Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans.
Chapter 7.
Demon Blood
After being defeated my Robin, Starfire, Beastboy and Sashiill, Malchior had flown away in search of easier prey.
It wasn't that they had really beaten him… Malchior knew he could've incinerated them all in the end.
But something had told him to retreat, some nagging feeling that Malchior couldn't shake. Something told him that something bad was going to happen.
Malchior had heard wing beats behind him and turned, to come face-to-face with a heavily armored figure riding some kind of large bat/cat thing. "Greetings dragon," the figure had said, "I'm looking for a half-demon named Raven. You wouldn't know where she is would you?"
Malchior roared, "even if I did I wouldn't tell a pathetic creature like you." He snarled. "begone wretch." Malchior had breathed a jet of flame but the figure held up a hand and the flames were extinguished. The armored figure snarled and clenched its hands into a fist.
Malchior felt his limbs pushed against his sides and his wings buckled.
Malchior plummeted towards the ground…
"Who was it?" Asked Terra.
Malchior shook his head, "I do not know. But I know my allies and he is not one of them.
Terra nodded. "Raven once told me someone named Malchior broke her heart. Was it you?"
"I don't see how that's relevant." Snapped Malchior. "But yes. She was easy to fool."
"So…" said Terra, "how do I know you're telling the truth?"
"If this wasn't the truth then I would have incinerated you by now!"
Terra nodded, "okay, sure." She looked back the way she'd came. "We need Rorek." She murmured.
Malchior and Terra watched Rorek and Darkstorm continue their fight. "I don't think they even see us." Said Malchior.
"Was it Rorek that trapped you in the book?" Asked Terra.
Malchior growled, "yes, but now isn't the time for feuds. I fear that we may be forced to work together on this front."
"But why?" Said Terra, "I mean, you're a Dragon. Just unleash your fury or whatever on the armored dude…"
Malchior sighed, "it's not that simple. You weren't there, you didn't feel the creatures power. Whoever it was it won't be easy to defeat." Malchior leaned over and plunged his claw into the ground between the two combatants.
They stopped in shock and looked up at Malchior. "Rorek." Rumbled the dragon. "We need to talk."
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Beastboy rubbed his head and winced at the lump. "Did you have to hit me so hard Star?"
Starfire shrugged. "I am sorry friend."
Robin was leading the ragged party over the plains. They'd reached a part that looked a lot like a ruined temple.
"Amazing." Breathed Starfire. "What is this place?"
"It's old." Said Sashiill. "Really old. Older then the bounty hunters."
Starfire hovered around gazing at the architecture, "the carvings are magnificent." She said.
Sashiill shrugged, "and yet it's still ruined. Just old rubble."
Starfire sighed, "just because something does not look as you would want it, does not mean it is nothing."
"The glass is half full, hmm?" Said Sashiill.
"What glass?" Starfire was perplexed. "I do not know what you refer to."
Sashiill sighed, "idiot." She muttered, then she stiffened.
"You sense it too?" Said Robin. "Someone's watching us." He drew two birdarangs and fitted them together. A long blade extended from the combined birdarangs. "Come out." Said Robin to the landscape in general.
Figures erupted from the ruins.
Tall dark armored figures with reptilian eyes.
They surrounded the Titans and Sashiill, holding various weapons.
"Well well well." Sneered one. "Little Sashiill all bound and gagged."
"Not exactly gagged." Growled Sashiill.
The bounty hunters circled like wolves, "getting captured." Said another, "not a very good trait. You always were weak."
"Your blood with spill as easily as the mortals." Spat another bounty hunter.
"Traitor." Hissed another.
"How are you a traitor?" Asked Robin.
"Because I didn't kill you when I had the chance." Hissed Sashiill. "I valued my own life over my bounty. For that I am a traitor."
"True." Sneered another bounty hunter. They prepared to attack.
Then something happened.
A shiver seemed to pass through the bounty hunters. Even Sashiill shuddered.
The bounty hunters cast their prey a glance then darted away.
"Oookay." Said Beastboy. "What's going on?"
Sashiill began to slowly follow the receding bounty hunters.
"He's calling me." She whispered. "My master is calling me."
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"That's not Malchior." Said Kaylin. "I know Malchior. And that ain't him."
The creature flapped towards them and landed a few meters away. It looked like a giant bat.
A heavily armored figure sitting on the creatures back pointed a lance at Raven, "half-demon." He growled, "your blood is mine."
"Fly Raven." Barked Kaylin, leaping forward, "We'll deal with him."
The armored figure laughed, "do you really think I'd come all the way for her only to be distracted by you?"
"I was kind of hoping…" Said Kaylin.
The armored warrior laughed. "Fools. Prepared to face the army of Gormancer."
Raven watched in horror as uncountable bounty hunters emerged from the trees behind her.
"Fly Raven now!" Shouted Arella.
Raven didn't think, she leapt up and launched herself into the air.
Raven heard the sound of wingbeats behind her as Gormancer gave chase.
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Terra sat on a rock and watched the others debate.
She had a feeling that this would take a while, she could almost sense the animosity between Malchior and Rorek, and Darkstorm seemed to be too concerned with his own affairs to care what either of the others said.
So Terra allowed her mind to wander.
As usual it wandered to thoughts of Beastboy. Terra really missed him.
She hoped he was all right.
"Oh Beastboy." She whispered, "what would you do if you were here?" Probably say something stupid and end up being eaten by Malchior, she thought. Oh well.
Then Terra saw something. "Uh… guys!" She called.
"What?" Snarled Malchior.
Terra pointed, there was a dust cloud coming towards them." Any idea what that is?" Asked Terra.
Malchior narrowed his eyes and peered closely at the dust cloud. "Raven." He growled.
"How can you tell?" Asked Terra.
"Do you question my sight? I am a Dragon. Nothing escapes my notice." Malchior barked. "She is fleeing from something."
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Raven flew as fast as she could. It was times like this that she wished she could fly as quickly as Starfire. Raven cast a glance behind her. Gormancer was catching up, but he seemed to be just toying with her, the massive mount was beating its wings in leisurely sweeps.
Raven looked forwards again. Then she screamed.
Malchiors massive tail swung towards Raven and wrapped around her waist, "greetings my sweet Raven." Malchior rumbled.
"I don't have time for this." Snapped Raven.
"Yes, you were doing perfectly well on your own." Growled Malchior, "we will combat Gormancer. He and I have a score to settle." He let go. "Go now."
Malchior turned to face the lord of the bounty hunters. Terra and Rorek appeared behind him on a boulder. Darkstorm appeared next to them.
"Was that Raven?" Asked Terra, pointing.
Malchior nodded. "And now we are fighting for her." He sighed. "I never expected to say that."
Gormancer halted his mount, "oh no." He sighed. "Not another resistance force. I am really getting tired with this charade. You can't defeat me."
Gormancer raised his lance. "Ecronaur Multaliss Desacree!" He roared. A bolt of lightning lanced from the sky and struck the end of the blade of the lance.
The lightning spread from the lance, each bolt that burst from the lance took on the form of Gormancer and his mount until the defenders were surrounded.
Several of the clones peeled away from the horde while the rest launched their attack.
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"So?" Said Wraithe. "What do you think?" She held a dress against herself.
Blackfire shrugged, "alright I suppose."
Wraithe put the dress back and sighed. "You didn't sound very enthusiastic."
Blackfire glared at her, "I just don't see how we have the time to shop." She snapped. "We're supposed to be helping Darkstorm."
Wraithe shrugged, "we're in another dimension Blackfire. We have to get souvenirs…" Suddenly her face became a mask of seriousness.
She could sense it.
It was time.
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Raven could see Azarath on the horizon now. She was almost safe!
Suddenly a blast of black lightning engulfed her body, causing her to scream and fall to the earth.
Raven was getting to her feet as Gormancer landed with a thump.
He leapt off his mount and advanced towards the half-demon girl.
"Don't come any closer." Growled Raven.
"And you will do what exactly?" Sneered Gormancer.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos." Raven used her power to rip a boulder out of the Earth and hurled it towards Gormancer.
Gormancer raised a hand and the boulder shattered.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven unleashed a beam of pure magic at Gormancer.
The blast hit him in the chest but it merely fizzled out on contact.
As Gormancer advanced towards her Raven stepped back and stumbled.
Gormancer gripped her arms and drew her towards him. "I have been waiting for you for too long." He hissed.
Gormancer removed his helmet, revealing his reptilian face.
"What do you want?" Gasped Raven.
Gormancer smiled, revealing two long fangs. "This." He plunged his fangs into her neck.