snatiT neeT nwo tnod I(read it backwards)
Chapter 8: The hunt is on
The Titans stood mouth agape, frozen with shock. "What?" Robin asked, knowing full well what was just said. Kardol remained frozen in place, his tears drenching the blankets below. "....i couldnt stop him." he wispered. "Who?" Beast Boy asked, slowly walking towards the giant. Kardol still didnt move. ".....he took her," he said, his voice slightly louder than before, "he took her.....HE TOOK HER!" he roared, causing the Tower to shake slightly. He shot up, ignoring the extreme pain in his back. The Titans jumped back in fear as Kardol stood with his back turned to them, breathing heavily. The Titans looked at each other, confused on what do. Starfire felt sorry for Kardol, and flew over in front of him. Kardol looked at her, a strong anger present in his eyes. "It is alright," she said in a conforting tone, "if he has taken her, then we will retrive her back." Kardol looked at her for a moment, then turned around. "I dont need your help, got it?" he said in his usual ice cold tone.
"Ok man, what is your deal?" Beast Boy asked forcefully, "She's just trying to help you!" Kardol growled at him. "I dont need her, i dont need you, i dont need anybody!" he yelled. Cyborg crossed his arms and stared at Kardol. "So you dont need Raven?" he asked sternly. The Titans looked at Cy for a second before turning thier gaze back to Kardol. Cyborgs words had hit home, but Kardol refused to show it. "She's my sister, and i dont need help to find my own family!" he yelled. Cy just continued staring at him. "Well, she's our friend," he said, "we care about her too, you know." Kardol growled lowly at Cy before cringing in pain. His disslocated wings had finally caught up to him and he droped to his knees. Cy smirked slightly. "Look man," he said, "your not going anywhere with that injury and your definetly not going anywhere without us." Kardol glared at Cy as Robin knelt down to him so that thier faces met. He looked at Kardol with sirious eyes. "Why do you care so much about someone you just met a few days ago?" he asked. Kardol seemed to calm down a little as he held his head low with sorrow. ".....she's all i got now," he said softly, "ever since my mother died, ive been all alone." Robin smiled at him. "Well, you dont have to be alone right this moment." he said, holding his hand out. Kardol looked up at him for a moment. After a long pause, his face regained its regualr stern look as he noded, grabing Robins hand. Everyone smiled as Robin helped him up.
"So, what now?" Beast Boy asked. Starfire flew up to Kardol and gently picked up one of Kardol's broken wings. "First we must mend these wings." she said. Kardol turned his head at her and smirked. "Let me save you the trouble." he said as he motioned for her to let go. She did so, and instantly they shot up in the air, Kardol's face showing signs of pain. His left eye twiched as the joints of his wings buldged for a moment. There was a disturbing snap as the bone poped back into place, casuing the Titans to give him horrified looks. Kardol arched his back, causing more pops of bone and cardilage. Finally the pain showing in his face subsided, and he flaped his newly healed wings a few times before folding them back onto his back. "Dude...thats......awsome!" Beast Boy said cheerfully. "Speak for yourself, man." Cyborg said, looking sick to his stomach. Kardol ignored their idle chatter and looked around the room. He walked over to Raven's bed and picked up its sheets. He held them upto his nose and siffed them a few times. "I can follow her scent." he said, sniffing the sheet a few more times. "Good idea," Robin said, "but we should split up just in case. Beast Boy, see if you can help him out." BB noded and walked over to Kardol. "The rest of us will search sepratley. Search under every rock, tree, anyywhere they could be." Robin ordered. Cy and Star noded as Kardol and BB stood ready. "Titans, go!" Robin said, and they all bolted out of the room.
Raven's eyelids slowly rose, although she didnt feel like waking up. Her head was spinning, the past events a colorful blur to her. All she wanted to do now was just sleep, just close her eyes and not worry about what happend. Then she realized she wasnt in her own bed. She shot up with a jolt, gasping for air. Indeed, she wasnt in her bed at all. She sat under the covers of a huge four post bed, decorated with gold and other semi-precious stones and metals. Lace and other ellegant cloths covered the bed. What was more surpriseing was the room she was in. The bed sat in the middle of a circular room, huge pillars lining the peremeter. She looked up to see a golden dome through the thin lace covering of the bed. What the? she thought. She quickly tried her best to remember what happend. But the last thing she remembered was......
The soft sound of a liquid being poured caught Ravens attention, and she shot her head to the right. "You...." she said sternly. Siting not 25 feet away was Kardak, a stone table next to him. He was pouring a golden liquid from some kind of bottle into a small shot glass. He looked up at the sound of her voice and smiled. "Well, 'bout time you woke up." he said, "You've been out for hours." Raven glared at him as he set the bottle on the table and held the glass up offeringly. "Scotch?" he asked, twirling the liquid around. "Its a very fine year." Raven narrowed her eyes at him. "No thanks." she replied angrily. Kardak rasied an eyebrow at her. "Meh, suit yourself." he said and downed the drink swiftly. Raven looked around the room. "Where am i?" she asked, fearful they wern't on Earth anymore. "Why, your in my summer vaction home." Kardak said with a grin. Raven look at him. "So.....we're still on Earth?" she asked. Kardak laughed. "Of course we are," he said, "I cant cross entire demensional boundries. Only father can do that." Raven glared at him and noticed she wasnt chained to the bed or anything. She wondered why, but that thought was quickly replaced by a sudden urge to attack. She balled her fists, pulled the covers off and leapt towards Kardak. However, a bright blue light flashed, and Raven found herself on the bed, flat on her back. She looked up and saw some kind of blue lighting flashing at the edge of the bed. "I wouldnt do that again if i were you." Kardak said, grining. Raven shook her head and held her hand up the the bed's edge. The blue light flahsed again, and a stinging feeling shot through her arm. She pulled her hand back in shock while Kardak poured himself another shot of Scotch. "Fool..." he said as the drink slowly filled to the glass' rim.
Raven realzed she was traped in this bed and decided to give it up.....for now. She leaned aganst the headboard and looked down, and was shock to see what she was wearing. Her usual dark blue leotard was gone, and in its place a silky smooth black leather garment. Its top went down to her gut, exposing her belly button, and a black skirt went down to her knees. Black boots covered her feet, and long gloves were placed on her hands. "Whats this?!" she demanded, causing Kardak to look up. "Oh, that," he said, "I simply made you a little more presentable for father. When he actually contacts me." he added, sounding annoyed. Raven glared at him, feeling a little violated. Kardak noticed her look and rolled his eyes. "Oh, please," he said, "dont worry. I may be evil, but im not that evil." Raven felt he was telling the truth, but still felt uneasy.
A long silence ensued, until Raven finally spoke up. "So, if father wants to find me so bad, why didnt he just come here himself?" Kardak, who was about to drink his Scotch, paused. "Appently there's more important buisness back home, so he sent me to play pick up." he said. Raven gave him a confused look. "Belive me, i dont like it any more than you do." Kardak said, the annoyed tone to his voice returning. Raven looked away and stared off into space. "Why?" she asked, thinking aloud, "Why cant he just leave me alone?" Kardak grined. "Father wishes to rule all, and he wants you to be at his side. For some reason he thinks you actually have a great deal of evil in you." he said, sounding annoyed still. Raven looked over at her brother. "Well, that will never happen." she said, confident. Kardak smiled as he twirled his Scotch. "Belive me, Raven," he said, "when he's done with you, you'll be thinking much differently." Raven glared at him as he held up his drink. "Cheers." he said and gulped it down.
Kardol always loved to fly. The wind flowing over his face, the gentle flaping of his wings. This time, however, he didnt have time to enjoy that. He, with Beast Boy close behind in hawk from, were following Raven's scent. The trail had led them over the mountains somewhere, miles from the city. They had been searching all night, and now the sun's rays were slowly creeping over the horizon.
Suddenly, to Kardol's horror, the scent dissapeared. He quickly flew downwards, landing with a loud thud in the forest below. BB landed behind him, resuming a human form. "Whats wrong?" he asked. Kardol, who was dessperately trying to pick the scent back up, answered, "Lost the scent." Beast Boy got a "oh" look on his face and transformed into a bloodhound. He began sniffing the ground, then perked his head up. Transforming back into human form, he pointed. "That way, i think." Kardol looked at him then began walking through the thick forest. Beast Boy ran up beside him. "So...." he said, trying to ease the mood, "know any good jokes?" "No." Kardol answered quickly. BB smiled. "Well, i do." he said, "Ok, this guy walks into a bar and-" "And i dont really care for them, either." Kardol interupted. Beast Boy's ears droped. "Oh.....sorry." he said. Kardol didnt look at him as they continued walking through the forest. BB then got a subject he might actually get a conversation started with. "So, is your dad as big as he was when i saw him?" he asked. Kardol stoped cold, looking at the green teen. "You saw him?" he asked, shocked. "Well, yeah," BB replied, "its kinda a long story." He told Kardol about the time Cyborg and him went into Raven's mind and fought her evil side, which had taken the form of her demonic father. "I see." Kardol said, sounding interested. He began walking again, Beast Boy running up to his side again. "Well?" he asked. Kardol glanced at him. "Bigger." he said. BB's ears droped again. "Oh..."
Kardol smiled at him then stoped suddenly. Beast Boy looked up at him. "What is it?" he asked. "They're close," Kardol replied, ".......i can hear them breathing." He ran off, running on all fours to achive maximum speed. Beast Boy fliped out his comumicator. "Guys, i think we found them. Get over here quick." he said. He press a button, activating the device's tracking chip, and ran off chasing Kardol.
Oooh, whats gonna happen next? Stay tuned to find out!