Foundation

~

"I would never be treated with such disrespect at home," Daemon complained as he followed Raven into the tower.

Raven had to bring him back after he declared loudly that the carnival rides were "dull" and they were swarmed by raving fans and those drawn by mating season and her head felt like it would explode. "So you've said."

"What could possibly draw you to this when your own world has so much more?" Daemon asked her, sounding truly curious.

Raven spun on him. "This is my world! Azarath was a realm of torture and my father treated me like a prisoner! And your world is no less a cage just because your mother has made it comfortable!" Shadows leaked all around her and her tattoos were glowing.

Daemon narrowed his eyes at her. "You think I am so foolish that I do not know that? Why do you think I wish to eliminate her? I then hold all the power and lose none of the benefits!"

"Then help with the plan instead of constantly complaining and you can get what you want!" Raven roared at him.

Daemon lowered his eyebrows at her. "I've merely spoken true. My mother will never believe that I gave up my life at home for any of these things."

Raven took a breath to reel in her power. "Then think of something she will believe."

Daemon tilted his head at her. "She would believe that I managed to capture you and convince you that you want to stay in my world where things are catered to you."

Raven couldn't argue that. His mother didn't know her. She'd assume he was able to win her over easily. "And you think she would bring my father?"

Daemon scoffed. "If they were given word that we are ready to have our union they would be waiting in the front row."

Raven held the crystal hanging from her neck. His plan made sense and also avoided human casualties. "I'll talk it over with the team."

~

"No fucking way," Gar said, completely appalled that the words had even come from Raven's mouth.

"It seems like a faster method, but I don't like that we're not on neutral ground," Nightwing said, rubbing his chin.

"Any ground will wotk as long as we have this baby!" Cyborg said as he lifted the Phantom Zone Projector.

"What if they do not arrive and you are unable to stop the ceremony?" Starfire asked.

Raven frowned but said, "We would only be holding the ceremony when we received word that they are in Shoel. It's a distraction to get them both in the same place so we can get them at the same time without the other disappearing before we can get them."

Gar was sure he looked like a pouting child, but he couldn't help it. This was a great plan, in theory. In practice, his girlfriend was going to do a fake wedding with another guy.

"How would word get to the demons anyway?" Nightwing asked.

"My mother has countless spies in Shoel. If Raven and I were to be there for even a few days they would notice," Daemon told the group. "And I could always send a messenger if we don't want to wait that long."

"We don't," Gar grumbled. He hated every single piece of this plan.

"I may not like it, but this is a good plan," Nightwing said pensively.

Cyborg nodded. "Just keep your hands off of Raven," he told Darmon with narrowed eyes.

Gar could have hugged his best friend so hard he dented.

Daemon barely spared him a glance. "That is not a part of the plan."

Gar rolled his eyes.

"We leave for Shoel tonight. I'll portal everyone else in the morning so the message has time to reach the demons," Raven explained.

Gar sprung to his feet, hands clenching at his sides. "Who is we?"

Daemon looked at him from the corner of his eye. "Obviously, I cannot return without my alleged future bride."

Gar opened his mouth to tell Daemon exactly where he could return to, but Raven spoke first.

"Gar and I will go with Daemon first, since the demons have already seen him," she said, then turning her attention to Daemon, "and I'm sure they all heard your comment about me keeping him as well."

A muscle ticked in Daemon's jaw, but he gave no other indication that he was upset by that fact.

Suck it, demon boy! She picked me!

"As you wish," Daemon finally responded.