Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Teen Titans or any characters in the DC Universe.
The demonic doppelgangers came charging out of the tunnel, ready to engage their originals. They shouted in anger and defiance, demonstrating the contempt and overconfidence they had shown when they first engaged Starfire, Cyborg and Beast Boy years ago when Trigon had briefly conquered the Earth. They seemed unfazed by the hundreds of Slade-bots that had joined forces with Nightwing and his combined team.
This time the dark counterparts matched themselves with their originals and did not allow themselves to be "swapped". The heroes understood that they had to be ruthless with their copies, which would not show any mercy to them.
Nightwing met his evil twin first and the two pulled out their esgrima sticks and began to duel. Their moves mirrored each other as they dueled on the mountainside.
"You're pathetic!" His gray copy sneered at him as it went on the offensive attacking Dick with a swift barrage of strikes which Batman's former apprentice was barely able to fend off. "Unworthy of the Empress! You're weak!!"
"No!" Nightwing shouted back."You're the one who's pathetic! You have no purpose; you're just a demonic puppet."
The masked gray boy laughed in reply. "Of course I have a purpose, to destroy you! A task that is long overdue if you ask me."
The doppelganger then turned to Slade who was helping Cyborg battle his own dark twin.
"You always pick the wrong side to fight for Slade! When will you learn?!"
With a well placed bo staff strike Slade destroyed the sonic canon on Cyborg's twin before turning to Nightwing's double.
"I seem to recall being on the winning side the last time I fought Trigon and his minions." The one eyed man replied in his signature monotone as he motioned with his arm. Suddenly several of his robots attacked Richard Grayson's inner demon. They drew their laser pistols and fired. The doppelganger easily evaded the shots and threw several of his exploding disks at them while he performed several backwards somersaults, destroying them instantly in an explosive flash. Many more Slade-bots appeared out of nowhere to replace their fallen mechanical comrades and charged at the inner demon who while grinning removed his bo-staff from his belt and extended it, engaging the dozen robots who now surrounded him.
"Your robots are no match for him!" The gray twin bellowed while pointing at Nightwing, "Why would you think they could defeat me Slade? Trigon is right; you are a poor excuse for a warrior! You were never able to defeat the Titans on your own, not even when they were children. You needed our Master's help you sorry loser! You were a poor servant, unworthy of his gifts."
The Slade-Bots, along with Nightwing and Slade attacked the inner demon. The grey opponent was outnumbered and even overmatched but held his own against them. He easily felled the Slade-Bots, and soon they were vanquished and this time no more reinforcements arrived as they were equally busy helping the other heroes engage their opponents. Looking out of the corner of his eye Nightwing saw that the other Slade-Bots were faring no better as countless bots could be seen strewn across the battlefield, already destroyed.
"Any other ideas Slade?" Nightwing hissed at him.
Before Slade could reply a familiar and very welcome sound filled the air, coming from above. As Nightwing looked up he saw his wife, with their daughter in baby pouch resting on her chest. She was already hurling starbolts at the evil twin and her strikes hit their target square in the chest. The demon staggered back and Nightwing saw a hole in his chest. The inner demon collapsed and reverted to pure energy, returning to Nightwing's body.
Terra stared in shock at the sight before her. Raven and Beast Boy were still lying on the ground, Raven slumped over her husband. Terra turned to Lamia's remains and was mesmerized by the otherworldly sight that greeted her.
As the geomancer watched Lamia's corpse began to shrivel up, it was like watching a mummification process at a fast forward speed. Raven's features were still recognizable on the demon's face even as it began to desiccate, its four lifeless eyes staring into the void. As Terra continued to watch Lamia's body crumbled as it turned into dust, which was blown away by a sudden gust of wind. Soon all that remained was Lamia's loin cloth and Michael's glimmering sword, which remained upright even though nothing visible was supporting it. Even the black blood on the blade had turned into dust and fallen from the now immaculate blade.
Terra recalled Lamia's last words, a confession of love to Beast Boy. She shook her head in dismay, as it had made no sense to her. Why did she love Beast Boy? She sighed as she understood that Lamia had taken that secret with her, to wherever she had gone. But now she understood that this was about more than revenge against Raven and the Titans, and shuddered at the thought of her first love being trapped with that monster for all eternity.
She turned her attention back to Raven and Beast Boy, who both remained slumped on the floor. She knelt next to them and placed her hand on Beast Boy's neck and was relieved to feel a pulse. She then placed her hand on Raven's neck and felt the same. Both had survived.
Terra knew that time was of the essence as Trigon remained at large and bent over to rouse her fellow Titans. Before she could begin she heard a voice in her mind.
Now's your chance Terra! Finish her off! He'll never know that it was you!
The Geomancer froze, petrified at what she had just heard.
"Lamia!" She growled. "!"
Now Terra, don't allow your personal feelings get in the way of what you want!
The blond ignored the inner voice in her head and placed her hands on Raven's shoulders.
"Raven! Wake up! I need your help!" She shouted repeatedly as she shook Raven's shoulders. Raven and Beast Boy woke up at the same time. When Beast Boy saw Raven in her "classic" gray and violet look he recoiled from her.
"Lamia! What have you done to Raven!" He howled.
Raven's face betrayed the dismay of being confused with Lamia. "No Gar, it's me." Raven replied. "You destroyed Lamia, remember?"
Not believing her he leaped to his feet and grabbing the sword he adopted a fighting stance, aiming the sword at Raven.
"BB, wait! She's telling you the truth! She is Raven. She turned gray when she sucked the dark energy out of you."
Beast Boy then recalled how he collapsed after healing Raven from Lamia's mortal strike. He dropped he sword and ran to his wife, wrapping his arms around her. The pair remained in silent embrace for over a minute while Terra watched uncomfortably. Beast Boy spoke first, without releasing her.
"What happened to you Rae? Did you absorb the dark energy and become half demon again? And it's OK if you did. I did marry you when you where a half demon and I'll stick with you even if you are one again."
Raven continued hugging him tightly as a tear slid down her cheek. She then whispered into his ear.
"No my love, I'm still your angel. My appearance is a parting gift from Lamia. But thank you for your promise."
Raven then kissed him tenderly and he reciprocated.
Is this what you really want Terra? Lamia taunted her.
"Raven, I need your help! Lamia came back into me when BB destroyed her!"
Raven released her husband from her hug and walked over to Terra.
"Lamia! Show yourself!" Raven roared.
Tell Raven I'm not stupid.
"She she's she won't and that she's not stupid."
Raven nodded. "She's weak, but that won't be a problem. I'll remove her myself."
Don't let her! She'll hurt you if she does. You might even die!
"She says I might die if you do that." Terra whimpered.
"Not true!" Raven snapped. "You will feel discomfort, but you will be unharmed. You can even help me as I extract her by pushing her out yourself."
Terra was afraid, but more than anything she wanted the demoness out of her.
"I'm ready! Let's do it!"
Beast Boy looked apprehensively at Raven.
"Anything I can do?"
"Just don't touch Terra and when I pull Lamia out, stay away from her too."
He nodded. "You don't have to tell me twice."
Raven turned to the Geomancer. "Brace yourself, while it won't hurt you it will be very unpleasant and remember once she weakens her grip push her out."
Terra took a deep breath. "I'm ready."
Raven raised her hands towards the girl, with her palms facing Terra. Suddenly two streams of white energy came out of Raven's palms and engulfed the geomancer. Terra's body shuddered and the blanket fell from her frame. Beast Boy could see her body convulse in pain as her skin rippled from the power that was coursing through her now exposed form. Terra began to howl.
"Raven …" He began.
"She's in pain Gar but she's unharmed. Speak to her, encourage her." Raven replied tersely as she focused like a laser on her task.
Beast Boy swallowed hard.
"Hang in there Terra, we gonna get her out of you, and don't forget to push her out!" He shouted, doubting that she had heard a single word he said.
Terra fell to the ground as her convulsions became stronger. Beast Boy remembered Raven's admonition to not touch Terra, which took all his willpower to do. He watched his first love writhe on the floor and felt that he was dying with her.
Minutes passed and nothing changed. Beast Boy saw that his wife was drenched in sweat and wondered how much longer Raven would be able to last.
Without any warning a loud otherworldly howl was heard in the room and Beast Boy saw what appeared to be a spectral version of Lamia begin to emerge from Terra's chest. She looked like a ghost, as she was transparent and her form was not solid, as if composed of mist.
"Nooooo!" Lamia screamed. "I won't go! I refuse to go!"
"You have no choice Lamia. Eventually all demons will end up in hell. Your time has come!" Raven roared back at her.
As Raven spoke a black vortex opened and approached Lamia's now half extracted form.
"No! No! There is no escape from Hell. Please don't send me there! I'll do anything you ask, just don't send me there." Lamia begged.
Raven responded, but not as Lamia had hoped.
"Give my regards to Lilith." She said as the vortex began to suck Lamia's ghostly form into it. Lamia let out a blood curdling scream. Beast Boy watched mesmerized, now understanding how there were indeed things worse than death. He had merely destroyed Lamia's body; Raven was dispatching her demonic spirit to hell.
"No Raven! Please! Have mercy on me!"
"Good bye Lamia." Raven replied as the demon's arms were sucked into the vortex.
"Garfield! Help me!" She screamed her last words as she was completely sucked into the vortex which disappeared with a loud flash and a clap of thunder. Raven fell to her knees exhausted and was quickly attended to by her husband.
"I'm OK Gar, I'm fine." She panted. "Go check on Terra."
The green Titan ran over to Terra and saw that she was no longer naked. Her uniform had returned; no doubt because Lamia's magic had died with her. He sat down next to her and lifted her upper body, resting her head on his chest.
"Terra! Wake up!" He said as he gently patted her face. The Geomancer slowly opened her blue eyes.
"Is she gone?" She asked.
Beast Boy smiled back at her. "She's gone, and for good."
Terra wrapped her arms around Beast Boy and kissed him repeatedly until she heard Raven growl. She released Beast Boy and stood up before running towards Raven. She wrapped her arms around the gray angel.
"I'm so sorry for getting us into this mess Raven."
Raven returned her embrace.
"You weren't yourself Terra, you were possessed by a demon. I forgive you."
Raven then leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "Just remember, Gar's mine and now you have no excuses."
Terra whispered back.
"Yes Raven, I understand. I promise I'll be good."
Raven replied. "I know you love him Terra, but remember that even angels can be jealous. And don't forget there's a man who loves you and you're carrying his baby in your womb."
Terra nodded. "I hope Garth is OK."
Aqualad continued fighting with his doppelganger, who seemed immune to fatigue.
"What's the matter tadpole? Getting tired?" His inner demon taunted him. "No wonder Terra dumped you!" (Yeah, I know, I stole that from the "The End" trilogy). "You're weak, like the rest of them!"
Garth prepared to lunge at his doppelganger when the unexpected happened. With no warning at all the inner demons ceased their attacks and bent over as if in pain. Garth and the rest of the heroes stared in amazement. Slade called back his remaining Slade-Bots.
The inner demons had fallen to the ground and one by one reverted to their spirit forms and returned to their originals. Soon all that was left was a group of bruised and exhausted superheroes. Batgirl walked up, panting and limping, to Nightwing.
"Beast Boy told me about when this happened the first time." She moaned. "I thought he was exaggerating. Boy was I wrong."
Garth and the rest of the heroes approached, as did Slade.
"What happened?" Bumblebee asked.
"It's obvious." Batman replied. "Raven destroyed Lamia and broke her magic spells."
Some of the Titans began to cheer, praising Raven.
"But what about the Trigon?" Starfire asked. "We must go and help our friends."
Nightwing was still catching his breath. "We will, but you aren't coming Star, it's too dangerous." He ordered her.
Starfire bristled. "I am the Empress of Tamaran, the warrior leader of my people. I will most certainly join the battle against the Trigon and you cannot stop me my husband!"
"But Star." He pleaded with her. "We can't place Mary in danger." He said as he pointed at their infant daughter in her papoose like pouch.
"Mary is a princess of Tamaran and while she is but an infant she too is a warrior. Do not fear for her as she is already more resilient than you, my husband."
Nightwing sighed. "Fine, I know there's no talking you out of this."
He then looked at the rest of his team and his heart sank. They had taken a beating at the hands of their inner demons and did not look ready for a confrontation with Trigon. Still he knew that Raven might need their help.
"OK everyone, we rest for one minute and then we go back in. I have no idea of what we might find in there but I do know that there are three Titans in there that need our help." He paused before continuing. "Slade! Batman!" He motioned to them to follow him.
As they separated from the others he spoke to them in private.
"As you both know the last time the Titans squared off against Trigon we lost, and were only saved by Raven's miracle. Any ideas?"
Batman reached for his utility belt and removed a small piece of wood from a compartment in it.
"What is that supposed to be?" Slade asked in his monotone.
"Zatanna gave it to me. She said it's a piece of the True Cross."
"Interesting." Slade replied. "But what if it isn't? There are enough alleged pieces of the cross floating around to build a house. You know it's almost certainly a fake Batman. If there are even any pieces left, they're probably locked up in a vault in the Vatican."
"At least he's trying Slade." Nightwing snapped. "What have you brought?"
Had Slade not been wearing his mask they would have seen him grin.
"You didn't actually think I would show up empty handed, did you?" He replied. "I'm disappointed with you Batman. And to think that people call you "The Detective", and you do not even know if the relic you brought is authentic."
Batman snorted. "Get to the point Deathstroke."
Slade chuckled. "Still dwelling in the past, aren't you Bats? But now is not the time to reminisce."
Slade produced a large dagger that appeared to be made of ivory.
"You're going to destroy Trigon with a dagger?" Nightwing sneered with contempt.
Starfire's eyes grew wide. "What is that dagger's blade made of Slade?" She asked.
"I always knew that you were the intelligent Titan Starfire. And yes, this dagger is made out of a special substance that will make it lethal to Trigon."
"And what might that substance be Slade?" Bumblebee asked with a sneer.
"You must be Bumblebee. We've never met before."
"Charmed." She replied sarcastically. "So what's it made of?"
"It's quite simple. You see, last time Trigon was on Earth I had the pleasure if removing his antler like horns. While Raven was busy vanquishing her father and while the rest of the Titans watched her do so I harvested some of Trigion's ivory. It has many uses, but this one…" He said as he twirled the dagger. "…will come in very handy today."
Nightwing sighed. "Always the opportunist, aren't you Slade?"
"Be glad Nightwing, otherwise we would be empty handed." Slade rebuked him.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that." A male voice contradicted Slade. The group turned and saw that it was the Man of Steel, along with Kara and the Green Lantern. The Kryptonians were wearing their protective anti-kryptonite suits.
"Am I glad to see you!" Nightwing cheered.
"We've recovered. It took the Green Lantern some time, but he was able to remove all the kryptonite from our lungs." Kal-El replied.
"How touching." Slade intoned. "But even Kryptonians are no match for Trigon."
"We'll see about that!" Kara rebuked him.
"Time's up!" Nightwing shouted. "We attack now! Titans go!"
Sorry to keep you waiting so long for this ho-hum chapter. As you've probably guessed the end is coming soon.
OK, it's mail bag time! (Claxons blare, confetti falls from the ceiling).
yukihane – "I really did think she was going to die, or else Beast Boy was going to take the hit for her. Kind of a plot twist within itself, if I may say. Too bad they're both passed out."
Well, you guys know me. I never saw a cliffhanger I didn't like!
WarriorsFan26 – "One Word...EVIL"
Flattery will get you nowhere!
Demonking101 – "Slade coming to help out nice."
Like old times, but better! (A mint Oreo for the first person who knows who said that and when)
acosta perez jose ramiro - "Gar and Rae rescuing each other was wonderfully done."
Thank you.
GothicRavenRoth – "Aw! Raven's back to her old self! :( Not that I don't like it, but it's a bit of a disappointment"
Like Happy once told BB 'Looks aren't everything!"
Sarah Lalanne – "don't you DARE kill off Beast Boy and/or Raven!"
Well, there are still a few chapters left.
Jessica – "Yay you finally updated!"
Finally?!? Now I know I've spoiled you guys!
Man of galifray – "how come raven is back to her old self I thought she was not a demon anymore and please make sure that bb and rae are okay"
Ask and you shall receive!
lpwriter4life – "Beastboy loves Raven enough to absorb demon energy to heal her!*cries* That's so sweet!"
I didn't know I had it in me!
The Mighty One – "No need for oreo's, I've got your filling story to read, re-read, and read a third time over!"
How about Orange Milanos? Yum!
ChicoMagnifico – "Man! This chapter was epic! I can't wait to see how it will end! Cause as we know, Trigon's still out there"
I'm still worried about that myself!
ravensawsome – "ha i finally caught up again.. i got grounded so i wasn't allowed on the cp kinda really sucked"
OK, what did you do now?
Novus Ordo Seclorum – "Moreover, it made sense and was believable!"
Thanks! My second greatest fear (the first being boring) is that my stories will make no sense and be hard to follow.
Wolvmbm – "People tend to do crazy things when they're in love"
Tell me about it! I wish I had a dollar for every time I made a fool of myself.
Hinn-Raven – "What is with you and crazy plot twists?"
It's what happens when I forget to take my medication.
Anon – "So I gotta ask: any chance of the Beast making an appearance before the story ends?"
Maaayyybbbbeeee.
DarkRapture – "That's not fair! He didn't kick anyone! He stabbed and shoved her! You cheated!!"
You are a tough customer!