Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Teen Titans or any characters in the DC Universe.
Batman and his team had assembled in the Arkham satellite Batcave. The asylum above them had been secured and was now under the control of the asylum's security force. Batman had a new dilemma: what to do with Terra Markov?
Terra sat on a chair in the center of the cave, surrounded by Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Cyborg and Batgirl who had joined them. The Dark Knight glared at the geomancer, the disappointment was clearly evident on the exposed portion of his face.
"Did you really trust your fellow Titans so little Miss Markov?"
"I made a mistake." She replied sullenly.
"Joining forces with Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn and their gang goes beyond being a mere mistake Miss Markov. I would say that you have a track record of not trusting your friends and forming alliances with villains."
"I had my back to the wall." She hissed. "The only way to get out of Arkham is to escape."
The Dark Knight shook his head.
"And yet, I secured your release."
"So I was wrong." She said as she crossed her arms.
"What amazes me Miss Markov is that the Titans trust you at all. I'm not going to tell Nightwing how to run his team. But I will not take you into my confidence Miss Markov. You are not worthy of being a member of the extended Bat Clan. You are treacherous and unreliable."
"You must be happy that BB dumped me for Raven."
"I have my own concerns about Trigon's daughter, but I trust her. And I won't comment on whether or not he made the right choice. It was his to make."
Terra snorted defiantly.
"So what's going to happening to me?"
Nightwing approached her. "You're going back to Titans East. Speedy is on his way in the T-Ship East to pick you up."
Terra frowned. "So I'm still in the penalty box?"
"If that's what you want to call it, then yes." Cyborg replied.
"Look Terra, you're getting yet another chance. Show us what you're made of and maybe someday you can come back to Jump City." Nightwing added.
Tears began to well in her eyes. "OK, I know I'm a rotten apple. So why are you giving me another chance?"
"Cuz you saved BB's life." Cyborg replied. "We're grateful Terra, we really are. If you hadn't saved BB, well, I can't speak for the others, but, well let's just say I owe you one and leave it at that."
Terra rubbed her forehead.
"I know why you want me to stay away. You guys are afraid that I'm gonna mess up BB and Raven's marriage."
Nightwing nodded. "I'm not gonna sugarcoat it Terra, we are worried about that."
Terra sighed. "You don't have to worry. I'll leave them alone. I promise."
"I'm glad to hear you say that Terra. But we'll need to see some long term proof before you can come back to Jump City."
The sound of the T-Ship East's engines echoed through the small cave and died out.
"Your ride's here Terra. Good luck. And remember, you're still a Titan."
The geomancer stood sadly. "Thanks. I promise I won't let you down this time."
She began to walk to the cave's exit and paused.
"Say goodbye to BB, Raven and Star for me."
"I will." Nightwing replied. "And we'll be in touch. And you know you still are invited to the wedding on Tamaran."
"Thanks." She replied softly before walking out of the cave.
Starfire headed back to the kitchen where Alfred had her lunch waiting. As she walked in she smiled, as Alfred had prepared her a pizza.
"Master Richard has informed me that you are fond of seasoning your meals with American yellow mustard, am I correct your highness?"
"Yes Alfred, that is correct. The Dijon mustard, it does not taste the same." She said as she sat the kitchen table. Alfred opened the oven and removed the piping hot pie.
"I am afraid that I was unable to procure any Tamaranian toppings your highness, I do hope that the toppings I selected do meet with your approval."
The princess smiled. "Do not be concerned dear Alfred. As friend Cyborg would say: I have yet to meet a pizza I did not like."
Alfred chuckled. "And speaking of which, I must now prepare something for the others, as they are on their way back as well and will be here soon."
Starfire quickly swallowed the bite of mustard drenched pizza that was in her mouth.
"Alfred, would you ask them to wait here in the kitchen? Raven and Beast Boy have an announcement they wish to share with us."
"An announcement?" He said with a raised eyebrow. "Will this be something that will require a celebration?"
Starfire shook her head.
"I am not sure."
As she said that the others entered the kitchen, dressed in their civvies. She quickly scarfed down a few slices of pizza and offered the rest to the others. She quickly stood up and murmuring "I'll be right back" she left the kitchen.
Alfred had a few more pizzas in the oven, to which Bruce raised an eyebrow. It was the first time the majordomo had ever prepared or served pizza in the manor, and judging by the rate at which the pies were disappearing Alfred knew he had yet another success under his belt. The kitchen table was the scene of playful banter as the young heroes devoured the Italian disks. Cyborg had just asked Alfred if there were more pizzas when Starfire returned with the Logans.
"You don't have to wear your holoring Raven!" Cyborg teased her. Alfred had just pulled another pizza out of the over and turned around.
"Mrs. Logan is not wearing a ring." He announced with a hint of surprise in his voice.
The banter stopped instantly and all eyes were focused on the couple. Raven was dressed in her white cape and leotard and sporting a gentle smile that exuded bliss. Beast Boy was sporting an ear to ear grin.
"OK you two." Richard cleared his voice. "What's up? Is this some kind of joke? Or did you get a makeover Raven?"
Raven laughed. "I guess you could say that I did."
"What's going on B? What happened to Raven?" Cyborg asked in a worried tone.
Beast Boy wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her. He then addressed his friends.
"I'm married to an angel."
"Yeah, yeah, you don't have to brag grass stain. We know you guys are as happy as two peas in a pod."
The trio sat that down at the table. Bruce gave them a quizzical look and smiled.
Raven then spoke up.
"I guess that an explanation is in order. I guess I'll start at the beginning. When Gar and I arrived at Arkham this morning I was having a horrible premonition that something bad was going to happen. I had never experienced one so dreadful and intense. The truth be told I was terrified that something bad was going to happen to Gar, so I did something I had never done before. I prayed."
Richard dropped his pizza slice back onto the plate.
"You mean you prayed to God?"
"Yes, and I know what you're going to say: demons don't pray to God. That we're strong and independent and don't want his help. Well, I realized right there and then that I did need his help."
"And it came, when Terra showed up out of nowhere and saved Beast Boy's life." Bruce added.
Raven nodded. "So after we came back we took a bath and settled in for a nap. Gar fell asleep almost instantly, which isn't all that unusual for him …"
"She's got you pegged there grass stain. No one can sleep like you do!" Cyborg guffawed.
Raven continued. "As I was saying Gar fell asleep and just before I fell asleep I thanked God for protecting Gar."
Richard leaned back in his chair. "That certainly is news."
"She's not done dude." Beast Boy interjected. "Not even close."
"There's more?" Cyborg asked.
Raven continued.
"Yes. Just after I thanked God I heard a voice that said 'You're welcome.'"
Alfred looked up from the stove.
"Mrs. Logan, I can assure you that there were no intruders in the manor at the time. The security system would have detected them. With all due respect not even you could get past our security system."
"That's because he wasn't an intruder."
"Then who was it?" Bruce asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"It was Raphael." Beast Boy answered.
"One of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles visited you?" Cyborg asked.
The Logans burst out in laughter.
"Uh Raven, you're laughing." Cyborg said nervously. "You don't laugh at jokes."
"Get used to it dude!" Beast Boy replied once he had stopped laughing. Meanwhile Alfred slowly approached the Logans.
"Mrs. Logan, you don't mean to say that St. Raphael himself was in the manor."
Raven nodded with a smile.
"Friends! I am confused. Who is this St. Raphael you speak of? All I have gathered is that he is not a teenager, a mutant, a ninja nor a turtle."
Alfred addressed her. "St. Raphael is an angel your highness, a messenger from the Almighty himself."
"Oh, you mean from X'Hal!" She beamed.
Raven came to Alfred's rescue. "I'll explain later Starfire. Anyway Raphael came with an offer from God."
All eyes were transfixed on the now dark haired woman.
"He told me that God was very pleased with how I rejected my demonic heritage and used my powers for good."
"So what did he offer you?" Richard asked breathlessly.
"He offered to remove my burden."
"You mean your demonic half?" Cyborg asked.
"That's correct. He offered to make me a complete mortal."
"But that would mean your powers would be gone." Barbara commented.
"Yes, and while having the burden removed was everything I ever dreamed of I knew that I would miss my powers."
"But you wouldn't have to meditate anymore, right?" Cyborg asked.
"That's right Cyborg. Rage would have been gone forever along with the inner darkness that I have struggled to control every day of my life. I would be free to love and feel without worry."
"So you have lost your powers Raven?" Starfire asked, her voice trembling.
Beast Boy grinned. "She still hasn't told you the best part."
Raven smiled. "So then I asked Raphael if there was any way I could keep my powers."
"And what did he say?" Richard replied, sitting on the edge of his chair.
"He said no, that he could not remove Rage while leaving my powers. She is the source of my dark energy."
"So you are without powers friend. What a difficult decision that was to make. Back on Tamaran we have a similar story of a hero…"
Raven raised her hand. "Wait Starfire, I'm not finished. Raphael then offered me something I never dreamed of." She paused.
Bruce smiled. "Well don't keep us in suspense Raven. Tell us."
Beast Boy could no longer contain himself anymore.
"He made her an angel Dude! Isn't that totally awesome! And she has new powers which are way better that the old ones!"
Richard stared at Raven dumbfounded. Starfire was completely lost, not having understood anything that had just happened. Cyborg broke the silence.
"So let me get this straight. You're an honest to goodness angel, with a halo, wings and a harp?"
Once again the Logans burst out laughing.
"That's only symbolic Cyborg. I didn't really have hooves or horns when I was a demon, did I?"
Cyborg nodded. "That's true, but your father did."
"He's not Rae's father anymore!" Beast Boy answered.
"And Trigon adopted that form by choice." Raven added."You know, for dramatic effect. He certainly didn't look like that when he seduced my mother."
Cyborg rubbed his head.
"My processor stacks are going to over flow." He complained. "You aren't yanking our chain Raven are you? Are you really an angel now?"
Raven smiled. "I'm only half angel. I received a special dispensation. Raphael seemed very amused when he told me."
"So what does that mean?" Bruce asked.
"Well, like before I'm not immortal because I'm half human. And my powers are limited. For one thing I'm not omniscient like Raphael is."
Everyone one in the room fell silent, trying to come to terms with what they had just learned.
Beast Boy broke the silence. "C'mon guys, she's still Raven! Relax!"
Cyborg was the first to laugh.
"Why you lucky green bean! You really are married to an angel!"
Bruce chuckled. "I thought I had seen everything. I guess I was wrong."
"Raven." Starfire asked cautiously. "Does this mean you will no longer be … 'complicated'?"
Raven smiled. "I'm still half human Starfire."
"I'll always be complicated."
INTERMISSION
And now, the mail bag:
Rosalind2013 – "I know! I had to miss tacos yesterday too!"
What an onerous burden Lent imposes on us! And now that I'm going to be away translating for a while, the burden of frequent updates now befalls on you!
The Mighty One – "Thank you for everything and please keep up the great magnitude of your work!!"
Thank you for your many kind words.
Dark Rapture – "And I was wondering: are you using Heath Ledger or a different Joker?"
IMHO Mark Hamill was the ultimate Joker, even though it was the cartoon version (Batman: The Animated Series)
Novus Ordo Seclorum – "I look forward to seeing what else is in store."
Unfortunately, that's it for now. Sorry to disappoint you there. And thanks for your many kind remarks.
Wolvmbm – "Also I do enjoy how you place Starfire as the team's heart"
Starfire is a sweetheart of a character. For the life of me I can't fathom what she sees in Robin.
Titanfan45 – "Looks like Strange is still on the loose, Batman will get him someday."
If were ever to write a Batman fanfic, that would be a good story. My only problem is that Bruce is even more anal retentive than Richard.
Hinn-Raven – "Good, you killed Spivak, not BB. I won't have to get angry now."
I have an idea for an angst ridden BBxRae story. If I get around to it I'll write the whole thing and publish it all at once, that way the threats of violence against me will be too late and ineffective. ;-)
BeastBoyFangirl – "Spivak took the bullet you made me so happy I could sing."
Tell me you didn't enjoy the suspense of not knowing.