Chapter 15

Constantine's feet touched the ground. Darkseid's body was split vertically, and the two halves fell on either side of Constantine. He looked at his sword, at the blood of Darkseid, and smiled with satisfaction.

Constantine's red leather trench coat fluttered in the wind. His outfit remained intact, save the chest garment, which was torched by Darkseid's Omega beam. A blue labyrinth shown on the left side of his chest, like a tattoo.

"Looks like you've done it," said a voice from behind Constantine, "you've eliminated the competition. But I can't let you destroy the world."

Constantine turned around to see Nightwing, ready in attack position. Constantine didn't flinch. Then Nightwing saw Constantine's four eyes glowing, and then he fell further into despair.

"Well," Constantine said, "If it isn't good old Uncle Robin."

"I don't want to fight you."

"Here to save the world again? Save the world from me?"

"What's with the four eyes? What do they mean?"

Constantine chuckled, "It means I'm finally free to express myself. I can finally end all of this oppression. No more running. No more fleeing for my life. No more holding back."

"Why?"

"You could show a little gratitude. I did vanquish Darkseid, a potential destroyer of this world. You should be thanking me."

"Constantine, please don't do this. I know you don't want to."

"I'm here to end this debate, this crusade, this war. Everything ends here and now."

Constantine charged at Nightwing. Dick Grayson reached behind each arm to pull out a polyester combat stick. He crossed them over to block Constantine's forward slash. The blade was stopped between the two sticks.

Nightwing and Constantine grunted, each trying to overpower the other. Nightwing knew Constantine was stronger – for he was converting the negative energy, which Azarathians would use to levitate objects, into raw strength. Nightwing was brought down to one knee. Constantine grinned.

Then Nightwing released and moved to the right, where Constantine's attack would miss him. A dilemma raged in Dick Grayson's mind: This was Constantine, he wasn't just the latest threat, he was the son of two friends that Nightwing once knew. Raven was his best friend, and this was her son. Nightwing saw Raven in Constantine, so it was like battling her. He couldn't kill his best friend.

"I won't fight you, Constantine."

"You fear the Nightmare, don't you? This whole day is a Nightmare. Don't you see the significance, Robin? Eighteen years ago to the hour, I was conceived. That same night you had a nightmare, didn't you? You felt your deepest fears haunt and persecute you, you felt Hell itself rage within your mind. All of this is a Nightmare. It began with a Nightmare, and shall end with one too!"

"How do you know these things… about me?"

The question went unanswered. Constantine threw his sword at Nightwing, who deflected it away. Nightwing leapt and made a kick to Constantine's chest. It didn't work. Constantine did not move. Nightwing was thrown back by the force of his own impact. It was like he tried to kick a statue.

Constantine grinned. Nightwing twisted his sticks in such a way that they extended into bostaffs. Nightwing made to strike Constantine across the face with one, but Constantine used his negative energy to stop it in midair. Constantine blinked and the bostaff was shattered into dust. Nightwing was left with only one bostaff now.

Nightwing pole-vaulted himself at Constantine, who pulled a Matrix-lean-back so that the attack would completely miss. Constantine then levitated himself in a flip-like manner, where his legs came up and around. Nightwing was still pole-vaulted. Constantine's two legs appeared on either side of Nightwing's face, and clenched together. His head was now in the grip between Constantine's boots.

Constantine twirled around and thrust Nightwing hard to the ground. After releasing him, Constantine lowered himself to the ground.

Nightwing struggled to get up again, wiping the dirt and blood from his face. He ran at Constantine, bostaff raised high. Constantine made his sword return to him. He dodged Nightwing's attack by jumping to the right when Nightwing struck at the left. This left Nightwing's right side wide open.

Constantine gripped his sword hard, and struck deep into Nightwing's right bicep. Dick Grayson cried out in pain. The arm was hanging on my a mere piece of skin. Constantine withdrew his sword, stood back, and watched his victim suffer. Nightwing dropped the bostaff and clutched his right arm. Blood seeped threw the fingers. Nightwing fell to his knees. Constantine raised his sword.

He was just about to finish off his opponent when a rhino rammed him in the back. Constantine was thrown a good distance away from Nightwing, but when he turned around to see who attacked him, a starbolt hit him in the stomach and carried him farther away.

Beast Boy transformed back into his normal self and Starfire landed on the ground. She too had a change of outfit. Starfire now wore a purple top that went just above the bosom, leaving the shoulders and neck bare. Her southern hemisphere was completely covered in purple and silver skin-tight pants. She wore a shining, silver belt with a green gem in the center. Her hair was extremely short, like that of a boy's haircut.

Nightwing looked at the two Titans, "What took you guys so long?"

Beast Boy didn't smile, he was the tallest of the Titans.

"Still not into jokes anymore, eh?" Nightwing asked. Then he looked at the woman.

"Starfire."

"Robin."

"It's good to see you."

"Yes, it is."

Then a shining, white and blue helicopter appeared and landed. Out came Cyborg, who had a mustache and goatee.

"Hope I didn't miss anything."

Beast Boy turned to Starfire and Cyborg, "I'm going to take Nightwing to medical. Think you can handle Raven's kid?"

"I do not wish to fight him," Starfire said in a worried tone.

"I'll be back in a little while," Beast Boy assured her, "just hold him off until then."

Cyborg boasted, "Oh, we'll do more than hold him off!"

Beast Boy rolled his eyes, transformed into a pterodactyl, took Nightwing with his talon, and flew away. Cyborg and Starfire readied themselves as they heard Constantine arise from the rubble.

Constantine's sleeves were torn up to the shoulder, the trench coat barely holding on. He held his sword firm in his hand. Dirt was upon the left side of his mask. The four eyes shined brighter than ever. He walked towards them slowly. Cyborg gulped.

He remembered Jeff. Jeff was his ally. And it puzzled Cyborg greatly that Jeff's son, an exact look-alike, was his enemy. Cyborg scanned Constantine's body.

"Star," Cyborg said, "I think Constantine sold his soul."

"What? How?"

"Don't know exactly. But some force is behind him. His heart and mind function at an irregular rate – like he's being possessed. This may be the real Constantine, but…"

Constantine cut Cyborg's sentence short by engaging the two in combat. Cyborg leapt out of the way, dodging the strike of Constantine's sword. He then activated his sonic cannon and shot Constantine in the chest, pushing him back. Constantine used his powers of levitation to roll off of the blast and dash at Cyborg.

Before he could reach the machine-man, Constantine received a hard sock to the face by a Tamaranian woman. Constantine's focus shifted from Cyborg to Starfire, and he was able to catch her next blow. His open hand snatched her fist just before it reached his face.

"Nice try."

Starfire grunted and lifted her foot. She kicked Constantine in the stomach. He snorted from the pain, then pushed himself toward Starfire, head-butting her. Constantine clenched his sword hard and made to strike. Starfire's eyes glowed bright green as she fired two heavy eye-blasts at him.

Constantine flew back a few feet, and Starfire followed, tackling him. She grabbed him from behind, holding him in a lock position. Her arms were around Constantine's shoulders.

"Now, Cyborg!" Starfire shouted to him.

Cyborg tighten his fists. He was channeling energy. He pointed both arms in front of him. They both transformed into two sonic cannons, and then combined together! Constantine was now facing a very large weapon from Cyborg.

"Haargh!"

The giant gun charged. Constantine's arrogance raged in side of him. He struggled to get free, but the Tamaranian was too strong. Or was she? Constantine enveloped himself in negative energy, covering his body in the black flame. He yelled loudly as he sucked the energy into himself – giving him more strength. Starfire became worried.

"Hurry, Cyborg!" She cried out, "I can not hold him for much longer!"

Constantine's body was surging with power, and not even the great alien strength of Starfire could impede its growth.

"Almost there!" Cyborg yelled back.

"I am Constantine! I… can… not… be… DEFEATED!"

Constantine broke through Starfire's hold, and continued to raise his power level. Outstretching his arms, the black flame was now bigger and darker than ever before. A crater below his feet began to form. Starfire was pushed away and to the ground.

"Do it, Cyborg! Do it now!"

"Alright! Take this! Hiyaaaaaah!"

Cyborg fired the major blast, hitting Constantine hard. It did not move him. He had too much power. Cyborg was shocked beyond belief. Constantine powered up more, trying to sustain the blast. The ground shook as the Son of Raven gathered the energy of Azarath Metrion Zinthos.

Constantine's whole body shook. His shouts became much louder. Negative energy pulsed through the entire area. Cyborg discontinued his attack, and was brought to his knees.

"I… am… CONSTANTINE!"

Starfire cupped her hands, felt the righteous fury, and formed a powerful starbolt.

"I do not wish to do this," she panted, "but I will if I must."

She thrust her hands forward. The green ball of energy soared through the air toward Constantine. Then Starfire was surprised at what she saw next.

Constantine used negative energy to stop the starbolt!

Raven could never do that!

Constantine chuckled. Starfire flew at him. Constantine lifted one hand and pointed his palm at her. A ball of negative energy appeared in front of it. Since Starfire had never seen Raven do that either, she assumed that Raven never could. Constantine grinned as he fired it off.

Starfire tried to block. The blast spursed into a large mist of negative energy. Starfire made a small yelp as the blast shot her through the air, and far away. She eventually skidded on the ground, kicking dust and dirt up – which made her path noticeable.

Constantine returned his focus to Cyborg, who was still recovering from his failed attempt. When he saw Constantine raise his sword, Cyborg's fist became the familiar sonic cannon once more.

Constantine scoffed, "Is that the only attack you have?"

Cyborg grinned in reply, "Not even close."

Constantine was tired of all this bicker backer. This mechanical nuisance was alive long enough. The world leaders should not have sent him. Too many people have underestimated Constantine… and if that little power demonstration wasn't enough, there was plenty more in store.

But what Constantine failed to realize… was that he underestimated Cyborg.

Constantine leapt into the air and spiked his blade down. Cyborg's plan would now go into effect. Cyborg's feet became jet boosters, and he was rocketed high into the air. Constantine's attack missed.

Cyborg made a battle cry, then lifted his arms over his head. His feet returned to normal, and he was still high in the air. Constantine watched in amazement. Two hatches on either side of Cyborg opened up, and he sprouted two new completely mechanical arms. Now having four total, Cyborg made his descent to his opponent.

Constantine chuckled, "Still not a challenge."

"You better be careful about what you say."

Constantine grinned as he spun around. Like a tornado, he made his way at Cyborg. Cyborg's red eye was fixed. He was ready. Then Constantine stopped spinning and made a hard lunge at Cyborg. The latter dodged Constantine's multiple strikes, taking steps back as he did. Then Cyborg calculated the perfect moment to end Constantine's tantrum.

One of Cyborg's hands caught the sword. Then another punched him hard in the stomach. Another snatched the boy by the neck. The fourth took off his mask. The face of Jeff was staring back at him.

Cyborg tossed away Constantine's sword. He pitied Constantine. His eyes softened.

Constantine struggled and pushed Cyborg away. When Cyborg saw the look on Constantine's face at the loss of his sword, he smirked.

"Is that the only attack you have?"

Constantine was surprised to hear his own words used against him. With a simple "No" he telekinetically put his mask back on. Constantine took flight high above Cyborg, who resumed his blocking position.

Constantine's hands were outstretched, with the index, pinky, and thumb fingers extended. Constantine drew them close to his chest.

"Azarath… Metrion…"

"Now what's he up to?" Cyborg wondered, "Better not wait to find out!"

Cyborg decided to cut Constantine's attack short by tackling him in midair. On Cyborg's part, this was a bad move.

"Zinthos!"

Constantine's arms spread apart quickly. Cyborg felt his two extra arms become covered in negative energy. Constantine ripped them off of the body they were attached to. Cyborg cried out in tremendous pain. But that noise was muffled when Constantine used Cyborg's own extra arms to send a barrage of punches and a flurry of poundings.

Cyborg was overwhelmed. Constantine hands were twirling, making the motion continue. Finally, Cyborg's shoulders opened up, and released a ton of missiles at Constantine, who was forced to drop his control of Cyborg's arms and evade the projectiles. After a few moments, Constantine chuckled at the disheartened Cyborg.

"Now what are you going to do?"

Cyborg gritted his teeth at the sound of that comment. He lifted his right arm, fired, and disconnected the forearm from the rest of the appendage. Constantine watched as it flew through the air at him. The fist was sure to make a hard impact, but Constantine would not fall for such a childish attack.

Sidestepping to his left, Constantine easily dodged the flying arm. Surprisingly, Cyborg's expression did not change, and Constantine was slightly baffled to see this. Unbeknownst to him, the arm had circled, coming around for another pass. The fist shook with strength as it nailed Constantine in the back.

The arm's fist changed into an open hand, then snatched around Constantine's right ankle, and flipped him upside down. Cyborg's arm returned to its proper place, still holding Constantine. The other hand took Constantine's left ankle.

"Got you."

Constantine's back was to Cyborg, who raised his foot to land a hard blow. That would finish this. Constantine grinned with arrogance. Cyborg thrust his leg forward, only for it to be caught by Constantine! He had leaned slightly, so that the attack missed, then wrapped his arm around the leg – locking it.

Cyborg gasped.

Constantine grinned, "What's the matter? You had me."

Cyborg tried to pull his leg free, but the only way he could was if he were to release Constantine. His thinking process came to an abrupt end when Constantine rammed his free elbow into Cyborg's stomach. Cyborg gagged.

Once Cyborg release Constantine, the boy stood on his hands, and drove his feet at Cyborg's face. Then Constantine flipped himself back to normal. Constantine noticed that his sword was on the ground.

Constantine made his weapon fly and impale Cyborg at the waist. The machine-man took a few steps back in pain. Constantine had defeated him. Constantine walked up to a flabbergasted Cyborg, and removed his sword in such a way that it was yanked out and sliced the Titan in half at the hip.

"I believe this is mine."

Cyborg's northern and southern hemispheres split and separated. Constantine heard a "No!" behind him from Starfire. She landed a few feet away.

"What kept you?" Constantine inquired mockingly.

"Aah!" cried Starfire as she sent an eye-blast at Constantine. He jolted up his sword, and deflected it back at her. Constantine's feet left the ground and he began to slightly hover. Then he ascended higher and higher until he was at least twenty feet off the ground.

"You want to try your luck against me?" Constantine laughed, "What chance do you have?"

"My fighting skills have improved also," Starfire replied righteously.

"I'm sure they have," Constantine said as he sheathed his sword and folded his arms.

Starfire formed a starbolt in her hand, and threw it at the ground. Constantine scoffed, but then was taken aback when it bounced off the ground! The bolt carried him farther into the air. Starfire's skills had improved.

She turned her attention to Cyborg, who was wide awake.

"I'm alright, Star," he assured her, "I can repair myself."

Then cords and wires came out of the openings in his body and began to connect and sparkle. Cyborg was, literally, pulling himself back together. However, this was a task that took a lot out of him.

"Are you sure you are—?"

"I'm fine. It'll take a while for this to work, but I'll live. I've suffered worse than this. Just hold him off a little longer…"

"I will do that."

Starfire turned around. Constantine was coming back. That attack did not stop him. Starfire moved far away from Cyborg so that she could have Constantine all to herself, and that Cyborg would be safe. Constantine returned.

"That was a nice little trick," he commented, "but it didn't stop me."

"Perhaps I will have to try harder."

"Well, now's your chance," Constantine taunted, "After my mom beat you in the Tournament of Heroines, you've been looking for a reason to fight an Azarathian. Well, here I am.

"Come and get me."

Starfire's hands glowed bright green as she prepared many starbolts for her next strike. Constantine scoffed at the sight of this. This starbolt trick was getting old. She surprised him once with that little 'bounce-off' technique, but Constantine assured himself that it would not happen again.

Starfire threw at least twenty starbolts at Constantine, all of which were either dodged by him or utterly missed. Constantine chuckled.

"Your aim is pathetic."

"Actually," said Starfire, "I was not trying to hit you."

"Huh?"

Constantine then looked around him and realized Starfire's strategy. He looked to his right, there were starbolts. He looked to his left, there were starbolts. He looked above him, there were starbolts. He looked below him, there were starbolts. They were everywhere! The starbolts were hovering in midair, and surrounded Constantine. There was no way out.

Starfire shouted "Combine!" as she brought her fists together. The starbolts were quickly closing in on Constantine. Then their pace quickened, until it was an utter race to reach Constantine's body.

Constantine only uttered one word, "Impressive."

Starfire winced as all the starbolts touched and ignited a very large green large explosion. When the smoke cleared, Constantine had vanished. Starfire's short hair stood on end as she did not know where her opponent lay.

Then she heard Constantine's voice behind her, "Well done, Tamaranian. I was forced to tap into a minimal amount of my true power to escape that ambush. Still, you are no match for me.

"I have not even begun to fight."

Starfire gasped.

Constantine's arms were folded arrogantly. He was not even singed.

Starfire dashed at Raven's son. His folded arms repositioned to attack-mode. Constantine landed a fierce roundhouse just as Starfire reached his personal space. But she was not down for the count. She recovered enough to punch Constantine across the face. Though Constantine's head was turned, due to the blow, he grabbed Starfire's hand and twisted around to throw her.

She countered by eye-blasting his wrist before he could complete the action. Constantine withdrew, rubbing his wrist slightly. Then Constantine drew his pistols and fired. Starfire received at least five hits as she charged at him – not all could be avoided. She succeeded in getting close enough to crush those annoying pistols.

Constantine dropped the gunless holsters and drew his sword. In the same movement, he made a cut across Starfire's bosom. She recoiled and went to evasive maneuver. Constantine chased her.

Starfire's mind raced. She did not want to fight Raven's son, for she too cared about him. Starfire remembered when Constantine was born, and how cute he looked. Raven let her hold him. Why was she fighting him? She once called him a 'bumgorf.' This was Constantine, Raven's son. Why had he turned evil? Starfire thought of Raven.

The Tamaranian's daydream was interrupted when she saw a ball of negative energy fly below her and ricochet off the ground, hitting her in the face. Starfire fell to the ground. That was the same attack she used.

She looked behind her and saw Constantine – his hood up, four demonic eyes glowing, two of which were the eyes of Jeff staring at her. She lowered her eyes in sadness and guilt.

"Giving up so easily?" Constantine derided, "You should want to fight me. I am everything you ever wanted, Starfire. You're jealous of my mother. She had the one thing you never could – a child.

"Raven is a mother, and you're not. That just eats you up inside.

"Everyone thought you'd be the one with the kids, and my mother would be alone. You must feel terrible knowing that you are here without a son or daughter. Joy has avoided you, Starfire. You can not be happy – not with Nightwing, he doesn't want kids, he'd rather be a crime fighter.

"That's why you split up, isn't it?

"Too bad. You were so sure that you'd find love and a family… while my mother wouldn't. And now you're being punished for your selfish thoughts and actions. You hate me and my mother, the only Teen Titan to have a child.

"Poor little Starfire," Constantine scorned distastefully, "all alone."

That last comment pushed Starfire over the edge. She was already breathing deeply and angrily. Tears formed in the rims of her eyes. In a hot rage she assaulted Constantine.

"Careful," he said, "you don't want to hurt your best friend's son, do you?"

She thrust her arm forward. Constantine's plan worked. She was now hot with hatred – and that emotion would disrupt her powers. Focusing the right amount of energy in the just the right place would finish her off. Constantine ducked, the blow missed, and he thrust his knee hard into her abdomen.

Then he brought his elbow up and down fiercely on her hunched over back. She was spiked to the ground. Starfie lay in at least three feet of dirt.

Constantine lowered himself to the ground, "Heh."

"Is that the best you got?" a deep voice from behind him shot.

"You?" Constantine scoffed at Beast Boy, "Please."

"What?" asked Beast Boy, "What's so hard to believe?"

"You actually want to fight me?"

"Is that a problem, Constantine?"

"For you."

"We'll see."

Beast Boy turned into a Raptor and dashed at Constantine, who shrugged at the predictability. Beast Boy opened his mouth wide to chomp down on Constantine's arm, but was impeded by the boy's sword. He bit the metal instead.

Then Beast Boy whipped around and knocked Constantine away with his tail. Beast Boy changed back into his normal self. Constantine decided to attack. He ran at the green individual, sword held high. Beast Boy's arms became those of gorillas.

Constantine's strike failed, and he received many blows from Beast Boy's large arms. Beast Boy punched, pounded, and smacked him across the face, chest, and stomach. Then Beast Boy laid him out with a hard wind-up and sock that shoved Constantine to the ground.

"Hehe," Constantine chuckled, "Cute."

Beast Boy raised one eyebrow in response. Constantine phased into the ground, and reappeared behind Beast Boy, who flipped at the sound of Constantine's movement. Beast Boy jumped over Constantine, and kicked him hard in the shoulder. Constantine then took that foot that hurt him, and spiked Beast Boy to the ground.

Making his sword return to him, Constantine was about to change from stun to kill. Beast Boy rolled out of harm's way and transformed into a thirty foot tall green dragon.

"I see you've learned a few new tricks," Constantine speculated.

Beast Boy unleashed a blazing flame upon the boy, who yanked his arms upward to form a dome of negative energy. Constantine burst through the fire, flying right at the dragon. Beast Boy opened his mouth to breathe again, but seeing Constantine's motion of evasion, decided to simply eat him. Constantine was surprised to see Beast Boy huge mouth consume and devour him. Beast Boy swallowed Constantine. Then, a realization came to Beast Boy, and this was not the best plan.

A ball of negative energy shot through Beast Boy's chest, and Constantine followed. Beast Boy regretted not chewing. Constantine was dripping with entrails. Forming fists at his side, Constantine powered up, and expelled all the goo that was covering him.

Beast Boy turned back into a man, clutching his chest – where there was a sizable hole. Constantine grinned. Beast Boy was honestly sick of Constantine grinning all the time. He turned into a bear and tackled Raven's son. Constantine telekinetically shoved Beast Boy high into the air. Then Constantine shot a hand forward, and fired a large blast of negative energy at him. Constantine stood up and watched as Beast Boy flopped to the ground.

"Your power is so limited," Constantine said, "Mine has no limits. I can lift, move, or manipulate anything. All you can do is transform into animals. I admit, the dragon thing was impressive, but seriously, I've beaten every animal and then some. What chance do you have? Cyborg's more powerful than you. You're just… weak."

"Am I?"

Beast Boy slowly rose to his feet. He was always being called weak. This was the last time he would. He didn't want to hear it ever again. He had trained to become stronger and perfect his skills. Why was this boy stronger than him?

Beast Boy's hands clenched tight with determination. He was focusing. Finding his center. His eyes barely opened. Constantine was approaching. Beast Boy was not going to transform. He was going to do what he trained for. He was going to use the animals' skills without becoming one. He was becoming the most powerful animal there ever was – a man.

Constantine lunged forward, and Beast Boy countered with a fierce uppercut. He flipped over Constantine, grabbed his shoulders with his feet, and tossed him away. Beast Boy continued the assault by spinning toward his opponent. Constantine regained focus and brought up one arm to block Beast Boy's slash.

Constantine rolled off of Beast Boy's arm and set the top of his foot in Beast Boy's face. Beast Boy reached behind him and grabbed Constantine's coat. He threw Constantine above him. Beast Boy followed Constantine up there. Constantine's hands became enveloped in the black flame once more and he pushed Beast Boy away.

Beast Boy returned to the earth by landing on his right hand, and pushing himself off again. He rammed Constantine with his shoulder. Constantine was thrown back, and the wind was knocked out of him.

Beast Boy made to approach, but he knew Constantine was faking. Constantine drew his sword and struck. Beast Boy could not avoid the blow. Constantine cut off his arm. Beast Boy took a few steps back, and Constantine waited for him to cry out in pain.

But Beast Boy didn't.

"Wow, you're tough," Constantine said, "a lot tougher than you were as a teenager."

Beast Boy didn't respond, only held his armless socket.

"I know why you attack so much. You never really knew my dad, did you? And now that I exist you hate him. You hate him because he and my mom had me – that meant that you never could get with my mom. You were never really there when my dad helped out the Teen Titans, so it's hard for you to understand why my mom fell in love with him and not you. You just hate it that you were in a coma while my dad was doin' my mom.

"Why would my mom ever like you anyway? You were stupid, not funny, and weak. I don't mean in the matters of physicality, I mean in matters of security. That's what my mom didn't like about you. Too bad, while you were trying to make her laugh, my dad won her heart with honest kindness and sincerity. You're jealous of him.

"You think that you could have changed something had you been conscious, don't you? Well, now you're too late. I'm here. And you're out of luck."

"Well, kid, while you were spouting off, I was gathering strength for my next attack."

"Attack? You can't attack with one arm!"

"Who says I only have one? Aaaaargh!"

Beast Boy then sprouted a brand new arm out of the socket. Constantine gasped in amazement.

"How?!"

"Starfish can regenerate limbs. They do it all the time. I've been training for years to master animal skills without even turning into one. This is just one of those skills."

"I see."

"And that's not it."

Beast Boy then crouched down and summoned every once of strength he knew he had. He gritted his teeth hard. Spikes shot out of his body all over, and they grew very long. He roared in pain. He looked like a human porcupine.

"This one's for Raven."

Then he ran at Constantine, who just stood there. Beast Boy hurled himself at the boy, and positioned his body so that it looked like a sphere. The spikes were everywhere on his body.

He hit Constantine right on, the spikes going deep into his chest. When Constantine fell on his back, Beast Boy stood up and retracted the spikes back into his body. He sighed in relief.

Constantine had coin-size holes that covered his torso. Blood was dripping from them. Beast Boy turned around to leave, thinking that Constantine should not have underestimated him. Suddenly, Beast Boy heard a faint chuckle from behind.

It was Constantine. And he was getting up again.

"You got lucky," he said confidently, "because I decided not to block that."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. Hehe. I've been holding back this whole time. You haven't even seen my real power. So far, I've been only fighting with ten percent of it."

"Ten percent? Yeah right."

"Let me show you," he suggested, "how's about fifty percent? Good enough?"

Constantine spread his legs just a little so his body outline was like a trapezoid. His arms lowered to his mid-stomach. Little bits of negative energy appeared at his feet, and then rose to his forehead. The bits of energy became larger, until a crater like before formed below his feet, and he was hovering. If Beast Boy wanted a show, that's what he was going to get.

Going from ten to fifty percent was not as easy as one would think. Constantine's coat fluttered in the wind. His mask seemed to want to leave his face. His pants began to rise and fall. Small drafts of wind and dust were blown from his feet.

Beast Boy had to shield his eyes. Constantine made a small groan that turned into a shout. That same piano tune rang in Beast Boy's ears. Black light sparked from Constantine's fingertips. The sky became darker, as if Constantine was absorbing all the light. But he wasn't absorbing light, he was releasing darkness. The darkness that had been bottled up inside of him for so many years that his mother had told him never to let loose.

Then Constantine's body began to shake as his muscles expanded. The shouts turned into roars as raw power filled his body. Beast Boy was in for a world of hurt, and he knew it. His body also began to shake as he witnessed Constantine prove to all that he was the Son of Raven.

Constantine's heart began to beat rapidly, as the powers granted to him maternally were surging through his body and rushing through his veins. Beast Boy now understood why Constantine was so confident. Constantine was converting the negative energy that would normally be used to levitate objects into brute strength. He had mastered a skill that Raven never could.

Constantine's head rose and he began to stare at the sky. Still screaming in that same unvarying tone, he saw the skies darken and small tornados appear in the atmosphere. They danced across the night like Constantine was their maestro.

Beast Boy grunted as he tried not to lose his footing. It was very difficult to remain standing. Constantine's power was overwhelming. Fifty percent. Wow. He wasn't bluffing. Beast Boy looked into Constantine's eyes, and the same black flame that emitted from his hands was now shining in his eyes.

The shouts ceased. Constantine had done it. He had reached his fifty percent checkpoint. Beast Boy was too shaken to even look at him, he had to look at the ground. Constantine walked toward him, making small impressions in the earth as he did. Beast Boy began to sweat. Then he heard Constantine's voice.

"Ah, you sense my power, and it's hard to bear. Ah."

"You… how?"

"Told you, didn't I?"

He walked right past Beast Boy. When the latter felt his presence so close he sunk to one knee. It was too much.

"Now then," Constantine continued, "I think it's time we ended this."