Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans.

Chapter 5.

Mother

The Archbear growled in anger and swiped with one massive paw at the girl before it.

Raven just managed to dive back out of the way.

The Archbear roared angrily as its meal slipped from its grasp. It took another strike but its paw collided with a barrier of shadow magic.

Raven slipped backwards and uprooted a small tree with her magic, hurling it at the Archbear.

The Archbear smacked the tree out of the air with claw and swung another claw at Raven, as Raven ducked under the blow the Archbear brought its massive head around, gripping Raven in its colossal jaws.

As it prepared to bite her in half something large and snarling leapt at it, gripping its arm in fierce teeth and claws. The Archbear shook it off and brought one foot down on it, drawing a cry of pain.

The Archbear grunted satisfied, and lumbered off into the forest.

As it pushed its way through the trees, Kaylin struggled to his feet and limped after it.

The Archbear thundered through the forest with its struggling prize clutched firmly in its jaws. Raven was unable to cast any spells as the Archbears jaws were squeezing all the air from her lungs.

The Archbear stopped and prepared to eat its meal in peace.

Suddenly a blast of sonic struck it in the chest drawing a cry of pain and causing the Archbear to drop Raven.

The Archbear roared and charged at its assailant but it took another blast of sonic to the head and stumbled backwards, roaring and snarling.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos," croaked Raven, infusing a tree with her magic and bringing it down on the Archbear.

The tree landed on the Archbear with a sickening crunch and the trapped creature lay still.

Raven began to slip into unconsciousness. But she felt strong, metallic arms lift her off the ground and a familiar voice said, "don't worry Rae. Everything's gonna' be alright."

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Darkstorm spat angrily. Curse that black feline!

Kaylin had somehow led Raven beyond his sight, now Darkstorm would have to look for her manually.

He hated doing things manually.

He circled in the air, searching for the telltale blue robed figure.

This was not going to plan, he should have found her by now.

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Beastboy cast a sideways glance at Starfire. She hadn't said anything since they'd left the demolished town. "You okay Star?" He asked for the tenth time.

She shook her head (for the tenth time).

Beastboy sighed, "would a joke cheer you up?"

Starfire shook her head.

Beastboy looked at her, "how about if I did the Face?" He transformed into a kitten but Starfire just cast him a glance and walked past.

Beastboy growled in annoyance and bounded after Starfire.

"Listen Star, I know it was bad but you don't have to mope about it. Your powers work by emotion remember? If you're upset then you can't do anything."

Starfire turned, she closed her eyes and bowed her head, "I am sorry friend Beastboy. I was not thinking." She rushed forward and hugged him.

"How touching." A deep voice rumbled, "if ever I need a comforting hug I will be sure to ask you."

Beastboy and Starfire turned… and looked up… and up… and up…

"Malchior." Breathed Beastboy.

Malchior hovered down towards the Teens, "I do hope I'm not interrupting."

Starfires eyes blazed green and she lunged at Malchior, fists glowing.

Malchior knocked her out of the air with one claw.

Beastboy changed into a mammoth and lumbered unstoppably towards Malchior.

Malchior gripped Beastboy in his claws and hurled him to one side.

Malchior laughed, "fools, you can't defeat me." He breathed a jet of flame that Starfire narrowly avoided.

Malchior lunged at Starfire jaws snapping but a green rhino knocked her out of harms way before striking its horn off the side of Malchiors snout.

Malchior bellowed and flung Beastboy to one side with his claw. "Nothing can stop a dragon!" He roared. He wrapped his tail around Beastboy and drew him up to his face, "nothing," growled Malchior, flames formed in his throat. Malchior suddenly choked as a strong length of cord wrapped around his neck.

Malchior dropped Beastboy and strained against the cord until it snapped. Robin lunged out of nowhere and struck Malchior on the snout with his sword.

"Ah," snarled Malchior, "that old trick."

Robin leapt up and threw a barrage of disks at Malchior, where they exploded on contact.

Malchior roared and blew a blast of flames at Robin but someone flashed past and dragged Robin out of the way.

Robin found himself lying on the ground with Sashiill kneeling on his chest. "Listen." She snapped. "I don't like you. But I don't want to be dragon chow either, so we need to work together."

"Fine by me." Robin leapt to his feet as Starfire and Beastboy appeared next to him. "Dude, who's the chick?" Said Beastboy, cocking his head in Sashiill's direction.

"My name's Sashiill," she hissed, drawing a crossbow and firing a bolt at Malchior, where it clattered off his scales.

Malchior lunged at them. Starfire barreled forwards and smashed into Malchiors head. Robin leapt up and rammed a barrage of disks into Malchiors gaping mouth.

As they exploded Malchior bellowed in pain and Sashiill lunged forwards and struck her daggers into Malchiors chest.

As she leapt out the way Beastboy, as a blue whale, dropped from the sky and landed on Malchiors back, pinning him to the ground.

Malchior managed to roll Beastboy off his back and leapt into the air. "Another time perhaps," he growled, launching himself into the air and disappeared towards the horizon.

Robin smiled, "great work team." He felt a dagger press against his throat.

"You're welcome." Said Sashiill.

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Cyborg carried Raven into Arella's hut.

Arella spun around at the sound of her door opening and gasped. "Raven," she whispered. She looked up, "Kaylin, you were supposed to protect her!"

"I tried alright!" said a voice from Cyborgs shoulder, he turned and saw a black cat perched there. "Hey metal man." Said Kaylin. "Take a picture, it'll last longer."

Arella strode forwards and carefully took Raven from Cyborg and carried her over to a bed. "Raven." She whispered, "what's happened to you?"

Raven smiled, "I just went for a little walk." She croaked.

Arella smiled sadly and walked over to a cabinet. She took out a few herbs and held one out to Raven, "chew this,' she commanded.

As Cyborg and Kaylin watched Arella prepared the herbs and mashed them into a paste which she applied to Ravens wounds, "daughter," she murmured, "what has happened to you?"

"Arella is Ravens mother?" Exclaimed Cyborg.

"Incredible!" Exclaimed Kaylin. "I had no idea you're so observant."

Cyborg growled.

Raven spat out the herbs and sat up, "I need a bath in the worst way." She said.

Arella turned to Cyborg and Kaylin, "do you two mind…?" She said.

"No problem," said Cyborg, gripping Kaylin by the scruff of his neck, "come on kitty."

They went out behind the hut and Cyborg picked up an axe. He set up a log and prepared to swing.

As he brought the axe down Kaylin said, "you're gonna' miss!"

Cyborg missed the log and struck the ground. "Don't do that!" He snapped.

Kaylin smiled, "do what?" He said innocently.

Cyborg prepared to strike the log again and Kaylin shouted, "you're gonna' miss!"

Cyborg missed again. "That's it cat!" He snarled, rounding on Kaylin.

Kaylin looked up at him calmly. "Calm down metal man. You'll overload yourself."

Cyborg raised a fist… then put it down. He looked down at Kaylin with contempt, "at least I can take care of Raven."

"Low blow tin man." Said Kaylin. "But I'm the one that healed her leg."

Cyborg was about to retort, but he stopped and looked around. "What is it?" Said Kaylin.

"There's someone here." Said Cyborg.

"Very observant." Hissed a voice. Half a dozen dark armored, reptilian-eyed creatures stepped out from the trees. "Hand over the half demon." One of them snarled. "And we may spare you." It raised a crossbow. "But I doubt it."

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Rorek sat cross-legged on a boulder looking completely unconcerned, even though the boulder was flying through the air under the command of Terra.

She flicked her hair out of her eyes and sighed. "Can you sense her Rorek?"

"If what you've told me of the lady Raven is correct," said Rorek, "then I can sense that she is just a few hundred meters in front of us. Nice flying by the way." He said.

Terra smiled and blushed.

The pair of them floated towards their goal.

Rorek had been right; he could sense Raven.

Unfortunately this wasn't her.

As Terra and Rorek neared their goal a dark shape shot towards them and knocked them spiraling through the air.

Rorek landed lightly on the ground and drew his sword.

Terra hit the ground and felt a clawed foot press her into the dirt. And a malicious voice sneered, "where is Raven?"

"Ecrotar Norian Actuan!" Said Rorek and Terra felt the pressure on her back disappear. She stood and turned.

She saw their assailant struggling to his feet.

It was Darkstorm.