Hey everybody! How are you doing? I thought I would give a Christmas update. I do love Christmas so why not update on such a lovely day? Things progress a bit in this chapter so I hope you enjoy reading it as much I enjoyed writing it.

I wanted to take the time to thank all who reviewed on the last chapter:

Nyakai

Pakkrat

Infamous One

Evilsangel

gotc 147

Paper.Eskimo.Boots: Thank you guys for your words of encouragement. They truly do help.

Oh yeah Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! Gracefulraven, out! Story on!

Disclaimers: I don't own the Slade or the Titans.

Chapter 10: In Motion

The bright morning sun shone brightly across the eastern horizon. The light graced every one of God's creatures with its warm glow. Not that the Rebels and Titans took notice as they duke it out amongst themselves on the Rebel training field somewhere on the grounds.

Ericsson sat in the watch tower studying the Titans strengths and weakness. Since he was better at observing people, and Angelus had a bone to pick with Slade he elected to sit this battle out. Angelus assigned each of the Rebels a particular Titan that he felt could they to take on, but left Slade for himself. He had a real problem with the man and what better way to get your point across than pummeling a man to death? Rocky(Claude) and Wave(Yoko) took on Cyborg, Anya and Raven took on each other, and Turbulence(Bo) and Blaze took on Starfire.

"Amity Seraph Zion!" Anya yelled as she encased a nearby tree in white glow hurling it at Raven, who dodged it with ease.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos" she mumbled as she pulled a chunk of the earth from under the ground, where Anya was floating, and thrust it upwards toward her. She gracefully dodged it landing neatly across from Raven. She looked at her thoughtfully,

"Clever cousin. Shall we try hand to hand combat?" Her voice quirked with amusement.

"Whatever you suggest."

"Let's hop to it then."

"Lets!" Raven yelled charging at her. They matched each other blow for blow.

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Starfire yelled a battle cry as she charged Blaze, who simply smirked at her. This is gonna be so much fun! Blaze thought as she waited for Starfire to reach her.

"Turbulence?"

"I'm ready for you sweetheart." He said hovering above her. Starfire nearly reached her target, but Blaze crouched down on the ground flames surrounding her, and then flew into the air, like a cannon ball out of a cannon, with a trail of flames behind her in her wake. Bo swooped down and caught Blaze in one arm then pulled her to into his chest. She outstretched her arms forward and he held her by her waist in one arm and with the other he outstretched his arm to the center of hers.

"Inferno Trap!" They both yelled as the flames swirled around the length of Starfire's body before it turned into a flame like barrier. She shrieked as she plummeted back to the earth. She floated around in the fiery cage looking for a way out, but found none that would allow her to escape with out causing her self some serious burns.

"This is most uncomfortable, friends." Starfire complained looking around with in the fire barrier. Bo brought Blaze back to the ground reluctantly I might add and still held an arm around her waist.

"Well babe we don't do comfort, but if you would like a snugger fit we can manage to that for ya." Blaze cracked giving Bo a high five.

"Sorry about that luv. As soon as this little competition is over we'll let you out alright."

"No!" Starfire barked as her eyes took that all to familiar green glow as did her hands. "I will be released right now!" With that Starfire charged up her power and the inferno barrier exploded in all directions. Starfire stood with her hands and eyes still glowing. Taken completely off guard was Blaze she stood dumbfounded as Starfire fired a star-bolt at her. Blaze was slung back across the grass a few good feet, and Bo fired off a gust of wind at Starfire, who was hovering a few feet off the ground, slinging her back into a tree.

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Slade and Angelus stared at each other. One with a calm yet powerful look, and the other with a heat so intense that would scald from a distance.

"Are you ready mate?"

"I think the question is, are you?" Slade said in a dry tone that only further pushed Angelus buttons.

"I've been wanting to kick your arse ever since I met you."

"Well it's a shame."

"What is a shame?"

"You will never possess the power to do so." Slade looked at him, his one visible eye blinked lazily. Angelus scuffed at him then flew toward Slade. Angelus threw calculated blows with much power behind each one but only managed to hit air. Slade grabbed one of his fist then pinned it behind his back,

"I do hope for your sake you can do better than that." He pushed the younger man away. Angelus glared at Slade with much hate in his eyes, and Slade actually chuckled out loud at him. "You know if looks could kill, maybe you would have a chance at defeating me."

"You will pay for your insolence! Try this on for size!" He threw wind at Slade that flung the man into a deep gaping hole in the ground. Angelus flew over the hole and forced Slade to stay in with blistering winds. Slade was pinned to the bottom of the pit. Okay. I do believe he is angry with me. Slade thought as he reached inside one of his many pouches. Let's see if he likes metal. Slade threw a grenade at the half Angel. The force behind the explosion threw Angelus out of the sky. He landed roughly on the ground. As soon as he got up he was punched in the gut and while he was leaning over Slade brought his leg down on his back kicking him to the ground face first.

"So tell me, did that fit or do you need another size?"

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Rocky stared at Cyborg with competitive eyes, and Cyborg returned the look with a arrogant smirk.

"I hope you are ready my friend." Rocky said his heavy German accent undeniable.

"Show me what you got." Cyborg said charging his sonic cannon.

"You guys take this stuff way too seriously." Wave complained as she stood beside Rocky. Rocky looked down at her and smiled and then frowned when he looked back around at Cyborg. He grunted then pulled a piece of the ground that was between he and Cyborg and hurled it at him. Cyborg fired his cannon disintegrating the boulder into pebbles. Cyborg was about to say something cocky until he was hit full force with a stream of water. Cyborg was thrown into a boulder that was levitating in the air by way of Rocky. Cyborg shook his head trying to shake off the daze.

"Blaze! Turbulence! Lets create the Concrete Combination!" Rocky yelled to his two team mates that weren't that far off. Blaze looked to Bo and the nodded to one another. Turbulence flew behind the airborne unsuspecting alien grabbed her and threw her toward the still dazed Cyborg. She tumbled into him and they laid in a heap.

"Sorry about that Darling!" Turbulence said with his hand cupped around him mouth to project the sound better.

"Now!" Blaze yelled running over to the others. Wave covered the two in water as Rocky covered them with dirt. Bo flew in as Blaze sent flames their way. Both screamed as the flames danced around them wildly. Bo took a deep breath then blew on the two heros hardening them in place.

"Now that is what I call team work!" Bo said smugly

"Yahoo!" Wave whooped as she gave Blaze a high five.

"Let's see you get out of that Tin Man!" Rocky challenged.

"Do not count us out just yet my friends. I am much stronger than I look. Much!" Starfire said every word with emphasis.

"You ready baby?" Cyborg asked her smugly as he stared down his opponents slash friends. His red eye glowed dangerously as did Starfire's,

"I, most certainly, am. Hhhhaaaaaa!" as Starfire erupted a loud and mighty battle cry as well did Cyborg. The ground rumbled beneath the shocked Rebels as the looked around befuddled. The mud that encased the trapped Titans was flung in all directions the sheer force causing the Rebels to be thrown to the ground. Cyborg and Starfire stood defiantly waiting for the next attack as the loomed over the fallen Rebels.

"That. . ." Yoko began, "Was so cool!" she exclaimed as ran over to Starfire hugging her.

"Man am I glad we're on the same side!"

"Yes my friends. That was impressive" Claude walked over to Cyborg shaking his hand. Blaze and Bo stood across the way with their arms across their chest.

"Yall did aiight. Nothing spectacular."

"Yeah, I mean come on mates you were covered in mud. Who couldn't get out of mud?" Cyborg looked at them and smiled,

"Yall quit hating. You know that was hot." Blaze looked up at Bo and they nodded to each other.

"It was hot I'll give you props. That was hot." Blaze said nodding her head.

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"Wow that was amazing!" Ericsson said to himself as he looked on. "The Titan's are a force to be reckoned with. I wonder how the twins are going to fair? I hope Anya stays safe." Ericsson continued to watch form the tower, with his arms across his chest. He looked down at the screens in front of him. He was recording all the footage with much anticipation. Ericsson looked up when the others appeared inside the watch tower.

"What are you guys doing here? Aren't you suppose to be sparring."

"We were Eric, but we called it quits for awhile." Rocky said looking at the Co-Leader.

"Besides, it's gettin' rough at there, Mate." Blaze said pointing to the screen with Anya and Raven battling.

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Anya and Raven were in a grid-lock. Raven and Anya heldeach of their beams energy against the othertrying to over power the other. Black and White energy glowed all over the sparring field, and suddenly there was an explosion. Both girls were thrown back they looked at each other hard. Both huffing and puffing with labored breathes and were slumped over in tiredness.

"Do you yield cousin?" Anya asked her between breaths.

"If you beat me?" Raven said coldly.

"I wouldn't expect anything less." Anya said as she charged at Raven, "Amity Seraph Zion!" White light streamed from Anya's outstretched hand. The power took Raven by surprise knocking her to the ground. Anya swooped in closer to hear Raven's mumbling What is she saying?, and once she was close enough she realized too late what Raven was saying,

"Zinthos!" Anya was hit by a black beam so strong, she landed a few feet away from the other girl. Raven remained on her stomach looking at Anya hoping to see her move. "Oh no! Maybe I used too much energy."

Do not worry cousin. I am breathing. That was quite an attack I can't move. Are you okay?

I'm alive. But I'm far from okay. I just need to rest. Both Raven and Anya closed their eyes and began to heal themselves.

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Ericsson rose from his chair to see Anya laying on the ground. Everyone gathered around the window to see the angel and demon both go all out.

"I've never seen Raven fight like that before." Cyborg said his mouth still hanging open from the awesome display of power.

"Raven must require medical attention. She is not moving, and Anya is not moving as well. I am worried friends." Starfire said tears in her eyes.

"We must wait till the others are finished. If we go out there now Angelus would probably blow us away literally. And then the girls will seriously be in trouble. There's no temper like an Angel's" Ericsson said looking at the battle field.

"You haven't seen a half demoness temper have you?" Cyborg asked. The rebels shook their heads. "Ericsson is there anyway we can hear what is going on?" Ericsson frowned then became very excited,

"Yes! Installed the ground mics last week."

"Well what are you waiting on! Pump up the Volume!" Blaze demanded.

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Slade looked over to see Raven laying on her stomach not moving. What has happened to her? Slade began making his way to Raven.

"Where do you think you are going? Are you afraid to loose?"

"I won't loose to you but the girls need our help." Slade said continuing to make his way to the dark girl.

"You lie! My sister is fine. You are just making excuses." Angelus shouted rage in his eyes. He flew head first at Slade and what a mistake that was. Slade waited patiently for Angelus to make his way to him. When the angel was near the warrior, he flipped over Angelus then grabbed his leg swinging him face first into the ground. Then put him in a sleeper hold until he passed out.

"I told you I wouldn't loose to you." Slade said carelessly to the unconscious Angelus. Slade walked over to Raven turning her over carefully and checked her pulse. He exhaled a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Up you go." He said carefully swinging Raven into his shoulder then walking over to Anya. He let Raven dangle on his shoulder as he checked Anya's pulse. He put Raven on one shoulder and Anya on the other, and began walking to the watch tower where Ericsson and the others waited.

Lord Dread walked into the Laboratory with his blood red cape flowing behind him. He walked down the stairs his cold blue eyes searching for one particular man, and found him talking to one of his colleagues. The evil Lord pushed the scientist the Professor was talking to against the wall and grabbed the professor by his collar holding him in the air.

"Why aren't my weapons done or my device!"

"I am working as diligently as possible in such hostile conditions."

"To hell with hostile conditions, Professor. If you want to know what hostile conditions are, do not have my plasma rifles finished by the end of the week." He threw the Professor on the ground.

"My Lord your Rifles are being tested right now by the General and his men. But it will take some time for me to rebuild the Parallax Apparatus. I do not have my blue prints. Surely, you understand my situation?" The Professor said calmly. The lord stared down at the older man with hazel eyes behind huge bifocals.

"I understand Professor." The old man with gray curly hair exhaled some air. "I understand that if you do not have that Parallax Apparatus complete by next Thursday, your whole team will be annihilated one by one each day until it is done. You see I don't just want to rule this dimension, I want to rule all 7 of them. So get it done Robbins or you won't have any assistants left to assist! Are we clear old man?" The old man nodded quickly as he got back to work. "I just love it when subjects fear and understand me."

"My Lord. . .we are prepared for the attack. Would like for us to leave now?"

"Don't you just love it when things go your way Saxton?" He asked smiling at his General.

"Do not launch that attack. . .not yet." Both men turned to see the red headed vixen dressed in royal blue sauntering into the lab.

"My Lady." Saxton bowed his head.

"Ursula. What do you know."

"Well my son. Come with me to find out. You as well General. You too are deeply involved in what I know. This plan has already been Set In Motion."

Back in the Teen Titan's dimension things are going as well as to be expected. Robin has awakened, and has called a meeting in the war room. All of the Titans including the East Titans make their way for the meeting. Robin stood in the center of the room waiting for everyone to arrive. Bumble Bee walked in rubbing her eyes and yawning.

"Okay this better be good." She said sitting beside Speedy who gave her a smile. The twins came running in,

"We are ready."

"Good guys just take a seat over there." Robin said pointing to two empty chairs.

"Okay Robin this better be good enough to wake me up. I'm missing my beauty rest." Beast Boy complained as he looked around for Terra. "Where's Terra?"

"I'm right here BB." Terra came walking in fully clothed.

"Okay gang. I want to first thank Titans East for coming to our aid."

"No problem. You would have done the same for us." Bumble Bee stated with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Next, I have to ask Bumble Bee and the twins to stay with us. Just until we get Raven and the others back."

"Why does Bumble Bee and Mas y Menos have to stay?" Speedy asked his suspicion of the boy wonder rising.

"Because someone has to protect Steel City from any enemies, and I thought since Aqualad is the co-leader he needs to be there. And the next best fighter aside from Bumble Bee would be you Speedy. I need Bumble Bee's abilities for a particular mission we are going on."

"That still doesn't answer the question Rob-"

"Speedy it's okay. I'm sure you two can handle the fort without Mama. Besides the Titans here need me for a little while." Speedy looked at Bumble Bee then at Robin the left out of the War Room.

"I'll handle this Robin." Bumble Bee said as she took to the air.

"What's their deal?" Beast Boy asked Aqualad. He simply shrugged his shoulders as he looked at the twins.

"Speedy wait. Wait!" The young man dressed in red and yellow stopped and turned to the sassy Bumble Bee. "Where are you going?"

"I just need some air."

"Why are you so upset?"

"I just don't want to leave you here. I don't want to be with out you for so long."

"Speedy," she began as she landed in front of him placing a hand on his cheek. "Robin isn't sure how long the others will be missing. It could be one hour or two days. Who knows?" Speedy remain silent as he looked down at Bumble Bee. "Okay Speedy. Look at it from this point of view. . .what if it was me that was sucked into another dimension? Wouldn't you want them to help us?"

"Of course!" Speedy said sounding insulted.

"Okay then. Let's help them." Speedy stubbornness subsided as he took his girlfriend into his arms.

"I just don't want to loose you."

"You won't. Come on." she said pulling him back to the War Room.

Robin and the others looked up when the two returned.

"I hope everything is okay?" Robin said looking at Bumble Bee then Speedy.

"Peachy." Speedy said sarcastically

"Continue." Bumble Bee said looking at Speedy hard. Robin shrugged then began again,

"Well Batman has brought to my attention that there was a Scientist that helped build the Parallax Apparatus; however, we don't know where he could be."

"Who is he?" Terra asked her curiosity peeked. Robin was still silent,

"Dude, who is he?" Beast Boy becoming agitated.

"Doctor Light."

"Oh man!" The green teen grumbled

"Who is Dr. Light?" Bumble Bee asked the question all of Titan East were wondering.

"He's a villain that we've battled before." Terra filled her in.

"Our first objective is to find Dr. Light then make him tell us how the Parallax Apparatus works and how to fix it. Does anyone object to what we must do?" Robin looked around silently praying that no one would. "Alright let's get this ball moving."

Back on Rebel Manor Blaze walks into the living area to see Angelus sitting on the couch. She walks behind him and put her arms around his shoulders planting a kiss on his cheek.

"It's okay my Angel. You can't win 'em all." Blaze tried to cheer the disgruntle Angel up.

But just manage to fuel his anger. He pushed her arms off of him and got off the couch. "Okay? I'm getting tired of your attitude. I'm this close to setting your angelic ass on fire." Blaze said measuring with her fingers her level of patients with Angelus. He looked at her then scuffed rolling his eyes from her.

"Why don't you go flirt with Bo or something. Leave me in peace."

"You know what Angelus? You are the biggest ass-hole I'd ever seen in my life! You are a total bastard! And you want to know what else?"

"What's that Zori?" Angelus said hating the minute he'd said the words. She looked hurt then her face quickly morphed into anger.

"I'm tired of you and your sorry ass attitude. We are through! And I mean it this time." She began walking away, "Oh and by the way Ass-hole! My name is Blaze and don't you ever forget it." Her eyes were slits as she spoke each word.

"Blaze, please I'm sorry."

"I know you are." She said simply before leaving the room. Angelus stood in the same spot looking at the hall Blaze just went into. Oh no! What have I done? I've let my hate for Slade tear us apart. We've been having problems for the past couple of months, but we've always gotten through them. Maybe this time will be no different. I know Bo is going to pounce on the opportunity to take Blaze away from me. I'll talk to Blaze later and fix this mess. Angelus slung himself on the couch and exhaled loudly.

"Angelus you keep making a mess of things!" He whispered to himself.

Blaze stormed down the hallway muttering to herself not really watching where she was going,

"Dumb angel! Always compromising our relationship! I just took his ass back, and now he goes and insults me. How dare he! We are truly over this time! Whoa!" she exclaimed as she hit the ground. She looked up into the crystal blue eyes of Bo.

"Hey there luv. Let me help you up." He sent a draft of air under her then reached under her arms picking her straight off the ground. "Are you okay? I mean you look a little frazzled." Bo asked planting her feet back on the ground.

"It's nothing. Have you seen Anya or Yoko?"

"No luv. But if you need to talk I'm hear for you." Blaze looked at him suspiciously. "I've been told by many I'm a good listener." She gave a nod. "Why don't we talk about this in the gym over a good spar match. I tell you what."

"What?"

"Since you are so upset. I won't use my ability to fly. Deal?" She grinned at him before saying,

"Alright fly boy. But I'm real pissed and you might want to fly away from my frustrations."

Raven looked up at the knock on her door, she groaned out loud at the disturbance. This had better be good. She walked over to the door and opened expecting to see Starfire or Cyborg, but much to her surprise in her threshold stood the infamous Slade.

"I just came to check on you. I've never witness you use your powers to that extent so I wanted to see how you are doing."

"I'm fine. I'm a little sluggish. Battling an Angel is not easy work, not to mention their powers mirror your own."

"I had my own little battle with an Angel. To tell you the truth I don't think he likes me very much." Raven giggled at Slade's dry humor. "I do so enjoy the view of your room from outside the door."

"Oh. My room I very particular about my room many have died trying to enter myhumble abodeso consider yourself lucky and privileged for this opportunity sir." Raven spoke as she side stepped to let him in. Slade glanced around noticing her decorations were almost like they were in his dream.

"So I take it, I am one of the select few to enter?"

"Of course." There was a moment of silence as both searched for something to say. Slade cleared his throat before nervously beginning,

"Um. .Raven I have something to ask you?"

"Slade I've never known you to be nervous this must be serious." Raven joked. When he didn't respond she knew he was serious. "I'm sorry. Continue."

"What was Azarath like?" Raven eyes quickly darted around the room for something else to look at. She then looked him square into his eyes,

"It was a place of solitude for me. I was mostly alone. As a child growing up on Azarath the monks thought it best to separate me from the other kids because of my extreme powers. Many people feared me and wanted me dead. I had to grow up very early, but my mother would allow me to play some days in the church yard gardens. Much like the one's we saw yesterday when we met Elder Bradstone. I had one friend on Azarath, her name was Tamer. She was much older than me, but she knew how to help me get my powers in check. She was really funny. I could laugh around her and not worry that I would blow her to smithereens, but as we both know good things don't last forever.

A girl about 16 with happy brown eyes stared down at Raven. Holding a ball over young Raven's head.

"Give it to me Tamer!"

"No you have to get it Raven." Raven closed her eyes then did the all too familiar chant encasing the ball in black lifting it out of her friends hands.

"You cheated Raven. I'm gonna get you!" Tamer yelled grabbing Raven in her arms twirling her around in the air. Tamer put her down laughing at her.

"Why did you stop?"

"I felt your powers building." Raven looked sadly at the ground. "I tell you what kiddo wait right here I have a surprise for you."

"You know surprises are dangerous for me." raven said dryly especially for a 7 year old.

"But trust me. I know when to get you back under control trust me." Raven shrugged her shoulders. "Okay close your eyes and I'll be right back."

Raven looked at Slade who was sitting across from her in a chair while she sat crossed leg on the bed.

"Unknown to us we were being watched. As I said before many people on Azarath wanted me dead because of my tremendous powers. They feared I would blow the planet up or something. Two men were in the bushes waiting for the opportunity to kill me."

Young Raven stood in the church yard waiting for her friend to return. She heard a branch crack under the weight of something heavy. She opened one eye to see a man with fearful hazel eye looked down upon her.

"Hey little girl. Wants some candy?"

"No." She said dryly. With a remark like that coming from a seven year old fueled the mans anger. Raven looked around to see Tamer running toward her, but was caught around the waist by another man.

"How about death then little girl." The man said pulling a knife from his boot slitting Raven's throat.

"Raven!" Tamer screamed as she fought to get to her. Raven opened her eyes long enough to see the same thing happen to Tamer.

"It's a shame to kill you, but you've seen us kill the little monster so you have to die too." The man holding Tamer ran the blade across her throat. She fell lifeless to the ground with her eyes wide open. Her brown eyes pierced Raven's purple ones. The men ran away after hearing some one scream, it was Arella running up to see about the girls.

"I watched the only friend I had die because she was near me. I watched her blood drain from her body, but I lived because I could heal myself." Her words became sobs as she fought to control her emotions. "She died because of me." She said looking down at the ground. She could no longer hold her tears in. Her shoulder shook violently as she still tried to restrict her tears. Slade sat next to her and pulled her into his arms.

"You have those bracers on. You can cry or scream or do whatever you always dreamed of doing. Besides Tamer would love it if you let out all that pain. I'm pretty sure she doesn't blame you. I wouldn't." She held on tighter to him as she let out all the pain and guilt she was carrying around for 11 years. Slade was amazed at how affectionate he could still be without feeling phony or awkward. He ran his fingers through her violet stands of silk. "That's it let it all out." The crying began to die down to sniffles. She raised her head to see the one eye in Slade's mask.

"Thank you. I've never told anyone about that. Not even Robin."

"No thank you. For confiding in me."

"You are the only person I felt comfortable enough to share that. And for some reason I feel that I can sort of trust you now. You have my trust."

"And your tears and mucus on my uniform." Slade joked getting a playful hit from Raven.

"Oh if you tell anybody I cried you will suffer the most horrible death I can think of."

"I'm sure. So I told you something I've never told anyone and now you've told me something that no one else knows. Does this makes us friends?" Raven thought for a moment then smiling.

"Yeah. I guess it kind of does. Who would ever think that you and I could ever be friends?" I want to be more than that but one day at a time. Slade thought but remembered to put his mind shields up. We will be more than friends my dear sweet Raven. If it is the last thing I ever do.

So did you like? I hope so. Remember to read and review. I hope you liked it. Tell me your thoughts. If you have any questions feel free to ask me. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Gracefulraven,

out!