Disclaimer: Don't own the Teen Titans or anything related to them,

A/N: Alright the next chapter! We're almost done … I think … hmm, you know what let's play this by ear; I honestly don't know when I'll be done. Anyway read on and review, thank you for the many reviews earlier I really do appreciate it and everything so thank you all again!

--

Chapter Nine: Lies and Blood

Raven can't be lying to me, he thought over and over again as he raced on his R-cycle back to the tower after a long night of researching, and questioning of the city. Going at a fast pace, yet slow enough for him to control in deep thought without crashing. Robin growled and narrowed his eyes on the road, It's above her to lie, the only time she'd do it is if she thought she was saving our lives or the lives of others. It's not like her to … so why would she do it? what could possibly be so scary to lie about her assassin. So maybe he was exaggerating a bit for using the word assassin, but it sure as hell sounded like it.

Raven was assassinated, why?

They didn't finish the job, someone intervened, who?

He had followed signs and snitches to the Underground where they knew there was movement. All he got was that there was a gang called the Unforgivable announcing a huge reward for some kind of priceless artifact to be found. The artifact that the Titans East had told them about, and hadn't found what it was about. However the fact that it was being looked for on both cities was disturbing. Robin was beginning the smell the stench of plot.

Something big was going down and Raven knew something about it.

As much as he hated to admit it, but she was lying to him and he had to either talk the answer out of her or force it, the former was to harsh in her state and the earlier was to long for his patients. Don't get the Boy Wonder wrong he was pretty patient guy, but as he thought earlier Raven was gonna' get him killed one of these days.

So that was the reason why he took the long route home, to straightened out and clear his mind, so far he had been doing as Raven had suggested. To keep his mind cleared and stick with Starfire in order to calm down, he found that taking a ride on his cycle also helped to sooth his raging blood. To bad it had to end.

Behind him and unaware of the danger from the sky a streak of black dropped down like a swooping falcon and with a powerful kicked sent him flying over his already speeding cycle crashing to the ground. The cycle lost control and crashed to the side of the road, Robin got to his hands and knees shaking his head and thanking the inventor of helmets for without his he was sure his head would have split. His attacked dropped the ground with a flap and like a gargoyle folded his wings into a cape as he glared with glowing red eyes at the devil that slowly stood up and took off his helmet.

As if checking to see if it was cracked or still dazed Robin suddenly spun around and threw four disks at the assailant. The winged beast jumped back and took to the air hissing and snarling as the smoke and debris kicked up. Like a bat outta' hell Robin shot up from the smoke with his bo-staff banished and since the creature was still close enough to the ground Robin nailed it on the side of its head.

Caught unawares the creature screamed in pain and crashed to the ground. Robin landed and twirled his staff to the side glaring at the one that dared attack from behind, "Alright, who are you and what do you want with me?" Robin demanded.

The beast recovered quickly with it's wings un-hooked and hanging limp on the ground Robin thought he had broken them, but when they suddenly spread wide and blew up the dust and rocks from the impact Robin knew he was dealing with something far more formidable. Especially with its glowing red eyes, hissing warnings, and bared fangs. Robin had the strong urge to just slap this cretin around – not kill him – but just whack him around for his insult.

Growling low and deep the creature suddenly burst out laughing. Closing his eyes Robin saw them slowing returning back to its – he supposed – normal color. Dark, almost hunter green orbs stared back at him as his wings came back down to wrap around it's master. With a bow, Robin kept his guard up, this guy was already on the top of two lists: psychotic and psychotic. The difference? One was mild and the others the deep end. Robin kept his wits as the creature who was obviously intelligent on some levels walked gracefully slowly towards him, "Sorry if I scared you, but red is my color, it just – trips me."

Something was right about this guy, Robin could feel it in his bones. Everything he felt from his guy was danger, warning, caution, and death … no, that last part Robin could very much smell with his heightened sense. Death, blood it was all there, this guy reeked of it so bad that Robin almost felt like barfing every time he breathed into his nose. He tried not as he kept a firm face, "Who are you?"

"What? All business?" the guy mocked as he started to walk in circles making sure to keep at least f feet away, Robin followed not wanting this guy out of his sight for one second, "Aw come on little Robin, the world isn't all black and white. Why don't you put some color in your life? Like red, such an interesting color it is. Passion, rage, power, lust, everything a man could ever want yet is told otherwise to never have. Personal pleasure of all levels is frowned upon with the job you go through."

"Who are you?" Robin growled, "I will not ask again."

"And you won't have to," stopping in the same place as he started to circle the hero, the dark green-eyed man grinned and bowed, "Malthenor Malcoraz, and I'm here for a bargain."

Robin glared, "Sorry, don't deal with people who try to kill me on first impressions, kind a ruins the relationship."

Malthenor mockingly frowned and tilted his head in a small pout, "Don't you even want to hear my proposition?"

"No. Thanks." Robin reached to his belt to contact his friends, but stopped short when he saw movement from his enemy, charging with sharp lethal claws the thought that taking the guy down would be cake. Boy was he wrong. Whatever the creatures claws were made of when they scrapped his steel it sparked every time Robin blocked off his move.

Swipe to the left Robin thought of moving to block, but knew it was a fake, following his opponents next move he counted the crouch and the move to trip him. Back flipping and hoping to hit Malthenor in the chin, the angel leaned back then rolled away once Robin was back on his feet and swing to kill. Widening his fingers as if to show their sharpness Malthenor stayed low to the ground as Robin charged to knock his head like before. That wasn't going to happen as he dodged to the left, then right, and finally once close enough spun around and opened up his wings.

It may have been a dirty trick, but playing dirty was fun. Especially as Malthenor watched the hero fly back from the force behind the move and loose his bo-staff, Perfect, he thought with great satisfaction as he brought his wings back around his shoulders, "You're a very interesting character Robin, I find that your methods in battle shows a great struggle with your "inner demon" as most would say. Noble, brave, compassionate Robin. Leader to the Titan and a friend to all accept those who threaten his land. Yet I can tell in the way you move, just your very footsteps and maneuvering in battle you wish for a bit of release – so to say."

Getting to his feet and slyly throwing four disks at Malthenor, the angel spread open his wings and cupped his body at a form of shield to block to on coming threat. Once done he flicked them and let them flutter a bit before once again resting on his shoulders, Robin growled, there was something strange about his guy, "What are you?"

"Your instincts should tell you I'm a threat," Malthenor grinned then with his inhuman speed was up in Robin's face, startled, yet still in control Robin jumped back and threw more disks to keep the creature at bay. The angel dodged to the side and scoffed, "that the best you got? Devil?"

Robin hesitated in attacking, "What did you say?"

Malthenor grinned as he recapped mockingly, "Is that the best you got? Devil?"

"How did you – who are you?" Robin growled, Malthenor shrugged and moved to circle the confused Robin.

"Hasn't that lying wretch of a half-demon told you about the struggle between your kind and the most powerful race in all worlds? The angel race, me, I, Malthenor Malcoraz the leader of the hunters that are slowly exterminating your kind," he chuckled manically, Robin stepped away from him reaching for his communicator for it looked like this guy was more crooked then a stumbling drunkard.

Malthenor noticed him reach for the communicator and in an instant attacked again, forcing Robin to keep away as he dodged, flipped, and countered a few of the angel's moves. At one point Malthenor reached up and came down with his claws to slash at Robin's heart, but he grabbed his wrist in time to stop it just above his head. The angel growled and swiped up with his other hand intent on stabbing him to death. Robin caught that wrist to then jumped and kicked the angel on the chest. Flipping back and releasing the angel that went tumbling and skidding on the ground in pain when Robin landed and Malthenor stopped. What he did was unsuspecting.

On the ground Malthenor jumped to his feet his claws dripping with the acidic poison and without hesitation whirled around, flicked his wrist and sent the deadly acid flying. Robin went wide-eyed and ducked the on coming attack, then rolled when a few more drops came his way, however his cape wasn't so lucky. Burning, disintegrating and melting as if were paper in fire Robin was forced to take it off or suffer the burn reaching the rest of his costume.

Just as he threw the worthless piece of cloth away, Malthenor had grabbed him by the back of his shirt and literally yanked him to his feet without a problem. Bring him face to face, so relatively close to the point where Robin was gagging at the strong smell of blood, venom, and death on the angel. He struggled to at least save his nose; the smell was so intoxicating and revolting to his sensitive nose.

The angel's breath didn't exactly smell like roses either as he spoke with a hiss, raining his spit on the side of his face. Robin sneered in disgust, gross, was the first thing that came to mind, "I don't know what the hell is wrong with you creatures. You are all so fucking filthy, why would anyone take pity on an abomination such as you cretins? No devil is good or bad, they're just mutations of perfection."

Throwing Robin to the ground, he was just about to jump to his feet, when the angel came down on him and stomped his foot on his chest knocking the wind right from his mouth as Malthenor leaned down. Putting weight from not only his body, but also his wings, Robin stifled a groan in pain as he gritted his teeth, "There is an ancient code that states all hell born and heaven born creatures are to never associate with one another. Yet that rule was broken and it happened any way, and now it's happening again. This time, you, little robin are the result that I so desperately want to just rip your fucking heart out!"

Grabbing his by the collar and pulling him up face to face again Robin glared and swept a punch as a way of freedom, but Malthenor threw him to the ground again before that happed. Ripping his utility belt and communicator from the boy's possession Malthenor effortlessly melted it in his hands with his acidic poison. Then using his wings right when Robin was getting to his feet charged the devil and with the momentum of the wings force, Robin was once again winded when Malthenor punched him straight in the gut. Then upper cut him and swept him to the ground again.

Head hitting the ground harder then before Robin literally saw stars as he tried to gain the upper hand, yet the circulation to his lungs were cut off. Why? Because Malthenor had wrapped his hands round his neck chocking the leader ruthlessly as his eyes glowed a deep read, "You are worthless, a piece of trash that is never meant to be. Why can't you bastards just die! All of you are like damn cockroaches, so fucking hard to kill!"

Malthenor never knew what hit him, never saw it coming only felt the sharp stab of pain in his chest do to something that shouldn't be, and couldn't be. Slowly his hold on the devil loosened as he let go and gazed at the devil with utter confusion. Robin couched and sat up, Malthenor pulled back, but in doing so he gagged and spat out blood when Robin's clawed hand, fingers drawn together like a snake was brought up to examination.

From the tip of the claws down to slightly passed the wrist was covered in blood, Malthenor's blood, looking up to the angel who was hunched over clutching the giant hole in his chest so close to the heart and spewing in blood. Robin almost threw up, did he do that? Did he, with his bare hand inflict such a fatal move on the angel? Eyes wide with wonder, shock, and slight fear Robin got to his feet and backed up slowly watching the angel as he staggered, chocked, couched, and chuckled, slowly dieing.

Robin blinked, Is he … is he … is he laughing? Absurd as it may be, but it was the truth the creature was laughing, bringing his head up Robin cringed at the blood that lined the corners of his mouth, drenched his teeth and the blood red glow to his eyes. It was haunting and a sight that Robin won't soon forget, what the hell was going on?

"You … are just … full of …" he paused and wheezed Robin half expected him to couch up his heart as he spat out more blood from his mouth. Oh god the scent was so strong now Robin felt his still form slight waver from the intoxication. How was the angel even standing? He couldn't be that strong. Chuckling Malthenor grinned at Robin, " … guess I deserved that … hope this doesn't … hinder our friendship … see you in the near future Robin."

Opening his wings and cringing every time he did so he flapped and jumped in the air then flew off weakly, leaving Robin to wonder just what the hell had happened. Looking down at his bloody hand Robin grimced and started the frantically flick the blood away. There was just so much, so much, and so thick, bile rose up his throat, but he pushed it down. Now wasn't the time to act silly, but still, his hand went through another creatures body!

That shit was just not natural!

Shivering and chilling Robin looked around for some place to clean up, it was so disgusting and gut wrenching. The blood was thick and so much Robin had to get it off, his body was shaking and it wasn't from the breeze that swept passed, he was still in shock from his actions. No way was it possibly, but it was. No way had he almost killed a man, but he did. No way had that very man flew from that kind of injury! He did.

That was most disturbing.

Yet not as disturbing as his new realization, Raven knows something, and she's going to tell me, I don't care if I have to shake it out of her, I need to know the truth. Just what the hell is going on!

--

Landing on the roof of an old abandoned church, Malthenor fell to his knees and dropped to the ground in total pain, the flight here was just to tiring. The damn devil actually had the gull to touch him. That pissed him off more than he'd like to admit, growling and as he dug his claws into the weak cement the sound of something dropping out of the sky and landing behind him forcing him to open his eyes.

He growled, "What is it?"

"Do you wish to proceed?" he spoke in their ancient tongue, Malthenor wanted to turn and look up directly to his minion, but was to weak and pain filled to both. So he stayed to the ground.

"Proceed as scheduled … I think I may have … over done the welcome meeting …"

"You were always so pathetic."

Malthenor snarled and ignored the pain as he propped himself on his hands and turned to glare blurrily up at the one who dared taunt him, "The order was to proceed, not to taunt my capabilities. Go."

A deep chuckle and the shuffling of clothing as the angel moved and before Malthenor knew what hit him he was kicked square in the chin and sent twisting weakly on the ground every time his wound was scoffed he cried out in pain. The bastard, who did he think he was? Now on his back Malthenor opened his eyes to glare up at his tormentor, but got the shock and pain of his life when his chest – where his wound is – was suddenly pressed down with that same steel plated boot.

Roaring and crying a sound that sounded nothing of the human world Malthenor closed his eyes and struggled to breath. It hurt so bad, so much pain went into his body that he hardly register what was being said, "Do not tempt me Malthenor, you're in no position to give orders. What you're doing goes against everything we've sworn to uphold, but the devil race is growing and it must be stopped. I'm doing this to preserve order, never to follow your tyranny ways."

Releasing the pressure by then the angel had already knocked out by loss of blood, pain, and shock. Either which the angel didn't care all he and his people had to do was their job. Get in, retrieve, get out and job done. They were the Unforgivable and did as told serving under the Malcoraz family, but never turning into their slaves. Occasionally showing they were still thinkers, the Unforgivable were Malchior's right and left hands.

So if asked why they were following a spoiled deranged kid, they just said it was their job to.

--

Short I know, don't hurt me, this chapter's just to show things are getting heated and intro to what's so shocking and why Robin's so important and why Malthenor hates him so much. And no, Malthenor is not dead, he's just lost consciousness, as I write this story I can't help to think about that saying about the past coming back and biting you.

Well this is like that; a lot has to do with the past, mainly the NoLincous and Malcoraz past. I'm still trippin' about how well this is all playing out to me. Never had I wrote anything so twisted.

Anyway, besides that Review please, tell me what you think and all that good stuff. Thanks, love you guys, see ya next chapter!