Sorry this one took a while to get out, but I had to go some where for a couple of days. I'm glad you all like the story so far, so I'll do my best to keep it up. Read and review please.
CH.9
Raven said her signature lines, Beast Boy became a lion, Cyborg charged his cannon, Lee unsheathed his sword, and Aurora empowered her fists. They circled around Ream and each formed in their minds a unique version of him being defeated. He looked around at each of them his smile not fading. Raven didn't show it, but she was actually anxious to get the show on the road. Over the past few days she had found a blossoming grudge between her and Ream; now it was time to see just who was stronger.
"These are such terrible odds", said Ream softly. "I thought you people were supposed to be the honorable heroes who played by the rules". Cyborg fired his cannon at him and Ream moved aside to dodge it. "Fool, your conventional weapons cannot harm me". Cyborg growled and fired a shot dead on, Ream's whole body suddenly became transparent and the blast passed right through him. The Titans all dropped their mouths and stared. This was going to be harder than they thought. Lee shot a glance at Beast Boy and the two of them rounded on Ream. Beast Boy made an attempt to pounce on Ream who simply allowed BB to pass through him. Lee ran up and made numerous left and right wipes, some that Ream blocked and others that he let pass through. Ream pushed Lee down on his back and before he could do another move Lee shot up and went for a head slice. Ream went ghost and grabbed Lee while he was still in the air. He threw him away as a line of blue starbolts suddenly began pouring themselves onto him. He ran about avoiding the blasts and Cyborg's cannon. He reached up and fired a ball of energy at Aurora who caught it in the shoulder and fell to the ground. Cyborg dashed up to Ream to give him a good punch across the face. Ream turned and caught Cyborg's fists, they continued their game of uncle while Robin got to his feet and helped Starfire up was well. Struggling against the half robot Ream glanced at her and looked back at Cyborg with an evil grin. He hit Cyborg with a psychic blast and threw him into the wall next to him. He moved over to Robin and Star. Raven found Lee and helped him up.
"We've got to stop him now"!
"How exactly? He's a ghost", said Lee.
"Half ghost, going transparent must require some concentration. You and the others keep him busy and I'll take care of the rest". Lee nodded and removed a sherikan from his belt and charged after Ream and let the disk fly. The sharp blades unfolded and whizzed straight at him. He turned but didn't react fast enough; the spinning blade slashed him across the living half of his face and left a sizable cut. Lee caught the disk upon its return and smirked. Ream narrowed his eyes and saw Lee, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Aurora preparing another assault. He then began to chant his own words and the ground started to shake. The Titans stopped and suddenly found themselves surrounded by a number of other ghosts, obviously created by Ream.
"WHAT", shouted Beast Boy. "Great! One half ghost was bad enough. Now we've got twenty whole ones"! Raven made a shield around them which gave them limited protection.
"They're only energy manifested in the desired form. Let's get rid of them quickly and get back to Ream". The shield dropped and the brawl commenced. Ream then waved his hand in the air and gestured to Starfire.
"Koriand'r", he said. Star's eyes widened, she could hear him inside her head. "Speak to me my ally, aid me in my battle". A loud ringing suddenly filled Starfire and she fell to the ground clutching her head. Robin turned back and ran over to her.
"RRRRRRobin, He is tttrying to change me again", she said with difficulty. Robin watched as Star's eyes flickered between green and purple. Robin jumped up and threw an exploding disk at Ream who caught it with ease. He laughed and threw if off the side.
"Your not much good when your injured are you", he said not letting up on Star's brainwashing. She was on her hands and knees now, fighting back Ream with all her might. Robin tried to get to Ream but found he was suddenly frozen. Ream had him pinned Robin on the spot with a single thought and was still torturing Starfire into submission.
"There is nothing to be gained by resisting. Simply say 'I will serve' and you will feel no more". With gritted teeth Starfire looked up at Ream.
"I-I will serve NO ONE"!! She fired her eye beams at him and he was forced to stop his attack on her mind. She fell to the ground and Robin became free. He helped her up and they both readied themselves. Now extremely frustrated Ream decided she was better dead. A wave of black energy grabbed him and slammed him to the ground. He looked up to see Cyborg slam his foot down on the last ghost and Raven stepped in front of him. Ream got to his feet and stared Raven in the eyes. She felt the same shiver down her spine but didn't move.
"How dare you strike me witch! I who know you better than anyone"! He fired his energy at her and she did the same. The two forces met in the air and collided forming a swirling black and yellow ball at the center of the stream. Raven and Ream then began to struggle against the other's power.
"YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ME", Raven screamed at her Arch nemesis.
"Don't I? I know why you skulk in the darkness, why you keep to yourself, and why you continually hide your feelings for someone among your group". Raven struggled even harder; he was trying to distract her. The ball began to move its way toward Raven who felt herself being pushed back. The others watched from the side lines, Beast Boy however made a move to help her but was stopped by Cyborg.
"This is something she needs to do". Raven picked up her head and tried her beast not to lose her focus.
"GO TO HELL", she shouted.
"Been there, done that", replied Ream nonchalantly. Raven had enough, she began to chant.
"Azerath Metrion Zinthos. Azerath Metrion Zinthos. Azerath Metrion Zinthos". The ball then slowly came to a halt and began to move towards Ream. Now looking fearful he began to struggle even harder. Raven continued to chant, "Azerath Metrion Zinthos", and the ball moved closer to Ream. Closer and closer and closer untilââ..it touched him. Ream arched his back as he was then hit by both Raven's powers and his. He was then blown backwards and he fell off the side. The Titans all peered over the side and watched him slowly fall into the morning fog. Raven let out a heavy sigh and sat up against the railing.
"Awesome job Rae"! Exclaimed Cyborg. Raven moved over to Robin and Starfire and began to heal them. She did the job rather slowly as she was now quite tired. Starfire took another look over the side.
"Agreed Cyborg. You did wonderful Raven, perhaps that took care of the other half of him". Raven shrugged her shoulders and finished healing Starfire. She moved over to Robin but he held up his hand.
"Later, we should get out here. Aurora what's the fastest way out of here"? She turned and pointed to a small door.
"That utility hall should take us down and to the city gates, but you are correct we should leave now. It will not be long before reinforcements arrive". They all nodded in agreement. Cyborg helped Robin and they promptly left the scene.
ELSEWHEREâââââ.
A loud thud echoed throughout the throne room. Orion had slammed his fist into the wall out of pure fury. His followers watched with slight apprehension.
"That boy", he breathed. "That boyââ.INSULTS ME"!! He launched a red starbolt at a table in blew to splinters. He panted from loss of breath and calmed down. He paced back and forth going over the current situation. "Koriand'r has left my hand and those impudent brats have her back! This will definitely complicate things".
"Quite impressive for a mere human wouldn't you say", said one of his followers. Orion grinded his teeth and turned to him. He took him by the shoulder and slowly led him over to the window.
"If I wanted your commentary I would have commanded it of you", he said harshly. "Aren't you the one who never learned how to fly"? The young man slowly nodded. "Well! That is peculiar to me and a liability to YOU"! He picked him up and pitched him out the window. His screams died out as he fell to the ground. "Anyone else want to throw in their opinion"?! The hall was silent and Orion walked back over to the throne, sat down and rubbed his forehead. Another of his men stepped forward.
"I don't understand my lord. You have your army, you have the ships, what possible use could their be for the girl"? Orion hit the armrest to silence the speaker.
"This cannot be down without her, I need the royal influence she posses. If you would allow me to figure this out, then you might not die as well".
"You know what they'll try to do". Orion looked up at him. "They'll try to activate the beacon". Orion looked like he was about to have another outburst but restrained himself.
"You needn't worry about that. I've made sure none will even lay eyes on it". Orion motioned for him to step forward. He came over and leaned in to hear his orders. "Find her, bring her back here sedated, and if you should run into her boyfriend or the others then kill them"! He straightened up and nodded.
REJOINING THE TITANSââââââââââ..
The Titans had retired to their ship and began to rest up for what seemed like the largest battle they had yet to face. As they slept a lone hooded figure approached their ship and hacked his way into the security and forced to ramp to come down. Inside he found the place to be devoid of signs of life. That is until he heard Beast Boy's loud snoring from inside his room. He continued on and came to Robin's room. He slowly entered and walked up to his bed. Robin suddenly awoke and stared up at the intruder.
"What the?! Who are you", he asked and the door closed.
From inside her room Raven was sleeping but not having a pleasant time. She kept seeing visions of people running and screaming. She couldn't tell if the people were civilians or soldiers, or if the screams were battle cries or pleas for help. She then saw flashes of her and her friends each falling to the ground badly injured. She began to toss and turn and toss and turn when her door was flung open. She sat up surprised and saw Beast Boy standing there. Seeing that it was him she regained her calmness and sat off the side of her bed. He walked over and sat down next to her.
"Hey, uh, you okay"? She shook her head.
"Can't tell. I can see all of us falling against something but what it is I couldn't make out". Beast Boy looked concerned. "What"?
"The last time I dropped by your room in the middle of the night you were strangling yourself. I just wanted to make sure you were alright, you had a pretty tough fight with Ream". Raven nodded and looked down, she somehow got the feeling that they haven't seen the last of him. "Come on, they need us in the cockpit", said Beast Boy getting up.
"What is it", asked Raven getting her cape on.
"Don't know but Robin insisted that we come", replied Beast Boy. He walked out and Raven followed him. They came to the cockpit to find the rest of the team, Aurora, and the hooded man sitting in one of the chairs. Now that they were all present Robin turned to him.
"Alright I think you'd better explain yourself".
"As you wish" said a familiar voice. He got up and lowered his hood. Everyone in the room suddenly gasped as Count Liman himself removed his cloak. Starfire stepped forward.
"Your grace, why are you here"?
"I come on behalf of those whom I love". The all stared. "I only cooperated with him in order to save my wife and children. I now understand that I should have done so by fighting against him".
"So besides changing sides, why are you here", asked Cyborg. Liman activated their holo imaging and displayed the droid soldiers.
"You know what he's planning yes"?
"Yes we're well aware of all that", said Lee.
"Then you know of the odds your up against. You're hopelessly outnumbered, you need help".
"And from who do you suggest we get this help", asked Raven. Liman thought for a moment and looked at Starfire who almost read his mind.
"Oh no, oh no you can't possibly be suggesting what I think you are", she said backing up.
"If you are intent on stopping Orion then you have no choice", replied Liman.
"Star what is he talking about", asked Robin. Starfire gulped.
"The Tamaranian Imperial army", she said quietly. Beast Boy began scratching his head.
"Hey aren't those they guys you had thrown out of the city". He got a number of glares. "Shutting up now". Starfire turned back to Liman.
"I am the one who forced them out of their homes, why would they even consider following me"?
"But you didn't realize what you were doing", reassured Robin.
"Still even if I somehow managed to convince them to fight it would not be enough".
"Why? How many do you have", asked Cyborg.
"Exactly seven thousand two hundred", reported Starfire. Everyone was surprised at the small number. Lee was utterly perplexed.
"You mean on your entire planet your only have seven thousand warriors"?
"Our planet was just recently victorious in a battle against the Gordanians, we are still recovering", said Liman. They all considered their position. How was an army of seven thousand going to stand up against a force of millions? Aurora then thought of something.
"There may be a way to increase our numbers". They all looked interested. "The Centari Beacon". Both Starfire and Liman faces lit up while the Titans looked confused. Starfire cleared her throat.
"It was a gift to Tamaran from Centari 5 for aiding them in their battle against the Klendathans. It sits atop the tower on which I took you Robin". Robin raised an eyebrow. "Remember? The tower on which I asked you to be my king"? Robin then nodded in comprehension. "If ever Tamaran needed aid, we had only to light the beacon and they would send what troops they had".
"Then that's what we'll do", said Robin. He opened his mouth but saw Starfire had more to say.
"You should also know that it requires someone of Royal blood to active the beacon".
"Why am I not surprised", remarked Cyborg.
"Well they probably didn't want people going up and make prank phone calls", said Robin. "Lee, you Aurora and Liman find your way to the army's camp site. The rest of us will get to the beacon".
"That still leaves how you intend to get inside, Orion will undoubtedly be watching the skies for intruders", said Liman.
"Then in that case I say we go in from the ground floor", said Cyborg. Raven looked at him as if he were crazy.
"That thing is twice the size if the empire state building, do you have any idea what it will take to go up to the tip top by foot"?!
"Less talking", said Robin. Raven shot him a look. "We need to stop arguing about it. Cyborg's right, if flying won't work then we'll go up the old fashioned way". They all agreed and went off to their rooms to get ready.
Robin was in his room gathering up his stuff when he heard a knock on his door.
"Come in", he said. The door opened and in walked Starfire. "Yeah Star, what is it", he said putting his belt back on. She walked over to his bed and sat down.
"I am anxious to return to the citadel, and I don't mean the excited anxious feeling". Robin sat down next to her and she shook her head.
"I am sorry Robin I try to be valiant like you and my friends butââ."
"Star you seriously underestimate yourself", said Robin. "I am only as gung ho as you say I am because I know I have you and my friends to help me. Without you, without any of you, I would not be able to do the things that I have done". Starfire leaned against Robin.
"I just don't want anymore to get hurt because of me. I am not the rightful ruler of this world". Robin didn't want to say what came to his mind, but it was something she had to hear.
"Starfire you are and you know it. You will stop this man and we will all be there for you. I swore it once and I'll swear it again; I will never let anything happen to you". He held and she just wanted to forget about Orion and what was happening to remain their with Robin forever.
"You are brave, in a way that I may never understand". They laid back on the bed and fell asleep. Though only a few hours stood between them and their mission into the hornet's nest.
Well I wasn't too fond of this chapter. I don't know, I guess its one of those chapters where nothing really happens but you get a lot of info on the story. Oh well, tell me what you think and I'll go from there. Thanks for reading so far!