Blanket Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans! I only own my OCs.
Thanks to ZK Chromedragozoid for being my beta reader!
The wraith is a being of power, controlled by a greater spirit to do the creatures will. These creatures are shadows, floating amongst our realm with no purpose but that of their masters. They feed on humans, their emotions and their own strength, without these they would cease to exist.
Then there are the rare few… Wraiths who hunt down the others. Outcasts of their own society, they try to find peace amongst the humans. In order to maintain this peace they hunt down the wraiths that would harm humans. One wraith in particular… he was known as the Vörðr, the legendary guardian spirit. He hunts down the Dark One, the being who controls all other wraiths. It is the Dark One who is said to bring about mankind's downfall. But one warrior stands against him. A warrior who is said to be both his gateway and his destruction. He goes by the name of those he hunts… He is The Wraith
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Chapter One: The Gunman
It was a normal day… well as normal as any day can be when you live in a giant tower shaped like a T. It was Saturday morning. Starfire was playing with Silkie, Cyborg was in the garage working on the T-Car, Raven was meditating, and Beast Boy was watching cartoons with Tara. After finally acknowledging Beast Boy about her past, the Titans welcomed her back with open arms… yes, even Raven. She still didn't want to be a Titan, however, and just wanted to finish High School. Robin had locked himself in his room. Slade hadn't appeared since he sent that robot to attack Beast Boy. Also there was a string of mysterious deaths plaguing Jump City. All the victims had been horribly disfigured, as if something had drained them of their life force. It was a horrible scene.
One of the strangest parts of the murders was that Cyborg couldn't find any physical evidence on any of the bodies. Robin was a good detective, but how could he solve a case with no evidence besides the body? He rubbed his temples. "Damn it! Just what the hell is killing these people?!" The alarms blared.
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Outside of Jump City…
A robed figure stared at the city. His face was covered by a black cowboy hat and he carried a guitar case on his back. "So this is where all that dark energy is coming from." He looked down at his traveling companion, a young black Labrador retriever. "You sensing any good energy here, Shadow?" asked the figure. The dog wagged its tail and barked in reply. "Good, maybe we can find some allies here." He turned back to the city. He removed his hat to reveal spiked up black hair, the tips of the spikes being white. He was also wore sunglasses. He frowned. "The dark energies are growing… fast. We better get into town before night fall." He walked toward the city. The dog barked and followed its master. He began to whistle a tune.
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"All will bow before the power of Dr. Light!" exclaimed the villain.
"Does he ever learn?" asked Raven. Dr. Light turned around to see the Teen Titans prepared for battle.
"I'm ready for you this time, Titans!" Dr. Light fired a concentrated light beam at the Titans.
"Titans! Go!" ordered Robin. Most of the Titans dodged but Raven was unable to. She was hit and knocked back. She got up but couldn't see. Dr. Light had blinded her! "Try and find me now… um, dark, scary girl!"
"That's the best you can come up with?" asked Beast Boy.
"Even Beast Boy can come up with something better than that," quipped Raven, slowly regaining her sight. Robin snuck up behind Dr. Light and slammed a bird-a-rang into his machinery, causing it to short-circuit and shocking Dr. Light.
"Ouch…" said the extra crispy Dr. Light. He was then knocked back by Cyborg's sonic cannon. Right into the green kangaroo that was once Beast Boy slammed its tail into Dr. Light. "Ouchy…" groaned Dr. Light as he fell to the ground and the police arrived to take him away. The Titans didn't know they were being watched by two figures in the darkness.
"That girl… the dark one…" said one figure.
"Yes, she will make a delectable feast…" said the other figure.
"No… she will be given to the master as an offering," said the first figure.
"Then what shall we eat?" asked the second figure.
"The rest of course…" The two figures then slipped into the shadows, vanishing.
After the fight most of the Titans decided to go around town, with the exception of Robin, who went back to the Tower to continue his work. Starfire had gone back to the Tower to pick up Tara and then they went to the shopping mall, dragging Beast Boy with them. Cyborg went to the park to play baseball with the kids there. And Raven headed toward her favorite book store. While crossing the street, a reckless driver wasn't paying attention. During a red light he kept going. Raven, in a moment of panic, didn't think to use her powers and awaited the incoming vehicle. However, she was pushed away by a mysterious stranger. The stranger helped Raven up and tipped his black cowboy hat to her. "You okay, miss…?"
"Raven and yes I'm fine."
"Glad to hear it." The stranger then walked away, followed closely by a black Labrador. He turned the corner into a dark alley, whistling a strange tune. Raven followed him to get his name but when she arrived at the alley he was gone without a trace.
"That was weird," said Raven as she continued toward the book store.
On the roof of a building following Raven was the mysterious stranger. He looked at her and smiled. "So that's Trigon's little girl, huh? Things are definitely going to get interesting." He noticed two figures following Raven in the shadows. "Speaking of interesting… Better follow those two…" The figure then vanished into the shadows and appeared back on the sidewalk. He followed Raven and began whistling once again, not caring if Raven heard.
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The Bookstore…
Raven was picking up a book that she had been waiting to come out when she noticed the stranger sitting in one of the chairs, not doing anything. 'Is he following me?' thought Raven.
"I am following you," said the stranger. Raven looked at him surprised. "No, I didn't read you mind. Consider me more of a guardian angel," said the figure, smirking at her.
"Really, I'd much rather consider you to be a stalker than a guardian. So just what exactly are you guarding me from?" asked Raven.
"Those that hunt in the dark," said the figure cryptically. "You and your friends might want to stay inside tonight, just to be safe." He got up and walked out, once again whistling a strange tune.
"That guy is weird," said Raven.
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Later…
"Hey, old man! I'm here!" exclaimed the stranger from earlier.
"Warren!" said an elderly man. Shadow ran up to the old man and barked. "It's good to see you too, Shadow." He had a long white beard but was bald. He eyes seemed as if they had vanished or turned to dust, as cracks appeared around his eye sockets. "So my child, meet anyone interesting today?" asked the old man.
"C'mon gramps, I know you can read minds so you know I met Trigon's daughter. She was actually pretty cute in a dark, scary sort of way." He dropped his guitar case on the floor and lay down on an empty bed, taking off his hat. He was in a large studio apartment that was almost entirely empty. The main room only had a jukebox in the corner and a desk in the center. "So, anyone call?"
"No, we just opened up business here so don't expect it to just come rolling in. And don't forget, you start school tomorrow."
"What the hell old man?! I just get into town and your already shipping me off to school?!"
"You're only 17, Warren. You still have to go to school," explained the old man.
Warren groaned. He looked out the window. The sun was setting and it was almost night. He grabbed his hat and walked to the door. "I gotta go take care of some things. I'll be back later tonight." He walked out.
The man looked at the table he was sitting at. On it was a set of Tarot cards. "And so, the wheels of fate have been set into motion…"
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That night…
The Teen Titans had received an alarm. Someone was being murdered! Robin jumped on it, hoping that they had found their mysterious killer. They arrived at the scene, a dark alleyway. They heard shrieks of terror coming from inside. The Titans proceeded slowly as a mysteriously thick fog rolled in and blocked their view from behind them.
What they saw horrified them. There were three bodies on the ground. They looked like they had been mummified, their faces contorted in agony. They saw another body being held in the air by a shadowy force. The body soon gained an appearance of the others, screaming as it died. "Look, brother, the main course has arrived" said one figure. It was a large figure that was covered in armor and wielded an axe.
"Remember, Axe, the dark girl is to live. The others shall make an excellent feast," said a second figure. He was shaped like a tall man, but his entire body flickered with dark energy. He wielded a large broad sword. He lifted up his free hand and shadowy tentacles grabbed Raven and trapped her against the wall, one of them covering her mouth. The two figures charged at the remaining Titans. Starfire shot a starbolt at one of the figure but it seemed to go right through him. He swung the flat side of his sword and slammed Starfire into a wall. "You look good enough to eat, child…" He opened his mouth to reveal several rows of razor sharp teeth.
"Get off of her!" exclaimed Robin as he dug two bird-a-rangs into the figure.
Cyborg and Beast Boy weren't having much luck either. Every attack they tried on Axe was just deflected by his armor. "Sword! Let us finish them!"
"Gladly!" He grabbed Robin and slammed him against the wall next to Starfire. "You little children better be tasty!" He was about to take a bite out of Robin when he was interrupted be singing. "What is that noise?"
Through the fog a figure approached the Titans and their opponents. It was the figure who had saved Raven earlier. He was singing to the tune he was whistling earlier. "So, on the first celestial evening, from somewhere out of nowhere drops upon my dreaming world…" He stopped singing. He looked at Sword and Axe and smiled, "You guys weren't gonna start the party without me, were ya?"
'It's him!' thought Raven.
"Sword, did you know he was going to be here?!" exclaimed Axe.
"Why don't you sound happy to see me Axe? I'm hurt…" He reached into his cloak and pulled out a pitch-black gun that had a blue shine to it. He aimed it Axe. "But not as hurt as you're going to be."
Axe let out a low growl. "Sword, we shall retreat for now…"
Sword looked at Robin and Starfire. "See you later, my little morsels…" Sword and Axe vanished into the shadows and were replaced by several humanoid creatures that seemed to be made of shadows. They didn't seem interested in the Titans and charged directly at Warren.
"Look out!" exclaimed Robin. Warren just stood there as the creatures charged. He lifted his gun and said:
"Bang!" He pulled the trigger and several shots were fired. They missed the creatures entirely.
"That dude's got some bad aim," stated Cyborg.
"He was aiming for those tentacles… thanks for the help by the way," said Raven, sarcastically. Warren got right underneath one creature and fired right into its chin. It let out a horrible shriek as it vanished back into the shadows. Warren spun around and shot several more creatures in the head, knocking them to the ground and back into the shadows. He smirked.
"Sword!" he exclaimed. His gun vanished into the shadows and was replaced by a black sword. He charged at the creatures and slashed through them. One jumped at him from behind, but he swung around and grabbed it by the neck. "Nice try…" He impaled the creature on his sword and it let out a shriek of pain, causing the Titans to cover their ears. "Why can't these things ever die quietly? Gun!" The sword fell to the shadows and returned as the original gun. "Let's see… three guys left." He fired three shots, all three hitting their mark. The figures screeched in pain and vanished. "Good thing that's over with." He looked at the Titans, who just stared at him. "What?"
"What did you just do?" asked Robin.
"What I do best," stated Warren. "I kill wraiths."
"Raves?" asked Beast Boy.
"No, wraiths. Evil spirits that live off of human spirit energy. Most humans don't know about them, so I'm surprised you do," said Raven.
"Been hunting them for a long time now. So if anything, I know more about them than you do… Raven."
"How do you know my name?!" demanded Raven.
"The daughter of the legendary Trigon the Terrible, how could I not know about you? Besides, you told it to me, remember?" She did but she'd totally forgotten.
"Well since you know about me, tell us about you," said Raven.
"Yes, please! Tell us! What is your name, what is your favorite color, what planet do you come from and will you be my friend?" asked Starfire, rapid fire.
"Um… well… My favorite color is black, last time I checked I came from Earth and as for my name…" he took in a deep breath. The Titans leaned forward expectantly. "My name is Valentinez Alkalinella Xifax Sicidabohertz Gombigobilla Blue Stradivari Talentrent Pierre Andri Charton-Haymoss Ivanovici Baldeus George Doitzel Kaiser IV…" He extended his hand to Starfire. "Don't hesitate to call." Everyone sweat dropped. "What?"
"Are you serious?" asked Robin.
"No, my name Warren Smith. And yes, I'd like to be your friend." Starfire wrapped him a one of her bone-crushing hugs.
"Glorious!" exclaimed Starfire.
"World… going… dark…" Warren disappeared.
"Oh no! I crushed him until there was nothing left!" said Starfire as tears welled in her eyes.
"No you didn't," said Warren. His head was poking out from the shadows on the wall. "Nice little trick, huh? I can manipulate shadows; pretty handy when getting out of tight situations." He looked at his watch. "Oh shit! I'm late! The old man's gonna kill me!" He looked at the Titans and waved goodbye. "Sorry, but I gotta go! See you guys around!" Warren ran towards the wall and vanished into the shadows.
Everyone was quiet. Beast Boy broke the silence. "Um… am I the only one who is completely freaked out here?"
"No, I'm with ya, BB," said Cyborg.
"I don't trust him," said Raven.
"You don't trust anyone," said Cyborg.
"I felt demonic energies coming from him, the same kind of energies I felt from those wraiths," explained Raven.
"I say we keep an eye on him," said Robin.
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Meanwhile, a black and red sports bike drove into Jump City. Its rider was clad in faded blue jeans, combat boots, and a black leather jacket and over his head was in a red helmet with a black visor. He pulled over in front of a diner and flipped up his visor. "Okay, this looks like the place. Now, where is that slimy old Smith?"
"Boo," someone whispered next to him and the rider nearly fell off his bike in shock.
"WARREN!"
"Hey, Sammy, been awhile," Warren grinned at the rider. The rider then removed his helmet. He had the youthful features of a 16 year old with slightly tanned skin. He had spiked up brown/black hair and brown eyes. He also had a scar running down his left eye.
"So, where are we supposed to me meeting the old man?" Sammy asked.
"Just follow me," Warren replied, "Oh and how is Iblis?"
"Fine," Sammy nodded, "Just fine. How's your burden?"
"I can hear you," said a voice from the shadows. Sammy looked into his shadow. He saw a dark figure with strange glowing markings on the left side of his torso leading up to his glowing white eyes. His hair seemed to be made of black flames. Spikes extended from his shoulders. "Do not enrage me child."
"Like you could do anything without me allowing it, Arrach" said Warren. "C'mon Sammy, we gotta go see the old man." The two friends entered the building. "Old man! I'm back!" A brick flew at his head, smashing right into it.
"You're late…" The old man looked up with his empty eye sockets at Sammy. "Oh, young Samuel. It is good to see you again. It has been far too long."
"It certainly has… I see your aim is still as good as ever."
"Damn you, old man," grumbled Warren, rubbing his head. The phone rang, "Hello, Smith Investigations, may I ask whose calling?"
"You're still using that name?" asked the voice on the other end of the phone.
"What do you want, Kaileena?" asked Warren.
"Just wanna meet up with some old friends! Meet me at the Oblivion in twenty!" said Kaileena over the phone.
"Yeah, sure, whatever," answered Warren.
"And bring Sammy!" ordered the voice.
"Fine, I'll bring Sammy!" exclaimed Warren as he slammed the phone down. "Damn, that girl is such a pain!"
"Kaileena's in town?" asked Sammy.
"Nah, she wants us to meet her at the Oblivion. Hey, old man, we're heading out to meet an old friend!"
"Just be home before dawn," said the old man.
"Yeah, yeah…" said Warren as he and Sammy walked into a shadow.
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A/N: Please Read and Review. Just to let you all know, this story is slightly low on my priority list, but I will update as soon as I can. So, if you like this first chap, you might want to add it to your alert list so you won't forget about it!