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CAFÉ
NORTHSIDE
JUMP CITY
James stared at the girl in front of him; they had made some progress, but not enough. They literally had a love hate relationship; today James was going to take a gamble. He would either make a break through, or lead her to keep her promise she made at the cliffs the first time they met.
Sue stared at the man in front of her, the man who saved her from suicide. They usually just sat there in silence, sipping their coffee or tea, both typically had a hangover, they both enjoyed drinking their problems away. Her thoughts wondered to the night before.
FLASHBACK
THE NIGHT BEFORE
"You know I, I hate you," James said, drunk, to Sue who, also drunk stared back.
"I hate you too," she said as if returning a compliment.
"You know I, I love you," James then said as he took another swig.
"I love you too," she answered as she gave him a little kiss. The kiss quickly turned deeper, but there was no spark, there was no love, no emotion.
It really wasn't much of lovemaking either, it was very physical and painful for both of them. Through out it all they would cry out "I hate you!" or "I love you!" Truly, a love hate relationship.
"I want to feel that summer sweat on my body," Sue would cry to him.
"I love how your body shook when I bit your thigh," James said when they finished and were both drifting off to sleep. Both in a lot of physical pain, but they were both numb emotionally.
THE MORNING
James woke and stared at the nude girl next to him. "Why don't I feel guilt? Why don't I feel love? Why don't Ifeel anything? Is it because she is naturally sterile? Is this guilt free sex?" James said to himself. He looked at the bottles of alcohol on the side table and thought, "Why do we even bother to make excuses? We just hate ourselves and want to make ourselves hate each other more, but why bother?"
Sue woke up soon enough but didn't say a word, "Guilt free sex, why does it feel so…so empty," was all Sue thought.
"Sorry," James told her. He seemed to have read her mind.
"Screw it," Sue said as she got up, not seeing any need to cover her nude form.
"Damn it!" James said.
"What?" she asked slightly irritated.
"You are so hot right now, nothing is hotter than you at this moment… not even hell is hotter than you," James said as he stared at her.
"Screw you," was all Sue said before she slipped into the shower.
"At least I am pretending to be intoxicated from her," James thought, not caring about being rejected.
PRESENT
"We have to talk," James said as he took a sip from his coffee.
"I didn't mean anything I said or did last night," Sue answered quickly, "Hurry this up, I have to go to work," she added.
"That's not it, I didn't mean anything I said either, or what I did," James said shrugging that off. He pulled out a twenty dollar bill and put it on the table. She stared at it in mild surprise at why he did that. "God I hope this works," James thought. The two of them were pretending last night never happened.
"Twenty bucks says you don't have it in you to conquer your fear and quit believing what everyone tells you," James stated simply.
"What?" Sue asked in surprise and anger.
"I am utterly disgusted in the path you are traveling, living off every paycheck, drinking away all your problems with me as your partner," James told her frankly.
"I am literally speechless," Sue responded, her eyes becoming teary. Although the two of them were spending a lot of time with each other, they never spoke of their personal lives or problems.
"I hate to break this to you, but being a coward isn't a legitimate career," James whispered as he leaned forward.
"I am not a coward," Sue said defiantly.
"You are driving yourself into oblivion, at the rate you are going you will live alone with your drugs and gin," James stated, being very frank with her.
Sue glared at him and said, "We were all born the same way, so what gives you the right to say these things to me."
"At least I am not a liar, at least I am not a cheat, at least I don't care what all these people think of me," James declared.
"That's really precious James. You criticizing me, at least I am not filled with guilt; at least I don't drink away my problems. Don't lie, you don't drink with me for me, you drink for yourself too," Sue shot at James.
"What guilt?" James said slightly uneasy, he didn't think he told her anything.
"I know all about your girl that you impregnated, your daughter, you confessed it to me when you were on top of me last night," Sue said bitterly, remembering James breaking down.
James eyes were blank for a moment, but then the memory came back; she had bit him hard to get him going again. "Congratulations, you aren't suicidal anymore, you aren't weak anymore, you are independent," James said to her with a weak smile. Strange that the two of them neither felt guilt, shame, or even love from last night, they felt nothing had changed between them.
"Good," she simply said as they spent the rest of their breakfast drinking their coffee, not talking to each other. They were very happy with their situation. Seemingly happy that is.
"I hope I mean a little more than those sounds that escape your tired nighttime lips," James said to no one in particular.
IQBAL'S HIDEOUT
The Titans had finally made it, to the huge complex which used to be a USAF base in Arizona. The base was now empty, but the huge complex remained. The Titans had rushed in full force; their time limit was almost up. The Titans also felt with nearly half the HIVE taken out it would be a lot easier to get Iqbal.
Robin led the team into the main hanger when the voice came, "Welcome Titans! You really performed admirably, doubling your numbers, very impressive," Iqbab's voice was clearly heard.
"Give her up Iqbal! You're done!" Robin yelled as the Titans made a circle, checking the room for any trap.
"Actually, it is you who are done, surrender or you all die!" Iqbal ordered as suddenly the Titans saw the walls begin beeping.
"What is going on?" Aries asked.
"He covered the whole wall with explosives," Avengement said in disbelief.
"Alright, you win! We surrender!" Robin said as he dropped his arms. His teammates reluctantly followed his lead. "At least Guardian, Darkness, and Nightfire are going to the command compound," Robin thought.
Suddenly, some robots and the three HIVE members entered. "You can follow us," Jinx said as she ordered the Titans to the middle of the room, when they were all there a laser jail came down and locked them down, the Titans were trapped.
COMMAND COMPOUND
"Should we rush in there?" Nightfire asked, the room was darkened.
"It's strange, this room doesn't have any computers or anything like that, it's just a huge room?" Guardian said as he peered into the dimly lit room.
"We have no choice, we have to go in, Robin gave the signal they have been caught, they got all the remaining HIVE and security busy with them. We have to move now," Darkness said.
"Let's go then," Guardian rushed in with the Titans, suddenly the room's lights were raised and all three Titans gasped at the scene in front of them.
The huge room was a huge wedding hall, with an alter in the front, along with a podium which held a piece of paper.
The Titans glided across the room quickly, to the podium, Guardian noticed, the paper was a wedding certificate of companionship, from Azarath. "How the hell did he get this?" he thought in anger.
Darkness glanced at the paper but kept moving, she didn't want to think about marrying the man that still, despite all that had happened held a place in her heart.
The Titans entered the next room and were face to face with Iqbal himself, everything was going too fast; no one knew what to do.
"Hello my beautiful fiancé," Iqbal said with a kind smile to Darkness.
Darkness just stood there, the other Titans moved forward to the attack.
"I wouldn't do anything if I were you," Iqbal said, giving a warning glance to Guardian and Nightfire.
"And why not?" Nighfire growled as she charged forward.
Iqbal snapped his finger and the HIVE attacked from a side door. Within five minutes, the three HIVE members, who had been fighting with each other since long before those three Titans were born attacked. The Titans were defeated very quickly from the lack of strategy and speed of the HIVE attack. The same band which had removed Raven's powers was put on Darkness's wrist, taking away her powers, while Guardian and Nightfire were forced into a laser prison.
The Titans game plan was completely destroyed, they had been outsmarted very quickly, things had moved too fast for them.
"Well, Darkness, I guess only these two Titans will be able to attend the wedding. I was hopping you would have cooperated, because then they could all be watching with us," Iqbal said sadly.
"I am not marrying you," Darkness said coldly, backing away as Iqbal approached her.
"I won't hurt you precious; Jinx and Mammoth will escort you to your mother so you can change into your wedding dress. While I change into my suit, it is a big day," Iqbal said excitedly as he began leaving the room. "Don't forget, when you kiss someone a part of them is in your system for seven years," Iqbal added, like it was some fact of the day.
Mammoth grabbed her shoulder to guide her but Darkness shoved it away, "I don't need my hand held, just take me to my mother," Darkness growled. "Dear God, what the hell will I do," she thought as she saw the look of fear and utter helplessness in Guardian's eyes.
"Now what do we do?" Nightfire said while she stood next to Guardian, they were left alone in their prison.
"I have no idea Nightfire, I have no idea," Guardian said mournfully as he sat down to think of what to do next.
RAVEN'S ROOM
Mammoth opened the door and Darkness entered the large, plush room. Darkness was surprised by the size and luxury, she saw a large TV, a small kitchen, a bathroom, a large bed, some chairs, and in the corner was a large closet. She noticed her mother stood from one of the leather chairs, putting the book she was reading to the side and she smiled at her daughter.
"Glad you could make it," Raven said dryly to her daughter.
"Hi Mom," Darkness said as she gave her mother a big hug.
"So, I take it your rescue plan failed," Raven observed casually.
"Yes it did," Darkness admitted, the hug ended and Raven motioned her daughter to sit on one of the chairs, while Raven sat on the chair opposite to her.
"What was your strategy?" Raven asked her, she was interrogating her daughter for information on the rescue attempt.
"Most of the Titans were going to cause a large distraction, surrender, so the HIVE, Iqbal, and any other men or machines that work here would be busy shutting them down. While they disarmed them, me, Guardian, and Nightfire were sneaking from the back to come get you, free you, and then you would have helped us defeat Iqbal," Darkness explained the quick plan the Titans had thought of after they got the information they needed from Rocker and Rocket.
"Very stupid plan you had," Raven said dryly.
"What?" Darkness asked, surprised at her mother's bitterness to the situation. "Jeez Mom, sorry I tried to help," she thought.
"First, you divided your team into very unequal teams, second you allowed the larger group to get captured which I don't think makes any sense at all. Third you didn't consider that maybe Iqbal would just massacre the larger group? How do you know your teammates are even alive?" Raven questioned her daughter.
"I would sense it," Darkness said defiantly.
"Look at your wrists, you can't feel a thing, your powers are gone, while we are talking Robin could have a bullet being put in his brain. Third, you came, you are what he wants and you just walked to him, surrendered yourself to him basically. Are all the Titans here?" Raven asked.
"Yes," Darkness answered numbly to her mother.
"I know you are upset and angry with what I am saying, but you have to know and learn so next time mistakes don't happen. At least you got a backup plan?" Raven looked closely at her daughter, "You do have a backup plan right?"
"No," Darkness answered her mother's question; she noticed Raven was now very angry.
"You don't even have a backup plan!" Raven rarely got emotional, but her daughter was being forced to marry a man who wanted to conquer the world, you would get a little emotional too.
Jinx entered the room with a very beautiful white dress, "You have ten minutes to put it on, if you aren't out by then Robin will be killed," Jinx said simply before leaving the room.
"Better get dressed," Raven said weakly, "No, Titans can't be defeated this easily, we can't be tricked like this, my daughter can't marry like this," Raven thought.
"Oh no Mom, I don't want to get married!" Darkness cried as she burst into tears and fell into her mothers waiting arms.
"Shh, I am so sorry, but you have to put this dress on. For Robin, for everyone, don't worry, we will save you," Raven comforted her daughter.
Darkness hastily got dressed and left the room, with two minutes to spare. Jinx waited with a smile on her face.
"Ah, you look so cute!" she said with mock happiness.
Raven followed her daughter and gave an icy cold glare at Jinx, "What do we do now?" she asked.
"Oh, you will have to lead the bride to the altar, Guardian is the best man," Jinx said with a smile, like a cat.
"How in the world did you get Guardian to be the best man?" Darkness said weakly, barely able to keep the tears back.
"We developed a band that took out his powers too, also two security guards insures if he tries anything his head will get blown off," Jinx explained calmly as he led the bride and mother to the back.
"I want to see my teammates and make sure they are okay," Darkness said sternly.
"They are at the ceremony, they will all be witnesses," Jinx said to them.
WEDDING CEREMONY
Here Comes the Bride was being played by an organ, the player a robot. In the main room, in the "aisles" stood in small cages, each Titan, an ice cold glare on their faces.
From the back, Darkness, with her mother, and a bouquet of flowers, walked slowly to the altar. At the altar stood the HIVE, the two guards, Guardian, and Iqbal himself with a huge grin. At the altar was a robot, programmed to carry out the Azarath wedding ceremony.
Guardian's heart sank even further as Darkness approached, with that sad look and that bouquet of flowers.
Darkness finally reached the altar after what seemed like eternity. She turned to the locked up Titans and saw the girls crying, the guys with scorn on their face, Avengement looked like he was planning on murdering Iqbal.
"Darkness? Could you please stand here so we can move on with the ceremony?" Iqbal said sweetly with a big smile to his intended bride.
"I don't want to," Darkness said as she reluctantly stepped next to Iqbal.
"But we must. Don't worry, I wont make you do anything like sex, I just want a companion, I get real lonely," Iqbal whispered to her. Guardian heard the whisper and clenched his face, "Selfish bastard."
The robot faced them and said, "We are here for the Azarathian marriage of Iqbal and Christine," the robot began.
"And Selim Khan," Guardian spoke, no believing what he was saying.
"With Selim Khan challenging," the robot added.
Raven smiled weakly, Iqbal looked confused, and Darkness glanced at Guardian in surprise, her tears wanted to escape, but her dignity wouldn't let her.
"What does that mean?" Iqbal said to the robot.
Raven answered for the robot, "It means he will answer some questions, and whoever puts on the ring first gets her as the bride," Raven added, "It's like a challenge. Traditionally Guardian would have an equal chance and after the questioning Christine would decide who she wants to marry, but I doubt you will allow her to do that," Raven finished off.
"Your right tie him up and shut his mouth," Iqbal growled at the two guards.
The robot spoke up, "The ceremony cannot proceed without Selim Khan's voice."
Iqbal looked angrily at Guardian, "Tie him up and hold him, make sure he won't grab the ring when the time comes," Iqbal said as he put the rings on the small pillow on the altar. The rings were placed there as part of the tradition.
"Proceeding with the ceremony," the robot began, "Will you take care of each other for all eternity? Once married the bond can never be broken," the robot said.
The three all nodded obediently, Darkness because she didn't want anything to happen to her friends and Guardian because this was his only chance to save Darkness and defeat Iqbal.
After they nodded to several more questions like that another question happened, "When you are both physically and emotionally ready, will you two have children?" the robot asked.
Again they nodded, although all of them nodded somewhat hesitantly.
"Now, the man who is Christine's true love, put the ring on her and bind yourself to her for all eternity," the robot finally spoke.
Iqbal went forward to pick up the rings and picked up her ring. As he brought the ring closer to her hand, Darkness wanted to pull back, but she knew if she did she would have written her friends death warrant.
Guardian's heart felt like it was going to break, feeling something in him Guardian used all his strength and escaped the two security men grip on him. He had escaped, the HIVE didn't react in time, and Iqbal was caught off guard as the ring was stolen from his hand.
"NO!" Iqbal cried out in shock as Guardian almost dived and put the ring on her hand. Darkness suddenly smiled as she felt she was finally saved. She made eye contact with him and they both blushed, they were now officially married.
"What the hell are you waiting for? Kill him!" Iqbal screamed at the shocked guards.
The guards and the three HIVE members all hesitated, they knew their death warrant was almost written and didn't know what to do. Should they try to win Iqbal's favor back by killing Guardian, or should they try to escape.
In their moment of hesitation, Guardian smashed the band holding Raven's powers. Now the demon was unleashed.
A bright light engulfed Raven as a blinding light forced all the people in the room to cover their eyes.
When the dust settled, the Titans were freed, Darkness's band and Guardian's band was removed, as many objects were covered with a black aura. "Your finished Iqbal," Raven stated simply.
"Fight back!" Iqbal ordered.
"Sorry, we surrender," Jinx stated as she raised her hands in surrender. Iqbal growled and threw a gas bomb.
The gas not only blinded the people in the room, but made their eyes itchy, despite the pain Guardian flew blindly to the direction Iqbal was escaping from.
Iqbal karate chopped the blinded Guardian knocking him down. "I will never rest until my revenge, and my girl is mine," Iqbal whispered viciously into Guardian's ear before he slipped into a side door and escaped through a secret tunnel to an underground plane.
TITANS TOWER
"Well I guess we defeated one of the big three," Fireteen said weakly when the Titans finally arrived home. Not the full team, the reserves had been deactivated, Raven rushed home to Beast Boy and her children, while Kili ran to Anna.
"Next we have to take down Jim," Robin said, of course Jim, he had organized the massacre.
"Let's just rest for now," Guardian said. Speaking for all the Titans, Robin, Fireteen, Darkness, and Nightfire.
"I guess your right," Robin said as he yawned tiredly.
"Tomorrow is a very big day, we have a lot to discuss," Darkness told Guardian before going to her room. She flashed her ring at Guardian.
"Goodnight honey," Guardian said with a barely suppressed laugh.
All the Titans snickered, while Darkness blushed as she went to her room. This was a very awkward situation. "We will try to get the ring off in the morning," she thought.
"We have to get this ring off in the morning, I can't handle being a father, a leader, a mentor, and a husband all at the same time," Guardian thought as he laid in bed full of thought.
A final chapter, a trilogy, then another story, hope you enjoyed the stories, don't forget:
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