Merry Christmas everyone! It's been awhile but before pulling out the torches and pitchforks I have a really good excuse, heh heh . . . a touch of the writer's block but gracefulraven's mind is unlocked now and it's time to bring this story to a close, but not in this chapter but very soon. I want to thank everyone that has stood by this story without your comments none of this would have been possible so I humbly say thank you. I started writing this chapter on my birthday, October 5 but I wanted to put the new story on instead. Since I've made you wait so long I wanted to make this chapter the best I've ever written, I hope you like it! Enough of my drivel story on!!!

Disclaimers: Shut-up! I know already!!

Chapter 20: Sub-Zero!

The rain poured mercilessly from the angry clouds above, beating down the poor souls below as they trudge through the thick mud. Four strong males carried a large beautifully designed ivory sarcophagus made of the finest marble, they were lead by a floating figure carrying a scepter clothed in all white. Behind them was the Rebels and the entire Amity army, or what was left of them, the people of Jump Town, and every single Cree alive. The Crees were lead by the mighty Chief Black Wolf, Sparkle's father, a strong face of weathered years etched in each line was crowned by long raven colored hair soaked from root to tip, his powerful bare broad shoulders holding up metallic shoulder pads the black leather straps cris-crossing across his muscular bare torso a bright orange cape connected to the shoulder pads flutter behind him in the wind. He led them proudly his head held high as they trudged along. The wet earth made sickening slurping sounds under their feet as they plowed forward.

Slade sent Ericsson a glance from the other side of the sarcophagus they were carrying, which Ericsson caught and returned. All of the Rebel males shaved the sides and the back of their head in honor of their fallen compatriot. Slade cut his long hair to rest above his ears. The longer front was haphazardly falling into his eye as they swayed carrying the heavy burden. He felt Raven's discomfort through their bond, although her face held normal disinterested. He also felt through Raven Anaya's sorrow and it bothered him immensely. Raven is making me soft. I'm starting to care about people. He grumbled within his mind.

Behind him was Cyborg, Victor, with an unusual sullen look on his normally happy face. He felt so many things; anger, sorrow, and worst of all fear. Cyborg felt the sensation of the rain on his newly recreated flesh and found it invigorating, but he quickly put those selfish feelings aside and returned to the matter at hand. Cyborg felt Sparkle's spirit stirring within him and he tried to calm her as best he could. His mind traveled back to last night when he was training with Head Elder Bradstone, Victor you will need to learn to calm her inside of you or both of you will go insane, the wise man spoke to him, his brown eyes twinkled as they burned into the half metal man. Cyborg returned to the now looking to his left, he saw Claude with a stone mask of solidity, but he was anything but solid.

Rocky, Claude, was a mess inside, he just wanted to die. He felt a tightness in his chest but took a deep breath to settle the searing pain, he'd cried enough last night. Yoko held him in her arms as he cried for another woman, he loved her even the more for that. Claude looked at Cyborg to find the newly conjoined man staring at him. They shared a nod before he turned his sights to rest in front of him. Claude from then on kept his stone gaze on the figure in front of him, Ericsson.

Ericsson's usually happy ocean blue eyes were sad, he felt so much guilt. He looked to the heavens and sighed the rain was not in the forecast today, but he suspected Anaya was the reason for the downpour. He knew she was still trying to adjust to her new powers but he also knew how terribly miserable she felt. He could not help but feel responsible for her pain, which was silly he could not predict the future, at least not that well for he was still in training. He looked ahead of him to see his grandfather, Head Elder Bradstone, leading the way to Sparkle's final resting place.

Raven and Anaya levitated above the muddy ground beneath them holding hands. Raven's face held her famous emotionless expression but inside she felt troubled. Not for Sparkle but for her friends, no her family, what if Angelus killed Anaya, Starfire, or Cyborg? She did not know Sparkle and that was the truth, she felt sorry for Anaya and the other's pain but she just could not relate.

Raven shifted her gaze to the ground, she had to admit she was missing Robin. He seemed to just always know what to do. Slade was great, everything she could ever want in a mate, but in their world he was still a criminal. Does that really mean anything here? Robin would never understand why she allowed Slade to help her, in fact he would probably rejected her for just the thought of Slade touching her. Robin haunting her dreams was becoming less and less profound. The feelings she felt for him were not like the ones she felt for Slade. What does it all mean? Do I love Slade? Do I no longer love Robin? Raven continued to war with herself as they continued their forward march.

Looking to the rain of her creation, Anaya cursed herself for not having better control of her emotions, but Sparkle was like a sister. How could Angelus kill her? What was going on with him? She looked over at Raven and was envious. How is that she's able to maintain that face of disinterest when she too was troubled? Anaya bowed her hair matted head in slight defeat and a new resolve entered her heart, Angelus must be stopped at all cost!

Starfire was basically carrying the weeping Yoko as they floated over the muddy waters below. Yoko's head was tucked under Starfire's chin as she moaned in emotional pain. Starfire's own tears found their way down her cheeks but she knew she had to be strong for Yoko. Starfire looked over her shoulder to see Bo and Blaze behind her floating above the thick mud. Blaze looked so numb as she caught Starfire's gaze and gave a weak smile that the normally bubbly alien returned.

Blaze was sailing above the mud by Bo's elemental powers, her kind heart aching. She laced her fingers with Bo warranting a look from him. He pulled her into his arms he knew she was hurting and offered her the support she needed. Blaze was a proud woman and would not let the others see her pain but they knew, they knew just how emotional Blaze could become. Bo placed a kiss on her orange and red wet matted hair as he became the anchor for the most difficult women on the planet with a smile.

Bradstone finally brought them to a stop, before him was a gaping hole that would forever be the resting place of Sparkle. He walked around the hole turning to view the procession. The men carrying the sarcophagus placed it on the platform that would lower it into the ground. Then joined the crowd that was now gathered around.

"Sparkle was a fierce warrior, a obedient daughter, and a loyal friend . . ." at this Blaze broke down into tears hiding her face with in Bo's black leather trench coat. Yoko, who was standing beside her, rubbed her back to comfort her.

"Sparkle will be missed." Bradstone finished catching the eye of Chef Black Wolf. The proud Cree puffed out his chest his face was stone to the words spoken to them. Bradstone shifted his gaze to the sarcophagus, waving his scepter, it began magically lowering into the ground. The Crees began murmuring an ancient Cree prayer as the sarcophagus descended further to its destination. The rain poured harder and colder as it seared the skin of everyone. Anaya's shoulders shook violently as her own tears fell like a broken dam. Ericsson pulled her into his arms holding her tightly.

When the Crees finished their prayer and began chanting and dancing. The men of the tribe leaped high into the air in a circle as the women kneeled to the ground their foreheads becoming one with the mud in a larger circle around the males. There in the center was Chief Black Wolf his eyes were closed as he fell to his knees.

The Amity Army and the Rebels looked on in fascination at the ceremony taking place. Raven linked her fingers with Slade's never taking her eyes off of the Crees. Slade looked down at her admiring her beauty as she took in all that was going on then turned back to the Crees.

Chief Black Wolf began convulsing a bright light erupting from the center of his chest, from within the circle as the Cree's shouts and chants hit a crescendo. A furry snout began trying to pierce through the chief's chest till the face of a black wolf poked its head out looking deliriously at everyone. The wolf pushed its front legs and upper torso out of the chief. Chief Black Wolf threw his head back letting out a painful yell as the wolf pulled itself all the way out. The Cree men stopped leaping falling to their knees and bowing their heads too.

The wolf stalked around in the circle then walking to the chief brushing up against his mended chest, Chief Black Wolf patted the wolf's head as it made whimpering sounds. The wolf then walked out of the circle to Sparkle's grave. Bradstone gave the wolf a slight bow as he moved out of its way. The black wolf threw back its head letting a pain riddled howl out it then bowed its head in sorrow its fur becoming matted by the rain pour. Bradstone walked over to the Rebels standing next to Ericsson. The Head Elder got a really bad feeling that things would never be the same after this day.

The black wolf suddenly began growling as it looked around for the threat. It growled fiercely looking to the north of the grave yard, and there in the distance stood two men one with a hand tucked in his breast plate the other was immersed within a black cape.

"Oh my . . . it would appear we are late are we not General?"

"It would appear so, my lord." Both men stood a few feet away from the crowd with broad smirks on their faces.

"What are you doing here, Dwight?" Bradstone asked his voice very even but threatening.

"Hello, father. It has been a long time. How have you been?"

"Leave this hollowed ground Dwight!" Bradstone bellowed his brown eyes flashed dangerously. The sound of constant thunder resounded around the graveyard as Angelus drifted from the skies a sadistic smile on his face. His wings hooked around his shoulders like a cape when he landed.

"Or what old man? You will bless us to death?" The three men laughed hysterically as the crowd took in Angelus new appearance. The man that once protected them had now betrayed them forever.

"Angelus, what have you done to yourself?" Anaya whispered in astonishment. Raven looked to Anaya speaking with her telepathically, "He is now a full blooded demon. He is lost to you now." Anaya looked Raven square in the eyes speaking back with her mind,

"Then he must be stopped at all cost!"

"I am with you all the way."

"Angel you have let him change you?" Bradstone almost pleaded with him.

"Yes . . . for the better. I'm stronger than I have ever been."

"Angelus you must stop this . . . this insanity!"

"My name is Lord Trepidation! Don't you ever forget it!" he growled viciously. His eyes were slits as he glared at the man that raised him as his own. "And I am going to destroy you old man." Anaya became very angry her eyes the color of glaciers the weather began to change for the worst. Thunder clapped loudly deafening everyone, the lightening flashed across the gray colored skies. Everyone that was around her backed away as her rage boiled on to uncontrollable levels.

"Angelus!!!" she yelled grabbing the attention of everyone in the vicinity. Angelus looked past Bradstone a broad smile creased his face,

"Sister dear! I love what you've done with your hair and the costume as well."

"Angelus you will answer for your crimes!" she bellowed startling everyone with her voice change. Angelus looked for a moment pointing to himself before bursting into a boisterous laughter.

"I think not!" his own voice deepening with demonic powers. He glared at her menacingly, "No one tells me what to do." He then turned his gaze to Raven a smile returning to his lips, "Hello, my purpureus. You are looking more beautiful than ever. Long hair suits you immensely." He said with a bow.

"I agree with you Lord Trepidation . . . Anaya is looking positively delightful as well." Lord Dread licked his lips at the two women. Ericsson stepped in front of Anaya shielding her from the evil Lord's gaze.

"What do you want Dread?!" Ericsson's ocean eyes flashed dangerously. Anaya placed a hand on Ericsson's arm pulling him back gently. Lord Dread put a hand over his heart,

"Son . . . you wound me. No love for dear old Dad?"

"Go to hell."

"I have been there and it is quite nice, actually. You should go some time." Yoko's body began trembling in a silent rage, but went totally unnoticed by the Rebels around her.

"Maybe I will send him father." Angelus frowned at Ericsson as he took a few paces forward.

"You think you can take me Angelus? When you so clearly couldn't before." Yoko head tilted toward the ground her anger yet rising as the water on the earth began hovering above the surface.

"Shut your mouth! You have never defeated me in a sparring match."

"You are a liar, Angel. You have never defeated me, and everyone here knows that. You cod!"

"We shall see . . . " Angelus paused giving Ericsson a grim expression, "brother!"

"Angel!!!" Yoko screamed as all the water that was hovering above the ground exploded blowing everyone back. Yoko began floating on a small wave that was dragging her across the muddy ground beneath her. All eyes were on her and all eyes were wide as they witnessed Yoko's angry powers. The water began swirling around her lithe body her short ebony colored hair drenched her single long braid above her right ear wrapped around her neck like a small snake resting.

"I do believe the wimp is angry with me . . . " he looked to General Saxton a sincere look in his eyes, "do you have a change of underwear? I think I have shite myself." The three men laughed again. The water on the ground where Angelus was standing turned into a hand entrapped him holding him captive.

"Do not mock me, Angelus. You will pay for what you did to Sparkle!" The watery prison began crushing him as Yoko closed her hand, but he began fighting against the pressure of the water. Yoko sent water into his nose and mouth for his trouble, she growled angrily at Angelus from within his soon to be water tomb.

"Yoko! Yoko stop it! You don't want to be a killer. It isn't you!" Cyborg yelled in Sparkle's voice to get her attention. She stopped crushing Angelus to look around at Cyborg.

"I have to do this. It must be done."

"Not on my watch!" General Saxton pulled mud from the ground forming a muddy boulder above Yoko unbeknownst to her as she continued drowning Angelus. Just as the muddy boulder was about to fall Claude stopped it and the two men began a power struggle over the muddy burden. General Saxton over powered Claude and Starfire flew in throwing Yoko and herself out of the way, dropping Angelus in the process. The two girls slid across the mud coming to halt in front of an unmarked tombstone.

"Friend! Are you unharmed?" Starfire asked as she began checking Yoko over. Yoko looked at Starfire a gentle smile tugging at her lips,

"Yes. I am unharmed, Star. Thank you. I don't know what came over me?"

"And my dear you will not live to find out." The demented General said as he loomed over them. Starfire shot him with her eye beams sending him across the graveyard. Lord Dread took flight hovering above the everyone,

"MEN! ATTACK!" out of nowhere hundreds of Consonance soldier flooded the graveyard. The Amity soldiers, who were not elementals, prepared their weapons for battle mentally picking their opponent before they arrived. The Cree battle cries rang out in loud shrills as they too prepared themselves. The Cree spiritual/elemental animals sprang forth from them; spiritual bears, snakes, and all other animals of our world and theirs manifested themselves.

Slade reached into one of his pouches removing his bo staff pressing the button it stretched to its normal length. He noticed a Consonance soldier charging at him over his shoulder. Slade whipped around slamming the staff into the soldiers stomach knocking the wind from him. Three other soldier ran into help their fallen compatriot and they received just what they fallen one had. He struck one soldier in the face breaking his nose, and turned around hitting another in the arm instantly breaking the bone. The last solider tackled Slade they both fell to the ground sliding a few feet crashing into a tree. Soldier punched Slade in the kidney getting a painful yelp from Slade. The ex-villain threw his head back butting the man in the chin the force dislocating his jaw. The soldier fell backward to the ground Slade struck the man in his dislocated jaw snapping it back into place with a pop. The soldier passed out from the pain of it all as Slade moved on to his next victim.

A group of soldiers advanced on Bo as he stood their smirking at them. He outstretched a hand calling upon a powerful gale slinging them across the graveyard. Bo noticed Claude was struggling with the demented General. They both fighting over a tree trunk with their powers and Claude was failing. He saw Starfire in a nearby fight,

"Star!" she turned at the call of her name her eyes falling on Bo. She followed his gaze to the battle going on between Claude and General Saxton turning back to Bo she gave him a firm nod. They both of them flew in, Bo unleashed a forceful wind chunking the General away from Claude and Starfire sent a barrage of star-bolts at him. When the smoke cleared, the General was still trying to pick himself up off of the ground. Claude gave them the thumbs up then other two went their separate ways.

Cyborg levitated above the a group attempting to attack him with his human arm he sent electricity to the ground they were standing on shocking them. He noticed Ericsson standing on the ground by another group so he used his trusted Sonic Cannon to annihilate them. Their screams died in the blast as quickly as it began. In the distance Cyborg noticed Angelus creeping up on Yoko.

"Yoko! Look out!" Cyborg yelled to get her attention but he was too far away. He sent a large electrical bolt at the full bloodied demon. Angelus turned just in time to see it with an outstretch hand he caught it and sent it back to the unsuspecting Cyborg, who was knocked unconscious falling from the sky hitting the unforgiving ground below.

"Cyborg!" Starfire flew to his side lifting him from the battle taking him to a safe place away from danger. Then charged Angelus, who was now attacking Yoko and winning. Angelus jumped over the alien with a haughty chuckle, setting his sites back on Yoko. Yoko crouched on the ground on her hands and knees as she tried to get back to her feet. Angelus kneed her in the stomach, the wind was knocked from her lungs. He then grabbed her by her neck choking the life from her.

"Yoko . . . tell me . . . how much of the human body is water?" Yoko kicked at him as she tried to breathe. "You aren't going to answer me? How rude." Angelus mocked as he laughed at his own joke. "Yoko . . . I know you always had a thing for me, didn't you? Of course you did!" he said with a chuckle as he answered his own question. "Yoko . . . I'm going to tell you a secret." Yoko gagged as her eyes began rolling to the back of her head. "Wait! Wait don't pass out yet." he dropped her to the ground. She wheezed and gagged as she fought to breathe but he put a boot clad foot on her back so that she could not get away. She struggled under his boot to free herself.

"Let me go Angelus!" He applied more pressure to her back she cried out in pain when she heard a popping sound.

"My name is Lord Trepidation! Okay! Now, are you listening?" she nodded her head in understanding and he took the pressure off a little. "There is more to my new powers and I want you to be the first to kno" he suddenly felt tired as if the life was being drained right out of him.

"Yoko get out of here." Raven, whose eyes were pitch black and spider veins bulged all over her darkened gray skin, said to her Yoko nodded in understanding as she took off. Angelus fell to one knee as he looked around at the one he was in love with.

"Purpureus. What a wonderful surprise."

"Save it Angelus. You and I both know that I can stop you." He looked at her a smile graced his lips as he sat on the muddy ground looking up at her.

"I can agree that you have the potential to stop me but will you is the proper question."

"I think I can manage." She growled sucking in more of his life force. Angelus laughed again raising to his feet walking over to her blackened eyes watching his every movement. He leaned down capturing her lips with his own and her transferred his powers to her and instantly she felt cold to the point her body became stiff. She tried to pull away from him but he held her to him bombarding her with cold. She encased his body with her dark powers flinging him away. He crashed through the roof of one of the mausoleums. He landed on one of the crypts and the skeleton fell next to him. Angelus looked at the body a moment before raising to his feet.

"That is my kind of woman." he said with a smile before shooting through the hole in the roof of his creation.

Raven stumbled about before falling to her knees. Slade was by her side in moments lifting her into his arms dashing from the battle to put her with Cyborg, who was still unconscious.

"Are you alright?" he said in his typical dry voice. She rubbed her head trying to clear out the voices that she picked up from her lip lock with Angelus. "Raven! Are you okay?" he said giving her a slight shake.

"Yes. Yeah Slade I'm fine." she answered as blood ran from her nose and her eyes rolled to the back of her head as she tried to focus.

"No you are not. I'm going to find Bradstone stay here."

Claude and the General continued battling. The young hero finally was getting the upper hand on the evil man. Having thrown the General into deep pit, Claude could not find him. He searched fiercely for the General his head turning in every direction. Claude became worried something was not right.

"Where are you?! You treacherous snake!" Claude felt an arm grab his shoulders holding him still then he felt a quick sharp pain glide across his neck.

"I'm right behind you." General Saxton said pushing Claude forward. Claude fell to his knees one hand holding his neck and the other holding him up. "What's the matter Rocky? Cat got your tongue?"

"You won't get away with this." General snickered,

"My dear boy . . . I already have." Claude fell on his side his eyes rolling to the back of his head as he took his last breaths in life.

"Yoko . . . I lo love you." The strong Earth elemental died a hero.

"Humph . . . they die so young." With that the General went on to his next victim.

Bradstone stood by a tree as he conjured his mystic powers to aid the Rebels in their battle. Unknown to him Lord Dread drifted down behind him,

"Father! Have you missed your son?" Head Elder Bradstone turned around his honey eyes blazing in a quiet furry.

"My son died 25 years ago. I do not know who you have become Dwight."

"I am a Lord. I am feared and respected as I should."

"Feared? Yes. Respected? No. You are a coward."

"And you are a dead man walking." Lord Dread outstretched a hand mentally grabbing Bradstone by the neck choking him. The older man coughed as he began attacking Lord Dread's mind with painful telepathic probes. Dread screamed out dropping his victim as Bradstone ripped his mind apart.

"I am sorry . . . my son but I have to stop you."

"Father . . . please." Bradstone closed his eyes as tears sprang to them running down his weathered face,

"I can not my son I hope that your soul finds rest. I love you." Bradstone gasped as he was impelled by an ice cicle through the heart. The Head Elder turned around to see Angelus standing there mist swirling about his hand. "Why?" was the elders question as he fell to the ground.

"Thanks son." Lord Dread said between labored breaths as he eyed the old man on the ground.

"Anytime."

"I think I can handle it from here Lord Trepidation." With a nod Angelus returned to battle. Lord Dread walked over to his father kneeling down studying his still form his chest rising and falling slowly,

"Well . . . at least it was not I who delivered the death blow." Lord Dread said with a shrug. Just as he was about to leave he was struck full on by lightning.

"Stay away from him!" Anaya yelled from the skies he looked at her a small smile creasing his face,

"Hello beautiful . . ." he said between labored breaths, "how are you."

"You are going die tonight, Dread."

"I do love it when you talk dirty to me darling." Dread looked past her to see General Saxton creeping up on her but she felt his presence and grabbed him in a barrier leaving Dread just enough time to stab her in the neck with a sedative she fainted immediately falling into his arms.

"One down one more to go." Dread said sweeping her up taking to the skies. He found Raven to the far corner in a fetal position. "General would you please acquire our other guest?"

"Certainly my lord." General called upon a boulder to lifting him into the skies carrying him over the battle. Looking for his son, Dread found him quickly, "Trepidation now!"

"Do you have her?" Angelus called back to his father.

"Yes! Do it, do it now!" Angelus released a massive amount of power targeted for everyone that was not apart of the Consonance Army. They were instantly frozen in place completely covered in ice.

"Damn . . . it worked." General Saxton said more to himself than aloud. Raven stirred in his arms he looked down to see her eyes roll to the back of her head. Angelus looked proudly at his handy work.

"It would appear I am about to get everything I want."

I hope you enjoyed the new chapter! I apologize again for how long I made you wait for a new chapter. This story is about to come to a close and again I want to thank everyone that has ever reviewed. Merry Christmas and to all a good night!

gracefulraven,

out!