The New Titans ; Presents...
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Going overboard with the title drama...heh..well! The story thus far still following an exciting return of our heroes!
The Titans are going to be rewinding from the end of the last arc- the beginning will start off with the teens two years later. The team is pumped to start fighting villains that can't mess up their winning streak. So far, only Raven can sense the otherworldly creatures of the spirit world. The dark shadows are still clinging to the current present, she has to bat them away when her leader's back is turned and 'when' he returns.
Starfire has grown closer to her hero though apart,when he returns from studying with the true master in the east, then that will be the time to celebrate. The arc is starting off quick, so try to keep mysterious golden dragon , spirit world prophecy's end, and a few fast forwards into the hero Robin's adult years will be added . The guardians are watching from afar, trying to scope out anything that might,be amiss. So! Without further ado! These New Years begins!
/
The whole world had seen a bend in the following weeks to months ; Stasrfire gazed out a tall windowframe that overlooked the Jump City Harbour. Her eyes were distant and restless as her fingertips traced the invisible threads connecting she and her absent love against the glass.
Robin was far across that blue field- he had promised to come home once his training was completed beside an elderly sensei of sorts. She had saved the hero's leader before..more so to test if his mindset was still by his own making. Starfire fidgeted in her seat by the cill. It was breezy but...her face felt warm as a summer's day just gazing out into the infinite skies. "Robin.."Her heart pattered through her ears as if he were right there beside her..He was not, and this made her fluster for some reason without her ability to stop it. They had not been together in more than one whole year! Cyborg had talked via network computer. They were not to set foot inside the dojo at any time during the young off duty Titan's training. Beastboy had rekindled a relationship; just as goodf friends, with newly reinstated Titan Geomancer, Tara Markov . She was close like Beastboy to graduating her last year of high school in Jump City where she'd been with her makeshift family..Well, they had adopted her, she had no family due to a dangerous past aparently with Slade involved in it's collapse. Her heart had been broken by that outburst. The others were just relieved that the geomancer hero was happy with her new, and in control life. A good friend had helped her to build confidence in using her newest form of earth moving powers. The sorcerer of the otherworlders of the Spirit Realm was a good ally of the Titans once as well. During a great calamity on the plane unseen by mortals, the team had witnessed first hand it's effects onto their own time and space. The empath of dark magics had brought the topic up that she did not want her teammates to forget the catastrophy to the point of becoming powerless again. They needed that sort of self awareness between them, to prevent another ' happening' as one deity had put it. The ones of higher order were divided due to the intervention of another world governing fate. Time stood still there while the Titans' ages moved along smoothly to match their times. The earth was more of less safe from apocalyptic doom. The heroes had fought off a very strong enemy Raven claimed had killed his own child last born to bring about an 'end to end all ends'. The whole of the theory had been; the lost son had not been wandering around as a tangible force between the planes..He was a lost spirit looking for a way to the other side, and regretted it so badly that terrible demonic creatures had taken advantage of the spirit son's darkest fears.
The entire end had been the teens returning without the one person they had sworn to protect. Now, he was faring far better; he seemed wide awake during a ring each time his team called to exchange events weekly. The Tamaran red head shook her own with a small grin. "I will be stronger, Robin is also doing his very best for his friends." She nodded by this and head down the hall to the living room. The boys ; Bb and Cyborg, were taking five with a Gamestation showdown beatdown session in front of the big plasma screen. The graphics had improved over a few years of trial and error. Starfire peered over to see what game they had chosen to face off in. "Friends! May I ask what you are doing the 'showing off' of this time? The design is most cheerful. The lights on the screen have always been this..." She trailed off when no answer was recieved. It had sounded like a lousy comment anyway. Eighteen was a bummer . Beastboy was seventeen as were she and Robin...However, Raven and Cyborg stood as seniors of the division and the most qualified stand - ins during their leader's absence . The red haired princess sighed heavily and decided moping would solve nothing in the end . Her garden of exotic flowering specimen was readying to burst forth with more color than autumn's cascade of falling leaves. "That would be wonderous!" She squeeled happily as the thought of fresh cut flowers atop a breakfast ta...ble...
Again she moaned pitifully over her dear hero's seperation !
"I..will not forget- Yet Robin and my dear friends have indeed warned over 'dwelling ' for too long!" Her fists pumped , the alien daughter of royalty stomped off to tend to her duties. She had done all she could among the criminal cases with her team. The entire day had been uneventfully drab and almost too peaceful!
"That would be what my team would not allow...we enjoy 'living in the perfect harmony'...I shouldnottellmyselfanymorebadwillbee! Grrrr!" Her eyes drooped and with a yawn, the princess realized she did not want to stay put. The whole of her city had been under the wraps an no sirens had blared to alert of dangerous happenings all day .
Moments after the alien teen had soothed herself ,
Raven had waltzed in from behind sliding doors with a large book in her arms. Starfire's mood brightened , thinking that the Azarathian teen might bond with her in Robin's leave of absence!
She waved and float off towards the heroic witch. Though, her speed meter was a bit, off . She was going to crash into her team's mechanical big bro without stopping!
"Whaaa! Star! I was gonna fall, you gotta be careful indoors girl friend- ya dig?" He lectured her a bit then set off back to the garage where he'd been making modifications on the T- Car.
Raven shrugged and simply smiled away the awkwardness, though, it was more of a smirk due to her own social cues being a bit difficult to adjust at times. "You alright? Robin..I mean, I know your face is beat red for another reason..Kori..If you want to talk, I will listen...I just have to do some cleaning in my room before I can invite you inside." The gasp of the pop princess was a joyous one as she hugged her dear' friend happening to be a girl' tightly into her own gasping fit.
"Oooh! Thankyouthankyou Raven! I will wash up while you do the cleaning of deep..I mean..deep cleaning regimine...heh!"
Her face was clearer now of the irritable fluster as she dashed back to her own dwelling , now her day had gotten somewhere interesting! All by a simple mistake however...
Her pace slowed as she tried to hold back a sob. It worked until the alarm started to blare without warning within her team's base of operations.
"Titans! Gotta get up and head out. Duty calls, in or out?"
Cyborg set through to the units each teammember possessed. The red and green buttons were pressed in unision. The time to fly was now. The city could no longer remain peaceful- not until the Titans of Jump City shook it to it's core in a new light. Heroic acts sure were unpresidented at times. Her feet lifted as Star dove after her team. This was a wake up for the newly made bunch.
Only, Their fifth member was far away, across the sea and unable to see their strength and how it had flourished without him by their side.
/
The New Titans Presents...
These New Years; Chapter 1: Far Away Across The Ocean Leading Back To You; A Ghostly Reflection In The Mirror Gazes Back.
/
The heroes had returned to the pier docks as the report had given the location out too easily to not be a trap. Bb sniffed the area below and above for traces of any scents prior to their arrival. It was quiet and Raven even had goosebumps from the odd feeling of being watched. Her energies fanned out , keeping her teammates away from the progressive shadows that were still active . Even after the saving of other worlds, the heroic four and one more had been busy. Tara had rejoined only if she had the call - when she wasn't studying or going to take exams for college. The Titans East had been supportive as well, keeping things steady with NINA . An android with similar standards to Cyborg. As if she were a real human in army garb with a bazooka! The young miss had grown older than Starfire and Beastboy since their last meeting . Astarte of course, could not age but had to endure the years of the new era with eyes fully aware and others inside the ranks a bit skeptical of her arrival.
The two had been back up when dealing with officials of both Eternal and Celestial branches. Cy held his ground when a scurry made the green changeling bolt after into a fast paced pursuit.
He was running with his cheetah form, hoping to grab hold of the mysterious intruder . The thing jumped by a pool of water and made splash after splash to confuse the morpher as in the game 'whack a mole'. Bb's big cat eyes darted side to side as his vision started to ease and sway by the dizzying attempt.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven took over as the small tremor she'd caused made the invisible vermin panic and scurry into the shadows. The one to return from them, made the empath's stomach turn.
"Spead out! Stop that thing from leaving the cover!" Raven darted her eyes when she'd heard the cry of battle from another. Like clockwork, the heroes made for the plan and forced the rat to reveal itself- the apparent bystander holding it had fled in a hurry , leaving the creature defendseless and afraid. The rat's squeak sounded just like a squeeling hog as the river runner beared larger fangs on it's own at the teens. "Whoa! It's a mutant sewer rat!" The hero changeling scratched his head when the thing fell suddenly into a heap and lay unconscious on the cold wet ground. It had..croaked?...
"That? That was for being with pest control? Dude! That thing was-
"It was very ugly..yet...did it did not deserve such a fate ?" The Tamaran Titan cocked her head in confusion at the dead lab rat. It had many features more alien than rat!
"Quick question? Who made the call in about the escaped science experiment?"
The teens jumped by the voice from before sounding in the background, but much louder and closer than during the alert earlier.
"That's .."
"Oh...wow.."
Starfire did not know what to say once the tactician behind them came from the sidelines into the limelight.
"Hey Titans, miss me?"
The Tamaran jumped for joy as her tears finally shed for that fatefull reunion.
"Robiiin!" Her heart pounded as the hero leader smiled that smile she had always found a comfort.
The Titans were finally together again! It was a great day as the heroes exchanged stories of events different worlds away.
/
"That was..a really long trip man! Why didn't you tell us you were headin' home after a year and a half?" Cyborg walked beside his leader still not officially settled back into his role.
"I was sure that the True master might keep me there longer- but when I did my best to get to know what it was I had forgotten while under that influence , everything started to feel as if I'd only be there for one year at the most.." Raven raised a brow in question. "You said, she wasn't sure if you'd be ready to leave the dojo. Were you on good behavior at least? She was there, but we weren't. We thought you'd decided to stay! Of course, the one who took it the hardest. .was..." She rubbed the back of her neck with a sigh. "Talk to Starfire. I am worried she's been taking the whole 'starting a family ' too seriously ..." The Titan male was unable to turn from his own embarrassing blush as the empath had tried to make the discussion as censored as possible. But, prophecies had to do with hidden agenda. The truth was that the spirit that had taken over their leader had known deeply the other reincarnate inside Starfire's consciousness at the time . Neither remained, but the future had foretold a baby that would revive the coming of a new threat. Eternity was a real downer as she tried to hide her own emotions deep way away in that line of duty.
"We still have years! There is no set time for all...of those predictions! Does...Kori really have that much set on...-
The teen hero shook his head and stomped off to hide the recollection of fate. Raven levitated towards him with her eyes wide open. " Robin...the whole thing has not happened, what the gods and guardians meant is that it's the child..whether it ever happened then, we still know that it's unclear of who the child will be!" Her feet hit the ground once he stood to face her again. "Just..keep Kori from doing anything...Me too...It's been weird Rae...I keep feeling as if I can't escape..." The empath's eyes turned to sympathize with her leader who had gone through possession and back.
"We can still be Titans." He stood tall again and tried to smear away his flush. "Whatever it takes, no one else can decide that."
Her mind felt at ease by his thoughts let out into the open. Yet a pep talk wasn't all that they'd need to return as the five crime fighting heroic teenagers the had been before shedding ideals into another world. It would take some serious butt kicking to knock them out of their funks. They were more or less, unaverage. But, that came with being a hero; you had to have some reason for wanting to fight the 'forces of evil'.
/
That night, it had been just as lax as their afternoon earlier on. The Titans had gone out for pizza as the heroes everyone in Jump City admired gave autographs to tourists and passerby on the way. The best place was a joint close by and by a busy intersection with tons to do and see. "What do you think the cat is up to?" Robin suddenly asked Cy from their seats, waiting to have a hot bite of food before the question made him freeze up solid.
"Cat?..You mean Vee? Oh ,he and Nina have been hangin' in as Shoji and Nina's been off as a bodyguard for foreign diplomats." The big bro looked up as he tried to remember. "She's my age now apparently , has a ton of firepower- Vee is funding some stuff overseas, Cat said that we can worry less and go ba-
"So, he hasn't left earth yet." Robin nodded and picked up a slice with heavy cheeses. "Good to know he still is watching over us...I thought we could be trusted.." The bite was more like a tear as the teen finished his comment about the incog guardian who had a human form looking over the Titans' exploits.
"Chillax! We aren't getting any hatemail, and it's been less busy without you bro!" Bb nibbled on a vegan slice that the parlor had just listed last week. "You are worrying waay too much . The cat is out of our hair. We don't owe him our lives. But..."
The changeling forced himself to end his ramble once the discussion had taken hold of the sorceress's attention across from his seat. "No talk of any guardians, magic, or doomsday! I am getting a migraine ...all's been quiet ' fearless leader'. And yeah, you worry even after recooping in a secluded mountain village. Just drop the subject..." She grunted as her pain worsened ; though not from the antagonistic behavior of her leader and his team's youngest. "Sorry...I never did get to patch anything up with...you're right. None of that matters right now. Sorry Beastboy. You can drop the puppy dog act. I wasn't angry with you guys...just...a bit nervous that the cat is still walking among us."
Starfire ate her pizza and mustard topping in a far area away from that cheeky grin. He wasn't acting at all like the Robin that was supposed to be cured...was the true master of the far east successful? Her head ached as the slice fell from her grip to ground with a slap*. Robin's eyes darted away from conversaion , his smile had faded to a deep fear of his friend onceher own eyes had almost shut tight.. she had her hands covering her stomache spralled onto the floor in a fit!
Raven instantly grabbed the teen along with the four more, the goth's pulsing skull had allowed the shadows to flow and ebb around her subconscious. The witch forced the creatures from within her mind back in angered attempts, her toes froze as she found herself somewhere frigid and unfeeling. Out of the cover of fog and mist the largest shadow walked as a human, it did not flow along as a ghoul with the others. The teen almost cried out until an old enigmatic being in the form of a dark wolf jumped out from behind. ~Lady! I will spare none of your enemies! Let this be known! Shadows, disperse!~ The blast was of a powerful magic that was age old behind the young wolf's guise. ~Stay strong, you mustn't let the lost follow you to earth. The-
~ Wolf...you were the familiar that was with Rokuro back in...why should we trust you? This is crazy, the one that we fought...what were those shadows?~ She gasped and clutched her chest with a laboured breadth. The wolf was close to her now, so much so that she saw it's eyes reflect back into her own two . They were of a violet sight. The wolf, wasn't a real one...not that she could sense of his heavy presence.
~Have the bravery to become the comrade's anchor. The knowledge we seers carry can cause imbalance and tragedy, you have the right to fix it. As well as the ones chosen to break the cycle..~Raven blinked as the miasma started to wave as a brisk whipping wind around the two within the space of her subconscious. ~Tell me...you never gave me your name...~
The wolf bobbed it's head in understanding. ~ Then I shall share it, as to honor our trust in one another. My name is Kyrios. I lived at the feet of Ravenna Astrios of her sect .I also know of the living priestess of Reia's descent. I was the one who helped cast out Hanumon's darkness by leaving for him to wander, and one day...face his demons. ~Raven's senses froze up...
~Ravenna..?...You were her ..ally? I ...I bearly met her and...she isn't still inside...Unless the prophecy's message is beginning all over!~ The nod from the wolf had the empath gasping harder within the miasma infected mind outside her own making matters worse. ~You should leave this realm covered by the darkness ,that I will gladly force the shadows from your sights.~ It was polite enough...
~I...cough!*...My friends...are they...why is this happening! ?..cough! Gah!...*~
The wolf brushed the Azarathian's shoulder to send her home by projection. Leave! The demons will not have their way on this day! I am expecting you to free the chosen from the cycle. You and I will meet another time. Be strong for another day!~
~ Wh...Kyrios! Kyrios!~ Her eyes fell shut as the sorceress awoke next inside the med bay of Titan's tower. She, was the one resting alongside Starfire!
Her face dripped an anguish not felt since Malchior's loss...it felt unnatural to be so attached to daemon and spirit without a clear head. Her skull had slightly felt less of the pressure of the unease by those , shadows. Were they waiting for her guard to weaken all along? The one walking on two legs..it had drained her mentally of her strength. What was it's intention, rather; why did she feel like that wasn't their first meeting...
"Rae! That collapse was contagious! You ok?" Cy brought a hand out to her shouder reassuringly. "I...just felt tired. We've been on our guard..but , my mind wandered and .." She looked around to be sure no one was listening in. "We have to discuss this with someone who will get what I'm trying to explain. Find me in an hour, then I can explain my part..we may have to bring in an old friend..."
Cyborg blinked towards the Titan with a look , perplexed as to whether this were a plan of invitation or going into a panic over something...strange.
"Course Rae, gotch' a . You want me to keep quiet , or...is Rob gonna be ok tagging along? Bb should be fine. He's not too upset cause Tara has kept him steady over the last incident." The witch had been colder in that dangerous realm, but felt her body warming by the setting sun's rays bit by it asshe relaxed into her ward's bed pillow with a sigh. "You can ask, but say that it's important he at least sits in. No obligation ..but it would be appreciated." The cybernetic hero shrugged , he did know that Raven worried just as much as their spikey headed leader- if not worse during a dangerous mission.
"Got it, lemme see what the walking grass stain is up to." He gave her a wave and head off. Star had been sleeping, but the whole incident had left the teen on his toes. She's been eating right...unless possible anemia? That was impossible for a warrior , with the stomach of ten! He shook his head once out the door. "Cyborgo...had better keep it cool. Rob should be told last...I hope Rae is ok..."
Biting the bullet, the Titan walked off to locate a certain hero that would come running- as long as Tara were safe, he could spare an ear. At least, Cy wanted to believe it that way..
/
The three had left Robin to look after their still unconscious teammate. He would get to listen in once the connection had been altered; they would not be contacting a mortal in this case. Shadow beings belonged to other realms under lock and key. The space time guarding forces were relatively helpful when a disturbance was reported on time. Tardiness was a problem for higher deity who reported to those of their division. They liked presentable and punctual over all instead of messy , drooling, and anxious hearted humans. To the spirits it defined not being strong enough, eventually with the will to suffer leaving darkness to consume the unworthy souls they questioned .
The order ranking led as-
Underworld then material plane, (earthen or mortal), spirit realm ( plane), Eternal , and lastly- Celestial and Ethereal planes dictating order over all. One more had been confirmed by the distraction within the Eternal world's court room; A branch well above known as Universal. It had been of a greater state than the Ethereal sect of yester year . Raven knew her leader was unimpressed as to how they had gotten into troubleed waters, as guppies swimming among powerful guardians within the roarimg tides.
He did not want Shoji to lose the Titans' trust, but he did not want the cat's protection to stun the team into submission. They had built walls instead of bridges after having separated from the elemental warriors' aid.
"We got together , to talk about something confidential, an' B! You had better not say anything that leaves this room to Tara; or the two love birds. Got that ? Rob is gonna know, but right now, it's only an assumption of what went on at the docks." The green teen made a zzip* motion of his lips and soluted his older bro with a nod. "Yessir! I shall remain mum from the Titan's leader sir!" He laughed a bit but hushed to sit adjacent to the empath. Her eyes scanned the room one last time. "The contact, was someone who knows everything." The cybernetic teen's eyes widened , the changeling just stood with his mouth agape. "Seriously? Who knows our identities!? Dude! This is soo unfair! I have to watch my-
"Hey!" The morpher crossed his arms and rolled his eyes when he'd been nudged too strongly by the goth. "Cool it. I wasn't finished." She flashed back over to the third in command. "He...is actually someone we met, or I met, in the world of spirit...when Starfire passed out, I thought something had been off. The shadows have been fighting to break the barriers I've set up. Right before, we fought the rat...something had been beside it ; the thing was not human, but it was also powerful with a dark aura. I thought that another monster was going to attack. Thankfully..Robin saw it's sillouhouette in time. Why? No idea. The thought that he can still see those monsters...is either because they want us to see, or Robin is not fully able to forget.." Her eyes cast down to the text by her side to summon the wolf. "I am going to attempt a spell; it will bring the one who may have the answer into our world-
"But you said you barely met!" Cy protested openly that the spirit could be a devious traitor if not identified first. "Whatever he said, you gotta not let him lead you, he's the one giving us the answers. Be careful Raven. Don't wanna see you hurt like Mal-
She sniffed at the thought in annoyance. "You forget, he was only here to assist us in stopping the dragon. Then, he was given the task of guarding our fates as a spectre...if he ever comes back, it will kill him." She shook her head and sighed. "He wasn't able to exist here, it made him crazy and weak...he had to tell us he was fine..or he wouldn't be able to reclaim his honor by saving us." The two heroes across from her violet gaze nodded and Beastboy decided to lighten the mood when he saw his friend so heartbroken...
"You think he can hear if you tell him that he wasn't strong? Maybe he'll get angry and try to find a way back- without getting clobbered by all the crazies that wanna stop us." Bb scratched his chin and grinned . "You know he was crushing on you big time! He should get his butt back to say sorry!" The green teen cried out as Raven's projection arm slapped him silly from his seat. "Agh! Ok ok...Didn't want him to think he was completely off the hook. That stud left us flat! And now, we have to save the world again!" The empath knew her teammate was speaking clear enough to tell his patience was thin as silk thread . "So, Rae. Call up this new guy, see if he at least will let us meet in person or something." The witch got ready to cast after composing her emotions back into a mass of anxieties.
~ The howling caverns of hades shall not dwell within...The man shall walk beside beast and thrive...I call upon a shaman ! A seer of hidden knowledge! I call upon Kyrios! The spirit that shall walk among shadows! Dwell within thy realm! Awaken!~
"Azarath ...Metrion...Zinthos! Asterion Mortix!" The words made her bite her lip painfully. Malchior had taught her that mantra. She wondered if Beastboy had been right about the wizard prince hearing her fully express his teachings with pride in her voice. If that could be, she would wait, in any way, shape , or form, he might just hear her cry out.
The wisps of smoke retained their shape to soon form the body of a man with violet eyes and raven wing coloured hair. His age was older than 17 or 18 years, but his complexion was not what she expected it to be .
"W-wolf?...You aren't -
"Where...Where is Kyrios! You are not the one I summoned-
"Calm yourself malady..." The wolf's soft whisper made her feel light on her two feet. Who was this mysterious warrior?
/
"You..dude! That guy is not the wolf?...then ...who the heck are you?" The green changeling looked up to the tall fellow with ears just like his own . Shaped as moons not yet full he pointed with his fingers shaking in surprise.
The sir cleared his throat with a quick cough. "How rude! I am just as you say..the appearance is not of my shapeshifter body . The reincarnate of Ravenna is much more powerful than I had realized. Her magic brought me to form as my fae folk self." The teen goth gasped when she'd heard of the elven clan's- Malchior had mentioned that world of faire beings!
"Sorry...by...any chance, would you know about a kingdom of Knoll?" The teen flustered over his height with a blush. He was very handsome..as if of royal descent!
"Why...it was beside my home realm, no more than a fortnight by carriage alone. Ravenna was once at war with the Kingdom's temporary ruler before my father's consort had been lost to us all. Young Malchior,was no more than a tot- I was six years at the time. The red lord was a terrible jailer... The dragon that bound you comrade was intent on breaking our world apart, the Lady Maeve was unwell, she lasted only until the dragon had fully absorbed my king of Knoll. Ravenna was the youngest prophetess and priestess of her rite. She was visiting our small city state fkr peaceful negotiations to be made at the age of five. A true prodigy. You; Mistress Roth, were reborn by time's alteration as the same prophetess- rather by the dragon's doing..he hated to spar alone, but the thrill he wished for, was his own undoing.. Mind my thoughts of you having been her during our chat earlier. It was uncalled for, truly. The one who was held prisoner, was the last prince after myself years later, my half brother Malchior of Knoll had been chosen due to the dragon's intervention - he had coerced the Princess of our Knoll to lead him inside our walls...Malchior and I did not share the same mum, but our father was of the same blood . I apologise for my half brother's lost effort...he still is alive however ! The guardians have him as a surveyer within a city north of the place where you shall meet. As a seer unlike Cecilia Daia, I can see the future until there is no more to take in. It was perfect timing that I had reclaimed my memories at just the right moment...but by then, my brother's disappearance was imminent. He was far from predictable before- So I used his essence left in this world to find his 'once' charges."
The oldest Titan blinked with the his jaw hanging slack. "Ahhh...that all was why you wanted our teammate to contact you? Is this gonna alter our time? How come you know so much?" The teen pointed accusingly towards the elven knight in dark shades. His hair fell slightly over his violet eyes to form more shadows to hide behind. "I did contact her, but as a replacement guide in my brother's absence. Please accept my deepest regrets. Ravenna..in truth...my brother and I were loyal to Lady Ravenna's cause, our want for liberation led us to your world where you now share her existance. We , were rebels that were led to victory by her praises and predictions. Without Ravenna's foresight along with mine to aid it's function, we would have never located the desert lands to defeat Roku, in which discord was about to tear away our order by it's might." The teen empath nodded and understood. "The desert was the subconscious of the dragon's . It was a link to his past as a djinn's child." She remembered the dragon beconning the teens to find their hero through the time line. As if waiting for the chosen to unmask his plans.
"You...then the dragon was really messed up! He made a real live alice in wonderland syndrome happen!" The robotic hero rubbed the back of his neck and frowned. "Roku...was really just - then what about the kid? Rokou was never found...neither was the girl Roko." He remembered that the few selves had escaped during Cecilia and Queen Aria's concert 'festa'.
"They were able to get away...but the brats were a big part of the king, his son was hurt a lot cause the two sided with..." He ended there. The selves were missing . That was enough to know anything could take place ...too soon for explaination.
/
Beastboy shuffled over to the tall elven warrior with a nervous grin on his face. "Sooo, you wanted Rae to let you take over the wizard Mal's job? Are you ok with that Raven? He is just coming up to you- it's practically -
"The future will still remain, your present day will not be altered- as long as I am given a purpose...that would serve as recognition that my bro-
Raven put up her palm to signal the dark eyed sibling to pause; the decision...was to allow this faire being...as heir newest ally..
"That will include some thought. My team and I will decide. But for now...Kyrios- you have to stay out of the sight. Any dangerous creatures will find out...even the guardians are still uncertain that we still mean to let them work around us ,without distraction." She turned back to the older male and shrugged off her feelings of insecurity. "When we call you, then our...teammate can be told of your relation with our ally Malchior." The older folk let out a sigh, knowing that his dear relative had indeed had the heroes wary of his appearance beore finally bonding as a powerful helping hand. The prince sniffed at the glance the green hero had given. His old friend Garth was present beside the changeling. No wonder he'd been driven to this world !...
"That is what you desire...then I shall not question. Call me from my slumber astrally whence you decide if I am worthy of the title : mate. I shall await your reply...malady.." With a swish* of forbidden mists, the strange character had vanished into thin air before the heroes.
/
Raven walked back outside with a heaving sigh*. That had...been hardest of all; especially when Malchior and Wiz no longer were by the Titans' aid. She swirved down and arounda corner toreturn to the main room overlooking the setting sun. The teen leader Robin , was standing looking before she had seen him. "How's Starfire." Raven asked while trying not to aggrivate her teammate . He had fists to his sides which unfurled as he let out a sigh...it was more groan by the sound of his agony...she must have been more than important enough for her leader to react as a worried lover ..
"Kori...I am not alright with this prophecy Rae-
"Robin.." She hushed him this time with his own name spoken softly. "That...was not from the power of the beings we fought...you should know...I think...Star...Kori...she was pining to see you! It had nothing to do with-
"Then why..." His fists shook as they clenched against his sides painfully. His masked eyes contorted in such fury beneath the calm. "Why is she saying she wants me here!? That isn't just ...she isn't that blind to throw herself into danger...not at me ..not unless she had reason! As if she is...-
"Stop." The empath warned her hero to listen. "Starfire is uncomfortable with the changes; we all were expecting you to stay longer actually. But you came home, which means the true master gave you a 'what for'? I don't buy it." She shook her head, containing her disappointment with a sore lip. "You returned, but not to make everyone worry! Let the 'future' go! We still have time!" She pleaded this now. The hero's eyes were unsure as she found her way closer to them. "She...needs Robin back. We all want a fighter, not a strategist, or only just a friend within the same age range sharing a ...you knw what I'm saying! Get it together and help yourself! You left for the true master; to better understand what?" The teen was shoved back a bit as Raven's energies gave him a gentle brush back into the sofa. "Get over the dragon. . . The only last bit of that fact is if YOU don't TURN on US! That was your prophecy! Or is it all something you can 'handle'?" She prodded her finger into his chest. Her eyes sorely searching for a reaction from her leader's facial expression and aura.
His mouth pused into a fine line as the mask's view narrowed slightly. "I...woud never..-
"But, you still believe Roku." She was not afraid to have spoken the dragon's alias aloud. It was a small shiver she saw the hero leader shake off immediately. He was still fearful Roku wasn't destroyed. "Crap...Richard...you really are still afraid...how could this have happened?" His gaze fell to rest by the floor. Then turning, his eyes watched the docks from far off their tiny coastal isle. "It...wasn't that...I was...unsure...I wanted to forget...but...a shadow...and that ...monster!"
His clenched fists joined gritted teeth as he peered back to the floor. "Kori could be in danger...you all could! He knows too much...no one had the decency to...he can't die...that's not right!"
The older teen gothic shook her head with her hands around his shoulders. "Calm down...I'm begging you...he is not...you have to forget...Starfire is counting on us...the whole world is still turning...make it worthwhile before you say it's ending...end of the world, so what?" ( The end ,tt season 4? Bit rusty...)
He turned away from the obviously poorly planned distaction from Trigon's unparallel take over.
"I was desperate...We almost...-
"Know this." Raven stepped back. Her cloak billowed white as the moon shone over in an effort to blind him into forgetting his pain.
"The soul stealer overtakes those with the ability to match their own weakness. He was done before , by his own comrades and children. His last partner made him dread returning to the highest order's castle. He was lost before even starting...you, you have a right to not have to drown in tears. Rokuro...we should just tell you...rather..Ravenna will aid me.."
Her eyes revealed no change as her garb reformed with her hair and skin shade. The humble priestess was alive and well within her vessel's power.
~ Good evening your sir, my deepest thanks for looking after my friend of Azar's greatest reverance." The maiden had a braide sittong across her skull to keep her foresight at it's most aware . Her eyes were more so enthralling than Raven's eyes , which held the same set of indigo and violet. ~ The sorceress of your party,has insisted I explain what is neccessary to address your so called daemon...~ Her eyes blinked softly making the hero dizzy- just as Arianna had during the summer festival in Tokyo. ( To the futre arc! Bushido reappears!)
"Raven...she never talked to us about..she knew you were..." He was at a loss for words by her presence. Over all,this deity blessed magician radiated far more power than his comrade in her white garb. This queen held white robes about her form, as her Grecian descent had distinctly shown in the Celestial keep with Lord Dream wake! ( An eternal tomorrow arc! Bit off..?)
The maiden brushed back a strand languidly searching the teen chosen's message . ~ I am held as sacred as any other royal...but the blood I carry will flood through your friend's consciousness later..The theory was not set in stone...but this will give you no more an answer as your current understanding has given..~ The teen hero blinked with a look of skepticism returning. "It won't answer my question? Then, what good will telling me do?"
His manner of speaking seemed childish at best to the mature 'goddess borne sister of prophecy'. Her head turned to recieve his question , her eyes slightly closed in mid meditation. ~ Your present...is being tested...the one whom your body harboured ...was not a living self; it was just as the others...a figment of a child's will power ripped from the seams- the boy Rokuro was truest as what one calls ' a lost spirit , left to wander to meet it's demise ...all by reason of vengence.~ Her semi - flashback ended with the teen still waiting to have her translate .
"What was Rokuro...he was...not the real prince?..." The woman holding Raven's body together nodded with a sad gaze back down to earth. ~ He was what you would call, deceased. Unliving any longer in body and spirit. The word 'lost' is left to wander. He was no longer grounded once set free. The child has many of the 'aspects ' that qualify for his 'selves.' That was the one verifying spirit, magic, and humanity.~ Her hero stared still with that reluctant gaze tearing at her to 'tell'. Se had no right to offer such knowledge to one so unaware already. Time's answer had been absolute. Patience would become second nature , and the teen...would have to drape it's message over himself in order to read her power.
"The son wasn't alive ..we were just gathering Hakuro at the same time...was he..." The teen shook away the question before it became distinguishible by tone for the lady prophetess to listen. "I want to see the one guardian, her name was...Ale-
"Robin!" Raven was returned to her self as sh gasped and brung herself to cling to his shoulders for support. "Don't ask that! None of the spirt will grant anyone the ability to see her! Just...forget it.." She shoved off to stand and brush off the essence with a few presses to her gem atop the crown of her forehead. "Listen...just be a Titan again, for now." She said with a huff to begin meditation by the glass. Her body drifted upwards to begin the seated position with a whoosh* into mid air.
"Sorry...I am, just curious . She knew all of us as well as she knew the answer that we are still trying to know...unless I am out of the loop purposely..don't bother trying to get me to know a thing..." His eyes drooped and his legs brought him off to rest across his bedroom mattress with an undignified flop*.
The questioning with Ravenna had made him mentally exhausted. She was just how Raven had described her mother Arella...someone with far more a presence to leave you weak and helpless. That was why Malchior idolized( and crushed) , on the lady that he mistook almost purposely for their teammate. The child of Azar was far from growing into a seer , at least...Robin hoped his dear comrade would not consider joining up with Isis to be lost to her Titan heroic four other. Even Tara had taken the plunge and rejoined as a substitute in case one of the heroes had no way of fighting for the city. Yet, she would be going off to college. Robin still envied that he had once wished to go into criminal justice..now, he was stuck tending to-
The hero stopped himself , and with a groan pushed over to dip his whole head into the feathery pillow. ~ I did that before...~ He was sweating from the warmth cast over his pores as he remembered. ~I...did the same thing before we saw Slade...but Slade was actually...gah!~
In his mind his memory of the reason everyone off of earth had assumed he was to blame for the red beast's reappearance, was because of the damned lone thoight that everyone had no hope to lead...he was wrong...they were his friends! Of course it wasn't easy to bring the heroes to order! He worked hard in bringing that sort of teamwork to light...where ,had it run off to...
His furious energies dwained and his whole body now slumped into the mattress. ~ My friends...I made this happen...If..I hadn't thought that STUPID thought...!...I have to get rid of them...my fears are trying to kill me...~
The teen slipped off of the bed to make his way to the adjoined bathroom. Steam would clear more than just emotional doubt...or trauma...it could loosen up his nerves in an instant.
The water poured over as he attempted to rid all of himself from that voidless sense of insecure worry...the built up feeling made him gather his gasps until tears tricked down. Robin's mask was getting soaked by the unexplained waterworks he had forced away since training with the true master. Now, it had taken form to leave him helpless, a horrid thing of disgust...that he could never go back to enter the center stage. He had to leave this burden behind...he had to go off alone to search for the fear- and towring it's throat from uttering anymore woes!
~ The shadow that walks beside...~ Without realizing the mind speak had been in use,the hero drifted over tyo gaze at his glassy complexion outside the shower stall ~ I can live with them not knowing...I don't edven know my-
~Robin!~ A gasp emitted from the hero's lips as he turned around to see who had reached out. No one wasthere, as if the realm of impossibility had widened to allow, another to gaze upon his shame.
"I...must be tired...just have to get to..." His eyes looked more than weary; bloodshot into a sight that made him scream.
/
Sheesh! Italics on the fritz again! I think this chapter is diving towards occult...meh..was afraid the unnatural forces inside this chapter would pop up in my story...oh well! Means I just have to keep on typing up a storm! The next will be chapter two of the new arc. I cannot wait to bring back Roko, Slade annnd Nightwing in later chapters! Dick is realizing his weakness for doubting the Titans ; that he will one day bring more trouble ; so, Robin's contemplating leaving it all behind to start away from the friends he hopes to leave out of Death's clutches. Death is a reaper in the Eternal Arc. He is in earlier chapters shown as one of Roku's allies, but later is denied when Hecate tells the council and sisters that he is playing both sides like a fiddle. Soo like the symbolic death scyth wielder to remain neutral. Hecate sees into others from birth to present and future as a keeper of time and is the infamous creator of Light and Darkness, ( both characters used from the clow of cardcaptors as a figurative way to symbolize polar opposites.) Isis was last discovered to have talked with the queen Lorelai's vessel Sakurano Ayane from Shoji's division on earth. She still has not lost the memories and will continue to aid the cat as an onlooker . They must not let any of the Eternal or Celestial orderlies know that she had been right under their noses. Only Dragon Earth( the western spirit elemental), and a select few know her current hiding place. Shoji is on guard as the Titans' go to for travelling overseas and deploying Nina to work for their cause. She is currently at a base by her commander Astarte from another realm; the goddess that had the heroes knlw who was in charge back in the To the Future arc. She wants the heroes to stay aware that the deities will not end their pursuit until justice is wrought. The last sliver of hope is an awkward one in the moment for our heroes...will Starfire recover in the nick of time to stop her leader from his overwhelming demons? Is the worst to come before some sort of 'sign' is well known? Stay tuned for the next chapter! Till later days!