Ok, here are standard disclaimers. I do not own, nor claim to own any rights to the Teen Titans, or any other borrowed characters. I also make no claims towards any original characters I invent for this story.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Arella sighed.
"The Council has retained the services of assassin, from outside of Azarath, to eliminate you."
Raven placed her hand on her waist and rolled her eyes. The rest of the Titans soaked in the news with a hint of disbelief.
"Am I supposed to be scared?" She asked in her signature monotone.
"Do you know who they hired?" Robin interjected.
Arella shook her head.
"I wasn't even supposed to know that a contract has been placed on Raven's head."
"So much for civilized Azarath." Robin complained.
"Perhaps is would be wise to leave." Starfire added.
"Fat chance." Raven replied. "My people are counting on me. There's no way I'm going to abandon them."
"Your people? Aren't you taking this Matriarch role a little too seriously?" Cyborg asked.
Before Raven could reply the changeling spoke up.
"What's wrong with you guys? We're superheroes. Maybe Jump City no longer wants us around, but Azarath does."
"I just wish I knew what we were up against." Robin added. "I hate working in the dark." He glanced at the changeling. "What do you think Beast Boy?"
The green Titan looked at his wife before replying. He saw both the confidence and defiance that emanated from her. He thought of Raven backing down, and the only word that appeared in his mind was 'Never'.
"Well, I am a little worried about someone being out to get Raven. It's not like it hasn't happened before, but at least this time we know."
He took Raven's hand in his own and squeezed it.
"I'm 100% behind whatever Rae wants to do."
Robin acknowledged him with a nod.
"OK then, we're staying. But we need a plan. Arella, can we count on you to help us?"
The head of the House of Roth gave the Boy Wonder an indignant glare.
"What kind of question is that?"
It was Starfire's turn to intervene.
"It has been my observation that Azarathian politics are what Earthlings would call 'Machiavellian'. Forgive us for questioning your loyalty Mrs. Roth, but after observing the behavior of your fellow Matriarchs on the video feed from the Hall of Matriarchs it has become obvious that we should not assume anything."
"Do you think I would have told you anything if I was on their side?"
"You might lose your bailout." Raven remarked wryly.
Arella sighed in exasperation.
"We're on the verge of a revolution Raven. Something tells me that I won't be getting that bail out after all."
Raven locked eyes with her mother. She recalled when she encountered her when she fled to Azarath to find a way to stop Trigon. Arella had been useless back then, which Raven had yet to forgive her for, even if she had been a mere vision.
"Can I trust you mother?" She queried her. "So far you haven't given me a good reason."
Arella looked upon her strange daughter. She knew that Raven's powers were frightful and was well aware that her daughter was a half demon. Arella had written her off when she was young, sending her off to the monastery where the monks raised her and helped teach her to learn to control her powers. The green boy stood next to her, looking protective while they all knew that Raven was far more powerful than he was. Yet there was a strength she saw in her son in law, one that she couldn't quite put her finger on. She knew that Raven trusted the boy with her own life, which served to remind her of how distant she had become from her one and only daughter.
"You have good reason to not trust me Raven, which is why I'm turning the House of Roth over to you. The full resources of the House are at your command and disposal Raven."
Gar saw a brief glimpse of astonishment on Raven's face.
"Thank you mother. I wasn't asking for that, but I will accept it."
Arella placed her hands on the girl's shoulders.
"I'm placing all my trust in you Raven. If your revolution fails we'll lose everything. And I don't just mean the house of Roth. Our employees will also be considered traitors and will be executed if we lose."
"Then we'd better not lose." Raven replied in her monotone. "As for the employees, we'll have to bring their families here. They won't be safe outside of Roth Tower."
"What kind of defenses do we have Arella?" Robin asked.
"The Tower should offer us some protection initially. There are no heavy armed forces in Azarath, no heavy artillery. Of course the council could hire mercenaries to attack us."
"Then we'd better move fast." Robin added. "Time isn't on our side."
"It isn't." Raven added. "Where is the Mayor?"
"She's trapped in the Chamber of Deputies hall, along with the entire assembly. They were the first ones to be surrounded." Arella replied. "The Articles of Confederation prohibit the Matriarchs from occupying that building, bit with martial law all bets are off."
Robin slammed his fist into his palm.
"Then they'll be the first one's we rescue."
"I agree. We will need to form a provisional government, and they're the logical place to start." Raven added.
Robin cleared his throat.
"It's been weeks since I've had the opportunity to say this."
He grinned.
"Titans! Go!"
"Booyah! Now you're talking."
"Let us proceed to kick the oppressive butt!"
Beast Boy turned to his wife.
"Just like old times!"
She squeezed his hand.
"Only better." She replied.
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The sound of repetitive dripping echoed in the underground lair, as the steady stream of water droplets fell onto the tiled floor. A lone figure sat at a workbench, oiling the barrel of a disassembled rifle. He inspected the parts with the fastidiousness of a jeweler examining a diamond, which wasn't surprising as he would expect nor tolerate anything less than perfection from tools of his trade. He lovingly reassembled the weapon, caressing it as if it were a lover. He then stored the rifle in a cabinet as he removed another one; this time is was a sniper's rifle. It was one of his favorites.
He paused before disassembling the sniper rifle, and instead opened the letter he had received.
It was a very strange looking letter. It size was non standard and the paper was such he had never seen before. He opened it with a razor thin dagger he kept sheathed around his right shin and read its contents.
He smiled as he tossed the letter, which had been delivered to him via the assassin's network, onto his workbench. He avoided all forms of electronic communication as he did not trust them to be either safe or secure, plus he didn't need them. Customers were never in short supply and as long as he stayed out of Gotham he never had to worry about being pursued by the Bat, a mistake he was determined to never repeat.
His jobs took him around the world and he enjoyed every challenge they posed him. He wasn't fussy about his targets. As long as his pay demands were met he didn't care who or where the target was. There was a simple pleasure in stalking and taking down one's prey. It didn't matter to him if it was a politician, an industrialist, an intellectual or a mere cheating lover. A contract was a contract, and he had a reputation to keep: He never botched a job, except for one time. He would not make that mistake again, which is why he refused to accept jobs in the greater Gotham area. He didn't feel bad however; no one had ever been able to take down the Bat. Not the Joker, not Deathstroke, nor anyone else. Some had come close, but they never succeeded, so he felt he could be forgiven … for now.
But this new job was different, very different. While he avoided the Dark Knight he wasn't above tackling other superheroes, and had taken a few minor ones down over the years. The contract, which he had already decided to accept, would pose some interesting challenges. For one thing, it was off world. That didn't really matter to him as it was the government in that distant locale who was hiring him, so he didn't have to worry about run-ins with the local authorities.
What was challenging was the target. Not that he would back away from that. In fact he relished the challenge.
After cleaning the sniper rifle he rose from his workbench and walked over to a tall chest of drawers, and pulled one of the drawers open. It was full of boxes of ammo and he pulled several out and placed them inside of an elegant, custom made travel case that was made for the sniper rifle. He opened one of the boxes and extracted a single bullet, which he inspected carefully as he would accept nothing less than utter perfection. Satisfied with what he saw he restored it to the box.
The bullet's shell casing had a monogram on it. Two letters, two simple letters he always left behind as his calling card after completing a job.
The letters 'D.S.'
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The Titans took Arella's armored flying limousine, flying the Head Matriarch's flag from behind it. The flag was a sky blue field with the floating city on it topped by a odd, crown like hat which the Head Matriarch used to wear in ancient times.
The limo was approached by a flying police car which immediately veered off once the limousine was identified and instead it followed the flying car from a respectful distance.
Cyborg was at the wheel of the limo and while it was true that they Titans did not require a flying car to get to the Hall of Deputies they would need the oversized car to smuggle as many people out as possible.
Raven had already dispatched every flying bus, also flying the Head Matriarch's colors, to collect the families of her staff. She had informed the staff that they were free to leave Azarath under her protection and many had accepted her offer, but many more chose to stay behind and serve her and the cause. Raven's only fear was that security forces might fire upon the busses, but so far that had yet to happen as the last busses had finished making their rounds and were returning to Roth Tower.
The Chamber of Deputies was soon visible and as expected there was a siege around it. Several flying police cars hovered around the building, preventing any flying vehicles from approaching or leaving the Chamber building while hundreds of police officers on the ground cordoned off the building.
"Looks like they're waiting for us." Robin announced.
"Maintain your course Cyborg. They shouldn't try anything. As Head Matriarch I have … certain rights."
As if on cue the radio in the flying limo came to life.
"Mistress, the Chamber is under blockade. Please turn away." A disembodied voice almost pleaded with her.
Raven picked up the handset from the radio.
"I have summoned the Mayor and the Speaker of the Assembly, as is my right under article 17 of the Articles of Confederation. Since you won't allow them to come to me, I have come to see them."
"Mistress, is there no way I might dissuade you? The council gave strict orders that no one is to visit them …"
"Which do not apply to me. Now please stand aside or I will forcefully remove you and your vehicle."
Raven dropped the connection and watched the police cars as the approached.
"You remember what I told you Starfire."
"I am ready to engage them Raven, between the three of us we should be able to clear a path to the building."
Raven, Starfire and Beast Boy stood by the limo's door, ready to jump out and begin fighting the police. The tension in the limo was palpable as they drew closer and closer while the blockade remained in place.
"Looks like we're gonna have to do this the hard way." Beast boy announced just before morphing into a humming bird and perching on his wife's shoulder.
As Raven reached to open the door the police cars parted, opening a path to the roof top landing port on the Chamber hall. Cyborg deftly guided the limo to the landing pad and touched down. The pad then retracted into the building and soon the limo was no longer visible.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The limo's occupants heaved a collective sigh of relief. They knew that they would eventually have to confront the Matriarch's security forces, but now, during a rescue, was not the time.
The limo's door was opened from the outside and Raven immediately recognized who had opened it. It was Ria Zoval, the President of Azarath University.
"Mistress Raven, it is so good to see you!" Ria said as she bowed to Raven.
"Please don't call me that, and please don't bow to me either. I'm not … comfortable with that. Just call me Raven."
Zoval smiled as she adjusted her glasses.
"Of course." She replied as the Titans emerged from the limo.
"Ria, I would like to introduce you to my teammates. Back on Earth we're known as the Teen Titans."
Raven paused while Beast Boy stood next to her.
"I am familiar with Mr. Roth. It's a pleasure to meet you." Zoval said as she extended her hand to him. He accepted it and shook hands with her.
"You can call me Beast Boy."
Raven then introduced the remaining Titans to Zoval.
"Where are the others?" Raven asked.
"They have taken refuge in the basement. We're surprised that they haven't stormed the building yet."
"Your building looks pretty secure to me." Cyborg interjected. "I think they're just waiting for your supplies to run out and for you to surrender."
Zoval led them to a stairwell.
"They cut the power. And we have no food." She said as she flicked on her flash light to illuminate the darkened stairs.
"I'm still not used to being called 'Mr. Roth'." Beast Boy whispered into Raven's ear.
"Tell you what. I'll be Mrs. Logan and you can be Mr. Roth."
"Sure, why not? But I still want a real honeymoon Rae."
Raven smiled. The thought of an honest to goodness honeymoon had yet to cross her mind, not after all the turmoil they had to endure so far.
"Where do you want to go Gar?"
"I was thinking of just you and me on a desert island."
"You just want to make love on the beach." She teased him.
"Well … maybe." He replied nonchalantly.
"Get a room you guys!" Cyborg protested. "You aren't the only one with super hearing, grass stain."
They finally reached the basement where they found the 12 Deputies and the Mayor, huddled in a room that was illuminated by a battery powered lantern. The 13 women stood up, exuding the relief they were feeling.
"Mistress, you have come to save us!" The Mayor cheered.
Raven felt underwhelmed by the 13 fearful women that stood before her. She knew that the Deputies and the Mayor were little more than figure heads. The Mayor was little more than an administrator and the Deputies has no legislative authority, at least in nothing that mattered. She, along with the Deputies was given a budget by the Matriarchs from which they were expected to keep the more mundane tasks in Azarath functioning: keep the busses running and the trash collected. They ran the schools and hospitals as well. The Matriarchs, in addition to the police and border guards, ran the utilities, which is why the Chamber building was dark.
Any hope that Raven had in finding these women to be useful allies popped like a soap bubble. Sure, they were well educated and had good administrative skills, but they were not leaders, not by any stretch of the imagination.
Still, those bureaucratic skills could come in handy.
"We're taking you to Roth Tower. We need to hurry." Raven announced.
"Mistress, you have brought your first with you. Why?" One of the deputies asked after noticing the three men. "Are these other men also your husbands?"
"They are not my husbands. They are superheroes and have journeyed with me, along with Princess Starfire to protect you."
"Mistress, you are not serious?" The Mayor asked. "Protected by men?"
"Do you want to be rescued or not?" Beast Boy growled at them.
The thirteen women scowled at the changeling, which did not go unnoticed by Raven.
"We're leaving. You're welcome to stay here if you wish. The choice is yours." Raven announced in a clearly irritated tone.
The women muttered their apologies to Raven and scurried after the Titans as they made their way up the stairs back to the limo. Raven whispered to her mate.
"I expected more from them. They're just as backwards as the Matriarchs Gar. Maybe we should just leave; they don't want to be helped."
He took her hand and squeezed it.
"They do want to be helped Rae, they just aren't ready to go as far as you would like them. They aren't ready yet."
Raven recalled when she first arrived on Earth after running away from Azarath. The first thing she noticed was that women and men in Jump City were very different from those on Azarath. She had fled because of the rejection she suffered due to her "differences". Her demonic identity was hidden from the masses, but they knew she was different, that she had fearsome powers. But the culture shock in Jump City had caught her by surprise. She had learned of those differences in the monastery, but it was something else to experience them in person. It didn't take her a long time to adapt.
Maybe Gar was right, she was expecting too much, too soon from her people. But the fact remained that she would not allow the Matriarchs to continue exploiting her people.
Her people.
Raven had grown accustomed to thinking of the residents of Jump City as "her people", but back then all she had to do was apprehend villains. What she was facing now … was different. The truth about the Matriarchs, while what they did what reprehensible, was perfectly legal, defensible by law. And that was what the Titans did, they enforced the law.
Raven felt a lump in her stomach as the approached the hangar deck. This was insurrection. Technically, she was the villain now, fighting against the law… an unjust law. He heaved a heavy sigh. Gar's desert island honeymoon was starting to sound really good now.
Robin was in front of the entourage and opened the stairwell door that led to the hangar where the limo was waiting for them.
And slammed the heavy metal door shut as a barrage of fire erupted from the hangar. The sounds of the plasma bolts hitting the door resonated like a calypso drum, but without the harmonious tune.
"Everyone get back, it's an ambush!" The Boy Wonder shouted.
"We need the limo to get out of here!" Beast Boy howled. "We have to take the hangar deck back."
Raven turned to her 14 evacuees.
"Stay in here until we call for you!" Raven commanded them. "Gar, you're with me!"
"You got it babe!" He shouted back at her as they phased together into the floor.
Robin opened the door and launched several of his bird-a-rangs while Starfire and Cyborg charged into the hangar. Starbolts sizzled and the echo of sonic cannons was heard throughout the large room.
The SWAT team was heavily armored, which slowed them down. Robin leaped into action, catching his returning bird-a-rangs, all off which had hit their mark, to which several supine figures on the ground bore witness.
Starfire zoomed around the hangar, throwing star bolts and connecting occasionally with a combatant, knocking her out, while Cyborg's cannon continued to wreck havoc.
Robin immobilized several more police officers with his freezing ice disks. But while the Titans were holding them at bay, the fact remained that there were too many police officers to fight, and there was no doubt that more were on their way.
Raven and Beast Boy materialized inside the limo. The changeling shivered but said nothing. Raven knew he hated how her teleportation felt, which is to say as cold as death. Raven had once explained to him that for a split second, during the teleportation process, they actually were dead and only revived upon rematerializing. The changeling tried not to think about the philosophical implications of Raven's powers, especially when they came in handy, like they did now.
"Do you know how to drive this thing Gar?"
He nodded.
"Cy showed me. It's a lot like piloting the T-Ship."
"Good. Take us next to the stairwell door."
The changeling smiled, understanding what his mate had in mind. The limo gently hummed to life and he guided it over to the stairwell.
"Rae, are those women gonna be any help in our revolution?"
"Probably not as leaders, but we can't leave them here. And they will be useful in some ways; they actually understand how the city functions."
As the limo approached the door Robin gestured to them, he understood and approved what they were doing.
"Who's gonna run Azarath after we kick the Matriarch's butts?" He asked as pulled up to the stairwell door.
"I don't know. The people I hope. When this is over we have a date on a deserted beach with nothing but our towels and suntan lotion. I'm not staying here to rule."
Raven's dark energy enveloped the metal door and ripped it from its hinges, tossing it aside.
"I love it when you get kinky." He replied with a sexy growl.
"It was your idea lover boy." She replied as she opened the limo door.
"It was, wasn't it?" He grinned.
Raven ignored him and shouted into the stairwell.
"It's now or never ladies. Make it quick!"
As the 14 women emerged from the stairwell the police began to fire on the limo. This allowed the other 3 Titans to focus their full attention on the police officers. Robin, Starfire and Cyborg dove into the crowd, pummeling the hapless officers who continued to fire futilely at the limo, their shots bounced off the lightweight yet super strong neutronium armor that Arella had purchased for an ungodly price while the 14 terrified women clambered into the limo. Once they were safely aboard Raven shouted to Gar.
"Gar, let's get out of here!"
"Yes ma'am!" He shouted back as he guided the limo towards Cyborg and Robin, who jumped on board as well. Starfire flew behind the flying car, using it as a shield.
"Hang on! The ride might get bumpy!" The changeling warned his passengers, most of who were piled on limo's floor. Raven was crouching behind him, her arms wrapped around his neck. She gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Take us home Gar!"
The changeling opened the throttle and the limo roared out of the hanger. Starfire threw star bolts at any flying police cars that tried to cut them off. A few took shots at the limo, but the neutronium plating held up and they soon had left the police behind.
"Will they attack the Tower, Rae?" He asked as they approached what they hoped was the safe haven that they hoped Roth Tower would be.
His question was soon answered as the police, who remained in pursuit, resumed firing upon them. To their relief the Tower returned the fire, disabling several of the pursuing vehicles, which spiraled downward until met their end in a fiery crash. The rest of the police cars retreated to a safe distance.
As Beast Boy turned to his wife as he landed the limo in the Tower's shielded hangar.
"Rae, I didn't see anyone bail out of those police cars."
Raven nodded solemnly.
"They didn't Gar. They all died."
"Rae, that means …"
"The war has begun."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
OK! Things are heating up! The Matriarchs are trying to nip the revolution in the bud, Terra and Slade are up to no good and an assassin with the initials "D.S." is joining the mayhem. Poor Raven must be at her wit's end!
I was worried that there was no interest in this story, but I might have been proven wrong. The reviews have been arriving. Never forget, fanfiction writers live for reviews. It's the currency of the world of fan fiction!
For those wondering, I'm still pondering an alternate ending for 'The Gift', where Raven and BB live happily ever after! But I want it to be good (feel free to share any ideas you might have.
And now, the mail bag!
Yuro-Faita911 - "this is so cool! I'm glad I came across this story :D
and I love how true the Psychology in this has, People would do anything to have money in desperate times, forge the moral stuff, as long there's a good size of cash for them in the end they'll do it.
though I'm worried who's the Assassin would be, but I'm sure The titan will kick his/her ass, no sweat!"
Has anyone been able to guess who the assassin is?
The Cretin - "Well, I read 10-16 and finally got caught up. In my opinion this is a great one. Whether its as good as Wildman or Gift though can only be the opinion of the reader. As for why this story isn't as popular as The Gift I can only throw in my two cents and say that when you first wrote the first version you weren't as well known then. I think Wildman flipped on the light switch and brought new readers to your work. Personally, I think this is an excellent and enjoyable read. Hey, you have yet to write anything I didn't like and I will remain a devoted reader of yours always. BTW, you wouldn't know where I could find a zweihander would you?..."
This rewrite of Tough Times is more of a social commentary than the original. As for a zeihander, maybe at an antiques shop?
primu - "This is the first time I read your story, and I must say that I haven't read a good fictions like this for a long time. Now I have to keep checking for update! Please keep the good job ;-)"
Thanks! If you get impatient for updates, check out my other stories. The Gift, The Wild Man's Journey and the Joker's Shadow have proven to be some of my more popular stories.
Author Penholder - "I thought she was told in the last chapter that the vote WAS veto proof, was she lied to? And who could this assassin be? Slade? Or maybe it's Slade. NO... I got it, it's Slade!"
The bailout vote was veto proof, but the martial law vote was not.
Hairul The Nightrage Beast - "Well it'll be messy but hopefully the ending will be different from the original aka none of Rage being given back to Trigon from the original storyline. But I think next chapter instead of Raven being the vicim, Nara will be the wrong target LOL xD"
It would be fun, but the villain they hired, he always hits the target. Well, almost.
AkumaKami64 - "I was actually refering more to Beast acting if someone upsets Raven too much. Either way, I just know something is going to go horribly wrong. The assassin...I'd say Slade, but that may actually be too obvious a choice."
I was tempted to use Slade/Terra, but they already have their own agenda. He is a hint: The assassin appeared in "Batman: Gotham Night". This is a collection of shorts produced by Japan's best anime studios. Some are visually stunning (It ain't Pokemon).
GreenRock - "One can only imagine what Slade and Terra have in plan to destory the Titans. I can only hope for the Titans to leave Azarath as soon as possible.
1. The place sucks.
2. They'll be a lot safer on Earth."
I did Azarath a disservice in this story (and the original). In my thinking the place has to suck, otherwise why would Raven leave?
FelynxTiger - "why do people dont review this ? Why? is it really difficult just to type a few words?
anyhow
HOLY! things are just getting worst and worst than is stressing me D:
i wonder what woukd Raven will do to get out of this one!
ps. see younext and awesome-tastic chapter"
She has her hands full, but with her friends and husband at her side she should prevail!
titanfan45 - "Go Raven! I wish Raven would have back handed the General Manager into next week. Beast Boy did a good job being the voice of reason."
Of course now Raven is the boss, as Arella figured out that she was way in over her head.
Densharr - "Heh. General Strike. I approve, especially because I'm reading up on Winnipeg's General Strike (a pretty famous one, far as general strikes go. You should look it up).
And damn, Rae's getting defensive over BB.
I have to say, though, I'm loving Nara. Her pseudo-friendship is epic."
Nara is the epitome of those two faced sociopaths we all know.
bobbyneko - "Second to last sentence in the first section (chapter 1)there is a SPELLING ERROR *gasp* (or typo, really. You can spell better than me anyways lol). Not "The expected", but "They expected."
I'm only telling you this cuz I love your fic so far ^^ and want it to be extra perfect.
...lol Calexico and Mexicali"
Thanks for the catch. I'm really bad at proofing my own material, mostly because I'm so impatient to post it!
I'm always thrilled to have international readers, especially from Japan! I've become a manga reader as of late, and am a big Ken Akamatsu fan. Also love Miyazaki's anime work!