Tomorrow Never Yesterday

by lankree

A Titans story focusing on the consequences of love, betrayal, redemption, identity and false prophecies.

35. Engraved Invitation

Engraved Invitation

ºFlashbacksº

º"I'm beginning to believe that the quality of your genius is overstated." Slade's fingers drummed against the protective armor on his elbow. His eye regarded the aborted biomass floating in its cryogenic liquid grave. This one didn't even produce consciousness before self-destructing.

"The experiment fails because it lacks sufficient materials. I produce the elements… you produce the mind. I'm holding up my end of the bargain."

Dr. Chang's oxygen pump hissed, a cold snap of air rushing into his lungs. Slade ignored the mad scientist's movements, instead favoring his chin with his fingers. Slade had been intimately fascinated with the evolution of Red X, so much so that Robin had become less of a priority and Red X became Slade's desired new pupil. However, gaining Red X and holding onto him was proving as difficult as holding the real Robin in his apprenticeship. Slade's face still bore the wound of Robin's final attack; the strike that nearly revealed himself to Robin… it was an attack that Robin would pay for dearly and possibly for the rest of his life.

Dr. Chang's head bobbled mechanically, his neck flimsy like cheap plastic. His eyes moved rapidly back and forth beneath the protective haze of his glasses. A swift combination f keys finished the disposal process of the failed Red X regeneration and set about the next attempt. Creation was inherently expensive and if not for Slade's unending wealth, Chang would have quit this project long ago. As it was the project would continue to fail until Slade gave Chang exactly what he needed.

"Have you been in his mind?" Dr. Chang asked, his tone suggested that he wasn't concerned for the answer. Slade knew otherwise.

"Not to the extent you suggest." Slade replied.

"This will continue to fail as long as the human element, the irrational aspect of mankind, is missing. I suggest you make an attempt to get into Robin's mind, if you want to create Red X… after all that is where Red X was created first… Invest in a method to get Robin's psyche… a clairvoyant functions well in stealing and trapping the mind---"

"I know enough." Slade replied, cutting off Dr. Chang. Slade wasn't in the business of getting assistance for things he was perfectly capable of getting on his own. His ruthlessness was born from his self-sufficiency. He wouldn't spoil that power in the first instance of failure.

Dr. Chang drew in another cold breath. "It is just as well," he said hauntly, "Perfect generation would supply Robin's rebellion and righteousness… all the fractions that make him the Boy Wonder and not the dark seed you desire… Entertain my curiosity: why do you want Red X and not Robin himself?"

Slade smiled beneath the plating of his mask. Though Chang could not see that smile, the sheer evil behind his leer told the mad scientist that the reason brought Slade more than satisfaction… it seemed to be his drive.

"Red X represents every suppressed natural instinct that Robin possesses for cruelty, manipulation, and deceit. The part he couldn't bare to show his team… the part that deserves to stand beside me."

"I will continue to work as long as your produce the monies." Dr. Chang responded, actually disinterested with what his employer had to say.

"I will hold you to that."º

…

"Naaahhh!" The distinct female war cry drew his attention behind his back. Robin ducked under the diving close line, his sister's body dropped to her knee, before tucking and rolling out of harm's way. Robin's back flip took him out of the path of storming Starbolts. His fingers shifted smoothly over his electro-discs and flame-discs, finally deciding on ice-discs. His expert aim trumped Starfire's Tameranian might, the red haired girl was trapped in an iceberg. The frozen body dropped, landing on a green Doberman, pinning the beast under the weight. Aqualad's jump kick was smooth and nearly flawless. The fighter's aimed was locked dead on Robin's chest and only a quick shift allowed Robin to clear the boot's path. His turn gave him enough leverage for a counter, his arm locked firmly at Aqualad's calf, turning sharply Robin threw his attacker back in the direction he had came from.¹

Robin's eyes widened when from the corner of his eye the splintering of the ground began. The concrete slabs that comprised the floor of his battle ground ripped apart. Terra's uppercut spiked the earth in mimic, an erupting wave of the ground speeding towards the Boy Wonder. Robin back flipped crisply, clearing well out of the path of Terra's geomancy, but into the range of Cyborg's punch. The Titans' leader ducked smoothly, thrusting his palms to the ground. The leverage allowed him to twist his hips sharply, his legs a whirlwind of motion as his boots kicked the cybernetic Titan into the air. Robin finished the somersault efficiently, his head turning quickly enough to see Foxfire's righteous fury take over as eye beams shot his way.

With no hesitation, Robin drew an electro-disc, hurling the compacted charge parallel to the path of the blue eyebeams. Robin cart-wheeled to the left, his cape whipped up as the efflux of the smashing eyebeam threw the wind around. The electro-disc took Foxfire from commission, with a groan the blond Tameranian fell to the floor.

Speedy drew back his bolt, his eagle eye trained on his equally masked target. As the torrent of arrows rained down, Robin's bo-staff repelled any that came close enough to do damage. The slick metal cut the wind, whirling with every twist of Robin's wrist. Blackfire's diving fist forced Robin to switch positions; his back flip took him from harm's way: just where he had stood was cratered by Blackfire's strength. The Tameranian took back to the sky, her eyes a threatening purple. Speedy leapt into the air as well, his arrow taunt against his weapon. Robin's next disc exploded into a net, binding the attacking pair, dropping them to the ground with a solid thud.

His movements had brought him to the south wall of the warehouse, where Raven was waiting. The black glow surrounding the crates as they were thrown with great speed. Robin leapt and bounded between and over them, each movement bringing him closer and closer to Raven. The cloaked wizardress was apathetic as Robin stalked forward. Her hands dropped with the force of her newest attack. Robin reached Raven's pedestal and wrapped his arms fiercely around her arms, pinning them to her side. It left him in the perfect position to attack her; instead he tossed her aside, sending her falling off the stack of crates.

He made the mistake of watching her stumble to the side. The pure white energy smashed into his side, knocking him clear off the boxes. His reflexes turned him about, instead of crashing to the ground; he slid across it, one knee and hand dragging across the cold slab. The dust couldn't mask Terra's approach, the punch sailed over Robin's shoulder, giving him a handle to fling Terra away like a rag doll. The blond fighter had barely rolled against the floor when Sakura engaged: her feet and fists shot out in heavy uppercuts and splitting leg lifts. Robin blocked, his feet constantly moving. Robin shifted and Sakura steadied, they hands in combat as their acrobatic feats created a beautiful dance.

Robin's Strike of the Flying Serpent pushed Sakura away just enough to allow him to extend the full length of his leg… and hers as well. At the same moment, their boots connected; Robin's into Sakura's stomach and Sakura's into Robin's chest. Robin didn't have the time to notice how far he had knocked her away, his own body had barely skid to a stop when the world around him began to spin… and all the opponents he had felled leapt at him from the sky: Star, Speedy, Aqualad, Cyborg, Foxfire, Terra, Beast Boy and Blackfire descended upon him in single circle. As the shadows of their forms crept closer and grew all-encompassing, Robin could see them both; Raven and Sakura, Sakura behind him, Raven a head of him, with their energy beams drawn, prepared to take out anything the others left behind.

"Terminate training simulation"

The holograms whizzed and faded. In a blink of his masked eyes, all ten of the virtual Titans evaporated into nothing. Robin twisted his neck swiftly; the illusionary warehouse dissipated revealing the more valuable of all the Titans' training fields. It was the one that only Robin ever used.

"That was very impressive Robin." Celine said, as she continued to deactivate Robin's training session. "I didn't think anyone could hold their own against the Titans… but you can."

"That wasn't the Titans… not by a long shot, Celine."

Celine crossed her arms over her chest. "I think I did a very good job of programming that simulation Robin. I gave it all the specifications that you asked for."

"Yeah, but it doesn't feel right. Star would have broken free much sooner, so would have Speedy and Blackfire. Aqualad would have never let himself be countered so easily. Raven would have---"

Celine touched the output monitor on the simulator's motherboard. "From the battle records we've gathered, it was as good as a representation as you're going to get without actually fighting the others."

"You weren't in the simulation." Robin pointed out.

"I have this thing about being copied…" Celine smiled and so did Robin.

He had given her access to all the battle data that had been collected, training run-throughs, recorded battles and individual practice sessions to create the system. She hadn't liked the idea much when Robin had come to her with a new battle simulation that he wanted her to establish. Not just because it was Robin vs. the other Titans, but because it was only Robin vs. the Titans. It bothered her to think that Robin saw himself as a different unit in the Titans, that he was isolated by his human element.

"But still, you're underestimating them. It doesn't feel right."

"I think that's because you don't feel right about fighting your friends. And I'm hardly underestimating them. This is the best I can do without evolving the irrational element. I can't duplicate their battle passion or sense of comradeship or that human influence that drives them all to fight for each other. Even if I could have, I wouldn't have if you asked me."

"I wouldn't have and I know what you're getting at Omicron. The human element… You and I both have only our strength of presence. I don't see it as a flaw, but I've got to work three times as hard, in situations that stress me, to make sure that my skills don't let my team down."

"You haven't let them down Robin."

I can't let any of them down.

…

It was quite by accident that KnowledgE had reminded her of Sabrah and Lethe. Raven's mediation had begun winding down when the flash of the two little girls had come to her mind.

It was clear as day, the memory of them sitting together in the deep brown land of Azarath. They didn't mind that their clothes were getting dirty. Their robes slid across their bare legs as their fingers moved across the browning grass. Raven remembered the way the two small girls had looked, Lethe forcing herself not to cry and Sabrah consoling her. It was a scene Raven remembered well; it seemed to happen almost every day when the girls completed their training for the day. They were apprentices to the Azar Metrion, studying constantly to become mistresses to Azar's temple. Raven remembered that Sabrah had an infinitely easier time than Lethe, because no one picked on her or punished her for her mistakes: at least not to the extent that Lethe was… and certainly not from the same source.

Sabrah's pale skin wasn't so unlike Lethe's save for the smudges of a furious hand wiping tears away. "Lethe, Fisbian Nordius Katora Cortial Nor." (You can't let Katora get to you so."

"Torimas Unbrasianal Xinthermas Quinia Nal." (I train to get better, but the better I get the more she hates me.)

"Brodarius Un Para Para Atine." (Wouldn't you hate yourself if you were weak?)

"Este Supran Esterus Un Agape." (You say that is if I'm not weak.)

Sabrah dove forward, embracing the slightly older girl by the shoulders. Lethe's hair tickled Sabrah's eyelids and Sabrah's tight chignons bumped into Lethe's cheek. Her words became common, as if she wanted all of Azarath to understand her declaration.

"You're strong! Stronger than anyone else! Azar says so!"

"You're stronger… Azar will pick you."

"Azar will pick who is best for Azarath! We're what's best for Azarath and no matter what that nasty Katora says, we'll fight and be great for the future! We'll see!"

Lethe laughed at the younger girl's excitement before hugging her back. Their unmastered powers shook the earth, breaking faults into the land and accidentally breaking the wheel of a carriage cart. The two girls giggled and blushed embarrassedly.

Raven could still see the two girls hugging each other as they tried to calm their powers. Raven didn't know why she remembered every inch of that, though when she had first engraved her witness into her mind, it looked to Raven as the most beautiful thing she would ever see. As the long haired mystic tied her cloak closed, she wondered what truly had become of Lethe and Sabrah. They were people she didn't expect to see again, two girls that she had left behind in Azarath.

I suppose I did leave good things behind in Azarath… But then again, had I never left I wouldn't be able to find all the great things in front of me…

…

"Are you insane?" "Absolutely not!" "Under no circumstances what-so-ever is that a good idea."

Cyborg scowled at the opposition he found in the voices of his companions. Beast Boy was frowning, Aqualad crossed his arms over his chest and Speedy couldn't bring himself to look at Cyborg anymore.

"I don't see why you guys aren't right on board with me here."

"It's treason!" "It's mutiny!" "And it's pretty lame."

Cyborg's face sagged. "You can't tell me you're not interested."

"Infinitely." "Naturally." "My curiosity is overwhelming."

Cyborg shook his head. "You've got to see where I'm going with this. We're all really curious about how Robin and Raven are going to celebrate their six month anniversary. They're getting ready right now, why don't we find out?"

"Doesn't that seem like a gross invasion of their privacy?" Speedy asked.

"Knowing anything about Rae or Robbie is a gross invasion of their privacy. Come on, let's find out what they're up to."

"Their anniversary isn't for another two weeks Cyborg… It would be one thing if you wanted to help them out with celebrating, but you're talking about spying and I want no part of that." Aqualad replied.

"What about 'spying because we care'? I remember when that was our motto."

"That was before I had Sakura." Speedy said.

"And before I had Blackfire." Aqualad added.

"Cyborg, even I think this is a mistake and my natural reaction to most bad ideas is to go for it, but Raven and Robin have something really special… and there's no way that our curiosity should risk hurting that."

"You know, when Beast Boy's argument against something makes sense, it's either a sign of the apocalypse or a good clue for not doing it." Aqualad said.

"Besides," Beast Boy said raising an eyebrow, "We can get all the gory details in much more embarrassing ways than spying…"

…

Raven was trying not to eye the dress for fear that her concentration would incinerate the delicate silk material. That was if the mirror wasn't crushed first. Raven sat at the vanity in Sakura and Celine's room, while the three older female Titans were priming Raven for what seemed to be hours, but in actuality had only been thirty seven minutes.

Raven hadn't realized that Celine and Sakura had been paying such close attention to Raven's relationship with Robin to realize that a milestone anniversary was approaching. It had caught Raven completely off guard when the roommates had pulled her aside and asked her how her prep work was going. When they noticed that the blank stare on her face had nothing to do with shock, the girls turned to each other, their pet project outlined before Raven had time to protest.

Somehow Star, Terra, Blackfire and D'ucel, for some reason, had been dragged into what had started off, in Raven's eyes, as a mere mugging become an all out invasion of territory.

The trip to the mall hadn't been nearly as painful as Raven had expected it to be. Sakura and Celine seemed quite prepared to handle all the details of finding a dress for such a momentous event. Where Sakura got the experience, Raven didn't bother to comprehend. She just did as she was told; when dresses were thrown at her she put them on and did her best not to collapse in on herself from awkwardness.

They had gone through eleven dresses before the unveiling of a dress against Raven's slender form had caused Foxfire to blush and turn his head, announcing to Celine and Sakura that that dress was the one.

The dress is beautiful… Raven mused as Blackfire continued to weave pins through Raven's hair and Celine lightly painted her eyes. They seemed to be going out of their way for the practice run. There were still fourteen days until the day, but apparently that wasn't enough time. Raven couldn't decide if that was an insult or just a testament to the severity of the situation. Sakura puckered Raven's cheeks to paint her lips. The soft color was dangerously familiar to Raven; the long-haired mystic looked above her head, moving only her eyes. She had learned the hard way that moving your head while someone was pointing a blunt object into the skin of your eyelid always ended badly. Raven's deep purple eyes saw past Blackfire's focused form in the mirror, her eyes skipping over Terra and landing on Starfire. Her lips and Starfire's matched.

Somehow Raven had been able to ignore the relationship Robin had had with Starfire. Robin had admitted to her once, long before they realized they felt anything for each other, that Starfire was the first girl he had ever seen as more than a friend. From the way Starfire behaved in the company of others, Robin was the only male she had ever considered as more than a friend.

Their friendship hadn't been harmed when the roles were reversed; when Raven took up Robin's careful gaze and Starfire was the strong Titan that was a cornerstone for their small family. But Raven couldn't help but wonder if Starfire had been harmed. It would be no wonder that the girl had been affected; Starfire's actions were that of a generally good person. She protected both Raven's heart by not challenging Raven's feelings for Robin in the way D'ucel had with Aqualad and protected Blackfire's heart by challenging all of Tameran in a way to most would have been treason.

But Starfire was the exact opposite of treasonous, she was infinitely faithful.

Star was not in the business of changing friendships. Robin was still her best, and Raven remained her closest. But closeness was a relative term. Raven bit her lip, how had she missed it? Star's heart flame could only glow so bright before her friends would have to fan it to bring back its beauty, just like Raven and hope: Raven could only stand strong for the future as long as her friends stood with her.

…

Thursday came around three days after the reunion of the Titans and twelve days before the anniversary. That afternoon found the dozen occupants of Titan's tower split amongst the levels. Starfire and D'ucel were training together, testing out Celine's latest obstacle course. Robin was solitary in the evidence room, organizing files for his latest report. Aqualad and Blackfire were tending Celine's greenhouses. When the red haired genius had decided to maintain the green house, adding in a day lily garden, and even installing a hydroponics set-up, the black haired couple jumped at the opportunity to help. Speedy was satisfying his appetite in the kitchen as Raven and Sakura trained in the mediation room. That left Celine and Terra to suffer through the latest edition of Cyborg vs. Beast Boy: Duel of Cyber-Beasts.

Terra dropped her controller and a few seconds later Celine tossed hers away as well. Cyborg and B.B. had all but annihilated the girls in the first minutes of the tournament.

"Why am I not better at this? I'm a master strategist!" Celine sighed.

Beast Boy grinned. "Don't feel bad Celine! You're playing against the King of Gaming!"

Celine and Terra sighed. Lame. Terra stood up and cracked her back. "It's almost three, the mail should be here."

Celine watched the pair continue to battle in virtual form. Beast Boy continued his button mashing tactics. Terra raised an eyebrow at Beast Boy's response; or rather lack there of.

"Beast Boy, didn't you hear me?"

"Yeah, you're gonna check the mail." Beast Boy responded.

Terra fretted, rubbing a hand against the back of her neck. This wasn't making sense. "It's Thursday. Don't you want to look for your mom's letter? Last week you worried yourself stupid over it."

"I already got it." The green changeling replied.

"Huh? How'd you get it?"

"Celine took care of it. The transporter she made works perfectly." Beast Boy grinned at the red-haired genius before turning his attention back to the game. He stuck his tongue out to the side, a look of concentration solid, though a bit silly, plastered on his face.

"Oh, well maybe there's fan mail. I'm going to go check."

"Alright." "Cool." "Have fun."

And so it was Terra who found Slade's message attached to a panel on Titan's tower. The blonde girl swallowed hard, jumping to retrieve the letter baring Slade's mark. Terra stared down at the light letter in her hands, she fretted before turning back into the tower. Even though the letter was clearly labeled for Raven, she brought it to Robin.

The Titans' leader didn't turn around when the evidence room door was opened. He did turn when no steps came forward. The masked hero faced Terra; he had never seen such a somber look on her face.

"Terra, what's wrong?"

Terra's fingers clenched the unopened letter in her hand.

"Terra?"

The blonde girl extended the letter. Robin stepped forward and took it from her hands.

"This came in the mail today." Terra said slowly.

Robin turned the letter over, his teeth bared when he recognized the Slade mark on the front. It's addressed to Raven… the message… The Titans' leader turned to the blonde geomancer. "Gather the others to the common room."

Terra nodded and ran to follow his orders.

…

This history of Raven's shattered state was only understood by two beings: Raven and the Azar Metrion, who trained the girl from birth. Even in childhood, the cursed nature of the half-demon was a fragile and temporal condition.

RAGE and KNOWLEDGE had been born at the same time. … during Raven's first fight with RAGE, BRAVE was born

Or perhaps RAGE was there first, the first mass to collect itself from the fog of Raven's mind. The first presence in Raven's psyche was undeniably dangerous… If RAGE ever controlled KNOWLEDGE… all would be lost… KNOWLEDGE was her conscious before she built a will and desire to do good, despite what was whispered around her in barely hushed voices.

KNOWLEDGE and BRAVE were her conscious; they reminded her of all the consequence of her existence…. But they wouldn't let her down. They wouldn't let her take the easy way out…

The bond between Raven and all the sides of her identity came rapidly for some, like KnowledgE and BravE, more slowly for some like JeALoUsY and SORroW, and some formed no bonds at all, like the fragile HOPE and the eternally insatiable RAGE¹. Each of the characters had their influence on Raven, some manipulated her trust and others sparked new powers and others interrupted her growth.

The Titans will get stronger to protect you; you'll get stronger to defend us… Robin's words had seemed to have been delivered so long ago, but in truth it was only in the last chapter of their lives². Sakura sat in concentration, her holy energy whipping the air around herself and Raven. Raven's fingers were spread just outside of her body, her demonic power rebounded and countered Sakura's. Raven's superior control was pushing Sakura to her limit and then Raven pushed harder. Sakura's power was proof of the first sentiment of Robin's pledge: all of the Titans seemed to becoming stronger, much stronger than any of them realized. Robin's reflexes, the Tameranian trios' fury, Speedy's aim, Cyborg's upgrades… each one of them were putting forth their best, dropping the title of young behind them and simply becoming heroes.

Raven was getting stronger as well, but as she saw it, the best way she could grow to defend her friends, was to make all the Titans as strong as she could: meditating with Aqualad, sparing with Beast Boy, forcing Celine to exercise every creative muscle she had when Raven completed her obstacle course.

Sakura gasped and the Holy energy collapsed. Raven regained her focus, realizing she had been pushing harder than she had intended to. Sakura pushed her bangs out of her face, sweat clinging to her skin.

"That was intense. But I'm getting better, neh?"

"Much better. Your healing and defensive powers are evolving very rapidly."

"But…" Sakura waited for the kick.

"But your attacks are not nearly as good as they can be. Counterattacks sway battles, Sakura. When an enemy rebounds from a deflected attack, there is an instance where their defenses are fractured. Striking then can turn the tables."

"Right. I'm trying to get Holy to attack readily, but it takes a lot more focus to make an attack rather than a defense."

"It's the consequence of multifaceted powers."

"I've been practicing my attacks like you told me to, but I'm still having problems with energy beams, more than I am with energy balls."

"The difference between a beam and a ball is the difference between extension and discrete powers. A ball of energy is a discrete unit, once you've dispelled it; it is independent of your body. A beam is an extension of your body… it's like your fingers are stretched… and that means any interference in that extension can be damaging. I encourage you to exercise them with caution."

"Understood."

"Beams are generally more powerful. Having the ability to control an energy beam is invaluable."

"Hai. What do I need to do?"

"To begin--"

Just as Raven's energy began to seep from her body, the door to the training room slide open. Terra rushed in, her blue eyes scanning the room until she located them both.

"Raven, Sakura… meeting in the common room."

"What's wrong?" Sakura asked getting to her feet.

"Slade." Terra replied.

Raven stood up. The three girls ran to meet the others in the common room.

…

Starfire held herself in absolute stillness. Her huge green eyes were cast towards the hands in her lap and had been since Robin announced that they were gathered at that moment because of Slade.

The Titans' leader held the envelope in his hands cautiously. While it wasn't Slade's style to send exploding packages, he had learned not to put anything past the masked villain. The eleven Titans waited in varying levels of worry, fear and morbid curiosity. Robin hesitantly extended the envelope to Raven. It was her message after all. She refused it. Robin watched the way her hair moved and her thick lashes fell when she put the responsibility on him. Robin's glove protected his finger from the paper cut that would have been absolute from his haste. The envelope fell free and a single sheet of paper was unfolded in the Boy Wonder's steadied hands.

"Dear Raven," Robin paused, his throat clenched as he tried to force the sound of Slade's voice from his mind. "I hope this letter finds you well. If not, I believe you already realize that your predicament only gets worse from here. The day is approaching Raven. Prepare now for your influence against the survival of this world. Your great demon king demands your presence. In twenty-one days, come to the Cave of Serin. You will know how to find it; you always were a clever girl. And feel free to bring all your little Titans… they deserve a front row seat. And if you were considering not showing up, Raven, you know the consequences… we'd hate for something unfortunate to happen to your friends." The slow in Robin's voice let the Titans know it was the end of the letter. "Signed… The Slade Syndicate."

"Slade Syndicate? He's got a network?" Cyborg asked.

Celine stood up and took the letter from Robin's hands. "He's got Blood working with him, Red X, and probably any other dark characters he's been able to contract."

"His own Brotherhood of Evil." Beast Boy added.

"Do you know about this Cave of Serin place, Raven?" Speedy asked.

The mystic nodded. "It's a portal realm… its used to travel between dimensions… Like the one I used to come to Earth. Where it is… I'm sure Slade will make sure we know…"

"Are you really considering going?" Aqualad asked.

"Slade said there would be consequences." Terra said.

"Yeah, but we've fought off Slade and his plots before… If we stay here and protect Raven…what's the worse Slade is capable of?" Cyborg asked.

"We haven't seen it yet." Robin replied.

"So we are going?" Starfire asked.

Robin nodded. "If Slade wants the Titans… he'll get them in full force."

Raven nodded, Terra swallowed hard and Sakura dropped the side of her right fist into the open palm of her left hand.

Celine's eyes scanned the letter, her eyes narrowed. "Twenty one days… but this letter was marked eight days ago… that means thirteen days…"

"Eight days… why did he wait so long to send it?" Blackfire asked.

"Why did it take us so long to find it?" Sakura asked.

Thirteen days…that means the last night…

"That doesn't matter," Robin interjected. "Titans we need to get ready… it's obvious that Slade has something detailed and dangerous planned out for us. We need to be prepared to make sure Slade's plan fails."

Raven stood up sharply, her dark energy was trembling inside her. A terrible ache was beginning to roar in her belly. The consequences of her heritage were crashing into her body and her mind with a force she had only experienced once before; when she had learned of her pedigree and what that birth right had meant… How much longer until the red marks flare… reminding all my friends of the horrible thing that I'll do?

No… that thing… I will not do… Robin's words came to the center of Raven's attention. She could hear them, in his voice, in the gentle way he spoke to her. "The Titans will get stronger to protect you; you'll get stronger to defend us… and…"

Raven's eyes shifted to Robin's face, his masked eyes were on her heavily lidded ones. Just for a moment she thought his attention fell to her lips… Raven turned her head to the side for just a moment, before raising her hands. She didn't need her secret words to wrap her power around Terra and Sakura. The two girls blinked when the black spheres of Raven's demonic heritage gathered around them.

"Raven? What are you doing?" Terra asked, kicking at her prison.

"If you wanted our attention, you've got it!" Sakura added, her countering force whirling between her fingers.

"It isn't your attention I want; it's your concentration… I don't know all we're up against, but Slade's Syndicate is probably infinitely stronger than we're aware of… and we need to be ready… the fact that you can't get out of my barrier tells me we have lots of mediation to do in the next thirteen days."

"We all need to prepare… our bodies, our energies, our spirits… We can't afford to lose the hearts and minds war before we go into battle." Celine added.

Sakura nodded in agreement and Terra accepted it, the black guard disappeared. The two girls stood up and preceded Raven's exit from the common room without a glance back. Raven did glance back, catching Robin's eye for just a moment. Robin nodded… and didn't see her again for three days.

…

Cyborg didn't know that the training room could withstand the punishment the Titans were delivering. Speedy's arrows cut deep into the bull's eye, each bolt exploding in a show of heat and light. They came faster than a normal person should have been able to unleash, but Speedy wasn't normal, he was exceptional. That's why he's part of the team… Cyborg's blue eye trained across the battle ground of Titans. Aqualad's fists were hammering a punching bag, his spin kicks rang the chains, stressing the weakest link… to make sure he wasn't… Beast Boy was serving as a caddy as Celine made repairs to B.B.'s own training device. The evolutions of Beast Boy's mimics were tearing through the simulator with an intensity Cyborg hadn't seen since Beast Boy had discovered his Beast Within.

And then there was Starfire, Foxfire and Blackfire. Against the window of the training room, the three sat in a line, with Star in the middle, her sister to her right and Tameran's champion to her left. For two straight days the trio had sat almost perfectly still. Aqualad noticed Cyborg's stare and stilled his punching bag. When the mechanical Titan approached, Aqualad dropped an arm to rest against Cyborg's shoulder.

"Any idea what they're doing?" Cyborg asked.

"Something called Virdias. It's the summer solstice of Tameran where they gather their power from the sun."

"How long does it last?"

"Four more days."

"Four days? That's half the time we have left to prepare! The timing couldn't be worse."

"I wouldn't say that… its like training for them… they're gathering as much strength as they can and making it a part of themselves… sounds like mediation and conditioning if I ever heard it." Aqualad replied.

"You know, I'm glad everything worked out with you and Blackfire."

"So am I… now we've got to do our part in making sure that we've got lots of time to enjoy what we have."

Cyborg nodded, turning his face from Aqualad and the three locked in prayer. His blue eye shifted and fell on Celine and Beast Boy. The red haired girl wiped a train of sweat from her forehead. She smiled at Beast Boy then turned her head when she noticed Cyborg was looking at her. She smiled for him too. And Cyborg felt for himself the full effect of Aqualad's sentiments.

…

It was three days of intense mediation, but more than six days total focused on mental readiness for Raven, Terra and Sakura. Black energy battled white and yellow; the power emitted in that tight triangle would have thrown any scouter or mystic reading… but they kept it trapped in a controlled space…

For the most part.

The black energy conquered both white and yellow when the yellow energy collapsed from strain… and the energy bearer collapsed as well. Sakura retracted her defeated energy, the white glow fading away from her hands. To her right, Raven called back her dark energy, her hood pulled across her face, her braid falling over her shoulder. Sakura's face didn't betray her disappointment, but her voice did.

"That's it? That's all you've got?"

Terra's sweaty hair clung to her gloved fingers before sticking behind her ears. She shook her head in the negative. "No, I can do better… I'm just…"

"Terra… what's---"

"No, no… It's just my nerves. This is kinda a big deal." Terra replied.

"Terra, there's no 'kinda' about it." Raven replied. "You're better than this, I've seen better from you Terra. You have to do better or we can't… you aren't the only one trying to control her powers."

"I know, I know Raven… I'm trying my best to do this right… but I feel like… I'm still new at this type of training."

"You've been saying that for six days." Raven turned her head to see Terra directly and Sakura from the corner of her eye. "Terra… in one week, the fight with Slade is coming and you especially need to be ready." Raven's eyes were hard, whether purposely or just the natural response to the severity of the situation. "You wanted to forget the past… this is a close as we're going to get to that. You've got to get over being mad at me---"

"Why does this have anything to do with you?" Terra asked.

"Terra…" You know why. Raven's glare would have told her, whether or not she sent the message through her mind.

Terra rolled her lip slightly, turning away her head in something close to shame.

"You've got to get over being mad at me and start being afraid of Slade… he is coming and I have no doubt that he is planning something terrible and if he can… he'll use you like he did before." Raven's words could have turned deserts to tundra, but she was being truthful. It was not simply for Terra's welfare that she pushed the blond geomancer, and Sakura too for that matter, Raven could only fight her best when beside her was a unified force, with everyone attacking with everything they had. A weak link would snap the chain, severing the Titans and severing humanity's hold on this world.

Terra's fists clenched. "That won't happen… He won't use me."

Sakura stood up, her leather cape brushing against her pant legs. "Maybe that's enough for now… pushing too hard only makes things break… besides, Speedy wanted to practice with me, so I should get going."

Raven didn't stop her and Terra had nothing to say. Terra didn't make an excuse for her exit, figuring Raven wouldn't want to hear anything from her right then anyway. The purple haired girl's pale fingers reached for the fabric of her hood, the hesitance in the grip of her fingers showed that she wasn't committed to keeping the fabric on, but wasn't totally sure of the consequences of taking it off. There wasn't much light in the training room where Raven practiced her spells and incantations, but there was more than enough to highlight the tears running down her cheeks. In seven days… Raven didn't pull off her cloak, didn't allow her body and her mind to relax. Her body took to its lotus position, her fingers pinched into atonement.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos---" In seven days…

…

Then there were three days left.

The Titans' training overlapped when they could; Speedy and Sakura sparred, Star and Blackfire dueled, Cyborg integrated his newest data into Celine's system and Terra watched Beast Boy transform.

Beast Boy's Beast Within had great potential for destruction. That kind of power was primal. As a result, Beast Boy didn't unleash it often, but now he had a need. Beast Boy didn't seem to mind that Terra stayed with him, he felt better knowing that when he came back to himself, that he came back to someone else who was worried enough to show it.

It was needless to say that Terra's training with Raven had ended… let's say not well. So Terra decided to spend these last few days with Beast Boy.

The green changeling's massive form tore almost gracefully against his obstacle course. Beast Boy had never been so focused, never had a reason to, but doing his part in stopping the end of the world seemed to be motivation enough. It was hard to keep up with him sometimes, but there were moments when his uncertainty stood out and those green eyes gave all the world a look into his worry.

It was the same with Starfire and D'ucel. Star could battle with a might that D'ucel had difficulty challenging sometimes, but when that riot of emotion within Starfire calmed, Foxfire's blue eyes couldn't meet Starfire's green ones, because she couldn't hold her head up long enough for him to see them.

But it was moments like that, that formed greater friendships. When Aqualad lifted Blackfire's chin, when Speedy squeezed Sakura's hand, when D'ucel patted Star's shoulder tenderly, for a few more moments they could fight again, fight for their friends, fight for the rest of their lives. When the battle grounds of the Titans over lapped, there was will to keep fighting, a simple touch reminding them all how much they were fighting for…

But the paths that crossed far too infrequently were Raven and Robin's. While in no way were they avoiding each other, they trained harder than any of the other Titans, leaving little time to ease the worry of each other's mind.

Cyborg noticed first, then Star and then Beast Boy. Robin was taking his breakfast at six AM and Raven was taking hers at nine. Robin often didn't show up for lunch, though it was rare that any Titans that weren't training together to eat together; Celine made sure there was always food on stock and hoped for the best, but seeing as for the last two days Raven had been mediating in complete solitary and what the Boy Wonder was doing was anybody's guess - thus less of the pair were seen and less and less of the pair were seen together.

The other Titans didn't know that Raven fell asleep dreaming of Robin and that Robin couldn't sleep a wink until he knew that Raven was asleep or had at least been asleep within the last few hours. He'd snuck to her room more times than he cared to think about to see if she was asleep. Sometimes she would be awake; mediating in the center of her room, other times she would be laying across her bed holding a book in her lap. Other times still, he had seen her laying gracefully against her sheets, her skin nearly glowing against the dark sheet, as she slept without movement.

But it was that night, the night before a day that should have been one filled with wonderful movement and heart felt confessions, but instead the day that marked the day before the Titans' greatest challenge… that night, he went to check on Raven and found her in a fit of terrible sleep.

He had never seen her body twisted in such pain. Her fingers clenched her sheets, her teeth bit sharply into her lip and her head thrashed furiously in the negative. Robin saw her and dashed in immediately. His body disrupted the weight balance of Raven's bed, a brown bunny tripped to the floor with the shift. Robin didn't notice; he could only see Raven's eyes slowly opening as if his presence was enough to clear everything that tormented her. I wish it were so…

Her eyes opened slowly, the huge pools of color adjusted quickly, recognizing Robin's face even though his hand under her head, his heart beat rushing under his palm had told her that already.

"You were having a nightmare." Robin said.

Raven nodded. "Stay with me for a little while." Raven whispered.

I'll stay with you always.

Robin laid down beside her, the back of his fingers dusting her cheeks. Raven's eyes opened and closed, her irises wandering to Robin's fingers then his face. Robin's eyes were closed, from fatigue or from content, Raven didn't assess. It wasn't often that Raven used her healing powers on Robin, his sister usually did when he over worked himself, or he'd tend to his own wounds in the medic room. But now Raven saw the little stresses and scratches against his skin as her wounds. She enveloped them both in her energy. Robin felt the surge of her power, the power that was capable of being more fearsome than anything he had ever encountered, but at that moment it was gentler than almost anything he had ever felt in his life.

Robin's breathing deepened, Raven's powers relaxed and the two laid together on Raven's bed. Raven's whisper broke the delicate silence.

"We only have two days left."

"No, we have two days until… we're going to stop this Raven. We're going to win this."

"I believe we can… we will… but…"

"Your nightmare, what was it?" Robin asked, his body rolled over hers, his lithe form propped against his elbows. Raven thought to look away, but found she couldn't. Found she didn't want to. She wanted Robin to see everything.

"He had taken my eyes… and used them to see the entire world, to see everything that was beautiful, see everything he could cast in shadow… He took me apart, to find all the precious things to me and wash them away from the universe, but making me stay and watch… making it my fault."

"Raven, no…"

"I know, I know." Raven said, reaching her fingers to trace the outline of Robin's lips. He silenced readily and Raven went on. "But just seeing it… scared me. I won't let Trigon do those terrible things… not to me, not to us, not to any of us."

"I believe in you. I believe it in my soul… and in your soul as well. We're going to stop him, because I won't let him take that away from you."

"Take what?" Raven asked.

"Your gentle spirit."

"He can't have my spirit Robin. My conscious and my soul are not connected. I may have a gentle spirit, but my mind will always be a slave to him… until we stop him."

"We will stop him. I know we will."

Robin gently dropped his head, resting it on Raven's chest. Her heartbeat was calm against his cheek. Her fingers rubbed his back gently, almost lazily.

"Raven, are you tired?" Robin asked.

Raven nodded, obviously sleepy.

"Do you want me to stay tonight?"

"I think just this once, alone would be better… if I'm able to focus a little more; I know I'll be able to rest tonight."

Robin nodded. He kissed her lips, they were dry and the kiss lasted just a little longer than he had meant it to. Her eyes blinked, he drank in the sight of her. It was a good thing she asked me to leave; there was no way either of us could concentrate after a kiss like that…

Robin left her room, closing the door behind her. Raven didn't sit up, instead traced the clothed skin of her chest where Robin's head had lain with one hand as the other cupped the cheek that Robin had so tenderly caressed.

Raven went to bed every night with worry. Whether she felt Robin's goodnight kiss or not. In the shadow of her room, she could feel the stress pulling at her, tampering with the control and resistance Raven had to her powers.

Raven's eyes closed on their on accord. In the echoes of the shadows of her room she could hear Robin's voice. "The Titans will get stronger to protect you; you'll get stronger to defend us…"

In two days we'll find out if that's true.

…

Robin woke up with the sun in his eyes, in his own bedroom on the day of his anniversary. The light was golden, as if the sun were filling up only that room. His ankles rolled against the sheet, the morning stiffness in his joints disappearing in seconds. His back arched off the bed as he stretched his full length. A contented sigh was nearly interrupted when a distinct giggle caught his attention.

The Boy Wonder rolled to his side, though unexpected as the sound was, he welcomed it; it wasn't a threat, it was something infinitely more satisfying. His masked eyes focused on the gentle smile on her face.

"You purr like a kitten when you stretch. Did you know that?" Raven asked.

"It feels good… just like waking up to you." Robin replied.

Raven blushed and turned her face away. Robin shifted his body lazily, putting all his weight onto his left arm as his right one reached out and cupped her chin, turning her face back towards his. His smile was warm, he was a morning person and everything was free and natural with him in those first few hours of daylight. His gloved thumb stroked the soft skin of her face as her eyes came back to his.

"Happy Anniversary." Raven whispered.

Robin nodded. "More than happy Raven… much more than happy." Robin leaned forward, meeting her kiss. It didn't matter to him that he just woke up and his breath would be much less than pleasant, because he knew she wouldn't care, not today, not with everything that today meant.

"I want you to meet me on the roof in an hour. I came in to make sure you're awake." Raven said.

"Wide awake."

Raven hummed her agreement, her fingers trailing over his forehead and down the side of his face. Robin nodded and Raven gave him the sweetest look as she turned to walk out of his room. Robin pulled himself from his bed, accidentally knocking his green monkey to the floor. The Boy Wonder picked it up, holding the stuffed animal safely under his thumb.

How long had Raven and I been friends before I realized how much she meant to me? I wonder how much time we wasted, being nervous and silly with our feelings? The first time we traded gifts? The first time she looked as me for hope? The first time I looked at her and saw the most beautiful woman in the world? Robin could remember every moment when Raven was beautiful; when her eyes were blue from the moonlight, when her movements were graceful, when she was angry, when she was hurt, when she needed to turn to him… when he needed to turn to her. There were moments, even short simple moments that were etched into Robin's heart, including the moment when Raven gave him that green plushy, tying it around his shoulder with utmost care. It was a hallmark, though she had given it to him before they were officially committed to each other, but it still marked something; when they both knew that something was there; that something that was beautiful was there.

Robin rose from his bed and headed for a shower, to brush his teeth and style his hair. He missed her feeling already. He wanted to hold her there, both of them under the beating heat of his shower. He wanted to hold her, to show her everything he meant to her in ways that words and kisses couldn't.

Would she like my eyes if she saw them like this? Would she think I'm more handsome without my mask and without the stigma of a Titan? They had never seen each other free of their uniforms, but they had seen much deeper than the Titans' leader and the resident mage. They had looked past the media glare, the circumstances of their powers, the tragedy that they both locked so deep away, and a little bit, Robin believed, they had changed what was dark and treacherous about them, Robin's past and Raven's pedigree, and made something that could overshadow what Slade had planned, what Trigon wanted done and what the Slade Syndicate would do.

Robin turned off the shower, grabbed his tower and dried off. His water from his feet made his skin stick slightly to the tiling of the bathroom floor, the press and peel gave music to his steps. Robin towel dried his hair and face then chest before wrapping the towel around his waist. The mirror was fogged from the heat until Robin wiped it clear. Before his deep irises could catch a glimpse of themselves in the mirror, Robin dropped his head and replaced his mask.

I want her to see everything, but as much as it hurts, what she needs, what I need… what we all need is Robin, the Titans' leader… the Boy Wonder. Robin's masked eyes didn't show the range of emotion that ran through him, but he knew that she could see behind it and for now it would be good enough. After we stop him, I'll let her see everything… that way our happy ending won't be interrupted.

The waiting hour ended and Robin climbed to the roof. He noticed how Celine's garden had expanded. The season for Snapdragons had ended, but Celine's special seeds were still throwing their color into the air. Day Lilies were scattered amongst the more exotic flowers but didn't seem a bit out of place. It was probably an accident of Celine's genius that she picked to grow flowers in the way the Titans' tended to grow. Amongst the more spectacular colors, the gentler ones still shined and all together the view was breathtaking. Starfire's blue bells, Aqualad's wintergreens, Speedy's sakura blossoms (the significance which was lost on no one.) and Robin's…

Robin stopped in the middle of the garden when he saw Raven sitting in a hazard of color. The snapdragons were gold mostly arranged in a circle like an engagement ring. Raven leaned forward, her pale finger touching what would be the stone of the ring, the soft red petals contrasted smoothly against Raven's skin.

Robin couldn't bear to just watch her. He came and sat down behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist and his chin nestled into her collar.

"Aren't they lovely?" Raven asked.

"They pale in contrast." Robin responded.

Raven's fingers didn't stop petting the flower. Even though she had prepared for this moment, she had ignored all the pampering and priming from Sakura and Celine. She wasn't wearing her dress and she wasn't wearing any makeup. They were natural together, sitting in an unnatural circle of flowers. Robin's right leg was pressed against Raven's while the left was bent at the knee flush against Raven's shoulder.

"I had a lot of things planned for us today… but none of seems as right as sitting here with you."

"I wanted to spend every moment of today with you, Robin."

"I was worried you wouldn't want to celebrate… because of tomorrow"

"Nothing in the world can mess this up for us Robin… not Trigon, not Slade, nothing"

"I… I got you a gift… but somehow it doesn't feel right giving it to you… somehow it feels like a going away present."

"I'm not going anywhere Robin… not tonight…"

"I know, Raven. I know."

…

No one dared to venture to the roof that day. When Celine had realized they were up there together, she had blocked off the area and promised the pain of her FireFly if anyone interrupted.

Beneath the roof, the Titans wound down in their training. Their bodies were hot and tired from weeks of intense training. D'ucel had shown Star how to feel like he did and was excited to find that she had the potential to feel as much as he did. The passion of battle pouring in from all sides made the power they had gathered in their training intensify and Starfire proved to have a battle fury that Foxfire had to focus to keep up with.

When the sun was beginning to go down, Blackfire pulled her head from Aqualad's shoulder and led him back to his bedroom. Speedy's fingers locked into Sakura's as she finished wrapping his wrist with tape. Her brown eyes looked up into his masked ones and knew everything she ever wanted.

Bumble Bee arrived that night and stayed in Celine's room because it became obvious that Sakura wouldn't be sleeping in her bed that night. From the looks that Cyborg and Celine were giving each other from across the room, Bumble Bee wasn't sure if Celine would be staying in her own room either.

Beast Boy went to bed with thoughts of her, touching his heart.

…

Somehow hours had passed and Robin found himself waking up. He was lying on his back, the sunset drifting into completion. His fingers spread out and didn't find heat from Raven's body. He sat up and then stood up when he didn't catch of glimpse of his girl.

Robin stood on the roof bathing in the sunlight. He had expected to find Raven there and from the smell and feel of the air, he had just missed her.

"Raven?" Robin whispered.

In my room. Raven's voice was like a cold spill of silk against his body. It sent shudders into his heart, his whole body trembled with it. Robin walked briskly down the stairs.

If that's the way it is, than that's the way it is. Robin passed Celine as she dropped her back against Cyborg's door. Celine's eyes caught him and a hand reached out for him. "Oh, Robin!"

Robin hesitated to stop but did. "What is it Omicron?"

"I finished those specifications for your weapons upgrades. I'll bring them to the meeting tomorrow."

"Right."

"By the way, did Raven figure out where the Syndicate is waiting?"

"I don't know. I haven't thought to ask her."

"Well I did. Slade drew a map on the inside of the envelope. I meant to tell you earlier but…"

"Thanks Celine. I understand. Have you changed your mind about coming with us?" Robin asked.

"No, someone's got to watch the tower and I'm sure I can be more help from my station. We don't know anything about this Cave of Serin and considering we don't know much about what we're up against, an unobstructed view would be best."

"Alright. I'll find you tomorrow before the meeting. Get some sleep alright?"

Celine nodded, balling one hand inside the other as she went to her room to finish some last minute adjustments.

Robin made it to Raven's room. The door slid open, he slid inside. The room was dark, it was always dark, but it was how Raven was comfortable. The candles around the room emitted pale white fire, the room felt haunting and warm and every ounce Raven.

Raven wasn't inside. Robin scratched his head, walking to the center of the room. He didn't have time to think about where she was when she showed up. She appeared from thin air, returning to this dimension in a wisp of smoke. Her hood was up and her braid fell over her shoulder. Against the darkness of the room, her eyes were lit like fire.

Robin and Raven met in the middle of her bedroom. Robin's hands reached up and pulled down her hood. Her eyes looked so much softer when they were settled against the backdrop of her skin.

Robin couldn't see what Raven felt that moment. In her chest her heart beat was quickening, in her mind KnowledgE wasn't protesting, BravE was understanding and HOPE danced alone wherever she was. Raven had left Robin to sleep and had gone to meditate one last time. She wished to see HOPE again, if only for a little while, but KnowledgE and BravE wanted her attention and they got it.

Robin didn't let her think about the uncertainty in her mind. His fingers unbraided her hair, letting the strands shake free, making her forget what she saw and what they said. She could only see Robin and she could only feel Robin.

Their lips met. This kiss was different, from the moment Raven's lips met Robin's, Robin felt something totally unique about it. It was different, it was good and Raven kept giving it to him. Raven had never kissed him so heatedly, it shocked Robin, but he was enthusiastic. His hands cupped her face as her hands weaved into his hair.

Intimacy for Robin and Raven, until that moment had consisted of Robin sleeping with his head in Raven's lap, talks until three in the morning, holding hands and those innocent little kisses where their eyes were closed and so were their mouths.

This kiss was different. Raven's cheeks were flushed, Robin's eyes were half-lidded and their lips were bruised. It would be a waste of time to ask who made the first move, whether Robin back peddled or Raven pushed her boyfriend backwards, because neither knew and either way they ended up on the bed together. The back of Robin's knees hit Raven's mattress and shortly following his back hit it as well. Robin's mouth was pulled away from hers, it left a tingling sensation that she needed to satisfy. Her knees landed on either side of his hips. Robin sat up quickly, his breaths were powerful but silent, his chest pushing and retreating. She felt every tremor of his body as his fingers pulled the cloak away from her shoulders. His lips found her neck as her breath drenched his skin. Every touch was gentle every look was intense. Her heartbeat drummed, the tempo hazardous, matching his in this new dance.

Raven's fingers pushed Robin back to the mattress, making Robin's fingers reach up to pull at her leotard, exposing her back. His fingers smooth down the skin then up again to draw her leotard away from her shoulder. Raven reached for his mask.

And at the same time they stopped.

His breathing was labored, her heart beat was frenzied. She swallowed hard, her fingers relaxing against the fabric of his mask and his digits untwined from the fabric of her uniform.

In that moment of clarity, someone knocked on Raven's door. Raven turned her eyes away; away from the door and away from Robin. Robin sat up, his shoulder becoming a rest for her chin. Robin hugged her close; their breaths shuddered together as Raven rubbed her cheek against Robin's.

Their bodies relaxed, the sensations cooled and they both were glad for it. That had been wonderful, but they weren't ready. Robin laid back again, his hold on Raven pulled her on top of him. His lips pressed against her forehead as his fingers rubbed gently along her back. Somehow, just then, it hit her.

"You know how to dance, don't you?" Raven whispered.

Robin nodded.

"But when we danced together, on Starfire's birthday… you were as bad as me."

"You wouldn't have danced with me otherwise."

In the low light, Robin couldn't see Raven's blush.

"Did you know then?"

"I don't know." Robin replied.

Raven nodded. Good.

Whoever knocked hadn't found it important enough to knock again. Raven feel asleep on Robin's chest, in her room, in their love.

…

And the day came.

The Titans gathered at first light. Aqualad clenched Blackfire's hand as they all listened to Celine's information. The Cave of Serin opened just miles from Jump City, but getting to the opening required first traveling through the old town library. They would have to travel again to the place that made Raven's marks glow and further still. Speedy nodded his head, his bow clenched tightly. Sakura's fingers were tight along her hiraikotsu. Starfire steadied her heart, Beast Boy steadied his will and D'ucel focused all the emotions running through the room into himself.

Terra sat in the middle of the floor, her shoulder brushing Cyborg's leg. Celine could see the blonde girl watching her, from the corner of her eye. Celine finished explaining to Robin the specifics of his new weapon upgrades and went to her console. Her scouter slid over her eye before she caught Terra's attention. Terra rose at Celine's beckoning. Terra stood hesitantly, throwing her eye back to Robin before meeting Celine's gaze.

"Terra, I think we'd all understand if you didn't want to go… I mean with all that happened before---"

Terra leaned against Celine's machinery base. Celine watched Terra's feet tap nervously against the floor before bringing her eyes up when Terra began to speak.

"No, I need to go. I have to do my part with Slade."

Cyborg stepped closer, rubbing the back of his head. "Are you going to be okay by yourself?"

Celine smiled gently and Terra excused herself. "I'll be alright. I've got Bee… don't worry about me, just take care of yourself, alright?"

"I've got you watching my back… I'm pretty taken care of."

Celine nodded in agreement.

"Titans… lets go." Robin said.

…

The T-car was loaded with all those who couldn't fly, with the exception of Beast Boy and Terra. Beast Boy sat in the passenger seat, his gaze out the window as Terra kept pace on her boulder. Speedy was directly behind Beast Boy with Sakura sandwiched between him and Aqualad. Aqualad's gaze was in the air, watching the three Tameranians cut through the sky like bullets. The R-cycle roared as Robin led the way. His gaze was split between the road ahead and the air above and Raven moved silently against the wind.

Cutting through the darkest part of town lead them through the old town library. The T-car and the R-cycle were left behind at the building entrance, all of them moving by foot deep into the underlayer of the library and deeper still.

"Is this it?" Beast Boy asked when a cave mouth made itself present.

Raven nodded. "I think so… besides there's no where else to go." Raven moved forward and the rest of the Titans followed.

The inside of the cave was threateningly dark. Starfire raised her hand, the shadows creeping away against the green glow of her Starbolt. Star, Blackfire and D'ucel spread out, letting their power light the way as much as possible. The team moved forward, their eyes scanning the walls highlighted in blue and purple and green.

"This place is really creepy." Aqualad added.

"You said it." Beast Boy added, his eyes walking up and down the walls. It looked like the shadows were moving. Beast Boy swallowed hard and made sure to keep up.

As they were presented, the Titans traveled down spiraling stairs, their eyes darted about suspiciously, they had been traveling for twenty minutes and there was still no sign of Slade or any incoming attack.

"Titans, are you alright?" Celine's voice came through their communicators.

"Yeah. Nothing seems to be happening." Robin replied.

"That's not what my readouts are saying."

At the bottom of the stairs the cave lit up with blue flames painted against the wall. It was then that they could see what was causing Celine's worry.

Around their bodies the energy within them was glowing. A thin layer of black magic coiled around the hooded mystic and a pale white glow hummed against Sakura's skin. Terra looked down at her hands and found her yellow might was creeping from inside her and wrapping up her body. A light sheen of sweat covered Raven's face, but the mystic didn't seem to notice.

"What is going on?" Cyborg asked.

"Raven, are you alright?" Robin asked.

"I feel fine."

"But you're sweating and you're glowing. So is Sakura and Terra."

"I don't feel warm." Sakura said.

"Me either. But this is really weird."

"Why are they glowing?" Beast Boy asked, his hand traced down Terra's arm, his fingers passed right along the glow, but didn't feel a thing.

"And why just them?" Speedy asked.

"Maybe it has something to do with this cave or their power."

Against the wall Robin caught the sight of something moving. Something very fast. Something far too fast to be good. His ears were sharp, underneath his feet he could hear something slipping through the faults in the ground. It was like the slither of a snake, it was like disaster waiting to happen.

"Celine," Robin said, pressing in the ear piece of his communicator. "What can you tell us about this place?"

"Not much I'm afraid. I'm still collecting research, but besides some of Raven's books, I've got nothing to work with. I'll let you know as soon as something comes up."

"Alright. I don't think it's safe to stay here. Lets keep moving."

Robin stayed close to Raven as the team moved forward. Speedy's eyes were distracted as the movement of shadows against the walls became more obvious. The other Titans noticed too; between three glowing girls and flash shadows, it became very apparent that they were in something they'd never encountered before.

The ground cracked open behind Aqualad's footsteps. The Atlantian teen turned his head back when his step was faltered and noticed a hole that definitely wasn't there before. He frowned. He grimaced when the ground began to shake beneath him.

"Whoa! The ground is breaking apart!"

The earth splintered and fractured beneath the Titans, the ground crashed against itself creating uplifted platforms and sunken levels. Robin shifted his weight in his steps to keep his balance.

"Terra! Can you calm it down?" Robin yelled to the blonde Geomancer.

"Laaa!" Terra raised her hands. The glow around her fingers intensified then faded. Some of the land shifted, but couldn't be calmed. Terra looked down at her hands with utter confusion written on her face. Huh?

"She can't stop it! We must be dealing with something really strong to block Terra's power!"

"Whatever it is, we need to get out of here!" Cyborg replied.

The Titans that could fly grabbed those who couldn't and lifted them all to higher ground. Blackfire let go of Terra and Aqualad's hands just as Beast Boy's pterodactyl released Cyborg. Speedy and Sakura gave D'ucel and Star a thank you until all their words were silenced when Raven lowered Robin to the ground.

The Boy Wonder looked back at the lower landing, the earth wasn't settling. He could see in between the faults of the earth, black forms that were pushing the columns to raise and lower. He didn't like what he saw. He didn't like it one bit.

"Raven, any guesses on what's happening?"

"No, I don't know anything about this place really."

"Why is this place only affecting Raven, Terra and Sakura? I mean, I feel fine." Speedy said.

"Maybe it's just girls." Beast Boy said.

"But I am undamaged." Starfire replied.

Blackfire nodded. "I am unaffected as well."

"Maybe it's their powers." Aqualad posited.

"But I have powers and I, too, feel nothing. Perhaps because Komand'r, Starfire and I are aliens we are unaffected?" Foxfire added.

"But technically, Raven is an alien too. She's not from Earth."

"I think Aqualad is still onto something," Robin said. "The only connection between the girls is that they have extraordinary powers."

"Yeah, your powers are strong but common, Foxfire." Sakura added.

"So it's just that they're strong that's making them glow."

"I don't think it's a matter of strong, BB. All of us are strong some way. Their powers are just different. Wait, maybe it's where their powers come from."

"How do you mean?" Speedy asked.

"Well," Cyborg rubbed his chin. "Those three have to mediate to control their powers. We've all seen them do it and there's something strange about them. Each of their powers comes from someone else. They aren't innate and are ultimately controlled by something else."

"Right, Sakura got hers from the temple and Raven got hers from Trigon." Beast Boy agreed.

"But that doesn't explain Terra." Aqualad added.

"Oh right. She was born with those powers."

Terra clenched her fingers, the yellow glow intensifying. Pebbles and thin slates of rock shook and rumbled. Beast Boy furrowed his eyebrows.

"That's really weird." Beast Boy said.

Terra nodded. "I can still move the earth a little…"

Robin frowned, turning back to the lower ground. Maybe it has something to do with those things I saw…

"This doesn't make any sense." Cyborg said.

"Something tells me it will when we find Slade." Speedy said.

"So let's find him." Robin replied.

Their march onward continued, until something made them stop.

The black phantoms crept about, just out of their line of sight. Raven turned her head to look behind her. She had a terrible feeling she was being watched. The cave narrowed, a high arching corridor of jagged rock formations surrounded them on all sides. Robin had difficulty discerning what was shadow and what was something infinitely more terrifying. The rest of the Titans became aware of what was shifting just out of sight. Speedy readied his bow and Cyborg's cannon was charged.

The path was linear. The blue lights led the trail, lighting the way, probably thanks to Slade's Syndicate. The air was stiff, but Sakura swore she felt a chilling breeze. The three glowing girls marched; with each step their movements became heavier. Raven's sweating did not stop and Sakura's breathing became laboring.

In the middle of the corridor, Terra fainted. "Terra!"

"Titans!" Celine's voice came in through Cyborg's communicator.

"What is it Celine?"

"I found something in one of Raven's books. The Cave of Serin isn't just a portal realm."

"What do you mean?"

"Like all portals, this place is the link between multiple dimensions… but this one links more than just worlds. It's the union place of Light and Dark… of Heaven and Hell."

"The union of Heaven and Heck is under Jump City? Weird." Beast Boy muttered.

The other Titans frowned at him.

"Maybe the girls are being attack by their countering forces. Raven is feeling the light and Sakura is feeling the dark." Aqualad posited.

"And Terra?" Cyborg asked as he leaned down and scooped the unconscious girl into his arms.

"Maybe it's from when Raven and Sakura used their powers on her to get her out." Celine said.

"Or because between Heaven and Hell is the Earth." Raven said.

"Maybe that's why her powers didn't work, because the power of this place is stronger than Terra's own control." Speedy added.

"And the phantoms lurking about aren't helping." Raven added.

Robin swallowed hard and faced Raven. She nodded, then Cyborg nodded and the team pressed forward. It wasn't another few steps before Sakura stumbled, dropping to one knee.

"Sakura! Sakura are you okay?" Speedy crouched down beside her.

"I think so. I just felt really dizzy."

Speedy helped his girlfriend to her feet, pulling her arm over his shoulder. Robin turned to Raven again, but she showed no signs of fatigue. Maybe because she's that much stronger than Sakura and Terra that she's able to fight it off more…

"They're back." Aqualad said.

The group turned from their attention from the fallen Terra and the wounded Sakura to the shadows that were ripping against the wall.

Celine's voice rang loud and clear. "You guys, my scouter says something is coming at you! From the east and the west…"

"And below!" Starfire screamed when a black phantom hand snagged her left ankle. A darting bird-a-rang severed the grasp and Star flew higher out of range. But no where near out of danger.

The black and red phantoms spilled in from the walls, from the cave ceiling and the floor. They came in waves, massive waves that replaced themselves when they were cut by arrows, Blackbolts and bear claws. Raven blasted her dark powers, slicing through the phantoms. Sakura's Holy split them apart, the white ripping and clashing against their black forms. But they just kept coming.

Beneath Aqualad's feet the earth began to rumble. His dark eyes widened, Blackfire's swoop grabbed him before he could fall into the chasm ripping open beneath him.

"What is this? We went from fighting nothing to earth quakes and demon waves."

"And they keep coming." Blackfire added.

Robin slammed his bird-a-rangs together and continued to cut through the phantoms. Cyborg blasted away, his free arm securing the unconscious blonde to his shoulder.

"Celine, any idea where they're coming from?"

"No! But they aren't coming from we're you're going! Make a run for the northern passage. Be careful, the earth is becoming unstable. Those phantom energies are ripping the ground apart."

"Titans move!"

The team ran. Their footsteps were uneven as each had their own labors to weigh them down. Robin led the way, Raven keeping up in a strong run. Cyborg tried not to jostle his charge and Beast Boy tagged behind him. The Tameranians were in the air, Aqualad running beneath their shadows. Speedy and Sakura took up the rear, arrows splintering the phantoms brave enough to follow.

It happened the moment Speedy fired an arrow, the same moment Blackfire charged a Blackbolt to assist, the same moment that the glow around Raven's body shrunk away. In their speed they had no way to defend when a column of earth rose and smashed into Sakura who slammed into Speedy. The pair rolled and before the group could react, the earth split, raising one platform and dropping the one beneath Sakura and Speedy. There wasn't enough time for the Titans to react to their fading screams when Starfire added her own. From the wall a phantom emerged and grabbed her waist, pulling her into the stone. Blackfire sprung forward, grabbing her sister's flailing limbs. She pulled with all her strength but found herself, too, being pulled in by the phantom. D'ucel made a grab for Blackfire and Aqualad pulled at D'ucel's waist. All their struggles were for vane when all four of them were pulled into the wall.

Raven could only gasp as the cave floor crackled and purged, tossing the remaining Titans into the air and gravity brought them back down. Beast Boy's elbow struck a stone, the slab of earth sunk into the ground. Beast Boy's green eyes widened as the slab slid from sight. That can not be good…

And he was right. The floor lifted on a slant, becoming a sharp angle that left them all victims to gravity. Their yells echoed against the cave walls as they slid down the mostly smooth path. The trail turned and looped, the high speed leaving them at the course's mercy. The end of the path came and the edge seemed to spit them out. The trail shut itself behind them. The Titans rolled and crashed against the horizontal floor.

Robin pulled himself up first. "Are you guys okay?"

"I've been better." Cyborg said, rubbing his head.

"Ugh, where are we?"

"Where are the others?"

Robin tapped his communicator. "Celine, do you know where they others are? Are they okay?"

"I've got them located; they're all accounted for and for the most part no worse for wear."

"Where are they?"

"That I'm not really sure. The data I have on the Cave of Serin was not for any of the trails you're on. I think you're on your own as for how to get back."

"Keep us updated if you find anything out." Robin replied.

"Will do. Celine out."

Robin closed his communicator. Cyborg hefted Terra back to his shoulder.

"She doesn't know where the others are or where we are and how to get to Slade is anybody's guess."

"Umm, did anyone notice that this room doesn't have any exits?" Beast Boy asked.

The group looked around. Beast Boy was right. There were six passage ways but all were closed by a slab of earth. The sound of earth moving tore a gasp from all of them. Dust and rocks shook free from the roof. The rumble ricocheted from wall to wall, the grinding of stone against stone as the ceiling began to lower.

…

Sakura groaned as her consciousness returned to her. She was slow to pull herself up, her arms straining to lift her chest from the ground. Her brown eyes focused, catching the sight of Speedy's boot. She pulled herself to her feet, securing her weapon against her back.

Speedy was staring upwards. He turned to look back at her.

"You okay?"

Sakura nodded. Speedy turned halfway to face her, one hand pointing to the cliff ledges high above their heads. "I've looked around. We're down pretty deep from that fall."

"Where are we?"

"Don't know. But the only way out of here is up."

"And how do we do that?" Sakura asked, her raised eyebrows showing her reluctance to catch onto Speedy's obvious plan.

Speedy strung a grappling arrow and with his bow and let it rip. The arrow clutched just past the cliff edge. The red haired archer tugged on the line making sure it was secure. Sakura sweat dropped.

"Speedy."

"Yeah?"

"What are you doing?"

"I'm securing a line for us to zip up."

"I think you're forgetting something." Sakura stated.

Speedy gave one final tug, satisfied with its steadfastness. "That you're terribly afraid of heights?"

Sakura nodded.

"No. Just ignoring it."

"Well I can't! There's no way I'm getting up there unless the ground beneath us lifts!"

"Well that's not going to happen. Something tells me we were separated for a reason."

"How do you figure?"

"Well, something has to be up. You're not glowing anymore."

Sakura looked down at her hands, turning the palm over. "I feel fine too."

"I'm starting to think that those phantom things were the cause. They stopped Terra's powers and now that they aren't around, you aren't glowing."

"Maybe. We should find the others and see if they figured out anything."

"There's only one way to do that, Sakura." Speedy gripped the line with one hand and stepped closer to Sakura.

"No, there's got to be another way!"

"No, there isn't."

"How… how do you know that's the right way?"

"As of right now, it's the only way. Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do." Sakura replied, terribly aware of Speedy standing within kissing distance.

"I won't let you fall."

"It's not the fall I'm worried about. It's the stop at the end that gets me." Sakura replied.

Speedy smiled and Sakura knew she was in trouble. Speedy leaned forward, kissing Sakura on the mouth. Her shock was enough to let her guard down. Speedy grabbed her tightly by the waist.

Sakura gasped. "Chotto matte!" (Wait!)

Speedy released the stressor, catapulting them into the air. Sakura couldn't form a scream, her eyes clenched tightly and her face buried itself into Speedy's shoulder. The air rushed around her, throwing her black hair haphazardly.

The wind stopped, Their feet reached solid ground. Speedy smirked and let go of Sakura's waist. "That wasn't so bad was it?" Sakura collapsed to her knees.

"If we didn't have an apocalypse to stop, I'd pummel you."

Speedy helped her to her feet. "Come on. Let's try and find the others."

"Hai." (Yes)

…

The descending ceiling pushed down on them. Cyborg grunted and groaned trying to push the ceiling back up with brute force. His knees wobbled. Beast Boy's transformations couldn't push it up either.

"Oh man! I really wish Terra was awake right now!" Cyborg groaned.

Robin pushed as hard as he could, the ceiling dropped low enough that he could push against it. Raven expelled her energy, but the decent was insistent. Raven's power was collapsing. Her dark soul couldn't hold up the ceiling.

"We'll be crushed if we can't break apart the ceiling."

"My soul self can't penetrate it! The power here is too strong!"

Robin groaned when the ceiling sunk again, forcing him to one knee. Cyborg's parts squealed and eventually the green changeling couldn't risk another transformation and fell to his back.

"Robin!" The mystic was being crushed; she turned her face to the side, clenching her eyes closed. Her dark energy couldn't stop it.

"Raven!" Robin laid on his chest, his head turned and able to see Raven clawing pitifully searching for some power strong enough to---

"Ahh!"

The ceiling stopped. Beast Boy opened his eyes, the sharp rock that had been prodding into his chest wasn't pressing anymore… it was lifting up. The ceiling rose higher and higher, high enough for the green changeling to sit up. He rubbed his head and was the first to see her. She had risen to her knees, her breath racking her petite frame. Her power throbbed in her clenched hand.

"Terra!"

Terra rose finally, her hands fully extended above her head. The yellow glow to her eyes was fierce. "Laa!" With one finally shove she right the ceiling into place. The glow faded, her blue eyes shimmered.

"Terra, you overcame those phantoms!" Beast Boy grabbed the girl and hugged her.

"You saved our butts." Cyborg said.

"Dying here would make this whole trip pointless… so it's the least I could do."

"You did more than enough. You saved our lives." Robin replied.

Terra's eyes narrowed. Then Beast Boy's did.

"Did you hear that?" BB asked.

Cyborg's sonar picked up something as well. "I think it's the walls…"

"Are they collapsing again?"

"No," Raven pointed. "They're opening up."

Six sheets of the earth crumbled away, revealing six pitch black passage ways. Wind came pushing out of each of them. It tousled Raven's cloak, it pulled at Robin's hair.

"One of them has to lead to where we're going." Cyborg posited.

"We don't know that and without any outside information, we have no idea if any of them are safe." Robin replied.

"Then which way do we go?" Beast Boy asked.

Raven turned and pointed to the first door on the far left. There didn't seem to be anything particular to it to Robin, Beast Boy or Cyborg.

"Why that one?" Cyborg asked.

"Yeah, I've got a bad feeling about that way." Terra admitted.

"Exactly." Raven said, pulling up her hood. "We're heading for very bad things."

…

When their paths collided, it was momentous and terrible. Raven's party ran in from their corridor, just as a trap door opened and dropped Speedy and Sakura in. Aqualad and Blackfire were already present in the circular battle ground. But they were unconscious and Starfire looked one blow away from joining them. D'ucel was charging for another attack, he couldn't take much more, but he was ready to give until he got.

Robin's feet slid to a halt. Speedy picked himself up and Sakura shook the cobwebs from her head. Starfire's grimace held tight, her green eyes taken over with her power. Her stand was unsteady, but ready to give it her all…

Against the Slade Syndicate.

The backdrop was powerful enough to chill them to the bone. The syndicate stood in something akin to a line in front of the portal that Celine had told them about. It was massive, the color purple when it was closed, what horrible hue it would turn when opened was something none of them wished to think about.

"Hello Titans… I'm glad you could make it. I was beginning to wonder if my message was too cryptic… I wonder how long it was before Celine found the map. Did you throw your voice to sound like me, Robin?"

Speedy suppressed a shudder as he strung his bow. Robin stepped forward and let his eyes take in all before him. Slade stood front and center. His cold eye was locked on him, but the eyes of his companions were much more difficult to decipher.

"Oh, how rude of me. I should introduce you to my associates. I would have liked you to meet my Syndicate in full force, but I assure you all the primary players are in attendance."

Robin's eyes moved from face to face. Red X was obvious, he was perched menacingly on a short cliff to Slade's right. Only because Robin was intimately familiar with X did he know where the doppelganger's eyes were trained.

"Unfortunately, some of our less valuable members couldn't be in attendance. But I assure you, they're in a better place, doing very important things. But for now, the Slade Syndicate is comprised of four members. You're familiar with Red X… he does after all need no introduction."

X leapt down from his perch, stretching out in his inherited grace. "I've been waiting a long time Sunshine. Ready to go?"

Raven didn't hesitate to draw her power to her hands.

"Such a nasty temper Raven… it must be the demon inside you." X hissed.

Raven sneered, but Robin put a hand out, keeping the mystic back. They weren't moving forward until they knew everything about their opponent. Robin hoped that Celine was listening and gathering as much as she could to help.

"Demon inside you… I suppose that's a similarity you share with Tetris." Slade turned his head to the second member of his court. He was young with skin the same demon pale as Raven. His eyes and hair were pink… but in his eyes they could see nothing. Under the glow of his thin band crown, his irises were uniform, absolutely empty. He couldn't be older than seventeen, his garb told them just as much as his skin about his demon heritage. His energy frightened Raven, but somehow in the pit of her stomach, Raven knew that he wasn't a real threat, not yet.

"Tetris doesn't say much… but his actions say more than enough. He reminds me of someone else I know---"

"I've had enough of your foolery!" The third member of Slade's court turned to the Titans. "Surrender the girl or take the violent way to Hell!"

"And who are you?"

"I am Washu and I will be your destruction." Behind Washu flame soldiers and phantom demons were torn from the ground. The blacks and reds clashed with evil fury, their very presence spoiled the air. Wind erupted from the pool of their energy. Slade stood impassive while the wind tugged at both Washu's and Tetris' long locks.

"We've never been ones to take the path of least resistance. You aren't getting Raven. We're the Titans and you're going down."

"Those are quite brave words, Robin. But I doubt your ability to back them up. My forces are inexhaustible… can you say the same?"

Robin turned his head, taking in the sight of his team. Blackfire helped Aqualad to his feet and D'ucel stood strong against Starfire. Cyborg gave Robin a nod. The cybernetic Titan exposed his beam cannon. The front he put up, that they all put up, was brave. They were all battered a little already; from the fall, from the crushing, from whatever had taken down Blackfire and Aqualad. Sakura tightened her grip on her hiraikotsu and Beast Boy was preparing to unleash the Beast Within.

And there was Raven, her eyes narrowed and focused. The dark power could block the sun, spoil the land, scour the universe… but now it was going to save; it was going to save her life, save her future, save all the rest of their lives. Robin stood up as tall as he could.

"I can and I do. Titans GO!"

Washu waved his hand forward and the expendable masses of the Slade Syndicate sprang forward to meet the Titans head on. As the bolts of energy rained out, as fists smashed through forms, Robin stepped forward and engaged Slade first. Behind them the chaos of battle raged on, Raven's powers crumbled foes, Cyborg's cannon boomed and countering acts rained back and forth.

Robin narrowed his eyes at Slade.

"Somehow I always knew, at the end of this all; it would be me versus you." Robin said.

"Robin, you think so small. This is hardly the end… for me at least. What becomes of you will rest on how well Raven does her job."

Robin sneered. "You will fail Slade."

"No one fails destiny Robin. No matter how much you wish it wasn't so… Did you think that by kissing her good night that her very nature would be changed? Raven's DNA wants to bring about the apocalypse and demon genes are selfish. And on the inside, so is she."

"I don't believe that!"

"And that is why you fail."

Robin attacked. Slade drew his staff and met him head on. Their weapons sung against each other, the metal against metal echoed, but was lost in the frenzy of battle. The march of phantoms and flame soldiers occupied the Titans. Earth shattered and splintered, magic was thrown back and forth. Raven's purple eyes took in the entire battle scene as she battled against the pursuing phantoms; Robin was meeting Slade blow for blow, Speedy was hunting a tumbling Red X with his arrows as Sakura's hiraikotsu cut her enemies in half. Above everything, past Star's eyebeams and the charging Beast Within, Raven could see them; Washu and Tetris… and they were doing nothing… and to Raven, that appeared to be infinitely more dangerous than the fury of battle. She could feel it, just like she had before when Brother Blood attacked her. That sharp pain drummed into her head and left her vulnerable. A phantom made an attack, but Beast Boy's thundering fists intercepted.

Blackfire rained down blackbolts, clearing a path as the champion of Tameran crashed through waves of flame soldiers. Aqualad caught up with Red X, keeping the doppelganger occupied enough for a net arrow to take him down. The catch wouldn't last long, a sharp X freed the bandit and his cartwheel freed one hand to bombard Aqualad and Speedy both with thundering Xs. Starfire's raining starbolts made fleeing X's most appealing option.

"These things keep coming!" Cyborg said. "Celine, have you found any weaknesses in these guys?"

Back in the tower Celine's fingers darted rapidly over the keys, her systems nearly at capacity as she analyzed every bit of information that the energy meters picked up.

"Cyborg, some of these phantoms are naturally occurring, they aren't acting on orders… they're probably just as likely to attack us as the Slade Syndicate."

"Then why are they only attacking us?"

"Just like the flame soldiers, they're getting their message from somewhere else."

Sakura covered Cyborg's back, her weapon slicing through creeping flame soldiers. Their severed bodies collapsed to the ground hissing and scolding the earth.

"It's that creep Washu! I've got a really bad feeling about him… he's more than strong enough to control the horde!" Sakura added.

"If we cut him down---" Cyborg let his energy beam tear against his enemies.

Celine's voice came in loud and clear. "Then we stop the attack."

The two prepared to attack together, but Sakura was the one who heard Robin's groan when an attack by Slade took his breath away. "Robin!" Sakura leapt into the air, just high enough to give her the angle she needed. The giant boomerang sung through the air, just in front of Robin's body and at Slade's. The blow took Slade down but not out. The hiraikotsu returned. The half-Japanese girl tossed her arm back ready for another attack. Red X dove forward and tackled Sakura, the two rolled for dominance until Sakura managed to plant her boots into his stomach, hurling him over her head. Sakura pulled herself to her feet, just in time to see X tumble into the path of Robin. Robin's straight kick connected, catching his mimic in the gut.

In perfect unison, X and Robin balled their fists, taking the same fighting stance. Robin leered.

"I know who you are."

"I'm every strength you never acted on." X replied.

"You're every flaw that I'm going to bury."

Robin jumped, his right foot extended to deliver a brutal kick. X countered, managing to grab the Boy Wonder's foot and twisting it about the ankle, turning Robin's whole body into a spin. Robin's left leg kicked out before the spin finished, connecting with the side of Red X's head. Robin landed in nearly a split, one hand pressed against the ground, giving him the friction needed to spring forward and launch his next attack.

While X back flipped away from Robin's swings, Slade moved forward. With one hand Raven sent her fury into the battle, dark jets of her power cut through phantoms, but always one eye was fixed on Washu and Tetris… that was how she saw Cyborg's failed attack and missed Slade's sneak attack.

Terra ripped open a small chasm, separating Blackfire and an onslaught of flame soldiers. The stirring earth caught Cyborg's attention. "Yo Blackfire! Give me a lift!" The brunet Tameranian flew to his call, grabbing his free arm as the sonic cannon took aim.

"No!" Raven yelled, but before she could protect them, Cyborg's blast struck. The beam dispersed against the invisible barrier. Without turning his head, Washu charged energy, the backlash kicked back his cape, the energy was nearly invisible and too fast to evade. Cyborg's grunt and Blackfire's yell caught Aqualad and Starfire's ears. Star rescued Cyborg and Aqualad captured the fallen Blackfire. Aqualad crouched to the ground, shaking her.

"Blackfire! Blackfire!"

His concern would leave him victim to the phantom attacks. Raven watched Speedy's arrows cut down the demons circling around the collapsed Aqualad and Blackfire. His weapon could do nothing when Starfire was tackled and dragged to the ground. Robin's body skid into Speedy's, toppling the archer.

"You have the power to end this." Slade's voice was so close she could feel it. Raven turned sharply, her hands ripe with her demonic fury. "It's your fault they suffer… does it feel good that they fight for you?" Beast Boy was dog piled, his arms failing under the grasp of dozen flame fighters. "That they might die for you?" Slade continued. Fox shots rained down and blue eye beams ripped across the fighters, until two phantoms grabbed D'ucel and slammed him into a wall. "It could be all over if you say the word."

"You're wrong. It will take three! Azarath Metrion Zinthos!"

The black Raven bodies emerged from her, the pair nearly ten feet tall. With a point of her finger, Raven's own phantoms marched forward; one darting for Slade, the other went to challenge Washu.

Slade dodged and swung, his fire balls were ineffective and Raven's soul self kept coming. Her dark hand rose to strike, but the attack was interrupted when dozens of phantoms pour forward, from crevices in the ground and walls and latched onto the spirit form.

Though Slade escaped Raven, he couldn't evade Robin. The drop kick smashed along his chin. Robin slipped under Slade's guard, his smaller arm reaching under Slade's, the heavy limb served as a wrench, and Robin tossed his nemesis in a tag throw³, his whole body contributing to the slam. Slade sailed for a moment before turning his body and landing on his feet. His single eye widened, as he watched Sakura's approach. Her diving jump kick would have been too fast for any other person but Slade, the agile flame thrower somersaulted forward, taking him from Sakura's path and right back into Robin's. The spin kick crackled along Slade's mask, the force of the blow throwing Slade against a wall. Star's eye beams ripped along the wall and across Slade's form, the upkick of dirt taking him from sight.

Speedy's knock out arrow collided with Red X, knocking him onto his stomach. He lifted his head in time to watch Sakura's approach. Her thunder stomp connected, her boots planted into the small of Xs back. The force gave the girl a rebound, front flipping forward.

Her landing put her in position to see Washu make his move.

At that moment Raven's soul self engaged Washu's barrier. Raven groaned when the single mash against Washu's barrier collapsed her soul self and returned it to her. Raven's body trembled, but she could see that Washu's barrier had suffered as well. Raven's second self become stronger, freeing itself from the phantoms, their energy dissipating under Raven's wrath. The solitary soul self floated forward, both hands extended and clawed at the barrier. Raven strained under the force, her hands jutted forward to give her soul self more strength. The barrier screeched and opened, the massive soul self reached in and made contact with Washu.

The explosion was unparalleled. In one moment, when Raven's soul self encountered Washu, the energy of the fight tore through the cave. White light blinded them all, and from her control panel, Celine became terribly frightened.

Celine's fingers whizzed and drummed, her output monitor whorled in agony, trying to analyze the pure power. Above her head an alarm went off. Behind her Bumble Bee gasped. Someone had infiltrated the tower.

"Bee!" Celine turned to her friend.

"I'm on it!" The dark haired girl exposed her wings and charged out the room.

None of the Titans in the cave of Serin heard Celine; none of them could spare the attention. The reacting light blinded them all. When the air cleared, Blackfire uncovered her eyes and saw that while Washu still stood Raven did not. The long haired mystic collapsed to her knees, all of her energy retreated and shriveled into her body.

"That is enough games." Washu said and for the first time the Titans could see him charging his terrible grey power. "It is time to end this."

His energy swept through the cave, every crushing life form in its path. The flame soldiers crumbled and the phantoms vanished. Speedy's eyes widened as the power headed toward him and was saved by destruction by Starfire swooping in. Speedy watched the energy trail him, getting closer even as Star flew her maximum speed. The Titans ran backwards, covering one half of the cave before Washu's might descended.

Robin was the first to gasp, when the magic of Washu was in inch from his face… and stopped. The white shield was protecting him… protecting all of them.

Sakura's breathing was labored, she had never made a barrier so large, to protect so many lives. Her fingers were static as the Holy energy stopped Washu's dark will. The other Titans were in awe as her magic held up. Raven pulled herself up.

Washu was not so pleased. His attack rapped against Sakura's Holy, but couldn't penetrate. Behind the Titans, the rumblings of more phantoms emerged and the awe was cut short. The Titans returned to the fray, behind their backs Sakura's will kept Washu out.

Washu continued to bombard the fierce white energy. He had seen energy like that once before and then he had been too weak to fight it away. The memory burned him and intensified the fury. Sakura could feel the power nearly doubling, but her energy was not backing down. The wall of pure energy held from the ceiling to the floor and wasn't giving in. Not to him. Washu turned to his companion. Tetris' gold crown shimmered and without a word the dead-eyed teenager moved forward.

Behind her, the ruckus of the fight waged on. Slade, who had been on Sakura's side of the barrier, went on the offensive, pitching Beast Boy aside with a fire ball. Speedy stepped in, using his bow to challenge Slade's staff. Slade's solitary eye narrowed before the older masked fighter leapt into the air, dropping his heel in a spin kick, clashing against Speedy's bow. The weapon cracked, Speedy's eyes widened in shock and Slade attacked again. The straight kick delivered the severing blow; the splinters of metal shattered into the air as Slade's boot knocked Speedy's head back, lifting the archer off his feet.

A strange energy rippled along Celine's energy output reader. Her dark eyes narrowed, leaning in. Her scouter wasn't picking up anything new, but the energy reading was soaring through the roof. Her console was starting to alarm as the power grids were insufficient to assess the power surges. She had only seen power expelling like that once before against Dr. Light… but Raven wasn't putting forward any more power…

Celine's brow furrowed. That doesn't… Celine's thoughts were cut short by a faint sound; it was distinct even over the whirl of her computers. Celine swore she heard a ticking.

"What? … What is that?"

The sound intensified and became something infinitely more terrible. It became Celine's scream.

"Ahhh!"

Cyborg's parts shook. His communicator buzzed in static, the sharp screech of interrupted feed drummed into the ears of all the Titans. Cyborg steadied his feet.

"Celine! Celine! Are you alright? Omicron! Answer me!"

The sharp screech made Sakura close her eyes, it made her make her mistake. Her eyes opened and there he was his dead eyes unseeing. Sakura's eyes widened when Tetris walked through her barrier. She was helpless when his arm swung out, delivering a chop to her neck. The instance of impact, Sakura's consciousness was stolen; the half-Japanese girl fell to the ground. Tetris stood over her, his clothes tugged by the incoming wrath of Washu.

The dark matter stormed through the air, hurling Star, Blackfire and D'ucel against the cave walls. Robin's body crashed into Aqualad, the pair tumbling backwards from the shot. Cyborg and Beast Boy smashed against the ground. Slade remained still and Raven shielded her face with her arms. Raven's feet slid, her heels digging tracks into the cave ground.

The onslaught ended, Raven and the Slade Syndicate the only ones still on their feet. Raven uncrossed her arms, around her, her friends were lying in varying states of consciousness. Raven's barrier had protected her, but not much, Washu's attack left her panting. Her hair was frazzled, her cheeks wind whipped and battered. Her eyes were dark.

Raven's soul self began to emerge, the dark figure pulling from her chest. Washu narrowed his eyebrows, his lips twisted in a sinister grin. With one hand extended, a lashing belt of dark energy came at Raven, aimed at the precious power she was extending forward.

Raven couldn't pull back fast enough, couldn't ready a barrier in time; couldn't do anything to defend herself…

So he defended for her.

Raven didn't know how it happened, how he had pulled himself up so quickly, but he had. Raven's eyes widened as her body was thrown to the side, out of danger, if only for the moment. Raven's eyes shock with worry as the blow meant for her, crashed into Robin.

The light was possibly the brightest thing the Titans had ever seen. As they pulled their battered bodies from the floor, all but the unconscious siblings saw it. The blow struck Robin in the chest, dead center, directly in his heart. And in the moment that the black coil connected an energy so bright and beautiful emerged, it took all of their breaths away. Robin's body shook as the pure gold sphere of his life force was pulled from him, his body becoming stiff when the final waves of his spirit were pulled forth.

His body crashed to the ground, but only Raven saw it. Every other eye was transfixed by the absolute radiance of the golden sphere of energy, floating above the collapsed form of the Boy Wonder. Washu's eyes widened, he had never seen an energy so magnificent and he had stolen the life force of many.

The ball floated in its loose sphere, Starfire shielded her eyes to minimize the blinding. Under the guard of her hand she could see Raven, huddled over the Boy Wonder. She and the dead-eyed Tetris the only ones not lost in the awe.

"Robin! Robin! Wake up! Wake up!"

Tears were running down her eyes. Robin was breathing, but so shallowly it was but a prayer from Raven's soul that it was there and not a figment of her hope. Her heart pounded in her chest. His skin was cold under her fingers, he was almost weightless. "Robin! Robin! Wake up! Get up!"

Slade was the first to pull away, his eye throwing from Raven to Washu.

"Washu! Their defenses are down! Attack!"

But Washu was frozen. He had to have it. Raven's tear soaked face rose when the gold energy that was hanging above Robin was pulled away, darting across the room and into Washu's possession. The cold demon stared at it, marveling at it as it shrunk in size to fit into his collection. Slade ran to the demon's side, his powerful body tight with demand.

"Washu! Quickly! Acquire your gem!"

Washu's eyes widened and he remembered himself. His fingers waved a command and Tetris followed the order. It was something as simple as a flick of a wrist as pink waves, the color of his eyes and hair fanned out with one target. Raven was lost in worry and unprepared when a new attack smashed into her. The force of the blow threw her a few feet away. The mystic slammed into the ground, a short groan escaping her lips as her consciousness was stolen away.

The Titans will get stronger to protect you, you'll get stronger to defend us… and we'll get our happy ending Raven… I promise.

The Titans struggled to their feet. They watched in horror as a ring of blue flames surrounded the helpless Raven. Phantoms encircled her in a black ring as frightening as the flames. Beast Boy staggered to his feet, a bruise along the side of his head made it difficult to see. He braced his hand on a tall rock formation, beneath his fingers the earth rumbled. His green eyes darted forward and watched with surprise.

"Laaa!"

The earth under Raven lifted as a jagged platform of the earth. Cyborg pulled himself wearily from the floor, he could see Terra's hands glowing; her eyes were glowing as she pulled Raven's helpless form up from the claws of the phantoms from the cave. Terra stepped forward, one hand extended, coming closer and closer to Raven. The phantoms shook away as the geomancer's power took full control of the raised bed.

"Alright Terra!" Beast Boy shouted. He watched his friend in total excitement. She had total control…

She had tricked them.

Beast Boy's face dropped when Terra didn't bring Raven to safety, but instead moved the fragile mystic to Washu's side. All the Titans stood petrified in disbelief.

Terra… no…

Slade turned from Washu to Terra as she stepped right in front of them. Her smile was cruel, his gaze was knowing.

"Very good Terra… but then again, you always were."

Terra's grin became feral. "The best… they fall for it every time."

"No!" Beast Boy yelled.

Cyborg drew his beam cannon. Starfire's fury began to pour from her. Sakura's eyes strained to open, she struggled to her feet, the pain in her head was throbbing. Her eyes focused, just in time to see Washu's attack.

"We have the girl, let's go." Slade commanded.

Washu nodded, with a wave of his hand the portal behind them raised to opened. The cave became darker as the gapping portal wall slide upwards, the rock groaning and straining against itself. Washu began his decent into the cave, with a single flick of his hand Tetris turned and shot forward another devastating energy blast. The Titans were thrown, consciousness leaking from them one at a time.

The Holy energy protected her, the dark waves repelled from Sakura, dispersing into the air. She was weak, barely able to pull herself to her knees, while the rest of the Titans collapsed around her. Her eyes fought around Tetris' attack and through the blind of her own Holy. Slade disappeared; Red X vanished into the darkness. Tetris turned around and followed, in slow movements, unrushed and uncontrolled.

And Terra turned, giving one cruel look as she floated Raven's platform into the darkness. Those eyes were blue, and against the backdrop of the portal door sliding shut, they were that much crueler. Sakura gritted her teeth.

"Kisama!" (You!)

Speedy would be the only one conscious to see it all. Terra slid finally into the darkness of the portal, stealing with her Raven and the innocence of the family of Titans. The portal door dropped, taking inch after inch of escape. It would close soon and they would lose Raven forever…

And Sakura as well.

Speedy wanted to call out to her not to run, but she did. Sakura ran and when there was only two feet between the ground and the portal door, Sakura slid in, her hand clearing just before the portal closed shut. Speedy finally fell victim to his exhaustion…

And the world plunged into darkness.

…

At the base of the portal transition, the Slade Syndicate stopped. Washu turned to the fallen Raven and used his power to lift her unconscious form, wrapping her in his dark energy. She floated parallel to the ground, it was haunting… it was every intention of the demon wizard.

Terra let the earth crumble away when it no long held her capture. She dusted her shoulder off. Red X turned his head to her.

"You did it Sunshine."³

"That you did. I'm very proud of you, Terra."

"I bet. We've got Raven… the Titans are probably still crushed from the shock… why don't we go back and destroy them now so they don't interfere?"

"My dear girl, you have all the power in the world, but absolutely no appreciation for life. Isn't there something beautiful about the vainest struggles for survival?"

"Haa!"

The blast of Holy energy blinded the room. Slade, Red X and Terra were thrown back by the surge of energy. Terra landed on her back. She quickly pushed herself to her elbows, shaking the cobwebs from her head with her hand. Her blue eyes narrowed as she took in Sakura. The half-Japanese girl looked an inch away from falling over. Her breathing was hard and she was holding a wounded shoulder. The pure energy was flexing and fading from her control. Washu stared down at the girl, watching how her hold on her energy was failing her.

"Take care of this insignificance."

Terra and Slade pulled themselves to their feet. Red X didn't. Terra barely spared him a look before she dusted off her arms.

"I should have figured one of the Titans would prove to be a bigger idiot than the rest of them. And I'm glad it's you Sakura, I've always wanted to tear you apart."

Sakura sneered.

"Oh? What's this Sakura? Your Holy power wearing you out? Its just like I told you Slade… really powerful… but absolutely no control."

Sakura attacked.

Terra wasn't fast enough to stop the fist that connected with her face. Slade was surprised by the speed of the obviously wounded girl. If she fights like this weakened…

His thoughts were interrupted when a fist hammered down on his shoulder. He staggered back, right into a combination bow and arrow kick, Sakura's boot slamming into his chest. Sakura landed in a spider crouch, underneath her the ground tore open. The leather clad fighter rolled to her side and just to the edge of the ripping land.

Terra punched and Sakura countered; grabbing the traitor's wrist and pulling Terra's arm to off balance her, then using all her weight to push Terra's own fist into the blond girl's face. The blow stunned her and gave Sakura all the lee-way she needed to jerk her forward and downward, Terra's face crashing against Sakura's bent knee. The finishing closed fist backhand smashed across Terra's cheek, tossing her aside.⁴

Sakura stretched to her full height. Her Holy slowly charged to attack again. She only caught a brief glimpse of Washu before the demon mage waved his hand and a sweep of energy scrambled her psyche. Sakura gasped and grabbed her head.

Slade took his opportunity. The punch took Sakura's breath away. She could feel every single digit of Slade's right hand curled into her breadbasket. Her brown eyes widened as her muscles groaned and her knees gave out. She coughed and clenched her stomach. Slade stepped back and Terra stood beside him.

"This is Robin's sister." Terra pointed.

"She makes the same mistakes he does." Slade replied.

Sakura groaned, the earth beneath her was beginning to tug at her. Her pain stricken face turned upward and saw them looking down at her. Terra's leer would have been motivation enough, if she hadn't caught a glimpse of Raven's helpless figure floating at Washu's will. Sakura found the last of the strength within her to attack.

She leapt forward, much faster than Slade wanted to believe she was capable of. Her fury was apparent in her brown eyes. It almost mesmerized him, but that intensity was short lived.

The hand from the earth erupted and snaked around Sakura's left ankle, stopping the attack before she could get them in range. Sakura's head whipped to the side and then down at her captured leg. As her hand rose to smash the stone, Terra sprung forward.

It wouldn't be that easy. Sakura turned and had just enough leverage to parry Terra's strike, tossing her to the side. Sakura's head remained turned to watch the girl stumble for too long. Slade moved forward and attacked in a move that she couldn't parry. Sakura's scream rebounded off of every wall in the Cave of Serin. Had the other Titans been conscious, they would have heard it on the other side of the portal wall. Slade's elbow slammed down onto Sakura's thigh. The angle of the attack, the position the stone hand had her in and the sheer force of the strike gave Sakura's body no option, but to break.

Sakura dropped and the hand of the earth fell away. Her tears were like fire, to Slade it was testament to his power and to the beauty of tragedy. Terra stood beside him again, looking down at the crying, proud fighter.

There was no reaction time. The earth pulled over her like a wave. The last vision of Sakura, as the stone set closed around her, was her eyes closing and a thin white energy wrapping around her.

"What are we going to do with her?" Terra asked.

Slade rubbed his chin.

"I'm sure we can think of something creative. But first…" Slade's eye turned to the trapped Raven. His smile was hidden, but no less threatening. "We have a prophecy to enact."

The Syndicate had work to do.

"The Titans will get stronger to protect you, you'll get stronger to defend us… and we'll get our happy ending Raven… I promise."

The End of Chapter Ten

A/N

¹Bunnysquirrel posted the question in a review of why some names are capitalized at the beginning and end and why RAGE and HOPE were spelled with capital letters. The reason is as follows: in the beginning all the parts of her mind were isolated identities, in no way really connected to Raven. As she formed bonds with each one they stopped beginning separate things and started begin parts of her – so they were more like people than spirits. People capitalize the first letter of their names, to show that they were becoming a part of Raven's person the capitalizations were dropped out. Since none of them are perfectly apart of Raven's person, some capitalization is left to show that. RAGE and HOPE are not bonded to Raven; they are independent entities.

²Chapter Nine Part Two to be exact.

³Terra is Sunshine. Not Raven. Go back and look.

⁴ That's a really poor description of Julia Chang's Max Axes

Before you think to say that came out of left field, I suggest you reread the chapters starting with Terra Nostra for all the hints and clues I left for Terra's betrayal. I might highlight them in a special author's note, but you might have a better time if you go back and catch them yourself.