Okay. I know it's been awhile since a wrote on this story, but hey life beckons. And I must adhere. I hope you like this chapter. Story on!

Disclaimers: I don't D.C.'s characters.

Chapter 14: Dark Heart

Angelus knees buckled beneath him causing him to fall to the ground as the revelation became more clear to him. His face held sheer horror and confusion, he slowly moved his green eyes in her direction,

"How can this be? Anya and I are the children of Lord Dread? How is it possible?" Tears brimmed his eyes, his chest tightened, his body shook strangely. Sparkle looked to her once fearless leader and her heart ached for him. She closed her eyes fighting back her own tears,

"Angel. . ." He looked at her dumbfounded the tears trailing down his handsome face. "There's more." She said simply her voice cracking,

"What more could there be? Anya and I are the children of the man we hate more than anyone on Earth! Not only that, our father has a sick perverted obsession with his own daughter!" He shouted the veins protruding out of his neck.

"Angel. . .Anya isn't his daughter. Only you are his child her father is Akil. I am so sorry for all that you are going through right now." She said now in full tears as she walked over to him pulling his head to rest against her. She stroked his dread-locks as she held on to him tightly. He looked up at her with a helpless look in his eyes,

"What. .what do you mean? Anya and I are twins." Sparkle merely shook her head. "We aren't twins?" He broke down further he cried against her bare stomach as he held on tighter. "This can't be true. . .this can't be real!" he wailed desperately.

"It's going to be okay, Angelus. Shh. . .shhh. It's going to be okay, I promise." After awhile he stopped crying he released her looking down at the ground. His head hung toward the ground his dreads shielding his face from the world, "Angel are you okay?" He was silent. She brought his face up so she could looking into his eyes, "Angelus?" his eyes had no life in them his expression was now unreadable. "Oh Angel it's going to be okay. After awhile things will go back to the way they were."

"Things will never be the same." He said in an emotionless tone. It frighten Sparkle, she'd never heard him speak like that before.

"Angelus?" They both looked up when an explosion was heard outside. Sparkle ran over to the window looking outside she gasped upon seeing the Consonance Army in her village attacking her people. "No! He said he wouldn't attack the village. Angelus we have to do something." Angelus made no attempt to move let alone to acknowledge her presence. "Angelus!" he still remained where he was. "I'm calling Anya." She whipped out her communicator,

"Anya here." the voice said from the other end.

"Anya. Please help me. General Saxton is attacking our village."

"We'll be there just calm down. How many soldiers are there?"

"There's a lot of them. Angelus is here right now." She looked over at him and he still wore a zoned out expression. "General Saxton told me if I delivered a message to Angelus he wouldn't attack my village."

"What message?" Anya said a frown appearing on her face.

"The truth about. . ."Sparkle looked over to Angelus, who sent an air current at the communicator drifting it over to him.

"That will be all Sparkle. Anya get the Righteous Rebels here immediately. This is a full scale attack do you understand me?"

"Yeah Angel. We'll be right there."

"Good. Squall out!"

"Angelus what is going on?" He shut the communicator dropping it to the floor and crushing it under his combat boot. Angelus looked over at his friend his face blank. The way he was looking at her sent chills down her back.

"Squall?" He sent a force of air at her slamming her against the wall. Angelus pinned her there with a steady stream of air.

"You were going to tell her about my father weren't you?" Sparkle struggled against the blistering winds her leader was using against her. She closed her eyes to get some moisture in them for the winds were drying them out. "What? I can't hear you over the wind." With his free hand he summoned some wind to bring the fish aquarium to him, then he pointed at her and the water that was inside was thrown on her. Angelus dropped the temperature in winds to arctic levels freezing the water around her. Sparkle's legs dangled off of the floor, she looked at Angelus with tears in her eyes.

"Angelus. . .your sister deserves to know the truth."

"What gives you the right to be the one to tell her?" He sent a swift breeze slapping her across the face. "Haven't you done enough? You destroyed my life!" He ranted. "And you just won't quit." He said in a menacing voice that was really quite scary.

"Squall do not make me fight you." She whispered sparks dancing in her eyes.

"I don't care what you do, but only one of us is walking out of this house alive." the look in his eyes were that of a mad man. He has snapped. He has lost his damned mind. It's either going to be me or him. And I don't plan on dying today.

"So be it. . .HHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAA!" She yelled as the electrical currents flowed through her body. The lights in the house began to flicker, the clocks stopped, and the music coming from her radio in the background fell silent. The ice that bound her to the wall burst from her body. She used the static in the air to remain afloat. "I don't want to hurt you Squall. ." she began using his code name, "but if I have to I will." With one outstretched hand she sent an electrical current straight for Angelus, who sensed her attack and dodged just in time, but did not dodge the next and was thrown into a wall convulsing. In retaliation he picked up an encyclopedia with a powerful gale, that struck her in the shoulder. She howled in pain, for the book with the force behind it dislocated her shoulder. With her good arm she placed it in the water that soaked the carpet and sent an electric shock through it. Sending Angelus through a wall into her very own bedroom.

"Angel?" Sparkle peeked into her room and found Angelus sprawled on his back his eyes closed. She used this time to make a run for it, but was stopped by the mini twister Angelus sent into the room. She was sucked into the funnel all that could be heard were her screams of pain and ripping of fabric. Angelus reentered the room and dismissed the forceful winds. Sparkle hit the floor with a thud. She looked up at him terror in her eyes.

"I can't believe you fell for the old unconscious trick? Huh? I thought you were smart." He shook his head at her as if truly disappointed.

"Angelus. Please you are not well right now. . ."

"I've never felt better."

"Angel please. . ."

"Oh please what? Don't kill you?" He mocked her in a high pitched voice. "Are you serious? The first chance you get you will tell my sister and the Righteous Rebels who I truly am. And I can not allow that."

"Angel. . .please. I swear I won't tell anyone. I promise." She said between gasps as she coughed up blood. Her internal organs were bleeding from all the abuse her body was suffering. Angelus pondered this for a moment,

"I can't do that."

"Please. . ."

"I believe you mean what you say, but I don't believe. That is what truly matters mate, and there is no way I can allow you to live. Oh and Sparkle?" she looked up at him with desperate eyes. "My name is Squall!" he kneeled down placing a hand over her chest and pulled all the air out of her lungs into a swirling ball in the palm of his hand. The air ball had blood, mucus, and saliva with in giving it a pink tint. She choked and gagged as her eyes danced wildly and her throat puffed in and out, as she fought desperately to breathe but soon her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Sparkle, a former Righteous Rebel, laid slain by the leader of the Righteous Rebels. He turned his head in several directions studying her corpse as he let the bloody air ball dissipate. "Now to shut-up a few more people. Truly, a Rebels work is never done." He began whistling the tune from the Snow White and the seven dwarfs movie, Hi Ho off to work we go. The mad man walked out of the house casually he turned back taking a deep breath he blew the house down.

"Now to find General Saxton."

Anya looked at the communicator strangely before turning to an anxious Ericsson. His eyes asked what his mouth did not.

"Okay? Are you going to tell us what's going on?" Blaze asked in an annoyed tone placing a hand on her curvy hip. She remained silent,

"Please friend Anya. What is the matter?" Starfire asked innocently. Anya looked at everyone in turn and sighed,

"Lord Dread's army is attacking the Cree Village."

"Well lets jet!" Blaze said making her way to the Rebel Garage.

"No!" Anya said suddenly causing everyone to look at her strangely, "We don't have time. We are going to have to teleport."

"Hell no Anya. The last time we teleported I couldn't use the loo properly for a week." Bo said in a huff.

"Comrade we must use haste. We haven't a second to loose." Claude spoke

"Then I will use a quick current to ride on."

"Bo!"

"I'm sorry Blaze. I'll meet you lot there." He said walking toward the door. Blaze began to chase after him,

"Let him go. We have to get the others." Ericsson began he looked at Anya, "What's the matter sweetheart?"

"Something is wrong. I do mean very wrong. Angelus wasn't himself."

"He was probably concerned about the village is all, luv."

"No! Don't you think I know my twin brother? He seemed very off. Kind of edgy."

"We can't worry about that now. The Cree Village needs us."

"Right! So lets book." Blaze said her hands becoming inflamed. Anya closed her eyes concentrating on pulling out enough power,

"Amity Seraph Zion!" everyone was engulfed in a white glow then disappeared, transporting them to the roof.

Raven pushed out of Cyborg's arms when she noticed Slade standing behind them. She gave him a small smile.

"So I trust that the walking toaster oven came to his senses?" Slade jabbed playfully. Smiling Cyborg countered back,

"Yeah. We cool Cyclops. Oh by the way it's good to know that there was a face beneath that mask. I was beginning to think that my girl Rae had fallen in love with the Phantom of the Opera." At this Slade burst into a boisterous laughter that startle both Raven and Cyborg. "Well what do you know it laughs." Raven elbowed Cyborg in the ribs.

"Behave both of you, or I will have to put you in time out. I don't think you will like my time out." All three of them looked around when Anya and the others appeared on the roof.

"We have to leave now. The Cree Village is under attack." Ericsson said in a commanding voice.

"We don't have time to fly or drive so we are going to have to teleport. Is that alright with you cousin?"

"Yeah but you will need to guide me." Anya gave a nod and a unsure smile. What's wrong Anya?

Raven I think there is something seriously wrong with Angelus.

Is he hurt?

I'm not sure. He sounded very weird on the communicator and all of a sudden Sparkle's communicator just went dead.

Everything will be fine lets just get over there.

"Is everything alright comrades?" Claude said looking between Anya and Raven. Yoko put a hand on Anya's shoulder a concerned look on her face.

"Of course." Anya said pasting a fake smile on her face.

"Well let's go!" Blaze said practically jumping up and down. "Today has been too quiet. I'm ready for some action." She said pumping a fist into the air. Starfire laced her fingers with Cyborg's he smiled down at her.

"Let's do this!" Cyborg said determinedly. Anya and Raven took each other's hands,

"Azarath!" Raven began,

"Seraph!" Anya said, as they looked to one another,

Silver energy pooled around everyone slowly engulfing them in a dome of spectacular power. Everyone with in looked amongst themselves with worried expressions. Starfire held on to Cyborg's hand tightly, Wave locked eyes with Blaze, who seemed to be enjoying herself, and smiled at each other. Claude put a hand on Blaze and Wave's shoulders they both looked up at him. Ericsson looked over at Slade, who stood proudly behind Raven, Slade looked up at Ericsson and gave him a friendly nod which he returned. There was a sudden bright flash of light which caused everyone to close their eyes Anya and Raven yelled together,

"Zionthos!"

Angelus turned to the sound of gloved hands clapping,

"Well done Angelus!" he clapped some more "I couldn't have done that," he motioned with his head toward the caved in house of Sparkle's, "any better my self."

"What are you on about you burk (fool in English, English)" Angelus said barring his teeth. Saxton gave Angelus an amused chuckle,

"I had the Cree's house wired with cameras. So I got her death on tape. I must say that death move was one for the books, lad." Angelus's eyes bucked. The General brought a hand to his ear leaning into it he spoke something softly into the transmitter then looked back at the younger man, "Your daddy says he's proud of you." Angelus charged at Saxton but was knocked to the ground by a stone to the gut. Angelus wheezed and coughed to breathe, "You have quite the temper there young man." Saxton said with a sideways glance.

"Fuck you!"

"No, I'm going to fuck Blaze. I love them feisty and full of fire." Angelus snarled at this as he tried to get to his feet. "No she's not the one anymore is she? I know who you love now." the handsome younger man's face fell considerably,

"You stay away from her and Blaze too."

"I may have to tamper with Blaze. She's an itch to good not to scratch, but your daddy, Lord Dread, won't be able to stay away from the beautiful Raven or your sister. Hahahaha!"

"UUGGHHGH!" Angelus growled as he knocked the General and himself to the ground. Angelus climbed on top of him and began to pummel him with powerful punches. "You stay away from them! You will not hurt any of them! I'll kill you both!" Saxton grabbed a hand full of the fallen hero's grey dreads yanking his head back,

"I've had just about enough of this!" Saxton brought Angelus head to his own knocking him off of him. Saxton got to his feet staring down at the young man, who was cradling his head on his knees. The evil General kicked him full force in the stomach bringing him to his feet. The ex-hero dropped to his knees holding on to his stomach, Saxton then punched him in the face knocking blood from his mouth. The evil man spoke into the mic again, "Fine!" he growled. "Your father wanted me to stop kicking your arse to ask you to join us." Angelus was silent as he tried to catch his breath. "I'll give you a moment to catch your breath." Saxton said putting his arms behind his back.

The Rebels open their eyes to pure chaos. The Consonances Army and the Crees were fighting to the death. Lifeless bodies lay haphazardly among the dusty, crater littered battle field. Some of their faces held terror or pained expressions others were faced down or covered in blood. The scene before them smelled of fried decayed flesh, and blood the smell was so putrid it caused Anya gag. Tears filled Yoko's eyes and Claude pulled her into his arms.

"God help us." Ericsson said

"Pull yourselves together!" Slade bellowed. "We have work to do!" Cyborg and Starfire put on their battle faces. Anya looked over to find a group of Consonance soldiers about to open fire with their plasma rifles on a group of Cree children.

"Amity. .Seraph. .Zion!" Anya yelled as a dome of white to shield the children from harm. She slowly made her way to the group of men, "Do you think you can take me on?" They quickly turned to her and opened fire. She raised a shield while she flew head first into them landing in the center of their huddle. Yelling loudly she outstretched her arms the force of her energy flinging them in various directions. Anya turned to face the children giving them a small smile,

"Run. Run and don't look back." The children looked at each other, "Go to Jump Town. Knock five times on the hill made of red dirt then say 'Abscindo Porta'. The gate will open when the guards ask you how did you get here tell them Anya sent you. Okay?" They nodded hesitantly, "Be safe little ones and hurry." The young Crees ran as fast as their stubby little legs would take them. She watched them disappear into the forest. Then turned back to battle the evil forces surrounding her.

Ericsson stood valiantly looking at the soldiers that charged at him. They truly don't know who they are messing with, but I won't mind showing them. He stomped his foot causing a small earthquake making the soldiers stumble falling to the ground. When they looked up to see Ericsson he was no longer standing in front of them. Their eyes searched in a bewildered manner looking for there target,

"Where did he go!" One of the soldiers yelled out angrily.

"Up here." Ericsson whispered in their minds. They howled in fright at the message in their minds. They looked up to see Ericsson hanging inverted above them his head in their faces looking at them with a sly grin in his face. "Boo!" they screamed and tried to get away but found that the earth around them had swallowed their legs. "Feeling a little stuck?" with that Ericsson released hellish amounts of water from his hands drowning the men he held captive. Their screams of terror stopped in brutal gurgles of drowning anguish. Ericsson stopped the waterflow by closing his hands then turned up right in the air moving on to his next victims.

"Yaaahhhh!" Starfire yelled out her battle cry as she shot out her star-bolts of righteous furry at some soldiers. They in returned fired lasers at her. She moved around the beams with expert limberness. Her long slender body ducked and swayed dodging all of their attacks. She released more star-bolts at them a few bolts hitting there targets. The intense heat from the bolts searing the soldiers' armor. They howled in pain, as they yanked off the melting metal. Starfire charged up a huge star-bolt preparing to fire it,

"You shall pay for your crimes!" She yelled still holding the massive bolt above her head. Nearby Slade was battling a few soldiers with his bo staff dealing out deadly blows. Looked up at the sound of Starfire's proclamation. He saw a soldier behind her staggering to his feet to shoot Starfire in the back,

"Star!" Slade yelled but she was too wrapped up in the moment to hear him. He knocked out his opponent then ran full speed to her. The soldier was now to his feet about fire, "Shit!" Slade dove at Starfire as she threw the star-bolt the soldiers' pain filled screams were heard across the battle field. Slade screamed out in pain as he took the laser beam for Starfire as they both hit the ground. Starfire turned to look at Slade and noticed he was motionless,

"Slade! Oh no there's so much blood!" hot tears filled her eyes as she cradled him in her arms. Starfire brushed some platinum strands of hair from his face then hugged him tightly. Cyborg and Raven both looked up from their places on the battlefield. Cyborg locked eyes with Raven then ran full speed to Slade and Starfire.

"I'm coming Star!"

"No!" Raven flew full speed, God please let him be alright. I love him! Cyborg and Raven arrived at the same time, "What happened!" Raven demanded looking at Slade checking for a pulse.

"I. . .don't know. .one minute. . .I was fighting. . .the next Slade was pushing me out of the way. .of something." She said between tears. She buried her face in Cyborg's chest and bawled her eyes out. Raven pulled Slade's dead corpse into her arms and tucked her face in the crook of his neck and began to cry. Her body shook with violent tears as she released all of her pain into one emotional display. "No. . .no this can't be it. I have so much to tell you." Suddenly Slade's eye opened wide then he took in a deep breath coughing loudly as he fought to breathe. He looked over at the woman who held his heart,

"Well spit it out already." Raven looked at him with wide eyes. Raising up he wiped her tears away and kissed her cheek smiling at her.

"I thought you were dead?" she whispered the tears yet streaming down her face.

"Remember that serum I took?" She nodded slowly "Well it made me immortal."

"What?" Cyborg asked truly puzzled.

"I can't die. My body heals at a rapid pace." He said looking at Starfire and Cyborg smiling. Slade looked back to a bewildered Raven, "I will never leave you." he whispered to her brushing her cheek with his thumb. She smiled at him throwing her arms around his neck. I love you Slade.

I love you too. She looked at him strangely, you heard my private thought?

I answered you didn't I?

That means we have a psychic link. She smiled bigger capturing his lips with her own. Cyborg cleared his throat,

"Not to interrupted or anything but we are in a fight ya know?"

"Sorry." Raven said blushing getting to her feet then helping Slade get to he's. Slade looked at the smiling Starfire,

"You okay?" he asked. She threw her arms around him squeezing him a bone crushing hug. He stiffened at this display,

"Oh yes, friend. I am alright!" Slade quickly broke free of her grasp,

"Don't you ever do that again." He bellowed, "At least not in public. I do have a reputation to keep. You damn Titans and Rebels are making me soft." he grumbled as he stalked off to find someone to kill. Raven just watched him walked away and shook her head, I love Slade Wilson. A borderline psychopath and ex-villain.

You forgot good looking. Raven looked to see Slade grinning at her and then began his onslaught on a group of soldiers. She frowned when she saw Angelus and General Saxton going head to head. When she saw General Saxton knock Angelus to the ground she flew full speed to help her 'cousin' in need.

"So! Are you going to join us or not!" The General said pushing the hill of his boot into Angelus chest further. He screamed out in pain as the General pushed even further. Saxton looked up to see Raven heading their way, "Speak of the demon. Look who's on their way to rescue you." Angelus turned his head in the direction the General was looking.

"No! Stay back Raven." But she was already there.

"Leave him alone you bastard!" Raven said her hands forming black orbs around them.

"Why if it isn't the gorgeous violet haired demon. Who are you today?" She responded with a black claw slamming the General into a tree on the far side of the battlefield. He shook his head to regain some sense of self. He growled when he heard Lord Dread laughing in his ear.

"I'm fine." she said kneeling down beside Angelus. "You are in bad shape." She said taking a survey of his injuries. Raven looked into his greenish grey eyes a worried looking in her violet ones. "Angelus?"

"Yes my purpureus (purple beauty in Latin)."

"I'm going to heal you okay, but I don't have much time before General Saxton get's back. So stay very still." He nodded that he understood. She placed a hand on his bare chest closing her eyes her energy flowed into him. He felt warm as she healed his body, he could literally feel the tissues mend back together. Angelus opened his eyes just in time to see General Saxton firing a rock at them. He pulled her into his arms and took to the skies as the rock went by. "Thanks." Raven said in her usual monotone.

"Don't mention it. I can't let anything happen to you." He said absently as he continue to hold her to him. Angelus looked down into her amethyst eyes, "Not my purpureus."

"One day you are going to have to tell me what that means."

"How touching!" General began from below them. Angelus let go of Raven regretfully though, "The love birds fly away on the wings of love."

"Shut your mouth burk!" Angelus yelled flying head first into the General but missed when the sadistic bastard sunk into the ground. Both Raven and Angelus looked for him. "Where did that bloody bastard go!"

"I don't know!" Raven moved around in the air looking for him. Suddenly she was pulled into a armor clad chest.

"Funny finding you up here." Saxton said pulling her roughly into his arms. He put his nose into the crook of her neck inhaling deeply, "You smell positively evil. And I do mean that in a good way." Raven struggled against her captor but stopped struggling when he pulled out a dagger with a mystically glowing green blade bring it to her throat. The blade glowed against the flesh of her neck.

"Let her go!" Angelus said flying to Saxton's boulder. "Please let her go."

"You come any closer pretty boy and the demon dies." He looked her in the eyes then said, "Not even you could heal from how deep I will cut you."

"This is between you and me, mate. Leave her out of this."

"Not really, she has everything to do with anything, but you do have a point. Take my offer and your little girlfriend can live, oh pardon me, your cousin."

"If I say yes to the offer you won't kill her? You mean you let her go?"

"Yes. I will not kill her and I will let her go."

"Then I will accept you offer."

"Swear it on your honor. And on the blood of the your kin." Angelus bit his lip then bowed his head,

"I swear it on my honor and kin. Now let her go."

"As you wish my prince." Raven looked back at General Saxton,

"Prince?"

"Yes. Prince." He looked over at the glaring Angelus. He simply chuckled at him.

"Keep your word you snake."

"As you wish!" Saxton rammed the green blade into Raven's abdomen.

Elsewhere on the battle ground Slade grabbed his stomach and doubled over in pain. Clutching his mid section he through bomb at the men he was fighting blowing them up,

"Shit!" he exclaimed falling to his knees as the pain intensified. He pulled his hand from his stomach to see if there was any blood, but found none. He looked around to see what was going on to see Raven in Saxton's arms with a blade in her stomach. "NO!" he ran full speed to reach her which was on the other side of the war ground. God please. I know we don't talk often if ever but let her be okay.

"NNNNNOOOOOOOO!" Angelus screamed as he began flying toward the two. Saxton scooped Raven into his arms,

"Stop right there young man!" Angelus stopped his eyes worried for Raven for she stopped moving as she hung limply in Saxton's arms. "Your father told me to tell you to come with me to the palace."

"I'm not going anywhere with you!"

"You will do as you are told! You made a pledge."

"You did not keep your word!"

"Raven isn't dead. And here I'm about to let her go." He looked down at the sleeping Raven smiling at her, "She really is beautiful. Here you go Prince." Angelus flew over to them carefully bring Raven into his arms. His stray tear dropped on to her pale face her breaths were shallow. "Get her to the Cree Infirmary so she can heal herself in peace. I'm going to pull my troops back. Your father wants you at the Consonance's Palace in an hour." He turned to leave,

"Oh and Prince?"

"Stop calling me that!"

"Ha ha. Don't be late, Prince." With that Saxton with his boulder flew higher into the air. Looking out across the war zone,

"Consonance's Soldiers! Pull back!" All fighting ceased and all the soldiers that were alive began to leave marching behind the General, who was floating on his boulder. Staring at the retreating army Angelus drifted to the ground slowly.

"What the hell happen to her!" Slade yelled checking Raven's pulse. Angelus looked at Slade with cold eyes,

"Saxton." Angelus said calmly turning away from Slade and began walking to a white bricked two story building.

"Where are you going with her?"

"To the Infirmary." He said just as coldly marching onward.

"Give her to me I will take her myself." Slade said placing a hand Angelus shoulder,

"Stay away from her." He growled sending a gust of wind to knock Slade back. Starfire caught him in her arms placing him back on the ground.

"What his deal? Oh no." Cyborg whispered when he saw Raven dangling in Angelus arms. Starfire instantly began to cry the others began to make their way to them.

"Angelus! What has happened to Raven!" Anya exclaimed flying over to him, but paused in mid air when Angelus growled,

"Stay away."

"Angelus let me help you get her to the Infirmary."

"No." His eyes dropped to slits. Anya looked hurt but persisted anyway she flew forward slowly,

"Angelus let me. ." she was stopped and flung away by a vicious air current, but was chased down by Starfire and caught.

"Stay back! All of you." he said narrowing his eyes at Slade. He took to the air and flew quickly to the Cree's hospital. Ericsson walked up after seeing the scene before him from afar,

"He has lost his mind."

"And I am going to help him find it!" Slade said taking off after them on foot. Anya's eyes weld with tears,

"And I shall assist him." She took to the air, "Slade!" she yelled offering an arm to him. He looked up then took her hand and they both flew away. The others looked amongst themselves then took after them.

So you liked it? I wanted to ask everyone do you want Sparkle to come back from the dead or leave her gone? Tell me in a review.

gracefulraven,

out