Late getting this one posted. But better late than never.
4.
Jump City Trail Park
October 02
20:16 UTC
With the sun setting over the horizon, automatic lights along the hiking trails of one of Jump City's parks lit up for those wanting a run to finish their day. Lamps over the doors of restrooms shone brightly in the slowly darkening atmosphere as were the pole mounted lanterns spread out along the trails. Winged insects had already begun to gather around the bulbs with the sound of crickets chirping filling the air. A cool breeze swept across the grounds, rattling the leaves of the many trees until they grew still again.
Nocturnal animals scampered about, either on the hunt for a night time meal or trying to find a place to bed down for the night. Raccoons already began to rut through garbage cans while the occasional frog hopped along the base of trees or the restroom building to snag any insects careless enough to come within range of its sticky tongue. Of course, they all stayed away from the picnic area where a small group of teens sat.
"Glad you could make it."
Sitting at a picnic table near one of the restrooms, Garfield, wearing a glamor charm to blend in with the normal skinned people, looked around to the group of teens joining him. Kyle sat across from him in a black and green track suit, his ring glowing slightly to grant them more light. Terra sat on the table itself with a lollipop sticking out of her mouth and a soft drink in one hand. Raven shared and straddled the bench Garfield sat on with an elbow on the table and the hood of her jacket drawn over her head. Across from her sat Cissie with her head down on her hands and a slice of pizza from the three boxes they picked up before meeting.
"So, what has everyone been up to?" Garfield asked cautiously.
"I think you know the answer to that question," Kyle snapped. "Missions, training, research, more missions, more training, more research, even more missions, even more training, even more research, even even more missions, even even more training, even even more-"
"We get it," Terra interrupted, "The League is all work and no play."
"And the black ops are the same way," Cissie commented. "I haven't been on a mission the last three times cause of homework. I need to train when I'm finished but I can't go in the field until I've trained properly."
"And then there's Robin's scheduling," Raven said. "He plans everything short of bathroom breaks. I'm just waiting for him to schedule a time to make schedules."
"Remember how M'gann would just say, 'Beach Time'?" Terra asked. "We would be doing our homework or training when she would have us take a break."
"Or how they would help us with our homework then train or go on patrol? Or a mission?" Cissie pointed out.
"Remember when Conner would give us some cash to eat in the city and..." Pausing, Kyle came to a realization. "Never mind. I completely know why he would do that now. Ew."
"Great work, Sherlock." Raven told him. "But at least they're not helicopter monitoring like Zatanna."
"Why did you keep that a secret from us?" Cissie asked.
Not answering, Raven turned her gaze downward and away from the group, her hood hiding her face.
"Look, I get it," Kyle said. "You thought if we knew were the daughter of an all powerful demon god, we would turn against you. Like we would turn our backs on you because of what you are, not who you are."
"Yeah," Cissie agreed. "Give us some credit. You know who one of Conner's dad's are, right?"
"Rather be related to a demon," Terra quipped. "Wait, does that mean he'll go bald like Lex?"
Snickering, even Raven, the teens went back into a comfortable silence. Some grabbed a slice of pizza, others grabbed a drink. All wanted things to go back to before the team was split up with new leadership coming in.
"They never trained us to be a team," Garfield commented.
"What?" Kyle asked after putting his drink down.
"Heh?" Terra added.
"Not a team?" asked Cissie. "We were Titans, a team of teenage superheroes. Keyword, 'team'."
"He's right," Raven told them. Turning her head around, she reached up and removed her hood, exposing her pale face to the group. "We were never treated like part of a team. We did team related exercises, but we were never trained to be a team."
"Right. Remember when we needed help on our homework? When we were having a hard day at school or after a mission? Or how about when Cissie was picked on by that girl for being named 'Cissie'? They were there for us. Then there was when Kyle's dad couldn't get him to that art...thing that time. They got him there so he wouldn't have to worry about being seen in his Lantern uniform. Three of us are orphans, and they took us in. Sis would make us snacks after training, breakfast and dinner if we all stayed overnight for missions or to shoot the breeze together. It never felt like being on a team to us because we weren't on a team. As cheesy as it sounds, they treated us like a family. Like when the black ops team first formed."
"It, did feel nice to have a home," Terra quietly said.
"And friends we could be ourselves around," Kyle mentioned.
A few moments passed with no one saying anything. Some picked at their food while others sat in silence.
"I miss them," Cissie said.
"I miss our old team," Garfield replied.
The small group of teen heroes continued to sit quietly, eating, drinking, and wondering about the future. Each wanted the same thing; however, and that was to be on the same team again.
Unknown Location
October 04
23:48 UTC
Walking down a long corridor comprised of dark, gray stone, Brother Blood passed lit torches with his cloak flowing behind him from the speed in which he traveled. Ahead of him, muffled sounds could be heard as he turned the corner and entered a large chamber where a number of his followers were obediently standing. All had their hoods drawn over their heads and had them turned downward in the presence of their master.
The walls in the chamber formed a wide circle and domed at the top. Iron cells lined the far wall with blood red banners depicting the rise and conquests of Trigon hung along the sides. Tables of sharpened instruments lay ready to be taken up for various torture methods alongside glass vials of viscus fluids only Brother Blood knew the use of.
In the center of the room, a stone table sat with several leather traps holding down a struggling woman. Her clothing was torn and dirty. Her voice was raspy. Her wrists, raw from attempting to brake her bonds. She had no way to free herself since being placed on the stone slab with every effort she made only tiring her out more.
"Lilith Clay." Coming to her side, Brother Blood gently ran a hand along her body and grabbed her chin, turning it to force her to look at him. "My God will be pleased to enter this realm with your sacrifice."
"Please, let me go," Lilith pleaded. "What did I do? Why do this to me?"
Removing his glove, Brother Blood flexed his fingers. "You have done nothing but matured nicely, my dear. Your unique ability is at its peak. And now is the time for the harvesting of your soul."
Roughly grabbing her face, Brother Blood ginned as she gasped from what she saw. He made sure to leave his hand on her skin, not caring for what she was going through. Letting out a hiss, he rolled his eyes back and reached under his cloak for the three bladed dagger. Licking his teeth, Brother Blood took a shaky breath and reveled in knowing it was time to bring forth his demon master.
As the head of the Blood Cult touched his skin to hers, Lilith felt an overwhelming darkness cover her. Fear traveled down every nerve as a severe cold spread through her bones with a whimper escaping her mouth.
A bright light filled her vision. Streaks of red began to shoot toward her from a central point until she emerged from a long tunnel. Fire covered the land with molten rock as the screams of suffering people could be heard in the distance. Buildings burned, crumbling into ashes as they fell to the ground with dust clouds taking their place. Bones littered the land around her from once living men, women, and children with the very chains restraining their hands and feet tangled among the skeletons.
Looking around, Lilith could see the entire world burning around her. Tears cascaded down her eyes as the once green and blue world turned red with fire. Holding her hands over her mouth, she let out a whimper at what the man touching her wanted for the world and its people. Nightmare was not the word to use as it was beyond that simplistic description.
A deep growl caught her attention, freezing her in place, Lilith prayed she would simply be granted release from the vision she was experiencing. Feeling the presence of clawed hands on her shoulders, the young Brazilian woman let out a choked cry as she knew she had to face what was responsible for the death and destruction of this planet. Turning her head, she looked behind her and saw the shape of the Titan Tower all but destroyed with the blackened form of Trigon sitting on it like a throne.
With red, glowing eyes, two sets of them, he looked down upon her and released another growl. Falling to her knees, Lilith shook from fear and hugged herself tight when a sharp pain entered her chest. Opening her eyes wide, she choked out a few strands of blood, knowing what had just happened to her. Looking up, she took one last look at Trigon, and the line of individuals standing behind him.
Slowly, they came into view, familiar faces, pale with red eyes, looking down at her. All were ones she had come to meet, all were ones who had once vowed to protect her. And one face belonged to the dark skinned man she last saw standing before her cell, completely under Brother Blood's control.
With the last of her soul entering the blade, Brother Blood grinned evilly and rose the dagger above his head. "Lord Trigon, your disciple has gathered the souls needed for you to enter this realm. Claim me, claim my body as your vessel and bring forth your never ending darkness to the light so that we may know true salvation."
"Hail, Trigon!" the robed men said together.
Taking a deep breath, Brother Blood brought down the dagger swiftly and impaled his chest. Gasping, he did not fall, nor did he stagger. All that occurred was a black light escaping from where he stabbed himself. It combined with the red lights from the dagger, mixing as it began to envelop him.
Dropping his arms, Brother Blood lifted off the ground. His mouth hung open as he faced the ceiling, releasing a hollow gurgle as his eyes turned black. As he closed in on the stones above him, a bright light formed a tear in the stones above and let out a white and red light. Twin beams shot down, entering Brother Blood's eyes as the red and black light from the dagger fed into his mouth.
Below the Blood Cult's leader, the cloaked followers reached up and withdrew the hoods from their heads. One by one, they looked forward with glowing red eyes and slate gray skin.
"Hail Trigon," Silver Banshee said once her hood was removed.
"Hail, Trigon," Scarecrow hissed with his yellow eyes shimmering brightly.
"Hail, Trigon," Kid Devil said as he was next.
"Hail Trigon," echoed Riddler.
"Hail, Trigon," Aqualad followed.
"Hail, Trigon," announced Vibe.
"Hail, Trigon," Blue Devil stated as his face came into view.
"Hail, Trigon," Batman, the last of the hooded followers said.
"My...god," Brother Blood muttered. "One more to sought after. Then your reign will begin. My life...be thine."