Hello everyone, i just wanted to say thank you for your support, your reviews, comments and advice throughout the development of this story this year.

Enjoy.

Chapter 54. Complications.

The Titans and Slade stepped out of the portal into the cavern Trigon had used before to come to this dimension. It was in the same if not in worse condition than the last time they were there.

Raven took the satchel that hanged from her shoulder, placed it on the ground and proceeded to reconstruct the hand like pedestal with her dark energy.

Piece by piece, the jigsaw puzzle was coming together in almost perfect accord. When it was finished, she levitated around it to inspect her work. It looked almost an exact replica save for the few crevices her magic had not been able to repair as the missing pieces had crumbled into dust. From there, she gestured with her hand and the contents of the satchel floated out of their containment into the positions she assigned.

Raven had gone over the details with her teammates and Slade just so everyone knew what to expect and be prepared for and for this, the book was very explicit.

The easy part was simple enough, the victim, in this case Slade, was to lay flat on his back on the pedestal inside a circle made out of finely crushed human bones, palms up. Then she would chant a part of the incantation while she walked around the circle, making the white powder hover above the ground and slowly would sprinkle ashes from a dormant volcano above the white circle but, instead of falling on the ground, the ashes would reignite mid air. At this point, the victim would start floating within both circles. When this was accomplished, she would continue to chant a second part of the incantation making both circles spin lopsided in opposite directions towards each other without touching.

However, the tricky part was to come. Concentration to continue to the last verses of the spell was crucial because by then, the circles would be spinning faster. That's when her training would kick in a she would have to concentrate hard enough to control the spinning rigs otherwise they would collide with too much force. The goal was to slowly merge the rings as they spin, making the white circle burn as it passed thru the fire ring, creating a small cloud of smoke.

Once the ring of burnt crushed bones was above the fire, both rings would start spinning again like before, but this time in opposite directions. The ashes would slowly absorb the smoke and as it touched the fire circle again, it would extinguish it while the subject still hovered above the ground in the middle.

"What does all that mean?" asked Slade two days ago when Raven was explaining the procedure to him, Garfield and Robin in the holding cell room.

"The crushed bones represent humanity, the ashes, or rather fossilized lava, represent the dark, evil, demonic presence that is taking over you to recreate the portal for Trigon. That and fueled by rage and black magic, represents death. When they merge and the white powder burns will be the part where you die. The smoke will be your soul. The ashes of the bones will absorb it. If the ashes turn white again and extinguish the fire, it will mean your soul has found its body again and both have been returned from the dead"

"If? Is there a chance of another outcome?" asked Slade.

"Up until the merging point, I will be in control."

"And after that?" he inquire again, prompting her to speak as she hesitated for a moment.

"You will be returned at a point in time in your life where no trace of demonic evil ever touched your soul" he gave her a quizzical look. She remembered he had requested for her to bring him back to his current age and personality but Malchior had been very specific on that regard.

"You're breaking our deal Raven" he said as he crossed his arm over his chest.

"No, I said I would do everything within my power to help you out of your current situation but what you want to accomplish is a matter of will. You have to want to remember as well as you have to want to return to what you are now. That part is not up to me. I will not be able to change your mind anymore than what I'm able to do now. I don't know what point in your life time will you return to but from then it will be all on you".

Raven had sensed an uneasy feeling taking over the villain and Slade knew it but he couldn't help but worry because he knew that there was a point in time where he had been different, where he had had good intensions but, good intentions often made him feel weak and take poor decisions.

It was because of a weak moment that he had risked his family and even with all the good intensions in the world, he had still lost them. One of his sons was dead and the other one had been seriously injured and his wife despised him for that, so much so that she had taken away their surviving son.

He had sworn to get revenge on the ones that ruined his life but after he crossed that line, there was no going back and soon his heart was stripped of all mercy and forgiveness and had become the villain he was now. It gave him immense satisfaction to crush those that stood on his way with cold, calculated and cruel measures but, deep down, he grieved and a vacant heart reminded him why.

Now in the cave, as he followed Raven's instructions, he couldn't help but wonder what if but as he tried to dismiss those thoughts, the uneasy feeling came back and Raven sensed it.

"Slade, you need to concentrate, clear your mind and try to remain calm. I don't know for how long into the procedure will you be awake but I can tell you this, it will not be pleasant"

With that, he had nodded once, closed his eye and took a deep breath. She could sense him relax and she had to admit she admired his will of stone but of course, she would never say it out loud.

Everything was going according to plan. The circles were spinning and Raven could sense a mild discomfort from Slade but he never complained. Soon however, he started to grunt as she continued with the second part of the incantation.

Robin and Garfield were at the bottom of the pedestal. They were able to see but were not allowed on it for their own safety. As the merging of the spinning rings started, Slade's discomfort grew to a bone chilled scream. The two male Titans looked at each other for a moment before the ground started to shake.

Raven was in a trance as she continued chanting but as the merging continued she could feel with more intensity the agonizing pain Slade was suffering. The last verse on the spell however, was the breaking point. As soon as the words left her lips, her chakra stone glistened and as soon as the white powder burnt, the satisfaction of a burnt soul gave way to her inner, self deprecating evil nature. Four red, glowing eyes adorned her face and as she turned to find the other two souls in the vicinity, Slade's scream came to a holt and was replaced by her own chilling, evil laugh.

…

…

"Trapped?… how?" asked Meliah as she locked eyes with the being trapped in the book.

"You do know what she is, correct?" asked Malchior with some annoyance in his voice that Meliah didn't miss nor she liked but she was more concerned about Raven to care much.

"Y-yes, she's half demon… what does that have to do with anything"

"Its everything! The power of black magic its fed by demonic influence. By performing the spell, she'll be tapping in her darkest, evil nature in order to control it but a demon finds satisfaction in burning souls. Raven has long denied that side of her and now she'll be too vulnerable to even know how to control herself. She'll be hungry for more souls to burn until she's satisfied but by then, she would have accomplished what her father was set out to do in the first place, the portal will be open and there will be no stopping neither Trigon nor Raven."

Meliah gasped at the implications "Gar" she whispered to herself but then, she narrowed her eyes at him as she remembered something.

"You're Malchior, correct?… Gar told me about you. You tricked Raven into freeing you from your prison… why should I believe what you're telling me now?"

"Ah, I see my reputation precedes me but you're right, perhaps you shouldn't believe me but, when Raven and her father roam around the earth, destroying everything and anyone in their way… don't say I didn't warn you" he taunted.

"How can I stop her?" she asked after a moment.

…

…

"Do you have it?" asked Leo quietly into her cell phone.

"yes, everything's ready. When do you want to do it?"

"Not yet, too much going on with the Titans. I'll let you know… I have to go, someone is coming" she said and quickly put away her phone when Cyborg burst into the room.

"Leo, is everything ok here? Where is Meliah?" he asked as he looked around the lab, cannon humming in anticipation. Leo only arched an eyebrow.

"What's going on Cyborg?"

"There was a security bridge from this area in the tower did you hear anything, have you seen anything at all?"

"No, but Meliah left a few minutes ago. I don't know where, she was gone when I came out of the bathroom. Did you see the security cameras?"

"I had no time I didn't want to risk an invasion while I was distracted" after making sure no intruder was around, he walked to the nearest console and typed furiously until the images of the security cameras where on display. And there, on the hallway leading to the living quarters, they saw Meliah enter Raven's room. A few minutes later, she looked outside the door as if looking for someone before going back inside.

After a few seconds, the alarm went off. He shuffled thru the other images until he found the one pointed at the window in Raven's room on the outside. They saw Meliah break the glass as she jumped out and fell still in her human form, but to their relief, a few seconds later, a large bird, a condor by the looks of it, made its way away from the tower in the south west direction.

"Friends, I was unsuccessful on finding the infiltrator" said Star as soon as she landed next to them.

"No infiltrator Star, rather someone got out. Meliah broke out thru one of the windows in Raven's room" Cyborg said and showed her the screen where Meliah fell out the window before the Condor flew away.

"I thought Meliah was not able to transform anymore" Star said addressing Leo while she walked away from them towards a counter to gather medical supplies in a handbag.

"She is very much able to, she just cant keep the forms for long. Let us hope she gets wherever she's going to on time before growing too exhausted or before we reach her" Leo said as she prepared to go but Cyborg got up and stepped in front of her to stop her.

"Oh no little lady. There is no "we" in this mission that includes you. Beast Boy will already have my head when he finds out I let Meliah out of my sight in her condition. Lets not give him a reason to bring out the Beast to finish me off if I let you get in danger."

"But.."

"No buts, I'll seal the tower and if for any reason things get out of hand, go to the chamber in the lower level and seal yourself in. that should protect you long enough" and with that he left running followed closely by Starfire.

Leo waited until the remaining Titans had left the oddly shaped building in the T-ship that she watched fly away calmly from the window. As soon as it was out of sight, there was a beeping sound throughout the Tower and windows and main door were closed tight with metal shields and lasers on the outside on every corner., she sat down on the console to contemplate the options on the screen. Soon, she was asked for a password. After several strokes on the keyboard, she smiled to herself in satisfaction and got more comfortable on the chair and said to herself. "Let's see how long can they keep me away"

…

…

When Meliah arrived at the location, she landed in a less than gentle manner. Her legs had given out and was exhausted beyond reason but soon she realized, the ground was shaking. That was not a good sign. She looked around for an entrance that she soon found a few feet away among dilapidated columns and remnants of buildings, a precariously disheveled stairwell leading underground.

As she started to descend, the ground shook again and she almost lost her footing but she turned into a lioness to keep her balance better and when the shaking stopped, she turned back human and with a last look around she sighed while gently putting a hand on her already showing small belly.

"Don't worry baby, I've been in worst situations. I'll make sure we get out of this one just fine" she said quietly to herself and continued her descend.

Meliah was greeted with an incredible sight when she reached the bottom. Monsters made out of lava were attacking Garfield and Robin. They were outnumbered and every time each destroyed one, two more appeared right behind them.

Robin kicked and swung his bo staff at the monsters heads while Garfield stumped and swung his dinosaur tail in all directions. But even Garfield with an excellent health could not keep the animals forms for long, specially if he was exhausted and so, after destroying three of the creatures at once, he turned back human and was panting from the exertion when he suddenly heard another roar and another T-rex made its way and swung its tail above Garfield's head and smashed five more monsters against the wall.

All color left him as he realized who it was when she turned around to face him.

"Meliah! What are you doing here. You're not supposed to be out here. You're not supposed to be out of that bed period" he yelled over the commotion that surrounded them.

"Yeah, keep believing that Garfield, but know this, if I'm going to die today, I wont be waiting patiently on a bed. If I go down, I will go down fighting now c'mon, we have to get Raven away from those circles."

"M, you're not in condition to…"

"To what, to fight? I will always fight back Gar, never doubt that" said Meliah as she started to walk around a column and trying to get a better look of her target.

"But you're… and the baby…" Garfield tried to say but when Meliah turned around, she pulled him by the collar of his uniform just in time before one of the lava monsters saw him before Robin destroyed it.

"Look Gar, we're ok, we will be ok. If I can turn into something big enough, the baby will be fine. Now distract them while I get closer to Raven"

"Hell no!, you're in no condition to confront Raven now"

"Fine, then I'll distract them while you get Raven away from that pedestal" Meliah said nodding towards the monsters that were now cornering Robin.

"Where are Cyborg and Star?"

"I'm sure they'll be here soon" she turned into a rhino and slammed two monsters head on to the wall.

"They don't know you left?" he said after destroying another monster.

"Garfield, I wasn't about to ask permission now go. If she gets too close, she'll be trapped in the vortex in between dimensions. Get her away destroy the book before she's out of control… don't worry about us Gar, adrenaline is kicking in and I feel stronger than ever. Go!."

With a heavy heart he left her behind and headed towards the pedestal but Raven had sensed his presence long before. As she turned his way she could feel the thrill take over again but try as she might, Rage was at full control and consuming her from within. She could still sense Slade's presence linger in space.

Garfield approached cautiously. He locked eyes with Raven trying to find a way into her trance.

"Rae?… babe, I know you're in there. I know you can hear me. don't do this. We came here to stop Trigon from taking over. You're not this, you're way over that. He cant control you anymore."

"What do you know of what I am. I'm a demon, this is what I'm meant to be" Raven said in an other worldly voice. A shiver run down his spine. As much as he loved her, deep down he would still get the chills when Rage took over.

"I'll tell you what I know you are Raven. My Raven. My beautiful, intelligent and sweet girl that I've been in love with since I met her. You're not a demon Raven, only a part of you is. And even that part is not evil, its hot and passionate and lustful but never evil." he said this as he slowly extended his hand to her and for a moment she seemed to hesitate when she looked down at his hand then in his eyes.

"Ha!, now I know you're lying. Me, sweet?… "

"Yes… you're the sweetest I know. Remember how you came into my room to check on me, or when you stayed until I fell sleep because of my nightmares. Or when you brought me breakfast when we first took Meliah into the holding cell, how you gave me a peck on the lips and held my hand, even after we went into Robin's office? Or our first real kiss, Rage?"

Suddenly, memories of that day on the roof when Rage took over came flooding. Raven remembered how it started. How Happy had also taken a chance and asked him if he would give her a kiss and then when Rage simply stole it from him and even demanded more. She finally understood the reason why she felt their first kiss so familiar and why it hurt so much more when she found out Meliah had had her way with him. Because he had rejected her before. To his credit however, she also remembered why.

Rage's hold was still strong but not because of the dark magic that had been in control before, but because deep down she knew, even down to her darkest side, she was in love with him.

Slowly, the second set of eyes started to disappear but a soon as she reached for his hand, the fire circle behind her started to spin erratically and soon started to expand. Garfield pulled Raven back but the force of the vortex inside the ring was stronger and soon, was taking a hold of Raven.

Cyborg and Star arrived at that moment and after destroying the remaining lava monsters, everything stood still and somewhere deep down the spinning portal, a deep, diabolic laugh resonated throughout the cave.

Garfield watched in horror how Raven was being consumed slowly and every time he tried to get close, fire tendrils lashed out to get him so close that he now had burnt marks on his arms and torso.

Meliah came running behind in the form of a rhino and slammed full force at the base of the pedestal. When that proved futile, she turned back human and yelled for Cyborg to use his sonic cannon but another tendril of red energy made its way out of the fire ring and made way to everyone around the pedestal. Cyborg shot his cannon several times but each shot went right thru.

"I might not be able to take over your dimension today…" came the voice of Trigon, more clear as he approached the portal's entrance.

"But I will take my daughter back and teach her a lesson…" Trigon said and a red claw came out of the portal and was soon reaching for Raven when another roar was heard. The Beast jumped over the vortex and clawed and bit with all his might at the red entity. An earthquake followed and many of the columns and even the base of the pedestal, started to crumble.

The fire ring started to fade and with it, was pulling Raven. The panic and desperation Raven felt were evident and the Beast soon found himself whimpering and for a moment he reached with a claw towards the sorceress as she tried to do the same and a collision of wills and colors enveloped them, making a red and green aura shine throughout the cavern and there for a moment, the image was familiar, almost a dejavu sense run among them as they saw what could be inevitable.

But as the inevitable was, another roar resonated just behind them. A saber tooth clawed its way into the massive hand, releasing Raven in the process. She fell from the void towards the ground but the Beast caught her just in time but he roared just as fiercely when he saw what was happening. The fire ring returned to its original size and soon started to spin as well as the ashes of the white powder and roars and screams were heard until they faded. Everyone stood still and silent.

"Meliah!" Garfield screamed amidst the fog and smoke. The lave monsters were gone as well as the spinning rings.

Raven grunted as soon as she woke up and Garfield was holding her head on his lap while Starfire held her hand. When she looked into his eyes however, they were shedding tears.

"Gar? Are you ok?" she asked in a raspy voice.

"S-she's gone Rae… Meliah is gone… the baby is gone…" his sorrow was overwhelming and his grief almost unbearable. Raven sat up immediately and pulled him into a hug as he sobbed like he did once before on the porch of the place he once shared with his parents.

Starfire was there as well but, no words she could say could lighten the load or fill the void in his heart at the loss of a dear friend. But then, amidst the endless fog and dust and smoke, steps echoed their way to them. Cyborg charged his cannon, Star stood up and star bolts ignited on her hands and as she lifted one of them, the green, fluorescent light illuminated their surroundings while Robin got his own weapons ready. And there, in slurred, slow steps a figure made its way to them.

But what made them drop their weapons was what made the figure slow in its steps. He was carrying someone. When Starfire flew to their side to shine the way and Garfield and Raven approached them, the figure fell on his knees and carefully leaned the body he was carrying against his chest and in between panting and coughing his face came to the light.

A young man, no older than Robin was in front of them.

"Dude, who are you? How did you get here?" asked Garfield while he shielded Raven with his body.

"Wilson… Slade Wilson… please, help me… I don't know where I'm at and… she's hurt…I think she's pregnant too"