Chapter II: The Gateway

Robin held up his electric lantern. He looked over to the others; their eyes glistened in the dark cavern. In front of him was the opening into the realm of the underworld. The star field pattern played on hypnotically before him.

"One of you take the lamp before we go in," Robin's voice echoed in the cavern.

Terra stepped up and took it from him.

"Is everyone ready?" Robin inquired. The others nodded. "Ok Starfire, you know what to do when we get in there." Starfire nodded affirmative.

"What's in there?" Terra asked.

"Cerberus," Beast Boy replied. "Don't worry. Starfire got us past him the last time," Beast Boy smiled as he replayed their last encounter with the three-headed monster.

"What's a Cerberus?" Terra said unsure what the others were referring to.

"It's hard to describe." Beast Boy answered. "You'll see when we get in there."

"All right let's go already," Robin said impatiently.

The remaining Titans stepped through the gateway and passed into the realm of the underworld. An eerie light filled the large cavernous room. Six pairs of eyes reflected in the gloom. Cerberus, the guardian to the gates of hell, stepped forward and into the light.

The beast stood at least ten feet tall at the shoulders. Cerberus' coat was black and mangled. Each of his heads was a ghastly abomination. The left head had sickly yellow eyes, the middle glowing white with dilated pupils set at odd angles from each other, the right head's eyes were blood red. The mouth of the middle head was covered with a white froth that dripped onto the cavern floor; its saliva hissed and steamed as it hit the floor. The left head's mouth was full of crooked jagged teeth that stuck out at odd angles.

Terra dropped the electric lantern that Robin had asked her to hold when she saw the dog-like beast in front of them. It hit the floor of the cavern with a loud clank as the light sputtered out leaving only the dull gloom illuminating the scene.

"Oh my god, oh my god," Terra quickly said to herself in a harsh whisper. Her eyes opened wide in horror. She retreated from the beast standing before them until her back was against the cavern wall before burying her head in her hands.

Beast Boy quickly retreated to her. She was hyperventilating. "What's the matter Terra," he said as he gently laid his hand on her cowering body. She gasped and then grabbed Beast Boy's arm.

"I hate dogs, I hate them," she said in a strained whisper. "Keep it away from me, please." She quickly latched onto him and he squeezed her close to him. He could feel her heart racing in her chest.

"Don't worry," Beast Boy whispered to her. "Starfire will take care of him. We'll be out of here in a minute."

Starfire rose up into the air and flew towards the beast. Cerberus could see her approaching. He recognized her immediately and yelped in anticipation awaiting her friendly affection.

"HALT!"

The others turned towards the voice as Morpheus stepped out of the shadows. The young immortal wore a white muscle shirt, a dark pair of jeans and high black leather boots. Starfire stood motionless in the air as instructed. Robin fixed his glaring eyes on Morpheus' thin frame.

"Sit Cerberus." The monster did as instructed and then whined lightly in protest.

"We need to talk," Robin stepped towards Morpheus.

Morpheus held his hand up. "You may not pass, turn around and go home," he said coldly.

"We can't," Robin continued. "Something's happened to Raven. She's turned against us."

"This is a mortal matter, we can not be involved," Morpheus quickly replied.

"You are involved," Robin countered. "You're the one who gave Raven the Nightmare. That's what turned her." Robin could feel his temper build.

"You are mistaken," Morpheus countered as he stepped forward out of the shadows. "We've had nothing to do with what has happened. Be gone!"

"Listen," Robin replied through clenched teeth. "Raven wouldn't do this on her own. You gave her that Nightmare and you caused this problem, now you need to fix it."

Morpheus glared at Robin; his eyes began to twinkle in the gloom. They were within a few feet of each other now. "The Nightmare sought her out, and she willingly accepted its services. We can do nothing in these matters. It is not me who caused this problem and it will not be me who fixes it," Morpheus said with a slight tinge of arrogance.

"You bastard," Robin said under his breath. He stepped forward and quickly drove his right fist into Morpheus' face. The immortal spun around and fell to the ground on all fours.

Cerberus howled in protest then stood up and bounded forward in Morpheus' defense. Robin turned to face the lumbering beast but was suddenly scooped up by a diving Starfire and whisked to the back of the cavern. Cerberus grunted in frustration then reset his feet and slowly closed in on his prey.

Starfire's eyes began to glow fluorescent green as she prepared to defend her friends. Robin quickly pulled out his bow staff; a fight was just what he wanted.

"ENOUGH!" Morpheus' voice boomed through the cavern. Cerberus bowed his head and scrunched backwards upon hearing the young immortal's command. The other Titans' turned to see Morpheus slowly stand up and turn around. Blood flowed freely from his nose and stained his shirt. Robin smiled with great satisfaction.

Morpheus reached up and wiped the blood with the back of his hand. His eyes began to glow with a bright purple light.

The ground between Morpheus and the Titans opened into a gaping chasm. A bright orange light emanated from it and wailing screams filled the cavern as the temperature rose. Morpheus leapeded over the gap and landed softly in front of them.

"Leave now or be cast into the fiery pits of hell," he hissed. His purple eyes glared at them as blood continued to stream down his face. Behind him Cerberus cowered and whimpered.

Robin held his ground unaffected by Morpheus' threat. "Come on, let's go. He won't help us." Robin folded his bow staff and turned to exit the cavern. Beast Boy and Terra quickly followed. Starfire lingered for another moment looking at Morpheus. He blinked as his eyes began to fade then broke eye contact with her and looked down.

"Morpheus, why won't you help us?" Starfire said softly.

Morpheus looked up then shook his head. "I can't. I'm sorry." He turned away from her and folded his hands across his chest. Starfire sighed then turned to follow her friends.