An Author's Note (and a very sad one): Okay, I'm sorry I could not get this up sooner. You see, I'm kind of moving out of my house, and my life for the past month has been nothing but boxes, boxes and more boxes.

Plus, I am not sure if I can get the Internet at my new place, at least not at once, so this and my other story might have to be put on a temporary hiatus.

As soon as I figure out the Internet situation, I'll update.

But until then…you'll just have to wait.

Sorry.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Wrapping Up a Loose End or Two

It was a good thing that the Ugly army disintegrated when it did, or Raven and Beast Boy would have been in serious trouble.

As it was…well they still might be in trouble, but it was not quite as serious as it might have been.

Maybe.

The flock of griffins that had unwittingly aided Raven glared at the two Titans standing before them. Beast Boy hoped that this was only because an eagle's features cannot do anything but glare, but after the way they had been greeted last time he was not so sure.

Raven tightened her grip on her sword, obviously ready to go another round, even though she looked a bit like chopped hamburger. Heck, Beast Boy looked a bit like chopped hamburger as well. He could have sworn that the Uglies had wanted to play Tic-Tac-Toe on his chest from the way (and pattern) they had scratched it up.

The lead griffin stepped towards them and cocked his head "You really didn't have anything to do with our dead hatchlings…did you."

Raven gave him a weary look "I never touched them." she said.

"I see…sorry about that." The griffin, however, did not really sound that sorry at all.

Beast Boy suddenly found himself becoming furious. How dare they! They had attacked them for no reason and now-

But before he could vent his rage the griffins took to the sky without another word.

"Birdbrained jerks." Beast Boy growled.

"They're griffins." Raven shrugged.

"So!? Just because we are not the same species doesn't mean they have to be so…so…"

"Beast-" Raven started to say something, but then she staggered a little to the side.

Beast Boy managed to catch her before she fell. He winched bit as he looked at her. There was just so much blood he wondered how in the world she was managing to stand at all.

Thinking quickly he helped her over to Mithrah, who was snorting in a worried way.

"Hey boy, you think you can get her back to the castle?"

Mithrah snarled, but Beast Boy didn't think the snarl was addressed to him. Mithrah, who by now had figured out that flying was not so bad, took off. Beast Boy turned into a hawk and followed.

Beast Boy searched the ground below him. He was concerned about the others. He guessed they had taken the portal down, but who knew how many of them could be hurt or injured (he refused to think of the word "dead")?

Suddenly a certain alien princess came hurtling through the sky from….somewhere. She screeched to a halt in front of Mithrah, who whinnied in protest and reared in the air. Kinda funny to see, actually.

"Oh Raven! Beast Boy! You are both unharmed!" she squealed, and she might have tried to hug Raven except for the fact that Mithrah was giving her a death glare and sparking from the horns. "You must come quickly! It is Arucules! He is badly injured and we fear he is dying."

"What?" Raven's head shot up from where it had been on Mithrah's mane. "Come on, Mithrah, hurry."

The horse zipped away at a speed you would not expect from something that looked so ungainly in the air. Beast Boy screeched in protest. She should not be overexerting herself like this! He followed her as best he could.

She landed in the courtyard of the castle and started demanding to know where Arucules was. Beast Boy dove towards her, shifted back and gently grabbed her arm.

"What are you doing?" she growled.

"You're hurt. I know I can't make you lie down and rest while your old teacher is hurt, but I'm not going to let you walk around like this either. Not without help."

"You're injured to."

"Yeah…so what?"

Raven tried to glare at him some more, but she felt that she did not have time to sit her arguing with him. Besides, she really was tired. They followed Starfire into the castle.

"Good…you're here." Arucules said in an unnaturally quite voice. Let's face it, minotaur voices where meant to boom, not whisper. "I need to speak to you girl, alone."

He did not look good at all. The sharp rocks had sliced into his skin so badly that his fur was stained red. His once long, sharp horns were broken and cracked, which was bad because all minotaurs took good care of their horns as a rule. He was wheezing and gasping as he talked, and it was pretty clear to Raven that…well, you know.

She glared at the other Titans, who left. They were reluctant, but they left. Only Winterwing stuck around.

"Didn't I say alone, fur ball?" Arucules growled. Apparently, life threatening injuries would not prevent him from being a jerk.

"No, I'm staying with you." The wolf growled.

"Fine, suit yourself…I don't have much time…"

Raven opened her mouth, but Arucules cut her off. "Now don't start with all that 'don't talk' nonsense. I need to tell you something very important. I should have told you when Hadiran died…but I thought I had more time…Raven, you remember the duty of the Makhar?"

Raven gave him an odd look. "You taught me that years ago."

"No, I didn't. I merely taught you the parts that everyone knows. I never told you…the reason that we exist….the true purpose of our order."

"What are you talking about?"

"I thought you would not have to do it. I thought I would be around longer than this…but I've already done it twice, and it was twice too many."

"What-"

"Raven…the final duty…of the Makhar…is…"

"What is going on in there?" Robin growled, pacing around. He did not like this at all. None of them did.

"Don't worry man. It'll be fine." Cyborg said, trying to lighten the mood.

No, it won't be. Beast Boy thought. He felt so horrible for Raven. First she had lost one of her oldest friends, even though it can be argued that she lost Sanath long before this, and now she was going to lose her mentor! Beast Boy wanted so badly to go in there and help her somehow, at least comfort her a bit.

Suddenly the door opened. Raven emerged, followed by Winterwing. Raven had a shocked look in her eyes, and the big wolf beside her was trembling with ears laid back and teeth partly exposed.

"Raven, what-" Robin started.

"He's gone." She whispered, not looking at anything but the wall in front of her. Beast Boy would have bet money that she was not looking at it at all.

"What did he say?" Cyborg asked.

"Can't say." Raven said, still looking (or zoning) at the wall "Gotta…you know…go." She walked off, looking very dazed and confused.

The Titans looked at each other, wondering if they should be concerned. Was this a normal way to express grief? After a few moments Beast Boy followed Raven, hoping there was something he could do for her.

Robin focused on Winterwing, who looked like he had just been hit on the head with a board. "What went on in there?"

Winterwing's eyes snapped to Robin "Can't say." He growled.

"But-"

"For her ears and hers alone!" the wolf barked "You keep your ugly nose out of it. Never should have stayed with them…stupid thing to do."

"What?"

Winterwing snorted and started walking away. Before he disappeared down the corner he turned and glanced at them over his shoulder.

"Hope that you never need to find out what happened in there today." He growled, his wolfy voice filled with grief. "Azar help her."

"Raven?"

Raven turned and looked at Beast Boy. She was still very shocked by what Arucules had told her. It was bad enough that he was dead, but what he told her beforehand…she could barely comprehend it. He had followed her all the way to the castle gardens, and right now they were under that well kept, nice smelling orange tree that had provided a certain shape shifter with breakfast not to long ago.

"Look, Beast Boy I don't want to talk about it-"

"Then don't. You don't have to say anything, Raven."

"Then what are you here for?"

"I want to help you Rae."

"How?" her voice broke, tears she never wanted to shed threatening her with their presence "How can you help?"

He did the only thing he could do. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a hug. Again she tensed up a bit. Beast Boy had a feeling that she might always tense up at another human's touch, but he did not mind. After all, she would eventually relax, and for some reason having her relax against him was worth a bit of initial tensing.

"You don't have to talk." Beast Boy said "Trust me, I know how you feel. I know what it's like to have two love ones die on the same day…my parents…look Rae, its okay to cry."

"But…"

"You feel better after you do. I know. Please, just trust me."

She didn't want to. It just…was not like her. It was embarrassing. It was shaming.

But for some reason, it was happening.

He just stood there, holding her as she started sobbing. It was just like what happened a few days before when she had lost her powers. Had it only been a few days? Just like before, except now she felt something other that grief and loss. She felt something growing in her heart for the green man holding her, something so strong and strange that it scared her silly, even though she wanted to keep it around for all eternity.

Jinx was heading to the one place she never thought she would go, the library. To get a (gasp) book.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked the Nazlar beside her, the same one who had given her the little history lesson at the ball last night.

"You wanted to know more about banishing Trigon, correct?" the Nazlar said "Well, we happen to have the only book on the subject, and I think it would be a very good idea to let you borrow it for a while. That is, if you are serious about freeing Flario?"

"Yeah, I am." Jinx said. She was being honest too. She knew for a fact that Raven did not really like to talk about her father, unlike Jinx herself. Jinx had always secretly yearned to have her own parent back, but she was not going to try anything stupid like bringing the dead back to life.

However, if the sea serpent had gotten free there was no reason to think that Flario could not be freed as well. It would not bring back her father, but having her father's partner and friend would be the next best thing.

"Now, you must promise to take good care of this." The Nazlar said, clutching the tome like it was a puppy.

"No problem." Jinx said taking the book in what she hoped was a respectful manner. It was entitled: The Demon Lords: A History and Guide for Banishing the Most Powerful of Demons.

"You are welcome, and I hope you are successful." The Nazlar said. He then wandered off somewhere, probably to find some late night reading.

Jinx also settled down with her find. Opening the first page she began reading. Unfortunately, the book was rather long, and the first pages were more like a dull history book than anything else.

What was worse, it did not have an index.

"Winterwing?"

"What in the name of the Lion do you want now, Prey-Bird?" Winterwing snarled at Robin.

"Don't worry; it's not about…what you didn't want to talk about."

"Then what is it?"

"Well…you're a familiar…and so am I…so…" Robin trailed off.

"What?"

"Could you teach me to…you know…use Raven's powers?"

Winterwing snorted. "Humans! Why can't you just follow your instincts instead of making things hard for yourselves! I'll try to help you, but I don't see why you can't learn for yourself!"

"Thanks!" Robin said "Now, what do we start with!"

"Well…the easiest familiar ability is seeing through the eyes of your wizard. Try it now, Prey-Bird. Imagine seeing what Raven is seeing right now."

Robin concentrated. He remembered how it had felt to have Raven in his head, and he tried to imagine what it would be like to see through her eyes. Eventually a picture started coming through, though it was not what he expected.

What he saw was the very green face of Beast Boy, very close to his own face.

He also must have done something to alert Raven to this invasion, because the next thing he heard (in his head as well as in his ears) was a certain wizard bellowing "ROBIN!"

"Oh no." Winterwing moaned, he had heard the shout as well. "You're on your own, Prey-Bird!" the big wolf then leaped out the window and started flapping for all he was worth.

Now he could hear a very pissed of animal of some sort heading his direction. It was accompanied by a certain Halfblood's bellowing. It went something like this:

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, BOY BLUNDER!"

"GRRROAAAAAARRRRR!"

Robin groaned.

After a rather long discussion (which included much glaring on Raven's part and snarling on Beast Boy's) Raven finally agreed to help Robin "explore" the familiar abilities he did not know he had. Winterwing agreed to help as well, as soon as he had gotten back from the hills he had headed for.

Robin was a fast learner, or maybe those instincts Winterwing had mentioned had finally kicked in. Soon he was able to see through Raven's eyes very clearly (and vice versa), talk to her telepathically, levitate very small objects, channel a small amount of her powers, and…well slow down his rate of fall. He just could not seem to get full levitation down, and while this would have been useful, at least now he would have a greater chance of survival when he jumped from a building again.

Raven made it quite clear; however, that she was only doing this on a trial basis. She was still not comfortable with the concept of a familiar of her own, especially when said familiar was not only her teammate, but her boss. She said several times that if anything bad happened, and she would define bad, then she was going to block their connection as well as she could for as long as she wanted, which would essentially strip Robin of all his new abilities.

As for himself, while Robin liked having these new options available, he did not plan to use them unless the situation was truly dire. Deep down he was a warrior at heart, and always would be.

Robin knew they should be going soon, they still had a sword to find, but he felt that his team needed a break from all of this. So for the next two days the Titans rested: Cyborg taught the Nazlar children the finer points of sports, Starfire learned the Nazlar language (much to Robin's discomfort), Winterwing…did whatever it was wolves did to relax (which seemed to involve a lot of sleeping in the sun), Arcktos discussed political issues with Zarule (mentally preparing himself to actually rule a kingdom when he got home), Illeria made it a point to do nothing at all (like wolves, cats are experts at doing nothing), Jinx read…a lot, Robin tested his new abilities and learned some tricks from the Nazlar, and Raven and Beast Boy…enjoyed each other's company.

Dawn of the third day saw the team ready to get on with the journey, but before they went Zarule was determined to talk to Beast Boy. He had noticed that the green one was giving his granddaughter quite a bit of attention, and he felt like he needed to have a talk with him.

Privately.

"Umm, is there anything wrong? Sir?" Beast Boy said. He had been told to go see the king in his private room, and frankly the poor shape shifter was scared of his mind.

"Boy," Zarule growled, his body turned towards a window "What exactly have you been doing with my granddaughter?"

Beast Boy gulped. Great, now he was getting a "father talk" from his girlfriend's grandfather. But he was not going to back down.

"Sir, I love her." He said, bluntly.

He did not know it, but this forward answer impressed Zarule. He expected the boy to beat around the bush.

"Are you sure about that?" Zarule said, finally looking at Beast Boy "It's not even close to mating season, boy."

Beast Boy shuffled uncomfortably "Sir, humans don't have mating seasons. I know that makes you think that we are a little…odd. Trust me, I've been a bunch of different creatures with that kind of thing. I…look, what I'm saying is I'm not going to hurt her."

"Perhaps not, but are you worthy of her?"

"Sir…shouldn't that be her choice?" Beast Boy said. "I like her, and she likes me. Shouldn't that be all that matters?"

"Can you protect her?"

Beast Boy laughed "Look, Raven is the last person who needs to be protected by a man…but if she ever were in trouble, I'd be right there to help her. And I'll also say this: I don't want to fight with you over her, but I'm not going to give her up, either. You know?"

Zarule gazed at the young man. At first he had been convinced that this little green plant muncher was weak and small, but now the king's opinion was changing. He had heard what the little guy had done in the battle. Right now he could see the determination in Beast Boy's eyes, and he knew that this human really would fight for Raven with all his heart.

"I don't know what your traditions are, but if you ever need to battle another for her, than I wish you to be the victor." Zarule said, and Beast Boy thought that this might be the Nazlar version of a father giving his daughter's boyfriend his blessing…at least he hoped that was what this was.

"Thank's sir." Beast Boy said, heading for the door "Don't worry; I'll take care of her!"

"Boy?" Zarule said as Beast Boy's hand touched the door "If you ever hurt her in any way I'll snap your spinal column."

Beast Boy tried not to gulp as he left, wondering why everyone he met assumed he was going to hurt Raven.

Soon the Titans were riding towards the rather impressive landmark known as the Dragonfang Mountains. They had no idea, however, that they were leaving behind legends of themselves. Nazlar love a good story, and by nightfall Nazlar solders who had been in the battle where telling their infants and young ones about the brave team of Earth superheroes who had destroyed an evil portal and had fought beside one of the greatest warriors the Makhar had ever known. Eventually as time passed the Titans became a bit like folk heroes in the eyes of the Nazlar, and like all legends they would take on almost mythic status in time.

The Titans had left behind a legend of themselves, but the next great step in that legend was yet to come.

A/N: Hope that will tide you over until I find out if I have Internet or not at the new place.

Jeez, this fic grew longer than I thought. If I keep going like this I'll hit forty chapters…