The Teen Titans gathered in the living room. Slade, Cain, and Carthatagon were bound to the ceiling. Abel released Cain form the bonds and he crashed to the floor. He stood and brushed himself off then placed himself at the counter and scowled at everything his eyes fell upon. Beast Boy sat at the couch and threw popcorn at the other two.

"So what do we do with these two?" he asked after he had launched his last piece.

"Carthatagon will have to go back to his own time; I suppose he could take Slade with him." Raven said as she held Noah. He crawled off her lap and picked up a piece of popcorn. Terra scooped him up and took the popcorn from his hand before he put it in his mouth.

"Not yet, kiddo." Noah looked at the mess and levitated another piece. As it got close Terra flicked it away, and Noah tried again. Abel watched from his perch on the back of the couch.

"What are we supposed to about Noah?" Everyone looked up at him. "I mean, do we send him back to his time?"

"We'd have to find it first." As Raven uttered these words a portal opened and Abel stepped through.

"Hi guys. How's it goin'?"

"How did you-?"

"I've been in limbo, for lack of a better phrase. Mother came down and froze time for us while you were in the alternate reality."

"If time was frozen, how did she get here?" Beast Boy asked, pointing at Terra.

"She only froze it for my timeframe, for lack of a better phrase."

"She can do that?"

"She's ascended to an Avatar, she can do about anything."

"And you know this how?" Terra asked.

"She explained it when she unfroze us." Future Abel looked at Cain and then up at the ceiling. "Hey bro, you're in big trouble." Carthatagon spat at him but it fell short and landed at his feet. Future Abel sighed. "I guess I'll take them off your hands."

"Noah too?" Starfire asked.

"I'm sorry. He belongs with us. You'll be able to enjoy his company in a few years." Future Abel took Noah from Terra. Carthatagon was suddenly yanked down and thrown through the portal. "I love that leash thing!" he glanced at his younger self and noticed his arm. "How did you lose your arm?"

"Carthatagon."

"Ah. That's going to hurt like hell when the changes you've made kick in."

"It will indeed."

"Well, see you later. Nice clothes by the way." With that he stepped through the portal and it closed behind him. Abel looked down at himself and realized he still had his Zynthonian robes. He grabbed the collar and pulled it off over his head. Raven followed suit.

"Oh crap." Robin said. Abel looked up and remembered how Robin had discarded his uniform. Abel fought to suppress his smile but failed miserably. He started laughing hysterically and Robin glared at him.

"What's so funny?" Terra asked. Robin hung his head in embarrassment. Beast Boy suddenly remembered the sewer and whispered in Terra's ear. Her eyes widened and she stared at Robin. Robin left through a portal and never returned.

"This is all very amusing, but I would like to be down from here." Everyone looked up at the voice and Abel cursed.

"Son of a bitch! The bastard didn't take Slade." He released Slade's bonds and he landed on his feet, much to everyone's chagrin. He stood and crossed his arms.

"You do realize that that bastard was you?" he said.

"What's your point?" Abel retorted. Slade harrumphed and started for the door. He was blocked by a black barrier. He turned around and Raven lowered her hand.

"Where do you think you're going?" she asked.

"I believe we are finished here. I'm returning to my home."

"Home?"

"Yes, my home. Where I scheme and plot your collective demises." Slade crossed his arms and leaned against the barrier. "So, if you don't mind?"

"You think we're just gonna let leave with your powers?" Cyborg asked.

"Ah, is that what you're worried about? Well, I don't have powers. My master took them from me when I failed to destroy Abel."

"Powers or not, you can't leave, unfortunately for all of us."

"And why not?"

"You have to stay in close proximity to Carthatagon or you'll die. On second thought go ahead."

"He's not here. I'm not dead."

"I am here." Cain said fromthe counter. "How badly do want to keep this thing you call life?" he asked Slade. Slade growled and kicked Raven's barrier, cracking it.

"I suppose that means I'm on a leash as well."

"Sort of. There's a boundary. If you go past it you die and if you go back into it you're revived again. And Cain can size it as he sees fit."

"Where did you learn that?" Raven asked.

"The Scrolls of Ixarat."

"And when did you read those?" Raven asked, narrowing her eyes.

"While you and Robin were out one night," he explained, "I snuck into your room and… uh…" he trailed off when he noticed Raven glaring at him. Just then Robin returned in a new uniform and stared a Slade.

"Why is he down?"

"I released him. He can't do anything to us, Cain can stop him."

"And why would I do that?"

"Because I'll give your leash good tug if you don't."

"Fine. But I will find a way out of this, and when I do you will all suffer beyond comprehension." Abel clapped him of the shoulder.

"You can keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better."

Cain glared at him. Abel stared calmly back. Abel knew it would be a while before Cain figured out how to get free, but by then he wouldn't have the heart to follow through with his threats. Abel would see to that personally. He would make sure Cain had no intention of killing any of them. He would make him good. Well, as close to good as was demonically possible anyway.

End.

I'd like thank those of you who reviewed. Those of you who didn't should be receiving your anthrax in the mail shortly. I have my sources. Hollow threats aside, two or three reviewed saying the story was confusing at times. At first, I was thinking, 'the hell with them', but when I reread my story, I realized that they were right (the afore mentioned will also be receiving anthrax or any other poisonous substance in their mail). Anyway, a few months back, I wrote this story in the first person perspective of the major characters, but removed it. Those of you who care will be happy to know that I will be re-writing it and re-posting. I am also going to start the sequel, in which another Titan falls in love, and other such madness. In other unrelated news, I am currently working on a Harry Potter fic, entitled Harry Potter and the Dard Lord (creative, no?). Takes place right after book six (Damn good btw) and will contain spoilers for you sorry saps that haven't finished it yet. I finished it the day it came out. I'm full of myself aren't I? And talkative. T.T.F.N.

Mighty Bob.