Teen Titans; To The Future; Chapter 7 : Embrace of the New World; The Remembrance Of Cecilia - Lost Child Of The Southern Seas; A Starry Eyed Wake Up Call.
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Alicia's trip to London had taken quite a sharp dive; as the three magic users beside her sat silently, waiting for their tea to brew. Her eyes fell a bit as the now fully clothed and shaven; Flannigan Morteus of the spirit world during her queen's revival of it, spoke his tale. In his tale, he had returned to continue searching unto uncharted lands for a young princess the queen had birthed centuries before baby Alicia. Even then, the princess with an angelic aura had witnessed such terrors...It had been before Roku's take over and invasion plan towards the prince; the true one that had become possessed by the dragon soon after! Roku had taken to his shadow devouring tactics , just so that Catherine would give herself up for the right moment. He instead got the boot from the 'boot ' she reigned. The southern spirit realm queen took up her greatest spell casting , and flung the dragon far across the past world seas. In turn, her dearest had been left with a curse, and their firstborn daughter possessed by a powerful witch of the old world. The queen sent out a search, trying desperately to find her child before her second befell the same fate.
"She was not found once until the time before the end to end all ends in the desert fortress. There, I believe she was witnessed to have the wings of a harpy. Similar to the sea dwelling siren, it is no more than a rumor ...however!" The more composed Brocton nodded as he tried to listen well in. "Yes?" He asked and tried to stay calm for Alicia's sake. "Is the princess still missing?"
Flannigan sighed and swept his long robes over to the largest bookshelf in his shop. "There was a letter here, I had wished to send it to the queen, for she has come to see her daughters once more." The two older gents looked up to meet a cautious Alicia. "Myself as well?.." She asked meekly, shifting foot to foot while holding a large tray tightly to her chest. "I...is she in England now? Where then, might she know of my ...sister? You told us her name is Cecilia! Why is it that I was taken , but not to where she had been stolen away from? Roku favoured me.." She recalled the dragon's lackey taking over when he had only just reclaimed his good title. "He should have also have known where this...witch took my elder sister! You are saying that Catherine had myself with a different father...then who was that prince?"
She gripped the tray tighter now, hoping it would not break by her weakened walls . She truly believed that Catherine was pure of heart...but by far, she had known Roku...and lived!
"Rokuro's mother was killed simply because she refused to give her child to that vermin...had she not known of the trials that befell princess Alicia? Did lady Catherine try to stop him from taking away my shelter in the mountains?" She was practically shattering the plate as a crack ran through it slowly. " I will not know unless you say!" She pointed a shaking finger at the sage by the shelf. "Did that king have Roku's trickery to blame? Why is no one telling me who -
"Allie! That's enough." Shoji coolly took the princess's arm and came down onto one knee before her crying eyes. "Your dad was influenced by Roku's darkness, that was why you had been sent to Thor's land, for protection..." He softened up and tried to hold her steady with a small hug. "She didn't do that for anyone else...Roku even imprisoned her while he searched. It was after he had taken back Rokuro in the blaze ..He was stolen at the age of eight ..When the prince had returned, we had to reverse the brainwashing ...but then...you were found. Roku had given us enough time to re coop, while he went after the one who had caused him such disgrace .He took Catherine's last daughter..Her last! She was so heartbroken she vowed to fight that dragon until her own end. Instead, he created her as Angela. A chamber maid once she had been captured within the rebellion forces...His goal was to punish her , call her out as the one to serve his laws. It wasn't until Robin was captured during the raid of the tower on earth...that he jogged her memory! He freed her with words that broke her binds away! If Robin had allowed the dragon to feed longer, he would have become a tool as well." The billionaire took a breath to continue. "You, Kay, myself and the Titans fought to put him away for good! Catherine is going to ask to see you again...she is more than proud, all she wants is her family with her...so please...no need to regret." He hushed Alicia who was putting on her biggest mask to try and not fall to tears in the cat's arms...
"H- How...hic*..C-..Can we find , Cici!" She hiccuped to the doc and sage. Shoji gave her a small squeeze and a nod. "Yes...sniff...we are going to meet her together. Kay, Al?" The cat had not realized how truly emotional the princess could be at the mention of hurt done onto others. He did not wish for her to become like the Eternal girl Aluehainyu, who's mission at best made her too proud!
"Flannigan..."The doctor turned to the sage as he pulled out the small envelope tucked behind the quaint hiding place. "If this is all a bit more to drag along, then I will gladly get to the point." He held out the letter for the southern world queen for Shoji to receive. "A guardian helping an outsider by his own presumptuous desires to redeem his honor ...is a bit taboo. Be sure to keep your demons in line as well , Verra was it?"
"The name only applies to the self I was cursed to contain in Roku's later years. Lilith ruined my father's happiness by playing on his weakness...he wanted to cure my mother's illness. Instead, she is now a stone statue because of the witch's spell.." The mother of Veravakumu had not exactly become a stone statue. She had instead become rigid and weak. She had never lasted that next year when he was to come of age ...Verra had been born after a new temptress had married the king , after the early queen's pang. Veronica had only been young and ruthless by her mother's teachings. Thus, his demon grew to the form of an animalistic incarnate called Verra. He had a name and did not want to lose it as he had before. If the sages and gurus had not whisked him away to train ti control the cat hybrid's growth, he would have surely killed the people ; good and evil - in his intensified hate filled rage.
"I do want to stop Arisu. " He said surely to the elder magician. "She was created by Roku to control and smother what resistance she had left. Even Arisu had been a being of an older spirit. I also wish to find how we can drive out her presence, in an attempt later perhaps, to bring out the third self..."
"She is called, Alice.." The princess sniffled a few more times before having the doctor retrieve a handkerchief for her use. "It's funny..." She remembered with a nervous smile . " Alice was who I had believed myself to be...is that why Arisu is an eastern translation to mirror that name? Roku was truly trying to shut away the light of that self.." She thought of the light self akin to Hakuro that had been less likely to wish her harm. "I took away the Ethereal's name, her power became my own!" Her hands covered her face, ashamed that she had almost harmed the young being by her almost human emotions . "If there is any way...I wish to return her-
No!" The sage rushed to stop the princess from further ruining her powerful self. "Do not return her now, she is attached to your innocence as well as your misfortune." He reminded the girl who had not the words to protest. " That dual nature became you, you - not as it- but for the truth to be discovered.." He tried to use his most calming voice as the young blonde started to ease her sniffling just a bit more. "Then...They might be the linked memories that have been lost!" She gasped aloud and went to give the old magician a great big handshake. "The letter, we shall certainly entrust to the queen. Please rest assured that the guardians will fight for the truth!" She beamed eagerly as the other guests just smiled back, knowing Alicia was going to pull through just fine.
"I shall leave this task to you then , malady-
"Sure thing ! Finny!" She laughed happily and turned to her companions who had barely drunken their whole fill. "Ready boys? We are off to meet the queen!"
The doc nudged the scientist in his ribs, whispering a question as he waited for Shoji to reply. " What has happened to Allie? Is she still in shock, or am I going mad in Wonderland here?" He rasped so that the playboy beside him could block the conversation from the sage across the room. "She is fighting , she didn't tell me Arisu was back...keep it steady , Broc."He shrugged and walked along towards the exit. The dark haired scientist said his thank you's - but was halted to lean towards the elder magic user's ear. " Keep an eye on that child. She is going to play a role in the coming chaos.." The door had shut before the man had a chance to blink. Shoji just stood looking back, shocked and surprised that this sage , was possibly more aware of their current state than he had known!
"Shoji! We are going to leave without you if you won't stop gawking!~" The princess teased as Aaron tried to call him along so that he would not be alone to watch her. "Hurry up!"
The foreigner just gave a smug smile and dashed over to the two comrades, now with a full stomache, and a new mission. They were going to meet Lady Catherine...would he finally be able to tell her his truth? He had kept Alicia away under the god's noses, promised she was being on her best behavior...he only wanted them to be happy . If the meeting went as planned,Alice might finally be set free!
/
The wizard had not a moments peace while chained down against his will by...this empress...of the highest order.
The magician had gotten nothing out of their discussion that might stall the Titans' arrival. The wait; the later ploy that he suspected the lady of the seas to drop the bomb on, was to occur around a heavily populated area . The date was close to being set; after all- The princess in aqua tresses was a superstar on Earth. She had every pitch known to the worlds at her disposal. Malchior worried about Raven even further...she had never witnessed magic of that caliber! It also started to rain a while later, making the princess pout over her lovely flower garden seeming so dreary.
Malchior sighed and continued to contemplate his escape. She might let him free if he were not a threat...but as an ally of the rivaling Teen Titans...he did not have a choice but to wait out for her order of release.
In fact, he had also overheard that strange spirit from before speak of a prisoner? One not yet sentenced? His brain was riddled with questions. Raven had no idea he had been whisked away by Aria's voice. Even if he had been in London on, other business right before his capture...
"They did saaay..." One of the lovely attendants gossiped among her fellow attendees, as the wizard caught a few words while simply walking back to his room. "There was a breach? Who, oh my gosh! Was it a harpy!-
"Shhhh! Stupid! Don't be so loud!" Hushed the first girl. " This was a meeting between another royal...and a winged blonde...they said she is having that held for treason because of her trials in-
"Trials...was she in trouble? What did the royal do?" The first paused to give her tale a real edge. "Welll...turns out, the intruder knows that royal cause she was her child or so they say...the royal lived and was held against her will by a fire breathing monster!" The girl pretended she was a terrifying beast as her arms went over her like a grizzly bear in defense. "Oooh! That dragon? Goodness! What did it take to escape? -
"Wait..." The third with short hair in silver curls pursed her lips , then shot back with a gasp. "The real dragon? That has to be!-
"Cut it out! You'll be kidnapped if he hears you talk like thaaat!"
"Time's up for beak." The first girl wiped the cold sweat from her brow looking at her trusted pocket watch with a sharp click*. "Talk of dark spirits will tempt we within a different plane. I don't want anything bad to happen, let's head back...and zip it! Aria isn't the same since she talked to lord dragon Earth."
The girls took off, forward march , in a straight line to return to their duties as servants of their ruling lady . Malchior could only hold his breath up until they were gone from sight. His first deep breath was interrupted by the glass windowpane displaying his ally and source, Bao Shi Lan. The girl chuckled; although she was of the same race as both Eternal and spirit, with a good thousand years to boot.
~ Young wizard! You will only beat the princess at her game if you hold the cards. You look as a fish out of a large pond that is closer than he believes!~ The ex prince cleared his throat roughly and returned a 'hello ' before walking on. "You are able to withstand the barrier the sea witch has placed around this manor? Why have you come to my side? Is there news to be had?" He wondered to the flowery spirit. ~ The teenagers of earth, guardians , spirit , and even daemon are here on this plane. The one called Rokuro has gone to see Lord Destiny due to an intrusion by the strich..we thought it best that you remain by the goddess to see why she is as she has become..~
The boy paused and pretended to look out the window . Bao Shi simply tried to get his mind from wandering far off. "There was a maiden here who said she may have come face to face with Lord Dragon Earth's sacred treasure..." He tried to loosen his tense shoulders with a twist. "At least that is how I see it. She knows of the princess in his care...the queen that is to be reincarnated into a human or spirit form..."
~ That will only further her obsession as well.~ The youthful spirit almost shuddered at the thought of a corrupted Celestial. "Lori is..."
~ She was blessed when she had been strong by Aria. Thus, Lady Aria of the Four Wind Strewn Passages is very possessive . She was angered over the prince's father having killed her beloved vassal.~
"Vassal...she was to, become a goddess of the seas?" The wizard gaped into the fog ridden glass. "Lori was going to transcend the balance! She was to be of higher blood! How is that possible?" He did recall though, that Roku had done the same. It was not all but impossible he thought, as he sighed to calm his mind from such exhaustion. "But...she was being groomed to sit beside a Celestial. Though, Lori held the power to reach the Ethereal plane. It is no surprise she was envied even..."
The young half spirit shook her head sadly and rebuked, the wizard was going to lose his way at this rate. ~ The sorceress is possessed by the thought of the child Hakuro returning also...~ Added the girl. ~ Hakuro holds what was still pure of her prentice's only son...as if all that was left had been stripped of him, he did not even recall her eyes..though, they had the same blue.~
The battered prince just nodded and bowed slightly to show his good graces and thanks. "I must rest up. Perhaps we shall meet again for I too have a way to contact my comrades without the queen to fear."He told her and pat his extra belt pouch by his side . "This, is human made, yet Aria can only just guess my intentions of seeing these wrongs righted." The spirit in the dingy glass cocked her head to the side. Thinking only that he needed to stay silent here , especially when his only ally was a spectre for ten minutes at best.
~ Take care then young wizard.~ She waved as her form became less visible , his eyes smiled back. " Nothing to fear, we are going to take care to see this through to the end. Fare thee well!"
The glass was brightest now that the sun was beginning to fall closer to stand over the town. "Aria is in the country side.." He mumbled as the sky dimmed to show a beautiful ivy covered castle atop a hill...-
"Where are we?!"
The sweet laughter of the empress wrung throughout the great halls. The rooms returned to normal with a flicker of more candle light. It had in fact been an illusion. They were not in that past...she was a trickster at best!
"I have no intention of seeing you leave me all alone, especially when we have so much time to spend ...here..?"
"Then.." Malchior gulped down what thought he had held earlier, he could not let her brainwash him!
"Why are you here? You are a songstress who is going to perform live, right? You do not have 'time to kill.' So, I do not need to remain here! Let me go back to my comrades." He demanded while the girl stood cutely trying to have him forget his own plan. "If you'll excuse my rudeness, but tea time has ended. I must be off-
"Gaspard!"The princess called upon a burly human with a strong set of pecs to hold her adversary still.
"Be so kind as to show the young magician to his new room!"
The dim , droning man nodded slowly a response of , yes as he carried out his queen's command. "Yes maaame..." The gorilla started dragging and pulling poor Mal into a different room filled with white light that blinded his senses.
"Majesty! Why are you taking me away! Stop ! This is going to only worsen if you-
The kind eyes of the queen became dark and filled with malice. "You do, NOT EVER speak to me as you have! Coward! Your little curse bringing dragon stole away my heir! I was going to make that jewel legendary! He took her! Crushed her...her child , he must be taken...he must not know the taint! Rip it away!~"
The noise was deafening for the ex prince of Knoll and the grunting neanderthal as the siren 'sounded' to cause such pain in their skulls. "Men hear it the most...only to suffer as they made me...oh...my Veravakumu thinks me a witch...but I am of a purpose! He must be mine! Or he too shall rot away! I must save the ones still pure!~"
Mal was drooling out saliva that lessened nothing, his ears were ringing when she had finally stopped to kneel by him. "So, I want the one called Hakuro, he will be the prince's savior!" She spun around as if in a trance...with ...Mal...feeling dizzy...
"For my queen...I shall... secure your heir...he...will be yours..."
Mal could only feel his true thoughts turn to sand, his ears would hear only her commands...he had lost his own will by this corrupted Celestial's song!
"S...so...rry...R...Ra..ve...n..." His eyes were tearing by the shock and pain bursting through him, in truth he had betrayed his real princess...he did not want her to suffer. His target alone would be Grayson. No one else mattered as he drifted off into the lady's possession. He would not leave the castle..not while he could only wait for her song to be sung again.
/
The flight ended with a thump to the ground as the team in civilian garb touched the runway of the British Airway National Airport. "Duudes! Lookie ! We finally made iit!" Bb was motion sick to the point he had tears in his eyes. "Raae...I need ta lay downn..yulp..."
"Raven?"Starfire tapped her companion on her shoulder gently. She knew Raven hated being unnecessarily surprised, so she was sure not to use her super strength …
"Is this where the Ben who is very large lives? Is he a familiar character in this United Kingdom?" She wondered with a brighter gaze towards her friend. Raven kept her cool and shoved Bb so that he'd know not to tease her grammar. " He...is actually not human." She replied with a nervous smile. "Big Ben, is a part of a clock tower. Just a monument for tourism now , at least I think it isn't a working clock...?"
She too wondered if the clock ; being large and very difficult to keep operating for centuries, was going to magically sound if she questioned it's presence...her head shook for no. It was a man made relic at this point. No way was it an around the clock sort of -
Cy yawned loudly as the passengers started to line up in the lane to exit the craft. "I am so glad that my height was not a shocker like I thought' d be...took a few zzezzz, and I feel great! How bout you Dick? Any naps? You definitely needed one bro."
Richard pretended to not hear his name spoken so loudly. He did not want any more photo bombing by any bystanders, or people commenting on Bruce's work, even Shoji had been mentioned! Richard had thought him AWOL since his fall out with the creep white wolf in the back lot of the hospital. "It was , sort of cramped. But I was used to small spaces from my days as a performer...uh, I mean!-
"You are feeling 'the happy' then, Dick? I am relieved to see that you are remembering the good again!...zzz.." Her eyes were smiling as she tried to embrace the teen softly. Only to have to be woken for their departure with a jolt.
/
The one to greet the Titans promptly had been Kay and one more. "Heey! Long time no show brother! It's your not so little sis! It's me ya doof! I got upgrades! How are you guys!"
Cyborg now saw a slightly older and more mature looking - and speaking - android Nina. He rushed over to her as Vic Stone, his eyes wide as well as his smile made her return the other with a great big hug. "You...you got older! But...that would have taken years! How is this happenin'!"
The pink haired, camo clothed teen just tutted cutely that all of this was secretive and not up for further talk. "I am pretty good, my weapon's systems are offline for standby. You guys have gotta get the tour!"She saw Bb and whomped a hand jokingly against his back. "How's it hangin' Kermit? Squash any bugs-
The teen grimaced still at the sound of that one word, signaled to Star for his patience, then fled to find the lavatory.
"Oh!...I had no idea..." Nina was still a bit heavy on her punches and apologised after Bb had taken some medicine. "We can take it slow." She nervously said with Gar still grumbling so she heard. "By the way, are you guys going to a suite? You can always crash with-
Kay cleared his throat to finish her sentence himself. "We have secured a space, if you do not mind staying there. Wiz is a few blocks from the area, he knows Europe's ins and outs since his very first visit. That was...too many years to describe ...We can also gather the information you require . That event in London is not far off. You will have to attend if you want to get the sorceress's attention. " He mentioned as the group went to recover their luggage. "No more guards to prevent us from entering this joyous place! I agree that It was indeed to protect us. Yet, that one officer was a bit-
"That's his job Kori." Richard pulled up his baggage from the carousel . "He is being alert, in case the laws aren't being followed. He was just-
"I do understand...I just think it painful of the harm many try to inflict upon those that they are not aware of their troubles..." The girl sighed as Raven dragged her bags out next. " That is...an age old problem of dispute..it may end...but it may not...to rid ..sorry Koriand'ar...I cannot answer that comment." She stammered a bit, feeling her feet become lighter by far. ~ No! This is a really bad time to astral travel! I can't leave here!~
"Raven! Rae! Are you ok? What happened? We were afraid -
The empath composed herself in a moment , then reassured their leader that she could continue. Nothing had just pulled her out of her body...she had been tricked, maybe the motion of the carousal ...or the bright lights...jet lag! She was going to be fine. Her friends were right there..
"Sorry...It was fatigue..just need to meditate once we reach our new destination." She replied to her team with worried faces. "Ok, but tell us if you do need our support. You ...didn't even answer the first time. Ok then."
Dick turned to the other team members and put on his best face. "Kay said we can crash locally. That way, we have the guardians ' and Nina's street smarts to get us to Aria."
The teens nodded and continued up the elevator to get to the lot. "Who's driving by the way?" Bb said with a less soured gut. "We can always hail a -
"Nope!" Nina was smiling with a giggle. "Got it all covered! So don't sweat the small stuff!" She beamed up to Cy and his crew. "I call shotgun!" Gar cried out, hoping to keep his weak tummy from doing flips again . The girls chuckled but knew why as he tried to sit up straight. "Nina's got a license!?" Cy blinked over to their driver. "Take it easy up there Nin'." Cy reminded her. "We are takin two cars so...I guess Kay is legal? " Raven raised a brow. "He's not even a long time resident...is he? Who are you fox?" She crossed her arms, he only beckoned her to take to sitting. She waved and sat over by Richard and Gar in Nina's ride . The white haired guardian had wished to take Star and Cyborg earlier instead for Nina to follow behind. They had to keep an eye out for his hypnosis , in case he had orders to hold out for his current officials. "I actually have my times where I travel the planes. Spirit world and mortal Earthen dives are where Vee and Wiz are usually called. My mother is a head order..but, I try to stay down to Earth." The rest had alread taken down to a new highway as he finished answering their previous questions . "Nina is here by special orders, just before Maya returned to her true guise." The fox told the now seated few in his back seat.
"Nina was given orders to be used for a test run really...But, Maya changed the rules . Dearheart said at the end of Maya's time, Nina would show human signs of aging properly. Right now, she is an android with a human lifespan. Her last gift to her only child.." Kay did not weep but was left with silence; all but Kori and Cy blowing into tissues. "She...isn't gonna be switched off? Maya did all that?"Cy was in disbelief as his thoughts wandered a bit, thinking he might know the teen for more years than he first had been told! His lil' sis , was practically superhuman!
Raven calmed her weeping Garfield with a pat as she leaned to mellow out his tears! Nina's story to him was not being told, but his stomache was on fire!
"I really think I caught something Rae...this pain is crazy uncomfortable...think I might take a nap...yaawn.."
The changeling snored softly while Richard and Nina talked in between lanes. "How ..is your bud Hakuro faring.?" The android asked cautiously of the two. The teens blinked to one another , a bit confused as to how she even knew. She had been with them up till that last month of those memories. Her memory bank must have been a bit fuzzy, so Richard tried to speak as little as he could. "Hakuro...is still asleep. You were worried about him..any reason? Just curious since you two weren't really familiar back then!" He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. She was not prying, at least she knew space was important. "Yeah..it wasn't that...just, I know that he was important to you. That's all. Oh! We have a sec, you want to get some chow to bring for tonight? I know an awesome curry hangout! ...or...is spice too heavy..heh.." The android was being coy as to not make Raven feel offended in any way. Smart, but the fact Hakuro had been mentioned made her zip her lip further. "Well, is pizza an option?" Richard tried to ask as the girl drove down another street towards their ally's townhouse. "Dunno...you may wanna do for the local fare. Just cause pizza is barely big as the really tasty ones in N.Y.C! I can show you guys later. Not the big apple...it's not local! Soo, let's head over before I get a call, and a ticket!" The two; three passengers- and green in the face extra- did not disagree with holding off. Shoving off, Raven noticed that the fox was very close to the down town tourist stops, ritzy hotels, even office towers! He was more in the way of a good time that she knew Verra's image might have brushed off..or..
The next car over , the Kayu's bunch decided to pick the fox for some info. He still had not told them of his current occupation while on Earth!
"Spill it, where is this pad you claim to have , what job do you have that let's you live soo..."
"He is indeed quite well off, that I can say as well. So his job must be fuller time than most, is that not correct friend Kayu?" Starfire put in, her heart set on the answer as much as Cy; who thought his cousin Shoji's life was too good to be for real!
"My mother is also of dual citizen ships...actually...she is head of another sort of council..."
He tried to hide his embarrassment from the two backseat drivers. "You do not mean to tell me...that your family is in to-
"He's for a family full of politicians!" Gar jolted up and gasped with a following groan onto his side.
Nina tried to not forget her sight ahead . "Then...you guys aren't in the Spirit world just running order..." Raven gasped a bit as she saw what the guardians truly saw , her eyes wide and a bit lost. "Kay, Shoji..even Aria, Wiz...they all balance out Earth's order! That's..."
The Tamaranean in the first car yipped in surprise . "You are of a very powerful position, even on Earth...I do not see why you must pull so many of the strings..'" She remarked,thinking ; and knowing, that there was no magic great enough to solve many a crisis from occurring on this one planet. Especially by only a selected few... just who were these beings of utter brilliance that stood to hold a spot by world wide nations alike? Her mind boggled around a conspiracy if any, but hoped to yield until their stop had come.
"That space." Richard remarked. "Is a town house at the edge of the project streets. You intended for us to stay. The Titans won't impose, maybe it would be better to just take a suite...I mean-
"The pleasure is really all Kayu's." Nina smiled so that her grinning cheeks were visible to the back seaters. "He didn't want you guys to be left out of the loop. Also, I think Shoji had an urgent to- do with his temporary partner." Her eyes traveled to the driveway as she parked beside the first car.
"Then...Verra is with her!" Richard realized aloud. "Alicia is going to eventually come face to face with the Titans." He thought while projecting their current situation with Aria later to come.
"Well, gang." Shoji opened the front door to a quaint but charming little victorian style home , giving his guests of honor a real push through the frame. "Make yourselves comfortable. As for now, you can always plan your next move , even if I am not always around . The chef is preparing a large full course supper, so later...have a bite to eat." He responded to Garfield , who's tummy was practically eating him whole as the teen hunched over wincing. "There is a good medicinal remedy that Greg taught me. That really is quite a bummer. Though, if you wish to find relief, just let me work my magic. I was a doctor in my time, just...now it is engrained far more than in my older years." Bb nodded and walked off with the silver eyed guardian , his eyes were weary and his mouth felt sour and sickeningly nauseous from all of the earlier upset.
"Ok...see ya guys in a bit...don't wanna miss the toast. So-
The team was soon left among the good natured staff , to simply debate over their current lodging and what they needed for their temporary residence ; if they chose to take the ride on their own. "Aria is very close with the guardians." Raven whispered to the group , minus one Bb. Nina had also gone to check the kitchen . Her instincts warned her that the dessert was not going to make the cut. Cy had only just seen her as a child. She wanted to repay the favour with her newly improved skills! Go octopus arms go! She laughed to her self and went to confront the head honcho in charge of that night's celebration!
/
Back in the den area of the fox's gettaway in London, the teens continued to debate their host and his methods in ..almost private..
Starfire reached for a small candy from a lavishly drawn dish on the glass table inbetween their seats. Her nerves were a bit shot down...just a piece of marzipan?...
"I also agree that his appearance is almost very strange to happen all at once , but...is he trying to be helpful then, Dick? How are we to know how truly close his own mother is to him as an official of an important government business?" She chewed a caramel instead thoughtfully, before spitting it back into the wrapper. She had to do with an itchy scalp as she pulled a strand to check for grime. A shower was in order...Tokyo had been a perfect bathing experience!* She sighed and waited for a response to her question. "We do know that the guardians ; including Aria , share a blood line . But, Kay is the type who doesn't want another crazy incident . He wants this meeting to be quick and painless." Richard nodded to Cy who regrouped to them from his point of fascination before the talk of ' who to trust'. "It's like he was never here before..but then , he just showed up like Shoji with all that success!" Raven grunted something in a grumpy , low voice then turned to redirect her attention to the three Titans. "A time loop." She said clearly. "The guardians are using time magic through the space time system , that is why they claimed to have come here before." Though, the dark witch wondered about the theory being almost half truthful.
"But...So, then, the cat, fox,siren, and scarecrow didn't live on this time' as long as us? Still don't buy it..." Cy scratched his chin and thought of the holes the space time warp must have been littered with- more times since they'd just jumped through portals without restraint! What powerful science though..
"This space time Raven speaks of, it is not a true vortex as Warp had, is it?" The red headed princess frowned and turned to her empathetic comrade. "Not exactly." She shook her head . "They take less steps to just, set up camp here." Richard's brow furrowed, as he crossed his arms and tried to think. "Then...instead of Guardian, go by rank." The teen said to his friends.
"I..guess, the higher the ability to crawl through to this plane'...the easier they can repeat travel with less trouble." Raven said in response to her leader's . "Then, Kayu has a history here, maybe even a human one?...Need to lie down..." Her head felt fuzzy as the sorceress camled her emotions by trying to end her struggling voice .
"She is going to be alright, right Cyborg? Raven would not simply leave to lay ' her head down' , even during a strategy meeting? Why was she holding her skull?" The Titan girl remaining asked the two boys. Richard just brought a hand to her's . "Raven always sees things we can't. She is keeping an eye on more than you think." Was all the Titan said back.
"Oh...she is indeed a very powerful user of her magic, almost as powerful as the spirit's..." She cut herself off to not continue this discussion so freely. They had to stay vigilant even now. They were heroes , and heroes did not fall by another ruler -even one that claimed itself 'friend.' Kayu was a magical being with less of a limit to travel through voids than any genius could! She just shuffled to the dining hall to join her now cured Garfield , who had a great big smile in place of the terrible, pained scowl from upon their arrival.
"To the heroes of Earth! Aria shall know your true calling in a week's time! Cheers!" The Celestial swigged down his small glass to soon seat himself next to the counterself of Arianna. He smiled sweetly to her , which made an equally puzzled Richard frown across from the large setting.
"We had better not repeat any mistakes." Raven used her telepathy to speak to her team mates in separate areas of the house. "Kayu has his own intentions. Do not let him stop us from finding the truth!" Her last words of the night made her feel weakest of all here. The feeling from before she had arrived; when she had been pulled into that dark space, was coming to claim her! "Azarath Metrion!-
"Ah!" Her legs froze up as her icy breath shown colder than the first time. "Who is calling me? Show yourself
...n-n...now!" She tried to hug her free arms as the fog slowly lifted , those limbs snaking around her torso proved useless to provide additional comfort. "Who is there? -
The last demand fell silent as the gothic turned to see who had been causing her such strife. To her surprise; it was not Ravenna, a lone spirit...but Lady Queen Isis . Raven's eyes started to tear as she wondered just why she had been summoned to the nile queen's resting place of the past.
~ You are not to remain! Return to your hero's aid!~ The mistress cried out amidst the mist and grey wisps that prevented her from reaching her ally in time. ~ Do not be taken! Just as the dragon is kept at bay, you must watch over his fears...for they shall soon clash among one thousand eras! Please!~ The queen pleaded to her equal. ~ The guardians were once of an equal race to the Eternal! The Ethereal came before, but was smothered by the Great Celestial realm's emergence! Do not fall into despair! Blood need not be spilt this time! Do not forget ! The golden dragon is predestined to be reborn as your leader's child! Just as my son Horus was born of that same golden energy, the prophetic child shall also carry such power. Go to the temple of the southern seas when the child is born strong! Call to the great fire bird,present yourself before it. Thou shall know thee future will be the hero Titans calling! Fare thee well , take care to end this curse once and for all...before that child is to witness te same rites- now return to your time! Do not look back, go!~
Raven gasped, and sat up on the guest bed matress inside of the white fox guardian's human abode. She felt her hands through her sweat drenched strands of violet and shivered. The mortal warmth had returned leaving her shivering for the rest. Her hands fell to a shawl by the bedside that had been placed for relief against brisk nights like tonight. Clambering over , the empath grabbed it needily and tossed the warm cloth over her shoulders in a twist. It was quite large and felt as useful as a quilt. Her body edged off of the mattress to stand and move about , her shoulders were still stiff from resting without any extra pillows. Her chest took in the cool night air, which indicated the very close, grand finale of summer's warm embrace. The months would fall under the harvest and autumn months in the coming weeks to follow . If this time loop was the spirit world beings useful tool ;so that the Titan's life spans could be monitored closely from afar. It was a bit, strict on their part. They could have done away with Roku by erasing him...yet his influence still remained split between the ones that had felt his anguish. That, was the connection that followed her leader around like a dark shadow. Raven looked over to the clock against the wall and sighed. It was too late to be having doubts in the first place. She did not know if Isis was entirely for Team Titan, or Team Raven at that point on. The golden dragon was the child that Richard would carry on into the next act . He was avoiding the memory, in hopes that Roku would forget and leave him out of another sacrificial rite. Robin was becoming a question of self worth; was Robin going to hold strong in the future...or was Starfire's NightWing going to play it's role instead..
Then, she was going to have to prepare for that day...but if so...then how did Aria match any of this 'proclaimed' future of the Teen Titans?
Her head rested a bit into her pillow, as the empath sat herself up to ask herself one last question before moving to the lamp's clinking cord. "Is Aria really going to be a threat? I have to see Isis again..She said a thousand eras...could that mean..immortal?" Her eyes shut tight out those fragmented thoughts as she quieted down into the plush cloud below her. They would not let Aria hide herself from their 'just cause'...yet, whose cause were they really, fighting for...she said nothing more. For soon, the young enchantress had closed her eyes and drifted back off into slumberland once more, that night under an unfamiliar moon from her home..far across the crashing waves from this lonely resting place..
/
The young prince Rokuro had settled his emotions to meet with the Eternal Lord Destiny , still right beside his ally Tsukiyume in the Eternal palace. The boy gulped back his words of whatever protest his other self; Rokou wished to demand. He was in control and would not let the self lead him astray.
~ You have steadied your wounds , the strich was wrong to have come before my people. You too are not alone in this fight.~ The flaming being smiled to the youthful spirit being of a cursed destiny. ~ We were within the process of allowing you a...way to better yourself , by further understanding of the human boy you were to contain-
"It was just the opposite my lord.." The teen knelt to explain what had really become of the selves during their chaotic awakening. "He was to merge with the three; the selves and myself were to be used as a single force...my..father was intent on discovering the fabled golden dragon.." The Eternal's gaze became serious, his fists clenched to his side, and his vassal Aluehain was not present to see it. "Eternal Destiny.."The boy began, with his mouth bone dry, and his words a whisper as he tried to speak. "I will gladly turn over my future if only you help my comrades...Hakuro is not well, his sadness has become a part of his newest being. This I fear will lead the Ethereal that was summoned through my pain, to crave the aura of his current vessel..He can bare no more than Rokou , if this continues...my own future will likely entertwine with the hero you have pardoned! I do not wish to see him lose himself to an end with out a future!" His head dropped to the ground with his long ebony locks falling freely from his hairtie . The teen was did not care for greater beings and their methods. He had seen how truly diverse misery could be wrought by their powers..Rokuro wanted to dash through the castle window and re emerge something free-
"Gah!" The teen held his heart and broke out in a cool sweat..he could not lose to ..-
"Young one, Rokuro? Richard!"
The moon blessed Tsukiyume dashed over to drape a slender arm over his shaking shoulders. "You are burning up! My lord, Destiny...he is being-
~ Overtaken..~ The grim face of the Eternal lord was alert as he stood once a fire that could not sieze surrounded the boy's spirit. The large shadow draped over the child's shoulder just as a phantom. For that is what seemed to hover over him in an intangible form. ~ I am not going to take that as an insult, dear Destiny..Yet as a compliment..how are you faring by that 'bound curse?' It is that which prevents you from harming those captured by my influence..!~
The attendants to the other side of the hall came rushing inside with every magic relic known to the world. "He cannot return to this plane! It will reject his presence! Secure the child!"Tsukiyume was given a hard swat by the possessed prince, the dragon's eyes were hypnotic. Rokuro was fighting to push her back from that glance! He was still in control!
~ You must not allow your dragon keeper to fool your senses!~ The Eternal cried over the roaring flames the dark lord had cast by Rokuro's will. "I...-
His eyes were wide, almost afraid to move his arm , to call back the fires ...he had to get the dragon to -
"No!" Rokuro did the least favorable thing, almost shocking poor Tsukiyume who screamed to the child, he bashed his body in an attempt to cause a sharp resistance. He was calling out Rokou!
"He is commiting a serious crime! Do not harm yourself further! Do not let him free!"
The screams were repetetive throughout his life had been an anchor..if not for that short while..He did not want to become a vessel, or a tool for the dragon to harvest vast energies, that would eradicate this world! The prince refused, and so he clambered to the confines of his very spirit ; to tear away the seal keeping Rokou silent. He wanted the selve's answer. "Free us! Take the dragon and bury him! I command you,Rokou...he will take us away!You must fight!"
The poor battered child flung himself to the floor while a small few gasped with lungs trapping precious air, this was a calamity they had not known in an eternity! Who had freed the dark monster?
~ Rokou...you have aided the boy, the dragon is not to die by your hand! The son shall not stand behind a pillar! Rokuro! You must brush the influence away! No other vessel or self can help you! Seize your attack!~ He warned in a hard tone. ~ The dragon feeds from your anxiety! Give it no such rite!~
The Eternal waited for the child to listen to a better reasoning than what the self would allow. He was blind for this,freedom!
"The dragon...is a real piece of work.." The teen chuckled and shrugged off the hot fires as if he were dancing past them, all while using a sacred technique. "You are a venomous cobra, nothing more pops!" The boy materialized a sealing spell and dragged it across his face. His heart was second. He was...sealing himself without a relic!?
"The dragon is my shadow, it certainly needs a leash at this point..maybe a red one!" The marks returned ; since Richard's repeated vow was as Rokuro had already been a part of as well, he could cry out in agony with a powerful force. He was going to close the chapter. Roku was going to be shut out!
"Seal the dark that plagues this form! Discard the presence that devours it's very existance!" He repeated the mantra at least a number more than worth the count, the binding marks pierced him in a response to the cleansing act. Rokuro did not falter! His body felt lighter as the spell took hold bit by bit. His dear dragon father was clear on this act of defiance. Now, he was out of time. His smile returned and the dragon's eyes only appeared for the most aware in magics to notice. His red were becoming his mother's blue!
~ Once more! His power is no more taken by your fate!~ The dragon frowned and glared down in his ghostly body to the Eternal of his past. "Destiny is bound , you are all to lose your Eternity by my might!" The prince's last, remaining parent turned to dusk and ashes as the flames dispersed around the innocent,dazed Rokuro. Tsukiyume rushed a second time over to the teen, he did not push her away like before, all due to his current understanding of what had occured being a bit, bleak...was he still being led along by the wailing specter that was his father? The boy was unable to do a thing as the worried form of the moon princess fell around him. Her arms pulled him close to her, as if she trusted that Rokou was not the true offender. He had allowed the young prince to shut him away, just so that Roku could not steal any more chances to be sent to a sanctuary...to be loved before the dragon had ever called out..
The child's eyes started to close as the lady placed a palm over them. "Rest now,you are safe." As if a wall were between his breathing and her words, the prince allowed her emotions to lull him off into a gentle and serene filled rest. He could not risk harming anyone else. Roku had not been eradicated ...why had the council leaders bothered weighing the options for this long? His father's power was limited, but it had spread like a virus to the ones' he had infected between destinations. The spirit world, earth and...possibly the Ethereal realm were in danger of corrosion...yet his body slumped in defeat while those soothing words continued to press at his walls. Rokuro was glad that his other self had not objected to the plan. It was a temporary set-back for the dragon king in this case...however-
"This was all because we are too likely to disperse.." The moon sorceress whispered - then as her head shot up to meet Lord Destiny's amber orbs, she responded. "He is indeed powerful. The boy can beat him! He can return our balance if-
The Eternal Lord shook his head sadly. Her eyes became as sorry as his shaking hands. ~ Lady Lorelai did not win, if that is our answer ,this world is not his pillar of strength..~ The lady looked perplexed as she asked the ruler what his words entailed.
~ The prince.~ He state . ~ Is not meant for this plane any longer. If he is to know a true future, he will have to be -
"Yes, but..." The lady pressed on. "He was brought to us in the body he had been held captive ! It is a false form,without flesh or true response from anyone he can trust...If that is your wish.." The girl transformed into a human guise while the small prince slept. "Then I shall accompany him , he will not have his powers. Only his knowledge over worlds will suffice. By that decree; he may help the Titan heroes of Earth." She said for all to hear. "Rokuro will be within my care on the mortal present day Earthen plane for all no - more than a single year." The Eternal looked at her, scrutinizing her choice by that single frown . His eyebrows bushed over his blazing form...the change would not be any better. He supposed that Rokuro would become a new victim due to his aura. To supress it..would prove indeed difficult.
~ He will no longer continue on this plane then?~ The Eternal questioned with a hard look. ~ He may never earn that rite again,you might also lose your abilities, once you lose sight of the moon upon those low lands.~ The being said to the moon sorceress. Her white skirts rippled around her knees as she shifted to stand . She brought her hair pins to settle into Prince Rokuro's raven haired strands. "He is being protected by a child blessed over three moons. The Celestial and Ethereal are still of my blood as well as those acursed low lands of spirit." Her eyes tore away from the child of ill fated Eternal Destiny saw the eyes of a fearful protector. The fabled ruler lifted up his powerful relic and shouted so that the kingdom echoed . ~ Your task is of redemption! Your charge will reclaim a body of strong wills only after he has moved forward. The path of a dragon is lonely and filled with many mysteries. His true lesson shall be to find the queen to be reborn! Assist the chosen few of earth in doing this...I shall wait patiently for your return. Be strong and do not give in to the daemons many mortals have birthed throughout history! Now I send you ,to the Earthen plane of the present!~
A large portal opened as a slightly unprepared Tsukiyume held Rokuro closer to her. The Eternal lord pointed for the lady incog to step forth. With determined thoughts,the princess entered through the void that would lead she and the sleeping prince to their new home. Present day...Aluehainyu and her dear Aria were in the same time zone...where would they end up?
The light at the end of the swirling vortex lessened, allowing the girl to use a small portion so that only the real beam would guide them past. The world bustled with sounds and bright sunlight everywhere . The child did not stir in her long sleeved arms , as she continued to explore this human realm with the utmost care. "I...am here..Rokuro..? Are you asleep?"The young boy did not bother to answer as he burried in deeper to her chest. Gravity was starting to kick in as his weight trippled!
"Oh!" She gasped and tried to have him rest on a bench by a perfectly aligned parkway. There was a 'no soliciting ' sign which gave the princess a reason to go elsewhere. They could not become targets of this world's law enforcement. The child was likely to errupt if his peaceful dreams were at all disturbed or halted.
The princess needed to make her presence known elsewhere so that the child might have a better living environment to recoop properly. "An occupation...I had of course known that my old title was not limited to absences...for a thousand years.." The princess grumbled unhappily but strove to bring about an absolute transformation. "A job ..or residence...both are unavoidable..." She mused that thought in a whisper. "Then..what of-
Her eyes widened as she realized a small flaw in her decision.
"He is...a child...This will not do!" Her hand was holding a half awake Prince Rokuro who continued to seem younger?!
"He has shrunken...Then I must contact a guardian?!" Her hands were easily able to grasp the ten year old again with out grunting like she had before . "Greggory...I must find a sorcerer . .he is going to-
The girl had been going so quickly down such crowded streets, that she had not watched out for passerby in front. A very familiar face made her stiffen in broad daylight. "Veravakumu..."
/
The man as Shoji Takahara stoodd gaping as he dropped his french pastry into the street. "Yumi!?"
The girl tried to stand before he came bounding towards her so young lord in her arms looked up and rubbed his blue eyes in confusion. "Uncle Vewwaa? Why are you so far away?..."The young toddler dozed off again by an ounce of Tsukiyume's powers. "He...that was!-
"The story is far to dreary ,should we not relocate to a more private ..setting...Shoji...?" She looked up to him pleading for an immediate 'yes'. Instead he brought them along to the cafe Aaron and Alicia had been visiting daily, all by the southern spirit world's princess's wish to become a student of the hermit who owned the shop. Brocton had gone blue in the face when she had renounced Verra's lessons; yet the elder wizard in the cafe said it was best to pull back from her closest link,to start fresh. Once again, Verra had been owned on this one. His new rival had questioned his ability to see Alicia as a student, not as a comrade. He had been too wishy wash for her- that Verra had been made to continue magics...as a second pupil! Aaron had been apointed as 'he who cannot cook for his own mother without causing her to weep'. Thus, he was made to perfect his cooking skill . His reincarnated self of the past had been an awful cook and student under this Flannigan fellow in the spirit past. The doc was made to satisfy the hermit's needs by continuing his potion making as well. Aaron told the wizard many, many times that he had been shut up in a cellar until they had come, but the old man simply wanted to pass on his teachings before he left on a never ending journey. He was ready to keel over any second. Verra actually relished it sadly- He had been a high priest for decades and more! Yet, now ; the sorceress Tsukiyume was there holding young prince Rokuro right as the dog had gotten his first deserved treat of the day!
"Ya gwit! You might have had any brains if you had only waited for the scones to finish in the oven." Scolded the elder teacher to the dark haired scientist. "Yes, yes, but this is far more important than why I left for a better-
"Better?" The doctor bawled out over the tray of sweets and tea. "I might have burnt my thumbs three times for this old codger! You are both lunatics if you think that my cooking is terrible-
"It is, you bloody fool! Codger am I ? Then what does that make you? A mouse in the kitchen? Do not talk down to anyone, this cat is correct. Your scones on the otherhand ...are , dry and more than in need of a dip. Otherwise, a B-. Next !" The man lifted his cane to seat himself and the new guests in the study area of the room. "So, you are of their rivalry, eh? A princess that has met even the queen of our highest order? How do you do, majesty! My presence is as a simple bookseller and cafe owner...unfortunately..I was hired without warning..-
"You were a bloody mole!" The doctor snipped as he lowered his tea cup less than gracefully back to the plate. "No...He was a gerbil!" Alicia corrected as she ended her pour into Shoji's cup. "He was under a spell that was only cured by a dip into an ugly brew. Aaron was able to see to this fine gentleman's recovery!" She beamed , then coninued serving the earl grey to her guests. Her heart almost paused - skipping a beat when she noticed the young , long haired child in blue garb eying his tea cup in a daze. "I...don't remember..."
The other older female guest Alicia recognised from the spirt world and Celestial realm. She was allowed to travel...with the dark dragon's last mention of his reign...but why was he losing his strength? He now looked about eight years of age as he adjusted his clothing that bearly fit over his form!
"You...were not told.." Yumi as Tsukiyume explained in her softest voice. "The body that the dragon had you placed into..was not destroyed. You had returned to it, yet your presence is becoming weaker, I will need to have your flesh and blood from the keep's archive of that era returned . You cannot exist as a puppet, nor should your spirit leave this earth before-
The girl cleared her throat and turned to the guardians and company. "You do know of the lasting impression the dark dragon left on his child...it was not able to be removed ...thus, Rokuro is unable to gather back into his own past's body. It was bound with seals and spells to prevent a breach into our present time. " The doc paused to rub his chin. He wondered if this goddess of the moon was recalling the very past of his guardian comrade Wiz Greg . This boy..was the dragon's only blood of that princess?
"He is...how did you allow the Eternal and Celestial council to see to the , restart...?" The doc asked carefully, his eyes changing to mirror his past self of that same world. The elderly hermit grumbled something that caught the young prince's attention, so much so that he had to be careful to not spill his tea into his lap. "That...how do you know about that?!" The child stood a bit taller but still could not hold his appearance well enough. The old grump chuckled softly and tried to push back his wavy strands that still remained. His beard had been groomed and was no longer matted in such an uncomfortable way. The child's eyes said a lot more. They were too alike to the empathetic Lori Ainsley...
"You do not show any want for an answer." He said in a low voice. "Only eyes that will gladly welcome an end-
"Finny!" The doc shrieked a bit at the comment. "He is a child! You do not know his back story. We, of the spirit past only knew the rumors. Pay no mind to this old-
"He...is half truthful though..." Rokuro's eyes fell onto the hard wood floor boards. "I am just...lost! I do not even know where my comrades are anymore!-
"Rokuro...you are a relative to me of that past...did the dragon's tactics truly cause you to lose your way?" Alicia grasped the child's shoulder and asked. "As my second cousin..you too know that..I was also chased down by that dark monster's trickery...None of us wishes for a relapse in time! I do not want to be so cruel...but...you aren't letting go. Nothing will change for you if it still is too.. . " The boy rubbed his tearing eyes and stared into her now emerald gaze. "You think there is a way, Roku isn't diminished because of that curse...Rokou...connected us ; memories, powers and strength...that was not my strength..what if I try ..to become human.." The boy flushed and wiped his nose into a hankerchief. "I could become..free...if no one is in need of that key...it's not mine any how!" The prince shook his head and tried to block out the sorry gazes in the room. His senses and emotions were just like hurricane! What if he could barely control that other influence's !?
The cat shook his head, while the doctor scratched his face, puzzled by the discussion going in circles. "What exactly does the boy mean by...become free? We are here for a very long time. If , your...real body is in confinement, then...there is a wait ." The goddess sighed and also leaned over to the young ebony haired royal. " You hold her presence as well." The old hermit said, the boy returned his words with a look of confusion. "Her...?" He wondered, the old man nodded while Verra just had to play protector.
"He is telling you that you look like your mother...my earlier charge in the far past...Queen Lorelai..." Alicia was quick to hold her tongue but the doctor was not the one to interrupt this time. "Lady Lorelai...you told us, Finny..that she would return to need that Celestial Aria in this time period!"
The cat turned away as if he had been stunned with an electric shock. Rokuro's heart skipped a beat at her mention . He had tried to remember her in...that experiment! She was alive?
"My...mother...?.." The boy sat in a daze and barely moved . The princess of moon born initiation tried to reach out, but found that he had pushed her away with a strong enough mental barrier. "She ...is alive..and wants to meet...?.."
The old wizard waltzed over to wave a palm in front of the youngster's face. "You had better get as far away as your legs can dash." He turned to the crew with a mad look in his eyes. "Rokuro was it?" The man tried to keep his distance slightly closer than the guardian and his allies. "You may witness a storm..." Was what the magician grumbled to homself , just as a winding tornado started to form into a single spiral by the boy's feet.
/
The cat was sure something wasn't quite right with those eyes. His instincts took him as cat hybrid Verra , caused him to almost pounce the wizard in a frenzy, then his form began to forcibly change to the dark wolf's own!
"Fool! Did I not just warn you to keep up your wits about ye? Now you are going to lose your form! Go back !-
Alicia gasped and pulled her sleeves around her tightly with a cry. "Verra! Finny! What is happening to the both of you? You are changing!?" Her powers whipped out as the light bonds swarmed around her possessed cousin with the cup still in his grasp. "Whomever is tormenting my family, get away!" Her heart went out into her attack which tried it's best not to harm the boys. "Tsukiyume joined in weakly but still standing from the show of power giving her a chance to finally act. She could see that faint aura eating away at the house plants, sunlight and the liquid made with such care!-
"He is going to fall victim to the daemon again!" Her eyes started to glow white as her emotions tore at the thick miasma from behind the boy's back. "Is is an influence...but Roku was...no!" Her eyes realised that Rokou had been shut out. The teen was a double edged blade if need be! That was why he was needed, a resistance against the dragon in shadow!
"This is not good.." The shadow wolf grunted in pain as he refused the pull by the prince's forbidden energies. "Had...to seal...that shadow...did ye...!?" The wizard burst through the clouds of tangible smog now starting to come together. "Your prophecy is that taint! You must rid it with light! I am not who I say!" The grim look of the elder pushed back and started to mirror a spell Greg might have marveled. "I was once of the council that sentence the Dragon Roku! He is still able to claim such darkness! The ninny Immortals are all cowards!" The old man brought a hand to finally hold against the child's eyes. "He can become a benevolent magician, or a winged thing of ill intent. That boy, is to forget. Or we shall never see the day!" With a light that covered his forehead , the boy blinked back groggily and tried to breathe easy by the hermit's contact. "You...Rokuro, what did you do?" The doc should have shut his mouth just there as the boy sudeenly turned to smoke in a flash. His body was breaking down,but it could still spell and teleport!
"I...do not like how he is becoming.." The elderly man leaned against his short staff as a cane. The cat just rushed to open the door in his form as Shoji. "Rokuro! Damn! Where are you!" The doc just smacked his face and groaned unhappily. "I have, a lot of catching up to do professor..." Brocton put his head in his hands and sighed.
/
The signal was weak to another powerful presence from the rooftops of a great music hall . The youngest high flyer was instantly pulled in by that tug, but refrained for her mistress's sake with a huff. The short haired , petite blonde looked down to the city streets, as sher dropped to meet the pavement behind the grand design of her latest performance that would be her most spectacular to date!
"Cecilia Daia!" A lone group of papparazzi reporters had sniffed the young starlet out from her hiding place. "Is is true that you have a new manager and concert you'll both be appearing by this month?
"Miss Daia!" The second face was a young woman bearly nearing her late twenties. "The world concert festa , you are also appearing as an oppening for Andrea Grotto!" She exclaimed and made the princess wince by the sea witch's mention. "Yes...I am going to blow her sky high with my best songs to date-
"Miss Cecilia!"
"Miss Daia!"The girl batted her almost amber eyes to catch hold of their real feelings. They disgusted her as mortal dwellers. Though her lips never turned to grimace once, she intended to give them a real wake up call. "How ever did you know I had been here?" She asked sweetly , with a deadly venomous trickle of vanity following her comments. "Have you been lowered to your obsession over me , so much it burns your every pore?" She laughed with a haughty , fake smirk . "Am I too beautiful , that you are no more than lambs to the slaughter as you still stand in my sights?" The girl did not wave them on. She had been born of the rites of one who could never be as they were. Starving and striving, they would gather around her in flocks. She their queen, their idol!
"I will sing, your last hurrah . Is that not kind of your 'artist?' " She chuckled and began to demonstrate her powers over song and hypnosis ~ My little lost children, for there you shall be, caught in my sights . None shall roam free...~ In truth it was to lull those souls to her side. She could have these lovely animals track down her rival and allies...the next show would be in lesser than a week's time...
"Go find the one calling to my, dear director...would you my sweet fanatics?" She cooed as the reporters nodded , her new puppets to see to her mistress's plan!
A high enough pitch returned her to the air as the small apes down below groveled and scratched their heads in confusion.
~ Hmm..this performance I do hope you will gladly take part in..my dear sister!~The girl hopped over houses as she made her way back to her lavishly prepared suite on the highest floor . There, her lady strich waited with open arms for her little starlet to return by her wishes .
"You have successully given those reporters reason to exist. Very good my child...as a harpy, your ability is greatly progressing . By the likes of which I have only seen one other accomplish.."
Thed dark haired woman in her slim figured suit and dress grinned to the breathless idol over the balcony to their London suite . "Yes, my dear sister is also here is this rotten time! I can feel her tumbling emotions are begging to see me!?.?.However.." The girl's amber gaze soon became a bright red . "There is a small , obstruction to our meeting..my mother , the queen is still persistant as ever!" Her lungs blew out noxious air as a glass mirror burst from beside her room ." She has not allowed me freedom..I was so sure that lizard had done away with her memory of me!"She groaned and spread herself across a small sofa by the parlor they passed in to. "I am having too much fun!" Whined the spoiled , rich, singer to her director and teacher. "Why must she ruin my only chance to bond with my little sister..that -
"Now, now, Lady Cecilia.." The older woman in the room brushed away her anger with a wave. "That, queen...is only just a pawn..Are you saying that you cannot face her after all this time of running away, all because you do fear her guilt?" The enchantress wondered to the younger daemon with a curious gaze . "I...do not wish for her to bring up why it was I left.." The girl shook slighly once the strich's had touched lightly across her forehead. "I was to be abandoned by mother...I did not want to leave her side! The dragon ruined everything!" She spat but felt her eyes bat to shed away tears. "Yes, yet...that same voice calls to you- over and over it plays , just like a melodie...that same melodie you sing for your teacher." The fallen goddess mused and brushed a curly wave aside from her student's fair face.
"We are going to make her see." The dark lady pulled away to stand before the young songstress. "That you may be left to your own destiny. She will see you shine brightest..then if she refuses...?"
"She shall fall. By mother Lilith's , and her dear student's might.." The girl continued the daemoness's words as she struggled to sit upright. "I will have my puppets find our targets." She said in a laboured breath. "Then,both you and my horrid mother will praise me! The world stage is going to be ours!" With a new wave, the child slumped back into her cushion down setting,all while the dark mistress let out her own sort of evident laughter. "It shall be mine little nightengale!" The witch cackled in a cruel way as the girl lost her senses to the hypnotism of the harpy's voice. "You shall lead the Ethereal astray, into that Celestial's trap! That sea queen knows not of why she chooses a wicked song! She shall never tell!" The witch continued to devour the fabled singer's energies in waves. All while implanting her hate and fury in to that not yet full fledged demon girl . She had stolen the princess by tempting her to freedom. Now,she was forever trapped by this shadow that was Lady Lilith of the Underworld past. Cecilia had only recalled her mother's doting over the expected new arrival of their family. She'd feared that it would cause her to be left behind, just as Alicia had stolen her spotlight...she would tempt out her sister's dark self, and erase what self the youth had. ~ Alicia...you shall come to me...You shall be mine!~
The half sleeping princess felt a smile tug across her face, as she joined the ever so confident Lilith for a late bask under the silver moon . ~ Come to me!~ The idol cried out in a loud shriek. ~ Come to me before this world withers to dusk! My dear sister!~
/
Stopping! The title is a bit confusing, because there are more than a few pov(s) to return to...i have opened a can of worms...annnd!-
Alicia is recognising that her power is utterly important to their mission. However , she wants to fine tune her senses to make up for lost time. Flannigan is actually a good friend of Greg's, and knew Lori and Catherine during their younger days in the spirit world. He also took to sealing Roku inside the Pit. Rokuro is trying to find his answer. Even when his answer is not to use his powers even once! The first rule now broken, he is about to be lost in a foreign world's city scape . Possibly under radar by his old time enemies. Raven saw Isis who mentioned a thousand eras...that definitly has some flag waving off for the sorceress's Titan leader! Nina is bag beside Kayu this time. Though, he knew about Maya and Shoji bringing the alchamaic android into being. Also, Malchior has fallen victim to the sea witch's love song! How will he face Ravedn if he manages to escape ? How far will her sound continue to haunt him?
Is Roku really gathering power from the abyss that Lady Aleiah sent him to remain? Or does he have some sort of presence far more apparent than the son's taint?
Aaron Brocton had a mention as an old collegue and druid of the spirit world in earlier arcs I wrote..that was too long to remember , so read them all - that seriously need double time revising!
So stick around for more fun exploits as the Teen Titans take their greatest chapter! Till chapter 8!
