Yello all and welcome to the next chapter of 'What is to Come.' I'm going to try not to ramble on up here so…yeah.

Lain: sorry for the insane wait for an update…I only have three excuses (and a rather lame ones) is that the internet is very distracting, I thought up another story that has been stuck in my head since Sunday but this one will go one fiction press, and that my muse has gone on strike and demands that I pay her for her services. What a load of bull. but anyhoo...just so you know, I would never ever scrap this story, I have too many plans for it. -cackles evilly- but yeah, this chapter and the next aren't going to be very long. I think ten will be the longest...

Disclaimer: I own nothing not previously owned by me. Basically the Teen Titans in this case, but lots of things in other cases. hmpf...

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What is to Come

Chapter Eight: My Last

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The next day Karigan barricaded herself in her bedroom for most of the morning. The other Titans could only guess why, and only Karigan knew the real reason.

Karigan sat hunched over the desk in her room; she would much rather be spending time with her friends but she owed them at least this much. So she wrote, each of her words flowing from her heart and out of her pen. Occasionally the going would get rough and she took a break and paced about her room; overwhelmed by all her unchecked emotions. Most of all, right now, she needed to keep her shields up; but was finding that difficult to do. Xaphtious attacked, but she was ready. A few gruesome images slipped past her barricade, and she closed her eyes and bit her lip at the horror. But it was all over in a few minutes and no harm came to anyone..

Even if the other Titans just wanted to leave Karigan be, Robin couldn't do that. He knew she was up to something, and had a pretty good guess that it was some plot to stop her father; some crazy plot that could kill her if she didn't keep her head. So despite his friends' protests, the Boy Wonder climber the stairs to Karigan's room and knocked on the door. He didn't get a response right away, so he knocked louder.

"Karigan?" Sounds of muffled movement could be heard from inside.

"Yeah?" she responded, not opening the door.

"Um, can we talk?" he asked, shifting his weight uncomfortably. Karigan didn't respond at first but then he heard her sigh.

"Can we talk later? I'm kind of...busy." she answered. "How about later tonight?" she suggested. Robin sighed silently; a compromise. At least she'd be here tonight.

"Sure," he said, "but where?" Karigan smiled to herself.

"I'll find you." she answered. Robin walked away feeling a little more relieved. If she had some plan to take her father out of the equation, he thought she would've done it as soon as possible. but not it looked like she might not, at least, from the optimistic point of view.

As soon as Robin entered the common room, everyone in there immediately wanted to know what she said.

"She's fine." Robin answered, sitting down and starting up a game against Cyborg.

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But Karigan was not fine. She could tell Robin was suspicious of her actions and her untimely choice of words when talking to Cyborg, Star and BB. All her life had become was lies; but her friends feelings came after their safety, and they would just have to live with it.

Karigan sighed and rested her head on her hand. She wished she could just go back to when everything was normal. Three days…she thought, three measly days. It was amazing really, how fast times could change from being perfect to a living hell.

Two tears fell onto the piece of paper she was writing on. The black ink blurred as the salty liquid seeped into the paper. Sniffing, Karigan wiped away any more that threatened to fall. She felt so…helpless, like there was no hope for her, her friends, the world. She was only one person, what could she do? Her destiny was written, the world would end by her and Raven's hands.Your destiny is of your own making, not what other people want it to be, her mother had said to her once. Karigan had to smile; just thinking about Andrea made her feel better. And that was why she kept going. Not because it was her destiny but because she wanted to screw over the people that had foretold her future when the couldn't control a damn thing she did.

It was all one big chess game; the pieces were used and placed in exact locations to go in for the kill. The evil queen was very close to winning, but Karigan's pawn was already there.

"Check mate." she whispered, folding up the piece of paper, sealing it in an envelope and exiting her room.

Karigan slowly descended the stairs to the common room, put on a smile and entered through the thick steel doors. If this might be her last day with her family, she sure as hell was going to enjoy herself.

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The rest of the day went by faster than Karigan wanted or expected. Later on after the sun had set Cyborg and Beast Boy had taken Star to see 'Vengeance of the Undead' at the theatre. Karigan had to smile at this; Starfire would most likely sit through the entire horror flick peeking through cracked fingers. So that left Robin, Raven and herself in the Tower until at least 11:00. Raven, she figured, was in her room or on the roof, and she knew the dark girl wouldn't interrupt. But before Karigan went to meet Robin, she took a warm, relaxing shower that did wonders for her tense muscles. This meeting would be minimum security; she wanted to be able to feel a little, but her mine still be protected at the same time. Even though Xaphtious had already attacked her mind today, she didn't want to be caught with her guard down.

Robin, in fact, was hard to locate. He wasn't in his room, the training room or in the common room. Frustrated, Karigan stared out the huge window, contemplating calling his communicator when she saw a stoplight sitting on the rocks below.

"There you are." she whispered, turning around and heading for outside. The night air was cool and breezy, she almost wished she had brought a jacket. Karigan approached Robin silently, just watching him. He looked peaceful from there, content with the world and relaxed. She walked up behind him and laid her hand on his shoulder.

"You wanted to talk?" she asked calmly. The Boy Wonder jumped a bit and relaxed when he heard it was only her.

"Karigan," he breathed, "You scared me." Karigan smiled. "Walk with me?" he asked, standing up and beginning to walk away. Karigan followed and the two strolled in companionable silence for a few moments. Robin finally broke the silence.

"I need to know what you're planning." he said, turning his head and staring at her. Karigan sighed.

"There's noth-"

"I don't care if you think there is nothing we can do." Robin interrupted. "How could you know until we tried?" Karigan's eyes flashed annoyance and something else Robin couldn't discern.

"I know," she answered calmly, "From experience. You saw my burns. You what my dad's powers did to me. And I'm only half-human. Imagine what he could do to you guys; the damage would be much worse, possibly fatal, and that is something that I can't risk." she finished. Robin stopped, turned to face her and placed both his hands on her shoulders.

"What if we're willing to take the risk?" he asked softly, staring into her deep blue orbs. Karigan sighed.

"I can't let you…"

"Let us?" Robin asked, his tone stronger. "This would be our choice entirely. We can handle it."

Karigan shook her head roughly. "No, I'm not-"

"Not what?"

"I-I couldn't-"

"What?" Robin pushed more.

"You couldn't-"

"What? We can't handle something like this?"

"No…" she mumbled, averting his gaze.

"Then what?" he outright demanded. Karigan's head shot up, her eyes filled with anger and pain.

"I couldn't take loosing you guys over something I could've prevented!" she shouted, her voice echoing slightly. "Don't you see? You have a bigger chance of getting killed and if that happened, I don't know what I would do! You guys are the only family I have left and I am not loosing you because some stupid mistake!" Robin's face softened. Karigan sighed and dropped down on a large boulder, not looking at him. He sat down next to her and turned her head with his fingers.

"Hey. If something did happen to us it wouldn't be your fault. We choose to help you no matter what the consequences." Karigan smiled and flung her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

"Thanks." she whispered in his ear. When she pulled away and leaned against the boulder behind her something clicked in Robin's mind.

"My being with you isn't affecting your barriers or something is it?" he asked, worry written all over his face. Karigan turned her head and looked at him.

"No, no, it's ok." she answered, shaking her head and smiling, "Trust me." Robin nodded, but didn't totally believe her. She was still up to something, and then there was those words again. 'Trust me' That's what she had said when he asked her what she as up to, and now again. But maybe he was just paranoid; worrying did that to you.

"But can we just stay off that subject?" Karigan asked, looking at the cloudless sky. "I need a break from everything." Robin said nothing but looked up at the star-dotted sky also. The two sat for awhile in thoughtful silence, mulling over things or just enjoying the peaceful night. After some time Karigan shivered and rubbed her arms.

"Ugh, it's cold out here." she commented, looking over at Robin. "Can we go inside?" Robin nodded and they stood up and walked inside. Since Cyborg, Beast Boy and Starfire weren't back yet, the two settled down on the couch. Karigan laid between Robin's legs and leaned back against his chest; he wrapped his arms around her torso, their fingers unconsciously interlacing. She sighed happily, feeling extremely safe and warm, and closed her eyes; beginning to drift into unconsciousness.

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There was an annoying beeping and Karigan desperately wanted to kill it. She groggily opened her eyes and groaned quietly. The stupid alarm on her watch was going off. Karigan sat up with a start and looked at her watch; could it already be time? Groaning, she put her head in her hand; her and Robin must've fallen asleep on the couch. Then the person behind her shifted and sighed.

"Must've fallen asleep, eh?" Robin asked sleepily. Karigan stared back at him, barely able to see his features in the dark.

"Yeah," she replied hoarsely "I'm gonna go up to my room." she said, leaning over and kissing him deeply, "Goodbye." she whispered before walking up to her room.

When Karigan reached her bedroom her alarm clock on her nightstand was also going off. She unplugged it and looked around her room; this could quite possibly be the last time she ever saw it. But this was no time to be sentimental; she needed to get five things and then head to Raven's room. Karigan walked over t her desk and pulled five white envelopes out of the top drawer. Tucking them safely in her back pocket, she pulled her long black hair into a tight bun and exited her room.

Karigan knocked softly on Raven's door and entered when she opened it.

"Sorry I'm a bit late." Karigan whispered as Raven shut the door and turned around.

"Your emotions are running rabid; keep them in check." Raven commented in an expressionless voice. Karigan bit her lip; she hadn't explained all of her plan to Raven yet. She could tell her friend was worried about her lack of restraint with her emotions, and if Raven knew the whole of her plan, would not want to cooperate. That would be something Karigan couldn't handle; it was hard enough not telling the rest of her friends.

"Hey," she said, staring Raven directly in the eyes, "I know it may not seem like it, but I do know what I'm doing. So please, just trust me." she said, hoping Raven believed her. Raven's amaranthine eyes met Karigan's navy ones and she said nothing. She finally looked away and floated over to her bed.

"Are you ready?" Raven asked, not meeting her friends' gaze. Karigan walked over and looked at Raven, her face set.

"What do I have to do?" she asked calmly. Raven turned around and faced Karigan, her face expressionless as well.

"You have to recite the incantation you gave me yesterday and then think of the dimension you wish to enter." she answered. Karigan nodded.

"Do you still have the copy I gave you?"

"Yes," Raven said, walking over to her dresser and pulling out the scrap of paper. "But you can't read it." Karigan gave her a confused look. "You have to have your eyes closed for the transaction, so I'll say it in your head and then you repeat it out loud." Now Karigan understood. "It'd be better if you laid down because after your mind leaves the body goes into a sort of coma." Raven finished. Karigan nodded again and a tense silence fell between them. No one said or did anything; they both knew this could be the last time they ever saw each other.

"Um, Raven?" Karigan spoke up, finally breaking the quietude. "I need you to do one last thing for me." Raven raised and eyebrow, wondering what else she could possibly do. Karigan reached behind her and withdrew the five white envelopes from her back pocket.

"If I die," Raven's eyes grew wide and she opened her mouth to protest, "If I die," she said strongly, "I want you to distribute these accordingly." Raven took the envelopes slowly. "And if I make it, I'll take them back." she added. Raven nodded, swallowing hard. But Karigan then realized that stalling wasn't going to help anything, and if that she was going to go through with her plan, she would have to go now. Slowly, Karigan turned to her best friend.

"I should probably be going." she stuttered out, trying to keep her composure. And they both hugged one another at the same time.

"Thanks for everything." Karigan whispered, pulling away. She then laid down on the bed and closed her eyes.

"Go." she whispered, trying to calm her nerves. Raven closed her eyes; the paper was useless to her, she had known the incantation since childhood. Once connected with Karigan's mind she began to recite the spell.

Sa na éirims, aond ar ceathair. "Sa na éirims, aond ar ceathair,"

Mé mian go iontráil faic breis, "Mé mian go iontráil faic breis,"

Cabhoil déarfaidh mollign, intinn déarfaidh imir, "Cabhoil déarfaidh mollign, intinn déarfaidh imir,"

Sa na áit mo machnamh braith. "Sa na áit mo machnamh braith." The Underworld.

Karigan inhaled sharply and her body rose a few inches off of the bed.

Through her minds eye, Karigan was traveling at an alarming speed down a black and endless void. When she finally stopped, Karigan found herself in a cavernous room lit dimly with black flaming flambeau on the walls. There was nothing and no one in sight, and not even an exit or entrance could be seen. Good, she thought, no interruptions.

"Tar agus leat mé, Xaphtious." Karigan shouted, her voice echoing off the rock walls. She knew she wouldn't have to wait long; Xaphtious probably already felt her enter the Underworld, and it was only a matter of minutes before he came. Sure enough, a few moments later Xaphtious materialized in front of her. He stared down at her, his lifeless eyes boring into her soul.

"You called?"

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Yes! I have a cliffy! Haha. Well, there you have it. I actually typed this all in one setting…gosh my butt hurts…haha, not like you wanted to know that. But anydidlyhoo, I'm almost finished with the ninth chapter, and it's short, and the tenth one is going to be so awesome to write. So, sit back, review, and then you'll have to wait. But I'm gone! -poof-

Oh, yesh, the funky looking words were Gaelic again.

This was the incantation:
In the dimension, one of four,
I wish to enter and nothing more,
Body will linger, mind will play,
In the place my thoughts betray.

Fairly lame, and I made it up on a whim, but it'll do. And when Karigan called her father, she said something along the lines of 'Come and get me, Xaphtious.' I believe that's right...