Umm well, I don't have any excuses other than I am sorry it took soooo long to update this. But I am trying to finish my stories I truly am.

Chapter eight

Author: Animefreak03

Rating: M

Title: Trigon shows himself.

It was eerily quiet. No one spoke, machines didn't beep, not even the proverbial mouse made a sound. The group of people gathered around the room in the cave, just stood motionless.

Robin/Richard both had many thoughts racing around their heads. Thought along the path of; how could the enemy you claim to hate, loathe, swear to one day bring to justice, be your son? A son you countless times beat?

"Talk about child abuse", muttered Cyborg. If only to break the eerie silence.

Slade did not find amusement in the comment. His very existence was but a mockery of life itself. Just like the saying says; The opposite of life is not death, but rather the opposite of life is Birth. Birthed to bring about the destruction of no only your kin but the entire human race.

Slade was or rather will always be the antagonist in histories to come and go. Never to know true love, peace and happiness. Most of his existence he used hopping thru time, trying to catch up with his creators and stopping them from bringing him into an unwanted world. But each and every time, Raven and her Robin managed to find a way to each other. Finding ways to foil his plans, like the time in the past when his body and soul were locked in the gates of Azarath (1).

If everyone in the room took a closer look to the young man, they would have noticed the dark circles under his eyes or even the haggardness in his young face. Slade was tired, utterly and profusely tired of this cat and mouse game with his makers.

Raven felt a tug in her mind and turned to look at her older counterpart and realized she too felt it. "Alan?"

Slade took his eyes off of his father(s) and turned to the younger woman, "my name is Slade," sneered the young man. His fist tightening next to his hips.

The older female straightened her posture, walked a few steps towards the young man and suddenly stopped as the ancient symbols of Azarath appeared before her eyes. His body became a glowed monument embedded with incantations.

Raven's eyes widened and she held her breath. Quickly the younger woman stepped up to the older one, "please Alan don't call him forth. Stop this now, we need to talk".

The others watched transfixed as the young man continued to glow orange. No one knew what was happening nor understood the great danger they were placed in. Richard turned to his wife and wondered why she would have kept something so serious from him.

"Why didn't you ever tell me? Why did you keep him a secret from ME?!" Roared the love of her life.

Her beautiful eyes were dulled and held so many emotions, that she rarely allowed anyone to see. "I wanted to be selfish for once. I had a husband who loved me in every past life. You and I always found a way to each other; we faced many obstacles, but never knew the meaning of being complete of being a family". Tears gather at the ends of her eyes and she felt her heart breaking.

He felt betrayed and out of the loop. His son was his biggest enemy and he couldn't do anything to save him. He has no choice in the matter because Slade has cost the lives of many. But how can you kill your son? Is the ultimate question. The son you created, the son you swore to love with every fiber in your body, the son you wanted more than anything else to pass on your knowledge to. It wasn't fair, it wasn't fair at all.

Robin felt the strong mental battle raging on inside his elder self. Knew for a fact that he too was in the same train of thought. Even if Slade needed to be disposed off, he was still his son. My son. Was the whispered comment. The result of my love for Raven, the ultimate proof of everlasting love. How can anyone expect me to do this?

When did he start thinking of Raven and Slade as his, he did not know. But he wasn't going to stand around like a statue and not find a solution. Surely there was a way to save Alan and the world as well.

"No father, there isn't another way. You either kill me or I kill you all as it was intended". Bruce and his older self both frowned. It was obvious the child was now tapping into their thoughts process. "And you would be right old man. I am the destroyer and no one will stand in my way."

Raven-younger one-wasn't sure what to make of this. There had to be a way to stop the madness and somehow bring Alan back.

He can not enter your realm child. You are the one to stop this.

Raven tapped a finger to her head, Who are you?

I am always and forever.

A set of mental images rapidly showed in her mind.

Slade looked down to see blood dripping from a surface wound that the king had inflicted on him "you...you cut me. I will fucking kill you, you little bastard"

Richard laughed "come on old man lets see you try"

Slade shook his head, "I don't know how the bitch helped you get to your animated for but I will kill you," he placed his hands on his temple and began to chant. This was not good...

In a cold cellar, freezing winds smacked against a pale face. Bound to the wall with rusty chains a slender hand fisted "no, I wont let you hurt them. Not this time" a tear ran down the porcelain face as trembling lips began to chant sacred words. This time would be different. (2)

Raven understood now. What her memories were, what they meant. it's you! The voice in my head it's you. But who are you to me? I know you are someone of great importance, but who?

Do not fret my little one. You can still save your son and the world. You must believe in your abilities and become one with your Azarath mark. Let the power flow freely and unrestrained. He can be saved.

Slade had enough of the group of people just gaping at him. It was his turn to show them what a real enemy is capable of. Quickly and without preamble, Slade encompassed Cyborg and the two Bruces in a dark sphere. Immobilizing them from interfering in the long awaited fight. The energy in the sphere began to crackle and the screams from the men began to fill the cave with noise once more. Noise that was very unwelcome. Both Ravens were pushed out of the way by their husband/leader as they rushed to help their team-mates.

"Get US OUT!," Screamed Cyborg as more pain shot through his body.

Robin began to beat at the sphere only to end up having every blow deflected. What both males failed to notice was the approaching figure of their son. Younger Raven used a shield against the falling rocks and debris that suddenly began to levitate due to Slade. Her body was weak from what had transpired before, but she could not give up. It seemed her older self was either in shock or just didn't have the power to help either.

"Are you alright?"

Older Raven turned to her younger self, "I…I" she clutched her stomach as pained shot through her entire body, "Something is happening."

Richard decided that hitting the sphere was not going to help at all, but if maybe they used some kind of metal to wedge open part of the energy, then maybe they could bring out the men. "Richard you must help." Richard turned to his wife and his eyes widened. She was on the floor clutching at her stomach and was looking very pale. The younger Raven was keeping materials at bay with her shield.

Robin turned to him, "Go, help them. I will try what I saw in your mind and if it works then we will get back to kicking his ass".

Quickly he rushed forward as Slade laughed. They were pathetic and useless. No one had yet realized that his chanting had begun and that his body was now glowing red. Once his body began to glow green, then it would mean the beginning of the end for them.

"Mommy, mommy come see!."

Shouted a young boy of only four or so. His bright blue eyes filled with mirth and joy. Equally bright burgundy eyes came to rest upon him and they held nothing but love.

"What is it my love?"

"It's a butterfly with red wings mommy. Daddy said I can keep it."

He opened his chubby little hands and in them rested a beautiful red butterfly. The woman knelt before her son and his 'pet', "Wow you got a big one there squirt". The little boy giggled and realized that his mother wasn't alone. "Who is that mommy?" His chubby finger pointed at a woman at the entrance of their home.

"no one especial my love. Now where is daddy?"

"He is catching a blue one for me mommy. I will go help now" he waved at his mother and began to run towards the inside of their garden.

"Your son is of most importance to me Raven. I hope you understand that". Raven stood from her knelt position and faced Arella.

Sighing; she brushed back her bangs, "and I have already told you that I will not send my son to Azarath with you mother. He is a child"

"He is the heir and he will not be safe here on this planet. You shouldn't forget that Trigon is out there waiting, calculating. He will get to you and your family, then the rest of humanity will seize to exist".

"And I will be ready to defend my family with all that I have in me".

Arella shook her head and her body became encased in a white sphere, "you will regret not listening to me child. It was for your own good, but I can not force you. Be safe my daughter". She quickly vanished and Raven exhaled tiredly.

A year later….

Five year old Alan walked along a dirty path. His face was full of mud and dust, while his eyes held tears. Why were kids so mean? why was he called a freak? Why couldn't people love him like his parents did? Why did the other parents now want their children to play with him? His little mind did not understand this.

A dark figure appeared before the young boy, prompting him to stop mid step. Any normal boy would have been scared and running away, but Alan wasn't scared. He never was. He loved the dark and loved scary creatures. "What Ails you boy?" spoke the dark figure.

"Huh?"

Chuckling the figure began to shape shift into a red figure with multiple eyes, "what is troubling you?"

"Who are you?"

"Oh do you not recognize your great grandfather?"

"I don't get it mister"

Wiping the tears from the young boy's face, the figure knelt down to his small height, " I am your great grandfather. I am Trigon the Great. Your mother is my Granddaughter."

His eyes lit up, "Wow, really mister? You are mommy's grand poppa?"

"But of course I am".

"How come you're not like me? You are shadow"

Trigon laughed loudly, "I am dead for now. My body that is. But I will live again for my heir has been born. Would you follow me Alan? Would you like to teach those boys a lesson? Would you like for everyone in this world to love you, love you so much that you wont have to cry anymore?"

Little Alan cocked his head to the side, "Really? I can have many many friends? No one will laugh at me at school and no one will hate me?"

"Yes my boy. You will forever be loved and no one will hurt you. I promise"

"Promise, Promise?"

"Cross my heart and hope to die." extending his hand out, Trigon waited for the young boy's hand. This was easier than it looked, soon he would have a vessel that will allow him to carry out his revenge. To get rid of the impurities in his bloodline and conquer the entire universe as lord and commander. Raven would be disposed off by her very own son, just like Trigon was disposed off by his children. He vanished inside the small boy's body to sleep till the time was right. All the while his evilness rubbing off on the young Alan.

Raven gasped loudly and the shield promptly dissipated. How can things have been her fault all along? She should have listened to her mother, she should have protected her child from all evils. But she failed him and everyone else. She failed as a mother, as a wife and definitely as a self proclaimed human. My little Alan.

Standing on shaky legs she walked to intercept Slade as he advanced to attack the unsuspecting Robin. Richard was busy tending to the older Raven to have noticed what was happening. All he saw was both his son and Raven engage in a fight of powers. The cave's lights all went out and the automatic power was not restoring anything at all. "She is too weak Richard. You have to help her" insisted the older Raven.

"But what about you? What's happening?" She tapped her forehead to his and allowed him to see everything the younger Raven had seen. Their bond was stronger than before. "You must protect them…no just Raven and the baby, but Alan as well. He is an innocent in all of this. My great grandfather was convicted of dark magic and of a plot to kill everyone that opposed him. My grandmother the highest priestess (3), she banished him to the mountains of Azarath and he was held captive there for a decade. When time came, his soul was extracted from his body. The body was destroyed and the soul sealed away in the gates of Azarath, but he managed to get out. He found a loop hole Richard. You have to stop him from completely assimilating with our child".

"You can not stop me" The voice coming out of Alan was darker, slimier and devoid of any trace of humanity. Trigon was back. And no one knew how to stop him.

AUthor's note: Well there you have this chapter. I will of course try to focus on the next one soon. I wanted to let you all know that I was still alive and kicking. WOw it was 100 degrees here. It was a scorcher. I hope this was to your liking me lovely readers and that i did not disappoint. Well i needed to get this out. Thank YOU ALLLLLLL very much for your reviews they always give me hope.

#1 Royal Slave.

#2 is a reference to chapter 12 of Royal Slave.

#3 Also Royal slave