JLU 2001 Fanfiction -The Titans #10

The black smoke that obscured the Titans' vision slowly passed. They each looked to each other before looking at their surroundings. The sight of the blood red clouds in the sky and the dead people that lie at their feet brought a vague sense of deja vu to the older members of the team. It wasn’t until they saw Trigon laid low on the ground, bleeding a thick mist of red energy with Raven at his side that they knew this was different. This definitely didn’t look good for…

Supergirl Protecting Our Future

Unexpected Reunions

The Titans #10 - June, Year 2 by Mick Edwards

The Titans

NIGHTWING
Dick Grayson

CYBORG
Victor Stone

STARFIRE

BEAST BOY
Garfield Logan

ARGENT
Toni Montelli


ARSENAL Roy Harper	RAVEN	SUPERGIRL

Trigon's Realm

"Did you feel that?" Starfire asked. She had traveled to Trigon's World before, but she had never felt the strange feeling of... seperation: as though she had been ripped in two. And that strange flash of white light...

Starfire stood at Nightwing's side, her hand on his arm as the dizziness passed. She could see that some of the others were affected as well; Arsenal, Supergirl, even Dick, but he quickly regained control, turning to her and then towards Raven.

Nightwing felt a mixture of feelings both old and new. Some of those feelings were the bitter feelings of old betrayal that he felt during the times Raven betrayed them. This moment wasn’t any different as Nightwing pointed a finger at Raven.

“Why did you bring us here, Raven? You know what hell that monster has put us through,” Nightwing said.

Raven said nothing at first; she merely opened her eyes and gazed at the former boy wonder with her blue eyes. “I know more than anyone what he has done to all of us, but right now our needs are insignificant compared to these people and the fate of their universe.”

“What’s the deal, Raven? I’d like to think you wouldn’t bring us here unless it was something of great urgency,” Cyborg said as he walked up to Raven and cupped her chin, “Why did you bring us here?”

“My…father is dying,” Raven replied as she turned her head away.

“So, you should be happy. After all the trouble he’s caused you and us including our universe,” Nightwing said apathetically.

“I would have a long time ago. However, I have come to understand that my father is a part of unique cosmic balance that must not be disrupted,” Raven replied. “If he dies, then this universe will go with it, along with the other universes he has conquered.”

“What can we possibly do? I mean, we’re talking about saving the guy who was the main reason for the team getting together again,” Arsenal said.

“Well, I don’t know anything about this, but these people… they are all innocent in this. We can’t let them suffer because of something he did,” Argent replied.

“I agree,” Starfire said though she was clearly uncomfortable with the subject.

“All life is precious, no matter how evil it is. That is something that Superman taught me and that is something I will always abide by,” Supergirl said.

After Nightwing heard everyone’s comments he nodded his head in agreement, “Alright, tell us how we can save him.”

On the other side of the region…

An emerald giant stood upon Trigon’s throne. His long, jewel encrusted sword stained with the blood of his fallen enemy, sat at his side. Inside of one of the jewels lay the soul of Trigon, the eighth devil.

“So my fine fettered friend, how do you feel?” the emerald giant asked his captive.

“You shall pay for this, Garok. When I get free I shall have my vengeance upon you,” Trigon replied with a wicked grin upon his face.

“Still counting upon that favored daughter of yours, I see. You won’t be free of me, Trigon, you shall remain in your prison until oblivion rends this tainted world from existence,” Garok replied.

Trigon snarled at the remark of his captor.

“So, let’s get this straight,” Cyborg said with both first fingers pressed to his bottom lip. “Some being named Garok used an enchanted sword to cleave Trigon’s soul from his body, which means this world and all of its inhabitants including the life in this universe will cease to exist?”

“Yes,” Raven replied.

“That’s cold,” Cyborg muttered.

“Sounds like something Trigon would do,” Nightwing mumbled.

“No, my father only seeks to conquer and enslave, he only destroys if people resist him. Apparently, this one doesn’t care either way… from the stories I have heard of him,” Raven replied.

“We’re not getting much done standing here and gabbing, let’s go, we have a universe to save,” Arsenal said finally bored with all the talk.

“I’m in agreement with Roy. Let’s just get this over with,” Starfire replied as she started coasting in the air.

“Well, fine then. Lead the way, Raven,” Nightwing said and Raven did so, as though there was a doubt.

Garok watched as the Titans made their trek towards the former castle of Trigon. He pulled forth some green goop that oozed from his skin and threw it to the floor where it transmogrified into foot soldiers that rose up awaiting his command.

“Now, my progeny, listen closely, I want you to destroy the invaders who seek to stop me. Leave none of them alive, including Trigon’s pitiful spawn,” Garok said with his voice laced with sheer contempt for the Titans and Trigon.

“Yes, master!” the spawns replied in unison and flew out the window with emerald wings that sprouted from their backs.

The Titans crossed a steep valley that lay on the border of a sea of blood. They walked past the grisly carcasses that floated on by with Supergirl turning away in revulsion.

“My god, what happened here?” Supergirl asked

“It was a war of flesh that spawned this sea of blood. Legends state that when Trigon first came upon this land, he had to slay all the gods of this dimension, which was no simple task. Instead of going the physical route, he subverted one of the wives of the gods and bred a child named Garok, who became their slayer,” Raven explained. “However, when Garok completed the task an unexpected change came over him, his godly essence cast out the side of him that belonged to Trigon. He tried to slay the devil who corrupted him and destroyed his people, but he was ultimately defeated as his transformation left him weakened. So, he was placed in a limbo from which there was no return.”

“What does that have to do with this sea of blood?” Argent asked, feeling that she wasn’t going to like the answer.

“The blood you see here is the blood of the gods who ruled over this dimension and here is where the blood will remain as a warning to others,” Raven replied apathetically.

“She sounds more distant than ever,” Arsenal whispered into Nightwing’s ear.

“I know,” Nightwing replied softly.

Suddenly an assortment of arrows landed in front of the Titans. As they looked to the sky they saw a horde of flying figures heading toward them.

“Looks like someone sent the welcome committee. Alright, Titans Together!” Nightwing said, as he tossed an escrima stick, nailing one of the winged creatures in the throat and causing it to drop like a stone.

Next to him, Arsenal shot of an impact bolt which scattered the horde, allowing the Titans breathing room. Argent kept a protective shield going warding off attacks. Nightwing turned to Starfire and Supergirl, even as they took to the sky, “Star, Supergirl get up there and give us air support.” He then dodged an incoming attack.

The two nodded their heads as they took to the air and started making their way through, knocking the flying horde silly, allowing the others to pick them off.

“Keep zigging and zagging like this, Starfire. This way these guys will be too confused to fight back,” Supergirl said as she flew past the horde again bopping them lightly with her super strength.

“Of course,” Starfire replied, obviously aware as she made another pass.

“Keep ’em right there guys because here comes the finishing touch,” Cyborg said as he locked his sonic blaster on them and fired.

Supergirl and Starfire flew out of the way as the sonic beam rendered their foes unconscious, causing them to revert to their liquid goop form. The team then gathered back together and took a breather.

“Well, that was quick and painless,” Arsenal quipped.

“Let’s get a move on,” Nightwing replied.

“Insufferable creatures,” Garok spat as he gazed in the pool that allowed him to watch their trek towards the castle. “How is it that your sufferable daughter has made such friends?”

“How should I know, fool? If I knew, I would’ve easily been able to completely subvert her to my side,” Trigon responded.

“No matter. I shall destroy them myself,” Garok mused with an air of confidence.

“Don’t you think I have tried many times before, fool,” Trigon replied with annoyance.

“Shut up, I need not hear insolent words from one who has been laid so low such as you,” Garok replied.

“We will see who the one is laid low, Garok, for I have a feeling I won’t be in here much longer,” Trigon laughed.

“Keep up with your pitiful banter and I will devour your hideous soul,” Garok said.

“Go ahead, but don’t blame if you become corrupted by my evil again,” Trigon said with a cruel smile.

Garok put the enchanted sword that held Trigon’s soul back in its scabbard.

The Titans made it to the door of the castle where Raven bared her wrist to the doorknob and it took a bite from her. Its red jeweled eyes glowed red as it opened, its garish face twisted in well-fed satisfaction.

“Are you okay, Raven?” Supergirl asked her.

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for your concern,” Raven replied.

A subtle black aura drew the emotions off of Supergirl and into Raven feeding her dark side. As they walked inside Cyborg kept a closer eye on Raven after seeing what transpired with his cybernetic eye.

“Inside this chamber is where we shall find Garok,” Raven said as she walked into the room first. Behind her the doors slammed closed and before her the form of Garok appeared with a giant shimmering orb in his hand.

“This is where your existence ends devilish spawn,” Garok said.

Raven simply stared on with horror in her eyes as her end was surely upon her.

To be continued...

Next Issue: “In the Eyes of Terror” Nuff Said.

Titan Talkback:

I admit I don’t know my Trigon history very well so I’m making this up as I go along, but if you couldn’t tell that then I must be doing my job eh? Anyways let’s hope the Titans can pull it together or they’re lunchmeat.

-Mick