Chap. 19

New Problems

"Are you really sure about this?" Beast Boy asked for the tenth time as the trio walked down the hall. "For the last time, yes." Sara said with an exasperated sigh. The two of them and Brett were walking down the hallway to Raven's room. Obviously, the two Knights would have preferred that Beast Boy had been able to make this trip by himself. But knowing how insecure Beast Boy was and given his track record so far, the two of them had decided to 'escort' the green one to Raven's room. BB however, had thought that they would make that trip in the future. But Sara and Brett had been quite insistent that he talk to Raven about his feelings at a very specific time- today at now. Therefore, despite his early protests, Beast Boy found himself walking down the hallway to the most wonderful and terrifying experience of his life.

"Maybe we should wait another day or something?" he tried again, as they turned another corner. "If we do that, then you'll lose what little nerve you have and then this will drag on for weeks." Brett said. "I do not want to have to watch you two grope around in the dark before something finally happens." "Um, Brett?" Sara said, stifling a laugh. "What?" the bat asked, totally oblivious. "I would hope that we don't have to help them do that." "What are you talk… Oh dear God." Brett said, as he realized what he'd just said. Whirling around, he turned to Beast Boy. "Don't get any ideas. You two had better not ever let me catch you doing that." "So if we don 't let you catch us?" Beast Boy asked, a grin on his own face. "NO! JUST DON'T DO IT! EVER! OR UNTIL I'M DEAD, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST!" "Brett we're immortal." Sara said. "Then it works perfectly." Brett said.

Sara shook her head ruefully, marveling at her husband. "How did you ever expect to raise a daughter?" she asked him. "I figured I'd pick it up as I went along. And if that didn't work, I'd let you raise her." "Brilliant." Sara muttered, as they made one last turn and finally ended up at Raven's room. Turning to face the green one, Brett said, "OK, now you know the plan. You knock on the door, go inside, talk to her, and go from there." "Right. I totally understand. You can totally leave it up to me." Beast Boy said, as he turned to face the door. "Great. We'll just stay here till you do it." Brett said. "Dammit." BB muttered under his breath. As the two Knights stood behind him, ready to hide the second the door opened, Beast Boy raised his hand and knocked on the door….

Only to have it fall over and crash to the floor the second his hand touched it. "Oh not again." Beast Boy said, before he really got a look inside the room. "What the hell did you…" Brett began to say, but then he saw inside as well. And it was truly a sight. The furniture was knocked over, books lined the floor, and behind the bed, there was a purple boot lying on the ground. "Starfire!" Sara said, as they ran into the room. Moving over to the unconscious alien, Sara kneeled down and took a quick look at the girl. "She's ok, just unconscious." She said after noticing no wounds or other injury. Moving her hand to Star's forehead, the fox closed her eyes and activated her healing power. Light spilled forth from her hand and onto Starfire's face. Suddenly, the green eyes began to open as she let out a moan. "Sara? How did you get in here?" Star asked, as she gingerly tried to get up. "Through the door." Brett answered, pointing behind them. "Are you ok?" BB asked. "I believe so. I do not think anything is wrong with me." Star answered. "Good. Do you know what happened in here?" Brett asked. "Where's Raven?" At that, Star's eyes widened. "Oh no! Raven has been childslept!" "You mean kidnapped?" Sara asked. "Yes that is the word." "Star, tell us everything that happened in here." Brett said urgently.

"Raven and I were discussing something, and then there was a strange odor within the room." "Yeah I can still smell it." Beast Boy. "Man, it's horrible!" "That is my perfume." Starfire said. "Oh… uh never mind." The green one apologized. "If we could get to the point." Brett asked. "Oh yes. The smell was like… I believe it is called brimstone." "Brimstone? Are you sure?" Sara asked. "Positive." Starfire replied. Punching her palm, Sara looked up at her husband. "Magical teleportation." The fox said. "He must've come to get her." But Brett shook his head. "No, it couldn't be. I stripped him of all his powers. He wouldn't be able to teleport." "But what about somebody else?" BB suddenly asked. "What?" "Would he be able to teleport somebody else?" Brett started to say no, but then his eyes widened. "Oh my God, how could I have been so dumb?" he asked himself. "Rorek can't use his active powers, but he can still cast spells. Goddamit, I forgot that!" "But then that means he's found an accomplice." Sara said. "Star, do you remember anything about who came in here?" "Not much… there two of them. One of them was very large… he wore black… Mammoth! It was Mammoth and See-More!" "How would Rorek have met those two?" Sara asked. "Rorek got send to that prison upstate, and they went to the Island on the other side of the harbor." "I think I know." Beast Boy said. "I read in the paper that they were doing some renovations to the Island, and some of the prisoners had to be moved out temporarily. I'll give you three guesses where those guys ended up."

Brett nodded. "So let's look this all over. We know that Rorek still has the ability to cast spells. We know that he met at least some of the Hive Five in prison and formed some kind of alliance with them. He must've taken Raven to try to finish what he started- taking her power." "But then why would he have See-More take something from the chest?" Starfire asked. "The chest?" Brett asked. "Yes, he reached in and grabbed an object before he left." Brett's face paled underneath the fur, and he all but dove into the chest. Tearing through everything inside it, the bat finally came up and yelled, "It's gone! He took the book!" "The one he was trapped in?" Beast Boy asked. "Why would he want that?" "Because he wasn't the only one trapped inside." Sara said. "He's after the dragon again. And if he takes Malichor's and Raven's powers…." "He'll be almost unstoppable." Brett breathed. "Get the others. We have got to figure out where they are, before Rorek takes their powers and wipes out everybody who opposes him." "He can't become that powerful, can he?." Starfire asked. Brett grimly replied, "The power of a dragon and the spawn of Trigon? I'm not sure the JLA could stop him.".

"Well, well. How the tables turn, my little bird."

Despite her groggy state, Raven's head popped up immediately at the sound of that voice. Rorek stood in front of her, dressed in his armor again. "They not have any prison clothes that fit?" she asked, as she rose to her feet. "Joke all you like Raven. But considering you may not live for much longer, I would try to say something a bit more memorable." "I don't know what you have planned Rorek, but I'm not gonna let you go through with it." Raven snarled, as she shot out her hand, ready to activate her power….. but nothing happened. Rorek laughed, and asked, "Do you really think that I would keep you here with your full power? I still know enough magic to use a repression spell on you Raven. Your powers are gone for the moment. But don't worry. You'll have them back again,…. Long enough to give them to me." "And why would I do that?" Raven asked. "'Cause you ain't got a choice Missy!" said a voice from behind Raven.

Turning around, Raven saw Billy Numerous and the rest of the HIVE Five standing next to the wall. "I see you've lowered your standards for henchmen." Raven said. "Oh we're not henchmen." Jinx said sneeringly. "After Rorek gets done with his plan, we're going to be the rulers of the U.S. And it's going to be sooner then later witch." At that, Gizmo held up an object that Raven recognized instantly. Moving forward, she attempted to grab it, but there was a flash of orange and her hand was forced back. "Force field my dear." Rorek explained. "I take every precaution. It's kind of sad you know. I wanted to do this the easy way. But now, I'll have to use this book to take both of your powers." "Both of… Rorek no! You can't be…." "Oh but I am Raven. Why settle for just your power when I can have the dragon's too?" "But you can't!" Raven exclaimed in horror. "A spell with that much power…." "well send out a magic shockwave that will destroy everything around it." Rorek finished noncommittally. "I know the risks Raven, and I'm already prepared. This building is equipped for the shockwave, and I've already made potions for the HIVE. But don't worry. You'll be gone just before the city follows you into the Abyss."

Bottom of Form