Teen Titans ; An Eternal Tommorrow; Chapter 7 : Falling Forwards, Sinking Back in to Light
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So, the last description was a bit more of a series of thoughts over the situation (s) of all teams and parties. It all comes down to another disaster to follow..
I did not mention The Batman a lot since I am keeping him human. That might pop up later- since he may gain back his memories? Red X has been seen as 'dead and burried'. Rokou is pulling the strings over his body. Only he is not projecting himself, not like Hakuro did to Dick in the previous chapter. He's playing for keeps- and world domination...I have decided to make Roko the second version instead of just having the male and female with the same name and spelling. That way it will be easier to tell who's taken over poor X ...
Roku is also trying to get the Titan's leader to drop the act. Eventually, being born human; he will not respond well to sudden changes. The Titans are relocated in Steel City with Titan's East, Nina, and without the guardian's help! The world is still under their watch, as well as now having to realize Dick isn't showing up to lend a hand as himself..
Angra will be burried like Seth since Isis just sent him back to the Underworld...More Netherworld in this one, it's Hecate's plane after all-
Ok ok, soo enjoy this chapter. I'm going to be busy thinking of ways to bring out the later chapter's suspense...hmm..
On with chapter 7!
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The assassin searched high and low in his desired free time for a means of escape. To his disapointment, there wasn't one to be found . The castle grounds held many secret entranceways that could lead to countless locations. He had to find at least one door or else he would be left with the option of making a new one. Slade did not enjoy any special treatment from the dragon and his lackeys. According to his encounter with that woman, the hair he had found; very dark brown, was a match. So, she had been the one to aid him in setting up a doomsday reactor inside Wayne enterprises... Something that would be pinned on Shoji Takahara for years to come. Although the tech actually was very secure in their hands, he could not trust these goons with it's activation.
"Guess I have Regis to thank for that." Slade huffed to himself. He realized more and more. But in order get back to earth, he would require...connections. If he ever wished to gain more of a steady hand over this world, he would have to play by their rules. When he had the chance to run, borders would mean nothing. He was a criminal and owed nothing to these beings. Not one ounce of sense or reason.
His time had been keeping up with his growth though. That meant that if he left the kingdom unharmed he would gain the ability to defy time's web of a spell. He could age, but might lose gained immortality he had from his military exploits; the truth was, he would be overjoyed to part with it. But if he could not live to fight this monster, then he was just...useless!
The teen chuckled silently as he still twirled around his dagger from hand to hand. The dagger went up, but didn't come down as one. It came down as many. He had to dodge the arrows just as in a raid of the great wall. A cross bow was to blame. They were shooting at him? From the opened window of the keep a glint shown to draw attention. As soon as he had seen it the teen got ready for the next shower of arrows. His skills had heightened from the eye's powerful ability to bring his own up ten fold. With speed and an accurate aim, he sent a blade flying into the shadows where a pained cry emitted from the dying victim. Not a rebel, was he testing the young man?
Slade got closer only to feel that he was not alone, someone was behind him!-
"Omph!* The teen was half clobbered by a blunt spear. He grit his teeth and growled at the attacker. These had to be spies. Who sent them?
"The character was angry and lashed out with a wild cry. He swung, fought but lost. He had been composed at first- was Slade being helped!?-
"I don't want a partner! I'm not afraid, so let me.." His hands were rough around the opponent's throat. He could end it. This being was just a shadow. It did not have a home, he would take it's life easily. He did not hear the breaking of bones as became one of the monsters that Shadow Von Hert kept. A blob of dark essence. The thing returned to trying to devour the mini killer, causing him to wrestle free from its tendrils. "This is a trap! Rokuuuuuu!" The spear it had used to bash Slade's side was now in the teen's grasp. He used it to hit and whack the thing until it squealed loudly in pain. The thing did not have a face. Nor did it exist as a being. It was one of shadow's pups . Slade realized this and knew he'd have to activate the damned eye. "Must have been his plan from the start!" The hits became more harsh than the first few. It was going to eat him down to the bone at this rate!
"Orb of power, aid me here! I command you , destroy what harms my form! I am your host, Obey!" It was an attempt to connect with the dark relic. That Roku was crazy all right! He knew near death , this was worse. And in this body he didn't have the control!
"Hyaaa!"
The thing became smog as it turned into a massive explosion. Coughing, the assassin that had been sent to watch over this 'post' cleared his senses. The false eye had saved him because he'd been pushed into a corner...Slumping off to the side, his hellish healing abilities kicked in. He screamed when he'd realized that he felt what seemed like a brazing iron on the side he'd been prodded in. Some sort of acid! Great!
"I can...cough!*..cannot die...he has to pay!...ugh..."
A growing migraine on top of his serious scratch meant he was being called to meet someone. If he moved , he'd have to crawl...he was a child, so he would not be stared down . They would not care. He sputtered something into his palm with a rough cough. It was blood. His blood. That did not make him black out , the fact that it had turned to the color of tar had made him see it. They were trying to turn him, into a being of corruption. His blood ran cold at the thought. It was actually his body fighting off the toxins from the spear. It hurt as badly as he could recall, then he fell into a deep sleep.
~ Didn't stand a chance against...you...~ He spoke soundlessly as he drifted back into his nightmares.
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Richard was dreaming too. Although it was not as angst filled as the previous. He was, reliving his counterpart's childhood. Day by day he would watch a new story unfold. Then at the end of each he would fall back into his subconscious. He realized it as brainwashing and would need ways of reversing the process after he came to. The dragon's spirit self had not left. He was all alone without Hakuro or Rokuro . The boy's lips remained sealed, and his speak uttered silence. Rokuro had caught him in his stuppor and gotten him to come back. Though, he had also said that he had been framed? That Rokou had done the worst when he couldn't show to claim his name as his own! If Dick; Robin lost his name, he would never be able to face his mentor or team again!-
STOP. That was what he had said earlier. Getting used to not being in control felt worse than the apprenticeship! He was reliving his loss of freedom, and loss of identity! "I...I'm ...Me! No one else!-
~ Are you sure? That fire can save your friends. You have no need of your old life to protect them...~ The voice had found him! Dick swallowed and covered his ears. He shut his eyes as tightly as he could , he did not want the dragon here! Not now , not ever...
The dragon had woven around the space as the blood red serpent. He was smaller than his greater dragon form Dick had witnessed such a power from. This was just a figment of his ...he had to get back...but...they didn't need him there!...Rokuro..and...
~I told you once before did I not? You might be able, to end Rokuro's own suffering. His body he has no longer. It is your world he wishes to engulf-
"He's not you! STOP!-
~Dick found himself running from the sound. Walls flung up from every side of the teen's own mind. " My...my...mind...get OUT!" He balled his fists and shouted. The dragon had vanished before the cry , so he saw nothingness in place of the evil spectre . The teen slumped into a heap, panting heavily while trying to calm himself with words of reassurence...He had to get back to his team. He didn't want any replacement! Covering his face with his hands he slid down to the floor of this pitch black realm. His eyes were weary, as well as his head ached. He knew it was the withdrawl again. His body radiated fear, he was sweating by his brow and his shaking was returning to claim him once again. The dragon knew he was weak. Just a human. He was trying to change Dick...into something else...something unreal...
The room was spinning. He thought that even in his own mind he had not been safe at all! Now he was showing signs of extreme thirst. The corners of his mouth twitched in anticipation. He would not drink...not a single ounce, the blood was like some sort of intoxicant. The dragon...did Rokuro have to do the same? Did he consume lives by...absorbing them? Was it really a crime? Bruce was going to forget! He had broken his promise, the dark Roku... He had bent the rules. Rokuro's powers were what he wanted right? Yet why did he want Dick to absorb...the prince?!
His heartbeat pounded so loud it shifted to be heard throughout his entire body! He was scared! This was wrong...if the prince was not who he was after...no!
"I'm useless!...You don't want me! Nothing but skin and bones...Go away...just please...go far away..." He cradled his heart. Richard was going to fall to pieces. He needed help. He had realized that from the start. The dragon was probably hiding in the shadows, waiting to pounce. The tears did not come. His eyes however did redden. They shone like embers that could bring about a raging fire. His mind , no matter what he would reclaim it. ~ He has my eyes...I want my face back! Roku!~
The wrong dragon reappeared. Slithering behind the teen, it struck.
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The Hakuro from outside the space suddenly fell just as soon as they had reached the entrance to the Titans East tower headquarters. He was going through some transformation. His hair was now black, his clothing looked like gotham style fashions, his hair was pulled back into a short short tail. His face was that of their battered hero.
"Robin! You have returned! Thank Zaal!" Starfire was the first to brush past Alice who helped him up once she was aware that he was in shock. Unable to speak, the teen looked with tired eyes to the other sorceress. Raven was quiet. "Are you...Dick?...Is it really you?..." She held her breath waiting for a nod. She got one and watched poor Robin be bombarded with hug after hug from the red head.
"Star! Let him go! He isn't -
To their surprise the raven haired boy grasped the tamaranean fighter tightly. So much that he clung to her like a child. "R..Robin?" The others noticed that he was able to walk again to gather with the others inside the base, still holding a death grip around his dear friend and shaking as he walked.
He did not look at anyone. He just continued to cling to her arm. "Richard...what is the matter?...You have never ever been this way! You act like a good Silkie when he wishes to eat many mountains of glorka berries!.. What has happened to you?..." Her heart sank. He was so affectionate. It wasn't her Robin she had started the Teen Titans with. He was...afraid...just as Beastboy had said. Her hero was terrified!
"Raven...He..you said that many tests were needed to determine if he is well? What are those tests?" Star frowned at the magic user as she adjusted her weight to shift from her ex leader's grip. No result. "Hee...is not the dragon? I do not want to be this, close! Whatever you must do, be careful! This is not what he should be like!-
"Star...-
The gasps from Titans East Bumble Bee and Aqualad, Speedy and the twins M&M were all directed towards the two teens without space between. Bb was without words to express his apologies. He knew this wasn't apropriate. What could he do-
"What's wrong with him? Why is he glued to Starfire like that!? What's going on?" Bumble Bee pointed at Cyborg and Raven this time.
"Start talkin' baldy!" Cyborg cleared his throat. Bb was going to think this was some crazy conspiracy if he didn't fess the truth...
"The Titans are back. We just saved Rob here from being attacked by the same guy who hired Veronica to pull off a wedding with Bruce Wayne. That's his family, you remember that guy Regis? He's a fake. THAT was Roku! That guy even made Rob go off the deep end, we almost lost him...you may wanna sit down for this..."
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Bb scratched her skull, clasping her hands around it soon after. "So...that wedding was to immobilize the Billionaire? Dick was...collateral!?...I don't get your story here.." She looked over to the red head still not getting any time away from her clingy leader. "He's like a kid...That...Roku guy...Veronica...did they hurt-
"They did put Wayne out of commision then went after the butler; Pennyworth. " Cy said to the confused teen leader of the secondary Titans "He was being controlled. With heavy magics...he didn't even know what to do or say, completely under the dragon and his daemon's spell..." Raven finished. "Dick had no other allies, because of a deal he had struck...-
"Dude...?.." Bb became a turtle that hid in its shell. The ex leader got up from his seat, eyes raised as he slowly relinquished his hold over Starfire's right wrist. "I lost..he lied about not hurting Bruce...I-
"No! The dragon was wrong!" Alice saw terror and fear cloud his blue eyes.
He looked a lot like the son, so she had to call him something he might respond better towards. "Robin...He was intending to do away with the butler and mentor you hold dear...yet , he did not complete his spell..." Alice bit her lip. "Raven and the others blinked up to her. Her color in her eyes was now green turning to hazel. Roku did not break his promise...she also had served the dragon king for years longer than Rokuro. Learning that spell as Roku had told the leader; was supposed to be solo work. Richard asked Rokuro since he thought the power actually came from him...the dragon must have done something to trip up the hero. Yet it was 'riddle me this, did ya know that?' He must have assumed the best of the situation. Mixing up the dragon's logic and confusing himself amidst the chaos. "He did not finish , Bruce is going to remember since it was not his intention to allow him to forget-
"How can you be sure? That monster gives people amnesia? That's probably why AquaLad didn't know what the storm-
Bumble bee looked back over to the Atlantean . He sighed, stood and went up tohis leader. "I remembered later, that night?" He scratched his chin. "I am more worried about Speedy than myself! He was turned into a werewolf! I think..."
The Cybernetic teen shook his head slowly. "No way we can forget that time too.." Dick lowered his eyes and stood. He was about ready to run from those faces. He had not been ready to come back-
~Not just yet..~ The ward of Bruce Wayne and the empath gasped in unison. "I just heard...-
SLAM*
"Wha- Robin!-
Starfire and the youngest three M&M and Bb knew that no one could see the shadow at the speed of light. "On it!"
" Si, Muy Rapido!" The teens zzipped as a cheetah and the two, themselves after the ex leader and his fallen shadow. Raven sent protection in the form of a spell. Cy activated the lockdown with Bumble Bee. They were ready to continue...if not for the moment.
"I as well.." Alice decided the fallen comrade was going to need more than just speed to find his way. So, she waved and went along right behind.
Star could not move. She was shaken by the show of childish want from her dear friend. Rutha...she could not follow.
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"SeƱor Robin!" The twins cried out down past the dark halls. They had made it to the bathrooms, yet could not hear any sounds. It was deathly still and void of anyone's one presence. Dick was actually hiding, sneaking back to the downstairs elevator. When he got there, he did not enter. The sensation...if Roku tried to trap him inside...
Running his hands through his hair Dick sighed too deeply. He had to try the stairs then! ~Maybe transfer or transform yourself outside of this place...~ Dick shook his head, still clutching his skull tight. "No...I...I am me...! I don't -
"Rob!? Rob?" Great...Bb had found his scent. Before his words could reach anyone, the voice spoke over his thoughts once more. ~ No scent...you are a shadow...you are dead to them...they will not search-
~That's enough!~ Rokuro re emerged from the shell of the hero, as a vessel. "I am not going down that easily.." He swirved around when the shadow made it's next move. ~Found you princeling!~ Shadow rider...should have guessed!
Rokuro held fast to his resolve. He could not let Dick be left to this world, to return broken in two...not one more time...or ten thousand! ~Trying to give your dear uncle the slip?...Not very becoming , Young youth!~ The grinning shadow rider became a thick haze that surrounded the halls. It was spreading, down towards where the Titans would have to take cover. ~One tower is demolished, this one is next to go on list!~ The dark master of the swarm dug deeper. Tearing into the hero's subconscious he pried far greater than Roku had tried in his stunt earlier. So much that the teen doubled over wailing from the migraine that was beginning to thrive bit by bit. "Don't!-
~The man your vessel has to call family...hmmm...He was let go of from curse...yet, is it true?..~ The shadow took form as a human figure . It was still the demon, yet he was more like a vampiric being to this point. Point...great!
"y...you...wa...agh!...set...freee...blood...GAH!" Th demon form drew closer. "I am not here to take..." It said with a sly smirk. "Here only to give back...blood loss is not good, you will never learn if it will not be tasted..." The screeching teen tried to crawl away, being sure to do so carefully. Shadow had probably been treated out to life wine...or fresh souls...oh!-
"Haaah! Beeeeee!" The sound echoed. He was calling the Titan to his side. Robin could not and this scared Rokuro ...he was there! What more did he wish to grant!
"DUDE! Get dooown!"
"Burst!Return to Ashes! Begone!" Alice was there with her firepower to open voids. The shadow fiend did not fight. He had only come to return something to the prince and his selves...It clattered to the ground in one piece. A set of chinawear, engraved with fierce symbols was left in the titan's care. It was almost terra cotta but smoother than that. The second piece was the lid. They tried to pry it open when the damage had been confirmed, the team back in the briefing room. The lid would not budge. Bee almost got so angry that she tried to zzap with her stinger lasers she kept at her waist. "What is it?..It feels too foreign...as if it is not made of dried earthen moulding..." Star frowned at the set. Her eyes squinting over the markings...they looked just like the ones...-
Rokuro was shaking. Holding back a memory that had resurfaced, it was not in pictures but sound...
"What...why?..."Cyborg scanned it over with Rae next. "It's not carrying any...feeling...what is this for...is it an urn..." The Atlantean looked from afar. "That isn't human made...it looks..."
"It is a container...
for something I have already known...already taken...It...he, Richard is sleeping. Shadow has known Roku by half blood relations...though it's probably false...he has the ability to give life as well as take it...they all do, just...Shadow isn't the same. He creates new puppets, by a form of lost magic...it cannot be spoken, it invokes through the other-
"Honestly dude, you look like you just saw more than a ghost! We can take this guy's past! So , spill!" Cy turned to the team again, away from the eerie vase...thing...
"He is an incomplete demon. He has not become, nor will he ever daemon...Roku is tainting anything and everyone in his path...and the titans...you might be next!-
"So, he's mad. We made him pay, he deserves to be stopped. Alice,Mal too...you said he has more children? How many do you know?..."Raven paused . "He may call more help...you can never be to sure.." She pondered her own questions and answers to them.
"My counterself.." Gulped the teen. "Your hero..."Now Rokuro was out of words. He fell silent and shook his head sadly . ~Too much...have to rest...got to find...Your hero...still...asleep...~ The teen prince started to doze off . "Raven thought he might be shutting down due to stress. He wasn't. In Dick's mind he was playing the protector. The dragon was still out there...He would not tell the others, so he could never be asked. She decided as he slept that the team agree to at least try. "We have to see what he can see. The dragon isn't going to stop until he has completed the transformation of our leader into..." She shook her head then continued. "Worst case, we fight. The guardians have tools we can use and master , just to be able to stop that premonition from ever becoming a reality!" Alice was next to her prince who was sound asleep. She watched as the markings started to dull and become no more than tattoo ink. "We will have to have more time , to gather our strength." Said the magic using blonde. "The spirit world may be a perfect training ground, or it could be an endless graveyard. Those that wish to try, you will understand; that he was not the only reincarnate..." The teen empath nodded.
"He did tell us...Malchior knows..even the guardians, as well as Isis. Ravenna, that was...supposed to be my reincarnate of Rokuro's past. Also, Arianna. She has a big role to play...though only she can tell us..?" Raven furrowed her brow. "We are going in circles...but, I feel like we have no other options being as we are-
She stared down her team. Their auras were unmatched. They could not fight as they were, or they might turn against one another. Her friends knew very little about the said - journey that Rokuro and his allies had taken. They were not in tune with their pasts. In truth, she herself did not know! "We have to sit this one out...you may not want to just do nothing. But it's important to look and find a way to contact those reincarnated selves. It might just save Robin...as well as our earth!"
Alice looked across the room as her dozing half brother started to scrunch his eyes tighter. He was dreaming, she knew that look. "I shall assist in bringing your leader and my brother back..I do not want either to be harmed by my former mentor..." The last part was her one wish. She did not want Roku to return to power. He did not have any right to do as he pleased.
"Just hold off on fighting for now, that's all we can do..huh..?" Bumble bee sighed. Returning her eyes to face the two co - leaders, she had her mind set. "You can stay, just try not to upstage us like you guys always do. Got that Baldy?" Her smile was a symbol of hope. They thanked the teen and went to recoop in the guest rooms down on the next floor. "Oh! So exciting! We shall be stronger with the aid of Titans East! Just like 'the old times', is it not?" Starfire blinked up to her friends as they walked on foot to where they would be staying temporarily. None of her team denied that she was trying to lighten the mood with her thoughts. Though, they knew as did she, that this would not be the same fight as when they had fought Trigon or Slade at all! "He can rewrite time..." Raven growled under her breath. "Trigon was limited to using my power. Rokuro, is not going to be disposed of like I was. He, is that power source...he supplies the king with his power...It just regenerates. Then the sequence continues all over again..."
"Which is why you are not going to let Roku have his son back even more! We will be victorious!" She now switched to grasping the ex leader's hand even more than he had her own. "When you awaken...we will be here Robin! Do not give up!" She held him tight as a rag doll, limp in her arms. He felt so cold...why? The team did not try to separate them this time. Star had held her tears in check. So much that it had effected her flying and aim. Now, she needed to vent, or cry. He was still lost in the void that was his subconscious. She just hugged tighter. Arianna's voice was pounding in her ears . ~ He must not live...He must be destroyed!~
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This was sort of warming up to be more of a chapter..instead it became unpredictable. Sigh...Living in the real world isn't easy. Rob just wants to live up to his future as before. Also, Slsde isn't going to try to give up. When he ever breaks the curse, he may not get a second chance...will see!
Roku and Shadow are still causing mayhem in the spirit world, now they have made contact with earth. Bad news if the Titan's East can't keep up! Rokuro knows a lot more than he gives credit for. He remembers his past least of all. But other's pasts he can 's afraid of being replaced if the team gets to know his other self too much. He's trying to give up on the thirst so he will not be put away like Rokuro had been. The gods are fighting too in the next chapter; the eternals! We will finally meet Destiny , and Aaron will make his next move...Sooo stick around! Chapter eight is going up soon!
