Devil in My Mind

Standoff with Cyborg

Sunrise. The Titans have already been called to fight crime and were out the door in a matter of minutes. But, someone needed to stay behind to make sure the Devil Hunter didn't bail. And while Raven initially volunteered without hesitation, the job was ultimately assigned to Cyborg.

On the floor level of the tower, he catches their guest about to head out and swiftly blocks him from the door.

"Whoa whoa, you can't just waltz out the door with Slade out there looking for you."

"Gotta earn a living. Need to check my messages or at least find a broker."

"Hey man, if you're looking for work there are plenty of bad guys to bust around the city. Does it have to be demons?"

"They're my speciality. Either way, I'm a mercenary. Death is part of the gig."

"That's not how things work around here. The only demons you're gonna run into are the ones Slade might be controlling. If he can't find you, he can't send demons after you."

"You don't think the giant T-shaped skyscraper might give away my location?"

"Talk smack all you want about the obviousness of the T Tower but it's got the best security system you're gonna find. And because it's also Raven's home, it's got a demon sensor built into the radioactivity monitors. Not our first rodeo, Dante."

"What am I supposed to do all day?"

"Whatever you want so long as it's inside the tower."

"Whatever I want? You sure you wanna give me that level of freedom?"

"Within reason! Jeez, you're worse than Beast Boy. Aren't you a little old to be this immature? How old are you anyway?"

"Old enough to be your sleazy uncle, now step aside. I was thinking I might decapitate Slade today."

But Cyborg doesn't budge.

"No can do. You're under our watch now. Once we know what Slade is planning then we can talk about letting you leave."

Dante conjures his sword, rests it on his shoulder, eyes glowing, fixated on the floor. A direct glare might terrify Cyborg, despite what experience he claims to have with demons.

"I can always make you move, Cyborg."

Cyborg braces himself, raising his mechanical arm, prepared to eject whatever weapon may be needed.

"You're gonna make this difficult, huh. That's too bad. We're not just trying to protect you. We've got a whole city to watch out for. Go back upstairs, I mean it."

Dante de-manifests his sword, still not providing eye contact, though his stance reminds Cyborg very much of Raven when her demon side takes over. They are quiet for a few seconds as Cyborg observes him keeping something tremendously powerful within himself, at bay. He lowers his cannon, knowing he's disrespected a seasoned warrior.

"I'm sorry. You have every right to be mad at me. I know there's a real kick butt level of magic you're hiding right now. I don't doubt I'd lose a fight to you but, Dante, I can't let you leave."

Frustrated, Dante turns and makes his way back up a set of industrial stairs, warping in and out of sight, and giving off a hint of hellfire.