A/N: Hello everyone and welcome to chapter 21! Wow, I'm in a good mood right now from reading some reviews, particularly Vinny's. Frolicking under the sheets. That's a fun phrase. (Quite literally…muhaha.) But I do see his point with the alcohol. Let's just say they were like those little tiny liquor bottles you get on airplanes, enough to get you drunk, but not enough to kill you. Shit, now I've made myself in the mood for vodka.

Anyways, hope you guys enjoy this chapter because it took me a while to write. Don't know why, but it just did.

And a special note to someone:

Mrs.SakuraPotter: My rant beginning last chapter was in no way implied directly to you. I've just had a lot of people telling me (on and off the site) about my writing and it all built up. I'm glad that you enjoy my writing and continue to review! Sorry again if you took it the wrong way.

Alright, now that's all cleared up, let's begin with our chapter!

Btw: This chapter title is bascially Halloween in Spanish. The phrase for halloween in spanish is: 'Víspera de Todos los Santos' or The Eve Of All The Saints.

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Starfire pulled back the golden clasps on the coffin with ease, nearly breaking them with her alien strength. The top of the coffin was slightly ajar now, revealing nothing but a shadowed view of what was inside. Slade looked over at Starfire and she gave a slight nod. A small cloud of dust from the dirt circulated into the air as Slade pushed the lid over as far as he could. They both stood silent as the green light cast over Raven's body.

Raven looked almost peaceful as she lie in the padded coffin. Her hair was tucked gently behind her ears, revealing all of her delicate face. Crimson red lips matched the solitary rose that was in her folded hands. Her attire was simple, a black dress with a bit of lace that stood out against the white cushions of the coffin. If someone didn't know any better, they would think she were merely asleep.

"X'hal…" Starfire said in a nearly silent whisper.

Slade took a deep breath. "Are you ready?"

Starfire nodded and reached into the coffin slowly, her hands shaking. She could barely see anything again, as she had extinguished her starbolt a second or so ago. Slowly, she slid her hands underneath Raven and lifted her up and out of the coffin. Her breath left her shakily as she clutched the body to her chest like an infant she was trying to protect. Slade had already begun scaling the walls, making his way out of the darkness as fast as he could. Star closed her eyes tight, trying to think of any happy thought.

Her feet floated off the ground slightly, focusing on some distant memory. She took a deep breath and thought harder, pushing herself out of the pit. It seemed like an eternity before she was bathed in moonlight once again. Slade had already opened the back seat, ready for Raven to be put in. Star's head was pounding as she walked; it took a lot of her energy to force herself to fly like that.

Star slid Raven onto the backseat, making sure that she wasn't too close to the edge. She shut the backdoor slightly, as if she were avoiding waking a sleeping child. Slade was in the driver's seat again, staring forward solemnly. Starfire sat down in her seat and buckled up, expecting Slade to race off again as he had earlier. Instead, he sat dormant for a minute or two, contemplating something.

"Slade…?" Star asked.

He gazed over at her. "Hmm?"

"Are we leaving or not?" There was no impatience in her voice, just a tinge of anxiety.

He seemed to snap back to reality, leaving whatever subject he had been thinking about so relentlessly. The car jolted forward, as he began driving at a surprisingly normal speed. Starfire looked at the clock in the dashboard. It read out in blue numbers, '2:05 am'. She frowned slightly, remembering that as soon as the sun rose, it would begin the supposed end of the world. There was so much she hadn't done, hadn't said, she hated to think such thoughts, but it was true. Slade cruised through the streets, still disregarding all traffic lights and signs.

"Starfire…" Slade said, keeping his eye glued to the road.

She looked over at him, giving full attention. "Yes?"

He stopped the car now, deciding it was probably best. He opened one of the compartments on his belt and pulled something out, clenching it in his fist. Grabbing Starfire's hand gently, he dropped a golden ring with small red writing into her palm. She looked at it, eyes slightly widened.

"What…what is this?" She asked, staring at it.

"It is the ring of Azar. It will protect you from Trigon's attacks. Keep it on at all times, otherwise you won't stand a chance as this day progresses. Alright?"

He let go of her wrist and put his hands back on the wheel. Star slipped the band onto her ring finger and gazed at it for a second.

"Thank you…" She said slowly, watching as the ring glistened.

Slade stepped on the gas again, causing the car jolt forward again. "I also want you to remember that things are not always as bad as they may seem. There is always some sort of light at the end of the tunnel."

"So unlike you to be the optimist, no?" Star said, smiling slightly.

He scoffed. "Yes, I suppose so…but one of us has to have a cheery disposition here and you don't seem up for it… "

They were silent for a long while as Slade drove back across town to his hideout. He glanced over at Starfire as she stared blankly out the window. He still managed to amaze himself with how he felt about her. She had somehow captivated him in a way even his wives hadn't managed.

Oh the denial he had been, the confusion that swirled through him, but the sudden warmth in his dead heart was unmistakable. He would never forget the day he realized what it was…

(About One Week Earlier)

Slade sat across from his butler, a chessboard out in front of them. Surprisingly enough, Wintergreen was in the lead, he would probably win within the next two turns. Slade didn't seem to notice or even care.

"Sir…Are you feeling alright?" Wintergreen asked, sipping his tea.

Slade looked up from the board. "Yes…Why do you ask?"

"Hmm…your strange friend has not visited in the past couple of days and you seem… distraught." He answered slowly.

"Distraught?" Slade asked, his tone holding a hint of amusement. "Over that thorn in my side? I think not…the only reason I allow her here is because she might reveal a team secret or two…" He folded his arms and leaned back.

Wintergreen thought this over for a moment and then peered at Slade. "Have you received any secrets yet?"

Slade blinked. "…Well…not really…"

"Then why do you keep bothering with her if she's such a nuisance? Perhaps you enjoy having a female acquaintance?" Wintergreen smiled slightly.

A cold glare was shot in the way of the butler. "Are you suggesting I'm pursuing her romantically? I have never heard such a ridiculous…"

"Sir, I said nothing about romance. I meant acquaintance as in friend." The smile morphed into a full smirk.

"You know what…" Slade stood up. "I'm done playing chess for now."

With that, Slade walked out of the room and went down the hall. What in the world was wrong with him? He had been so bored lately, which hadn't happened since he was a child. He had always found himself content with his plots and machines. But now, he found that he needed someone to talk to. Usually, Wintergreen's company was enough for him, but he needed something more…

That flowing red hair, her glowing smile and that intoxicating laugh all filled his head at once. He took a moment to stop in his tracks, leaning a hand against the wall to keep him from falling. He felt dizzy, as if someone had hit him over the head.

"Dammit…" He muttered. "Didn't know you could get sick after you died…" He grumbled, assuming he had caught some sort of illness. What else could it be?

Wintergreen walked up to Slade. "Sir…Starfire is here, she requests your presence."

This was the day that he found out about Raven's 'death'. He remembered the look on Starfire's face as she told him of her situation, it was melancholy, yes, but something was hiding behind her eyes as she spoke. She had known all along Raven wasn't dead, either Raven had told her or she really was that optimistic.

"You…You trust me that much?" She asked warily.

He chuckled "What can I say? I've never met a woman quite like you; Robin doesn't know what he's missing…"

He would always remember how her cheeks lit up in embarrassment. If he had possessed cheeks at the time, they would've probably been glowing also. Those words, they slipped out without warning, but he barely had any regrets once he said them. She left a few minutes later, confirming his thought that she knew Raven wasn't dead.

His hand clenched onto the doorway as he watched her leave, making dents in the wall from where his fingers rested. He closed his eye to regain focus, but all he could see was her blushing, smiling and speaking.

"No…" He said through clenched teeth. "It can't be…" He felt familiar, yet unwanted, warmth sweeping over him

Slade tore his hand from the doorway, taking a piece of the wall with him.

'The Tameranean Milkshake of Peace!' Her voice, happy as always, rang through his head.

How could she manage to make his dreary abode so full of life when she was around? She could light up an entire room; he began to realize the real depth of that saying. She could light up much more than just a room; she could light up his heart.

"This isn't happening…anyone but her…Anyone!" He yelled, clenching his fists and forcing one through the door.

Wintergreen found the room nearly destroyed a half an hour later, Slade nowhere to be found. He was on the rooftop, staring at the city that lie before him. He would usually stand here, thinking and plotting about the first thing he would do when he owned it. But now, all he could think about was the red haired Tameranean that had managed to find the lost key to his heart.

He hated being in love, he really did. It all ended in turmoil or loosing an eye, in his case. But he couldn't help the feeling inside of him, he couldn't wish it away and he certainly couldn't ignore it. Perhaps the thing that bothered him most about this particular situation was the person. She fought crime, he created it. She saved the world, he wanted to try and end it. Then there was also the quite unnerving fact that he was old enough to be her father. They were on two different ends of the spectrum and that was the root of his torture here. ..

That and he really couldn't afford loosing another body part…

(End Flashback)

"Slade." Starfire said firmly, staring at him.

He kept his eyes on the road, swerving composedly around a semi-truck that nearly crashed into him. It took him a second or two, but he came back to reality, tearing his mind away from the other world it had been in. He stayed quiet, waiting for her to go on.

"When you get your flesh back…if we have all survived…I want you to find me. I have a gift for you also." She gave an earnest smile.

He smiled under the mask, mostly to himself. "We'll survive…trust me…"

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Raven felt her heart begin to beat again in her chest. Blood began to flow through her, reaching her fingers, toes and every other body part. Her eyes moved slightly, trying to force themselves open. She felt as if she had been holding her breath for eternity and needed to take as much air as she could get.

In a sudden jolt, she sat up and took a large gasp. Her hands flew to her sides; the rose she had been holding flew to the ground of wherever she was. She went into a coughing fit, leaning forward slightly.

"Hello Sleepyhead…" She heard a familiar voice muse sarcastically. That voice…so deep and almost seductive in a way…

She kept taking deep breaths, her shoulders moving along with her. She was slumped forward; staring down at the leather seat she was in. "Slade…What…Where the hell am I?"

"We're in my car…so nice of you to join us, really."

Raven looked up, she instantly noticed someone sitting in the passenger seat of the car. "…Us?"

Starfire turned around to look at Raven. "I am at a loss for words right now…forgive me…"

"Starfire? …but…you knew I was coming back…"

"Yes…but your return is not what shocks me…rather it is the reason that you are returning so soon…" Her mouth set into a deep frown.

Raven swallowed, feeling her blood run cold. "Do the others know…"

Star shook her head. "No…it is only me and that is merely because of Slade…"

The mystic glanced at the masked man for a second and looked back at Star. "I…I'm sorry…I thought I could stop it all before I came back…"

"I…" Star felt tears build up in her eyes, but she swallowed them back. "I am not the one you should apologize to…"

The car stopped suddenly and both of the girls looked to see the tower.

Slade looked at Star for a second. "Change in destination." He muttered.

"Raven…Could Slade and I have one moment alone?" Star asked, smiling slightly.

Rae furrowed her eyebrows and opened the door. "Sure…" She climbed out of the car and walked away from it, going to the edge of the road and staring at the tower.

Slade looked over at Starfire. "Something you need to say?"

She nodded. "I wanted to say thank you…for the ring, for helping me with Raven and Robin, and for telling me everything."

He shrugged. "It's nothing really…"

It was silent for a few seconds as they stared at one another, wanting this moment to stay just a moment longer. Slade could've sworn he saw Star lean forward slightly, her eyes clouding with some unknown emotion. Starfire closed her eyes then, looking away from Slade and sighing, knowing that the sooner she and Raven got back to the tower, the better.

"Goodbye Slade…" She said softly, hoping it wasn't forever.

"Goodbye Starfire…" He said almost inaudibly as she exited the car and walked over to Raven. He knew he would do whatever it took to make sure it wasn't forever.

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Raven gazed at the tower, feeling sick to her stomach. Starfire stood next to her, her face not hiding an inch of the worry she felt. They both heard as Slade's car zoomed away, disappearing over the hill.

"This dress…. the make up…I was buried wasn't I? That's why I was in Slade's car…he helped you dig me out."

Star nodded. "Yes…but that is not the important issue at hand right now. You need to go inside Raven, the day has already begun."

Raven nodded slowly, her face looking paler than ever thought possible. "Robin…" She whispered and began to fly towards the island.

Star closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She took in the deep sea breeze that danced in the air, feeling the slight moisture in the atmosphere collecting on her skin. This was going to be anything but easy. She would have to witness all of her friends go through the pain and shock of Raven's return.

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Raven walked into the main room slowly. Her footsteps were cautious, as if the ground she was walking on would crumble beneath her. She tried to stop herself from trembling with fear, but it was no use. She could see Beast Boy and Cyborg on the sofa. The TV was on full blast, so they didn't hear the door open. She wished she had Starfire with her, but the Tameranean seemed in a rush to part ways with the mystic as soon as they went inside. She knew Starfire was on the roof probably, watching the ocean crash into the shore. Distracting all of her grim thoughts about today.

Cyborg, sensing someone new was in the room turned around. "Hey St…" He began but his mouth dropped open slightly, his eye going wide.

He stood up to stunned to do much else. He went to try and say something, but all that came out were inaudible letters and syllables.

Beast Boy was still focused intently on the television when he noticed Cyborg's shocked state. He paused the game and stood up, "Cy, what's up?"

Cyborg swallowed and pointed at Raven. Beast Boy followed his finger and looked at her, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

"Look…I know this is strange but…" Raven began.

"GHOST! GHOOOOSSTTT! AHHH! CALL THE GHOST BUSTERS!" Beast Boy screamed, standing on the coffee table.

Cy managed to collect his thoughts enough to roll his eyes at Beast Boy. He looked back at Raven and took a deep breath. "Look, I don't know who the hell you are, but this prank ain't funny."

Raven sighed. "Cyborg, it's me, Raven."

"It can't be Raven! You're…or she's supposed to be…dead!" He protested, not letting his shock get the best of him like Beast Boy.

"Look, I can't deal with you and the green idiot right now. Where's Robin?" Her tone of voice was demanding now.

"I'm not telling you where he is until you prove you're the real Raven." Cyborg glared at her.

Raven ground her teeth and growled slightly. "Cyborg, I don't have time for this now. I need to see Robin before sunrise!"

Cyborg stood in front of her, looming over her like a shadow. "Answer me one question."

She groaned. "What more do you need to know Cyborg! Can't you just believe it's me and we'll discuss the details later?"

He shook his head. "You think I'm gonna let some impostor waltz in here and speak to Robin? You're probably here to tie him up and steal something!"

Raven's hands began to glow. She needed to see Robin now and she was getting mighty tired of these childish games. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" She yelled and gave Cyborg a light blast, sending a few feet away.

He went to say something but all he saw was her cape fluttering around the corner as she walked down the hall.

Raven closed her eyes as she traveled down the familiar corridors, reaching the room marked 'Robin'. She went to open the door when her mind suddenly went blank. What was she going to say? It wasn't until now that she realized she wasn't quite ready to face him. She closed her eyes and leaned her ear against the door, trying to hear him. There was only the sound of some footsteps and a slight 'thump'.

'I did this…' She thought. 'I should be ready to face everyone's reactions…besides, I only have a few hours left…"

Whether she was ready or not, she punched in the access code for Robin's door and watched it slide open. He was standing at his work desk, sorting through a couple of papers in his pajamas.

"Does anyone ever knock anymore?" He grumbled, figuring it was just Beast Boy or Cyborg coming to talk.

"…Robin…" Raven said, stepping forward, although her legs felt heavy as she moved.

He froze for a second, recognizing her voice instantly. "Okay Beast Boy…that's a creepily good impression of R…" He turned around as he went to finish his sentence, but found all of his thoughts slipped away at that moment.

She let out a long sigh. "I know it's a shock to see me…but we don't have time to gawk like this…"

It took every ounce of energy he had to keep himself from fainting. "How are…How are you…No, No I'm seeing things…" He said, putting his hands up.

"Robin." She said, her voice becoming stern. "We can talk about how I'm back later…right now…we need to focus on the fact the world is going to end in a few hours!"

"Well excuse me for being shocked! You were supposed to be dead! Did…Did Slade have something to do with this?" He asked, trying to get any reasonable explanation for.

"Dammit…" Raven muttered. "I thought Starfire would've run in here and told you about everything by now…"

Raven looked back up at Robin, regarding him darkly. "I was never really dead…me and the baby…we've been alive this entire time. The suicide note, my body, it was all an act. An act to save your lives, which ended up backfiring anyways…" All she could do was tell the truth right now, there was no other way he was going to understand her.

"Your death…" He whispered, his face contorting into a pained expression. "…Was all an elaborate set up?"

Raven extended a hand to touch his shoulder. "Robin…It was to save you…"

"How long…" He looked up from the floor to stare her in the eyes. "How long were you going to lie to me?"

She felt the tears build up in her eyes. Robin grasped her arms tightly, most likely causing bruises.

"Until my heart broke into pieces?" The tears began to fly from under his mask as his voice rose. "Until I died?"

She shook her head, beginning to sob steadily as he kept questioning her.

"Did you want me to live like that? Didn't you even feel sorry for me?" He shook her slightly, his voice going tight with the pain that poured from his heart.

Raven forced herself to speak, crying more than she had ever allowed herself in her life. "What could I do? I need to leave to save your lives…I had to let you go…"

He pulled her into a hug, clutching onto her as if she would disappear again if he let go. He was so happy to see her well again, but at the same time, she had deceived him. Anger and love filled his heart all at once. "You fool. Do you know what you did to us? Do you know what you did!"

"Robin…" She sobbed. "You don't understand…the world is going to end and it's going to be my fault…" She pushed him away gently. "I left because I thought I could stop it…but I can't…I just can't…"

She turned her back to him, putting her face in her hands. "What am I going to do?" She whispered.

He stared at her. "What? What are you talking about?"

Raven snapped back around to face him, the tears flying from her eyes into the air... "Slade's return…his fire powers…they were all signs. I was created to destroy this world…and today is the day!"

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A/N: Yey! Another cliffie! Meh, this chapter came out alright I suppose. I dunno, I've been like mad at my writing lately. School work is stressing the hell out of me, resulting in horrible chapters.

Let's see, Let's see, Next chapter we're going to start my spin on 'The End' parts. As you can see, I've already taken some stuff from there, like the ring of Azar with Star and Slade. I'm also going to discuss Raven's baby a bit more, and just to answer some of your questions, the baby was alive with her the entire time when she was in Azarath. Her kid is going to play a part in the next chapter, you'll see how it all turns out.

Okay, Friend Responses:

Rose: Wow, you had a long ass review this time. It was really, really amusing. I'm gonna start off by asking, Where did you get the Slade blow up doll and does it come in Robin? Secondly, Wow, you have an inner-emo child too? Awsome! Mine is telling me that I'm gonna end up dying alone.

Anyways, SpeedyxRobin rocks! But I had to remember that the main couple in this story is RobRae, meaning Robin has to be remotely…err…scratch that…straight. Actually, my absolute fav Yaoi couple is RobSlade. Don't ask, but it's hot. Though, I know you prefer Slade straight with him being a sex god and all.

You know what Rose, you should write my fan fiction for me. It would be all awesome and Robin would probably have died about six times from Slade's wrath. Oh, and Slade and Starfire would be like doing it everywhere too, huh? XD

Okay, Okay I promise you Starfire is not going to be pregnant. I actually considered that for a second, but then I realized how stupidly complicated that would make things and people really would start to get tired of me and my antics. And it would turn out to be like this big baby triangle of love and pregnancy thing with the end of the world and everything too. Like I said, people would just grow weary of it.

Thanks again for the compliment on the writing. –grins- Never knew I could make writing sexy.

Pat: Let me start off by saying, it would be really cool to drive the Oscar Meyer wiener mobile. For some reason, the idea of cars and corn dogs conjured that thought. But seriously, if you like won that contest, you could drive it to prom and be all "BITCHES! I HAVE THE OSCAR MEYER CAR!" and you'd probably have any date you want. Unless they don't like big Weiner shaped cars…. which is understandable.

Anywhoodles, feet are bad to play poker with. The left and the right love each other eternally although they're related, so the hands often get jealous. Man, you could like create your own stupid Spanish soap opera with body parts. Why do you think they have socks? Huh? Huh! AND TOE RINGS! –blink- No…I do not have a theory about feet making babies…what are you saying? HEY MY FRIENDS WERE IN ON IT TOO.

You considered last chapter incredible? Wow. Thank you so much. –wipes modest tear- I tried my best. I look forward to co-writing a story with you, and I thought of an idea for you to get my cell phone number. Just look in profile. I've hidden the numbers in it (in order). Have fun decoding it. BE A DETECTIVE LIKE ROBIN!

I'm dressing like Robin for Halloween, and then my plan is, when I finally do get boyfriend (a.ka. the apocalypse X.x) I am going to force him to dress in it.

Okay, well, it's getting late and I'm getting hyper from typing this. XD So, nighty night, or good morning, or good afternoon, whenever you read this. I will review your new chapter now!

Love to you all,

Emmery

P.S: Happy friggen Halloween to you all! Just so you know, my favorite holiday is Halloween. I love it more than Christmas even. Yep. I love Halloween MORE than Christmas. I'm being Robin for Halloween, and I'm actually interested in what you guys are being (who cares about being fourteen and still going trick-or-treating?). Tell me in your reviews if you feel like.