The stars shined bright as a new moon remained invisible among the stars. The flickers of light hovered over the dancing blaze of the city.
Sirens were wailing as fire trucks manned with dozens of teams of fire fighters battled the inferno while the Titans tried to lead the army of invincible creatures away from their efforts. Teams of police officers coordinated the efforts to lead civilians to safety away from the city. They were extremely overwhelmed. Out-numbered by the flames and out-matched by the monsters creating them.
All hope seemed lost... But they continued fighting. The brave men and women fighting the blaze, helping the people escape, and the Titans fighting the army.
The Titans continued to attack each creature they came across as if taunting them to chase their every move. Starbolts, sonic blasts, and explosives were flying in every direction each landing on their mark getting the attention of the endless army.
As they continued to work their way around the city towards the center they found themselves facing a mass of enemies the three of them could not possibly defeat alone.
"We can't keep this up forever!" Cyborg yelled firing his cannon at another omnidroid. You could hear the desperation in his voice as if he knew they were facing the end, "we need some kind of plan!"
"I must agree with Cyborg," Starfire said shooting her starbolts, "at this rate we will surely be defeated!"
"Right now the city's safety is our mission!" Robin yelled trying to motivate his teammates, "once Beastboy and Terra save Raven we can regroup and go after Slade!"
Just as Robin finished that sentence, an omnidroid jumped down in front of the three Titans, catching them by surprise. Robin reached into his belt pulling out his staff and swung at the pale white creature.
The creature anticipated his strike and caught the staff with one hand. Shortly after catching it, it's hand began to turn into the reinforced platinum that Robin's staff was made of. Its body quickly followed and in the blink of an eye the creature had become platinum entirely.
Robin used the staff in the creatures hand as leverage and swiftly threw a heel kick to the chin of the creature following through into a back flip. His strike sent the omnidriods head snapping back as Robin swung through the air. The powerful blow forced the robotic creature to release Robin's staff. Robin completed his back flip and landed perfectly in a stance that was ready to strike again.
Cyborg and Starfire turned from their current targets to see the small battle taking place and redirected their aim to aid their leader.
Cyborg shot a sonic blast at the chest of the platinum creature before it could regain its stance from Robin's kick, knocking it back and forcing it to a knee.
Starfire wasted no time and sprung into action. She flew with all the speed she could muster, letting out a bone chilling yell, and blind-sided the jaw of the omnidroid using a powerful fist glowing green with a starbolt. Her strike sent it flying across the street caving in a brick wall of a burning building next to them.
The building was barely standing as it is. That was all it took for it to come crashing down on top of the platinum creature, extinguishing the flames in a pile of rubble and debris that glowed red with embers.
A cloud of smoke poured out of the building in every direction, flooding the street making visibility nearly impossible.
The Titans ran through the smoke covering their mouths trying not to inhale the toxic air. They coughed aggressively as they finally found their way out of the smoke back into the street where the on-going battle for the city continued.
The three of them looked back gasping for air trying to catch their breath only to have their spirits crushed as the numbers of creatures began to appear one after another from the haze completely unaffected by the smoke.
"How long do you expect us to last against these things?" Cyborg asked softly as if accepting defeat already.
"As long as it takes." Robin shot back with a vicious tone. He sent fist full of discs flying at the creatures exploding on impact slowing them down for a split second. The team used that split second to resume their rush through the city leading the army further and further away from the evacuating citizens.
Far away in the distance where the land was barren like a desert, the faint screams and explosions from the city could barely be heard. They were silent like whispers. Unless you knew what was happening you would never be able to guess what the sounds actually were.
Terra looked back through gentle, glowing yellow eyes at the city that danced with a warm shade of red so far away. The red glow lit up the smoke that rose into the sky blacking out the stars that would have been above the city.
Her heart ached for the people. For her adopted parents. She could only hope they made it out in time. She couldn't help but think back to a similar sight when she was the one leading the attack on the city. It made her heart sink in her chest.
When she turned her head back she could see the small green bloodhound had increased his speed and she was falling behind. Terra raised her hand, grit her teeth. The rock she was floating on picked up speed and started to gain on her ally.
We must be getting close... Beastboy is starting to move faster and faster. She thought to herself.
They came to a number of rolling hills that led to a steady slope that increased in elevation for almost half a mile. When they reached the peak of this slope they found themselves staring at a single building at the top of this small mountain.
The building had a massive satellite dish on it with an antenna towering into the air behind it. It was an old abandoned radio station.
Beastboy slowed to a jog, then a walk, and then stopped completely, panting heavily in his dog form. He shape shift to his human form and continued to breathe heavily, catching his breath. His face was fierce with anger. But he seemed to be in complete control. Like he was harnessing that raw emotion and channeling it to his benefit.
Terra hovered right behind him, letting her yellow glow fade. She slowed to a stop and let the boulder touch down softly to the dirt and quickly jumped off to stand at his side. She turned her head slightly to see Beastboy's expression. It startled her at first but then she looked towards the building in the distance.
"You're not alone."
Raven's words came back to her and shortly after... Terra's expression became the same as Beastboy's. She wanted to go in and save her new friend as well. For some reason she felt a very strong connection to Raven now. It was a feeling she was not willing to give up so easily. Terra was about to step forwards to advance towards the building when Beastboy spoke up, freezing her where she stood.
"Terra," Beastboy said, "I want you to stay here." He spoke firmly like he was not willing to negotiate.
"What?" Terra said almost angry, "fat chance!" She spat back, "I'm going with-"
"I said stay here!" Beastboy interrupt loudly. His eyes had glossed over as if he were fighting back tears, "you've been through enough. I won't let you go through this again."
Terra was taken by surprise. She thought Beastboy didn't have any feelings for her anymore. It was clear to her now that he still did... he just had stronger feelings for someone else...
"But-" Terra began.
"Terra please," Beastboy insisted, lowering his head, "please... I can't... I won't let you get hurt again."
Terra looked on at him. She could see the inner conflict he was facing and instantly understood what he was referring to. The day that he hurt her. The day he abandoned her to Slade.
Terra held her breath. She feared for both Beastboy and Raven's lives. They were the closest friends she ever had. She wanted to help. But Beastboy had a point... How much help could she really be in her current condition? She still felt small aches and pains from her injuries and her right arm was still in a cast, preventing her from using her complete power. As she thought about it she began to worry she might get in the way. That she might make it harder for the both of them.
Terra sighed accepting that she should stay behind for the best. She stepped closer to Beastboy and reached out to take his hand. She closed her fingers tightly around his and spoke softly.
"I know you can do it," she said gripping his hand tighter. Beastboy turned to look her in the eyes, "and I can tell she means a lot to you... More than I ever did," Terra broke eye contact and looked down at her feet, "just promise me... That after all this... We can all be friends. No matter what."
Beastboy was speechless. He was living his darkest memory in real time. But it was like he was given a second chance. A chance to correct his mistake. A chance to redeem himself. But this time... Slade had someone even closer to him. Someone he had grown to love and not even realized it until now. He wouldn't let her down. Not like last time.
Beastboy turned his body towards Terra's and placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. The bond between them might not be what it once was but there was still something there. Whatever it was... it was stronger now than it had ever been. Even though they had never officially been together... it was like they had a mutual understanding between them. One that only past lovers could understand.
He stared deep into her eyes as if apologizing for everything... Turning his back on her when she needed him most. Letting her get hurt at the school. Letting Slade take her captive. He looked as if he was begging for her forgiveness.
Terra's eyes sent back a warm and embracing stare. As if she understood what his eyes were saying to him. She seemed as if she was accepting his apology and was expressing her forgiveness. But she felt as though she should be saying this to him. She should be the one apologizing. She couldn't hold it in anymore and her tears began to stream down her face. The fact that he was the one feeling guilty for her past caused her to break down. She dropped her head and she began to sob softly into his chest.
Beastboy wrapped his arms around her tightly. Comforting her for a moment before the most important battle of his life.
"I promise." He said sternly as if sealing a sacred pact. He then gently released her from his arms and turned to begin running towards the old radio station.
Terra fell to her knees and watched helplessly as her closest friend ran off to what could be his doom. The world stopped around her and her blood went cold as the tears fell from her eyes.
As Beastboy got closer he morphed into a small bird and began to fly above the building looking for his best way to enter. Maybe if he was lucky... he could sneak in, free Raven, and escape without being noticed. Knowing Slade... He had his doubts. But it was worth a shot.
He flew down to a pair of air ducts that were on the top of the building and he changed back to himself. He wrapped his fingers around the vents and with a strong pull, it snapped off with a soft crack. He placed the vent down softly and turned into a small mouse jumping into the duct.
Beastboy scurried through the ventilation system as a green mouse. He checked every vent he as he passed them by. Peering into room after room seeing each one was either pitch black with darkness or completely empty.
He continued to follow the faint but familiar scent of Raven. Sage, lavender, and her favorite shampoo that made her hair smell and look amazing. His heart surged with adrenaline as he followed the smell. Then he heard something that stopped him in his tracks.
"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos." Raven chanted softly as she meditate.
Beastboy could barely hear it but it was definitely there. Raven was there. He began running as fast as his little mouse legs could move to locate where the origin of the voice was coming from.
Vents started passing by him in a blur until he came to one where her scent and voice were most present. He stared down through the vents to see Raven sitting in the center of the floor with the same collar Rouge had worn to disguise herself as raven. Only this collar had glowing white symbols. Making it very clear that it had some kind of effect on her. It could be true after all that her powers were somehow being withheld from her.
Beastboy's anger grew as he continued to look down at Raven chained to the floor like an imprisoned slave. It made him want to make Slade and Rouge suffer the way she has suffered. The way Terra has suffered. The way he has suffered. His blood began to boil as the he stared at Raven's current condition. As soon as he got his hands on the two people responsible... He'd make them beg for mercy.
Beastboy was about to sneak through the vent when it snapped shut with a loud click nearly making him jump.
Immediately following that click, two new walls shot up fro the bottom of the duct trapping him where he stood in a small box. That box was then shot from its position like a cannon into a room opposite from the room he had just seen Raven in.
The box shattered into pieces as it crashed against the floor leaving Beastboy dazed on the ground as a mouse. He morphed back into his human form and began rubbing his head as he looked around to see where he was.
He gasped in shock as he looked up to see someone who had nearly killed him just hours earlier.
"Now vwhere were we?" Madam Rouge taunted.
Beastboy grit his teeth as the anger resurfaced on his face. He didn't even respond. Instead, he turned into a massive mammoth. Something so large she couldn't attack him so easily. He let out a loud trumpet from his trunk and charged her with his tusks swinging wildly.
Rouge dodged easily by slinking under his swings and slithering in and out of his stampeding hooves until she stood behind him. She moved as agile as a rubberband with a mind of its own.
Beastboy slammed his head against a massive metal door with a unique locking mechanism. This door was just below the vent he had just been inside of as a mouse. It dawned on him this was the door to the one person he cared for more than anything.
His adrenaline began to pulse though his veins. He turned to see Rouge standing with a hand on her hip as if all the confidence in the world rested on her shoulders. The shapeshifter then turned into a velociraptor and started to circle the room. Rouge raised her hands in a defensive stance and began walking around the room opposite of her opponent, always facing Beastboy.
Beastboy had his claws up with his body leaning forward in a stance that was ready to strike at any moment. He stayed opposite of where ever Rouge was as well.
Madam Rouge stopped circling the room and a grin spread across her face like she knew something he didn't. Beastboy let out a loud hiss just before he was about to pounce. But something came crashing down on top if him stopping him from attacking.
Slade had jumped down from a dark hole in the ceiling with a slight shout. He landed on top of the green raptor sending him to the floor. Before Beastboy could react the feel of cold steel struck the back his neck and wrapped around the front with a loud click.
Beastboy immediately felt the familiar pain of electricity coursing through his entire body until he returned to his human form. Only then did the pulsing finally stop. He found himself breathing heavily as if all the energy in his body had been sucked out of him.
Slade stood up off the back of Beastboy and walked over to where his accomplice stood chuckling with her evil grin.
"You never learn do you?" Slade said in a dark and mocking tone. He looked over his shoulder where helpless green hero lay, "you're almost making this too easy."