Welcome back ladies and dudes! We're back with another exciting addition of "Feelings" and things are about to heat up.

Last time we took a step back in time to when Raven defeated her father only to see maybe his defeat let something out. Did it? Also we saw Beast boy trying to win the heart of fair Raven, typical right? Then Robin did the unthinkable, he asked Beast Boy for help! Gasp! But he had to Titans have gone missing and they don't know where they are. Although we got a glimpse at Aqualad with his captor and it didn't look well. Lets see what happens.

This chapter is dedicated to Adrinsanne who has been an enormous supporter and provided a lot of feedback and tips for these stories. I hope you enjoy :)

And as usual thank you so much to all that read, follow and review. Please review and read :)

On with the Show

Chapter 2: Retired?

Denver, Colorado. Construction Site. 5 Days ago, when Aqualad was kidnapped.

The new twenty story building was going to be the new crown jewel of Denver business district, but unfortunately tonight it was a battlefield. To an outside perspective it wouldn't have been clear who was fighting who since both parties looked alike and was only on closer inspection that you'd be able to defferentiate the two.

On one end were two different groups of small agile dark creatures, one with slim purple and orange bodies, with large hands with three clawed fingers, large spikes on his back, and glowing orange eyes complete with razor sharp teeth. These creatures were lovingly called Imps, unlike their battle partners. The second set of creatures were just as small, but unlike their battle companions they were slightly more muscular, pointed ears, large gaping mouths with sharp teeth, and spiked bones along it's back. To round out the creatures frightening appearence each of it's four claws were jagged and dripping with flesh and blood, these were called Prowlers.

The creatures that the Imps, and Prowlers were up against however were much, much...much larger. They towered over their opponents with razor sharp claws, and powerful hind legs similar to a jungle cats, broad shoulders with a silver and purple skin tone. Probably the more terror enducing of these creatures were there large sharp toothed mouths, and skull like helmet that caused them to be eyesless. These Hell Knights fought against their smaller counterparts not caring for the damage they were causing around them, however the real action was happening on the roof of the unfinished structure.

An African-American man was pacing back and forth along the rooftop, small beeds of sweat dripping from his forehead. The sounds of his Imp's and Prowler's losing this fight only added to his frustration and anxiety. He didn't bother looking over the roof, he already knew he wasn't going to win this fight and if it wasn't for a spell that was keeping him grounded he would have been half way around the world by now. Oh well at least he had protection with him. Turning around he could see four of his personal body guards standing by.

The guards stood a menacing ten feet tall and covered head to toe in bronze metal armor coated with the blood and flesh of it's victims. It stood with no noticeable head or neck but a large metal piece in the center of it's chest that looked like a hatch. On it's looming shoulders it wore large spiked metal plates perfect for ramming and different forms of charging attacks. It's lower half looking like that of a powerful mixture of a Jungle Cat and a Goat, perfect for leaping incredible distances. The clunky creatures stood guard by their master, waiting for any orders to strike. The dark skinned man paced again, but suddenly he felt a different energy that wasn't like his own. It wasn't demonic.

He whipped around when he heard an enormous crash coming from underneath the roof knocking his Hell Guards off balance, wood splinters, rock and metal showering the man and his Guards. The armored Guards regained their footing in time to see another creature enter the fray. It landed in front of dark man spreading it's massive wings while wipping it's thick tail side to side in an attempt to make it's seven foot frame seem larger compared to it's ten foot tall opponents. It's long neck supported a horse-like head with a long snout and blood dripping down it's sword like teeth, it's glowing hazel eyes searched the man, and his guards. Much like the Hell Guards it wore a armor, a Dragon helmet on it's long head, body armor on it's chest, claw guards, along with neck and tail armor. It's iron like scales scared and jagged as a testement to it's battle prowess. Lastly, and mostly oddly, a chain hung around it's neck, a round teal ruby with a silver dragon wrapped around it, eminating power.

The man gave a half hearted laugh with a lop sided smile looking the Dragon up and down. "I see Landon sent in his attack dog."

The winged creature snorted, blowing thick smoke from it's snout and jaws, a loud hiss coming from it's throat that sounded like a mixture between a King Cobra, and a Crocodile. "You've lost Marbas." it hissed.

Marbas laughed, his eyes flashing to a pitch black. "Then I'll take you down with me." Marbas gestured to his Hell Gaurds. "Kill the last Dragon Knight if you please." The Hell Guards took positions around the Dragon.

The Dragon flicked the large armor guards on it's forearms extending swords. "Come on then." the Dragon growled.

Two of the guards charged but the dragon beat it's wings leaping over the them avoiding at least the first attack, but another leapt into the air wrapping it's massive arms around the dragon tackling it to the top of the roof causing them to tumble over the side and go plunging to the ground. The Guards metalic arms wrapped around the dragon pinning it's arms and wings to it's body keeping it from going airborn, so opening it's jaws it clamped down on the forearm that held him. With a simple twist and snap he cut the arm off completely and spat the appendage out of his mouth. With it's grip lessened, the dragon forced his wings open, spun around, and impaled the Guard through the armored hatch in the center of it's chest. Pulling the blade out, he pulled out a small wriggling worm like creature, then watched as the armored shell collapsed into a heap of useless metal.

The dragon kicked off the lifeless shell just as they were about to crash into the ground. Spreading it's wings swooping inches over the ground pulling up just before the collision, making sure to cut through a few Imps and Prowlers as it soared towards the top of the unfinished building.

One down three to go.

Each of the Hell Guards now held large Mace like weapons in their hands and charged for the dragon. One came down with it's weapon in it's right hand, but the dragon put it's left handed blade through the arm and cut it off at the bicep. The dragon spun around backwards with the severed arm still on it's sword, and slammed it into the armored hatch of another Guard. The dragon extracted it's sword from the removed appendage, spun again, sweeping it's tail under another Guard knocking it to the ground, rasing the sword from it's right arm, and sliced the Hell Guard through it's middle bringing the blade down. From the armored reckage, the dragon saw another wiggling worm cut in half, and finally ceased it's movements.

Two down.

The dragon retracted his swords and faced the two remaining Guards. One still had a severed claw sticking out of it's center hatch, and the other was getting to it's feet. It leapt towards the still injured Hell Guard, pushing the fist through the hatch knocking it onto it's back, once on the back it pushed the arm all the way threw once again squishing the worm pilot inside. In one more fluid motion the dragon leapt at the last Guard, claws at the ready, and plunged them into the center hatch. The dragon pulled apart the hatch, revealing the worm inside and once the cockpit was opened wide enough, the scales on the dragons belly, and neck began to glow a bright reddish orange, and with one breath released a stream of red hot fire into the housing unit for the small worm roasting it alive. The dragon stood atop the empty shell of the Hell Guard, smoke billowing from the armored compartment, and stared down Marbas.

The seven foot tall dragon hissed at Marbas who turned tail and sprinted away to the elevator shaft, but another man blocked his escape.

"Hello Marbas." he said in a thick british accent. "So hows that 'takeover of hell' thing going?" Marbas stepped back from the man in front of him, clearly afraid.

"Now Landon." Marbas said with his hands up in surrender. "The job for the King of Demons was up for grabs, I was just throwing my name in the hat-"

"By turning my armies against me?" The one called Landon growled. The roof of the building began to shake under an unknown force that couldn't be seen, but could be felt buckling and cracking the rooftop and threw around different objects.

"I know it was stupid." Marbas bumped into the armored chest of the Dragon behind him who was now looking down at him, continuing to hiss in its throat. The dragon behind him, Landon in front of him, Marbas was trapped, and beaten. "Okay. Okay." Marbas got to his knees. "I give."

Landon stopped his advance on Marbas, a small grin on his face. "Did you hear that?" he addressed the dragon. "He surrenders." Landon looked down at Marbas. "Now what should your punishment be?" Landon tapped his chin in thought.

"Please Landon execute me, make me an example, show all of hell who is in charge by putting my head on a stick for all to see." Marbas begged, fear beginning to overcome him.

Landon chuckled. "Nah." Landon leaned closer to Marbas so that his voice was in his ear. "I have a better idea. I'll still make you an example, but I am never going to let you die." A look of absolute horror came over him, but before Marbas could yell in protest, Landon waved his hand over the pathetic man causing a blast of black smoke to errupt from his mouth and travel down the building to the asphalt below. A gaping red and black swirling portal opened up excepting the black smoke into the firey depths below then closing.

The dragon watched as Landon approached the edge of the building, then with glowing crimson eyes he held his arms out over the army below. The creatures then became their noncopreal forms, and followed Marbas jumping inside a portal of swirling red and blacks until they were all back to where they came from.

Landon lowered his arms, his eyes returning to a dark lifeless brown, a smirk on his face and turned to the dragon. The necklace that dangled around the dragons neck began to glow a bright teal colored light the enveloped the dragon causing Landon to look away from the blinding light. Once it faded Landon looked back at the spot were the dragon once was and saw a young man with the same bright greenish brown eyes and the same necklace dangling by his chest.

"Well," the young man said, "that was fun."

5 Days Later. Lake Granby, Colorado.

Colorado wasn't the kind of place that got cold early in the year, and it being early September it was still warm enough that families could be seen enjoying the final days of summer. However one young man, that went by the name Drake Daniels, wasn't with a family, but still enjoyed the beauty Lake Granby had to offer, by himself. He didn't draw to much attention to himself, just a basic camping chair to lounge in, a cooler by his side filled with chilled beer and fresh jerky, bare feet in the cool sand, sunglasses over his bright hazel eyes, and a cool lake breeze. Around his neck was a small round teal colored rubies with a silver dragon wrapping around it protectively.

He looked over the water, paying no mind to the noise around him from the other families, and just watched the calm, stillness that nature had to offer. Of all things in life, nature was by far the most facsinating. One moment this whole forest could be burning to the ground and yet from the ashes would spring new life. It was incredibly resiliant, and would often remind this young man that there is still beauty in this world, even if he saw a lot of the ugly.

Next to him was another camping chair already set up, but remained unoccupied. He knew he was going to expect a visitor soon who was going to slap him with another assignment, but he held firm to the fact that he was no longer going to be running errands. Instead he wanted to retire and enjoy nature, see the mountains, see the lakes, see the earth. No more fighting

His ear twitched when he felt the air around him begin to change, almost like it was wrapping itself tighter around his chest. He felt a slight chill that was unnatural, and could feel his stomach drop. Had he been anyone else this may have bothered him, but ever since he awoke three years ago he was used to all of this. He reached into his cooler and pulled out a fresh beer and popped the tab and held it towards the empty seat and waited. A moment later there was a release of pressure and the bottle was taken from his hands.

"Thank you." came a british accent.

"Your welcome." Drake didn't look to his guest, but instead continued to stare out at the water. Even though he was ready to retire he was still curious as to what might be hiding underneath the waves.

Landon took a sip of beer also taking in the serenity of nature around him, though it was his attire that drew Drake's attention. He was dressed in a neatly pressed suit, shinned shoes, ironed pants and button up black shirt. His black hair neatly messy, and neat five o'clock shadow on his handsome face.

"So Drake," Landon gave Drake a charming smile, a smile that Drake was very familiar with, "are you ready for another gig?"

Drake let out a long breath knowing that this was coming. "Sorry Landon, but I'm retired. Five nights ago in Denver was my last hurray, now it's time to hang up my spurs."

Landon chuckled. "Com on Drake you know you had fun."

Drake rolled his eyes taking off his sunglasses looking over to Landon. "That's beside the point." Landon chuckled again a black mist appearing around his hand, then a manila folder appeared. Drake eyed the folder, but made no motion to to grab it. Looking at his friend, Drake could see a somewhat serious look on his face. Landon read Drake's expression seeing he was at least curious. "For this assignment, I need someone I can trust. Some that can handle this discreatly."

Drake abosorbed what he was saying. "Sorry Landon I can't." Drake put his glasses back on and leaned back knowing Landon wasn't done talking.

"Look Drake, I understand you want to stop fighting, but like I said I need someone I can trust on this-"

"Landon I get it, but i'm done. No more monsters, no more demons, no more ghosts, no...more." Both of them were quiet for a moment Landon still looking towards him. Finally Landon stood and walked over to the cooler that was placed on Drake's opposite side, and placed the folder on top of it.

"If your interested then." Landon said quietly. Drake didn't need to look at him, but he felt the air constricting then a release and Landon was gone. Drake continued to stare out into the distance, then glanced at the folder. Drake was retired now and wanted nothing to do with monsters, or demons or nothing.

But he didn't throw the folder away.

Titans Tower. Robin's office.

Robin rubbed his forehead with his index and thumb in an attempt to rub his frustration away.

"Rob did you hear me?" Robin looked back up to the computer screen, the somber face of his green teammate flashing across it.

"Sorry Beast Boy could you repeat that."

Beast Boy cleared his throat. "Mento has been keeping an eye on the Brotherhood and so far they are all still on ice and have nothing to do with the dissappearences."

Robin put his chin on top of his fists in thought. Damn they were our last contact. "Alright Beast Boy come on back."

Beast Boy paused a moment. "Rob is it okay if I stick around for a little bit? Just to visit?"

Robin took a moment to think. There wasn't much else Beast Boy could do at the tower so why not? "Sure, just be back later tonight." Beast Boy beamed showing off a toothy grin before the video feed cut out. Robin smiled, happy that his teammate was getting some family time, at least someone on the team had a family. He shut the computer off and continued to think. So far they had reached out to all of their contacts and so far none of them had any idea were the missing Titans were, he was down to one last option, one he wasn't excited about. He pulled out his communicater and opened up a three way call to his teammates.

"Robin to Raven, Starfire, and Cyborg meet me in my office. There's something we need to discuss." He didn't bother waiting for anyone to respond and shut his communicator.

The reactions of his teammates were mixed to say the least. Starfire's was expected with wide green eyes, her hands over her mouth in shock, and slightly trembling. Cyborg's mouth was wide open while his human, and robotic mind tried to search for the words to say. No one noticed Raven though. She turned around and began rubbing a pale hand against her heart thinking about the pain she experienced not only five nights ago, but over the course of the last month.

Cyborg was the first to break the silence.

"How could you keep this from us?!" he bellowed his face turning slightly red.

Robin, though slightly ashamed, kept his eyes down and arms crossed. "I didn't want anyone to worry, especially since we aren't sure were they are. They could just be away."

"Without their communicaters?" Cyborg barked.

"It makes sense." They turned to face Raven who was staring blankly at the wall. "Herald is dimension hopping, Argent and Hotspot were engaged, and Jerhico wondered off often. It would be safe to assume they were just gone."

"But what about friend Aqualad? Surely he dosen't do the dissapearing often?" Starfire asked keeping her clasped hands close to her mouth. The team was quiet slowly taking in the information, each with their own ideas what may have happened to their friends.

"I'm telling you now," Robin started, "because we are out of ideas and so far nothing has panned out." Robin turned to Raven now. "Raven I was hoping you would be able to help."

The sorceress turned to face him. "What can I do?"

Robin approached her. "You found me when I went ballistic because of Slade's gas. Do you think you could do the same for Aqualad?"

Raven thought for a moment looking into the eyes of her friends who were looking at her with hopeful expressions.

"It's possible. I mean I havn't done something on that large a scale before, but I guess if I focus on one spot like the werehouse district, then I should be able to."

Robin but an index finger to his chin in thought. "That would be a good place to start. What do you need?"

"Just give me some time to meditate and focus my powers. This is a tall order and I need to be prepared." Raven left Robin's office and headed back towards her own room. "I'll contact you all when I feel I am ready." Everyone watched the empath until she snuck away into her room. Now they just had to wait.

Darkness had fallen over Jump City when Beast Boy had arrived back from seeing his family in Brazil. It was the first time he had seen them since the BrotherHood and wouldn't let him leave until he promised to visit more often. After pinky promising, and crossing his heart and hoping to die, they finally released him to go home. As much as he missed his family with the Doom Patrol, he couldn't help but feel his heart swell with happiness when he saw the tower in the distance, and the thought of his new family inside.

The video games, and lighthearted arguing with his best friend Cyborg, being mentored by Robin, the Boy Wonder, avoiding Starfire's food like the plauge (and he was ninty percent positive that it was), and attempting to woo the hardened empath. He couldn't help the little flutter of his heart when he thought about her. Or the dreamy look in his eye that made him almost miss landing at the tower.

After docking his pod he headed for the common room.

"I'm back." He said loudly, which caused someone to fall to the floor with a yelp. Heading over to the couch he could see Raven on the floor rubbing her behind with the rest of his team standing over her. "Uh...am I missing something?"

Before Raven could bite his head off Robin approached Beast Boy. "They know Beast Boy. I told them all about Aqualad and the others."

Beast Boy's ears drooped, Raven forgetting her anger as she got back to her feet. "O-Oh...ok..."

"We are hopping friend Raven may be able to find them." Starfire said with a hopeful, yet small smile.

Beast Boy raised a brow. "That's what we were in the middle of when you shouted." Raven brushed herself off glaring at the changeling.

He gave a sheepish grin. "Heh. Sorry."

"Whatever. Just stay quiet." Raven straightened herself then floated in mid-air in the lotus position. He cloak hiding her body leaving only her head exposed. "I'll explan again for Beast Boy's sake. I have formed bonds with all of those that I call my friends, they are stronger with all of you of course, and exsist with the other Titan members as well. As a sorceress I am able to actually locate and see the bonds I have formed sort of like actually seeing the connections I've made. That is how I'm going to find him." The rest of her team hung back and watched with interest as she took a few deep breaths. Then finally.

"Azarath, Metriooon, Ziiiiiiiiiiinthoooooooos..." Raven felt her soul self leave her body and take flight over the tower.

Now if I were a villain I would likely be at the werehouse district, she thought to herself. She aimed for the edge of town by the waterfront were most werehouses had been either abandoned or waiting to be leased. Raven had formed different sorts of bonds with each of her friends, all of different digrees. Robin for example was a bond of respect and admiration, Starfire a sister like bond, Cyborg a brother, Beast Boy...was...Beast Boy...? Anyways Aqualad was a slight crush-ish, sort of bond, but also respect for his heroic prowess. Either way this bond is what she was searching for as she floated over the decrepit buildings. She wanted to try this method ever since she began experiencing chest pains on random nights. After a thourough meditation session she learned that her bonds with her friends were in trouble.

And so she searched...until she found it.

It was faint, almost like a small candle flickering in a light breeze, but it was there so she raced towards it. She could see only some things as she searched for her friend, seeing as she was in her soul form she couldn't register to much, but she saw enough to know where he was. She floated over the building, then through the halls and rooms until she found his energy as it continued to flicker in the wind.

"Aqualad?" she called out to his mind.

She couldn't see his face, just his aura, so she quickly had to enter his body if she wished to communicate with him.

Big mistake...

Back in the tower, her teammates watched the sorceress float in place, bobbing slightly. None of them knew what to do, since they had only seen her do this once with Robin, but they trusted her to be okay.

Until her body jerked slightly as if she was in pain, calling everyone's attention.

"Raven?" Beast Boy made an attempt to approach her, but his team leaders grip on his shoulder stopped him.

"Don't disturb her." he said, but he was just as worried.

Her team could see her eye balls moving underneath her eyelids as if she was in a deep sleep, they could see her chest rising and falling as her breathing become more erradic. They felt helpless watching her begin to sweat until finally...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The empath let out a earpiercing scream, her eyes flashing a bright white, her powers lashing out of her body in all directions, shattering windows, ripping apart furniture, cracking the walls, and still she screamed in pure horror. Her team took cover as the empath fell to the floor, continuing her blood curdling screams.

"What's happening?" Starfire shouted over the chaos.

"I don't know!" Robin responded.

"We got to calm her down. Any ideas?" Cyborg asked. No one noticed Beast Boy leap from their hidding spot and sprint to the demoness. He ignored the blasts her power shot at him, the burns to his body, and craddled her head in his hands, still she screamed. Beast Boy's sensitive ears were ringing at this point and was starting to give him a headache, but he had no idea how to stop her. So being Beast Boy he thought back to his gamestation, if it's broken a few good wacks would fix it right up. Praying Raven wouldn't skin him alive when she came to, he removed his glove and slapped her as hard as he could across her face.

She stopped instantly.

Everything fell to the floor, the tower stopped shaking and cracking, nothing broke or exploded, just quiet. Raven lay supine on the floor, the white in her eyes fading back to a familiar violet, while her teammates approached cautiously looking down at her. Her eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling, until Beast Boy brought his bare hand down to her reddened face.

"Rae...Raven?" He called. She didn't acknowledge him at first then slowly turned her gaze to look at him blinking a few times. He smiled, thankful that she was at least responsive, but it faded when tears started flowing from her eyes. She broke out into an uncontrolable sob and lunged forward wrapping her arms around the nearest comforting thing she could find.

In this case it was Beast Boy.

Once her arms were around his neck, and her head was in his chest she let the floodgates open and began to cry all over his uniform. An uncontrolable, terrified cry that made her whole petite frame shake with terror.

A couple hours later Raven was still trembling in Beast Boy's arms and every time he made a move to release her, she tightened her grip around his neck and didn't remove her crying head from his shoulder, so he stayed on the floor, the trembling demoness in his arms. Normally this would be a dream come true for the changeling, but given the circumstances he couldn't enjoy it.

Robin and Cyborg were busy cleaning up the kitchen when Cyborg whispered to his team leader. "Rob, any ideas on what the hell happened?"

Robin dumped some glass into the trashcan. "I don't know. We've seen Raven scared before, but that..." he shook his head, "that was complete and total..."

"Guys." Beast Boy got everyone's attention and they ran to his side. Raven's cries had subsided into soft whimpers and seemed to be mumbling something they couldn't make out.

"What's she saying?" Robin asked.

Beast Boy listened again. "Warehouse 66."

They had been in a lot of abandoned buildings before but this one by far was the creepiest. Robin and Cyborg tore out of the tower seconds after the words left Beast Boy's mouth, Starfire and Beast Boy stayed behind with Raven who was still trembling with fear.

"Quick question?" Cyborg asked, the light on his shoulder showing illuminating the darkness.

Robin held his flashlight searching the opposite end. "Yeah?"

"Raven doesn't get scared easily, and the few times she has been scared she's been able to kind of deal with it. The question is, what did she see to make her run into the arms of Beast Boy?"

Robin was quiet for a moment, then through the darkness Cyborg heard him respond. "I've been wondering the same thing." The darkness of the warehouse seemed to consume them wraping tightly around their chest making it somewhat difficult to breath. "Cy, what the temperature read out?"

Cyborg checked the scanners on his arm. "Temperature seems normal, a cool seventy-t-" Cyborg froze. "70...68...65. The temperature is dropping fast."

"Then we must be close. Do you smell that?"

Cyborg took a sniff of the air. "Smells like rotten eggs."

"Yeah..." Both boys walked down the darkened hall the temperature dropping, the smell getting worse, the darkness weighing on their shoulders. Looking down Robin could make out faint shoe prints on the floor...prints soaked in blood. He followed the trail which led to a closed door. "Cyborg." Robin motioned with his head towards the door. Cyborg and Robin opened the door and was hit with a waft of a rancid smell of rotten eggs, and rotting fish. Both of their hearts sank as Cyborg lit up the small room with the light on his soulder a metal table in the center of the room, blood soaked hair drapping over the back of the head rest.

They both froze in place, they had no idea how long they stood there for, but they knew they had to go in, but neither of them wanted to take the first step.

"Rob-"

"I'll do it." Robin's face was set in stone, but Cyborg saw the tiniest bit of trembling in his lower lip. Robin stepped into the darkness of the room taking in as much detail as possible, his detective instincts working into overdrive, after all it was better then the truth that one of his friends was dead. One thing he didn't notice, taking his eyes off the table, that whoever was there left in a hurry. Knives were still bloody and scattered all over the metal table at the side of the room. There was a broken lightbulb on the ground, and blood dripping into an enormous pool underneath the table. Robin couldn't help it anymore, tears began flowing from his eyes the closer he got.

He turned around to look at the table and he fell to his knees in tears.

What he didn't see through his tear stained his eyes was three knives sticking out of Aqualad's chest, each pinning to a photograph. One was of Herald, one was of Jericho and the last was of Hotspot and Argent, their hands clasped together. They were all dead.

I'm sorry to all those that are fans of these various charactors but their is a method to the madness I swear! Next time we track the monster who killed them.

See ya then.

Again read and review :)