THE GEM AND THE SWORD
A Daria/Teen Titans crossover fanfiction by Ranger Thorne
"The gem was born of evil's fire
The gem shall be his portal
He comes to claim
He comes to sire
The end of all things mortal."
She looked around as the words repeated themselves once more. "It's over," she called to the unseen voices. "The prophecy is fulfilled. I was his portal. It's over." The voices continued, relentlessly.
"The gem was born of evil's fire
The gem shall be his portal . . ."
"No, no NO!" She felt her power stir within her. "I became his blasted portal! I nearly destroyed myself opening a way for him to come to Earth! And then I DEFEATED HIM!" Her hands were clenched at her sides, surrounded by dark energy.
"The gem was born of evil's fire
The gem shall be his portal . . ."
"Stop it, stop it, STOP IT!" She raised her hands, "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Black power sprang from her hands and into the surrounding darkness. There was a cry, then silence. After a few seconds, there was the sound of shuffling. Finally, a figure in a white robe staggered into the small circle of light in which the girl stood.
"Brother Myris?" She moved to catch the robed figure as he fell. "What, what are you doing here?"
"The prophecy," he murmured.
"It's over," she assured him. "Trigon came, but he was defeated."
"No," he shook his head. "More," he held up a shaking hand. Clutched in his grip was a rolled-up sheet of parchment. Confused, she let him hand it to her. Then, he nodded, "Finished. Now I can rest." With a final breath, he went limp in her arms.
"What?" She stood and unrolled the parchment. "Wait, this has a second part to it." Turning back to the body, her jaw dropped, "Wait, Brother Myris?" The body of the monk was gone.
"Where did he go?" she asked no one. She could hear the voices in the darkness whispering. "Where is he?" she demanded to know. "TELL ME!"
"He's gone away. Like they always go away." Turning, she saw a younger version of herself enter the light. The girl was dressed in a white leotard and cloak. "Everyone who has ever meant anything has left me alone."
"This isn't right," she shook her head. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm lost," the girl's voice stirred up echoes in the other's mind.
"This isn't right," she repeated. Looking into the darkness, she snapped, "None of this is!"
"What's the matter, gem?" an unfamiliar voice asked from the dark. "You scared without your friends to protect you?"
"She's here," the girl said, looking nervous.
"Who? Who is here?"
"The sword by pater same is sired," the girl recited. "And blindly she will wait. In dreams she'll learn of emerald fire, then show the gem her fate."
"That's what this says." Looking down at the parchment in her hand, she reread the words silently.
"Fairy tales can come true," the voice said in a monotone. "They can happen to you. Of course, the original versions of fairy tales weren't all that nice. Kinda like me."
A blast of green fire struck the younger girl in the back, causing her to scream before she collapsed, dead.
"Why don't you come out where I can see you?"
"I'm right here." As she tried to turn, she felt herself slow. She could make out a head of auburn hair, a pair of large round glasses, and two hands holding green fire.
"Nnnnooooo!" She tried to bring up her shield, but saw the flames reach for her.
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"No!" Sitting up with a start, Raven Roth looked around the familiar confines of her room. Realizing she had been asleep, she sighed. "I hate dreams like that," she muttered. Going to the window, she peeked out to see that it was still dark. "At least, I hope it was a dream."
A short time later, Raven looked around her darkened room as she finished dressing. I recognize the first part, she thought to herself. It was the prophecy of me and my father. But who is the 'sword,' and what do they have to do with me? Standing, she moved toward the door. And is there really another part to the prophecy?
As she neared it, she reached behind her and a darkness deeper than that of the room surrounded her hand. Across the room a cloak was surrounded by the darkness and levitated to the girl. As she stepped into the hallway, Raven fastened the cloak around herself.
The light in the hallway revealed the her features. She was in her mid-teens, with a thin build. Her violet hair was cut short, barely reaching past her ears. The girl's eyes were a slightly darker shade of violet. She had on a black leotard with a faux turtleneck and long sleeves that reached to the base of her palms. The gold belt around her waist had red disks set in gold that resembled the medallion that made up the clasp of her hooded blue cloak. A closer look at the clasp would reveal that there was a darker shape buried within it that resembled the profile of a bird. On her feet were blue boots that reached a third of the way up her shin.
A few minutes later, she was on the roof, looking out at the city across the water from the building she lived in. She had been up there for several minutes watching the city lights in the darkness when a voice came from behind her.
"Raven?" She moved her head slightly to show she had heard, but didn't reply. Finally, a boy about her age came up beside her. He was wearing black boots with steel toes, and green tights. A gold utility belt was around his waist, almost matching the yellow lining on the inside of his waist-length black cape. He had on a red shirt with short green sleeves. Yellow fasteners held the shirt closed. On his left breast was a black circle with a yellow 'R'. Green gloves that reached almost to his elbows were on his hands. His hair was black and spiked. On his face, as always, was his black mask.
"Hello, Robin," she said to him.
"It's not even sunrise this time," he said, trying to make it sound like a joke.
Turning, she actually managed to smirk at him, "Don't worry, I promise not to try to cook anything."
"That's a relief," he muttered. "Uh, what I mean is, uh, I think you just need some practice."
"Robin," she said, trying not to scowl, "I heard Cyborg tell Beast Boy that he'd rather face my father again than try to eat my cooking. And Beast Boy said that I'd make Emeril take up needlepoint."
"Well," he rubbed the back of his neck, "those flapjacks were pretty bad." He looked out at the city lights, then asked, "So, what does bring you out here?"
"Just a nightmare," she said with a shrug.
"Considering all you've been through, that must be a tough nightmare."
"It was confusing," she confessed. "I saw the young me that you rescued. Then," she frowned and looked away, "I saw her killed."
"Killed? Who did it?"
"The sword."
"IIII'm not familiar with that one."
Raven took a breath, then recited what she had heard.
"The sword by pater same is sired
And blindly she will wait
In dreams she'll learn
Of emerald fire
Then show the gem her fate."
"That doesn't sound good," Robin admitted.
"It's never good to learn that someone is supposed to kill you," Raven pointed out.
"But are you sure that's what it means? After all," Robin shrugged, "it doesn't say she kills you, just shows you your fate."
"Which could be anything," Raven admitted. "But it usually means that someone is dead."
"Well, you survived the first half of this prophecy, and you'll make it through this one, too," Robin stated.
"I hope so," she said in a soft voice. "For the first time, I can look forward to the rest of my life without thinking about how I'm going to destroy the world. I don't want my life to end just as it's really getting started."
"It won't, Raven," Robin put a hand on her shoulder. "I promise."
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"Miss Morgendorffer!"
"Geh!" The young woman sat upright in her seat. Looking around, she saw that the rest of the class was staring at her. While most were laughing, she could see a few nod at her in sympathy. As she looked around, Daria Morgendorffer realized that she had fallen asleep in her 'Astronomy of the Solar System' class. Although not a class she needed to get her degree from Raft, keeping her GPA in the high 3+ range meant getting yet another A on the final.
"How nice of you to join us." The professor was a tall, whip-thin man with receding brown hair and dull gray eyes. "I trust you've been sleep-learning today?" Not waiting for an answer, he asked, "So, how many planets are in the solar system?"
"Uh," she blinked once before going on, "it depends on who you ask."
"Oh, let's say," he shrugged, "me."
"Well," she scowled slightly, "since you consider Pluto to be too small for a planet, nine."
"Nine minus one equals nine?"
"No, nine minus one plus one equals nine." She shrugged, "They found one out past Pluto. They haven't named it yet, though."
"Very good, Miss Morgendorffer." He started to turn away, then glanced at her and smirked, "I'd take ten points from Gryffindor, but this isn't Hogwarts."
"Lousy muggle school," a voice groused loud enough to be heard.
Another voice asked, "What makes you think she'd be in Gryffindor?"
Silencing the class with a glare, he went on, "I realize that the final class before finals can be a trifle dull to those who have actually kept up with their studies, but please," he focused on Daria, "pretend for the sake of the others."
"Sorry, sir."
"At least be awake for the final next week."
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"And he just let it go? Gee, Daria, can you imagine what Mr. DeMartino would have done with a chance like that?" Jane Lane's blue eyes glittered with mischief as her red-tinted lips curled into a smirk. Her friend was seated next to her on a bench a short distance from a deli. She had on tall gray boots under an ankle length violet skirt. A darker purple sweater with swirls of yellow, red and blue covered her from her hips up to her neck. Her hair was long and pulled back into a ponytail.
"I remember what he use to do to Kevin," Daria admitted. "It's why I learned how to sleep with my eyes open, remember?"
"A skill one must practice to maintain," Jane reminded her. Looking around, she asked, "So, you looking forward to getting it all over with?"
"I don't know," the reply came with a shrug. "After all, I'm still thinking about graduate school."
"Not deep enough in debt, yet, huh?"
"I'll still get out of it before I die, so, yeah." The two exchanged smirks. Daria sighed as she dropped her head.
"Still not sleeping well?" Jane asked.
"Not at all," Daria replied. "Those damn nightmares are driving me crazy. Every time I close my eyes, all I can see are those," she scowled at her loss for words, "things running around. And then there's this big creature who keep saying he's my father."
"Flashbacks to some Halloween costume you dad wore?"
"No, this is no costume." Daria rubbed her eyes, "Jane, he keeps telling me he's my father. That he," she paused long enough to give a sigh that was almost a snort, "possessed Dad and sired me. And that I have this," she did the 'air quotes' maneuver, "destiny to destroy the one that destroyed him."
"I always said you had the strangest dreams," Jane reminded her.
"Well, with as little sleep as I've had, it's getting harder to separate what he's saying from what is real."
"You think a change of scenery might help?"
Daria smirked at her, "You still can't keep a roommate? I thought you and Brenda were getting along so well."
"Very funny." Jane waved a hand at her. "She was a flake, Daria. You know she thought Van Gough was a house painter from Rhode Island? I'm just glad she finally decided to marry that worthless boyfriend of hers."
"You really know how to pick them," Daria chuckled as she looked at the uneaten sandwich in her hand. I miss living in the apartment, she admitted to herself. I just can't get any studying done with Jane around any more. Between her art and her working out and her actual school work she makes me tired. "That's too bad, Jane. Maybe the next one will be better."
"Or finally push me over the edge. Eh," she shrugged, "what doesn't kill you and all that, eh?"
"Yeah." Daria tossed the remains of her lunch into the trash can next to her. "I should go try to get in a nap before I go to work."
"You're gonna wear out that grindstone, Morgendorffer," Jane teased.
"Not all of us are loaded, Jane," Daria said. "Besides, the more I work, the less likely it is that I'll be able to go to Lawndale."
"Ah, a method to your madness." Jane grinned, "Or at least to your work ethic."
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The things looked like being with no legs that were made of fire. Instead of hands, they had whip-like appendages that they would use on Daria. They burned with the fire and stung with the whipping.
Daria hadn't told Jane she was feeling pain in her dream.
As she had been since the beginning, Daria found herself held in a circle of fire. The circle crossed her wrists and her ankles, holding her spread-eagle above the ground as the creatures rushed around her. Her breathing came in gasps as the pain of her wounds ate at her mind.
"You are strong, my daughter." The voice came from the gigantic figure sitting far enough away for her to see all of him. As tall as a skyscraper, he was red, with cloven feet and antlers on his head. Four red eyes gleamed down at her.
"I'm not -- AAHH!" A lash across her back cut off her rebuttal.
"You are my daughter. Say it!"
"Eat hot lead, you -- AAHH!" This time, the beating went on for a while. By the time they had finished, her voice was gone. As Daria dropped her head, she could see a small pool of blood beneath her.
"Say it."
"No," she could barely shake her head. Even the thrashing was unable to get her to move.
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Daria's eyes opened, and she sighed. "Still living," she whispered. "I didn't think you could feel pain in dreams." Glancing at the clock, she groaned. "I'm gonna be late." She rolled out of bed then turned to straighten the covers, but stopped in shock.
The sheet was stained with blood.
"No," she staggered backward, tripping on the bed on the other side of the room. Rolling into the floor, she pulled herself up enough to make sure that she hadn't bled on her roommate's bed.
"He did this," she whispered. "He did it."
Who is he? A voice in her mind demanded. Say who he is and the pain will stop.
"I won't do it," Daria shook her head. "He's not my father."
Then the pain will continue.
Crawling to the phone, she dialed a familiar number.
"Yo. Marshmallow Palace, care for something squishy?"
"Jane?"
"Hey, amiga, what's up?"
"Help me. Please."
"I'm on my way. You stay right there."
"Right here. Gotcha." Daria hung up the phone, then sprawled into the floor. "Stay awake," she ordered herself. "Got to stay awake. Must," her eyes started to close, "no. Awake. Stay awake. Please stay awake." Daria rolled onto her back, then grimaced as she felt the pain from her wounds. "That'll help," she stated, her eyes wide.
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Jane had never been happier to know the back ways between her apartment and the Raft dorms (or residence halls, as the school insisted on calling them). Her old Pinto screeched to a halt outside of Daria's residence, with Jane throwing the door open before the motor stopped backfiring. Ignoring the elevator, she charged up the stairs three at a time until she reached the seventh floor. Pulling the emergency key Daria had given her from her pocket, she opened the door, then stopped.
Daria was lying on the floor with her back toward Jane. The back of her shirt was stained with blood. Blood was also on the floor and sheets of her bed. Her friend's voice could be heard repeatedly saying, "Stay awake."
"Daria?" Jane asked, closing the door behind her.
"Jane?" Rolling over, Daria gasped as her back touched the floor.
"What happened?" Helping her friend to a sitting position, Jane tried to guess the extent of the damage on Daria's back.
"The dreams," was the reply. "They did it to me in the dreams." Then, as if shaking off a fog, she scowled, "I must have done something to myself, Jane. You don't feel pain in dreams and you sure don't get hurt in them."
"Well," A corner of Jane's lip curled downward, "let's see what's happened, okay?"
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"Azarath Metrion Zinthos," Raven repeated her mantra as she floated above the floor of her room. Her legs were crossed in the Lotus Position with her cloak almost reaching the floor. Her eyes were closed as she meditated.
"Raven."
Her eyes opened, allowing Raven to see a shimmering figure in a white robe that was standing a couple of feet in front of her. Putting her feet down onto the floor, Raven stood as she looked at her visitor.
"Arella . . . Mother, what are you doing here?"
"I have come to give warning." Her mother stepped forward, and the shimmering stopped. "That and to say how proud I am of you."
"Proud?"
"I just learned of what you did when facing your father. It made me very proud." Quickly, she put her arms around he daughter. "I was so scared, Raven. I couldn't think straight."
"It's over," Raven told her, giving her one good squeeze.
"No," Arella shook her head as she pulled away, "it's not. There was more to the prophecy than we were told." She held out a sheet of rolled-up paper. "And the rest," she looked away, "the rest involves your sister."
"The sword."
"You know?"
"I've been having visions at night. At first I thought they were nightmares, but they're too consistent and too real. Who is she, Mother?"
"I only know she is your half-sister," her mother told her. "She has been hidden away from all attempts to locate her. But, I do know," Arella looked almost pleased, "that she is older than you. I guess the ceremony that bound me to him had an effect on him as well."
"You mean he's been faithful?"
"I'm as surprised as you are." Arella, shrugged, "Not that I've been any more promiscuous."
"Okay, that's more than I needed to know." Raven took the paper as Arella offered it again. "Um," she looked at her mother, "would you like some tea?"
Arella smiled, "I'm afraid there's not much time before the spell takes me back. Next time, I'll come to stay for a while."
"I'd like that," Raven admitted.
"Me, too." Her figure began to shimmer. "I am proud of all the good you've done, Raven. Please be careful. If the sword destroys you, it could resurrect your father."
"Not to mention kill me," Raven observed.
"And I would hate that," her mother said. "I love you, my child." She was gone before Raven could reply.
"Yeah," Raven replied, "you too, Mother." She frowned as she looked at the paper in her hand. With a sigh, she tossed it onto her nightstand. "I already know what you say," she told it.
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"I'm done," Daria announced as Jane opened the door for her. "I finished my last final as a student at Raft."
"Cool," Jane replied as her friend staggered into the room. I've never seen anyone so beat, Jane observed. "You want something to drink?"
"Hemlock," came the answer as Daria crashed on the couch.
"Out of season," Jane retorted. "Besides, it always makes you break out."
"Hmm."
"How's your back?" Jane asked.
"Healing."
"How's your brain?"
"Feels like someone has taken a power sander to it." Daria pulled her head upright.
"Did those energy pills help?"
"How do you think I'm staying awake?" Daria asked.
"Are you sure you are?" Jane knelt down and picked up her friend's feet. "Daria, as much as it scares both of us, you're gonna have to sleep sometime. Take a nap. I'll wake you in an hour. I'll make sure Artie and his alien friends don't get you."
"Okay, but just one hour." Daria was asleep before she finished speaking, with Jane literally standing guard.
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"I hate this," Daria groaned as she found herself once again bound by fire.
"You are delaying the inevitable," the voice told her.
"That's what I told my teachers in high school," she told him. "It was inevitable that someone would realize they were idiots."
"So, you've always been aware of your superiority. Good. You get that from me."
"You are not my --" A lash to her wounded back caused he to gasp, but not scream.
"The time of waiting is over. You will not awaken until you have admitted that I am your father."
"We're gonna be here a while."
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Jane shook Daria again. "C'mon, amiga. It's been an hour." Frowning, she leaned in close, "DARIA!" There was no response. "Hey, even Trent doesn't sleep this heavy. Wake up." Lifting Daria's hand, she held it over her face, then let it drop. The hand landed with a 'thwap.' "Okay, she's not faking it." Jane bit her lip as she looked at her unconscious friend.
Are you going to get hurt again? She thought as she watched her friend. Scowling, she recalled the red gashes that looked like someone had taken a whip to her. If she hadn't been so afraid of being sedated I would have dragged her butt to the hospital.
"Come on," she shook Daria's shoulder, "wake up."
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Daria could feel the blood as it trickled down her leg. Her throat was sore from screaming, and she could still feel the burning from of the last the monsters that had rubbed itself against her chest. Tears had started not long ago and had not stopped. I can't win, she realized. I'm going to lose.
"Now, my daughter," the mammoth shape spoke. "Where are you smart remarks? Where is the witty repartee you were so willing to flaunt?"
Lost in the puddle of blood, she thought to herself.
There was a chuckle from the figure. "What is my name, child?"
"Y-you are Trigon the Terrible," Daria mumbled.
"Louder."
"Trigon the Terrible!" she shouted without raising her head.
"And what am I to you?" Trigon leaned down expectantly. He could see the tortured form shiver. "Speak. What am I to you? Who am I?"
"Please," Daria begged, "don't make me answer."
For a few seconds, Daria thought he'd somehow decided to show mercy. Then, as he began the question, she began to cry.
"Who is your father?" The young woman mumbled something between sobs. Reaching out with a massive hand, he caught her chin with the end of a fingernail the size of a truck. Tilting her head up so that she would have to look at him, he asked again, "What is the name of your father?"
"Trigon," she said, meekly. "My father is Trigon the Terrible."
"Very good." The ring of fire faded, dropping Daria into the pool of her own blood. "Now . . . you will begin to fulfill the prophecy." The usual glow of his eyes was replaced by green, and a similar light began to form in his mouth. After a few seconds, they shot forth in insane arcs before reaching Daria's own eyes and mouth. The energy forced its way in, causing her world to explode in emerald fire.
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"Hey," Jane's face was very close to her own as Daria's eyes opened.
"Gah!" Daria flinched away. "Don't do that!"
"Sorry." Jane smirked, "You sleep okay?"
"You'd be surprised." Seeing that it was dark, she asked, "How long was I out?"
"About four hours." Jane moved to the far end of the couch, "You had me scared, Daria. I tried, but you wouldn't wake up."
"I guess I had some catching up to do." Daria came to her feet effortlessly. "I'm sure it was just the stress of school ending and all that."
"Yeah." Jane scowled, but hid the expression when Daria looked at her. "You up for pizza?"
"Actually," Daria stretched, "I think I'll go back to my room and pack."
"Pack?"
"Dorms close in a few days," Jane was reminded. "I'll need to find a place to live or I'll have to move back to Lawndale."
"Hey, I still want you here. Now that you're not having to study, you should be okay, right? I'll try to keep the barbells to a quiet ding."
"Oh, why not." Daria smiled. The act alone sent a shill down her friend's spine. "I'll just move back in here, then. Think about it," she raised an eyebrow, "you and me, roommates until the end of the world."
"Any idea when that might be?" Jane asked.
"Not yet," Daria told her, "but I'm working on it."
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"Friend Raven," came a familiar voice, "am I interrupting?" Glancing over her shoulder, Raven could see Starfire gently landing on the roof of the tower.
Starfire's skin had a slightly orange hue. Her eyes were an intense green, and her red hair reached her waist. She wore light purple boots that reached up to mid-thigh with a mini-skirt of the same color. Her cropped top was also the same color. Around her neck and across her shoulders rested what appeared to be some sort of metal collar/shoulder pad. At the hollow of her throat was a medallion of some kind. Metal bands were also around her biceps. Her lower arms were covered by epaulets that extended to cover the backs of her hands. Medallions like the one at her throat were on the back of her hands as well. Even the belt at the top of her mini-skirt seemed to be made of the same material and had the medallion there as well.
"I was just finishing," Raven told her, lowering her legs. "Uh, what's going on?"
"Robin, Cyborg and Beast Boy are having the contest of champion on the video system," she told her gothic friend. "So I was wondering if you would like to go to the mall of shopping."
"Not really," Raven replied. "But I do need to go into town for a few things."
"Oh?" Starfire's eyes lit up. "Where shall we be going?"
"Someplace low-key," Raven told her. "Which means," she sighed, "we have to look normal."
"Normal?" Starfire looked confused. "What is not normal about the way we look?"
"Starfire," Raven said as she slowly shook her head, "you spend too much time around Robin."
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As Daria slept, she didn't notice a dark figure enter the room and stand over her. Jane watched for a few minutes before saying, "You've gone from barely sleeping to sleeping more than Trent. You say you've got a better job, but you hardly ever leave the apartment and won't tell me anything about it. I'm worried, amiga. Even how fast those cuts healed up can't hide that something's wrong." She sighed a she thought, I just wish you'd tell me what's going on.
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"Very good," Trigon nodded as Daria paused to catch her breath.
"Thank you, father," she replied. Looking out, she could see the scorched remains of the minions that had been destroyed as target practice.
"You are almost ready to kill your sister. Only one final thing needs to be done."
"I am ready for my lesson," Daria told him.
"It is not a lesson. It is a separation."
"I don't understand."
As his eyes began to glow, Daria felt a sudden pain in her chest. Then, something began to fight its way out. "Despite the inroads I have made, you are still too weak-minded to complete the task at hand. So, I am removing the part of me that is integral to your task and placing it in control of your body. The husk that is your old mind will remain here to wither and die."
Daria began to scream as the figure of another person made its way out of her chest. Finally, she fell to the ground as an identical figure stood over her.
"Can I destroy her, father?" As Daria looked up, she could see that her duplicate was exact, with only one exception. Instead of brown eyes, hers were a glowing green in color.
"No. Both of you will be needed for my rebirth. Now, you will find the gem and complete the prophecy."
"Yes, father," the other Daria smiled as she bowed to him. "I will crush her and make her the first sacrificeto your new reign on Earth."
Daria's mind reeled as she watched her double fade from sight.
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"Unlike Robin," Raven said as they came through the doors, "not all of us have a lot of money." She was wearing what she considered to be her 'normal' clothes. She had put on a pair of jeans over her boots and had replaced her cloak with a denim jacket.
"Money has never been an issue before," Starfire commented. She was wearing a pair of sandals that Raven had found, along with a knee-length gray skirt. Raven had also found a black turtleneck for her, although the sleeves were a little short.
"Not for you. But, you have a regular influx of funds from Tamaran since you almost got married." Raven sighed, "I just have the stipend I get for my personal needs for being a member of the team."
"I did not realize it was a problem," the alien said.
"It's not, really," Raven shrugged. "My needs are simple."
"Like what we are searching for today?"
"Yes. Toothpaste, deodorant, and I need some more candles." She pointed, "We can start over here in the health and beauty aisle."
"Ooh," Starfire picked up a box, "this changes the color of your hair?"
"This may take a while," Raven groused to herself.
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"Wow, what's with the new duds?" Whirling, Daria scowled at Jane. Daria was wearing a high-necked and long-sleeved black leotard with her familiar boots. She was also wearing a skirt that was the style she had worn in high school, only this one was the same color green as her favorite jacket, and had a slit on the right side that was high and wide enough to show part of the leotard beneath. Over this, she had on a long black hooded cloak with dark gray lining and trimmed in the same green as her skirt.. The cloak was held closed by a red stone set in gold. Jane wasn't sure, but it looked like the dark outline of a sword was visible in the stone. As she watched Daria cross her arms, Jane noticed that the sleeves of the leotard came to points on the back of her hands.
"I have to go," she said without preamble.
"Go? Where are we going?"
"We are going nowhere. I am going to find Raven so I can . . ." she paused. "I have to find my sister."
"I thought she was at Pepperhill. And when did you start calling her 'Raven?'"
"Stop trying to confuse me!" Daria snapped. She turned and, disgusted, shoved the backpack aside. "I don't need any of this," she grumbled.
"Daria, what's wrong?" Jane's level of concern was increasing by the second.
"Nothing that won't be fixed soon." Daria tried to walk past her, only to find Jane standing in her way.
"You're not going anywhere until you tell me what's wrong with you," Jane told her. "You've been acting odd since you fell asleep on the couch. For weeks you have these nightmares and then, poof, they're gone? And what about those cuts on your back? How did they heal up so fast?"
"It's nothing you need to worry about," came a dark growl. "Now get out of my way."
"No. And I don't think you can move me."
"We'll see." Daria reached up and pulled the cloak over her head. Then, as Jane watched in disbelief, her eyes went from dark brown to a bright, glowing green.
Crap, Jane thought.
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The door to the main room opened, allowing Starfire to enter, followed closely by Raven. Raven had one small bag, while Starfire had three large sacks.
"Robin!" she called out, "I have discovered the joy of discount shopping! Now I can . . ." her voice dropped away as she looked around.
"What's going on?" Raven asked from behind her.
The large viewscreen/television had been busted, along with one of the windows. Burn marks were on the walls, and the furniture had been tossed around. But it was what they saw on the far wall that had the girls stunned. A large metal frame had been set up, with Cyborg strapped down with his arms and legs spread-eagle. A cable had been attached to his chest, leading to a suitcase-sized device sitting on the ground next to him.
"Friend Cyborg," Starfire stepped forward.
"Ah, good," came an unwelcome voice. "Our wayfaring students have joined us at last." A thin figure in a robe came from the kitchen. His head had been modified with cybernetic implants that were similar to Cyborg's, only in red instead of blue. His human eye seemed to burn a brightly as his artificial one as he glared at them. "Welcome home," he said in a sweet tone. "We've been waiting for you."
"Brother Blood," Raven said as she felt his power intrude upon her mind, "no."
"It's nice to be recognized," he said as he stepped closer. "Now, don't bother resisting. I've had you in my thrall before. And this time, Cyborg will not be able to save you. Now," he turned and walked away, "I want you two to go get changed. My students should always be appropriately dressed."
"Yes, Brother Blood," Starfire said, picking up the bags she had dropped.
"We will be right back, Brother Blood," Raven told him as she followed Starfire up the stairs.
"Good," Blood smiled, "very good."
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Jane felt the breath knocked out of her as she was slammed through the door and out into the hall by a blast of green fire. Bouncing off of the far wall, Jane gasped for air as Daria started to walk past her.
With a grunt, Jane spun and tripped Daria with her foot. She flipped to her feet, then reached out to restrain her friend. To her amazement, however, Daria's figure seemed to consume itself in green fire, then slip through the floor.
"How did . . ." Jane felt of the floor, amazed at the lack of heat. "This can't be real."
"What do you know about reality?" Jane turned, trying to find the source of the voice, but didn't look down. Another blast of green fire shot her from the floor and into the ceiling. It faded at once, causing Jane to fall back to the floor.
"Daria," Jane wheezed, "don't . . ."
Behind her, a figure clad in glowing green slipped through the wall. Her eyes were glowing brightly enough to reflect off of her glasses. The effect was that Daria's glasses were, themselves, seemed to be glowing. Hearing footsteps, Jane rolled onto her back, gasping as she saw her friend's eyes.
"Daria . . . why?"
"The Daria you knew is gone," came the expressionless voice. "She died the moment I admitted the truth." She knelt down, "I am not the daughter of Jake Morgendorffer. My father's name is Trigon."
"You've wondered if you were adopted for years," Jane pointed out. "So what if one of your folks turns out to be someone else."
"Not some one," Daria stood, "some thing. My father is a demon, Jane."
"Mine's a photographer," Jane replied with a shrug. "Your point is?"
Glowing green eyes stared at her for a moment. "It's a shame you won't be there to see my father's return," she said, raising a hand that was beginning to glow with green fire.
"Be where, and why can't I?"
"Because, I . . ." Daria paused. Jane could see the signs that Daria was thinking.
"Hey, don't you think I want to meet your old man?" Bluff, Jane, bluff or she's going to fry you like a chicken leg.
"You merely wish to continue living," Daria said with a nod. "But, I believe I will bring you along. After all," she smirked, "not everyone gets a front row seat to the end of the world."
"Uh, yeah." Jane frowned as green flames seemed to come from everywhere.
People outside the building saw green fire suddenly burst out of the roof of the building. The fire took on the shape of a bird of some kind, then shot off to the West.
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Raven and Starfire returned to the main room at almost the same time. Around them were several of the robots that Blood had built using the schematics of Cyborg he had downloaded some time before. Also, the rest of the team was standing next to Blood as if waiting for a favorite teacher to begin a lecture.
"Ah," he smiled as the girls entered the room, "at last. My new students are here just in time for me to solve a mystery." Turning to Cyborg, he went on, "We're going to have a science experiment. A little dissection is in order, so that we can finally discover the secret of why . . ." he blinked as the metal of Cyborg's metal parts began to reflect a green light.
Turning to look out of the windows, Blood saw a green shape heading toward the tower. As it neared, he began to make out the bird-like image. It grew nearer, finally reaching the tower itself. Blood could only stare as a bird made of green fire slipped into the room. The fire faded, allowing two figures to emerge.
Jane collapsed as the fire faded from around her. Although it had not burned or harmed her, the experience had been very disorienting. Daria calmly looked around before Blood spoke.
"Well, well, who is this?"
"I am the Sword," Daria told him.
"And I," he bowed slightly and swept his arm to the side, "am Brother Blood."
"Your identity is of no consequence," she stated.
"You will soon believe otherwise," he promised as his organic eye began to glow. "I believe you will make an excellent addition to my school."
Daria looked bored. "I can feel you trying to worm your pathetic way into my mind. You do not have a fraction of the power necessary to control me." Walking toward him, she made a gesture with her hand, causing the light in Blood's eye to fade. "You are a distraction that I do not care to have," she said.