Ch. 11 Lifelines

It was a crisp night in Jump City. Summer was finally starting to give way to the grasp of Autumn and it could be felt in the air and seen in the leaves on the trees, as they had began shifting from green to the trademark browns and oranges of the harvest season. With that, Raven had to wrap her cloak a little tighter around herself as she left the tower, headed for the rocks. She hadn't been there since the night Beast Boy and her had regaled each other with tales of their travels and in all honesty, she hadn't had any intention of going there again any time soon. It was like sticking a knife into an already open wound. Even as she approached Cyborg, who's outline she could clearly see sticking out against the Bay, she couldn't help but picture Beast Boy and her sat in the same spot…how quickly times can change.

Cyborg had a much bigger frame than the changeling; and the rock that she shared with Beast Boy now took up his whole body. Raven settled silently beside Cyborg on a slightly higher rock, her feet dangling off the ground. Cyborg cast her a sideways glance, before letting out a snort.

"Let me guess…you're the next in line for trying to get me to come back inside…we'll good luck with that…I ain't in the mood for for debate."

"…no, that's not why I'm here."

Cyborg turned his head at that to look at the empath. Raven always found it slightly intimidating when Cyborg stared at her. It wasn't his fault, but with with bionic eye, she couldn't help but imagine that he was analysing every aspect of her being. Nevertheless, she continued.

"You're hurting…we all are…and we're all dealing with it in different ways. I just got reprimanded by Star for disappearing for the majority of the twenty four hours. She needs someone to talk too…it's who she is. Her entire being is based on being able to express herself…and we left her alone. We talked it out and I sent her to try and get Robin out of his mood…and if he has any sense, he'll listen, otherwise I'll make him listen to reason. But you don't want to talk…and that's fine…neither did I…but neither of us have to do that alone."

Cyborg looked Raven up and down, trying to find any secondary motive. When he realised that she had none, he allowed his face to show surprise for a second, before grunting and turning back to the bay..

"Suit yourself."

If there was one thing Raven was, it was patient. Hours of meditation had allowed her to focus her mind, and she was more than happy to wait for Cyborg to be ready. He was proud, and unbelievably stubborn. He would never respond to someone forcing him to open up or move when he wasn't ready. So Raven played the long game, letting him get acclimatised to her. Raven closed her eyes, focusing on the gentle lapping of the waves on the rocks, only interrupted by the occasional shuffling of her friend besides her. Raven wasn't entirely sure how much time had last when Cyborg's low voice interrupted her calm.

"We really screwed up didn't we…?"

"Yea…we did."

There it was. The acknowledgment of reality from Cyborg Raven had been waiting for. She could hardly speak herself, having thrown herself into books for almost an entire day, simply to put off facing the situation. But Starfire had helped her see that she had made a mistake…and now she would help Cyborg through the same problem.

"I was able to reach out to him mentally."

If it wasn't for his mechanically enhanced neck, Cyborg would have probably received whiplash from how fast he spun towards Raven.

"What?! When?! What did he say? Where is –."

Raven held up a hand, stopping Cyborg mid-tirade.

"He pushed me out…repeatedly."

Cyborg visibly deflated. "He hates us Rae…"

Raven hesitated for a second, but tentatively reached out and put a small hand on one of Cyborgs massive shoulders.

"I could feel his emotional state…he was scared, and angry, but not at us…at himself, and like the Herald said, he was absolutely steadfast in his belief that he has to do this…he doesn't hate us."

Cyborg seemed to weigh up her words, before letting turning back to bay. It was quiet for a moment, but not because Cyborg was shutting Raven out…he just needed time.

"If anyone should be angry at themselves, it's me…I'm supposed to be his best friend…and I fired first and asked questions later…what kind of person does that. The first time we met, I was prepared for him to see the monster, and he saw me as a person…to bad I couldn't do the same for him."

"We were all fooled and yes…we should have been better."

"Sorry Raven…I know this must be hard on you as well, and I'm out here feeling sorry for myself."

"It's okay…I've already engaged in that particular activity…I know how you're feeling..although, you'll probably need to apologise to Bumblebee and Starfire at some point."

Cyborg shook his head. "Oh man, you make it sound like Star will understand, but Bee's gonna chew me out…and rightly so."

Cyborg picked up a handful of small rocks from the shore and started skimming them across the bay.

"Hey Raven…he's gonna come home one day…right?"

Raven's expression didn't change, but that was the one question that was plaguing her own mind currently. She'd felt Beast Boy's emotions for only a few seconds, but they were animalistic, almost like instinct was driving him more than rational thought…it seemed…almost primal. Raven had no idea what to make of that.

"I hope so Cyborg..but that doesn't mean we're not going to stop looking either."

"Damn straight."

The two sat in companionable silence, the Autumn sun slowly dropping beneath the horizon, allowing the moon's brilliance to take centre stage. The ripples in the bay shimmered with white light as the currents pulled the water to and fro. The pair of titans gazed across the water. While morning dawn's could symbolise that anything was possible, the setting of the sun could symbolise the closing of a chapter…with new challenges on the horizon. The two teens were far from okay, but they of similar minds…at least they could be far from okay together.

Robin wanted to bang his head off his desk until his brain turned to mush. He'd only gone and done it again. He knew Starfire was only trying to help, he knew he was obsessing and he knew he was trying to distract himself and he had still unloaded on her.

Starfire creaked open the door to Robin's office, the leader of the titans not even raising his head from the monitor he was working at, despite the obvious entrance of a visitor.

"Friend Robin…you have been at work for many hours…the others…they are also shutting themselves away…please Robin, the team needs you in the moment…I believe I need you.

"What do you think I'm doing Star. The Herald confirmed that Deathstroke took Beast Boy, and he gave us a location to start with. While you've all been taking time off, I've been going through schematics, analysing CCTV footage from the area, trying to find leads. We have a Titan missing who needs to be brought home, and three of you are slacking!"

Starfire was visibly taken aback by the Robin's defensiveness. "Robin please…your efforts are valiant…but right now, I feel that the team needs its leader to be a friend…not a strategist…we are hurting Robin and we need to stay together."

Robin wheeled around his chair. "What do you mean, we need to stay together? Beast Boy's gone…we're already apart! I'm the only person trying to fix that! What, are you saying that as long as the four of us are together; we're fine, even without Beast Boy?!"

"What!?…Robin, of course not, I am merely stating that…"

"This isn't the time for heart to hearts Starfire. We have a situation that needs fixing, and if you're not going to help, please close the door on the way out."

Starfire opened her mouth to respond, but only managed to emit a hitch in her throat. It was that sound that made Robin realise…he'd messed up.

"Starfire…I'm so-."

But the Tamaranean was already gone, activating the sliding door as she went. Robin stared at the spot where she had been standing, where one friend had been desperately trying to reach out to another, when they were both in turmoil.

"…I am such a clorbag."

Robin had finished all the planning he could possibly do at this stage. The location the Herald had give him was a standard affair for a base run by Deathstroke. An abandoned warehouse, with a subterranean level, undoubtedly where the magic happened. For all of Deathstroke's creative plans to destroy the titans, he really was a creature of habit in some regards. Robin had memorised every exit, every room and dissected the security. It was going to be a routine job, knowing that Deathstroke had almost definitely moved in at this stage…and as such, he couldn't justify planning anymore.

He couldn't help but let his mind wander to other things…primarily the girl he had sent away in tears only a few hours ago. He'd messed up and he knew it. Starfire probably wasn't going to speak to him if he went to apologise. He had no idea how he was even going to try and broach the topic with the-

"Friend Robin?…I was hoping that maybe we could talk?"

Robin shot about a foot out of his chair, sending papers flying in every direction. Starfire gasped and rushed forward from the doorframe she was tentatively peaking through and began to help him pick up the fallen documents.

"Oh I am so sorry! I assumed you had heard me as I was coming in. I didn't mean to interrupt your thoughts. Please let me he-."

"It's okay Star…they're just papers…and you shouldn't be apologising, especially not to me."

"Why not?"

"…I wasn't exactly a good friend earlier."

"…no you weren't…on my planet, when tragedy occurs, we are very open about our emotions regarding the event. I guess I am still expectant of that form of sorrow on Earth, but the three of you were all so distant…perhaps I should have known Earth customs bet-."

Robin put the papers he had collected down and and grabbed both of Starfire's hands, eliciting a squeak of surprise from the Tamaranean.

"No Star, don't say that. I don't know about Raven and Cyborg, but I wasn't dealing with the situation right…instead I pushed you away…the only person who was brave enough to face what's happened head on…never doubt yourself in a situation like this, because you're more than usually right."

Starfire looked up from her hands to Robin's face, a face which she had only just noticed was quite close to her own. She couldn't help the faint blush that appeared on her cheeks. Robin noticed the rosy hue on her skin and seemed to also become aware of their proximity.

"…thank you friend Robin..that is most kind of you to say."

Robin also had a faint blush at this stage, but still hadn't let go of her hands, instead giving them a squeeze, his voice shaky.

"It's the truth…you bring the best out of me Star…I don't know where I'd be without you…I don't want to know where I'd be without you."

Starfire couldn't help but shiver at the tingle that went up her spine. The two were still sat in the ground from collecting the papers from Robin's desk, the monitor was still shining in the background, and outside of Robin's office, people in Jump City were going about their day.

But for that split second, they were the only two people in the world.

One of Robin's hands rose to Starfire's cheek, which she leaned into immediately. There were no words exchanged because there were no words needed. The kiss was gentle, full of nervous energy, and just the slightest bit awkward…and it was absolutely perfect in both their eyes.

After about thirty seconds, the two pulled apart, both slightly breathless. Starfire was wide-eyed, but they slowly returned to normal, and she gave Robin a warm smile; which turned the Boy Wonders brain to jelly. Neither of them had any idea what to say to the other, which is why they were lucky that that decision was taken from their hands.

"I know I said you guys were obvious about it…but this seems a bit much."

Robin and Starfire both jumped; sending what papers had been gathered back into the air, which then proceeded to gently float down liken confetti.

Raven was leaning against the door frame, her hood up. Neither of the lovestruck Titans had any idea how long she was there, but both had turned a fierce shade of crimson. Raven let the two of them stew in their embarrassment for a second before letting out a quiet laugh.

"It really is about time. Robin you should have apologised for something sooner."

Robin wanted to crawl into the computer screen, put himself in the recycling bin and hit empty. He looked at anywhere but Raven before settling on Starfire. She was giving him a nervous look, like she didn't know if he approved of what had just happened…and that's when Robin decided to think of himself for one. He grasped Starfire's hand and gave it a squeeze.

"You know Raven…I suppose you're right."

He turned back to Starfire who was beaming at him, before looking at Raven again, who was giving him an approving look.

"I usually am. Not too rush things, but I've spoken to Cyborg…he's in better form now. We both want to get started trying to find Beast Boy. Starfire, he's gonna be apologising to you in a while..but first he's gonna to smooth things out with Bee. Robin, I assume you've done some homework."

Robin got to his feet, offering Starfire a hand which she gladly accepted. "Of course, we can brief and get moving once Cyborg is ready. I may also actually ask Bee to stay around for a while if she can leave Titans East for a bit. We are a Titan down, and bringing in someone who can also fly for the time being would be useful."

Raven turned to leave the room and head for main ops. "A good idea…let's hope Cyborg's apology goes down well."

The door slid shut after she left, leaving the two Titans standing in the room alone. They both looked at each other before looking away blushing. Starfire was surprised once again though when Robin grabbed her hand.

"…I should have done this…a hell of a lot sooner."

"Yes, yes you should have…but we are together…in the here and now."

"Yea…we really are."

The two titans separated to gather up the papers for second time for the team brief, before leaving the room together. After one of the most devastating weeks of their lives, they both could admit, it was nice for there to be a good change for once and by all accounts, things had changed between the two Titans forever.

"Okay Cyborg…you messed up…time to face the consequences like a man."

Cyborg and Raven had stayed on the rocks for another hour before Cyborg decided he should probably make amends with the two Titans who had tried to bring him around, that he had sent away less than courteously. He wasn't worried about Starfire. She was forgiving, and as long as he was genuine, which he absolutely was, he hoped she'd be able to look past his temper and put it down to him being worried about Beast Boy.

This was not the case with Bee. While he had sent Starfire away dejected, bee and him had got into an all-outs screaming match.

"Why are you even still here?! Search party's off, you can go whenever you want!"

"Because I'm worried about you, you big idiot!"

"I didn't ask you to be and I don't want you here."

"Well fine! Push everyone away! Just don't come crawling back when you're surprised that everyone's gone!"

Even after Bee left, he thought his anger was justified. But then Raven had tried her luck, and as always with the empath, silence spoke louder than words, and that silence had indeed told him that he had, in fact, actually been…a complete idiot. Raven had informed him that Bee was still in the Tower occupying one of the spare rooms because she wanted to hear from Robin himself if her services were no longer required. That's how he found himself outside a sliding door on the fourth floor, trying to muster up the courage to knock.

"Breathe man…just apologise, you know you were in the wrong, and you don't want her to go…so just knock on the door and –."

"For God's sake, I heard your big, metal feet clunking up the hallway from a mile away, just come in already!"

"Oh boy…"

The door slid open and Cyborg sheepishly stepped inside. Bee was waiting for him, hands on her hips, booted foot tapping on the floor, the click of her heel echoing around the painfully silent room.

"Well? What do you want now? I'm fully packed up, I'll be out of your hair once Robin confirms I can go, isn't that what you wan-."

It wasn't like Cyborg actually had a plan for how he was going to apologise. In fact, a small part of him though that Bee would give him a verbal beat down; and then leave anyway. But, by some miracle, once Bee had started to go off, he found his voice.

"Don't go…sorry…please don't go."

Bee stopped tapping her foot, evaluating the Titan in front of her.

"And why shouldn't I? You made your feelings perfectly clear earlier, what's caused this change of heart, hmm?"

"…well Raven…but she just made me realise I was being a big idiot. I didn't want people around me, I didn't want to talk about anything and I certainly didn't want anyone's kind words…because I didn't think I deserved them…I still don't think I do…but…damn it, I need people around me I can rely on…I just hadn't realised it yet…I'm sorry Karen, I really am."

Cyborg was staring at a spot on the floor silently praying for any sign from the woman in front of him that his words had meant anything. After a few seconds, Bee still hadn't responded. He was about to turn to leave, having accepted that he'd dug a hole too deep, when he felt a set of soft fingers tilt his head upwards. Bee was hovering front of him, the flap of her wings providing the room with a white noise. He looked up into her face to see her giving him a a warm smile, before she removed her fingers from under his chin, giving him a light slap on the cheek.

"Good to see you've come to your senses Sparky, I didn't want to actually have to test my my bluff about leaving. You're a mess at the minute, and I ain't leaving you till you sort yourself out."

"But what about Titans East?l

"Aqualad can hold down the fort, plus Thunder and Lightning are visiting at the minute, I have no interest in going back to all those boys."

Cyborg looked at Bee with a tired smile. "Thank you Bee I…I don't deserve this."

"Hey, it's been a hell of a week for all of you…I think I can cut you a break just this once…but don't make a habit of it!"

Cyborg let out a small chuckle, before he reached out and gave Bee a massive hug, catching the woman by surprise as he basically plucked her out of the air.

"Thanks Bee…it means a lot."

Bee hesitated in the metal man's arms for a few seconds, before putting her arms around Cyborg's neck, and leaning her head against his.

"Don't worry about it…I know you'd do the same for me."

Cyborg put Bee down, making sure she had her balance. "Hey, Raven said she was gonna get a Robin and Starfire to go over the plan for investigating Deathstroke's base…you wanna come?"

"Hmmmm…I wouldn't miss it for the world Sparky."

Cyborg laughed and abruptly stopped, before looking back at Bee. "Hey…instead of Sparky…you can call me Victor if you want?"

Bumblebee was very rarely speechless, but Cyborg had nearly caught her out.

"…okay Victor…I think I will."

Cyborg smiled and opened the door; allowing Bumblebee to walk out ahead of him, meaning she was walking slightly in front of him, a fact she was incredibly grateful for as it allowed her to get rid of the blush that was currently masquerading on her cheeks.

Robin couldn't help but note that the door to the warehouse identified by the Herald as Deathstroke's base of operations was already open as the Titans proceeded inside. Even if the masked villain had long since abandoned the location, he wouldn't be one to leave such an open invitation. Robin couldn't help but think that they were inadvertently following a path that Beast Boy had taken only a few days ago.

Cyborg took a few steps ahead of the assembled group, allowing a scanner on his arm to analyze the air in the room. After a few seconds and series of beeps, the precautionary step was proven to be have been necessary.

"The air is contaminated with Slade's home-made chemical. Face masks on if you don't want to see the Beast creeping up on you in the dark."

Cyborg had built a set of gas masks for the Titans after the first chemical incident with Robin, in case they were ever subject to that form of attack again. With Beast Boy missing, Bumblebee had been able to take the spare. Robin took charge as the Titans equipped the chemical protection, headed for a particular chemical vat, where the schematics had shown there to be access to the lower levels.

As Robin removed the covering from the hole in the floor, Raven appeared over his shoulder.

"I don't like this Robin…whatever Deathstroke was doing here…it was dark…I haven't felt a presence like this since Slade first returned with the Mark of Skath…and Beast Boy is pursuing this alone."

Robin turned to face Raven. Her hood was up, and along with the facemask, there was no telling what expression she wore, but she sounded scared. Robin put a gloved hand on her shoulder. "I know, nothing about this fits Slade's MO…I don't know if his little name change to Deathstroke really does mean his way of operating has changed, but we'll get to the bottom of this, and we'll do it together."

Robin could only take Raven's slight nod as a sign that she had somewhat considered his words, before she moved past him and peered down the hole, eyeing the ladder that descended into the darkness. By this point, the others had joined them. Starfire took the lead.

"I shall lead friends, I can provide brightness as we descend."

Starfire slowly began descending down the hole, with Raven, Robin and Bee in close pursuit. Cyborg came down last, using his shoulder flashlight to follow them. Luckily, the lower level was well lit. Cyborg and Robin couldn't help but notice the striking similarity the cavernous space had to the place they had found Beast Boy after his beast fought Adonis'. But there was no way Deathstroke could have known about that battle…

Robin shook his head. Now wasn't the time for theories. Deathstroke had clearly been in a rush when left, and Robin knew that this space was going to provide plenty of evidence and potential leads.

Cyborg went straight to the boxes containing pieces of Slade bot's, his eyes wide. "Man, it looks like all these parts are in perfect condition. With some reverse engineering, I should be able to work out pretty much any weaknesses that these things might have…why would Deathstroke just leave these here? He must have known we'd find this place eventually…"

Robin couldn't answer him and left Cyborg to his musings and he followed up behind Bee and Starfire, who were rifling through papers on a work desk. Bee turned to Robin, her face forlorn. "Robin…I wasn't around when the world ended the first time, but Deathstroke sure seems to think he's still gonna be able to do something either with or using Trigon's power."

She handed one particular documents to Robin. He scanned through the page, his face getting paler as he read. "He's…targeting human followers?" Robin took Bee's silence as confirmation before reading aloud. "The Cult of Trigon…nourish the needs of the members and be transparent in the goals. We must each be our own devil, in order to make this world hell for all."

Bee grimaced. "Sounds like they'd be great at parties."

Robin nodded in affirmation, before freezing at the words at the bottom of the page. After so long, he never thought he'd have to see the prophecy again, but there it sat before his eyes.

"The gem was born of evil's fire. The gem shall be his portal. He comes to claim. He comes to sire the end of all things mortal."

Robin dropped the page back onto the table like it was on fire. "But Raven banished Trigon. There's no way Deathstroke would be able to manufacture a return for him, and if even if he could, why would he? Trigon tried to cheat Deathstroke out of his life when he came to Earth.

Bee furrowed her brow, clearly in thought. "I don't know Robin…but clearly he's working towards something."

"Friends, I believe I have found something of importance."

Robin and Bumblebee turned to Starfire, who was holding up a paper folder, which she handed to Robin. He flipped it open and felt his eyes bulge at the information before him. Within the folder where info sheets on each country where the Cult of Trigon was present. Robin obviously knew that there were still some followers of Trigon on Earth. He had heard fleeting details of how Raven came to end up on Azarath from the empath. Not enough to know her struggles, but enough to know that her mother had been manipulated by Trigon's followers. To see a dossier which clearly told him that the cult had essentially infested several countries around the world…he couldn't quite comprehend the scale of it straight away.

As he flicked through the pages, he noted one other detail. One key trait of each page was whether they had been stamped with the Mark of Skath or not. Robin didn't know what the meaning of that was, but knew there was one member of the team who's knowledge on the subject was unfortunately extensive.

"Raven? Could you come and have a look at this? This is pro-"

Robin paused when his eyes finally landed on Raven nearby, in front of some kind of metal crate with Cyborg. Robin went to approach them, but froze when he got closer and realized what they were so transfixed by. The floor of the cage was covered in dried blood stains. It was barely big enough to hold a dog, let alone a person, and yet they all knew what it had been used for.

"Guys…we found some potential leads…we don't need to dwell on-"

"We sent him here Robin."

Robin had no immediate response for Cyborg. After all, the metal titan wasn't wrong. Luckily, Raven came to Robin's aid.

"Yes Cyborg, we did…and now with the information Robin's found, we're going to find Deathstroke and bring Beast Boy home."

Raven said it like she was stating a fact. Robin didn't know whether to be impressed with her conviction or concerned that should any other result occur, Raven wouldn't be able to deal with it.

"Robin, what do you have for me?"

Robin snapped back to reality, and handed Raven the papers they had found before. Starfire and Bumblebee had come to join the others at this stage. Raven read through the pages, her brow furrowing with concern as the took more information in. "I knew Trigon had followers across the globe. Unfortunately, that will most likely never change. What he intends do with them, I can't be sure."

"Do you have any idea what the stamp represents?"

"Yes…in this case, in this context, it is about the message. What the message is that Deathstroke is delivering, I do not know…but the Mark of Skath means that Deathstroke has already paid some of these groups a visit."

Robin paled. Deathstroke had most certainly been busy. He hadn't counted with any great accuracy, but at least twenty groups already bore the mark by their country of residence. Deathstroke was communicating with Trigon's followers and clearly had been for a while.

"Okay, everyone, let's get everything boxed up. No point staying here for longer than we need too. We can process it all at the tower."

A silent round of affirmations sent the Titans on their way, with Starfire following after Raven.

"Raven, I could not help but notice among the pages, were the words of the prophecy that haunted you on your birthday…tell me…do you believe that it may still hold relevance here?"

"I don't know Star…but if Deathstroke is planning on utilizing some aspect of Trigon's power…it wouldn't surprise me if he needed me again."

Raven felt the pang of concern from her friend immediately. Raven was secretly incredibly glad for the face masks that the Titans had to wear here. In combination with her hood, her face was basically entirely obscured. She didn't know if she was expressing it outwardly, but at least she didn't have to worry about it, but on the inside, she could admit…she was terrified.

The forest was silent. It was like someone had pressed the pause button on the nature scene. There were no insects chirping, no small mammals rustling leaves in the foliage. Even the larger animals, those at the top of the food chain for the area, were nowhere to be seen. Something had changed in the forest tonight…a new presence…a primal conscience. It's arrival amongst the trees had had an instant effect, sending a ripple through the entire ecosystem. Nothing…not a soul would make a move in the forest tonight…not unless it had permission.

The creature who's permission would be needed was not in a talking mood. The Beast sat on it's haunches in a clearing, breathing heavily. The Beast was primal…but it was not without thought. Every time it had emerged before, it had been with a goal…a specific purpose. The only problem was this time, the Beast had no idea where the woman it had identified as his specific purpose was. As such, he had no motivation. What was a Beast to do?

Beast Boy was aware of his actions, but like when he fought Malchior, he had no control over his body. When he had transformed, he was like a passenger, as the Beast sprinted about the forest, climbing trees and vaulting rivers. It had clearly been looking for something, but Beast Boy couldn't figure out what. Now that the Beast was settled, he was in a position he had never found himself in before. Beast Boy was conscious but couldn't control his form while the Beast, which had no pressing matter to attend too, was calm enough that Beast Boy could focus on himself rather than on what the Beast was doing.

"Okay, a good start would be to be able to change back when I want…so how do I do that?"

Beast Boy thought about all the times he had changed back before. The first time, Robin, Cyborg and Starfire had blasted the Beast into oblivion. "Okay, not that option." The second time, he had returned to normal after he had defeated Adonis, and the third time, after he defeated Malchior.

"…so the Beast gets triggered by emotion or an objective, but an objective it knows I can't handle…and when the objective is complete, I'm able to change back…but what if there is no objective?"

Beast Boy had no idea, but luckily for him, the Beast wasn't going anywhere. Although not exactly happy, it wasn't moving for the time-being. The creature was restless. It was currently without purpose, only brought out as a defence mechanism for the changeling.

"The last time, Raven was able to bring me back…maybe if I can manufacture that emotional response by myself?"

Beast Boy tried to focus on a memory, specifically a memory that made him calm, or happy. His first thought was to focus on his memory of his mom and dad's faces. While vague, the emotion brought forward was strong. It was from a time before the Titans…before the Doom Patrol…before he was even green. He could definitely feel the Beast responding in some way, but the feeling would fade just as quick, and sadly, he knew the reason why.

Beast Boy's parents had died when he was only a child, and he was now nearly seventeen. He was unfortunately reaching that stage where he was starting to forget their faces just a little bit. He knew he could see pictures of his parents online, alongside articles about their contributions to science, but Beast Boy didn't want to imagine them all dressed up for papers, or being made to pose for news articles. He wanted to remember them for he knew them…a loving mother and father, who loved their son and working in the wilderness.

He wanted to remember how they looked playing with him in the plains of Upper Lamumba, or how they joked and laughed as they told him stories from their travels. He wanted to remember the warm smile his mother gave him when she sang him to sleep.

"Lala mpendwa lala lala lala lala. Lala sinzia lala.Jua nalo limezama,Lala sinzia lala.Ndege wote wamelala,Lala sinzia lala."

He wanted to remember how his dad's eyes would crinkle as he told another terrible joke. But, the memories at this stage, were like a dream, and he could never fully line the pieces up. Even if he tried to focus on just their faces…he knew he was losing the details. If he was in his normal form, he would undoubtedly be in tears at the realization, but luckily for him, beasts don't cry.

Beast Boy forced himself to think of other memories. His mind briefly went to the Doom Patrol. While Mento had always been difficult to get along with, Rita loved him like a son. They had managed to find moments between missions where Beast Bot actually got a chance to be a child.

One memory in particular stuck out to him. The Doom Patrol were using a residential area as base for an undercover operation and the house they were in had a bike that had seen better days. Naturally, he'd be incredibly excited at the idea of learning to ride it. While Mento had been against it at the time, he was outvoted by the rest of the team. He remembered shaking on the rusted bike, before Robotman's massive hands had steadied it and he'd walked with him towards Rita. He'd been so focused on pedaling that he hadn't even realized that Robotman had let go until Rita had started snapping pictures.

After he got off, and was smothered in a hug by his surrogate mother, he looked over to Mento, who had been watching the whole thing with Negative Man. Unsure of himself, he had shot the stern leader of the Doom Patrol an unsure smile. Mento had sized him up for a few seconds, before letting the slightest of smirks overcome his face and gave Beast Boy a solitary wink. He might as well have just given Beast Boy the biggest hug the world had ever seen. Even now, thinking of that day brough a smile to his face.

However, it didn't bring Beast Boy back to normal. The Beast was unperturbed. Beast Boy was starting to get frustrated. He came here to master the Beast, not get stuck as it one the first day. He tried to think of other memories. He briefly considered focusing on Terra before everything happened, but he felt the Beast tense under that thought…a sensitive subject it seemed.

Beast Boy had been putting off one memory. It wasn't that he thought it wouldn't work…it was just that he almost didn't want it to. But he had no success so far…and he could always come up with another memory later. Beast Boy cleared his mind and remembered the day that Trigon was banished from the Earth. He had thought Raven was gone, sacrificed for Trigon's portal. At the time, part of him didn't even know why he was still fighting.

Then, Robin had returned from hell with the infant Raven on his back, and she'd summoned enough power to banish her father from the Earth. She'd proudly claimed that she'd been raised by her friends and restored the world to how it was. There she had stood, clad in white…that was the first time Beast Boy had looked her and realized how beautiful she was.

"Are you still you?"

"Blue is still my favorite colour."

Suddenly, Beast Boy felt himself to be alone. He tentatively opened his eye and realized he had transformed back…and that he was completely naked.

"Okay, might need to link in with Negative Man, to see how he made my suit."

Beast Boy quickly morphed into a deer and moved out of the clearing into a denser part of the forest. Despite his success in changing back on his own accord for the first time, it was a bitter victory. He didn't want to have to think of Raven every time he wanted to control the Beast…but she also seemed to be the only thing that could evoke the emotional response needed to have an effect on it.

Beast Boy didn't want to be controlled by emotion. This was a good starting point, but from here, he could work to make the change without the emotional driver. He would get rid of this lifeline he had to Raven if it killed him…at least that's what he told himself. For now, he settled on heading into the nearby city in search of shoes, jeans and maybe some kind of baggy hoodie.

Deathstroke was an efficient man. He had been visiting followers of Trigon while the Titans were tied up with the Brotherhood, only returning to Jump City once the Titans returned, to give them his little reminder. Deathstroke had made the link between his demonic powers and the fools that still followed Trigon on Earth. While he had to patience and determination to draw on the powers Trigon gave him, they were greatly enhanced by having the cultists aim their worship towards him. Deathstroke was not simply looking to use Trigon's gifts…he was looking to assume the mantle.

As such, he had been visiting pockets of followers all over the world, telling them of how he was chosen, allowing the Mark of Skath to burn on his forehead, and his axe to catch fire. The human mind is simple, and a few party tricks were usually all that were necessary to convince these simple folk that he was deity that was worth worshipping and he felt his power grow with every follower.

However, for all the strength he had gained, the one power that still alluded him was the ability to summon fire demons at will. This, he desired above all else. To have an army of hell, at his command…he could take the world and there would be one to stop him. But this power wasn't available to him for some reason.

Unlike with the other powers he had inherited, where he could always feel the demonic gifts lurking within him, this one felt like it had been locked behind a titanium wall. But, he knew it was possible. There was no chance in his mind that he was simply not deserving. He would continue to pursue this ability, and he would be endlessly patient for it. Then, when he finally achieved his goal, he would burn the Earth to the ground. Deathstroke would take from this world what believed was rightfully is, and assuming the Titans tried to stop him…he would take it with fire and blood.