:: Finally! Chapter 8! And it's finally a long one, Lets!
Shiankra, sorry about how it seems, but it gets better, I promise!
Everyone else, thanks so much for reviewing!
Blah blah blah, I don't own them, just renting them...without...paying...
Gaia and Aqua are on loan from Lets! Thank you so much!
Enjoy! ::
-Chapter 8-
"Terra's lost or she's dead or something." Beast boy freaked out. "She should have been home two days ago and she should have at least called!"
"B.B., calm down, she'll be alright. Maybe she got delayed somewhere." Cyborg put a hand on the green one's head.
"Well, you try calling her!" Beast Boy said, switching animal forms in stress. He finally stopped at a horse when Raven pulled his snout down.
"Calm down or we'll do to you what is done to lame horses." Raven hissed. "I'll try calling her. Why don't you go get some fresh air." Beast Boy slinked away as Raven pulled out her communicator and tried Terra.
"Terra, do you hear me." Raven said. Nothing in response. She tried again, and, again was met with silence.
"Maybe we should go and look for her." Cyborg said sadly. "It's been at least three weeks."
"We can't leave the city, it would leave it open to attacks from whomever." Robin said.
"What about the Static and the Gear, they could help us, could they not?" Starfire asked innocently.
"They're in the same predicament we are. If they leave, there's no one to defend their city." Robin shook his head, frowning. He rubbed his brow, trying to think of a way to search for Terra.
"Maybe she is not on this world anymore." Starfire mumbled. "I will return as I am going to send a message to my home to ask them for any information."
"How would she get off the planet?" Cyborg said.
"Slade." Robin hissed.
--Two and half weeks before, after Terra's abduction--
Terra's eyes were dull, her hair was lifeless, held back by two butterfly clips that served to subdue her and repress memories. She had earned freedom from her bonds by serving her master well. She obediently shuffled to the door of the lair, and pulled it open to greet the guest.
"Welcome guest, do come in." She said heartlessly, stepping aside so the guest in flowing robes could enter. She quickly shut the door to keep the Arizona sands out and led the guest to the main room.
"You come at an opportune time. Master Slade is in today." She rattled off, pushed open exquisite doors to a plush room. "Please, have a seat; my master will be with you momentarily."
"Thank you, my dear." The guest nodded and took a plush chair.
"If you need anything, just call for me." She bowed slightly and left. She passed Slade on her way out.
"Bring us some fine drinks then retire to your quarters and await our call." He said, grabbing her chin and looking into her eyes.
"Yes, Master Slade." Terra said simply and waited for Slade to release her.
He dropped his hand.
"You have become wonderfully obedient as of late. Good girl." Slade turned and went into the chamber with his guest. Terra walked quickly down the plush halls to the grand kitchen, fit to cook a meal for a King. She passed by the food preparation, pulled open a door, and descended to the wine cellar. She pulled out a bottle of fine, vintage Zinfandel, put it in a bucket with ice to chill, and brought it back to Slade and the guest. She brought out two wine glasses, filled them halfway with the wine, and handed them to the gentlemen. With a graceful bow, she exited the room.
"Slade, she is exquisite, I do appreciate this gift." Slade's guest commented, taking a sip of the wine.
"Yes, I've been working on her to keep her this quiet. Without those clips, she would be trying to tear me apart." He tasted the wine. "But thank you, anything to assist my newest captain. To you, Lord Delos!" He raised his glass and drained it. His guest did the same.
"Once she is home with me, she should find it much easier to live. Queens are royalty, you know."
Terra made her way back to her dull quarters. Slade had allowed her to keep a few possessions, a pet to keep her from going completely insane, a journal and a book. He had also bought her some clothes, most of them being long dresses. One of the assistant bots assisted her with her hair everyday. Her room was a sterile, metal room with a simple bed. She went to her pet; a guinea pig named Beebe, and picked her up. She sat on her bed, and opened up her journal, laid down to write as Beebe tried to chew a page off.
"Slade has a guest today," She wrote, "He's tall, and obviously not from this world. And I keep having memories. Why can't I remember more than a few weeks ago? At times I remember when I was happy, I remember faces that made me smile, but I cannot pinpoint who they are. Please help me. I want to remember."
She closed the journal and laid her head down. Beebe sniffed her cheek and squeaked. She pulled the rodent closer.
"Why can't I remember?" She mumbled.
"Terra, could you please come to us and bring us a snack, it's in cabinet four in the kitchen." Slade's voice buzzed in over the intercom.
"Yes, Master Slade." She answered, getting up, and smoothing out her hair in the mirror. She but Beebe back into her cage and left the room quietly. In cabinet four, she found a plate of fancy-looking cookies. She picked up the plate, shut the cabinet door and went to the large room.
"I brought you gentlemen your snack. Is there anything else that I can get for you?" Terra said, smoothing out her skirt then folding her hands at her waist.
"There is nothing, but do stay, my dear. Here, take a seat on this cushion, we have much to talk about." The guest said, pulling over the hassock. Terra nodded and sat down.
"Terra you have been very good to me the past few weeks." Slade began, "But I find that for my future plans things need to change. I have brought Lord Delos here for one reason."
Terra looked up, worry showing in her eyes.
"You, my dear." Lord Delos finished for Slade.
Terra gasped. "But why, Master Slade?" She bit her lip.
"We have agreed that in exchange for you, I will gain Lord Delos' assistance and help." Slade smiled beneath his mask. "I am extending my reach far beyond what it has become. You see, Terra, while you were sleeping in that rock tomb of yours I was extending my network across this country and around the world. But in this, I have made many enemies and come under many threats. Lord Delos has come forward to assist me in destroying my enemies, including your once precious Titans."
Terra's eyes widened as Slade mentioned the Titans. He looked a little bit shocked as one of the clips cracked. Terra was flooded by the suppressed memories and exploded. Hey eyes shone yellow as the foundation of the building rumbled. The events of years before flooded her mind as she remembered that Slade had led to her destruction. She remembered that Slade was the ultimate enemy.
"You son of a bitch!" She growled, her hands twitching. "I should kill you now!"
"Now, now, calm down dear." He purred and reached forward to grab her. She jerked away and glared.
"Get away from me Slade." She snarled. "They'll find me, they'll come and get me and then you'll be finished."
Terra backed away, but Delos slipped behind her and grabbed her in an arm-lock. She fought, but Delos was too strong. Slade quickly replaced the broken hair piece and Terra went limp. When Delos released her, she fell to the floor.
"Now, Terra, we can't have you being like that for you new kingdom." Slade picked her up. "Go get your things, you leave at sundown."
Terra stumbled numbly back to her room. The memories still lingered and fought to get out. She scooped up Beebe and cuddled her as he dropped her clothes and few possessions into a plain box. She said goodbye to Beebe, figuring that Lord Delos wouldn't approve of her, and waited for the sun to set.
Night fell quick as Terra followed Lord Delos out of the building and to the grand ship that would serve as a transport to far away. Terra didn't even take note of the form of the ship, the ever-so stereotypical disk shape that they boarded. This was just a surface transport that took them to the multi-level ship powered by solar sail and traditional engine. Once on board, she was shown to her quarters and informed that she would need to go into stasis, since she was human. Lord Delos' people, although they looked human, could survive without stasis.
Stasis was painless and Terra didn't realize she was in it. Time for her was slowed to seem it was only a few hours rather than years getting to the planet.
The planet itself looked rather dismal. From orbit, it was blue and green and tan, much like earth, but dropping below the cloud line she saw their destination was a choked, dead world of dank industry with a few green spaces of scrubby grass-like plants. A good portion of the people lived in what looked like poverty, houses made out of whatever could be found. The greeting the Lord received was less than welcome as well. He led his queen out of the ship and into the towering palace of stone quickly, to avoid the mob.
"What is wrong with this planet? It's depressing." Terra asked.
"We found industry, and have readily destroyed ourselves. There is a garden in the courtyard if you wish for green space, and there are many other green spaces far from here." Lord Delos said, removing one of the hair clips.
Terra's reaction wasn't as dramatic.
"Lord Delos, why? Why do you bring me here to this place? Why must I be your queen?" She asked quietly, jerking away from his heavy hands on her shoulders.
"It is in exchange for Slade's protection. He is weak, my dear, and needs us to guard him. My people can survive for long trip without stasis, and are perfect for it. And as for you becoming my queen, I saw you on a previous communication, and found you beautiful, and our queen just passed from illness. If you wish, I will leave you to get adjusted. Your ladies in waiting will assist you with whatever you need." Lord Delos said quietly.
"You are kind." Terra said, looking at the marble floor.
Delos put a hand on her shoulder. "I am not like Slade; I promise you a good life."
Terra simply put her hand on top of his.
"I have a gift for you, Terra." Delos said before he parted. A familiar squeak and sniffing sound drew her attention to a lady in waiting.
"Beebe!" She cried. "Thank you, Lord Delos!"
"I thought the small animal may bring you happiness while you get adjusted." He smiled. "Now, you should be off." He turned her around and left her facing the direction of her quarters. Two ladies in plain cream cloaks came up to her.
"If you'll follow us, my Queen, we'll show you the way to your quarters. We'll also be takin' some measurements so we can get you some proper clothes." One of them said.
"Alright, but you can just call me Terra." Terra replied, her head beginning to swim from sensory overload.
"And, Miss Terra, you can let your pet live in the garden. The grass is sweet and she'll find lots of places to hide." The other girl said.
"Okay, I'd like to see it sometime." Terra smiled and followed the ladies as they walked down the hall to the courtyard.
The garden was like the Garden of Eden had been planted there just for them. Plants of all sorts from all worlds grew, clung, and climbed around and over the space. A green grass filled the void where the bright-colored flowers didn't grow. Terra saw a familiar yellow flower with a dark center.
"That's a black-eyed susan." She said, cupping the flower head gently.
"Yes, we brought it from your world so you wouldn't be so homesick." The first lady said.
"And a maple tree, and so much. These are all very nice. Are they safe for Beebe to eat?" Terra asked, putting the squirming guinea pig in the grass. The little rodent tore into the grass voraciously.
"Of course, we grow the plants so they do not produce the dangerous toxins that they would at their home." The second lady said. "And as for your pet, she will be safe to run free. There is a child barrier that we turn on to keep the children out. You see it will shine blue, and does not hurt at all, just acts as a wall."
Beebe stayed at the same spot, eating the grass.
"We also have farmlands that produce wonderful fruits and vegetables. But come, let us get you to your room and get you fitted." The first lady said. They came over and led Terra away from her pet and towards her quarters.
"Bye Beebe, be good now!" Terra called back. "I would like to see the city sometime."
"We will have to accompany you; there are some parts that are not suitable for any lady to enter." The first one said.
They came to an arched doorway, the door made of intricately carved wood. Taking out a great key and unlocking the door, they pushed it open, and with a groan it swung back. The room it hid was well decorated, large tapestries hung on the wall, and a rather large bay window had a cushioned seat. The four-poster bed with curtains hiding it, and the wardrobe was large enough to fit all of Starfire's clothes. Two chairs sat in opposite corners and there was a small desk with a simple wooden chair. The floor was covered with woven rugs of all sorts.
"I've never seen anything like this." Terra said. "It's like I've stepped into a fairy tale book."
"We found a few books on the Earth's middle Ages, and thought you would like it." One of the ladies said. They removed their cloaks.
One had short-cropped blonde hair, tanned skin, and an outfit to match one of Terra's, a tropical yellow tank top and black cargo convertible pants. She wore a heavy studded belt. A small emblem of the earth shimmered on her shirt. She pulled her bangs back with matching butterfly clips. Her dark eyes watched the world with a mysterious look. In contrast, her counterpart's hair was a long blue, tied back with a large, fluffy hair tie. She wore a more traditional long, sapphire skirt and a loose shimmering top. Her deep sapphire eyes looked playfully at her surroundings.
"Its time we introduced ourselves. I'm Gaia, and my sister here is Aqua. We had the chance to shop on Earth, thus the outfits. Lord Delos chose us to accompany you on this world." Gaia smiled. "Much like you, we can control certain elements. Being Gaia, I can control the earth."
"I'm Aqua; I control the element of water. Pleased to meet you, Terra." Aqua grinned. "Now, let's get those measurements so we can send them to the seamstress."
"And she needs to pick out cloth, remember." Gaia said. "How about a trip to market? We can usually find some nice cloth there."
"True, but first, here, Terra, take off that dress and stand over by the mirrors and put your arms out straight." Aqua guided.
"Okay," Terra obliged, slipping out of the dress and tossing it on the floor. She stood by the mirrors, stretching her arms out and facing the opposite wall. Aqua worked quickly measuring her waist, bust, arm, inseam, and hips, everything the seamstress would need.
"Now, you should have a new dress somewhere in the wardrobe, slip into that and we'll head down to the marketplace." Gaia said. Terra again followed directions and found a black dress in the closet.
It had a shimmering overlay and a silver band that tied around her waist and plunged to the floor. The overlay split at the waist, and the dress ruffled through. The neckline was a square cut, not showing much chest. She was thankful for that. To match the dress, there was a pair of simple black slippers. The girls looked the new queen over, nodding in approval and talking in an odd tongue.
"Excellent! Let's go!" Aqua clapped her hands, pulled on her cloak, followed by Gaia, and led the way out. She handed the sheet with the measurements to an attendant, and they exited the castle and descended a long set of stairs to the streets below.
The city was a mish-mash of housing and storefronts, feral animals ran through the streets as houses belched smoke from cooking fires. Old mothers yelled at children loudly in a strange language and people hurried from one place to another. The girls led Terra through the twisting maze of streets, past a few larger warehouses and factories to an open market-place where small stands littered the area, as well as farm-girls sitting on blankets with their goods to be sold. In the far corner was a simple cloth-seller.
"Ah! Aqua, Gaia, welcome back! I have some fine silks from the other side for you, very cheap!" The old man behind the stand squealed.
"Russi, meet your new Queen, Terra." Gaia said, moving aside so Terra could step forward.
"Ah, does her Ladyship like silks? I carry only the finest!" Russi babbled.
"I guess." Terra shrugged, "Could I see them?"
"Of course, of course! Just one moment." The dealer disappeared beneath the stand, and reappeared with an armful of swatches. "Straight from across the desert just for you!" He laid them down heavily.
Terra looked through them, most of them were bright yellow or red, but a few purples and greens were in there.
"I like this shade of green, and this purple." Terra said, holding up two swatches.
"Very nice, very nice, my Lord Delos would enjoy those on you." Russi sucked up.
"Well, then we'll take them! Give us enough to make two dresses each, and we need another overlay like the one for this dress." Aqua said.
"That will be four silver." Russi said.
"What? Four silver? That's a steal!" Gaia said loudly.
"A royal discount, you might say." Russi laughed as he cut the lengths and bundled them up.
"Alright, alright." Gaia put four silver pieces in front of Russi. The dealer scrutinized them then handed over the bundles.
"Not that I wouldn't trust the royal monies." He chuckled as he did his work. "Anything else I can do for you today?"
"No, I think we're good. We just need to get this off to the seamstress." Gaia smiled, taking the bundles.
"When is the little lady's coronation?" Russi asked.
"Lord Delos hasn't told us as of yet, but it should be soon." Aqua stepped in. "Now, we'd love to stay and chat, but we have to get going."
Aqua pulled the other two from the dealer.
"Oh come on, now, Aqua, he was being friendly." Gaia said.
"He wasn't making me feel uncomfortable. I'm starting to get used to the idea of being a queen." Terra said, looking at the ground.
"Come now, Queens don't look at the ground." Gaia reached over and lifted Terra's head up. "And smile. No one of these poor folks wants to see their Lady not smiling."
"Alright." Terra faked a smile.
"Even if it's fake, it's still a smile." Gaia giggled.