I edited this chapter a bit to fall in line with some of the stuff that was revealed in Season 4 of the series. I start my new job and since there is some confusion right now as to when us new hires start work after our for day training session there may not be an update next week-so here it is a little early.

Gothic Angel part 3

The next evening Raven dares not stay any longer and endanger Robin. He has been so kind to her and she cannot bare the thought of what might happen to him if her captor returns. She still feels so weak-but she finally manages to sit up. She freezes when she hears Robin in the doorway.

"You're leaving aren't you?"

"I cannot wait any longer. You have been so kind...but I place in danger by remaining here. I dare not stay any longer." She tries to stand up-only to collapse on her knees.

Robin rushes in and helps her up. "Are you sure that you're strong enough to do this?"

"I must go. You do not realize what danger I pose to this world."

This is obviously a painful issue for Raven so he doesn't press the issue any farther. "Then at least let me help you get there--for my own piece of mind."

"I can grant you that much."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Just hold on." She pauses-concentrating before she begins her chant. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos kalazon recashos endarath vasirix zendrien Azarath Azarath Azarath!"

Robin holds onto Raven as he finds that they are swept into a portal. He looks around in awe at the beauty of it all. He has never experienced anything like this before. The gate he thinks is the most amazing thing he's ever seen-but then he corrects himself as he looks over at Raven. The gate is second only to his Gothic Angel. He watches as the gem on her forehead glows before they pass through the gate. What he finds beyond is simply indescribable. "Are you sure this isn't heaven?"

"Yes."

He looks around at the floating asteroids that surround the floating city. It is one of the asteroids they are on now. "How do we get over there?"

"Hold on." Before Robin can protest Raven has already unfurled her wings as taken flight. She flies over the city letting get a good look at it before she lands just in front of the monastery. Raven collapses very weak now.

Robin holds onto her as a monk comes outside.

"You have returned child."

Raven looks up at the monk. "Azar..."

He looks up at the monk as she slips into unconsciousness. "I found her...she was badly injured. She was out for 3 nights and insisted on returning so soon."

"Please bring her inside."

Robin picks up Raven and carries her inside. He follows the monk to a simple room with only a bed and a few other items. He lays her down on the bed as a woman clad in white rushes in.

"Raven! Is she okay?"

The monk steps up beside her. "Please control your emotions Arella. Come with me..we must talk."

Robin stays with Raven while the woman follows the monk out of the room. He just stands there watching her sleep for sometime. He sits beside her-trying to calm her as she becomes restless. "Its okay you're home."

She awakens with a start, breathing heavily. She takes a few moments to calm down. " Azarath Metrion Zinthos...Azarath Metrion Zinthos...Azarath Metrion Zinthos...Azarath Metrion Zinthos... Azarath Metrion Zinthos..."

"Are you okay?" He watches as Raven gets up-staggering over to the door-which she flings open.

"Please don't send me away."

The monk turns to Raven. "The prophecy has already been set into motion. There is no stopping it."

Raven turns to the other woman. "Please don't let them send me away."

"I'm sorry...but Azar is right. You will have to go back."

"Mother..."

Robin watches as the two people just stand there staring at Raven. He can't believe that they would just turn their back on her because of some prophecy. "You can stay with me, Raven. I was going to start a team of superheroes. You are welcome to join."

"You may not be able to stop the prophecy but at least you can do what good you can."

Raven looks up at her mother before nodding.

As she returns to her room Robin can tell that it is all she can do to hold back her tears. He watches her tremble as she picks up an ornate hand mirror and a toy bird. He starts to walk over to her-but he stops as she shakes her head.

Later that night Robin stands outside the door to Raven's new room in the tower. He watches her just sit there on the bed holding onto her toy bird-with her wings curled tight around her.

Raven speaks when she senses Robin. "You wonder what happened back there."

"Yeah...actually."

"You might not like me anymore if--"

"--I would never treat you like those people...that woman was your mother wasn't she? How could she--?"

"--She was raped by a demon. I was born to be his portal into this world. That is how I ended up here. The man I escaped was trying to kill me before I could release my father."

"That's the prophecy they were talking about?"

Raven just nods her head.

"You're talking about destiny. I don't believe that anyone can decide it for you."

"I wish I could believe that."

"I believe in you."

She looks up at Robin. "You barely know me."

"I know enough. This prophecy can only happen if you let it. You can fight it and I will be right here to help you." He enters the room and holds out his hand. "Now how about go get you ready for your new super-heroine gig."

Raven nods her head as she takes Robin's hand. She may not be able to stop what's to come like Robin thinks-but she can at least do as her mother said and try to make up for what she is destined to do.

There was a review to this story where someone asked if I was going to continue "The End is Only a New Beginning". I'm pretty sure I marked it complete so the answer would be no. "Love Will Keep Us Alive" was cut from that from it and made into its own story. There is a second story cut from it as well-which is why "The End is Only a New Beginning" stopped where it did-there was no place left for it to go.

Check out the poll in my profile page! Vote for which sequel you want to see first :)