Chapter 4 Allies
"What did you say?" Slade demanded angrily. Next to him Julian glared hatefully at the Titans. They weren't sure they heard correctly.
The two evil hearted villains had called the Titans to make them feel despair and hopelessness. Also they had hoped they would remove the crystal from Robin. They had no idea Raven would do this.
Raven removed her hood. The normally expressionless Goth girl had fire in her eyes. She looked at the screen calmly. She knew what she was doing.
"You heard me Slade. You and your wife were black crystal necklaces. They indicate that Nova Spirit of Injustice has chosen you to represent evil. If you are powered by Nova you must obey the laws that go with that crystal. One of them is this; I invoke the Rite to the Challenge of Fate."
"You dare invoke such an ancient and powerful challenge? The Challenge has not been issued in over 5,000 years. You know the risks I presume?" Julian asked eyeing her.
Nodding her head Raven asked, "Shall we reconvene in two hours time to set out the challenge parameters?"
"Agreed. We will contact you in exactly two hours. Till then choose carefully." Slade said cutting off the transmission.
"What in the world was that about Rae? Challenge? What Challenge?" Beast Boy asked confused
"Yeah what were you thinking? Now we have no way to find out were Robin is," Cyborg wailed at her as she put her hood back on.
""Stop it you two. Friend Raven has an explanation." Starfire said.
"Thanks Starfire, but I'm not one to give an explanation. Instead I think the Spirit of Justice should." Raven told them.
Nodding their heads in agreement the four friends removed their crystal necklaces and pointed the tips outward. Crying out their names the power of the crystals combined summoned Star, the Spirit of Justice.
She appeared to them in her natural form. A being made out of pure white light. "You called for my assistance?" Star asked as she settled to the floor. She then assumed her human form.
"Raven invoked the Challenge of Fate. Please Spirit can you explain the rules and stuff to us?" Starfire asked
"Am I correct in assuming this has to do with Robin?" Star asked. The Titans nodded. Sighing loudly, she continued. "Robin is a key. An important person who can change the world. He is at a point where evil or good could become stronger because of him."
"What do you mean?" Beast Boy asked. Star shook her head indicating she couldn't say anymore.
"Tell us about the challenge." Cy ordered. He was getting impatient.
"As you know most planets are entirely good or entirely bad. But Earth is diverse. The challenge has been used in the past to decide for eras of great peace or great destruction. The Challenge decides the fate of one individual or a planet. Only crystal carriers may invoke a Challenge and once invoked it can't be refused. Seven champions from each side do battle with one another. Those injured in the first round may be taken away for healing. The final two champions battle to the death or until one can't compete anymore. They then have the opportunity to use the crystal energy to persuade the individual to their side." Star said running her fingers through her hair.
"Wait a sec. Are you saying we could win but Robin still might choose evil." Cyborg said.
"Dude that's unfair!" BB said
"Free will you have to love it." Starfire said sarcastically.
"Any other rules that we should know about?" Raven asked.
"Yes this is important. The losers of the challenge must forfeit their crystals. That is why Challenges are so rare. No one wants to risk losing the protection from a Spirit." Star said
The Titans hands flew to their crystals. Lose their crystals. Without them they be helpless.
Star snapped her fingers and a list of rules and procedures appeared in one hand. In the other hand two red crystal necklaces.
"Her is a list of things you need to know. These crystals are for two of the three champions you need."
"Who are these people we need to represent us?" Raven asked taking the list and giving it to Cyborg while she held onto the crystals.
"The first champion who must aid you is someone who was both good and evil. The second is one who does evil but heart belongs to good. The final person is spiritually bonded to Robin. You know them all. Red crystals represent uncertainty. They will turn blue when your champions prove they are good. You must hurry and gather your forces. Evil can't prevail. I am not allowed to help you anymore. I must go now. Good luck." Star said disappearing.
"Now what do we do? How can we get our team together if we can't decipher her riddle?" BB asked.
"Her clues were very specific. I think we know who are first champion is. Guys we have to awaken Terra." Raven said. She didn't sound to happy.
"Terra? Friend Raven are you sure?" Starfire asked. Raven hated Terra.
"We have no choice. The power of four crystals should provide the energy to wake her up." Raven said.
"If your sure Raven. That solves on problem. What about the other two." Beast Boy asked
"I think I know the 2nd champion. Jinx because she may be evil but she loves me. Besides Robin's crystal healed her remember?" Cy said.
"The last one must be Batman. He has the spiritual connection to Robin. Come friends we must gather our forces before time is up." Starfire said flying out the room
"This place hasn't changed since we were last here four months ago." Beast Boy whispered. They walked the path that was laid out.
In the center of the dormant volcano was the statue of Terra. The flowers they had left behind had since dried up. The only thing here was the plaque.
"She's still in limbo. I don't know about this. If we free her will she still have her powers?" Cy wondered.
"We have no choice lets do it." Starfire said placing the necklace on her. The Titans formed a circle around her.
"Beast Boy!" A green light shot out of BB's crystal and hit Terra's.
"Cyborg!" Silver light.
"Raven!" Blue Light.
"Starfire!" Orange Light.
Terra's necklace absorbed all the power. It spread through her body. A yellow glow started to pulsate from her crystal. Suddenly like a gargoyle shedding her stone skin Terra heaved her stone prison off her. "AAAHHHHHHH!" she finished screaming.
She collapsed on the ground. The uniform she had been wearing was clinging to her in rags. She barely had any cover over her privates and breast.
"Terra! Are you okay?" BB asked running over to her. Then he stopped and looked embarrassed.
"Beast Boy? What happened?" Terra whispered weakly.
"Will tell you in the T-car. Here we had some of your old clothes. Put them on. The boys will turn around so you can change in private." Raven told her kindly.
Terra quickly changed and they left. In the car Starfire explained what was going on. Terra was angry that Slade was still alive. Beast Boy was nervous around Terra. They had been involved but now he was with Raven.
"Of course I'll help you. It's the least I can do after the way I treated you. I want to make up for it. Wow dizzy." Terra said.
"You need to see a doctor." Raven commented.
"Have you found Jinx yet?" Beast Boy asked
"I've programmed the car to look for her genetic signature. I'm also listening to the police banner. If she's in the city I'll know. Got her she at the jelewery store. Lets go." Cy said hitting the nitro.
"Diamond are a girls best friend." Jinx said collecting the jewels.
"Drop the ice Jinx. I don't want to hurt you." Cy said pointing his sonic cannon at her.
Jinx turned readying her hexes. "What do you do follow me? Why can't you leave me alone?"
"If I did that the police wouldn't let you go. If you come with me you don't have to go to jail. I have a proposition for you. Want to hear over a strawberry smoothie?" He asked. She nodded her head following him.
Later the Titans used the emergency contact to call the League. They were beamed aboard the Watchtower where they explained everything. The League agreed to help anyway they could.
Johnn gave Terra a check up. She was lucky to be alive. If she ever pulled another stunt like that she die. There was no more time to waste. They barely made it back to the Tower when Slade called.
"So Titans are you still sure you want to go through with this?" he asked sinisterly.
"Shut your trap Slade. Were ready to fight. This is one challenge were not backing down from." Cyborg threatened.
"Then let us announce our champions. Representing the side of evil will be myself, my wife, Gizmo, Mammoth, Plasmius, Cinderblock, and Overload." Slade said. A bio list popped up on the screen.
"Representing the side of good will be Beast Boy, Cyborg, I, Starfire, Terra, Jinx, and Batman." Raven informed him.
"Interesting choices. I can't wait till we battle. Step one is complete. Lets move on to step 2 shall we?"