Chapter Eight: Spells and Training
Raven swung her blue cloak on around her shoulders and ran a brush through her violet hair. Raoul had told her to come to the courtyard and bring her friends. She had a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach that wouldn't go away. She had forgotten what it was like to have people show you no emotion after living with the Titans for so long. Now she knew how her friends must have felt
"Raven?" Hawk stood outside her door. The three other Titans were behind him dressed in their street clothes. Robin was wearing jeans and a plain white tee shirt, he still kept his mask. Starfire had on her mini skirt and a white tank top. Beast Boy wore black jeans with a dark purple shirt
"Let's go."
They soon came to a large courtyard covered in detailed symbols and designs. Raoul and three other men including Hawk stood at the other end of the room
"Raven, you may explain to your friends and then we will begin." Raven nodded and turned to the Titans who huddled around her
"It's kinda like training at the Tower. Just make sure you don't get hit." everyone nodded and turned to the four men
"Begin!" a female voice said. The Titans looked up momentarily then the men attacked.
Beast Boy turned into a falcon and soared out of the way of the attacks Hawk was throwing at him. He dived and drug the man's cloak up over his eyes before turning back to normal and pinning him to a wall
"You will not win this fight." Hawk growled
"You're just mad cause Rae likes me." Beast Boy responded. Hawk gave a yell and threw him across the room
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven yelled. Black mist surrounded his body and kept him from breaking anything
"Thanks Rae." he said before running at Hawk once more. Raven drew her hood up and looked at Raoul. He was smiling lightly making her nervous. The feeling in the pit of her stomach intensified ten times
"Azarath Canorius Rex!" the man yelled pointing at Raven. She felt a presence invade her mind then a voice whispered
"Your father will try this. You must prepare for it." then the presence proceeded to fly through her mind looking through memories
"Get out." Raven growled trying to force the monk's spirit out of her mind. Raoul kept traveling through her mind. Raven tried to get him out before he reached her private memories
"I see that you are well attached to your green friend. You know better Raven. Your father will use him against you." Raven grit her teeth. She was angry. Raoul was taunting her
"He cares about me. More than you or anyone else ever did." she responded. The monk sent a wave of power through her mind that made all her emotions and senses scream in agony. Even Rage and Bravery were sent to their knees.
Robin parried blows with his bo staff as blue lightning shot at him time after time. He continued to block the blasts and drew out an exploding ice disk. He threw it at the man who was immediately encased in a black of solid ice
"Ha!" Starfire yelled blasting her foe with a large starbolt. She flew over to Robin
"We are victorious." Beast Boy flew past them in an arc barely missing their heads. He flapped his large eagle wings and spun around. He dived and turned into a creature from Tameran. Hawk screamed and passed out from fear. he turned back to normal and grinned at his teammates
"NO!" Raven's voice screamed. Raoul was gripping her wrist tightly. Both their eyes were closed and Raven was encased in black magic
"Raven!" Beast Boy exclaimed. He leapt at the man but was thrown back by a white shield. Raven screamed angrily again
"Get out." black power shoved the shield away and Raoul was thrown away from her "of my MIND!" she yelled. Her soul self appeared behind her body and the raven cried to the sky before swooping back into Raven's body. She collapsed onto the floor
"Raven!" Starfire whispered. Beast Boy knelt beside her and felt for a pulse. It was strong and steady. He picked her up bridal style
"Rae? You okay?" Raven's indigo eyes opened and she glared at him "Sorry standard question." he muttered smiling down at her.
At the other end of the room the doors flew open. Jesse and Arella ran in hurrying over to Raven. A third woman walked in with dignified grace
"Raven, are you okay?" Jesse asked in concern. Raven nodded then looked at the ground the at Beast Boy
"Um BB. You can put me down now." he blushed and set her down gently. Arella hugged her daughter tightly and released her as the older woman came up
"Hello Raven." she said softly. She glanced at the other Titans and smiled "How do you do? It is Garfield, Koriandr' and Richard I believe." the others nodded wordlessly
"I am Azar. I watched over Raven when she lived in Azarath. She will be training under me for now. I will ask the mages to prepare a portal for you to return home."
"But we want to stay with Raven." Starfire protested. Azar smiled kindly
"I understand but Raven and Jesse have much to learn if they wish to beat the evil that is Trigon." all the monks winced at the mention of his name "You have an hour to say your goodbyes." with that she and the monks left.
Raven hugged Robin tightly and he patted her back
"It will be alright Raven. We will call everyday to do the checking up on you." Starfire promised. Raven nodded and wiped her misting eyes. Jesse shook Robin's hand and was crushed by Starfire in one of her death hugs
"Come on girls; let's leave Raven and BB alone." Robin whispered dragging the two girls away.
Raven hugged Beast Boy tightly like she would die if she let go
"Easy Rae. I need to breathe too." he said. The girl looked up at him with bright tearful eyes
"Don't forget me okay?" Beast Boy stroked her hair gently trying to soothe her
"I never will Rae. I'll call you everyday okay? You just work hard so we can beat your dad. Then we'll go out somewhere K?" Raven nodded amazed at his optimism. He really thought she could beat Trigon again
"I love you." she whispered. He leaned down and kissed her. Raven wound her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with everything she had. Black power wound around them and lifted the two a few inches off the ground
"I love you too Rae." he whispered. The doors at the end of the room opened and Azar came in. She looked at the two and smiled
"Come the portal is ready. All your bags are prepared as well." Beast Boy and Raven walked after her with their hands entwined.
A large design in white powder lay on the floor and the Titans all stepped into it. Raven let go of Beast Boy's hand hesitantly. He waved and then they were gone…