A/N: Before we begin, I'd like to thank deathgundam006 and ravelric for being my first two reviewers on this story. ravelric, yours especially had me grinning like an idiot, lol; I'm glad you think so highly of my writing, and I hope you, as well as my other readers, continue to enjoy reading this fic as much as I do writing it.
II
"When's this stupid flight supposed to be over?"
"Giz, it's only been an hour." Jinx said. "And why are you whining? We're on a private luxury flight to California, about to be official students at HIVE Academy. That alone will give us benefits out the ass."
"I hate planes." Gizmo scowled. "They're stuffy, they're boring, they hurt my ears, and I'm not allowed to use any of my tech."
"Oh my gods, you sound like a damn toddler who hasn't had his nap yet." Jinx laughed. Gizmo fumed further, sinking in his seat as he glared at Jinx, while Mammoth snored peacefully in his own seat, somehow able to have gotten comfortable enough to fall asleep. "Anyway, we've still got over five hours to go; why don't you make like Baran and try to sleep the rest of the way."
"Don't like sleepin'." Gizmo protested. "Too many ideas to focus on, not enough time in the day." As if to prove his point, he pulled out a notepad and started writing things down, likely invention ideas, not that Jinx actually had any real interest. Aside from absolutely essential stuff like her communicator, she tended to forgo any technology, as her powers didn't exactly get along with electronics.
"How you holding up, Rae?" The little bird made a movement with its wings that Jinx could only assume was supposed to be a shrug, and figured she was probably okay. Deciding to get a little rest of her own, Jinx kicked her feet up on her table, closing her eyes and letting her mind wander.
Naturally, her thoughts drifted toward what awaited them come morning, daydreaming about what the school would be like, and how well she'd stack up against her fellow students. Obviously, she had confidence in her own team, but she had no idea what anyone else would be bringing to the table, and that didn't sit well with her; not knowing things got people killed out in the field.
Raven, likely sensing her slight frustration, landed herself on Jinx's head, giving her one light tap on the forehead. Jinx got the message: relax. She did exactly that as she reminded herself that she now had an uber-powerful demon at her back looking out for her. That definitely brought her some comfort as she didn't imagine any of the HIVE kids would have something that could top that.
"I'll probably be top dog in no time with your help." She looked up at the bird. "But, uh, would you mind getting off my face?"
Jinx hadn't even realized she'd gone to sleep, but the lights switching on coupled with their stewardess announcing their arrival jolted her awake, apparently disturbing Raven as well, who had been resting atop Jinx's hair, and she focused her ire on the person who had interrupted their temporary serenity, hissing at the nervous flight attendant.
Their bags were waiting for them when they stepped onto the tarmac of HIVE's private runway, and Mammoth took the liberty of shouldering them, leaving the others with only their carry-ons.
A short van ride later, three metahumans and one non-disguised demon were standing in the entrance hall of HIVE Academy, all but Raven marveling at their surroundings.
"Excuse me." A voice caught their collective attention, earning six pairs of eyes turned her way. "Would you happen to be the team led by Jinx?" The speaker was a woman who looked to be in her early twenties, likely new at her job, judging by her frazzled demeanor and the mess of papers in her arms that she tried in vain to keep organized.
"I'm Jinx, and yes, this is my team." The meta introduced herself, sweeping an arm out to the side in gesture to her teammates.
"Great, great; I'm Melanie, and I'll be your guide until you get settled in here. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to sign in and then show you to your rooms." She made sure they acknowledged her before turning on her heel and strolling through a nearby automatic door, complete with cliché pneumatic hiss as it opened for them.
"Tomorrow, you'll get the grand tour of the facility. Normally, we'd do it on the day of arrival but, well, it's almost midnight, and you all have to be up at six for orientation." Their guide stopped in front of a door labeled "Administration", going through several security measures before stepping inside, waiting for the teens to follow her. "This is the administrative office; and this'll likely be the only time you come in here."
"Why?" Gizmo asked irritably. "And why's this room locked up so tight?"
"This is where we keep the physical copies of student files, or at least, back there we do." Melanie pointed to a door at the other end of the office, covered in various signage indicating that the room beyond was off limits to anyone that wasn't staff.
After going through a few filing cabinets and desk drawers, Melanie wore a small, triumphant smile as she pulled out a large three ring binder, setting it on the nearest empty space.
"Here we are. If you'll all sign your legal names, then your code names, we can get you squared away for the night." Jinx went first, turning to an empty page and writing her name, followed by Gizmo, Mammoth, and finally Raven. Melanie grabbed the binder to put it back where she'd retrieved it from, but she did a double take after reading all the names.
"Um, Miss." She looked at Raven. "I'm going to need you to sign this again."
"May I ask why?" Raven squinted, an unnerving action to most people, present company included, but there wasn't an ounce of detectable fear, nervousness, or even slight anxiety coming from this woman. 'Interesting.'
"Because you've only filled in one section, and it's illegible." She flipped the book around to show the confused demon.
"That is how my name has always been written." Raven insisted.
"Let me see it." Jinx practically snatched the binder away from them, eyes widening at what she found. A series of scratchy, interconnected lines covered the little box, and would look to most people like nothing but gibberish. "Uh… Raven? Would this happen to be the language from back home?"
Raven refused to meet Jinx's eyes. "…Yes."
"Okay, well, I kinda think she wants you to write it in English." Jinx suggested.
"I am… unable." There was a barely noticeable blush staining her cheeks, made more difficult to spot due to her skin's natural hue.
"Do you… do you not know how to write in English? And for that matter, can you read it?" Jinx asked her seriously.
Again, Raven looked in six different directions at once to avoid eye contact. "…No."
Jinx frowned. "Why didn't you say something before now? And what were you planning to do with books if you couldn't read them?"
"Pride makes up the core of my being." Raven explained with a shrug, seeming less embarrassed. "Admitting any sort of weakness, even something like this, goes against my nature. And I was hoping that, as a fellow mage, you might have some spell books I could study."
Melanie cleared her throat then, reminding the girls there were others in the room with them, and causing them both to blush this time. "Well, Raven, we here at the HIVE have a variety of language tutors from around the world. And you seem pretty smart already; I'm sure we'll have your little literacy problem fixed in a flash. But for now, would you mind if I got a thumbprint instead."
"That, will also not be possible…" Raven muttered, suddenly finding interest in the walls. "I… don't have fingerprints." She presented her fingers for Melanie to examine, effectively stumping the woman.
"Tell you what." She said after a moment's thought. "The Headmistress will be here in the morning, and she'll be able to get this all sorted out; why don't we go find your rooms."
"Actually, about that…" Jinx said. "She's not technically a HIVE student; we, or I, sort of picked her up last minute, and she doesn't officially exist on any databases. Is it okay if she rooms with me?"
Melanie actually smiled at that, surprising the two of them, though Raven didn't show it. "That, I can take care of. 'Ghosts' make up a decent percentage of HIVE students, and we have programs here to get aliases, ID's, passports, and the like."
Jinx released the breath she'd been holding, relief flooding through her at the statement.
"Don't worry, girls, the HIVE takes very good care of its own. Now, is everyone ready?" Jinx looked to make sure the boys had heard her, only to find them playing rock, paper, scissors. Mammoth looked smug as he beat Gizmo for what was likely not the first time.
She sighed agitatedly. "Mike, Baran, let's go!" They both jumped, looking sheepish as they quickly rejoined the girls.
"And lastly, we have twelve-b, Jinx's room." Melanie pulled out a card and opened a door identical to the dozens of others in the corridor apart from their labels, before giving the key to Jinx. "You'll need to keep this with you until you get your student ID's, unless you want to get locked out."
"I'll keep that in mind." Jinx assured her. She waved Melanie goodnight as she and Raven entered their shared room, dropping her bags next to the entryway. The space was decent, but nothing to write home about; the same black and gold as everything else here. Furniture was sparse, being just a queen-size bed and a small dresser with a mirror, and décor was nonexistent.
She could fix the room up later; right now, the only thing she cared about was grabbing a quick shower and going to bed.
Jinx flopped onto the gunmetal grey sheets with all the grace of drunkard after happy-hour, relishing the soft bedspread under her tired muscles; or what muscles she had, being the twig that she was.
"So, you just gonna stare at me all night, again?" She asked the demon hovering in the center of the room.
"Maybe." Raven admitted. "I might explore this facility if I grow tired of that."
"Well, don't get caught." Jinx warned. "Can't have my big, bad demon getting detention, now can we?"
Raven smirked. "Yes, what ill fate might befall you were I not around to destroy your enemies?" They both smiled, sharing a comfortable silence that Jinx was loath to break, but she needed to ask something important.
"Hey, are you, ya know… okay, with all this? I mean, we did just kinda drag you across the country without really asking your opinion on the whole thing."
"If I recall correctly," Raven said, "and I always recall correctly, I suggested binding myself to you. I've never had a chance to explore this mortal plane before, so any experience here will be a new one to me." She smiled. "Besides, I couldn't let the first human I didn't instantly despise be imprisoned."
"Uh, thanks." Jinx hoped her natural pink blush would hide the red one currently gaining traction from Raven's words. "I should get some sleep; I'll see you in the morning."
"Stinkin' paperwork; stupid formalities." Gizmo mumbled. "Don't they already have this stuff on file?"
"Least you can write properly." Mammoth said. "I can barely keep a hold of these tiny little pens."
"You guys ever thought of maybe not complaining first thing in the morning?" Jinx asked with minimal rancor. "It's bad enough I have to be up this early without you two giving me a headache. And Giz, they need our info to be up to date."
A new presence entering the small classroom they'd been placed in for orientation halted their squabble. She stood about five feet tall, grey hair in a neat bun just so, wearing the black jacketed uniform of all HIVE staff, the school's emblem prominently on display on the left sleeve.
"Good morning new recruits." She greeted, her tone the pinnacle of professionalism. "I am HIVE's headmistress, and will be addressed only as such. I understand someone here had a registration problem; which of you is Raven?" She looked pointedly between the two female students.
The girl in question cleared her throat and stood up. "That would be me."
"Alright, if you'd be so kind as to follow me, we can get everything situated for your stay here." Without waiting for a reply, the Headmistress turned and exited the same door she'd entered, Raven right behind her.
Their journey through the halls was a silent one, not that Raven minded. Idle conversation was something she seldom participated in, and only ever when someone else initiated it.
The Headmistress took them to the end of a hall that looked like it was rarely used, coming to what appeared to be a dead-end. This was proven false, however, when the older woman waved her hand in front of an unassuming patch of wall that opened at her gesture, revealing an opulent office space within. She strolled casually to a large desk, taking her seat with poise as she made another gesture, this one directed at the chairs on the other side of the desk. Raven took the hint and picked the nearer chair, mirroring her temporary companion's elegance in the action.
The Headmistress retrieved a device from the desk that Raven couldn't name, but she did recognize that it utilized the same interactable screen technology that Raven had found to be a fascinating feature of the music player given to her by Jinx. She surmised that it must be used for documentation.
"Alright, Raven, how about we start with the basics; can you give me a last name?"
Raven shook her head. "My people don't employ surnames. Titles are awarded for noteworthy feats, but beyond that, only basic identification is deemed necessary."
"Your people?" The Headmistress raised an eyebrow.
"Demons." Raven clarified. "My childhood was spent predominantly in the underworld."
"Interesting." The Headmistress eyed her, intrigued. She tapped the device rapidly, likely inputting the information. "All the same, could you tell me the names of your parents? That is, assuming demonic reproduction is at least similar to our own; I'm afraid the school is a bit lacking in the more occult magic studies."
"Similar enough." Raven confirmed. "My mother's name is Angela."
"Your mother, a demon… her name is Angela?" The Headmistress looked dubious.
"The irony is not lost on me." Raven smirked.
"Indeed." The Headmistress shared her expression. "And of your father?"
"Erm…" Raven lost her conviction uncharacteristically, knowing her father's reputation. She vetted on how she should proceed, and decided it would be wiser in this instance to simply "barrel forward" as she'd heard it said. "His name is Trigon."
That certainly got a reaction out of the otherwise stoic woman, and she nearly dropped what she was holding. Her shock lasted only seconds before she collected herself, clearing her throat and steeling herself as she sat up straighter.
"You'll have to forgive my indignity." She tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. "Even I am aware of who your father is."
"An understandable reaction." Raven nodded. "Though, you should know that he's, er, retired, I suppose the word would be; his status of 'Vengeful Interdimensional Demonic War God' is no longer in effect."
"I suppose that's good news for a great many people." The Headmistress quipped.
"An understatement if I've ever heard one."
"Well, I can't argue that." She entered the new information, giving the device a split-second's hesitation. "At any rate, we should get to the next area; what powers do you possess?"
"How long do you have?" Raven deadpanned. "General mastery of sorcery and psionics should cover most of it, along with enhanced strength, senses, reflexes, empathy, and psychokinesis, both physical and astral."
"An impressive list, to be sure." The Headmistress again went to typing on her screen, pausing every few seconds as if in thought. "Next, do you have any previous experience in the field of mercenary work?"
"None."
"Well, training shouldn't present any sort of problem for someone of your status. Though I can't help but wonder, what is the princess of Hell doing in a place like this? Would this not be seen as being below your station?"
"I defer to Jinx." Raven offered by way of explanation. "This is where she wishes to be, so this is where I am."
"Is that so?" Raven nodded. "How exactly would you describe your relationship with Jinx?"
"I am bound to her; I protect her, and in exchange, my whereabouts remain hidden from my father's great sight."
"I see. And if your father were to somehow find you despite this binding?"
"I would likely be confined to the underworld as a result." Raven said. "I can assure you he'll not hold anything against this place for my actions; this school is in no danger from my father, unless it collectively decided to make a move against him."
"Alright, I can accept that." The Headmistress made a few more taps, and gave the device a once-over before setting it back where she'd gotten it from. "Do you have any questions for me?"
"Just one." Raven said. "Why bring me to what I assume is your personal quarters for simple information acquisition?"
"It's what I do for all of our 'ghosts' as Melanie put it. This is the most secure room in the school, and one of the most secure in the nation, and if a student is more inclined to hide their background, rather than simply not knowing it, this place allows them to divulge any sensitive information that would be best kept private, even from my staff." It made sense to Raven, from a logical standpoint.
"Then your discretion is appreciated, but ultimately, unneeded in my case. I have no shame in my origins; my life story is, for the most part, an open book to those who ask."
"An admirable trait." The Headmistress assented. "I'll keep that in mind, but for now, I believe your teammates will be heading to the medical ward about now; you should join them." Raven nodded her agreement and floated away toward where she sensed Jinx.
The Headmistress had been right; Raven found Jinx and the others just a few feet from a large door marked with a red cross, and labeled with a word Raven assumed was something along the lines of "infirmary". Melanie was busying herself with her ever-present stack of stationery.
"There you are." Jinx smiled at her, and Raven found she enjoyed the sight, though why that was, she couldn't quite figure out, and she tossed the thought away for now. "Everything good?"
Raven nodded. "She asked me about my powers, prior experience, basic things like that."
"Yeah, well, that was the easy part." Jinx smirked. "How do you feel about doctors?"
"Never been to one."
"I figured." Jinx said, grimacing as they entered the ward. She looked over to Raven while they waited for a nurse to show up, and noticed, along with the boys, the slight trail of drool escaping the corner of her lips.
"Uh, here." Mammoth handed her a nearby box of tissues, touching the corner of his own mouth in a miming gesture. Raven took them gratefully, dabbing at the offending liquid. "Something wrong?"
"It's this place." Raven said. "The amount of residual pain, fear, and anguish in just this room is… staggeringly delicious." She cleared her throat. "Sorry."
"Alright, that's just disturbing." Gizmo hopped up on a counter in lieu of any actual chairs. Silence fell until a door opened, and a nurse came in holding a clipboard.
"Jinx's team, I presume?"
"You presume correctly." Jinx answered her.
"Follow me." She led them into the back, passing several doors and ending just short of the end of the hall.
The first hour or so was spent doing standard physical measurements; height, weight, etc., and the eye tests were a memorable experience for all. Then things got interesting as they started doing the more invasive procedures; specifically, drawing blood.
Jinx, Gizmo, and Mammoth went first, and much as the rest of their time spent with the demoness, things didn't go as expected.
The nurse came into the waiting room, panting as she held up a hand to Mammoth. "Would you… mind giving us a hand with this?"
"Uhh, okay…" He followed her to the room he had recently occupied, watching with slight amusement as the medical staff were trying to get the needle to go into Raven's arm, but her skin seemed to disagree with this idea. "Mind if I try?"
He started pressing down slowly, not wanting to use too much force and end up sending the syringe all the way through her limb. Applying more and more of his impressive strength, though, he could see why they'd failed up to now to penetrate the girl's vein.
Finally, after using enough muscle to curve the barrel of a soviet tank, he managed to make the needle cooperate and go in. The medical staff all sighed with relief, one going to start the machine up.
Despite their place of work, and the kinds of people they routinely saw to, they couldn't help but look on in morbid curiosity as a midnight black, viscous fluid traveled up the IV, filling about half the bag before the needle was forcefully ejected from Raven's arm, landing embedded in the wall.
"That's… new." Curiosity turned to mild horror as the blood in the bag started moving, apparently attempting to escape its new confines as it repeatedly threw itself against the plastic container, notably in Raven's direction.
"Wow." Jinx said after getting the play-by-play. "I feel sorry for the poor bastards if you ever get sick here."
"That won't be a problem." Raven said. "My body does not allow for the spread of infections of any kind."
"Oh god, it's looking at me!" A nurse's voice was heard some distance away.
"Never a dull moment with you, huh?" Jinx laughed. "So, where are we headed next, Melanie?"
"Up next is lunch." Melanie said, not looking up from her paperwork. "After that, you'll be giving a demonstration of your team's performance in the gym. That reminds me, do any of you have any special dietary needs?"
"I don't eat beef." Jinx said. "And Rae's gonna need some raw meat."
"Raw but warmed." Raven added.
"I'll let the cooks know." Melanie said as she led the group to the cafeteria.
True to her word, Melanie had made sure the cooks had something prepared for Jinx and Raven. Jinx had gotten a chicken and rice substitute for her burger, while Raven was given a few cuts of pork. At least she assumed it was pork; it really didn't make a difference to her as long as it was bleeding.
"Alright, where do we wanna sit?" Jinx looked to Raven.
"That table looks open." She pointed toward a back corner of the lunchroom, where there was indeed an unoccupied table. They strode purposefully, hoping to make it there before another group claimed it. Mammoth and Gizmo were still trying to decide what they wanted, making it take even longer with their arguments over which flavour of pudding was superior.
"Dammit, forgot my silverware." Jinx said, starting to get up before Raven put a hand on her shoulder.
"I'll get it." She volunteered, moving back toward the other end of the room.
Jinx, meanwhile, kept watch dutifully over the other seats at the table, making sure no one else sat down there. So distracted was she with her task that she almost didn't hear the words yelled across the room.
"Hey Pinky, think fast." Apparently, Jinx didn't think fast enough as she didn't register the milk carton being thrown her way until she had no way of avoiding it. She threw her arms up as a shield, but it turned out to be unnecessary.
She opened her eyes to find a wall of darkness had been erected, intercepting the dairy-filled projectile and preventing her humiliation. A familiar six-eyed visage adorned the shadowy surface; its gaze narrowed on the now dead silent crowd of students, searching for something.
The milk carton detached itself, held aloft by dark energy. Black quickly changed to red, and at the same time, an identical glow spread over a boy several tables over, with hair that appeared to be made of pure flame, and he looked himself over in confusion.
The carton rocketed back to where it had come from at a much greater velocity, the impact sending the unfortunate student through a stone pillar and straight into a wall.
Raven's energy disappeared, and the demon herself materialized floating above the boy's miraculously still conscious form, shadows writhing about the bottom of her cloak. She reached down and grabbed him by his hair to pull him closer, heedless of the fire that tried in vain to burn her.
"You made a mistake today." Raven calmly told the quivering student. "Pray I do not find out, should you make another." She released her grip, letting him go as he promptly fainted, and she returned to Jinx's side as the cafeteria buzz slowly returned to normal.
"Impressive." Jinx commended. "You really made that upperclassman your bitch."
"I merely taught a fatuous insect to respect his betters." Raven said casually as Mammoth and Gizmo finally joined the two.
"Well if that's you just messin' around, I can't wait to see you get serious during the demo later." Jinx was excited; she was going to show the rest of these kids why it was a bad idea to mess with her and her team, provided Raven hadn't already done the job with her little display.