The intense, burning hot-white light danced across all, making all and everything nothing but the same shade of bright white, no variation whatsoever as far as the eye could see. Vast nothingness was all that could be comprehended. Yet, there was a slight difference within this, what appeared to be a young woman, lying upon what could be considered the ground in this place, a dark blue cape draped over her ashen-grey skin. Her violet hair flowed from her head and across her face, concealing her facial features, but her eyes were still visible, a vibrant amethyst glow to them. The chakra upon her head seemed to shine with brilliance, casting an eerie red glow upon the white ground around her. Her form slowly rose from the ground, revealing a midnight-black leotard, and cloth shoes that matched her cape in color. She looked around in confusion.

"Where am I?" She questioned herself, then looking at her body, "what is this place, why am I dressed like this? Am I dead?"

"Your questions will be answered soon enough." Another female voice spoke, grabbing her attention. She turned around to find a tall, slender female, her facial features visibly the same as her own, her all-white robe blended into their surroundings, making it appear as if it were only a face as she stood there.

"A-Arella?" The female asked in disbelief, taking several steps forward, but still confused about her situation.

"It is I, Raven," she replied, stepping forward, continuing upon a path to meet Raven.

"What's going on, Mother, why am I here, why am I in my regular clothing, I'm not hurt anymore, all of this is just so, so…"

"Overwhelming?" Arella interjected, lowering her good to reveal her violet hair as well, all of her features just to unmistakably making her Raven's birth mother.

"Yes," she said in a scared tone, "Mother, please tell me what has happened and why, who brought me here, please, I am so confused and scared."

"I am the one that brought you here, child," she gingerly informed, "it is a long story that requires a lengthy explanation."

Raven looked around her, finding nothing but to listen to her, shrugging her shoulders.

"I'm all ears, Mother," Raven replied, "nothing else much I can do here, so go ahead."

Her mother nodded, still stroking a bird that was perched upon her hand, a raven.

"Indeed," she began, "Raven, you knew that death was coming at that moment, did you not?"

Raven solemnly nodded, thinking her time truly had come; yet she refused to accept it.

"I have known of all your actions since our last contact, Raven, I know of all the evils, horrors, and atrocities against your friends and people in general you have committed in that vile, wretched man's name."

Her head hung low in shame, knowing that she had done wrong, and was that much more ashamed and guilty that her mother knew of all her recent endeavors.

"I had truly thought all hope was lost for you, child," she continued, "I had truly though you finally caved in to your emotions and allowed yourself to turn against what you loved, but yet, a small, minute part of you wanted to retain the qualities you had before, and that, Raven, is the very same part that saved you. Do you happen to know what part of you that put you back on the side of good?"

Raven thought for a moment, about her mother's words, then looked up after coming up with an answer.

"It was Love," she answered, "the love within my heart for my friends and being a protector of all things virtuous. Yet, it wasn't just that, it was my pent-up emotion that finally was able to express my true feelings for the one I loved. You probably already know of him."

Arella smiled at her daughter's finishing statement.

"I do, I do," Arella replied, "the one you call Garfield, is it not? He seems to be like a very nice and honorable young man."

Raven let out a small laugh, her first in what seemed like an eternity, surprising her mother.

"Beast Boy?" She managed in her fit of laughter, "Mother, if you truly knew his nature, you would find that you are severely mistaken. That's what I seemed to like about him, his individuality and how he is a nearly exact opposite of everything I am. As they say "opposites attract", I have to say that is very true."

"As long as you are happy," she stated in answer to Raven's explanation of B.B.'s true nature. "Anyway, back onto subject, you and I will have time to speak, but it is imperative that I inform you of what has truly taken place."

Raven's tranquility with her mother quickly dissipated, knowing that she must hear the cold truth.

"Am I dead?" Raven quickly questioned, awaiting the worst.

"No," Arella replied in a similar tone, a tone that let Raven now that she was indeed safe.

"How am I not? All the wounds and injuries I sustained would have surely caused death, why am I still alive?" Raven continued to question, anxious for an explanation.

"With the help of the Elders of Azarath," Arella explained, allowing the raven perched upon her hand to fly away and flutter into obscurity, even its black feathers in color couldn't escape the white, penetrating light, as if it had vanished. "With their help, I begged and pleaded that they allow this to happen, they summoned you with their grand powers to here, saving you from sure death."

"What is this place?" Raven asked, putting pieces of this complex puzzle together.

"This," Arella motioned, "is a place in between life and death, at this moment, neither of us are alive, nor dead. All time stands still in here as either world continued to march forward. If anything at all could be compared to this Raven, it would be Limbo, you are in between life and death as of this moment, I am here as well through astral projection, with the aid of the Elders of course, so I am physically here as well. You and I have been here for an equivalent two weeks upon Earth, it takes much energy out of one to journey here, but it is well worth it, as you see, you would no longer be with us if I had stood by and left you there."

"So the you asked for the Elders' permission and assistance to save me?" Raven reasoned.

"Yes, but they only allowed me enough time to give you detailed explanation of what has happened, they are monitoring us right now. As with everything, this came at a price, they had requests."

"What kind of requests, Mother?" Raven questioned, concerned with either of their well-being.

"They clearly stated that it is their will that you do not return to Azarath now or ever," Arella managed, paining her to utter the words. "They are still in fear of you, especially after the malicious and heinous acts you recently committed against your own friends, they do not the likes of you to grace the grounds of Azarath ever again."

Raven was devastated, finding out that she could no longer return to her home, being barred and exiled for life.

"That isn't all," Arella began again, as if that weren't the worst of the news. "They also proclaimed and decreed that I am to be exiled from Azarath, and never return. This, I didn't mind, but the second part of this is what pains me the most. I am not allowed to ever enter the realm you dwell in as well, I am not allowed to live upon Earth, Raven, I must find another home, and I am no longer allowed to see you because they blame me for the atrocities you committed, because it is I that brought you into this world, and that is how they view things."
"No," Raven said in defense, "I cannot honor that, I will not cause you to be exiled from Azarath because of my actions."
"Raven, please," Arella pleaded, "I did this for you, to give you a second chance. I may not be able to physically see you ever again, but we can still project our astral selves to one another. Raven, this is the only way you may live again, if you do not accept, then you will be returned to Earth in your lifeless body."

Raven's eyes grew misty, saddened by the sacrifice her mother had made to save her. She thought, debating if it was really worth causing her mother's exile to save her own life.

"What about the actual "me" on Earth, my body and powers, is there anything different about them, I mean, my injuries were extensive, you know of all of them, there's no need for me to explain," Raven gestured, fearing for her own well-being in real life.

"I know, your body took much punishment, and a price is a great one that you paid," Arella informed solemnly, "you will still have scars, but your most serious wounds, especially the one inflicted upon your eye, will inhibit your abilities. Raven, it comes with great sorrow that I must inform you, but that irreversible damage has caused you to lose a majority of control over your powers. It is difficult to explain, but you may only summon just enough to be noticeable, other than that, you have no abilities any longer."

"So I no longer have any powers?" Raven questioned in disbelief, anguish upon her face.

"You have a barely noticable amount of them retained within your being, but that isn't the actual problem. The problem is that you can't contain that energy any longer, and it ignites with explosive results when you lose control of that power. Raven, you are a danger to all around you at this moment, that is why it may come as a shock of what I am about to suggest when you are place back upon Earth."

"What will come as a shock, Mother?" She questioned, tears strolling down her face, knowing that she was going to be forever changed for the rest of her life when she was to resume it.

Arella hesitated, almost refusing to inform her daugther of the reluctantly-heard statement.

"You must stay away from your friends and those you care about if you wish to save them, Raven," she calmly informed, each word appearted to physically pain her as she uttered them.

"Then why are you giving me a second chance to live if I will be alone for the rest of my life, Mother, to me, that is a fate worse than death," Raven pleaded.

"Understand, child," Arella managed, not wanting to see her loving daughter in such a distraught situation. "I really shouldn't tell you this, there will be severe repercussions on my part, but this is all destined, Raven."

Raven's attention snapped back to her once more, surprised.

"What do you mean destined, Mother? The only destiny I was told of was fulfilling the Prophecy, and that never became a reality, is there something that has been hidden from me all these years?" She questioned, a slight twinge of anger coming over her.

Silence took control for a short amount of time, as if Arella was preparing herself to tell Raven what was actually taking place in her complex life.

"After you thwarted the Prophecy Raven, I searced The Archives, looking for an answer to how you were able to combat your father and defeat him," Arella stated, stepping forward, growing closer to Raven, "what I found was something I, nor the Elders even knew of."

"What?" Raven managed through her disbelief, something far grander than she had expected was afoot.

"The Prophecy was destined to fail, you were foretold to defeat your father. Everything that has happened to you since has been your destiny as well. You attempting to come home, being overtaken by dark forces, almost turning to the very thing you prevent from coming everyday, sacrificing yourself to save what you hold dear, all of it. Raven, what we found maps out the rest of your life, what you are to do, and what will happen."

"You mean the Prophecy wasn't just what my father had planned, but my entire life? Who made these predicitions, the Elders predicted my father's coming through me and knew of it by his ways, how would they know what I am to do for the rest of my life?"

"The true origins are unknown, but they are written text clear as day and thus far have proved to be true to its word. Raven, your entire life has been scritped out for others to see, we knew what happened, we know what is happening, and we will know what will happen to you in the future until you truly take your final breath. I know it sounds disturbing, but it is true, I wouldn't lie to you, child," Arella said, still trying to convice her daughter of what was really going on.

Raven was silent for a moment, still unbelieveing to the fact that her own mother knew of what was going to happen that caused her so much pain and agony, both physically and emotionally, yet, she allowed it to happen.

"So what's next?" Raven finally questioned, raising her head to face her mother, almost eye level with her.

"You will be put back upon Earth where you belong, but I cannot reveal the whearabouts of your location, you may find out on your own of course, but I cannot tell you. When I do, you will inherit your previous injuries before you came here once more, so you will be in much pain, but it must be done. Your location is guarenteed to be far from your friends, the distance is great, great enough to keep you from hurting those you love and care for. If there was any other way, believe me, I would choose that over this," Arella informed, really showing that she cared for Raven, but did indeed, wished for a different course of action, even though there wasn't one available.

"I really hope the Prophecy has something good in store for me, especially after all that has happened thus far, Mother, I don't know if I can take anything like I just experienced again," Raven pleaded, refering to all the pain and suffering she had endured under Slade, as well as combating him.

"Only time will tell Raven, it is forbidden for you to know of your own future in this fashion, so only time will tell," Arella admitted, "but I am assured that you will, child, you are of good spirits, even in a testing time such as this, I had expected a far worse reaction on your part."

Raven knew she was that much more strong-willed and minded after the training and constant fighting under and with Slade had proved to be helpful after all.

"Will I ever be able to return to them, Mother?" Raven questioned once more, knowing that their time together was nearing an end, needing to know if life was truly going to be worth living once more.

"Only time will tell, child," Arella replied to her daughter's most serious of questions, "I cannot promise you anything, but you and only you will know if you can return to them, I, nor the Elders can tell you when you are allowed to, only you can, Raven."

Raven nodded, taking several steps forward to her mother, then jogging the rest of the way, wrapping her hands around her, hugging her with all her might, tears strolling down her ashen-grey skin, pale with confusion. Arella tensed up in surprise, but quickly relaxed, embracing her daughter affectionetly, tears forming in her eyes as well.

"I love you, Mother, I will miss you greatly," Raven quietly managed, almost refusing to let go.

"As will I, Raven," Arella replied, "always remember I will be there for you when you need me, though we may never meet again face to face, that doesn't mean we cannot still contact one another. Remember this Raven, I have always loved you as a mother should love a daughter, and I always will, no matter what, I promise you."

Raven released, taking a few steps backward, a rarely-seen smile gracing her face, her eyes still shimmering with tears.

"Stay safe, my child," Arella managed, ready to sob, "my time of departure has arrived, and reluctantly, I must answer that calling. It is time for you to continue your legacy as well, Raven, your life is far from over, always remember that."

She nodded, taking surprise as she watched Arella's body begin to become transparent, then vanishing before her very eyes, leaving her alone in the vastness of the blinding white. Moment's later, Raven looked down, seeing that her body as well was doing the same thing, traveling from her feet up, becoming invisible, feeling cold. The coldness swept over her quickly, her vision becoming darkened, fading to nearly nothing.

"I will see them again, I know I will," she managed, just before her eyesight went completely black and couldn't feel her own body any longer.