A/N- Sorry for the delay. After The Site took down our other Story Stagefright, we took a break from Fan Fiction. While I cant promise we'll have another chapter up soon, it'll definitely be sooner than this one. If you're wondering about the change of format, our last story was removed because of our chat script openings, and we aren't sure if we want to risk a repeat with this one. Tell us your opinion in your reviews. This form or the old one. Up to you. Malztov.
Roll Film
Ch 3
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she spread herself wide open to let the insects in
she leaves a trail of honey to show me where she's been
she has the blood of reptile just underneath her skin
seeds from a thousand others drip down from within
oh my beautiful liar
oh my precious whore
my disease my infection
I am so impure
devils speak of the ways in which she'll manifest
angels bleed from the tainted touch of my caress
need to contaminate to alleviate this loneliness
I now know the depths I reach are limitless
oh my beautiful liar
oh my precious whore
my disease my infection
I am so impure
-Reptile, Nine Inch Nails
In the days of her youth, Princess Starfire had been told of the ways of battle. It was a tradition and ideal passed down through the Tamaranian bloodlines, that the ways of destruction and the understanding of earthly combat were the means to salvation. Her father had told her before he died, of the sounds of a thousand hoofbeats, the vibrations of which echoed in one's chest. He had told her of the battle cries, of the screams for mercy, of the clangs of metal on metal. The red haired noble realized now however he had hardly done it justice.
Dancing orange light carried into her chamber through the huge windows. The entire city below the castle was a blaze. She could hear shrieking, she could sense her peoples fear, but above all else she felt her own desperation as she watched her entire world fall to ashes.
"Your highness," came a cry, as the door to her bedchamber was flung open. A tall man, with a long red beard, baldhead and long scar running across his right eye burst into the room. His face was covered in sweat and his body was racked by hurried breaths. "We need to get out of here."
"Galfore," Starfire managed, "What is going on?"
"The Castle is lost Princess, We underestimated the strength of the Invader."
"Who do we face? Have the Psions returned?" The look on her guardians face told her she was wrong. There was something he didn't want to tell her.
"What is it Galfore?"
"A lone man has destroyed our defenses and I believe he comes for you."
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"Not to sound ungrateful what with the me not being turned into a pair boots but… seriously where the hell are we going?" Beast boy was tired, even feral teenagers need rest. Although his senses were far beyond those of a normal human he did not recognize the long fields through which they now walked. His nostrils were flooded with the pleasant, mind numbing scent of lavender as he waded through millions of blossoms. Gone were the trees, the musky fern filled forests were nowhere to be seen. The only wood he'd seen in miles was a tall spinning device called a "Wind Mill". His stomach growled from a long day without food. The sun beat down mercilessly as they drudged on. Worst of all they didn't seem to be making any progress.
There were two horses amongst them, one for Robin because princes can't be expected to work and one for Raven because a witch was still a girl. Although the young mage was more than a little distressed by this obvious display of sexism, after realizing the distance they had to go she kept her mouth shut. Victor seemed no more pleased with the arrangements but had gone stoic in the heat of the day. Robin frowned down at the green boy jogging along side his horse, "We are on a quest."
"For…?" Raven inquired. She didn't like being left in the dark either.
"Love, among other things…" Robin smiled, attempting to ignore the laughter below him. "Something funny Victor?"
The young man pressed his metal fingers over his lips in a futile attempt to stifle his chuckling. "Nope, nothing your majesty, I just thought of myself more as a blacksmith and less as a dating service."
"Insubordination! You and the beast will find food and firewood while the witch makes camp!"
"What will you be doing?" Raven growled.
"Overseeing." The prince smiled smiled coolly
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"Stupid inbred conceited over bearing pompous ass. His crown's on too tight." Growled Victor as he walked angrily behind Beast boy who ran on all fours far ahead of him. The smith had never hunted before, and wasn't entirely sure what he should be looking for. To be true he felt very stupid carrying a large quiver of arrows on his back and a long bow in his left hand.
"SLOW DOWN!" He yelled at his partner, although he doubted that it would make much difference. He was slightly surprised to find he didn't care. He'd come to realize he liked the wolf boy. It was refreshing to see someone so amazed at the trivial aspects of life. Someone who was comfortable being so completely out of place. Someone who was willing to look on the bright side of a situation, either our of some greater wisdom or out his own naiveté. Victor quickened his pace with a slight smile. He could learn a thing or two from that kid. He pushed his way through several thick bushes at the edge of the field and was awed by the sight in the clearing before him.
The green young man stood beside a positively beautiful deer, looking into the creature's eyes as he petted it with his clawed and callused right hand. The animal rubbed into his gentle touch as Beast boy moved face next to the doe's. Victor was so blown away by the overall kodakness of the moment that he stopped and set down his bow and arrows. He was on the verge of epiphany when he heard Kraken's words, "I'm sorry it has to be this way…"
In one swift motion Beast Boy gripped the deer's head and twisted upward violently resulting in a horrible crack. The large animal fell to the ground dead. The blacksmith stared on eyes wide in shock as the teen kneeled next to the lifeless creature and embraced it. "Thank you for giving up your life so that we might survive a little longer." He said before he bit into the creature's body and began ripping the tender flesh. Kraken glanced back at Victor and raised an eyebrow, unfazed by the fact his green face dripped with blood. Noticing his companions horrified stared he commented, "What? Something in my teeth?"
"I think I'm gonna be sick…" His partner managed before gagging.
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The young soldier swung his sword wildly at the intruder as the attacker threw the lifeless body of another guard to the corridor floor. His actions were hasty, ill timed, his mind blurred in frustration that despite their vast training he and his comrades had failed to protect their castle.
The phantom invader who stood before him mockingly was dressed in deep red leather armor, which left his muscular arms exposed below the shoulder until they reached the black leather bindings around both his forearms. On his right hand, he wore an ancient looking gauntlet, oddly jointed at the knuckles and fingertips so as to give the wearer a series of jagged claw-like blades. The armored back of the glove was a simple plate of silver metal, with a carving of an eye surrounded by curling tendrils.
His face was hidden behind a strange mask, half of which depicted a frowning man and the other half a grinning skull. The disguise's white coloring clashed with his long black hair which hung around his face in greasy locks. Somehow even with the mask in place, the soldier could tell his opponent was smiling at his antics.
"Come on!" The Guard screamed as he lashed out with his blade, only to have the invader sidestep it without effort, "Hit me already!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth then the gauntleted hand swept forward and slashed across his throat with it's claws, turning the shining metal black with blood. The Soldier fell to his knees, losing conciousness as the life poured out of him in a streaming rush of liquid. "Your wish is my command." His opponent said, his voice low and calm.
Ahriman wiped the gauntlet on his pants, which had become sanguine in his repetition of this technique. He continued moving, knowing for certain there was not much further left. His second pair of eyes had told him as much.
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Raven lay there inside her own tent, one of the three around the small fire, belly full of venison and red wine. The long deep blue Kirtle she'd been given to wear was softer than the rags in which she'd become used to wearing, but even with her bodies contentment, she could not rest.
Something felt very wrong. There was a ominous feeling in the air, like the very earth itself knew something was on the move. Since her childhood Raven had possessed a sense of these things. Premonitions came to her both in sleep and while awake, piercing through her mind and showing her visions of the future. Sadly, they never showed anything pleasant.
For a time, she had tried to aid others, to prevent the horrifying occurrences in her dreams from occurring. Every time it was hopeless, and eventually she came to realize that a destiny cannot be changed, and that the very attempt was futile. She was Raven, the reluctant prophet of doom.
All the vibrations were there again. The images had begun to reappear during the ride. She hadn't said anything, but she had seen their group surrounded by screeching blackbirds. She doubted that was a good thing.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the rattling of her tent flap. Raven glanced out and saw Prince Robin crawling in beside her.
"Can I help you?" She asked, slightly shaken.
"I think you can." He replied huskily, voice and eyes conveying every drop of his sentiments. The Enchantress smirked, and inched toward him. The prince smiled lustfully, and extended his arms to embrace her. She placed her self against his body and ran a hand down his chest.
"Robin?"
"Yes…." He said, obviously enjoying the attention. Suddenly her touch turned fierce as she gripped his shirt tightly and pulled his face directly before her. Her eyes burned into his with pure fury.
"If you so much as think of me in this manner again I will curse your pitiful excuse for a dick off." She growled. She pushed him out the tent with a shove and rested her head on a rolled blanket. This could be interesting.
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Starfire hurried down one of the castles many passageways, followed closely by Galfore. Though he had told her to remain calm and stay quiet, she was having trouble keeping her nerves steady while her giant Guardian had his sword drawn. Not only that, she had the sneaking suspicion she was being watched.
"There's something behind us." The Princess whispered. Her companion nodded. There was a sound just behind her, as whatever it was shifted moving very close to them. Blade at the ready Galfore roared as her whirled around, only to find himself staring at a crow sitting on the bar which held a loft the hanging torch that lit the room.
"What the-?"
Footsteps echoed through the hallway, as the Masked warrior walked into the light. "Galfore… Galfore… It's been far too long." The young man said in a silky tone, as he dragged the gauntlet's claws against the cold stonewall.
The giant frowned, sweat reappearing on his forehead as he raised he pointed his sword at the intruder. This was very, very bad. He glanced back at the Princess. "Your Highness, get behind me."
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To Be Continued