Hey yo, author here! Boy it's been a while, for me anyway! Was in a rugby game a few weeks ago and ended up getting a minor break in my hand, which made typing for a week and half an absolute nightmare, but anyway, we back now! I don't want to say how many chapters I have planned left cause I think that might give something away but...this is the last set-up chapter. From here on...well I think I've been building this for a while ahaha. Got a bunch of new favs/follows/reviews in the last few weeks, so big thanks to anyone new who's joined or who's been here since the start. I say it nearly every time, but the engagement I've got with this blows my mind :). Anyway, on with the chapter. Hope ya'll enjoy!

As always, much love - Seadavid41

Ch. 32 Twilight

The day moved slowly, hours creeping by at what seemed like a snail's pace. Slowly but surely, honorary Titans began filtering into the building again. Wary faces soon littered the hallways of Titans Tower, ready but nervous to hear the scope and size of the task at hand. Nightwing had taken to his duties as leader almost purely in an effort to keep his own mind off the impending battle to come. He greeted Titans as they came into Main Ops. He provided new dossiers to those who hadn't been there when they had been provided the first time. He strategized over how to best approach Deathstroke's location and how to split the Titans. Raven had asked that Ravager be with her because of her knowledge of Deathstroke, but that left one less person in the ground team, which would mean Red Star would need to be pulled away from Pantha and Wildebeest, but if they were one short, that would mean-

Nightwing's head dropped into his hands as he gave a groan of frustration before dragging his eyes up to look at the clock he kept on his desk. It was already nearly six in the afternoon. Titans would be expecting a briefing soon. They would be expecting a concrete plan. They would be expecting a leader to bring some calmness and composure to the situation.

While the day had moved slowly, he was still entirely convinced that time had still passed way too quickly.

He glanced over all the plans he had out on his desk. The map he had acquired of the old sector of Jump City lay spread out beneath his arms, littered with symbols for the placement of different teams. For everything to boil down to something as simple as this...to be moving around little pieces of plastic like chess pieces, each piece representing the life of a Titan…the lives of his friends.

Nightwing's head fell back into his hands. He desperately wished he could go back to earlier in the day when Starfire had come to him just after Raven's explanation of her dream. For just a few minutes, he had felt his tensions drain out of him in her company, simply sat on the couch in his office, her head tucked up underneath his chin, her hair splayed across his chest and he stroked her back, as they both aimlessly talked about anything and everything. It had felt so normal…so real…it was everything he wanted for them…and something they had been so cruelly denied of. Once honorary Titans had started appearing, Starfire had disappeared, off to see who she could help in anyway she could…because that's who she was. Selfless. Empathetic. Understanding. All qualities he thought he could do with improving himself, just a little bit. Maybe she'd eventually rub off on him…

So he'd thrown himself into what he knew…what he was good at…or at least what he hoped he was going to be good enough at. After all, there were only very real human lives on the line…

Nightwing's head slipped through his hands and plummeted to the desk with a thud, a deep, muffled sigh only just barely audible.

"Well that's not a reassuring look there bud."

Nightwing's head shot up, caught completely off-guard by the sound of a person in the room, even more alarmed by the fact that he hadn't heard them enter. For him to not hear that…God, he was even more out of it than he thought. When he locked eyes with the speaker, he decided to give himself a little bit of a break.

"Beast Boy…stop sneaking into rooms to try and surprise people…please."

Beast Boy shot Nightwing a slightly confused look before jamming a thumb behind him, where Nightwing was able to see his door had just finished sliding closed.

"Sorry man but…I even knocked twice before coming in."

Nightwing swallowed. Little break revoked instantly.

"Right…sorry…lot on my mind."

Beast Boy gave a humorless laugh as he walked behind Nightwing's desk to have a look at the map from over his shoulder. "You and me both dude…so this is what it all comes down to, right? Couple of pieces of paper and a few bits of plastic."

Nightwing glanced over his shoulder and briefly wondered if Beast Boy's enhanced senses extended to mind reading, before turning back to the plans himself. "Yep…it's a bit surreal to look at like this, I know."

Beast Boy put his hands on his hips and furrowed his brow in concentration. "Am I…that green one there?"

Beast Boy pointed to a one of the little tokens on the map and Nightwing nodded. "Yep…my thinking was to have you with the rest of us, Ravager and the Herald. When Cyborg uses his new tech, we use that as a diversion, and portal inside, assuming it works. Between that and a few of the other squads I've laid out…we should be able to make it through most of the tunnels, assuming we get a slight jump on whatever forces have already moved out to the surface."

Beast Boy looked at the map with a critical eye. "Hmmm…and Cyborg's that blue token then, right?"

Nightwing nodded. "Yep."

"Sweet…my token is bigger than his."

Nightwing looked up at Beast Boy, wide-eyes apparent even from behind his mask. Beast Boy held his hands up. "I know Cyborg's gonna be in his big, fancy armor, but good to know you've still got it right who the biggest hitter is, amirite?"

Nightwing's mouth opened into a small circle, a few choked cough's escaping from his throat. "Beast Boy…the size of the token's doesn't matter…this is a matter of a li-"

Beast Boy held up a hand, the traces of humor disappearing from his face. "No Wing…this is another mission…that's it. Every mission we've ever gone on has been potentially a matter of life and death and your plans pretty much always work. So don't go getting yourself all worked up just cause this one's got a few more moving parts. That's not what the honorary Titans outside need right now. They need the calm amongst the storm…and you're usually pretty good at that too."

Nightwing's face slowly morphed from disbelief to understanding. He'd never taken Beast Boy for someone who would be able to judge what a person needed and yet, he'd just read him like a book and delivered the swift kick up the ass that he didn't realise was most certainly necessary.

"Well…Starfire's is bigger than the pair of you."

"That's because you're playing favorites."

"I would never…mine is the shiniest because there were no more tokens left, I swear."

"You are so full of it."

"Titan's honor and if you break an oath on a Titan's honor you get reported to the leader of the Titans…oh wait…which is me…hmmm…quite the conundrum you have their Beast Boy? Want to make a formal complaint?"

Beast Boy grumbled as he put his hands on his hips and Nightwing couldn't help but give him a cheeky grin. "Thanks Gar…I needed that."

Beast Boy's sour face disappeared in an instance, a fanged smile appearing almost instantly. "Can't have you getting too stressed about tomorrow…got loaaaads to do first."

"Don't I know it…"

"Oi…I just got that look off your face. It's getting smacked off next time."

Nightwing held up his hands apologetically and Beast Boy let him off the hook. "Anyways, a fair few honorary Titans have started gathering in Main Ops. Starfire and Bee are keeping them settled for the moment…but they want to hear from you."

Nightwing sighed. "Figured this was coming…why aren't you helping them out? Working on some secret plan?"

Beast Boy kept a poker face. You have no idea…

"Nah, but…it's the first time for some of the honorary Titans seeing me in a while and well…they all know the story…I think I'm just feeling awkward but I don't know…pretty sure Pantha wants to rip my head off."

Nightwing shivered. "She helped you out when this all started, right?"

"Yep…and I left without saying goodbye."

"…you might be on your own for that one Gar."

"Yep…wrong Titan to annoy."

Nightwing stood up and put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey…as long as she does it after tomorrow's mission…well, it was nice knowing you."

"Oh haha…"

Nightwing's face didn't change. Beast Boy swallowed.

"I leave my collection of comics to Cyborg, my video game collection to-"

Nightwing laughed as he gathered up his plans and schematics so he could show the others in Main Ops. "Beast Boy, I know it's gonna be awkward with some Titans who didn't know the full story or only heard bits and pieces…but everyone knows about how you fought Adonis a few days ago…how you saved Raven's life when Deathstroke invaded the tower…hell, most people saw you do it. You got nothing to worry about it and if someone does have an actual issue, well they can bring it up with me."

Beast Boy shot Nightwing a grateful smile. "Thanks Wing. Always nice to hear."

The two began walking towards the door when Beast Boy's face scrunched up. "Nightwing…just to be sure…the purple token…that was Raven, right?"

"On the map? Yes, it was. Why?"

"So I'm in the same squad as her?"

"Gar, for this…besides from Cyborg's surprise, and he should be joining up with us after, I'm not separating the Titans."

"Good…just wanted to be sure."

The air was frigid on the roof of Titans Tower as the sun began to slowly drop below the line of the horizon. Gone was the gentle falling of snow, and fluffy white clouds that had provided it's origin, replaced instead with the formation of dark clouds overhead, the sun peaking through wherever it could, like it was desperately trying to cling to life, looking for any room to maintain it's presence. However, the violent tempest that was incoming was seemingly going to be too much.

Raven thought it seemed like a fitting environment for her to ponder the end of the world in.

Once Ravager and her had finished their conversation, Raven stayed on the roof, fully intent on meditating in search of answers…or enlightenment…or a miracle. There she had stayed for the entire day, the lotus position assumed, hovering just a few feet off the ground. Her mirror lay in her lap, although it had remained unused. Once or twice she had allowed her eyes to flicker open and glance down at the gateway to her own mind that lay within her grasp and yet…she couldn't bring herself to use it. Rage's words about achieving balance echoed around in her head.

The responsibility of that lies with you…not me.

Maybe she was being pessimistic, but she didn't think she was going to get anymore answers out of her red emoticlone. In fact, since Beast Boy and her had left Nevermore, her emoticlones were oddly silent. It wasn't that they spoke in her constantly, but a comment from one here or there wasn't out of place. It was like they were all holding their breath, waiting to see what Raven was going to do and as of now…she had no ideas except for her Ravager-shaped contingency.

So in lieu of Nevermore, she had focused on herself and Rage's words. If balance was up to her, what could she do. Rage had made it sound like Raven hated her…like she was unhappy with her existence, which wasn't the case…she was sure of it…mostly. Obviously she knew that Rage was very much a part of her. Living in the tower for as long as she had with the other Titans, her reputation for getting angry, in particular with Beast Boy in their earlier days, was legendary. Even more recently, it's not like she didn't draw on Rage in both fights and with friends when necessary. Rage had acknowledged her influence herself. So what else could she possibly want?

It was true, Raven certainly thought of Rage…differently to the others…but how could she not? For years, it was the part of her she did her best to keep under lock and key…the part of her that wanted to see the world burn…her father's gift to her. She knew she was free of his influence but…years of work didn't just disappear overnight…although Raven could also now admit she had never really tried too. Why would she want to tap into that part of herself? That part of her that couldn't be trusted for so long? Now, it seemed pretty obvious that Rage was a victim just as much as she was. So now, the question was simply, how do you come to terms with a part of yourself you never had too before to such an extent that you can convince the embodiment of the emotion itself?

Knowing the question did not help Raven to answer it in anyway.

Raven's eyes flickered open as she allowed her legs to unfold, her feet gently coming to land on the roof of the Tower. Immediately upon gathering her senses, she felt it, the gentle emotional presence of another, who had clearly been patiently waiting for her to finish her meditation.

"It's too cold to be waiting for me outside Cyborg."

"I could say the same about you spending the whole day meditating up here."

Raven turned around to her teammate, who stood casually leaning against one of the vents, arms crossed, as if he had all the time in the world, an eyebrow raised at Raven's somewhat frosty answer. Raven let out a heavy sigh, her breath escaping and getting lost into the increasing wind blowing on the roof of the tower.

"I can only assume the tower has gotten busier as titans got your message and made their way here. Even my room wouldn't provide the solace I need with the increased hallway traffic. Up here was one of the only places I could guarantee peace and quiet."

Cyborg didn't move from his position. "There's a difference between finding a place for peace and quiet and finding a place to isolate yourself Rae. Look…we all know how important it is for you to try and figure things out but that doesn't mean we're gonna stand by while you try and distance yourself."

Raven locked eyes with her metal teammate, someone who had been there for her over these past few months potentially more than anyone else. His stare was heavy, his look forlorn and her heart went out to him, but still…she chose to stand firm.

"If I believe distancing myself is my best chance of finding balance, why wouldn't I? Is that not the best thing for everyone? Distance myself for a day and maybe survive tomorrow?"

Cyborg gave her a pointed look, almost as if he was disappointed. "Look Raven…no one else is saying it, but I'm not gonna let this slide. When Trigon came before, you neutralized all of us pretty quickly so you could go and become the portal, so I'll be honest, I have no doubt you have some other plan in place, just in case you can't take Deathstroke down. I don't think distancing yourself is going to help, in fact, I think it's gonna make things worse."

Raven pulled her hood up and turned away from Cyborg, a frustrated look hiding just beneath the shadow that now covered her face. "What do you know Cyborg? How can you possibly now what I need to do right now?"

Cyborg stared at the back of the empath, a sad look crossing his features as he cautiously stepped forward until he was standing beside Raven. She didn't acknowledge his arrival, instead choosing to stare at the ground. He looked like he was hesitating, caught between two minds about whether he should reach a hand out to his teammate…his family, when his face lit up for a moment, an idea coming to his head.

"I don't know anything Rae…but hey, a friend of mine once told me that if someone you know doesn't want to talk…well hey, they don't have to do that alone, now do they?"

Raven didn't respond immediately and for a second, Cyborg thought she was going to ignore him until he heard her slight intake of breath.

"…smart friend."

"Smartest I've ever had."

The two fell into silence, but Cyborg wasn't stressed this time. Raven was right. He had no idea what she needed right now…but maybe a shoulder to lean on was better than nothing. He turned his head slightly towards Raven when he heard her shuffling on her feet.

"I just…I don't know what to do…and I don't have the time to figure it out."

Cyborg had been thinking on Raven's predicament in every single free moment he had, as he assumed all the Titans were. That didn't mean he'd managed to come up with the miracle solution…but maybe another perspective could help.

"Well…I've been thinking about it a lot Rae and well…I think it may come down to…what's the right word…conviction."

Raven turned to look up at the larger Titan, a subtle curiosity in her eyes. "Conviction?"

Cyborg nodded. "Yea, well, when you turned white in Nevermore, when Beast Boy suggested combining with all your emotions, you fully sent his idea and when you tried to save his life, you shouted down Nightwing in an instant. But I mean…when you banished Trigon…man, I ain't ever seen someone with such…confidence…but not too take anything from you, you also said it at the time…protected by the Monks of Azarath…raised by your friends…doesn't seem right to me that doing this alone is the way forward. I mean…honest question…when do you actually feel the most whole?"

Raven stared into Cyborg's brown irises, his question bouncing around her head, reverberating off the walls of her mind. She knew almost instantly though…it was not a difficult question. It certainly wasn't when she was sat meditating on the roof by herself…not anymore anyway. It was with her friends…with Cyborg in the garage…with Starfire having girl talk…movie nights where Nightwing always pushed for the crime thriller…with Beast Boy the night before…

"…a fair point."

Cyborg gave her a small smile. "I know that doesn't solve your problem but…just maybe something to think on. Whether you want it to be or not…you're not in this alone."

"I know Cy…I know."

Cyborg looked down at her with a smile, but his expression turned slightly more mischievous, but still innocent in nature. "Also…excuse my observations but…you and Beast Boy seem…closer recently."

If he hadn't been looking for it, he would've missed Raven freezing up. To her credit, her reaction was incredibly controlled.

"He was incredibly understanding in Nevermore and in the aftermath of the trip…I consider him a great friend."

Cyborg rubbed his chin with his hand, looking upwards at the sky. "Hmmm…so is that why you didn't kick him out of your room when he wandered in as a cat last night?"

This time something caught in Raven's throat and the empath visibly lurched forward into a coughing fit for a few seconds before she managed to compose herself. Cyborg quietly chuckled to himself as he gently patted her back. "I'll take that as a yes."

Raven turned to him, a slight anger in her eyes. "Beast Boy and I agreed that we wouldn't tell anyo-"

Cyborg held up a hand to stop her. "Relax, he didn't say a word to me. In fact, I got the grass stain with the same trick a little while ago. New security features in the tower since those demons showed up notify me when a door is opened in the night hours. BB's story that he told Nightwing didn't line up with the security logs. Ain't his fault though. No way for him to know about the new security I set up either."

Raven's anger dissipated instantly. "Suppose I'll let him off so."

Cyborg smirked. "I'm just the a great detective that's all."

"…yea, maybe a little too good."

Cyborg laughed for a moment before giving her a warm smile. "Sooo…you and B, huh? If someone told me that's where the two of you would end up as a couple a few years ago, I would have told them they were out of their mind."

Raven couldn't help but allow a gentle smile to grace her face. "In all honesty…I feel the same….but people change…and how they feel change…you could probably say that about a lot of things that have happened to us...Phobia helping us…you and Bumblebee…things change."

Cyborg nodded in agreement. "Yea…it's mad to think about now…still feels like we only arrived on the island to set up shop yesterday sometimes."

The two fell quiet as Cyborg mulled over his next words. "Beast Boy and you…you're good together and hell…you're good for each other. I ain't ever seen you as…happy ain't the right word…fulfilled maybe?"

Raven gave a short laugh. "How about balanced?"

"…yep, that'll do it. Raven…we gotta head down for the brief for tomorrow in a minute. I just wanted to be the one to let you know but…maybe after that…take some time with Gar. I don't think meditating up here alone is going to do you anymore good and well…he has a knack for getting things to work out for him…maybe he can rub off on you."

Raven took one last look out at horizon where the storm clouds had nearly gathered in full strength.

"I could think of worse ways to spend the evening before the apocalypse."

It truly was an incredible sight to behold when every single Titan gathered under one roof. With so many different powers on display, different backgrounds, costumes, personalities…it was one of the most eclectic groups Nightwing had ever seen and secretly, every time they all had to gather in the Tower, he lived in silent fear that one day he would get a call from border security about passports and legal entry. Luckily for him, or perhaps still too soon, he was yet to get the call. He stood at the head of Main Ops, staring out at a sea of faces, expressions varied, eyes interested, waiting for him to start talking. A few pockets of quiet chattering could still be heard, but in general, the mood in the room was apprehensive. Everyone knew why they had been gathered again.

Nightwing quickly tried to identify his teammates in the crowd. Raven and Cyborg were pressed together on the couch, with Cyborg's arm resting on the corner, while Starfire was off sitting on one of the kitchen stools, holding a surprisingly lively Teether, who seemed very interested in her long hair. It took him a minute of searching, but he eventually spotted Beast Boy leaning against the wall at the back of the room. Nightwing raised an eyebrow. He knew Beast Boy acquired a hoodie that seemed to shift with his powers, but he wasn't exactly one for using it that much. But now, at the back of the room, his hood was firmly up as he had what looked like a hushed conversation with the Herald, who's expression was one of…concern, to say the least. Nightwing made a mental note to check on that later, before he cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the crowd before him. All conversation came to a halt.

"Before we get started, I just wanted to thank everyone in this room. The last few days have been rough. There isn't any point in trying to dress that up. Yet, after everything, every single one of you answered the call again. Resilience like that…you aren't born with it. Everyone here made a conscious choice and for that…every single one of you has my utmost respect and gratitude."

There was some quite murmurings of agreement from the group before the room fell silent again as Nightwing continued.

"With that being said, one of our own has been taken. In an attack in the past few days, where some of Deathstroke's forces were able to infiltrate the tower without detection, Melvin was taken by Deathstroke's forces when it became apparent they couldn't get to Raven. Deathstroke has presented us with an ultimatum. Raven must be brought to where he has currently set up his operations. His message was, in my opinion, brash. He did not state for her to come alone, or even for her to not resist. In fact, he seemed to openly invite a rescue operation. We're going to use this as an opportunity to take him down once and for all. The threat he poses has only continued to grow as his forces have grown stronger. Titans that remained in the city over the past few days will testify to the increased number of followers of the cult of Trigon within the city limits. Kid Flash, Starfire and Beast Boy have fought one of his new creations, a highly corrupted form of the criminal we know as Adonis, who proved an even match for the three of them together. If we delay striking Deathstroke down any further, his power may become too much."

Nightwing was about to turn towards the large screen in Main Ops when he paused for a second, before swallowing and turning back around to the assembled group of heroes.

"Before I go through our plan of attack tomorrow, of which I am more than happy to listen to input, I feel like I need to say this…I know when we fought the Brotherhood before that we all knew the risks we were taking…same way that when any of us answer a call for help, every single one of us knows that we are putting our lives on the line. However…this threat…it's different. The assault on the tower was proof of that. There won't be any pulled punches in this fight…no second chances. We've heard it from the man himself…he intends to spill blood. If anyone wants to step away from this before it even starts, there will be no judgement and no penalty. I feel like I have even asked too much of you in assembling for this. As such, the choice is yours…"

You could hear a pin drop. Not a soul in the room moved. No eyes looked away. Only the gentle patter of rain against the repaired Main Ops window broke the complete silence. Nightwing gave the smallest look of pride.

"Alright…but with that moment gone, I need everyone to lock in. We can do this, if everyone is willing to give it everything they have. So, here's the plan."

Nightwing turned to screen and with a quick tap of the tablet in his hand, a large map of Jump City's old sector appeared on the screen, a red circle around the location of the old library.

"The old library is located in a form of central square, with one main road leading into it, and several side roads filtering in. A quick check-in with the Jump City Police department confirmed that the main road leading into it in the past few days has become almost a procession for members of the Cult of Trigon, whether it be human followers or other villains under Deathstroke's influence. This plays into how we're going to approach this. Our initial goal is going to be to draw as many of Deathstroke's forces into the open as possible. The tunnels beneath the library form an intricate labyrinth. Keeping the fighting out of there is going to be vital. As such, we're going to have a main strike team to politely…raise absolute hell. This will be lead by Cyborg. We will then have two separate teams units, whose focus will be on infiltration. While Cyborg's unit brings Deathstroke's troops out, these two will make their way in using the side roads as a way to approach ideally undetected. The Herald will be with one unit while Raven will be with the other, so that each group can make use of travel by portals if necessary, with the goal being that both groups will converge inside. From there, we do have access to the plans of the tunnels and the infiltrated group should be able to navigate the maze to the central room without so much close-quarters fighting."

Nightwing took a breath and a quick drink of water before he tapped his screen again, this time switching from a street view outside to a map of extensive tunnels, all converging on three main rooms, each connected by a single corridor.

"These three central rooms are enormous. I've spoken to Jump City council about this and the police force. Once we secure Melvin, we have the permission of the city to bring the whole complex down by any means necessary if it's an option. As for Deathstroke…"

Nightwing swallowed as he took a second to steel his nerves. "We haven't been able to ascertain his true nature once during all of this. Such to say, we don't know if he's human, a devil, a demon…hell, we don't even know if he's truly alive. We are hoping that Raven will be able to banish him in the same way she banished Trigon, but if this isn't possible…I am giving every Titan permission to take him down by any means necessary. In any given moment…I trust every one of you to judge the right course of action. Any one of you may be the one who get's our only chance."

There were a few quiet whispers in the room as it dawned on people what Nightwing had essentially just said. Not that he had said it outright and in fact had almost discouraged it…but the message was clear.

"The break down of the three different units will be given out shortly once we finalize every Titan's position. Until then…any questions?"

There were some murmurs from the crowd before a large hand raised near the back of the crowd. Pantha's face showed concern more than anything else. "What is the actual plan to secure the kid once inside? I cannot be the only one to think Deathstroke will simply allow us to walk in and take her."

Nightwing nodded. "No, we expect her to be guarded of course, but Deathstroke isn't anticipating any kind of negotiation. Melvin is an insurance policy to get us to show up and bring Raven where he needs her to be. Once he knows that Raven has completed her side of the deal, his focus should shift to her. During this gap, hopefully one of the Herald or Kid Flash will be able to get in, secure the target and get out. Obviously it's difficult to know just how secure she will be held but the plan is to get her out before he even realizes she's gone."

Pantha frowned. "Are we not making a lot assumptions about Deathstroke's mindset? Where did we hear this from? This deal?"

"He told me."

Pantha's eyes, as well as those of most of the room turned to Raven, her hood up, hiding her features. "Last night, he came to me in a dream…it's not the first time he's done this. His intentions were…very clear. His…crusade…it ends tomorrow in his eyes. He doesn't care about Melvin at all…he's using her just to get to me. Once he sees me, he'll lose interest in her."

This time, Argent raised a hand. "Okay…so is the goal tomorrow just to rescue Melvin? Or is to stop Deathstroke for good? For example, if manage to get her out of there and Raven can't banish him, do we retreat to try again another day? Or are we going for it no matter what?"

Nightwing began to speak, no doubt an elaborate explanation of judging a situation in the moment, about how all options were open should an opportunity arise. Raven heard none of it. A quick glance upwards confirmed her suspicion as her eyes met the burning stare of Ravager. They both knew it. There would be no retreat tomorrow.

"-so we'll have to make that call when we get there. For now, anything else? We'll be finalizing a lot of details before we head out tomorrow."

The room fell into silence for a few seconds, for which Nightwing was grateful for. There would be plenty of time more to plan and prepare, but he wanted to give them all one night to themselves. Who knew what tomorrow was going to bring.

"Alright then. Tomorrow, we'll break into our respective units individually, with each group running their own games plans. As for tonight, spend it how you see fit. If you want to some personal preparation, all the facilities of the tower are at your disposal. Cyborg has already said he will be more than happy to assist with any technical assistance you might need and will be in the garage with Kilowatt later tonight if needed. If you'd rather just retire for the night, messages have been sent to each communicator regarding the room that has been assigned to you. Unfortunately, some of the accommodations are a bit makeshift…we aren't used to this many people. If there's nothing else, you're all free to go."

It took a few seconds, but eventually Titans began to shuffle out of there seats and filter about. Some immediately left, like Bushido, who Nightwing could only guess was headed straight down to the gym. Others broke off into smaller groups in Main Ops, conversations already in full flow. Nightwing turned his attention back to directly in front of him and began walking towards Cyborg and Raven, who were still sat on the couch. They had already been joined by Starfire, who had taken to leaning against the couch arm, and Beast Boy who had his hands resting on the back of the furniture. Nightwing walked over and slumped into the now empty arm chair beside the four of them.

"I don't think I did a great job inspiring…confidence."

Cyborg brushed him off, waving a hand in the air. "Hey man, you did fine…and to be fair, don't want to be giving any false confidence going into this either…better they know it's a different kind of fight."

It didn't do much to make the Titan leader feel better but even he could see that there was some logic to Cyborg's words. Beast Boy leaned further in. "Dude, they've already seen what's to come a few days ago right here. If you tried to paint it as anything else, they'd know you were sugarcoating it. Givin' it straight was the only way to go."

Even Raven piped up, still from beneath the safety of her hood. "You did the right thing Nightwing. Don't second guess yourself on it."

Nightwing was mulling over his friends words when a small laugh to his right drew his attention away from his own wallowing, also catching the attention of Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy. It took Starfire a second to realise that all eyes were on her and when she did, she promptly blushed.

"I am sorry friends, it is nothing…just…I cannot remember the last time the five of us simply sat in Main Ops and talked…it feels like it must have been a life time ago."

The four other Titans thought on Starfire's words and slowly, recognition came into their eyes. Cyborg let out a long exhale. "Damn…you gotta point…when was the last we were all sat here? Beast Boy coming back don't count…none of us were sittin' down and I left pretty quick."

Nightwing's brow furrowed beneath his mask. "….the party after the brotherhood? It must have happened at some point that night…but we were in the tower for a few weeks after…the day Malchior attacked wouldn't count…that was a mission brief."

"It was a few days before that."

All eyes moved to Raven who had gently pulled down her hood, her purple hair spilling down towards her shoulders, slightly longer than she usually let it grow. "Beast Boy and Cyborg were playing videogames, Starfire was babying Silkie, I was meditating by the window and you were reading a newspaper at the counter. Beast Boy came over to me, insistent that the story of Bioshock would definitely catch my imagination and I for once, gave him the benefit of the doubt. You and Starfire wandered over when you saw me looking at a videogame, which lead to Cyborg asking would you prefer to live underwater if you could. The game was forgotten about…and we went from there."

Beast Boy smiled fondly. "Ha…I remember that…I went on a rant that I can turn into a fish but can't just give myself gills…I still ain't happy about that."

Cyborg whistled. "Damn Raven, that's one of hell of a recall…"

Raven sighed. "It sticks out…can any of you say you haven't thought about…simpler times?"

Nightwing dipped his head, mulling over Raven's question in his mind. However, he didn't get long, before he was disturbed by Beast Boy, who had vaulted himself over the back of the couch so that he was now sat on the other side of Raven. "First prank back after the Brotherhood…who knew replacing all the regular milk in the fridge with soy with fake labels would be the prank that sent Cyborg reeling."

Cyborg scowled. "Man I remember that…first thing in the morning and all I wanted was a big swig of milk, just to get that…made my damn skin crawl.

Nightwing chuckled. "It wasn't that bad Cy…I had it with coffee that morning and I barely noticed."

"That's because you had it diluted! I had the refined product…no dilution…straight to the palette…it was the stuff of nightmares."

Starfire giggled. "Friend Cyborg…are you not being the touch dramatic."

"Touch dramatic! I don't think I'm being dramatic enough!"

Raven rolled her eyes as the other three Titans laughed at Cyborg's antics, but even she couldn't hide the subtle smile that had dawned on her face. During all of this, the empath couldn't help but cast her eyes towards the window to watch as the last flecks of the sun dropped below the horizon, leaving only the storm clouds to take up the night sky. The weather looked ominous…foreboding.

"Raven?"

Raven snapped back to the group she was with, where Beast Boy was staring at her expectantly, the other three around her also looking at her as if waiting something. She gave a gentle shake of her head.

"Sorry, lost track for a moment. Where were we?"

Beast Boy gave her a half-smile. "I was just wondering, when this is all over, what's the first thing your gonna do?"

Raven did well to hide nerves before she calmed herself. She wanted to tell them…she really did. In case everything went wrong tomorrow…or how she planned it for it to happen, there was every chance this was her last night on Earth. She wanted to say goodbye properly…wanted to let every one of them know how much they meant to her. But she couldn't…for their own sake, she couldn't give her plan away…it was for the best…for everyone. Raven looked up and meet Beast Boy's gaze.

"I'm going to teach myself to make pancakes."

The night whittled away far too quickly for Raven's liking. The five of them stayed there for the next few hours, talking about whatever popped into their heads. For once, there was no talk of villains or battles. Just the quiet calm that came with five friends getting a chance to catch up. Beast Boy told stories of how controlling the Beast came with some slight complications, such as transforming back to being human completely naked. Cyborg talked about how Bee and him had their first date spot picked out already, which of course sent Starfire into a tirade about her and Nightwing, much to the Titan leaders chagrin. They laughed, they smiled and they quietly reconnected as time drifted on, until eventually, Starfire excused herself and Nightwing, saying that she wished to spend some time with him privately, before shooting Raven an innocent look and disappearing out the room with the leader of the Titans, much to his surprise and delight. With most of the Titans choosing to reside in their own rooms, Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy suddenly found that they had Main Ops all to themselves. Raven and Beast Boy turned towards Cyborg as he chuckled to himself.

"Some things never change…remember back before when Nightwing didn't have the stones to ask Starfire out but he'd still pair her and him together on all our stake outs."

Beast Boy and Raven both smiled fondly. It had never been a secret that Nightwing wanted to ask Star out but just couldn't figure out how. However, that did lead to the standard team split becoming the three of them, whilst Starfire and Nightwing, then Robin, had used stake outs to awkwardly circle around each other. Beast Boy laughed from the couch, where he was now splayed out, his legs raised onto the furniture, his head resting on the far arm rest to where Raven was.

"Yea, we had a running bet on whether that night was gonna be the night. Only Raven thought that he'd never do it. You and I just lost money."

Raven shrugged. "He was too mission-orientated at the time…it wouldn't have been his style.."

Cyborg waggled his eyebrows at Raven. "Soooo…once this is all over, am I gonna be flying solo while the two of you go on stake outs?"

Raven had pulled her hood down since they started talking, but for the first time since then, she wished it was up. At least, she could count on Beast Boy to exhibit a sense of decen-"

"Oh absolutely."

Raven's head whipped towards Beast Boy, her face turning red as a furious blush rose to her cheeks, only for her embarrassment to turn to annoyance at the sight of Beast Boy laughing at her face.

"Sorry Rae…you were staring daggers at Cy…had to draw the attention away from a buddy somehow."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "So you brought it onto yourself? I think I'll be doing any further stake-out work with Starfire."

Cyborg faked mock outrage. "Now wait, what has my boy Nightwing done to deserve his precious stake-outs being ruined for him!"

Raven groaned. "Azar…you boys are ridiculous."

Beast Boy sighed as he put his hands behind his head. "Man…I missed this."

Cyborg and Raven turned towards the changeling with curiosity. Beast Boy, for his part, didn't even realise that the other two were staring at him until he poked his head up, his ears twitching at the sudden lack of conversation.

"What? Let's be real, there was a time not so long ago that I didn't think this was ever gonna happen again. Hell, going all the way back to the Brotherhood I wasn't quite sure where to go from there, it's just…been a hell of a journey to get back here…I probably made it slightly longer than it needed to be."

Cyborg gave his friend an empathetic look. "Hey…we probably all made that trip longer than it needed it…and to be fair, Deathstroke's the one who started all this crap in the first place."

Beast Boy's face dropped, only the slightest amount, but just enough that Raven noticed the darkening of his features. "Yep…and tomorrow we end it…no matter what."

Beast Boy looked up at Cyborg. "And everyone's coming home…"

Raven knew he was looking at Cyborg. She knew that he could have been talking about Melvin. But she knew he wasn't. She didn't need to be an empath to know that was aimed at her. If there was one thing she hadn't been prepared for when Beast Boy came home, it was that he'd have become so much more perceptive. She knew that he didn't know about her back-up plan…but the way he said that almost made her question it.

Cyborg broke her out of her thoughts. "Damn straight."

With that Cyborg stood up, stretching his back out and rolling his neck, eliciting a loud crack. "Well, I'm gonna turn in. Feel like it's probably for the best I have a full charge ahead of tomorrow. Also, I gotta find Kilowatt before I KO."

Raven nodded. "I should probably do the same…might as well try and sleep."

Cyborg smiled at the pair of them before making his way for the door. "Night ya'll. I know you're alone in here, but just remember, the security cameras are evveeerrrrywhere."

Beast Boy groaned. "Goodnight Cyborg."

The metal Titan chuckled as he disappeared out the main ops door, the sliding metal clinking back into place, leaving Raven and Beast Boy alone. Raven was about to get up when she felt a shift in the weight of the couch beside her. Assuming that Beast Boy had stood up, she looked over only to find that the changeling had disappeared entirely. She didn't have to look for long though as she felt something delicate touch her shoulder, causing her to turn around a come eye to eye with a green raven. She rolled her eyes.

"You've really started leaning into using your shifting for sneaking up on me, you know that?"

The raven chirped in what she assumed was agreement as it padded it's feet into the soft fabric of her cloak, before settling down on her shoulder. She raised an eyebrow. "Do I look like a piece of furniture?" The raven merely chirped again. With a heavy, heavy sigh, Raven stood up from the couch, the changeling still perched on her shoulder and made way for the kitchen, wanting to make a cup of tea before bed. As she started pulling all the necessary pieces down, she couldn't help but let her mind wander to whatever lay in store for them tomorrow. Without looking away from what she was doing, she started talking…she knew he was listening.

"I don't know if I'm going to be able to summon the power I need for tomorrow. I mean, the last time I did, it was certainly in the heat of the moment but…I feel like this will be different…I've assumed my white form before, but what was needed to banish Trigon…it's a different feeling entirely."

Raven had felt the bird on her shoulder stiffen ever so slightly, but aside from that, it gave no other indication of what it was thinking. Raven continued.

"I know you've been thinking about it, as have all the other Titans, and you all know the position I'm in…and there's no way you haven't thought about what I might decide to do…whatever happens tomorrow, I need you to promise me tha-"

The small weight was gone from her shoulder in a split second and Beast Boy was standing beside her in an instant, his face surprisingly neutral for what Raven had been talking about. However, the empath was still caught off guard, her eyes widening as she turned towards the changeling.

"Raven…I'm not as clueless as I used to be. I know you have something planned for tomorrow as a back-up…you're too smart and annoyingly selfless not too have…and I know that if it were any one of us in your position, we'd probably all have prepared the same…but no…I'm not promising anything…not when it comes to this."

Raven sighed as she placed a tea bag in her favorite mug, before gently pouring some boiling water in, the steam gently wafting from the top before dissipating into the air.

"Gar…you know the risk Deathstroke poses…it can't be about me. This is what we do…it's bigger than both of us."

"No Rae. Yes, we're heroes, I get that, but our job isn't to die for a cause greater than ourselves. Maybe it's a decision you've made…but don't expect me to go along with it. There's always another way and trust me, I'll find it."

Beast Boy reached down and dug his hand into his pocket and began rummaging through it before he pulled it back out, his fingers clenched around something. Without waiting for a second, he reached out and grabbed Raven's hand, turning it around so her palm was open in the air, before he dropped what he'd retrieved into her hand. Raven stared at the item in confusion for a few seconds before her eyes widened in recognition.

"Is this..."

"The same one…I went back and got it in the aftermath,"

Raven couldn't tear her eyes away from the small piece of copper that lay in her palm. It was such an innocuous little thing…millions produced every year, most people wouldn't bat an eye if they saw one on the ground and yet for her, the penny that she slowly wrapped her fingers around was, in that moment, the most important thing in the world. Beast Boy closed his hands around her closed fist.

"When I gave you that the first time, I said it was for good luck and you chose to take fate in your own hands. This time, it's a promise. Tomorrow…come what may, but I ain't leaving that stupid library without you."

Raven couldn't help but give a small chuckle. "You are relentlessly stubborn, you know that, right?"

Beast Boy smiled, his fang poking out of the corner of his mouth. "Not smart enough to do everything…dumb enough to try anything…that's kind of my whole thing."

Raven sighed in exasperation. "Azar…it really is."

"You make it sound like it's a bad thing."

"…."

"Rae?…wait, Rae!"

Raven had already turned her mug of tea in hand, leaving an outraged changeling in her wake. "I decline to comment."

"Cause you know it's a good thing."

"…."

"I'll stop."

"Probably for the best."

Raven was heading for the door when she stopped and turned back to the changeling who was moving to catch up with her. "I'm going to be going to my room to read and have my tea before I go to sleep. If you would like to spend tonight in your own room preparing, I understand, but if you want to spend the night again…you would be more than welcome."

Beast Boy's smile changed from light-hearted to something warmer…intimate. "For tonight…nowhere I'd rather be."

Beast Boy walked up to Raven and put his arm around her, where Raven couldn't help but lean in ever so slightly. But as they both left Main Ops, silently, without letting the other know, both of their minds wandered for just a moment. Raven couldn't help but thing of the decision she was going to have to make if things went wrong…when she'd have to take matters into her own hands and Beast Boy…his mind drifted to his own crazy plan that he'd concocted to stop her.

The atmosphere in the tower, much like the storm that had taken Jump City during the night, had darkened considerably overnight. The night before, there had been the typical chat that the titans engaged in when meeting up, friends who didn't normally get to work together reacquainting, stories exchanged and the like. There was no jovialness this morning. There were more early risers than normal and Nightwing had been quietly impressed when he walked in for his morning coffee to see a number of honorary titans already gathered, most discussing the day to come, a few open dossiers that he had prepared open on the kitchen table. The headspace everyone was in was obvious. One of their own had been taken, by a man who had been going too far for far too long. The threat he posed ended today…no matter what.

Raven had been fortunate enough to enjoy a dreamless sleep, Deathstroke choosing to not make his presence felt. She had woken up early, only taking a few seconds to gather her thoughts as she came too before her stomach lurched, realizing that today was the day…that this was it. She had quietly slipped out from underneath Beast Boy's arm, without disturbing the changeling, grabbed a uniform from her closet and made her way into the bathroom to have a shower. Usually Raven was methodical in the shower, doing what she needed to do without delay. Not today. She let the warm water cascade over herself, savoring the feeling on her neck. Who knew if she'd ever get to experience something so simple again. After about twenty minutes, she emerged, fully changed already, to find Beast Boy sat up on her bed, his hands behind his back supporting him. He gave her a smile, which she couldn't help but return.

"Ready for the day?"

"…ready as I'll ever be."

Beast Boy merely nodded before, he too, crawled out of her bed. "I'm gonna go freshen up as well in my own room…want me to come back here? We can go Main Ops together?"

Raven shook her head. "No…it's fine. I want to have a quick word with Nightwing about the team splits anyway, so I'm going to head straight there. Also, once I leave…I don't really want to come back here. The team needs to know that I'm ready for today…and hiding here won't help them."

Beast Boy nodded, a small frown on his face. "Okay…but we're here for you today Rae as well…don't forget that."

Raven nodded as she joined Beast Boy as he walked towards the door. Just before they got there, Raven grabbed both of Beast Boy's hands, pulling him towards her. Beast Boy turned in an instant, his eyes boring into her own purple ones.

"I know Gar, just…whatever happens today…I'm ready."

She kissed him and he returned it immediately. It was raw and meaningful, like they both thought it was the last thing they would do on Earth. Beast Boy deepened the kiss, pulling Raven close, with the empath more than complying as her body curved to fit into Beast Boy's form. Eventually the two broke apart and Beast Boy placed a hand under her chin.

"I know…but I made you a promise…and I intend to keep it."

With that, Raven placed her hand on the keypad and her door slid open. Beast Boy gave her one last look before he slipped out into the hallway alone, allowing the door to slide closed behind him. Raven waited a few minutes, giving Beast Boy ample time to make his way out of the hallway before she allowed her door to slide open again. The hallway was empty…like he'd never been there at all. With a sigh, Raven took one last took at her room, before she stepped out, a look of determination on her face. With a swish of her cloak, she levitated into the air, her mind set on Main Ops and whatever the future had in store for her.

Over the next few minutes, the hallway was mainly quiet. A few honorary titans came and went, no one stopping or pausing outside of Raven's door, or in the hallway at all for that matter. It would have taken an expert in observation to realise when something had changed. Maybe the residents of the tower would have an advantage, with their experiences with the changeling before, but almost nobody would have batted an eyelid at the fly that buzzed through the air, coming to land outside the empath's door. The fly took a few steps forward before shifting into a spider and scuttling under the opening beneath the sliding door, where it disappeared. It was only after a few minutes did the spider return, shifting into a fly again and maneuvering back down the hallway towards the changelings room, which Beast Boy had left open. Only once fully inside, and outside of the view of any of Cyborg's security cameras, did the spider shift and resume the form of Beast Boy, who promptly walked over and closed his bedroom door.

He stood in the centre of his room for a moment, before withdrawing the precious cargo he had snuck into Raven's room to retrieve. He knew for a fact that she would kill him if she knew what he had done…she would do something far worse if she knew what he had planned in case she decided to take the decision away from the Titans, but as for him…it was worth it. He'd risk his own life if it meant keeping his promise to her.

He looked down at the item in his hands and rolled it over a few times. He knew he could keep it safe. Once he shifted, it would be tucked away where no one on the planet could get it. "Sorry Raven…but if you're gonna have a contingency plan…you can't be mad when I have one too."

With that, Beast Boy tucked Raven's mirror into the deepest pocket of his uniform before zipping it closed before he smoothed himself out. With a deep breath, he left his room, only glancing back once, to have a final look at the photo of him with his parents on his bedside table, before he stepped out into the hallway, ready to fight so-called "destiny" for the second time.

I think this is only the second time I've done this, but I have it planned anyway, so might as well build hype. See ya'll for Ch. 33 Collide. Hopefully I won't disappoint :)