Disclaimer: Don't own Teen Titans, though I do own Francesca, the name Rorex, the characters Father Maurice, alter boy Seth, Mother Terry, Sirus, and the name Archer.

A/N: Here it is folks, the fifth chapter and guess what Archer's revealed!

By the way here's a little note:

talking in a different languae "blah"

--

Chapter Five: Hazy Horizon

"Rorex …"

"Rorex."

"Rorex!"

With a snarl he spun around and glared glowing red eyes down at his suddenly frightened sister, "What!"

"Where are we going?" she asked softly, shakily. Red X closed his eyes and turned his back to lean against the wall with a tired look on his face he bowed his head his bangs covering his eyes as he slid down. Francesca frowned and put a hand on his knee, he opened his arm and she snuggled next to him. Both sat on the cold alleyway ground with her head leaning on his shoulder as he leaned his head on hers. Looking off to the Titan tower where they had dropped Raven to have them care for her.

Francesca felt her brother sigh shakily, turning to look up she reached her hand to move his bangs and see his amber eyes glazing over and turning slightly glossy. Biting her lower lip she shot up and wrapped her arms around her brother's neck hugging him tightly. Trying everything in her power to comfort him, "Rorex, why are you hurt?"

He held her and buried his face on his sister's shoulder remembering his mother's scent, it was just like Francesca's, but she'd never know. Sirus took her from him and now he almost took Raven. His hold on Francesca suddenly became so desperate and shaky, she tired to look down at his face, but he didn't allow for her to see him. Petting his head Francesca sighed, "Please brother, tell me what's wrong."

"I failed her … just like I failed our mother … I failed them both …" he whispered almost inaudible.

Francesca forcefully pulled away and brushed his bangs to see his face, but he looked away. From her and from the tower he turned to stare distantly at the cracked cement ground feeling that this was his all time low. Or was it possible for him to get even lower? His life had been nothing but a spiral mess, always heading down never up. There was no such thing as up for him.

He'd make a promise, but he'd never keep it.

He made a promise to his father to always protect his mother and sister.

He failed to keep it to his mother.

He swore on his soul Raven could trust him … he proved once again he couldn't ever keep a promise.

Now he was too much of a coward to face up to it and watch over her as she healed in the tower. He ran … he ran and never looked back. Being the thief he was and stole another chance to run … all his life that was all he knew to do. Sirus was right, his running was going to end soon and when the time came he felt he had no choice, but to face up. The plan that was to end it all was unraveling and falling at his feet, Raven got hurt and that was enough to scare the hell out of him.

When he saw her lying on the ground in a pool of her own blood the worst came to mind. He doubted, but when her aura pulsed faintly he couldn't have been more ecstatic, although still worried as all hell. He picked her up caking the clothes he wore with her blood and ran to her Mclaren. Gently setting her in the passenger side where he commanded for Francesca to watch her as he hotwired her car – he snickered inwardly he knew he could boost the thing without a problem.

After he got it roaring to life he tore out of the mall, the parking lot, and through the city racing for Raven's life back to the tower. He didn't even care about the "friends" he made on the way he just wanted for Raven to be okay and so far it wasn't looking good. Francesca had screamed she was loosing too much blood and he knew the scent was driving him close to nausea. Telling her to take the cape off and fold it to press hard on the four puncture wounds to clot the bleeding, it did little to help.

Once they arrived at the tower, Red X used his knowledge of the place and tripped the right wires for the alarm then raced back with Francesca taking Raven's Mclaren they tore out of the tower drive way. Now here they were in the alleyway tired and drenched in Raven's blood. Red X's adrenaline all gone and now free to think and berate himself for leaving Raven to heal without an explanation, for once in his devious life since his mother's death Red X – or Rorex – felt so guilty to the point of self-hate.

But he wasn't going to let it get to him.

The great thing about not having a conscious was you got over things faster and no matter how guilty Rorex felt, Red X was his strength. He wasn't a saint, an avenging angel, or a hero; he was a thief, a somewhat mastermind. Hell he evaded hunts and the Titans once; he could sure as hell turn this around in his favor. Sirus was right when he said his running was going to end soon, but he'd be damned if he was going to let another one close to him get hurt.

This was his alone to deal with, and if he really did have to sell his soul to Satan to win then he'll haggle or better yet steal a moment away. With a sigh he closed his eyes and gulped, slowly getting to his feet Francesca pulled away from petting his head and looked up in wonder as he leaned against the wall. Putting a hand on her head and stroking it gently Rorex opened his eyes and smiled warmly down on her, "Road trip?"

She titled her head, "To where?"

He shrugged, "Wanna' visit Archer?"

At that she grinned and chuckled, "You bet –" she frowned and looked back to the tower " – but what about Raven?"

Closing his eyes and pulling away then walking to the car he beckoned Francesca to follow and get in the passenger side, doing as suggested she hopped in and waited for an answer. Having taken Raven's keys he started the car up and sighed, "Leave that to me."

Trusting, Francesca nodded and looked out the tinted window to the tower hoping that Raven was really okay; after all she was just a half-breed. Even if she knew magic Sirus was a strong angel, if she wasn't able to use her power against him then who's to say she had a chance of living. Francesca looked away when the tower became unable to see and stared at the floor of the once beautifully well-kept Mclaren.

Thinking to herself she leaned on the door and sighed, Why didn't Sirus finish her? What's his motive? What's Rorex thinking? Agh, this is the reason why I never want to grow up, too many damn problems. I wish I could be a kid forever. I wonder if Archer's okay?

--

"Father Maurice! Father Maurice! Come quick Sirus has returned!"

Kneeling at the alter praying at the beautiful architecture of the magnificently built church. With the roof dome reaching as high as over 50 yards even higher with breath taking sculpted figures of cherubs, angels, roses and crosses. The priest wearing the elaborate gown of the title he so carried did the sign of the cross and stood up. His old gray hair and beard, his piercing yet soft green eyes shone with much wisdom and if anyone dared to look close enough a bit of mischief.

Standing up and turning to the origin of the loud echoing pounding boots to the church's marbled surface, green eyes saw the young alter boy in his gown stop, bow and panted. Trying to catch his breath he pointed to the large double doors down the aisle where the crescent shaped steps greeted the people who come to pray. With wide young dark brown eyes glazing with much fear and worry he announced again, "Father Maurice … Sirus, he's come back greatly hurt! He's at the steps! What should we do?"

With green eyes the old man raised a brow and titled his head, "Sirus? He's come back? The traitor to the heavens has come back and dared entered holy ground?"

The young boy gulped and nodded, "Yes father, what do we do?"

He asked again and the priest stepped down from the alter slowly making his way to the exit with the alter boy at his side still panting from his run, "Go Seth, fetch Mother Terry, she would want to know of this news."

He bowed, "Yes father."

Watching the young boy run down the aisle again skipping up passed the alter and to the back doors Father Maurice finally exited the church to the bright sunny day, although when he looked down on the steps he saw Sirus. Eyes closed lying on the top of the steps on his stomach showing the entire world his wounded sad state. Maurice walked to his side and knelt down gracefully tapping the angel on his shoulder Sirus slowly fluttered his eyes open and at the sight of Maurice shot up. However quickly regretted it when pain stabbed at his body.

A sound crossed from a lion's roar to a groan, it was not anything of his world as his catty green eyes shut tight his boy shook before giving way and dropping back to the ground. Spent he gasped and pressed his forehead against the marbled ground, muttering in a different other worldly language Father Maurice knew it to be their native tongue, "I can't do it any more. I … can't stand it, the Hunters has lost all sight of Mortega's Code of the Innocent. I punish myself for my weakness and betrayal … I almost killed an innocent halfling."

Maurice titled his head and with a dry look he put a hand on the angel's shoulder making sure not the touch his wound as he shook his head and responded in the same language, "Boy, you have some nerve. You think this would be enough for all the lives you've ended? Mortega's Code of the Innocent is nothing but false honors to sooth the murderers heart into thinking they are doing something right. No one has the right to decide what life should live or die! I've told you this once before boy, but you were too stubborn to listen to an old man's words. Now look. By all means I should turn away … but I cannot for you are still my son and I will always love you as such."

"You are too kind father," Sirus let go a breath of air and semi-relaxed himself as Maurice offered what little comfort he could. Sighing Sirus opened his eyes and stared at the close up ground mentioning a second though, but in English, "He's after something … something the NoLincous family has … I don't know what it is, but he wants them dead for whatever it is."

Maurice nodded and glanced into the church to see Seth returning with Mother Terry, dressed in the traditional nun's garb her mouth went to her hands as the other made the sign of the cross. Turning back to his son Maurice frowned, "Unfortunately Sirus we knew, but we don't know what it is either. Now, enough business let's get you cleaned up, can you stand?"

Sirus chuckled, "I came all this way with no help … I think I can handle this father."

"To stubborn for your own good." Shaking his head Maurice helped his son up and looked to the waning sun that was giving way to the night, sleep would be a good idea for most, but not when an age-old hunt was around. There was just too much tension in the air and it wasn't about to simmer either. Pressure was building, now it was only a matter of time when it was going to blow.

--

"Please friend Raven, awaken we all wish to see your violet hues once more and forever. Don't leave us friend Raven."

"She's not … she's in one of those freaky transy like thingies … right Cy?"

"… Raven's a strong girl …"

"What happened … who did this to you? Why? Why didn't you contact us? Raven? Raven … you're home Raven … come back to us …"

Around her bed in the infirmary of the Titan Tower the Titans all gathered to watch as the closest and one of the most powerful of them all struggled to stay alive. Her clothes changed, her wounds cleaned, Cyborg had announced it was not all up to her. The rest of her suddenly weakened body was up to her to heal, in vein the Titans all sat around to try and see if their present would be of any help. After all she was empathy she could feel their auras … right?

Starfire pulled up a chair across from Robin on the other side of the bed and held her friends other hand as Robin tenderly stroked her left hand. She reached up and patted the Azarian's hair wish she could awaken and show them she was really okay. Rather then trapped in a forever sleep. A cold shiver went down her spine, the very thought of losing her friend not the one thing she wanted on the mind at the moment.

Raven was strong like Cyborg had said she would pull through.

She had to … or else Robin would dive into hell headfirst and bring her back.

He did it once, why not to it again?

Yet still, their pleas fell on deaf ears as Raven lay on the bed breathing threateningly slowly, heart beat also slow and steady. The beeps from the monitor proved that much while her other readings Cyborg frowned at were okay for the barely alive Titan. Her blood count was extremely low and the noticing of the major deep puncture wounds she got weren't that of a machine. They were perfect in timing and judging by the depth whoever got close enough to stab her had to have been – Cyborg calculated – no less then a foot away! Meaning the person had to have been holding her considering the fact the holes went so deep they nearly pierced out her back!

That didn't sit well with Cyborg.

Didn't sit well at all.

Who could get that close? Why would Raven allow it? Did she trust this person? Or was he fast? No. He couldn't haven been fast, judging by how much blood she lost he knew the person had to have been standing still for a while or left her to die. Then came the question of why she didn't contact them, and who brought her back? Surely not her assailant. Unless a point wanted to be made, but then they would hear from the psychopath by now.

So who saved her?

To many question and not enough answers, in fact there were no answers at all.

What to do, what to do …

Cyborg sighed and put a hand on Beast Boy's slouched shoulder and Starfire's as well, "Come on you guys, Raven'll be fine, but what's the point in seeing her awake if we're sleeping. Let's get some rest, she'll need it more then us."

Starfire nodded and followed Beast Boy and Cyborg's retreating figure, but stopped to walk back and stand next to a distant Robin. Putting a comforting hand on his shoulder it snapped him back to reality as he looked up, "Hey Star, why don't you follow the others?"

"Why don't you follow friend?" she answered his question with a question, he sighed and turned back to Raven.

"Just wanted to stay and watch her."

Starfire slid her hand away and walked around the bed to sit her old position, "Then I shall stay as well."

Robin shook his head, "No Star, that's not necessary, you should go up and get some sleep."

She gave him a pointed look, "Robin, you keep telling me what I need as well as you, do not give excuses anymore. I am staying with you two and that's that."

"Star –"

Holding up a hand to silence him she lead her head on Raven's bed and held the slumbering Titan's hand gently rubber her thumb along the back of her hand in a comforting gesture she left no room for argument, "Enough talk, let us sleep. Raven will not want us to bicker."

Seeing no point in arguing Robin did as Starfire had and laid his head on Raven's bed, still holding her hand and squeezing it ever so often he gulped and sighed tiredly, What happened Raven? What happened to you? Why did it happen? How come I wasn't there to protect you? Raven … was his last thought before he fell completely into sleep exhausted for today and the emotional stress of seeing her in such a state. He was sure he would have slaughtered Cyborg for even touching her when he lifted her and took her to the infirmary.

Though he held back, she needed serious help and as much as he hated to admit it, he wasn't that good with medical care. All he knew was what was serious and not and she was serious. Drifting to sleep his mind never registered the small squeeze Raven gave back right before the monitors suddenly went off the charts.

Starfire shot up and Robin went wide with fear as he saw her monitors blaring and beeping like there was no tomorrow, "CYBORG!"

Almost immediately whether it be from his call or not Cyborg burst in and ushered Starfire out of the way along with Robin as he began to try and save her for the second time that day, "Shit! She's going into shock!"

"Do something!" Robin growled and Cyborg ignored him.

"Starfire get him out of here!"

Robin glared, "No! I'm staying put!"

Cyborg spun around and glared back, "Starfire get him out of here!"

"NO!"

With no second though Starfire grabbed a struggling Robin and dragged him out, protesting even going as far as to give out idle threats Robin couldn't fight the alien girl's strength as she dragged him out the hall where Beast Boy was pacing. Throwing him across to the wall her glowing green eyes glared, "Robin, I will use force if I must! Friend Raven does not need you to be so rash! Cyborg needs the space, please Robin don't make the situation harder then it already is."

"She needs us!" Robin shouted Starfire's eyes soften as she put a hand on his shoulder.

"I know, we all know, but Raven – "

All thoughts seized as Cyborg sudden came flying out of the infirmary and slamming into the far wall. "Cyborg!"

Slumping to the ground the half-man looked up dazed and rubbed the back of his head groaning, "She's back."

Beast Boy raised a brow while Robin took for the door, "What?"

Ignoring Beast Boy for the moment Cyborg called to Robin, "No! You don't wanna' –"

To late right when Robin was going to enter the infirmary just like Cyborg he was thrown out and to the wall. Cringing for him Cyborg sighed and slowly got up, "She's in a trans, but she shot up a protective barrier around herself. Nothing goes in and nothing goes out, I think it's instinctual for her to do so."

Robin growled and got up rubbing the back of his head he winced and glared at the door, "But doesn't she know she's safe?"

"Like I said it's instinctual." Cyborg shrugged, "At least we all know she's healing herself now."

"That is good," Starfire smiled surly, "Come let me create a feast of joyous rapture! Our friend Raven is safe at last!"

With a tired sigh Robin glared at the black barrier around the door, "Yeah … safe …"

"Come on Rob," Cyborg nudged, "She'll be fine, no need to get all fussy."

Following his friends down the hall he stole a final glance back at the black barrier before growling again in frustration and scowling at the same time, "Still Cy, what did it? Who did it? And why? How come the one that dropped her off would trip the alarm then run off without explanation? To many damn questions and no enough damn answers. I really don't like what's going on … I don't like to say this … but we need help."

"From who?"

"Titans East is our best bet, but I don't wanna' impose. They probably might not know anything about this crap."

Seeing the struggle in his leader Cyborg chuckled, Guy really needs to relax … although he does prove an interesting point, we do need help, but Titans East might not know anything … eh … it's worth a shot. Putting a hand on his shoulder Cyborg gave a comforting smile, "I'll check up on them for you, if they don't have any clue about this, then we'll forget it and go your way kay?"

"Thanks Cyborg, you're a real pal."

"Hey don't bother."

--

Running and leaning over the rail Bumblebee shouted, "Hey! Aqualad! Pick up the phone!"

In the kitchen Aqualad glared, "Why me? Speedy's the closets!"

"I don't give a damn! One of you better pick up that phone or there's gonna' be hell to pay!"

"Si!"

"No not you two!"

Speedy growled, "All of you shut the hell up already! I'll answer the damn phone, Jesus Christ, make a fuckin' big fuckin' deal out of every fuckin' thing."

Bumblebee flew down and smacked him up side the head, "Watch your mouth, trash mouth!"

Speedy snarled and gestured to the monitor, "You want me to answer the phone? Or don'tcha?"

"Answer the damn phone." Bumblebee glared and Speedy rolled his eyes as he tapped the key on the monitor.

"Who the hell are you, what the hells your emergency, and why the hell should we care?" Speedy got another good whoop on the back of his head again as Bumblebee shoved him back and glared at the screen.

"Hey Sparky, sorry for arrow-ass back there I think he's PMSing."

"Fuck you "B"!" Speedy growled as Bumblebee looked back and showed tongue Cyborg sweat-dropped.

"Uh – hey yall I was just calling to ask if you was busy, we need your help."

Bumblebee titled her head, "With what, things been pretty quite after we cleaned up Steel, what's you problem?"

Speedy snickered, "Besides the fact that there's a giant ass bee in the middle of the screen?"

With a growl she turned around and pulled out her stingers charging them and pointing them at the suddenly poised fighter with his arrow and bow drawn in defence, "Boy, say somethin' else and I'll shove my stinger so far up your ass you'd be spittin' lightning!"

Charging his arrow Speedy smirked, "I'd love to see you try Bee-otch!"

Aqualad shook his head and let the two commence in their querrling while he took over the screen, "Excuse them both, Speedy ran out of hair gel and Bumblebee's just restless, so what's your problem?"

Cyborg shook his head, "Well, something happened, somethin' bad."

"Everything okay? Noboby's hurt right?"

"That's the problem, Raven's in the infirmary with some serious injuries … Aqualad … she almost … she almost didn't make it, I didn't want to tell the others, but she's fine now." Pausing for the moment to collect his thoughts, Aqualad found his lower jaw slacking and dropping while his eyes glazed over with disbelief. Raven was … that bad? Coming back with collected thoughts Cyborg continued, "So listen, do you have anything suspicious going on in your city at the moment? Anything at all?"

Coming out of shock Aqualad huffed, "Well we have noticed a lot of movement in the Underground and the place had been somewhat restless, also rumors flying around that theirs some kind of reward out for a certain artifact, but it's nowhere in our city. In fact we found that it doesn't even exist."

"What's it called?"

"Something along the lines of Nol Verses we're thinkin' it's a book, but we looked up everything possible and came up with nothing, so we dismissed it as a rumor."

With a sigh Cyborg nodded, "That's helpful, thanks Aqualad."

"No problem, hey by the way you sure you guys don't want us to come over or anything? You know to help, like what Bee said things have been boring lately and she's restless … we all are."

Cyborg held his breath in thought, "I don't know … I mean, you don't have to."

Aqualad grinned, "Great, we'll be there tomorrow late morning, see ya guys then. Oh yeah and tell Raven we said hi."

Cyborg snickered, " 'We' said hi or you."

The Atlantean gave a dry look, "Titans East out."

With that he turned off the monitor and ducked when on of Speedy's arrows came whizzing passed his head after missing Bumblebee. He glared, "You know there's a training room for you guys! Stop messin' with the tower!"

"Well then tell Queen Bee to buzz off!" Speedy shot another arrow and she dodged then shrank her self and flew at him like a dive-bomber and started to sting him, "OW!"

"How you like that, huh ya piece of shit! Take that and some of this! What? Had enough? I'm just getting started!" Bumblebee was a one-girl swarm as she stung then quickly flew to another spot and attacked him ruthlessly, after her attack she flew away and back into her original form. Speedy took the time to fire three arrows, one hit, but the others went to destroy the rest of the tower.

"HA! What now!"

"Enough!" Aqualad snatched Speedy's bow and arrow then pulled Bumblebee's stingers and held them as he glared at them both like an angry part, "Raven's in critical condition and we're going to Jump tomorrow to help them with their problem. So stop fighting!"

Passing their weapons back Speedy retired his bow to his back as he gave Aqualad a curious look, "Raven? Critical? You mean hospitalized critical?"

He nodded and Bumblebee out her weapons to her sides, "Wow, that bad?"

"Yes, and they don't know who did it. So since there's nothing for us to do here, I volunteered us to go over and help. So please, for the sake of sanity, both of you keep your weapons, and thoughts to yourselves."

Speedy stretched and headed to the hall where their rooms were held, "Yeah right, well road trip tomorrow, better get some sleep."

"Yeah," Bumblebee yawned and patted Aqualad on the shoulder, "Night Aqualad, Mas! Menos! Let's go!"

Laughing and joking in Spanish they sped passed Bumblebee leaving Aqualad she shake his head, "Amazing, simple amazing. How the hell is it possible for them to just fall into order after all that chaos? Still shocks the hell out of me."

Following to his room, plopping on his bed Speedy discarded his quiver and bow the side while he turned on the bed that was up against the window wall. Although when he did turn and saw two shadowed figures standing on the ledge outside it scared the shit out of him. Jumping up with a scream Speedy pulled out an arrow and his bow getting ready to fire when charged, he paused when he noticed one of the figures were small and childish.

Curiosity killed as he opened the window and in flew a familiar black streak, "Archer!"

(A/N: aw come on people, wasn't it so obvious?)

Stumbling back a bit Speedy blinked in looked down at his waist to see the clinging Francesca Speedy was just about to greet her the usual way when he smelt a familiar scent. Raven. Pulling her away Speedy got a good look at Francesca's gray cape seeing it was covered in blood, fresh to, "Francesca what happened?"

"Sirus," came Red X scratchy voice from the hero's bed. Sitting and with his loom onus amber eyes Red x sighed tiredly, "We were in the mall and he attacked."

Speedy glared and picked Francesca up when she begged and held out her hands, he didn't know why, but she was just so attached to him and he the same. Holding her with one arm Speedy focused his attention on Red X, "You went with didn't you? You thought you could actually bring them together and they'd stop all this didn't you?"

Closing his eyes and falling back on the bed Red X brought his hands to cover his face as he growled and whimpered, "I didn't mean for her to get hurt. I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt! God, Archer she almost died right there in my arms!"

Shaking his head Speedy maneuvered Francesca to sit on his shoulders, "I know, Cyborg just called today, we're going over there tomorrow … you should come."

"Fuck!" shoot up from laying down Red X ran his hands through his hair, his growl darkening and his small whimpers becoming louder, "Now for sure our secrets blown!"

"Well it was your dumbass fault for even thinking you could end it all with one move!" Speedy growled back, "You should have known it wasn't going to be that easy! Now she's going to want an explanation, and you're going to give it to her."

Red X glared, "Or what? You're going to send me to prison? Turn me into Robin? Yeah right, you'd never let me abandon Francesca like that."

"Well by my opinion with the way you're moving I think she'd be better off without you." Looking up to Francesca the girl chuckled and laughed as he slid her off his shoulders and onto the bed next to Red X. "So what do you want?"

"Help unfortunately." Red X grumbled as Francesca slid off the bed and went off to rummaging through Speedy's things.

"With what?"

"A plan, obviously mines didn't work, but Robin's growing stronger … I think we can use her injury and his power to our advantage. Yeah, make him mad enough and sic him on the hunters, that'll work." Red x snickered and Archer leaned against his wall watching as Francesca played with his arrows.

"Don't forget we don't even know who the leader is."

"Well it has to be an angel, the celestials wouldn't follow a demon … at least I know Sirus wouldn't."

Shaking his head Speedy growled low and frustrated, "This would be much easier if we knew where Nol Verses are, then we can counter act this stupid hunt."

Red X sneered, "Just be lucky you're a Titan, they wouldn't dare up against a hero for fear of exposure. Us on the other hand are on our own … and I know where the Nol Verses are."

Speedy shot him a look of interest, "Really? Where?"

"At Titan tower," Red X said smugly, Speedy got off the wall.

"You're not serious."

"Dead serious … look man we're tired, filthy and hungry. Think we can crash here for the night?"

"Yeah, sure, just don't wake the whole tower, and X … you're going to talk to Raven when she pulls through, or I'll force you to."

Waving his hand and getting off the bed Red X snatched Francesca off the ground and headed out the door to the hall that he knew lead to the kitchen, "Yeah, right."

"I swear he's going to get us all killed if he doesn't fall first." Speedy grumbled as he sniffed and sneezed from the strong scent of blood in the air. Just the thought that it was Raven's scared the hell out of him. Hope she's okay.

--

Come on people, you cannot tell me you didn't expect that, I thought the name "Archer" didn't already give it away. Besides that, yeah, hope you didn't find this chapter too much of a drag cause if you read closely you might have already figured out the importance of Raven, where Sirus stands, and the importance of Robin. Everything's hanging in the balance, and Red X's being the naughty little thief he his to tip the scale in his favor. Just where does he play into all this?