1Chapter Nine: The Deceiver's Return Pt 1

"There. That's all of it."

Einderan looked around him, to his various sorcerers, sorceresses, mages, and spellcasters. Some where seated on piles of rocks, others sitting on the ground, while a few stood. They were all processing this new information in their heads. Who Einderan was...

"Monster." One of them muttered.

The son of Trigon closed his eyes and nodded, "I deserve that."

"Kalsamune." Another said.

"I deserve that to."

"So you chose Azarath, you chose to attack our home so you could gain the support of enough demons to overthrow Trigon? It was all just a game to you?"

"In all honesty, it was."

One of the sorcerers stood, shaking his head, "I... I don't get it. Why did you tell us this?"

"You deserve to know, who you are fighting for."

"So, how do we know that this isn't a trick? How do we know that you aren't leading us to fight Trigon along side you, just so you can take his place?"

Einderan's body trembled slightly, and he painfully told him, "I know that you may find it hard to trust me, knowing what I am. And more so because I kept it hidden. But please, believe when I say I have changed from the demon I used to be. If I had wanted to take Trigon's place I would have found it easy to do, you were going to follow me to the very darkness from where he came. But... It was too much. I didn't want to lie anymore. And... You all should know who you fight for, who I really am. What I was... I'm not like that anymore, but I know that it's still inside me, and always will be. I can do nothing to change that. And I also know, that knowing that I'm even more responsible for the destruction of Azarath than even my sister... Whatever you decide I understand."

The response was immediate. Kians, the sorcerer prince of Mystell, stood up, "As long as you oppose Trigon, I will fight at your side. If you had been planning to destroy us you would have done so long ago. I don't care what you were, what matters is what you are. Will you betray us to your father?"

Einderan's head shot up, and he glared at Kians, "No! I would never do that!"

"Good. That's all I need to know."

Kians looked around, glanced to his brother who shrugged, then both walked away. No more words needed to be said for them.

Frista stood up, and said to Einderan, "You are what you are. Just because we didn't know your past doesn't change that it was still your past, and is your past. We have fought and died under your command, and you have yet to fail us. Thank you for sharing with us the truth, but this changes nothing."

"Nothing? What do you mean this changes nothing? He's been lying to us for-"

"And now he has told us the truth. Quite honestly I think it took a lot of courage to tell us like this."

"He's let his sister take the blame for something he was responsible for!"

"No."

They turned to Raven, who was shaking her head slowly, "We are evenly to blame. He chose the world to attack... I opened the door. Even after spending two and a half centuries with our father, I still believe he is a better person than a few of you here..."

Her gaze fell to several, who glared back. They were mainly the ones who had harassed her for being the one to open the portal to Azarath for Trigon to come through. A rather awkward, tense, and hostile silence followed.

Einderan was looking at his sister, mouth gaping at her. Two reasons. One, he hadn't sensed her arrival, which was odd. And two... did she just take the blame for something that was in all honesty entirely his fault?

"Raven, while I do appreciate the thought and support, did you have to insult them?" Einderan whispered to her as she approached.

"It's the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts." She replied coldly.

"You know what, this is pointless." A sorceress exclaimed suddenly, standing up and brushing some dust off her cloak, "We all know that no one here is going to desert, rebel, or anything of that nature. Yes, you were a bad person. Alright. Now you're not. If either of you could have done anything to stop your father I believe you would have. It was only a matter of time before Trigon came, that we all know for certain. And if things hadn't worked out the way they did, we would be slaves working in some God forsaken quarry, making statues and tributes to who knows what. Einderan could have been well on his way to power if he wanted to be, but he chose to follow his human side, a choice none of us have truly had to make. We have never been around demons, we have been raised human by humans. And he chose to forsake power, glory, and the chance to possibly rule the mortal realm. I don't think many of us would have made the same decision. Thanks for letting us know Einderan, I believe this meeting is done."

Many of them agreed and flew/walked/teleported away to go about their business. Even those who were know hostile to Einderan grudgingly accepted it and left.

"Why did you do that?" asked Einderan, glancing down to his sister.

"Do what?"

"I'm the one responsible for Azarath, not you."

"Like I said, I'm the one who opened the door. If it weren't for me Trigon wouldn't have been able to invade like he did. And besides, no one realizes who is truly to blame. Father. But since they insist on blaming us, we should split it evenly, as good siblings should."

"You say that, but you still feel all the guilt on your shoulders." Einderan told her.

"So do you."

The two just looked into each other's eyes for a long time. Looking for something to say. It was Einderan who finally spoke, "We may only be half human, but we have all of their oddity. We both feel like the destruction of Azarath rests solely on us, and that the other had no part in the matter. But we know that isn't true."

"I guess we're just weird that way."

"No, I honestly think it's just me and you." Einderan thought a moment, then asked, "By the way, how did you arrive without me knowing?"

A sly grin spread across her face. She turned and told him while walking away, "Did you really think hiding that spell book in a sub-space pocket would keep me from getting to it?"

He froze, then hit himself in the head in frustration, "Argh! Will you stop stealing that stupid book!"

"Why?"

"Because! You're starting to get on my nerves!"

"Oh, add that to the list of things that would make me sad if I cared." She shot back, with a cold tone that actually made Einderan shiver.

"I hate it when you do that."

She would have hit him with another comeback strait from the arctic, but her communicator went off.

"Hello."

"Raven?"

"Yeah."

"Where are you?"

"Um... A few miles outside Jump City, why?"

"Well, you've been gone for a full day now... We were getting worried."

"Why didn't you just try to call me?"

"That's the thing. Your communicator wasn't even showing up on the tracking system until a few minutes ago. Something was jamming it."

Raven glared at Einderan, who shrugged uncomfortably, "What?"

"It was just my brother. His powers must have messed with the transmitter when they were out of control. Or else he was doing it on purpose. Is there something wrong Robin?"

"No, well, Starfire... But what else is new?"

Suddenly the Tameranian's face appeared on the screen, "Friend Raven! You are unharmed! It is glorious to see you!"

"Starfire, I haven't been gone that long."

"Yes, but when your communicator did not respond and we could not locate you, I began to worry something might have happened with the Mael Kirheinse."

Einderan scoffed and paced back and forth, "You know, it almost sounds as if they don't remember I was with you the entire time."

"I was with Einderan, he can handle Mael."

Starfire's mouth formed an 'o' of realization, then she began to scratch the back of her head uncomfortably, putting on a fake smile, "Hehe, sorry."

"See! There was no reason for you to go crashing through the wall!" Cyborg's voice yelled from the background.

"Ya! My wall I might add! Do you know how many birds I have in my room now!"

"Uh, man, that's because your room has so much crud in it, it looks like an all you can eat buffet to them."

"Hey, my room isn't that messy!"

"Beast Boy, I saw the birds carrying away ten pizza boxes, that had stuff still in them!"

"Ya, well, you have oil all over your room!"

"Uh, no I don't."

"... I'm going to take a ride in the T-car!"

"WHAT? No! Not my baby!"

The screen fell, as they heard Starfire yell after them, "Friends! Stop the mean talking and threatening!"

Robin picked up the communicator and his face was shown again, "Raven, I have now realized you are the only sane one here besides me."

"Just now figuring that out?"

"Get back here before they brake something else."

"Right."

Einderan watched, arms crossed, "Are they always like that when you aren't around?"

"Probably. And most of the time when I'm around. They were acting good for a while, but now they are used to you. Start getting ready for this kind of thing."

"I pity you."

"Save your pity, you'll need it for when Beast Boy tries to pull a prank on you."

"A what?"

"You'll figure it out. Come on, I think that explosion was from Titan's Tower."

LATER, AT TITAN'S TOWER...

Einderan walked in first. He didn't know why Raven didn't want to, but didn't think much of it until Starfire started crushing him in a Tameranian bear hug.

"Why, is, she, attacking, me?"

"Friend Einderan! You have returned!"

"You, have, three seconds, before I start to defend myself."

"Friend, what do you mean?" Then she noticed the look of pain on his face, "Oh, sorry."

He gasped for air and went down on his knees, "What was that?"

"Starfire when she's happy to see you."

Einderan glared as his sister walked by, "I am beginning to loath your presence."

"Better than being squashed by Starfire."

"Forgive me friend, I, do not know my own strength?"

"Out of curiosity, of all the times that I've walked into this building, why was this so special?"

"Like I said Einderan, she's used to you now. Robin can tell you, when me and Starfire first met..."

The Tameranian laughed uncomfortably, "Yes, that was an... Interesting meeting... I asked if she wanted to be friends, and she said 'no'. Sadly, I barely had the basics of your language, and thought that meant 'yes'."

"Oh... That couldn't have ended well." Einderan said, smiling slightly.

"It didn't..."

"The city was, how do you say, trashed? After they finally managed to stop us. Forgive me, but I have grown cautious of myself when around those like Raven. But you are my friend, and now I have confirmation of it! You have accepted the Tameranian hug of friendship!"

"Wait, you mean you have a name for it?" Raven asked. She just thought it was something Starfire did.

"Of course friend. It is the traditional way of Tameran for making friends."

"And you keep doing it why?"

"To reconfirm the friendship!"

Einderan shook his head and walked on past. That was information he would forget later, of that he was certain. Raven had made strange friends, his stay had confirmed that. Not that she had much choice in the matter when all things were considered... He had yet to meet any of this 'Justice League' besides Batman though. He really wanted to meet Jonn, the one they called the Martian Manhunter. Sounded like a fascinating person to talk to.

"Hey."

Robin came up and started walking beside him, "Hello."

"So, are you alright now?"

"Sorry about that... How much damage did I do?"

"You managed to get out before you caused a lot, but the living room was trashed. Of course, with Cyborg in the house everything was working again in about an hour. I had to clean up of course..."

"That is always the way."

"Ya... You and Raven seem to be pretty close... She was about ready to attack us if we followed her."

"Honestly if you had you would've only been putting yourself in danger. She is really the only one who can understand... Even the others aren't really like us, half demon or not."

"Ya, I've been meaning to ask about that... How are so many of you half demon?"

Einderan grimaced, "Well... It was one of those 'Trigon did it, so let's all do it' things. What, you think Raven was the only half demon born from Trigon's raids? No, she was merely the first to be discovered. After her mother was found out many women came forward. Hence the term, 'raped and pillaged'. We were all outcasts, but us more so than the others. The ones who really get on about Raven and the prophecy are the full humans. The ones like Frista, who understand are for the most part half-demon. Funny isn't it? The ones with demon blood being the more understanding..."

"Sounds like you have a lot of history."

The sorcerer laughed at the irony of that, "You have no idea. No idea at all. But yes, I do half a lot of history. Where was I... Oh yes, the half demons among the Azarathians are generally better about us. Actually most of the people don't blame Raven at all. Just the ones who are childish enough to need a scapegoat to blame. Oh yes, I have something I want to tell all of you, if you'll meet me in the 'living room' later. Thanks."

"Alright, see you then."

LATER

Einderan was nodding to himself. Overall, the day had gone better than he had first anticipated it would. He had officially told everyone that mattered his story, and so far no one had tried to kill him.

He was happy with that. More than happy, he was ecstatic. Alright, not really, but his spirits were higher than he thought they would be. Maybe it was because he could finally say anything he wanted without fearing being found out.

He had two and a half centuries of knowledge that he had to keep locked up. That's a lot. Being able to talk about things felt good.

Raven was reading some book of her's. Wait, that reminded him, "Raven?"

"What is it?"

"My book, if you don't mind."

"What book?"

"Don't play dumb, you stole it, I want it back."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Raven, you told me you had it earlier."

"Did I?"

"Sister, don't make me go into your room. I know that I don't want to know what I would find, but I believe that perhaps some of your friends might? Especially one about five feet tall and green all over?"

His sister's jaw dropped a moment, then she glared a glare that would have made Trigon himself cower in fear, "You wouldn't dare."

However, Einderan knew exactly what he was doing, and replied cooly, "Oh yes I would. I may not have been on this world long, but I do believe some things are embarrassing in all cultures."

She grumbled and closed her book, gliding towards her room. Einderan followed behind her, walking. He felt in no hurry. He just wanted to get his book and go... somewhere. Anywhere. Just be alone for a while.

Raven opened the door, then motioned for him to come inside. He did so slowly, and cautiously. He had never been in Raven's room, for several reasons. One, he didn't want to see how mad she would be if she found him in her room messing with things. Two, if he teleported into the room while she was changing... Awkward and not something he wanted to do. And finally third, it wasn't polite to go into someone's room unless they're there.

Einderan wasn't disappointed with the dark, occult style around him. Though, it did seem a bit overly dark, "And you wonder why you have nightmares dear sister? Though, it does suit you."

"And that's supposed to mean?" She asked angrily."

"You put on a mask of cold emotionlessness, but you go a little deeper under the surface..." He picked up what looked like a blue crystal and waved a hand over it. It glowed brightly, and gave off a small bit of warmth, "And you find that there's more to it than meets the eye. By the way, where did you get this? I haven't seen a Flame Sapphire in twelve years."

"This world is surprisingly rich in magical items and books, if you know where to look." Raven told him, walking over to her book shelf. She ran her hand lightly over the books, pulling out one then retrieving another behind it, "Here you go."

"Honestly, you insult me. You just hid it behind another book?"

"Like you were going to find it." Raven commented, turning around. Then something caught her eye. There was an empty spot. She moved the books back and forth, but saw nothing. Then she noticed another book gone.

Wait, those two have something in common... What?

Then she couldn't find another book, then another, and she began to grow frustrated, "Alright, someone has been in my things."

"What?"

"There are some books missing."

"It wasn't me."

"I know that. Another one! Wait, these books are connected somehow... No, no..."

Her head shot up, and her eyes went wide, "Look, please, look around, see if you can find them anywhere!"

Einderan caught the panic in her voice and glanced around, lifting up objects with his powers and searching behind things as his sister frantically ripped books from their shelves as she realized which all ones were missing. They were the books that she used to...

"God, please God no..." She muttered under her breath, and she ran to the chest she kept next to the wall, and pulled it open. Her face paled.

"Raven, what's wrong-"

He was cut off by one of the most ear-splitting screams he had ever heard.

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I know, I know, I'm evil. But I have to have something to keep you coming back right?

Another cliff hanger. Heh, I'm so bad I'm good.

Can any of you figure out what is freaking Raven out so bad? I kinda made it obvious, but if you can tell me in a review, I'll send Einderan over with a signed copy of his spell book that Raven keeps stealing!

Einderan: Hey!

Me: What?

Einderan: That's my book!

Me: And you're my character! So there! If they guess the book is theirs!

Einderan: 'sniffles and starts crying in a corner'

Me: Oh get up you big baby!

Ya, that was pointless. One question, how did you like Raven's come back line? Made by yours truly, me! I can't help it, it's just that good, I'm going to post it again!

"Add that to the list of things that would make me sad if I cared."

Man, did someone open a window cause it just got cold in here! Really, what did you think of it? I have more, but I want to know what you thought of that one before I use the others.

Anyway, God bless you all.

Professor Curly-