Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos !
September 21st today… Hey, doesn't that sound familiar to ya, by chance ?
But yes, of course : here comes Autum (or Fall, as ya prefer).
This makes me definitely way happy, as it is one of my fav' seasons. The only one I prefer even more is Spring : Nature coming back to Life; trees blooming everywhere; pasture green leaves; sunrays displaying such a pleasing, warm caress on the skin; blue skies with few or no clouds; gentle breeze carrying flowers' delicate fragrance…
What's wz yr raised eyebrows and round eyes, Mates ? Did this sound too bucolic for ya ? Too naive ? Okay, but what can I say ? I really LOVE Spring, and Autumn too, with the trees "wearing" so many different colours "suits", the melancholy linked to the fallen leaves, the mushroom picking in the undergrowth, the chestnut savoring (known as "degustation"), …
There I go all "season-nostalgic" again… Sorry, can't help it !;P
Anyway…
Maxxxxi thanxxxx to Blood-of… hum, RUBY-OF-RED (gotta recall she's changed her alias, dammit !) for being once again the 1st to review, very same day of update ! You're one of my most loyal and supportive fan, Ana, and for this I say : kudos to ya !
And there alas won't be any other thanxxxx, since no one else reviewed. But hey, no hard feelings, Sam and Cris, coz I know how tremendously busy a teen's life can be ! I've been there too, so I sure know how it goes… ;P
N'joy !
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"I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow."–William Blake
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8.10 */*/*/* WRATH */*/*/* 8.10
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"So what's your name again ?" asked Mas.
"Yes, what is it, eh ?" echoed Menos.
The grey-clad emotion cast a shy side look to the "parrot twins".
"It is Timid" she whispered, sketching a smile not too seem too distant.
"Timid ? That's a synonym of 'shy', right ?" remarked one of the tiny boys.
"Yeah, it is, no ?" the other insisted even more for a reply.
"Yes, they mean the same" quietly admitted the grey girl. (A/N : funny about this expression here, coz I usually use it to refer to Raven's skin colour – which naturally is the same for her emotions -, yet in this particular case, the specific emotion is dressed in a GREY cloak, so it isn't so clear anymore if "the grey girl" refers to the skin or the cloak colour… Interesting confusion, eh ? No ? Hum, 'kay, just saying… *stroll away whistling & looking at the sky*)
There was a short silence… but of course, the Guatemalan midgets couldn't remain speechless for long !
"And… why do you have such a name ?"
"Yeah, what's the reason for you being called that way, Timid ?"
The emoticlone lowered her gaze to the ground, a tad uneasy
about her companions inquiring about her identity. Not that she felt afraid or ashamed. Or even upset about their curiosity. None of these feelings "crossed her mind". It was actually that she just felt the natural need to show a low profile, be as discreet as possible, always inclined to avoid drawing attention to her – well, to Raven, technically – and, in general, scarcely intervening in whatever discussion or debate the emoticlones would have, every now and then.
The purple-haired girl took a deep breath and… on with it !
"Well… Us emotions bear names reflecting the main characteristic of our nature. For example, Knowledge is named thus because of her superior intelligence and erudition; Happy is called like that given that she's always enthusiastic and positive; Brave is known for her bravery, and so on…"
As usual, Timid didn't answer straight to a personal question about herself, but rather enumerated the relevant facts about her "emotional colleagues". But the two boys had guessed, from what she had explained, that her name therefore should be linked to her nature. Only, they wanted to double-check if they had got it right.
"So, that means you are… timid ?" asked Menos.
"Yes, that's why you are named that way ?" rephrased Mas.
The emoticlone gave a small smile. She could have found their repetitions a tad annoying, but curiously enough, it instead amused her. But as the shy type, she didn't frankly laugh or chuckled, settling for a mere, more discreet smile.
"Yes. I'm shy, and usually don't talk a lot… that's what makes me who I am, Timid !"
The speedy twins both gave her a large grin.
"Well, anyway, nice to know you, Timid !" cheered Mas. "And in case I didn't tell you before – my brother and me talk too much, hence do we sometimes forget what we said and what we didn't – my name is Mas. It means "More" in Spanish."
"And I'm Menos, which is "Less" in Spanish. You can recognize who is who by the "plus" and "minus" signs on our uniforms."
"Oh, I already know who you are, since us emotions know everything that our owner does. So we're all already aware of Master's friends' names" gently declared the reserved girl.
"Master ? Who is it ?" asked More".
"Yeah, who ?" insisted "Less".
The grey girl smiled again.
"You call her 'Raven', but since we're part of her and she has us emotions under her control, we call her 'Master', as a mark of respect to her, you see ?"
"Oh yes !"
"Sure !"
They walked in silence for another couple of minutes, and this time it was the grey female to spoke up first.
"You mentioned Spanish. May I know why ? Were you born in a Spanish-speaking country ? Master doesn't know where you're from, so neither do I…"
"We're from Guatemala. That's in Central America. And you, where are you from ?"
This time, for a change, the other twin didn't repeat the same thing.
"Actually, where is Raven from ?"
Timid smiled a tad wider.
"She's from another dimension, from a city called Azarath. So you can say she's some kind of alien."
"Ah, okay !Interesting !" replied Mas.
"Pretty much !" concluded Menos.
The emoticlone was somehow relieved to hear them not "make the parrots" all the time, and sometimes utter different sentences, thus breaking the monotonous cycle.
They walked on, side by side, for a while, Mas and Menos admiring the landscape, Timid doing the same or just looking straight ahead, lost in thought.
The landscape was rather unwelcoming : a large plain with no dwellings, a few trees here and there and thorny bushes. No stream, no river, no pond. And the wind was absent from the scenery : that still air, and the surrounding silence, both had something threatening…
The overcast sky above the three Titans wasn't any less menacing, the low light giving the day a pretty worrying aura.
It almost seemed as if something was in preparation.
Something… nefarious.
The road was now ascending up a high mountain, and there was no other path in the surroundings.
"Do we have to go up that mountain ?" asked Menos.
"Yes, do we really have to ? It's pretty high… and is our enemy really up there ?" added Mas.
As there was no reply, they both turned to Timid and stared at her, waiting.
The grey girl soon noticed that the boys were looking at her and realized that they expected an answer from her.
"Well, it seems we'll have to go up there…" she almost whispered.
She stopped there, hoping they would be satisfied.
But they weren't, since her reply wasn't complete.
"Yes, but WHY ?" insisted Mas.
"Yes, why ?" echoed his brother.
Timid bit her lip.
"Well, there is no place else where to go : there is only one road, and we are in a narrow valley without any other direction to explore…" the emoticlone stated in a quiet, almost apologizing tone.
"Mmmmmh… makes sense to me…" admitted one of the twins.
"To me as well" conceded the other one. "So up we go !"
"Up indeed !" concluded the first one.
The trio worked their way uphill, and daylight seemed to have decreased even more by the time they were hallway up.
This clearly worried the speedy boys.
"Why is it getting darker, all of a sudden ?" asked Mas.
"Yeah, it's getting pretty frightening, now…" remarked Menos.
The emoticlone threw a glance at the boys and her expression clearly seemed to gain gravity as she sensed concern stemming from their voices.
"Perhaps… perhaps it's only a storm that is brewing up…?" suggested the violet-haired teenager, trying to sound comforting to her small companions.
They looked at her, uncertain.
"Do you think so ?"
"Really ?"
She smiled friendly at both.
"It might just be as simple as that" she said in a calm tone.
But as if to prove her wrong, there suddenly was an earthquake together with a rumble.
The Guatemalan Titans held each other, screaming.
"Aaaaaaaaah ! What's that ?"
"Aaaaaaaaah ! What's happening ?"
The grey-clad one swallowed and cast a fearful look to the top of the mountain. And her eyes widened, utter bewilderment haunting her features.
"What are you looki-"
Menos interrupted his utterance as he felt his brother pull his arm.
"What ?" he inquired.
His brother was looking at him and had his arm raised, pointing at something.
Menos therefore followed the direction Mas was indicating and, just like his twin and Timid, abruptly goggled when he spotted the menace far above their heads.
A plume of black smoke was slowly drifting away from the top of the mountain, in a continuous dark trail.
"Did some fire start up there ?" wondered one of the boys.
"How come ?" asked the other one with a puzzled stare.
Timid had a bad feeling about it, but she didn't feel like sharing it with her companions. She didn't want to worry them more than they already were. But a tiny voice within her mind whispered to her that what she thought was right. And that the fight against the Keeper was going to be pretty awful.
"Let's go and get a clear look up there !" simply said the emotion.
The twins nodded, unable to phrase out a single sentence, and all resumed their walk.
Five minutes hadn't gone by that another duet earthquake-rumble made itself known to the small troop of fighters.
Yet this time there was more : countless bright red fragments of matter were spat up into the sky and rapidly fell down the mountain… and some were aiming straight at the Titans !
All three were goggling, not believing what they were seeing… but the danger called for an urgent reaction !
Timid quickly raised both arms and recited the usual magic words, in a lower voice than Raven usually did.
"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos !"
A black dome was now protecting the trio of superheroes, and the fragments of matter crashed loudly over their heads, then followed the curve of the half-circle and landed on the ground nearby.
"Phiew ! That was a close one !" panted Menos.
"A close one for sure !" confirmed Mas. "Thank you, Timid !"
"Yes, thank you, Timid !" repeated Menos.
The emoticlone gave a small smile.
"No problem."
Suddenly, the "minus" twin pointed a finger up, quick as lightning.
"Oh ! Look !"
His brother and their female teammate shot their heads up… and opened their mouths in horror !
Some thick liquid was slowly pouring from the top of the mountain and would soon reach the black energy dome. There was no time to think : only act QUICK !
"Grab my legs and hold them firmly !" ordered the grey girl, a thing she had never done before. Shy as she was, she had never ever given an order, always relying on suggestions and proposals to try and convince the others.
"Grab your legs ?!" asked Mas.
"But why ?" wondered Menos.
Timid's face for once showed determination.
"Please ! DO IT ! We have no time !"
She herself couldn't believe that her, the most discreet of emoticlones, was suddenly speaking that loud, her who always whispered or said in an hesitant voice.
The midgets from Central America did as they were told, and soon the Titans were hovered uphill in a black bubble.
The latter remained motionless above the mountain, and all could see what exactly was happening : in the center of the mountain top was a very broad hole, and out of it was regurgitated some boiling hot, thick matter which brimmed over the stony limits of the top and slowly flowed down the enormous mineral mass.
Timid had guessed right about the exact nature of that mountain… but honestly, she had desperately hoped she would be wrong !
"What is that for a mountain ?" asked a baffled Mas.
"Never seen anything like that…" trailed a no less stunned Menos.
The cloaked teen turned her violet gaze at them, eyes wide open.
"You… you have never seen a volcano before ?"
They both shook heads.
"Well, it's a mountain containing an extremely hot liquid called lava, and if that touches you, you die."
She then turned her head towards the crater and gained a serious expression.
"But alas, we will have to go down there, for the Keeper is located somewhere in the depths of the volcano. I can sense his malevolent energy down there."
"But how do we do to get inside ?"
"Yes, how ?"
She stretched out her arm, pointing down.
"Look : the lava is receding back down the crater. The level is decreasing. We have to fly inside quick and find the entrance to the Keeper's lair before another eruption takes place !"
"But-"
Timid didn't wait for another remark and made the bubble fly into the furnace, where it lowered slowly, the lava level still getting lower and lower right below. The black power of Timid fortunately managed to keep them cool, avoiding them an instantaneous death from the terribly high temperature in that hellish place.
"I sense the negative energy in this direction" said the emotion as she indicated a portion of the crater. "Please look intently everywhere and tell me if you see some hole or entrance."
"Okay !"
"Sure !"
As the black sphere kept following the scorching liquid down into the pit, the three superheroes kept focused on the wall indicated by the grey girl, looking for a passageway of some sort. And at last…
"HERE !" screamed Mas, his finger pointed at a rather narrow hole opposite them.
But just then, a terrible din rumbled into their ears, and the emoticlone knew for sure what was about to occur.
"Another eruption ! Quick !"
She made the bubble zoom straight into the hole, the lava explosion missing the spherical vessel by only a few inches.
The dark orb followed a narrow tunnel in which ponds of lava were scattered, here and there, left and right. They finally reached the extremity of the passage : a large room containing several holes filled with the volcano's blazing "saliva", but no other thing.
And without any exit.
"A dead end !" said the "minus" twin.
"We're trapped !" added the "plus" one.
Timid was examining the surroundings, her extrasensory powers focused to the maximum. And these let no doubt : he was there !
"The Keeper is somewhere in this room !" the cloaked teen calmly said.
The Guatemalan boys gave a circular look, but no hint of an enemy could be detected.
"But where ?"
"Yes, where ?"
The shy emotion was about to answer them, her mouth already open…
… when something she saw right behind her companions made her goggle and her jaw sink more !
"There !" she said, on a louder tone than usual.
The small Titans turned around and watched with horror what was happening !
From one of the lava pools, a large creature was emerging. It had, in all likelihood, been hiding directly in the lava ! It sounded incredible, impossible… but since the newcomer was slowly coming out of the lava, it just had to be that way !
After standing upright in the center of the piping hot pond for a moment, its eyes lingering on the three intruders, the monster walked to the side of the hole and climbed out, then turned around and faced his foes once again, allowing them to take in his entire body, in detail.
It was a muscular human body, but the head was a wasp's, with its multitude of facets on the bulging eyes, its long antennas and its strong mandibles. And there was another animal attribute : a long tail whose extremity was a three-part section, each of those three parts ending in a sharp sting… again, just like a wasp's !
Therefore, the Guardian consisted of a mix between human and wasp, making it an hybrid creature… with, especially, a most impressive, frightening head !
There was a long silent pause, then the master of the domain was the first to speak :
"Who dares sneak into the land of the terrible Wrath ?"
The speedy midgets, afraid to no end, had already hidden behind Timid and risked a fearful eye from behind the grey cloak.
As for the emoticlone herself, her vocal folds seemed paralyzed at such an awful sight. She didn't let out a single sound and simply stood there, goggling and swallowing saliva.
"I asked you a QUESTION ! And I'm not the patient type !" bellowed the hybrid.
There still wasn't any reply from the trio of intruders, and Mas ended up pulling the grey fabric, to draw the emotion's attention.
She finally freed her gaze from the Keeper's hypnotic ascendancy and lowered her gaze to her small teammate.
"Yes ?" she hesitantly asked.
"Answer him… tell him who we are… or, angry as he is, he'll sure enough slaughter us !"
"Yes, tell him ! Or we're toast !" added his brother.
Timid didn't answer and turned her gaze quickly at the huge foe.
"So ?" yelled the latter, stamping the ground with his left foot.
Timid started and quickly gathered a bit of courage to talk.
"We…we are… Titans… and… and we have come… to… to fight you…" she stammered with difficulty, wishing she was elsewhere in this moment.
She kept quiet and gingerly observed the dark lord, anxiously waiting for his reaction.
The latter took it all in and gave it a rapid thought, not patient enough to actually ponder it.
"So you really think you stand a chance against me ?!" shouted the Keeper known as Wrath, in a still angry tone. "Are you THAT rash that you can't realize when you are doomed to failure ?! Poor creatures ! You'll be swept off in a wink !"
The last part of the utterance was yelled in an even louder voice, a booming one which made Timid and the twins shiver. That foe sure was impressive, both visually and "auditively" ! (A/N : ah, that word doesn't exist ? Really ? *reflect for a second* Ok, now it DOES ! ;P)
"Hey ! Isn't that monster insulting us ?" asked Menos to his brother.
"Yep, I think he is ! Let's show him !" replied Mas.
And both of them very imprudently shouted :
"You are the poor creature !"
The half-human half-wasp being let out a long howl and stamped the stony ground.
"You dare insult me ? You fools ! Fear my anger !"
And with that said, the Keeper took a fighting stance, ready to unleash his terrible powers on the three intruders…
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Robin gave a sigh as Raven closed the telepathic bond that she had opened in order to check on him, on how he was bearing that long waiting in the Vault.
It wasn't a tiredness's sigh… but one related to a "gap". A sentimental "gap".
The leader was missing the dark sorceress. A lot. And he wished he would have had the opportunity to join her in the harsh struggles she was facing and battle by her side. Nothing would have pleased him more, at present.
Yet he was denied that wish, and forced to remain in the lugubrious space of the Vault, solicited only when some aura made its appearance. And comparing his lack of action to her numerous fights, he just got mad. Terribly, awfully, dreadfully mad. And guilt also wrapped him in its uncomfortable embrace.
The masked boy finally sat down again, allowing the physical as well as psychical tension to go loose and partially escape his organism. He felt slightly weak, more in body than in mind. That forced inaction was no good… and even detrimental ! A good battle would have been more than welcome ! And if it could have been in Raven's company, then… all the better !
A noise on the right drew Robin's attention.
He directed his head to the sound and had the surprise to see that a dark blue portal had opened. And out of it stepped…
"Robin ! We have won ! We have won !"
The alien girl was jumping for joy and grinning incredibly wide at the Boy Wonder, who returned the smile, in an attenuate form though.
"Yepsy ! We did it ! We smashed that Gluttony piggy, thanks to Master's help !" shrilled a no-less beaming Happy, gesturing with cheerful intensity behind the red-haired Titan.
Robin raised an eyebrow.
"Master ?"
But before the cheery emoticlone could actually utter something, he had already understood.
"Oh ! You mean Raven, of course ! Sorry, it's just that I didn't know you called her that."
Happy's smile broadened.
"We all use that mark of respect when talking to her or about her. Because she is our Master and we are to obey her orders. But it's okay, really : you couldn't have known, since it's the first time you meet us emotions."
Then the Pink Cloak looked around and turned back to Robin.
"Hey, by the way, we're the first ones to come back ? We outdid everybody else ? Now that's cool ! Say what, Star ?"
The Tamaranean joyfully jumped up and down,
"Yes, it is indeed… cool that we came here before anybody else."
Then a thought crossed her mind.
"And how are you, Robin ? Not getting too bored while you are waiting for these things… those… hum…"
"Auras" he completed. "Well no, I'm okay." A short pause. "Well, to be fully honest, I'm making the best of a bad job, since I'd prefer fight along with you all. I really have got the easiest part, but while some would call me lucky, I swear I'd rather be on the battlefield, helping you guys."
Starfire's happy expression gave way to a sorry one.
"Oh no ! So you are frustrated because you must stay here and do nothing exciting ?"
Rae's words suddenly reached the surface of Robin's consciousness.
"Well, as Raven said, although this is the less thrilling part of the adventure, it nevertheless is a crucial step for our success : indeed, if I didn't transfer the auras from Subterraneas to Limbo, we wouldn't be able to defeat the Keepers who protect Fraktal, and thus get a chance to destroy that bad guy. So Raven helped me realize I was in charge of a fundamental part here."
The Boy Wonder's expression and his mind started wandering, as he remembered his telepathic communications with Rae… and how much he had enjoyed them !
"Oh yes ! What about Raven ? Do you have any news about her ?"
Starfire's exclamation drew him back to reality.
"Yes. We have been keeping in touch through telepathy. You know, mental communication. She let me know that the struggles were arduous, but that she was managing pretty good."
"Master is the most powerful of all. She'll beat them all !" proudly proclaimed Happy.
Just then, a light noise could be heard behind the trio.
Robin leaned aside and spotted the bright blue blob floating in the center of the grey portal.
"Hey ! That's an aura, right ?" asked the cheerful emotion. "It's that kind of stuff which destroyed Gluttony's magical barrier, so it must be one, eh ?"
Robin smiled.
"Exactly. It means that Raven defeated another Guardian, who held that aura within him. And I must now make it reach the black portal, to Limbo and the corresponding Keeper. I'll show you how it works."
And walking the walk as well as taking the talk, the Masked Titan took a few steps forward, held out his arms in direction of the blue shape-shifting blob, took them to the right, where the black portal was… and the cerulean shape followed the same trajectory. It thus arrived to the Limbo entrance and got in, disappearing into unknown depths.
"And that's it. That aura will go annihilate another Keeper's magical protection, which will enable our fiends battling him to now be able to hurt him for good… and defeat it !"
Starfire and Happy took it all in, then the alien princess spoke up.
"And now, you have nothing else to do here until another aura comes and you must put it in the black passage again ?"
She wanted to check if she had got it all right.
"Pretty much" replied the Caped Titan. (A/N : remember, eh ? The Caped Titan's Rob, the Cloaked Titan's Rae… fair reminder ;)…)
Happy chuckled, a glint of cheekiness dancing in her vivacious eyes.
"Waow ! That's what I call an exciting job ! Ah ah, sorry, couldn't help it !"
Both Robin and Starfire grinned.
"Yep. You said it…" the Titan's leader conceded, in a pretty funny tone.
Then he regained seriousness, thinking that another Keeper would soon be down…
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Wrath put up a hand and some fire wave emerged from it, which then rushed fast, so fast to Timid.
The latter flew out of reach and looked at the evil lord, scare filling her violet orbs. But after another dodge, she had no choice but gather her courage : she focused her dark energy in an attempt of counter-attack. And thus did a black ray get launched at the half-wasp half-human monster.
But unfortunately, the powerful beam crashed against an invisible wall : the magical barrier protecting the Keeper from any assault.
Wrath retorted with another fire wave, but this time he also launched one towards the Guatemalan twins.
The emoticlone swiftly whirled away and the small brothers rushed to the other side of the room in a flash.
Wrath turned his ugly head to the place the Titans East were presently and gave a low growl. And sure enough, if he had had tiny eyes instead of those huge faceted eyes, he would have narrowed them…
"Come get us, if you dare !" yelled Mas.
"Yes, come on, if you think you can !" screamed Menos.
Both stuck their tongues out at the Keeper.
And the next minute, the quick duo was running at light speed towards the hybrid… but crashed just the same against some invisible obstacle located in front of their enemy !
"Ah ah ah ! You just can't reach me ! And now, take this !"
A fireball formed in the Keeper's hands, and the boys had just enough time to race off before the projectile hit them.
"We… we can't even get to him !" phrased a disbelieving Menos.
"It's just like something is protecting him !" added Mas.
"Yes. Don't you remember what Master said about the Keepers ? That they have an invisible magical barrier protecting them, and that the only way to remove that barrier is by making the aura, held by the Guardian, hit it. Then the barrier will be destroyed and we will be able to actually touch the Keeper !" Timid explained.
"An invisible barrier, eh ? Well, I hope that the aura you mentioned will be here soon so that we can-"
"WATCH OUT !"
Wrath had sent a huge beam in a pond of lava and made that pond overflow big time. As a result, the boiling hot liquid was rushing fast, so fast in direction of the Titans.
Timid took off and the twins had to race away as fast as lightning.
But that wasn't over : Wrath had already cast new red energy bolts in other ponds, more powerfully this time, and as a result, lava gushed far above their pits, in scary waves… one of which menaced to get the Guatemalan, who hadn't noticed it, busy avoiding another one !
Timid realized the peril but knew that screaming at them wouldn't avoid the drama. Therefore did she opt for the fastest and most secure way : she encased her teammates in a large dark energy sphere and brought the latter here.
The lava still could fall upon the sphere, but luckily for the boys, Raven's power offered more protection than anything else, and the black ball safely delivered its occupiers by the one who had created it.
"Thank you, Timid !" said one of them.
"Yes, thank you very much !"
She gave a small smile.
"No problem."
Then she turned her gaze at the Keeper, and so did the brothers.
"Don't think you'll be able to avoid all my attacks !" bellowed Wrath. He then stamped the ground loudly. "I'M GONNA KILL YOU ALL !" I'M GONNA BREAK EVERY BONE OF YOUR BODY !" he threatened deafeningly.
But just as he ended his menaces, a shiny blue floating blob rushed inside the stony place and headed straight for the Keeper.
Wrath made a slight movement, as if willing to try and dodge the blob… but it was too late !
The aura came in contact with the invisible barrier… sparkles ensued… followed by a loud booming sound… and concluded by an explosion !
And the magical protection which had kept the monster untouched up to then vanished !
Wrath gave a terribly loud yell and some tiny stones rained down from the "ceiling" of the cave.
Timid cast her head up above, her heart beating fast as she feared the collapse of the place. Mas and Menos were also staring up, somewhat worried.
A huge shout filled the room again as Wrath cast a greater and shiner beam into the nearest lava pit. And naturally, the Titans were expecting the lava to overflow in a scorching wave coming their way.
But curiously enough, none of this happened.
In fact, the attack seemed not to have had any effect at all.
But then the same mighty beam came out… of another lava pond, close to the superheroes !
Timid saw it just in time and created a dark shield, against which the ray crashed.
Wrath had stepped forward in the mean time and sent another shiny ray in the pit to its left, then the same one in the right pit.
As a result, two beams exited from two other lava pits beside the Titans, and Timid had to put up two other shields to ward off the attacks.
But that was only the beginning : Wrath had now turned way destructive and enraged, multiplying his assaults by casting always more and more gleaming rays into the pits nearby.
And Timid, Mas and Menos saw in horror all beams spurt out from several pits all around them, all heading towards them !
The emoticlone was starting to freak out, the boys could clearly tell : there were beads of perspiration on her forehead, her breathing had grown speedy and broken, her eyes were moving quickly this way and that way, desperately trying to take all in, her gestures were non-coordinated and hasty…
Timid finally put up a dome of dark energy, to protect the three of them, and the rays were unable to break that barrier, which left the "superhero threesome" a bit of respite.
Mas and Menos certainly weren't reassured by the violence and the multiplication of Wrath's assaults, but were almost just as worried by Timid's loss of control.
"Will you be okay ?" ventured Menos.
"Do you want to rest for a moment while we fight him ?" proposed Mas.
Timid swept off the sweat gathered above her eyes, her chest heaving frantically, and swallowed with difficulty.
"No, it's… I'll… I'll be okay… really… don't worry…"
A faint smile briefly haunted her lips, but in a few seconds, it was gone.
"Sure ?"
"Definitely ?"
She nodded.
"Okay, you can reopen that bubble and Menos and I will race to the Keeper…"
"… and give him a good beating !"
Timid nodded again, apparently unwilling – or unable ? to utter anything for the time being. And she made the black energy vanish from around them.
Immediately, the Guatemalan twins touched each other's fingertip and… they were gone like the wind !
They moved so fast that Wrath couldn't actually follow their route, his head always "in delay" compared to their constantly-changing location.
And the next minute, they rushed straight into the hybrid's belly, knocking the wind out of him and making him collapse backwards !
Wrath let out a terrible shriek as he got back to his feet, but the speedy twins had already resumed running, and as the Keeper turned around to spot them, they suddenly attacked from the side : they launched themselves towards his face, and when the monster, who had seen a rapid move on the side, turned his ugly faceted eyes in that direction… he received a double kick straight in the middle of his face !
The great foe tumbled hard to the ground for the second time, howling in pain.
Timid had watched the two fight sequences and was relieved to see that her teammates, contrary to her, were doing just fine and didn't let doubt cloud their minds… unlike her.
But the wasp-human being still had trumps in his game. As he got back up, he opened his "mouth", the mandibles moving to the sides… and a column of fire emerged from the depths of the hellish creature !
Wrath then didn't take time to analyze or reflect and moved his head all around as quickly as he could, not aiming the slightest.
And alas for the twins, they got engulfed in the scalding breath at some point !
The racing duo yelled out loud as they fell heavily, fire burning their hair, while their faces were all red from the burn.
Timid, who had managed to pull herself together, widened her eyes and opened her mouth in shock.
"Mas ! Menos !"
The grey-clad emotion quickly floated in their direction to help them… but she alas hadn't noticed that their common adversary had dipped his three-stings tail in a pit of lava, and as she was nearing her hurt friends, the tail emerged right behind her, from another pit, and wound itself around her neck !
"NO !" screamed the boys in unison.
"YES !" shouted in reply the hybrid, tightening his grip.
The twins painfully managed to get up, their faces all sore from the severe burn they had been inflicted, but willing to save their companion at any cost.
"LET HER GO !"
"OR YOU'LL REGRET IT !"
Timid was still struggling to try and loosen the horrible grasp, but to no avail for the moment. Things were critical for her yet, but she had to do quick nevertheless.
"Oh yes ?" rumbled the dark lord. "We'll see who will regret anything !"
His features showed utter rage. Nobody had ever dared to speak to him that provocative way. Who did those dwarves think they were ? Being as foolish as to threaten the great Wrath ?
The Keeper took his arms up, hands wide open in direction of his small opponents, and a wall of fire appeared before his hands and rushed at them !
But the brothers had already anticipated the assault and fled from their location.
The huge foe soon received a blow on the side of his head, then in his back, in his belly… The Guatemalan fighters were relentlessly mugging the wasp-human creature, which made Wrath launch always louder shouts… but alas didn't make him release their friend !
"What can we do ?" asked Mas, while Wrath was recovering from the last attack.
"I can think of only one thing : the Flashing Cut !" replied Menos.
"But of course ! How come I didn't think of it myself ?"
"Eh eh ! That's what brothers are for !"
The twins rushed at an even greater speed towards the tail imprisoning the emotion, then jumped at the last second and…
… a blade of light appeared in front of them…
… and cut the Keeper's tail, thus freeing Timid from the deadly catch !
The shy girl fell to the ground, limp, weak, almost unconscious, shiny dots dancing in front of her eyes.
Wrath took his tail out of the lava and scowled at the maimed extremity.
"YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR SHEDDING MY BLOOD ! PREPARE FOR YOUR LAST BREATH !"
The brothers turned towards their teammate, whose breathing was confused and frenetic.
"Timid… he's gonna attack again !"
"Get up, quick !"
She didn't open her eyes upon replying.
"Not… yet. Go already… I'll join you… later…"
"But… are you sure you'll be okay ?"
"Can we do anything ?"
She opened half of an eye.
"No… I need… a bit of rest… go… I'll be there… soon…"
They didn't insist and started towards their foe.
Timid opened both eyes, watching them go, and fell back to the ground, where she remained lying for long, long minutes.
Her mind was invaded by doubt, by frustration, by lack of self-confidence… much more than it had ever been !
I'm not strong enough… I've failed at protecting my friends… and here I'm leaving them go on their own… while I should be fighting along with them… I haven't done good enough… I'm not worthy of Master's esteem… The other emotions are certainly doing far better than me… They don't let hesitation or doubt stop them… weaken them… I'm a disgrace in the emoticlones' circle… I'm sorry, Master… Sorry for being such a pitiful emotion…
Timid felt her eyes fill with hot liquid, which started down her cheeks and soon reached the line of the jaw, where it remained hanging until the flow made it fall in tiny drops on the cold stony surface of the cave.
The shy girl silently wept, her eyes sometimes observing the twins as they tirelessly attacked the dark lord and, this time, managed to dodge all of his attacks. She should have joined them, for after all they could get harmed anytime, and besides it was her duty to struggle by their side… but all will had deserted the ashamed female, who cursed at herself while crying on.
Timid !
The Grey Cloak felt her eyes open up as she received that unexpected telepathic call. It took her a few seconds to gather her energy and reply mentally.
Yes, Master ?
Timid, I felt your utter distress as I was heading to the next Guardian. I sensed your sadness, your frustration, your self-disgust, your shame. I understand why you came to feel that way, but believe me, you're wrong ! You're not a disgrace, not a pitiful emotion and absolutely not undeserving of my respect ! And you didn't fail in your duty ! Things may have turned out bad for you three, but that doesn't mean you didn't do what you should ! I trust you, Timid, and I know you are a loyal emotion. You may be shyer than the others, taking less part in the discussion between emoticlones, but you nevertheless is an irreplaceable emotion to me !
Raven stopped there to let the grey entity enough time to take this all in and give it some thought, before actually replying.
Finally, the doubting one dried her eyes and felt her heart pound hard in her chest, under the effect of emotion.
Master… I… I don't know what to say… I… I'm not sure I deserve all this –
YOU DO ! Believe me, Timid, you DO ! Never doubt that ! I highly value and respect all of my emotions, all equally, without any difference ! You, like all your sisters, is precious to me ! And I don't want you to feel sad, doubtful, frustrated or angry against yourself ! You've always been doing just fine, and this time will be no exception ! Therefore, please be at rest, Timid, and be self-confident ! I know you'll succeed eventually ! I don't have any single doubt about your triumph and fully trust you on helping me efficiently as always !
The grey-clad girl felt a surge of emotion flow through her heart and mind. Her master had found the right words to soothe her psychological suffering, the very words that could help her regain her confidence in her efficiency, her powers and her future success.
But it wasn't only the inner power that the words intrinsically carried that made Timid feel much better, actually relieved : it also was the identity of the person pronouncing them which helped her greatly appease ! Indeed, coming from Raven, her Master and the very being she revered the most, such heartwarming and complimentary remarks had to produce a most touching effect.
Timid closed her eyes and sketched a smile.
Thank you, Master ! Thank you to no end for your unfailing support, for your flattering comments, for your so precious comfort ! Thank you so much ! I'm… lost for words to express you my gratitude, really ! And yes, I will take my head back up and fight for you ! And I will do everything I can to win, together with Mas and Menos ! You have my word !
You're welcome, Timid ! It's natural ! And it's me to thank you for your great efforts in fighting the Keeper ! You're the one deserving the gratitude ! And I know that you will get the upper hand on your enemy ! You have, and always have had, my full trust, Timid !
Master… you really are a wonderful person ! And it's an honor to be your emotion !
And you, Timid, are a wonderful emotion ! My thoughts and support vibes will accompany you during your struggle ! Courage, Timid, courage ! We'll see each other much later ! Be fine !
Thank you so much, Master ! For everything ! And be fine as well !
The telepathic communication came to its end.
A smile was now floating on the Grey Cloak's mouth. Her gaze was lost on the ground, as she mentally recalled the encouraging words of her "owner".
And two minutes later, the shy one was getting up and turning towards her teammates and their common foe.
Wrath had gotten serious bruises from the unremitting onslaughts of the two lookalikes, and was fuming as he vainly attempted to hit the brothers, whose determination obviously had motivated them to the extreme, their speed never that high previously.
Timid focused, eyes closed, and when she reopened them, they were glowing a dazzling white.
"MAS ! MENOS ! PLEASE COME HERE !" said the violet-haired girl aloud.
The boys turned their heads at her and so did Wrath.
Three seconds later, they stopped by her.
The pale female made a move with her hands in direction of Wrath.
A dark portal silently appeared behind the Keeper, who didn't suspect anything.
"So ? Is that supposed to harm me or what ?" scoffed the wasp-human creature.
"Well, speaking of harm, let's see how much energy you can gather to hurt me… I'm sure I can block even your mightiest attack ! For I'm way more powerful than you, Wrath !" the emoticlone calmly phrased, her tone somewhat menacing.
The lord felt fury take a hold of his body.
"YOU WILL REGRET YOUR COCKINESS, YOU WEAKLING ! I'M GONNA MAKE YOU REGRET EVER UTTER THAT ! PREPARE FOR YOUR DEATH !"
And he began focusing all his energy for his most terrible blow.
Meanwhile, the Guatemalan Titans were worried and expressed it to their teammate.
"Timid, why are you provoking him like that ?" asked Mas.
"Yes, that's really imprudent ! He'll at best hurt us bad !" added his brother.
But their interlocutor didn't show any sign of uncertainty or hesitation.
"Trust me, please…" was all that she whispered. And she drew them to her, her pale hands on their small shoulders.
Just in this moment, a terrible howl erupted from the other side of the room. And all the lava from all the pits hovered off their spots and came gathering in the hands of the dark master, where it took the shape of a gigantic red ball.
Timid, sensing the assault really near, focused to obtain another magical effect in the cave, which she hoped Wrath hadn't noticed.
"HERE'S WHAT YOU GET FOR DEFYING ME !" thundered the Keeper, and the gigantic scalding ball left the nest of his hands and rushed towards the trio of Titans.
Timid smirked as she sensed that her plan was going to work.
The superheroes got encased in black and the group was hovered aside at the last second. And Wrath was taken aback when he saw was had been hidden behind his enemies.
A black portal of medium size, that the threesome had kept concealed behind them, the masses of their reunited bodies masking it all the time.
Before the monster could even sketch a gesture, the lava sphere disappeared inside the portal …and came out of the other portal that Timid had opened previously behind their enemy !
Wrath didn't even have the time to understand how he had got hit by the ball, but he knew for sure it was his own projectile he had received from behind, given the terribly high temperature and the huge size of it.
There was just one single, stretched scream in which pain, surprise and fury were mixed. And it was that hybrid scream which constituted the… hybrid's agony cry !
The resistant organism exploded in billions of pieces which were swiftly scattered all around the cave.
Timid's eyes stopped glowing and regained their natural color.
The black energy vanished from around the Titans.
The twins looked around the room and saw all the bits of Wrath get consumed, dark red smoke rising from each disappearing fragment.
"We have WON !" screamed Mas.
"Yes we HAVE ! And all thanks to YOU, Timid !"
The addressee gave a soft smile.
"Not only thanks to me : thanks to you as well ! It was team work. Our group won, not just me ! It's a commune victory."
"Okay, if you say so ! Thank you anyway !"
"Yeah, thank you ! You rock !"
Her smile grew bigger and she felt heat reach her face.
"Thank you as well, Mas and Menos !"
Then her violet orbs caught sight of a grey flame hovering at the precise spot where the dark lord had passed away.
"Oh ! Look !" she said, pointing at the strange element.
They did and opened their mouths in awe.
"What's that ?" asked one of them.
"Where does it come from ?" continued the second.
Just in this moment, the flame rose higher and higher, gleaming always brighter and brighter, and eventually parted in two halves which swiftly flew away, both phasing though the stony walls.
But before anyone had time to comment on what had just occurred, there was some kind of earthquake, accompanied by a muffled rumbling sound.
"I have a bad inkling…" whispered Timid, biting her lip.
No sooner had she said that lava flowed in and gradually started filling the room.
The emoticlone quickly reacted by protecting them in a dark energy sphere which she made take off and reach the "ceiling".
"How will we leave now ?" questioningly shouted Menos.
"We're doomed !" his brother remarked just as loud.
Timid frowned.
"No, we're not !"
She closed her eyes and…
"AZARATH, METRION, ZINTHOS !"
A beam of dark power left her hands and hit the stony "ceiling", drilling a vertical hole through the mass of the mountain.
And just like that, the magical sphere left the lava-filled place, just in the nick of time, and followed the upward path created through the rock, towards freedom…
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In the same dark place as before, six colored circles were now forbidding access to the green portal.
There used to be eight, now there were six…
A shining floating item made its way through darkness, in direction of the magical passageway.
As it closed in, it could easily be identified as a grey flame. And it finally touched the most outer circle, whose colour also happened to be grey.
While the flame vanished into thin air, the circumference began to disappear as well. It always got shorter and shorter, until the two extremities of the circular ribbon joined each other… and the last remnant of grey around the green portal eventually faded away !
And therefore, there were now five barriers protecting the magical entrance. Where there once were eight…
The number of defenses that Fraktal had created around the portal to his lair was decreasing, slowly but surely, and it seemed that nothing could ever prevent that.
The green eye which had appeared in this dark place, as soon as it had sensed the flame's arrival, and therefore the future disappearance of the grey barrier, shone in a darker tint, a malevolent glint haunting it.
Always more gates disappearing… It seems that Raven and her emotions are doing quite well ! I guess I have underestimated them… But it's too late yet to crow over a victory, dear enemies ! You may be achieving something, but don't naively believe you'll make it to me ! Some of my Keepers are way tougher than you expect, and should only one of them stay alive… I'll be the ultimate vanquisher ! And plunge that planet into the Nether World… FOREVER !
(A/N : somewhat overly dramatic / menacing, no ? :P )
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They were exhausted.
Indubitably pooped.
"Undisputably" (A/N : my neologism again… ! =) spent.
All of the people gathered in that same neighbourhood had broken as many things as they could, burnt as many cars as they wanted to, aggressed as many pedestrians as they could, all of which nefarious actions had had one common point : they had been done with an obvious display of utter anger, even of sheer rage !
Indeed, no matter what naughty deeds had been performed, it had always been done with deafening wrath screams, so wild actually that they almost confused with loud animal grunts. These people let their fury drive their most ferocious actions and at no time did that terrible psychological wildness seem to appease.
And now, all those possessed souls who had been unconsciously bowing in front of Tantrum were panting heavily, their breath uneven and thick, chests heaving hectically and eyes goggling to the extreme after the countless violent deeds.
That's when something caught the bulging eyes of the former savages.
A grey, small flame was floating high up above the street, and slowly making it to their location.
It stopped above the tired crowd, and all found themselves staring at that extraordinary phenomenon, wondering what the hall that could be. Even the policemen still present in the back of the scene were so absorbed by the contemplation that they didn't even sketch movements in direction of their radios.
Unexpectedly, grey rays were issued from all the former wreckers' bodies and zoomed upwards to the grey flame, which absorbed them all simultaneously.
As a result, the latter expanded gradually, gaining growth until reaching the size of a real fire, and as it did so, it concurrently glittered brighter, brighter, brighter…
And eventually vanished into thin air with a loud WHOOSH !
Uneasy silence.
Eyes blinking everywhere.
Exchange of looks.
Then the wondering :
"What am I doing here ?"
"What happened here ?"
"Why is everything broken or burning ?"
"Who did it ?"
They started talking to each other to try to determine what had been up in that place, but of course, they had no memories of it and therefore nothing could be found out, all remaining totally clueless… and therefore ignorant of their own mischief !
Eventually, all people gathered there ended up leaving, still utterly perturbed by their presence in such a ruined place. A presence they couldn't even account the reason for…
The policemen, who had witnessed it all from the sides, waited until all the persons were gone then had a brief discussion all together and finally left the "crime scene".
A few minutes later, one of these men exchanged a few words with Superintendent Stewart Moser, who nodded, gave a brief order, took his leave from the officer and went to Lieutenant Victor Heahthfield to share the good news.
"Victor, the situation keeps on improving : the people who frenetically demolished or burnt everything have abruptly come to their senses, taken aback about the mess surrounding them… all the more since none of them does remember that they were the ones who actually caused it !"
"So, just like with the gluttons and the lazy cashiers, the people who were… hum, victims of that incomprehensible and unexpected wild behaviour do NOT recall any of it ? They kind of turned amnesiac shortly after that flame absorbed these rays from their bodies ? Well, all of this remains pretty mysterious, but the main point is that, even if we ignore who is behind all of this, at least things are getting better and better with time. And that's what we need !"
Moser's mouth broke into a grin.
"Exactly, Victor ! And we owe all this to the Teen Titans, I'm sure ! Who else could solve such an unexplainable situation, completely out of the ordinary ?"
Moser's smile was contagious, as Heathfield soon imitated him.
"Yes, you're right, Stew' ! They sure are at work somewhere ! And I do hope they'll be successful until the end, so that all of the issues we're facing in different neighbourhoods of the town can be "fixed" in the end !"
"We'll see, Vic', we'll see… But I have full faith in the Titans' exceptional ability to defeat enemies and bring back peace to Jump City !"
The Lieutenant smiled wider.
"Me too, Stew'. They're gonna make it, I know !"
And as they went on nattering, their silhouettes disappeared under the driving rain, as they set out for another part of the city…
/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\ _/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/\_/ \_/\_/\
Oh. My. Gosh.
Did I REALLY type over… 9'000 words for this chapter here ? Oh Man ! What's happening to me ? Am I turning into a typewriter or what ? An hybrid between man and keyboard… now that sounds interesting ! And as John Lennon sang at the very end of Birthday : "I've got blisters on my fingers !"
Alright, so now you've been introduced to 3 Guardians – Griffin, Medusa and Minotaur – and 3 Keepers – Gluttony, Sloth and Wrath. I take it that, given the names I chose for them, you can easily guess what my 2 main sources of inspiration for this fiction are, eh ? ;)
It seems that there have been a LOT of updates lately, notably from my dear Ana (a.k.a. Ruby-of-Red), one of my greatest fans along wz Cris (a.k.a. CuttieGirll57) and Sam (a.k.a. xsammiegirlx). Thanxxxx a lot Ana for yr constant reviewing – you even were the only one for last chappy, gaining all the gratitude to yourself… *cough* Cris & Sam *cough* - and yr enthusiasm for this story ! I'm equally enthusiastic abt yr current MBC one. =) Hope ya update soon !
Oh, and I found another user whose work I worship : THE FLAMEKEEPER. Great stories that hers ! Just a tad sad she hasn't contacted me yet after all the reviews I've posted for her, but who knows, perhaps she's too busy ATM…?
I'm cross, ya know, coz things keep breaking at my place : an electric socket is losing electricity (no joke !); my TV broke down for good after a good 5 years of loyal service; my printer is creating paper jam for no apparent reason each time we try to use it; and my drying rack is in such an awful state… Well, at least, my lil' family is still in fine condition, and knowing that your children are doing fine just makes ya forget about objects' defection…
Okay, that's now more than 9'500 words, I guess I can stop writing that dictionary and put the final period/dot to this mammoth chapter. Gosh, I think I never concocted such a screed for ANY of my stories ! But you can just stop rejoicing in advance, coz next chapter will undoubtedly be shorter, like 6'000 or 7'000 words, which isn't too bad already. Unless the "Russian syndrome" gets me again, of course… (remember me telling ya that Russian classical authors were famous for producing such immense literary work ? ;)
Alright, here's thanking beforehand any of those who'll review, Ana first as usual. All of ya, please update whenever possible !
Take care and be happy, as happy as ya can !
Peace, Love, Ecstasy !
(Blistered Author)
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