A/N: Well this took absolutely forever to write. I still hate what I wrote but I really just want to get moving and after all this time, things aren't going to get better. Just too much explanation and info for this chapter to be any good as a story. Either way I will still apologize for the extremely long delay and hope and I can get this story finished in the near future. I may cut some parts out just to get it done, but nothing of over relevance. In truth, some things may not make any sense only because its been so long since anyone has read some of the things mentioned...like all the way back to the original story. But what can you do...

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans but hey, I think we all already knew that.

The Truth Lies in Shades of Gray

Chapter 14: That Which Rivals God

By: Finalitylife

Nightwing was no stranger to pain, having endured some things that he didn't wish on anyone but the worst beings in this Universe, yet the amount of pain he was in at this moment was beyond anything he had ever felt before. It felt like every molecule of his body was trying to rip itself apart, the pain transcending just a physical level. He wanted to scream, but at the moment, he wasn't even sure if he had lungs to scream with. The pain however, suddenly just stopped, everything becoming okay again despite a strange tingling sensation through out. His senses started to come back to focus, his vision clearing until he finally could see what lay before him. He saw...his brain couldn't even begin to fathom what he was seeing for it was absolutely indescribable. It...it was everything.

Before him in all its infinite and immeasurable glory was the Universe itself. Billions upon billions of stars, millions of planets and the incalculable sense of life without end. It simply was.

Nightwing glanced to his side, his unmasked eyes going wide in shock as a zooming comet was coming right at him. He didn't even have time to react as it hit him, his mind quickly realizing there was no impact, confirming a suspicion that he really didn't have a corporal form. He watched as the comet zoomed off on its ancient path, never slowing down for a second.

Nightwing returned his sight back toward the seen in front of him...all around him, trying to take in as much as possible. He truly felt insignificant at this moment though on the strangest sense lingered within him that he belonged here. Everything felt connected to him...felt comforting. However, the warmth that was flowing into him suddenly retracted from whatever form he was at the moment, replaced by something horribly alien in presence, sending a stunning chill throughout though it truly wasn't cold, but rather terribly empty.

Only moments ago he had felt at home in the vast endlessness of creation, but suddenly, he felt trapped and completely alone, nothingness closing in around him. At the very edge of his perception, he could sense another being...its presence overwhelming every sense he had. Slowly, a shadowy figure flickered into existence from the darkness itself, it truly having only the faintest humanoid form. What was most noticeable was that despite the never-ending darkness, there was light coming from the form...a glowing blue light emanating from something Nightwing easily recognized to be the Jewel of Tamaran.

"The Jewel is my key to Heaven, the key to my power. You WILL return it to me mortal..." The voice spoke directly into Nightwing's head, barely above a whisper...almost a hiss, but the strength contained within was palpable. Images in Nightwing's mind flickered back to the 'vision' he had before leaving Earth for the wedding...all his friend's dead and the mysterious figure demanding back what was his. Perhaps this was another vision though Nigthwing had trouble doubting both incidents because of the realism of both...the pain and emotion of both.

The figure moved closer, wrapping itself around Nightwing, and pain started to erupt within his body all over again, but it ended quickly as the darkness was suddenly overcome with a blinding blue light and a new presence that reached straight into the depth of Nightwing's soul and pulled him back from the abyss. Nightwing could feel the darker presence retract with a scream of anger and pain, disappearing completely in an instant.

Nightwing's vision slowly cleared, the Universe itself once again sitting in all its splendid glory before him, only this time there was another figure clearly standing' next to him...a figure with massive white wings.

"Glad I got here in time. He's gotten strong, but we still hold more sway in this realm...at least for now. You should be safe for the moment."

Nightwing's gaze traveled up the figure who towered over even him, a true warrior's build, with short black hair and nearly clear eyes with the smallest hint of green. He now had his arms folded across his chest, his wings spread out fully in what was a truly imposing sight though Nightwing couldn't help but feel that curious comfortable feeling with this being just as he had felt with the Universe itself. The two figures seemed to study each other for a second before the larger being's solemn face suddenly smiled brightly as he extended his hand toward Nightwing.

"Well I guess a proper introduction would be due then. My name is Gabriel, one of the two last surviving Arch-Angel's of the realm of Heaven. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Nightwing stared at the outstretched hand for a few seconds before reluctantly taking it in his own, trying to introduce himself, but his words were cut off by a wave of the Arch-Angel's other hand and a small bit of laughter.

"What I meant is that I would introduce myself. I already know who you are Richard. Its not everyday I get to meet the hero who finally put down that bastard Lucifer...eons overdue I might add, but truly glad he's finally gone. That monster was allowed to exist for far too long...hurt far, far too many people."

The smile slowly disappeared from Gabriel's face, and as Nightwing looked into the angelic being's eyes, he could see a pain...an ancient pain within them that still haunted him to the very core. It hurt Nightwing to even look into them, breaking contact. He stood there for a second, contemplating what to say next, not even bothering to question how Gabriel had known his real name because it would be stupid to question a being like this. He figured he would just get straight to the point, using his most serious and emotionless tone.

"What's going on?" The large angel again folded his arms across his chest, a deep look of thought and worry etched into his perfect features.

"Would you believe me if I told you that I don't exactly know?"

"I find it hard to believe a being such as yourself would not know what is going on, though I guess it would not be the first time."

Nightwing referred to all the incidents with Lucifer and immediately regretted it as the dark look Gabriel gave him made him simply want to disappear though he did not show that.

"I'll give you that one kid. You suffered at his hands...your loved ones suffered at his hands, but never for a second think you got it the worst from that bastard. Many others suffered worse...some still suffer endless guilt and pain."

Nightwing could only nod his head, asking a question to change the subject.

"Well could you at least tell me then what the hell that shadowy figure is that I keep seeing? I saw him with the Jewel of Tamaran moments ago before I believe you saved me. What...what the hell was that?"

"Hell is not the correct word to use...nor I guess Heaven either. He has a name...a name you know, though I truly wonder if he is even that anymore...wonder if he ever was from the beginning."

"Its not Lucifer is it? He hasn't found a way to return?" Nightwing was surprised when the being smiled the smallest smiles of satisfaction.

"The two strange energies we have felt recently are not the familiar taint that is Lucifer. When you destroyed him, his essence could not go back to Heaven or Hell, simply fading away into the nothingness, and it apparently is not He who found his way back. There are problems, but at the very least I can say it is not Lucifer...sadly though that brings no comfort ."

"Wait...found his way back? Who are you talking about if its not Lucifer?"

"Another being born of Heaven with the same darkness intertwined within who found a way to come back from the final end of souls when none was ever thought possible.

Nightwing's face stoned up, knowing that if it wasn't Lucifer he was talking about, it could only be one other being.

"SoulBurn...its SoulBurn whose come back."

"No, that would be incorrect. The being you knew as SoulBurn was but a temporary creation from the events orchestrated by Lucifer. He was nothing but a divine shadow of the true being...a reflection of perhaps what he would have been had he not been tainted by the defiled essence of Lucifer shortly after his birth. Do you understand what I mean?"

"You mean Azrael...the one cast into the mortal realm to learn the preciousness of life and the importance of the mortal realm...the being who in fact did learn these things and sacrificed everything he was to turn time itself back to bring me back from the dead...to bring all my friends back together. That really did happen or was that all one big lie?"

A grim look from the Arch-Angel.

"To be honest, the Azrael I know would not give up his power to simply save a few mortal lives. To this moment, I still wonder if it really was Azrael who made such a noble decision, or the one you knew as SoulBurn somehow had influence, but either way there is no proof. We only know what we know, and I'll do my best to inform you of the finer details."

"Well the tell me these 'finer' details. I knew SoulBurn, and he was the noblest, most benevolent being I've ever met. I find it hard to believe that if any of him is inside Azrael, he would be any threat if he's finally come back. I find it hard to believe he would hurt Starfire or Raven or any one else. What the fuck is going on? What happened to Raven!"

Nightwing's anger boomed out from his confusion and pain, the larger being in front of him not even flinching as sparks of blue energy seemed to spring off Nightwing's body, his revealed eyes turning completely blue for a few seconds.

"Anger will get us nowhere my friend. It will not help us in the coming battle. The quest for vengeance above all others will only doom your soul for all eternity..."

"I don't give a damn about MY damn soul. I care about all the innocent people who are probably in danger right now. I care about all my friends who are scared and in pain on Tamaran right now. I care about the woman I love lying comatose and the loss of my unborn child who I never thought I could even have with her. Now stop with your little heaven speeches and tell me whose ass I need to go kick!"

Blue energy erupted from Nightwing's body, Gabriel creating a shield of his own energy to block the blast from making contact with him, awed slightly at the power that was there...not expecting such a display. He studied the seething human who had somehow transcended into the higher plans of existence with power that should have never been seen again, and knew in an instant, that this young man as well as the other familiar yet unidentifiable being might be there only hope...or lead to their final doom.

"Well then, if you want to know what we are up against, then I shall tell you. We are up against that which is eternal yet nothing all the same. That which was already there when the Creator formed Heaven as well as the four Arch-Angels of Heaven and yet still defies explanation and logic. It is the Void...the place where destroyed souls fade away too forever, and even I must admit, it is the only thing in my billions of years of existence that has ever frightened me. It was the only thing Lucifer himself would not challenge...oblivion itself, though in the end, the Void still took him."

"I told you not to give me this crap. What specifically IS it...how can something be so evil that even the damned Devil himself would be afraid?" Gabriel shook his head telling Nightwing that he was incorrect in his assertion.

"That's just it kid, IT isn't anything. When I said it was nothing, I meant it. It is beyond the concepts of good and evil, chaos and order, concepts that have shaped the battle lines since the first mind could comprehend such ideals. It is even beyond the limitations and definitions of time and space, bending to not the passage of the ages nor the will of creation itself. For as long as there has been God, there has been the Void, sitting just at the edge of the perceptions we are capable of, with no energy of its own, with no will of its own. It had no wants, no desires, took no actions or influenced any moment in time the slightest bit. All it did was take those that no longer belonged in existence, and rest at the very border of reality as if it waited to spill forth one day and wash everything that is ever was, is, and ever will be in a relentless tide of nothingness."

Nightwing could only stare at the taller figure, his mouth moving to say something, but no words could even begin to respond to something that he truly couldn't even comprehend. That which rivaled God yet didn't actually exist. How could anyone understand that? His anger had for a moment been replace with confusion.

"And it seems that day has finally come for the Void has finally stepped across that threshold into existence bringing with it a consciousness, a will to guide its endless abyss, and now...we just don't know, but I'm scared kid...with this...this thing, it's the only time I do fear. Azrael did the impossible when he turned back time, losing himself to the same place that claimed two Arch-Angel's already, and he redefined possibility itself when suddenly he actually came back from the abyss...bringing the unseen oblivion with him."

A dark silence formed between the two figures, allowing what was said to truly set in. Nightwing found himself fidgeting ever so slightly as some unseen astral wind passed him by, wishing his mask was still on his face to hide the uncertainty there.

"In the end, Lucifer failed to achieve what he desired, yet the end result of his failures still may doom us all. We don't truly even know where to begin to stop something that doesn't even truly exist in the first place."

Nightwing noticed something again...the constant reference to 'we'.

"What do you mean 'we'?"

"The last two of the original four Arch-Angels of Heaven...myself as well as the first among all creation...Michael, the father of Azrael. The other two, well you know pretty much what happened to Lucifer, and the other...Azrael's mother, Michael's soulmate, as well as my sister Elysia...she was destroyed by Lucifer long, long ago. Forgive me if I don't go into details about that."

Nightwing vaquely recalled that fact, and it all became abundantly clear what that haunted look was in Gabriel's eyes...the inability to save his sister from the monster that was Lucifer still would not let go. He had seen the look in Batman's eyes, seen it in his own eyes...it was not something he enjoyed seeing. Nightwing chose to not further talk about that, but instead only mentioned Michael.

"He was the one who came to the mortal realm after Lucifer was destroyed...after I was destroyed. Where is he now?"

"Again that is a bit complicated, but I will try to explain. The energies of creation exist within all things, tied together by unseen strings that allow its flow to go unabated through out every breath of existence. Do you understand this?"

Nightwing nodded.

"When I first met SoulBurn...he told me almost the same exact thing. The power of Heaven is the ability to tap into this connection...this untold essence. Am I right?"

"Yes...yes you are. All angels to some extent can tap into this life force of the Universe, the strongest of us to levels near unimaginable, and Michael has the strongest connection to it. The problem with this connection is that it is fragile...stretched very thin throughout, more so in the mortal realm, which is the reason the higher beings must not interfere there too much. We protect it, heal it when it is damaged...this is the true purpose of the Arch-Angels and heaven."

"I think I understand this...go one."

"Lucifer's unheard of interference in the mortal realm a few years back has damaged things further, and with Azrael's emergence...things are getting bad., very bad especially around Earth. If you imagine that all existence as one giant tapestry, held together by all the strings that flow throughout, well what do you think happens when you pull too hard on those strings."

"It will tear apart." Gabriel nodded.

"Exactly. Azrael by his presence and actions in the mortal realm is ripping existence apart, distorting reality, time, and space on levels that are hard to fathom. Things that have never happened are happening, time frames are colliding with each other disrupting its flow, and various realities are overlapping producing possibilities that were avoided, but are now becoming real."

Nightwing clenched his fists slightly. He had seen a vision of his past...a battle during his apprenticeship and it had felt so real and now there was a chance he had actually been back there. He had seen another vision...perhaps a vision of the future. He did not want to believe that...believe only death and destruction awaited him in the time to come.

"You asked where Michael is, and the truth is he's everywhere. He has stretched his powerful essence as far as he can to try and hold that tapestry together, hoping to buy time for something to be done to stop his only son. It is working so far, but the stronger Azrael becomes, the more power he obtains...it can only last so long before he breaks through any resistance his father or I can offer. I really don't know how much time we have because time as a linear path is no longer an absolute, and such things are beginning to bend to the will of Void incarnate."

"What can we possibly do if even you and Michael are fighting a losing battle?"

"Michael and I...we are higher beings and even though this battle is being fought with such tremendous power, it is being fought in the mortal realm. If we were to enter it now, the effects could be absolutely devastating. Also, if one of us is destroyed again..."

Gabriel hesitated, that haunted look returning to his eyes...so much pain.

"...if one of us is destroyed, I imagine the energies of creation will be unable to withstand that lost, only speeding up what we believe the Void is after...complete annihilating.

"So us mortals are on our own again, fighting a battle we can't even understand against an enemy that we can't defeat. Why does this sound familiar?"

The bitterness and anger was strong in Nightwing's voice, causing Gabriel to break contact with his form looking away in guilt.

"I truly am sorry kid. The truth is we never expected to ever see Azrael again, and even when he did return, he was able to remain unnoticed within the distorted energies that surround Earth because of the events with Lucifer. Then something happened that made us aware of his existence...but it was too late to interfere because of what happened."

"What happened?"

"Somehow, one of Heaven's more foolish members noticed Azrael's presence in the mortal realm...on Earth. Rather than inform anyone else and more than likely for his own selfish reasons, he broke our most sacred law and entered into the mortal realm to destroy Azrael personally. The sheer level of stupidity of this choice I can't even begin to explain, but sadly even those of us who are supposed to represent the side of light and perfection are not above pettiness and mistakes. Azrael destroyed him and the Void consumed his energy...when this happened, we realized exactly what had come back."

"Then why didn't you do something? Why didn't you act then to stop anything else from happening?"

"Like I said earlier, we higher beings don't ever directly go to the mortal realm because of what are energies can do to its fragile nature, and things especially around Earth after Lucifer's interference are especially bad. The destruction of the angel only furthered the damage, and though myself and Michael were able to minimize the damage, billions of lives simply ceased to exist because of it, and many were lost on your planet as well.

"The earthquake...

"Yes...that was the result your planet directly felt though other, more distant planets are now gone. I believe the only reason your planet even survived is because of something else...a second unknown energy hiding just beyond our understanding that has taken up resident on your planet."

This caught Nightwing's attention, curiosity instantly apparent in his eyes.

"Someone else?"

"If Azrael has become beyond our perception, then this energy simply is above our perception in a way. It feels...it feels right but seems to avoid classification...seems to somehow be able to hide itself in plain view. Again I can't really explain it, but like I said, I believe its presence may have saved your planet. Again, it is only a theory, I can not think of any other possibility as to why your world was spared oblivion when so many others were not."

Nightwing felt a sick feeling in his stomach at the thought of so many gone again hit him straight in the face. So few had been lost five years ago when so easily so many could have been crushed, and now, billions had already been torn apart. If this was only the beginning, then what was to come...it really did sicken him.

"So this...this other presence...are you saying it might be an ally?"

"Possibly...the vaguest senses we can still pick up from its energy don't feel threatening, but they do feel clouded for an unknown reason. It could be nothing in the end, or it could one of our two best chances of making it out of this in one piece."

Again Nightwing raised a curious eyebrow.

"One of two best chances?"

"Yes...our other hope is you my friend. When you destroyed Lucifer, you were but only a mortal human being with no power of his own, fueled only by your will and determination. Now kid, a greater threat has risen, but it seems fate has given us hope in you by granting a mortal being tremendous power of the light who can effectively fight this threat in his own realm where we can not. You my friend can fight, and I imagine that you will with every last breath you have."

"The vision's I have tell me...this power, it was his wasn't it."

Gabriel nodded solemnly.

"Yes...the power you wield is...was Azrael's. How you obtained it is just another of many, many unanswered question, but I guess it doesn't matter right now does it."

Nightwing felt his body clench up, again the vision of the dark figure that now had a name clouded his mind.

"He'll...he'll come for what is his..." It was not a question, but a statement, and Gabriel understood this.

"I know...you can NOT let him have back that power. It was taken from him for a reason and given to you. It must stay this way."

"I'll do what I can..."

"I know, and it is all we have ever been able to do since the beginning, all we will ever be able to do until the end, which I hope is a long time off."

"I will stop him Gabriel. I will make him pay for all the lives he's already destroyed, and I will make him pay for hurting Raven and my unborn child."

Nightwing watched Gabriel fidget ever so slightly at his words, the look on his face telling Nightwing he was going to say something he had trouble saying.

"There is one other thing I would like to ask you though Richard...something I think that will be the hardest part of all of this. No matter what happens, even if more are hurt, and even if you have to kill him, please do not hate Azrael. Despite everything, he is not completely to blame for what he has become...cursed with the dark taint of Lucifer from the very beginning...please stop him, but just don't hate him."

Nightwing stared upon Gabriel with a cold, stern look in his eyes.

"I think I understand that...Raven...she was born with the same taint, manipulated into doing terrible things even though she never truly would. I will try not to hate him, but right now, I won't make the promise that I don't."

"I see...well then I believe it is time you go back to your body. If you stay any longer on this plane of existence, I am afraid you might not be able to make it back."

"And how do I go back?" Nightwing asked the question even as he wanted to ask dozens of more questions, but the slight urgency in Gabriel's voice told him that he wasn't joking baout him not being able to get back. He at least knew something now, and felt deep within that more answers would reveal themselves in time...just as they always seemed to.

"Oh I think Michael shall take care of that for us." It was at this moment that Nightwing started to feel his vision fading in and out, feeling a far off pull tugging at his core.

"Well that would be it kid. Good luck, and if we find a way to help, you will know it."

"Farewell," and with that Nightwing faded away, leaving Gabriel floating there in the astral landscape as he let out a deep sigh, a voice beginning to speak into his mind.

"How did things go Gabriel?"

"Good...I told him most of what we know, kept a few things back like the fact that the Creator has stopped communicating with us on any level, cutting itself off from those closest. I didn't want to overwhelm him too much."

"Yes...that is a good idea. How is Arella doing since I've been...indisposed?"

"I think you already no the answer to that. She's strong of mind and spirit, and she won't let anything faze her after what she has endured. She is strong just like Elysia was...I can see why you enjoy being with her.

"Does she know about Raven?"

"I have not told her what happened to her but to be exact we don't know what happened either. She knows something is wrong. As unique as Raven's energy is, it was not hard for her mother to notice something change with it so drastically. I'll leave that one up to you. I should be able to watch over things for awhile...you take a break."

"Yes...I am growing weary. A small bit of rest could be beneficial...thank you Gabriel...thank you for speaking to him. Even after everything, I can not ask someone to destroy my son...not after how much I've failed him...how much I failed Elysia all that time ago..."

"We can dwell in our self pity about what happened to Elysia and Azrael for another eternity Michael, but you know that won't change anything. Lucifer has finally been destroyed and it still didn't change any thing. What do you think my sister would say if she still saw us so messed up after so long? She would be angry, and I know you remember how truly frightening she was when she was angry.".

"Indeed I do, but you know as well as I do, the pain and regret does not disappear completely even with the passage of eternities."

"Yeah...but I can always hope that this time I say it, it will actually get better."

"Yes, we will always have hope even in the bleakest of hours. We do not have the comfort of God at this moment, but we still have our hope. We must be strong for Elysia's memory, strong for our duty, and strong for the lives of this Universe. We WILL not let this all disappear."

"Always so good with those speeches my old friend...too bad very few can believe them anymore."

"There will be a final end, or there will be a new beginning for us all, and I can't help but fear that this was destined to happen all along."

"I feel the same thing...as if this was meant to happen even before Lucifer turned against us. I guess we'll just have to wait and see...just have to wait and see..."