This is Rachel writing this chapter. I'm sorry it took so long to write the next chapter. We've both been really with studying for finals and all that. Now that it's summer, we have more time to write and stuff.
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"Some Azarathean swords," Marth explained to the group of titans gathered around, "have special powers. Any warrior leaders like Ariel would have these swords. When they pierce some one they make a deep gauge like any other sword. But if the one pierced by the sword doesn't kill the warrior, the cut will glow red with poison. It's a bit complicated, it goes back to ancient times, but basically, if Ariel is not killed, because apparently she's still alive, Raven and Athalina will die."
Robin's countenance was worried. "How much time do we have then before.." it pained him to think of Raven dying. She knew the most about him, and even though she wasn't exactly an extrovert, he felt that he could usually sense her emotions. "before they get worse?" he asked Marth.
"Not long," Marth said staring into Athalina's pale face. "They'll continue to get worse, and my healing powers won't help. We need to find Ariel and finish her off as soon as possible.
Apple looked down at her hands, "I think I might know where she went," she said in a meek voice. "She probably went back to Azarath."
Marth slightly rolled his eyes, "We kind of figured that, Apple. She wouldn't exactly blend in too well on earth. Do you know where in Azarath she would have gone?"
"Hmm..." Apple said staring off into space, "Well, when we finish a mission we always report back to headquarters and then Ariel usually goes to like a club or something. That's how she usually celebrates. She's really a great dancer. She taught me a couple of steps. Do you wanna see?"
"Sure," beast boy replied eagerly.
Robin interrupted her dance routine, "Please sit down Apple. Raven and your friend Athalina's lives are at risk. This is serious. Now what club do you think we could find her in?"
Apple stopped dancing and giggled, her giddy self even under the circumstances. "Well, probably one of her favorites."
Robin was getting impatient. "Yes Apple, we kind of figured that. Now what one in specific? You need to focus. This is very urgent. We can't exactly ask Athalina since she's not really herself right now."
Beast boy helped to, "Yeah Apple, we really need to know. Please tell us."
When Beast boy said something, Apple started to take it seriously, "Well, ok. She would probably go to The Iris. That's her favorite club. She's a VIP there. It's all blue and purple and stuff. Mostly only important people go there. It's really fancy. Oh, and you have to wear blue or purple or they won't let you in. It's hard to get in, but not for me because I'm a VIP like Ariel, any beautiful warriors can always get in. Starfire won't have a problem, she just might have to dye her hair. Not permanently, but just a dark brown like ours. And I have some outfits in my suitcase that would make you fit in perfectly. And you'll have to wear some purple color contacts, because no one in Azarath really has green eyes. Beast boy can take the form of some kind of tiny monkey and they'll let him in. A lot of upperclass people in Azarath have little monkeys as pets, so I'll just pretend he's mine. Marth is kind of on the most wanted list, so I don't really think he'll be able to be seen at all. Cyborg, you won't be able to get in either, because you definitely won't blend in. Robin, you might if you pretend to be Star's boyfriend or something, but you'll have to wear blue and purple, and you'll definitely have to take that eye mask off."
Robin cringed, "Well, in that case I'll stay with Marth and Cyborg. Thank you for the information Apple. Sounds good, now should Raven and Athalina stay here with some one, or should they come with us?"
Star fire spoke up, having been quiet the whole time, "May I suggest something friend Robin?" she then continued when he nodded his head, "We must fit in. We must be under cover. So I think maybe Cyborg and Marth should stay here with Raven and Athalina."
Marth shook his head, "I don't know. I mean, Ariel is pretty tough. Maybe I should go, you'll need some one to guide you around the planet."
Beast boy said, "Well that's what we have Apple for. She knows her way around Azarath just as good or better than you."
Marth scowled as if he didn't completely trust Apple, "I want to stay with Athalina and Raven, but I think it would be best if I go. I'll wear a large cape with a hood. No one will recognize me."
Robin some what skeptical of Apple also agreed with Marth, "I think he should go too. We could always use an extra guide. Be sides, I'm not going into the club, so he can wait outside with me. The tower is secure, so Cyborg will be fine here with Raven in Athalina."
Robin glanced at Cyborg to see what he thought, "Sounds good to me," he said.
"So," Robin said not asking the consent of any one else, "that's settled. Cy will stay here with Raven and Athalina. Now, we just need to find a way to get to Azarath."
"That's easy," Apple said, "Athalina would have called for rescue ships to bring her out, she wouldn't have been able to do it herself in the condition that she was in. So our ship that we took here should still be on the roof."
Robin wondered how Apple had suddenly become so sensible. 'Maybe her ditzyness was all just a cover' he thought. "I'll go check," he said. Robin returned only seconds later. "You're right, Apple. It's still there. So we'll go through the porthole because of course you know where that is, right?"
Marth shook his head, "We need a secret one, I'll show you the one I took when I came here. The small ship I used is of course too small for all of us. We'll have to go through an undetected porthole though. I'll show you where one is. Most of them all have tags on them so the Azarath government know who is coming in and out of Azarath. We won't want to be seen."
"Good thinking," Robin said, "So we're all set to go right? Starfire, I think you just need to get some hair dye and those color contacts right?"
"Yes," Starfire replied, "I will go now and return shortly." She then exited the tower and went to the nearest CVS. Apple helped her dye her hair in the bathroom sink and showed her how to put in the contacts.
"Are you sure we can trust Apple?" Robin asked Beast Boy and Marth.
"Well, I trust her," Beast Boy said.
"I figured you did," said Robin, "but you trusted Terra too. I can't exactly rely on your sense of judgement."
"I'm not so sure about her," said Marth, "At first I thought she was too dull-witted to turn on us, but after today, the way she came up with that whole plan, I'm not so sure. I mean, she is helping us, but she could be helping Ariel at the same time. I do trust Athalina completely with my life though, I have no doubt in her loyalty."
"Yes, I agree with you about Athalina," Robin said, "but I'm not so sure about Apple either, especially the way she formulated that whole plan today. She may be a charlatan. I'm just glad you're going too. We'll use Apple's help for now, but you never know. At least Starfire and Beast Boy will be in the club with her. Beast Boy, Marth and I will be waiting some where near the outside of the club. Make sure you tell us if anything goes wrong, and we will come help."
"Sure thing Robin," Beast Boy said a bit sarcastically. Just because he had trusted Terra didn't mean anything. He had loved Terra. Robin just didn't understand, and now that he really liked Apple, Robin started to doubt her loyalty too.
When Starfire and Apple emerged from the bathroom, Starfire looked just like a Azarathean agent. She had long dark brown hair and her poison green eyes were masked by purple color contacts. She was wearing an outfit of Apple's which was a purple and blue silk dress. Beast Boy morphed into a small monkey and climbed into Apple's arms.
Marth said goodbye to Athalina quickly.
"So we're ready to leave then." Robin said, "I'm just going to say goodbye to Raven first."