Without the Mask By Sava Varen
Quick Notes:
Hullo, long time no update. Sorry it took so long. My computer has been being a bitch to me for a while, but I'm back! Yes, me, the Almighty Lord and Master...big silence...Sava. Hehe, I've been watching too many Foamy videos...lol. I love that dumbass little squirrel...- Anyway, sorry for the long wait, but lets put that behind us. I'm back and I'm just about finished the finally for this story! but just settle for this chapter for now. - hehe. Lata!
Chapter: Taking the Lead
Terra cocked an eyebrow at the plate set in front of her. Captain Montgomry somehow, she didn't know how, figured out she was hungry and had given her this...this sorry excuse for food. She sniffed it and immediately jerked back.
"You call this food?" she asked in disbelief.
"Yes." Montgomry said simply.
"I don't know what planet you're from, but I happen to be from Earth. I don't eat food not from my planet!"
"Looks like you'll starve then."
"You need me! If I die you're whole plan is OVER!" she pushed the plate away and crossed her arms.
Montgomry frowned. "By your second day without food, that will start looking good, so for now you either eat it or not."
Terra sighed. As much as she didn't want to accept it, she knew he was right. Sooner or later she'd be desperate enough to eat it, so why delay? She gulped and picked up the fork. It looked like some sort of alien fish thing. Terra sighed and sat back in her chair.
'I don't even like Earth fish...' she thought helplessly.
She boredly glanced at the six-pointed fork.
'Six points?' she thought. 'Are they just TRYING to piss me off?'
After about five minutes of debating with the angel and devil on her shoulders, she finally stuck the six-pointed fork into a piece of the fish.
"Damn you little angel dork on my shoulder..." she said under her breath before placing the "food" into her mouth.
It tasted terrible! But she couldn't just not eat. So she did what she could to put up with what she had.
Once she finished, Montgomry took her to a conference room. The five commanders of the Crimson Crescentary were already waiting. Montgomry threw her into a chair and sat down at the head of the table. Terra knew what this was about. They were planning the take over of Markovia. She prayed to God that Slade and the Titans had already made it to Markovia and were ready for their arrival. If they weren't, Markovia and herself were doomed.
'I swear, if you was something done you've gotta do it yourself!' Slade thought angrily.
Immediately, he knew that was a very false statement. How many times had it been Terra who'd successfully carried out missions for him that he could just as easily do himself? He snarled and shook his head violently. He had to stop thinking of Terra. It was most likely going to drive him crazy. Fortunately, a faint knock sounded at the door.
"It's open." He said, his impatientness showing greatly in his voice.
"I am sorry to have disturbed you, but our plan has been set and we are ready anytime they arrive." Starfire said cheerfully and smiling.
"It's about time! I'm sure even Terra could've done all that in record time compared to these people!" Slade said angrily.
Starfire giggled. "Well, everything is arranged and--" Starfire was cut off suddenly by a loud, ear shattering alarm.
"This soon?" Slade said shocked. "No matter. Starfire, to your place!" he said over the alarm.
Slade ran quickly down the halls and into a secret opening in the wall of the castle. They'd land any minute now; he needed to be in his position so that he could snag Terra away from them. Once in his place, he searched around to make sure everyone else was in their places as well. They were, that was good. Everything was set and...Slade's eye widened. Terra and Montgomry were the very first off the ship. Terra had been forced to change into a red shirt and mini skirt. Over that was a crimson red colored cape. The hood of the cape was shrouded over her head, more than likely she was being forced to wear the hood as well. Her boots were an identical color as the cape.
"Crimson huh?" he whispered. "Well, I hate to break it to you, crimson isn't Terra's color!"
Slade's rage meter rose with each step Montgomry and Terra took. He had Terra by the back of her neck, guiding her the way he wanted to go. Terra wasn't enjoying this at all.
Once they made it to the stairway to the castle, they halted and Montgomry, to Slade's relief, let go of Terra to get closer to the stairs. He cleared his throat before speaking.
"Greetings citizens of Markovia. I am happy to inform you that your princess has returned to you at long last! Princess Terra Markov will take the throne and I will take the role of king at her side." Montgomry pulled Terra to him and wrapped his arm around her waist.
There was a loud gasping sound from the crowd. Slade's blood boiled at this, but not too much since Terra was clearly struggling with getting him away. It was a great relief to know she was still loyal. Montgomry stopped her struggling and pulled off the hood to reveal her fair, angelic face. It had only been about four or five days since he last saw her and she looked like she was growing into a beautiful woman right before his eyes! If it weren't for Montgomry's grasp on her (in places Slade greatly didn't approve of), the view of her would've been perfect. His heart jumped at the frightened look on Terra's face. The Crescentary were planning something. Something worse than Markovia's take-over.
Montgomry let go of Terra and walked up the steps. He opened his arms in presentment.
"There she is citizens. Princess Terra Markov!" he announced to the crowd.
The crowd gathered around her. Terra blushed at the great praise she was receiving from people she didn't even know.
"It's been so long since we've had a ruler to lead us!" one said.
"Oh, how you've grown!" said another.
"I held you in my arms when you were just a baby!" a third said reaching up and touching her face.
It was clear that everyone knew her. Terra shuddered at what Montgomry might do to these wonderful people if his plan succeeded. Terra smiled gently at them all in hopes that it would bring their spirits up a bit. She could sense a frightening mood about them through their joy of her return.
"You're so pretty your Majesty," a young girl said sweetly.
The little girl suddenly reminded her of Starfire. Long red hair, emerald eyes, golden skin...she could've been a relative for all Terra knew.
Suddenly, the Crescentary were holding weapons and Montgomry was making his way back to her while barking orders.
"Catch him! And anybody else in our way!" Montgomry yelled.
"What's going on?" she asked in a regal, powerful voice she was surprised to hear coming from her.
"Your friends seem to have figured out most of my plan," he said grabbing her arm and yanking her to him.
"Do not handle the princess in such a foul manner!" a man said angrily.
"Silence! I shall handle this girl any way I please! Speak up man, and reveal yourself!"
The man had a thick, brown cloak on covering every inch of him. From what anyone could tell, he was tall, muscular, and strong. For some reason, Terra got a feeling of safety from his presence...
"You will NOT handle Terra like that! Nor will you address her in such a disrespectful way!" he allowed his cloak to drop to the ground.
Terra gasped and smiled happily at the sight. "Slade!"
"Yes Terra, it's me." He then pointed at Montgomry. "Unhand her! Or I'll have to have the warriors of Markovia attack!"
Montgomry looked around and was shocked to see millions of men and women surrounding from the castle, village and forest. They either had guns or bows and arrows, all ready to shoot if the occasion called for it. Montgomery snarled angrily.
"I'll take over Markovia! And Terra will be the one to help me!" he said.
The members of the Crescentary created a wall around Terra and Montgomry, all their weapons at the ready. Slade held his hand up.
"I'm giving you one last chance to avoid a war you can't win. Give Terra to me and leave. We'll give you a days head start from the authorities if you do that much for us without resistance or complaint."
"No!"
The Crescentary fired. Slade jumped out of the way and the warriors took out some of the Crescentary to give Slade a way to get close enough to get Terra. Slade jumped over one of the tallest Crescentary and punched Montgomry hard in the face. He fell over and the others took aim at him. Most of them fell from attacks from behind, but one took direct shot at his arm.
"Slade!" Terra yelled as he let out a scream of pain.
He fell to his knees and held his wound. She put herself in the way of the remaining Crescentary's aim and wrapped her arms around him.
"You'll have to shoot me before you kill Slade!" she said in the same powerful tone if voice.
She ripped a bit of the rim of her shirt off and pressed it lightly against his wound.
"Hold on Slade, you'll be alright..." she said smiling weakly at him, he hair all messy from the struggle.
Suddenly, green bolts came showering from the sky around them. The Crescentary fell to the ground from the attack. Slade looked up to see Starfire waving down. Terra smiled happily up at her.
"Thank you Starfire!" she yelled waving.
"You are welcome old friend..." Starfire's expression turned to horror.
Terra turned around confused. Montgomry wasn't finished yet. He's gotten up and was aiming a .20 mm glock at Slade. The rest of the Titans appeared and tried to help, but Montgomry had an energy force field shield around him.
"Say goodbye to your precious love..." Montgomry said to Terra.
"NO!" Terra ran in front of Slade just as Montgomry pulled the trigger.
The bullet hit her chest. It dug an inch or two into it causing Terra agonizing pain. She screamed and felled to the ground cringing and squirming in pain.
"Terra...Terra..." Slade couldn't say anything from both pain in his arm and pain in his heart.
"Oh no!" Starfire gasped as she flew down to Terra's aid.
The citizens of Markovia were shocked at everything they'd seen. Montgomry laughed evilly.
"Now what do you make of your Princess? She's dead now." Montgomry laughed even louder and more evil.
Slade's eyes were widened as far as they could go, a few tears few from them under his mask. He did what her could to drag himself to Terra and lay his hand on her face.
"Terra..." he said in a small, hurt voice. "No..."