When Love and Death Embrace...
- Chapter 9 -
- In Due Time -
- Master of Games Arena -
Master of Games throws up his right arm, green and red starbolts shot out like a chain gun. Cero shadowmelds quickly out of the target area while Serenade shoves Raven out of the line of fire then goes into a defensive position. The starbolts pelted him exploding in blooms of red and green energy.
Raven tears off a chunk of the wall and sends it flying at the Master of Games. Yards from smacking the Master of Games earth pillars shot up shielding him from the attack. Seconds later the pillars crackled snapping off from their bases.
The Master of Games chuckled with a yellow glowing left hand, "Fools... you can't match my power!" The pillars of rock formed into points and flew at Raven jabbing at her like spears.
Raven threw up her barriers blocking the spear like pillars of rock. Another jab came at her, then another and another. Slowly she backed into the wall, with a quick gurnt of annoyance she threw her hands downward slicing the spear in half. The other spear of rock shot at her, she side steps the spear with it buffing her side.
She shruggs off the minor damage, "Azarath..." she started her chant with the dark energy engulfing the halves of the broken earth spear, "Metrion, Zin-" pink energy blasted her back into the wall before her body plops to the ground.
Master of Games chuckles menacingly seeing Raven on her hands and knees. "Ha, you cannot hope to stop me!" the Master of Games boomed. Wait... SERENADE! Quickly he looked around for Serenade who was nowhere in sight. "You're not going to sneak up on me!" But where's that little dog though?
Master of Games stomps the ground with his right foot sending out a ring of foot earth spikes all rippling out around. One of the spikes shatter from his side, immediatly he turned seeing Serenade on one knee holding his chest; panting slightly.
"You think I am a fool?" the Master of Games questioned uninspired, "I watched how you fight and I know everything about your combat st-" Cero jumps on his head and paws into his eye sockets.
The Master of Games yelps in pain. "Can you see now?" Cero barks smuggly with paws still pressed in Master of Games eyes.
"Get off of me!" The Master of Games roars still stunned.
"Nope. I don't feel lik-" Cero whimpers slightly when the Master of Games grabbed.
Master of Games rubs eyes with his free hand as he brings Cero to his face, "I got you now you little rat!"
Cero looks up to the Master of Games, "If you say so..." Cero replies slyly before shadowmelding out of his hand.
Master of Games Blinks, "Wha-?" a piece of the stone spear clobbers the Master of Games shattering into rocks that litter the place.
The Master of Games stumbles back nearly falling down. Hearing Raven chant and seeing the rocks all over the floor, he quickly forces the rocks to shoot at Raven, stopping her attack. A shadow bolt strikes the Master of Games from the side making him stagger slightly. He turns quickly seeing Cero launch another, with a quick side step he counters back with multiple streams of energy. Cero unleashes his own stream and it smacks against those that the Master of Games released unleashing a strong gale of wind.
"No puny dog can stop me..." The Master of Games speaks.
Struggling and losing the power battle Cero whimpers, "Master... need some help here!"
"Why would I help you for?" the Master of Games asks unknowingly.
Serenade decloaks behind Cero, "I am his Master," he informs with one hand raised, "Let go Cero."
Cero lets go of his energy, immediately Serenade's hand erupts a bolt of his neon black purple fire energy. With the beams of The Master of Games flashing towards them, the bolt of energy meets the beams but seemed to have been erased mere inches away from Serenade's bolt. The Master of Games remembering this from the view of Serenade's and Blackfire's battle stops his attack and dodges Serenade's bolt. How can a single bolt of energy take on five different beams of energy?
Raven's dark energy grasps the Master of Games within a dark talon and starts to squeeze the Master of Games. The Master of Games spots Raven and blasts her with Starfire's eye beam attack which sends her plummeting to the floor. Cero catches Raven with his powers and set herr down gently, "Careful..." Cero barks scurrying at the Master of Games.
Raven looks to Cero who weaved passed the energy attacks that the Master of Games unleashed at him. He caught and saved me... She looks at Master of Games try to hit Cero as Cero splits into four. But I can't catch to save him? Why?
Master of Games earth spikes a fake Cero, "Sorry you lose..." Cero mocks before the Master of Games was dropped kicked in the back of the head by Serenade.
On the floor the Master of Games growls in frustration and pain, he slowly picks himself up "You will pay for th-!" Serenade kicked him in the ribs flipping him over. The Master of Games sees the barrel of Serenade's shotgun, "No!"
Raven gasps just before the gun blasts out and simultaneously with the balst she closed her eyes. He didn't... could he?
The Master of Games opens his eyes and realizes that he wasn't hit. With an earth spike plowing Serenade from the side, the Master of Games rises, "Fool how can you miss so close?" Master of Games gets up with the earth spike levitating over Serenade, "This earth manipulation is superior..."
Raven opens her eyes seeing the earth spike over Serenade, who was on the floor grasping his arm tightly and wincing. "Serenade!" With a blinding scare Raven rips out the mantle, getting ready to swat the Master of Games with it.
"Wait..." Cero speaks telepathically to Raven.
"WAIT? ARE YOU CRAZY?" Raven snaps back via Telepath.
"Unlike you Serenade I will not miss..." Master of Games spoke sadistic like with a stare just as blank and emotionaless.
Serenade growls holding his left arm where the earth spike struck, "I didn't..." he winced a small whimper, "... Miss!"
"Huh?" the Master of Games replied confounded.
A small crackling sound echoes out but this time was followed by a loud shattering sound. The light bloomed out blinding the whole area for a few seconds before dying down. All the girls trapped within the amulet were free... and pissed off.
The Master of Games breath stuttered, "N-n-no not aga-" Raven clobbers him with the mantle from behind which sent him flying like a golf ball.
He smacks the wall and hits the ground with a thud. Serenade walks casually over to him, "Cero grab this bastard..." Almost instantly the Master of Games was lifted into the air, struggling to break free of the shadow energy that strangled him. A good ten seconds passed before Serenade close by shouts, "Enough..."
The Master of Games falls to the floor on his knees and then to his hands panting out of breath but again was picked up by Serenade from the neck.
He brought the Master of Games to his face, "You coward, preying on unsuspecting supers with this challenge," Serenade scolds with Twin Hook shining by the Master of Games face, "I should just kill you."
Struggling and out of breath, "No, please!" The Master of Games pleaded, "I am sorry..."
"Don't kill him Serenade..." Raven says a little shaky, "Sure, he might deserve it, but still it's not the right thing to do."
Serenade looks to Raven who was trembling slightly, "Fine..." he grunts a sigh before he looks to the Master of Games. At the corner of his eyes he sees the girls surround him; Serenade smirks, "Yes, you are sorry..." he replied sinisterly, "For you have underestimated the power of the females." Serenade turns to the group of girls, "It looks like it's going to be you versus the females!"
He tosses the Master of Games back to his feet and walks out of the cirlce of the angry girls. The Master of Games looks around him seeing all the angry faces glaring at him along with energy emitting hands. Moments later energy started blasting and flashing.
Serenade comes to Raven. "Aren't you going to join in on the vengeance beating Seeress?"
Raven looked seeing Blackfire and Starfire smacking the Master in the air to each other as if he was volleyball as the others shot at him as if he was a clay pigeon.
"No, I already clobbered him like a baseball..." she replies with a small smirk, "I just want to go home."
"Well seeing that everyone is busy jumping the Master of Games, we'll wait a bit..."
- The Tower, Living Room -
After an hour of traveling and shadowmelding, the five found themselves in the tower with Starfire explaining to the guys about their similar adventure. Serenade retreated out of the living room as Starfire explained...
"Me and sister Blackfire never had so much fun together as we smacked the Game Master around in the air!" Starfire finished, "Oh how I wish she used her powers for good instead of evil."
Beast Boy snickers, "The Master of Games thought Serenade was a girl!" he shouted out laughing unable to maintain himself any longer. He rolled around the floor holding his gut, "Dude that's hilarious!" Beast Boy shouts before laughing again.
"Sounds like quite an adventure," Robin comments just relieved that they were safe, "I am just glad you guys are back home, safely."
"As am I," Starfire agrees noticing that Serenade and Raven were not present, "Where did friends Raven and Serenade gone too?"
"Raven is right h-" Cyborg starts turning to an empty spot besides him, "... here... Uh, never mind."
"Probably with Serenade no doubt," Beast Boy comments delinquent like, "She likes Serenade..." he ends with a loud whisper.
"No..." Cyborg elongates sarcastic and naive like, "You think?"
"Enough," Robin says firmly, "I don't want this becoming a problem."
"Geeze... okay..." Beast Boy comments timidly surprised by Robins tone.
Cyborgs stomach growls loudly, "I am hungry!" He announces rubbing his belly, "Let's go for a pizza!"
"Sounds good..." Terra comments coming into the living room.
"Alright! I'll see if Raven wants to come..." Cyborg comments
- Tower Roof -
Serenade was leaning against an AC unit as he rubbed his arm.
"Are you okay?" Raven asks spooking Serenade a bit.
He looks to her, "Yeah, just sprung."
"Cyborg won't mind taking a look at your arm..." Raven suggests, "He'll help you."
"I will be fine, I've endured far worse pain."
She raises a brow, "Are you sure?"
"Yup. Good enough to sing still..."
"Really now?" Raven monotones uninspired, "Then prove it."
"As you wish, Seeress..."
Raven watches and listens intently. Hopefully I get to hear the whole thing.
Serenade takes in a deep breath and exhales, before starting...
"An old man turned ninety-eight he won the lottery, died the next day. It's a black fly in your chardonnay. It's a death row pardon two minutes too late. And isn't it ironic don't you think?
... It's like rain on your wedding day. It's a free ride when you've already paid. It's the good advice that you just couldn't take. And who would've thought it figures?
... Mr. "Play It Safe" was afraid to fly. He packed his suitcase, kissed his kids goodbye. He waited his whole damn life to take that flight. And as the plane crashed down he thought, well isn't this nice? And isn't it ironic, don't you think?
... It's like rain on your wedding day. It's a free ride, when you've already paid. It's the good advice you just didn't take. And who would've thought, it figures?
... Life has a funny way of sneaking up you when you think everything's okay and everything's is going right. And life has a funny way of helping you out when you think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up In your face.
... A traffic jam when you're already la-"
"Yo! Raven! Serenade!" Cyborg's voice booms out, "We're going out too eat, you wanna come?"
Raven facepalms shaking her head numbly and frustrated like, "Why?" she whispers to herself.
Serenade looks to Cyborg, "Seeing that Cero and Beast Boy almost destroyed the last place, I think I have too go."
"Raven?" Cyborg then asks not hearing her.
"Yeah..." she sighs uneasily.
- The Tower, Living Room -
The day passes in almost an instant and midnight approaches; mostly everyone in the tower is sleeping, except for Raven who continued to read in the living room... Or at least she tried too. Why would he eliminate himself for? It doesn't make any sense!
She shuts her book closed a little frustrated by the questions that barrage her mind. She then takes in a quick breath and air, "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos..." she chants lightly exhaling which calms her. She looks to Cero who oddly fell asleep on the sofa again, with legs protruding out stiffly. Serenade's going to give me that I am Azarath's Honor Guardian stuff if I ask him. If Serenade won't bark maybe Cero will...
"Uh... Cero?" Raven says lowly. Cero's ears just twitched, "Cero..." Raven calls a little louder.
He stirs slightly, "Penguins..." he mumbles pawing his face in his sleep.
"What?" Raven says confused before she prods him, "Cero."
He stirs again but flips over to his other side, "Moldy... Corn..." he mumbles in his sleep. Raven shakes him slightly which wakes him up. He gets to his feet and stretches out, "Morning already?" he comments half asleep as he looks up to Raven.
"Uh, no it's midnight..."
Cero shakes off the half asleep feeling, "Why wake me up for?"
"I wanted ask you some que-"
"I already know the reason why," he interrupts sitting giving a yawn afterward.
"You do?"
"It's always the same reason from each female that is either, smitten, attracted or interested in the Master from all the past times and the dimensions we visit. Why is it that you females always have to bug me? Especially when I am sleeping?"
"Well, um..." Raven stalls a little sheepish.
"You females always expect me to have all the answers, I don't and even if I did; I wouldn't bark for I honor my Master's privacy."
She looks to Cero's golden eyes "So you're not going to say anything?" she monotones.
"Ask and I shall answer, what I deem that's non-sacred... or whatever I cannot answer."
"Why would Serenade eliminate himself in-"
"The Master did not eliminate himself, Terra earth spiked him by surprise for he wasn't wearing his cloak, which protects him greatly."
"That's somewhat true, but he shot himself with a shotgun, even knowing that I was point blank in front of him..."
Cero blinks confused, "Really?" Raven nods her answer, "I don't sense any malice coming from you."
"I am telling the truth," she monotones a little disgruntled.
"Well I am sorry to say, I don't have that answer. The only person that does would be the Master himself."
"Yeah... I thought so..." she sighs a little weary looking to the floor.
"Anything else you wish to know?"
"You like the old furry don't you?" Terra's word came to her mind. "How old is Serenade exactly?" Raven then asks, "He isn't like fifty is he?"
"No, the Master is not fifty... he's fifty-seven."
"What?" Raven snaps a look to him disbelievingly. Great I am interested in a grandpa...
Cero laughs as he rolls around on the couch, after a minute he lays on his belly, "You should have seen the look on your face..." he says giddily.
She blushes in anger and embarrassment, "Cero..." she growls keeping her emotions in check.
"No, the Master is... well it's somewhat complicated..."
"Complicated? How?"
"I won't get into all the details and have a commentary about the Master, however he equals the age of a twenty-three year old male human."
"Really now?" Raven asks a little suspicious. I should just let it go at that.
"Most of you females over estimate his age due to the color of his mane," he adds professional and docile like, "Which is his natural mane color."
"You talk like Serenade, why?"
He sits up, "Well I am a dog ain't I?"
"Yeah, but Serenade's a furry-dog, you're just a dog-dog..."
"That maybe true, but we animals and furries, or anthros, share the same basic communication and instinctual outlook. Though I admit that furries are more civilized and are not as feral as their animalia counterparts, but still they still share basic instinctual outlook."
"So uh..." she stalls briefly, "What attracts Serenade then? Seeing you're a dog and his somewhat a dog."
"I believed he revealed to you that he likes purple. especially of that of the mane and eyes... Wait... how old are you again?"
"Seventeen going on eighteen, soon..."
"Why do you females always wish to be... bounded at a young age for?"
She thought of an answer other than the one that she was the end of the world, the ticking time bomb that exploded on her eighteenth birthday, and wanted to know the feeling of love before she wiped the planet void of life.
"It's Azarath custom for royalty to search for a Mate, fore-say by your terms, at the coming of our eighteenth birthday..." she made up coolly on the spot.
"Really now?" Cero replies surprised, "Maybe you might get what you desire, but it'll have to wait in due time..." Lair... but why?
She gives a light sigh, "So is there anything else?" That was a close one... can't believe he believed that.
"Yes, do NOT attempt to seduce the Master," he replies with much emphasis, "It usually epically fails... however if the Master comes on to you," he pauses briefly, "That is up to you what you wish to do, but beware that the aftermath may not be what you desired."
"I don't plan to become a teen mother or be on some TV show."
"It's not that, the Master is careful and cautious about those kinds of things, what I meant is that, if it does happen, don't expect that you'll both live happily ever after."
She nods her acknowledgment, "Got it..." I don't intend to live happily ever after...
"Okay then," he sighs slightly tiredly, "Is there anything else?"
Raven rises from the sofa, "Nope, I am gonna go to sleep... it's almost one in the morning."
"Very well..." Cero replies with a yawn as he curls up in a ball, "Good night and good luck..." Cero watches Raven leave the living room. When love and death embrace...
