Better make sure you've got some time to kill and a sandwich because this is by far the longest chapter I have ever written. I know what you might be thinking, why didn't I break into parts like have before. Because it's the second to last chapter and the climax of the story. Would you really want me to leave you hanging at something important this late in the game? I wouldn't be surprised if you read it in short bursts and then reviewed. Thanks for the reviews; Tsukikage1213, Reinard Toma, RoseXxxXThorn, Guardian of Azarath, RaeXXStary, Realfanficts, Amsrule, Chaylorfan. Hope you enjoy the climax of our story.
Chapter Forty-Four
For Whom the Bell Tolls
The moment the door opened and Lee led Shandrey in she was instantly bombarded with concerned looks and questions of the same nature. She darted her eyes about at each of them as they spoke.
"Are you okay?"
"You must be freezing."
"Someone get her a blanket."
"This way Shandrey." She looked at Starfire as she led her and pulled on the blanket they fetched her in the process. As they neared the fire Shandrey saw Susan look around one of the chairs. She smiled warmly and held out a steaming cup.
"Come sit near the fire Jun-Qing before you take a flu." Shandrey burst out a happy chuckle and gladly sat down beside her mother. Starfire felt she could have enjoyed the scene further but it was after all the first time they'd seen each other in over a decade. She saw Robin over by the window staring out at the rain. Silently she made her way over to him but her approaching presence did not go unnoticed to the former boy wonder.
"I should've done it Star."
"Robin?"
"I should've killed her, and I should've taken my time."
"No." He was surprised by her tone. He looked away from his rainy spectacle at her serious features. "I am unsure how the others feel, but I am glad you spared her. And perhaps the day may come when you will be to."
"I doubt that Star." She smiled and rubbed his arm.
"You are a hero Robin….please remain that way and do not become a butcher." She left him to rejoin the others. Despite what she said he couldn't believe that he could at any time be glad that he let Isard live.
THE NEXT MORNING…………………
As quietly as they could manage, the Titans along with a member of the clergy made a short trek of four miles outside the city limits in order to properly bid Raven and Beast Boy farewell. The graves, being short notice and makeshift, were not very deep but well enough to place its occupant in. Elm admitted that the practice or even the sect wasn't really his own sect of Christianity but was content to put it aside for this moment. The priest stood in between the graves while the newly rising sun illuminated the landscape from behind him.
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Although not a newcomer when it came to facing death, Starfire was forever shaken and pale when the sight was beheld. Her fingers were tightly intertwined with Robin's whom she used for support as in her grief she felt weak at the knees.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me….." Cyborg found he couldn't tear his eyes away from the graves no matter how hard he tried. Their faces were covered; their arms and legs gently wrapped up, and on both a cross were laid upon their breast. Two of the five people he'd known and loved for almost nearly two decades were now gone. During these times one always wishes they had not outlived their friends.
"…And so we pray for the souls of the faithfully departed. We pray they find eternal rest in Heaven oh Lord; that your perpetual light shine upon them." It was an epic battle within Robin, to not shout at the top of his lungs why this whole thing was completely unfair. "In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti." They were all offered the priest's condolences then he let them be with their own thoughts. But not before he stopped beside Robin and gently held the former boy wonder's shoulders. "All crusades must end." Robin calmly strode away from him and stood beside Starfire and Cyborg just before Raven and Beast Boy's feet. He paused, thinking of anything that could possible lift his spirits.
"I think I know what you'd say right now Raven," he said quietly. "You'd comment on how pointless this act is. You're both dead there's nothing we can do about it and we should just move on instead of dwelling." Elm, leaning against his extended staff, lowered his head with a small grin. "Well I'm sorry Raven but we're here, being pointless and wasting our time. We're here because we're never going to forget either of you." In turn Starfire, Cyborg, Lee, Shandrey, Elm, and Nayia all came up and laid a rose down with their fallen comrades. Susan watched from a short distance, her hair blew in the short gusts of wind. Robin walked back up to Starfire and set an arm around her shoulder. He then gave Elm a quick nod. Getting the green light Elm raised his staff just slightly above the ground then planted it back where it was. Carefully he mentally maneuvered the two piles of dirt on either side of the graves down into the holes. He made sure it was packed down well enough then stowed his staff away and quietly began walking back to the city. Lee, Shandrey, and Nayia followed after him leaving Robin, Starfire, and Cyborg alone.
"Farewell….friends," whimpered Starfire.
"Catch ya later man," whispered Cyborg.
After a long drought of words Robin finally parted his lips and uttered, "Goodbye." He gently held the rose between his fingers at bay, due to a subconscious refusal to accept reality. Starfire could see he was burdened by this difficulty and slid her hand with his only other free one. Her silent encouragement dawned on him, compelling him to finally let it go, which he did. The rose fluttered to the untouched ground between Raven and Beast Boy, bouncing about slightly until it lay still.
LATER…………….
It was a difficult task but they were all determined to try and brighten the mood as best they could. It seemed like they were always met with one dark circumstance after another. A break from all that certainly couldn't hurt.
"Jun-Qing, could you bring me some oregano please?" asked her mother.
"Mmhmm," she replied brightly. Shandrey's mother had volunteered to cook a memorable meal for all of them. That was just fine by Elm, who usually lived on whatever he could throw together between two pieces of bread. Shandrey fetched her mother the herb and remained for a crash curse in the culinary arts. In the other room the whole group sat around laughing and reminiscing over the past
"Okay, so it looks like they're gonna have this really intimate moment right…" began Cyborg through a series of chuckles. "Just before BB says anything that Raven wouldn't consider dumb…SMACK! I nailed him right in the head."
"With what again?" asked Nayia.
"Our stankball," said Cyborg proudly. Robin and Starfire humorously shook their heads along with Lee and Elm dreadfully recalling their own experiences with Cyborg and Beast Boy's beloved game.
Nayia continued with her questioning, what's a stankball?" Cyborg's grin widened.
"Here it comes," Robin mumbled to Starfire. Cyborg was only too happy to explain and thusly cleared his throat before continuing.
"Mostly in season during the summer or late spring; the stankball is a simple but brilliant amalgamation of sweaty socks, unwashed towels, and old t-shirts (preferably some that have had milk spilled on 'em). Assembly consists of rolling said ingredients together into a spherical shape, namely, a ball. Then you let that soak in some used dish water for about an hour thusly. Then let it sit in the LA heat for half an hour, no more no less." As he talked Nayia slack jawed expression only grew more and more bewildered. "As a great comic strip writer once put it, the best game is a game completely unorganized. Naturally such is the case with Stankball; the only rule is you can't play it the same way twice. And that my friend….is Stankball." Grinning somewhat the whole lot of them turned their eyes back to Nayia who sat at a loss for words. "Well? What d'ya think?" Some of the conversation floated into the kitchen and Shandrey couldn't help but sputter a few chuckles as covertly as she could manage.
"That's uhhh….its really um…" She looked about in plea for help, but it didn't come. She finally laughed out and shrugged. "You know Cyborg I don't know what to call that!" Her honesty earned a few more scattered chuckles. She checked her watch and found that the time she had been waiting for had quickly come. She quietly made her way out of the living room. Starfire was the first to recover from the latest round of fits.
"I have always been amused by Beast Boy's overly zealous devotion to his video games." They nodded in agreement. "One evening he invited me play one such simulation with him. It was a riveting experience but I must admit it was one that left me terrified."
"What was the game Star?" asked Robin. She frowned a little trying to dig up the memory. "Ummm, I believe it was…Evil Residents?" Robin mumbled her answer a few times then snapped his fingers.
"You mean Resident Evil?"
"Oh yes! That is the name…..oh…dear, I am now remembering some of the awful things it entailed." The poor alien, in her attempt to think of one name, also drudged up along with it all the intensely scary particulars of the game.
"Well don't worry Star," said Shandrey as she now rejoined them. "A good meal will take your mind off it."
"Jun-Qing dear," called her mother. Shandrey sighed from the nagging, but no arguments, she loved it. "I'm all out of bean sprouts. Could you please go by the market and get some more?"
"Yes mother."
"I will do it," volunteered Starfire.
"Are you sure?" asked Shandrey. The red head nodded happily.
"Yes, coupled with you and your mother's dinner a short errand will help to take my mind off of things."
Nodding Shandrey reached into her pocket and retrieved some money. "Well at least let me give you some money, it's supposed to be my job after all." She took it from Shandrey with a nod.
"I shall return shortly."
"Be careful Star," Robin called over his shoulder. She smiled back at him as she walked out. Just seconds after she left Robin stood up. "Maybe I should go with her-"
"Sit your butt down man," said Cyborg sternly. Robin complied but with much reluctance. "We're not bound to run into any one we don't like. Besides even if we do they're gonna want to do it privately. They aren't likely to start something in broad daylight."
JERUSALEM CENTER…………
Markus stood precariously poised overlooking a scale model of his city of Jerusalem. Moira entered, slowly closing the large wooden door as did. She knew instantly he was pondering something, telepathy just wasn't one of her many talents.
"My Lord?'
"What do you see here Moira?" he said calmly. With a raised brow she stole a glance at the miniature city and shrugged.
"I see your city, what vexes thee?"
"I see only one city, one city where once was all. You know I am the true heir to the throne of the earth." As Moira listened she nodded frequently. Markus turned his attention away from the city and gave it to a tinted window overlooking the city. "And yet their roams a single human whose defiance has sired bold audacity in my people." He turned to his "queen" and held her shoulders. "We are no longer in command of the world; it has been taken from us!"
"Calm yourself Markus, you need only eliminate the Dragon and the rest will surely follow or at the very least they shall follow in spirit." He chuckled very quietly and began griping her shoulders even tighter.
"Kill him?...Kill him?" She stared at him with much oddity. "Oh my sweet Moira if you have a method of execution which has not since FAILED!...please do tell me."
"Yes, the boy does have a rather annoying habit of escaping death. But perhaps it merely requires a different approach." He released his near painful hold of her and crossed his arms.
"Go on…" Moira was more than happy to lend her expert advice.
"I don't pretend to be able to fathom the human mind, or lack there of, but I do have a thorough understanding of their baser instincts." He held a mixture of a frown and straight face as he listened. "You don't need to go to the Dragon, make the Dragon come to you. Find what he holds closest to his heart and dangle it before him."
"Moira I know very well to whom you are referring. Nightingale is never out of the Dragon's sight."
"Is she now?" She took Markus by the arm and pulled him over to a basin of water. Tapping her finger to the middle she produced a series of never ending ripples until the opaque darkness washed away. Markus, his eyes narrowed, slowly walked closer to the vision of Starfire walking down the street to the nearest market. She waved at people as she passed them, blissfully unaware that she was being watched. "Unless he's following along on the rooftops…." Markus quirked a smirk.
"Well done, make certain the Dragon knows that we have her. But I am taking her to my fortress." At this Moira was taken aback.
"You're bringing her here?" Still keeping his malicious grin Markus faced her.
"As the great Nightingale once said, 'subjects who can no longer obey…are no longer subjects'. The people of Jerusalem have made it clear they wish to side with my enemy. I shall smite them in a manner matching the enormity of their sins; 'here' is soon to no longer exist."
Starfire simply could not resist the urge to stop at every shop and kiosk that caught her eye. Mostly she would poke around and then leave. It wasn't her money after all; there would be time for shopping later. She found several things she knew Robin would like but would turn down if he were with her. She would have to buy those things in secret. Starfire quickly trotted up to the food stand she was looking for and politely asked for about a pound and a half of bean sprouts. She hummed softly as she waited for the proprietor to return. When he did he held out a bag full of her order.
"Thank you."
"That will be about three pounds please." She looked at him perplexed.
"Pounds? But that is the currency of this province." He nodded.
"I know, I prefer our English neighbors." She hung her shoulders and sighed regrettably.
"Ohhh, I am afraid I must leave these and return with the right currency."
"You need not bother," said someone behind her. She then saw an arm stretched up the stand holding an open pocket book with the necessary amount of money needed for her purchase. The proprietor took the money and Starfire took the bag.
"I thank you very much!" She turned to properly thank him. "You are most generous….." Her voice trailed off into a terrified void. Markus snapped his pocket book shut and smiled wide.
"It's just the kind of guy I am."
ELM'S APARTMENT……………
Robin sat on the couch trying to take his mind off the one thing that continued to nag and pull at him. The sun was quickly setting off to the West. The feeling was like a bee constantly poking at the back of his neck. He finally stood up with an aggravated grunt.
"That's it; I'm going to go look for her."
"You don't even know if she is in trouble," said Nayia, currently absorbed in a game of chess with her brother.
"That doesn't mean she's not," retorted Robin.
"During any other time I would agree with Nayia," said Lee. "However in this day and age one should bring a weapon if one intends to check their mail. Checkmate." Nayia sent a grumpy look at her brother and began gathering up the pieces. "I am sure Star-San wouldn't mind us showing up if our intent was to see that she was okay."
"We'll need to split up to search more ground," said Shandrey. Robin nodded and gathered up his sword.
"Agreed, I don't care if Starfire's just trying on shoes. If you find her first don't let her out of your sight and call me." They all replied in the affirmative and began filing out. Robin hung back to talk to Susan. "Susan if you could-"
"Remain behind in case she returns?" He smiled and nodded. "Certainly." With that she was left alone in Elm's apartment.
----------
Just as planned as soon as the group exited the apartment complex they spread out in random directions and began their search. Shandrey hadn't gone far when up ahead she spotted Moira. She didn't quite know what to make of it; it was as if she wanted Shandrey to find her. The waterbender lowered her gaze to step over some trash, as soon as she looked ahead again Moira was gone.
"Hello Shannon." Not surprising Moira's vampiric speed had carried her all the way to Shandrey's foreground. She immediately grew defensive. "Oh please Shannon not now, I just want to talk."
"About what?" Moira looked around at the narrow alley they were in and cringed.
"First, couldn't we adjourn to someplace more hospitable?" At once both them were enveloped in light and were transported several miles away. Moira's powers carried them directly outside a restaurant. Moira took a seat at one of the few outdoor tables. Shandrey looked about wildly, having suddenly been surprised by something even she could do. "Sit down."
"This isn't a good time Moira. I'm supposed to be-"
"Out looking for your alien friend, yes I know. Trust me the others are doing just fine without you." Shandrey stepped up to the table with a scowl.
"What have you done with her?!"
"Nothing, would you just sit down. Honestly Shannon take a load off for a while." Moira grew aggravated as Shandrey refused to sit; her face grew sinister and dangerous. "Sit with me or the young busboy here, working on his night off, won't be going home." She noticed the young guy, under Moira's spell, was standing close by ready to do her bidding. Compassion was a lethal thing to bargain with, but like the rest of her friends Shandrey was subject to it. She planted herself directly across from her sister. Moira picked up a menu and scanned the different drinks. "Let's see…..I think I'll have a Daiquiri, what about you Shannon?"
"Water."
"Suit yourself. Bring them please," she sweetly up at her slave. He bowed his head and left them. "If I didn't know any better Shannon, I would think you ordered your drink to assassinate me." She didn't get a reply from her sister. "But I do know you better, so I think I'll be okay."
"I'm sure Markus is both tickled and uneased about what happened to Isard," said Shandrey a bit smugly. "I mean I wasn't there to see it but from what Lee told me I sure wish I was."
"Yes Markus did indeed wish to send you a thank-you card but I said there was no need to spend the money, especially when the recipients would soon be dead-Oh thank you." They both leaned back in their chairs as the oblivious busboy returned with their orders. "Now, why don't you go have some fun and skim the cash register in plain sight." Once again he silently obeyed and walked away.
"Stop it Moira, he's going to get fired." She shrugged while picking up her drink.
"Should've stayed home like he was supposed to." She took a few dainty sips and looked at Shandrey with a tiny smile. "You know I think the last time you and I spoke like this, sharing a drink, was the night you ran away from home." Shandrey nodded.
"That's one way putting it, another way of saying is the night you murdered our whole family-well!...tried to anyway." Moira showed just how much she cared by intentionally as well audibly slurping her beverage. "And then you went on to systematically ruin my life, oh yeah I have that date clearly etched in my mind."
"Hey! Let's get one thing straight here Shannon." Moira set her glass down with a snap. "I saved you." Shandrey rolled her eyes. "No seriously, if you really think hard about how life was going to turn out for you in the near future I think you could bring yourself to appreciate what I did."
"Last time I looked neither of us could tell the future."
Nodding Moira continued, "Touché, but just for a minuet…" She paused to partake in her drink. Shandrey remained before her untouched. "Ahhh…just for a minuet let's examine logically where things were heading. Is that alright with you?"
"By all means," replied Shandrey dryly.
"Okay…..first you're born-" Shandrey chuckled.
"That's a little too early don't you think?" Moira waved dismissively.
"Fine I'll skip ahead a few years; you and I are starting school. People can't hardly tell us apart and that's cute for about two and half seconds. As we get older Dia (Father) raises ridiculous expectations of us and when didn't deliver it was quite literally painful."
"You're on the mark so far but where are you going with this?" Again Moira paused during the enjoyment of alcohol.
"Just let me finish. For some odd reason he seems to like taking his anger out on you most of all, and I have to be honest the lack of clear rationale behind it made it amusing sometimes. But it's clear to me that as time went on in our household you were pathetically miserable Shannon." What could she say? Moira was certainly right about that. "Oh! And then," said Moira through a slightly buzzed chuckle. "He decides he gonna marry you off, to some jackoff business man."
"Yeah…" Muttered Shandrey.
"You weren't even halfway through high school yet. Of course then you slapped around your 'fiancé' in broad day light, and we all known how much 'Daddy' enjoyed hearing about that." The more she spoke the more Shandrey was forced to agree. "You were on a downhill spiral, and I saved you from that." Shandrey closed her eyes, fighting back tears. Yes, Moira was absolutely right. If I had stayed home things would only have gotten worse. But for her to say that she saved me? Yeah right. If anyone has ever saved me from anything its Lee and his sister. I mean who knows, Dia could've been hit by bus and my home life would've gotten much better. But then again, it still wouldn't have been what I really had in mind.
"All I've ever wanted is to have a good loving family to live with simply and humbly. Becoming what I am today, though proud as I am, was never at the top or even on my list. You are my sister, my twin even; I thought sisters like us were supposed to be closer than any other. Now I have another chance at what I wanted. After all these years I can find a quiet spot on the map to settle down and just live. Are you even able to understand that?" Moira smirked and downed the rest of her daiquiri.
"Yes." Shandrey slumped in her chair, wondering if Moira was just tuning her out. "But what you don't seem to understand is that I don't care."
"That's pretty clear to me," snipped the waterbender. Her temper was beginning to seethe.
"Alright Shannon, you want to wallow in self pity and denial you go right ahead and do that." Shandrey fixed her eyes on the glass of water in front of her. "But know that soon you'll be doing all that wallowing in the same place you were before you left me. Markus will raise Jerusalem to the ground and after the dust settles everyone you hold dear will be dead and you'll go right back to being my bitch!" Exactly as Shandrey had been planning to do the whole time she took up control of the water within the glass and formed it into a razor sharp disk. Moira knocked herself backwards in her chair to avoid being sliced by Shandrey's weapon. She backward rolled back up to her feet. Shandrey's circular weapon circled around her, ready to strike. "Markus has taken Starfire to his fortress in Iceland. If the Dragon wishes to see her again he should come quickly."
"What?"
"You heard me, and I meant what I said about the city. Even now the entire culmination of Markus' forces are gathering to lay waste to Jerusalem." Shandrey looked about distressed.
"But there are thousands of people-"
"Who are soon to die." Shandrey's face hardened. She brought herself back into a ready stance.
"You can't!"
"I think you'll find just how wrong you are in about five minuets. I'll be in Iceland too if you need me. Cheerio!" While waving her hand as if to say "goodbye", Moira hit Shandrey with a red wave that knocked her backward. It was a fleeting pain and it didn't appear to affect her limbs in any way, for Shandrey quickly got back up to her feet. It came as no surprise to her that Moira was gone. Shandrey knew there was no point in pursuing her at this time, what with a massive attack about to begin. The only to do at this point was to meet back up with the others and warn them. Shandrey closed her eyes in an attempt to teleport but was stunned to find she couldn't.
"Damn it Moira!" She grunted quietly. The waterbender was left with running as her only other option. She was fortunate that not long after she took off she ran into Robin. He was busy questioning a number of the other merchants.
"You're missing the point! How could you not notice her around here? She has blazing red hair-"
"Robin!" The merchant took advantage of Robin's drawn attention to Shandrey and scurried off. The former boy wonder quickly glanced back at him but saw he was gone.
"Shandrey?" Shandrey came to a somewhat clumsy halt and panted heavily. "Did you find Starfire?" She shook her head.
"No….Moira…stopped me. Robin Markus is going to attack Jerusalem."
"What?!"
"She told me his army is gathering all around the city right now."
"Well then we need to hurry and find Starfire," he said while walking onward. She caught him on the forearm.
"Robin! Markus took Starfire." He stopped and sent her a hard look. "He's taken her to his place in Iceland." Robin raised a hand to his head. "We have to get out of here."
"And the people?"
"Markus is toying with us, he knows that if we get caught up in trying to save everyone we'll never make it out of here and Starfire will end of dead or undead." Robin gritted his teeth, frustrated at being sadistically manipulated yet again. With a tone of frustration that would turn anyone white Robin tapped his earpiece.
"Everyone get back to the apartment."
Cyborg protested, "What? But we're still-"
"Now!" Afterward he ripped the communication device out of his ear and with Shandrey following behind stormed back to Elm's apartment.
Far outside Jerusalem tens of thousands of Markus' forces; the calling of his full might from the entire globe was closing in on a population that stood completely oblivious to the impending doom. Along the endless lines of troops soldiers readied their weapons.
"Die Stadt löschen," said a German commander. He walked up and down the lines of his men. Behind them about a hundred feet crewmen were moving large artillery batteries into position and anchoring them into the ground. He clipped off the butt end of a cigar and lit it.
"Are you sure?" Cyborg asked Shandrey.
"I don't think Moira would lie about that, not now anyway."
"Why doesn't he just nuke us?" asked Nayia inquisitively.
"He'd probably consider it too easy a death for everyone," said Shandrey. "That and I don't think any vampire had any nuclear weapons or they'd be nothing left by now."
"With all the ICBM's in the world?" said Elm. "How's that possible.
Cyborg then said, "Well I not an expert but its probably because the massive energy attack that ended human rule ten years ago caused the North and South poles to become charged which then set off a geomagnetic pulse which would knock out any weapons grade nuclear device anywhere on the planet." They studied him for a moment. "But I'm no expert."
"Clearly," said Lee. They all chuckled expect for Robin who was completely ignoring them.
"How long do we have?" grunted Robin as he packed things.
"She wasn't that specific," replied Shandrey irritably. Robin stopped what he was doing to look at her equally. "Would you just stop shooting the messenger?"
"Bickering is pointless," said Lee. "We are wasting time."
"If the city is surrounded getting away unnoticed won't be easy," said Elm. "I think even if I were alone I would have a difficult time."
"AAARRRGHHHH!" Their heads all snapped toward the window. Robin, Lee, and Elm all crowded to see out of it. Down below they saw people running through the streets, and far-off buildings bursting into flame.
"It's starting," said Elm. Robin tucked his sword under his coat.
"Let's go."
-----
By the time the Titans made their way outside there was already complete pandemonium. The cloudy skies turned the day into near night. The sounds of gunfire and impacting shells drowned out everything else. Robin pulled Shandrey close to him.
"TELEPORT SUSAN OUT OF HERE!!"
"I STILL CAN'T!" If possible Robin became frustrated even further. He gave her a 'never mind' shake of the head and led them on. Through the streets they ran along with everyone else trying to escape the onslaught. As they sharply rounded a corner three to four other people before them were suddenly riddled with machine gun fire. They practically dug their feet into the ground to come to a sudden halt. They saw the assailants closing in. Cyborg leapt over them and landed right in the soldier's path. The ones that weren't blown off their feet by compression of his landing were instead meant with a fist mixed with sonic energy.
"COME ON, I'LL COVER YA!" Cyborg could hardly protect them from the incoming artillery shells constantly landing all around them, but it was the foot soldiers that Cyborg had in mind. As he predicated more came to take the place of the first group. Robin, Lee, Elm, Nayia, Shandrey, and Susan quickly dashed from their cover and made their way to another alley. Cyborg saw several dozen men ahead of him; some were on the streets while others were taking position up on a bridge connecting to larger buildings. The half man half machine ground his teeth and opened his shoulder rockets. "Grrr-BRING IT!" At once they all opened fire. He rolled sideways letting out a few sonic shots in quick succession. Both Cyborg and Markus' soldiers hadn't hit their targets yet. Here and there a few men could be seen quickly removing an empty clip and replacing it with a new full one. Cyborg continued his 'roll-about-shoot-em' tactic for a while longer before he realized that he still hadn't hit a single one. Worse yet he saw at least three men up on the bridge each readying an RPG. His eyes spotted a nearby Volkswagen Beetle. Still firing his cannon Cyborg dashed over to the small car. He dove to far side of it and tightly gripped the under the chassis. Any more hesitation and they would surely fire on him with all they had now acquired thus Cyborg threw the car up at the bridge. Naturally the men manning that position scattered at the sight of it. Cyborg ran along the ground firing a volley of rockets of at the car. Their aim was true and the result was a huge flaming projectile. The car crashed into the bridge and effortlessly collapsing it; meanwhile Cyborg remained on the ground dealing with the last of them. One man snuck up behind him and managed to get off a good twenty rounds. Both of Cyborg's arms, now cannons, spun around backwards in their sockets and the ground on either side of him. Cyborg righted himself, walked up to the stunned soldiers and ripped the gun out of his hands. "Ya missed." A powerful flick of the finger on his head knocked the man out. He then observed his work and rose his arms up at his victory. "BOOYAAAH!"
"CYBORG!!" called Robin. He signaled him to move along; the city was after all being destroyed around them.
"I'm coming I'm coming," he mumbled. Catching up with the others he found Lee, Shandrey, and Elm already having to defend Susan from a contingent of Markus's vampire legion. Armed with a replacement blade for the one Isard broke, Lee sliced and hacked at any foe that dared come his way. Cyborg and Robin ran up just as Elm tripped a vampire running up behind Shandrey. He drove his staff down into the hunter's back, reducing him to flaming pile of ash. Both sides regrouped at the sight of Lee's reinforcements. At Lee's demand Nayia remained on the sidelines to provide even more protection for Shandrey's mother. Robin, Cyborg, Lee, Elm, and Shandrey all stood side by side looking on at the approaching vampires. Robin felt around in his coat for something and calmly thought. 'How many times today am I gonna wish Rave and Beast Boy were here?' The vampires before them had undoubtedly taken the Daywalker serum, for even when clouds block out the sun UV beams still penetrate. Buildings and houses nearby collapsed from lack of support. Robin waited for them to get just one foot closer and form his coat he threw a modified UV grenade. They stopped at the sight of it. The tiny sphere exploded with a short boom; first came a spraying of phosphorous which burned open the vampires' skin and exposing sensitive areas to the following pulse of ultraviolet light. Through the burning remains of their comrades more vampires charged in on the Titans. Elm was first to greet them, he raised a shield wall comprised of red earth. The vampires halted at the sight of it. Suddenly Cyborg burst through spraying rock in every direction. Robin, Shandrey, and Lee followed after him.
Robin and Lee ended up back to back, encircled by their foes. Shandrey, who chose to remain in motion, was definitely a hard target to catch. What vampires were armed with weapons fired continuously at her while others tried to throw themselves upon her. One she saw was indeed going to land on her thus Shandrey quickly threw up a watery shield. He impacted the sphere like concrete and fell to the ground moaning. The waterbender ran between two vampires and impaled each with an icicle. Both the vampire slayer and the samurai were deciding to engage in battle when a shell exploded not a stone's throw away. To all in the near vicinity the world became a disoriented blur. Sounds were slow and drowned out and any movements seemed so slow it appeared they might reverse themselves. Lee became aware of someone grabbed hold of him. He was turned around and made to face the vampire who had him in his grasp. His movements were still so sluggish that by the time he would raise his sword his assailant would already have dug his teeth into him. Suddenly a spray of blood stained Lee's face as a shiny point pushed through the vampire's open mouth. When the vampire was utterly incinerated Lee that it was his sister that came to his aid.
"I can fight ya know," she said matter-of-factly. Robin kicked away the crumbling remains of his opponent. His eyes wandered about until they fixed on something up in the sky in horror.
"Oh no." Flying in closer was a single formation of short range fighters.
"What're they packing?" asked Cyborg.
"Who knows," said Robin sheathing his sword. "Probably napalm." The constant sounds of gunfire, explosions, and screams were never ending. In fact with the sight of the incoming air raid the screaming only escalated. Just as Robin predicted the jets above head began dropping their payload and each time it erupted in a ball of flame which seemed to flow like water. This in turn created huge crowds of people running in all directions, desperate to escape a most horrible way to die. The jostling crowds pushed past the Titans in a mad frenzy, some knocking each other down and clawing one another to get through. Still from out of nowhere soldiers would appear and shoot any came within their line of sight. Not all the jets above head dropped napalm, some released rockets similar but more potent than that of an RPG. Robin came to a stop when he realized that in the ensuing chaos he was no longer among his friends. 'Not again'. Directly to his left a group of soldiers stepped out of an ally and took aim at random targets. Without thinking Robin threw down a number of smoke grenades. Out of the blinding smoke flew several spinning disks. When the smoke cleared, all but one lay dead with a slit throat. The last one stood still, the disks all stuck in the bricks on either side of him. He smiled and chuckled evilly at Robin's lack of more ranged weapons. Just as he raised his rifle Robin also raised a remote looking device. He pressed the only button with an equally wicked grin. The lone soldier snapped his head between the disks which had begun to beep madly. At the second that it finally dawned on him the disks on either side of rifleman blew up like a set of claymores. He pocketed the device and decided to be on his way.
"Robin!" He turned and saw Elm waving him down not far ahead. Then a sound high above him grabbed his attention. Robin began sprinting in Elm's direction as a jet overhead began to fly low behind him. Robin looked back only once and at that time he saw the jet launch a single missile. As fast as Robin could push himself to run the missile was quickly closing in on him. Elm eye's widened and his mind went to work. Suddenly an idea came to him and just in time. He threw his hands forward and commanding a strong gust of wind pushed the missile off course as far as possible. The screaming rocket went off on a tangent and struck a bus. It was nearly caught up with Robin thus the force of the explosion blew him aside and into a dumpster. He staggered to feet with Elm's quick assistance.
"Where is everyone?!"
"Come with me!" They shouted over all the noise. They hadn't gone far when a hysterical middle-aged woman yanked at Robin and pulled them aside. She spoke through a torrent of words in a language Robin knew to be Arabic. He tried to pull away but she wouldn't let him go.
"What is she saying?!" They ducked to avoid a few stray bullets. Elm listened to her for a few seconds.
"Uhh…She-She-She can't find her children; a son and a daughter!" Robin looked about but saw no one that could possibly be her children. It pained him but he had no choice. He grabbed Elm but the sleeve.
"Tell her we can't help her now!" Elm tried to explain but by the time he'd found the words Robin was already moving and Elm had to join him. Rubble flowed all around them, from buildings and streets alike. Bodies were seen everywhere bloodied, cleaved, and all manners that vampire might kill someone. A group trying to escape fell in ambush to a number of vampires jumping down from the rooftops. What people were left within the confines of Jerusalem were stuck there and escape was no longer an option. With the whole of Markus' army flooding the city the outskirts remained relatively unguarded. Lee, Shandrey, Nayia, Cyborg, and Susan waited anxiously for any sight of their two friends. Soon they saw Robin and Elm emerging from the smoking and burning backdrop that was Jerusalem. Elm stopped and turned back to look somberly at what used to be his home. Robin urged him onward and lightly slapped him off the back.
"Welcome to the club."
KITSUNE VALLEY…………….
Within a short amount of time Shandrey's teleportation did return and trip back to the valley was a short one. Also contrary to Isard's propaganda the Valley was not destroyed but was in fact just as rebuilt and pristine as when they left it. They got Susan comfortably settled in as quickly as possible. With an ability like hers it was only natural that she felt exhausted almost all the time. Robin stood leaning over the railing that overlooked the valley below. Cyborg quietly made his way out onto the walkway. He saw his friend looking down at the people quietly living their lives despite the recent attack. It was as if Robin were angry that they could just go on living so calmly when so many were being slaughtered all the time. Robin became aware of Cyborg's presence only when he was mere feet from him.
"I'm going after her Cyborg." He figured that would be the first thing out of Robin's mouth.
"Okay, I'll get everyone ready-"
"I'm going alone…Cyborg." Cyborg regarded him dejectedly.
"No man, you can't. You faced some tough guys in the past but none of them like Markus."
"That doesn't matter. We lost Raven, we lost Beast Boy…….no one can come with me. That way no one but myself will be in danger." Cyborg looked away hopelessly. "But like you said, we've gone up against some pretty bad guys before." Cyborg strained his face.
"Mmm not really pretty, overdressed maybe." Robin lowered his gaze with a chuckle. "You know you can't go into this without backup." Robin however had become a stone that wouldn't move for anything, not even an old friend.
"This started with me and Starfire it's gonna end with me and Starfire." Cyborg finally understood Robin's mentality. There was nothing he could say to change the vampire slayer's mind. Robin was going to save Starfire; his will was set and only death would break it. Nodding Cyborg turned to go back inside and tell the others of Robin's decision. He stopped midway and looked back at Robin over his shoulder.
"You know the way I see it only ten percent of vampire hunting is for the greater good, the rest is payback." Robin's smirk confirmed his thoughts that at that moment Cyborg couldn't have put it more clearly.
-----
Lee slowly pushed Shandrey's door open. Now that she had returned to their home of several years she had many of her original belongings at her disposal. He saw her packing numerous items into a bag that would be slung over her shoulder.
"I suppose you think you're going to stop me from going," she said without looking up. Lee rested against the door folding his arms.
"That was not my intention."
"Good," she said rather quickly. "Because Robin's not going to stop me either."
"He is intent on going alone."
"Yeah well…Robin will just have to suffer. Besides if I know Robin he'll want the speediest way to Markus' castle and Elm can only teleport as far as the eye can see. I'm the obvious choice of partner."
"Quite logical," agreed Lee. He never stopped looking at her with a small smile. "And Elm's powers fade if he does not consume some form of nutrition."
"Exactly," said Shandrey who was too welcoming of support to realize she was deliberately being led along. He stealthily left his post within the room's threshold. "Not that I have anything against Elm it's just-" She felt herself being turned around and Lee was swift but gentle enough to capture her mouth with his own. The bag she was holding fell to the ground without a second thought. She let herself forget why she had even gone into her room to begin with. Her eyes closed and she quite nearly drifted into slumber. When they broke away she barely opened her eyes.
"She is your sister, not his. If you do not end it she never will." Shandrey balanced her forehead against his.
"I'm scared." She took a few ragged breaths. "I'm scared of her." He cupped her chin to make her look up.
"You believe you can defeat her?" With a sniffle she nodded. "Good, then I am not the only one." She smiled and let a hand rest on his shoulder. "I love you." Shandrey wanted to ask him what he said, perhaps to see if he meant it. But either she decided that because of the type of person Lee was it was unnecessary or she was just so stunned by his words; either way Shandrey remained silent. "Never ceasing."
"Lee…"
"Don't listen to her; power is no gauge for a person's soul. Yours is beautiful Shandrey, and I would not have you any other way." She pulled him forward and hugged him tightly. "Now…" She reluctantly parted herself. "Nayia has asked me to give you this." He held up Nayia's short sword. "She said it is perfectly suited for your waterbending." For a moment Shandrey was about to decline on moral principle. "I should remind you she is as stubborn as you are." This brought an almost sultry smile to Shandrey's face. She took it from him without objection.
"Tell her thank you for me." Lee brought her forward for one more kiss.
"Tell her yourself when you return."
----------
Outside Robin readied what supplies he was bringing with him; various types of grenades designed by Cyborg, sherikans from Lee, and of course he carried his sword out with him in its sheath. Shandrey walked out with her slim back slung diagonally across her person. An inner lining provided a water reservoir for backup or emergencies.
"I seem to remember saying I was going alone," said Robin.
"Uh huh, and I seem to remember that I'm the one who can get you there in three seconds flat." He didn't like the idea of having to worrying about anybody else besides him and Starfire on this run.
"You take me there and then you leave got it?" Shandrey then began looking herself over from head to toe. "What're you doing?" She finally looked back at him but continued to pad herself down.
"I'm sorry…I can't seem to find the sign hanging on me that says, 'Property of Richard Grayson'." Robin rolled his eyes. "I'm going with you because my own fight is waiting for me." He'd been beat, and he knew it.
"Fine, then let's not waste anymore time talking." Smiling Shandrey followed him up to the summit of the valley.
CASTLE CORVINUS, Iceland………………..
The weather outside was a storm of wind, snow, and ice. Daylight was mere hours away and it was just nearly above freezing without the wind. However Markus and his captive company, Starfire, sat within the warm confines of the main hall of his castle. An enormous fire as well as several dozen candelabra provided light to the large room. Markus turned away from his view of the outside. Starfire sat in a chair by the fire completely unbound but sitting rather stiff.
"Oh Nightingale, I hate to see you in discomfort." She folded her arms.
"Then release me." He poured himself a dark crimson liquid from a bottle and sighed.
"A prisoner is a prisoner, I am afraid there's no going around that."
"Robin will come for me," said Starfire strongly. Markus nodded and sat down across from her.
"I agree, in fact I have no doubt that he is on his way as we speak. That is unless Moira gave the wrong location." Starfire hung her head. Biting her lip she looked up at him with a tear.
"Are you going to turn me?"
"Yes." Starfire didn't want to beg, especially to him but what other choice did she have? If she did nothing then she would end up as a bloodthirsty monster again. "Soon the world will have its beautiful and mysterious Nightingale back and by my side."
"You have a queen," said Starfire quickly hoping his mind would become distracted by Moira's physical charms. He chuckled admiringly of the thought regardless.
"One thing I don't mind taking from the Mormons is polygamy, now that's the way to live." He raised his glass in salute. She went do far as to reach out and grab his arm; a gesture which he did turn his full attention to.
"Please….do not-please…I do not want to be a vampire." He smiled down at her and ran his fingers through her hair.
"The night Rafael presented you to me my perspective was altered indelibly. I am the Lord of the Vampires; wealth and power are mine in abundance I envied no man. That is however, before I saw your arm entwined with his." Starfire sat herself back down. Before the Trepanning ritual had cured Starfire she always felt torn by her feelings for both Robin and Rafael. Markus could see she was thinking of him. "Asmodeus was an extraordinary man was he not?" Starfire absently nodded then shook her head.
"No! He was just as evil and conniving as you and every other vampire."
"That is where you are wrong Nightingale. Rafael Asmodeus was more than a vampire among vampires; he was a man of brilliance and stature. And then the Dragon killed him; bringing further ruin to an illustrious line of vampires." Starfire nodded, proud to hear that Robin had shaken vampire's foundations as he had. "This will not stand."
"In the end Robin will be victorious," declared Starfire.
"We will see."
----------
Robin and Shandrey had little to no difficulty in finding a way into the castle. The weather outside was still horrendous, as if it was ever anything but. They found themselves in the entrance hall where Robin and Markus actually met for the first time.
"This is where we split up," said Robin. "You go find Moira and I'll take Markus."
"Wait a minute you don't know if Starfire will be able to help you. What if you get killed?" He shrugged nonchalantly.
"Well I'll just try not to do that." He began walking away. "I mean I know it means a ton of paperwork." Shandrey shook her head but went her own way. The castle interior was dark and as frigid as the outside air. She aimed a flashlight about to get a clear look at the way ahead of her. Anybody's common sense, including her own, was telling her avoid the long dark huge hallway. However this was war and sometimes to win you have to do stupid things. Before Shandrey took her second step the sound a door opening and closing caught her attention. She shined her light on where the sound came from and saw an open door being opened and closed by the howling winds. Something about the way the scene looked drew her closer. The cold air and bits of snow already stung her face. Once she was outside Shandrey saw that she found herself in an area large enough for a helicopter to land. Behind her Moira shut the door with a snap, making Shandrey spin around in place.
"Hi there. YA!" As Moira launched her attack so Shandrey anticipated it and using the endless snow around her conjured a thick shield. The force of Moira's attack was still enough to push the waterbender several feet away. Still gazing out at her sister Moira placed her hand on the door's lock and melted it into a solid mass. "On your feet Shannon! There is carnage to be had!"
Robin followed the light shining under the bottom edge of two large doors. He stood just before them and drew his sword. The overall darkness made it so that if it weren't for the light under the door there wouldn't be any sign of a partition. He pushed open one of the doors producing a loud resounding creak. Inside Markus stood waiting for him.
"So Dragon….we meet again at last. Your arrival is impeccable."
"We aim to please."
"I fear that had you kept me waiting any longer I would have given into my hunger and sunk my teeth right in." Robin darted his eyes about for the real reason he was there to begin with.
"Where is she?"
"What fun would that be, I'm sure that we'll run into her sooner or later-" Markus didn't get to properly finish his sentence. Robin sprinted forward with his sword raised high. Markus skipped backwards letting Robin's sharp point dive into the floor instead. Robin was then forced to in a sense dance around his sword so as to avoid both of Markus' great wings. Eventually Markus adapted to Robin's movements and hit him square in the chest. The blow knocked his feet out from under him Robin fell face first to the floor. His sword still stood upright stuck in the floor. He reached out for it but the vampire lord seized his hand and pulled him close. "Davati krv" (Give me your blood). He then threw Robin, almost gliding across the floor, into a bookcase. Robin's vampire lingo was a little rusty but the message was clear enough. Several large tomes rained down on him, some hitting some bruised and/or sensitive areas. He got to his feet and fixed his eyes on his sword. Markus spread his wings out fully, like a cobra showing off the skin around its neck. Robin could see that with Markus now taking up a defensive posture getting his weapon back would be next to impossible. What he need was an advantage and it came from within one of his pockets. In a flash he threw down one of Cyborg's grenades and shut his eyes tight. The resulting flash filled the room with a light so bright it caused Markus pain to look at it. With his eyes still shut Robin ran forward and found the hilt of his sword still up in the air. He pulled it free and when it was safe to open his eyes he did and saw Markus still recovering from the flash. He ran around to Markus' back and utilizing the sword's curved nature slashed a deep cut. The vampire arched his back and cried out in pain. He drove his talons into the floor behind him trying to catch Robin in their strike. One swung about forcing Robin to duck low. Markus wheeled around, grabbed the end of Robin's coat and threw him at the two large doors. Robin was quick to recover. In a mad frenzy of anger and adrenaline he dashed forward and caught Markus in a tackle. Both combatants were driven across the room's length and crashed through the window into the open air. Robin had Markus to cushion his fall but that was a fleeting comfort. The moment Markus regained his bearings he eased a leg between them and kicked Robin away.
At the moment Shandrey was absorbed in keeping up a cascading watery sphere around her to repel Moira's attacks. She stopped the constant stream of fire she was using to bombard Shandrey's shield.
"Hmp! Is that all you can do Shannon!" Between both her hands Moira brought to life a large fireball and flung it at Shandrey. The impact with the shield destabilized it somewhat and skidded Shandrey back several feet. Adopting a frown Shandrey turned the whole sphere into a solid icy shell and then blew apart into a million shards. The shards spread forth from Shandrey in all directions. Moira covered her face with her arms which both became scarred and scratched from the tiny pieces of ice. Growling she took her arms away but just in time for a solid ball of ice the size of a softball to hit her in the face. Shandrey moved her arms about fluidically to keep constant control of all the water around her. Moira rose back to her feet, her nose bleeding almost profusely. She wiped it away with a quick sweep of her hand.
Shandrey then raised the snow around her into large arching walls of ice; on which she slid as though on a skateboard of some kind. Moira darted her eyes about as Shandrey proceeded to shoot icicle after icicle at Moira. This strategy quickly got under Moira's skin and with a rapid flick of her wrist she produced a fiery whip, which she used to lash mercilessly at Shandrey. The sudden change from defense to offense knocked Shandrey off her icy walls and forced her to take up the defensive. At first Shandrey could defend against the blows simply by intercepting each one with a water tendril. Then it appeared Moira began adding more fuel to her fire. The blows became harder and the heat she felt from them was getting more intense. Shandrey attempted to lash out with a whip of her own but it was mashed to the snow and evaporated under the extreme heat of Moira's. She beat the ground around Shandrey then aimed a few fire bursts at her. Shandrey rolled to the side then ducked out sight. Moira lost sight of her opponent and straightened back up. The billowing snow rushed past her eyes while she looked around trying to find anything that resembled a human outline. Smirking she began prowling the grounds around them.
"Timid little Shannon! You lack even dear mother's courage!"
Robin coughed a mouthful of blood onto the pure white snow. His widened eyes then spotted Markus' foot about to land on him. He jumped away and made a cut at the foot that tried to stomp on him. Markus jumped, effectively avoiding the swipe, and produced a sword of his own. Their weapons clanged against each other in one on one combat. Robin parried a downward hack, dodged a diagonal swipe, and then wheeled around with a slash of his own. The aim was true and cut another long gash in Markus' stomach. But like the first cut to his back it only lasted seconds before regenerating and closing up completely. Whatever the unfair advantages that were against him Robin kept fighting still. He fought until it hurt to move his arm but kept going all the same. He tried for a kick but Markus leapt up into the air and his wings carried him into the shrouding darkness and whirling snow. It was anyone's guess where Markus had gone to, the even if it wasn't pitch black outside the snow would still have made it impossible to see.
"ROBIN!" He whirled around and saw Starfire chained to a tall steeple. Worse yet was that lighting was beginning to make its presence known.
"STARFIRE!!" He took a step towards her but his course was radically changed when Markus swooped down and threw him backwards. The winged vampire rose up into the air until he was level with Starfire.
"This will only end in blood!" He shouted over the wind. "As do all things!" Without a response from Starfire Markus returned to his battle with Robin. He flew down and glided a few feet off the ground. Robin saw him coming and threw a few sherikens from his hands. Markus corkscrewed through the air in a whirling dodge but failed to compensate for when he wanted to stop. He zoomed past Robin as though jousting with him and in so doing suffered a puncture in his right wing from Robin's sword. "ARRGGHHH! Ohhh you human germ!" He pulled his sword back out of its sheath and slowly closed in on Robin. Starfire watched with dismal anguish at the battle below and how she was unable to help. She then noticed how her bonds seemed slackened in their grip. Looking down Starfire saw with immediate delight that one of Robin's sherikens had not been intended for Markus but were in fact Starfire's ticket to freedom.
Moira wandered into an area that was covered by a stone roof which was supported by several pillars on each side. She wondered how here sister was able to elude her like this, it's not as though there were many places to hide. "Come out Shannon, we all must die sometime."
Shandrey did just that. As Moira passed by the pillar she was hiding behind Shandrey jumped out and cracked her in the jaw. She threw several more punches at her evil sister, some dodged and others were knocked away. Moira grabbed Shandrey's latest blow out of the air and hissed menacingly. With Shandrey's arm still in her vice-like grip Moira threw Shandrey against the pillar repeatedly until the waterbender's lower lip was covered in blood. Going for the hat trick Moira grabbed hold of Shandrey's head and began to ram her forward again. This time Shandrey threw her feet up against the pillar and kicked off as hard as she could. Both she and Moira were thrown backwards and began wrestling in the snow. Shandrey, with her back lying on top of Moira, brought her elbow down onto Moira's throat.
"Omp!" Moira croaked through the pain and sudden loss of breath. In a fight that would rival two angry cats both Moira and Shandrey left all standards aside and simply clawed at one another for a moment. Finally they broke apart and scurried to their feet. When they met again Shandrey pulled out Nayia's sword and plunged it straight into Moira's stomach. It was obviously not a vital part of a vampire's body for Moira only looked impaired for a short moment. She looked down at the sword for a moment then scoffed. "Hmm, pretty." Thinking quickly Shandrey uncapped the lining of bag and water swirled up her arm and length of her sword then impaled Moira to the pillar as a frozen spike. Shandrey wiped the blade clean.
"Very pretty." Seething with primal anger Moira grasped the large spike and melted to no more than viscous water. Upon landing back to the ground she hit Shandrey with a ball of flame and knocked her too into a pillar. Nayia's sword fell from her hand and disappeared in the snow. Both girls balanced on their knees and breathed heavily. They looked at one another while their panting steadied their racing heartbeats. Shandrey's deep brown eyes met Moira's icy blue irises. Moira straightened up using the pillar behind her for support. Shandrey remained balancing on her knees and read look in Moira's eyes. Shaking her head Shandrey stretched out her hand.
"Moira….don't." Too late. Moira already threw her hands forward launching a powerful stream of flame. Shandrey did the same and both their core powers met in mid air. All Shandrey needed to do was draw more water from the snow around her. Moira gritted her teeth from the ever increasing strain of maintaining such an attack with all the moisture in the air. Unbeknownst to her, perhaps even to Shandrey herself, a rising wall of snow was forming behind Shandrey. Moira inched closer as their powers mingled at the center and pushed against one another. "MOIRA STOP!" Moira added the last amount of her strength into her attack and continued to push. She even began to sweat blood. The snow behind Shandrey had melted and was now a growing mass of water. Moira finally gave up on burning her sister alive and went for a more direct approach. She dropped her attack and leapt forward. Shandrey saw Moira coming at her with her mouth wide open and fangs ready to dive right in. But to Moira's misfortune Shandrey was ready and with her arms thrown forward the waterbender prompted a tsunami force tidal wave that rocked Moira and any form of debris all the back from where they'd entered the premises. When the powdery snow finally cleared, Shandrey saw Moira staggering back into their battleground. The wind around them was dying down and dawn began creeping up over the horizon. Shandrey's mouth dropped as Moira got closer and closer. Blood streamed down her face and pieces of debris stuck in her here and there. Shandrey began to wonder if 'Alive' or 'Dead' meant anything to Moira by now. Moira then came to a halt and began choking. Looking down she finally noticed what Shandrey was actually concentrating on. During the ensuing tidal wave a piece of wood had stuck into her chest. A wooden stake had pierced the firebending vampire's heart. As she slowly looked back up at her Shandrey noticed the blue leaving Moira's eyes to be replaced by her original brown.
"Sh-S-Sh….Shannon…" Shandrey watched as Moira fell onto her back and slowly crumbled in a mess of fire and ash. Shandrey fell to her knees and softly wept for her sister.
MEANWHILE……………..
It didn't take long for Starfire to free herself and join Robin in battle. Though it angered Markus greatly to see the drama in his plan ruined, he mentioned nothing of it. What was the point really? He was going to kill them both anyway. Just as with Moira and Shandrey, Robin and Starfire began to notice daylight was approaching. Currently Markus clanged his weapon against Robin's while also dodging Starfire's starbolts. For Markus flying had become difficult since Robin carved a hole in one of his wings. As Starfire flew in for a swift kick Markus swung out with one of his talons and knocked her out of the air. Robin spun his sword off his back in order to block a blow directed there. He parried more slashes at waist and chest area then lunged forward. Markus did so at the same time resulting in a momentary stalemate between the two. Both held their swords outstretched at one another and both out of reach of each other by just an inch. The etched dragon marking on the broadside of Robin's blade caught some of the rising sun. Markus longed to end this battle sooner rather than later and assaulted Robin thusly. He slashed a talon first up Robin's leg then across his chest. The former boy wonder staggered back baring his teeth in pain. The ice cold snow around him didn't make matters much better.
"I will eat your beating heart before your dying eyes Dragon!" Out of the fog of the snow came Starfire. Like a hawk she swooped down and carried Robin up and away. He was still a little dazed from the wounds he'd just sustained but quickly gained his bearings. Starfire flew them about the many turrets and flying buttresses laid for support. Starfire caught Markus following them a few times and would fire a starbolt to make him fall back. After not seeing the vampire for some time now however both grew nervous. As Starfire flew by another buttress Markus reached out and grabbed her ankle. The sudden stop made her loose her grip on Robin thus he went falling back to the ground.
"ROBIN!" Markus handed off Starfire's ankle to his talons and held her upside down before him. It was clear he intended to take her out of the battle taking in some much needed energy all at the same time. Starfire however had other plans; from both hands she shot several starbolts at the buttress he was under. It fell and knocked him on the head. The distraction was long enough so that Starfire could take hold of his shoulders. With all the force she could muster Starfire then threw back down to the ground. Howling with frustration Markus spread his wings and jumped back up into the air. He was quickly intercepted by a piece of stone Starfire had ripped free from the castle wall. Just after being hit by the rubble Starfire unleashed a powerful blast from her eyes. "HIYYA!" Markus careened clear across the sky nearly a mile until he was finally stopped by a bell tower. He burst through the ceiling, bounced against the large bell and fell down on the nearby catwalk.
Starfire landed beside Robin and helped him to a sitting position. "Robin! Are you…" She meant to ask if he was okay but stifled her question as she thought it plain and obvious.
"I'm still alive Star." She placed a hand to his cheek and groaned.
"Ohhh, you are freezing."
"Still have a job to do," he mumbled. "Markus' still alive, you're still trapped here……gotta stay alive….gotta keep fighting." She supposed he was talking more to himself.
"Robin! Starfire!" They turned their heads as Shandrey came running up to them. Robin limply saluted her.
"Yo." Shandrey stopped and raised her eyebrows at the sight of Robin's bruised, broken, and battle torn body.
"Oh God would you look at you."
"What has become of Moira?" asked Starfire. Shandrey didn't answer but lowered her head instead. Robin nodded and with Starfire's help stood up straight. "Markus will return shortly, we should leave while we-"
"No!" he protested. "I'm going to end it now. And I know just how."
"How?" asked Shandrey.
"It'll be tricky…but…..I'm sure you can do it." She frowned in confusion.
"Me? Can do it? What are you talking about?"
"No there's no time to explain! Just-"
----
Markus climbed up through the hole he'd made and gazed at his distant enemies. Stretching his neck about he spread his wings and rang the bell only once for all to hear. "For whom the bell tolls Dragon." He then took flight and set his will to kill.
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Robin looked ahead at the slowly approaching figure of Markus. "He's coming, Shandrey sword." Shandrey, who had found Nayia's sword, unsheathed it and tossed to Robin. He caught it with a twirl and took several breaths. "You ready?" Shandrey nodded. "Okay Star…..throw me!" Reluctant but compliant Starfire suddenly grabbed Robin by the back of his garments and heaved him up into the air straight at Markus. Screaming as he flew Robin readied the two swords in his hands as the winged beast flapped its way directly at him. The wind seared his face and snow stuck to him like frosty bees. The sounds of Markus' wings echoed along with Robin's battle cry. Markus and Robin saw the whites in each other's eyes the moment they were within reaching distance. Robin veered himself off and slashed the two swords as he passed by. Markus screeched unearthly and stopped flapping. Starfire moved aside as the vampire lord crashed into the ground, not stopping until he slammed into the foot of the castle wall. Not far from the bell tower Shandrey transported herself in the nick of time. From the remainder of the snow in that area Shandrey formed giant whirlpool that caught Robin in his trajectory and slowed his decent. He fell through the swirling pool and landed on top of Shandrey in a heap.
Starfire slowly walked up to Markus, he lay curled up where the ground and castle met. She could barely him groaning in pain. The sounds of feet crunching in the snow arose. Shandrey supported Robin with his arm over her shoulder. They approached Starfire who immediately lent a helping hand. One of Markus' hands suddenly reached up and grasped the stone wall. The three of them paused, was he seriously still going to fight them? As they were now there was no way they could stand a chance for long. Instead of engaging them further however Markus merely leant against the wall and bowed his head from exhaustion.
"Born in blood, baptized in blood, defeated in blood…." Robin swallowed hard. "In the end…it is all coated with blood. You have accorded yourself to your title well…….Dragon." In a small sense Markus was a man of honor and could accept defeat gracefully. Robin quietly motioned to Starfire and Shandrey with a jerk of the head. They turned him away and began making their way out of Markus' castle. Robin's lasts cuts were true to their mark. As they departed they heard the familiar sounds of a body falling apart and foul smell of burning flesh that followed.
Wow, if you guys don't review and tell me what you thought of that behemoth of a chapter I will be sorrrrely disappointed. It is after all a record for me. Just one more left and this story is history. Sad but it's the way things are. Laters!
