Fighting on the Edge

Part II - End of Innocence

Hi, I'm back. Sorry about the delay. When the hell is series 4 coming to the UK? sulks

Anyway here is chapter 3

Chapter Three

Nothing and Nowhere

Broken lyrics by the Birthday Massacre.

Time is the promise

It turns and it tells them what to do

Raven was calm, serene even, through she had no idea where she was. Her body was numb to the pain it had been subjected to earlier. The daunting black and orange mask darken her thoughts. Slade had wanted to kill her. She could have swore that a frenzy madness had taken hold of him as he, all to easily defeated her companions, then laid into her. Yet what had she done, the young girl wondered. Any possible explanation for Slade's fury seemed to escape her. As her eyes crept shut, Raven felt the events of the day softy fade into a distant memory as if they had never been.

No longer was Raven lying on the cold concrete floor, her white cloak covered with crimson blood stains. Concerns of her friends well being drained from her thoughts. There was nothing to hold her down, nothing to hold her back. As through she was floating away from reality, about to embark upon another horrendous dream. Instantly Raven became tense, aware that something was draw her soul towards it. Forcing ever inch of courage the girl could summon, she stood to face the darkness of her own bedroom. Realised that she was in no mere dream. She was nothing and nowhere…

A friendly chuckle filled the air. Blinking causally Raven was meet with the angelic figure of her dear friend, Joseph Wilson, who stood barely a metre away with his hands shoved scruffily into his jeans pockets. Although her room was such an ominous shade of black, Raven could still make out Jericho features perfectly. A bemused grin consumed his pale face, while two shimmering blue eyes were blanketed by a flopped of blonde tresses. Exactly as Raven remembered him. Yet he seem more fragile then Raven had ever remember him.

"You're real…." The words broke as they drifted from her lips. She wanted to rush up to him, and throw her arms around his slender body. It was thanks to him, that she had survived her father's curse. But for some reason, Raven found herself unable to move.

Jericho stared blankly at the girl as if she had asked such an obvious questions that it didn't need an answer. Yet he continued to smile slightly, glancing over her causally.

"I like the new look, white huh? Represents your new found innocence?" His eyes trembled as he spoke. "The question is how long will it last…" A flicker of sorrow eclipsed his cheerful tone for only a few seconds. Long enough for Raven to notice. But Jericho's infectious smile somehow managed to sooth her dark thoughts. Eyes thriving with deep blue passion, inflamed with the presences of something greater then himself, Raven felt lost within them. How opposite we are, she thought. You who are so pure, so untouched by the darkness….I'm tainted. I'm your shadow self.

"I won't always be this way." Jericho's head fall forwards, his blonde curls masked his eyes. "Neither will you. We'll both grow and we'll change. So will all the Titans…."

"I know." Raven whispered. "I only hope we don't grow apart."

"If it was meant to be, then it will be. We can't change our destinies…" he paused, his stare torn through Raven. "…nor can we hold others back…"

There it was again. The anguish dancing within him. Something Jericho was reluctant to share. Yet he seemed all to aware of the path Fate had in store for him. An inconceivable future that would befall him. Bound to it through an act of sacrifice. How alike we are, Raven suddenly thought. Both created by darkness, both trying to escape our past, both had found hope within the Titans, but here it seemed was where the similarities ended. Raven had faced her demons and overcome them, now it seemed Jericho was about to follow a similar path, would he too ?

"I'll be there for you if you need me." She forced a smile. It felt unnatural.

"So much anguish." Jericho muttered softy. "Its all I hear….." His eyes caught Ravens. "You and I weren't meant to be. All we can cause is pain and suffering." A tiny tear drop stained his cheek. "I don't care how much they hurt me, I won't let them in. I'll never let them in."

Raven…..

Gar's voice floated above her. The illusion had been shattered, it was time to return to reality. Raven didn't want to leave Jericho alone. She wanted to be near him, to help him as he had helped her. But already the dream was beginning to fade.

"You're coming back, aren't you?" Raven blurred a question had had started to trouble her mind.

Jericho nodded. "We have unfinished business.."

It makes them dishonest

They let suspicion kill the truth

"Raven!" Gar throw his arms around her body as it jerked upwards. Instantly she fell prey to the aches and throbbing pains that in her dream she had been denied. Smiling groggily at Beast Boy, she slipped her only arms around his waist, somewhat happy that he was just there, alive and well.

"Alright that's enough Beast Boy, Raven needs her rest." Cyborg's hand touched Raven's shoulder lightly. "Slade messed you up good, girl."

"Thanks for reminding me." Raven inhaled deeply. The pain was seizing up her stomach. She almost wished that she was back in the secure dream world with Joey. Yet she doubted that she would be any safer in there then she was out here. But that was all it was. The girl smiled weakly at her friends, a dream from a troubled mind. They had put the darkness behind them, hadn't they? Raven was convinced.

"Yes, we are all concerned for friend Ravens safely, but please I am curious as to why Slade was most hostile towards Raven." Starfire clasped her hands together. The alien was no good at masking her emotions. The worried was deeply rooted within her pretty face.

"I think we'd all like an answer to that."

Raven hadn't noticed Robin slumped in the corner. His arms tightly folded across his chest, in a defensive mode, should one of the other titans be foolish enough to cross his path. Even his beloved Starfire was keeping her distance. Something she was not pleased about. Oh Robin, Raven thought, when are you going to drop your barriers?

Robin had retired to his room early that evening, with the warning that he didn't want to be disturbed. He didn't believe that he would be. Beast Boy wouldn't leave Raven's side. Cyborg knew better then to disturb Robin when he was working, especially now that Slade was back in the picture. Already his bulky friend had delivered the "remember what happened last time," speech, followed by words of caution about becoming obsessed. Robin clenched his teeth, afraid of what he might say. What a hypocrisy! Cyborg was a fine one to speak.

Yet Robin suppressed his rage. Cyborg was only concerned. And he was also right. Slade knew exactly how to manipulate him. One mistake could cost him one of his friends. Robin scowled, he was not going to underestimate Slade this time. He wasn't going to allow Slade to harm his friends.

For some time I've been looking for an apprentice - and Robin I've chosen you…..

Robin slammed his hands down hard upon his desk. Tightly digging his nails into his palm, the boy felt a powerfully anger spread throughout his body. This time I'll not stop you. I'll lock you away where you can never hurt anyone again….

Recoiling his hands, Robin saw the thin slices of crimson wounds, tarnishing his white palm. Staring down at them, he became oblivious to Starfire's presence.

"Robin?" Starfire's slender figure loomed in the doorway.

"How long have you been standing there Star?" He queered without so much as looking at her.

The alien girl drifted towards him, refusing to answer his question until he looked at her.

"I have work to do, go watch a movie with Cy…" He snapped returning back to his desk.

"NO! WE NEED TO TALK!" Starfires sudden outburst was unexpected. She immediately sank backwards, ashamed of herself. Robin continued to stare at her as if she were a spoilt child throwing a tantrum. His expression slowly soften as he saw Starfire's sweet face breaking. A reminder of how much he loved her as his heart ached. Moving forwards, he embraced Starfire tenderly.

Broken Heart, Broken Mind,

When you let me in,

Did you know where I had been?

"I love you Starfire." The words sprang from his lips with little effort.

Sniffing Starfire loosened herself from his grasp. "Then why do you distance yourself from me? Why can we not be close? What is it about me that is repulsive to you…."

Shocked Robin pulled Starfire closer to him, clutching her even tighter. "I don't." He whispered. "I'm trying, Starfire I want to be with you so much, but…I can't express it…" he shook his head. "I'm sorry."

Shutting her eyes, Starfire spoke of her whelming fears. "Robin, I am afraid of what you might become."

"What?" A jolt of rage erupted in the back of Robin's mind. But he said nothing else so that Starfire could continued.

"You know what the darkness is like, I am afraid that you liked it more then you are willing to admit. I fear that I am not enough to keep you here. Please Robin, you must let me in before you fall to far away." She paused. Her lips quivered. "I need to know that I am enough for you…"

"You are…." he learnt forwards and kissed her gently. His anger melted away, replaced by the love that he felt for this girl.

It was only later that her words began to play on his mind. Had a small part of him enjoyed working for Slade? No. He shut his eyes, wanting to drift away into nothing. Yet there was something wasn't there? A voice whispered within his head. You never knew thrills until you were put against your friends. Its been haunting you ever since. You want to taste it again.

Rolling over in his bed, Robin touched his mask softly. Both he and Slade wore masks, was this for the same reasons? No one would ever know what truly lie behind them. The evil that could be in wait…

Furiously Robin threw his pillow across the room. I hate you Slade, he thought miserably. I hate you because you're responsible for who I've become.

As long as I have Starfire, I know I can resist. Robin thought bleakly.

And Loves what they wasted.

A lie that makes their dreams come true

The full moon leered vainly over the temple, boastful of its radiance. The woman stood by the window, glazing outwards at the falling snow. Such a beautiful scenery, it seemed a shame that such a dark deed was taking place within these walls. But it couldn't be helped. Her duty was still to her people, even if she feared what they were becoming. Her only hope was to separated them as far as possible from Jericho. It they couldn't manifest through him, then they could not use him to serve their will.

What was it exactly that they wanted? Azar pondered briefly. Revenge? Hadn't Jericho already served that purpose? Did the loss of Raven's child mean nothing to them? Apparently not. The tall women sighed, removing her hood carefully. What has happened to my people?

We can now see…….

The voices of her former friends now twisted into one searing voice of hate. They were beyond her help, Azar knew this, but then why did she cling to hope, no matter how small it was, that somehow the darkness could be overcome? Hadn't Trigon, the mighty demon king who had terrorised her people for centuries been brought down by a bunch of children? The impossible could be done, she reassured herself. Somehow she would find a way to free her people from Trigon's hate. She would set her people free.

Scarcely breathing, Azar retracted all her feelings of longing for simpler times. For now, assuring Jericho's resurrection was her primary concern. Something was pressing on her heart, what if it was already too late? What if Jericho's soul couldn't be saved? Instead of preventing a great evil, what if she was actually aiding it?

"No." she found herself hissing. "I must do this. If I do not then they will find another way and there will be a greater price to pay…"

Clearly her mind, Azar sat down on the floor, crossing her legs. A resurrection spell would require the darkest of black magic's. Unknown to her people, Azar had been practising these arts for many years, as if aware that one day she would have a need for them. In truth the dark arts themselves were no evil, they just pushed the bounds more then other magic's. It was people own greed that would corrupt them and lead them to an dark fate.

They're hiding their faces,

Their smiles can break the heart in two

The bright light hurt his eyes. Closing them again, Joseph felt his body yielding as he unleashed his first breath. The warmth wept through his lips, flustered away the cold that had befallen his body. His mind was weary, full of broken memories, a toddler screaming for his daddy, that cold blade cutting into his throat…his earliest memory. He had remember it so clearly, but now it seemed more distance, as if he was further away from that moment then he had ever been…

Doubt clouded Joseph's mind. Had it really happened? Or was it no more then the figment of a young child's nightmares. His thoughts were being bombarded with happier times. Mum…Dad.. Grant.. Together. A family once more. Performing simple family activities. Mum cooking the evening meal, Dad returning home from working, Grant been chased by his younger brother for having stolen his teddy. Jericho would be in tears, his father would have to comfort him…

Strange, Joey found himself thinking. Why could he remember such a typical family scene, when I would have only have been 4, yet I can't remember where I've been…

Grant….

The name flickered within his head. Grant, my older brother. What ever happened to you?

The scent of an decaying world clouded their minds. So close and yet still not near enough.

We live.

A frenzied excitement buzzed within them. We have life once more….

Once the initial moment had pasted, so did the excitement. They were once reminded of their duty. Seek our evil, destroy evil. And this world was full of it. While their vessel's soul had drifted further from them, they were still able to read his thoughts.

Still, the child believes in good within his people. He would continued to fight for them. Those who didn't care or love him, yet he would fight. His struggle amused them, because they knew that it was all in vain. Man was weak. Eventually they crumpled, as would he, all he needs is the right shove…

And it seemed that their host was proving them with the perfect opportunity.

My people please listen to me. I have allow you to seek passage into this world, so that you may see that mankind is worth protecting. Please do not let your hatred for Trigon lead you astray from our mission. Do not destroy this child.

Azar…. A chorus of hate ripped throughout Jericho's still body, as the woman's voice danced above her.

There is as much blood on her hands as the demonic child.

She allowed Trigon's daughter to resided in our world. She allowed Trigon to destroy us.

Azar has serves us well. But her treachery can not be forgiven. Before her very eyes, she will witnesses this body destroy that child of which she cares so much about.

Let them all suffer as we have….

Broken heart, Broken mind

When you let me in,

Did you know where I had been?

Grant was nowhere. He had no idea how long he had been nowhere. He recalled seeing his brother with a knife to his throat. His mother screaming at his father to save their son. But he wouldn't. A sea of rage roared throughout Grant. Just give him the damn information father! His eyes returned to his howling brother. Joey had shut his eyes, slivers streams stained his cheeks. Poor Joey he couldn't even see his family. What happened next was a blur. The knife cut through Joey's throat. Oh god, that's it he's dead. The thoughts were screaming inside Grant's head. Like an jerk reaction, his father tore at his adversary. His mother rushed to his brothers still body, leaving Grant alone…

Grant lay in bed, wondering what had happened to his brother. All his mother would say was that he was very sick. And while Grant lay awake thinking the most terrible things, he listened to the fervent rows of his parents, when they thought he was asleep.

Then one morning his father was gone. He had abandoned them. Grant was now alone with his mother and younger brother. He knew this meant that he would have to protect them, even if it was not what his mother wanted. She saw the image of her husband growing within the her son. Adeline never meant to grow cold towards Grant, but the betrayal of her husband clouded her better judgement. Jericho became the precious angel who could do no wrong. Grant was the other child…

Yet he never felt any resentment towards his smaller brother. He too only wanted to protect him. But he had failed…

Grant knew that he was dead. That he was a wanderer of the ghosts roads. How long had he been dead? He couldn't tell. It seemed only a few seconds, yet he knew it must have been longer then he thought. As the time drain on, he felt his memories drifting away. What had become of his family? The grim reality that he may never see his brother again was almost to much to bare. So he continued with his journey, hoping that one day he would come across someone who could help him.

Then he saw the figure. Unusually tall, draped in a dark blue cloak. A hood that masked the figures face.

Approaching with caution, Grant prepared himself to do battle should he need to.

Don't fear us, Grant Wilson.

The boy couldn't tell whether the voice was male or female. With the hood so far down, he could not make out any facial features that might suggest a gender. Before the boy could say a thing, the figure had moved closer to him.

We require your services…

There you go!

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DIT XXX