Well, it's almost time to say goodbye in this story. There will be no opening greeting in the final chapter, so I'll go ahead and say I don't own Teen Titans now so I won't have to say it in then! I hope all of my readers have enjoyed… and reviewed at least once… this story. I thank all of you for merely showing your support. My ultimate goal in life is to become a published writer, so hearing from so many people warms my heart… Many of my reviewers have made accusations as to my OC's identity… but who is Shade really? Well, it's party time! Grab your mask, 'cuz its gonna be a wild night! I don't own Teen Titans! (That one was for this chapter.)

Part 10: The Final Countdown?

The night had finally arrived. Jump City citizens, politicians, children, teens, and everyone else were gathering. Tables had been set up, and the buffet was huge. Shade arrived early, making sure proper security measures were in place. With so many people in one place, all it took was one super villain to start a mass panic… and that could be deadly. All the spotlights were working, the band was setting up, the orchestra was tuning now and then according to the acoustics of the room. After Shade was sure that everything was going smoothly, he vanished again. This made all of the people setting up work harder. 'Shade could be watching,' they would whisper amongst themselves, smiling to on another. Shade had gotten very little publicity but a great deal of popularity in only a few days. This would be the biggest party Jump City had ever witnessed.

People started arriving early, along with Cyborg. Dressed in his tuxedo and white mask, he was pretty uncomfortable until he saw some of the outrageous masks some people were wearing. A short, fat woman went by with a petite, hold-with-a-stick mask with fluff all over it. To top it all off, it was yellow. Tack-ey! Cyborg relaxed near one of the many punch bowls, wondering when the others would arrive. He spoke with a few people, mostly getting thank you's for various heroic events that had happened recently. He felt better about the way he was dressed in no time at all.

It was perhaps nine-thirty when Robin and Starfire arrived. Starfire wore her fiery prom dress, sparkling whenever she walked. The mask she had created was really nice, too. It was a red, feathery sun mask that covered her face. It had a strap that daintily became a tiara in the back of her head, making her look like royalty. Well, she is royalty but you know what I mean. She looked slowly around, and Robin took her arm. She giggled girlishly, for he'd decided to wear the mask she'd made for him on top of his super hero mask.

Robins mask was sleek and black, taking the shape of a bird's beak at the nose. It clamped onto his face, just like his regular mask did, and his prom tuxedo complimented it nicely. Starfire had done a pretty good job!"Here we are." He said, looking around. "I don't see Shade anywhere…"

"Perhaps you should take some time to enjoy the dance first?" Starfire cooed, pulling him along. The orchestra was playing already, and the dance floor was definitely open. Dozens of couples danced merrily, all around and to the beat. Starfire made sure Robin was distracted, because Raven was on her way as well. They made a stop after a few minutes of dancing, at the punch bowl where Cyborg was hanging out. "Friend, where is Beast Boy? I have not spied him this evening!" She looked around, but saw no one with green skin, which would've been a dead giveaway, mask or no.

"I saw him earlier, talking to the drummer of that band." Cyborg laughed, handing them both a cup of punch. "Take it easy, ya'll. It's a party after all!" He rhymed, then realized he had and laughed again. He was certainly enjoying himself.

"Beast Boy is doing the flirting, yes?" Starfire asked, not looking amused.

"Probably, yeah." Robin sighed. "Wonder where–?" He fell silent suddenly, just like everyone else in the room. Raven had arrived.

Her purple hair gave her away, but that's not all. Her white garb adorned her body, frills sewn into the tips of the cloak. It hung open so her body was in view… held together with a white rose. Her dress/leotard hybrid had a low V-neck, expressing but not showing off her small breasts. Her hair was pulled gently back since it wasn't too long, and her mask was already on. It was as though it were made of white, hardened silk. It had complicated patterns of Azarathian decoration on it, with two small holes just right for her eyes. It had a little white ribbon to hold it on, and there it stayed. Raven noticed she was being stared at by countless… but she tried not to look like she cared. She was… gorgeous.

Robin and Cyborg both stared, their jaws on the floor. Starfire rushed right over to her as the party started back up again. "Friend, your outfit is most beautiful! You must tell me of its construction!" She looked Raven up and down, and the redhead blushed.

"It's a party, not a permanent thing…" Raven said, turning a little red in the cheeks.

Beast Boy arrived suddenly, looking dumbfounded. "Raven, is that you?" he gasped, his jaw hitting the floor right next to Cyborg's and Robin's. He was in a dress shirt and dark pants, and a small white mask, not too different from Robin's normal one, was on his face. (He'd given up trying to figure out what a vampire mask might look like, and went with something easier at the last minute…) "You look……" Beast Boy couldn't even find a word.

"Thanks." Raven said, searching the crowd with her eyes as she spoke.

"Hey look, finger food!" Beast Boy pointed. "Single chicks always hang out near the buffet table!" He grabbed Cyborg and they were off on the hunt. Robin shook his head, but Starfire only smiled hopefully for them.

"So, where's your date?" Robin asked.

"He'll be here." Raven said evenly. "If you're so curious as to who he is, stick around until midnight. He's coming to dance with me, and then…" she trailed off, pretending she saw someone she knew in the crowd. "I'm gonna go and… uhm… mingle." She finished lamely. "See you two later." Raven hovered serenely through the crowd, the only one in all white. A speck of white in a sea of colors.

Shade watched her from where he was in the room. It was almost time, he knew. Almost. It was only matter of time… it was almost eleven. Then, there wouldn't be much time left before –

Later on, Cyborg and Beast Boy were finally conversing with a pair of girls at the buffet table. Cyborg took one out on the dance floor. "So do you wanna dance?" The tall blonde asked Beast Boy.

Beast Boy locked up. Someone had said yes at LAST… and he froze over. He'd spent so much time on learning how to try and get a yes… he'd never pondered what would happen if he actually got one. She stared at him for a long time… then lost interest and left. Beast Boy thawed out as soon as she was gone. "No! Come back! Noo-!" he wept comically, then resigned to look for better fish to fry. He spotted Raven walking amongst the people of the party, and went to see her. "Hey Raven, so when's this Shade guy showing up?" He asked, bouncing to the rhythm of the song the band was playing. (The band and the orchestra were taking turns so the musicians could have some fun too)

"He'll be here right before midnight." Raven looked at the mighty clock at the far end of the hall. It's huge face read eleven-fifteen. Raven's heart started beating faster against her tiny ribcage. It was almost time…

"Well, cool!" Beast Boy said, grinning at her. "I'll see you later! I think that drummer chick is calling my name!" He danced away from her, towards a girl that Raven didn't even bother to look at. She was more worried about when Shade would show up…

She kept her eyes peeled for someone dressed in all black… aside from a tuxedo. He would be a dark figure in a sea of colors… just like she so often was. But for now, she was dressed in white. A purity amongst so many others that she'd reached since she'd met him. Raven blushed at nothing at all, cupping her cheek. She saw Robin and Starfire dancing merrily in the crowd, and Robin had his mind off of Shade for the moment. Raven could tell this because he was smiling and laughing.

Raven marveled at all that had happened because of Shade. One of the biggest parties in Jump City history, all these people… all this manpower, food, resources, and so much more… all because of him, she knew. Her heart started to rev up at eleven forty-five. It was almost time. It was almost –!

The band came to a screeching halt, and every single light in the Grand Hall went out. There were gasps of shock and fear, for only the candles at the tables remained lit. Shade had set that up too, Raven knew. Suddenly, a spotlight blared to life, aimed at the rafters. There, at the very peak of the hall's ceiling… was Shade. But wait… he was different.

His mask had changed and his black, skintight suite had gotten a leathery sheen all its own. It was Shade… all dressed up. Raven looked on in wonder, and gasped. Her brooch… it was on his forehead. The glass gem had been embedded into his very mask, and it glittered for all to see. The white slits that were his eyes looked down upon the crowd, and a microphone was suddenly in his hand. The voice distorter sounded even stranger to the microphone, but he was still easily understood, "Ladies and gentlemen of Jump City, thank you all for coming. The Gotham City orchestra would like to thank you for your kind money donations… and wishes to announce they'll be back in five months for another set of shows." Everyone broke into applause, except for the Titans. What was he doing up there? Shade's head turned towards the huge clock, and a huge light turned on behind the white surface. It was lit up, and was readable in the dark. "The midnight hour has almost arrived. It's time for the last dance. Gentlemen, take your partners out onto the dance floor."

There was a large shuffling as his request was followed. Men and women, young couples and old came to the massive dance floor, paired up. And there in the center stood the one in white. Raven. She looked up at him in awe, "Shade…" she whispered.

" Gotham orchestra." Shade said softly, so that the microphone barely picked him up. Every musician in the house looked up at him if they hadn't already been doing so. "A good, slow tune for the last dance." Musicians suddenly scrambled for their instruments, and soon a song was decided on. The spotlight went out, along with the clock. It was total darkness again. A few seconds went by, and then sparkles of light began raining from the ceiling. A slow, glittering snow of silvery confetti…? Raven felt someone close to her, and she turned. "May I have this dance?" Shade whispered, offering her his arm.

Raven took it as a spotlight on the ceiling turned on them both. She flushed as a large circle was made around them on the dance floor. Others were dancing, but only seemed natural for the host and his partner to have a little more space. She felt him gently take her hand and upper back. Raven clasped his hand gently, and put her other hand on his shoulder. In a slow, easy four-step dance… they began.

The orchestra played a gentle, slow tune that was clearly meant for romantic dances. Especiallyfor couples likeStarfire and Robin. They danced romantically, completely entranced with each other. Raven leaned into Shade, a more romantic dance in mind. He put his arms around her as they rocked back… and forth… back… and forth… Raven sighed softly, tears almost in her eyes. She could feel Shade's head on her shoulder, and she nuzzled him tenderly. Her mask bent slightly but she didn't care. His mask went all the way around his head like a helmet, she noticed. It had the three clasps on it she'd heard with her eyes closed, securing it firmly to his head.

Dong.

The entire crowd turned, looking up at the huge clock that was at the head of the Grand Hall. It was midnight. Everyone knew what that meant. It was time to unmask.

Dong.

Robin took off the mask Starfire had made, revealing his super hero mask. Starfire followed the suite, holding it gingerly in her hands. Robin turned to see Raven and Shade, under the spotlight. They were still dancing, but they were slowing down. Starfire stood next to him, staring as well.

Dong.

"Kinda like a fairytale, huh?" Shade whispered in Raven's ear as their dance came to a close. "At the stroke of twelve the spell gets broken?"

"I know…" Raven whispered. She was trembling, and she couldn't stop for some reason. It was all coming down to this. At the stroke of twelve…

Dong.

"I wonder who he is…?" the mayor whispered to his wife. Masks were coming off and there was celebration all around them. But the whole thing was muted to the mayor, because he was watching the couple under the spotlight. One was in white, the one called Raven. And one was in black, the one called Shade –!

Dong.

Masks were being thrown all over the place like graduation hats. Lovers and young couples alike were throwing them like confetti and embracing each other without a care in the world. Shade let go of Raven, and she held her hand out as he let go of that, too. He backed away from her a few steps so she would have a full view of him.

Dong.

Halfway there. Raven's heart was a jackhammer on her chest. Her held out hand came to clutch and calm her distressed heart. Who was behind the mask…?

Dong.

Shade looked around, spotting every single Titan looking at him. So, this was the moment of truth. Raven would have to decide if she still wanted him after she saw who he really was… or cast him away into shame.

Dong.

He flipped open the first clasp with his left hand. Snap. His heart was revving up. He thought he might be sick, but he couldn't allow himself. All he'd worked for was teetering on this moment.

Dong.

The second clasp, his right hand took care of. He saw Raven take a deep breath, anticipation mounting. Robin leaned forward just a little, Starfire at his side.

Dong.

Shade took a few deep breaths himself, undoing the third clasp. His mask hung loose and Raven's heart leapt, but his hands jumped to support it. She licked her lips in anticipation. It was only moments away…

Dong.

He reached, pulling the front and back of the mask apart, little by little. Now, it was time. What would she say? What would the Titans think? Now was the time to find out. His heart was pounding. "Who's behind the mask?" Raven whispered one last time. She held her breath as the mask came away –

Dong.

Raven gasped, her pupils shrinking into tiny dots. It was –! She suddenly felt light-headed and Raven… the most serious Titan anyone would ever know… fainted. Shade stood there, exposed to the world.

Well, this is the major cliffhanger for the story. I've read through the many, many reviews from many people who have been following this story. Many of you seem to think its Red X, agreeing with Robin. Some of you say it's Robin himself, covering his own tracks very carefully. But how could he spy on Raven if he was behind the mask at the café? One person even thought Shade might be Starfire! ; Next time on SHADE! It's the grand finale, so don't miss it! Part eleven, Revelations! Who is Shade? We'll find out!