I do not own the Teen Titans or any other DC Universe character.

Chapter 13

Darkness has always been feared by many for reasons unknown to them. The streets of the city were particularly dark as a series of disappearances was taking place at for several months now. Down a dark alley the sounds of muffled screams are heard." Worry not daughter of man." Said a shadowy figure, which now grips a woman around her mid-twenties, desperately fighting for life. Her skin begins to get paler as she feels the darkness of the figure burn in her veins." It won't hurt for much longer…" he voice, slithered and hexed with every whisper, the sound of the women's muffled grew louder as she began to shake hysterically as her eyes turned to ash, her skin now snow white, clinging tightly to her bones as if she were dead for a while." oops, I lied." He let out a small chuckle, tossing his newest victim to the side." Its time…Rise my children, spare no one." He said as several red eyes suddenly emerged from the darkness.

…...

"They will all die Darren…just like last time…" A dark fog fills a room consuming everything in sight. Screams of men, and Women, the old, and the young, all screaming for the release of death.

" I will consume you, just as I consumed him…" A face suddenly slides from the darkness with a grin full of sharp teeth, dripping blood." And like me, you shall never see light again." The face then lunges like a lion consuming it's pray. Darren eye shoot open, blade in hand he sits up and scans the room. As he begins to regain his senses, he wipes the cold sweat from his brow; he dispersed his sword, and then began to breathe slowly trying control the rapid beating of his heart. He suddenly felt something heavy in the air as his eyes began to glow a bright green, the feeling was so intense it almost brought him to his knees, as he felt the air on the back of his neck stand, as wave after wave of dark aura loomed in on him." He's here…" He quickly rushed to his closet and rushed his costume on then ran to his work desk, grabbing a small black zip-up bag. He then reached for his Titans Communicator, but his hand began to tremble with hesitation. He remembered what he was told in his dream.' They will all die…Just like last time…' Those words rung deep in his mind, striking fear in his heart. The cold sweat began form again over his face, he retracted his shaking hand." I'm going to let that happen again. Never again." He lifted his mask over his face, followed by his hood over his head. He quickly ran to the roof of the Tower to get a good glimpse of the city. As he stood and felt the wind against his face, he stared on at the city then closed his eyes. Visions began to flood his mind, of shadows creeping the streets, the aura of darkness all around them then suddenly a scream. His eyes shot open as he jumped high in the air, he brought his feet behind him and in a blue flash he was launched himself to the city.

(The city)

"We need back-up, on 10th and Washington north now!" yelled a cop over his car radio, as he fired his hand-gun at a walking pale man with glowing red eyes. The bullets dug deep inside the man's chest, causing him to stop for a moment looking down at his wound. The Officer looked on in shock that the man was still standing, as did his partner. The Pale man eyes then shot up quickly as he then rushed the cop with feral fury grabbing the Cop by his throat ignoring his partner's shots to his back. The man snarled as his grip tightens over his captive's neck. His partner watched in horror as he heard the snap of the cop's neck.

The gaze of the pale man then shifted to the other officer as he tossed his victim behind him. Then others began to pop out of the shadows of the alley ways.

" OFFICER DOWN! OFFICER DOWN WE NEED THAT BACK UP NOW!" He yelled to the radio on his color, as he fired a few shots at the crowd of pale monsters to no avail. They backed him up to a wall as they crowded around him; he stared on in fear as he heard their groaning and snarling. He closed his eyes tightly awaiting his end but instead he heard a shrieking scream from one of the creatures. He opens his eyes only to see a red hooded boy with a sword stabbed into the closest monster to the officer. He saw as the man kicked the creature he stabbed off the blade of the sword lifting his other hand to them. He saw in awe as a blue flash blast out of the man's body causing the whole crowd of creatures to fly to the opposite ends of the street. He then turns to the officer only to have a bullet faze through his head." Hey what the hell!" the man exclaimed shaking his arms in the air." Stay back!" The cop yelled pointing his gun shaking violently." Relax; I'm on your side!" He said only to have five other bullets faze through him to hit a car behind him. He stared at the cop with a sense of annoyance." Are you done? Cause all you're doing is wasting bullets and my time." He said receiving another shot which caused a cars alarm to go off." OH FOR THE LOVE OF-Give me that!" He snatched the gun out of the cop's hand, and then smacked the side of his head." Is this how you treat somebody who swoops down just to save your sorry ass?" He said bringing the cop up to his feet by his shirt collar." Swooping is bad! Ok, Swooping is BAD!" the cop said frantically.

"Look just relax, and please for the love of God, stop shooting at me." He said handing the cop back his gun." Wait, aren't you that Wize guy from the Titan's?" The cop asked which caused Wize to chuckle a little." 'Wize guy?' You sir are hilarious." Wize replied in between laughs." I'll take that as a yes." The cop said rubbing the bridge of his nose due to the stressful situation." Anyway, your back-up is on its way. Wait here for them and hold the line." Wize said as he began to walk down the street, as the Creatures began to get back up on their feet." Time to put an end to this once and for all." Wize said as he cut down a few that rushed him.

(Titans tower)

The alarm of the tower suddenly goes off alerting trouble in the city. The Titans quickly woke up and geared up for whatever trouble may come. The first to enter the main room was the leader Robin, quickly heading to the main computer to determine the situation. Fallowed in by Cyborg, and Starfire, Raven later entered in the room through a dark portal. Beast hoped into the room in an attempt to get his last purple boot on." uh, where's Wize?" Cyborg asked after looking around the room." He wasn't in his room when I passed by." Beastboy added." I think I have the answer." Robin said gritting his teeth as he brought up news feeds on a big screen in the room. The screen came to life, with a static view of the streets as the camera crew and the reporter seems to be fleeing from a mob of snarling red eyed creatures." I knew it! A Zombie apocalypse!" Beastboy said pointing at the screen only to have the group unanimously shush him." Oh my God! Their everywhere!" yelled the reporter before she tripped and fell to the ground. The Camera view then points to her having one of the creatures above her lifting its fist to strike her before a bright yellow light blasts it off her." I told you to get the hell out of here!" Said a familiar voice. The camera view then shifts to a red hooded figure punching the camera lens cracking it." Stop filming and run for your damn lives!" Was the last thing said before the feed was cut off.

The team watched on as robin rewinds the feed to the view of the red hooded figure to see the face of their friend with his fist going towards the camera." Great, that's another Camera we're going to have to pay for." Cyborg said shaking his head at the view." What is that, like the fifth one he's broken?" Beastboy asked receiving a nod from Starfire." What the hell does he think he's doing?" Robin said as he slammed his fist on the console in anger. "Being an idiot. What's new?." Raven replied in her usual sarcastic tone." Nah, Wize is stubborn but he aint stupid. He knows this is too big to handle alone. Let alone dangerous." Cyborg said bringing his hand to his chin as he thought. "Then why would he go fight whatever the hell those things are." Robin asked pointing at the screen with a view of the mob of creatures." Wait." Raven said calling everyone's attention." I'm sensing a very familiar, dark force." Raven said as her eye glowed brightly." It's him!" She gasped." Who?" Rabin asked fixing his gaze on her." The Monster that Wize is after." Beastboy said shaking slightly, as his skin paled." He thought it was too dangerous, because of what happen last time." Raven said which caused Robin to rush to the exit of the tower.

" He's going to get himself killed! C'mon we got to help him." They all fallowed after Robin, and headed out to the city. As they rushed to the scene of what seemed to be a battle for the city as the police fended off a large mob of creatures trying push by the police barricade only to be met by gun fire. The Titans quickly intervened in the situation, Robin, Starfire and Cyborg helped hold the line. Robin throwing explosives to block the way with a fire line. Yet he stared in shock as the creature simply walked through the fire with no concern for self-preservation." Don't hesitate!" One of the cops yelled as he fired a shotgun round knocking one of the creatures to its back." That's what your friend said when he passed us by." The cop said firing another round." He said that there is nothing left of who they used to be. Don't hesitate." The cop said grimly. The Titans looked to Robin, for his decision. Robin then nodded grimly." Titans…Take them down." He said, all restraints loosen the Titans didn't hold back. Cyborg used his sonic cannon at lethal frequency to hold the line; Starfire also didn't hold back the potency of her Star bolts. Raven and Beastboy quickly appeared on the streets through a dark portal to drag the wounded out of harm's way." Where's our friend that you mention." Robin asked after throwing a few more explosive disks." He's deep in all this mess. He said that he could end this nightmare if he destroyed its source." The cop said as he reloaded his Shotgun. Cyborg blasted the last bit of the wave of the creatures then gave Robin a nod of all-clear." Right I'll leave these two here to give you guys some back-up." Robin said jumping over the barricade." Much appreciated, but be careful out there. These things are getting more tenacious by the second." Robin thanked the cop then proceeded into the streets with Raven and Beastboy in search of Wize.

(Deep in the streets)

"YA!" Wize yelled as he cut through a crowd of creatures down an alley way. He sighed as he continued to walk down the alley seeing the devastation the monsters have caused." Corrupting the bodies of the dead…despicable." Wize said but stops near the end of the alley." Despicable, yes but very necessary." Said the Shadow, as it slithered its way out of the shadows." Azazyel…you finally show yourself, you coward." Wize said taking his stance."Tisk, tisk Darren…Don't you remember me?" Azazyel face suddenly changes from pale white to the face of a tan young face that looked similar to Wize." You shouldn't talk to your older brother Vincent like that.." Azazyel laughed mockingly.

Wize eyes glowed a bright yellow as he charged at the Demon. As Wize was about to stab into Azazyel, the Demo moved his arms to the side to reveal a girl around Darren's age with bright blue eyes short black hair, her skin pale snow white. The tip of the blade stopped near her throat as Wize stared in horror." Lilith…" He said lowering his blade." Darren…" She said reaching her hands to his mask. Wize eyes widen as tears began to form in his eyes." Darren…" she said softly as she pulled down his mask from the lower half of his face." It is you…" She said placing her hand over his face then brings her face close to his. Wize stared on in shock, the one he lost, the one he loves standing before him now after all this time." Darren…" she said as he dropped his sword and wrapped his hands around her waist. As her face got close to his lips she then whispers." Help me…" Wize then feels a sharp pain bellow; as he looked he sees that she lodged her fingers into his side. He then looks in her eyes to see her once blue eyes now crimson red. She pulls her fingers from his side causing a good bit of his blood to fall to the floor. He falls to his knees gripping his side in pain of his wound, as Lilith backs up to Azazyel side." you bastard…what have you done!" Wize yelled in anger fighting to get back to his feet." What's the matter I thought you would be happy?" Azazyel smirked placing his hand on Lilith's shoulder then brought his other hand to her chin." I kept your love alive…" Wize then stared at her in horror." You trapped her soul in her body before death..." The demon then grinned widely." Yes, a perfect crawler different than all her counterpart…she will lead my army of undead to the destruction of man." He laughed hysterically until he notices the location of The wound inflicted on Wize." With a few flaws it seems…" He said with a frown as he looked down at Lilith hanging her head low emotionlessly." Darren…please, help me…" She said before being slapped by Azazyel." Obey me! Kill him then bring his body to me!" He said angrily, as he shook in fury." Yes…master." She said as her eyes glowed bright red. The demon then disappeared leaving Wize and Lilith to their show-down." Lilith please get a hold of yourself!" Wize said as he finally got back to his feet. She said nothing as she charged in her nails extended out throwing a few slashing motions at Wize which he blocked a bit of difficulty due to his wound.

" LILITH!" Wize yelled knocking her away with a palm strike to her solar-plexus. She slid back still in her stance but then her eyes changed to blue for a moment as she looked up at Wize." Darren…" She said, as her voice cracked as she resisted control." P-please…release me." Lilith said bringing her hands to her head shaking violently. Wize eyes widen in shock of her request." No, not again…" Wize said falling to his knees yet again in sorrow." Please Darren…it hurts so much…Release me…" Tears begin to form in her eyes as they quickly fade back to red." Please…KILL ME!" she then rushed in again only to be stopped by a flying tire which hit her dead on, knocking her a few feet away. Wize looked behind him to see Raven, who threw the tire at Lilith fallowed by Beastboy and Robin who just entered the fray.

" Wize are you alright!" Robin said getting in between him and Lilith." LOOK OUT!" Wize warned as Lilith went in for the slash. Robin quickly blocked her only to receive a swift heel kick to the top of his head, sending him face first into the pavement. Beastboy quickly charges in as a Tiger going in for a lethal bite to the neck. Lilith then shoves her hand in Beastboy's mouth keeping him from snapping his fangs into her throat. She then quickly takes one arm out, wines it up and swiftly punches Beastoboy to the side making him change back to his human form. Raven then places her hand to the ground, using her powers to cause the cement to quake and fly, sending Lilith back down the alley. Wize got up from his knees, as he sees Robin going in with his metal staff to strike. Lilith seeing this quickly found her footing then grabbed hold of Robin's staff before he could strike. She raised her hand out with hero claws extended aiming for Robin's neck. As she goes in for the strike, she suddenly stops when Wize steps in between Robin and her he embraces her resting her head on his shoulder. Her eyes return to their natural blue as dark blood falls to the ground." Darren…" She smiles as tears swell up in her eyes. Robin looks in between them to see a blade going into her belly and the end of it out her back." I'm so, sorry…"Wize said his eyes glassy as he holds back his tears. They both gently go to the ground as Wize pulls the blade from her. He holds her head gently with his hand as her body lays limp on the ground." I'm sorry I couldn't protect you…" Wize said taking his eyes away from hers.

" You know I've never seen you cry…it doesn't suit you." She said bringing her hand to caress his cheek. He takes a hold of her hand feeling her life drain away from her." You have always been there for me Darren…you always sacrificed your own happiness for everyone else…" she lightly laughed as her breathing began to get weak." Well, then again you were always happy putting others before yourself…but now I want you to let go now…" She said wiping a stray tear going down Wize's face." Just like you helped me let go…Ill finally be able to see your Dad again, with all our friends, but I'll be leaving you all alone…" She then looked at Raven, Robin and Beastboy crowd around Wize witnessing the scene." Maybe not…" She smiled at them as she turned to Robin." Hey, what are your names…" she asks lightly fighting to keep her eyes open." Robin… but you can call me Richard…" Robin said kneeling next to Wize." Garfield, but my friends call me Beastboy." Beastboy said placing his hand on Wize's shoulder in an attempt to comfort. Lilith finally turned to Raven, she was silent for a moment then she walked and kneeled in front of her." The Monks of Azarath called me Raven, but my mother named me Rachel." Raven said softly." It's nice to meet you all…I'm glad Darren found friends in you all…please watch over him for me…" She said with smile as she turned her Gaze to Wize."…thank you Darren, I love you…" She said as the color in her eyes faded." Goodbye, my love…" Wize said as she closed her eyes, never to open again. Wize laid her head gently to the ground as her grip loosen from his hand. He stood over her and stared down for a moment, before he began to walk down the alley way." Wize…it's ok if you need a moment..." Robin said as he looks down at Lilith." No… I can't mourn until I finish this…" Wize said, not daring to turn back. They saw as her body then turned to ash before them and faded away in the wind." Not alone…" Beastboy said with tears forming in his eyes." We promised to watch your back…were going to keep that promise." Beastboy said wiping the tears from his eyes." Then c'mon, we got Demon to vanquish." Wize said as they all fallowed after him.

(At the police barricade)

"They just turned to ash." Said a cop after watching all the walking creature suddenly fade fall to a puddle of ashes." Call it in, we need to gather the injured and prepare them for transport." Said a police sergeant, putting his pistol back to his side then turned to Starfire and Cyborg." Thanks for the help. You Kids go catch up with your friends." With that said Cyborg and Star decided to try to get in contact with the rest of the team." Robin, come in Robin." Cyborg said into his communicator only to get Static back." There something interfering with the signal." Cyborg said checking the calibration." Then we must hurry, our friends could be in great danger." Starfire as she took flight as Cyborg fallowed by foot.

(Back to the streets)

As they drew to the end of the Alley the Titans saw that the street was particularly dark." He's near…" Wize said as his eyes grew bright green." I sense it too…" Raven said as her hands glowed with a black aura." Ah the hero's emerge…" The demons voice echoes through the street." Come out and face me Azazyel!" Wize said summoning his sword." Hahaha! Come to play again broken little toys?" The voice echoed again as the streets began to get darker, making the Teens go back to back, as they did not know where he would come out from." We're going to make you pay for what you did to these people Demon!" Wize yelled taking his sword with both hands waiting for a chance to strike at first sight of him." You mean what I've done to your family…" Suddenly they were all consumed by the darkness of the street." I'm going to consume you. Then I'm going to make your kind BURN!" the ground shook beneath them." The area suddenly became silent for a moment. Wize looked on into the darkness then noticed something foul in the air." WATCH OUT!" it was too late Robin was snatched by his feet then dragged into the dark." Robin!" Beastboy turned around then he also was dragged into the darkness by pale hands." Beastboy!" Wize said turning around to see his friends gone. He then turned to Rave then saw several hands grabbed hold of her and began to drag her away." NO!" Wize said taking hold of her hand trying to pull her free." WIZE!" she screamed before a hand came out and punched Wize on the side of his head knocking his hood off as he fell to the ground. He then saw Raven disappear in the darkness." No…No,no,NO!" Wize panicked then the Darkness faded as he then saw his friends floating in the air with a dark aura around then. He could see their skin pale as their veins were visible black in color." Not again!" He panicked as he brought his hands glowing blue in an attempt to free then but then a dark figure swooped down on him and pinned him to the ground." Poor little Darren still powerless to save his friends." The Demon mocked before picking Wize by his throat then slamming him to the ground cracking the street below him on impact. Wize quickly swung his blade to decapitate his foe, but as the blade reach close to its target Azazyel Brought his fist into the blade shattering it to pieces." You're just as weak as you watched as your father life leave his body." Wize backed away bringing his hands up for a divine blast but no light proceeded forth to do the deed. He looked at his hands then back to the demons as he is back handed into the ground." You are weak just as you watched your friends die in front of you…Now…" The demon then grabbed him by the neck and lifts him into the air." Watch as your friends die again before you…then when you beg me to end your life…ill consume you and take your body for myself…" He began to poor his darkness through Wize. He saw from a distance Cyborg and Starfire try to break through a dark barrier to no avail. The Demon looked behind him to see what Wize was staring and smirks." Oh, no need to worry…after im done here, I'll kill them with your bare hands." Wize eyes began to fade to black as he saw, Robin shaking in pain as the darkness seeped into him and Beastboy.

He knew that without magic or the power of Seth they will die soon. Then he turned to Raven her body also struggling to reject the Darkness, but saw her resolve failing, She will soon yield. As his eyes closed all he saw was darkness, he felt no hope in his heart, no emotions, just cold, just nothingness. All he could think of was how he had failed his father, his friends, and Lilith." Lilith…" He said under his gasp for breath, he remembers her face as she died. Then he remembered her words to him.' Let go Darren…Let go…' a vision of her warm smile, then he saw his friends the Titans with the same smile, from when he first joined them.

Then a voice came to mind, 'Remember who you fight for Son…Remember who you are…' His eye then shot open glowing brightly with power. Azazyel stared in shock as Wize looked dead at him with bright eyes as he felt a force push him away." It can't be…" He shirked as he felt the energy pour out of Wize. Wize touched the ground as the light spread to his body, his hair suddenly went white as snow, he grew golden horns from the side of his that pointed forward, as a the light gathered into a halo over his head. His body then shined as his skin became tanner, his eyes seemed to have a color of fire in them." The Demiurgos!" He said as he tried to fade back into the shadows only have chains of light suddenly cling to him and pin him down to his knees. Wize then walked forward to him, glancing over at his friends." Be Free… Live. "As he said that the darkness from them faded away as they all landed to the ground feeling a bit groggy. He then turned to the bound Demon." Azazyel…you shalt not obtain peace for a great sentence is gone forth against you." Wize said pointing at him." You shall be bound in Darkness, and Neither shall relief, mercy, and supplication be yours, on account of the oppression which you have taught; And on account of every act of blasphemy, tyranny, and sin, which you have discovered to the children of men. Come the great Day of Judgment you shall be cast into the fires everlasting there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Thus sayeth the lord Almighty." Wize said as light began to form at the tip of his finger." Amen…" Was the last thing said as light had gone forth from his hand, and consumed him.

" NO! I shall return! And I will Bring with me my children, And my Children's, children!" The darkness faded away leaving a boy that looked a lot like Wize only with few differences in height and hair color. Wize quickly ran and caught the boy before he hit the ground." Vincent…" Wize said laying him down to the ground then crossing Vincent's arms over his chest." Find peace in the embrace of the Almighty, brother…" The body then also became ashes, but as it disintegrated a flash of a light went out releasing all the ethereal energy that Azazyel absorbed from his victims. Starfire and Cyborg quickly ran on scene to check on Robin and the rest of the team. As Raven got to her feet she saw Wize in his strange form, as she looked on at him she couldn't help but feel a great wave of energy coming from him, or to him, she couldn't tell where the power was coming from, but it was overwhelming.

" Wize?" as she drew closer his form suddenly disperse the energy which faded away as he fell to his knees gripping his wound from before, while bright cracks formed near his face and on his forearms. He breathed in deeply in pain as the cracks disappeared slowly. She quickly walked to his side to see about his wound." You're bleeding out…" She said bringing her hand over the wound." And you're not healing like you usually do…" she said looking at him with concern." I used all I had in that fight…my powers are now dispersed… I'm going to be out of commission for a few days... ack!" he yelped in pain. Raven then closed her eyes as her hand glowed lightly causing the wound to close." I minimized the damage, but we need to get you to the med-bay before it gets any worse." She said earning her a smile." Thank you…" He said with a smile. She looked him in the eye realizing now she could feel his emotions now that his powers were gone. She could feel his heart heavy with grief yet, she felt his heart also at peace." You had a rough night…" She said helping him walk to the rest of the group." It is a beautiful night…" Wize said looking up at the clear sky with a smile.

(Later at the tower)

Wize laid in the med clinic, with his side bandaged up with on small yellow cracks on his body." Alright Darren. You're probably going to be out of commission for at least half a month." Cyborg said turning off his scanner." Thanks for the pain and suffering." Wize said bitterly." You still on about the stiches you big baby?" Cyborg smirked." Anyway just get some rest." He said as he turned to leave the room." Night." Wize said as Cyborg left the room and the lights shut off. Wize laid there for a moment recounting on everything that just happened. He had done what he set out to do, but now what was left for him? What was next after all the thing he had done, after all the tears, after all his struggles, what was next for him?

"Darren…" Said a voice next to him, he turned his head to see who spoke to him." Be at peace child, it is I." Said the angel of mercy in all her splendor." Sarakiel…" Wize said sitting up on the bed, the angel then took a seat next to Wize as they both spoke." Did it end as you thought it would?" She asked him as she glanced at his face falling in sorrow." No...what do I do now?" Wize said not making eye contact. The angel placed her hand on his shoulder." I think you know…" She said as His eyes began to water." It's time to let go…Now is your time of rest. Now is your time to mourn." She said as he embraced her and began to weep bitterly.