Chapter 20: Paradise Lost Part 2

Beast Boy woke up to the sound chains rattling. Everything around him was pitch black. The only thing that could be seen through the darkness was a pair of solid white eyes. "Release me," called a voice in the darkness. The voice was more of an animalistic growl. Then Beast Boy realized the voice belonged to the Beast inside him, which meant that he was not awake but somewhere inside his mind.

"Release me," the Beast growled again. "I must protect her.

"He knew that the Beast was talking about Raven. "No," said Beast Boy. "I will not release you, and even if I did, you cannot beat Trigon."

"If you don't, she will die," retorted the Beast.

"I wont let that happen," Beast Boy spat defiantly. "There has to be another way."

"Then prove it," challenged the Beast.

This gave Beast Boy an idea. "Albatross!" he yelled into the darkness. "Come out, I know you're here!" The spectral figure of Albatross appeared from the darkness.

"Your animal sides serve you well, Garfield," he said in the demonic voice that unnerved Beast Boy.

"Do not patronize me," said Beast Boy dangerously.

"What is it you require?"Albatross asked, already knowing the answer.

"I want Raven to be free of Trigon's influence, and I want him gone," Beast Boy replied bitterly. "I want to make sure that demon is never coming back!" he shouted in such an angry tone that no one had ever heard him use.

"Such request requires a high price," Albatross answered. "You think you can you pay it?"

"I'll give you Trigon's soul if you make sure he never comes back, and mine for Raven's freedom," replied Beast Boy. "Is that price high enough?"

"Bring me such payment and your requests shall be met," said Albatross.

Beast Boy looked at the Beast and then finally realized what Trisha meant when she said the monster only has as much power as he allowed it to have. And this time he was going to let him have it all.

The Beast looked back at Beast Boy with satisfaction. He knew exactly what Beast Boy was thinking. He was almost longing for the chance to tear Trigon apart.

Just then, Beast Boy woke up. He saw Trigon standing around the scattered titans. Trigon had Raven held high, holding her by the throat. She was still not awake. Anyone watching could tell Trigon was about to snap her neck like a twig and toss Raven aside like a lifeless rag doll.

Beast Boy abruptly stood up. "TRIGON, LET HER GO!" he yelled, his voice taking on an animalistic growl.

"So you're the one my daughter has fallen in love with?" Trigon mocked. "I will enjoy making you watch her die."

"I WONT LET YOU HURT HER AGAIN!" Beast Boy yelled at him angrily. He could feel the Beast clawing at the edges of his mind, and at that moment nothing else mattered except Raven. He took all the animals inside him and merged them with the Beast. He let the him have all the power he had. As soon as he did, he released the Beast.

The Beast stood as tall as Trigon and looked more furious then anyone had ever seen it, more intimidating and more malicious. His claws were longer, his teeth were sharper, and his eyes were more menacing. With blinding speed, the Beast charged at Trigon, and punched him with such force Trigon lost his grip on Raven and was sent flying backwards and then smashed into a wall.

The Beast caught Raven bridal style before she hit the ground. Raven stirred in the furry arms of the Beast.

"B-Beast boy?" Raven slowly opened her eyes.

"YOU'RE AN INSIGNIFICANT WORM!" Trigon boomed as he got up. The Beast gently set Raven down and let out the most horrifying howl she had ever heard. It was so powerful it woke up the rest of the titans from their unconscious state.

Robin awoke with a start. He looked around at his surroundings. As soon as his eyes landed on the Beast, he knew something was wrong. Then, he understood now that the prophecy from Raven's book made sense. Blackcross came to the same conclusion.

Before anyone knew what was happening, including Trigon, with such speed that their eyes couldn't catch, the Beast charged. He was now standing right in front of Trigon. Trigon didn't have time to react as the Beast plunged one clawed hand through his body. Blood poured from Trigon's wound as the clawed hand made its way to where the heart was, breaking every bone along the way and the chest cavity. When his hand clasped around the red energy orb that was Trigon's soul, with more force than was probably necessary, the Beast ripped it out of his body.

He roared in victory as Albatross appeared in front of him. The Beast then looked at Albatross and handed him the orb. A dozen skeletal hands came up from the ground and dragged Trigon's lifeless body under the ground.

The Beast looked at Albatross with pleading eyes, whimpering and pointingat Raven. Albatross understood the Beast was asking for a few more minutes with Raven and nodded his head in acceptance.

He walked over to where she was sitting, her eyes unable to unsee the gruesome scene that had lay out before her. Albatross followed but still kept his distance. The Beast bowed at Raven's feet and whimpered again. Raven lifted the Beast's head and their eyes met. While they stared into each other's eyes, she petted the Beast's head.

A moment later, The Beast's eyes flashed green for a split second and then he morphed back into Beast Boy. But then as soon as he morphed back, Beast Boy fell to the ground, motionless at Ravens feet. He was dead and everyone knew it. Raven bent down and cradled his body in her arms. "NOOO!" she cried.

"I'm sorry," came a voice none of the Titans recognized. They all looked up from Beast Boy's body and saw Albatross standing near them. He looked almost human, though he still wore a black cloak and armor and his skin was now pale like Raven's instead of a ghost white. His voice had a hint of a demonic edge to it, but for the most part it was human. His face was not disfigured either, instead he looked like a guy in his mid twenties.

"I never wanted this to happen," he explained to the group. "I'm not evil like Trigon."

"Could've fooled me," snapped Robin.

"Do not misunderstand me, Robin, I knew you were not evil, and I didn't want to come after you, but believe it or not, I to have a job to do. Trisha was killed by your hand and you thought of yourself as a murderer. Your guilt is what made me come after you.

"To say Blackcross was angry would be an understatement. "What happened? We had a deal," he snapped in a dangerously low voice as his eyes glowed fog gray and ghosts started leaving his body because of his new powers that the Titans and him didn't understand. As soon as the ghosts were free, they evaporated in the air.

"This was not my doing," replied Albatross calmly. "I upheld our deal.

"Suddenly, a light green flashed brightly, and the Titans had to avert their eyes.

"This was my choice," a much more familiar voice said.

At hearing his voice, the Titans looked up and saw Beast Boy's ghost standing a short distance from them.

"Why did you leave me?" asked Raven, tears sliding down her cheeks.

Starfire was crying on Robin's shoulder and Cyborg was too shocked to do anything.

"Raven, you are free now to show emotions. Trigon no longer has influence over you," replied Beast Boy.

"What am I supposed to do without you now?" Raven sobbed.

"Raven, even in death I love you," replied Beast Boy. "And I always will. We will see each other again someday, if not in this life, then in the next." He turned his attention to Robin. "It was an honor serving with you,"said Beast Boy.

A tear slid down Robin's face from under his mask. It was my pleasure serving with you as well, you were like a brother to me, Beast Boy," replied Robin. Beast Boy turned his attention to Starfire next.

"Star, you were like the sister I never had. Don't ever forget to smile, and don't let Bird Boy here obsess too much over you." Starfire let out a small giggle at hearing that. "I will make sure he does not," she replied. "I will miss you very much, friend Beast Boy.

Beast Boy then turned his attention to Cyborg. "Cy, you were my best friend. Watch over the rest of the team for me, and Robin, you and Cy take care of Raven for me. Cyborg and Robin nodded in acceptance.

"Things aren't gonna be the same without ya, grass stain," replied Cyborg with tears in his human eye. "I'll miss you."

Finally, it came to Blackcross. "Dude you were a good friend, and I'm sorry for all my misunderstandings about you. Thank you for tolerating me," Beast Boy said with a small smile.

"Don't go!" Raven pleaded.

"I'm sorry," he replied solemnly. "But I have to. Remember I will love you from now until forever." With those final words, he vanished.

"The prophecy has been fulfilled," said Albatross. "I must leave now," and with that, he vanished as well.

A few days later

It had been two days since Beast Boy's death. The mood in the tower was that of mourning. Raven had locked herself in her room since it happened. Cyborg locked himself in the garage with the T-Car. Starfire was crying on Robin's shoulder most of the time. Blackcross was not around either, he spent hours staring off in the distance at the ocean from the edge of Titans island.

One night when Robin was alone in his room, he took his mask off and called the one person he knew who would understand. "Hello?" answered a man on the other line.

"Bruce, this is Dick," Robin said distraughtly.

"What's wrong?" asked Bruce, concerned.

"O-one of my teammates d-died. Beast Boy is gone," Robin choked out, trying not to cry.

"I'm really sorry to hear that, Richard," Bruce said truthfully. Have funeral arrangements been made?" he asked.

"N-not yet," said Robin.

"I'll handle it," Bruce replied. "And I'll notify the Doom Patrol, the Justice League, and all the honorary Titans. And Richard I understand losing a friend is never easy."

"Thank you," replied Robin, and hung up.

The next day

Robin had talked to everyone except Blackcross and Raven. Raven wouldnt talk to anyone. Blackcross was sitting on a rock when Robin walked up. Hey are you alright asked Robin? Blackcross didn't reply. Beast boys funeral is tomorrow said Robin. I wont be there replied Andrew. im leaving.

why Asked Robin? this is all my fault and i cant bear to face Raven and the others knowing im the reason hes dead. no one blames you Andrew Said Robin. I betrayed you and the team said Blackcross. how so asked Robin?

for the past few months i have had visions of his return i didnt say anything to the team and i brought him back explained Andrew. he manipulated you through Red X that is not your fault replied Robin. where will you go asked Robin? Im going back to Quadralithion replied Blackcross as he handed Robin his communicator.

Robin thought about the similarities between his past and Andrews. he then thought about How Bruce Wayne took him in. Robin shook his head. No he replied to Blackcross you keep it you can always come back we're family and thats what familys for. Thank you Robin replied Andrew for everything i'll come back someday. and with that Blackcross evaporated into the air and vanished.

The day of the funeral

The funeral was being held on the Titan's Island. Hundreds of people had showed up to pay their respects to the fallen hero. Bruce Wayne had spared no expense. A large stage was set up. On it was Beast Boys coffin. Next to the coffin stood the Titans, minus their newest edition Blackcross. Behind the titans stood the Justice League. Beside them stood The Doom Patrol. All the honorary Titans and Titans East were in the front of the crowd.

Robin was standing in the center with the other titans beside him. A microphone was in front of him. "If I may have your attention please," he said into the microphone. The crowd went silent. "We are gathered here today to remember the life and service of Beast Boy, someone who put other people before himself. He fought to protect those he cared about and the city he called home. He was a true hero," Robin stated.

"Besides being a hero, Beast Boy was more than that. He was a brother to few, a boyfriend to one, and a friend to all," said Robin. "And I speak for everyone here when I say Beast Boy will be missed, and that this city wont be the same without you." Robin swallowed and stepped away from the microphone.

Batman put his hand on Robins shoulder and softly spoke so only the ones on the stage could here him. "Nicely put, Richard," said Batman.

Standing in the crowd was a girl with blond hair and blue eyes. A girl who knew Beast Boy well. She had betrayed him, saved him, lied to and rejected him. Now here she was, tears streaming down her face paying her respect at a funeral... for a friend.

A/N: This is the final chapter to this story, but a sequel will be written and published near the end of summer. It is called Titans Lost, and a certain green changeling will definitely be in it. And I would also like to remind everyone who have read this story to review and give feed back. Thanks again, and thank you all who have reviewed, your encouragements helped a lot with the completion of this story. So until next time...

Ljstarlight