Hey yo, author here! Yes, I know it's been a minute since I updated, but I've just been insanely busy. Was away twice and was at Download festival last week so just have barely had any time for pretty much anything. Also, this chapter had several rewrites cause I am getting pedantic about getting it right. But anyway, thanks you so much for all the new favourites and follows and to anyone who's been reading this story, no matter when you started. Means the world :)
As always, much love - Seadavid41
Ch. 37 Psychomachia
There is something inherently easier about running away from a problem than facing it head on in the moment. However, the only problem with that philosophy is that your problems…your worries…your scars and fears…they will always be just a step behind, breathing down your neck, creating an endless race where you're competing against an opponent who will never tire. It isn't possible to run away from your fears forever and eventually, you will have to either build up the strength of character to face them without hesitation…or let them consume you.
For too long, Beast Boy had been someone who had felt he was out of place…a bird without a nest…the cog that just didn't quite fit. To a certain extent, it moulded him, becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy…he was his own worst enemy. For a time, the changeling couldn't see past the picture in his own head of life and how it was supposed to be…happiness was temporary, moving on was inevitable…he was a side-character in the lives of people he met…and he was okay with that.
But Beast Boy was not that boy anymore. It took months of isolation, nearly dying, diving through fire, having his best friends scream in his face and a new relationship with a certain empath for him to realise…this was his story just as much as anyone else…and he had a say in how it unfolded. If he still wanted to run, he could most certainly do that. No one would stop him…but it was his decision. His fate was his own and he was done running. Beast Boy had plenty of his own demons and it's not like they had simply disappeared. In moments of silence, he knew they would still cross his mind…passing thoughts that could make him ponder what could have been…what if he had been able to shift to something bigger on the boat with his parents…what if he'd never gone to Alaska...But they didn't control him…not anymore. Between his own demons and the very tangible, very real demon in front of him, Beast Boy definitely had to deal with more than most…but he had no intention of running…not ever again
Beast Boy wasn't going to just turn and face his demons head on…Garfield Logan was going to turn around give them hell.
The demon that Raven had kept locked away her entire life was only continuing to grow stronger. Even as Beast Boy stood opposite it now, as the Beast, he could still see changes happening in real time. Its cloak was decaying, the once regal robe slowly moving into a state of decay, the fabric breaking up into individual strands, with each mangled shroud blowing individually in the wind as if they all had different stories to tell. Its stature had increased and the well-spoken individual that Beast Boy had first seen had been completely lost to the nightmarish, shadow creature that now stood before him. Glowing, crimson eyes peered out through whisps of shadow that partially obscured its face, only a mouth full of pointed teeth and a set of four gnarled horns occasionally making an appearance through the darkness emanating from her form. Its blackened claws had grown to almost bigger than the Beast's enhanced ones, each talon razor-sharp and capable of rending flesh from bone with a mere flick of the wrist. Beast Boy wasn't exactly a master of the arcane, but even if he could feel the effect this creature had. Here, within Nevermore, the magic and shadows almost seemed to cling to the demon's form, writhing and shifting like they had their own conscious minds…their sentience being granted fleetingly by the complete abomination which was being given permission to consume Raven's mind and soul by none other than the empath herself.
Yet, Beast Boy did not budge. The Beast stood in defiant opposition; a look of steely determination adorned on its face. Its eyes were sharp and focused, completely locked onto the entity before him. It was an oddly silent moment, with the only distinct noises being the wind whipping around Raven's demon and the deep, guttural growl emanating from the Beast's throat. Beast Boy and the Beast were in perfect sync. This was all they had wanted. A clean opportunity to stop Raven from slipping through their fingers. The odds were not in their favour and if there was ever a time for Beast Boy to run…this would have been the time that made the most sense. Rage, an aspect of Raven, had practically begged him to leave…and yet he did not falter. In the last few days, he'd finally come to understand the life he could have…not the picture he'd built for himself where he'd always leave himself out of frame. He had friends he could rely on…he had a family that cared…and he had a woman he had made a promise too. He wasn't here to run away…he was here to rage against the dying of the light.
Raven's demon licked her lips, almost as if she could taste Beast Boy's emotion on her tongue. Anybody could defeat an opponent who thought they had no chance…but the idea of killing a defiant creature…of annihilating not only the most important person in Raven's life…but someone with hope that they could prevent the inevitable…that was a far more tantalising proposition. The demon raised a singular claw and beckoned the Beast forward.
"Don't worry…in the time after I kill you…I'll make sure that Raven has a moment to understand you died in vain…that's a promise…and I intend to keep it."
The Beast's nostrils flared before heaving its fists over its head, Rage's magic crackling between its fingers, before slamming them down against the ground of the library and letting out an ear-splitting roar, causing the entire room the shake. The demon merely smiled. Without any further hesitation, the Beast bounded forward a couple of steps, before launching itself off the ground, claws outstretched and aimed at the demon's eyes. Raven's demon smiled as it brought its own claws upwards, magic crackling at its fingertips.
"Who knew I would get to have such fun in the little time I've been granted…"
Cyborg was the oldest of the Titans and over the years, there had been plenty of times where he'd been seen as the voice of reason in the Tower. He wasn't quite sure what sparked it in the first place. After all, they'd all met as teenagers in the streets of Jump. Maybe it was down to the fact that Cyborg had managed to live slightly more of a normal life than the others. The other four Titans had all had childhoods that were…well…complicated to put it mildly. Meanwhile, he'd managed to have a semblance of normality when he was younger. He went to school. He played football. He had a crush on a girl in his history class. Up until the accident, he'd been able to get a snippet of the real human experience. Sometimes, he felt like that fleeting experience allowed him to see through some of the complex problems that came with being a hero with greater clarity. However, he'd also grown-up reading comics books and watching action movies and like every other human on Earth, he'd grown up wondering what it would be like to be one of those heroes. So, while he was probably the most wizened of the Titans in his own right, that didn't mean he didn't have time to appreciate something in the moment. For everything that was happening around him, with Beast Boy fighting to save Raven, the sea of Deathstroke's bots surrounding Starfire and him on all sides and Deathstroke stood beneath him, a flaming double-sided axe in his grasp, Cyborg only had one thought on his mind as he descended from the sky, sonic cannon primed…he bet he looked so damn cool in that moment.
Cyborg, having been launched by Starfire during her descent, reached Deathstroke first. As Deathstroke sent another wave of fire out, Cyborg sent forward a blast of his sonic cannon. Where the two projectiles met, the two forces briefly battled against each other in the air before the two cancelled each other out, creating an explosion at the point where they met. Cyborg brought his other arm in front of his face to block the smoke as he dived straight through the blast zone, emerging on the other side to Deathstroke, who's face morphed into of surprise as the sight of the metallic Titan emerging from the smoke and still approaching as fast as he had been beforehand. Deathstroke only had time to raise his axe handle to block the incoming titan before Cyborg crashed into him, tackling him to the ground.
Cyborg didn't waste a moment in pushing his advantage, as he was the one who had ended up on top after their collision. Cyborg brought his fist back and immediately launched an absolute haymaker into Deathstroke's jaw, sending the villains head snapping backwards with a grunt. Cyborg attempted to follow it up with another blow with his other fist but couldn't hide his surprise when Deathstroke brought his inbound fist to a halt. Deathstroke smirked at his expression.
"Go on Victor…give it 110%...I'm sure it'll work this time."
Before Cyborg could respond, Deathstroke let out a beam of fire from the palm that had caught Cyborg's, sending the oldest Titan flying backwards, where he eventually fell to the ground in a heap. Deathstroke pushed himself off the ground but didn't have time to gather his axe before a war cry caused him to turn around in an instant. Starfire, having been waiting for an opening, had chosen her moment, and by the time Deathstroke had been alerted to her presence, a series of star bolts were already inbound. Deathstroke growled under his breath before he allowed his body to be consumed by flames, vanishing from where he was standing in a matter of seconds, leaving the star bolts to crash harmlessly into the floor.
Starfire scanned the room from her vantage point in the air before her mind clicked back to her and Beast Boy's encounter with Adonis. It was only that split second of memory that saved her because at that very moment, a similar noise to that of Adonis's portals forming sounded above her and without even glancing upwards, Starfire dived downwards and attempted to arc her path away from where she had been hovering. Deathstroke, who had reappeared above her in a burst of flame, had been fully intent on driving Starfire into the ground from above. However, Starfire's quick reaction meant that he was only able to wildly swipe at her, missing her entirely as she veered away. Deathstroke turned his attention towards his own descent as he propelled himself towards the floor, scooping up his axe without landing, before arcing his flight path so that he could once again engage the Tamaranean, but hadn't been expecting Starfire to be almost on top of him. Starfire tackled him around his mid-section, sending them both crashing to the ground.
Starfire didn't waste a second, hopping up immediately to try and push her advantage, but Deathstroke managed to get his axe in between the two of them, Starfire wrapping her fingers around the hilt of the weapon as the two began a test of strength. Deathstroke, whilst clearly straining under the strength of the Tamaranean, still managed to smirk at the Titan.
"I must say…I can now see why Adonis took such a special…interest in you."
Starfire's eyes widened for a split second in recognition before they narrowed as she visibly seethed. Deathstroke noticed the increasing intensity of the green in her eyes and couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Still so easy to get under your skin…almost like I know you better than you know yourselves…wouldn't you say so?"
Starfire eyes began to pulsate. "You are a disease! Nothing more!"
Starfire reared her head back with the intention of hitting Deathstroke with one of her eyeblasts, but the chosen one of Trigon was expectant of the move. As Starfire reared her head back, Deathstroke suddenly pushed forward with his axe, catching Starfire by surprise, causing her head to whip further back, the beam of energy that left her eyes being released towards the ceiling of the cavern. Dropping his axe entirely, Starfire fell forward due to the sudden lack of resistance just as Deathstroke brough both his hands forward, placing them both on Starfire's chest before releasing a concentrated beam of fire, sending the Tamaranean flying off him.
Starfire was launched backwards a few feet before she skidded along the floor and came to a halt. Even though she pushed herself up in only a matter of seconds, Deathstroke's assault was relentless. Recollecting his axe already, Starfire only had time to roll to the side along the floor to avoid a swipe that would have cleaved her in two. Deathstroke merely smiled as he pulled his axe out of where it had embedded in the ground.
"Come on Starfire…show me something more…show me why the one who gave up the throne of Tamaran seems to be in such high demand on Earth."
Starfire panted as she got to her feet, gritting her teeth to not show weakness to her opponent. She knew she was being toyed with…goaded into making a mistake…but for someone who's very power came from feeling intense emotion, not only did she lean into her anger that was rising in her chest…she welcomed it.
Starfire was wordless as she sprang forward, taking to the sky with fists outstretched, eyes blazing green. Deathstroke's smile only broadened. "There's the fire I've heard so much about."
Starfire sent a blast of her eye bolts towards Deathstroke as she closed the gap, which he blocked with his axe before Starfire landed in front of him, choosing to keep the fight on the ground. Rearing her fist back before she even hit the ground, Starfire launched a haymaker at Deathstroke just as he recovered from blocking Starfire's initial eye blast, catching him square across the jaw and causing him to stumble backwards. Starfire watched him as he caught himself and slowly brought his hand up to his lip, gently grazing it with his fingers before pulling away and examining the red liquid that now coated his fingernails. He stared at it with curiosity, his head tilting to the side as he rubbed the liquid between his fingers, before giving a small huff of amusement.
"And here I thought I would bleed gold…"
Deathstroke looked up from his fingers and back at Starfire before waving his fingers in the air at her. "All that righteous fury…for a split lip…"
Starfire got into a fighting stance. "I still have plenty more…and either way…it most certainly felt good."
Deathstroke gave a chuckle as he placed his axe behind his back so that he was hands free before suddenly surging forwards towards Starfire, who moved forward to meet him. Deathstroke swung first, with Starfire sliding beneath his attempted backhand and landing a fist straight into Deathstroke's kidney, but the chosen one of Trigon did not falter. Deathstroke immediately dropped his elbow, catching Starfire in the back of the head, before launching a knee strike upwards, catching her in the forehead, eliciting a yelp from the Tamaranean and causing her to stumble backwards. Deathstroke pushed forward before feinting to Starfire's left, which in her disorientated state, she went to guard, only for Deathstroke to drop his height and land a savage uppercut, sending Starfire's head whipping backwards, hitting her with enough force to lift her clean off the ground. Starfire hit the floor with a sickening thud. She desperately tried to gather her bearings, but the world was spinning. She could have sworn Cyborg was with her only a moment ago…
Deathstroke didn't waste time to gloat this time, striding forward like a man with a purpose…like he'd been chosen for a higher purpose. Pulling his axe out from behind his back, he came to stand over Starfire, who looked at him with unfocused eyes. No smile graced his face. No cutting remark fell from his mouth. The time for games had finished…
Deathstroke gripped the handle of his axe in both hands and drove the blunt end downwards directly into Starfire's hand which was lying flat on the ground, causing the Tamaranean to howl in pain and withdraw her arm back into herself. Deathstroke then put one hand on the back of the axe head, while the other remained on the handle and as he focused, he began to feel the temperature of the metal rise beneath his fingertips. Starfire looked up and with one hand, reached out to hold the handle of the axe in a desperate attempt to stop Deathstroke from moving it towards her. Deathstroke wasn't by her efforts as he very slowly began to exert more pressure, slowly overpowering Starfire and moving the blade closer and closer to her torso. Starfire desperately tried to wriggle free, but Deathstroke's strength was to much for her with the way the world was still spinning in her eyes. Deathstroke savoured the moment…finally, he would kill a titan…a fitting way to crown his day of ascenc-
He never saw the birdarang coming, so focused was he on the Tamaranean. The first time he noticed it, the projectile was already embedded in his cheek, such that he could feel the metal cutting into his tongue. Deathstroke fell backwards, letting out a roar of anger as he did so. Nightwing quickly moved between Deathstroke and Starfire before turning to the Tamaranean.
"Star! Cyborg is coming to help, but stay do- "
That was as far as Nightwing got before his senses kicked in and he spun around, letting loose a sweeping leg kick, which actually managed to catch Deathstroke by surprise, hitting him the calf and causing him to stumble. Nightwing withdrew his escrima sticks and quickly let Deathstroke have a two-strike combo, both landing on the villain's face, before Nightwing rushed him, picking him up in American football style tackle before executing a takedown, sending the two sprawling to the floor, where Nightwing ended up on top. Nightwing pinned on of Deathstroke's arm under his knee, before he began to unload punches into him…across the face…in the gut…where he could land a solid strike. Deathstroke eventually managed to bring his other arm around and landed a counter shot across the bridge of Nightwing's nose, which was enough of a distraction for him to be able to shove the frenzied leader of the Titan's off him. Nightwing rolled off to the left, landing on one knee and looking up to see Deathstroke opposite him had landed in the same position. Nightwing's eyes narrowed. Starfire was temporarily down. Cyborg was up but was in the middle of being almost swarmed by Deathstroke's bots. Nightwing had a one-on-one fight with his old foe…one last ride for old time's sake.
Wordlessly, Nightwing withdrew two birdarang from his belt and brought them together, his sword forming seamlessly in his hands. Deathstroke spat out some blood onto the floor before he too withdrew his axe. "Now Robin…that doesn't look like a non-lethal weapon…"
Nightwing face remained stoic. "Well Slade…I don't use non-lethals on demons…if you want Trigon's powers so bad…how about I send you to him personally? Or is the lap dog afraid of its old owner?"
Deathstroke's face changed in an instant from mild amusement to something between anger and disappointment. "It is truly a shame…all those years ago…what we could have been…what I could have made you…I know you won't value a promise from me…but I give you my word…killing you will bring me no joy…such a waste of potential."
Nightwing tightened his grip on his sword. "For so long, you've been the thing that keeps me up at night…the evil that haunts every corner of my mind…for better or worse…I put those to rest…right now."
There was no malice in the air between the two like there had been with Deathstroke had been fighting Starfire or Cyborg. As the two charged towards each other, weapons primed and ready, both hadn't been able to help but think for a moment about their history with each other. Deathstroke had a dream of Robin being his apprentice…someone he could mould in his image…while Nightwing had nightmares that kept him awake, suffering in silence, because of Slade. However, in the case of both…all dreams had to end eventually…and what sharper a wake-up call is there than the clashing of weapons and the meeting of steel.
High above where Nightwing and Deathstroke were fighting, Ravager surveyed the surroundings outside of Raven's shield. Bobby was still engaging Psimon and any bots that it could get its hands. Meanwhile, any bots that could get through his grasp where scratching at the barrier to no avail. Raven had truly sealed herself away…prepared to be almost alone when she left the world. Ravager had been actively trying to avoid eye contact with Melvin, who was staring pointedly at Raven, her cheeks still wet with tears, her eyes puffy. Ravager may have been trained to be a killer…a lethal fighter who could take down the average person before they could blink…but she wasn't heartless, despite the best efforts of her father, and looking straight into the eyes of a child knowing that you were about to kill the closest thing they had to a mo-…Ravager closed her eyes shut tight.
"Ra-Ravager?"
Ravager sighed and reluctantly opened her eyes and looked down at Melvin. However, her reluctance faded when she saw the look on Melvin's face and her raising a finger, pointed at Raven's face.
"I think…I think something's wrong…"
Ravager's blood ran cold. Raven did say that it would be obvious. Gripping her kitana in her hand slightly tighter, Ravager stepped around from behind Raven to look at her face, ready to search for any signs of a demonic presence. Instead, Ravager's face dawned a curious expression. Raven was still in the lotus position and still seemingly meditating…but her forehead was scrunched up and her eyes were squeezed shut tight. On her lap, her normally relaxed hands were squeezed into fists. All in all…she looked…almost annoyed…like something was distracting her from concentrating. Ravager's eyes widened in recognition and for the first time in a while…a slight spark of hope sparked in her chest. She turned to Melvin with a small smile.
"If I had to guess…I'd say Beast Boy is making a real nuisance of himself in Raven's mirror…in only the way he bloody can."
Rage fell to one knee as the Beast launched itself at the demon who was attempting to claim ownership of Raven's mind, her powers completely drained. Like all the emoticlones, she had knowledge of most things that Raven had experienced, not to the same extent as the emoticlones herself, but in the same way any person would remember their past. As much as she was loathe to admit it, she was aware of Raven's reading of a book where a father and son "carried the fire" in, what she considered to be, a world that wasn't even that bad. She'd hated it. The metaphor was not only made too overtly obvious, but it was farcical that the pair would have survived for as long as they did. The author decided to make a world devoid of hope and then just slapped a child and his naïve father in the middle of it. They weren't going to change anything. There was no hope. No happy ending…and Rage had seen it coming from a mile away…but as Rage looked on at the Beast…Beast Boy…. Garfield Logan…who was almost certainly striding towards his own death…she finally found some meaning in the pointless of it all…
The man knew he was going to die…but to carry on…it was all he had left…the only option left that wasn't giving up, all to protect his son…to try and save the person most important to him.
Rage didn't know if Beast Boy was stupid…naïve…or both…but she could finally admit that he was one of the bravest people Raven had ever met.
The Beast descended on the demon, dark purple claws outstretched, eyes ablaze. If it wasn't for the literal demon on the ground in front of it, it would have looked like a creature straight out of hell. As the Beast descended towards the demon, the demon smiled in anticipation, before with a swipe of its claws through the air, it sent dark tendrils of magic
As the Beast closed the distance between itself and the demon, the part of Raven that the monks of Azarath had taught her to always keep under lock and key couldn't help but smile. The demon raised one imposing arm, wisps of smoke dripping from its limb, elongated claws adorning the tips of its finger, and made a swiping motion through the air, sending a wave of dark magic towards the incoming apex predator. The Beast's eyes widened before its enormous form disappeared, replaced by that of a Saker falcon, which quickly flapped its wings, ascending above the tidal wave of crackling energy and high above the demon, whose eyes tracked with him with an almost malicious glee.
The falcon's eyes narrowed before its attention moved briefly to its wings, which were emanating the same magic that had graced the claws of the Beast. Beast Boy smiled internally before dive-bombing towards the demon and as it tucked it wing's in, the purple magic emanating from them began to wisp around his body, almost giving the impression that the magic was cocooning the bird. The demon looked on in amusement.
"Well…they do say doing something stupid twice is a philosophy…"
With that, the demon swiped through the air again, sending another tidal wave of magic toward the shifted Beast Boy as he spiralled downwards. As the dark energy approached, the falcon closed his eyes tight, not making any moves to dodge the incoming onslaught. As soon as the wave of magic made contact with the falcon, the purple magic dripping from its wings brightened and solidified around it, acting as an impenetrable shield. Beast Boy passed through the attack like it wasn't there and as he opened his eyes; he couldn't help but give a sigh of relief. However, his attention very quickly turned back to the demon beneath him, who for the first time, was wearing an expression other than sick glee. Its head was almost tilted to the side…in almost mild curiosity.
However, that did nothing to phase Beast Boy, and in a split second, the falcon was once again replaced by the Beast and with the opening of its arms and a thunderous roar, it slammed into the demon's mid-section, causing the entity to take a single step back with the impact. While Beast Boy didn't know what exactly he collided with, whether it was flesh or magic, he almost didn't care. The Beast tore its claws into whatever it could dig them into. Where they dug into, wisps of black smoke began to seep out, which condensed and changed to and shifted into a black, oozing liquid when it made contact with the air, coating the Beasts claws and fur with the dark substance.
Raven's demon recovered quickly from her misstep, a mistake it would not make again and as it reached a bony, clawed hand down towards its mid-section, a scowl adorned it's face as the first slight trickles of discomfort began to trickle through her at the result of the Beasts attack. It had only ever intended to play with its food…this simple creature wasn't supposed to have been able to touch her.
The demon reached downwards but before she could grasp the Beast, it released its grip on her and allowed to itself to fall the floor. The Beast landed in a stance similar to that of a sprinter, propelling himself forwards as soon as he made contact with the ground and with a burst of raw power and speed, it surged forwards and with both sets of claws enhanced by Rage's magic, it raked them across what it thought was the back of the demon's legs, which with the Beast's keen eyesight, were just about discernible through the darkness. Raven's demon hissed and before it could even register its own actions, it fell to one knee, shock only registering on its face once it had already shown a sign of weakness. Meanwhile, the Beast skidded out from underneath its legs before shifting into a golden eagle and flying upwards, once again looking for a vantage point.
The demon slowly reached a clawed hand downwards towards where it had registered the pain…a completely foreign sensation it's mind and stared at the black substance that coated its claws when it brought its hand up to its face. Four burning red eyes locked onto the tar-like liquid as it ran down the length of its claws before it squeezed it's fist tight…so tight that the demon drew even more blood from itself as its sharpened claws dug into its solid form beneath the rolling shadows. Its yes flicked upwards at the eagle in the air, pure contempt and rage on its face. It had let the game it was playing with Beast Boy go to far…and there was still much to do with the time left.
Beast Boy had been intending to go in for another divebomb, knowing that Rage's blessing would be enough to protect him from the demon's magic, as well as make him strong enough to break through its demonic skin. However, all thoughts of another assault went out the window when he glanced downwards, only to see that, much like Raven, her demon was more than capable of forming its own corporeal bird. The demon had shifted forms and where once the entity stood as something vaguely humanoid, it had been replaced by a much larger version of the birds that inhabited Nevermore.
It glanced upwards with four burning, red eyes, homing in on Beast Boy, before with one mighty flap of its wings, it launched itself upwards faster than any creature of that size should have been able too. Beast Boy's eyes widened and even though he attempted to get out of the way, the sheer speed that the demon rose with caught him completely off guard. Beast Boy brought his eagle wings around himself, in an effort to form some sort of cocoon, but it wasn't nearly enough. This wasn't a magical assault…this was brute strength. The corporeal raven reared a wing back and slammed it into the much smaller form of Beast Boy's eagle, sending him flying across the room, where he slammed into one of the bookshelves with a sickening thud.
Beast Boy shifted back involuntarily because of the impact before peeling away from the wall and tumbling towards the ground. He only regained his senses when he was mid-descent and desperately attempted to shift again. The best he could manage through the pain and disorientation was a seagull, only managing to slow his fall more than anything else. Beast Boy half-fell., half glided to until he made contact with the floor, sliding across it and returning to human form as he did so, eventually coming to a halt a few feet from where Affection had been left incapacitated. She was slumped against the wall, her hood up, but when she sensed movement in front of her, her head rose ever so slightly, her eyes opening just ever so slightly wider at the sight of a wounded Beast Boy in front of her, a choked gasp leaving escaping past her lips.
"G…Gar…?"
Beast Boy, who had been slowly pushing himself up onto his hands and knees looked up at the sound of his name, recognition spreading across his features at the sight of the blue emoticlone. Momentarily lost for words, his mind scrambled for something to say when Affection cut his thoughts off.
"Why…why did you come…why would you stay here…you could have saved the world with the others…it's what we wa-…what Raven wanted…"
Beast Boy's mind almost went blank at Affection's questions except for one blaring thought that barrelled to the front of his mind like a runaway train. He glanced around quickly, making sure to keep an eye on the demon that was now overhead as a corporeal raven, almost circling the top of the tree of knowledge, but it's eyes firmly fixed on Beast Boy. The changeling swallowed. He knew he was potentially outmatched and if he failed well…he knew what that entailed…and while he didn't have Raven in front of him…surely Affection was the next closest thing for what he now felt like he needed to say…
Beast Boy pushed himself up to his feet, wiped a trail of blood from his brow…and looked down at Affection with that same old cheeky grin, one fang poking out of the corner of his mouth, just like it always did.
"I'll tell you why Affection…it's because people are dumb enough to try anything…no matter the odds…for someone that they love."
With that, Beast Boy turned around, shifting into a pterodactyl as he did so, before launching himself into the air towards the demon, leaving a completely dumbstruck emoticlone in his wake. Affection, like all the other emoticlones, had made her way to the library once Raven began to let herself give in to then demonic aspect of herself. None of them wanted her to give up and while they understood her reasoning was based in logic…even Knowledge wanted to resist the abomination that Raven was attempting to summon for slaughter. They'd been no match for it because as the demon grew stronger, all the emoticlones only grew weaker as Raven began to lose herself in the real world. Affection had allowed herself to come to terms with the fact…that this was it. Raven would sacrifice herself. The Titans would carry on in their fight against Deathstroke. The empath would eventually fade to being nothing but a character in a memory…the one who died for a higher cause…the one who was taken too soon…
Then she'd felt it. She may have still been unconscious or had been teetering on the edge of oblivion, there was no way for her to know, but she had felt the spark…a current through the air that forced her eyes open.
Being emoticlones, despite all of them having their own domains, they were all still intrinsically linked to each other. So many of them were experienced together, at the same time. Wisdom and Knowledge…Bravery and Rage…Affection had plenty of experiences alongside Timid…Happy…Bravery…but never Lazy…and it had struck her like a thunderbolt when that kinship with her sister entered her mind. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before…and it wasn't because Lazy was giving up…or beaten…or throwing in the towel, no…Lazy had found something she cared about.
Lazy had found something she was willing to fight for.
Beast Boy's final words to her still resonated in her mind and she watched him fly through the air towards the demon, they continued to echo through her head, like someone had just shouted and an echo was reverberating and bouncing around the walls of her mind.
"He loves…us…he loves us…HE LOVES US! HE LO-"
Affection's thoughts screeched to a halt as she looked past Beast Boy and towards the corporeal Raven that had now rounded on the approaching changeling, her heart sinking in her chest as she looked on.
"He's…going to die for us…"
Affection looked around the room in search of her sisters. Some were still slumped against the walls and Wisdom was face down on the floor off to the side of the library. She scanned in desperation, her eyes widening at the sight of Rage looking up at the ensuing fight between the demon and the changeling in silent horror. Her eyes flickered onwards, looking for any other signs of life when she locked eyes with Lazy. She had managed to push herself up to one knee. Her hood was torn off and her hair was falling over her face in strands. But even through all of that…she was staring right at Affection. Affection had seen the look in her eyes before…but never on her. She'd seen it on Bravery, Rage…even Wisdom at times. It was a certain defiance that Raven was known for, and Affection understood the message immediately.
This is worth fighting for.
The two were aligned and Affection could almost feel her strength seeping back into her aching muscles. Whether that was from renewed hope, some kind of connection with her fellow emoticlone or the Nevermore equivalent of adrenaline…she had no clue. Affection nodded back at her sister and with a tilt of the head as acknowledgment, Lazy pushed herself up on unsteady legs before haphazardly making her way towards Rage. Affection scanned the room and quickly worked out that Happy, who was showing slight signs of movement was the closest emoticlone to her and with a quick glance upwards to make sure her actions weren't drawing any attention, Affection began to make moves towards her fallen sister.
Between the purple emanating from Raven's protective barrier, the orange flickering of the flaming torches and the light that was being cast onto the platform for the portal, the entire inner chamber of Deathstroke's base of operations had been cast in an almost eerie and sombre glow. Both Nightwing and Deathstroke were already wearing the scars of battle, but that didn't stop either of them from clashing in the almost supernatural light of the cavern, a dance of steel, occasionally accompanied the distant sounds of rumbling from high above them.
In a blur of motion, Nightwing lunged forward, feigning a high slash before dropping low, his sword slicing towards Deathstroke's leg. Deathstroke sidestepped with uncanny speed, swinging his axe towards Nightwing's exposed side as he moved. Nightwing sprung backwards but couldn't replicate the nimbleness of his opponent, the blade of the axe just grazing his mid-section, slicing through his uniform and leaving a thin, albeit narrow slice on his now exposed skin, eliciting a wince from the Titan leader. Without hesitation, Deathstroke pushed his advantage, unleashing a series of devastating attacks, each one precise and lethal. With a guttural roar and with Nightwing back-pedalling, Deathstroke swung his axe in a wide arc, aiming to cleave Nightwing in half. Nightwing barely managed to roll out of the way, the blade grazing his shoulder as he moved, drawing further blood. Nightwing turned back towards his opponent, only to receive a powerful kick to the ribs for his trouble, the impact reverberating through his body and sending him sprawling to the floor.
Nightwing dug his nails into the palms of his hands, gritting his teeth as he did so, ignoring the pain that was wracking his body. At Titans Tower, Deathstroke had disposed of him like he was nothing. He hadn't been good enough…but he was a different man now…and he would not be so easily dispatched a second time. Deathstroke approached the fallen Nightwing with a confident stride, thinking the battle was already mostly won, when Nightwing quickly spun around on the floor, swinging his sword in a sweeping motion and catching Deathstroke across both of his shins. The chosen one of Trigon stumbled slightly, unprepared for the sudden shift in attack and seizing the moment and with a furious cry, Nightwing pushed himself to his feet and sprinted at Deathstroke, hitting him with a furious takedown and riving the wind from both of their lungs.
Nightwing landed on top of Deathstroke and proceeded to rain down haymakers. Furious left and rights sent Deathstroke's head whipping from left to right until Deathstroke blasted Nightwing backwards with a quick burst of fire. Nightwing was only launched a few feet and was back upright in a matter of seconds. Deathstroke, expecting to have more time, couldn't help but let his visible eye widen as Nightwing pressed his advantage with an almost inhuman speed. Nightwing launched into a series of rapid strikes, but they were not without purpose. Nightwing wasn't attacking like someone who was out of control. His attacks were controlled…calculated…designed to force Deathstroke onto the defensive. Finally, spotting a chink in Deathstroke's defensive patterns, Nightwing feigned low before aiming a swing at Deathstroke's neck, which for all intents and purposes, would have been a lethal blow if it connected.
Deathstroke saw the attack coming and jumped backwards, avoiding the worst of it, but he wasn't quick enough and gave an enraged roar of pain when the tip of the sword found his cheek, cutting through the skin all the way down the corner of his mouth, essentially leaving him with one half of a Glasgow smile. Deathstroke stumbled backwards, clutching his cheek as blood dripped through his fingers. Nightwing attempted to rush forward, but using his other hand, Deathstroke unleashed a torrent of fire that forced Nightwing to roll out of the way. Deathstroke caught the severity of the wound in the reflection of his axe and grit his teeth. He would not be bested by some mere mortal…no matter how skilled that mortal may be.
Nightwing rose up from the floor, ready to surge forward again, but couldn't help but stop and stare on in horror at the sight before him. Deathstroke, using one hand to hold the two halves of his bisected cheek together, brought his other hand up to his face, a ball of fire lit within it and with a scream, pressed the flame into his own face, letting out a muffled roar as he did so. When he withdrew his hand, his cheek had been sealed, melded together by the heat of the fire. Deathstroke had just managed to cauterise the wound with his own powers. He looked up at Nightwing, a determination and vigour in his eyes.
"You're only putting off the inevitable…there is no stopping me…and I am simply made for…more."
Nightwing didn't even have time to reflect on what Deathstroke had said, let alone reply, as the villain surged forward, his speed enhanced by a burst of fire he ejected from behind himself. Rather than attacking straight away with his axe, Deathstroke shoulder barged into Nightwing, catching him off guard as he had been expecting some kind of formulated strike. Nightwing struggled to regain his footing, but Deathstroke was relentless. Withdrawing his axe, he raised it over his head and brought it downwards in a crushing overhead strike, forcing Nightwing to parry with his sword at an awkward angle, with the sheer force of the blow driving Nightwing down to one knee. Deathstroke shifted his grip on his axe and slammed the hilt downwards, connecting with the side of Nightwing's head, before following it up with a savage kick to the chest that launched the Titan leader across the room, where his back slammed into the base of the raised platform where Raven became the portal.
Deathstroke didn't relent, rushing forwards and pulling Nightwing up by his collar before delivering a vicious punch to his jaw, the impact sending Nightwing's head flying to the side and sending a spray of blood into the air which spattered across the granite platform he was leaning against. Nightwing's head dropped, a thin rivulet of saliva mixed with blood hanging from his mouth. Deathstroke pulled Nightwing up again by his hair, with the intention of forcing him to look at him, when Ni9ghtwing's head shot up, before the Titan spat blood directly into Deathstroke's eyes before leaning forward and delivering a nose-crunching headbutt, sending Deathstroke staggering backwards.
Nightwing took his slight opening quickly and used the environment to his advantage. Turning around and using a slight foothold in the wall, Nightwing jumped up and pressed off it, backflipping over Deathstroke and brought down his sword as he landed, his target set of Deathstroke's exposed back. Deathstroke twisted just in time, but the blade still grazed his side. Nightwing landed smoothly, rolling to his feet while Deathstroke wiped the last of Nightwing's blood of off his face. Nightwing grinned a bloody smile at Deathstroke.
"Made for more…big words coming from Trigon's errand boy…"
Deathstroke growled and raised his axe again as Nightwing rushed forward. Nightwing dropped into a slide as he approached, his sword a blur as he aimed for Deathstroke's legs, attempting to take him out at the base. For a moment, Nightwing's tactics seemed to be working. His strikes were clean and relentless and Deathstroke was forced into a more defensive style of fighting. However, Nightwing knew he couldn't do this forever. He couldn't sustain this level of intensity for much longer and one thing he had observed with Deathstroke's new found powers was that the man simply did not seem to tire but eventually, he would run out of steam…it wasn't a matter of lacking determination…it was simply inevitable…he needed back-up.
Deathstroke could feel the tide turning in their battle. He was adapting to Nightwing's movements, sensing his attack patterns, his own counterattacks becoming more measured and precise. Deathstroke gave a small smile from beneath his mask when he saw his opening. This game had gone on long enough.
Sending a quick burst of fire out from his palm which forced Nightwing to protect his eyes with his sword hand, Deathstroke, swung his axe in a low, sweeping arc, aimed for Nightwing's legs. Nightwing jumped upwards to avoid the worst of the blow, but the blade still caught his calf, slicing through fabric and flesh. With Nightwing momentarily off balance, Deathstroke moved in for the kill. He feinted a high strike, drawing the Titan leaders guard upwards, before pivoting and slamming the butt of his axe into Nightwing's abdomen, the force of the blow causing Nightwing to double over in pain. Before Nightwing could recover, Deathstroke spun with terrifying grace and delivered a roundhouse kick that connected with Nightwing's temple, sending him crashing to the ground. Nightwing, even though dazed from the blow, turned around immediately, only to be greeted by the blade of Deathstroke's axe beneath his chin. Nightwing froze as Deathstroke looked down at him, a cold, emotionless expression on his face.
"A valiant effort…but for nought…after everything we've been through…I almost wished we had a greater finale…"
Nightwing's eyes flickered to the left and right and he had to hide his expression when he saw movement in the background, instead looking up at Deathstroke in defiance. Deathstroke could see the determination in the Titan leaders' eyes, and it almost made him smile. So resilient…it was one of the traits that had made him want to have him as an apprentice in the first place.
"Alas…your story ends now…but don't worry…if it means anything to you…I won't forget our story anytime so-"
Deathstroke was cut off as the blast of a sonic cannon slammed into his side sending him backwards, crashing to the ground. Nightwing took a heavy breath when he felt the metal of Deathstroke's axe move away from his neck before he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"Man, I'm always out here cleaning up after you, you know that?"
Nightwing smiled at Cyborg's jab. "Yea, yea…maybe don't leave it so late next time."
Cyborg smiled as he helped Nightwing up. Deathstroke, who had just risen to his feet, watched the scene unfolding in rage and was about to send a burst of fire their way, when a war cry from behind him drew his attention. Turning around, he was confronted by an enraged Starfire, her eyes ablaze with righteous fury. She unleashed a torrent of starbolts, the green energy blasts sizzling through the air, which forced Deathstroke to go on the defensive. He brought his axe up to block the incoming assault, but the weapon wasn't built for blocking such a barrage and he couldn't stop himself from being hit by a couple of bolts that made it past his guard. Starfire, sensing an opportunity, landed in front of Deathstroke and went on an all-out assault. Although she was still favouring the hand which Deathstroke had crushed earlier, her movements were still a blur of flowing fists, with each strike landing with the force of a moving car. In an instant, she soared above him, her form silhouetted against the light of the platform, before she dove downwards, driving both her fists into Deathstroke from above with bine-shattering impact, sending up a cloud of dust where she had impacted the ground.
Out of the debris cloud, Starfire flew upwards and over towards Cyborg, who had just finished helping Nightwing to his feet. When she landed, Nightwing looked up at her with a tired smile.
"I was wondering when you gu-"
Nightwing was abruptly cut off when Starfire grabbed him by the scruff of his uniform and slammed into him with a deep kiss, completely silencing the Titan leader and causing Cyborg to give a huff of amusement. After a few seconds, Starfire pulled Nightwing away and looked at him sternly.
"I am most happy that you are okay Nightwing, but be it known, that if you were to have been killed by Deathstroke, I would be…most unhappy. Ensure it doesn't happen…or I will find a way to make you both suffer for it."
Nightwing swallowed, not entirely sure how Starfire could punish him for dying considering, he would, in theory, be dead…but he was also not eager to test her resolve.
"Will do Star… I promise."
Starfire beamed at him before a sudden surge of heat from behind her caused all three Titans to look up. Deathstroke had created an inferno and sent it surging outwards, essentially burning up all the debris that was obscuring his figure. When he became visible again, his axe was wreathed with flames, his face seething. Nightwing, hyper vigilant as always, slowly became aware that they were being surrounded by bots. The three Titans dropped into fighting stances as Deathstroke stepped forward, his eyes burning with rage.
"THIS ENDS NOW! I HAVE ENDURED THIS CHARADE FOR LONG ENOUGH! THE THREE OF YOU WILL DIE IN THIS MISERABLE HOLE IN THE GROUND AND I WILL AS-"
"Does he always monologue this much?"
Deathstroke had been having a long day. He'd been toiling away for months, building up his forces, recruiting allies and the like all for this day…the day he would ascend. He'd managed to have the fight on his terms. Raven…the gem…was already on the platform where he needed her…but everything was being delayed by the Titans, who he finally had surrounded, within his grasp…and he had just been interrupted by some kid dressed in yellow he had never seen before.
Nightwing, Starfire and Cyborg all looked at Kid Flash in shock, as he had literally just appeared out of nowhere. He looked at them all with a shrug. "Sorry, I was dealing with mammoth, but yea, anyway, does he always ramble like this?"
Cyborg was the first to come to his senses. "Ehm…yea…it's kind of his thing…"
Kid Flash whistled. "Man…I see why you guys hate him so much…the dude drones. But anyway, just wanted to say, because you know…you're kind of surrounded…the calvary has arrived."
The three titans looked at him in confusion and Deathstroke looked like he was about blow a fuse when all heads turned towards the sound of a commotion on the other side of the room, where the other entrance was. In an instant, Deathstroke's bots began to pour in from the outside. Deathstroke looked on in confusion before out of the darkness, Atlas emerged, flying through the air, before he skidded across the ground, taking out a slew of bots as he did so. Nightwing looked from Atlas' prone body back to the entrance, where amongst the maelstrom of bots and other villains who had slowly start to become visible, honorary titans were dotted about. Their forces from the surface had finally made it to the heart of Deathstroke's operation. Cyborg spotted Bumblebee hovering over Red Star, who had clearly been the one to throw Atlas and was busy cracking his knuckles at the sight in front of him. Deathstroke's eyes widened before he turned to his bots.
"ENGAGE ANY INCOMING THREATS! ALWAYS AIM TO KILL!"
With that, the bots that had been surrounding Starfire, Cyborg and Nightwing began to make their way for the entrance where honorary titans were now pouring in thick and fast. With a quick wink, Kid Flash disappeared, off to help his fellow Titans, while Nightwing, Starfire and Cyborg all turned towards Deathstroke, who was gripping his flaming axe in both hands. With a primal roar, Deathstroke's entire body became engulfed in flames as he stepped towards the three members of the original Teen Titans, who had all moved into offensive positions.
"If I have to kill the three of you first, to get to your precious Raven and that pathetic green mutt…so be it…if anything, it's about damn time."
Beast Boys wings sliced through the air as he made a beeline for the corporeal Raven that had just sent him spiralling out of the sky. The giant, shadowy form almost seemed to smile as it screeched, diving towards Beast Boy with magical talons outstretched. Beast Boy allowed himself to get impossibly close to the creature before he tucked his wings, dodging and weaving through the demon's grasp, tracking his movements with his eyes as he did so. Once past the abomination, and with a powerful flap of his wings, Beast Boy ascended even higher, before turning in mid-air and diving towards the raven, shifting into a lion as he did so, the claws on his front enhanced by Rage's magic and imbued with ethereal power. The demon raven turned in mid-air and its eyes only had time to widen in surprise before the lion slammed into him, raking it's magical claws along its side, shredding through the smoke, finding a solid form, sending the tar-like liquid dripping to the ground in an oily spurt.
The demon raven attempted to bat Beast Boy off with its wings but couldn't manage to shake the changeling. In a desperate attempt to create some separation between itself and the shifted Beast Boy, the demon raven spiralled towards the ground, with Beast Boy still attached, before arcing its descent at the last minute, bringing its mid-section close to the ground, managing to scrape Beast Boy off it, leaving the green lion to tumble across the hard floor of the library. The demon raven landed on its talons and wheeled around, only for it to be slammed into by the Beast, knocking it off's feet, with the Beast landing on top, where it began to mercilessly slash through the smoke in search of its solid form, black blood beginning to coat its magical claws.
The demon, who was still raging at the idea this mere mortal had managed to lay a single finger on her, had had enough of this game. So focused was the Beast on tearing into the giant corporeal raven, that it never saw the vicious wing swipe coming. The Beast was swatted across the room, skidding across the floor until it's back slammed into the wall, causing dozens of books to rain down from the shelves above. The Beast shook its head before rising, but the demon had created all the separation it needed. With a powerful beat of its shadowy wings, the demon ascended into the sky once again, emitting an ear-piercing cry that shook the entire room. The Beast charged forwards, preparing to launch itself from the floor up towards the demon, the raven's aerial advantage in that moment was too great. It dived down with lightning speed, magical talons outstretched and connected with the Beast in mid-air, raking its talons across the Beast's mid-section cause it to roar in pain and plummet to the ground in a heap., shifting back into his human form as he hit the ground.
The demon raven descended to the ground, where it too changed form to that of how she had first appeared, red skin, twisted horns and four burning yellow eyes filled with malicious intent. Beast Boy pushed himself up onto his hands and knees and looked up at the approaching demon, a sinister smile playing on its lips. Beast Boy felt his heart pounding in his chest. The transition from an even fight to now feeling like prey was seamless and almost instantaneous. Beast Boy shifted into a gorilla and pounded his fists, encased in Rage's magic on the floor, shaking the entire building before charging at the demon. He swung his massive fists, but the demon dodged with relative ease, dark magic beginning to crackle around her. Undeterred, Beast Boy shifted again, this time into a tiger, his magical claws slashing through the air. Yet again, the demon dodged with ease and with a thrust of her hand, a bolt of dark magic lashed out, striking the tiger in the chest and sending it flying backwards, where Beast Boy once again shifted back to his human form. He looked up as he spat some blood out of his mouth, only to see the demon smiling at him, a laugh escaping her lips…a cold and mocking sound.
"Is this it Garfield? Is this the Titan that had Deathstroke worried? If you couldn't save your parents and this is all you have to offer…I don't see how you thought, you'd ever save your precious little Raven…"
Beast Boy growled, his anger fuelling himself to stand up. He shifted into an eagle and took to the air, before swooping down with talons outstretched, aiming for the demons' eyes, but the demon simply waved its hand, conjuring a barrier of dark energy between them that sent him tumbling backwards when he made contact with it. He had shifted into the Beast before he even finished skidding across the floor and charged back with renewed force. The demon's smile merely broadened.
"I've had enough of your little shape changes…I think it's time I deal with the pathetic boy behind the animals alone…"
The demon narrowed its eyes and raised a hand towards the Beast before it closed her hand tightly into a fist, causing the Beast to halt in its tracks. Beast Boy recognised the feeling immediately. The demon was trying to morph him. The Beast clutched its head as the familiar feeling seeped through. It was simply like he wasn't in control of his own body but through the sickening feeling, Beast Boy kept his thoughts constant. He would not be shifted…he would not be controlled by someone else like a puppet…he was a Titan dammit…. HE WAS A TITAN DAMMIT.
With an ear-splitting roar, the Beast slammed its fists into the ground so hard that a crack streaked out from it made contact towards the demon who couldn't help but stumble backwards under the force. Looking up in confusion, its eyes widened as the Beast charged into the barrier she had created, magical claws outstretched, shattering the barrier it had created into magical fragments that wafted through the air before lunging towards the demon again, swiping out at it and while the demon managed to get mostly out of the way, two claws raked across it's cheek, sending a clean spritz of dark blood out into the air. The demon looked back at the Beast in shock and titled its head, almost in in curiosity. Perhaps it had underestimated this creature, as the resolve required to resist that type of magic was nearly impossible to achieve…no matter though…it would just have to end this fight quickly.
The demon laughed as its finger graced its cheek, looking at the blood that now stained them.
"Is that all you've got Garfield?"
The Beast growled as it lounged forwards again, but the demon blasted him back with a burst of dark energy. The demon Raven surged forwards, dancing around him as the Beast swung out wildly, her eyes growing brighter as she weaved in between his attacks. With a flick of her wrist, tendrils of dark energy erupted from the floor and wrapped around the Beast, lifting it into the air and constricting around him, causing the Beast to roar in pain before panic set in in its eyes. Beast Boy shifted into a snake to try and escape from the hold, but the tendrils only wrapped around him tighter. Eventually, the changeling couldn't take it anymore and he shifted back to his human form, clutching at his neck and the dark tendril that was no tightening around it. The demon Raven calmly floated upwards so that she was eye-level with Beast Boy and for a second, she looked at him almost lovingly, tracing a finger underneath his jaw.
"Oh Garfield…just so you know…you never stood a chance…"
With that, the tendrils reared back, and Beast Boy was catapulted into the ground like a bullet, where the impact was enough for him to create a small crater in the library floor. The demon Raven descended slowly to the ground, its eyes on Beast Boy, who lay on his back in the crater, breathing heavily, his body battered and bruised. Confidently and with purpose, the demon Raven's feet touched the floor of the crater, and she strode over to the prone Beast Boy, bending down to one knee beside him. She looked him up and down before she frowned looking at his face, before an evil smirk adorned her features. She brandished a clawed hand.
"You know Beast Boy…I always thought scars…they remind a person who they are…and Raven took one away from you…allow me to give it back…as a keepsake…"
With a lightning-fast movement of its arm, the demon took a single claw and raked it over Beast Boy's eye, eliciting a howl of pain from the changeling, forcing his eye closed. The demon looked on at its work with sick pride.
"Much better…just like how you were after you were kicked out of the tower…don't be ashamed of who you are…an outsider…disappointment…a failure…"
Beast Boy raised his head up from the floor. He would not give this creature the satisfaction. If he was going down, he was going down as the man he was now…not the man he was then.
"Beat me in a fight all you want…gloat…give me the whole nine yards, sure…but that's all you got on me. I came into your home, and I made you bleed…and I know that eats at you…as for your little taunts…I know who I am…so if you're gonna kill me, do it…but you're powerless otherwise."
The demon's face screwed up in rage. Even in the face of death, the changeling stayed defiant. While the absolute smallest part of the demon could potentially appreciate his determination, most of it was furious at his refusal to let it have its moment of triumph.
"Oh I will kill you…and then I'll make Raven suffer…I'll her know how much pain I put you through…I'll make su-"
"HEY!"
The demon looked up from Beast Boy and out of the crater, its eyes widening in surprise at the sight of all the emoticlones gathered. Some were clearly in worse shape than others, with Bravery being supported by Timid and Wisdom leaning heavily on Knowledge, but others stood on their own, proud and defiant. At the front of the group, Affection, Lazy and Rage stood, eyes glowing white.
Affection stepped forward, eyes glowing white.
"Get your hands off of him…"
The demon, getting over its shock, snickered at the action of the little group that had formed.
"You really think I'm going to be concerned by Raven's little feelings? You'll all cease to exist in a matter of mo-"
Rage and Lazy stepped forward beside Affection and the three spoke at the same time.
"AZERATH METRION ZINTHOS!"
The eyes of the three emoticons burned white and a beam of ethereal magic shot outwards from the three of them, colliding with the chest of the demon, sending it flying out of the crater backwards, where its back collided with the base of tree. Beast Boy pushed himself up slowly, his eyes widening as he looked at the emoticlones stood together in unity…balanced…
Raven gasped as her eyes snapped open and she fell to the floor still in the lotus position, scaring the life out of both Melvin and Ravager. Her head was pounding, and she was struggling to catch her breath, but she knew she didn't have any time to dwell on that. She had a vague idea of everything that happened…like she'd been watching events on a projector that was just too far away. Her emorticlones had fought for themselves…they were fighting for each other…for her…Beast Bo-…. BEAST BOY.
Raven looked up and only realised then that Ravager had been speaking to her. Waving a hand to silence, she looked up at her with desperation in her eyes.
"MIRROR! WHERE'S MY MIRROR!?"
Ravager looked at her in alarm, completely forgetting her questions of "are you okay?", "is the demon gone?" and "should I kill you now?" and merely pointed at Raven's mirror which was in the middle of the floor. Raven rose to her feet on unsteady legs, her head still in agony and stumbled forwards ignoring Ravager and Melvin's cries. She reached down and grasped her mirror in both hands before a dark, magical hand reached out, pulling the empath deep within the confines of her own mind.
Ravager and Melvin could only stare at the mirror in awe and confusion, having had no time to process whatever the hell had just happened when both started to notice that Raven's barrier had begun to flicker. Without the empath being here, there was no way for the shield to sustain itself and both could only watch as the barrier disappeared entirely, leaving no separation between them and the bots that had been desperately trying to break in. Ravager reacted first, sprinting forward and collecting Raven's mirror from the floor and tucking it away in her utility belt. Melvin cupped her hands over her mouth.
"BOBBY! I NEED YOU!"
Ravager analysed the scene in front of her. Bots approaching from all sides. Psimon, while engaging Bobby right now, would soon join the fray and she had to protect a mirror, an incredibly fragile item, from breaking, and by doing so, she could potentially save OR end the world….
Ravager sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Raven…you owe me big time for this…"
See you in Ch. 38 Iris