Chap. 6
Explorations
But I think we all know what Milhouse will say and what thoughts it will awaken in Brett's mind. And if not, well, every story needs some suspense. Therefore, let's focus on seeing just how Rorek will take to this new world…..
"Truly impressive." Rorek said in awe, as he looked over the main room of Titans Tower. "How did you acquire the material to build such a structure?" "The city provided them." Cyborg explained. "After we first got together, the Justice League said we needed our own watchtower. So the city agreed to build this place for us. Under my specifications of course." "I'm sorry, Justice League?" Rorek asked. "The big heroes. They protect the whole world, not just one city. That's where we're going to be someday." Cyborg said, as he reached into the fridge. "You hungry?" the bionic one asked. "Actually yes. All that time in the book, I forgot what it was like to have an appetite." Rorek said. "What do you have in there?" "Well, let's see. No, no, that's moving, no, Starfire made it,… ah, here we go. Here you go Rorek, your first slice of pizza." "Should it be leaking like this?" Rorek asked, as he took the grease-riddled slice from Cyborg. "Oh that's the best part." Cy said, as he drank the soda he'd grabbed. Tentatively, Rorek took the pizza and raised it to his mouth. Taking a bite, he chewed once, twice, savoring the taste. A smile creased over his face, and he quickly devoured the rest of the slice. "Is there anymore?" Rorek asked. "Sorry, all that's left is Beast Boy's slice, and that means it's covered in tofu." Cy replied. Rorek nodded, but then saw something that completely took his attention. Walking over to it, he stared into the blank screen before him.
"And what do you call this?" Rorek asked, as he ran his hands over the device's smooth surface. "It's a television. We use to watch…. Well I guess you'd call 'em stories." Cyborg explained. "Let me show you." The bionic Titan said, as he reached for the remote on the counter. Pointing it at the TV, he pushed the power button, causing the screen to flicker to life. The images of a cowboy, shooting wildly through a town, filled the screen. Surprised, Rorek pulled back from the television, his eyes wide with disbelief. Bringing up his left hand, the young wizard gathered a ball of magic energy in his palm, and prepared to send it into the screen. "NOOO! NOT THE TV!" Cy yelled, as he reached forward to stop the wizard. But thankfully, someone else appeared who managed to do just that. "It's ok, Rorek." Raven said, as she lowered Rorek's magic covered hand. "It's just a picture. It won't hurt you." Listening to the words of the empath, Rorek nodded. "I apologize. It startled me." "It's ok. How's everything going so far?" Raven asked. "Fairly well. Cyborg has been showing me much of this world's …. Technology, and Bart, Robin, and Nelson were going to show me the city later." "So what brings you here anyway Rae?" Cyborg asked, still flushed from the near destruction of the TV. "Actually, I need Rorek for something." The empath asked. "There's still some residual magic left in my room from the spell. Since it's something you're an expert in, I thought you could help get rid of it, before it grows into something else." "Of course, it's the least I can do for the maiden who freed me." Rorek replied happily. Taking Raven's arm, the two walked through the door, leaving Cyborg alone to shake his head ruefully at the two.
"So how do you like the future?" Raven asked, as the two of them walked down the hall to her room. "It is an interesting place." Rorek said. "But it will never replace my home." "Of course not." Raven agreed. "Tell me my dear, do you miss your home?" the wizard asked. "Azarath? Sometimes. It was destroyed after my father got out, and I haven't really thought about it since. It hurts too much I guess" "I'm sorry to hear that. Still, it is one more thing we have in common." "What do you mean one more?" Raven asked. "Both of us are children of magic, we have ties to dark creatures, and both our homes are gone, leaving us in this world." "Yeah I guess so." Raven agreed thoughtfully. "I only hope that things have improved since my time." Rorek continued. "So many people there were shortsighted, blind to the power that magic could bring. I can remember so many times when they cast me out because of what I wanted to do with my magic." "Well, people are a bit more open now." Raven said. "Indeed, if they have accepted you and your parents. Of course they would be fools not to accept such a beauty in their midst." Rorek said.
Raven turned her face, trying to hide her blush. But the wizard apparently saw it, as he reached around and drew her face back. "You do not need to hide anything from me, Raven." Rorek said, gently pulling her hair back. "You and I are two of a kind. We are perfect for each other. I have felt love for you since Malichor began his plot. I hated him even more for it, but I was almost thankful he could show me those glimpses of you through the book. And I know you feel the same for me." "I-I.." Raven stammered, trying to speak. "Shhh." Rorek said, placing his fingers on her lips. "Let us speak without words." He said, as he closed his eyes and leaned in closer.
But as the wizard did so, he suddenly felt a hand gently block his progress. Opening his eyes, he looked at Raven with curious eyes. "Rorek, it isn't that I don't like you." Raven began. "But I'm just not ready yet. Malichor….. really hurt me, and I haven't been able to get over it yet. I mean, maybe I will soon, but now…." "Of course." Rorek said gently. "If that is what you need, then it what I shall give you. I only wish I could give you the head of the dragon as well." "Well, that's kinda sweet." Raven said. "Hmm. I suppose so." Rorek said, with a smirk. Raven smiled back, and the two of them went back to walking towards the room.
"Where are those two?" Brett said, as he looked over the room. "I can sense the magic in here like broken glass. I don't want it to piece it back together." "Calm down, Brett." Sara said. "I'm sure that Raven is getting him as fast as she can." "Yeah, right." Brett muttered. "What was that?" Sara asked. "Nothing." Brett answered. "Oh, I heard something." Sara replied not letting it go. "Look, I'm sure you're right, ok? Isn't that what you usually like to hear?" "Yes, but I think there's something else behind it." The fox replied. "You're not worried about the two of them are you?" The bat gave no answer, but that in itself was a reply. Sara smiled and said, "Brett, this was going to happen eventually." "I know, but I was hoping that she'd be older. Like thirty." The bat replied. "Oh that's realistic. Look, after what's been happening lately, you should be happy if Raven's found someone." "I know. But I'm worried that's she's hoping Rorek will be like Malichor was in the beginning. What if she's just clinging to him for that? I don't want to see her get hurt again. And besides, maybe there's somebody else for her."
Before Sara could get anywhere with that question, the door opened, and Raven and Rorek walked in. "You two get anything else from the room?" Raven asked. "Not much. The magic's pretty scattered right now, but if we leave it alone, I think something might go wrong." Brett said, smoothly switching topics. "Any ideas, Rorek?" he asked the wizard. "I might." Rorek asked. Taking a look at the room, Rorek suddenly waved both his hands in front of him. A green energy field spread out from them, and covered the entire room. As it spread, small patches of gold and black became visible. "Nice trick." Sara said, as she looked over the room. "Thanks. Looks like you were right." Rorek said. "The spell left fragments of Almagan magic all over the room. They're harmless now, but they could interfere with any other kind of magic." "Well, we can't get the Almagan back. It's draining enough just to call it once." Brett said. "It'll be at least a day before we can call it again." "There might be another way to get it back." Rorek said. "If you two will let me, I can filter the magic through me and back into you two." "Is that safe?" Raven asked. "Completely. With these two as my focus, the magic won't harm me." Rorek replied. "Sounds like a plan to me. What do you need?" Sara asked. "Just hold out your blades. I'll do the rest."
Shrugging, Brett drew the Shadowblade and held it in front of the wizard. Sara did the same with the Lightblade. Cautiously, Rorek gripped both blades and closed his eyes. As he did, both weapons began to glow. Brett and Sara suddenly went rigid, as the magic on the floor suddenly shot through Rorek's body and into their weapons. The process went by so fast; the magic was gone in seconds. The glow disappeared, and Rorek released both blades. "Whoa." Brett said, as he staggered back. "Where'd you learn that trick?" "An old monk back home." Rorek replied. "Although it apparently isn't perfect yet." He said, holding up his now bleeding hands. Raven hissed, and without a word, took Rorek's hands in her own, covering them in her black energy. Rorek's face eased of pain, as the magic did its work. "Thanks." He said, as Raven released his hands. "No problem." Raven said shyly.
Suddenly, the doors opened and the figure of Beast Boy appeared. "Guys, we've got a problem!" he said frantically. "What is it?" Sara asked. "It's the HIVE Five! They're attacking the finical district." "You know, I really hate those guys ever since they got new members." Brett said. "Come on Rorek. Looks like you're getting your baptism of fire." "I'll earn it well." Rorek replied, as he left the room, to be followed by Raven and Sara. Brett was the last to leave, though he did so slowly. "Hey BB." He said, noticing the way that his green friend was staring ahead with a grim stare. "Yeah?" he answered. "How come the alarm system didn't go off?" "Cyborg doesn't know. He said something's interfering with it." Beast Boy replied. "I see. Are you all right?" the bat asked suddenly. "Huh? Fine, why do you ask?" he replied. "Well, you don't usually stare down the hallways like that." "I thought I saw something." The green one replied. "Come on, we're gonna miss it." He said, as he suddenly morphed into a cheetah and ran down the hall. Brett stood silent for a moment, and then shook his head. "I owe you twenty Mil." The bat said with a sigh, as he began to run down the hallway himself.