Author's note: I apologize for the delay, but a little thing called life kinda swept me up and tried to drown me. Damn thing just won't go away.
Anyway, here's a new chapter, and for any of you that may read my other fics, XMES5 is the next story I'm going to be updating (hopefully). The next update on this story should be much faster as I am all ready part way through it and I'm coming up to the end of the story. (should wrap up in the next chapter or so.)
Oh, yeah, the Titan are owned by DC. I made up Mal and Rorek and most of their family based off the character in Spellbound. Woot.
Once Broken, Twice Shattered
Part Five: Destiny Calling
It had been three days since Rorek had shattered her mind when Raven finally gave up on meditating. It wasn't working and the constant checking up on her by the other Titans and Malchior was getting on her nerves. She didn't want to lash out at them in anger. It was 5:30 in the morning when she crept into the kitchen, desperate for a gallon or so of herbal tea for her rapidly fraying nerves.
When she entered the kitchen, much to her surprise, she wasn't the only occupant. Terra was there, head flat on the counter, a can of soda wrapped in one hand, and three others on the floor. Raven's cloak fluttered to Orange.
"Back only a couple of days and you're all ready making a mess of the Tower I see."
Terra looked up, and Raven immediately regretted saying anything. He cloak shifted to Gray as she saw Terra's bloodshot eyes and the tear strains down her cheek. "I'm sorry," she sniffed. "I'll clean it up, promise."
"I didn't mean to be mean," the Gray Raven blurted out. "I'm so sorry! I'm just such a mess."
"I deserve it," Terra said. "Look at all the shit I put you guys through, and you just give me back my place, no questions asked." She slammed her head back into the counter. "I'm such a horrible person."
Raven's cloak shifted to Yellow. "Cut that out. Now. You're just going to make yourself sick and kill brain cells. Besides, if you were such a horrible person you wouldn't feel so guilty."
Terra looked up at Raven. "Do you forgive me?" She asked.
"No," the Yellow Raven said seriously. "But you haven't apologized to me yet."
"What are you now?" Terra said through a blur of tears. "You said yellow was- Intelligence?"
"Right now consider me Raven's rational side. It's best for you to talk to me," Yellow answered. She slipped the soda can out of Terra's hand. "You'll rot your teeth and you'll never be able to sleep drinking this. Let me make you some tea. It always helps me calm down." Yellow set the kettle on the stove telekinetically. She turned the stovetop on with one hand, while the other gestured at the cabinet she had commandeered years ago to store her massive amounts of tea. It opened, revealing that it was filled to the brim with all sorts of herbal tea mixes. Two tea bags danced out into Raven's open hand. Raven put them in two cups she plucked from another cabinet, then set these on the counter as her telekinesis closed her tea cupboard. "There. Now all we have to do is wait for the water to boil."
Terra looked at Raven's calm, almost totally emotionless face and burst into tears. Raven almost shifted to Gray, then nearly to the spiteful Orange, but she managed to keep her good common sense. "Raven, I'm so sorry! I- I knew about your temper, god Raven, I am such a monster. I said so many evil things, I did so many evil things. . ." She looked up at the dark girl. "As I realized that I was probably going to die, there was only one thing I wanted to do. I wanted to apologize to Beastboy and you. I was so horrible. . . So awfully horrible to the both of you. I- I played with your emotions like- like Slade played with me and I-"
"Terra," Raven said evenly, her cloak returning to normal, "I understand. I'll accept your apology on one condition." Terra looked up at her. "Stay the hell away from me until this blows over. I'm not in control Terra, and part of me will always be furious at you. We're fine at the moment, but after we have our little tea party you and I should go our separate ways." The tea kettle whistled. Raven walked over to it, poured the tea, and telekinetically gave Terra her cup. Raven stayed by the stove, drank her tea in record time, then poured herself another cup, which she sipped delicately, eyes closed. Sometime between starting that cup and finishing it Terra drank all of her tea, muttered, "Thank you," then left. Raven relaxed. It was comforting to know that she hadn't immediately tried to tear Terra into tiny pieces. That meant she had some control.
Raven looked at the clock. It blinked back at her 5:42. From experience she realized that none of the Titans would be up before nine in the morning, since they had all had a harrowing day. She knew that she wouldn't have been able to sleep even if she was hit over the head with a club. Trying to read a book wouldn't help much either. Books tended to elicit emotions in her, but they were not real situations so her powers never went astray. She could dive into a book and experience a full range of emotion and never show it on her face. This time, however, Raven wasn't so sure that she could keep her powers under control under any emotional stress whatsoever. If she read anything now she was sure it would compound her problem.
After a third cup of tea Raven slipped out of the kitchen and went towards the deeper parts of the Tower.
Beastboy was tossing and turning in his bed, experiencing one of the worst nightmares he had ever known.
The cage around him was invisible, but any time he tried to escape the bars would snap into sudden clarity. There was nothing else around him in the endless darkness except for a lone figure clad in a familiar blue. "Raven!" Beastboy shouted. "Raven!"
Raven stirred. She turned around, saw him imprisoned and began to run towards him. "What happened to you? The dog catcher think you were a stray?" She said with the usual traces of sarcasm. "Stand back. I'll have you out in a second."
But to Beastboy's horror he now noticed that they were not alone. A giant purple figure- looking very much like Trigon the demon with wings, a tail, and black hair- loomed up in the darkness. Beastboy tried to scream a warning to Raven, but no sound came out of his mouth. The figure reached out and struck at Raven. Though she blocked most of the attack with on of her shields, one of her arms was clearly broken by the impact. She screamed and it pierced Beastboy's soul. The creature hit Raven again and this time she was unable to defend herself. Beastboy watched in mute horror as the creature picked her broken, bleeding body up and began to consume her.
Despite all his efforts to look away or wake up, Beastboy couldn't until the creature lunged at him. He then woke up in a cold sweat, too horrified to even scream. After his breathing had slowed and his heat had stopped trying to escape his rib cage, he got up and left his room. He went to the bathroom, vomited, then washed himself up.
His ears twitched. He thought he heard something almost like music. When he popped his head out of the bathroom it had stopped.
Maybe it was Malchior, Beastboy thought. He sincerely hoped the alien would be able to think up something to help Raven. If Mal can't think of anything, who can? Tomorrow I'd better go see if there's any way I can help him.
Cyborg came into the common room at about five to ten that morning, yawning all the way. He planned on making breakfast- "A REAL breakfast for once!" He rejoiced- since he heard Beastboy still snoring in his room. Normally the changeling's animal instincts meant he was the first one up, so generally he was the Lord of Breakfast. "Today that all changes! The incredible Cyborg is gonna cook up some REAL food!"
"Sorry Cy!" A happy laugh rang out. "You're way too late!" Raven, in bright Pink, had all ready begun cooking. She had about six skillets of food cooking on the oversized stove. "I've got some really great organic stuff here- and some tofu for Beastboy, since he doesn't eat anything besides that."
Cyborg's eyes nearly popped out. "Raven?"
"No, I'm the tooth fairy!" Pink said. Her grin grew wider. "Who did you think it would be, silly?"
"Why are you so happy?" Cyborg asked, not so delicately.
"I don't know!" The Pink Raven said through her teeth. "I just woke up like this way this morning and I seem to be stuck. So I figured I might as well share my good mood with everyone!" On 'everyone' she threw her arms up and the contents of the skillet behind her exploded. They sailed through the air and landed on Cyborg. Pink burst out laughing. "Look!" She said as Robin walked into the kitchen. "Instead of Cyborg having breakfast this morning, breakfast's having him!"
The groggy Robin looked from Cyborg to the bright Pink Raven, then left the common room quickly. "I'm not awake enough for that. . ." He murmured to himself. Starfire watched him leave curiously. Pink's piercing laughter made Starfire even more curious and she walked into the common room. Upon seeing the Pink Raven Starfire smiled.
"Oh, friend, it is glorious to see you in such a wonderful mood!" She bubbled, giving Raven a hug. "What are you making? It smells wonderful!"
"French toast!" Raven replied. "It's a wonderful treat!"
Starfire caught sight of Cyborg trying to peel a half cooked piece of French toast from the side of his face. "Do the French always wear their toast before eating it?"
"No, just Cyborg," Pink laughed. She leaned towards Starfire, "It had a crush on him," she informed the other girl.
Starfire looked elated and baffled at the same time. "I am most glad that you have found a friendly piece of toast Cyborg, but please, could you explain to me why the toast has feelings?"
"Raven's just making a bad joke Star," Cyborg said, tossing the piece of toast into the garbage and wiping off his head. Terra was the next person to enter the room. She looked over the scene and almost followed Robin's example. Raven swooped on her before she got the chance.
"French toast?" She offered, smiling uncontrollably.
Terra thought it best to just nod.
"How many pieces?" The Pink Raven asked.
"As many as you want to make," Terra said, slowly backing away. She wasn't sure if she was more afraid of the angry Raven or the happy one. Terra looked at Cyborg. The robot-man shrugged.
"Is it not beautiful outside?" Starfire said. "It reminds me of a summer day on Tamaran!"
Raven laughed. "It is nice out, isn't it?" Smoke began puffing up from one of the other skillets she was using. "Whoops!" She said. She removed the skillet form the stove with her hands and using her telekinesis she began moving pieces of French toast and tofu to a large serving platter.
Beastboy walked in and for a second thought he was still asleep as a piece of tofu passed by his face. "Uh, what's going on?"
"Beastboy!" Raven said, her cloak slightly shifting to purple for a moment, then twisting back to pink. "I've made breakfast!" She looked over to the chaos that covered the kitchen counter. There was a milk carton that had exploded as she had started singing earlier while making the stuff to dip the toast in, several cartons of eggs laying about empty and a few eggs scattered here and there. Also there were random piece of toast sticking to the cabinets. "I also made a bit of a mess, but I can clean it!" She gestured at the sink. The water turned on, and the sponges began flying around to clean things, after getting soaped up in the sink.
"Raven," Beastboy ducked as a sponge set about scrubbing a mess above his head," should you be using your power like this?"
Malchior entered the room as Beastboy was saying this, and the shape shifter looked at him. Malchior seemed a little overwhelmed by how spread out Raven's powers were around the room.
"Chill out BB, I know what I'm doing!" Pink said. A skillet rocket towards Cyborg. He barely caught it before it slammed into his head. "Oops. Sorry Cy! Watch out for low flying objects!" She looked at Beastboy again. "Besides, there's too much power building up in me. I have to get some of it out or I'm likely to blow up the whole tower!" She grinned.
"Okay, the fact that you can say that with that look on your face is just way too creepy," Beastboy said.
Malchior almost groaned as he saw Raven's aura do a total turn around. "That was not the right thing to say," he sighed.
Pink shifted to Gray in a flash. All of the scrubbing sponges dropped to the ground. "I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean it. Honest. I would never, ever think about hurting any of you guys. Ever. Please don't kick me out." He eyes filled with tears.
"Raven, we would never-" Beastboy began, but Raven burst into tears as he spoke. The changeling looked totally befuddled and the other Titans didn't know how to react.
Malchior stepped forward. He used his second sight as best he could to take Raven's chin in his hand and tilt her face up so her eyes met his. As Raven looked at him, her cloak shifted to purple and she wrapped her arms around him, still sniffling slightly. Malchior looked a little surprised. He held her back, but his mind was more focused on the sudden effect this was having on everyone else.
Beastboy's aura went from a bright green to almost a blinding white-green in shock. Cyborg's and Terra's auras were much the same, but they were muted. Beastboy had traces of other emotions twirling around to add to his aura's intensity. Starfire's aura doubled in size, showing her great joy at the moment. Raven's white light had taken on a slightly purple hue and was twisting in a certain way that Malchior knew meant trouble. Robin walked into the room, his aura lurched, and he looked like he was going to walk out again until Starfire shot over to him and embraced him, totally caught up in the moment. Robin's aura changed to resemble hers.
Malchior knew what he had to do, but he really didn't want to. "Love, control yourself," he murmured to her. "Please."
"Malchior, I thought-" the Purple Raven began, but then she stopped. "I think I understand." The purple faded in intensity, becoming much more a lavender, when it had been a violet before. "Thank you for being such a good friend."
Malchior smiled, a bit sadly. "I can be that and nothing more Raven," he said so only she could hear. "For that I am sorry, but we both know it is for the best."
"Yes," the cloak flickered to Yellow. "You're right, of course." It returned to the lavender version of Purple, and she smiled at everyone. "I'm okay, really guys. Let's just have breakfast. A nice breakfast among friends."
Starfire swopped over to Raven. "Then you are Raven's friendship emotion?"
Purple shook her head. "That's part of it. I'm Love."
The Titans other than Starfire all paused. Beastboy looked somewhat horrified. Terra watched his reaction very closely. Beastboy almost went into a panic. "Wait, Love? As in, like, romantic-" he pointed at Malchior then back at Raven, "-as in you two!" His voice jumped up a few octaves.
"Well-" the Purple Raven began. The purple darkened slightly and Malchior suddenly turned pink. "It's not quite-"
She was cut off by a bone-crushing hug from her alien teammate "Oh, it is quite wonderful that your two are in love! When is the wedding?"
"Wedding!" Robin said. "Whoa, Star, slow down there." He pulled Starfire off of Raven. Raven was blushing furiously at the idea of marriage.
Cyborg looked almost as stunned as Beastboy had. "Are you two dating or something?"
"No," Malchior and Raven said at the same time. Malchior continued. "Raven is attracted to me because of her experience with the Dragon and how similar we are. I am attracted to her by the light of her aura. . ."
"In other words, it's not the sort of attraction you build a relationship on," the Purple Raven concluded. "We're friends, nothing more." There was an audible twinge of sadness in her voice.
The Titans exchanged glances.
"Thanks for making breakfast Raven," Terra said, breaking the silence. Raven smiled at her gratefully. Her cloak shifted to pink and her smile broadened to almost unnatural proportions again.
"Well come on guys! Let's eat!" Raven shouted, her powers reaching out and setting places at the table. Once everyone had found their seats she began distributing orange juice, milk (soy and regular) and mustard to everyone who wanted them using telekinesis. Malchior looked slightly distressed by the displays of power. Beastboy especially noticed this.
Breakfast was actually quite upbeat, even thought the situation wit Raven was a bit bizarre. She kept smiling and laughing the whole time. Starfire was overjoyed. She and Raven talked about everything the alien girl could think of. Terra was too disturbed to say anything. Robin was quietly observing the whole scene and Cyborg was taking power readings every time Raven used a whole lot of her power. Beastboy kept a close eye on Malchior. He felt a little jealous that Malchior had gotten so much attention from Raven. Beastboy had checked, he had been the only person Raven had ever hugged- until that morning.
"Beastboy? Would you be so kind as to help me in my studies today?" Malchior said unexpectedly.
"Uh, yeah, sure," Beastboy stammered.
Malchior smiled. Raven looked over at the two boys, a curious expression passing over her face. Malchior could see her curiosity. "I've asked Beastboy to help me look for a spell that might help heal your mind."
Raven smiled softly. "It's good to know I have such good friends," she said. She looked at Beastboy and her eyes sparkled slightly. "I hope everyone is enjoying breakfast," she added.
Terra, through a mouthful of food said "Dhis ish sho ghood," she swallowed. "I feel like I haven't eaten in months!"
"That's pretty much true," Robin said, shrugging.
"So, what's the game plan?" Cyborg asked between bites of French toast. "Are we tracking down Rorek, or not?"
"Did you get a good energy signature from him the last time we fought?" Robin asked. He began to pick up his plate to put it in the sink, but the plate flew up, encased in blackness, and it was attacked by two flying sponges. As each Titan finished their dishes rose up to join the others. Robin looks slightly miffed at this, but he looked back towards Cyborg.
"There was no way I couldn't get perfect readings," Cyborg said, tapping the screen on his arm. "That guy was using SO much power he could probably light up the city for years."
Malchior sighed. "Rorek tends to do that," he said quietly. "I'm not even sure where he gets all his power from. All I know is that he cannot get access to the Library. That would be disastrous."
"So you, Beastboy and Raven will stay behind to guard the tower," Robin said. "The rest of us will try to track down Rorek."
The Titans all nodded. "Sounds good," Cyborg said. "Let me just give Titans East a heads up first. I wanna check out how they're doing."
Robin nodded. "Sounds like a good idea. He looked down at the table, which had been cleaned entirely by Raven's powers. "Uh, yeah, so let's get a move on people."
Everyone besides Malchior, Raven and Beastboy left the room. Raven sighed. "I wish I could be more of a help," he cloak shifted to gray, "but I'm so damn useless in this state. I'm more of a danger then an asset."
"That's not true," Beastboy said. "You're a great asset! Emotions all funky and out of control or not. Raven, you don't need to worry." He puffed out his chest. "Don't you fret Rae, Mal and I will find a spell to get you back to your old self. Then you can kick Rorek's butt and I'll bring the popcorn!"
Raven almost laughed at him and her cloak turned Purple. "You're a good friend Beastboy, but sometime I just don't know what to make of you."
Beastboy grinned widely at her, "I'm the short, green and mysterious type." He wiggled his eyebrows.
Malchior softly smiled and tried to walk away without them noticing, but he bumped right into a counter. Both of the Titan's turned as he hissed, "Ow!"
"Hey, man, look out," Beastboy said, gently grabbing Malchior's arm. "Let's set up in your room and head to the Library."
"Should I come help-?" Raven began.
"I wouldn't suggest it," Malchior said with a bit of remorse. "There are spells in the library that might be affected by your mood swings." He frowned, his eyes holding sorrow. "I'm sorry." He tired to smile, but he could see Raven's aura shifting to frustration. "I promise that as soon as we've found something that can help you, we'll let you know."
"Yeah," Beastboy piped up. "I mean, I'm no good at this Magic stuff. Someone's going to have to help Mal with the spell, right?" Beastboy smiled widely.
Raven's cloak turned gray and she nodded. "I suppose you're right. I'll be meditating in my room if you need me," she said quietly. Raven floated out of the common room. Beastboy's face fell as she did. Malchior could tell he was worried for his dark companion.
"Mal, are we really going to be able to find something?" Beastboy asked.
Malchior closed his eyes and sighed. "We'll see. Come on." He led the way out of the common room and towards his own temporary quarters. Beastboy looked into the room and as surprised. The walls seemed to glow with pulsing lights. There seemed to be a dark streak that flowed in a circle through the light, over and over again. Beastboy shivered. As Malchior walked into the room he seemed to pause The markings around his eyes glowed for a fraction of a second and Beastboy could have sworn he saw pupils appear in Malchior's eyes for a moment. Malchior then continued walking into the room as if nothing had happened.
When Beastboy crossed the threshold into the room the light reached up. In that brief instant Beastboy felt his blood run cold. Malchior turned to look at him. "Are you all right?"
The feeling passed and Beastboy stammered, "Yeah, yeah I'm fine."
Malchior nodded at him. He went to get the book. Beastboy was fascinated by the light on the walls. He moved towards one of them to touch it, but sharply all of the light retracted into one point. Then it suddenly faded away with a burst. "Dude- your walls. . ."
Malchior turned his head slightly. "What?" He looked very puzzled.
"Never mind," Beastboy said. The room now looked totally normal. Beastboy had a funny feeling about the whole thing, but any questions he was going to ask were cut off as Malchior held out the white book to him. He had opened to the proper page. Beastboy took the book and although he wanted to smash it with his bare hands, he didn't. "So, I just read the spell, and that's it?"
Malchior nodded. "And you'll be able to contact me if you reach out with your mind. I'll stay by the book, and if I sense any turmoil I'll do what I can to pull you out."
"I think I'll be a-okay. Thanks man," Beastboy said. He half wanted to run into Malchior the dragon. He wanted to give him a 'Beastboy butt-kicking special'. He hurt Raven. He hurt her a lot, the changeling thought. He deserves to be tormented back. Beastboy recited the spell as best he could, and landed roughly in the library. "Owwwww," he muttered while rubbing his head. He opened one eye and chanced a look around. Standing over him was Rorek of Noll, holding out a hand. "I thought you couldn't come into the book?" Beastboy said, mistaking the older wizard for his descendant. The Beastboy saw his eyes and realized the man looked slightly taller. "You're not Mal, are you?"
"No, I'm not," the ancient wizard said. He helped Beastboy to his feet. "I am Rorek of Noll. I'm here to help- one way or another."
"So you know if there's a spell to fix Raven's mind?" Beastboy said eagerly.
Rorek paused. "There is no such spell. Raven's mind cannot be restored to the way it was before Rorek the Black inflicted that damage upon her."
"What?" Beastboy exploded. "You've got to be kidding me! How can there no be some sort of- some sort of antidote? Some sort of counter spell!" He waved his arms. "You have a magic that can destroy a person's mind and nothing to save them?"
"I'm afraid not," Rorek said. "It's very complicated. No one in our line has ever used the spell with evil intent."
Beastboy rolled his eyes. "Except for that psycho. . ."
Rorek of Noll remained silent.
"So there's nothing we can do?" Beastboy said. "I mean you're like a great wizard, right? Aren't you related to Dumbledore?"
"Who?" Rorek said, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, no wait, he's brothers with Nostradamus."
"I think you have your magical lines mixed up my green friend."
Beastboy shrugged. "Whatever."
Rorek paused. "There is something that may help you," he said. Raising an arm, he barked a single word of power that made the room ripple. A small white light shot out from the deepest parts of the library. Rorek caught it in his hands and held it out to Beastboy. "Take this. It is a one use only spell. It may help you."
"What does it do?" Beastboy said, taking the light from him and holding it in his hands. The light leapt and nestled into his chest. Beastboy gasped. His chest glowed for a moment, then it faded away. "What-!"
"I'm sorry my friend," Rorek said, "but it is a spell that you cannot learn in the usual manner. To know what it does is too great a burden. Therefore-"
"Owwwww," Beastboy muttered while rubbing his head. He opened one eye and chanced a look around. Standing over him was Malchior, holding out a hand. "What happened?"
"I'm not entirely sure," Malchior said. "You appeared to vanish, but you returned in a very short while. Did you see anything?"
"No. . . I don't recall seeing a thing," Beastboy said. "In fact I don't remember finishing the spell to get into the book."
"You might have gotten caught in a temporal loop, and lost a few seconds," Malchior said, much chagrined. Beastboy took his hand and Malchior pulled him up. "I shouldn't have asked you to try it out. It's very possible that only people with a magical background can open the doorway into the library. "
"Dude, they wonder why I don't read much. Books HATE me," he grumbled.
"Maybe we can try again later," Malchior said. "There might be a way for me to compensate for the-" as he was talking he reached out to take the book, there was a flash of light and he jerked his hand back. "Ow! What in the name of Noll?"
"Books apparently hate you too-" Beastboy added, until suddenly the book leapt off of Malchior's table and into his arms. Beastboy was about to drop it but it didn't burn him like it had Malchior. A voice in the back of his mind whispered to him and Beastboy suddenly felt comfortable holding the book. Malchior looked positively miffed.
"Well that has never happened before!" He said. "I don't know what has gotten into it- but for now you'd better hang onto the book."
"What-? Me-!" Beastboy exclaimed. He held out the book with both arms. "Are you kidding me? I stay away from all that magic mumbo-jumbo! I've been sucked into a magic mirror- turned into a lamp- there is no way I'm hanging onto this book! I'll- I'll blow myself up or something!"
"I'm sure you'll be fine," Malchior said. "The book has a mind of its own. It knows what it's doing," he rubbed his hand, "even if it is little rough when it expresses itself."
Beastboy looked at the worn white cover and the silver markings and wanted nothing more then to take it down to Cyborg's workshop and use a blowtorch on the thing. We'll see how hot you can handle things, eh Malchior? He thought to the dragon inside. If he didn't think the dragon might be freed by his actions, or that the book might still hold a cure for Raven he might have done just that. With things the way they were, though, Beastboy decided to stay on the safe side and keep the book- for now.
Beastboy thought of Raven and her sensitive nature behind her usually gruff demeanor. She must be going crazy with all of her emotions being right out on her sleeve, he realized. Raven was a very private person and her emotions were- well- not. They were the extremes. He'd seen all of them and knew how all of them worked. . . No, that's not right. I know most of them, but I haven't seen Brown yet. Beastboy was suddenly curious, then felt guilty. He shouldn't be trying to pry into Raven's mind like that, even if it was out in the open. He should be trying to help fix her mind, he should be trying harder to get this book to work!
Beastboy's Aura darkened in sham and frustration, and Malchior tried to comfort the shape shifter, "You're doing everything you can. No one could say anything to the contrary. I'll see if I can remember any other spells that might help us, but for now I think Raven could probably use some company," Malchior smiled softly at him.
Beastboy tucked the book under one arm. "I dunno. Raven's not usually a 'company' person."
"This really isn't a 'usual' situation," Malchior pointed out.
Beastboy shrugged. "I guess you're right. Maybe I will go talk to her." He shifted from foot to foot. "Mal? Are you and Raven. . . Involved?"
Malchior hesitated a moment before shaking his head. "I don't think we were meant for each other. I have a pretty good sense about these things. Why do you ask?" He gently prodded.
"Why? I- well, because-" he stopped. "I dunno, I guess I was just curious. I've only ever seen Raven in love once and that just. . . Turned out badly."
"Malchior the Dragon," the young sorcerer said quietly. "I know. It hurt her very, very deeply."
Beastboy squeezed the book tightly. "I wish I could have done more to help her," Beastboy muttered to himself. Malchior smiled at him.
"I believe that you did much more then you give yourself credit for," he said. "You were there for her in her time of emotional need. That means more then being by her side during battle ever will."
"I like that," the shape shifter said. "Where'd you learn that?"
"I learned it from someone very near and dear to my heart," the alien said quietly.
"Who?" Beastboy pushed.
Malchior looked up at him with his blind eyes and a saddened expression. "My brother, Rorek."
Beastboy blinked in surprised. From what he had heard of Rorek that didn't sound like something that would come out of that madman's mouth ever. An idea struck him. "Mal, why don't you tell me about him? Rorek I mean. Maybe- just maybe- something you say will help us figure out what he's after.
Malchior sighed. "All right," he agreed, "but it's a very long story, and as much as I'd like to think I know my brother- there's really very little I actually do know about him."
"Sometimes a little bit is all you need," Beastboy said. It was something Robin had told him when they were trying to force information out of some creep who was a small time drug dealer with connections to the big guys. They had followed a tiny bit of information all the way to the top and crippled Jump City's drug rings for a good long time that way. "A little can really go a long way. Trust me, I know."
Robin was speeding along, trying to use the scanner built into his motorcycle to pick up Rorek's energy signature. So far he was having very little luck. "He comes here, attacks Titans East to lure us away, attacks Raven and Malchior, doesn't finish off any of us and doesn't get the book that he's looking for- he must still be around here somewhere!" The boy wonder swore. Suddenly his scanner went ballistic. Robin didn't have time to even look at the scanner as suddenly his bike began to skid on a thick sheet of ice that now coated the pavement, despite the fact that it was mid-July.
"You know what they say kiddo- 'seek and ye shall find'," came a wicked laugh. "I really thought you had enough at me over at the other Tower Mr. Robin," Rorek shrugged. Robin leapt off his bike and landed expertly on the slippery surface, as the R-cycle slipped to a stop in a high snow bank that had appeared. Robin was actually surrounded by a high icy arena. "You and your friends should really stop trying to track me down. It's only going to end badly. I'll leave when I'm finished with what I've set out to do, and not a moment sooner."
"What is it that you've 'set out to do'?" Robin demanded.
"I'd tell you, except it would ruin the surprise!" Rorek said with his malicious grin. "Besides," he said, suddenly looking very serious, "you wouldn't like it."
"I'd all ready figured that," Robin snapped, shooting out his Bo staff. "We're going to stop you no matter what!"
"I highly doubt it," Rorek said. He gestured and the ice shot up from the ground and encased Robin up to his arms. "There. That should hold you for a while." He floated up into the air. "You know you're really taking this whole fiasco much too much to heart. Sure, I may have bruised up your buddies a little, but that's no reason to bust out the special equipment," he gestured at the R-cycle's scanner, "and try to hunt me down."
"Well we disagree!" Starfire shouted, looping down from the air with Cyborg in her arms. Terra came rock surfing behind them. Starfire set Cyborg down where he slipped for a few seconds then got his footing and aimed his cannon at Rorek. Terra stayed floating on her rock and Starfire hovered menacingly over Rorek. "You will release Robin this instant!" The alien princess ordered.
The markings around Rorek's eye glowed. "You're making a very grave mistake."
"I don't think so," Terra rumbled. "Seems to me we've got you outnumbered and overpowered."
"Yes, you would think that, wouldn't you?" Rorek laughed. "You haven't fought me, like your friends here have. They know that I'm quite capable of holding my own- and more- against you all." He folded his arms, "I really do have more important things to attend to, and I really can't have any of you interfering with my plans. So I think this time will be the last time we'll meet." Rorek bowed his head slightly and took a deep breath. Without warning the sleeves of his outfit burned off and red markings flared all across his skin. When he looked up the black markings around his eyes were blazing- but they were dull compared to the red eye-like mark that was now showing in the middle of his forehead. "Now, where were we?"
Terra, Cyborg, and Starfire hesitated no longer. Rorek was battered with rocks, blasted by sonic waves and assaulted by green flashes of light. Rorek let out a startled sort of cry and shielded himself with his arms, but he was encased in such a cloud of rubble and smoke that it looked like he would choke to death for sure. After a few minutes the smoke had cleared, but Rorek was nowhere to be seen.
Starfire set down on the ground and melted the ice Robin was encased in. Terra did a small victory dance on top of her rock. "We TOTALLY showed him!" She shouted happily. "High five!" She said, holding out her hand to Cyborg, who obeyed with a huge grin.
"That was too easy," Robin said with a growl. "He's still out there."
"Yeah, but we totally kicked his butt!" Terra said. "He didn't even try to fight back!"
"That worries me the most," Robin muttered. He looked at the other Titans, then towards the setting sun. "Let's get back to the Tower. I want to make sure everything's all right there."
Cyborg nodded. "Yeah, who knows where that guy- ow! What the heck?" Cyborg rubbed his head. He held out his hand and it came into contact with a totally transparent solid form. "What is THIS?" He knocked on it, and to his surprise there was an echo. "No way-" Cyborg said, his eyes growing wide. "Terra! Try to rip up some of the ground!"
"Well, sure, but why-"
"Just try!"
Terra raised her arms, her hands glowing. With a mighty yell she tried ripping the ground up- but it wouldn't budge. The ground in the ally glowed golden for a fraction of a second, but that was all. "What's going on?" She asked Cyborg, frantically.
"I think while we were blastin' the bad guy he put us in some kind of force-field box!"
"What!" Robin exclaimed. "How could he? He was being assaulted and he retreated- when did he have the time? We would have seen it happen!"
"I dunno about that man, this guy's not only an Alien, he's a sorcerer. Who knows what he can do!"
Robin pointed upwards, "Starfire, check to see if we can fly out."
The Alien princess flew up at full speed, ready to punch her way through any obstacle. Suddenly there was a sickening 'crack' as Starfire plowed into an invisible barrier and fell to the ground.
"Star!" Robin shouted. He leapt forward and up to catch her. "Star? Are you all right? Star!"
After a few seconds Starfire's eyes opened and she rubbed her head. "I do not think we can go up," she murmured.
"I hate to say this kids, but communication's down too," Cyborg said tapping on his arm. "We all walked right into a trap."
"Damn it!" Robin swore. "Now what do we do? Beastboy is the only one who's in any real condition to fight Rorek, but there's no way he'd be able to take that madman on alone! We HAVE to get out of here!"
Terra walked to the edge of the force field, touching it with her hand. "We will. We just have to think creatively," she said. The ground about ten feet away from the outside of the force field heaved up and pounded on the field.
"Good idea Terra," Cyborg said. "Maybe if we pound on this thing hard enough from both sides it'll give way." He blasted at the side with his cannon. Robin tended to the dazed Starfire as the other two Titans matched each other blow for blow, desperately trying to reach their friends on the outside.
"They're still not back?" Raven asked Beastboy in a hoarse whisper. She had lost control a bit earlier and had run around in her Orange cloak shouting and screaming for all she was worth. She was still embarrassed by the spectacle and was currently in her Gray robes. The worry over her friends wasn't helping other. "They should be back. They should have called."
"I'm sure that the others are all right. I mean think about it- if they had been beaten Rorek would have come tearing in here, taken the book, and would probably be ruling the world by now," Beastboy said, illustrating his point with rapid hand motions and facial expressions. The idea of Rorek ruling the world didn't look all that appealing to the Gray Raven, who seemed to sink deeper inside her cloak.
Malchior, looking at Beastboy's aura, knew that he was just as worried as Raven was- if not more. The idea of Rorek tearing into the tower disturbed them both deeply. Raven would certainly not survive the encounter, and Malchior knew that he and Beastboy didn't stand much of a chance either. Malchior had never had a full fight with his brother since he had been blinded. He had always used his abilities to stay a few steps ahead of his older brother. This time, however, it was different. He had made friends here. He would stay and he would fight until death came to claim his torn soul.
"But their communicators-" Raven began.
"Probably just out of range, or something. Maybe they're fighting now and they can't answer," Beastboy said reassuringly.
Raven paused. "What if- Terra-"
"No!" Beastboy said. "Terra wouldn't do that! I mean, she did, last time, but Slade manipulated her."
"Her aura is true, if troubled," Malchior chimed in. "Terra wouldn't harm you or any of the others."
Raven was sullen and quite after that. They waited and watched the sun set outside the huge windows. After a while Beastboy turned on the TV and changed to the news channel. The trio watched (and listened) in silence until finally Raven stood up.
"I'm going to meditate," she said. "I can't just sit here anymore." Without waiting for a response she left.
"She's distressed," Malchior murmured. "She doesn't think she's going to be able to keep herself in control for very much longer."
Beastboy's ears drooped. "Oh Raven," he said. He felt the urge to get up and go help her, but Malchior put a hand on his shoulder.
"There's nothing you can do. She needs some time alone."
Beastboy settled back into his chair and watched the news, looking for any indication of where his friends might be or what Rorek might be doing. After a while the newscasters face grew fuzzy. A while after that, Beastboy's head began to dip. He had to stay awake, he had to make sure that the other Titans were okay. Rorek wasn't going to get to rule to world on his watch, no sir!
A few hours later Beastboy woke up. The TV was still on, but the news was over. A late night talk show was on, and Beastboy sighed. The world hadn't come to an end, but still no word from the other Titans. Malchior had gotten up and left, probably a long time ago. Beastboy turned the TV off and morphed into a cat to stretch. His neck had a crick in it and it was going to drive him crazy.
The sensitive cat ears magnified a background noise that he had thought was the TV. He twitched on ear in a backward direction in order to better hear what was going on. There was a soft melody playing from somewhere deeper in the tower. He remembered hearing it not too long ago and decided to investigate. Turning into a bat so he could hear well he fluttered down the halls, following the noise.
When he found the source Beastboy turned back into himself and paused. The door was labeled "Music Room" a room that the Titans tended to neglect. True, he and Cyborg both had electric guitars, but they barely ever got to use them. As Robin so often pointed out that was probably a good thing. Neither one of them were very good. As far as Beastboy was concerned he thought that Starfire was the only one who ever actually used the room on a regular basis. It held an assortment of, well, things Starfire said were musical instruments, but no sound that ever came out of them made Beastboy think of music. Now, however, a haunting tune was being played on the piano. Beastboy didn't want to barge in on anyone so he turned into a mouse and wriggled under the door.
Hunched over the large black piano in the corner was a figure in a dark cloak. The only light that came into the room was moonlight, and it reflected off of the ivory keys, but not enough to reveal who the player was. Beastboy turned into a small lizard that could see in the dark. The figure was definitely female, and the cloak- possibly a shade of brown. Beastboy turned into himself again. "Raven?" He said quietly.
The piano music stopped and the figure turned. "Oh, Beastboy. I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Raven took down her hood and her face was recognizable in the moonlight. "I can stop-"
"No, no, that was pretty," Beastboy said. "I never knew you played piano."
"Very little, and not often," Raven said. My mother taught me a few songs before she died. The music of Azarath was very beautiful, but I don't do it justice."
"I think you play wonderfully," he said with a gentile smile. "At least Azarath has music that is soothing to the human ear," he thumbed in the direction of Starfire's instruments, "unlike some planets."
Raven chuckled softly. "Everyone to his or her own tastes."
"So Brown is - musical abilities?" Beastboy asked tentatively.
"Creativity," Raven admitted. "Probably one of my most mellow, yet most expressive sides. Whenever I think of something to do in battle, when I play piano, when I try to sculpt something with my powers, it's all part of Creativity."
Beastboy blinked. "You sculpt too?"
Raven turned slightly pink. "Not often," she said. She shifted over on he piano bench. "Here, you can help me. My mother taught me a duet when I was little, but I've never had anyone to play it with me."
Beastboy sat nervously. "I have no idea what I'm doing."
"I'll show you." She took his hands in hers and placed them on the piano. "Play these keys with your right hand, like this," she demonstrated using her powers to guide his hand. "And with your left you play this as the same time." After a few rounds of controlling his hands she released them from her power. "Now you try."
"Okay. . . ." Beastboy played it well a few times through, then his fingers stumbled, the deep sound resonating from them off and harsh sounding. "Ah, oops. Sorry," he mumbled.
"It's okay, just try it again."
Beastboy was feeling a bit silly as he played the deep undertones of the song. Suddenly Raven started playing on the higher pitched keys on the piano. Beastboy was surprised to see that Raven had closed her eyes and was listening so deeply to the song that for the first time in a long time she seemed relaxed. He'd never heard a song quite like this. The undertone he was playing was comforting and strong, but the notes Raven played were haunting and sad.
Suddenly Raven began to hum, then to sing softly in a language Beastboy didn't know. The lyrics were just as haunting as the notes she played. There was so much passion behind them. Beastboy had never seen Raven in this light before. It was startling, but somehow wonderful. Suddenly Raven reached a point in the music where she opened her eyes, and Beastboy stopped to look at her. Raven, upon losing the deep undertones, stopped playing and looked over at Beastboy. "What?"
"Uh- I- Nothing! I mean-" Think Beastboy, think! "The song is very pretty. What is it about? What does it mean?"
"It's a love song," Raven said quietly, "part of a story." She closed her eyes again. "It's the most beautiful song I've ever heard. . ." After a moment of quiet she began playing again and Beastboy quickly picked up his part. After a few minutes Raven began singing, this time in English. "While I wait I long for you/ your gentle voice the air I breathe/ and though I know we'll never be/ still my soul calls to yours, and you answer." She paused looking for the right translation. Beastboy kept playing his part, and she joined in again. "I feel my time grow shorter/ and shadows claim my soul/ but they will never hold it/ for when this body turns to dust/ I will live in you/ and when you pass from this world/ I will hold you once again." Raven stopped with a disgusted sound. "It doesn't match up with the melody in any other language," she scowled.
"I think it was spectacular," Beastboy said, smiling. "I never knew you could sing."
"Hardly," Raven muttered, blushing. "My voice is passable when I'm singing it in the original language, but when I sing in English I sound like a dying horse."
"No, this is what a dying horse sounds like," Beastboy said, shape shifting into the large animal and making a strangled sound. He turned back into himself. "That was certainly not a dying horse. That was more like a nightingale. Okay," he said as Raven gave him a skeptical look, "a hoarse nightingale, but a nightingale nonetheless."
"That's sweet of you," Raven said absently. Beastboy wasn't sure, but it looked like Raven's cloak shifted colors for a second.
"Would you keep singing?" Beastboy said hesitantly.
Raven hesitated for a moment. Beastboy began playing his part of the melody. Raven picked up and continued singing in English. "Time will pass/ the seasons change/ and other loves will fade like the setting sun/ but not even my dying day/ will stop my everlasting love."
Raven's playing tapered off with end of the song, and Beastboy's lingered for only a moment more. They both sat in the dark for a few seconds, the haunting melody almost playing itself around them. The changeling reached out across the distance and cupped Raven's cheek with his hand then leaned over to kiss her softly on the lips. Raven was startled by this at first and pulled back slightly, but Beastboy pulled her back into the kiss. Finally, abruptly, she jerked away.
"What are you doing!" She exclaimed, shaking in what Beastboy presumed was some degree of anger, but was actually something more like fear.
"Raven I- I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me-"
"Don't ever- ever- do that again!" She said sharply. "EVER!" He cloak flared up and the piano sounded a violent discord, then she melted into the ground and vanished.
"Raven!" Beastboy cried out, but it was too late. She was gone. He hit his head against the keys. Then he sat up and stared at them. "I blew it, big time," he muttered. He plunked out a few song notes on the piano. He had no idea how to play Raven's part of the melody, but he played the part Raven had taught him. Somewhere along the line he tried to sing Raven's part of the melody, using the English lyrics, but realized he couldn't remember them. He sighed.
There was an echoing sigh from behind him.
Beastboy spun around, shocked to see his dark companion had returned. "Raven! You came back?"
"To apologize," she said, sitting down. "I- shouldn't have yelled at you like that but," she stopped then started again, "but the way things are- I don't need any surprises."
"Oh," Beastboy looked away and turned slightly pink around the edges. "I didn't mean to- I dunno what came over me."
They sat with their backs to each other for a while, then Raven said quietly, 'Let's just forget about it for now. After this whole thing blows over, maybe then we can. . . Discuss what happened here tonight."
Beastboy rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah. Okay," he said quietly.
Raven though about getting up, but her head was aching. She could hardly see straight and something- something was coming from the city. Coming fast. Raven's head snapped backwards and she shot onto her feet.
"What? What is it?" Beastboy asked frantically.
"Rorek!" She gasped. "Rorek's coming here! Now!" She looked around frantically. "We had to find Malchior and get him out of here."
"I'll get Mal-" Beastboy said. "You get out of here!"
"What?" Raven exclaimed. "Beastboy, you can't stand up to him alone!"
"I don't plan on it," he said. "But Rorek seems to have a personal vendetta against you, so you need to leave- now!"
"I can't leave you alone-" Raven protested.
"You're the only one who can track the others down without a communicator," Beastboy countered. "You have to find them."
Raven relinquished her authority to Beastboy, though part of her said it was a bad idea. "Fine. I'll find the others, but call me if you need help, understand?"
Beastboy flashed her a smile and a thumbs up. He transformed into a sparrow and flew out the door and after Malchior. Raven's cloak turned to Gray in worry for her friend (she was trying very hard not to think about what had happened with him), but she soared through the ceiling and out onto the roof. There she paused again, and suddenly her body was frozen to the spot.
Raven struggled to pull herself free from whatever invisible force was holding her. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" She cried out hoarsely. A bubble of energy formed around her, but still she could not free herself. Then she saw him
Rorek was approaching the bubble. His eyes were cold and steely, his gaze fixed on her. His lips were pressed into a thin line. None of these things scared Raven. It was the marks blazing across his skin and showing through his clothes that made her blood turn to ice. They were familiar to Raven. Very familiar. She had a set of marks on her skin similar to them, but they had been hidden for years. Rorek thrust his hand inside Raven's bubble effortlessly and pulled her out. Raven gasped.
"We are going to have a little chat," Rorek said sternly. "Just you and I, Daughter of Trigon. We have things we need to discuss."
"You're- you're-" Raven stammered in horror. Rorek looked at her coldly.
"We're going to talk," he repeated, and with a flicking movement with his arms he wrapped Raven up in the remains of her energy bubble and flew off with her.
As Raven gazed down at the receding tower she did the only thing she could thing to do. She reached across the distance for Beastboy's mind. Normally this would have been a simple task, but with her shattered psyche it was nearly impossible. Beastboy! She mentally screamed. Help me!
Rorek's head whipped around, and he gave her an icy stare, one that made Raven's heart skip a few beats. "Listen to me, Daughter of Trigon, none of your friends can help you." He waved and a portal opened up in front of them. "I will finish what I set out to do."
He and Raven plunged through the hole and into darkness.
Hmm. So just what sinister things are in store for Raven? What exactly is Rorek after if not the book and his brother? And what's up with those demon markings on Rorek? All will be answered in the next chapter.