Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans.

Chapter 9.

The Final Battle

Raven backed away from Gormancer. "Now what?" Said Beastboy.

Raven raised her arms, "just concentrate on destroying with Gormancer." She said. "I'll deal with the army. AZARATH METRION ZINTHOS!" Raven formed a massive black shield over her current allies and Gormancer.

Malchior smiled. "Then let's make this quick." He lunged at Gormancer in a flurry of claws and teeth.

Darkstorm darted to one side and launched himself at Aggrail bowling the creature over.

Robin took out three birdarangs between his fingers, "Titans GO!"

"Necronum Hezberek Mortix!" Shouted Rorek. White magic lanced from his fingers, surrounding the massive bounty hunter lord.

Arella strode forwards and placed a hand on Ravens shoulder, "stay strong Raven."

"I don't plan on letting go anytime soon." Ravens voice was strained with the effort of keeping out the bounty hunter army.

"Keep up the good work Rae!" Called Terra, surfing past on a horizontal avalanche. She directed the rolling wave of rock towards Gormancer.

Beastboy thundered past Raven as a tyrannosaurus with Cyborg perched on his head.

"Ignore the fight." Whispered Arella, "concentrate on the shield."

"Easier send then done," gasped Raven as Starfire went soaring past her and hit the ground with a thump. She sat up and rubbed her head. "Ow." Her eyes glowed green and she launched herself at Gormancer again.

Darkstorm and Aggrail rolled through the air above Ravens head, fighting claw and beak.

This is going nowhere, Raven thought.

Malchior fell to the ground, making a crater. Rorek appeared next to him. "This isn't working!" Snarled Malchior. "He's too strong!"

"We need to work as a team." Said Rorek. "That includes you and I."

Malchior grimaced. "I believe so." Malchior looked over at Beastboy. "Green child." He barked. "Assault Gormancers head."

"What?" Beastboy looked confused.

Malchior sighed, "fly into the air and go for Gormancers head."

Beastboy nodded, he transformed into a pterodactyl and lunged for Gormancer.

"Earth girl!" Malchior snapped. Terra looked around.

"My name's Terra." She said.

"It doesn't matter." Growled Malchior. "Raise a wall of stone around Gormancers feet."

Terra nodded. "Sure."

"Now what?" Asked Rorek.

"Teamwork." Said Malchior. He opened his mouth and unleashed a massive blast of fire. Rorek raised his arms and summoned a wave of magic that flowed along the flame.

Gormancer was distracted by Beastboys assault and the wall of rock keeping Gormancer held in place caused him to take the full blast of the magically infused inferno.

The force of the blast as the fire hit Gormancers chest brought the bounty hunter lord to his knees.

"You… cannot defeat me…" He grunted. Gormancer struck the wall of shadow magic with his clawed hand.

Raven gasped and sagged to her knees as the shield faded out.

Gormancer laughed. "The bounty hunters will dominate this dimension…" He was cut off as crossbow bolt struck into his throat.

Everyone turned.

Sashiill held her crossbow in one hand with a dreamy expression in her eyes.

"You…" croaked Gormancer, "you…" he fell forwards with a growl and hit the ground.

Sashiill smiled, "okay… now I'm a traitor."

"And now we have an army of bounty hunters to deal with." Said Terra.

"I don't think we do." Said Rorek. He pointed, "look."

The bounty hunters were advancing but, as they did, they were beginning to fade out of existence.

"The bounty hunters are tied to Gormancer." Said Sashiill, "their fates are entwined."

"Then why aren't you fading?" Asked Robin.

Sashiill sighed, "I believe I've broken my bond with Gormancer by shooting him."

There was a screech and Aggrail flew over their heads.

Darkstorm landed and shouted after the departing creature, "hah! How do like them apples!" He saw everyone else staring at him, "er… I mean…" He glared at them. "Just stop staring at me!"

"I think we should get home." Said Robin.

Raven staggered to her feet. "Not yet. There's just one more thing to do."

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"It would be better if only those of us that belonged went in." Said Darkstorm. "No offence."

"None taken." Growled Malchior.

Beastboy leaned back against a rock, "yeah whatever. Just hurry up."

They were standing just outside of Azarath. Arella had removed her brown cloak, revealing her white robe underneath. She'd also given her crossbow to Cyborg.

Darkstorm was his human self, as was Kaylin.

Starfire had been the most shocked to see "the adorable cat" change into a young man with long black hair tied back in a ponytail, a leather jacket and strangely cat-like eyes.

"There is still time to learn what I can teach Raven." Said Darkstorm.

Arella turned to her brother, "don't pressure her Darkstorm." She scolded.

They began to walk towards Azarath. "I don't see how she can restore Azarath without…" Began Darkstorm, but Kaylin interrupted.

"Quiet Darkstorm. When has Raven ever given us reason to doubt her powers?"

Raven sighed. This was it, her motley crew: Her mother, her friend who spent most of his time curled up in front of the fire, her uncle who hated her and a wizard that the only things Raven knew about him were told to her by a dragon.

The crossed the threshold and Raven looked around. "Looks the same as it always did." She said.

Arella raised her hand and dove landed on it. "Indeed." She said, smiling.

Darkstorm nodded to the others, "I have to get back to my study. Since you don't need me now." He turned on his heel and left without another word.

"Alright." Said Kaylin. "Time to bring Azarath back."

Arella turned to Raven. "Azarath has a soul and a spirit. All you need to do is unlock it."

"How?" Asked Raven.

"Close your eyes." Commanded Arella. "And search with your mind. Put your soul into Azarath, like when you move objects with your mind."

Raven closed her eyes and focused… but nothing happened.

"Nothings happening." Said Kaylin.

"Be patient." Said Arella. "Give her time."

Still nothing happened.

Raven was focusing as hard as she could, but Azarath was too vast and had a consciousness of its own.

She winced slightly as Azarath fought back against her mind.

Then she felt a hand on her shoulder and another mind aiding her own.

With a combined effort Raven forced her soul into Azaraths heart, "Azarath Metrion Zinthos." She murmured.

Raven felt movement beneath her feet. Azarath was rising!

Ravens eyes shot open. She looked at the hand on her shoulder, "Rorek?" She whispered.

Rorek nodded, "We better go now Lady Raven."

Raven smiled, "sure, just hold on a second." She ran over and hugged her mother, "thanks Arella." Raven let go and smiled at Kaylin, "I'll miss you Kaylin." Kaylin nodded and smiled back.

"Until we meet again."

Raven turned and she and Rorek ran back through the gateway of Azarath, leaping about a dozen feet to the ground.

She and Rorek turned and watched Azarath continue its assent into the sky.

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Sashiill stood alone on a rocky outcrop.

She heard the beating of a large pair of wings behind her and warm breath on the back of her neck. She turned to see Aggrail sitting hunched behind her.

"Feeling lonely?" She said.

Aggrail purred and moved closer to Sashiill. Sashiill raised a hand and stroked the creatures nose. "We better go. We don't belong here." She swung herself onto Aggrails back and spurred the creature into the air.

Only Robin saw her flash across the sky.

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Raven rested her head on Roreks shoulder. "Don't think I'm usually this sentimental." She said quietly. "I'm just tired."

Rorek ran a hand through her hair, "that's quite alright Lady Raven."

Raven smiled, "are you and Malchior allies now?"

"No." Said Rorek. "I don't think that would be conceivable."

Raven sighed, "so are you going to capture him in another book?"

"Probably not."

Raven lifted her head, "I have to go now. Beastboy's whining about there being no tofu here. And Robin's worried the city's falling apart without us."

Rorek nodded, "that's fine." He broke away from Raven and removed his scarf, "I want you to have this," he handed it to her, "it's a promise that we will meet again."

Raven took the scarf wordlessly and stared at it for a bit. Then she blushed. "Thank you." She whispered.

He's just like I always imagined, she thought.

Raven looked into Roreks eyes and saw her own reflected in them.

Without warning she flung her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his.

Unknown to either of them Malchior was watching with great interest.

He turned away from the scene.

Well-done Rorek, he thought.

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Raven finished drawing the circle on the ground, "okay," she said, "just step into the ring, anyone that wants to go home."

Before she could blink all of the Titans had rushed past her and leapt into the circle.

She stepped in after them and chanted, "Azarath Metrion Zinthos."
With a flash of light the Teen Titans left the Dark Dimension.

When they'd gone Malchior wiped the circle away with his tail.

"I'm home now." He said simply. "I don't need their pathetic city."

Rorek nodded. "Looks like we're enemies again."

Malchior looked down at the wizard. "I guess so. But right now I need something to eat."

"I will defeat you again," said Rorek, "I've done it before."

Malchior spread his wings and soared into the air, "I look forward to it."

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Starfire flew into the lounge and giggled. "It is glorious to be home!"

Raven and Robin followed after her, "yeah," said Raven, "sure whatever."

Beastboy and Terra filed in after them, "I need tofu," groaned Beastboy. "Me not think good without tofu."

"Aw quit complainin'" Said Cyborg, coming in after them. He was still clutching Arella's crossbow.

Robin turned to look at the couch. "Er…" he said, "what are they doing here?"

The others followed his gaze and realized that Jinx and Kid Flash were seated on their sofa.

Kid Flash stood up, "er… yeah… sorry about that. But the city needed someone to look after it and… well… the tower was empty and…"

Robin waved away his excuses, "yeah, whatever. Thanks for watching the city for us."

Kid Flash smiled, "no problem Robin."

Raven looked at Jinx for a second then went made to leave the room, "I'm going to bed." She said. "But," she glared at Jinx and Kid Flash. "If you went in my room you are so dead!"