Titans Among Us - Dick Grayson

i - Raven

I rapidly beat my hands against the shimmering barrier calling out and endlessly screaming for my team mates as I do so. Eventually I huff out a breath and step back, assessing the barrier itself. Trigon clearly is selective about who comes in and who leaves. I begin imagining the thing opening, just enough for me to fit through and help everyone. The sound of a motorcycle interrupts my thoughts as I turn around to be greeted by Hank, Dawn and Jason in full Robin gear, "Great, the whole cavalry is here. Too bad I can't get in," I inform them as they come closer. 

Hank furrows his brows and looks at the giant barrier, "You should've told us we needed superman," He attempts to joke, however only Jason gives a small snigger. 

I sigh once again and turn back to face the impenetrable fortress when, much to my frustration, it simply opens up, leading to the comment, "That's not concerning."

I turn to the remaining three behind me, "It looks like someone's inviting us in."

Jason is the first to step up, "Invitation accepted!" 

We walk through seamlessly, myself immediately spotting Rachel as she catches my gaze and rushes towards me, embracing me in a tight hug, "Avery!" She exclaims with relief. The room is dimly lit, it looks just like any house would at night, however, I can't help the horrifically creepy feeling that takes over me as I look around the place. 

I hug the teen back tightly, petting her hair softly as I whisper, "Are you okay?" I ask her, looking over her shoulder and seeing a few of the friends that entered before me. 

Rachel pulls away and looks at me with tears in her eyes, "Trigon did something to Dick. He changed him."

My brows furrow as I grasp her shoulders gently, keeping my eyes level with hers, "What do you mean?"

Kory asks me a question before Rachel can explain, "Where are the others?" She asks me, standing straighter as she speaks. I know she's trying to keep calm and in control of the situation, and she's doing a way better job at that than me.  

I look around and see that not Hank, Dawn or Jason made it with me, "I don't know. They came in with me. They should be here."

Rachel speaks up again, a pleading tone in her voice,  "You need to stop them before he can get to them." She all but begs, moving to clench my hand tightly, letting me know how scared she really is of this situation, it must be worse than I imagined.  

"Look, it might've already happened," Gar chimes in, ready to accept the worst. 

I take a breath before ushering the kids closer, "I'll find them, I just need Kory to lead you guys out of here okay? I'll find the rest and help -"

Rach cuts me off and turns around to face me,  "No. You don't understand. It's too late. No one is safe. It's my fault," The sullen girl turns to our alien friend, "Kill me."

Kory's expression of disbelief mirrors mine as she tries to taken Rachel's shocking request, "What?"

"It's the reason you came to Earth in the first place. He'll use me to take over our friends, everyone we love. They'll be his forever. It's the only way." The teen elaborates, almost crying to herself as she struggles to get all the words out. 

Kory and I share a look before I decide to speak up, "Rachel, this is crazy." I say, she's not serious is she? This whole time we knew Trigon wasn't going to go down easy, but surely this isn't the most rational solution Rachel can think of. 

Nevertheless, she ignores me and continues talking to the taller woman, "Kory... Kill me."

"No."