RavenOfNight: Thanks for your review! You keep this story alive! I'm glad you liked the humor in last chapter, I tried to make it a bit lighter before we get darker...

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Raven awoke the next day, and lay one moment with that feeling. It was the same feeling she had awoke with the day before. Death, destruction, helplessness... forlorn.

She had spent the day with Starfire to pay her back... to give her one perfect day before the end. She sighed and dragged herself out of her dim room and into the shower.

Raven felt the water pour over her, washing away the taint of dirt...

But not the stain of evil. That will always be with me.

She shuddered, wanting to rub her skin until she felt clean... innocent.

Shaking that thought from her head she dressed and walked outside, hoping that there would be a moment in the day for her to give to another.

Raven had already picked the next person she would spend the day with.

"Any alert?" Raven asked.

"Not yet." Robin said just as an alarm went off.

"Trouble, Cinderblock is attempting a bank robbery!" Cyborg shouted.

"Titans go!" Robin exclaimed as he ran to the door.

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After a short battle they returned to Titan's tower, where Raven confronted Cyborg.

"Om... are you busy today?" She asked. What am I doing again?

Cyborg gave her an odd look and replied, "I was going to play video games... and then wash my car... and work on some new tech... why?

"I think I have a better idea." Raven said slowly.

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Cyborg's mouth fell open as he stared at the tall skyscraper, glassy and full of shining windows.

Raven had transported him here after doing research from the library. This was the highest technological company in 1,000 miles.

"Wayne Corporation! How are we going to get into Wayne Corporation?" He yelled.

"Robin knows the owner." She said shortly before walking in with two entry tags in her hand. "Let's go."

Cyborg ran up and grabbed her hand, pulling her threw the building with sparkling enthusiasm. Raven didn't complain. She nodded and even tried to smile as he explained what each thing did. Soon the employees, who were amazed by his extensive knowledge; showed him prototypes and new items. He gazed in admiration and Raven just allowed herself to enjoy his smile and happiness. Then the employees asked him questions and Cyborg proudly answered all about his engineering and blueprints; pulling out his sonic cannon to show them and even doing a test on his strength.

Raven had rarely seen him so ecstatic. These people were perfect for him.

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"I can't believe it Rae, you got us into Wayne Corp!" He laughed as they walked to the Titan's Tower. "That was amazing, how did you know I wanted to go there?"

"Lucky guess." Raven mumbled, glad her hood hid her creeping blush.

"Why did you take me there... I mean, you don't really like all that stuff do you?" Cyborg asked.

Raven shrugged. "You like it, and that was good enough."

Then she walked back to her room before he had a chance to question her further.

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Adena watched her new mistress with observing eyes. She was strange sometimes, wistful and full of sorrow. She tried not to show it; but Adena could tell. Just as she could see the way Desparos looked at her, hungry and comforting all the same.

Now Celeste was sitting by the window. She had her hood up so that way anyone glancing up would not recognize her. She looked at them all, the people and demon of Azerath, with hauntingly wanting eyes. Adena thought that she might fall through the crystal glass such was her gaze.

She turned as she heard footsteps approaching, and Desparos appeared. He glanced at Adena and then his eyes locked on Celeste.

Softly, yet firmly he said, "My lady, come away from the window."

She began to turn away; but her eyes were still locked on the people scurrying around.

"Celeste." He called her name.

This made her turn away and look at him.

"You cannot go to them Celeste." Desparos said gently.

"I know." She replied softly. Her eyes were filled with sorrow. "But I still hear their cries."

Desparos shook his head. "They are bold to call to you. It was they that turned away from you, they that left you to your fate."

She gave a small, bitter smile and replied, "Fear turns men into mice."

Adena gave a confused look. "But what about the demons, and the woman?"

The sorrow hid itself in her violet orbs. "It is only a phrase Adena. It means that when afraid, people all do strange things."

She smiled, Adena found that she could always make her smile by asking questions. She loved to see her smile.

"Why do they cry to you Mistress Celeste?" She asked.

The woman looked at her thoughtfully and replied, "I will tell you someday, but for now let us read from the book some more?"

Celeste never had forced her to learn, but the fact that she had a choice; as it is with most children, made her more then willing.

Adena followed her mistress to the old book, and turned the pages to the spell they had been working on.

"Now say the words." She commanded.

"Azerath, Celestion, Tomidios... Azerath, Celestion, Tomidios..."

The atmosphere of the room changed rapidly, all the power and light flickered out and drew around the girl. Adena began to shape that power in her mind, muttering and moving her hands. The figure lingered as a faint outline, a golden circle in the air, and then vanished. The light and power returned and she sighed.

"What is it Desparos?" Celeste asked, sensing his mood change.

The demon sighed and said, "Three more of the monks have been killed."

Adena's eyes grew wide.

"They were fed upon?" She already knew.

He nodded. "There are only four of the order left."

Celeste shut her eyes briefly.

"Mistress why are the monks being chosen?" The child asked.

Celeste looked down upon her. "Adena, come and sit with me."

Adena did as she was bade, becoming more fearful all the time.

"The order of the monks where the first ones who banished Trigun to the Underworld." She began. "Now, his time to rise again is approaching and he fears that the monks may stop him. He is feeding upon them all, sucking their power and destroying their souls. He revels in their screams and agony as their souls are ripped apart. He enters their minds and forces them to go mad."

Adena's red eyes widened and tears trickled down them.

"He is feeding off all the monks to that none will have power to oppose him. Then he shall rise again...and will rule over all the worlds."

The child shook her had, not feeling the tears. "No..."

"That is why we must stop him Adena." Celeste's normally calm voice was filled with sorrow and pain. "We cannot let him enslave another. We can stop him from rising, but only with your help."

Adena was still shaking her head.

"Adena, without you we cannot do this. I have given much to defeat Trigun, but I will not force you to help me Adena... I can only ask. For if we do not defeat him then Trigun wins... and all will suffer." Celeste whispered, feeling the hand on her shoulder as Desparos stood by her.

"I-is that why I must learn this?" Adena cried. "To kill the Master?"

"Yes." She whispered back.

"But I cannot... I am not powerful enough..." The child muttered.

"You will not do it alone." Desparos added, his eyes soft.

She just stared at them.

"Adena, I have sworn to protect you. I promise that Trigun will never lay a hand upon you." Celeste said with an air if power in her voice.

Adena looked deep into her her dark violet eyes and ran over to her, sobbing on her shoulder.

"What did you give Mistress Celeste?" She whispered.

Celeste ran her hand tenderly through her hair, soothing her.

"My life."

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Most chapters from here on out are going to be both Raven and Celeste chapters. Points to the first reviewer to guess who Celeste is!