Hey yo, author here! I know it's been a while, but that's cause this chapter was a monster to write and I've also been super busy with...life tbh, but only good things, just haven't had any time to write! Next update will probably be a while as well, because I'm going on holiday. After that, uploads should be more frequent again. Much love to everyone reading this story, means the world! Hope ya'll enjoy this, cause I enjoyed writing it!
Much love - Seadavid41
I don't own Teen Titans or any DC properties, otherwise the Gabriel Picolo comics would get there own TV show.
Despite all the mixed feelings Beast Boy had had about returning home, he would have no problem admitting that he had experienced a certain degree of tunnel vision when he first arrived at Titan's Tower. His first moments, flying high above the battlefield had resulted in a sensory overload. There were so many scents and sights and his keen senses had been working overtime. He hadn't known whether to just launch himself at the nearest bot or to look for someone he knew who needed help. Subconsciously, he did know he was looking for one person in particular, not that he would even know what he would do if he did see her, but he hadn't got a chance to seriously look when his decision was made for him. Even in the depths of a battle wreathed with fire, Deathstroke still stuck out. A Titan Beast Boy had never seen before was in his grasp and there was no way Beast Boy was letting Deathstroke take a life if he could stop it…which is how Beast Boy now found himself between Deathstroke and a blue and black Robin, with a stone goliath in front of him with a missing arm.
Deathstroke, who hadn't quite recovered from the shock of witnessing Beast Boy's new found strength, quickly corrected himself, a stoic expression donning his face.
"So…seems maybe you've managed to calm yourself a little bit…did you put your little creature in time out? Only allowed out with its masters permission?"
Beast Boy smirked, flexing the fingers on his right hand, genuinely surprised at the strength he had just wielded. "That's just it Slade…it was never about permission or who was in control…we're one and the same…two sides of the same coin…and both of us want to take you down…who needs control when you have harmony?"
Deathstroke scowled. "I don't go by that name anymore you little stray."
Beast Boy couldn't help but laugh. "Deathstroke…Slade…dude, do you seriously think I care? Only thing I care about is putting you in the damn ground."
Deathstroke's scowled deepened but his tone remained calm and smooth. "In the ground? Hmmm, that doesn't sound like an action Robin or the Titans would approve of now does it?"
"What makes you think I care about that either? It's crazy when you think about…who would've guessed a couple of months ago, out of the two of us, only you would be still desperate for Robin's approval…that's a bit sad dude...you're a grown ass man."
Beast Boy took immense satisfaction in watching Deathstroke look visibly annoyed. He was so used to being the victim of his mind games. Terra. The House of Mirrors. Controlling the Beast. But now, he felt like he was bulletproof. With him and the Beast united…Deathstroke's usual antics didn't hold the same weight for him…not anymore.
Deathstroke lifted his axe from the ground and gripped it firmly in both hands, the metal becoming engulfed in flames to a far higher degree than Beast Boy had seen in their first fight.
"I think I'm going to silence that mouth of yours now…and this time, I won't leave a speck of you…it'll be like you never existed."
Beast Boy took a few steps back, before getting low, into a defensive position. "I thought you said you were done with me? Nice to know I'm worth all this trouble."
Without looking back, Beast Boy called over his shoulder. "Robin, get out of here…go help the others. The Titans need a leader at a time like this…I'll keep Deathstroke busy."
Nightwing, who had managed to rise to his feet at this stage and had been watching Beast Boy's interaction with Deathstroke from over the changeling's shoulder, couldn't help but feel conflicted.
"Beast Boy…I'm not leaving you, you're a Tit-"
"Robin…not the time for this conversation."
Nightwing shut up. Beast Boy still hadn't turned around but the force in his voice was enough to silence him. He still didn't know how Beast Boy felt towards him or any of the Titans. On one hand, he hadn't turned around, but he could hardly take his eyes off Deathstroke and he did make a good point about him going to help the others. He had been leading a group when Deathstroke had isolated him and needed to get back to them. But on the other hand…the force in Beast Boy's voice hadn't sounded exact friendly…and how could he be expected to leave someone he still considered one of his best friends in a fight with their most powerful enemy?
He didn't get time to judge the situation, as suddenly Beast Boy stood up. "Robin, for god sake, you're the leader of the Titans, so go lead!"
Nightwing didn't get a chance to respond as Beast Boy immediately shifted into the form of a yeti and began running towards Deathstroke. It was only then did Nightwing notice that Deathstroke was already airborne, flames propelling forwards towards the pair of them. Beast Boy stopped and braced, allowing Deathstroke to tackle him around the mid-section, lifting him into the air, causing Nightwing to have to jump out of the way of the oncoming duo. From the ground, he could only watch as Deathstroke, with Beast Boy in his grasp, flew out of the clearing they were in and across the battlefield, until the pair were out of sight.
Nightwing was borderline in a state of shock, so much so that he wasn't aware of presence shifting behind him until a shadow was cast across his face. He looked up into the face of Cinderblock, who had his one good arm raised over his head. Nightwing dove to the side at the last second, as a stone fist came crashing down where he had been sat only seconds before. He reached over his shoulder, only to find that his escrima sticks weren't there. It took him a few seconds to see them, but eventually he spotted them about thirty feet away, with the only obstacle between them and him being a one-armed villain made of pure rock who been empowered by Trigon's blessing…so no big deal.
Nightwing was about to begin evasive maneuvers to try and get around the imposing figure before him, when he heard a shout from behind him.
"Coming through!"
Nightwing only caught the slightest glimpse of Kid Flash's yellow form before he had zipped past both him and Cinderblock and returned to his side, with his escrima sticks in hand.
"I do believe these are yours boss!"
Nightwing, still shook from the events of the last five minutes, could only manage the slightest of smiles whilst taking his weapons of choice from the speedster's hands. He was about to return his attention to Cinderblock when he felt the air ripple. He looked up only to see a familiar portal open up a rift in space, large enough to suck the behemoth in front of him of the battlefield. Cinderblock, feeling the pull, fell to his knees, and clamped his one arm into the ground. Maybe with two hands, he would have been strong enough, but one wasn't enough and Nightwing watched as he lost his grip and promptly sucked into the rift, which closed immediately after. On the other side of where the rift had been, the Herald stood, placing his horn back in it's holder on his hip, before beginning to jog over to him and Kid Flash.
"My portals are buying us some time, but seems like the villains with Trigon's blessing have a way of finding their way back…still useful for getting out of a pinch though. You okay, Nightwing?"
The Herald and Kid Flash, who were still running on adrenaline from battle, started to look slightly more concerned when Nightwing's shocked face didn't change. Kid Flash tried again.
"Eh…dude? Earth to Nightwing? Still a battle going on? What the hell happened?"
That seemed to snap Nightwing out of his stupor and he looked up at the two honorary Titans before him.
"Just had an encounter with Deathstroke."
That got the attention of the two heroes before him. Kid Flash seemed excited.
"Really? What happened? It was only Cinderblock here when we arrived so you must ha-"
"He kicked my ass…."
The group fell into silence, only for a moment. Kid Flash, like most speedsters, had problems with patience and there was no way he would be able to wait for Nightwing to compose himself.
"…soooo…what happened? Not to be rude but, why aren't you dead then?"
Nightwing blinked a few times, before locking eyes with the Herald, a disbelieving smile on his face.
"Despite everything…someone showed up to save the day."
The Herald blinked at Nightwing, his eyes widening in recognition, before a massive grin split across his face.
"Son of a…Nightwing…I'm not gonna say I told you so but…maybe don't look so surprised."
The Herald reached for his trumpet, pulling his trusty instrument out and bringing up to his lips. The musical notes rang out through the night, weaving themselves amongst the sounds of combat, opening a portal before the three heroes. The Herald turned to Nightwing and Kid Flash, invigorated by the news he'd just received.
"Speedy and Bushido were still looking for you when I last saw them. Come on, we all know that this fight is far from over."
Nightwing nodded firmly, shaking his head as if to try and unclutter his thoughts before striding forward towards the portal only to stop beside the Herald before firmly planting a hand on his shoulder. The two locked eyes for second and silent communication was exchanged between the two. If one impossible had already occurred tonight, then winning this fight was possible too.
"HEY!?"
Nightwing and the Herald both turned to look at Kid Flash in confusion, who was stood with his hands on his hips, tapping one foot against the ground, an annoyed expression on his face.
"…What the hell just happened? Who showed up?"
Deathstroke flew through the air, the changeling firmly in his fiery grasp, who was pounding on his back over and over with his massive fists. Deathstroke ignored the blows, knowing that he would eventually burn the Titan in his arms alive if he didn't let go. That plan lasted only so long as Deathstroke couldn't help but cry out when the hulking figure of a yeti disappeared from his grasp, only for his arms to close in around the smaller but much sharper form of a porcupine, forcing him to release the changeling. Beast Boy fell through the air only for a moment, before taking the form of a pterodactyl and righting his course, following after Deathstroke's trail of fire.
Deathstroke knew he was being chased and so without warning, stopped in mid-air, hovering, only to turn around and send a ball of fire at his pursuer. Beast Boy, expecting the move, had decided to abandon all subtlety, and had already morphed again by the time the blast was headed his way. Deathstroke watched the ball explode with a grin, which disappeared in an instant when the fire gave way to the rapidly approaching form of an ankylosaurus, that was moving towards him like a prehistoric missile. Deathstroke took the impact full on, sending him spiraling to the ground. Beast Boy, not to suffer the same impact, took the form of an eagle directly after the collision, and proceeded to fly down to the prone Deathstroke.
The flaming villain was rising to his feet by the time Beast Boy had arrived on the ground and assumed his human form. Deathstroke definitely looked slightly worse for wear, with noticeable cracks in his armor apparent. Beast Boy wasn't unscathed, with burns lining his red and white jumpsuit over his mid-section. Deathstroke contemplated his enemy across from him, a vengeful look across the visible side of his face.
"You could have stayed away you know…you could have lived a life of peace. The Titans wouldn't have known, I wouldn't have known…and yet you chose to come here…to fight for those who wouldn't do the same for you…to die amongst people who tried to kill you…I have to know…why?"
Beast Boy looked at Deathstroke incredulously. "Oh, another round of honest questions? Surely the time for that has passed…but you know what, I'll indulge you…this ain't for the Titans…do I still care about them…different question, but as for why I'm here? Oh man…I'm here for me…to end the man that's tried to ruin my life more times than I can count…call me selfish."
Deathstroke raised his arms into the air. "Just for you? Surely you can't expect me to believe that. Look around you Garfield Logan…do you not care for the suffering I have caused?"
Beast Boy actually did heed Deathstroke's words, and took a second to take in his surroundings. The pair were in a clearing far closer to the Tower than where they had been previously. He could see the top of the tower, where Main Ops would be overlooking the Bay, punctured with numerous holes in the windows, smoke billowing from a select few. Allowing his gaze to move down the Tower, his eyes came to focus on a platform that was slightly raised off the ground. Only for a moment, his eyes widened as his vision came to settle on the platforms central occupant. The trademark blue light, the connection to the Tower, there was only one person it could be. If it wasn't for the fact that Cyborg was surrounded by Deathstroke's bots, as well as what looked like Overload, he would probably would have been able to spot Beast Boy from the distance apart they were. Beast Boy looked away.
A few seconds of honing in on his keen senses revealed the calls and cries of Titans he knew, who were being faced with wave after wave of enemies. He didn't mean too, but he was still subconsciously looking for one voice in particular. It could have been the influence of the Beast, his own mind, or maybe even both, but it was the one nagging sensation he couldn't get out of his mind. Beast Boy turned back to Deathstroke, a look on his face that suggested that the time for talking was over.
"It doesn't matter if I care…I'm here to end you, which in turn stops all this madness around us…either way…I win."
Deathstroke laughed, but there was no mirth in his visible eye. "Oh Beast Boy…you've already lost so much…and you still think you have any chance against me."
Beast Boy pulled at his burnt uniform, using his claws to tear away at the top half, exposing his upper body. His eyes were wild, but not because he was out of control…but because he was in sync with the beast inside him.
"I know I do."
With that, Beast Boy launched himself forward, trying to close the gap between him and Deathstroke as quickly as possible. Deathstroke, not to be caught on the defensive, placed both his hands firmly on the ground, concentration evident on his face. Beast Boy felt the ground rumble beneath him, and on instinct, took the form of a cheetah, using the big cat's keen senses and speed to his advantage. Beast Boy had sensed the first burst of fire rising from the ground before it surfaced, and smoothly adjusted his course, eventually falling into a rhythm of weaving in and out of the geysers of fire, his approach towards Deathstroke not slowing down.
Deathstroke was growing frustrated, irritated that he couldn't dispose of this inconvenience who was interfering with what was supposed to be the day of his glorious ascension. With a final push, Deathstroke called up on a wall of fire to rise from the ground, completely separating him from himself and Beast Boy, just as the cheetah was mere feet away. After a few seconds, the fire subsided and Deathstroke looked on puzzled as the fiery glow disappeared to reveal that the changeling had disappeared with it. He was so caught out by Beast Boy's disappearance, that he failed to notice the hole in the ground that hadn't been there before. Deathstroke looked around wildly, his axe raised, waiting for the attack, but not once did he think to look down.
Deathstroke's attention was caught by the tiniest vibration beneath his feet, and only had a moment to glance down at the green snout of a badger, before it gave way to the much larger form of the changeling, who, for the second time since he had arrived, landed a punch so clean that it sent Deathstroke flying. This time an uppercut, Deathstroke was launched into the air, before promptly plummeting back to the ground, dazed and completely furious. He attempted to get his feet but had to steady himself for a second. He had no time to waste though, as Beast Boy was already advancing on him again, claws bared.
Deathstroke scrambled to his feet and took in his surroundings. There had to be something that he could use to his advantage. Something to distract the changeling…
Deathstroke's gaze rose to the sky above him and a sadistic smile spread across his face. Quickly, turning his attention back to Beast Boy, he sidestepped his first swipe, before ducking inside his guard, but rather than try to land a punch, which would take too much time, he simply gave the changeling a solid shove, sending him off balance in the opposite direction. Deathstroke needed separation, only for a moment.
Beast Boy, who had needed a few seconds to regain his balance, turned around, expecting Deathstroke to already be pushing his advantage and so was surprised when he observed the space between them once again. Beast Boy began to get annoyed.
"We're done talking Deathstroke! Your mind games won't work! Not anymore!"
Deathstroke looked at Beast Boy as if he had just noticed hum for the first time.
"Oh apologies for getting distracted…I was just observing two of my lackeys in combat in the sky above us…they're putting on quite the spectacle alongside their opponent…who also happens to be my primary objective."
Beast Boy froze in his place, his blood turning to ice in his veins as his eyes travelled skyward. Deathstroke was many things, but he was very rarely a liar. High in the sky above them, Beast Boy could make out the figures of Psimon and Kid Wykkd in combat. His eyes switched from them to the Titan who was facing off with them and heart plummeted. Raven was engaging the pair of them, but it was clear that she was at a massive disadvantage. Beast Boy almost abandoned everything to fly into the sky, when he remembered who was still opposite him. He turned back to Deathstroke, only to become alarmed at the actions of the villain, who was in the process of willing his axe to spin a circle above his head, slowly forcing it to build up speed, the flames becoming fiercer and hotter until a mini tornado of fire was in place over Deathstroke's head. He looked at Beast Boy, a deranged look in his eye.
"I simply need Raven alive, so I can kill her at the right time…I'll keep her alive...but only just!"
With that, Beast Boy could only watch as Deathstroke launched the spinning axe over Beast Boy's head, where the tornado of fire began to grow and expand. Beast Boy dove out of the way, watching the flaming windstorm rise higher and higher into the sky. Fear gripped his heart as he realised Deathstroke's intent. None of Raven, Kid Wykkd or Psimon were able to notice the incoming inferno before it was too late and Beast Boy could only watch in horror as Raven disappeared behind the barrier of the flaming tornado. Beast Boy snapped himself out of his stupor and immediately turned into an albatross to take to the skies, but he felt himself pulled down to the ground by one of his legs before he was promptly slammed into the floor.
Becoming human again, Beast Boy snapped to his feet, baring his teeth at Deathstroke, who's expression had taken on one of insanity.
"Now, now Beast Boy…you were the one that didn't want me to be done with you. So you're not going anywhere for the moment…although I would try and be quick…I've heard it's quite difficult to breath inside one of those."
Beast Boy didn't respond, instead letting out a guttural, but very human roar, before launching himself at Deathstroke, his claws primed to tear his target to pieces. His normal eye had been replaced by the one normally seen while he was transformed. There was no pupil. No iris. Only white. Beast Boy and the Beast were completely aligned. If the person in front of him was preventing him from getting to Raven, then that person had to go. While it was possibly the most human feeling Beast Boy could have, it was the closest he had ever come to becoming an animal.
Nightwing had been on the other side of the battlefield when he spotted the tornado of fire rising high into the Winter sky and could only watch in horror as Raven was surrounded by the flames. He quickly dispatched of the three robots in front of him before pulling out his communicator, knowing that Kid Flash and Bushido would be able to buy him the time he needed. He pressed a few frantic buttons on the screen.
"Starfire, come in, rally on my location, Raven is under attack. Leave Bee and Argent. I'll send them Thunder and Lightning as back up."
Nightwing quickly put his communicator away to block the incoming swipe of another bot, it's strike coming close enough that he could feel the heated from it's metal arm on his face. A quick swipe of one of his escrima sticks quickly disposed of his aggressor, but as he turned back to others, his heart sank just a little. Bushido was a valiant warrior, but he was only human and he could see the tiredness in his eyes and the sweat on his brow. With no end to the waves of enemies in sight, Nightwing couldn't help but wonder how much longer the Titans would be able to last. A quick glance at Kid Flash only worsened his fears. Kid Flash, while still moving, was panting, occasionally taking a few seconds to put his hands on his knees before bolting off again. If even the speedsters were starting to fade…how much longer could any of them last? Nightwing shook his head. Thinking like that wouldn't help anyone and also…the Titans had an ace up their sleeve now…despite the fact that Nightwing wasn't even sure if that ace even wanted to be affiliated with them anymore. He was snapped out of his thoughts by a flurry of starbolts colliding with the robots in front of him, shortly followed by Starfire.
Nightwing's breath hitched when he saw her. Part of him was just relieved to see her alive, but there was no hiding that she had clearly been on the rougher side of this fight. Her hair was singed in multiple places with several nasty cuts and bruises prominent on her exposed skin. Her eyes looked wild, as if she was expecting something to jump out at her from any shadow. Her eyes locked with Nightwing's and her expression relaxed just the slightest bit. Nightwing sprinted up to her, giving her a quick hug before moving on. They would have time for moments later. Nightwing motioned to the tornado of fire.
"We have to move. Raven's been trapped inside. Do you reckon you could break through those flames?"
Starfire looked at the imposing maelstrom of fire, apprehension in her eyes. "If friend Raven is inside, I will of course try, but I do not know if I'll be able to penetrate such a fury."
Nightwing spoke a quick message into his communicator, sending Thunder and Lightning towards Bee and Argent to replace Starfire before grabbing onto Star's hands, with the Tamaranean taking to the skies shortly after.
"Nightwing, if this is a creation of Deathstroke, perhaps subduing him would remove this obstacle, freeing Raven? Although we don't have much time…"
Nightwing grimaced. "I've already had an encounter with him…he's different Star…I don't know if we're a match for him anymore…definitely not if we have to beat him under a time limit…Raven's already been inside there for a bit already. I just hope that Be-"
Nightwing froze as Starfire continued to fly towards the tornado. He hadn't told them about Beast Boy. He hadn't told anyone except the Herald. He visibly panicked before trying to look upwards at the Tamaranean carrying him.
"Star, you need to know, Beast Boy is-"
Nightwing was cut-off by a gasp from the woman he was speaking and was surprised when she began to descend, only realising that they had arrived at the foot of the tornado. Nightwing squinted and his eyes focused on the forms of Deathstroke and the green Titan of the hour, exchanging blows mere feet from the flames. He suddenly understood the reason for Starfire's gasp.
Well that's one way for her too find out.
Raven hadn't been having a great night before the flaming tornado of fire enveloped her and the two villains she had been fighting for the bulk of half an hour, but that really did top things off. The last time she had fought Kid Wykkd and Psimon, the fight never really had a chance to get started, mainly because the goal of the duo wasn't to win, but to simply get Raven into one of Psimon's portals to take her away from the Battle with the Brotherhood. This time, the two villains clearly had other thoughts on their mind.
The fight had been grueling with Raven outnumbered the entire time. Unlike Johnny Rancid, who Raven had always thought was a pretty basic foe, these two had been far more selective with their new found powers. Raven had lost track of how many times her powers had clashed with one of theirs individually, only for the other to swoop in with a quick burst of fire, catching her off guard, searing her arms or breaking her concentration, resulting in her getting blasted back by whichever one she had been focusing on in a coughing fit. It seemed that Psimon was honest about his intentions. There were no efforts to kidnap her or sneak her away. They knew Deathstroke would come and until then…well, they could try and make things easier for him.
Raven had desperately tried to keep the fight in the air, even though she knew that she could get support if she were to try and make it to the ground. Without even considering that going to the ground could make her more vulnerable to Deathstroke, her entire role was support and what better way could she support her team by distracting to Trigon-juiced villains at once. So she'd battled on, but for every solid shot she land on one of them, the duo landed two on her and she knew she wouldn't be able to last. She had just brought up a shield of her powers in front of her face, blocking herself from a blast of fire from Kid Wykkd, when for the first time during their battle, she didn't sense the immediate presence of one of them approaching. She dropped her shield, only to find the two villains had established quite the distance between themselves and her. Before she could act, Psimon chose to speak.
"We have heard the message of Deathstroke Raven…it is time you join him…join him in the fire."
Raven was only able to look confused for a split second before her eyes were drawn downwards…and that's when she saw the rapidly approaching flaming tornado for the first time. Her eyes widened and she quickly made an attempt to move out of the path of the rising vortex only for Kid Wykkd to appear in front of her, his arms outstretched, hands ablaze.
Raven grit her teeth. "So you're willing to die in this inferno…what…because Deathstroke gave you some powers?"
Kid Wykkd didn't answer, choosing to remain as silent as always, although he did allow his mouth to form into a small, but cruel smile. Raven suddenly jolted as she felt a presence behind her. Whipping around, she held her fingers to her temples and projected her powers outwards, meeting Psimon's incoming telekinetic blast. For a moment, she heard Psimon's voice in her head,
"Oh Raven…it is not the time for any of our death's…our job was to deliver you to Deathstroke…and our task is nearly complete."
Even though Raven knew the flaming tornado was approaching her, she couldn't break her concentration on Psimon's telekinetic powers, or else he could penetrate her mind. She was fully aware of the top of the tornado rising above her head, as well as the two villains, with a dome forming shortly after the trio had been engulfed. It was only once the tornado was sealed did Psimon break his concentration and much like every time before, Raven didn't have to react before Kid Wykkd appeared from a portal in between her and Psimon, blasting her backwards with a blast of fire. Raven managed to steady herself in the air only to find the two villains were moving away from her slowly.
"We told you Deathstroke simply needed you alive…your condition is now in his hands."
With that, the two villains disappeared into one of Kid Wykkd's portal's, leaving a tired and drained Raven at the epicenter of a flaming tornado. Raven could feel the searing heat on her skin and the lack of oxygen in the air and knew she needed to get out quickly. She couldn't help but think of the little boy she had saved from Malchior's wrath all those months ago and how she nearly became trapped amongst the flames trying to save him. Raven tried to conjure a portal, only for her magic to not come to her hands like she was so used too. Raven frowned, holding back a cough, whilst trying again, only to get the same result.
"I don't have time for this."
With that, Raven mustered her remaining strength and took on the form of her corporeal Raven. If she couldn't teleport out, she'd simply have to fly out. The Raven moved towards one of the swirling walls of fire, only for it to completely disappear, exposing Raven to the unbearable heat once again. Raven gasped as her form dropped as she struggled to stay in the air. Nothing should have been able to stop her from moving in that form…unless…
Raven held out her hand, trying to detect any qualities of the flames around and her heart sank. She had obviously assumed this wasn't a normal fire, but she could detect the presence of dark magic in the flames. This wasn't normal fire…it was fire that could only be produced by someone with Trigon's full blessing, meaning it had to have been created by Deathstroke. Raven had always known that some of her powers could be nullified by Trigon's magic, but never had she been so caught out. Raven was trapped inside the flames and she was running out of time. Raven brought her cloak up to her face, to cover her mouth, suddenly feeling incredibly claustrophobic. She had been feeling light-headed before attempting to make an escape and now she was even more drained than before, with no way out. She took out her communicator to contact the others and cried out in frustration at the cracked screen with no visuals on the display.
With no other option, Raven did the only thing she could do. In the air, her cloak still over her face, Raven closed her eyes and assumed the lotus position. Finding one's centre was always a difficult task, let alone at the heart of a raging inferno, but Raven was a seasoned expert. She allowed her mind to drift, looking for that familiar connection she had felt so many times before. Before she sensed anything, she was already projecting her thoughts. Much like her conversation with Knowledge in Nevermore, Raven was now completely reliant on hope…or maybe even a miracle.
"Melvin, I told you to get behind me!"
"But Bobby said he wanted a better angle! If I could jus-"
"Melvin!"
"Okay, okay!"
Cyborg had certainly had his hands full since he emerged from beneath Titans Tower, armed with his cannons, three children and the scariest Build-A-Bear the world had ever seen. After getting over the thrill of Kilowatt and his science experiment being a critical success, it seemed like every bot on the island had realized the threat he now posed and had descended on his platform like one of the great plagues. In truth, he would have to thank Raven for the idea of leaving the three kids in his charge. While he cannon's were incredibly efficient at a distance, in close range, they were quite cumbersome and three youngest Titans had been more than able to deal with any of the bots that got too close…although Tommy's first scream had certainly caught him off guard.
But then Overload had joined the party and things had become much more complicated. Cyborg had been quietly hoping that the electrical villain wouldn't be involved but it seemed like everything was going against him at this point in time. If he was able to get within the Tower's circuitry, especially while he was hooked up to it…he didn't want to even contemplate the power the villain would be able to wield. As such, Cyborg had taken the decision to get Kilowatt to move to engage him and move him away from the Tower, but that meant Cyborg's cannon didn't have the same fire power as before. He could use up the residual energy that Kilowatt had built up, but then after that, using the cannons would start draining his battery power almost immediately. His fire power was limited and running out and he knew it.
Cyborg had called the three kids back, hoping to get them all behind him, so he could use the residual energy to clear all the enemies in front of him before using the distraction to get the kids into hiding in the tower before joining the rest of the Titans in the field. However, his plans fell by the way-side as his eyes were drawn, like most occupants of the battlefield, to the rising tornado of fire. Cyborg didn't need to look up to know where it was going but he did anyway, just to confirm his fears. He had been subconsciously keeping an eye on Raven throughout the night and had known that she engaging two villains in the air. He hadn't been able to risk a shot at one of them at the distance he was at for fear of hitting Raven, but he also had faith that she could hold her own. However, the faith he had in her didn't expand to him believing she could escape a flaming vortex, so when he saw her get swallowed by the mouth of the tornado, he saw red.
Cyborg did a quick, check ensuring that Melvin, Tommy and Teether had moved behind him as he asked, before quickly levelling the robots in front of him. He'd be nearly out of power, but if he was going to act, he'd need a clear path. The battlefield, which had been cast and shadows and red hues from the flames became alight with bursts of blue as Cyborg turned to the full energy of the tower on the bots before him. After a few seconds, he paused, placing his hands on his knees, and looked at his battery.
100%
There was still some juice in the tank. Cyborg looked at the base of the tornado that had formed and his cybernetic eye locked on the form of Deathstroke, who's attention was on someone else outside of Cyborg's field of vision. Cyborg raised his right cannon, using his left hand to steady himself. He had once shot to hit his target and hopefully break his concentration so that the tornado fell. He took a deep breath and tried to steady his shaking hands, before digging his heels into the ground and letting out a concentrated cybernetic blast, the power of the light briefly illuminating the entire exterior of the tower.
Cyborg watched the shot sail through the air, for a time that felt like it was an eternity before a look of satisfaction crossed his face as he watched his blast connect with Deathstroke, sending the villain flying backwards out of sight. However, his satisfaction soon turned to horror as he realized that the tornado was still raging. Cyborg began to disconnect himself from the towers power source before briefly glancing at his battery for a split second.
67%
It could have been worse…could have been better…but it would have to do. Cyborg turned towards where he'd seen Deathstroke and was about to start giving orders to the kids to retreat into the tower when the words died on his lips. In Deathstroke's place, another person now stood, his back to the tower, but that didn't matter. With Cyborg's cybernetic eye, the green skin and pointed ears were as prominent as the flames on the battlefield.
Beast Boy was completely blind to the world around him, his only focus being the fire-wielding mad man in front of him. During his most recent fight with Deathstroke, in front of the fiery vortex that Raven was currently trapped inside of, he hadn't transformed once and yet, it was probably the most savagely he had ever fought. Each swipe of his claws would have been enough to shred flesh, each punch enough to shatter bone, Beast Boy wasn't here to make Deathstroke stop, Beast Boy was setting out to simply end him.
Deathstroke had taken on a game of cat and mouse, simply trying to avoid the raging changeling's assault. He knew Raven would have to have been weakening inside the inferno at this stage. Now, if he could get the changeling to lose control, he could find his opening again, and end Garfield Logan once and for all. He jumped out of the way of another one of Beast Boy's swipes, hovering just out of his reach.
"Oh look…someone's found their passion…are you mad at me Beast Boy? Or are you mad at yourself?...You're failing again…just like you always have before."
If Beast Boy heard Deathstroke's taunts, he didn't show it, his advances not stalling in the slightest as he crouched low and sprung into the air, catching Deathstroke by surprise as Beast Boy gripped one of his ankles, swinging downwards with all his might and bringing the villain crashing to the ground, mere feet from the flames. Deathstroke quickly rose to his feet, his hands lighting up in flames as Beast Boy approached again.
"Don't you see your efforts are in vain Garfield? There is no one who can save her! No one who can help he-"
Deathstroke's sentence was cut short as the villain was hit in the side by a massive cybernetic blast, which even caught Beast Boy off-guard, sending him flying away from both the changeling on his tornado and out of sight into the depths of the battlefield. Beast Boy looked the way Deathstroke went for only a split second, before his eyes returned to normal as he snapped back to reality. He knew where she was. She couldn't be beside him, and yet he could feel her. She was using their connection. There were no words or thoughts…it was like she was projecting her being onto him. He could feel her fear, her anger, her hope...everything. Beast Boy sprinted to the edge of the tornado and looked up, his eyes locking on a specific point. He couldn't see her through the flames…but he knew why he was drawn to it.
Beast Boy turned to the tower, a plan in his mind, only remembering that it hadn't been him who had dispatched of Deathstroke until he had done so. Even from this distance, he could see him and he knew for certain that the other person was staring right back. Enhanced sense of sight in his one good eye from his animal senses and cybernetic vision meant that Beast Boy and Cyborg could lock eyes from far further part than the average pair of best friends, even though Beast Boy wasn't entirely sure that was the best thing to class themselves as right now.
Beast Boy shook his head and broke the eye contact, turning his attention back to the tower, his eyes trailing upwards to a point on the Tower walls that was roughly level with where he thought Raven was, that was luckily intact. With no time to act, Beast Boy took the form of a cheetah and made a beeline for the tower, only vaguely aware of someone he recognized calling his name as he left. Beast Boy weaved in and out of broken robot bodies and patches of flames, not dropping speed once, not even aware that he was moving faster than any cheetah should have been able too. He sprinted up a slight ascent, only to arrive onto a raised platform with some stunned occupants. While he registered the presence of the three youngest titans and Cyborg, he didn't stop, simply sprinting past them. He had only one target on this mind.
Just as Beast Boy reached the foot of the tower, he shifted straight from a cheetah into an eagle and began a steep ascent of the side of the tower, focusing on the presence in his head he felt as he moved higher and higher. Eventually he felt that he was in the right place and Beast Boy internally took a deep breath. A split second later, the eagle was gone, as a massive hand with sharp claws dug it's grip into the Tower wall. The Beast stared at the flaming twister, it's eyes fixed on a particular point. It would only have one shot at this, so it would have to make it count.
The Beast let his arm that was gripping the wall extend so that it's feet could firmly plant themselves on the outer exterior of the tower. Then, like an Olympic swimmer jetting off for the return lap, the Beast kicked off the wall with enough force to leave a dent in the concrete. It sailed through the air, unaware of the audience it had garnered beneath it, it's altitude not dropping as it got closer and closer to the flames. Once the Beast felt the heat of the fire on his face, it closed it's eyes and opened it's arms wide. The Beast soared directly into the fire at top speed, it's eyes closed the whole time to protect it's sight. After a few seconds, it felt something hit it's chest and it instinctively wrapped it'd arms around it, completely engulfing the smaller object.
After a few more seconds, the Beast emerged from the other side of the twister as it finally starting to descend. With no way of slowing it's descent, the Beast simply held it's cargo close to it's chest and tucked it's head, as it continued on it's collision course with the ground. The Beast hit the ground like one of the boulders that Cinderblock had been throwing about with such ease earlier, it's body sliding along the floor, the entire time it's cargo concealed within it's huge arms and tucked head. Luckily, the beast didn't roll, and eventually, it came to a stop at the foot of a large mound of Earth that had been upended in the combat that had ensued during the night. There the Beast stayed, it's arms still protectively clutching what it had grasped at so desperately in the flames, with only the faintest trace of a blue cloak visible between its massive arms.
Raven's heart had jolted when she felt a response to her connection. Her efforts to connect with Beast Boy had only resulted in radio silence since her vision of him fighting Deathstroke, but amidst Trigon's flames, she'd felt him. He wasn't talking or thinking…or even feeling…but he was there…and he was close…closer than he'd been in months. There had been a point when she broke her concentration for a split second, her eyes opening to stare at a point in the tornado near the ground. She couldn't see him…and yet she was drawn to that's spot…like he was right there. But then just like that, it had been gone. Part of herself though that maybe it was just the lack of oxygen in the air playing tricks on her and the longer she stayed there, the weaker she felt herself getting. She didn't want to stop levitating in the same way someone who was losing blood didn't want to lose consciousness, but she was fading fast.
Raven's thought had just started to become muddled and hazy when she felt something hit her with the force of a speeding train, grabbing her out of the air and wrapping around her like a protective layer. Within another few seconds, she took a deep breath as from within the grasp of her apparent savior, she breathed clean air for what felt like the first time in forever. That proved to be a suitable distraction for her as she never even had a chance to realise that they were flying through the air until the form around her hit the ground with a deafening thud that shook her to her core. She had her eyes firmly closed the whole time, even after she felt herself come to a complete stop.
It was only when she was sure that she was safe that she opened her eyes and was immediately confronted with a sea of dark green fur. Raven froze entirely. She still wasn't even sure if this was real, or whether she was hallucinating in her final moments, so she didn't move. She was startled from her dilemma by the form beneath her beginning to stir, it's arms sliding off her back. Raven wasted no time in climbing off the form beneath her and brushing herself down, before breaking down into a coughing fit. She took a few gulps of clean air and wiped her eyes, before turning around. However, no amount of adjusting herself was going to have been able to prepare her for the next few moments.
The Beast was sat on its haunches and it looked like it had been through hell…and rightly so. It's fur was singed and Raven could see the burns on it's face and chest. But despite all of that, that's not what Raven was drawn too. She had locked eyes with the Beast…a creature that so many had feared could never be tamed…controlled…and a creature she had locked eyes with before. These weren't the same eyes. The Beast eye's had been white with no pupils…feral…wild. The eyes the Beast possessed now were anything but. Dark green iris's stared back at Raven's purple ones, conveying so many different emotions that Raven thought if she used her powers of empathy, the force from the creature before her might be too much. They weren't the eyes of the Beast…they were the eyes of Garfield Logan.
Raven didn't even realise she had been crying until she raised a hand subconsciously to her cheek at faint sensation of wetness. Raven took a step forward, the Beast not moving.
"Beast Bo-"
Suddenly, the Beast's head shot into the air, before it charged at Raven, pushing her to the side. For a split second, Raven had thought she had been wrong about the creature before her, but then she heard the sound of claws meeting steel, the sultry tone of the bane of the Titans entering her ears. Raven turned around on the floor to find the Beast arms above his head, straining under the force of Deathstroke's axe, the wielder trying with all his might to break through the Beast's grip.
"You are truly becoming a thorn in my side Garfield Logan."
The Beast dug it's heels into the ground and with a defiant roar, it shoved Deathstroke back, where the villain came to a stop. Raven watched the back of the Beast before her eyes widened as it's form began to shrink away, eventually leaving her staring at a well-defined but scarred, green back. Raven's could feel her heartbeat pounding in her chest. Deathstroke looked at the new form in front of him with intrigue.
"What's this? Can't control your beastie anymore? Have I struck a nerve?"
Raven watched the back of the Titan she hadn't seen in months, waiting for him to say something…anything. He raised his head, exposing his green hair and pointy ears to the empath.
"No…I just don't need it…not for you…not anymore…and you know it…don't you?"
Beast Boy took Deathstroke's immediate silence as silent confirmation.
"You came her expecting a victory…don't be scared that you've found yourself with a war."
Deathstroke looked at the teenager before him contemplatively, his eyes subtly gazing around the battlefield. This battle had not gone as well as he had expected it too. The united Titans had proven to be quite a force, despite his recruitment and it was only a matter of time before other's showed up to their location. His robot numbers had been decimated and he could feel the status of his blessed troops. They were nearing the limits of their efforts. Deathstroke was cunning, tactical…and a smart enough to understand when a retreat was the best option.
Deathstroke let out a low chuckle, before looking back at the two titans before him. "I must say…I did think this was going just a bit too easily for me…a proper opponent will make my eventual victory even more satisfying…"
Deathstroke banged the handle of his axe onto the ground, prompting fire to start moving up his legs towards his torso. The fire continued to rise, leaving no trace of Deathstroke as it moved up his body.
"Another day Beast Boy…Raven…another day."
The fire overtook Deathstroke's half-masked face, before disappearing, Deathstroke having vanished into the air like smoke on the wind, teleporting away to gather his troops and lick his wounds. Beast Boy stared at the spot where Deathstroke had been standing, before his attention was drawn to the sky. In the air, dozens of bots were retreating, flying towards the mainland. Beast Boy was about to fly into the air in pursuit when the clearing of a throat behind him froze him in his tracks.
"Beast Boy?"
Raven had risen to her feet, her hand placed on a large boulder beside her to steady herself. The two were only about ten feet apart, with Beast Boy still having his back to the empath. In all the madness of getting back to the Tower and the fighting, Beast Boy hadn't had a single moment to prepare for this situation…and he suddenly felt himself torn. His brain was telling him to follow the bots in the sky. He felt fine and they could give him a lead on Deathstroke's base in Jump City. His heart was telling him…well that was more complicated.
Raven looked at the form in front of her with apprehension. Beast Boy was alive. Her hope hadn't been misplaced. But she'd never actually thought of what to do if they ever did meet again. She tried again.
"Beast Boy? Is it really you?"
There was a long pause and Raven was almost tempted to try again when his voice his came, quiet and low.
"Yep...the one and only..."
Silence hung in the air again, with neither of the teenagers knowing how to approach the situation they now found themselves in. As such…Beast Boy did what any good friend would do…or at least that's what he told himself. He motioned to the sky.
"I'm going to follow Deathstroke's bots. If they are simply retreating, I could get a lead on Deathstroke's location in Jump. I need to –"
"You're leaving? You're injured, just like the rest of us…Beast Boy…come back to the tower…please. We can…talk…please."
Beast Boy clinched his eyes shut, before he withdrew his communicator from his jumpsuit pocket, Raven's eyes widening at the sight of it.
"He had it this whole time?"
Beast Boy rolled it over in his hands, before letting out a dry chuckle.
"Calling all titans…and I answered the call."
Beast Boy hit a few keys on the screen before turning around for the first time and tossing the communicator to Raven, with Raven doing her best to stifle a gasp at the sight of his covered eye.
"I've activated the GPS, the others will be here in a few minutes."
"Beast Boy, you don't have to leave…we don't want you to leave, if you just –"
"Deathstroke is still out there, intent on destroying the world. I said it in front of Robin as well, my priority is him."
"But we can do it together! You're not in this alone Beast Boy…"
Beast Boy looked down and turned away.
"I'm sorry…it's for the best."
Raven didn't have another chance to reason with the changeling as he morphed into an eagle and launched himself into the sky, rising higher and higher to follow after the retreating robots. Raven didn't even try to follow him. She knew she was completely drained from her time inside the tornado and that she wouldn't even be capable of flying a couple of feet at the moment. She was only vaguely aware of the sound of footsteps near her as she watched the green eagle disappear amongst the Winter clouds. If it wasn't for the communicator she held in her hands, it would be like he had never been there at all.
Beast Boy could feel the Beast raging inside of him and he couldn't blame him. He did truly believe that he should follow the robots to try and find a lead on Deathstroke, that wasn't a lie...but he was knew that that wasn't the reason he left. After the suddenness of everything, in that split second where he had been confronted with what he had left behind…who he had left behind…he had taken the easy way out. Raven was right…Garfield Logan was a coward.