the surface too much so…" she simply shakes her head turning away, "If one can not stride on the water, he will always be weighed down and drown."

Robin looks confused, but quickly follows with her.

……The Mayor's Lobby, Robin……

Robin runs with some feeling he may be coming close to understanding this. What does it mean, what importance will it have for him?

The heroes outside are led by Bumble Bee and Killer Moth, obviously why that is. Killer Moth snarls over to Bumble Bee, "I always liked you kid! A hero after my own insect-obsessed heart!" Bumble Bee blasts several drones while Killer Moth uses his forceful muscle on goons, "Whatever you say! Just keep your criminal buddies fighting!"

Inside the building was Joker dancing about with his happy smile, "Oh joy, Batman has finally come to help play out my greatest Grand Finale!" Joker sighs slightly, "A part pf me feared loosing a chance to settle on up with the Bat-Fink, but now my fears can be…" Joker looks to Harley who has the two hounds cringing behind her, Joker is slightly paler as he asks "Batman or worse?"

"Worse." Akaige clamps his claw on Joker's shoulder, "Oh so much worse." Akaige feels Joker pull away and to the side, his face once mischevuious turns to fear. Akaige raises a brow, "Is it my breath?" Joker kind of shifts his collar giving his grin again, "Sorry, not the best time to be jumping this old clown seeing as how Batty popped up again."

Akaige nods, "He did what I expected so much for the great detective." He moves over to Joker again and grabs him on the shoulder with his human hand, Akaige lurches his claw hand over to a large shadow on the walls making some kind of opening. From it is a laugh, Joker is in shock at the similarity to his laugh to the figure coming from the shadows. Akaige sighs, "You use gimmicks to cloud the brutal madness in your soul, this one however is your madness without any gimmick brutal enough to match his soul. Allow me to introduce you Joker, to Mad Joker."

Mad Joker, an alternate form of this Joker from another dimension has long green bangs and a long pale face. The smile wide his voice a deep repression of hatred, and red eyes with the same twisted hate gleam forth from the shadows. Mad Joker has a straightjacket over his chest with ripped sleeves, and a purple sleeve designer shirt with swirling symbols at the shoulders. His pants are black ones with the ends slightly torn, his feet bare he cackles again now hopping on his bottom to the floor and rocking with his finger-gloves curving his toes, "Weeeeeell! This was a surprise!" Mad Joker smirks his wide insane grin somehow crazier than the Joker of this world, "I was sitting at home, minding my own business trying to plot how to deface the Bat and all of a sudden this portal thing opens saying I was needed! First," he points up his right big toe, "I was not sure why anyone needs me! Second," he points up his left pig toe, "I was wondering who was crazy enough to call on me!" He gleams over to the other Joker, "Should have known the only one crazy enough to call me is… well, meee-he-he-he-he!" he slaps his feet together and laughs rolling on the floor, Joker looks at his Mad twin, "He's a loon…" his smile widens, "He's just like me!"

Akaige nods his eyes showing pleased wicked joy, "I knew you would like it. Keep to the plan Joker, I want Robin and Robert." Joker turns and does a bow and grin, his double quickly follows as they both say, "Consider the bat, Ozz-feast!" they laugh together while Akaige leers his eyes to the path ahead, "Just a little longer…"

(Mad Joker is actually the Joker from "The Batman" who I really liked and thought kind of would fit in as the truest madness Joker has.)

……Shadow Realm, Raven……

Pakkurath bounces off a stone ground formation, coughing as dust rolls up, Raven lands with her knuckles red from the fight. She was not able to use her powers now somehow this world seems to be making her shadow powers nothing more than a simple sputter, like it feeds off of this. Raven stops her breathing to ask, "What does he REALLY want?"

Pakkurath has his lip bleeding; her stance of defiance was met by pleasure "What do you think?" She growls lowly before coming in and planting herself on him then pounding wildly, "What is it! Why me? Why must he keep messing with me? What is so special about," she strikes hard enough to knock of the glasses, "ME!"

Pakkurath has his eyes closed, they open and Raven stands quickly to move away from the eyeless creature, "Surprised? I see beyond mortal sight." He floats overhead to call the stones again, "I see souls as they burn and even flicker before the final moment! Pleasure my absolution, death my gift!"

Raven stands and holds the stones back to then; with a surge of power she pushes them back and crushes Pakkurath under them. She sighs in relief until the stones roll off and Pakkurath limply crawls forth. Raven sees Pakkurath and in a lapse runs over to help. He grabs her ankle bringing her back to reality, "My friend… he is really gone?"

Pakkurath looks up his right arm crushed and destroyed, he snarls lowly before grabbing at his stub then prying it as dark mists, "Perhaps…" his tone changes and again Raven can sense her friend was somehow in there, "or perhaps only a shimmer of him is left…" Pakkurath turns to his side, anger boils his face, "I am the balance… keep out of my affairs!"

Raven hears flapping, she turns and screams as a stream of fire catches her and tosses her back. Raven lands on an opposite stone object feeling at her chest, her necklace is gone! "No! Robert!" she stands and barely flies over the fire, she sees the attacker and cringes, "Malchior…"

"Raven." Malchior in his dragon form of a purple belly, blackened skin and scales, red eyes wit two long hellish horns bent back from the snout smiles slightly "I missed you SO greatly."

Pakkurath looks to the necklace; a strange energy pours out of his eyes, "No…" he feels two beams of black and white pour forth to the necklace, "NO!"

……Inner Chamber of Office Building……

"What floor is this?" Beast Boy asks sighing; Batman gives a glare to Robin who answers "The floor after the one we were just on."

Cyborg stops, his arm is blinking, "Look live, we got something in here!"

Starfire looks at the large jack in the box, Batman instantly knew this gimmick, "Joker." He was sort of surprised as Mad Joker hops onto the box his eyes of red searing onto Batman, "Here's to dark minds that truly think alike!" The Joker now sidesteps to the Jack's crank, he twirls it fast to make it pop open and spring open the lid so Mad Joker twirls out with his sleeves spiraling at his sides, he torpedoes Batman taking him to the other side of the long room with pillars. The lid is open, purple slime, electrical energy, and one large rock beast come forth. Beast Boy blinks, "How did he fit them all in there?"

Mumbo sighs, "All smoke and mirrors kid," he fires off his wand to Overload that now spryly side twirls past the beams, "Trust me, I'm a professional!"

Starfire sees Plasmus springing its arms out as 8 different ones, Speak make a move to help her as it swipes for her with its many hands. Cinderblock looks to Beast Boy but Joker swings out his cane, "Now, now! This little show-stealer comes to me!" Joker cackles as he launches out, Beast Boy turns around and runs as a wolf. Cinderblock sees Cyborg who was raring to go; it quickly storms after Cyborg with mad swings that he dodges. Robin and Red X see Harley, she has her two hounds, "Sick em!" the hyenas lunge out but are met by the swift kick and punch of the two. Harley whimpers as the two come toward her, she screams "Up on the roof! There's that girl Raven please don't hurt me!"

Red X looks at the stairs and runs, Robin screams after him but he was gone. Robin turns to Harley, then with a grunt follows up the stairs. Harley grins as she taps on the security panel and closes the door to the stairs, "Okay Mr. J! That's all taken care of!"

Harley turns to be greeted by a stray starbolt; she falls unconscious as Starfire apologizes before Plasmus swipes her down. Speak grabs her and lays her on her feet, Starfire blushes with a bow of thanks. Speak smirks to her then turns to the monster with his daggers drawn this time he would show his apology by fending off their enemy."

The Control Room has screens showing Slade and Bata-Boom hovering over the figure on the ground in a blue hood, Red X looks and instantly follows. Robin looks and sighs, he quickly follows as well. He had a feeling it was a trap; it was too easy for Harley to give in. She was not a fighter, more a kind of side-act to her hubby. However, even under this weakness she was powerful enough to help Joker so again a trap would seem logical. When Robin reaches the Roof Red X lands a strong kick to Bata-Boom's face, Slade makes a move but Robin moves in and with his staff bounces Slade back and away. The two villains look ahead and watch as Red X and Robin kneel to who it seems was Raven. They were wrong, the three fingered arm lunges out on Red X tossing him back and then sideswipes Robin too. Akaige stands to have Slade and Bata-Boom at his sides, he removes his hood into his body to sigh, "So absolutely foolish. I still can not believe how easy you fell into this!"

Robin stands to have Red X at his side; both have martial stances, Robin smirks, "You think I didn't prepare for this?"

"You think I didn't prepare for your preparation?" Akaige tsks his finger of his claw to Robin, "Have you yet to realize just what I have done? I CHANGED your world, and PLANNED your life! I made changes that altered your very reality, your very life. My world is as much your world now." Akaige looks over to Red X, "Take him, I made him and is some aspects I am as much his father as he is." Akaige motioned his head to the angry Bata-Boom. "I organized the whole matter of Heretic, your Rage becoming a physical apparition, Robert's luster to crime and inevitably the Red X outfit!" Akaige thrashes his arm out, his voice raises as he continues his rants, "Your need to make that outfit, the freedom of Raven's heart and much more. I am the one who made these things happen boy! I planned out our entire night tonight and you still see nothing more than the present!"

Robin somehow feels worried; did Akaige really know these things were true? Could he know about their trick? "Okay… what's next?"

Akaige seems delighted, "You'll use that little imp of yours, then a fight of you to Slade, me to it, and Robert to Bata-Boom. Am I right?" Robin shifts uneasily, Robert asks, "What is he psychic?"

Akaige shakes his head no, "You plan something out as long as I have, and you learn to be prepared for anything. With each twist to your side I have a twist to my side. When you called the officers I readied the army, and mayor. When you saved him I called on my shadow beasts. When Batman appeared, I used my power to get a Joker to fight him. When you call your freaky friend I have three men here for your three men there. I have it all planned…" he clicks his claw, "I know how it all ends…"

Robin glares in defiance, "You don't know how it ends Akaige. We will win, count on it!" Robin whistles and suddenly a flash of light comes, a chibi-creature with Robin's outfit, looks, but so child-like it nearly makes you fall on your knees and wish to squeeze his cheeks. "Hi! My name's Larry!"

Akaige glowers his eyes and in a cynical child's voice he muses, "Hi Larry, I'm…" he launches with his claw, "Your executioner!" Larry smiles as he dawns a musketeer outfit on his Robin one, quickly like a fencer his magical finger catches in a heated struggle to Akaige's claw. The two magical appendages bolt off, bolts of red crimson shatter around Akaige as blue opal to Larry. The two are going off pure dimensional power, each the power to warp dimensional laws and physics through their hands such power in such odd beings. Slade swings over this struggle to sweep his pole under Robin, "Come on! Apprentice, prove me you are the one worthy of my demise!" the two begin a tagging pole type dance moving away from the bolts of power. Red X looks to Bata-Boom, Bata-Boom looks at his son with hatred, "You… failure…" Red X glares his eyes under the mask, "The only one that failed anyone here," he runs out with his fist cocked "Is you!"

……Batman and Mad Joker……

Batman reels on his back, then rolls as he is flat on the ground dodging the stomps of the crazed Mad Joker. Mad Joker cackles with crazed murderous pleas "Come now! Just die like I wanted all this time! Let me PLEASE see your brains splatter!"

Batman stops rolling to grab Mad Joker's foot then push off. Batman leaps up and quickly runs forward trying to give punches, Mad Joker is not like his Joker, and he was a real fighting menace. This fiend simply applies forearm and hand maneuvers to Batman's attacks, laughing he asks "Are you really Batman? I mean, you wear the same weird pajamas but he's a bit more… how you say…" Mad Joker bends in on his knees then plows up with his head and body spinning like a helicopter, Batman flops back as Mad Joker turns to kick off with his feet from the ceiling, "He's more fun to beat on!" he cackles as he launches of and stomps his feet onto Batman's face, wriggling his toes he asks, "How is the taste of De-Feet! Get it? DE-FEET! Eh-he!" he screams up as he grabs his toe and rolls back, Batman snarls lowly with the taste in his mouth.

Mad Joker roars out, his arms swing like clubs to which Batman blocks. After enough blocks he launches his fist out and strikes Mad Joker in the face, making him stumble back. Batman makes a leg sweep and smiles as Mad Joker is down. He uses his grappling hook now, catching a pillar on the sides he runs past it, Mad Joker runs after and gets the idea. "Oops…" he turns as Batman swings around the pillar his two feet planting strong in his face. Mad Joker is flung out and towards Overload, who now has Mad Joker scream in his body, Overload and Mad Joker suddenly explode and Mad Joker's body becomes blackened mists, Batman sighs relieved till he hears the real Joker near by.

The Real Joker tosses Beast Boy into a pillar, kneeing the kid in the gut he asks "What is it with you kid? What makes you continue fighting the bad guys?" he latches his hand on Beast Boy's chin, "Can't you see it has no rewards? No gifts? Lost loves and pain filled goodbyes are all you get. Heroes, who really needs them?"

Beast Boy looks up, his eyes are slightly teary but he smiles, "You just can't Bear it can you?" he turns to a bear swiping on Joker who barely got out of the way. Beast Boy shifts human, "must Bee so hard having to Bee the center of attention!" Beast Boy launches out as a small bee into the Joker's ear; the Joker roars out as he slaps his head having Beast Boy come out of his other ear and turn human. He smirks, "What a bunch of Bull huh?" Beast Boy stomps his foot then storms out on Joker, Joker turns and lands the cane having it jolt his body. Beast Boy stops and twitches as human, Joker growls lowly, tightening his grip on the cane he holds it high, "No body takes the spotlight from the Prince of Puns!"

Joker tries to swing but he can't, Joker looks back and turns pale, "Oh… Batty!" he has a black gloved fist hit his face sprawling him back flat. Batman gives a look, hate filled rage, "Joker it's time we finish this."

Joker grins, "My thoughts exactly!" he plows his heel on his cane sending it up and then shoot off its top with light, the light hits Batman and makes him loose his sight for a moment. In this time Joker cackles and leaps up making a run for it. Batman glares aggressively before following behind slowly.

Starfire launches several starbolts as Plasmus tries to catch her in its arms. Speak has been trying to cut into the monster but his daggers merely move apart the slime beast. Plasmus roars as it now grabs Starfire and Speak in tentacles, holding them tightly near its snarling face. Mumbo Jumbo screams "Hey!" Plasmus turns about and sees the golden watch, he follows it as Mumbo says "You're getting sleepy… like War and Peace sleepy… your eye… uh… blobs, are getting heavy… very heavy…"

Plasmus slowly melts away and the human extension is left behind. Mumbo twirls his watch playfully, "See what happens with the master of your fate! Ah-ha! I'm here all weekend!"

Cyborg slams into Mumbo and Cinderblock roars up to the heroes, they all stand ready as the door behind them opens, Cinderblock turns to have an arrow hit him than cover him in ice, Speedy smiles with the other heroes coming in. "Looks like you could use a little help!"

Cyborg gives his grin to Jinx, "Looks like the parties all here." Starfire turns to the large shutter, "No the party is not here!" she screams with green eyes as she breaks open the shutter, "It is with Robin! Let us hasten our pursuit!"

……Rooftops……

Robin swings past Slade, Slade easily ducks a landing kick from Robin to twirl about and grip Robin's shoulders than toss him in a back flip. Robin sprawls out on his face, scraping it on the stone ground he hears Slade ask "Did you ever really care about Raven?" Robin turns with a scowl, "I mean if you did I hoped you would take her kidnapping more seriously." Robin lunges out with his arm cocked making forceful punches as Slade easily passes them and dodges. "Come on Robin! Are you trying to hit me," Slade flashes through a punch and lands an elbow to the jaw dropping Robin quickly "or simply cool me off?"

Red X launches his disks, Bata-Boom tosses his own miniature shakers to latch on the disks and blow them. Red X runs forward to launch punches and jabs but Bata-Boom side slaps his attacks, Bata-Boom grips both of Red X's fists and wrenches them, "What is it kid? What are you fighting for?" Bata-Boom raises his arms and Red over his head to slam him down. The roof breaks slightly making an impression from the force. "You don't have any powers, no severe ties to these kids! You could have left them to die, I would have!"

Red X glares his eyes, "We're not the same in so many ways old man!" he twists his hands free, pulls off his feet to then land a plowing grab of his arms, Bata-Boom is knocked over and Red X is on top of him pounding with his fists, "I have her, them, people, lives on my shoulders!" he holds up his right fist with a pink ribbon tied around his wrist, "I even have a promise… a promise I intend," he swings the powerful punch, "to keep!"

Bata-Boom lets his head move with the hits before chuckling, "Kid, you and me aren't that different…" he kicks up his legs flinging Red X off of him and over his head. The two scramble up, Red X growls, "Yes we are…"

Larry taps his finger in a fencing tone with Akaige, "Ah-hah!" Larry screams, "Oh-ho!" Akaige launches his claw having Larry block a vertical stance. "Ki-he!" Larry turns off the stance and tries a plunged stab, "Your Momma!" Akaige dodges to bonk Larry over the top of the head, Larry whimpers with his small bump, "That hurt!" Akaige glares with his claw flexing to his chest, "Wait till I get my claws in there REAL good!" the two begin again, Larry pushes off the attack and writes an L on the baffled Akaige's chest, Akaige looks as his shadow flesh healed over the L mark, "Why you little…" Akaige wrings Larry over his neck, Larry begins gagging with an orange shirt and blue shorts until he uses his finger to drop and anvil onto Akaige's head, Akaige screams dropping Larry, "D'oh!"

Larry hops back holding his neck, "Gee, this guy means business!" Akaige swipes to Larry who barely dodges, "No I'm just trying to end the world for kicks!" he stops, "Wait, actually I kind of am!" the two are in a heated battle while Robin is flung nearly off the railing.

Robin is bent over on his back, he looks down to the large amass of clouds, "Robin," Slade strolls over and sighs, "You need to be more serious about this! Give me everything you've got!"

Slade makes a dash, Robin's mind is wandering… he sees the pond and Chui-Hui…

The stone is skipping over the water, the grass is floating on the water, and the student is sinking into the water… why? "The stone…" Robin hears his mind scan his recesses, his mind sees the times of training with Batman and Alfred offers him a tea after a long spar, "Master Grayson," Robin looks up, a younger him, "Allow me to simply say you and Master Wayne are not the same." Robin is confused, "He… he holds his life to avenging his family. He wants to save the people from all the monsters in the world. He has never known innocence like you; you and he should live that way. I feel, as Bruce continues to take all his life so serious that he often forgets how to live… you must live life as it is not always so serious." Alfred smiles to the smiling boy, "Remember you are a young lad, go out and live life not control it."

Robin smiles, "The rock skips the water because it must, and it was not worried on anything else. The grass floats for it is weighted down by nothing, not held in thought. The student sinks for he thinks too much…" Slade's arm is stopped, Robin holds it in his hand smiling, "And acts… too little!" Robin falls on the ground, he grabs the railing and pries himself off it and pushes off Slade with his two feet. Robin rolls out and stands to now bob on his feet, his hands moving in a boxing like motif. Slade launches out and Robin like water, unattached and simply moving quickly dodges and bobs the strikes. Slade roars out, "Stand still!"

"Make me!" Robin pulls down his eye lid and sticks out his tongue, Slade is infuriated and makes faster strikes each missing. Robin smiles as he found it, the meaning to his never being able to skim the water as he sank and drowned! The secret was thinking, he thought too much and acted too little. The weakness of many warriors is thinking on how to win not acting on how to win. "Come on! What's happened Slade? I thought you were the super-soldier serious man!" Robin ducks under a punch and lands an uppercut to Slade, then follies of punches to Slade's midsection soon followed by the strong spry leap kick to his face. Slade is easily overwhelmed by the strikes, he stumbles back and falters on his left knee, looking up Robin is tapping his nose and winking. Slade glowers his eyes, "You finally took it seriously." Robin smirks, "Naw, I finally stopped taking it too serious, and stopped thinking but instead acting!" he launches a roundhouse kick that barrels Slade towards the railing, Slade smashes into the bars and up heaves several almost breaking through them. Robin looks at Slade, unconscious and down he has an urge… the urge to finish it. Toss him off the edge, be done with Slade! Robin grabs his head and looks, Akaige peers his eye on Robin through a tangle with Larry. The flaming X burns brighter and Robin again feels this urge, he grabs his head harder and realizes the plan… "No… I won't kill him! I'm not a murderer!"

Akaige kicks Larry off his struggled attack then launches several powerful punches of his claw putting the imp down temporarily. Akaige turns to Red X and uses the same power.

Red X has landed as strong punch and an urge boils his blood, he screams and fires up his fists to an unyielding punch fest. Bata-Boom is being beaten to a pulp, his goggles shattered and seeing the gray haze eyes infuriated Red X more, "This is for my brother!" Red X lands a right, "My mother!" he lands a left punch, "My father Rasco!" he grabs the falling Bata-Boom and tosses his wavering form to the railing, "My friend Brad!" he knees the fiend in his stomach, "This is for Raven!" he head butts the Bata-Boom and then reels his arm back, "This one is for Heretic, and his family!" he finds his knuckles into Bata-Boom's face. Red X looks with the ribbon dangling on his fist, "This one… this one is for every innocent person you ever hurt including that little girl!" he flattens Bata-Boom hard making him nearly tip off the railing, Bata-Boom screams but is pulled back, he gives confused and powerless eyes, Red X uses the belt and has the X on his gloves bust off to a spinning saw, "This last one is for me…"

Akaige glowers, his claw wide and open he whispers "that's it…"

Robin runs out and grabs Red X's arm "Stop!" he pulls him back and Red X lets Bata-Boom limply fall on the ground. "Let me go! He deserves this!"

Robin glares, "He may deserve it, but he doesn't deserve to be the one to make you do something you're not! You're not a killer, you're a man Robert and you must make a choice!" the claw arm of Akaige tosses Robin away, he whispers is a rasping voice, seeming a hypnotizing relaxation, "He has killed many Robert, he has taken kind and sweet innocent lives. The child," Akaige holds up Robert's hand with the ribbon on it, "Her life is on his shoulders. Let her be free, free from his sinful heart. Make him pay like she did let him die and suffer for the indignity of her lost soul." Akaige rolls Robert's hand into a fist, "Bring justice to the child. To all who have suffered be the true hero here."

Robert looks at the hand; his fist shakes and demands the blood, the death. He looks to Bata-Boom his eyes searing on rage and hatred. Robert grabs his mask, and lets it float off the roof, "I'm not you…" he turns to Akaige, "Or you! I'm not a murderer! I may be a criminal, I may steal and loot sometimes but I have a code of ethics!" he undoes the ribbon and lets it float off the roof like his mask, "I'm not going to anchor her soul here any longer, she's free and he's going to jail."

Bata-Boom stands slowly, "I hated you!" Bata-boom points on his son, "You filthy little failure!" Bata-Boom goes to do something as he has a dagger strike his forehead, Bata-Boom blinks once and looks up, Speak has his hand out and his face was cold. Bata-Boom wobbles on his legs, this time he falters on the rails and they begin to creak under his full weight. Bata-Boom, with his mind still fluttering twists something on his neck collar and his chest blinks with a red device under his coat, "Bata…" The fat man falls over the railing and under the clouds a large BOOM is heard followed by a large funneling of fire and smoke. The last explosive grand finale Bata-boom dreamt of… was always his own demise…

Akaige floats in the middle of the groups; he sees the eyes all on him and Robin who glares asks, "Why did you do that? Why did you wants us to kill them?"

Akaige gives a simple heartless glare, "You kill them and you are them. I could have used you as vassels not this android. Then, you would have to kill that host for me and the drawbacks are obvious! Robin dies the titans are lost, Robert dies and Raven was lost. Not bad, wouldn't you say?" It sounds like a plan of evil cynical nature, something Akaige took his pride in.

"Are you willing to come quietly?"

Akaige glares his eyes, "…I believe I'll answer that by…" he launches forward with his claw stretched, his power fluxes with red bolts this time he was not holding anything back.

……Shadow Realm……

Raven has a large black reptile hand holding her down, she snarls as Malchior breathes smoke onto her, "This time Raven, I am the one in control! I am what you should truly fear!" His eyes glimmer slightly as he states, "I knew he would leave you. You're damaged goods after all!"

Raven forces his hand open with her power, she then flies back and launches a stream knocking the beast back she glares in anger but soon looses the rage, she falls on her knees, "I'm so… alone…" she feels the tears again, how easier it was to not let herself feel. To say the prophecy and her father forbid her of caring and loving. "I wish I never loved anyone…"

The necklace lands at her knees, she looks at it and then to the gray man with a gray trench, jeans, and who astonishingly looks exactly like Pakkurath but some how less… dark? The black apparel was a dark gray; not exactly anything else was different except the cocky smile she recognizes, "Is it… you?"

The figure, grabs his chin and contemplates, "Are we really who we believe ourselves to be? What is this we, or me for a matter of opinion?" his smile tells it all, "Why my dear, you seem as if you saw a ghost!"

Raven launches up and hugs her old friend, he quickly cringes, "Please never tell anyone you did that…" he wiggles out of the hug then turns to Malchior, "I believe you wish to take this beastly creature do you not?" she sighs, "My powers…" The figure turns and sighs, "Little Raven must we continue such discussions? Your power is not something in the realm they know. It is special, unique. What does that symbolize?" Raven has the necklace; she holds it tightly "My love for…" "No! It symbolizes," the figure grabs her in a noogie, she screams in this odd behavior when he stops her hair is frizzled and he sighs, "Hope little girl. Hope to find more in this damned world than simple destiny and prophecy. Hope we can choose, and that there is no definite winner or looser only a chance of good and evil, life and death." The figure turns to the distance, a shadow floats towards them with one arm clenched in a fist, "It seems Pakkurath is not quite pleased with me." The figure makes a small dash, "I will distract him, you may as well move on home and find your beloved!"

Raven looks up, her face hopeful, "Is he alive?" The figure turns, "Come now! Don't you feel it?" he waves goodbye as he jumps to a stone formation, but trips then skids head first on it, he mumbles, "Curse… being human…" he makes his run again as Pakkurath stops and looks around, his skin has become dark gray and he seems to be loosing his human qualities, ears pointed and fingers long with nails. "I… must bring balance! Good and Evil must be obliterated!" he flies after his other half, unknown was the name of the human portion but friend, that seems well enough for Raven. She holds the necklace tightly and then places it on her neck. She looks up and a smile dawns her face. Malchior screams out and flames spew from his mouth, he keeps burning on her for some time ignoring all else then tosses rocks with his tail making them pile up on Raven like a large mountain.

Malchior is pleased; it seems he is victor then streams of white crack from under the stones. He snarls then tosses more stones. The stones are piling but more light pours out from the stones. Malchior readies to fire his breath but the stones fly off of Raven, her large soul form of a raven flies up and screams a call. Malchior steps away slowly, the white bird glares on him then flies full speed on his form. Malchior is plowed up into the air; his scream was deafening as he then falls down in the darkness. Raven flies down and drives her claws into his chest taking him up and then smashing him on a large stone formation. Malchior stumbles up; he crafts his flames then pours them from his mouth. Raven opens her beak, the beak forms a large orb of light and the two forces meet. Malchior is unable to hold the power, she pushes him back and Malchior roars out in defeat as he slowly dissipates to the book. Raven lowers her soul form then turns human. She looks to the distance, the necklace reflects the light of herself and she realizes it is a path to Robert. She quickly follows.

……Roof Tops……

Akaige lands a powerful punch to Red X, making him tumble back. Gizmo tries his guns and fires but Akaige lands to then somersault back from them. Starfire tosses starbolts, Akaige flicks them back and away. Akaige is then caught in a grapple by Mammoth; he smiles as Jinx leaps in and lands her large boots on his face. Akaige pries from the hold to strike her but Mumbo Jumbo launches a preemptive strike with his wand hitting Akaige with a lightning bolt. Akaige is struck and reels back, Aqualad does a sweep kick to drop Akaige and then Mas y Menos leap on him and do a mariachi type dance on his chest. Akaige screams and shocks out energy that tosses the two small titans.

Akaige stands tall and holds his claw tightly at his side he dodges the arrow of Speedy to grab it then toss it on Bumble Bee, she is snagged in a net, Akaige lunges at her with his claw shinning with the pale moonlight. Beast Boy stops him in the form of a wolf snatching his claw then clamping it tightly to pull him away. Akaige pries the hold by tossing Beast Boy over his shoulder. Akaige turns on Beast Boy and snarls, "Enough!" he charges his claw with bolts of red then launches the hissing appendage. Beast Boy looks in shock to the claw and only by the force of Speak was he saved. Speak had leapt in and tagged his blades to Akaige's claws making them bob back and forth with each continued strike. Akaige calls back his arm but Killer Moth and Katerpillar Moth stop his arm by spraying it with their cocoons. Akaige snarls with his arm stuck, Robin lands his strongest staff swing and it causes Akaige to their knowledge to fall on his knees, he sighs, "You still don't see. I already won. Why do mortals insist on continuing in vain?"

Robin smiles, "We are not fighting in vain! We are fighting for our friends. We fight your kind for the people who can find good even in evil. We fight for the heroes of the people, the ones who keep going even if the odds seem maddening!" Akaige looks up, "PLEASE! If you have to kill me KILL ME! Don't give the hero speech I heard it thousands of times before!" Akaige pulls out his claw, he stands and flings it out to his side, "This whole part here, for example is so cliché!" Akaige makes a small trot from one point to another, his claw being flung about as he looses himself to his rant, "The whole Saturday-morning cartoon crap sickens me! The heroes loose faith, get their faith back and whip the bad guy down!" Akaige turns and fires his claw screaming, "I'm not a cartoon villain, I'm a real one!"

Larry uses his finger to deflect the beam; Robin glares "We will always hold hope! You will not win!"

Akaige has his face in his claw; they heard nothing of what he said! "What…is…wrong…with…YOU!" his voice roars in seething hatred, his arms flex out at his sides as his voice rips the sky and clouds part before his upward stare and yell. (Music: A Night On Bald Mountain) His back starts to bulge, muscles tighten and solidify more. His size grows; the titans and others back away slowly. His chest bears widely and aptly with muscle, pectorals and abdominals defining greatly. Akaige roars again, his bottom jaw rips open and three rows of fangs up and down a set of lips shine through in a purple hazy breath. Akaige has his eyes slinking away, black grooves replace his once white soulless eyes so only darkness remains. His red fire mark pours away from his one eye and to the back of his mask, long strands of silken red hair flings from the sprout of his head and to his back far behind his spine. Akaige gleams his sharp smile, mandible horns rib from the shadow jaw of his cheeks and curves like miniature tusks. Akaige, his upper lobes of his mask sprout back a set of V angled horns which were white like his mask. Akaige, his right claw arm is just as bulgy as his now larger manly form that stands 7 feet high towering over even the tallest of the heroes. Akaige… his chest has ripped open, his ribs exposed now show a funneling expanse of souls trapped in his gullet, purple and black mists screaming as he transforms to his absolute essence, of Akaige the shadow lord. Robin turns to Larry, his face slightly worried, "Please turn off that radio… it really doesn't help…" Larry blinks as the music was playing from his radio, he blushes turning it off (Music: Ends) "Eh… sorry…"

Akaige lays his claw arm slowly on his side, he leaves a haggard purple haze escape his lips in a pleased sigh, Akaige chuckles, moving over to the titans in his deep stomps Cyborg nods, "You know what they say, the bigger they are!" he runs out to land a punch straight in the chest of Akaige, his eye twitches as he then runs back screaming and holding his crunched hand. Speedy whispers, "The more bones they break…"

Akaige chuckles, this was his form after becoming the replacement of Trigonamu. It resembles his ex-master in size, muscle, and powers but in his haste it also was a powerful warrior stance. "Till now I gave you a fair chance of surviving. I do this no longer, from now on I am going to TEAR you all to bits! I will leave nothing but remnants of what Raven once called her friends!"

Red X is now angered, "What is your problem with Raven! What do you want from her?" "What do I want?" Akaige states rather plainly with his claw flexing idly at his hip, "I want many things in many worlds. However, in this one I want Raven to give me something special. A weapon against my greatest adversary." At his next words Robert looses his stance and almost collapses, "I want her… Child"

The titans look around, what child? Robert holds his head, "She's… pregnant?" Robin looks at Robert, his own eyes are horrified, "The roses… they were you two…" he looks away, his own heart seems shattered. Akaige nods, "Yes, on both accounts. I wanted her to offer me offspring, warrior sons from any three men. Robert, Robin, or perhaps my last resort Slade." Akaige sees Slade has awoken, his eye looks on Akaige, "Of course I have no need for Slade anymore since I see Raven is with child so." Akaige launches his large claw out on Slade and Slade is only barely able to dodge, "What was that for?"

Akaige sighs, "The Slade of my world killed me. I kind of want to kill you, for old times sake!" he tries again but Slade with his flames bounces back the claw, he roars out angrily, "I knew it! Why the hell did I ever even think I could trust you?" Slade glares on his ex master, "You never planned on giving me Raven did you?" Akaige nods, "No DUH! What am I, an idiot? Once she bares child I will eliminate her and raise the child as my own. Leave her alive, Raven will only make more problems for me! That weapon will prove as my ultimate weapon against Tsuchi." Akaige chuckles, "I have no real allies only tools. I used you Slade and Trigon as simple errand boys. My power is something beyond either of you and now that we are done, I say good bye!" his arm tries again but this time Robin deflects the claw, he turns to Slade, and with the most honest self disgust he asks, "What's it going to be Slade?"

Slade, grabbing his chin says honestly, "Which do you think… old friend?"

Robin is disgusted, he has little choice though, "Okay, looks like we have one more to the team."

Akaige chuckles, "One more, a thousand more! I care not who you call forth little Robin for I own you all!" Akaige twirls on his heel and screams "I am not playing games; perhaps I have not cleared the IDIOT from your brains! You are going to DIE! I can KILL you ALL!" Akaige looks to them all giving those stares so he screams, "Fine! Stare down this!"

Akaige raises his claw and fires a sparse beam that flies through passing many; it comes in on Cyborg who is surprised by the beam and someone pushing him out of its way. The beam passes through the pusher and all look to the form quickly rolling after the blast, Cyborg thinks a fearful thought but seeing Jinx at his side, "Who saved me?"

Gizmo, he stands with his eyes shaking, his chest has a nice sized hole coming out one and the other end. "Crud… that was… stupid…" his lip has a dribble of blood, Mammoth and Jinx run to him screaming at his idiocy. Akaige also is caught off guard, "I thought you hated that metal man, you despised him. Why did you save him?"

Gizmo glares on Akaige, pushing his friends back he launches out with his metal arms, "You scum-sucking punk! I did it because of her!" Gizmo launches his one metal claw but Akaige dodges, "She would never be the same, she'd be devastated!" he misses with a horizontal strike, "I saw her cry over that metal lummox once and it nearly killed me," he misses the stabbing strike and screams in tears, "I love Jinx and if she wants to live with him, I'm not going to let you ruin that!"

Akaige grabs the arms and snaps them, "ForKage'ssake! What is with you mortals!" he lays his heel into Gizmo's throat, his eyes of hatred, rage, disgust flare onto Gizmo, "You just have to prove my point! You humans live to only die, to be in pain! I will free you little one, free you of mortal coils you call living!" a pink energy strikes Akaige, he is tossed off of Gizmo and she quickly grabs him, "Just shut up! Shut up already!" she looks at the small genius, "You never said anything…"

Gizmo sighs, "Eh, I was happy… if you were happy." He looks away, "Making me all sappy and junk, geez." He looks over to Mammoth who looks at him with one of those gut-wrenching sad faces, "I'll be fine guys…really…" he looks at his injury and smirks, "Just… give me a few…" his eyes close and Jinx shakes him hard. Akaige is standing; he clicks his claw and says, "Good… now you see! I will take lives and many after those! This be no game, I am serious I will take your worthless souls with me!"

The heroes are looking on Akaige; he simply looks back, with something of a disgruntled snarl he readies into a stance. Jinx looks up and screams "He was my friend you freak! I'm going to rip you apart!" Mammoth snarls, "We all are!" the heroes now run at Akaige and start to crowd him. Using punches and kicks, stabs and swipes every fighter used their tools and devices to try and do damage to Akaige. He was being pulled and beaten but he did nothing, nothing… but laughs. He laughs louder and louder until finally, his eyes become stone stares and he quickly raises his claw arm overhead thrashing Speak, Killer Moth, Aqualad, and Speedy off from his arm. Akaige swings his tree trunk of an arm and in a circle forces off the titans. He laughs once, and screams "Pathetic!" he leaps over to Slade, who is now dodging his claw swipes, "Is this what you offer?" Akaige lurches back from Slade's punch and turns to Starfire who tries to land her fists covered in green light as punches, "Was this the Titans Terror eh? Some pathetic last feeble attempts!" he turns around, his claw slides on the ground making sparks scraping on the roof before he sees the green bull. He slaps up the bull, and as it rolls back he stops, charges his mouth with a small black orb with a red haze surrounding it then spits it out on Beast Boy. Beast Boy screams and rolls again, his body stops then starts to spaz out of control. Bumble Bee flies over, she tries to make him stay still but he can't as his whole body seems to feel cold and icy. His green skin is palely growing gray/green and his eyes are dilated. Soon, Akaige raises his claw at the scene and slowly closes his claw, as this happened Beast Boy stops squirming and arcs his chest up slowly like his life was actually being drained from him. When Akaige's claw is closed, Beast Boy lays still and limp. Akaige breathes deep, "Next…"

Bumble Bee holds her stingers, and flies out firing and screaming. Akaige swipes her back with his human hand and the battle continues. More times the heroes try to strike Akaige and harm him. His body is regenerating after all attacks, and soon he laughs again before striking a forceful slash on Mas. Menos stammers to a slow halt, he runs over and sees Mas no longer moves, he falls to his knees, no fight left in him so Akaige growls and kicks the small twin away. "I broke that one, pity!" he backs from the barrages of sparse blasts, Akaige roars forth and slams his fist to the ground sparking energy across the roof. The battle ensues, it continues like absolute madness as beams, string, gadgets all sputter around. Akaige makes a move, a move that catches Robin. He has this annoying orange girl firing her eyes on his neck so he turns and slashes, she screams, Robin stops and watches her plummet down and smashes hard on the roof. Akaige ignores her and moves to the more fighting teens. Robin runs over and grabs Starfire, "Star! Star are you okay?"

Starfire pushes up, her stomach badly bleeding she simply readies to fly again. Robin grabs her wrist, "Star no! Go and hide, you're injured!" Starfire nods, her face was serious and determined, "I am a warrior! I know what I must do! I shall not allow it to harm our friends and many more innocent lives as I breathe." She has a tear on her face, "We must not allow him to win, please, let us be victorious!" she pulls away and screams as she plows her fists into the back of Akaige's spine fiercely, he turns and tries to get her but then Mammoth starts pounding his leg making him falter on his side. Akaige moves up to his feet, every simple topple does little to victory. Robin looks on; his heart is simply loosing its hope. What point is there? Where can a victory be found? What is it, why does it do what it does? Akaige… where is… where is… "………………………"

Akaige launches more strikes, he impales Kitten with his claws and tosses her to the side, Killer Moth bites into Akaige's horns but this makes him a target to a simple whip of the neck then impaling of the same horn. Akaige chuckles hideously before he kills in a stomp and twist Bumble Bee. Akaige takes no time at all lowering the heroes' numbers. It seems useless, he seems like some monster that could not or would not die. Akaige chuckles as he thrashes his claw on the remaining fighters to then cause them to nearly topple over. Robert is scrambling up, a sudden heat burns in his blood.

"RAVEN!" Robert screams as he strikes with his saw X on the monster, it screams to grab him in its human hand, "Give me back Raven!"

"You want her! Then let me give you her final destiny!" Akaige was going to grab Robert's body and crush him in his claw but his claw was stuck, he looks over and sees a strange white vine growing from the shadows, "…?" he is confused, then more shadows spread the vines that now bloom white roses. Akaige is being covered in them, he screams "Ah! Something always comes up at the last second I HATE this!"

From the symbols that held Raven, they shattered and a hooded figure appears through a black portal. Raven appears with her white aura, and the white roses that bloom circle the area healing, and even reviving anyone lost. Akaige growls, his eyes slink in retching rage to Raven as she lands next to Robert who she hugs, "I thought… I thought you were…"

Robert is crying too, "I know… I…" "PLEASE somebody kill them!" Akaige screams and breaks from the vines. "Like I said, this is no Saturday morning cartoon! I will not be beaten out of a sparse moment!" Raven looks to Akaige, and her face is cold, Raven, with her energy glowing bright says, "Tonight, win or loose I know one thing. You will learn why no one…"

Akaige snarls, "Messes with the Teen Titans, because you're a family and friends and pretty ponies crap rainbows! I know the rhyme, TOO MUCH HEROISM! Just fight me and DIE!"

The heroes are all alive, or healed. Akaige stomps to their readied stances. Robin, looking at all who were here looks and smiles, "This time, I know we will win! Titans…" he stops to twirl out his staff weapons, "GO!" the heroes make another charge, Akaige clenches his claws making the veins in his arms pump faster, "Just as I planned…"

Note: The next chapter is the LAST chapter, absolutely! There is no if ands or buts unless I make the sequel. I may or may not; I don't think I'll do some epic like this more something for fun. This has been my favorite work since it is so expansive. They say the best things take time, this one certainly has. I am so happy for everyone that has stuck by me on this and kept reading. One more people… just try to hold on for one more chapter… Also, August 15th is my B-day! Wish me some luck people, I want to end this before then!

KittyKat: Working hard to make updates, sorry if they took too long again.

Tigerlilly1234: You still like Pakkurath? Even as he turns full demon? Must continue the work, one more! ONE MORE!

MajorMisprint: Glad you enjoyed the story till it got all dramatic. Can't be all action we are trying for an epic romance type story. Hope you still read till now.

Jason: Yes thank you for honoring the twists they were my favorite.

ShekronKaizar: Glad you could review. Biggs and Wedge are common characters from Final Fantasy games and stuck to my head in some ways for the annoying and goofy side characters of the guards. Glad you were surprised by my Vade/Bata-Boom thing, many moments I said "Too StarWarsy" but figured hell it was still worth while! Congrats on your fic, must start taking side chapters down for advertising.

DarkAngel: I try to make every scene imaginable for the readers, glad it has worked. I wish to be a writer someday so yes this story shows my progression I really improved.

ArizonaGoddess89: Hi, nice reviews! You made me feel all special thanks! I was glad to hear your personal thoughts on everything keep doing it. I hope you read this chapter soon as well, it will be over in the next one! ONE MORE! ONE MORE!