Holy shit, people. We're here. The fricking finale. It's been 7 years. I still can't believe people read this thing and I'd be surprised if people continue to read this in like 10 years. I'd like to thank the creators, staff and producers of the show cuz if it weren't for them, this fic wouldn't exist. Then I'd like to thank all of the loyal followers if there are still any that are reading this. To the new readers that have just picked this up, thank you too! Thank you to everyone that encouraged me and kept me going with this story! You guys rock!
A few things before I get to the conclusion of this thing. I know that the ending of this might seem like a cop-out or anti-climatic, but in all honesty, I've actually envisioned this for the longest time. This is how I wanted it and I actually drew inspiration from 2 anime, Noein and Blood+. The hope for the future comes from Noein as well as the whole dimensional horizon thing. If you guys haven't seen the world's largest mirror, check it out. It's really cool! It's been seen in some video games, anime/manga, and a few shows. The atonement scene and Raven wanting to live comes from Blood+. It's been 10 years and I'm still watching and still love those anime but I digress.
Anyway, I left it with this open-ended ending so I can go into a sequel that I plan on going into. Maybe even a trilogy because I have a lot material that I'm working with. But I know that a prequel is a definite. I also feel bad that I kind of sidelined the other Titans but they'll get a bigger role in the sequel.
I pulled a Pacific Rim on you guys with BB and Rae. I know all of you wanted them to end up together but I put more thought into their relationship. They've been apart for 5 years. He was with Terra during that time and Rae was finding a way home. Now that she's back, she's only been there for a little under a month so it'd feel weird to just have them hook up, as they're practically strangers. They don't really know each other and I wanted to develop their relationship more. Plus I didn't really explain how Raven feels about romantic relationships yet, but that's coming in the sequel. Anyway, I wanted their relationship to be slow.
I might go back and re-edit this chapter if need be but I think that it's fine. All that is left is the Epilogue which is just about finished which I just need to revise and proofread. Expect it sometime in the next few days or within the week.
Also quick poll guys: DO YOU GUYS WANT THE SEQUEL FIRST OR THE PREQUEL FIRST? LEMME KNOW.
Chapter 31: Into the Light
"Azar! Mother How-?!"
"Even in death, your power vexes me!" Trigon thundered.
Raven cringed as she tried to sit up. The empath clutched her stomach as she looked back and forth between the two spirits and the red emperor. The pain was excruciating; she must have broken several ribs and possible fractures.
"You will no longer hurt my daughter," Arella challenged.
"Arella…" Trigon snarled.
Trigon sprinted towards them. Murderous growls escaped his mouth and his outstretched hand curled into a claw.
Azar raised his hand and glowing white chains erupted from the rift that wrapped around Trigon's right arm and left leg.
The red behemoth roared in angry and fury as the glowing gold chains burned into him. He charged them in a blind wrath, the chains rattling and snapping which caused him to halt. He snarled as he fired an eye beam at the chains and struggled.
Azar and Arella raised their hands and created a glowing yellow shield erected itself between them and the beam.
The demon emperor roared in anger as he struggled against the restraints. The glowing white chains around his right arm and left leg rattled loudly.
"DO YOU FOOLS THINK THAT THIS WILL HOLD ME!?" He bellowed.
Arella and Azar carefully watched the demon overlord. Arella's white robe and purple hair contrasting against her as she glanced at her daughter. The shield that they had erected was beginning to break down.
"Raven, we cannot hold him for very long. You must seal him."
"What?"
"ARELLA!" The red-skinned demon snarled.
The priestess raised her right hand to her face and muttered an incantation that Raven couldn't quite hear. Glowing white chains sprouted from the rift again and wrapped itself around Trigon's right leg. The chains looped around his waist and wrapped around itself along his neck and head.
"AAAZAAAR!"
"Raven," Azar addressed as he looked at her. "You must seal him away permanently in the dimension he came from. Only you can do it, you are his flesh and blood. And only your power can do so, only you are stronger."
The land began to quake. Raven wasn't sure if it was from Trigon or if it was from the dimension beginning to close.
"How can I? He's too powerful! I cant!"
Trigon hit the ground and he crawled forward with his left arm. The demon emperor roared as his eyes glowed with an intense hatred. Raven watched with a worried expression, fearing that the chains would unravel and finish them all off.
Azar simply gave her a reassuring smile and Arella crouched down to her daughter. Raven reached out to the woman but her hand simply phased through her. The enchantress made a wistful look at her mother.
"Raven, my child. The battle has been long but only you can finish this…"
"How…"
Arella simply shook her head, signifying that there wasn't enough time to explain.
"I wish that there was more time to explain but we are simply pressed for time."
A gentle smile crossed her Arella's face.
"Raven. Repeat after me," Azar addressed.
The enchantress listened intently as she looked at the robed man.
"Sonor thaiz Merez thama" he performed a circular motion.
The Azarathian stood up, lifted her hand and waved it in a circular motion. Raven felt a surge of power she had never felt before; unlike blood magic which felt cold, addicting, seductive but sinister, this power felt warm, familiar and friendly. Her pain temporarily subsided and was replaced by this power. Blue aura flared around her and her eyes glowed a bright blue, her hair and dress whipped around her.
"Sonor thaiz Merez thana" she repeated.
Red glowing runes crept up her legs, then traveled up her torso and back, then up her arms. Finally, the mark of Scath appeared on her face.
Several glowing blue chains escaped the rift and wound themselves around Trigon's chest, neck and head. Vicious roars rumbled from Trigon as he futilely struggled against the divine restraints.
It was like a vacuum was turned on and he was being sucked into the rift along with his army. However, it was not just Trigon, but some cars, uprooted street-lights, corpses, and rubble too. Raven clutched her side, her pain slowly returning.
"I will return! This world and all other worlds will be mine!" He cursed.
Raven, Arella and Azar watched as the chains dragged him back into the darkness of the rift. The red demon snarled and struggled against the restraints as the ground left a trail. It felt like an eternity before his feet, followed by his torso slid into the abyss.
The last thing Raven saw of her father was the silvery strands of his hair falling over his face. The look of absolute hate in his eyes as terrifying.
'It's over. It's finally over…' A tear ran down her cheek.
The rift began close. Raven clenched her hands and her head dropped.
"It is done, Raven."
"You must leave this place."
"Then what? I…I don't know what to do…"
"That will be up for you to decide, my child."
Raven pensively looked up at the two dead Azarathians. A golden light bathed them and several orbs danced and they began to fade.
"Wait! Please!"
"We will always look over you, Raven."
Just as she was to say something the ground shook. The black walls surrounding the city began to vibrate and flash white. The city creaked and a loud rumble echoed across the landscape. Black lightning flashed across the sky. Raven shut her eyes as a breeze blew by and rustled her hair. Golden light bathed her and the unconscious man on the ground and they slowly faded. Then everything was silent.
Beast Boy's eyes fluttered open and he felt a light breeze rustle his hair. Unlike before, the air smelled fresh and didn't reek of death and blood. It took a while for his eyes to adjust. He was lying on his back and staring up at clear sky with large white clouds. The light was a beautiful yellow color like a sunrise or sunset. He rolled his head and took in the sight. There was nothing around him and all he saw was the sky. His eyes trailed to the ground; it was wet like water and rippled when he moved or touched it. The ground perfectly reflected the sky, it was like a giant mirror.
'Where am I?'
He stood up, ignoring the pain from his wounds. The green man looked around and stopped when he seen a figure about 10 feet away. His voice was ragged and hoarse, probably from all the fighting. But he managed to call out her name.
"Raven!"
Her back was turned to him and she gasped before she turned to face him. Raven's hair and dress gently blowing from the slight breeze. She was still covered in cuts and bruises, fresh and dried blood. The enchantress' battle-worn form made the green man's heart sink a little. She had done so much fighting and he couldn't help her. Even now, she was fighting against herself.
"Garfield…"
"Where are we?"
"The Dimensional Horizon."
"Are…are we dead?"
"No."
"Did we win?"
Raven looked up at the golden sky and shut her eyes. Their victory had not yet completely sunk in yet.
"I…think so…"
A smile appeared on the green man's face. Relief washed over him like a wave. With everything that happened, he almost forgot about the outside world. Robin, Starfire and Cyborg must be worried sick.
"Trigon attacked this world. Why this one specifically? He could have chosen any other dimension. This one has to be special if it meant so much to him."
Raven went silent, the realization hitting her. With all the fighting and surprise attack, the though had never crossed her mind. This had to have been her world. Everything she thought about returning home had been thrown out the metaphorical window now that she had arrived. Part of her was…ecstatic but the majority horrified. All the fighting and suffering that happened recently was her fault. Did she even still deserve a spot among the Titans?
"Holy crap! I almost forgot! Robin and the others! We should get going!" Beast Boy turned around and ran.
Raven's eyes darted down and a pensive expression appeared on her face. She felt another light breeze rustle her hair and clothes.
"Rae? Aren't you coming?" He asked as he looked back at the empath.
"I don't know…what place do I have to go back there?"
"Rae…"
Her walls finally broke down and the emotions she had long since harbored were like a tidal wave. She trembled as tears streamed down her face. It both hurt and surprised Beast Boy that the normally stoic girl was crying.
"You always have a place with the Titans," he said with a soft expression.
"You don't understand, Garfield. I have no right to return", she held herself.
"I've been running and fighting for so long that I don't know how to do anything else."
He watched as the woman sobbed. His heart broke at the sound of her crying.
"We can help you come back from that dark place, Rae" the green man whispered reassuringly as he approached slowly.
"No, Garfield…I-I've done unforgivable things. All those years ago…I brought Trigon back here…" her voice cracked with sadness.
"You stopped him."
"I can't come back…I don't deserve to stay…"
"Please Rae…they want to see you…I-I want you to stay…"
"I can't!" Her pained voice and tear-stained face breaking his heart.
She finally came back and she finally could tell him everything but she was leaving.
"Where would you go?" the therianthropist asked.
"I don't know…"
That angered him and he took hold of her shoulders. He realized he was crying too. Before he knew it, he wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. Her body trembled against him.
"You can't leave again."
She let out a bitter laugh as her arms snaked around him as if they had a mind of their own.
"You barely know me" she sniffed. "You've changed. They've changed, I've changed…"
"So? That doesn't stop us from being friends."
"Garfield...I can't…"
He held her tighter, her long hair tickling his neck.
"Why can't you stay?"
There was a moment of silence until she finally answered.
"I'm scared…how can you all be so accepting of me? What I've done, the blood I've shed…the sins I've committed…what I can do…what I could do…"
He looked at her. She had so much baggage and it seemed there were so many layers to her.
She had been born to bring an end to their world and brought the destruction of Azarath but Earth as well. After she defeated Trigon all those years ago, she and Trigon disappeared to God knows where. Somehow she had escaped being trapped with Trigon and ended up with some primitive people that she befriended but they were killed. Then she killed the killers, became a mercenary, and got involved in a war. Somehow she managed to find a way out that world but wherever she went was a horrible place. He couldn't even begin to imagine the horror she faced along the way and that hardened her, as well as her heart. There was nothing that scared this woman but here she was: nroken, crying, scared and lost.
He didn't know what to do.
It was true, he knew almost nothing about her now and he had changed in those 5 years. He was not a teenager anymore, he experienced many obstacles, gained knowledge and became ultimately wiser.
Raven continued to cry in his chest. Finally he put his hands on her shoulders, a sad but soft expression on his face and answered truthfully.
"I-I can't tell you what to do Rae…I want you to stay. The others do too but it'll take time for us to…accept everything, if you let us."
"How can you all be so accepting?" She wiped her tears. "I'm nothing but a monster…"
A broken smile made its' way onto his normally happy face. It looked so strange on him.
"Because we love you; we're your friends and that's not gonna change."
"I've murdered people, Garfield…"
The green man didn't doubt that she did; with all her power she could. Hell, she could probably kill him right now, if she was at full-power. And what was to stop her from killing people in the future? It was a scary thought but one that he pushed aside. He held her tight again, as if to take all her pain and sorrow into his own body.
"That's behind you now…"
She cried again.
'Why does she have to be so stubborn?'
He looked her in the eyes, and got lost in the amethyst darkness behind them. Beast Boy tried to give an answer but nothing was coming to mind. Robin was always better at talking than him.
"That's…that's why you have to look to the future…"
"The…future?" The enchantress' voice trailed off quietly.
The enchantress had been so focused on the past and her destiny that she didn't even bother to think of what her future could be. A few fear arose in her; a fear of the unknown future.
"I don't deserve to live, Garfield!"
"You're just running away from reality! You can't fix your wrongs if you're dead, Raven!"
She gasped and looked up at him for a while before her eyes made their way to the floor. The empath eyed her reflection in the mirrored ground. They stood quietly like that for a while, Raven absorbing and contemplating his words. That seemed to have gotten through to her. To Raven, it sounded like something Azar would say to her at the moment.
"Azar and Arella would have wanted you to be happy…"
A sad smile crossed her face and finally she looked up at the green man. It seemed like he finally got through to her.
"I…guess you're right…"
He smiled.
"Will you stay?"
It took a while before she finally nodded.
His smile grew wider but it quickly disappeared when he saw her face. It looked melancholic, as if she would change her mind again.
"But…there's something I have to do first."
"What is it?"
She simply shook her head.
"I can't tell you just yet, but it's important."
"More secrets? Really, Rae?" Beast Boy said with a small hint of annoyance.
An apologetic smile crept onto her face. There was something she needed to do, something she had to do.
"Will you be back?" he asked as he raised her hand.
She returned the gesture and took it. The two leaned closer, their faces only inches apart. They leaned closer and touched foreheads, smiles forming on their faces.
White orbs danced around them and a bright gold light bathed them as they disappeared from the Dimensional Horizon in a bright flash.
The three Titans worriedly watched the walls. The sun had set but the reds, yellows, and oranges still painted the sky. The beautiful blues and purples that gradiated the sky were beginning to mark the end of the day. Dusk was upon them.
They looked at each other. That's when they heard a loud cracking sound. It sounded like ice breaking. They turned their gaze to the walls, large cracks stretching up the walls. This was followed by smaller cricking sounds.
"What's happening?" Cyborg asked.
"What the hell happened in there?!" Robin barked.
"Do you think Friends Raven and Beast Boy were victorious?"
"They had to be!" Cyborg answered optimistically.
The walls began to pulsate before they shattered. The large black shards shot outwards before quickly being sucked back into an implosion and beautiful blue particles began to snow down.
"Wow…" Starfire looked up at the shining blue snow.
"Guys! Look!" Cyborg pointed out.
There stood Jump City; completely untouched. The buildings stood tall and pristine. Everything looked like it had this morning before all this craziness happened.
The citizens looked on, amazed.
The trio of heroes looked at each other and nodded. Starfire floated over to Cyborg who held onto Robin and the heroes flew over to the city. They landed just outside of the city hall.
'How the hell is this possible? Everything was turning to shit this morning,' the Titan leader thought.
That's when they saw a bright flash of light and Beast Boy appeared.
"Beast Boy!"
He looked like he had just been dragged through hell and back. Ironically, he may have done just that. His clothes were tattered and torn, he was covered in bruises, cuts and dirt. The green man looked like he hadn't slept in weeks but he didn't seem to pay much attention. Instead the shape-shifter seemed rather giddy.
"Oh, hi guys!" The green man grinned.
"What the hell happened?!"
"Did you win?!"
"How the hell is the city okay?!"
More questions were fired at the green Titan and he arched his back comedically as his friends barraged him with questions.
"Where's Raven?" Robin asked.
The other two Titans gasped and looked around.
"Did she-"
"Is she-?"
Their voices trailed off and their faces twisted with pain.
Beast Boy put his hands up defensively. An easy smile on his face and he answered as honestly as he could.
"She's…fine. Rae won, barely. Took everything we both had and then some."
"So where is she?"
"She said she had something to take care of…" he said shooting a glance sideways.
"Will she be back?"
A smile formed on his face and he looked up at the falling blue snow.
"Yeah…"
End.