Raven: The Nest (C)

[Alpha Man]

Raven: The Nest
by Alpha Man

Chapter 1

Cold.


Shivers.


Raven awoke to the feeling of immense cold. It was snowing outside. Raven's breath could be seen, like a puff of cloud emitting from her mouth. The puff afterward faded away. Then another one followed.


Is anyone else awake? She thought. I really need to start wearing pants.


Her hands were sweating, yet still cold. Somehow, Raven was always cold.
Raven decided to go into the living room. It was pitch black. Everyone in Titans' Tower was asleep. Raven looked outside at the snowflakes falling like tiny pieces of dandeloins that you blow and make a wish with.


The snowflakes danced in the wind. They made motions of circles and figure eights. Raven was calm now, but her breath could still be seen. She was still cold.


Raven felt tired, and she thought she should mediate. Perhaps it would convince her body to go back to bed.


Sound mind, sound body. Azarath Metrion Zinthos.


Azarath Metrion Zinthos. Azarath Metrion Zinthos. Azarath Metrion Zinthos...



---



Morning soon came.


"Raven? What are you doing up?"


Raven yawned. "I was mediating, Cyborg... I must have fallen asleep."


"You look like you could use the rest. How 'bout some waffles?"


"Thanks. But I'm not hungry."


"You need to eat something! You're so dang skinny!"


Raven didn't smile.


"Oh glorious! Some of my friends have already awakened!"


"Hey, Star." Cyborg said


"Starfire, aren't you cold?"


"What?"


"Cold. Y'know... uh... can describe it." Raven hesitated


"Do you mean the body's reaction to a low temperature?"


"Sure."


"On my planet, we do not feel such... or if we do, it is to much lower temperatures than this."


"Beast Boy has arrived!" Beast Boy exclaimed as he practiced his air guitar.


Raven's head suddenly hurt terribly. She clenched it with both hands. She screamed,
then moaned. Everyone was startled.


"Raven, are you okay?" Cyborg asked


"It's nothing... I just need to be alone... tell Robin I went out."


"Oh-kay!" Beast Boy chuckled


---



Raven was outside now. Small, tiny snowflakes landed on her. She outstreched her hand, and let the snowflakes fall on it. They soon disappeared after landing.


Raven felt better. In the sun now, she was not quite so cold. But the snow did not make it easier.


She used her powers of levitation to fly around the city. It was quite soothing. She noticed that the water had completely froze.


Raven landed where a once green park had turned white... with some yellow spots here and there.


She noticed that small footprints had been left in the snow. These footprints where not one foot in front of the other. They were made in pairs. Some animal had been hopping through the snow, and leaving its thumb-size footprints. Raven guessed it was probably a squirrel. The footprints led to a tree, with a hole in it. Raven saw two little eyes in the darkness. Raven called to it, very gently, like a mother.


"C'mon. I won't hurt you."


The squirrel stuck its head out, hesitatingly. When it saw Raven's smile, kind eyes, it decided to come out. The squirrel pranced up to Raven, who lowered her hand.


When it had jumped onto her hand, Raven immediately knew it was a boy.


"So... did you miss the bus? Or are you still looking for a place to spend the winter?"


The squirrel rubbed its eyes, and then shivered.


"Yeah, I'm cold too."


Raven and the squirrel were startled by the loud sounding alarm on Raven's cloak. The squirrel scurried away in fear.


"Sorry! I didn't mean to..."


Raven sighed. She opened up her communicator.


It was Robin.

[Raven37]

1st post! Yay! Anyways, great start! I love Raven-based fics, and seeing this is one, I will probably enjoy this.;) Please post more!:D

-Raven37

[Alpha Man]

er, thanks Raven37!

is it not as good a start as Raven: Bloodline, by Agent S7? :crying:

well, at least you replied. maybe i was too descriptive and allegorical for you. sorry.

[Raven37]

It was very, very, very, good! I'm just not as hyper right now as when I posted on AgentS7's fic. I'm really tired right now because I am sick.:shrug: :sad: I'd definitely say it was an AWESOME start and can't wait for more!!!:D


-Raven37

[Aquagirl15]

I liked this a lot. You're using a lot of description and that's a good thing!! It's hard to use too much descrpition really. I too like Raven-based fics so I'll enjoy this one very much. The onlt thing that I see that coud be worked on is the spacing. It's a little confusing because you space where you don't need to. Other than that keep up the good work! :D

[Alpha Man]

Yay! I feel better!:anime:
Hope you do to, Raven37!;)
Thanks for being so supportive!!
I think I'll write chapter two now...

[Alpha Man]

I liked this a lot. You're using a lot of description and that's a good thing!! The onlt thing that I see that coud be worked on is the spacing. It's a little confusing because you space where you don't need to. Other than that keep up the good work! :D
Got it. Spacing. Right.:)

[Raven13]

So pretty mush you are saying that this is not good Alpha Man? Now that is where you are wrong! This is EXCELENT!!!!!!! I love it! The details are Wonderful and your grammer is very good! Better than some people when they first start writting a story! i really like it soo far though! Please continue writting!!!!:D O and........

WELCOME TO TOON ZONE and THE WORLD'S FINEST WRITTING CORNER!

I like it alot though please write more SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D :anime: :)

~ ~ Raven13 ~ ~

[Lady Lightfire]

Nice start. You do have description, that's good. Just a question, but wouldn't be colder outside? I live in northern Minnesota, and it gets really cold. If they have snow it would have to be below freezing. Where do the Titans live? Now I've confused myself. Hmmmmm...
Great start, keep writing!:)

Welcome to the World's Finest!:D

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 2"Raven, are you okay?"

Raven's face displayed such a countenance that a vein was bulging from her head. She was mad... or at least, upset.

Remember, anger is pointless.

How could Robin do this? How could he be so insensitive? He knew better!

"Please don't tell me you called just to say that," Raven remarked.

"No, Raven. I called because there's trouble. Besides, I know better. I wasn't interupting anything, was I?"

"No... I just had a boy in the palm of my hand."

"Well, Raven, I received a break-in notice on Fifth and Clarkston. Will you meet us there?"

"Sure."

Robin hung up.

I'm closer to it... why didn't I sense anything? Or at least hear something? Maybe an explosion?

As Raven flew away, she glanced back at the little hole in the tree. Two little eyes still peered out in the darkness.


---Raven arrived at the crime scene before any of the Titans. It seemed whoever was doing this, was doing it rather sloppy, for the trail was easily uncovered. They were robbing an antique store.

A gigantic and bulky man, covered in body armor, exited the shop. Alarm bell ringing, he was carrying a small box.

"Oh great. The Teen Titans. I don't have time to deal with... hey, wait a minute. Where's the rest of you heroes?"

"Don't worry, I'll handle you."

The gigantic man chuckled, "Think you can handle the Rampage?"

Raven began, her voice remaining monotone, "Rampage, huh? I have a feeling you're strong... but dumb."

"We'll just see how dumb I am when you're street pizza!!"

"Good one," Raven replied, not smiling at all.

Rampage then used his free hand to grap a light post and hurl it at Raven, who chanted, "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!"

The light post stopped in mid-air, surrounded by negative energy. Negative being black, outlined in white.

Rampage had already taken off, but he was slow.

Raven used her powers to lift him off the ground, then bring him crashing down.

The box escaped Rampage's grasp, "No! (grunt)"

Raven picked up the box, Rampage slowly getting to his feet. She looked inside. There was a large key. Raven recognized it, somehow.

As Raven was about to touch it, it bringing back so many memories of Azareth. Memories she never knew she had. She thought of--

(clunk)

Raven dropped the box. The key fell out.

Raven dropped to the ground.

Rampage had thrown a piece of concrete at her. Her head was bleeding.

He stood over her, raised his arms, and formed fists.

[rrarbecy]

"I really need to start wearing pants." That was a great line. The story looks promising. I can't wait to see where you go with it.

Chapter 2: "I just had a boy in the palm of my hand." Another great line. That was good, although the "name-game" seemed kind of out of character. Now what will happen?

[Alpha Man]

...although the "name-game" seemed kind of out of character.Well, Raven made a joke. It happens.

[rrarbecy]

Well, Raven made a joke. It happens.
true

[DKH]

First off, Welcome.

From the looks of things you started off the same way I did. Coming to this forum to give off this idea of a cool story. This story is good and is turning out better. Maybe you can get 200 posts like I did. I never saw that coming.

Here's a tip. Be sure to give your crowd what it wants. It worked for me.

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 3

A car's speed increased. 50... 60... 70... 75... A foot was on the ground, a peddle between it. The engine roared.

Though morning, the brights were still effective.

Rampage blinked. He should not have.

The car hit Rampage head on, sending him into a wall and through it, several walls in fact.

A boy got out of the steaming car. He rushed toward Raven.

She moaned in pain. Blood stained the snow-covered ground.

The boy held her head in his hands. Took off his first layer shirt, and used it to stop the bleeding.

Raven opened her eyes.

Fuzzy.

Can't see...

Seconds later, she noticed a boy over her. Blond hair. Smiling.

Raven finally came to.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Jeff."

"Ouch! My head." Raven moaned.

"We'd better get out of here before Mr. Big and Tall comes back."

He helped Raven up.

Now Raven got a good look at this boy, this 'good samaritan.' He was about her height and age, thin, moderately thin, and semi-attractive. Raven was not interested.

He probably doesn't work out. Not an athlete.

"Thanks for the help, my friends are--"

Rampage threw back the wall(s) that was holding him, across the street.

Cyborg's Van pulled up. The Titan's got out.

"Titans, Go!" Robin exclaimed.

"The key..." Rampage muttered.

Starfire flew swiftly toward him, trying to lay one incredibly powerful punch.

She missed.

Apparently, when standing, Rampage is faster than he looks.

Rampage countered Starfire's attack. The blow sent her into car. She entered it without opening the door.

Cyborg charged his sonic cannon. This could lay him out.

Robin and Beast Boy charged. Robin hurling explosive discs at him, and Beast Boy turned into a charging rhino.

The discs didn't work, but Beast Boy made Rampage step back. Rampage gripped BB by his horn and threw him at Starfire.

Robin, in an effort to save her, leapt with all his might... could his grappling birdarang make it?

Cyborg's cannon was charged. Rampage lifted one foot. Stomped.

The impact set Cyborg off balance. The sonic cannon was not aimed at its target.

It was aimed at Raven.

Jeff noticed this and moved Raven out of the way. She was still dizzy.

Rampage began to trot slowly... then his trot went into a jog... then into a light run... then into a charge...

Cyborg tried to tackle him, but in this charge, this rampage, he could not be stopped!

Cyborg groaned as he was knocked away. He fell toward Raven.

"Hmpf. How do we stop this guy?" Cyborg puffed

"You have to catch him off guard, in this state, he is not." Jeff replied

"How do you know?"

"I was sent to stop him."

Raven moaned, "Do you have any powers?"

Jeff chuckled, "Uh... no."

"What!?"

"I'm just an ordinary kid, no powers."

It was as this time that Rampage realized that he should bring the fight to them.

"Hey, robo-guy. Do you have any attachments to your car?"

"It's Cyborg. And yes, I do."

"Then I suggest you close your eyes."

[Aquagirl15]

Both chapters very nice but you could improve on length. Chapters two and three could have been made into one chapter. But that's just a side note, at the speed you're updating it won't matter as long as you keep this up. :D

P.S. Lady Lightfire the titans live in California. ;)

[Alpha Man]

...the titans live in California. ;)Didn't know that.:sad: :confused:

I'm still going to keep it snowy for the time being, if that's ok.

[DKH]

Yeah, I thought that they were in Gotham.

Isn't the city called Jump City?

Is it a fictional Los Angelos or San Fransisco?

I can't tell.

[rrarbecy]

The comics were based in San Fran, but they created Jump City for the cartoon. Wait a minute. Did they actually ever say "Jump City" in the show?

[DKH]

I know. I used "Jump City." Because it was called that once or twice in this place.

[DKH]

If it is San Fransisco then Alpha's alright.

It does snow in San Fransisco as well as most of Northern California. Hell I heard that at one point L.A. got 2 inches at some point in time.

[Alpha Man]

Good, then it's settled. Snow it is.

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 4

"What do you mean, man?"

Rampage was now moving mildy fast, about 30-40.

His arms were directly in front of him, his hands fists, his back somewhat bent, his eyes focused.

"Can you distract him for two minutes?"

"Naw, man. I see. I'll do it." Cyborg said gravely.

Raven was still weak while Jeff held her.

"Fine. I'll play toro-toro with Mr. Charging Bull." Jeff said

Cyborg ran past Rampage, who did not care about him.

"Make sure you get a high enough velocity!" Jeff added

"I know! I know!" Cyborg yelled back.

Jeff easily dodged Rampage... with a simple step to the left.

"Great. Now I have to turn around."

Rampage found great difficulty in doing this. So he decided to tactlessly burrow through a few buildings.

He emerged unharmed, and still in motion.

Raven moaned.

Rampage came again.

"Azarath... Metrion... Zintho--"

Raven was too weak to finish the phrase.



---


Cyborg passed Robin, Beast Boy, and Starfire. All in a pile. Robin did it. He saved Star.

But Cyborg had a job to do. He kept his eyes forward.

Cyborg got in his car...



---


Rampage kept making attempts at Jeff and Raven.

Raven struggled.

"Let me go. I can take care of myself."

Jeff helped her stand. Then quickly moved her to avoid Rampage.

"Why can't the good guys just stand still?! Ugh!" Rampage shouted to himself as he turned around.

Rampage gained speed.

"Aaaaargh!"

A car honked.

It was Cyborg.

He pressed a button, making spikes and iron cylinders appear at the bumper.

"Boo-ya!"

"Why didn't I see this coming?" Rampage muttered to himself.

Rampage could not stop.

Cyborg sent him flying at a 90 degree angle across the concrete. Smash!

Unfortunately, this totaled Cyborg's front end.

"Aww, man! My car! This is the third time this month!"



---


Raven had now fully recovered. Head still hurt, but at least able to walk.

Jeff picked up the key.

"Let's go help the others." Raven said



---


Beast Boy 'awoke', rubbing his head. Robin did too. Both out of breath.

Starfire was still unconscious.

"We did it, y'all. Whoever that Rampage guy was... we stopped his rampage." Cyborg exclaimed.

Beast Boy, back to his old self, giggled.

"Let's get Star back to the Tower." Robin said

He turned to Jeff.

"Uh... thanks... I guess. I'd make you a Teen Titan, but..."

"It's okay, I understand... but at least let me walk Raven home. She seems a little shook up still."

Without hesitation, Robin answered "Sure."

Raven could not believe his answer!

"See you back at the Tower." Robin winked

Cyborg grinned as he, BB, Star, and Robin got in the spuddering van of Cyborg.

They drove off.

Raven looked at Jeff.

She was not amused.

She was not interested.

[Rae]

This is a great story so far and i hope it continues!

Rae

[Raven37]

Those were great chapters. This is a great story! If you don't continue this, we might have to start the death threats!:evil:

-Raven37

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 5

Cyborg's battered van had driven off, leaving a trail of smoke and aresol gas. It soon faded.

Raven was hesitant, she did not know what to say.

Jeff broke the ice

"Aren't you ever cold dressing like that?"

Raven was surprised, "What do you mean?"

"A cloak, a leotard, bare legs. What do you think I mean?"

"I guess I'm a little chilly."

"Here take my sweater."

"Oh no, I couldn't. You need that."

"Not that much."

Jeff was wearing a white, collared shirt -- buttoned down. Blue jeans.

Raven began, "So, how did you know where Rampage was?"

"I was told."

"By whom?"

"It's hard to explain."

Raven paused. Then started again.

"How did you know who I was, but not Cyborg?"

"Who?"

"Robo-guy."

"Oh. Well, Raven, I've known about you for a long time. I know a lot about you, too."

No you don't. You don't know anything about me.

"...at least, as much as a person outside of Titans Tower can know. Anyway, there's plenty of time to meet all of your friends."

"Jeff? Right? What exactly do you know about me?"

"You were born and raised in Azareth. I've been there."

"No you haven't."

"Well, not long term. But I've at least seen it."

"I don't even remember what it's like there."

"You sure you're not cold?" Jeff inquired.

"Well, yes. I am cold..."

"Y'know, it's weird. But I've always been cold."

Raven stopped. She stared at Jeff.



---


Rampage was silently teleported to a place of darkness.

The brute could hardly see anything. An ominous voice boomed.

"Did you get the key?"

"No, The Teen Titans showed up."

"You could have handled them."

"You don't understand, there was this kid..."

"I see..."

"Now that I've fought them, I know them. Next time, I will be successful."

"Very well."

"Any word on the other keys?"

"Yes. The Next Key is the..." The voice paused.

"What? What is it?"

"...The shape shifter."



---


Jeff opened two large doors to a large chapel. He led Raven in.

It was littered with religious decor. Up the columns flowed mosiacs that formed angelic symbols. Near the entrance, was a stone statue of an angel. She had a book in one hand, and a trumpet in the other. Water trickeled out of the book and trumpet. Jeff touched it, and crossed himself.

"What is this place?" Raven asked.

"Well, I've never really had a home. But this is as close to a home as it gets."

"We should be getting back to the Tower."

"Just let me show you around."

Jeff led Raven up the aisle, where she noticed the Stations of the Cross, very detailed. Up at the altar, on the left was a picture of a woman holding a baby, and on the right, was a picture of a man, bearded, touching his heart. Out of the heart flowed two light rays. One white, one red. Below him was a group of about twenty candles, only one lit.

Jeff led her past the altar and through the back door.

There was a gigantic library. Books everywhere.

"This, this is where I spend most of my time. I love reading."

Raven had never seen so many books, she was in awe. Inspiring wonder. Awe. Speechless amazement. Awe.

"Do you live alone?" She asked.

"No, Father Thomas cooks the meals. He's quite jovial."

Suddenly Raven's head surged. Pain flush. Jeff comforted her.

She looked up at him, only to see him slightly rubbing his head. It hurt too.

"You get these often?"

"No, just recently." Raven answered

"C'mon, I'll take you home."

As the two walked out, a little squirrel crawled out of a hole. Another one joined it.

The squirrel was warm.

[Aquagirl15]

That was a much better length. I like it very much. This is a very good story so far and all it's bound to do is get better. Keep up the great work, I've got this age book marked!

[Crowgirl]

Okay, this is very good so far. Nice insistancy with chapters, and you have a great plot line going here. The characters seem cool, not just the titans, but the ones you've made up. Really really cool.

A couple of things though. You put sounds in these things: () (I can't spell it! :crying: ) when somebody is talking, and you can just put what the guy says in quotation marks, then say, "He grunted and..." Also, type numbers that have two or less digits in words, not numbers. Don't know why, it's just proper grammar.

Ah well, great story going, can't wait for more!

CG

P.S. Welcome to High Society Alpha Man! (That's not some form of Alpha Male, is it? :shrug: )

P.P.S. DJ, I also hate Valentine's Day. :D

[Alpha Man]

I'm soooo lost. What did you guys say?oh, crowgirl was mean and i got all sad about it.
i deleted the message though

[rrarbecy]

oh, crowgirl was mean and i got all sad about it.
i deleted the message though
Ah. I thought I was blind, or something.

[Alpha Man]

based on how bad i feel

i dont know whether i should keep writing or not

i feel like i wasted all your time, guys:sad:

should i keep writing? is there still a demand from the readers?

[Aquagirl15]

Of course there is. At least from me.

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 6

Titans Tower.

"What took you guys so long?" Beast Boy smirked.

Raven gave him a never-show-your-face-in-public-again look.

The smile disappeared off his face.

After the proper introductions, Jeff handed Robin the key.

"Why do you think he wanted it?" Robin asked

"He wants to bring about the apocolypse, release an ancient evil upon the world." Jeff answered

"Someone does." Raven corrected, "It's seems a little too grand of a scheme just for him."

"Do you think Slade is behind this?"

"Robin, let it go." Raven said solemnly.

There was a long silence.

Finally Jeff spoke, "I agree with Raven, whoever wants to have this key, is a tad bit more intelligent than Rampage."

"What is this key for?" asked Starfire innocently, who had just awakened from her unconsciousness.

All eyes were on Jeff.

He took a deep breath, and began. "A long time ago, an ancient evil once walked the earth. He was imprisioned inside another dimension. From my research, I believe it is Azerath..."

Raven gasped.

"...yes, Raven. Azerath. Though it has been a long time indeed since I've been there, I doubt that nothing has changed. This was one of three keys that sealed away a door, that would unleash the most terrible horror that any of you have ever faced..."

"Who? Trigon?" asked Cyborg

"Worse. The Devil himself."

All were silent.

Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

"What?"

"I'm sorry, it was nothing. Please continue."

"Well--"

Jeff was interrupted by an explosion downstairs. The whole Tower shook.

Rampage walked in. "Time for Round Two!"

He picked up the sofa and lauched it at the ceiling. The circle that the Titans were standing in was disassembled. The ceiling caved. Robin grappled to safety. Starfire caught Cyborg, while Raven caught Jeff. Beast had transformed into an eagle, so it really didn't matter to him.

"No. I'm unprepared." Jeff whispered to himself

"Improvise." Raven said to him

She set Jeff down. He began looking around the room

Behind Rampage, about 20 ninjas joined the fray.

"So Rampage, where'd you get these guys? A slumber party? Or the dojo?" Beast Boy joked

Robin then drew his bostaff, and leapt at Rampage. The bostaff broke upon impact.

Robin flipped back to try again, maybe a different approach.

The ninjas attacked.

Starfire felt the righteous fury, charged her hands with glowing green energy, and launched starbolts at Rampage. Three ninjas leaped to her, pulling her down from her hovering state.

Cyborg was being overwhelmed. Ten ninjas were dog-piling him. He couldn't focus his sonic cannon.

Beast Boy fought two ninjas with ease, that is, once he turned into a Tyrannasauras Rex.

Raven and Robin tried to get close to Rampage, but the remaining five ninjas were making it difficult.

Jeff was feeling the wall. He knocked at one part, then another. The tone changed.

"Can anyone here punch through a wall?"

"Sure!" Beast Boy knocked his ninjas away. Turning into a gorilla, he smashed through the wall.

"Thanks."

"Why'd you want me to do that, dude?"

"Watch."

As Raven and Robin got to Rampage, a ninja threw a bag of paralysis gas as them. They fell. Rampage was about to finish his prey.

Jeff ran and picked up two daggers from an unconscious ninja.

He began to scratch.

"If I can just ignite a flame--"

A spark flew... onto a pipe.

The spark traveled through the wall, just to where Rampage was standing.

A small hole in the wall appeared. And a gush of light blue vapor shot out.

It froze Rampage completely.

"Always remember to winterize your pipes. Starfire now!"

With two elbows to the gut and one kick to the family jewels, Starfire 'convinced' the ninjas to let go.

She flew fast and hit him hard.

Rampage shattered.

But it was an illusion!

The true Rampage burst through another wall, in his charge, grabbed Beast Boy, and pummelled through yet another wall.

He was gone.

"Yo! A little help here!"

But it didn't matter, the ninjas that overwhelmed Cyborg let go. They fled. But one managed to take the key from the paralyzed Robin.

He then threw a ball that exploded and shrouded the entire Tower with smoke. All the ninjas were gone.

And Beast Boy too.

[Alpha Man]

In my opinion, I consider this my worst chapter ever written (yet), mainly because I felt so bad and couldn't see the keyboard through the tears. Also, I wanted to make the second fight with Rampage a little more spicy. Ninja this, ninja that. I couldn't stand it, but I had to get BB captured somehow, and if they all attacked Rampage again... well, you get the picture.:sweat:

I promise the next chapter will be better.

[Crowgirl]

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Alpha Man]

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
I just want you to like my story as much as Agent S7's! Sheesh!

At least I started writing again, so Booyah!:anime: :p

[Crowgirl]

Um, okay. You send me this long PM about how much you don't like my opinion, how you're going to stop writing, and a bunch of sad smilies. I honestly think you owe me an apology.

Anyways, great chapter. I like how the fight went, and how Azarath ties into this. I think I've realized why this is called "Raven: The Nest", but I'm not sure, so I won't say anything. I honestly wonder why Beast Boy, of all the people in the world, is a key. You'd think it'd be somebody more important. Jeff is pretty cool, I think he's an awesome character. I want to see him in action more.

CG

P.S. In case you didn't notice, I like this story a ton, and I didn't put anything "cruel" or anything that makes you think "Maybe I should just stop writing".

[Alpha Man]

I honestly think you owe me an apology. Sorry


Anyways, great chapter. I like how the fight went, and how Azarath ties into this. I think I've realized why this is called "Raven: The Nest", but I'm not sure...You will have to read on...


I honestly wonder why Beast Boy, of all the people in the world, is a key. You'd think it'd be somebody more important. With all due respect, are there any other shape-shifters? Anyway, you will see.


Jeff is pretty cool, I think he's an awesome character. I want to see him in action more. I think we're finally seeing eye to eye. You must have some insane ability to predict the future. Cuz that's how he turns out!:cool:

Ps- Nice user title. Funny.

[Alpha Man]

(This is for Crowgirl, DKH, rrarbecy, and Aquagirl15... thank you for your support!)



Chapter 7

"Titans, we have to rescue Beast Boy!"

"Hold on, Robin. Chill for a second." Jeff said

"What?! Why?"

"Let's speculate why Rampage took Beast Boy."

"Obviously not for his jokes." Raven muttered

"C'mon y'all, we're should be out saving BB!" Cyborg cried

"Jeff's right, we need to think why Rampage took him." Robin sighed

"Besides, he who had taken the Beast Boy, our friend, will surely lead us to whoever it is that is behind this whole scheme." Starfire innocently concluded.

"What do you think, Jeff?"

Jeff paused, having an I'm-thinking look on his face.

"Rampage took the key from Robin, took Beast Boy... I think it's fair to say that Beast Boy is the second key."

"Where'd you come up with that, man?" Cyborg said confusingly

"It all makes sense. Or, at least, some of it makes sense." Robin added

"How could Rampage get Beast Boy to be some kind of key?" Raven asked

"Yeah, Beast Boy won't listen to just anybody... there has to be a Moped involved." Cyborg chuckled

"What about the time Beast Boy was hypnotized, y'know, by Mad Mod?" Robin asked

"Yeah, but Beast Boy was drooling then... he was more of a 'sit still' zombie than a 'goferthis' zombie." Raven answered

"I am so lost. Are you talking about past experiences?" Jeff said

"Yeah."

"Well, anyway. Is there any way that Beast Boy could unleash another side of himself, a more evil side?"

"There was this one time." Raven shut her eyes from the pain

"How often has it happened?"

"Just once."

"Do you have some kind of antedote?"

"Yes."

"Good. Bring it. Cyborg? Can you track Beast Boy?"

"Aw yeah baby!"

"Excellent. We leave in one hour."

Robin was upset that Jeff was assuming leadership. "What are you going to do?"

"Get ready."



---


Raven followed Jeff into the library behind the chapel.

"Don't be mad. Robin's just used to being the leader. Once he left Batman..."

"Forget it, Raven. Anger is pointless."

Jeff slightly pulled a book out of a shelf. A part of the floor opened.

"What's this?" Raven wondered

"You'll see."

They walked down the stony steps into a torch-lit basement. Down there, were weapons from all times. Swords. Spears. Maces. Axes. Guns. Bazookas. Jeff pulled closet curtains to reveal a manequin covered in battle armor. Each piece of the battle armor was a rectangle, silver.

First Jeff put on a long sleave shirt of kelvar. Then he began to take the rectangular pieces of armor and place them on each of the specific places.

Breastplate. Stomach. Shoulders. Biceps. Thighs. Knees. Shins.

Raven watched in amazement. "No powers, huh?"

"None. But I have to hold my own, don't I?"

"Sure. But where is it all from?"

"Some of it is passed down, some of it is state of the art. When I was an infant, I was promised to carry out a mission. I agreed to it. I am a monster hunter."

Jeff then opened a cabinet to reveal a jetpack. He strapped it on.

"There was an organization, called the Knights of the Kingdom of God. Throughout history, they have been there to save a world from an evil, various evils, that mankind has no idea even exists. We are the last defense against it. I am the last. I hope to pass on the legacy someday, though."

Raven didn't blink.

Jeff then put on two gadget-filled armstraps, they when up to each elbow, covering the forearms.

"What are those?"

Jeff smiled. "These are secondary arsenal. The right wrist launches combustibles, such as mini-missiles (mms), and a flamethrower."

"And the other?"

"Launches projectiles. These are darts, and a whipcord with hook on the end."

Jeff next put on a belt, with various flaps, something of a utility belt, and gun holster.

He bent down, opened a drawer, and pulled out a crate. In it were two twin pistols, that looked like silver western revolvers.

"You plan to fight with those?"

He holstered the dual pistols.

"Looks can be deceiving. These actually emit a red blast of energy, in short bursts, or as many times as I can pull the trigger. The blasts expel any evil spirits in an evil being, to ordinary humans, it simply subdues them. For who we're going to face, they won't be powerful enough."

Last, Jeff uncovered a mask, like the Jason Hockey Mask.

Raven became frightened. "Few things in the world can scare me... and that is one of them!"

Jeff put it on. "In this mask, I have no fear."



---


When they had returned to the Tower, the Titans were shocked to see Jeff.

"Guess there's more to you than meets the eye." Cyborg mumbled

"One question, Jeff. How did you pull that little trick of yours, y'know, the one where you froze the fake Rampage." Robin inquired

"A little science lesson: Because you didn't winterize your pipes, excess cold built up in it. Nitrogen commonly flows through household pipes. Here comes the fun part. If temperature increases, pressure increases. Liquid Nitrogen had built up, and I guesstimated that the distance I stood from Rampage would be enough to work. It did. By making a spark, the temperature of my area rapidly increased, and so did the pressure. When too much pressure builds up, it pops. The instant heat was just enough to make the pressure build up so much that it travelled the distance from me to Rampage. When there, the pipe exploded, and the Liquid Nitrogen sprayed out."

"Whoah."

"I do not understand." Starfire said mildly

A computer beeped.

"We have BB's position!" Cyborg shouted

[Rae]

Totally awsome!

There is obviously more to Jeff than meets the eye!

Can't wait for the next installment in this epic!

Rae

[DKH]

Damn, the guys loaded. Just like Dim.....Uh wait wrong story.

Keep it up. Your doing good.


I just want you to like my story as much as Agent S7's! Sheesh!
That reminds me. I was starting to post Act of Shadows around the time that Bloodline story was getting posts. I thought my story was going to be dwarfed by it. But look at the post counts. BOOYAWW.

NOTE: The offices of DKH and his parent company, GunnarTech Industries LLC, has officially apologized for the thoughtless comment aimed at S7. The post will be kept preserved for posterity.

[Alpha Man]

Damn, the guys loaded. Just like Dim.....Uh wait wrong story.who?

[DKH]

Um.... Nevermind.

Be sure to read Act of Shadows when you get the chance. <<Shameless plug.

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 8

"Hel-lo! Aren't you forgetting something? Your prisoner? Duh!"

The room was mostly dark, vaguely lit by torches.

The brute finished locking Beast Boy in an X-shaped barlot*. He snorted at the shape shifter's comment as he walked away.

"Thank you, Rampage."

Stomps were heard fading away.

Beast Boy could still not see very well, it was two dark... the torches were going out...

"Ah yes, the shape shifter. I have need of you."

"Dude, I don't know what your deal is, but you won't get any need out of me."

"Will you agree to anything?"

"Nope."

"Nothing? Nothing at all?"

"Maybe... a Moped."

The sinister voice in the dark burst into laughter.

"You are truly humorous" He chuckled, "a Moped?!" then he laughed again

"Okay dude, it wasn't that funny."

"Oh, I'm not laughing at your joke, shape shifter, but at the fact that the last comment you have chosen to make has been humorous."

"What do you mean?"

"Well now, don't you see? This the last of your good side, you will soon be evil."

Fingers snapped.

A tall, stocky, bald man walked into the light.

"C'mon, I was just kidding..." Beast Boy smirked

"Infidel!" The bald man slapped BB across the face, "you have no respect for the master!"

He then pucked a few hairs about of BB's jungle of hair, which of course in 30 or 40 years would be one big parking lot.

"Good. Take them to the back." the sinister voice ordered

(*An object often used for imprisionment, or torture, in which the victim is placed on two flat, metal, melded boards, making an "x", with the hands and feet cuffed at the ends.)



---


The Titans and Jeff approached a mansion. It seemed rather old.

"Beast Boy's signal is coming from inside, then downward. He somewhere underground. Under this mansion. We need to find him, and do it quickly." Robin said, with the tone of leadership back in his voice

The doors to the mansion mysteriously opened.

"Relax, y'all, it's just an electronic eye, motion detector. See?" Cyborg pointed to a red glimmer off to the side.

"Enough wasting time. Let's enter." Robin said

The floor creaked as the five walked.

The mansion seemed like that of one during 1880s. Very old. Painting of demons and hell could be seen as they walked down the hallway. Dead plants littered the empty tables. The carpet was a sickly purple. There was a pattern that flowed across and over it -- a hand with two fingers. What did it mean? Raven looked as she saw herself in a broken mirror.

Jeff's eyes scanned the room, expecting an ambush.

"Relax, Jeff. I don't sense anything."

"Do you always trust your senses?"

Raven lowered her eyes.

She and Jeff had fallen back a couple steps, not only literally with the group, but allegorically with each other.

The other members couldn't hear them at this time.

"Jeff, your hands are trembling."

Jeff looked at his hands.

"They're cold."

Raven took them.

"Here, let me try to warm them..."

"Your hands are cold too," Jeff informed her.

"But you're warming them," she replied. Then Raven saw what she was doing.

Raven snatched her hands away. She wasn't thinking.

Raven realized that it was an emotion she could go without. Her view of him had changed.

"You're not much a melee, close range fighter are you?"

"The truth is, Raven, I'm not an athlete. Not a warrior, at least, not like your martial-arts trained friends. Like you, I depend on ranged attacks to defeat my enemy. When something gets too close, I am weak. You too. When something gets too close to you, Raven, you also get weak."

"How do you escape?"

"Dodge. I can't take many hits, Raven, but this battle armor somewhat protects me. I am not invulnerable."

"You are different than when I met you. Tell me, why didn't you have your armor then?"

"I didn't need it."

Jeff had spoke too loud then, for Robin heard it.

"Hey, we have a job to do... what are you two talking about?"

Jeff and Raven were silent.

"Boo ya! Here it is, man. My nightvision and infared scanners have detected one less layer behind this wall. There are steps that go downward. I think if we touch this--"

Cyborg tapped a flower vase. The wall vanished.

"This is too easy. A wall that's not really there? Please. I smell a trap. And how did Rampage recover so fast since the first time we fought him?" Jeff whispered to himself

The Titans and Jeff followed the stony steps down into the dark, the abyss.

Jeff's eyes continued to patrol the area. He was not sure of something.

What is he thinking about? He is so different from before. I'd never thought I'd meet someone as mysterious as myself. And--

No no no. I can't have these thoughts! Get out of my head! My judgment will be clouded! No!

Raven clenched her head lightly. No one noticed.

The Titans followed the steps to a now weaving hallway, it was becoming darker.

A voice laughed in the distance.

Raven felt a breeze, it seemed as if no one else did, for they did not react.

She was suddenly cold. Very cold.

[Rae]

I'm seeing alot of references to 'cold' here and i'm assuming that they are in there for a good reason, i just can't think of one yet!

I really like what your doing with this, it seems very.....cool (joke half intended)

Please continue as i would be most greatful if you did!

Rae

[DKH]

Yep, whole creepy mansion thing builds great atmosphere.

By the way. What is the influence behind Jeff?

[Alpha Man]

Yep, whole creepy mansion thing builds great atmosphere.

By the way. What is the influence behind Jeff?
omigosh! it just warms my cold, little heart to hear, er- read that my readers are getting my story! I am so glad you understand! Read on!:D

[Aquagirl15]

Oh so Raven does care? Seems to me that well will be learing more about Jeff soon. Yeah the mansion thing was dark and spooky. Nice I like this a lot.

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 9

Jeff looked at Raven. He felt for her.

"Stop looking at me!" She snapped in a harsh whisper

Jeff turned his head

Robin looked at Cyborg, "Cyborg, can you detect any immediate threat?"

"Not yet, man."

Starfire lit her hands green and used it as a torch, in addition to Cyborg's shoulder light.

There was no sound. Save one drop. One leak.

Drip. Drip.

Suddenly Robin shouted out, "BEAST BOY!?"

The echo traveled the hallway, which now looked like a dungeon.

Robin's call went unanswered.



---


"What are you planning to do with me?"

No answer.

Beast Boy hated that. He hated it when no one listens to him.

The bald man returned, holding a shringe. In it was a thick, red and green liquid.

"Now, hold still. Don't squirm."

"I don't like needles!"

Beast Boy turned into a gorilla, but was then electricuted back to his original self.

The bald man injected the liquid into Beast Boy.

He moaned.



---


Jeff and the Titans were walking through was seemed to be an endless hallway in a dungeon.

They finally came to a large, metal door.

Before they could open it, they heard screams.

It was Beast Boy.

"Our friend!" Starfire cried

Cyborg yelled one long "Aaaaargh!" and then punched through the door.

As they were about to proceed, with Jeff and Raven now in front, Jeff stopped short and quickly stopped Raven with a hindering arm.

"What is it?"

"Fake floor."

"How can you tell?"

"No stones. Tiny pebbles all over this dungeon. But here, no stones. Nothing."

Robin stuck his bostaff at it. Jeff was right.

"Oh, Beast Boy is in trouble! How do we get across? I can fly, but you can not." Starfire cried

"Star, don't worry." Robin consoled her

"I can levitate everyone across." Raven said

Starfire flew, everyone else was levitated by Raven.

They came upon three doors.

"Which one is it?"

"My eye can scan infared. There. The right one."

They entered, Jeff still was cautious.

Suddenly torches flared, every part of the dungeon was visible. At least, in this room.

Beast Boy was nowhere to be seen.

He must be in a different room.

A man in a green cape draped over his shoulders and down to his ankles walked forward.

"Brother Blood?" Cyborg exclaimed

"Sorry, no. Ra's Al Ghul. At your service."

[Alpha Man]

Sorry it's a little short. I could have revealed him in 8 but decided not to, i was waiting on a predicition...:sweat: :shrug:

anyway, i usually submit a new chapter after three responses from the previous one

[rrarbecy]

Hm. That was unexpected. I continue to be impressed.

[Rae]

Hm. That was unexpected. I continue to be impressed.
He stole my words!

Keep up the good work as this is getting very interesting!

Rae

[rrarbecy]

He stole my words!

Keep up the good work as this is getting very interesting!

Rae
I seem to do that a lot. :D

[Rae]

I seem to do that a lot. :D
I noticed!

Rae

[Alpha Man]

Hm. That was unexpected. I continue to be impressed.cool. can you guys see and understand how Brother Blood looks like Ra's Al Ghul?
I thought it was a nice touch that Cyborg is the one to speak;)

[Crowgirl]

No, not really.

I am impressed greatly with this story. It's got a twisted form of romance, so action, mystery, and everything else it needs to be awesome.

Just one thing, you have very little paragraphs, but a lot of one liners. It might be best to have more paragraphs. Other than that, great job!

CG

P.S. To Everyone: Zorro says hi!

P.P.S. I don't like P.S.s that much....

P.P.P.S. TO Alpha Man: I could have guessed that was going to happen.... :p

[Rae]

P.S. To Everyone: Zorro says hi!
Err....Hi Zorro!

Rae

P.S. To those who don't know Zorro is a cat!

[Crowgirl]

Not just any cat, he's my cat. :p He's the best (And so is his sister, Lola, but she chases lights.... :shrug: )! :D

[Alpha Man]

No, not really.

I am impressed greatly with this story. It's got a twisted form of romance, so action, mystery, and everything else it needs to be awesome.

Just one thing, you have very little paragraphs, but a lot of one liners. It might be best to have more paragraphs.like in the Bloodline story, I find one liners very easy to read. Aquagirl15 suggested it when i finished chapter 1.

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 10

He looked at Jeff, then Robin.

"It is good to see you again, monster hunter, detective."

"Where do you have Beast Boy?!"

"The shape shifter? You should not concern yourself with him anymore, detective. He serves me now."

Two people entered the room. One, the bald man, and the other, a young woman.

"Ubu, Talia, I would like you to meet the Teen Titans. They have come to free the shape shifter and stop me."

"Stop you from what?"

Ra's looked at Robin in surprise from his question.

"Why, monster hunter, haven't you told them?"

"They aren't ready."

"Or is it that you don't trust them?"

"No."

"Enough of this! What have you done to Beast Boy?!" then turning to Jeff, "you can fill us in on the details later." Raven said

No. Raven was not ready. He could not tell her yet. Jeff remembered. He could not tell her what he knew. Not yet. Later, much later.

Ubu ran forward, "You will pay for your insolence!"

"Ubu, please. Let our new ally have his way with them."

"But, master, he has not yet opened the door."

"Very well. Titans, if you would like to witness--"

"No thanks! We're going to take you down!" Robin cried boldly

"Foolish detective, do you not know me well enough to know that it is I who decides when we fight!"

Out of opposite walls appeared two turrets, they fired a light blue beam at the Titans, instantly paralyzing them in their last motion.

Jeff knew he smelled a trap, but it was too late now.

Why didn't I do anything? I sensed the treacherous tendencies in him. Why didn't I warn anyone? Raven thought

"Ubu, Talia, Rampage, bring them."



---


"Here it is. The Door. The Gateway to Azerath."

Standing there was a large thick, door outline. It looked like it was from the stoneage.

Inscriptions bordered it. Strange inscriptions that no one but Raven recognized. The language of Azerath.

Αυτή η πόρτα παρουσιάζει τη μετάβαση σε azerath, ένα αρχαίο, ξεχασμένο έδαφος
όπου ο δαίμονας έχει φυλακιστεί. Έχει αποβληθεί από τη γη και έχει σταλεί εκεί.
Τρία κλειδιά ανοίγουν αυτήν την πόρτα, ο πρώτος την ενεργοποιεί,
ο δεύτερος την ξεκλειδώνει, και το τρίτο την ανοίγει.

"Raven, you are from Azerath. Can you translate this for us?"

"Why? Can't you?"

"Oh I can, my dear. I want to see if you remember."

Raven was ashamed, she had been away from Azerath for so long that she did not remember.

But she still could read, vaguely.

"It reads:

This door unveils the passage to Azerath, an ancient, forgotten land where the demon... uh... it doesn't translate... has been imprisoned. He has been expelled from the earth and sent there. Three keys open this door, the first activates it, the second unlocks it, and the third opens it."

"Very good, Raven. Though rustly, you managed to get the base of it."

Raven lowered her eyes.

The Door was already activated. White and silver light filled the gap where an ordinary door would be.

"Shape shifter! Come!"

A large, hairy figure entered. It was Beast Boy. He had transformed into that uncontrollable beast again, like when he fought Adonis.

Somehow, Ra's had gained control of him.

Ubu left shortly.

"You know what to do."

The Werebeast nodded.

He transformed into a cobra, and entered a small hole at the base of The Door.

"Whoa. Didn't know he could do that, not in that state." A surprised Cyborg said.

Suddenly the gap filler light changed from white/silver to dark gray.

"It is done. One more key will now open it."

The cobra reappeared through the hole. It transformed back to the Werebeast.

Now Ubu returned, wheeling in a small, dwarf-size cannon, placed on a tripod.

"Allow me to show you my latest invention, The Transmat. When a destination is set, it can teleport its target anywhere on the globe."

"So. Where are you sending us?" Robin asked grimly

"You? Why would I send you anywhere?"

Ubu activated it, and punched in a destination.

"Excellent. I am the target. Now, anything that touches me travels with me instanteously. Of course, the mansion won't, it is too large."

Ubu strapped The Door and Transmat to his master. Ra's outstreched both arms in opposite directions.

"Now, detective, monster hunter, we will demonstrate how it works..."

The Werebeast attempted to join him.

"...not you. You stay and finish the Titans. Do not stop until you have. Have a little fun!" Ra's laughed, "Goodbye Titans."

The Transmat flashed and he was gone.

The paralysis beam faded. They were free.

The Werebeast grinned.

It was time for a fight.

[Aquagirl15]

Ooo the first really big cliffhanger... Must know more about Jeff! Hmm BB being a key, interesting. As always a great chapter. I want to know more!!!

[nevermore]

Not just any cat, he's my cat. :p He's the best (And so is his sister, Lola, but she chases lights.... :shrug: )! :D

But my cat eats at the table and drinks out of cups like a human! :p He's so talented, but I'm not a cat person. :shrug: He wakes me up in the middle of the night! :mad:

Oh, and this is turning out to be a good story. The word that Raven couldn't make out was probably Trigon. Just a guess.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

just thought you might be interested in knowing that you have yourself another fan and that I am currently in the middle of getting caught up. I read chapters 1 2 and 3 and must say that I am thouroly (sp) impressed with what I read. Good job and keep up the good work!:)

Edited by Matthew Williams to remove the giant hotlinking image.

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 11

A green mane flowed in the wind, or at least, through a breeze from the dungeon.

Cyborg was the first to take a crack at him.

The Werebeast charged.

Cyborg lifted his usual fist, the knuckles then separating, to form his sonic cannon, weapon of choice.

It emitted the blue beam of sonic energy that struck the Werebeast, knocking him down.

Jeff took off on his jetpack, whipped out the dual pistols, and began firing.

The Werebeast, noticing this, leaped out of the way.

Where he landed, Starfire hurled starbolts and Robin a birdarang.

Raven stood back and cast, "Azerath Metrion Zinthos!"

The immediate floor where the Werebeast stood was encompassed in negative energy, then suddenly slipping under him, like an iceburg.

The slab of floor was now verticle, and he clenched it. First, it appeared that he was holding on, then it was his weapon.

He threw it at Robin in midair.

Cyborg's sonic cannon knocked Robin out of harms way.

Starfire flew toward the Werebeast, laying in him one sluhplock to the face, making his head turn, and another to the gut.

The Werebeast grabbed his attacker, who was at such close range, and thrust her into the wall.

Starfire then wrapped her legs around him.

Small sounds of back cracks were heard as she squeezed tighter.

The Werebeast mouth was now foaming, his claws had now gripped Starfire's neck.

He was choking her.

She tried to squeeze the air out of him first, but his attack was more direct, more dangerous.

Starfire couldn't breathe.

She gasped for air.

Letting go of his hips, she then used her hands to try and free herself.

His grip was too strong.

She was losing oxygen, and thus strength.

She charged her eyes a bright green to send him to oblivion, but could not focus.

Her skin began to turn pale.

The Werebeast grinned.



---


For everyone else, this was all happening so fast.

Robin couldn't believe his eyes.

Seconds past that seemed like hours in Starfire's struggle as they witnessed it.

Merely four seconds after she'd been thrust against the wall, all that happened.

Robin had to save Starfire.

But he was not the first to act.

A small wire, led by a hook, gracefully trailed around the Werebeast's neck.

When the hook had met the wire, time which had apparently frozen as all watched Starfire dying, returned.

The Werebeast roared.

"See how you like it with no air." Jeff said, showing everyone his monster hunter side.

This was a good start, but it would not work... not completely.

Starfire would run out of air before he did.

Suddenly, a metal hand clenched his right arm, attached to a long cord. A birdarang roped the left.

"Let her go!" Robin screamed

The foam on the Werebeast's mouth was dripping all the down to his stomach.

Starfire grip loosened.

Her arms fell, and hung limp.

The pupils of her eyes looked up, and fell behind.

Her eyes now completely white.

A electric current travelled up the little wire to electricute him around the neck.

He finally let go.

Soaring through the air, as soon as she was sure the Werebeast released her, a footprint was implanted in the Werebeast's left cheek by Raven.

Robin released his birdarang, and ran toward Starfire.

He tried desparately to give her air, some of his own, then listening at her chest for breathing or a heartbeat.

A dart hit the Werebeast in the shoulder. It was not the antedote.

The Werebeast looked to see who fired at him, it was Jeff.

He yanked the cord around his neck, knocking Jeff down.

He then leapt on top of a large chandelier, and scratched the cable that held it.

The monster leapt off, and the glass spikes of death fell at their target, Jeff.

Jeff watched the spikes falling at him. Leaning on his right elbow, he thrust his whole weight to the left.

His body rolled out of harm.

Now on his left elbow, Jeff raised his right one and shoulder to block himself from the million little daggers that had just formed from the chandelier's crash.

The Werebeast landed safely, and let out a roar so audible that it could be heard in any of the vast reaches that sound could stretch to.

He charged full speed toward the hunter.

Jeff arose.

Cyborg and Raven tried to stop him, but he knocked them out of the way. He wanted Jeff.

"Only a few seconds before he overcomes me," Jeff muttered

He holstered his left pistol, raised his arm, his right pistol still out. The forearm at the elbow made an "L". The pistol pointed upward.

The pistol lowered to where the arm was a straight line.

Jeff aimed.

The Werebeast leap in bounds, foam streaming and flailing in the wind as he ran with all his might.

Jeff held a steady hand.

The beast snorted, puffed, and drooled. The bristles of his green hair could be seen, as if they were a wheatfield, being blown by a calm wind.

Jeff's eyes narrowed through his mask.

Raven's heart was pounding.

Jeff pulled the trigger.

A single, red burst hit the charging animal in the eye.

The impact caused the head to turn. The face was distorted.

The body still was in forward motion.

The right shoulder followed the head that had turned, but the left remained steadfast to its original course.

Two sides. Being pushed by some force in opposite directions.

His left foot tripped over his right, his body twisted.

The arms flailing like that of a ragdoll's.

In one motion, that lasted for decades, the monster fell on the ground two feet away from the hunter.

Jeff lowered the steaming pistol.

[Rae]

Cool!

Look forward to the update!

Rae

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Still reading this, and still loving it! you seem to be doing very well overall. and don't let crowgirl push you around because you're new. In fact, if you want, I have something saved from a while back in which I told some of my readers to beg for the next chapter (two days early, they were going to get it that day anyway...) I posted the chapter but she showed up immediatly after it was posted and begged for the chapter. that's right crowgirl, I still have that saved!

This is turning out very well. you have an excelent dialougue to description ratio which means that the story flows really well and the chapters aren't incredibly long. coughcough:>:KREGOR8:<:coughcough

nice work and keep it up.

Edited by Matthew Williams to remove spam.

[Crowgirl]

A robber tried to break into someones house via the skylight. He fell through and landed on a knife that had been resting on the counter. He then suied the owner of the house for injury and WON!!! same sort of situation here. she made you feel bad, and then demands that you apologize for it.

Gee, thank for you help Ghost.* It's over now anyway, we're cool.

No, they do not say Jump City in the show, believe me, it's been picked up from here.

Very good chapters, I am still a believer of my you-should-have-at-least-some-paragraphs theory, but other than that, I have no critisms. Very cool.

Ciao,
CG

*And, uh... there were no knives invovled.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I'm up to date with the story and am thouroly impressed. One of the good points about it, in my oppinion, is that the use of the short sentences. I personally find that it improves the overall dramatic effect of the chapter.


The Werebeast mouth was now foaming, his claws had now gripped Starfire's neck.

He was choking her.

She tried to squeeze the air out of him first, but his attack was more direct, more dangerous.

Starfire couldn't breathe.

She gasped for air.

Letting go of his hips, she then used her hands to try and free herself.

His grip was too strong.
don't tell me that wasn't a tense moment.
very nice! I like it and anticipate more!

[rrarbecy]

:eek:pffffah! Woah. That is far and away the best installment you've ever written.

[Alpha Man]

:eek:pffffah! Woah. That is far and away the best installment you've ever written.
thanks, but what's eek:p fffffffffah! Woah.

[rrarbecy]

thanks, but what's eek:p fffffffffah! Woah.
It was supposed to be this. :eek: pffffah!

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 12

There was silence.

Cyborg ran over to the fallen creature. He put two fingers on the neck, feeling for a pulse.

"Is he...?" Starfire sobbed

"No, he's not dead." Cyborg answered

He then pulled out a large syringe with a black liquid inside. He stuck it fiercely in the fur, to get through the skin.

It was injected.

The large monster began the well-known Beast Boy once again.

Pistol still steaming, Jeff holstered his right pistol.

All the Titans were in shock, especially Raven.

He exited through the shadows.



---


The Chapel.

The doors opened, Raven entered.

She lifted her hood.

Jeff was at the altar. His mask was off.

As Raven approached, she heard a light song from Jeff...

"Be merciful, O Lord... for I have sinned."

Raven put her hand on his shoulder.

He stopped singing.

"Are you okay?" Raven asked

Smiling, Jeff answered, "I am now."

Raven noticed a small blood stain on his lip.

"You're hurt--"

"It's nothing. Father Thomas is in the back, getting medicine."

They walked passed the altar, through the back doors.

"You look... distressed..."

"It is my job, my curse... my life."

The floor opened, and Raven heard footsteps coming up. She heard a voice coming along with them too.

"Always, I tell you. Don't go out. Don't fight. Honestly, the poor boy's going to get himself killed. Every time he comes back half dead, and I have to--"

A chubby, bald man in a friar's cloak approached, but stopped abruptedly when he saw Raven with Jeff.

"Oh! Bless my soul!" smiling to the both of them, "Jeff, you've done it! You've found her! Praise be to God!" he looked at the girl, "Ah. You must be Raven. You've grown up so much! I... I remember when you were a baby, just this big you were! Oh, and beautiful too!" He winked at Jeff

Raven blushed, she was flattered and confused.

How does he know me? He must have me confused with someone else.

"How do you know--?"

"Oh, silly. I was there at your birth! In Azerath!"

"What?" Raven gasped

"Uh... thank you, Father Thomas. Raven has had a rough day. I don't think you need to--"

"Right, right, right," he said rather quickly, trying to get off the subject, "back to business. Jeff, you are bruised again! Sheesh! I truly don't think you're meant for this job. Too much like your mother."

"I think that's a good thing. Ow!"

Fr. Thomas dabbed a tiny cotton swab of iodine on Jeff's chin, stinging it.

"Ow!" he said again, as Fr. Thomas pulled out the tiny pieces of glass that had shattered and practically covered him.

"Stop being such a baby." Raven chuckled

Jeff smiled at her

"Get this armor off, you silly boy!" Fr. Thomas ordered amusingly

"Raven, I'll meet you back at the Tower."

"I'd rather stay."



---


Robin sat in front of the large television. He faintly heard a shower running.

Suddenly there was a scream.

Beast Boy was thrown through a wall by negative energy, landing in the living room.

Robin was confused.

Beast Boy got up and rubbed his head.

"C'mon, Raven! Chill out! I open one door without knocking and I'm branded for life!" he shouted

Robin was surprised.

Beast Boy slipped on the soap that travelled with him.

"Seriously, that--"

Robin came to. It was just a flashback.

He looked at the unconscious Beast Boy lying on a bed in the infermary.

"He'll be okay, it'll take him a few weeks to recover, but he'll be fine." Cyborg said gravely

Starfire was in the corner, shivering from fear.

He had almost killed her.

Robin walked over to her, tears trickled down her face.

Robin took off his glove and wiped away the tears.

"Are you okay?"

"No I am not." Starfire sniffed

"C'mon, I'll take you--"

"I am too afraid to move."

"Star, you had quite an experience, it will be okay."

They walked out.

In the hallway, Starfire stopped him.

She kissed him.

Robin could feel the wet tear touch his cheek.

[Rae]

Oooooh! (my favourite word of the day!)

That was a great chapter!

What does Father Thomas know about RAven?

The flashback was hilarious, adn the Robin/Star scene was great!

Rae

[ShadowOfAGhost]

that was really good! I liked the flashback and you did good with the overall suspense at varying points throught the chapter. I can't wait to find out what jeff is with holding from Raven, even though she could easily read his mind, that would be no fun. :p keep up the good work! truely impressive is the way you put an effective cliff hanger in the middle of the chapter!

[Raven13]

OoOoOoO I want to know more! The Raven and Jeff thing!! Very Supenseful and I want to know this "secret" that he is hidding from Raven! Also I loved the Robin and Starfire scene! Very Cool!:D Please write more soon!!!!!!!!:) :anime: :D ;) :p

~ ~ Raven13 ~ ~

[Aquagirl15]

Yes I want to know this secret too!!! Who knew that Father Thomas whould know Raven? This is deffinalty a great story. As before I MUST KNOW MORE!!!

[rrarbecy]

Now THAT was an ending. Starfire kissing Robin. This calls for music! *Lifehouse's "Hanging by a Moment" begins playing.*

[Crowgirl]

Oooooh! (my favourite word of the day!)

That was a great chapter!

What does Father Thomas know about RAven?

The flashback was hilarious, adn the Robin/Star scene was great!

Rae
Basically what I was going to say.

And in case you're wondering, the oracle did not expect that. :p

Ciao,
CG

[Alpha Man]

Now THAT was an ending. Starfire kissing Robin. This calls for music! *Lifehouse's "Hanging by a Moment" begins playing.*i don't get it, why does that impress so many people? that idea has been used like over a hundred times, in yours too I might add. I just threw it in to amuse;) some of you who wanted to see more than just Raven/Jeff. you make me feel like a freakin genius, when over half of you have used that idea already, and you act like i was the first to come up with it.:confused:

[ShadowOfAGhost]

because even after its been used and overused, we still love (no pun intended :p ) to see it.

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 13

Back at the Chapel, Fr. Thomas poured Raven and Jeff some of his world famous soup.

Raven took a sip, and then put her hand on her chest, her eyes widened.

"Mmmmm... That was..."

"Warm?"

"Yes, very. Thank you."

Fr. Thomas smiled

Raven had never tasted a soup so good in her entire life.

When they had finished, Jeff arose, taking Raven's dish to the sink.

He then made to leave.

"Where are you going?" Raven asked

"To pray."

Raven followed him out to the main area, he was delighted that she did so.

"I'm not much of a God person." she finally said

Jeff looked offended and confused, "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, I've never had much for religion..." she said hesitatingly

Jeff looked at her, "How can you not be a God person? It's like saying that you've never cared for your creator."

"I just don't see any... point in having a faith."

"Faith can help you in your darkest hour."

"How can you be sure?"

"Faith helped me when I was so cold, so alone, so forgotton, so distanced from anything and everything. Faith brought you into my life."

Raven felt that sense of awe again, that sense that happened when she realized that she had met someone just as mysterious as herself.

She felt her eyes slowly closing, and before she knew it, her lips were making contact with Jeff's. His lips were sweet.

A rush of warmth filled her.

Not completely, though, just a taste of it.

She noticed that Jeff's eyes were kind, as he said, "Will you pray with me?"

Raven nodded slightly with a small smile on her face.



---


Hours later. Titans Tower.

Jeff walked in with Raven, carrying a sports bag. He was back in his white collared shirt and blue jeans.

The battle armor was in the sports bag.

"Jeff! Glad you decided to come back!" Robin exclaimed joyfully

"Uh... I never left. How's Beast Boy?"

"He's fine, but he's in an unconscious state that could last several weeks, maybe even a month." Cyborg analyzed

"You mean like a coma?"

"Something like that. Ra's Al Ghul injected such an excess amount that it was supposed to last literally forever. I was only going to give him half of the serium, but the molecular composition was so high, that I had to inject it all. He'll be out like a light for a long time. No problem."

"Good, Cyborg. Jeff, I hate to say it, but I think it's time that you fill us in on some details, explain everything." Robin said with a scent of leadership demand in his voice

"I cannot tell you much. The future has been revealed to me. If I reveal it to you, any of you, it could seriously shake reality as we know it. We are dealing with the supernatural here, Titans."

"Just tell us what you do know."

"I'll tell you what I can. First, I truly don't know why Ra's Al Ghul is trying to open the Door to Azerath. What's his motive? Second, the Door cannot be opened until the eve of the Hunter's Moon..."

"What's that?"

"It's a special day that occurs twice a generation, or about every 15 years. It is the anniversary when the Knights of the Kingdom of God aided St. Michael the Archangel in his battle against Satan. It was the one battle where humans could do anything at all. Since I am the last, it makes an ideal day to release the demon..."

"But what does Azerath have to do with Hunter's Moon?"

"It was the same day that the demon was imprisioned, by the Knights of the Kingdom of God."

"How long until the Hunter's Moon?"

"40 days."

Robin was surprised by the length of time that Jeff mentioned.

After a long pause, Robin asked, "What about the third key?"

"I have no idea where it is. But I do know someone who does."

Robin now had fully confidence in Jeff that he knew what he was talking about.

"So, where are you going to go?"

"Well, I--"

"Jeff can stay here." Raven interrupted

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Jeff asked

"Of course I am." Raven answered



---


As time went on, Jeff slept on the living room couch. He didn't complain.

Starfire recovered emotionally, and life in Titans Tower went on as usual, with the except of the fact that Beast Boy was still in his "coma" and not out cracking jokes.

Robin and Cyborg missed that.

Nights were rough, though. Especially for Raven.



---


Raven was walking in a forest, during daylight.

Suddenly, the day turned to night, and Ra's Al Ghul appeared.

He was wreathed in flame, and a menacing look was on his face.

"Ah. The Azerathian."

Just as he outstretched his hand, the ground split open.

A giant shadow appeared from it, fangs shined bright white. Blood trickled down them.

Raven then saw herself and Jeff, both lying on the ground... dead.

The evil giant consumed them in darkness and they vanished.

Titans Tower was in ruin. In flames.

Then Raven saw in the distance, a baby crying.

The shadow was about to consume it to... it stretched its long claws to take hold of the child...

The baby continued to cry.

A shriek filled the air.

The entire forest was burning.

"NO!" Raven screamed as she sat up in her bed.

She was cold.

The scream was not a real, loud scream. In fact, no one heard it.

It was in her dream.

Raven's hand trembled.

Raven went to the living room, Jeff was lying on his back on the couch. Eyes wide open, awake.

Raven began, "Couldn't sleep?"

"Nightmares, actually. You?"

"Yeah. Can I lay with you?"

"Sure." he said in a calm, caring voice.

He sat up, Raven sat down next to him.

He put his arm around her, and kissed her forehead.

"I'm afraid." she said

"Don't be. I won't let anything happen to you."

"Can you promise that?"

"Yes, Raven."

"Then I promise to protect you too."

Jeff simply smiled, not saying anything.

Raven kissed him on the cheek. She sighed.

"I don't feel so alone when I'm with you."

"Well, duh."

Raven laughed at that remark, it was rather obvious.

I wish their was a way that you could never go away, that you'd always be with me.



---


Robin had fallen asleep at the computer.

He was researching whether there'd been any activity regarding Rampage, Ra's Al Ghul, or anyone in his organization.

He awoke to hear a small knock at the door.

"Starfire...?" he whispered to himself, wondering who it was.

He staggered up, and walked to the door.

He opened it.

"Hey, kid. Miss me?"

"Red X."

[Rae]

You brought in Red X! Cool!

So want to see were this is going!

Rae

[Aquagirl15]

Oooo Red X one of the most interesting villians (to me) ever. Yes this will turn things around, but who knows for what. X could be there for good or bad we'll just have to wait and find out which. *five seconds go by* Dang wating is hard! :(

[Kregor8]

Ok...I read page one. I was going to read the whole thing before commenting, but I want to say this 'fore I forget.

The comics were set in NYC. Jump City (somehow that name is in the show) is in Cali, and I place it...I don't know where. But they do have winter there (see "How long is Forever").


Raven began, "So you must be... Human Tank?... Big Ben?... Mr. Triple Flex?... Oh! I've got it. (in a low, deep voice, like an annoucer)... The Armor Janitor!"

"Names Rampage. I'd tell ya not to forget it, but you won't be around long enough to worry about that. Now say goodbye to Mr. Innocent Bystander, Sucker!"

That was funny, and now I'll tell you why. It's all from "Spiderman: The Movie - The Game." Except the names are differnent. I know because my little bro was just playing it the other day, and I remember that part when Spidy first meets Shocker!

Just a hint: if you put in something like that, challenge people to find it. It's such a fun thing to do. :D

The beginning of this story was good, because it drew me right in. I wanted to keep reading. Some storys don't start out quite as well.

Ok, I need to go read more.

Bye,
7<regor

[Kregor8]

Ok, this is just my day for double posts. I think this is the 4th one...

I read the rest of it, and I have several things to say:

1) What's with all the whining? I didn't see anything at all the warrented that. I respect Crowgirl and if she saw a problem, she was probably right. But I didn't see that she said that. Or if she said anything harsh, skip over this post cause it will kill you.

2) I really love the religious elements you've put in. That's very cool, because I've been trying to figure out how to do that for ages, and you actually did it.

3) The plot is amazing. Ra's Al Gul is a creepy guy. Nice to see him meet the Titans.

4) You start a paragraph every sentence. Huh? You should start a new paragraph when you get to the end of a thought, or when a new person starts talking. Some people right in one whole block. You've taken the other extreme. It's readable, but like descending a ladder. It gets tiring after a while.

5) In chapter 4 and 5, things weren't always clear. In fact, I got confussed a lot in this story - however, by the time you got to when BB was snatched away (the end of that chapter), things cleared up. So I'm ok now.

6) I really like the dirrection this is going, and want to see more.

7)
"Yeah. Can I lay with you?" a) It should be "lie." b) Perv!

8) Red X rocks, so do a good job with him. :D

Ok, that's it, until you post a new chapter. Hope you enjoy your avatars.

7<regor

[nevermore]

At least I'm not the only one that noticed the lay/lie thing. :sweat: I like this story. Very much. I want to see more of this, but you already know that. :p I will remain silent!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

very nice job with that last chapter. in fact very nice job with all the chapters to date!
She felt her eyes slowly closing, and before she knew it, her lips were making contact with Jeff's. His lips were sweet.Divine intervention pulls through!!!:D (you see rrarbecy! keep praying and somedoay you could end up with a nice girl like Raven too!) you could put a little more detail into describing the sceenery though...

[Alpha Man]

That was funny, and now I'll tell you why. It's all from "Spiderman: The Movie - The Game." Except the names are differnent. I know because my little bro was just playing it the other day, and I remember that part when Spidy first meets Shocker!

Just a hint: if you put in something like that, challenge people to find it. It's such a fun thing to do. :D

I am so glad you found that!!!!:D :anime:
I didn't think anyone would notice it! It is my favorite line when introducing a new villian because I burst out laughing when i heard it and couldnt stop!

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 14

"It's been a long time."

"Not long enough." Robin replied distastefully

"C'mon, I--"

Red X felt the tip of a small tube touch the back of his head, it was Jeff.

"Don't move."

"Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?" X asked

"Do you?"

X backflipped, over Jeff's aimed pistol, and landed behind him.

Holding up his hand, an x-blast shot out of the palm.

Jeff sidestepped, and Robin took the blast.

After sidestepping, Jeff fired his pistol, X was knocked down the hallway.

Robin got up, dazed and fatigued. "Sorry," Jeff said to him

"It's okay."

The other Titans arrived.

X now realized he was outnumbered.

"Hang on! Hang on!" he said raising his arms in surrender, "I didn't come to fight!"

"Then what did you come for? We do not have the chemical of Xinothium." Starfire replied

X brushed himself off, then began, "Word on the street is that you are having a little spat with Ra's Al Ghul."

"Yes. So what?"

"Well, a couple days ago, I was pulling a heist on a museum. When Ra's and his friends showed up. They trashed the whole place. Finally, when everything was destroyed, including what I came to steal, Ra's said 'The Key is not here.' and they left. I want payback."

"So what do you expect from us?" Robin inquired

"A trade. I've found out where Ra's Al Ghul is hiding. But I can beat him myself. I take you there, you help me take him down. Deal?"

Robin turned to the other Titans, they had to discuss this.

"Don't trust him." Jeff said

"I know, but we haven't had a lead to the location of Ra's Al Ghul. If he can tell us where he is... and besides, we could use all the help we can get. He might prove to be a decent ally." Robin answered back

"This is a golden opportunity, if we can defeat the Ra's Al Ghul, we will not have to continue the worrying about the demon that comes from the place of Azerath." added Starfire

"I agree." Cyborg also added

"From what Red X has said, it appears that Ra's Al Ghul also has no clue where the next key is." Raven deduced

"Look, Robin, you've been looking for a lead for a while, then Red X coincidentally shows up with Ra's location. I don't know about you, but I don't believe in coincidences." said Jeff

"Alright then."

Robin turned to Red X.

"Sorry, Red X. But we'll find him on our own, we don't need your help."

X just stood there, "You sure?"

"Yes."

"If you don't trust me, how can you trust him?" Red X pointed to Jeff

X turned and walked out the door.



---


Jeff began to put his battle armor on, with all the attachments.

Off to the side, Robin and Starfire were talking, watching him as he strapped on the accessories.

"What if the Red X is right, Robin? How can we trust this Jeff?" Starfire whispered

"Raven trusts him, I trust her."

"Was it not the same with Beast Boy and Terra?"

Robin looked at her, "Do you not trust me?"

"Robin, how can you say that?"

"Well--"

Jeff noticed them talking secretly, Robin suddenly stopped at the sight. Jeff walked out.

Raven approached him.

"Don't mind what Red X said. He's a criminal, you're not."

Jeff gazed into her eyes, "Do you think I care?"

"No. I wouldn't. But how can we trust you?"

"Raven, the truth is: You can't trust anyone. You shouldn't. But you do anyway."

"Then what do I do?"

"Believe. Have faith in me. Like I have faith in you."

Raven smiled.

Robin and the other Titans walked in.

"Ready?"

"Yes. I will take you now to him. The one who does know where the third key is."

Ready for liftoff and airtravel, the T-sub soared through the air.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I'll say one thing, most people when they have a person come in with an offer, they have the team agree to the offer. (ooh! that gives me a story idea! :anime: )


anyway, back on point... this way that you had the titans refuse Red X was totaly unexpected in that respect, so good job with that. It does a nice job setting the stage for future conflict and whatnot.

I'm begining to agree with the others about the short sentence or two paragraphs. try to put more detail about the surroundings into your paragraphs to make them a little bit longer. save this specific style for when you want to build tension in a story like I pointed out before. this is also accewptable in the terms of conversation, but if you over use the style then it will have less efect later on when you pull it out of your bag of tricks to build suspense and shock us all near the stories end.

keep working at it though! you may not think that you're as good as you are, but frankly, no one thinks that they are as great as they really are. Even the great Lord Welshie took a lot of coaxing before he realised his own brilliance as a writer.

:cool:

<edit>

confidence! Confidince my friend is what you need! without it you will falter, but in obtaining it this flower of a story will become a medow.

(if that made any sense whatsoever...)

[Aquagirl15]

:^: yeah I agree. But I'm the same way. Plus I'm stubborn so that makes things worse. I still don't believe I'm as good as people claim I am. Anyway I know that this is a good fic and that you're a great writer! Downing yourself is BAD!! (though I have no room to talk...) Can't wait for the next chapter. (as usual.)

[DKH]

Sweet. You've brought in Ra Ghual. That guy was the best.

By the way? didn't he posess his daughter on one Batman episode?

Great! I like where this is going.

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 15

Vatican City, Rome.

Church bells ringed.

The T-sub landed. And the four Titans, along with Jeff, exited.

"So, how many functions does this thing have?"

"Well, it used to be restricted to water, but now it can go anywhere. Even outer space I might add. Booyah!"

"There." Jeff pointed to St. Peter's Basilica.

The Teen Titans approached it. Raven looked at the sky, it was going to rain soon.

Inside the Basilica, the heroes and hunter saw Michelangelo's finest work, the Pieta, and other ingenious creations of art from the Renaissance cover the gigantic room from floor to ceiling. Candles appeared to be everywhere. And though Raven could not locate this, she heard a very faint chant of deep voices, chanting Latin. As they approached the center, an old man in white garments was seen praying. Jeff, with his mask off, approached him. Though startled at first by Jeff's hand on his shoulder, he was overjoyed to see him.

"Oh, my son, how good to see you again!"

"Thank you, Your Holiness."

The Pope looked behind Jeff at the four... colorfully dressed... individuals. He gave Raven a small look and she knew to remove her hood.

"Now, what is it you need?"

"Your Holiness, you know that Hunter's Moon is approaching."

The Pope appeared grave, for he knew that this day would come.

"Yes?"

"You are the only person on Earth who knows where the third key is, and evil forces cannot enter this holy sanctuary."

"Yes, yes. Of course. Very well. I will take you to it."

"You-- You have it here?!" Jeff said in amazement

"But of course. Where else would it be?"

He led the Titans to a large painting of Jesus Christ. After touching the corner of it, the frame of the painting was revealed a secret passageway. They went underground to what appeared to be a large, stony chamber. Small torches and candles lit it faintly. He approached a stone stool.

"These are the chains that held St. Peter." But when he touched them, a part of the stool jutted out like a cashier's register box. In it, was a small piece of stone, inscriptions on it, about the size of a stick of deodorant.

"And this, is the final key." He handed it to Jeff

"Thank you."

The Pope looked at the Titans with all the trust, hope, and faith in the world.

Suddenly, the ground shook.

"Go." he said

The Titans ran out of the Church.

As they ran toward the T-sub, a white beam hit it, causing it to explode.

They saw Rampage, carrying a large ray gun, along with the ninjas.

"C'mon! I know where we can go!" Jeff shouted

They made to leave, but Starfire remained.

"Star! What are you waiting for?! Let's go!" Robin yelled to her

"I must stay. The big Rampage is mine to deal with."

"Robin, let's go." Raven said to him

Jeff led them to a sewer steamhole. He opened it.

"Go down. Make a right halfway down. There's a pipeway."

"Will you be alright?" asked Raven tenderly

"Don't worry, I'll be right behind you."

Robin went first, then Raven. As he travelled down, electric lights illuminated the ladder descent.

Jeff climbed in, but he not climb down immediately.

At the first sign of about six ninjas, who stuck their noses in to see the hullaballu, Jeff unleashed his flamethrower.

The fire came through the steamhole like Hell opened up to belch. The six ninjas scuddled around, waving their arms, and making circles.

"That'll buy us some time." Jeff muttered as he followed them down.



---


"So, you want a piece of me, little girl? I took you down last time with one punch!"

"This time, I will not be defeated so easily!" Starfire screamed back

Rampage leapt into the air, making as if to body-slam her. Starfire caught him, and with a large yell, and glowing green eyes, thrust him down to the ground with all her strength. The road cracked. Rampage grunted, and got up. Starfire sent a foot into his gut. Rampage countered by grabbing her head and tossing her toward a nearby construction site.

She got up, and took hold of a girder, using it as a baseball bat. She hit Rampage once, sending him flying to the left. Then again, launching him into the air. With a yell, she spiked him to the ground. He arose, taking a demolition ball, swinging it around his head, first slowly, then rapidly. Starfire prepared her girder, memories of the baseball game that Robin took her to filling her head, and the theme of 'Take me out to the Ball game' ringing her ears. Rampage threw it, Starfire hitting it head on, which sent it back at Rampage! With a yelp, he leapt out of the way, allowing it to destroy a building.

Starfire hurled the girder, like a javelin, at Rampage, who easily knocked it away. She flew down to him. He got in one punch to the face, and her two to the chest. He grabbed her arm, and slammed her on the street at his feet. She quickly flew his legs, on top of his back, covered his eyes, blinding him.

"Ah! Get offa me, you rotton chick! I can't see!"

"No you can not." Starfire said as Rampage tried to grab her off.

"Fine! If I can't stratch you off, then I'll pound you til you let go!"

He began pounding, raising his arm, and bringing the forearm to his back, the elbows pointed at the sky. Starfire winced, but remained steadfast. He still could not see. He stomped every which way.

Stomp stomp. Stomp stomp stomp. Stomp. Sturch.

"Wha--? I'm stuck! I can't move!"

Sturch sturch sturch sturch stwach stwach stwaaaaaa...ch.

Starfire let go, and flew off in the distance. Though not to far away.

When Rampage was able to see, he noticed that he had stepped and was now waist-high in wet cement.

"I give you the congratulations, you have stumbled into a recently poured foundation of wet cement! Robin tells me that they can go pretty deep. He said something like the fifty feet? You are like an earthling in the quicksand?"

"You--! Wha--! I smash cement! This won't hold me!" He began pounding the semi-liquid material. "I am Rampage! Nothing can stop me! Certainly not this! It doesn't matter! When I touch bottom--! I can't be stopped! I don't need air! " He was sinking deeper, it was head-high now. "This won't--! I'll get out! I'll--! Mmmf! Wwwf! Mmmf wf mff srfff mffff!" His hand slowly sunk into it.

His fingertips were the last seen.

"You are probably right," Starfire said, waving her index finger at him, "But I am to bet that by the time you do get out of there... if you are able... that the authorities of this planet will have conducted some way to hold you! Have a nice career... as part of that foundation! Hmpf!"

She flew off to aid her friends.

But eyes were still on the area. The eyes of Ra's Al Ghul.

He muttered to himself, binoculars to eyes, "I wonder what the Titans will do when he comes burrowing out of that cement."

He waited several minutes, then with impatience, "I don't know what's keeping the boy! He should be out any minute now!"

"Nothing can hurt him! Nothing can hold him!... At least, nothing that I know of! Surely he can dig his way out from under a few... thousand... tons of cement. Hah! Sure he can! Any second now!"

It began to rain, heavily.

"I know he can!..."

The sound drifted off...

"Can't he?"

drifting...

"Can't he?"

The question goes unanswered... for now.

[rrarbecy]

1. Starfire kicks huge ugly ass!

2. Rampage reminds me of Juggernaut from X-Men. The cement too. In an issue of The Amazing Spider-Man, Spidey lead Juggernaut to wet cement. Juggernaut sunk, but he didn't need to breathe or eat, so he came back. Rampage is a lot like Juggernaut.

[Aquagirl15]

Once again great job. I'm not the best person to go to for a lengthy review so thata's why you never see me give the. Rest asured I love the stroy.

[Aquagirl15]

Once again great job. As you can see I'm not the best person to go to for a lengthy review cause I don't give them often but just know that I love this fic! :anime:

[Alpha Man]

1. Starfire kicks huge ugly ass!

2. Rampage reminds me of Juggernaut from X-Men. The cement too. In an issue of The Amazing Spider-Man, Spidey lead Juggernaut to wet cement. Juggernaut sunk, but he didn't need to breathe or eat, so he came back. Rampage is a lot like Juggernaut.yes, i based the character off him. though i have no idea what you are talking about in regards to the Spidey Issue;) kidding! as I told Kregor, I luv to put in little sequences like that to remind you of other stuff! i'm glad you found it:D

oh, and i like to have each of the characters have a moment to shine. for those of you who didn't notice, that was Starfire's.

[Kregor8]

Yay for Starfire! She beat the ugly brute. I especially liked the "can't he? can't he?" ending to that chapter. Sweet ending.

I knew they were going to the Pope. Don't tell me how I knew. But I knew it was him. Maybe the friar/father whateverhisname...Tom! Yeah, maybe he tipped me off.

I was (pleasantly) surprised when the Titans rejected RedX. That's not something many people write. So that was cool, and different.

I know why you can trust Jeff...oh wait, no I don't.

Chapter 15 was better than the others as far as paragraphs go. It wasn't nearly so much like a ladder.

Oh, I nearly forgot. This is to Crowgirl: My cat Grizelda says she will take on Zorro any day. :D I normally just call her Zelda, but her full name means "Gray Warrior," so...

7<regor

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 16

"Just keep running!" yelled Jeff down the pipeline

Raven kept looking back to see if he was okay.

"Raven, focus." Robin said to her

Suddenly the pipeline became illuminated with a bright, very bright, white light. It was not so grimy anymore.

They entered a large, white room. White everywhere. The whole room seemed to be made of white plastic, or something like that.

Jeff finally caught up to them.

"This room... it's so... blank." Raven spoke to him

"Yes. This is the Vatican Headquarters of the Knights of the Kingdom of God."

"There's no furniture." Robin felt he had to say

Jeff touched a small part of the wall with his middle and index finger. A control panel came out of the center of the floor. A holographic map emitted from it. Jeff began typing on the keyboard. To Raven and Robin, it all seemed so futuristic.

"What are you doing?"

"With your T-sub destroyed. I'm trying to see if the Knights have a jet for us."

"But there's no one here."

"True. But we still have containment units. Jets in storage. There! I've located one! I'm sending it to port dock G7."

"Uh... where's that?"

"Here." Jeff pointed to a platform on the holographic map. Over the water, there was a short bridge, and a circular platform, with tall columns at the North, West, and Eastern parts of it. Southern was the bridge.

Jeff pressed another button. A door-size part of the wall turned to glass.

"There's the way."

As they were about to depart, they heard a yell. Through the pipeline and into the room was thrown Cyborg. A grenade followed.

The explosion threw each of them against a wall. Falling to the floor, the Titans looked up to see Talia, Ubu, and a host of ninjas.

"Give us the third key." She said

"Sorry, but you'll have to pick your own locks." Robin answered

The ninjas leapt forward, a substantial amount of them attacking each member. Raven used her powers to hurl them aside. Robin decided that Bostaff combat was the best choice. Cyborg relied on his fists, burrowing through them with occasional booyahs. Jeff drawed his pistols, stood still, and layed out each one that attacked him with one blast each.

The contrasting black ninjas against the white background gave a very good vs. evil battle appearance. Only Raven noticed this.

Ubu ran toward Jeff swinging. "Infidel! Give me the key!"

Jeff knew that physically attacking this guy wouldn't work, and brute strength was not an option. He easily dodged and manuvered his head and body to aviod each one of Ubu's attacks. Using his whipcord, he tripped Ubu. When he then got to his feet, Jeff used the jetpack boost to thrust himself into Ubu's stomach. The force of them made Ubu impact a wall, him being wedged there between Jeff and the wall. Jeff eased off. Ubu fell to the ground, unconscious.

As Jeff looked at Ubu, he felt the side of a foot hit him in the head very hard. Ouch. Jeff was dazed. Lying on the ground, he looked up to see Talia.

"I won't ask again."

Jeff boosted away on his jetpack, sending a mini-missile near Robin's area, clearing it of ninjas. He then tossed the key to Robin. Talia ran for him, but a blast to the head made her collapse. A blast from Jeff.

Robin then felt a high voltage electricute him in the back. He fell to the floor. Eyes blurry, he could not see very well. He did make out a black hand with an x on the back of it. Steaming. It picked up the key that was dropped.

Robin heard a voice.

"Y'know what they say, 'Once a thief...'"

Red X exited through the glass door. Heading for the newly prepared jet that awaited him.

Jeff noticed this and flew after him. He landed past the door. X saw him and threw an x star. Jeff dodged, but it hit the controls for the door, distrupting them. Raven saw him.

"Jeff! No!"

As the doors close, Jeff looked back and murmured with grim determination.

"Back in a minute."

[Crowgirl]

:eek: Woah.... :eek:

A few spelling errors and a couple of other bits of junk are all I have no critxe about, but man, I should read this more often...

I'm glad we know what the key is, but I think there's something more to it.:p This is so awesome! Lots of action and funny lines, and some drama, and some mystery, and some other stuff I can't really name.... :p

It was nice to see you put in Red X, he's an awesome character for the whole series (And for fics on here). The characters you've made are awesome.

Can't wait for more from you!

Ciao,
CG

[DKH]

And I have one thing to say.



Raven in a bikini??

http://images.usatoday.com/money/_photos/2004/03/08/guiness-inside.jpg
BRILLIANT!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I posted something for the previous chapter but it would seem it didn't save... oh well. simply put, this. is. awsome. I think the only reason you may not be in the hall of fame as of now is because you joined to late. I could easily seeing this story having an excelent shot at making it into HoF IV (whenever that will be). Good job and Good luck with future works!:D

[Kregor8]

Hey! Red X does something good! I mean, bad! Awesome!
Ok, enough exclamation points. The key has again changed hands, and things are getting exciting. Not that much more to say...there were a few grammar and/or punctuation things I noticed, but you already knew that (thanks to Crowgirl).

7<regor

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 17

Red X ran through two open glass doors, different from the ones that had closed before from his x-star.

One of Ra's Al Ghul's ninjas was already at the jet, which looked like a stealth bomber, and preparing it for takeoff. It was pouring rain. The half dome-like structure made a plateau at its apex, for level travel. Three large pillars were at the farthest ends of each direction. To say that they were in the 'corners' would be truly uncalculated and incorrect, considering that there are no corners on a circular platform. Red X noticed that the platform was five stories above very tumultuous waves, created by the violent storm. A small bridge, made of the same material, connected it to the half dome plateau. Just as he was about to finish his cross of the bridge, Red X was hindered by Jeff, who landed directly in front him. It appeared that Jeff knew these surroundings better than he did. This surprise caused X to take a few steps back, but he beckoned the ninja to proceed. X assessed the situation, preparing for combat.

On the back of X's hands were the same shape as named. They grew to four times their original size, and began twirling rapidly, like buzz-saws. Jeff drew his dual pistols. He fired two blasts from the right, then three from the left. After which the shots were fired alternatively, one after the other. Though he had perfect accuracy, Jeff could not hit Red X, who was using his buzz-saws to slash the red blasts away. Red X continued slashing, Jeff continued firing, but with each passing second, the blasts became more rapid. Jeff knew that if Red X got close enough that he would be dead, and his mission was not yet complete.

When X was only a short six feet away, Jeff decided to boost off the ground, travelling reverse into the air, with his jetpack. Now in the air, with no worry of getting shredded, Jeff fired the blasts like a wild man. The shots overwhelmed X. Though his deflecting buzz-saws could hold them off, the blasts were falling too rapidly and in as much quantity as the rain itself. X had no choice but to jump out of the way.

Turning around, Jeff flew behind a pillar, preferably the West pillar. He spun his right pistol into its holster, and used his occupied left to steady him on the tall column. His right arm was free. X believed this an opportune time for escape, and dashed toward the jet. Jeff revealed himself on the right side of the pillar, and fist pointing forward, he launched a mini-missile right at the feet of Red X. This caused him to be thrown to the East side of the platform.

The jet engines roared. Red X pulled himself together, shaking his head rapidly. He looked up to see Jeff, left pistol still in hand, flying toward him from head to feet first. X leapt in the air, kicked him squarely in the stomach, sending him in the other direction. Upon impact of the ground, Jeff lost his grip on his left pistol. He stood up, and saw Red X dive for the dropped weapon. He boosted into the air, aimed for a split-second, and fired his whipcord. Red X dived for it with both hands, saw a tiny wire wrap around them quickly, and then felt his chin touch his left shoulder as his arms were pulled to the right, his face still looking at the gun. Quickly jolted in another direction not contending with his original momentum, Red X make a grunt of surprise and pain. Jeff was dragging him across the platform ground, in an attempt to tow him off, and send him into the waves below.

Red X had to think fast. His stomach was being soaked by the wet, rain-stained surface. Just as Jeff reached the edge, X fired a sticky red goo from his foot at a pillar, making it play tug-o-war with Jeff's whipcord. It immediately yanked Jeff down to the ground, giving him the same surprise that X felt a second ago. He hit the ground hard. He lifted his mask slightly to spit out the blood that came up from the impact.

Jeff arose to see X charging at him, hands still tied, as if he was going to leap-kick Jeff off the platform. Uh uh. Jeff whipped out his right pistol, ready to fire, but the jet's turrets charged. X quickly stopped and turned around at the ninja pilot, waving his arms violently in disaggreement.

"No, you idiot! Not at m--"

Pow pow, powpowpowpowpowpowpow!!!!!!! fired the turrets.

If that could destroy an airship, imagine what it could do to two mere mortals. With a grunt from both, the explosion from the fire that hit the platform ground launched them both over the edge, and down the half dome. X used an x-star to cut himself free of the whipcord's constraint, and use it in kind to stop himself from sliding any farther. Jeff, who was not so lucky, slid right off what was left of the half dome, and right down the five stories. With a wave with two fingers from one hand, Red X left him with a 'Catch ya later.' Jeff fell. Praying that his jetpack would boost, though at this angle probably not the best option. With hands and feet pointed upwards, trying to grasp or cling to something, Jeff made a yell that was stifled by his direct and loud splash into the raging waves of the Mediterranean Sea.

Jeff felt like he was a basketball being thrown, passed, and violently pushed from here to there.

He couldn't focus.

Before he knew it, he was being yanked by another part of the current to go this way, then another wanted a piece of him.

Finally, Jeff was able to grab onto one of the support beams. But he knew that in this heavy storm, he would not hold for long.

He needed help.

He needed Raven.

Jeff called out, "Rave--!" A wave got in his mouth and made him cough. He tried again, "Raven!"

Then a hard wave hit him abrupted, and he cried out in pain.

He tried telepathically, with his thoughts.

Back inside the headquarters, Raven was fending off what seemed like countless adversaries. Suddenly her mind shook.

Raven! Help me! *cough* I won't make it! *cough* Raven...

She gasped.

She knew in her mind exactly where he was, and used her powers to pass through the floor, disappointing many ninjas who wanted to give her a beating.

The hardest wave of all finally hit Jeff, and he was not strong enough to hold on any longer. His fingers lost their grasp.

Jeff was being thrown around again. And knocked unconscious.

But nature didn't care.

Nature was indifferent.

To it, Jeff's survival mattered not. Death was a part of nature. Everything dies. Thus, nature did not ease up, rather it remained strong and tumultuous, not caring whether Jeff would last or not.

Raven appeared through the floor of the dome. Being aware not to hit any of the support beams.

"Jeff?!" She cried out

Her eyes searched the sea, looking for the slightest hint of him.

There was nothing.

"Jeff?!!" She cried out again, this time with more agony in her voice. Her heart pumping and pounding.

Could he be gone? She would not believe it.

She had faith in him.

She closed her eyes, and scanned the area telepathically, knowing that each second wasted was enough to end Jeff's life.

She found him.

A large, negative energy based hand dove in the water, and produced Jeff... unconscious.

Raven held Jeff in her arms, and rubbed her nose along his cheek, trying to rouse him. The rain soaked them both. It beat down upon their heads. The rain drops looked like tiny little tap-dancers.

Raven went back up to the area prior to her descent. All the ninjas were on the floor, Cyborg brushing off his hands.

"Booyah! That takes care of that, baby!"

Robin stood up, dazed. He looked at Jeff, and deduced the rest.

"Red X got away. Cyborg, can you get us another jet?"

"Man, I have no idea how to work this thing!" he said as he pointed to the control panel.

"No big deal, I put a tracer on Red X when he zapped me, also a tracer on the key itself." Robin replied assuredly

Raven set Jeff down on the ground, lifted his mask, and gave him some of her air.

Jeff coughed, and spat out the water that filled his lungs. Raven smiled at him, and he at her.

"I knew you'd save me." he whispered

"I made a promise to protect you, remember?"

Raven helped him up.

"Red X got away with the key, Jeff."

"Whatever. The Devil can't be released until Hunter's Moon."

"But that's tomorrow."

"I know."

He went over to the control panel, inputed some codes or whatnot.

"Luckily, we have another jet available. And all the jets are interlinked. We'll know exactly where he's going."

"But won't he know where we are?"

"Not necessarily. That is, unless Red X is a former Knight. Besides, I don't think he'll get far in this storm."

Starfire flew in. "Who is the next victim to suffer the wrath of a Tameranian female who is on the brink of--"

"Star, it's okay." Robin assured her

Starfire relaxed.

Raven held Jeff close, never again wanting to let him go.

[rrarbecy]

That could have been a TAD more dramatic, but it was good anyway. Your descriptions of the fight scenes and Jeff being hit around by the waves were masterfully done.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I think the was PERFECTION as far as style goes! excelent job with the fight sceene, and then when you needed drama the most you pulled out the short to the point sentences. I tip my hat to thee. ;)

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 18

The rain did not ease up. It still poured down its wrath on suspecting or unsuspecting victims. Another jet was in the same place that Jeff had fought Red X. One could say that it was a draw, for it was not fair to quote that just because X managed to get away means he was victorious. The jet's turrets had knocked them both off. It was not Red X's doing. Jeff felt so humiliated. Though he knew that he still had a little time, that the key would not open the door until that day, he still felt ashamed that it was not in the right hands. The Pope had trusted him with it.

The Titans approached the jet. Jeff leaned on Raven. He had suffered worse, and still recovered. Why was this time any different? Was it because he knew his--? No! Mustn't think of that.

The whole platform seemed to be one big puddle. Cyborg looked around, wondering if the city would be flooded. The hatchway to the jet opened. Robin and Cyborg went in first, followed by Jeff and Raven, and last Starfire. Jeff took off his mask and jetpack to relax. Contrary to what one would think, the jetpack was not very heavy. It was in fact, quite light. He sat down and put his head against the wall. Eyes closed. He felt a tap from Starfire.

"I'm sorry, but I believe these are yours." she said as she handed him his soaked dual pistols.

"Thank you."

Robin went over to the controls. "I'm punching in the coordinates for Titans Tower."

The engines roared and the jet lifted off the platform. It hovered in the air for a second, then slowly began its departure. It gained a little bit of speed, but nothing too fast. Jeff went over and joined Robin.

"Here. I can track the other jet," he affirmed as he typed, "they're heading for the Rocky Mountains... at a mild speed."

"Can't this thing go any faster?"

"Red X probably doesn't know how to operate the controls," he said as he punched a code that made the jet gain twice its speed. The force made everyone take a step back. "Fasten your seatbelts."

"Man, we can shoot Red X right out of the sky, baby!"

"Yes, but that would not be the best tactic. Red X knows where Ra's Al Ghul is. I can adjust the speed to where we can get to Titans Tower, resupply, and get back before Red X even makes it to his destination. Besides, it'll save us the trouble of finding Ra's Al Ghul."

They sped off to the Tower.



---


When they landed, Robin and Cyborg assested what they needed to do.

"Alright, I need to reload my birdarangs and other gadgets. Cyborg, you need to recharge. How long do we have?"

"Fifteen minutes."

"Plenty of time."

While Starfire, Robin, and Cyborg went to the Tower. Jeff went off in another direction. Raven followed him.

"Where are you going, the Chapel?"

"Yes, but I have to make a stop before that."

He walked into a Speedy Mart.

"I don't get it. What could you possibly use here, Jeff?"

He bought a small squirt gun.

"You've got to be kidding." Raven said again.

After paying, he walked out, and made his way to the Chapel. He filled the squirt gun with Holy Water.

"Might come in handy, don't you think? Hmm?"

Raven was so confused.

The Titans regrouped at the jet.

"Everybody ready?" Robin asked. This was followed by a nodd of all the heads. The jet prepped, it took off again.

"Look! There's Red X! He still hasn't landed yet." Raven pointed out

"Let's get him, y'all!"

"Not so fast. Remember what happened in the mansion? Let Red X deliver, then we'll have the element of surprise."

"Jeff has a good point. Cyborg, stay out of his range."

Midnight. Hunter's Moon.



---


Red X pulled the jet down to a mountain with a cave half way up. There was a landing platform already installed. Red X exited, not noticing the Titans' jet behind him a distance. He walked into the cave, and made a left, entering a metal door. The Titans saw this.

Ra's Al Ghul waited in a chair, the Door right next to him.

"Well done, Mr. X." he said as he pointed out a briefcase containing the reward Red X earned.

As X picked it up, he noticed Ubu and Talia standing off in the distance. He was shocked.

"Wha--? How did you get here before me?!"

Ra's answered his question, "Transmat system, boy. We were instantly teleported here from Italy. I, in fact, witnessed the battle taken place there anyway."

"Then why didn't you--?"

"Take your money and go!"

The metal door that let X in opened again to let him out.

"And now... for my triumph!" Ra's muttered as he gazed at the final key.

The metal door reopened. Ra's turned around to see Red X enter again.

"Forget something?" Ra's asked

"No."

"I thought a told you to leave." Ra's turned around to put the key in place. When an x-star knocked it out of his hand and into the air, whereby a sticky red goo, shot from X's hand attached itself to the key, and retracted it back to him.

"Not today," X pulled off the mask to reveal that it was Robin.

Ra's laughed, "Very good, detective. You pulled a sneak attack on me. I applaud you. But--"

Robin felt Ubu force all of his weight on Robin. He was thrust to the floor.

"--I am too close now to not succeed."

The other Titans came in. Jeff with pistols firing.

Ra's quickly picked up the key and put it in the proper place.

"Game over, Titans," he said after he put it in, "Way over."



---


The entire mountain began to shake as the Door was releasing wind of cataclismic proportions. Dark energy spat from the Door as the Devil himself was about to make his appearance. For Jeff and Raven, time had stopped. This one moment where they would see the face of the demon that they'd been fighting to keep out was about to commence. Jeff gripped his pistols hard. The dark gray energy soon became flame and fire itself.

A single foot stepped out, followed by the body connected to it. A man wreathed in flame stepped forward out of the door. With a quick smack to his chest, the fire was extinguished. A skull for a face. His entire body was burnt to a crisp. But... it began to regenerate. He began to heal himself. Eyes popped back into the empty sockets, hair sprouted from the top of his head, and skin grew back. He was then formed into a very handsome man.

The Teen Titans came face to face with their adversary. He was dressed all in black. The clothing was formal and had a vague military look, one that no one had ever seen before. Most unusual was his hair which was long, dark, and pulled back, away from his face. Two sprouts of the long hair ran down his cheeks. His features were striking, with pronounced cheekbones and very dark hair. If one had to guess, they would have to say that he was perhaps early to late thirties. He was certainly in the prime of his youth, but there was something odd about his eyes, whick looked older than his face--much older.

He smiled at the observers.

Raven felt a chill crawl down her spine.

"Welcome back," Ra's Al Ghul said

The man looked at the Teen Titans, who apparently had no idea who he was. He felt he was being rude. He spoke with a very strong, Romanian accent.

"Allow me to introduce myself," he said in a creepy, demonic tone, but still somewhat human,

"I am Count Vladislaus Dracula."

"Hello, Dad." Jeff said gravely.


http://www.terra.com.mx/galeria_de_fotos/images/104/206737.jpg

[Rae]

DAD?

Interesting!

Rae

[nevermore]

I KNEW IT!!! I thought it sounded stupid before, but I knew it. Keep up with the writing. Jeff will kill his father...cool! :D

[rrarbecy]

YOU DID NOT!!!!! WOAH!!!! Dracula...

[nevermore]

Wanna bet? :evil: I did know. I can't tell you how, but I did.

[Alpha Man]

Wanna bet? :evil: I did know. I can't tell you how, but I did.
it was a good guess, nevermore.

[Aquagirl15]

Wow, that was... unexpected. Very good chapters. Since I was behind I'll have to say that. :sweat: You always manage to suprise us with something new every chapter. Jeff, Dracula's SON!?!?! No way.:eek: Does this mean that Jeff has some vampire in him? That would be cool. If not I'm sure you will/have come up with something just as cool. Man that was great... :D

[rrarbecy]

Plus you used the Richard Roxburgh version. Hell yeah. Van Helsing was one awesome movie.

[Alpha Man]

Plus you used the Richard Roxburgh version. Hell yeah. Van Helsing was one awesome movie.
yes, he was my favorite version. and... half-darn! I knew someone was going to recognize him from that movie. oh well, it's a completely different story.

ps- I freakin love VAN HELSING!
"Evening."
"You're a big one. You'll be hard to digest."
"I'd hate to be such a nuisance."

"Where are you going to run, Victor? Your... peculiar experients have made you unvelcome in most ov the cibilzed vorld. {Flash!}"
"No, no, Victor. Now the time had come for me to take command ov him."

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 19

The Titans were speechless at the revelation that had just been presented to them. Answers to questions about Jeff now arose new questions. To Raven, this was the most devastating news of all. What this the secret he had been keeping from her? Why couldn't he have just told her in the first place? Did he not trust her with the information? No. It was not an issue of trust. Jeff did not tell her because of another reason.

Count Dracula was surprised, but not a much as the others. Here was the son that he had never seen before. Here to welcome him. Dracula went up to his son, who still gripped his pistols hard, and embraced him.

"My son! You are here? How nice it is to see you!" Dracula said with a tone of perverse affection. This was not love. Or was it?

Jeff did not speak.

Hands on his son's shoulders, Dracula looked into Jeff's eyes. "Why do you where this mask? Are you afraid that someone will see your face?"

Jeff still did not speak. Dracula removed the mask from his son's face. He saw the blond hair.

"Did your mother ever give you the name I wanted? Hector?"

"My name is Jeff." He said sternly and distastefully

Dracula nodded. His skin was pale, dead. He looked back at the door that was locked to him. He outstretched a hand toward it, and slowly made it into a fist. The Door lost the light that activated it, and made it seem real. Now it looked inanimate.

His eyes wandered the room. They fell on Raven. "You must be Raven." He clapped his hands together. "Oh! I have heard so much about you..." He went up to Raven, who didn't move, and was so close that he could have smelled her hair. He probably did.

Dracula felt incredible pain in his left temple. A hole lay in his head, from a blast from Jeff's pistol.

"Get away from her."

Dracula regenerated the wound, looking at Jeff, "Hector, why do you treat your father so?" His eyes looked back at Raven, and smiled.

Jeff's eyes narrowed, he put his mask back on. Dracula was hurt emotionally.

Ra's Al Ghul interrupted, "Excuse me, Count. I do believe we had a bargain."

Dracula had forgotton, "Oh, yes. Very well." He walked over to Ra's, and grabbed him by the collar. His fangs grew very large and sunk into Ra's neck. Ra's skin turn even more pale than Dracula's. The Count dropped him to the floor. He did not move. But then, he began to laugh. Dracula had made him into a vampire.

"Immortality." Dracula finished, wiping the blood from his mouth.

Ra's got up, and revealed to all that his eyes were bloodshot, and his fangs even longer than Dracula's. Ra's began to grow in size, his muscles bulged. His clothes tore, leaving nothing but that covering the loins.

"Why?" Robin finally asked

"Well, detective, you see, I have cheated death time and time again. Using the Lazarus pit, I was able to regain my youth. But over time, the effects lasted less and less. Eventually, I depended on it just to survive." He revealed a small tube on his back that he now just ripped off. "My whole life I was searching for immortality. But I could not see the answer right in front of me. Vampires. They never age. They never die. They are the walking dead. I made a deal with Count Dracula. I would release him from his prision, Azerath, in return for a bite... not putting me under his control of course." He looked at Dracula, who nodded.

"Live a little." Dracula mentioned, "And as for me... I am going to take my revenge on the world that shunned me. Never again will I be afraid of the sun. Never again with the people of Earth be safe during the day. I will feast on their blood... for the sun will never shine again!"

And with this, Dracula suddenly began to shake. He was transforming. His eyes darkened, and his skin grew very pale. His lips became black, bloodthirsty. The buttons on his jacket became the ends of his wings, not attached to his arms, which went under them first and then came up to expand. The collar that connected the jacket separated and became two large spikes that shot out of the top of his back. The small hairclip could no longer hold the mane which now flowed wildly. His mouth rounded, and teeth separated and the fangs grew. His ears grew pointy. Raven understood now why Jeff called him the Devil.

Dracula was now a huge bat creature, hovering before them. He was much larger, and more heavily muscled than before. The black clothes had merged with the skin, making his whole body pale white. The head was far less human, more like a bat than a man. Only... a bat with no fur. The entire look of the creature was angular, with sharp portruding teeth and red, bloodshot eyes. Its wingspan was over twenty feet long, with deadly-looking talons at the end of its arms. The Titans felt that they were looking at Dracula's true form, one completely devoid of humanity. He was the Hellbeast.

With a very loud, ear-piercing howl, Dracula took flight and plowed through anyone in his way. He smashed through the metal doors, out the cave, and into the night.

"We... failed." Robin said with complete despair.

"Yes." Jeff said silently, "Our greatest battle... is just beginning."


http://movie-top.com/vanhelsing/dracula.jpg

[Aquagirl15]

Ok that was a little weird but good anyway. Hmmm what will happen next? Too many ideas... Oh well we'll find out soon. :D

[ShadowOfAGhost]

wow. I'm speachless. wow.

as I was reading that description of the hell beast an image popped into my head, and I don't know if anyone else plays Magic: The Gathering but....
http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/5e/lord_of_the_pit.jpg
the card is called Lord of the Pit. but that has no bearing here. anyway, I'm still looking for a way to describe how awsome you're doing, but can't because frankly, you are beyond words.

[DKH]

Never was a fan of Magic the Gathering, Or any trading card games in general.

Great battle scene. Can't wait.

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 20

The moonlight shown through the area where Dracula had left his mark. But Dracula was another issue. Now they had to deal with Ra's Al Ghul, the newly made vampire.

"Father! You have succeeded! You can now live forever, and without that horrible Lazarus pit!" Talia said as she embraced him

"Yes, my daughter. But in order to sustain this new life I must drink the blood of others."

Talia looked up, suddenly frightened.

Ra's Al Ghul grinned. His fangs grew three inches. His eyes became pure white. Talia looked into that once human face, those cold, dead eyes, she felt all of her defiance leave her.

Talia screamed.

She tried to get away, but Ra's grabbed her wrist with one hand. With the other, he gripped her jaw hard, and cocked it to one side, exposing the neck.

In one shift motion, before everyone's eyes, Ra's sunk his teeth into the soft flesh.

Talia felt the pressure upon as those long fangs pierced the skin, somehow reaching farther than could be measured. She knew that Ra's was drawing her blood, but another part of her knew that her father was taking much more than that.

Darkness loomed, enveloped her, and she knew no more.



---


Ra's Al Ghul dropped her to the ground, lifeless. He smiled and took a deep breath of extreme satisfaction. A little trickle of blood stained his lip, and oozed down to the chin.

"You Monster!" Jeff cried as he sent a mini-missile at him, pushing him back into the depths of the caves, and making a large explosion.

Ubu could not bear any more. This was not the master he once knew, loved, and served. All of his courage, loyalty, and masculinity left him at that moment as he bolted for the door. Not a Titan stopped him. Fearing for his own survival, he tripped several times on his way out, never looking back, drops of sweat and fear running down his face. He disappeared into the night, and the Teen Titans knew no more of him.

"Titans, ready!" Robin ordered

Each Titan posed for battle as Ra's walked through the darkness, the upper half of his body was a skeleton. It regenerated back to normal.

"Titans, you can't be serious. I am invincible now! How do you think you can beat me?"

"The only way we know how." Raven said with anger in her voice

Ra's leapt. He did not form into a hellbeast like Dracula, for he was a minor vampire... not the Master Vampire. He simply flew as his normal self, as would Superman. No wings attached.

He was bloodthirsty.

He landed in the middle of the five. His back was singed by blasts from Jeff. Robin attempted to best him physically with his Bostaff, but Ra's Al Ghul was too strong. Even Cyborg could not wrestle him to the ground. He held Robin and Cyborg by the ankles, grinned, and hurled them away. Ra's laughed. This was exhilerating! Starfire flew fast at him with a yell, but he caught her in midflight. He was pulling the same trick that he did on Talia! He cocked her jaw, neck exposed...

Ra's was knocked unexpectedly away from his position by a jetpack boosting Jeff. He was thrown against the wall, and Starfire fell unharmed. Raven looked up at the cave's ceiling, and brought down a boulder on top of him. He threw it away, and healed himself.

"Don't you see how futile this is? Just give up! All you will suffer is one brief moment of pain..."

"Shut up!" Cyborg yelled as he ramed Ra's in the back. The bionic brusier formed his fist into a sonic cannon. When he had fired, it had no effect. Ra's held up a hand and blocked it. Hand still extended, Ra's slowly approached Cyborg. He finally got to Cyborg's blaster. Ra's Al Ghul's fingernails grew a very long six inches.

Suddenly, Ra's felt a barrage of painful bolts hit him in the back. It was a combination of Starfire's starbolts and Jeff's rapid blasts from the dual pistols. He let go of Cyborg, and ran toward the two that had fired at him. Raven tried to intervene, but the vampire grabbed her. He made to draw her blood, but when a small hook from a whipcord caught hold somewhere on his back and around to his stomach, whereby the moment after it was yanked rather harshly, tearing the flesh along with it. Ra's Al Ghul screamed in pain, and decided that killing Raven was not the best choice. If he was to kill her, he would have to eliminate that damned Monster Hunter first.

Before Jeff could react, the vampire had Jeff in his grip, pinned against the wall, feet not touching the ground. The long fingernails dug deep into Jeff's neck. He held Jeff with his left hand. And with the other, he used his time wisely, tearing off the gauntlets on each forearm, and knocking the pistols away. Ra's Al Ghul grinned. Jeff noticed that he was right next to an exhaust vent that circulated the cave, used by Ra's Al Ghul for some unknown purpose. Close to him was a small button labelled 'Release.'

"Any last words, Monster Hunter?" Ra's Al Ghul growled, still grinning. Beginning to choke Jeff.

"Yeah. You can go to Hell."

Jeff hit the button hard with his right fist, and a large burst of intense flame gushed out. Jeff moved his head out of the fire's way, leaving it to barbeque Ra's face. He let go, crying, clutching his face. While doing that, the screams and wails were stifled by his own hands.

Before he had a chance to regenerate, Jeff had picked up the Holy Water pistol and drenched him with it.

This was even more agonizing than the fire, for the Holy Water was making contact with something unholy. He fell to the ground, and began to breathe heavily. He looked at his wet hand, and saw that the skin was bubbling. It turned a very dark, dark brown. Everyone heard the sound of sizzling flesh, the flesh turned molten. He looked like a living container of liquid, then began to rot and decay. The skin began to fall off like dust, leaving the bones exposed. This started at his hands, entrailed his whole body, and ended with his face. His cries of horror were cut off and ceased when his mouth lost its skin and left only a motionless skeleton there. The bones themselves disintegrated.

A small smoke rose from the pile of death.

Jeff lowered his eyes, and crossed himself.

[DKH]

Talk about knock out ending to a great fight. That "Go to hell" part was awesome.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Bless The Sink! (Dogma)

that was a good fight to say the least, and to say the most would take far too long. nice. sweet. funny.

it is funny however when you consider that pistols and starbolts and missles are nothing compared to a dinky little 99 cent squirt gun filled with holy water. :D

[Crowgirl]

Woah.....

Okay, here's what I think. Buh, buh, buh.....

First off, the is absolutely no, frickin', way I would have expected all that. I'm losing my sight I guess, but I think you win a prize for most shocking.

Second, I think it's cool you brought Dracula in and all that, but it seems.... interesting, to say the least. Drac is an awesome villian, and what he did and how Jeff is his son is awesome too, but there seems to be something missing from the whole Dracula part of the story that I can't name.

Raven and Jeff are nice together, his father's Dracula, hers is Trigon, I wonder which one is worse....

About the Magic thing, sometimes my brother will trick me into playing it (By using a web of deals and lies that cancel each other out :mad: ). I have never found it enjoyable.


Starfire flew in. "Who is the next victim to suffer the wrath of a Tameranian female who is on the brink of--"

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! :anime:


"Yes." Jeff said silently, "Our greatest battle... is just beginning."
..................

Ciao,
CG

[rrarbecy]

Do I even need to say it? DO I!!!??? FINE!!! I WILL!!!!!!: You sooooooo rock. Oho, Dracula!!!!! Ra's is DEAD!!!! HE DESERVES IT!!!!! HE KILLED HIS OWN DAUGHTER FOR GOD'S SAKE!!!!! geez...

[Alpha Man]

Woah..... I think you win a prize for most shocking. Thank you!


..................I don't want to sound or appear dull, but I have no idea what a bunch of periods means. I see it in Japanese cartoons and Japanese comics all the time and can't understand it!:shrug:

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 21

For once in a long, long time... the Teen Titans could take a breath. But it was not over, for as Jeff said, "Our greatest battle is just beginning."

Robin had seen many strange things in his life, being the sidekick to the Dark Knight left no sugar-coating whatsoever, but this... this was the most unusual event he had ever witnessed. He paused for a second, and then spoke.

"I guess we have no where to turn to. Jeff, you're going to have to fill us in."

"Well, Robin, can't you use your wicked detective skills and deduce half of this? Why should I give you any answers? Tell me what you've learned."

"Alright, a recap then. Ra's Al Ghul used three keys to free Dracula from Azarath. In return, Dracula made Ra's into a vampire, giving him eternal life. Uh... Jeff is Dracula's son. I'm not too keen on that part. But I do think that Dracula went somewhere where he can block out the sun, since he mentioned that the sun will never shine again. When this happens, Dracula will be able to walk the Earth at any time, making a threat to humanity that will never rest. Uh... that's pretty much all I can deduce."

"Good. I can fill you in on the rest. Forget everything you read about Dracula in fairy tale books. I've read them all. If Dracula was killed in them, then how is he able to walk the Earth today? The Sun itself is Dracula's only weakness, to my knowledge. Wooden stakes, crucifixes, Holy Water, none of them can kill Dracula. That is why I did not spray him with the Holy Water, for it would have been a waste. Dracula has various powers. He only uses the Hellbeast as a last resort. His basic powers include the ability to defy the laws of physics, meaning that he can appear and disappear in two locations, or teleport. He can walk on walls as if the were the ground. Dracula can heal from almost any wound, which shows his superiority over the living. He has great strength, and can fly, even without the wings. But I'm betting you already knew that.

"What you didn't know is that for a long time, Dracula has always wanted to produce some sort of offspring. While he did have brides, they were never able to produce a living child, let alone get pregnant. God shunned the vampires from ever creating life, for they were the fiends of the Earth. And for the longest time, humanity has tried desparately to rid Dracula from their land, but have never succeeded. Until, about sixteen years ago, give or take, a deal was made. God's representatives allowed Dracula to sleep with a supernatural being in exchange for being imprisioned in another dimension. That dimension was Azarath. And that supernatural being, was my mother. She was an angel. It sickens me when Dracula acts as if he and her had even had a relationship or something. All they had was one night. I am the result. Where with other vampires or even normal humans being for that matter, Dracula could never get a child from it. To everyone's surprise, when I was expected to have powers to shake the ages and bend reality (being the product of two powerful entities), I am a simple, powerless human being. When I was at a young age, my mother promised me to the Knights of the Kingdom of God, to become a member. My mother, an angel, was able to see the future, since God is outside of time, and she was with God in Heaven. I officially became a Knight at age 14, and a few years later I encountered my mother. She revealed to me my ultimate mission since my birth, and what I must do."

After a few seconds of intake, Starfire inquired, "But what was the benefit of the people of glorious Azarath? What did they receive in return?"

Jeff smiled, "They wanted something. But as of now, I cannot say. For I am not permitted to reveal the future. If I tell you, any of you, what they bargained for, it will disrupt the whole plan."

"So what now, man?" Cyborg asked

"Honestly, I don't know. The sun will rise in a couple hours. And Dracula will have to sleep. I don't know how he's going to block out the sun, probably either with science or sorcery. Most likely the latter. Until that happens, we can't really do anything. We have to let Dracula make the next move."

The Teen Titans exited the cave, entered the jet, and flew off to a familiar place.

[Rae]

Great Chapter!

It was a nice little summary!

Wait...did i read that right? Jeff's half demon half angel?

Cool.

Rae

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Does Jeff have a hankerin' for Popeye's Chicken?
http://www.filmfodder.com/movies/reviews/little_nicky/images/little_nicky.jpg
:D :p

that was good. I like that they have to wait for dracula because they can't do anything else. despite the fact that dracula is on the loose, I'm not feeling that much desperation on the Titans part. try putting in something that hits close to home for them, like attacking one of the Titans East Members. that should do. :cool:

[Alpha Man]

thanks, whew!:sweat:

when would you guys like the next chapter?

when are you guys available to read it?

[Kregor8]

I've developed a new complaint about this story. You update it so fast that if I get behind for a single day, it takes me forever to catch up again. For instance, Saturday you posted a new chapter. Not having time to read it then, I didn't get back to the end of the thread until today. So, I guess it's really a complaint against myself.

The other complaint (ladder-like chapters) is also lessening. Cool!

These last few chapters have brought in the craziest story I've ever read. This is amazing...(got to go...be back later. I'll edit this).

7<regor

[Alpha Man]

I've developed a new complaint about this story. You update it so fast that if I get behind for a single day, it takes me forever to catch up again.
Is my updating really fast a bad thing? I do it because you guys don't exactly respond right away after I post a new chapter, and it runs the risk of being second-paged. Though, if you prefer that I update a chapter a week, fine. I've got the next three or so chapters already done, but rather than give you three chapters a day, I like to give you one a day. So that way you can take it in, love it, and respond at your leisure. Whatever you want, Kreg. Your wish is my... er, button-press.




These last few chapters have brought in the craziest story I've ever read.I have a tendency to do that. Just wait and see...

[Alpha Man]

when do you guys want the next chapter? i'm all ears.

got one ready, just say the wurd.:D

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 22

The Hellbeast soared through the night, passing over cities, towns, and villages. His devilish eyes gazed down with hatred upon the little lights he saw that flickered in their houses and buildings. Soon he would be able to feast on them once more. But his thoughts at the moment were not on humanity's blood, but his long lost son. He had barged out of that foul cave, leaving Hector without a word or gesture. Why had he treated Dracula with such discontent? His mind must have been poisoned by those God-lovers.

Count Dracula passed over and into his home of Translyvania. Though before his imprisionment, the place was populated with fresh victims to kill, now it was deserted. A wasteland. Many memories flooded his mind of past battles with the relentless villagers and their futile torches and pitchforks.

Over a lake of acid, ergo Death Lake, there it was. The forgotten Castle Dracula. A place no human could ever reach. When he had gone, the lake itself served as a primary protectorate, so that graverobbers and monster hunters could not enter his place of sanctuary.

The Castle itself was shrouded in endless snow storms. Very tall and gothic, late feudal society. Strong stones and bricks held it up, along with Satan's magic. Nothing sacred could touch this place of profanity. Nothing.

He only had a few hours to work before the sun came up. Time was of the essence. He flapped his large bat-like wings to reach the summit of his castle. There he opened his arms, looked down, as if he was speaking to Hell itself. Still in his Hellbeast form, with a deep, terrible voice he spoke three demon words.

Lez vey xsai. Lez vey xsai. Lez vey xsai.

A little trick he learned while in Azarath. He repeated this for a long time, when finally out of the cracks, windows, towers, openings of his castle appeared his dark minions. Frightening entities they were. Long forgotten and abandoned. They were clothed like mummies, wrapped in black. The black wraps reaching up to the neck, where a hood shrouded the face. Only visible were two, small red eyes. They growled a very high pitch growl.

The sun slowly began to rise.

"We haven't much time left." Dracula roared.



---


While the rest of the Titans had returned to the Tower, Raven found Jeff in his usual place. When she walked in, took some Holy Water and crossed herself, she saw Jeff up near the altar on a nealer. Fr. Thomas gave him was seemed to be a small, circular cracker, which Jeff received on the tongue. During this, Raven thought she heard him say, "The Body of Christ." and then Jeff's response, "Amen." After this, Fr. Thomas took a small bowl, dabbed his thumb in it, and made a cross on Jeff's forehead, saying the words, "Remember, Man, you are dust. And to dust you shall return." Then Father Thomas left the room.

Raven walked up to him, was about to say something, then was hushed. Jeff was in deep prayer. He then opened his eyes, looked at her, and smiled.

"Let's go to the back."

"Okay."

"Could you wear something a little less provacative?"

They sat in the back pew. Raven turned to Jeff. She could see the torment in his heart, the terror in his eyes. They really were a lot alike. She had Trigon for a father, and he, he had Dracula. Raven had no idea how difficult this situation must be for him, she could only comfort him. Her nose stroked his cheek gently, lovingly.

"I know this must be difficult for you," she began, "My father haunts me too."

Jeff just stared ahead. Raven felt she wasn't making progress.

She saw on his face how he was trying so hard to contain the inner torment. Hell itself was inside him, burning his soul. Dracula, his father. She wanted to tell him that it was okay to cry, to let out his emotions, because before she met him, she was cold. Before Jeff, Raven spoke with a monotone, had a creepy attitude, and never smiled. She spent long hours either reading or meditating. She never socialized, especially not with boys. The last thing she wanted was an attachment. But now, with Jeff, she no longer felt she need to work so hard to control those emotions. It was like, him just being there made them easy to control. She rested her head on his shoulder, although she knew very well that he needed someone's shoulder to rest his head on.

"What can you do when you feel like you're intended for bad things, that because of my father I am destined to be evil too." Raven sobbed

"I feel for you, Raven. The pain swells inside me also. But I know that everything will be okay."

"How? How can you know that?" She said despairingly

"Because I know that God can take the greatest evil in the world, and make it good. He can take your greatest sorrow, your greatest pain, and turn it into joy."

Raven smiled, she wiped her face.

"I have had an interesting life, Raven. Many odd things have happened to me. I have seen things that no human should be meant to see. But I trust in God, I have faith in him, and I know that he will make whatever pain I feel into good."

Raven kissed him.

They sat there for a long time, staring at the candle light.



---


Dracula was on to make his next move. He flew to the highest reaches of the world, Mount Everest. The high altitude and cold did not affect him. He reached the summit, and transformed back into his human form. The Count with a mere thought summoned his dark minions, who could and did either just appear or pop out of the ground at any given time.

He looked up to the sky, and began chanting the demonic words again. The minions joined him. The mountain began to tremble. Dracula leapt off of the summit, morphed into the Hellbeast, and encircled it. His speed gained and the incantations were growing louder. He ordered the minions to write symbols from Azarath in the mountain's snow. They obeyed. When this happened, a good amount of the mountain top exploded, to reveal a very active volcano. The lava sizzled. Dracula hovered above the intense heat of it, placing his claw near it. When he had touched it, it burned him. But he burned it. He left the mark of the Devil in that lava. It began to gush out a very, very thick smoke, rapidly. Soon, in several hours, the black fog would cover the entire world.

Dracula landed outside the mountain, he minions trembled before him. Turning back to his human form, he muttered, "So begins... The Age of Dragulia."



---


Jeff returned with Raven to the Tower, complete with new gauntlets no thanks to Ra's Al Ghul. It was late. The snow had completely melted now, with minor spots and patches here and there. The water surrounding the Tower was no longer frozen. Though the birds had not returned, it was apparent that Spring was beginning. Or at least, Winter was ending. The Titans knew it was only a matter of time before Dracula somehow blocked out the sun.

"Jeff, one last question." Robin said

"Yes?"

"Is there anything else that you know about Dracula?"

Jeff hesitated, slightly irritated by Robin's question. Hadn't he told them enough? The guy is Jeff's father for crying out loud! Raven could sense his tension. Jeff composed himself.

"Dracula cannot bite anyone of his own bloodline." He answered

There was a long silence.

That was not anything Robin could use. He was about to complain, but then saw the look in Jeff's face. He decided not to.

"Well, whatever Dracula does do, he won't be able to complete it before tomorrow. We'll be ready by then." Robin said as he looked at the other Titans, "We might as well get some sleep."

The Titans went to bed, but Raven and Jeff stayed up, sitting on the couch, staring into the night.

[Aquagirl15]

Man Jeff is so depressed, that makes me sad. This chapter was really good, you put a lot of emotion into it. Hey I'm wondering: How old are the titans and Jeff in this fic? Everyone makes them different ages so I thought I'd ask. :shrug:

[Alpha Man]

How old are the titans and Jeff in this fic? Everyone makes them different ages so I thought I'd ask. :shrug:Hmmm. Actually, I'm not completely sure. I situated this story basically in the present, considering it might be a possibility to end the show. unlikely!
I'd have to say... over 15. Not sure exactly how old Raven and Jeff are. Tell ya what, you can think of them in whatever age you wish. but definitely over 15.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

well, the titans won't be expecting his plot to have worked so soon! Imagine them waking up the next morning to a world where the sun never shines...:evil:

but there is a slight problem in Dracula's plan, I'm a little rusty on my facts about dracula, so correct me if I say something wrong.
Dracula relies on human blood for nourishment, without which he will die or go crazy. He can not obtain nourishment of blood from those who already dead or not as much. If he blocks out the sun it will kill of all the vegitation, thus ultimatly killing off all animals and life on earth. with no living creatures from which to suck blood, it will ultimatly mean that he will loose by his own hand and either he will die or his blood lust will drive him insane by result.

[Alpha Man]

true. but...
one: Dracula only needs to kill to survive one or two people a month. not like every day.
two: with rapid rising technology, humanity can/will find ways to survive if there is no sun. but you are right in that respect.
three: wiping out the sun with make everything freeze. if you haven't noticed, cold is a recurring theme throughout the story. Dracula can feast on frozen bodies if need be.
four: Dracula can drink blood from a carcass.

mainly, you are right. Dracula is obviously not thinking long term. but he basically wants to take is revenge on humanity. killing them.

[Kregor8]

Is my updating really fast a bad thing? I do it because you guys don't exactly respond right away after I post a new chapter, and it runs the risk of being second-paged. Though, if you prefer that I update a chapter a week, fine. I've got the next three or so chapters already done, but rather than give you three chapters a day, I like to give you one a day. So that way you can take it in, love it, and respond at your leisure. Whatever you want, Kreg. Your wish is my... er, button-press.
Uh...that was sarcasm.

I'll go read this new instalment now.

7<regor

[Alpha Man]

okay. i gotta let loose. cant hold back any longer.

i am 98% obsessed with this forum and seeing when/if you guys reply! i honestly dont know how any of you can do this once a week! i have to do it at least once a day! ahhhh!

could you guys like please respond!!!!! ugh!!! gonna explode!!!

oh, and i love those guys who just stare at their computer, maybe have fallen asleep, or go away, and it says "Viewing World's Finest Writers Corner" for three hours.

plus, when you dont respond! i get second paged! and we all know that no one read things on the second page...

[Raeofdarkness]

Don't worry about it, I have the same thing. I am a very fast typer therefore am able to post chapters quickly. Your story receives a score of ten out of ten. It is brilliant!:D

[ShadowOfAGhost]

could you guys like please respond!!!!! ugh!!! gonna explode!!!

that could be messy... :p

I used to feel the same way, since then I just check all the other threads and try to keep up with as many threads as I can. I still get excited when I see that there is a new post on my threads though.

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 23

Raven watched Jeff as he stared into the moonlight. This situation reminded her of a passage that Jeff had read to her from the Bible. Jesus Christ was in the Garden of Gesthemane, sweating drops of blood. He was having a trauma so intense, the body seemed that i could not bear it. She then recalled an angel came down with a cup and handed it to Jesus to drink. He then responded, "Father, if it be your will, take this cup away from me, for do not let my will, but your will be done." Jeff looked like he was suffering the same agony. She wanted to comfort him.

Jeff's eyes remained steadfast, not quivering, even though he was out of costume and back in the white and jeans look. He looked so tense. Finally, he spoke, very softly, very gently, and very kindly.

"Raven, I am going to die tommorrow."

Raven gasped, and took his face, looked deep into his eyes.

"No! Please don't say things like that! You are going to be okay. I made a promise to protect you!"

Jeff smiled at her then lowered his eyes. Raven felt passion consume her. She pulled him to her and kissed him hard, then softly, then hard again. He returned the same passion. All that she thought mattered in this world was forgotten to her -- for she found herself lost in him. They slowly pulled away from each other, then stared deep into each other's eyes. Raven spoke very softly.

"I love you."

Suddenly, Jeff's eyes changed. All the tension was gone. It was like he had been waiting to hear those words from Raven his whole life. He disregarded any other pains in him. It didn't matter that Dracula was his father. It didn't matter that he thought he was going to die the next day. It didn't matter... for she loved him.

Jeff replied gently without hesitation, "I love you, Raven."

After this, they kissed very passionately again. Raven had her arms around his head, not wanting to let go. Wanting his moment to last forever. But it couldn't. They slowly pulled away again. Raven looked deep into Jeff's eyes, and he did something he didn't do since the time they had met. He sumbitted to her. He allowed her to read his mind, to enter his thoughts, his past... his life.

She lifted her arms, put her hands and fingers on his temples, and brought his forehead in contact with hers.

She saw the memories, the life. It was like she was right there witnessing them.



---


February 5th, 1989. Azarath.

The place was baffling to the eyes, it seemed that half of this world had yellow skies and pink lawns. Many flowers scattered across the ground. But the other half seemed to have dark red skies, withered trees, charcoal covered ground. Specks of red dots looted the sky, possibly stars.

Standing at the line drawn between the two halves were five people. The first was a man, a very long white beard, long white hair, had a hood and the white attire of Raven, with the buttons to match. He was from Azarath. The other was old man, hands folded, garments in white also, but not the same. It was the Pope, or A Pope. The third was a young, chubby man, whereing a friar's cloak and tunic. He tapped his foot impatiently. The fourth and fifth were a woman sitting on a boulder, surrounded in beautiful lights that circled her, herself very beautiful, wearing yellow garments, breast-feeding a baby boy in her arms.

"Is the other child born yet?" The friar asked impatiently

"Patience." The woman in light said, her voice very kind and echoed gently throughout the area.

"Yes. Patience, Father Thomas. The day is not yet over." The Pope acknowledged

After a few minutes, another mother and child appeared. She was exhausted. Out of breath from just giving birth. But she did not walk. No, she was too weak for that. She used her powers of telekinesis to hover to the area. She landed on a boulder next to the mother in light. She too began breast-feeding her child.

"That is a beautiful baby boy there."

"Yes, thank you. I see that the girl is beautiful as her mother."

They both smiled at each other, the girl's mother tired, sweat running down her face.

"Are we ready to begin, ladies?" The man with the long beard asked

"Arella just arrived, Metrion. Allow her to recover. As for me, I am not finished. You are the ruler of Azarath, you should know these things take time."

Arella looked at the boy's mother, it was like she was feeding him light itself. The mother noticed her glance, then enlightened her.

"With my right breast, I give him the gift of Courage," she said very lovingly, "And with the other, I give him the gift of Faith."

After a while, both agreed that it was time to begin.

Metrion and the Pope stood by a tall bowl of water, waist high.

Metrion took the boy, and the Pope took the girl. Metrion went first.

"Jeffrey, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"Raven, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

They handed the infants back to the mothers.

"You will be sure to take very good care of him when he is older, Father Thomas?"

"Yes, Melody. I will not fail."

She smiled and said, "I have no doubt."

Metrion turned to the others, "Now, they will meet near the day of Hunter's Moon, yes? Their product will be the vanquisher."

"Nothing immoral, Metrion. When they meet, they will not have time to perform any such ceremony prior to their acquintance." The Pope said

"Then let us perform the ceremony now, so that these two may be wed in Holy Matrimony."

"The marriage will not be official, until they have consummated it when they are older, yes?"

"But of course, Your Holiness."

The two mothers standing adjacent to each other, the ceremony was carried out.

Off in the distance, a man in black was being led away, he tried to look back at the small gathering.

A guard spoke kindly yet sternly toward him, "Come on, Count. It is time to go."



---


Raven saw this and looked deeper into his soul.

She saw his first years, the time where he was homeschooled, to the time where he began his career as the Monster Hunter. She saw how he was captured and tortured. She saw his many times of prayer, how he had such a life that demanded it, so that he would not go insane. She saw how he had discovered and encountered his mother, whom he had no memory of. She saw that his mother, Melody, lovingly cared for him and revealed to him his future. Raven saw Jeff looking at his mother, who showed him the girl was to meet a few years later. Raven saw Jeff's reaction of captivation and intoxication when he gazed upon is bride for the first time, from that revealation from Melody. Melody had revealed to him his mission. His goal. Raven could not see all of it, and it was at time, when Raven's own future came into revelation, that Jeff did not show her anymore.



---


Raven opened her eyes, coming back to the present. Jeff came with her.

They gazed into each other's eyes. True loves. Pure loves.

Raven got up from the couch, and led Jeff to a place where he refused to go until she was ready. Her room.

She opened the door, made a small step in.

She unhooked her cloak, and let it fall to her ankles.

"Raven, I do not want to do anything that you are not ready for."

She made a small smile, and lifted her elbow. She pointed to him with her index finger, palm up. She made the motion where the index finger was curled back slowly, a beckoning motion, repetitively.

Jeff smiled.

She took his hand, and gently pulled him in.

The door shut.

[Aquagirl15]

Kinda knew that was comin'. Anyway, wow... it's funny how if you have your life planned out for you, or at least part of it, it almost always happens the way others wanted it too. I can't say anything but 'wow' at this point. It's so touching. :D

[rrarbecy]

I have three things to say.

1. That first paragraph was frickin' awesome. awwwwyeah.

2. February 5th is my sister's birthday and 1989 is my birth year. Quite a coincidence.

3. :eek: You are frickin' awesome. I'm nowhere near as avid a BB/Rae supporter as a Robin/Star supporter, so I'm okay with this. You are frickin' awesome. I have to say that Raven and Jeff are perfect for each other. You are frickin' awesome. That last part of the chapter was ingeniously written. You are frickin' awesome. Sorry I keep repeating myself, but I have to be sure I'm getting my point across.

Afternote: I hope Raven and Jeff aren't doing what I think they're going to do, because they're 15.

[Alpha Man]

February 5th is my sister's birthday and 1989 is my birth year. Quite a coincidence.Also, it's also the original airdate of Birthmark. which is Raven's Birthday. thus, i concluded that she was born on February 5th. and, trying to somewhat define her age for you readers, i gave her the birthyear 1989. so.... how old would she be now?


...they're 15.actually, i said that they were definitely over 15, but no specific age was determined. Teen Titans.;)


:eek: You are frickin' awesome. I'm nowhere near as avid a BB/Rae supporter as a Robin/Star supporter, so I'm okay with this. You are frickin' awesome. I have to say that Raven and Jeff are perfect for each other. You are frickin' awesome. That last part of the chapter was ingeniously written. You are frickin' awesome. Sorry I keep repeating myself, but I have to be sure I'm getting my point across.yay! i finally feel like decent writer! thank you so much!:D

[Aquagirl15]

Yes DJ... what you think they're doing is what they're doing. I had the same reaction too.


You finally feel like a decent writer? Trust me, you've been one for a long time. :D

[rrarbecy]

If they were born on February 5, 1989, then they're...16. Okay, I wasn't even a year off. Don't kill me.

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 24

Hell.

Perdition.

Robin found himself surrounded by flames on each end. There was no way out. His ice discs quinched some of the fire's lust for something to burn, but Robin was soon out. The flame was going to consume him. He blocked with his cape, then in one swift motion, used it to blow the fire away. But he was in Hell. Everything was fire. Robin saw a figure walk through the flames, the embers, the scorched ground. The figure was a tall man, wearing black and gray, and had on a mask divided down the middle. One side black, the other dark orange.

"Hello, little boy, want to play?"

"You!? I'll kill you!" Robin leapt at him, but he was not really there. He vanished. Robin feet were engulfed in flame now, the fire rising up to his face. He could feel his flesh burning, melting. He could smell it.

Robin looked off in the distance to see the figure have a chuckle. He chuckled as he said, "That's precious, Robin."

Those words echoed through Robin's mind, along with the endless chuckle.

"SLADE!?!"

Robin was back in his room, it was only a dream. Slade still haunted him.

He sat up in bed, and thought he heard something from Raven's room, but he thought nothing of it.



---


The next morning, Raven felt a part of the bed next to her. No one was there. Nothing was there, save an imprint.

She sat up, the blankets covering up to her bare shoulders. She wiped her face.

For the first time in a long time, Raven was warm.

Not just 'not cold,' but actually warm.

She didn't shiver.

She got up, and reached for the small pink bathrobe. It went down to just above the knee. She heard a sizzling sound.

She walked barefoot into the living room, to see Jeff cooking breakfast.

"Morning, honey." he said looking at the pink vestment, "Ah! My favorite color!"

Raven loved that, she had never ever been called 'honey' before. It was a nice change. Jeff was wearing his jeans, an undershirt, and no shoes.

She went up to him, and kissed him on the cheek.

"Would you like some eggs, bacon, waffles, or pancakes?"

She smiled, "A little bit of everything."

Cyborg yawned as he walked in. "Mmmm! Mmmm! Somethin' smells good!"

"Breakfast."

Robin and Starfire walked in. "Oh delighfully glorious! Jeff has cooked the meal for which we must break the fast!"

"Er, thanks, Jeff. But shouldn't we be looking for Dracula?"

"Not right now. The sun still shines on this part of the world. Besides, I just want everyone to enjoy this time."

After they had finished eating, Jeff walked over to Raven.

"I can't tell you how grateful for you letting me stay in your house."

"It was nothing." Raven answered calmly, "When we get back, we'll have plenty of time for (she whispered something in his ear) okay?"

Jeff just smiled, and didn't say anything.

Finally he said, "Would you like to meditate?"

Raven was surprised by this question, she hadn't meditated in days. "No. I don't think I need to anymore."

Jeff just nodded.

For the few hours of daylight that remained, Cyborg played video games. Robin trained his fighting skills. Starfire yodled her Tamaranian folk lores. Raven and Jeff sat on the couch, and cuddled. BB still in his "coma."

When the perpetual darkness shrouded the Tower, they suited up.

Robin said to them, "My computer has tracked the source of the black fog. It's Mount Everest."

[rrarbecy]

NOT MT. EVEREST!!!!! Well, at least they can climb it pretty easily. If it was K2, then there would be trouble.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

hmmm... well, you can't argue with destiny. I haven't read the latest chapter yet, but will soon.

does everyone know how punnet squares work to predict genetics? I won't go into too much detail, but assuming they do have a child (like chapter 23 seems to sugest) then seeing as raven is half demon and jeff is pure human that would mean:
there is a 50% chance that the child will be fully human and a 50% chance it will be half demon.

<edit>

I read the other chapter and had AC \ DC cranked the whole time. oh yeah!
"She was a fast machine
she kept the motor clean
she was the best damn woman that I ever seen..."

anyway, you continue to improve overall. this is very good and quite frankly, I can't wait until Beast Boy wakes up and she is forced to tell the other Titans. That will be the best chapter (in my oponion). Keep up the quality!

[theplasticone]

Ten cookie points say that Jeff is based on Jango Fett from the Star Wars universe.

Am I right? :zim:

[Alpha Man]

Make it two cookies. Yes, partially.

[Crowgirl]

All right Everest! Here we come!!!! :p :D :anime: :)

[Alpha Man]

can someone get Kregor8 to review this so I can give you guys the next installment?

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 25

The jet sped off toward the direction where the black fog came from. It became harder and harder to see. Finally they saw that it was a tall volcano, making thick smoke. Mount Everest was ruined.

"It doesn't look like there's any way of extinguishing it." Robin said gravely

"Perhaps a big enough explosion could smother it?" Jeff inquired

"Yes... maybe." Robin said thoughtfully, "Anyway, legend says that Dracula lives in Translyvania, right?"

"True. But no one else lives there now."

"Right! So that means that the only activity we see there will be Dracula!"

The jet sped off to its new destination. When they arrived, Cybrog surveyed the area from the jet.

"There's nowhere to land close enough to the Castle. I guess we'll have to land just outside the lake."

The jet landed, wind blowing from it as it did.

"Alright. Jeff, Raven, and Cyborg, you infiltrate the castle."

"But what about the fog?" Raven asked

"Let me worry about that," he said, "Starfire, you coming with me."

The hatchway closed, leaving the three of them in the creepiest and most dismal place on Earth. The air appeared to be a very damp and dreary fog, like in the early morning dew, before the sun rose. The place where they landed, just outside the village, looked as if it served as a primary place for burial grounds. With dirt covered skeleton bones covering the ground, it looked like an outside crypt. It made Raven's flesh crawl. The ground itself was constantly wet and muddy, like it had just rained, with a small, spine-tingling mist that shrouded the area as you walked. Raven saw two little red eyes appear in the mist. She tapped Jeff. Just as he looked, the small pair of red eyes was joined by countless others. The pair of eyes lunged out of the mist, showing the decrepit, hunched body attached to it. It was one of Dracula's minions. A mindless zombie, a rotting carcass.

Suddenly, all the eyes leapt out and charged with a frenzy toward the three. Cyborg was scared out of his wits, for he never saw anything so scary, not even in a horror movie. Jeff drew his pistols. And began firing.

"W-- What are those things?" Cyborg asked, his voice shaking

"Not sure. But whatever they are, they can smell fear, and want to devour flesh."

With a high-pitch screach and growl they came, Raven pushing them back with her powers and tearing their heads off. Jeff firing, one blast taking each one down at a time. Cyborg stood back, firing his sonic cannon, wiping them out.

"Let's proceed." Jeff said

Cyborg didn't move.

"C'mon Cyborg, you don't want to be left here all alone, do you?"

This immediately changed Cyborg's perspective. He walked with them. They approached a place where skulls littered the floor, and ancient ruins of Satan worshippers were seen. The mist became thicker. It was very quiet. Fallen statues of demons and devils were seen. The expressions on their faces would scare even the bravest of souls. Occasional campfires crackled their embers, it was the only sound heard, besides the faint howl of the wind. They came to a cliff, looking down upon a lake where the mist stemed from. Large statues lay half sunking in the lake. It was crawling with Dracula's minions. The lake appeared to only be ankle deep. The minions were not affected by it.

"Welcome to Death Lake. It is pure acid. Going for a swim would not be a good idea."

"So how to we get across? I mean, I can fly."

"Well, my jetpack won't boost me all the way across. I guess we'll have to make our way over the fallen rubble and statues."

"Man, no way!" Cyborg whispered loudly. Cyborg noticed that in the center of Death Lake was a very, very large skull, half submerged, face pointing up. He then saw a large ribcage that connected to a medium size tower that was tilted on an angle. Small fires, and sounds of cracking embers and sparks leaving the flames, filled the area with a sense of nausea.

"We have to. If we stay on the rubble, and not in the lake itself, then the minions can't get us."

"Oh alright, but I still don't like it."

"I'll go first, shall I?" Jeff said bravely, and with confidence

"Be careful." Raven whispered

"I do not fear death."

[rrarbecy]

*sings*Everything dies baby, that's a fact. But maybe everything that dies, someday comes back. Put your makeup on and dress your hair up pretty. And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.*finishes*
Sorry. That last line reminded me of that song.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaanyway, I liked how you made Cyborg afraid of the zombie-like creatures. The acid lake was a nice touch, too.

[Crowgirl]

Basically his thoughts. :D You know what else I think, so you can post now. :p

[Alpha Man]

That last line reminded me of that song.wow. well i got the idea from Aragorn in Return of the King just before he goes into the mountain. that is, if any of you Tolkein fans actually bought the four hour extended version. yay!:D

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 26

Jeff stepped down on a sturdy coffin in the lake of acid. The minions were crawling around, but none of them seemed to notice him. He beckoned to Raven and Cyborg to come down. Raven allowed Cyborg to go next, since he was not so sure of himself.

"See that skull? That's are next target."

Cyborg nodded.

Jeff knew that once he boosted into the air that all the minions would notice him. He had to act quickly. Raven held Cyborg aloft with her powers. Jeff boosted into the air. All of the little eyes turned from where they were looking at the sound. All were watching him. He landed safely on the large skull. Raven and Cyborg followed.

The minions were too stupid and too mindless to get up there. They thought they couldn't jump high enough, when they could have just climbed. They were very stupid.

"What now?" Cyborg asked, he couldn't take his eyes off the mummy-wrapped zombies.

"Over to the ribcage, and into the tower."

Cyborg gulped in fear and doubt.

"Same plan." Jeff assured him

They flew over to the ribcage, safe from the zombies, landed on the bones, and dropped into the nearby tower. It was very dark, nothing could be seen. Cyborg used his shoulder light to illuminate the area. Raven lowered all of them down to the bottom. A very faint light could be seen in the distance, a pathway. Flickers. Cyborg dimmed his light so as not to draw attention. They were in catacombs, under the lake itself. Small sounds of drips were heard.

Nothing more.

The catacombs were a frightening sight to behold. Little nooks and crannines housed dead bodies and bones. Raven noticed the room covered with inscriptions in Azarathian language. The smell of decaying flesh and sulfur filled the air. The light mist trailed here also. It was very quiet. Not a sound was made. Jeff's eyes scanned the room. Raven sensed an ambush. Cyborg had never been so afraid in his entire life. He was usually never so cowardly, that was more Beast Boy's thing. But then again, Cyborg had never encountered a bloodsucking, vampire-hellbeast thing with thousands of mindless assassins, and their only goal was to tear him apart! The silence was broken by a single crack. A bone crack. Someone stepped on a bone. It was not Jeff. It was not Raven. And it certainly was not Cyborg. A faint growl was heard. It echoed. The growls circled the room.

Suddenly it seemed like a million minions had surrounded them! They attacked.

"Come on!" Jeff screamed, as he torched them to a crisp with his flamethrower. He fried at least twenty.

Raven made a motion like she was parting the Red Sea, clearing the immediate area of any threats.

"Let's Move!" Jeff called to Cyborg as he and Raven ran farther into the catacombs. Cyborg caught up to them. More minions were coming through the same way that the three had entered. Cyborg used his sonic cannon to bring part of the ceiling down, blocking off the area's transition.

The three walked through the dismal gravesite, Dracula knew they were here.

Are you coming to get me? The voice hissed in each one of their minds

I feel your presence. Followed by a sinister, echoing laugh. But Raven heard something that no one else heard.

So far away from your home, Raven, you must feel all alone. A long pause, then.

Let's play.

Suddenly, the floor opened below Cyborg, he fell deeper into the ground beneath.

"Cyborg!" Raven called, but she knew that she could not do anything now.

Cyborg landed with a grunt of pain. He turned on his light to see a horde of minions. He was about to face his worst fear.

They hissed.

Cyborg' fear left him at that moment, and all he felt was rage.

"Time to kick some demon butt!" He cried

[Rae]

These last chapters have been good!

You describe the creepy hell-like place well and it's not short of action! The way Cyborg has to face his fear of the zombie creatures is a good touch!

Look forward to reading more!

Rae

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I don't know how I seem to fall behind like I do, but lo! I am here! sorry it took me so long to show my face since that game of PM-tag, but I felt the need to do some research before I posted. my only major complaint is this... Where are the forests of 6 foot blood stained pikes!

being a Dracula fan I would have thought you would have done enough research to know that Dracula was based upon Vlad "the impaler" Dracula!
this guy :>: http://www.utexas.edu/features/archive/2003/graphics/vampires4.jpg

who did this to thousands of people :>: http://website.lineone.net/~mrpunch/x_vladst.gif

for more information click on the link below :V:

NOTE! NOT FOR THE WEAK OF HEART OR THE SQUEEMISH! even though it is all text, it describes vlad's brutality in extensive detail.

http://www.vladtheimpaler.com/vlad_the_impaler_bio_001.htm

other than that I would say that the past two chapters were very good! the only thing I would suggest you pay attention to is the fight sceenes, particuraly in the most recent chapters. the first battle between Jeff and Red X was perfect and very well choreographed, but the most recent one seems to fall just short of that high water mark made by that first major magnificent battle. I'd be glad to try and give you help or pre read your next fight sceene for you if you would like. don't get me wrong! it was good, but there is room for improvment and I know you have the capacity to fullfill your potential! :cool:

[Alpha Man]

basically, I needed to get rid of the whole minion thing. obviously, if I wrote it in such a way that they completely avoided the deadlies, then I'd think a few readers would raise an eyebrow and comment on the lack of minion battle. I needed to get Raven and Jeff alone so that the final, climactic battle against Dracula can commence.

how would you like me to send you the next fight scenes? PM?

just as a sidenote, the minions are the millions of people that Dracula killed. they are the undead. Notice his name was "Count Vladislaus Dracula" after Vlad. anyway, he is not exactly Vlad the Impaler, and he is not exactly Bram Stroker's Dracula. He is my Dracula. Dracula as I see him. Hopefully, you picture him the same way, but I still try to maintain the conventions by throwing in little details that fulfill your image of him. Thus, I provide pictures of what I think he looks like so that you can understand and see him as I see him.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

gotcha! and pm would be fine. I'll see what I can do with it and give you what pointers I can. :)

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 27

Jeff and Raven came out of what seemed to be enless tunnels from the catacombs. When they exited, they were on the other side of the lake. A large, broken bridge connected it to the Castle. They both flew over, being sure not to fall into the abyss below. They landed at the very tall gates of Castle Dracula. It was the door, the entrance. Unlike the area that surrounded it, the entire Castle was snow-covered. Even here, at the door, Raven and Jeff stood in two inch deep snow.

"Ready?" Jeff asked. Raven responded with a simple nod.

She phased them both through the door with her powers, and the Castle had a very old, medieval look. Raven telepathically searched the Castle, locating Dracula at the inner sanctum, the very heart of his lair.

"We have to make our way through the maze of this castle." Jeff said with no concern.

"Yes. But it will be no maze. For I have telepathically scanned the whole area."

Jeff smiled at this. They began to walk slowly down a hallway. In this castle, there were no carpets, just stone. Just stony bricks lined the walls, formed it. It was like a dungeon, a prision. Very dark and dreary. Chains for torture lined the walls, skeletons on them. Dracula's victims no doubt. They silently passed minions in the corners, them not noticing the two. They climbed a long flight of stony steps, winding up to the top. It was not very high though.

Jeff had his flamethrower ready if any minions were to attack. After climbing the stairs, they passed through two very large wooden doors. Ten minions were ready for them. Jeff's flamethrower did not let them get close, as he cooked six. He left the other four for Raven to have her fun. They made quite a team.

They passed over a large junction, over a pit, one that looked bottomless. After that, they were only a few feet away from Dracula's inner sanctum. Two stairways half-circled up to the same destination. The two walked up them, and opended the two tall metal doors to Dracula's domain. Next to the door was a prodigous fireplace. The room had six large columns, three on each side of the wall. Ancient weapons displayed by each ones. Spears, swords, crossbows, etc. A small stairway of about six steps led to the end of the large room, with small blue lights leading the way. There at the end, was the Vampire Lord's resting place. A coffin, vertically stationed. Bright, blue smoke steamed out below it, forming in the shape of a skull, which enshrouded the coffin. And next to it was a large chair. In it sat Dracula, eyes stared forward. His chin rested on his fist.

"Hello, Hector." he said pleasantly



---


Robin and Starfire flew very fast in the jet back to Titans Tower. They landed, disembarked, and entered the building.

"Robin, what is your plan of attack? How are you to stop the black foggy smoke that plagues the Earth in perpetual darkness?"

"Jeff said that a big enough explosion might smother it. I'm willing to take the chance."

Starfire did not understand what he was getting at, "So what are you going to use to smother it?"

"Get Beast Boy to the escape pod."



---


Dracula arose, and looked at the two visitors.

"Hector, why did you become a monster hunter?"

"I was promised to it."

"Yes, but did you promise? Or were you forced to?"

"No. I made the choice."

"Oh yes. So that you could destroy me, is that it, Hector? Why do you hate me so much?"

Jeff paused and then said very clearly, "I don't hate you. You are my father. I can't hate you. What I do hate, Dad, is the horrors that you have committed upon this world. I hate the actions that you have taken against humanity, the millions of lives you have taken. The people you destroyed."

Dracula did not say anything.

Jeff continued, "Look at what you're doing now, Dad! Look at why you are doing it! You block out the sun, which will lead to the many deaths of plants and livestock, all so you can take your revenge on the humans. All so you can feast on them."

"Yes, but I need to survive. I need blood. You must eat to survive, Hector, and so must I."

"Don't do this, Dad. Please."

"You could have been a great warrior for me, Hector. You could have been a valuable ally. But you chose this life. Was it worth it?"

Jeff looked at Raven, "Yes."

"Then you are not my son. You are dead to me."

Jeff drew his pistols, "It didn't have to be this way."

"Yes. It did." Dracula said, the wrath showing on his face.



---


Starfire carried Beast Boy in her arms, still scared of him from what happened before. But her attention was not on that. When she had returned, the whole living room had changed to a command deck.

"Robin, I do not understand."

"Cyborg designed the Tower to be able to jetison itself in case of emergencies. In case the Earth was going to blow up or something. I think that the Tower itself will provide a big enough explosion to smother the fog generating mountain."

"But Robin, our home!"

"No time to discuss it, Star! I'm the leader of this team and I have made a decision. Take Beast Boy to the escape pod, and I'll meet you there."

Starfire quickly flew to the far East end of the T. It was a rectangular room, not to big for comfort. Starfire set him down, then spoke into the communication box.

"Beast Boy is secure, Robin."

"Good." Robin's electronic voice responded

The hatchway to the escape pod suddenly shut! Starfire was very surprised and shocked.

"Robin?! No! Robin! What are you doing! Robin!" She pounded on the door with all her strength. But it was no use, Cyborg designed the escape pods to withstand anything. Lava, water, fire, anything. Starfire was not scared because Robin was not with her, she was scared because there was no other escape pods.

"Robin! Why?!!" She cried

The escape pod shot out of the T and into the water that surrounded the island. The Tower revealed liftoff engine turbine necells, three on each wing. The Tower lifted off the ground and flew away, while Starfire and an unconscious Beast Boy were left in a sinking yet safe escape pod.

Starfire continued to struggle and pound, "Robin! No! Robin! Why?!! Robin! Please respond!"

"It's no use, you can't break out."

"But, Robin. Why?" She said, her voice croaked with sadness

"I can't take the chance that the Tower steers off course. I'll have to make sure it reaches Mount Everest, personally."

"Robin... No..." She said slowly through tears

Robin cut the line, jamming communication. He left her with...

"Goodbye, Star."

[rrarbecy]

YOU DID NOT!!! This would be the second time I've said that over the course of this story. I say it because it made ANOTHER great plot twist. You're a genius! Better than me at least.

[Rae]

Robin's going to die!:crying: NO!!!!!!

That was definatly one of your best chapters!

The scene with Jeff and Drac. was good, Jeff trying to get Drac to see his way while Drac trying to get Jeff to see his way, very well written

The robin/Star bit....:crying: NO!!!!!!! He can't do that! (have you seen Justice League ep. Starcrossed? because Batman had to steer the watchtower into something, this reminded my of it!)

Rae

[Alpha Man]

where's Kregor? he like hasn't touched this in ages.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

I think Kregor only goes on once and a while, I havn't seen him around much either. Perhaps he just has a bunch of homework. eitherway, This last chapter was very well laid out and switching between the two plots was great for the over all chapter. The thing with Robin and Starfire was genious. and for some reason i was thinking about the same thing with the JL episode.

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 28

In a small storage warehouse, a man in a black robe and hood walked into the light. He was joined by six others.

It was Ubu.

"My master's legacy will not end like this. It will continue."

"But, sir, what do you propose we do? We are but the last of Ra's Al Ghul's organization."

"We shall do what the master has intended. We shall put this organization to good use."

"What are you suggesting?" He asked Ubu.

"We shall form the grandest international terrorist organization that has ever walked the Earth. Our venom shall be like that of a snake's, and we will strike out at all who oppose us. The master's legacy, of world domination, is our goal. Currently, we are not so powerful. But in fifty years, we shall have a huge influence over large industries and major powers. We shall be called... The Kobra."


---

Dracula just stood there. His opponents were not worthy of his Hellbeast form. Not yet.

Jeff boosted into the air, firing his pistols. Dracula suddenly disappeared.

He reappeared walking on the wall, as if it were the ground itself, calm and composed.

"So," Dracula smirked, looking at both of them, "How far did you go?"

Jeff sent a mini-missile at him, but it was to no avail, for he again vanished and reappeared in another location. But the explosion did produce some debris, and it gave Raven ideas.

She cried, "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" as she levitated several rocks and hurled them dynamically at Dracula. Holding out his fist, he smashed any rocks that came near him. He leapt into the air, up to Jeff, who unleashed his flamethrower. Dracula inhaled and blew the flame back at him. With a yell, Jeff was pushed to the ground by his own flames. Dracula stood over him. The pistols out of Jeff's hands.

Dracula extended his hand in a manner of perverse and twisted bliss love, offering his son a chance to join him. Jeff did not move.

Suddenly Dracula's eyes widened as he turned his head to see part of a broken column sail through the air. It hit him squarely in the chest, knocking him off his feet and carrying him into the fireplace, causing a flash of intense light and heat. It was Raven. She stood, breathing slowly, as if she had just thrown a very heavy load, which it probably was. As quickly as she could, she ran to Jeff to see if he was all right.

For a moment, Dracula was too stunned to move. He felt the weight of the column on him and he allowed the heat to burn his flesh. He had been surprised; Raven, a girl, had surprised him, caught him off guard. That had not happened in decades, perhaps longer. The count looked forward to destroying Raven when the time came. He pushed the column off himself, sending it across the room. He charged out. Though his face was burned, it took but a minute to regenerate and change that.

"Very impressive, Azarathian. I did not expect that." He said, fixing his hair back into the hairclip so he would look presentable.

In the next instant he was beside Raven and backhanded her. The smack was so strong that it sent her flying several feet.

"Raven!" Jeff cried out, rushing to save her. He was stopped abruptly by Dracula, who grasped him firmly by the shoulders.

"No no, Hector.”

Jeff struggled to get free. He did, but in the process Dracula scratched the jetpack, damaging it. It began to spark. Jeff knew that it would only be a few seconds before it exploded, thus only a few seconds to live. He got down on one knee facing Dracula, who was slowly walking toward him; Jeff lowered his back so it was parallel to the ground. He partially-unstrapped his jetpack, and boosted. It flew off from him like a bat out of hell. Like a rocket.

Dracula tried to catch it, but it hit him too hard. The jetpack carried the vampire all around the room, making rapid turns, spins, and swirls -- leaving a trail of smoke behind. It finally crashed him into the ceiling, with a large explosion. Dracula fell to the ground from the high ceiling, pieces of debris and stone with him, crushing him.

Jeff knew that it would not hold him for long. He went and joined Raven.

Dracula's hand shot out of the pile of rubble. His hand was distorted and broken. The fingers were bent in odd positions and pointed in directions they were not supposed to. Dracula climbed out slowly, with several grunts, and then stood up quickly, brushing the pebbles off him. His eyebrow was over the eye, a sign that the face was smashed. The mouth and the nose were bent also, but in different directions. Dracula looked like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, his left shoulder lower than his right. He stepped out, and slowly began to heal himself. He went from the hideous, deformed abomination and returned to the handsome man. He smiled viciously.

He appeared just then between Raven and Jeff. With a forced push from the palm, he knocked Jeff away. He then turned to Raven, his fangs and fingernails extended. Raven trembled as she slowly backed off. Dracula now had a very menacing look as he was about to feast on his prey.

“I can see why you love her, Hector. She is truly beautiful, and looks delicious!” The vampire hissed, as he licked his lips sensually.

While his body moved, the pupils of the eyes never lost sight of their target.

Dracula felt great pain in his back, passing through his body, his torso.

He looked down to see the edge of a spear emerge from his stomach.

Dracula reached around to his back and pulled out the spear, "You can't kill me, Hector. I'm already dead."

He then looked at the spear and then at Raven. Malicious wickedness filled his face, flooded his mind. Moving nothing but his arm, he threw the spear at her as if it were weightless.

A final thought entered Jeff's mind in a split second, This Is It.

He hurled himself with all the might and strength that God had given him.

In one final leap to save her, the spear soared through the air, and Jeff's armor failed him.

The spear hit him just above the stomach, puncturing a lung, and cutting through the spine.

He was instantly paralyzed.

He fell to the floor like a lifeless ragdoll.

Dracula shrieked at what he had done.

His only son.

He put his hand over his eyes.

Raven gasped and remembered what Jeff said. She ran to him, knelt down, and laid his head on her thighs, in her hands.

She removed the mask from his face to see Jeff struggling for air.

Struggling to breathe.

Raven's eyes watered... and the tears began to flow.

"No," she said softly, "I... I made a promise..."

"So did I..."

She kissed his forehead, then placing hers in contact with his.

Jeff felt the tears touch and flow onto his face.

Cold tears.

She felt the tip of the spear through his back, the same back that she had wrapped her arms around last night, her palms and fingers that traced the scars from torture.

She held his hand.

It was going cold.

He still gasped for air, his eyes searching to see Raven's face one last time.

She touched his cheek with the back of her hand. Her fingers travelled through his hair.

Then she kissed him.

In his final breath, Jeff looked into her eyes, the tears streaming down her face, and muttered, "It... is... finished."

His eyes shut, his chest lowered, the breath escaped him.

His hand loosened, and fell.

It was cold as ice.

He was gone.

Raven then felt all the warmth in her body leave her, and she was cold again.

She wailed in sadness.

So passes Jeffrey... Son of Dracula.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Fine Job! Fine Job indeed! You have significantly improved the fight sceene since it has left my hands. this is an excelent fight sceene, and the tension was so thick you would need a lightsaber to cut it. (Nerd alert! Nerd alert!) aaaaaanyway, Dracula's commentary helped to make it all the more sentimental at the end. very nice. :)

[rrarbecy]

Being the IDIOT that I am, I ended up reading the last sentence first. I should hav remembered that your last sentence is almost always your most important. DAMN!!!!!

Having said that....YOU ARE MORE THAN AWESOME! oho, that was amazing. Better than anything I've ever written. Plain great. You DO know that "it is finished" were the last words of Jesus. Of course this is kind of religion based, so I'm sure that's what you intended. I can't wait to see what Raven does to Count Vladislaus Dragula.

[Alpha Man]

Foist and foimost, I'd like to thank Shadow of a Ghost for his help on chapter 28, he really made it so much better. so he deserves the credit.:D


Being the IDIOT that I am, I ended up reading the last sentence first. I should hav remembered that your last sentence is almost always your most important. DAMN!!!!!yeah... I try to force myself not to do that. It is hard. what you do is you go to the last thing you sent in, then read what else has been submitted. but don't look at the last thing another guy said.


Having said that....YOU ARE MORE THAN AWESOME! oho, that was amazing. Better than anything I've ever written. Plain great. You DO know that "it is finished" were the last words of Jesus. Of course this is kind of religion based, so I'm sure that's what you intended.thank you. Yes, that was the allusion. I put about a million of them in the story, little nicks here and there for you, the reader, to notice.

stay tuned, or in this case read, for the climactic *drum roll* Chapter 29! you wont be disappointed!

[rrarbecy]

We'd BETTER not be, Mr. Alpha. :mad:

[Rae]

I know you like us to write decent reviews but all i can say is

WOW!

and what has already been siad so i won't bore you by repeating it

I eagerly anticipate the next chapter as i still want to know what happened to Robin

Rae

[Alpha Man]

"No Homework...
...no chores...
...no bad guys allowed...
an all new episode of Teen Titans, Saturday afternoon.

The kids are all right.
Only Alpha Man."

yeah I'm thinking of saturday, I want Kregor8 to review this so far before I submit another one, so you'll be left in anticipation until the Kreg decides to read it.

hurry Kregor!

[Alpha Man]

The big ol' finale is comin!

Chapter 29!

be ready!

(should I give a sneek peek?)

<EDIT> Holy Crap! Ten Pages! Omigosh! Yay!:D
I have hit the ten mark! and with how many chapters? It is time to celebrate!:anime:

[Rae]

[<EDIT> Holy Crap! Ten Pages! Omigosh! Yay!:D
I have hit the ten mark! and with how many chapters? It is time to celebrate!:anime:
Paaarrrty, Paaarrrty, Paaarrrty!

Sorry!:o couldn't helpo myself!

Rae

[Alpha Man]

could you get Kregor, Raven37, Crowgirl, and Aquagirl15 to read this? I think they've like completely forgotten it.

party! party! party! pass the chips and salsa! hiya! bum! bum bum! bum!!

yo! don't double dip the chip!

what?

I said don't double dip the chip!

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Kregor doesn't seem to come online all that often and Raven37 is often swamped with work. as for the other two I don't know what their excuse is.

[rrarbecy]

Kregor doesn't seem to come online all that often and Raven37 is often swamped with work. as for the other two I don't know what their excuse is.
Yeah. You should know that, since you started complaining when he commented on my story.

As for ten pages, this is what I do whenever I hit a milestone.

I'TS PARTY TIME!! P-A-R-T! WHY? BECAUSE I GOTTA!!!!

[Alpha Man]

okay yo. Kregor promised to review the latest chapters if I review his music, "Real Tricks"
It's a mix from Bunny Raven. I love it!!!:D Wonder if Kreg did it himself! Wow! Anyway, Mumbo Jumbo says the last line. It was hilarious! I'm totally saving it to my favoritas.

so that means... A Kregor8 Review! Yay! Keep your promise Kregor, I will not submit the finale until you review. That is, unless some of the readers beg me, which i dont think will happen.;)

[Anime]

oh my gosh! wow! this is the best fic ever! you are a frickin genius! I see like a million references to other stories all tied into one! there is no one else on this frickin planet who cuda thought of that!:D

you so rock!

wait a minute, why aren't you in the HoF?

[Alpha Man]

i think i entered too late, but thanks. I'm glad you like my story.

[Anime]

like it? I love it! Jeff is the best character ever created!!!:D
I can totally see that he truly loves Raven.

I can't understand why the other guys on this site don't recognize your genius and read your story first. I mean, I've read a lot of the others, like All or Nothing, Color Wheel, Girl called Crow, The Shadow... and like, none o dem even come close to yours!!!!!

i can't wait for the next chapter! I hope the climax is good.;)

[Alpha Man]

I can't understand why the other guys on this site don't recognize your genius and read your story first.hmmm... er, thank you... I think.

[Anime]

I'm sorry, I think I'm obsessed with your story. I must have more!!!!!!:D

[Alpha Man]

thanks, nice to have a fan. you didn't need to put my story in your signature, though.:o

[rrarbecy]

Yo, don't think that we don't realize Alpha's genius. THere are just so many AMAZING authors on this site that it's hard to choose.

[theplasticone]

'Bout Robin and the Tower...

This isn't going to turn out to be another Doomsday Sanction, will it?

[Anime]

Alpha Man will take us where we wants to take us, I am fully confident in his awesome writing capability.

[Alpha Man]

yeah. I dont think Kregor is going to keep his promise, since his last action was on the March 5th at 8:00, and I reviewed his music before then.

I might submit the climax in a few minutes, or if anyone has any objections

[Alpha Man]

Chapter 29

"Shepherd me, O God! Beyond my wants! Beyond my fears! From death into life.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Though I walk through the valley... of painfulness and death
I fear no evil... for You are at my side.
Your rod and your staff give me courage
in Your Name."

--Pslam 23, The Bible

Raven held the dead hunter in her arms, his blood now making a puddle.

The tears still flowed, down her cheeks.

She looked up above, toward God.

Hector's father felt only rage, hatred. It consumed him.

Raven. It was her fault. If it weren't for her, Hector would still be alive.

If it weren't for her, he would have joined Dracula.

He knew he must kill Raven.

Dracula quickly walked over to the Azarathian, grabbed her jaw fiercely, and looked into her eyes. They were still looking upward. She did not move. Raven was in too much shock from what had just happened. She felt so much pain. She fell into despair, and lost all hope. Jeff was gone.

The Vampire's fangs grew very long, and he slowly made to bite her.

But just as the tips of his teeth touched the brim of her neck... they were singed.

Raven's skin burned them.

He could not bite her!

As he held her, feet above the ground, a thick yet clear white smoke-like breath escaped her mouth.

When Dracula saw this, he dropped her, causing her to come to her senses.

Dracula knew. He stared in fear at Raven's stomach. He pointed his index finger at it. He now knew.

When Raven saw this, her power surged. The changes inside her were accelerating.

Her eyes emitted the same white breath that came from her mouth. Something from Jeff was making her more powerful. A piece of him. A memory.
Raven began to shake as raw power seemed to flood into her from all sides--as well as from the inside. She sensed something within her swelling, at first small but powerful, then large and overwhelming. Suddenly it seemed as if her clothes and skin could no longer contain her and she felt herself expanding, shedding something unimportant as she grew in power. Raven screamed in rage as she was transformed into pure energy, in the form of a large raven. It seemed so real. It was. Raven knew the power would leave her when the sun shone.

Dracula laughed. Outloud. Laughed.

It was not a laugh from amusement, but because his son had succeeded.

But then The Raven slowly began to approach him, stepping over the dead Jeff's body.

All that mattered was Dracula.

The Raven saw fear in the devil's eyes. Her Enemy feared her.

Her Enemy feared The Raven.



---


Titans Tower sped threw the air, Robin at the controls. Strapped in.

He turned on his communication link to Cyborg.

"Robin? How much more time do you need?"

"As much as you can give me. We're cutting it a little close."

Cyborg continue to burrow his way through the countless minions that tried to dogpile and catscratch him.

"I'll have the fog cleared in a view minutes," Robin noted.

"Alright, man! The sun is up! You just need to cut off the source and it will do the rest."

"Excellent. Robin out."

Cyborg continued to fight off the demons, not suspecting a thing.

The T gained speed.


---

For the first time in centuries, Dracula took a step back in retreat.

"Raven, we are both monsters, you and I. God has betrayed us both! You need not be my enemy! We both loved the same person, Raven!"

The Raven squaked in rage. It pounced at the adversary.

At this, Dracula summoned his winged bat form of the Hellbeast.

It was a last resort.

He sprang at her, the two monsters colliding in mid-jump.

The world seemed to spark at their quiet but fierce battle.

The Hellbeast clawed at her in the back, and beat her down to the ground with its fists.

The Raven rolled around and shot out a blast of intense red light from her beak.

This sent the Hellbeast into the wall.

The Raven flew up to it, pinned it, and began scratching fierecly with her talons.

Dracula grabbed her beak and thrust her down to the floor.

He landed out of breath, still the Hellbeast, and noticed that he could not heal from these wounds.

The Raven got up, attacked him. She grabbed him by the shoulders with her talons and hurled him into a wall.

She went back to him, pulled him to the ground, the Hellbeast struggling to get away.

One talon grabbed his head, the other grabbed the end of a wing.

They pulled in opposite directions.

She tore his wing.

He screeched in pain, like a bat.


---

"Robin! No! Robin! Robin! Please No!" Starfire pounded continuously.

She stopped shortly and looked at Beast Boy, once the Werebeast. She shivered from the memory.

She turned back to the closed door and pounded harder, screaming "Robin! Please!"

Beast Boy slightly opened his eyes to see Starfire pounding fiercely on the door. He had no idea where they were.

He groaned softly.

Starfire gave a small yelp of surprise and fear. But she soon forgot all that.

She shook Beast Boy violently, "Robin is in danger! Robin is in danger! Wake up! Wake! Up!"

Beast Boy shook his head, drooling. He could not focus, not very well, at least.

But he could focus enough to transform into a blue whale, the largest mammal on earth.

The escape pod could withstand many things, but it could not withstand that.

The pod was shattered into pieces, fragments.

Starfire speedily soared out of the water and after the flying T.

Beast Boy came ashore, not understanding anything...

And went back to sleep.


---

The Raven closed in on her prey.

Dracula became the dapper human once a again.

"You are being used, Raven! As was I! But I escaped! I achieved Freedom! So can you!"

He limped away quickly, The Raven lunged at him again. He morphed back into the Hellbeast.

He tried to get away from The Raven, the predator. Her beak clenched onto his ankle, and with the other foot, he tried to kick her away, kick her off.

He flapped violently, but to no avail. The Raven seized him again, and slammed him into a column. She pecked very hard into his back, making him cry out in agony. He turned around and slashed her in the face, but she returned the favor with a bite in the neck. A hard bite. Dracula tried unsuccessfully to remove her jaw from his throat.

When she finally let go, he scrambled to flee.

But The Raven was not done with him yet.

She held him with her talons and mashed his devilish face into the ground.

Dracula reached behind him, clutched her by the talons and tossed her forward.

He then lunged at her and wrestled her in mid-air. Smashing her into walls, and her doing the same to him.

The Hellbeast was on her back, trying to lead her into a solid surface to cause a major impact. The Raven flapped hard and thrust them both into the ceiling, causing massive debris to press them to the ground.


---

The T was so close now that the smoke was so intense that to the rushing building, it became fire. The Tower became inflamed and was falling apart. Robin sat in the pilot's seat, steering it steady, even though pieces of fire and ember were falling all about him. The thrusters on each wing were dwindling, and it could steer off course. And all their efforts would be in vain. But Robin steered strong.

He looked at the flickering computer screen. It displayed, "00:60 till impact."


---

Dracula pushed the rocks off him, he was scarred, bruised, and cut all over. He was a man again.

The Raven arose too. She stared at her enemy, seeing his empty soul.

"Don't you understand, Child?! I can give you that which you crave! I can restore the gateway to Azarath! Join me, and I will restore your home! I can give you back your life, your memories. The place of your birth. The Nest."

There it was. Azarath. Her home. The thing she had longed for her whole life. The thing she had always wanted. Dracula was offering it to her. But then, she looked at Jeff. He had given his life for her. A small tear appeared in her eye. She remembered her rage.

The Raven squaked loudly in disagreement.

Dracula became the winged bat again, and tried to get away.

The Raven flew in front of him, and grasped his throat with a talon.

She was choking him now.

He tried to make her let go, but could not.

The blood of the vampire flowed over The Raven's talon.


---

Robin could see the mountain now, but he was losing focus. The intense heat and smoke made it impossible to see or breathe.

He coughed as sweat rapidly ran down his face, soaking his mask.

Small explosions happened all over the Tower, for it could not take the heat.

Robin coughed again. It was so hot. He was scorched.

He struggled not to faint.

The monitor displayed "00:05 till impact".

His eyes dimmed, he blacked out.

He let go of the controls.

Starfire burst in through the wall, screaming "Robin!!!!"

She tore off his straps and quickly lifted him out of the chair, and out through the back end.

The T, now appearing as though it were a giant fireball, made a direct hit on Mount Everest.

There was a gigantic explosion.

It destroyed the mountain, so much so that it looked like a burnt tree stub.

The sun's rays pierced through the smoke.


---

In that same instant, The Raven's feathered quickly molted away, falling off.

The human Raven was seen now, the power surge left her with absolutely no clothes.

But that did not matter.

Dracula now regained his confidence, thinking that her 'incredible' power has just died.

"What's wrong, little Raven?"

She trembled and backed up against the wall.

Dracula slowly approached her, "Don't be afraid, my child," his eyes turning bloodshot, "Don't be afraid."

Raven then remembered. She put her hands up, almost in a motion of surrender. But then they were enveloped in negative energy.

Dracula summoned his Hellbeast bat form, and made a final lunge at her. With a shriek he flew at her.

Raven looked at her beloved Jeff, then back at what he considered to be the Devil.

"Rise and shine."

Raven thrust her hands forward, crossing them, and bringing down the wall.

Dracula, claws forward and outstretched, saw in his gaze behind Raven a very bright sun.

His eyes turned to flame as his balance was thrown off, and he fell to the floor just before the girl. When his claws touched his eyes, trying to cover them, they too caught fire! The fire spread to his chest, his demon mouth spouting out black blood, that dripped down to his waist. The Satan-granted power seeped from his prone form, as he began to spasm. The flares from the sun had encompassed his whole, pale body. He fell into a maelstrom of Dark Light.

With a final death shriek, and screams that echoed throughout the world...

Count Vladislaus Dracula exploded into oblivion.

Nothing was left of him.

The Enemy was no more.

The minions that Cyborg fought crumbled into dust.

Raven ran over to Jeff, and covered his face with hers.

She let out a cry...

Baying out her human pain and anguish.

She mourned gravely over her dead husband.



"The world seems full of good men--even if there are monsters in it." -From Dracula by Bram Stoker

[ShadowOfAGhost]

One word. Epilougue.

This was an amazing end to an amazing story. I can assure you now that I will personally see to it that this gets nominated to the hall of fame the next time that it comes around. The sheer drama was so intense I couldn't believe it. this chapter is your masterpiece! The way you swapped between the two was PERFECTLY timed. If you get the chance, go to www.clinteastwood.net (http://www.clinteastwood.net) click on a fistfull of film music, scroll down to The Good The Bad and The Ugly, and click on "The Extacy of Gold". Reread the chapter as this song is playing and you will get the feel of the tension. I may have said it before, but seriously, this. is. genious. by the way, for the fight scene, try listening to "the trio" and the extended ending for it. I want to end with something quick, witty, and lasting, but I'm still in such shock from the ultimate chapter to think of one. Ghost out. :cool:

[Matt A]

Hmm, it seems like I started reading this at just the right time! All I can say is this story...is awesome. Everyone else has already said why, so I won't elaborate here, but what I will say is the finale that you gave us was perfect. Both in terms of aptness to what had gone before, and writing quality. You are a genius, and that is how it will stay.

I would say well done, but that'd be more than a little patronizing, wouldn't it?;)

Ta,
Matt A

[rrarbecy]

YOU DID NOT!!!! (there. You made me say it AGAIN!) You destroyed Mt. Everest? YEAH!!! THE RISE OF K2 IS COMPLETE!!!!!!!!!

Now that I've said that, the battle between Drac and Raven was almost an exact replica of the fight in Van Helsing when Van Helsing was the werewolf. That's not a comlaint, just a fact. Van Helsing is one of my favorite movies.

Lastly, her "husband?" Did I miss something?





The Richard Roxburgh Drac is the best!

[Alpha Man]

Lastly, her "husband?" Did I miss something?Reread chapter 23, and all will be (or should have been) explained.

<EDIT> Or, I could give it to you right here. From Chapter 23:

Metrion took the boy, and the Pope took the girl. Metrion went first.

"Jeffrey, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"Raven, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

They handed the infants back to the mothers.

"You will be sure to take very good care of him when he is older, Father Thomas?"

"Yes, Melody. I will not fail."

She smiled and said, "I have no doubt."

Metrion turned to the others, "Now, they will meet near the day of Hunter's Moon, yes? Their product will be the vanquisher."

"Nothing immoral, Metrion. When they meet, they will not have time to perform any such ceremony prior to their acquintance." The Pope said

"Then let us perform the ceremony now, so that these two may be wed in Holy Matrimony."

"The marriage will not be official, until they have consummated it when they are older, yes?"

"But of course, Your Holiness."

The two mothers standing adjacent to each other, the ceremony was carried out.

[rrarbecy]

Well, TECHNICALLY they weren't married...:o

Their product will be the vanquisher? The vanquisher of WHAT, I wonder.

[Alpha Man]

by the time they fought Dracula they were

[Anime]

yeah, seriously rrarbecy, dont u no what consummated means?:shrug:

anyway, I got wut i spected. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! holy frickin crap!!!!! Alpha Man rocks beyond the beyondedness!!!!!!!!!!!! I think u rival lord welshi in this matter, i bet even he cannot come up wit such a great story as this! using Drac's full name when he died was spectacular, and the Biblical quote was fantastic, it totally brought me (or transferred moods) from one chapter to this one.

oh, one last thing. you ended on Chapter 29! I'm betting there's a Chapter 30 that wrapps up everything! yes?:D

[rrarbecy]

Actually Anime, no I do not know what consummated means.

[Anime]

Actually Anime, no I do not know what consummated means.will someone here explain it to sheltered rrarbecy? no? alright fine. I will.:sweat:

(sigh) nothing against you, rrarbecy. I'm sure ur a gud guy. but...
Consummated (via Dictionary): To complete (a marriage) with the first act of sexual intercourse after the ceremony.

yeah. Honeymoon? basically, it means to make the marriage official.

[Alpha Man]

geez... could you be any more blunt?

rrarbecy is a good guy, it's not his fault he didn't know. But yes, that was implied.

[Matt A]

I think u rival lord welshi in this matter, i bet even he cannot come up wit such a great story as this!
Okay, if that's not throwing down a gauntlet, then I don't know what is...;)

Ta,
Matt A

[rrarbecy]

Geez, that's what I get for not getting off my butt and looking in the dictionary. Treated like an idiot.

But you don't know the MEANING of the word "sheltered" until you meet my family. My life sucks.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Geez, that's what I get for not getting off my butt and looking in the dictionary. Treated like an idiot.

But you don't know the MEANING of the word "sheltered" until you meet my family. My life sucks.
actually, you don't have to! www.dictionary.com (http://www.dictionary.com)!

[Anime]

Geez, that's what I get for not getting off my butt and looking in the dictionary. Treated like an idiot.

But you don't know the MEANING of the word "sheltered" until you meet my family. My life sucks.i didnt mean like that! ur not an idiot! i learned what consummated meant in religion class when they fully explained marriage to us. (shutters)

so dont you feel bad!

aaaaaaanyway. yo! Alpha Man! any time soon a chapter 30 would be nice!:p

[Alpha Man]

Okay... Chapter 30 coming soon! Like maybe today if I, er, finish.:D

it's more like an epilogue than anything else, so it is just to tie up loose ends...

To Anime: Your signature just keeps getting better and better...:rolleyes:

[Anime]

okay! I await your next chapter! hope it comes soon (like today would be nice)

my signature, i just love your fic so much I cant help myself

[Alpha Man]

(This is for Rae)


Chapter 30

It was done.

The Teen Titans had succeeded.

Starfire carried Robin in her arms and set him down where their home once was, joining Beast Boy.

She roused Robin, he slowly opened his eyes.

He realized he was not dead.

"Robin, why must you always be the one to be the hero?" She asked in a concerned voice

The Boy Wonder looked up at the Tamoranian. He laughed joyfully. He thought that it was rather foolish. Why did he do it? He hated to admit it, but he was jealous of Jeff. He was. Jeff had been the one willing to do whatever it takes, and he had made an impression. Robin guessed that he wanted to make the same impression. A name for himself. But seeing Starfire like that, he knew that he already had.



---


Father Thomas lit candles in the back of the Church, behind the altar. He waited expectantly for the others to return, not knowing how the battle went.

He heard the door open. The priest turned around to see Raven, dressed again in her cloak and costume. He was overjoyed.

"Oh my, Raven! How wonderful to see you again! Y'know, I was just--"

Raven turned around, the dead Jeff in her arms. His tone dropped, as did his smile.

"Oh... I see." he sighed, "I knew this day would come, and I knew that I would dread it when it did. But I did not expect it to feel this bad."

Raven did not say anything, the pain hurt too much.

"Bring him outside."

They went outside the chapel, into the backyard of it. The ground was well kept and groomed.

There was a small table, behind it was the rising sun of dawn.

Raven set her dead husband on it. Father Thomas handed her a torch. She lit it aflame.

There was nothing but pain and loss here... and sacrifice.

Father Thomas performed the funeral rite, reading from the Bible, and trying to hold back the tears.

Raven could not.

She sang a familiar song...

"Amazing Grace
How sweet... the sound...
That saved... a wretch... like me!
I once... was lost...
But now... am found...
Was blind... but now, I see!"

The tears flowed still.

As she watched the pyre burn, she saw the smoke swirl and move. Tendrils of smoke wafted out, like long wispy fingers, and lifted her chin up with a force that was irresistible even though it was invisible. For a moment, she thought she recognized the touch, the strength. Raven saw Jeff's face smile at her and kissed her one last time. It floated up to the reddening dawn sky. Raven noticed Jeff's face join another woman's, like the one she saw in his past, his mind. It was his mother. Raven then understood her final gift: a feeling of peace descended on her. A small tear trickled down Jeff's face as he said goodbye.

Raven looked up, Father Thomas finished the rite, and closed the Bible. He put his hand on her shoulder. She continued to gave into the sky, the heavens.

"Thank you, Jeff, for giving all that you gave. The Earth... will miss you..."

Then she added in a teary voice, "I... will miss you."

She turned to Father Thomas, whispering sadly, "How... How do you go on... when one you love is taken from you? When you feel so much... pain..."

The priest smiled, "If I may declare," he said softly, "I am neither a superhero, nor a soldier, nor a hunter. So I can hardly judge or even guess to feel your pain and give you the proper advice."

She smiled, he continued.

"But I do know this. The Lord God can take the greatest evil in the world, and make it good. He can take your greatest sorrow, and turn it into joy." he wiped the tear from her cheek

She hugged him, and walked away waving.



---


Wayne Manor, Gotham City.

Alfred let Raven in the door.

"Good day, Miss Raven. Are you feeling better?"

She nodded.

"That's good to hear. The others are waiting for you in the batcave."

Raven walked down the secret passageway to the place of the Bruce Wayne, the Dark Knight's Headquarters. His base of operations.

Relics from his long-time foes were selectively placed throughout the cave, each covered by glass.

Cyborg saw Raven approach, "I guess we'll have to crash here for a while."

"Bruce won't mind. Much." Robin mentioned

Raven joined them, "What are you doing?"

"We're just trying to figure out why Dracula's bite had no effect on you. Jeff said that he can't bite someone from his own Bloodline. And from the DNA test, it shows that you are in no way, shape, or form related to Jeff." Cyborg explained

"Then why?"

"Batman's wicked computer is scanning your DNA for any... inconsistencies."

How? How did I get that amazing power? How did I become The Raven? It was more than just the rage felt... it was... something inside.

Beast Boy lay fast asleep in Batman's chair. When the computer started beeping, first lightly, then loudly. He was awakened.

He yawned, "So... wud I miss?"

The Titans looked at the computer, it gave a blueprint of Raven's body.

The computer gave signs of a zygote growing in Raven's stomach.

All except Starfire and Beast Boy understood.

Raven blushed slightly.

She was pregnant.



THE END

[rrarbecy]

You're ending it like that.:confused::mad:

Oh well, at least that means a sequel. Right?

[Rae]

You asked me to reply, so i am!

Chapter 29!That was by far your best chapter ever! (and longest, i think)

The battle between Rae and Drac was amazing and you described it really well! The whole Star saving Robin was a nice side bit and BB the whale was a bit of gentle comedy in an otherwise action packed chapter!

Chapter 30! This was great! Touching and realistic.

I knew Raven was pregnant! The whole
Their product will be the vanquisherthing made me think that would be the case!

Anyway, it was totally awesome and i really want to know if you're going to write another fic! Coz if it's anything like this i'll read it!

Rae

[rrarbecy]

When I posted this

Well, TECHNICALLY they weren't married...:o

Their product will be the vanquisher? The vanquisher of WHAT, I wonder.
I was going to highlight "product," but I decided against it.

[Anime]

Best. Ending. Ever.

No, Lord Welshi, not you.

In the Batcave? Wow! Well, I wondered if dey wer gonna end up der, since da tower was destroyed.:) And the last three words made me scream:eek:

Prequel or Sequel?

[rrarbecy]

Best. Ending. Ever.

No, Lord Welshi, not you.

In the Batcave? Wow! Well, I wondered if dey wer gonna end up der, since da tower was destroyed.:) And the last three words made me scream:eek:

Prequel or Sequel?
I doubt that he'd make a prequel after TELLING US THAT SHE WAS PREGNANT!!!!

Unless he wants to torture us...:mad:

[Alpha Man]

Prequel or Sequel?hmm... I think I'll let all of you decide...

Vote Now!

[Rae]

Yey! First Vote!

I voted sequel because, not only does it have the most potential, but you could also include Jeff's past in it!

Rae

[Anime]

I voted Sequel cuz I gotta know wut happens! Pregnant? Omigoshiegoshgosh!:p

[Alpha Man]

Thanks, guys!

Your wish is my button-press.

I'd like to wait for a few more voters though...

[Sproxie]

I don't know WHY i haven't read this yet.
Thank you 'Anime' for advertising this on your sig. I'll be back with a review on the story. :D

[Anime]

I don't know WHY i haven't read this yet.
Thank you 'Anime' for advertising this on your sig. I'll be back with a review on the story. :D
I aim to please! This IS the BEST story!

Alpha Man, you totally owe me now!:p

[Matt A]

Did I vote sequal? Hell yes!:anime: :anime: :anime:

Not only can you not leave us with that cliffhanger, but I also wish to see just how similar "Times Change" winds up being to Dwyr Budr 2 (my fic after next, so to speak). From the looks of it, they'll be pursuing the same idea from opposite ends, if you get my drift...;)


Ta,
Matt A

PS: Oh, and the last chapter rocked. HARD.:anime: :anime: :anime: :anime: :anime:

[Sproxie]

Ok, well, i FINALLY read everything and have only one thing to say.

Wow.

YOUR EVIL!! :crying: What kind of an ending was that?!? Of COURSE we need a sequel!!

[Anime]

Yeah, there better be a sequel! otherwise we might have to start with the death threats! lol

oh, and he's not evil... oh wait... yes he is!:evil:

i still loved his ending!:D

[Agent S7]

Well, Alpha Man, I've finally read your story.
And it was good.
That was one of the best fanfics I have ever read. In my opinion, it beats "Raven: Bloodline". I admit it. :sweat:
I somehow could tell that Raven would get pregnant. Ironically, I was going to have Rae have a child in one of the sequels to "Bloodline"
...
Not...like there's going to be a sequel. Nope...of course not...;) (Heheheh...)
Still, I loved that story. One of the best I've ever read. It started out sort of small, but you gained more and more ability. That's what happened to me when I began "Bloodline", except you've become a much better writer than I. (In my opinion.) You've made a great start and a wonderful immpression on the entire World's Finest community. I congratulate you! (Appluades)
Good luck on the next fic, ;)
~Agent S7

[ShadowOfAGhost]

Yeah there was that one line that addmited it long ago, but I wasn't thinking about it at the time that I read this. The first line that made that sneaking suspicion I had floating around in my head was this one:


He can take your greatest sorrow, and turn it into joy

Greatest Sorrow = Jeff dies

Joy = Jeff's son

but of course at the time that I voted it showed it as a unanimous 7 - 0, so obviously if you defy us, we will all be...upset ( :evil: ) but oh well...

[Anime]

oh! oh! Dont 4get!

Greatest Evil = Dracula and Melody
Into good = Jeff!

Same thing with Trigon and Raven

and... Greatest Evil = Jesus' Death
Greatest good = Salvation of souls
(I think that this relates to Raven/Jeff, because he gave his life so she would be saved) Man! Talk about Love!:eek:

[Alpha Man]

Not only can you not leave us with that cliffhanger, but I also wish to see just how similar "Times Change" winds up being to Dwyr Budr 2 (my fic after next, so to speak). From the looks of it, they'll be pursuing the same idea from opposite ends, if you get my drift...;)I'm not sure I understand what you mean, I guess I'll have to read Dwyr Budr 2... yes? How long is it?

anyway, to those of you who care... more will come!:D The Appendix!

ps- Am I the only one who has written 30 chapters?

[Anime]

yea i think ur da first to make a story with 30 chapters...:D

what do you mean Appendix?

does anyone know when the next episodes of the show are comeing out?

[Kregor8]

...and normally I would wait until I got to the end to say anything. But I won't.

One error I spotted:
This situation reminded her of a passage that Jeff had read to her from the Bible. Jesus Christ was in the Garden of Gesthemane, sweating drops of blood. He was having a trauma so intense, the body seemed that i could not bear it. She then recalled an angel came down with a cup and handed it to Jesus to drink. He then responded, "Father, if it be your will, take this cup away from me, for do not let my will, but your will be done." I'm really not sure where you got that from. It's not in any of the 4 gospels. Oh well. Just wanted to make sure you knew that.

I thought it was very interesting how you married them before time so that they could...uh-huh. You did warn me, way back. Strange indeed. You'll notice there's none of that in my story. (You'll also notice there are no married people)

The Count's big bad plot sounds evil. Can't wait to see what will happen, so I'm back to reading.

7<regor

[Kregor8]

I think Kregor only goes on once and a while, I havn't seen him around much either. Perhaps he just has a bunch of homework. eitherway, This last chapter was very well laid out and switching between the two plots was great for the over all chapter. The thing with Robin and Starfire was genious. and for some reason i was thinking about the same thing with the JL episode.
Got that right, man. I've been swamped by real life. Of course, now that I'm reading this, I'm sorry that I couldn't get to it sooner, but still. I have my priorities. And the #1 priority is "don't give mom a reason to take away your internet access." So yeah.

Dracula's castle is freakin' amazing! Now there's somewhere I'd like to go! The whole Cyborg vs the Zombies thing was pretty sweet. He's terrified of them, but he's got to fight them anyway.

Ok, I think the number one thing in that chapter was the flying tower, and Robin's apparently impending sacrifice. Personally, I don't expect him to die. He has to get it to Mt. Everest, but not necessarilly put himself in the crater.

Ok, I'm back to reading. I hope I can make it to the end...but I have to leave for work in 15 minutes.

7<regor

[Kregor8]

I finished the story! *does a dance*

Wow. That was really good. At the end, when I look back to the beginning of the story, I am amazed. You improved so much over the course of a short story (short...:D).


I'm not sure I understand what you mean, I guess I'll have to read Dwyr Budr 2... yes? How long is it? Dwr Budr 2 does not exist yet. You'll have to read the 1st one (you probably have) and Standing Tall Together 1st.

Oh yeah. Glad you liked "Real Tricks." All the Uncle Roses music is orignal by me. Even "God Rest Ye," which is a standard Christmas carol, is an arrangement of my own and was transcribed entirely from memory.

Ok, on to the actual story. I was obvious to me what "Their product will be the vanquisher" meant. You have 2 people of opposite sex, and what do they produce that nobody else can? And what else could beat the Count? Hmm?

That last battle scene was amazing - flat out stunning. I'd go into huge detail on it if I had time, but I don't. I do wish you'd shown us a bit more of Cy kicking zombie butt, though.

Starfire's rescue of Robin was great. I knew he wouldn't die. I see you used that typical Star Trek formula - save the hero from sudden death at the last second. Nice use of that.

Alright, you'd better do a sequal. I just think it would be much more interesting - you've already given us some background on Jeff. A story on him would be fun for you, and maybe interesting to us, but it wouldn't be fan fiction. That's my buck fifty.

7<regor
Ps. Don't nag me. I get grumpy. And if you're going to nag me, why on earth would you do it on the story that I'm not reading? :p

[Rae]

ps- Am I the only one who has written 30 chapters?
Don't mean to burst your bubble or anything, but All For Nothing has thirty chapters and DJ has finished it yet...

Rae

[rrarbecy]

Don't mean to burst your bubble or anything, but All For Nothing has thirty chapters and DJ has finished it yet...

Rae
I only have 20 chapters, Rae. And I'll never have 30 chapters.

[Rae]

I only have 20 chapters, Rae. And I'll never have 30 chapters.
You do? Oh well, those math lessons since i was 4 obvioulsy didn't help!

Ignore my comment! You have more chapters than any fanfic i've read!

Rae

[rrarbecy]

My next Teen Titans fiction(when I'm finished my current one), will probably exceed 30 chapters, though. Be prepared.

[Rae]

My next Teen Titans fiction(when I'm finished my current one), will probably exceed 30 chapters, though. Be prepared.
Ooh, i'm shaking!:rolleyes:

They had better be decent sized chapters!

Rae

[Anime]

eh, Alpha Man? when's the sequel comeing out?:D

[Alpha Man]

I have a few more things to do before that.

This story is not finished yet.;)

[Alpha Man]

I am glad that Kregor reviewed it. It looks like a unanimous vote for a sequel...:sweat:

[Crowgirl]

Okay, I am going to be totally honest when I say this. I was in the middle of reviewing this on Sunday, when my Dad made me go to a business party of his, so I have been reading this and have not forgotten about it.

I congratulate you on a fantastic story, and for being one of the few authors to have written a thirty chapter story ;) . I believe you have created one of the most original storylines on this entire forum.

Honestly, the whole ending was brilliant. I did not expect that you were almost gong to kill Robin, and at one point you did have me fooled. But closer to the end it was kind of... obvious that you wouldn't kill everyone, so he would live.

The fight scenes were so... stunning. Flat out brilliant. I know very few people who can write that well.

Overall, brilliant. I tak-, oh, wait a sec, *Slips on a Red Sox cap* Now, I take my hat off to you *Tips hat*

Ciao,
CG

P.S. I too, voted for the sequel. I'd like to see how she deals with Jeff's death and Dracula and all that. :D

[Alpha Man]

yay! I finally got my wish! Ever since the beginning, all I ever wanted was to write a story just as well as Agent S7. And Lo! I have received! All I wanted were for readers to scream AWESOME!! at my fic, and they have. Thank you all.

Crowgirl finally likes it... yay! *does a little gig*:D

well, she likes it as much as Bloodline.:p

though I can promise you all one sure thing...

From now on.... Times Change for Raven...!:anime:

[Anime]

you spoke of an "Appendix"... wut bout dat?:confused:

[nevermore]

*doo doo Doo, doo doo Doo, doo doo doo Doo Dooooo doo doo doo doo Dooooo* Uh, I'm a bit hyper right now and that song is catchy. :sweat:

Um, I must say that even though I got behind, I did get back on track and read about 5-10 chapters in order to finish it last night, but it was worth it. It is a great plot and great twists. Fight scenes were good and the emotions, well captured. This was a work of art worthy of praise. I personally don't care whichever one goes first, but I suggest the sequal for you can always put Jeff's past in there. A well done story and you managed to keep me reading the whole way through, and that is no small feat. congratulations.

Now, back to the song! *Doo doo Doo, doo doo Doo!!!* *several people (If not all of you) start throwing stuff at me* All right, all right! I'll take my buisness elsewhere. (Did I ever mention that I am indeed psyco? :D :evil: )

[DKH]

http://newsfeed.tcm.ie/images/people/simoncowellAP.jpg

You are absolutly pathetic.

Poor poor Nevermore.

[ShadowOfAGhost]

You're talking about Nevermore and not the story right? because if you are talking about the story you might end up witha riot on your hands... Led by Anime, holding a torch in one hand and a pitch fork in the other, foaming at the mouth all the way.

(just kidding anime....)

[Anime]

http://newsfeed.tcm.ie/images/people/simoncowellAP.jpg

You are absolutly pathetic.You better not mean this story!!! *wipes foam from mouth contiinuouslly* grrrrrr! ca-ca car- careful wut y-you ssssay! grrr!

quick Alpha Man! grab your torch and pitchfork!

[Alpha Man]

I think I'll take a raincheck...:p

is that all you have to say, DKH?

[DKH]

I'm talking about Nevermore's little spoof don't worry.

I thought the little "Poor Nevermore" caption was proof enough.

Now everyones going to think that I don't appreciate anyone elses story except my own. Boy did that joke backfire:shrug:

[Alpha Man]

whew! okay then...

how about a super-cool DKH review? (forgive me for being so anxious, i just want to hear what you have to say!):D :D

[DKH]

Right, well let me review the story one last time so I wont miss anything.