Fighting on the Edge.

Part II

The End of Innocence.

Chapter Two.

The Phantom Prophesy.

The forces of darkness could no longer be contained. Saturated with sulphur, the air was host to the smouldering cinders, dancing upon the young girls pale flesh. Sombre thoughts had engulfed her mind as she stood before the bowels of hell. Now and forever, Raven would be alone….

A tear ran across her cheek, almost burning away as soon as she had shed it. She would not be able to mourn for her friends. Their pasting was all her own fault. This was not the ending that hero's deserved. Forever entombed in a stone prison. She only hoped that they had not suffered. Through their purified features seemed to suggest otherwise.

"Gar….I'm so sorry…." Her voice cracking as she thought of her long lost love turning his back on her.

Blocks of stone and brick soared over her, tossed around like styrofoam under the winds ferocious howls. Amongst them the remains of the Titans Towers, reduced to mere rubble. Roaring flames of vibrate reds and brilliant oranges surrounded her, reaching the heavens. Geysers of arrogance. But with the hero's dead, what had they to fear?

The ground trembled beneath her, threatening to explore at any given moment, unleashing another spiral of lava. Pulling her heavy body upwards into the scorching atmosphere, Raven clung to the remains of her ragged costume. The white fabric turning a dark grey, as if her purity was slowly slipping away. Tipping her head towards the centre of the flame ridden pit, she saw her adversary gaze upon her. His rich black mane shadowing his blank expression.

How could he? Raven wondered, a jolt of rage brought her confidence back. Does he truly not care for the destruction that he had caused? The people that he has killed? The dull blackness in his eyes confirmed that he did not. A puppet on a string, Raven thought bitterly. God, that could have been me!

Suddenly he rose towards her. Far to fast for the young girl, he caught her within his powerful embrace. Raven grasped, choking for the soot ridden air that he was denying her. A short spell of dizziness was then followed by the world fading away before her. This is it, she thought miserably, this truly is the end. For me. For the Titans. For any hope that was left… But just as she felt her last piece of life slipping away, the man released his grip. Pressing her head into his chest, dark violet curls covered her white face. Submission woven into every feature.

"Go on." She whispered. "Kill me. I have nothing to live for."

Drawing himself upon her, he hissed menacingly into her ear. "You'll always have me…mother."

Liberating Raven from his grip, the girl fell into the fiery pit.

Raven awoke in a cold sweat. Panting furiously, she sat up, struggling to caught her breath. A dream. Just a dream, she told herself. It means nothing. Just a dream….

Beside her, Beast Boy lay in a deep slumber, unaware of Raven's panic. He always slept deeply, Raven thought soothingly. They had decided that sharing a bed should be part of their relationship, as of yet sleeping was the only activity that had occurred in it. And for the moment both parties seemed satisfied with that. This was as far as their sharing went. Raven had insisted they kept separated rooms. Raven was a compulsive neat freak. Beast Boy was a self confessed slob. No way would she ever allow Beast Boy to move his things into her room, let alone Raven step foot into his.

Placing her head upon the cool pillow, she gazed upon her lovers peaceful body, lost in her adoration. Never once had she thought that when she first laid eyes on him, he would be the one. Yes, Raven was convinced that Garfield Logan was the one she was meant to spent the rest of her life with. Even if Terra came back, she was sure that Beast Boy would never leave her. He would always be here for her. He had promised, hadn't he?

Feeling drowses, Raven began to shut her eyes. Through she was still afraid of the horrors that might still be lucking within her trouble mind, she was prepared to take that chance. Just a dream, and nothing more.

"Starfire, its late. What are you still doing up?" Robin strolled into the den, approaching the alien girl who sat clustered upon their sofa. She smiled wearily when she saw him. Her bright eyes glistening.

"There is much that I have been needing to thing about."

"Like what?" Robin's voice was full of curiosity and concern, but his face, as stony as ever revealed nothing of his emotions. Whereas poor Starfire wore hers on her selves.

"Our relationship." As soon as the words were uttered, Starfire thought she saw a twitch in the young mans face, but it quickly resumed it usual sombre expression. Sitting close to her, Robin took Starfire's golden hands in his, clasping them firmly together.

"Go on." He urged, as any understanding boyfriend would.

Starfire moisture her lips. "Tell me, why did Raven and Beast Boy choose to be intimate during the beginning of their relationship?"

Robin shook his head. "I don't know. Love's funny that way, I guess… but what has this to do with us?"

"Well.." Turning to face him, she forced the words out. " I would like for us to share that same intimacy."

Robin reaction was not the one she had hoped for. He seemed shocked and move away rather to quickly for Starfire's liking. Running his fingers across his chin, he asked for her to clarify what it was she meant.

Rising towards him, she locked her arms around his chest, recalling that soppy love movie she had watched the other night.

"What I mean is….I'm ready.."

"Well, I'm not!" Robin wriggled out of her iron tight grip.

As Starfire opened her mouth to protest, the Titan alarm system rang out. Acting as if she was invisible, Robin headed to the computer and started crunchy the numbers.

"Robin stop, we must talk!" She said, placing her hands on her hips.

"Later." Robin mumbled.

"No, now…." she stopped as she heard the doors behind her spring open. Cyborg yawned as he pounded into the room.

"Trouble?"

A grim appearance have befallen Robin. "The worse." He hissed through his clenched teeth. "Slade."

The Titan car drove down the bleak 3 AM streets with the passengers in total silence. Strange, Cyborg found himself thinking. Glancing in his window mirror, he could see the green body of Beast Boy slumped forwards, trying to sneak a few extra Z's. That thought amused him. He anticipated Raven's quiet nature, that didn't really come as a shock. But as for Starfire and Robin? Well that was unusual. Sensing a bit of tension he attempted to break the ice.

"So, leader boy you got a plan or is this another make it up as you go along deal?" He engaged Robin in a friendly chat. The spiky haired youth greeted his companion with a stunned look.

"Hmmm, you say something?"

Turning the corner sharply, Cyborg flashed Robin a concerned glare. "You mean you weren't just freaking out having to face Slade again?"

"To be honest I've had ever things on my mind." Robin shut his eyes. After everything he'd been through, Slade didn't seemed that big off a deal anymore. It was getting a bit repetitive. Everything was. Bad guys came, bad guys when, but it was the good guys who got stuck cleaning up the mess. Like Jericho. His thoughts fell back to his friend. Through he had only known him a short time, Robin couldn't explain the feelings he had held towards Joey, why he had grown on him so quickly. There was something that made him trust Jericho above the others, some underlining feature that none of the other Titans possessed. Made it was his innocence. Robin knew that Jericho was never capable of doing anything wrong. Gladly he would switched places with him in a heart beat.

The car came to a holt outside an abandoned warehouse. Typical Slade territory. Robin was first out of the car. Slamming the door behind him, he gazed upwards at the dismal building, scanning for a entrance. Of course Slade knew the Titans had arrived. Never once had the Titans successful managed to surprise Slade. They only found him when he wanted them to. More then likely this was a trap. Robin bit down on his bottom lip, recalling being forced to work for Slade. It was so long ago…you would have thought by now he would be over it. His old feelings started to arise.

Beast Boy squeaked as Raven shoved him out the car. Pulling himself up he cast her a vacant smile. "Are we there yet?"

Cyborg groaned. Fat lot of good he was going to be if he couldn't stay awake long enough to help take Slade down. Not that he believed this time would be any different from the last attempts. The dude was like indestructible or something. Hell even lava hadn't stopped him. Granted it had slowed him down long enough for Robin and the rest of the Titans to let their guards down. He stared for a moment at his friend, wondering how Robin was going to handle this encounter with Slade.

"Alright." Robins voice was hoarse. "We're probably about to walk into a trap, so be careful guys."

Robin's plan consisted of the Titans spiting up so that they could search more ground. Robin and Starfire began their search from the roof and downwards. Beast Boy, Raven and Cyborg took the lower level and worked upwards. The way Robin saw it Slade would become trapped. And then they could finally catch him once and for all. But no one was holding their breathes.

Starfire floated behind Robin, watching him examine one bleak room after another for an clue that Slade might have left, on purpose of course. As of yet nothing. Robin came to halt.

"Anything?" He asked Starfire.

"Anything?" she repeated, immediately regretting saying that.

Robin raised an eyebrow. "Your not even looking are you?"

Starfire dropped to the ground. "Forgive me Robin, but I had other pressing matters upon my mind." Her eyes started to quiver. "You do not love me at all do you?"

"Oh Star, don't be silly." Robin face broke. "Of course I love you." His hands slipped around hers bring them in front of her chest. "More then anything, I love you. But now's not the time for this. We'll talk as soon as we get home, I promise."

"But I do not wished to wait!" She retorted.

The young man opened his mouth, but shut it again, suddenly becoming aware that they were no longer alone in the room. A glint of orange within the darkness caught his eye. Forgetting all about Starfire, he removed his pole and extended it. "Show yourself, Slade!" he barked.

The man didn't need anymore incentive. Emerging from the shadows just as Robin remembered him.

"Ah young love," Slade narrowed his eye. "Please don't stop on my account."

Both Titans prepared to spring into action. Starfire raising her star bolts to attack Slade if he moved. No matter how fast he was, the man couldn't out run her array of emerald fury. And as soon as Slade was taken out then she and Robin could talk. Her eagerness was clear from her face, whilst Robin was trying to remain emotionless. Coldly he demanded to know what Slade was planning.

"And why should I tell you that, young man?" He chuckled.

Unable to contained his anger, Robin pounced. Slade caught him mid air, and tossed him to the ground. Robin grunted as he staggered to his feet. Starfire leapt into action, showering Slade with numerous Star bolts. One struck him at the nape of his neck, causing the man to tumble backwards. He lay there, unmoving. Robin approached the body with caution. Carefully he slipped of the mask.

"Did I get him?" Starfire asked.

Robin shook his head. "Just another robot." Removing his communicator from his belt he tried to contact the others.

"Cyborg…..Come in guys……Do you read me…." No answer.

He turned to Starfire, eyes uncertain with possibilities. "Come on.." he grabbed her hand.

Raven was choking. Gasping furiously for air, she dug her nails deeper into Slade's arms. But his hands refused to move from around her white neck. Closing her eyes, she forced her mind to concentrated. It was that or die. The other titans wouldn't be helping her, Slade had taken them out first. The image of Beast Boy being thrown into the concrete wall distracted her thoughts, but only for a second. With a sudden surge of darkness, Slade was propelled from Raven. Sinking to the floor, She struggled to caught her breath.

Slade took advantage of the situation, striking her as she crouched on the ground. Yanking her up by her arm, he shoved her back against the wall. She cried out in pain. Shoving his fist into her stomach, Slade then released her. Slipping to the ground, Raven wrapped her white cloak around her. The pain was unbearable, she knew that she wouldn't be able to defence herself now.

"Don't worry Raven, I not going to kill you …yet." Slade hissed from behind her. "This just a taste of things to come my dear!"

"…Why?" She croaked.

"All in good time my dear." He raised his boot, slamming it down with all might upon the helpless Raven.

There we go. Another chapter done!

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DIT

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