Here is part three in the "Ravens Family" Trilogy. The other two are "Darkstorm" and "Wraithe."

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans.

Kaylin

Chapter 1.

A Council of Shadows

His eyes shot open. Then he closed them again. 'What is going on?' He thought. Whenever he had opened his eyes before there had always been words in front of him. He opened his eyes again, and looked around. There were definitely no words. He flexed his claws… wait… he had claws?

"There," said a haughty and proud, yet oddly beautiful voice, "You wanted a dragon. And I got you a dragon."

He turned his long snout towards the voice, "I am no mere dragon. I am Malchior!"

"And we're all very glad to here it," said the voice, which, on closer inspection, turned out to belong to a young woman, lounging in an armchair. She had long hair, a dark violet dress and bore a striking resemblance to… Malchior growled… the young woman bore a striking resemblance to Raven. The girl who'd banished Malchior into an enchanted book for the second time in his life! Malchior decided not to be too hasty and looked around first.

He was in a large, smoky, living room. Very large, in fact.

Malchior could sense others in the room. He sniffed and looked down.

Leaning against the back first woman's chair was another young woman, with long black hair, shocking pink eyes and light, body tight armor.

Sitting in the center of a large sofa, on its own, was a small black cat with abnormally large ears.

Malchior sensed something else in the room, he looked over at the fireplace and saw, on a large perch above the fire, a massive raven. Its feathers were pitch black, it had a long barbed tail but it was its eyes that were its most disturbing feature, blazing red and full of cunning and power.

"Greetings," it croaked, in a dark and echoing voice, "my name is Darkstorm. And I know you are the great dragon Malchior."

"I am." Said Malchior, with a touch of pride.

Darkstorm continued, "The young lady over there," he pointed, with a talon, at the woman in the armchair, "is the lady Wraithe, older sister of Raven, of the Teen Titans, whom I know that you know. The woman with her is her…"

"Friend." Said Wraithe.

"Friend," said Darkstorm, "called Blackfire."
"And I am Kaylin." Said a voice that came from the center of the large sofa. Malchior looked at the cat, who looked at him with intelligent eyes, "anything wrong?" It asked, "I thought I was quite clear."

Malchior shook his head. "Nothing wrong." He rumbled.

"Alright then," said Darkstorm, "Now that we know each other, I'm sure we're all wondering why we're here…"

"We would be," said Wraithe, "except for the fact that I've just read your mind and found out…"

"But for those of us that don't know," interrupted Darkstorm. "I have called you all to this gathering because we all share a bond with young Raven… Except you!" Darkstorm snapped at Blackfire, "But as Wraithe wouldn't come without her 'best friend'" He sneered, "I just have to put up with you. Now, what I need with you all is your… assistance in dealing with Raven…"

"Pah!" Snorted Malchior. "Give me another chance and I will incinerate her!"

"I don't need her killed," said Darkstorm, "at least, not yet. I need to teach Raven something, something she's been avoiding for years. And I need you to distract her friends, because the have a tendency for getting in the way. I will, of course reward you all…"

"What could you possibly give us," snorted Wraithe, "I have everything…"

"Not everything," said Darkstorm smoothly, "I have something you want."

"You mean…?" Wraithes eyes lit up hungrily.

"Yes." Said Darkstorm, "I know spells more ancient and powerful then even Trigon the Terrible himself, but I cannot use them. So far the only ones I know that have the power are Raven, Trigon and you. So, if you do this for me and I will give you one of these spells."

"One?" Said Wraithe, "I demand at least two…"
"Just one." Said Darkstorm.

"Better be a good one." Muttered Wraithe.

Darkstorm turned towards Blackfire, "to you Blackfire, I will offer you the Jewel of Charta as your reward, repaired by me and more durable then before. As I will note that it had been destroyed by your own sister. And, to you Malchior, I will destroy this," with a talon, Darkstorm held up the enchanted book Malchior had been trapped in for one thousand years, "and, in doing so, grant you your freedom."

"How did you get it?" Said Malchior.

"I took it while the Titans were out of course," said Wraithe.

"Fine." Said Malchior.

"And finally," Darkstorm turned to Kaylin. "What can I offer to you Kaylin…" Darkstorm broke of when he saw the cats expression.

Kaylins fur was standing on end, and his tail was swishing from side to side, "before anything is offered Darkstorm," snapped Kaylin, "I want to know what you want with Raven."

Darkstorm sighed, "when Raven's prophesy was truly realized, Trigons first action was to destroy the fair city of Azarath…"
"I know that," said Kaylin venomously, "it was my home too."

"Indeed," said Darkstorm, "well, there is, of course, repair work being undertaken on Azarath. It is being brought back to its former glory as we speak. But, when the majestic city fell, it landed in another dimension, an unpleasant one at that. But now we only need one thing, the gem… Raven… to bring it back to its full glory, and return the great rock Azarath is perched on, back into the air. Only one spell can do that. I know it, and Raven can use it…"

"I could to if only you would teach me," muttered Wraithe.

"Well,' said Kaylin, "if your intention are truly benevolent and good then you won't mind me undertaking this task my way. Your methods are ruthless and bring harm to everyone in the vicinity, so I won't help you. As for bringing Azarath back, there is more then one way to do that. So I bid you goodnight." Kaylin leapt off the sofa and left the room, no one made a move to stop him.

"I didn't think he would help us," muttered Darkstorm, "but it doesn't matter. So, you have heard what I want from you, and what I will offer you, will you help me?"

"Yes," said Wraithe.

"Whatever," muttered Blackfire.

"Indeed!" Roared Malchior.

"Excellent," said Darkstorm, "then we have much work to do…"

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A door creaked open into a small study, the small shape of Kaylin slipped in and bounded onto a desk at one end of the room.

Once on the desk he moved aside a few papers until he found one with the spell he was searching for. He chanted the lines of the spell a few times, then disappeared in a flash of obsidian flames.

He would have to get to Raven, before they did.