Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans.

Chapter 4.

Rorek

Terra watched in horror as everyone in the street burst into a panicking frenzy. People overturned carts in their attempt to hide. They fled into the comparative safety of the surrounding buildings.

Eventually Terra was left alone in the street.

As she was about to summon a boulder to escape the city, a hand grabbed her arm.

She looked down in surprise and came face-to-face with a little girl.

"Quick! We gotta' go!" Screamed the girl, tugging on Terras arm, and Terra allowed herself to be led off.

The little girl led Terra through the door of a building and slammed the door behind them. The little girl struggled to bolt the door. Terra sighed and bolted it for her.

"Okay." Said Terra. "What's going on?"

The little girl looked very shaken up. "The bounty hunters are here." She whispered. "Everyone's got to hide."

"And… what are the bounty hunters?"

"Ssssh." Whispered a voice behind her. "You need to be quiet."

Terra turned. There was a young man standing behind her. He held out a hand. "Hello, my names Thomas." Terra shook his hand. "And this," he pointed with his other hand at the little girl, "is my little sister, Annette."

"Oh." Said Terra. "My names Terra, and I'm new here."

"I thought so," said Annette, "she was just standing around out there like nothing was happening. Do you come from a place where there's no bounty hunters?"

"Well I…" Terra began, but Thomas put a finger to his lips.

"Quiet," he whispered, "they're coming."

There was a clattering in the street and the sound of horses snorting. Something out there shouted a command and the clattering intensified and then faded.

There was silence for a few minutes.

"I think they've gone," said Thomas.

"Why were they here?" Asked Terra.

"They think they own everything." Said Thomas. "They come to take what they want from us… food, weapons, ale, everything."

"But they will soon wish they hadn't." Said Annette. "Roreks coming, and he'll…" Suddenly the door rattled.

"Annette, Terra," said Thomas, "hide."

Annette darted behind some old barrels but Terra stayed where she was. "I can fight." She said simply.

Thomas nodded and picked up a sword from a rack. Terra suddenly realized that the place was filled with various metal objects… swords, arrowheads, axe heads… she was in a blacksmiths.

The door rattled again. And then, again.

Then it burst open and three figures strode in.

They were tall and well armed, wearing some kind of black armor. They had pale skin and cold reptilian eyes.

"Blacksmith." Hissed one. "Why aren't your wares on display. We require weapons, and hate to make house calls."

"I didn't have time." Said Thomas, "I was working."

"Too bad." Hissed another of the figures. "Bounty hunters don't wait for anyone."

"Look, just take what you want." Said Thomas. "You will anyway."

"Impudent fool!" Snapped the bounty hunter. Raising a crossbow. "You will pay for your boldness."

"I don't think so." Said a calm voice. "You see… I have some objections."

"Rorek…" Breathed the bounty hunter. The other two spun around.

Terra saw a man standing in the shattered doorway. He was tall and wearing armor with an M shaped symbol on the chest. He was wearing a black silk scarf that obscured his face, but his blue, cat-like eyes were visible and framed by his long white hair.

He wagged a finger at the bounty hunters, "tut tut, this is very bad behavior. You should all be ashamed."

The bounty hunters scowled, one of them pointed, "kill him."

All three bounty hunters lunged at Rorek, Rorek raised his hands and a wall of white magic encased them, sending the bounty hunters flying in all directions.

Rorek drew a long sword out of its sheath at his side and darted over to one of the bounty hunters, driving the blade through its chest. The bounty hunter made a gurgling sound and fell back.

Another one fired a crossbow bolt at Rorek, but he held up his hand and the bolt was encased in magic and sent soaring back towards the bounty hunter, where it stuck in its throat.

The final bounty hunter swung its jagged blade at Rorek, who dodged and brought his own sword up in defense, the blades clattering off of one another. "Necronum Hezberek Mortix." Chanted Rorek. White magic lanced from his fingers and slithered up the bounty hunter.

"Fool." It sneered, the magic was beaten back by tendrils of shadow. Suddenly the tendrils dissipated and the head of the bounty hunter rolled off its shoulders.

The headless body sagged to the ground, revealing Thomas with his sword held in a two handed grip.

Rorek looked at him for a second. "Well done." He said.

"Rorek!" Rorek spun around as Annette ran over to him, "I don't believe it's really you!" She turned to Terra. "This is Rorek, and he's the most powerful wizard in the world!

What are you doing here Rorek?"

Rorek got down on one knee to look her in the eye, "I'm here to help finish the bounty hunters once and for all."

Annette clasped her hands together. "I knew it! You're going to save us all aren't you?"

Rorek laughed, "not on my own. I need to find the one who can help me. The Black Witch."

Thomas and Annette gasped. "Bu…but she doesn't exist." Spluttered Thomas. "She's a legend… a myth to help young children cope with the bounty hunters."

Rorek stood up. "I used to believe that to. But I've done my research and I believe that the Black Witch does exist and she can defeat the bounty hunters if only I could find her."

"My friend's a witch." Said Terra before she could help herself. She blushed when everyone turned to look at her. "Well… she's a half-demon really. But she's pretty powerful, I bet she could help you find the Black Witch."

Rorek walked over to Terra. "Really dear lady? Who are you?"

"Er, my name… my name's Terra."

"And who is this friend of yours?"

"She's called Raven." Said Terra. "And she used to come from a place called Azarath."

Rorek nodded, "most of the most powerful magic users come from Azarath. Gashnorte the fabled demon slayer, Queen Wuereea (possibly the most beautiful woman ever to have existed), Azar, and Darkstorm." He smiled at Terra. "Well, if your friend can help me it would probably be good thing if I met her."

Terra nodded. "Then I would be delighted to take you to her." If I knew where she was, she thought.

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Wraithe floated over the landscape, stupid stupid Darkstorm, she thought, getting the Titans lost in this dimension.

Wraithe looked over at Blackfire, who was flying a few meters apart from her. "Feeling bored?" Wraithe said, smiling.

Blackfire rolled her eyes, "I hate searching for people, can't you just sense them?"

"No sorry." Said Wraithe. "This place is overloaded with magic and it's severely interrupting mine."

Blackfire looked surprised, "that doesn't sound like you."

Wraithe shrugged. Then she looked into the distance for a bit, "There's a small town up ahead." She pointed. "Want to have some fun?"

Blackfire powered up a starbolt on each hand, "now that sounds like you!"

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Perched on top of a large rocky outcrop is a towering black citadel.

If someone were to be foolish enough to enter into the citadel they would encounter countless cold, dark and empty rooms.

When said foolish person was to reach the center of the citadel at the highest room they would encounter a throne, towering and carved of obsidian.

On this throne is seated Gormancer, the lord of the bounty hunters.

He is a massive figure wearing jagged black armor.

Right now he was watching the small weasel-like man cringing in front of him.

"So prophet." Hissed Gormancer. "Is the girl here?"

The prophet looked up from the arcane objects arrayed on a hastily assembled table. Several books, fish entrails and a crystal ball were among them.

"Sire." He said. "You cannot rush these things."

Gormancer drew his long black sword from its scabbard and swung it idly.

Beads of sweat began to form on the prophets forehead. "Er… but in this case the signs are very clear." He said quickly. "The girl is here."

Gormancer smiled, "good." He sheathed his sword. "I hope I didn't pressure you."

"No." Said the prophet hurriedly. "Of course not my lord."

Gormancer nodded and smiled to himself.

The half-demon was almost in his grasp.

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Raven forced her way through the undergrowth.

A tree branch tore through the fabric on her arm. Raven cursed angrily and blasted a couple of trees out of her way.

"Very subtle." Observed Kaylin.

Raven scowled. "They were asking for it."

Raven and Kaylin were struggling through a thick forest. They'd tried to fly over the forest, but Raven had almost been torn apart by a couple of predatory birds the size of pterodactyls.

Raven wrapped her cloak around herself and shivered. "Aren't you cold Kaylin?"

Kaylin shook his head.

Raven sighed and pushed onwards through the undergrowth.

Kaylin watched her with sympathy. He cared for Raven, she was his friend. "Raven." He said kindly. "You don't have to do this. Any of this."

Raven smiled sadly. "I know." With that she turned and forced her way through the undergrowth once more.

Kaylin watched his friend struggle off with admiration. He leapt after her.

Ravens robe snagged on some brambles and she fell to the ground. She struggled upright. "I hate this." She said angrily.

"I know." Said Kaylin soothingly. "But everything will be fine soon…" He was cut off as a throaty roar ripped through the forest and an eight limbed bear came charging towards them.

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Starfire sank to her knees in despair. "What happened here?" She breathed.

Starfire and Beastboy had been wandering in the wilderness for a while, and they had seen smoke on the horizon.

Starfire had streaked towards it with an eagle-formed Beastboy following behind.

When they reached the source of the smoke they had seen what was causing it.

There was a town, razed to the ground. Smoking rubble littered the area.

Beastboy put a comforting had on Starfires shoulder. Starfire turned to the shapeshifter, tears running down her face. "Why would anyone do this?" She murmured.

Beastboy sighed. "I don't know Star."

Starfire shrugged him off and flew into the ruins. Beastboy followed her at a distance.

"Help…" Croaked a voice, Starfire gasped and flew towards the source.

A man lay in the ruins with a chunk of masonry pinning him to the ground. It was a miracle that he was still alive.

Starfire gripped the masonry and lifted it effortlessly, hurling it to one side.

"Thank you." Gasped the man. "I have been trapped under that for hours."

Starfire nodded, "I am glad you are unharmed. Please, tell me what happened here."

The man coughed, "two woman came into town. One announced herself to be the 'Queen of the galaxy.' They were scorned, but one of them raised a hand and lifted a building into the air… I do not know how. Then she released it knocking down several other buildings. After it fell the women attacked and they… I'm sorry, but I can't continue."

Starfire wasn't listening anymore. She turned to Beastboy, "My sister Blackfire…"

"And Wraithe." Breathed Beastboy. "She's the only one who could lift a building with her mind. But… They're working together?"

Starfires eyes began to glow a fierce green. "This atrocity cannot be allowed to continue. Blackfire will be brought to justice!" She glared at Beastboy. "And I will be the one to do it!"

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Robin led the bounty huntress down the cliff. "You know." He said. "I would like to know your name."

The huntress spat. "My name is Sashiill." Her hands were bound and she was eyeing Robin with interest. "Hope you don't plan on going to sleep." She said. "Because I will make sure that you don't wake up."

Robin smiled. "Whatever you say." They reached the base of the cliff. "Come on Sashiill." He led her towards the grand city.

"Do you know where you're going?" Asked Sashiill.

"Not a clue."

"That is Azarath." Sashiill snapped. "You can't just walk into Azarath."

"Azarath?" Said Robin. "Isn't that where Raven comes from?"

"I don't know," snorted Sashiill. "Who's Raven?"

"Er… never mind."

"Alright.' Said Sashiill. "So you know someone from Azarath and you're probably considered a hero wherever you're from, but you're not going to get in."

"Well." Said Robin. "I'm just going to have to try."
Robin strode purposefully towards a large gateway, leading into Azarath. He crossed the threshold…

…and searing pain shot through his body, Robin staggered backwards and sagged to his knees, once again outside.

Sashiill sneered. "I told you so."

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Arella slipped through the trees, Cyborg in tow. "Keep going." She said. "It's not much further.

"Yeah, great." Cyborg pushed his way through some brambles.

After a few more minutes they reached a small cabin. "This is my home." Said Arella. "It's not a lot but it serves its purpose." She led Cyborg inside. "Please, sit down." She motioned to a chair.

"Er… thanks for, uh, rescuing me." Said Cyborg.

Arella shook her head. "No thanks required. The Archbears are common enemies." She gazed at Cyborg for a few seconds. "Interesting… you are part machine, yes?"

"Uh, yeah."

Arella nodded. "Then you must be Cyborg. One of the heroes responsible for the downfall of Trigon."

"Yeah."

"Impressive."

"Uh, thanks."

Arella smiled at him, "So, why are you here?"

"Well, our friend Raven disappeared a while ago, so we kinda' followed her to this place…' He trailed off, realizing his explanation was flimsy.

But Arella nodded. "I understand. But you must understand, this place is dangerous."

"Yeah, I kind' figured." Cyborg looked carefully at Arella. "But, if its so dangerous, then what are you doing out here on your own? Do you have magic powers or something?"

Arella shook her head. "No. But I do have a crossbow. And that counts for a lot."