Disclaimer: I don't own the Titans… they belong to much luckier people.

A/N: First off, I'm doing the thing I do best and thanking my reviewers… you guys are the best people in the world! Where would I be without you?... well, life would be much less interesting! So, it hasn't been as long this time, but I'm still really sorry about the wait! Lots of things happened between then and now, including my graduation, a job working in a commercial, and a friend ending up in the hospital (she's fine though, thank goodness). I also saw a couple movies, both of which influenced the way I wrote this chapter: Batman Begins, which helped me figure out how to start the chapter off and War of the Worlds which had a storm in it that I drew details from for a scene towards the end of the chapter. There are also a few things that are similar to The End Part 1, which was on last night (and… allow me a fangirl moment… was great!), but don't worry if you haven't seen it yet… I don't give anything away.

Also, I have a beta now. Thanks for all the help Optimus!

So on to what you're all really here for…


Chapter 9: The Point of No Return

This world can turn me down

But I won't turn away

And I won't duck and run

Cause I'm not built that way

- Duck and Run, 3 Doors Down

The wind howled through the streets of Gotham City and the people rushing past Alette pulled their jackets tighter around their bodies. Alette concentrated on moving forward, not minding how her jet black locks flailed behind her or the way her coat flapped uncontrollably. With her head ducked and her arms crossed over her chest, she pushed through the crowds towards the large building that had defined Gotham since before most of the citizens could remember.

Once she had reached the large, intimidating entrance to Wayne Tower, Alette paused to look up at the structure. She knew that Bruce's office was at the very top, where the entire city lay at his feet. Alette sometimes accompanied Bruce to his various business meetings and presentations, eager to learn the ropes of Wayne Enterprises. As it stood right now, Bruce having no other blood relatives, his entire empire would be handed to Alette when the time came. He had made it official only two months before.

Then, all those days ago, Alette could not have been happier. It was what she had wanted since she attended her first board meeting as a ten year old spectator. The company had the power to change things and to make Gotham and the world a better place, and Alette was thrilled to know that she would eventually be a part of it all. But that was then… now, business agreements and piles of contracts were as unappealing as the green beans she always refused to eat at dinner. Now she had to be detached because there was a very real chance that she would not live long enough to succeed Bruce.

No, Alette thought, mentally scolding herself. I will not think like that. I will live long enough to run this company and my mother will be around to be critical of my choice. Alette allowed herself a small smile as she thought of Raven's reaction to Bruce's proposal. "My child will not belong to that world of blood-sucking business bureaucrats!" It was true that in many ways Alette was practically identical to Raven, but growing up with Bruce Wayne as your only male role model had certain effects on a child, and Alette had learned to love the world her mother detested so much.

"Excuse me, are you all right?"

The concern of the passerby lulled Alette from her stay among the clouds, sending her plummeting eighty stories down to where her feet were firmly planted on the sidewalk. She nodded to the stranger, saying "Just daydreaming," and with a deep breath plunged into the world of Wayne Enterprises.

In the hubbub of activity, no one noticed the petite violet-eyed girl as she made her way to the elevators and pressed the button for the top floor. As she waited for the ascent to end, she tugged irritably on the skirt that fell just past her knees and tried desperately to fix the damage the wind had caused to her hair. When I take Bruce's place, Alette thought as she straightened the collar of her blouse, the first thing to change will be the dress code.

A quiet 'ding!' alerted the floor to Alette's arrival, though the only person there to hear it was Bruce's secretary, Sarah, a middle-aged woman with prematurely grey hair and glasses that hovered on the end of her nose. When she recognized the visitor as Alette, she jumped from her desk in excitement.

"Miss Alette! I didn't know you were coming back from school this weekend!" she cried, swinging her arms around Alette's neck. Alette gently returned the gesture, grateful for Sarah's warm greeting.

"Hi, Sarah," Alette said softly as she pulled away from the woman. "What's Uncle Bruce up to?"

Sarah's thick, penciled eyebrows scrunched together, making it look as if she had a single brown line of hair growing across the top of her face. "He has meetings scheduled all day. I don't suppose he's expecting you?"

Alette shook her head. "No. This is a surprise. Do you mind if I hang out in his office? Maybe I can catch him for a moment between meetings."

Sarah motioned to Bruce's office door, decorated with a gold name plate that read MR. BRUCE WAYNE, as she said, "You're the only one I'd allow in unattended."

Laughing, Alette reached for the handle, turning it and pushing open the door. "Thanks, Sarah."

Closing the door behind her, Alette moved to the windows that lined the far wall, looking out into the grey morning. If she strained her eyes and looked to the farthest northwest corner of the city, she could see her mother's bookstore, along with the apartment they lived in above the shop. Home, she thought, placing a hand on the glass as if the motion would allow her to be back inside the cozy living room, sipping tea with her mother as they discussed books, movies, and Batman's latest criminal catch.

The image of her past, a time that seemed as if it came from another life, was too much for Alette to bear, and she turned away from the cityscape, focusing on the pictures that adorned her godfather's desk. One was of herself, smiling brightly with one hand clutching a diploma and the other tossing her square hat in the air. Another was of Bruce's parents, old and faded. The one in the middle was Alette's favorite, taken when she had only just begun to walk. It was her patchwork family- she was standing on her stubby baby legs, one tiny hand wrapped around her mother's fingers while the other clung to Bruce's pinky. Alfred stood behind her, ready to catch her should she fall. A smile crossed her face as she studied the concentration evident in the features of her round face as she placed one foot in front of the other. The smile was short lived, however, because it faded as her eyes caught two pictures on the left end of the desk, separate from those she was familiar with.

If her memory served her correctly, these pictures had always been there, Alette had simply ignored their presence, blind to what had always been right in front of her. The first was of a much younger Bruce with his hand on the shoulder of a boy who could not be older than ten. The boy in the photograph had piercing green eyes and appeared to be looking straight through Alette. In the second picture, the boy looked old enough to be a man, and he was wearing a tuxedo. Next to him stood an orange-skinned woman in a white dress, her long red hair flowing out from under her veil. Bruce had called them 'old friends,' when she'd asked, and Alette had never thought to press the subject.

"All those years wondering who you were," she said, talking to the photograph, "and you were right here the entire time." With a sigh, she collapsed into Bruce's large, cushioned desk chair, absently twirling around as she waited for him to show up.

It was mid-twirl five minutes later when Alette slammed her feet on the ground to stop the motion, letting out a gasp of surprise. Standing at the opposite end of the room, leaning casually against the closed door, was Bruce Wayne. His lips curved upwards in response to Alette's reaction, and he moved towards her as he said, "Eighteen years and you're still surprised by my ability to enter a room unnoticed."

Alette wanted desperately to reply with an equally witty response, but she found that she did not have the strength to be clever. Instead, she got up and ran to her godfather, meeting him in the middle of the room. Relief she had not felt over the five days that Raven had been gone washed over Alette, and she threw her arms around Bruce's neck, burying her face into his coat. "I've missed you, Uncle Bruce," she murmured into the fabric. She felt her toes leave the floor as Bruce hugged her back, lifting her entire body in the process.

"I wish you had come to me sooner," Bruce said, releasing Alette and pulling away so that he could look into her glossy purple eyes.

Alette bit her lip shamefully. "You know, then?" Bruce did not respond, but Alette did not need him to. "Of course you know. You know everything."

"What I don't know is why you thought you should have to face this on your own. Alette, you should have called me the moment it happened." Bruce's voice had a slight edge to it, the same tone he had used to scold Alette as a child.

Alette hung her head in defeat, knowing Bruce was right. "I'm sorry, Bruce. I just… forgot. Mom got taken and I lost myself in my determination to find a way to save her. I forgot everything that didn't concern researching. I thought I was alone…" she looked into her godfather's dark eyes. "Gotham just seemed so far away."

Bruce placed a reassuring hand on Alette's shoulder and steered her to a couch that sat in the corner of the office where wall met window. "Nightwing told me what you're planning on doing," he said as they both sat down. "I won't tell you how dangerous I think it is, if you promise me you'll be careful."

"Uncle Bruce, I need you to do me a favor," Alette said, avoiding making her promise. Her eyes stared straight ahead at a large mahogany bookshelf on the far wall. She was unwilling to look her godfather in the eye because she knew her request was not going to make him happy.

"What?" Bruce asked in a concerned tone. Alette's detachment worried him.

Alette looked over at the man who had been her father, finally meeting his eyes and holding his gaze. "I need you to take care of Tamara for a while." She watched as Bruce's stoicism broke for a split second, confusion crossing his face. He opened his mouth to protest, but Alette talked over him. "No, Bruce. I do not want your help in Jump City. I used a large amount of energy to try and deter the Titans, and that did not work. Now I have their lives to worry about and I will not add you or Tamara to that list. If I fail, then you will be the only one left who knows enough about my mom and Trigon to stop them."

Bruce raised a suspicious eyebrow. "So you expect me to sit here and twiddle my thumbs while you risk your life to save the world?"

"If that includes watching Tamara, then yes," Alette said, nodding. "Starfire and Nightwing have opted to stay in the city and help, but Tamara cannot. My mother is captive because she exchanged herself for Tamara's freedom and safety, and I will not see that sacrifice go to waste. Tamara's too young to stay in the city. She'll die for sure. You and Alfred are the only ones I trust with her." Alette finished her argument, looking hopefully at Bruce.

"Should I assume that Richard has no idea that you've taken it upon yourself to make sure Tamara is protected?" Bruce asked in a knowing voice.

Alette looked down at her hands. "I left a note at the Tower telling them I'd left to visit Gotham. He and the others are busy evacuating the city, and I didn't want to propose something you wouldn't agree to do. And I think he might need to be convinced, which means we'll probably have to scream at each other… I just thought it would be better to approach him when the plans are already in order, because then he can only do so much to stop them."

Bruce nodded, leaning forward slightly and placing the ends of his fingertips together, clearly contemplating Alette's proposal. There was a long silence in which Alette fiddled nervously with her hair, absently twirling it between her fingers. In the quiet, Alette's memory traveled to a time two years before when Batman had come back to the manor on the verge of death. The fear that had gripped Alette that night was a feeling she would not soon forget, but it was what Batman had said to her that came to her in this moment of uncertainty.

"Every time I see you like this, I worry that one more robbery, one more run-in with Joker or Two Face or the countless of other dangerous people who want your blood will be the end. What would I do without my Uncle Bruce?"

"Alette," he said, taking her hand as Raven healed his wounds. "You can't stop me from doing what I have come to love. Protecting these people… this city… I have to do it. Trust me to take care of myself… I would never leave you without a godfather."

"Alright Alette," Bruce said finally, releasing a defeated sigh. "Alfred and I will take care of Tamara. Let Nightwing know that I will be by tonight to pick her up."

"Thank you so much, Uncle Bruce," Alette exclaimed, throwing her arms around Bruce's neck. Then, whispering, she added, "Trust me to take care of myself."

Returning the hug, Bruce chuckled as he said, "Since when are you the one playing the hero?"

Alette clung tighter to her godfather, knowing that this might very well be the last time she saw him. Her answer was choked out between haggard breaths as she fought off tears. "I guess if I'm going to follow in your footsteps, it will have to be down both of your paths."


Flying over the abandoned streets of Jump City both reassured and frightened Alette. The lack of people- adults traveling to work, teenagers hanging out at the local movie theatre, children playing in the park- meant that no one would be around to get hurt when Trigon showed up, but it also created an eerie silence that only intensified the seriousness of the task ahead of her.

"I will save you," Alette declared into the wind rushing past her, her mother's face coming into clear focus in her mind. "…if it is the last thing I do."

Her feet made contact with the roof of the enormous T-shaped building, but Alette did not yet feel ready to re-enter the world of the Titans. Leaning against the railing, she closed her eyes and thought of Gotham… she would be back there soon… her mother would be there with her… they would go over to Bruce's house for Saturday dinner, just like they always had…

Alette felt her body fall forward; the metal rails seemed to be sinking underneath her fingertips. She quickly stepped back from the edge, her eyes focused on the twisted, disfigured metal that had melted under her touch… and her power. It seemed that her lack of meditation was finally catching up with her.

"Okay," Alette said resolutely. "I need to meditate. I'll be no use to anyone if my powers are out of control." She had been talking to herself much more than usual recently, the sound of her own monotone reminding her of Raven and giving her strength. She folded her legs up underneath her, taking a moment to enjoy the unique sensation of feeling the wind passing both above and below her body, and then began to chant words she had known before she had learned to talk.

"Azarath… Metrion… Zinthos… Azarath… Metrion… Zinthos…"

Alette's mind felt suddenly light, free from the chains binding her to the fight with Trigon. She focused on the words, allowing herself to temporarily forget what was going on in the outside world. She needed to be removed. She needed to be distant. She needed to be strong. She needed…

But the low rumbling of an engine jerked Alette abruptly out of her trance. She hurried over to where the roof overlooked the entrance to the Tower, bending her torso over the barricades so she could see what was going on.

Below her the Batmobile, one of Batman's many toys, floated on the water surrounding the Tower, having transformed into a large, bulky water craft. The masked man was stepping out of the vehicle and walking out to meet him were Nightwing, Starfire, and Tamara. The girl was clinging tightly to her mother's neck and with a pang of guilt Alette recalled the conversation she'd had with Nightwing on her way back to Jump City from Gotham.

"Bruce has agreed to take care of Tamara until this is all over," she had said hastily into the communicator.

"Excuse me?" Nightwing was taken aback by Alette's information. "I wasn't aware that she was going anywhere."

Fighting the urge to snap at her father, Alette explained in the calmest manner she could muster. "Tamara can't stay in the city, Nightwing. Trigon will not spare Tamara because she is not fighting. She knows Bruce and will be safe with him."

"My daughter is staying with me."

"Then she will die and you will carry that guilt on your conscience for the rest of your life, no matter how short it may be."

The line was silent for a moment and Alette felt slightly ashamed of her harsh words, but she knew they had been worth it when Nightwing's defeated voice cracked over the line.

"When will he be here?"

"I don't want to go! I want to stay with you and Daddy!"

Tamara's pathetic cries echoed up to Alette, and she found herself looking away from the heart-wrenching scene. She was no stranger to being separated from a parent, and she hoped that one day Tamara would forgive her for putting her through so much emotional turmoil.

Nightwing spoke, and Alette strained her ears to hear what he was saying. "Tamara, sweetie, Mommy and I have to do some important work in the next few days. We'll come get you when we're finished. You love visiting the manor."

The talking stopped and Alette peered curiously over the bars once again just in time to see Starfire and Nightwing each kiss Tamara as they transferred her to Batman's arms. After making sure the child was safely secured in his vehicle, Batman looked up at the roof of the Tower, locking his eyes with Alette's. Nightwing and Starfire followed his stern gaze.

She had been caught.

Heaving a heavy sigh, Alette floated down to the rocks and landed in front of Batman, her back to Starfire and Nightwing. Her eyes nervously avoided his. There was something she had not told him that morning… something that needed to be said.

"You are the only father I have ever known," she said determinedly. Behind her Nightwing visibly winced. "I know you're angry with me, but you must understand… she's my mother…" Alette tasted the familiar salty tears as they slid into her open mouth. She hurriedly wiped them away with the back of her hands. "There is a very real possibility that I won't see you again and…" Alette stopped, silenced by her godfather's strong arms pulling her towards him.

"Alette, just don't do anything I wouldn't do," he said. She noticed the slightest of wavers in his voice and hugged him tighter.

"I love you, Uncle Bruce."

"I love you too, Alette."

They broke apart abruptly. As she watched him climb into his waiting transport, Alette realized that Batman had not given her the chance to say good bye, and she was grateful for it. Saying good bye was permanent… it meant that she would not be coming back... and if he had let her say it he would be admitting that he believed he would never see his goddaughter again.

"Take care of Tamara for us," Nightwing called as the vehicle began to pull away. Starfire clung to Nightwing's arm and her loud sobs echoed into the distance.

Alette watched the black hover craft coast out of sight and her eyes stayed on the horizon long after it had gone. Her body felt suddenly heavy and her tired legs collapsed under the weight of what she faced.

"Alette?" Nightwing's voice sounded as if he were calling from very far away. "Why don't you come inside? It's getting dark."

Alette felt her head shaking and managed to say, "You go." She slipped off her shoes and allowed her feet to find relief in the cool water that was lapping at the rocks. The sun was just beginning its descent, casting an eerie red glow on the surface of the bay water.

"You can't keep doing this, Alette."

Nightwing's voice startled Alette and as he sat down beside her, her eyes traveled from the abandoned city to his masked eyes. Starfire was nowhere in sight. "Doing what?"

"One minute you tell us that you need our help and the next you're off in your own world, kicking the rest of us out. Raven used to do it too, and she shut us out whenever she needed us the most. We don't need to be protected."

"She was only trying to keep you from having to face the atrocities of Trigon," Alette said, defending her mother's actions while at the same time defending her own. "Yes, you're a superhero and have faced many dangerous situations. But even heroes need to be protected sometimes."

"If you don't tell me what is going to happen… because I'm assuming that's what you're worrying about… then you'll be sending all of us in blind. You'll get us killed and you will carry that guilt on your conscience for the rest of your life, no matter how short it may be."

Alette did not miss Nightwing's use of the same argument she had used against him not two hours before. Yet his comment did little to persuade her. It only served to increase her anger. She glared at him, her purple eyes narrowing to tiny slivers. "I don't need you to tell me what I should or should not be doing. You have no idea what is going on! I've been preparing for this my entire life and you think I can make you and the others ready in a couple of hours! Just do what you're good at… fight anything that comes at you and run whenever you can't take it anymore!"

"We don't run, Alette."

"Then for your sake, I hope my mom is still reachable. If she is too consumed by Trigon's hatred, then there is nothing we can do to stop him."

"We both know that Raven is too strong to be defeated so easily," Nightwing said, his eyebrows furrowing in concern. He placed a hand on Alette's shoulder as he said, "What's really bothering you, Alette?"

Alette shrugged out of his grasp and pulled her feet out of the water. She stood up and looked down at her father, irrational emotions boiling inside her. She knew what she was about to do was unnecessary and juvenile, but her lack of control was winning the internal battle and Nightwing had the unfortunate privilege of being the only person around to be on the receiving end. It was too bad Starfire had not stayed outside.

"What's bothering me?" Her voice was low and biting. She spoke through gritted teeth. "That was probably the last time I'll ever see Bruce! Transferring my power might kill me! Trigon will be defeated because of my sacrifice, but then my mom will live a miserable life. You and I both know that if anything happens to me she'll blame herself. She likes to do that."

"Alette, you're not sure you'll die. You told us last night that you have no idea what will happen," Nightwing said, trying to calm her down. Alette was doing a spectacular job of showing off the not so glamorous traits of both of her parents. Raven and Nightwing were two people who, when they were frustrated, let the whole world know.

Alette placed a discomforting smile on her face. "Okay," she began in an eerily calm voice. "Let's just pretend that everything goes according to plan. I successfully transfer my power, which Mom successfully uses to destroy Trigon. The clan members are sent to jail or whatever… Then what? Everything goes back to normal? You stay here with your perfect little family and Mom and I go back to Gotham, where I'll have to listen to her crying every night because she misses you. Everything will be a thousand times worse than it was before all of this! I wish I had never come to Jump City!"

"Alette!" Nightwing was standing now too and in an attempt to calm his daughter down he had taken her by the shoulders, trying to steady her flailing arms.

"Let me go!" Alette cried, trying unsuccessfully to pull away from her father's strong grasp. "Did you really think that I was going to be okay with all of this? That Mom would be?" She put on a falsely happy tone and continued, "Oh yes, my father has an entirely different family, both members of which hate me, I might add. I think I'll hang around because I so enjoy the nasty glares Starfire sends me whenever you're not looking!" Her voice fell back into its angry stride. "No thank you. Mom and I will be fine without you! We managed before and…" Alette faltered, suffocated by the pain that was radiating off of the man across from her. She looked at him, trying desperately to hang onto her anger.

Nightwing took advantage of Alette's momentary lapse of screaming to pull her close into a tight hug. She fought valiantly to try and break free and finally tired out, her fury disintegrating into angry tears. "It's not fair," she sobbed quietly. "It's not fair that she gets to have you… that she's had you her entire life! I've loved you forever… the idea of you, anyway. And as soon as I find you, I have to let you go?"

"You don't have to compete with Tamara, Alette," Nightwing said, his voice shaking with his attempts to fight off his own tears.

"But I can't stay here. My place is with my mom, and her place is anywhere but here. It would be more painful for her to wake up and sit across from you and Starfire at breakfast every morning than it would be for her to remember you as you were…" She sniffed as her tears started to ebb. "So no, I don't have to compete with Tamara. She wins by default." She tried to pull away again and this time, Nightwing let her.

"When this is all over," he said, a determined look on his face, "we will figure something out. I'm not about to let you and Raven walk away from me… again."

A sad smile crossed Alette's face and when she spoke, her voice had returned to its normal calm. "I'm sorry… I'm not angry with you. I'm angry with the world in general. We should go inside," she said, now heading back towards the Tower.

"But…" Nightwing knew that Alette was not as fine as the cover she was putting up.

"Let's get through tomorrow, okay?" Alette said, stopping but not turning around. "I don't want to fight with you when I have no idea what will happen to me. I'd rather you not remember me as an immature brat."

"Okay," Nightwing agreed halfheartedly. A few moments passed in silence as the pair made their way up to the entrance to the Tower. When they reached the door, Nightwing paused to look at Alette. "Tomorrow?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Alette froze with her hand over the panel that would unlock the entrance to the Tower. She stayed like that, thinking about what she had just said and after a moment, she issued an audible intake of breath. She refused to look at Nightwing directly. With a sideways glance she said, "I think you should have everyone assemble in the common room. Things are moving faster than I thought they would."


Eight pairs of eyes stared at Alette, each asking the same question. If an urgent meeting had been called, then it was because something had happened. The Titans wanted to know what had happened.

"I've been so caught up in everything else…" Alette started, choosing to look up and over the four heads instead of directly at them. "I didn't stop to think about the days… the weeks… that have gone by. Just now, while I was talking about my mom with Nightwing…" Alette noticed Starfire's sudden uneasiness upon realizing that Nightwing had been talking about Raven. "Tomorrow is her birthday."

"So you think Trigon will attack tomorrow?" Cyborg asked, wanting to confirm what he already knew. Everyone remembered the horrible events of Raven's birthday all those years before, and from Alette's serious tone, they knew that she believed it would begin tomorrow.

"Yes," Alette said as she nodded. "Trigon loves sticking to dates… my mother's birthday is his favorite."

"So…" Beastboy began, struggling to find the words he needed. His pointy ears drooped and his lip trembled slightly. "We're going to fight tomorrow."

"Yes," Alette said again. "I don't know when, though. It could be at midnight or he could wait until the last minute… but it will be tomorrow."

"Then we all need to get some sleep," Nightwing said, assuming his leader-like tone. "We'll need all of our energy."

No one moved. They were still looking at Alette, who sighed in frustration. "What?" she asked. All at once three questions assaulted her, and it took her a moment to separate them from each other.

"What's going to happen tomorrow?" Cyborg asked cautiously.

"What do we do if… you know… if this doesn't work?" was Beastboy's question. He tried desperately to hide his fear.

"Will I ever see my daughter again?" Starfire inquired, her voice barely audible among the others.

Alette took a breath, turning to each of them as she answered their individual questions. She caught Cyborg's eye first. "I've told you your part of what's going to happen tomorrow. You'll disable the cult members, who will probably be trying to kill me. If you manage to get them all down, then get as far away from me and Trigon as possible. If not, I'll give you your signal to leave."

She turned next to Beastboy, and as she spoke she attempted to hide her own uncertainty. "If it doesn't work, then you have to get away. Go to Gotham… Batman will be your best source for help."

"Starfire," she said calmly, her eyes traveling from the green changeling to the orange alien, "I would never be the reason for a little girl to be separated from her parents. If you do as I have instructed you will see Tamara again." Alette glanced at Nightwing. "Both of you will."

"We know what we're supposed to do," Beastboy said, his voice barely above a whisper, "but what is going to happen to you?"

"I'm not going to tell you that," Alette said stubbornly. "You do not need to be worried about me. You know that I'm transferring my powers to my mother. That's enough. Now," she said in a tone that clearly stated she was not going to answer any more questions. "I agree with Nightwing. We need to sleep. I'll know when it's time and as soon as I know, you will."

It was clear to the four Titans that Alette was finished for the night, and so they begrudgingly made their way out of the common room, each giving Alette the best smile they could muster at such a foreboding time. The last one to leave was Nightwing, who stood at the window with her while Starfire waited in the corridor for him.

"When I said we need to get some sleep, I meant you too," he said, noticing Alette's dark circles and pale face. "More than any of us, really."

She smiled and met his gaze in the window's reflection. "I know. I think I'll sleep in here, though. My mom's room is getting too… well, I end up keeping myself awake if I'm in there. Plus, I'm closer to the alarm in here."

Alette expected Nightwing to leave then, but when he did not, she looked up at him curiously. He was resting his head on the glass of the window and he whispered in a low voice as he spoke. "I have to believe that everything is going to work out tomorrow, Alette. If it doesn't… if I lose you and Raven… I can't lose you and Raven… It would kill me."

"I won't make any promises," Alette said in a shaky voice. "We have to be realistic. But," her tone was hopeful, "the most important thing is that Mom has something to fight for… she'll fight for me… and she'll fight for you…" She, too, looked off into the distance beyond the glass.

"Alright," Nightwing said, collecting himself with a shake of the head. "I'll see you in the morning, Alette. Good night." He kissed the top of her head and ruffled her hair affectionately before heading to meet Starfire where she was waiting, shifting from left to right impatiently. Before he could make it, however, he was thrown forward by the force of Alette as she wrapped her arms around him from behind.

"I've waited a long time to say this, and I won't get around to it if I wait until tomorrow," she whispered, her voice traveling up and over his back to his ear. She took a deep breath and said, "I love you… Dad."

The words echoed in Nightwing's head. Tamara said 'I love you,' at least twice a day, but hearing it from Alette was a completely new experience. He brought his hands to meet Alette's and turned to face her as he unwrapped himself from her grasp. Without hesitation he looked into his daughter's eyes, a mirror reflection of Raven's, and said, "Alette, I love you too."

Alette closed her eyes and smiled as she fully appreciated hearing the words from her father for the first time in her life, but the moment was ruined by an irritated cough from Starfire, who had watched the scene with her mouth open in shock.

The split second of normalcy shattered by Starfire, Alette took up a business-like tone as she said, "I'll know when it is about to begin and I'll sound the alarm as soon as I know. Good night."

Nightwing nodded, and Alette could tell he was trying to apologize for Starfire's rude behavior. She watched Nightwing and Starfire walk off into the darkness, and when they were gone she once again took up her meditation position. Her actions during the past twenty four hours had been much too unpredictable and erratic. She needed to have complete control of her emotions. Sleep was second in importance to control.

"Azarath… Metrion… Zinthos…"


Alette had just managed to drift off to sleep when a flash of red and a crack of lightning swam across the inside of her eyelids. She shot up from her spot on the circular couch and as if she had been doing it her entire life, ran for the alarm at the back of the room. Reaching out with a black tendril of power, she pressed the button and waited for the Titans, noticing that the kitchen clock read 6:00. Hurried footsteps announced the arrival of Cyborg and Beastboy, followed closely by Nightwing and Starfire.

"It's time," Alette breathed, noticing that no one looked as if they had gotten a wink of sleep. She gestured out the window. A sun the color of blood was rising in the east and black storm clouds were gathering in the distance. "There's still time for you to get out if…"

"Alette, we're not going anywhere," Beastboy said determinedly.

Alette smiled, the only gesture of thanks she could manage to produce. "Right. Follow me." She shot upwards, phasing through the ceiling and up to the roof. The others charged up the stairs, opening the rooftop door to a rush of strong wind. Alette was waiting for them, watching the churning clouds patiently. The darkness hung over the center of the city and the wind was rushing to the growing storm, feeding the chaos.

"Take a breath, everyone," Alette advised, raising her voice so that they could hear her over the gusts. "This is the calm before the storm."

As if on cue, lightning began to strike. It descended from the sky, and upon impact flames erupted from the ground. "One," Alette whispered. Bolts continued to fall and new flames were created from each one. The Titans watched helplessly as their city burned. As soon as Alette had counted ten strikes, they stopped as suddenly as they had started.

"Okay. I'll lead, you guys follow me. As soon as we land we're going to hit the cult. Trigon will come as soon as he is provoked. Remember, get out as soon as you can." Behind her, each of the Titans marveled at how much Alette, who had taken the position of leader, sounded like Nightwing in that instant.

"Only if you're with us," Nightwing said. Alette chose to ignore her father's stubborn comment.

Flying over the bay went quicker than Alette wanted it to. She didn't feel ready. She was nervous and scared, but she knew there was no time for those emotions. As they abandoned the air for land, choosing a spot that was relatively distant from the raging flames, Alette looked one last time at Nightwing, who nodded understandingly, and her fear ebbed slightly.

Just as Alette had predicted, Trigon's supporters appeared from nowhere, advancing quickly as they each formed fistfuls of fire. Among the cries of the hooded figures and the roar of the burning city, Alette heard Nightwing shout, "Titans go!"

All at once, each one of the five began to attack. Beastboy morphed into a rhinoceros, charging through a nearby group while Cyborg made a large sweep across the crowd with his sonic cannon. Starfire took to the sky, launching green energy bolts from up above. Nightwing had his bo staff in one hand and dodged a wave of flames before attacking two approaching figures, taking one out with a strong blow to the stomach and a sweep of the leg and another with a sharp uppercut and a jab with his staff.

Alette, however, was getting the most attention. Cult members seemed to be coming at her from every side. She chanted her mother's phrase and emitted a powerful wave of black energy that knocked every single one to the ground. Taking advantage of their distraction, Alette shot off into the sky. She surrounded herself in her own dark power so as to deflect any balls of fire that might eventually come her way. Then she set in motion the chain of events that would hopefully save her mother.

"Trigon I'm hurt!" Alette shouted, hoping that her actions would not distract the others from their task. "Here your granddaughter has come to see you and you hide in the shadows instead of coming out to greet her. Funny, one would almost think that you're intimidated," Alette let her last word hang in the air, a teasing smile on her face. This was her element. Taunting the enemy gave her strength and confidence. "Trigon the Terrible afraid of little ole me? I guess I should feel honored or something. Of course, the only reason you would have to be afraid of me is if I was a threat. You didn't really think I'd step aside and let you take over the world, did you? You don't have a snowball's chance in…"

Alette's goading was interrupted by a horrible roar that ripped through the clamoring of the fighting going on below. For a moment all was silent as the Titans and the cult members looked at the being that was rising from the flames. His head was decorated by a crown that made his head appear to have twin antlers and his four red eyes glowed menacingly.

"Just couldn't resist, could you?" Alette said, smirking. She crossed her arms defiantly as she looked into each of his eyes, hoping that her outsides were providing a good cover for her twisting and turning insides. "It's been a while, Trigon."

"Child," the demon began in his threatening voice, "how do you expect to stop me when your mother could not put up a decent fight?"

"Who said anything about me stopping you? How could someone like me, who's only a quarter demon, hope to possibly defeat someone like you, who is one hundred percent genuine bad guy?" Alette knew that she needed to keep him talking long enough to search for and find a faint glimmer of her mother's energy. Everything depended on finding Raven inside the horror that was Trigon.

"And who do you think it will be? Them?" Trigon's large, clawed hand gestured to the fighting Titans. "They are insignificant."

"What about me?" Alette asked, gliding dangerously close to her grandfather. She hovered ten feet from his scarlet glare. "Am I insignificant? And if I am, then by all means… please kill me. I'd rather just end it now than have to suffer."

"Your mother would be ashamed of your weakness," Trigon said as he raised his hand menacingly. Alette did not flinch. "With you gone, there will be no hope for Earth." He made to drop his fist onto Alette, intending to knock her out of the sky and squash her like a pesky insect. Yet midway through his swing, his arm stopped as if some invisible force was holding him back. This was the sign Alette had been searching for.

"Ha!" she cried confidently. "She's still there, Trigon. We both know it. She stopped you from hurting me!" Backing away only slightly, Alette assumed the position she had grown accustomed to. Glaring at Trigon she shouted, "It won't be me that defeats you, Trigon. It will be my mother!"

Alette began to chant, her black force field keeping all assassination attempts at bay. "Azarath…" Mom! Where are you? "Metrion…" I know you're in there somewhere. I can feel you. "Zinthos…" Come on, Mom, help me out here.

Alette felt herself leaving her body behind. Her astral projection, which was like her mother's in that it resembled a large black bird, flew over the battle below her. Trigon attempted to prevent her from entering, closing his hands around her as if he was catching a firefly. But Alette was not solid and so slipped through his grasp as easily as water. With one final burst of energy, Alette entered Trigon's mind, temporarily overwhelmed by its darkness. A road appeared below her, and Alette had no choice but to follow it. She shed her bird-like appearance and touched down, her footsteps echoing as she inched further into Trigon's mind.

Alette managed to travel through Trigon's outer mental defenses easily enough. His mind was a barren waste land haunted by four-eyed crows and pits of fire. She could tell she was getting closer to Raven when the crows began to attack, slashing at her face and tearing her clothes in an attempt to deter her. The heat became increasingly overwhelming and Alette felt very faint. Just a little further she kept telling herself as she continued her mental journey. Just when she was beginning to think that Raven would never be found, Alette happened upon a large steel cage inside which her mother lay, apparently unconscious.

Distracted by the sight of Raven in such a state, Alette was caught off guard by a wave of fire as it hit her stomach and sent her flying. She looked up into the hateful eyes of Trigon from her place on the ground of his mind. In the distance, Raven stirred.

"Mom!" Alette cried, desperately trying to reach Raven. Trigon sent another ball of fire at Alette, but she narrowly avoided it as she rolled out of the way. "Mom!" she called again. "It's me, Alette! Snap out of it! Come on, Mom…" Alette's pleas were silenced as Trigon's fist made contact with her face, but her cry of pain achieved what her voice alone could not.

Alette's pain reached Raven, pulling her from the deep abyss of unconsciousness. She sat up slowly, regaining her bearings and trying to figure out exactly what was going on. Beyond the bars of her cage, she could just make out the limp form of Alette in Trigon's grip. "No…" she breathed.

Though her body protested, Raven stood and made her way to the edge of the cage. "Trigon," she called, catching the demon's attention. "Leave her alone!" Black power began to encase the metal of the cage as Raven used all of her energy to try to escape.

"You are too weak," Trigon observed happily, walking ever closer to Raven. "You cannot win."

Alette began to stir, and from her place in Trigon's hand, she looked down at her mother. "If you're ready," she called down to Raven, "I'm going to do it. If I wait any longer, I won't have the strength to do it properly."

"Alette…" Raven's voice trailed off.

"Don't you dare try to talk me out of it now!" Alette stated as she closed her eyes. She began to chant and her astral form disappeared from Trigon's grasp as she left his mind.

Back outside Trigon's mind, Alette took a final, deep breath. "Find your center," she commanded herself. "Focus on Mom…" Her black shield crept closer to her body, forming an awkward exoskeleton. "Azarath… Metrion… Zinthos…" Alette's body glowed white for a second. "Azarath… Metrion… Zinthos…" The black power separated itself from her body, forming a carbon copy of herself. "Azarath… Metrion… ZINTHOS!" With the final word, the projection flew away from Alette piercing Trigon's head and leaving her powerless.

With nothing to hold her up anymore, gravity took possession of Alette's body, dragging her down to the ground. In the distance, she heard Trigon crying out in both pain and anger. A nasty crack echoed across the battlefield as Alette's head met pavement. A red-robed figure took her in his arms…

Then all went black.


A/N: A cliffhanger? I think so! I hate doing it to you guys, but it will make the rest of the climax so much more interesting! The good news is that I actually know what's going to happen in the next chapter… the first part of it anyway… so I might get it up a little sooner. It might also depend on my mood after I get my scores from those tests that I had to take a while back (they come out on Wednesday)… so pray for good news for the sake of the story! Well, I think that's it for now… Please review because you know that I can never get enough!

Ashlyn