"I'm Sorry" Raven said with a faint breath before going limp in his arms.
He cradled her like a fragile child. He sobbed her name as his forehead connected with hers; the tears running down his face fell like rain drops on her cheeks. Nothing mattered anymore. Not the thundering lighting or the ferocious roars from Trigon. He was oblivious to it all. He was so far gone he didn't even notice her brothers approaching from behind. A carefully placed hand on his shoulder broke him out of his trance. He was ready to pounce, his fangs protruding from his mouth; he whirled around to face the person who dared interrupt his grieving. Livius face showed a look of fear before returning to its neutral expression.
"She's not dead."
Beast Boy looked down at Raven. He could see her chest rise up and down with each struggling breath.
"She's healing herself." Livius reached for her but the glare that Beast Boy gave him stopped him in his tracks.
Livius let out a frustrated sigh.
"Look, I'm not your enemy. Please, I'll keep her safe. You can trust me."
The sound of his brothers' screams snapped Livius attention away from Raven. He rushed over to his other two brothers who appeared to be hunched over something.
Asmodeus.
"Is he…"
"No…But he doesn't have much time." Segenam reluctantly broke the news.
"We'll what are you waiting for? Heal Him!"
"It's too late. He's heart has been pierced. If we could have gotten here sooner…"
The brothers watched in horrified silence as Asmodeus's skin began to crack before shattering completely.
They followed the light that escaped from his body shooting up to the sky where a circle began to form within the dark clouds.
Before any words could be exchange the sound of a new group of voices caught their attention. Amon let out a sigh in relief when he saw who they were.
"It's about time."
"Beast Boy!"
Once again, Beast Boy found his trance broken. That voice sounded so familiar but... it couldn't be.
"Robin!" Beast Boy couldn't help the smile that formed on his face as his team gathered around him.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"We dropped off Batgirl and Terra at the hospital. Figured you could use some help."
"What happened to Raven?"
Beast Boy jaw tighten as a vein twitched in his neck. The boiling anger rose at the memory of what he just witness.
"Blood…He…"
Robin and Cyborg shared a glance while Starfire looked on in confusion.
"I'll kill him." Cyborg snarled as he ready his cannon and walked over to Blood with Robin right behind him.
Blood still laid on his back as he began to recover from the blast.
He groaned as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. He had a pounding headache. That headache multiplied as he felt a swift blow to the back of his head. He collapsed onto the ground and attempted to crawl away from whatever just hit him. But then he felt a scorching heat on his back and he screamed in pain. He remembered that feeling. He lost count on how many times he got blast by that cannon. But it was nothing compare to the feeling of it on his bare skin.
Robin grabbed Blood and turned him around to face him. He sat on him as he rained punches to his victim.
"You sick bastard!" Robin pounded Blood in the face.
"How dare you do that to Raven!" Another punch.
To Blood the pain was unbearable. The damage was easily seen. Blood faced was a wreck. His nose broken, both eyes swollen shut and his lips busted. He could already tell he lost a few teeth. But to Robin it wasn't enough. He wanted to see nothing but red. He wanted to erase his existence. It is true that he doesn't kill his enemies but he wanted Blood to at least make it to death's door. But Oh how he wanted to open that door and toss him into it before locking it and throwing the key away. Jail would be a blessing to this monster, a blessing that he doesn't deserve. It would be so easy. With one blast to the face by Cyborg's cannon, Raven's revenge would be complete.
But he refused to stoop to that level…Robin let out one last punch. As he attempted to stop his crazed rampage and calm his breathing, he admired his work. Well, at least his face fits his name now.
Robin rose to his feet and grabbed at Blood's arm. Just as he was about to pull him up a thundering crackle shook the walls that surrounded them bringing everyone standing to the ground.
Another thundering crackle was heard as Trigon stepped out of the portal that opened from the skies. With another mighty step that left a crater he was fully out and the portal closed behind him. The sky was no longer blue. Only darkness was left. Not a single star was in sight.
Trigon looked around him, admiring the scenery after being vanquished for so long, and stretched before letting out a laugh that caused the walls to tremble and rocks to fall.
"Finally!" Blood pushed passed Robin and Cyborg and knelt at Trigon's enormous feet.
"I honor your presence Great Trigon."
"Are you the one who revived me?"
"It is so great one. I fulfilled the prophecy and brought you back."
"Then be gone from my presence. Your duty is done."
Trigon took a step over Blood not evening bothering to spare a second look.
"What about my reward?" Brother Blood ran in front of Trigon. "Surely a seat in your great world would be fair as payment for your awakening."
"You dare seek validation from me?" Trigon frowned before his face showed his amusement. "You are a mere human, a mortal with no value. The weak will not exist in my universe."
Blood was shocked. How could this be?
He has no right. You summoned him. He wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for you.
Yes, That's right!
Because of that you are superior Blood. He's nothing without you. You are the true ruler of this land.
Yes…I should be ruling this world. It's all because of me. I commanded his sons. I did the ritual. I did it all. It's all because of me…
Tell Him Blood…Tell Him of all your achievements. Tell him the truth.
"But I summoned you! You are nothing without me! I should be the one ruling this world. and you should be bowing down to me!"
Trigon amused face was gone as he stared down at Blood, His outburst still fresh in his mind. Blood's eyes, that were just purple, returned to normal. With it the memory of what he just said returned as well. He didn't mean to say it but it was like something took over...what…who…
His eyes landed on a pair of purple ones.
"Looks like your pride got the best of you Blood." Raven said with a smile.
Blood paled as Trigon furious voice boomed in his ears.
"How dare you look down upon me!?"
Blood bowed in front of his feet.
"Forgive me your greatness! I-I didn't mean it!"
"You shall die for your foolishness."
"Oh please, No, Your greatness! Forgive me, Please, Forgi-"
Blood let out a shriek as Trigon's lasers blasted him. For a split second you could see his skeleton as his flesh melted away before it was reduced to a pile of ashes.
Silence. Bone chilling silence followed that horrific scene. The extent of Trigon's power was never seen before. Everybody shivered in fear. All thinking the same thing. Trigon could kill them in a second. Their lives were truly in his hands. It was then that Trigon seemed to notice them. He only a spared a glance towards his children and Beast Boy but he paused when his eyes fell on the other Titans. It was than that he recognized them and smirked at their appearance.
"Have your friends come to amused me again? What sport should I play for the three of you.." Trigon thought long and hard before smiling.
His eyes glowed red. At that moment Robin, Starfire, and Cyborg grabbed their head in pain. From their head a mist seeped through that began to take shape in front of them. There appeared Blackfire, Slade, and Atlas. The three titans' greatest foes.
"Before you were your own worst enemy, Now let's see how long you will last against your true enemies." Trigon chuckled darkly
Robin looked at Beast Boy. They spoke using only their eyes. With a nod from Beast Boy and a smile from Robin, the conversation was over. Robin wield his staff and said the words he had come to miss.
"Titans Go!"
Beast Boy watched as he team battled their rivals. He never felt so useless. He watched as Starfire rained star bolts onto her sister who didn't even flinch upon their impact and smirked as her flying kick sent Starfire soaring across the cavern. His green eyes shifted to Cyborg who found himself at the mercy of Atlas once again. His giant hands pushed his robotic friend further to the ground. By the look on Cyborg's face he could tell what he was thinking, I'm only human. Finally He saw Robin in a speedy battle with Slade. Kicks and fists were a blurry frenzy and the person who came out victorious was Slade who grabbed Robin foot in the middle of a kick and threw him into the wall. Robin slid down it and hit the ground with a thud.
He wanted to help but he couldn't bring himself to leave the woman laying on his lap. Raven was different from her brothers. She could heal others with little damage to herself while for her brothers even the smallest attempt to heal even themselves brought them great discomfort. The fact that Raven also has the power of a deadly sin was news to Beast Boy. She never used it before and now he could see why. Immediately after influencing Blood Raven became nauseous and started vomiting violently.
As he and her brothers looked after her and kept a careful eye on Trigon, who gleefully watched his private show just as he did before, Beast Boy couldn't help but whisper to himself.
"There has to be a way to stop him."
"There is"
Raven lifted herself from Beast Boy lap as she coughed up blood. Beast Boy supported her weight carefully as Raven struggled to speak again.
"We can use the souls of Azarath. I done it once. All I have to do is call them again."
Segenam shooked his head "You're to weak. You already used most of your powers to influence Blood. You reached your max mental capacity. You don't have anything else in you."
Livius was silent for moment. "What if we lend her our power? We too have connections with Azarath."
Amon bit his lower lip "It's possible."
Segenam once again disagreed. "Our bonds was severed long ago to make the bond with Trigon. To summon them would remove us of our Demon heritage."
"Meaning…"
"We would be left completely mortal."
"That's the price we will have to pay. We helped summon him. Now we can take him out"
"Even if we could do it. It's too late now. Our powers aren't strong enough with just the three of us. Without Asmodeus we just don't have enough strength."
"I can be the fourth." Raven spoke up.
"No, All our powers combined and put into you will tear at your psyche. "
"We can't let him win." Raven protested.
"And we can't let you die!"
The conversation stopped and the sound of the battle that was toned out was heard again.
"If you do this…There's no guarantee you will survive. I can't take that risk. I'm sorry but it's over."
"You're wrong." Raven frowned "We can't just sit back and do nothing. We're not little kids! I hated my powers at first. I was forced to swallow my emotions just to be able to control it. I couldn't enjoy my gift and I began to see it as a curse. I thought my strength came from being alone. I thought the hate that came from the loneliness would make me stronger but I was wrong. That strength doesn't come from hate. It comes from unity, family, friends, and love. Alone I wasn't able to defeat him. But I had help. I'm asking you guys to be that help right now!" Raven winced in pain as she struggled to her feet.
"It took me a long time to realize, But you can't do anything by yourself. Together we can spare this world of his influence and prove to him just how powerful a family, our family, can be."
She looked down at her brothers who after a moment of hesitation stood along with her. As they walk closer to Trigon, Beast Boy found his voice took her wrist.
"Rae, Please don't do this."
She smiled at him. "I have to. I can't let the world be punished for our mistakes."
"But you'll die."
She grabbed his hands and kissed him on the cheek. "Trust me"
She let go of his hands and walked to join her brothers.
Trigon smirked at the sight of his children foolishly banding together to defeat him. He opened his mouth to mock them but a blast of energy cut him off. He cursed and reached for his attacker but another blast of energy stopped his assault. He roared in anger and was ready to step on Livius but a blast to his foot sent him tumbling backwards. He hit the ground with an impact that could be heard for miles. As he tried to regain his footing, Raven and her brothers silently grabbed each other hands. He decided to take advantage of this moment and was prepping his lasers when he realized that he couldn't move. It was then that he began to panic as he watched his bloodline whispered chants that froze Trigon to his spot. Their eyes glowed white and together they floated. The brothers hovered around her forming a triangle as Raven floated higher reaching Trigon line of sight.
Trigon eyes widen with fear as Raven's cloak turned white once again. He knew what was coming.
"Trigon" Raven's powerful voice cut through the howling winds hushing them "Your time has come!"
Trigon visibly trembled but ever boastful attempted to laugh. "You cannot defeat me! You all exist to serve me! They have no purpose and You will always be nothing but a portal! That is your destiny!"
Raven shooked her head and scoffed as she closed her eyes. "I have told you once and I won't tell you again. This is my home and you are not welcomed here." Her white eyes opened and her hands shot energy knocking Trigon back. Before he could fall to the ground, Raven's heavenly voice could be heard again.
"Azarath…" White energy approached Trigon and wrapped around him.
"Metrion…" It tighten around him as light began to appear from the cracks of his skin.
The shadow illusions of Slade, Blackfire, and Atlas disappeared in the same puff of smoke in which they appeared
"ZINTHOS!" The white energy entered his body by his mouth. His mouth and eyes shined bright white while the cracks became deeper and more rigged. He let out one final shriek of "No" before he was obliterated completely.
Raven let out a sigh as she floated back gently on the ground followed by her brothers.
Her teammates gathered around her in relief. They all had on the same smile. Starfire's gasp was the first thing to be said. Only one smile remained as Raven's body began to crack. Behind her, her brothers were going through the same process. Raven looked down at herself. She lifted up her hand and watch as the tiny cracks became more elaborate. She still kept her smile. After all she knew this was going to happen. She didn't have much time. She placed her hand back down and walked to her closest teammate. She grabbed onto her robotic friend and pulled him in for one last hug.
"Oh come on Cy, Robots can't cry. I guess you really are only half." She joked as she gently wiped away the tears that flooded from his human eye. "Please Cy, Promise me you'll stay happy. Keep on being the brother that I've come to love. Don't let this ruin you…okay?"
"I'll try…" Cyborg manage let out through his sobs.
Raven nodded before turning her attention to the boy wonder.
"Robin, You knew me before anyone else did. You trusted me and treated me like a person even though you knew what I was born from, You never stop believing in me. You knew there was good in me and you brought it out. There are no words for how thankful I am for your trust…your friendship." She kissed him on the cheek before wrapping her arms around him. Robin buried his head into her shoulder as he silently sobbed. This was too much for him. He couldn't even say a word. But Raven could hear his emotions loud and clear and she understood every word that they were saying. "Thank you Robin, for everything." She whispered in his ear as they pulled apart.
"I refused to say the goodbyes to you Raven." Starfire crossed her arms across her chest and pouted. "You will be fine yes? I will see you again…T-This can't be the end…"
"I'm afraid it is Star…"
Starfire furrowed her eyebrows as the tears she was trying so hard to hold back finally came out. Starfire wailed as she pulled Raven into a hug. Although the mighty hug caused her much pain, she embraced Starfire even harder as she tried to comfort her best friend. "Starfire, we were complete opposites. I never saw myself becoming your friend. But you did and you tried to understand me and my ways. You were the first who ever tried to do that and succeeded. I'll never forget the time you meditated with me or the time you took me shopping at the mall." They shared a giggle as Starfire wiped her eyes. "Those are memories I will cherish forever. You were and forever will be my best friend. Thank you for understanding me and loving me." She placed her hand on Starfire left shoulder and caressed her cheek with her other hand.
Now it was him…
She turned to the man she loved. The expression he wore was the same as that fateful day two years ago. It was strong yet loving but his eyes showed his sadness.
"Raven…" She pressed a finger against his lips silencing him.
"You know, you saw through me and fought harder than anybody to get to know me. You tried every trick, every game, and every joke just to get me to laugh. You tried so hard and I for the life of me couldn't understand why. I resented you for your actions. I thought why can't he just leave me alone? It wasn't until that day that I truly began to appreciate your presence." Beast Boy frowned as he remember that day…when Malchior broke her heart.
"I was heartbroken. I never felt so alone. For the first time, I opened up myself to someone and paid the consequences for that. I was ready to lock my heart up and never open it again. I was ready to be alone. I didn't want to accept it No…but I knew at that moment that nobody would ever want me. I was ready to sink myself deep into my dark hole and never come out. But then a knock came at the door and there you stood.
"You think you're alone Raven but you're not."
"Your voice, that sentence…it brought me back to life. I regained my hope and I truly believed what you said. It was then that I started to see you in a different light. And before I even knew what was happening I fell in love with you." A huge crack broke across Raven face and fell from her cheek revealing more white light. More of her skin crumbled and followed.
She sighed "Looks like I'm out of time."
"Rae…I don't think I can bear losing you again…" His voice choked with emotion.
"You'll find me again. Just like you always have. I was lost once but you still found me. Don't forget that Garfield for that is the key. Search for love and you will find me again."
With that she kissed him deeply and passionately. It was as if she was trying to burn that message into his lips hoping that it will stay forever. All too soon she pulled apart. With the taste of his lips still lingering she joined her brothers. She cast one final look at her family. They were together and united. It filled her with joy to see her team together again and despite the pain of leaving them, she couldn't help but grin.
A blinding light filled the air as Raven and her brothers exploded leaving nothing left. The Titans watched as four lone lights took off into the sky before disappearing never to be seen again.
Man, This was tough to write. I was sitting here so happy like YES I MADE IT! I CAN BEGIN WRITING IT! THE CLIMAX OF THE STORY! Than I didn't know what to write or even how to begin. I hoped you guys enjoyed this chapter. I know gave Raven Shakespearean death dialogue but I wanted her to be able to say her goodbyes. As for the end...I thought about continuing this maybe as a sequel but I decided against it. So there's more chapters to come. Anyway, Please Review and I'll see you in the next chapter!
