Dark Shadow: Thank you for.. all.. your reviews! I posted this chapter the minute I saw your pleas. Hopefully this will answer a few quetions for you. Just tell me if you need more answers. I'll try to post as soon as I can!
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Raven gave a small shudder as she thought of what she had to do today. She had saved him for almost last, because she knew his antics would be hardest to endure. She quickly showered and dressed, taking an hour to meditate so she would not lose her temper. Then Raven walked across the halls onto the plain silver door. She took a deep breath and knocked.
"What- Raven, what's up?" A disgruntled Beast Boy asked her as he rubbed his eyes.
"What... do you want to do today?" Her voice was slightly high and choked.
The changeling eyed her strangely and said, "Oh, I don't know... sleep, eat, play video games. Why?"
"Can I join you?" The words were forced and fake.
"Raven are you feeling okay?" BB asked.
No, actually the end of the world is coming and I am having no dreams whatsoever. I nearly destroyed my shower curtain yesterday because it had a spot of red that I thought was Trigon and I lost my poetry book.
"I'm fine." Raven replied.
Beast Boy studied her for another moment. "Sure, you can hang out with me if you want to. I'll go make us some Tofu waffles!"
This is going to be a long day.
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On Azerath, the last of the monks stood huddled in a dark corner; his pale yellow robes ripped and red eyes staring blankly at the figure in front of him.
"Your coming with me." The low growl from the demon commanded.
"May your soul rest in peace when you pay for your sins." He whispered his reply.
A clawed hand descended quickly down upon him.
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Raven managed to take small bites of the waffles, and actually discovered that they tasted pretty much like real ones. She wasn't particularly fond of waffles, but she didn't hate them.
"They taste almost like real waffles." She commented politely.
The green teen laughed. "That is because they are pretty much the same. They are just made with fake eggs."
Her mind was clinking as she chewed. "Cyborg always makes it sound as if they are..."
"From another planet?" BB finished for her.
Raven nodded.
He shrugged. "That's Cy for ya."
She didn't reply as she finished the last bite; and followed him out to the couch.
"What game do you want to play? Super Robot Crash, or Space Alien Invasion, or..." Beast Boy went on with the list of games.
Raven couldn't help but give a small smile. He was immature and lazy, yes. He is also so happy and... smiling; and perhaps there is more to him then he lets on...
"So, which one?" The changeling asked when he finished.
She hid her smile and replied, "You pick."
"Alright, Super Robot Crash it is!" He proclaimed, slamming the game in.
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"I do not like this. We cannot trust him, my lady." Desparos said, his arms were folded and he looked annoyed.
"We have little choice now that you have knocked him out and brought him here." Celeste replied coolly.
He snorted. "What did you want me to do? I have no dealings with his kind."
"I wanted you to put your grudge behind you and talk to him." She answered softly. "Why does your hate reach so far for him?" Her violet eyes scanned his face, as he looked down in silence.
"Mistress Celeste," Adena walked in suddenly.
The tense moment passed as she turned around to the girl. "Yes, Adena?"
"The man in the other room is waking." She replied, a question in her crimson eyes.
"Then let us get ready. We want to look our best for our guest." Celeste replied calmly.
Adena smiled and grabbed her pale hand, skipping out of the hall and into the next room.
Desparos didn't move. He hung his head; staring deep at the golden-tiled floor and willed the guilt to go away. He had put his mistress in danger because of an old grudge he had. A good guardian never puts his needs above his charge's. What was worse was that she was not angry with him. She had not punished him at all. She was disappointed in him; and that reproachful look in her eyes was the worst punishment he could get.
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After the tenth round, Raven learned the controls of the game. By the fifteenth, she was putting up a fight; and though she would never admit it, Raven was having a bit of fun playing this game. Finally, the alarm rang and they were off to stop a bank robbery which became a chase. By the time they got home, it was well after midnight.
"Well, I'm going to bed." BB said with a yawn.
Raven nodded. "Goodnight," It came out a bit to forced.
"'Night Raven, oh and... I had fun today... thanks." He stared at her for a second, waiting for a response.
"Yeah.. me too." She gave a small smile and walked back to her room.
The darkness of her own bedroom allowed her the peace and quiet to meditate and reflect on this day.
Maybe he isn't so bad. Raven decided.
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Celeste was a sight as she walked regally out to the guest room. Her held held high, but not haughty. Her grace carried her form like wind. She had shifted into a pale ivory dress that contrasted her dark eyes and hair. Celeste had her long, midnight violet hair twirled up upon her head in a twisting bun. A small, golden necklace was her only adornment as she met the startled person.
" N-no, it can't be you! Your dead!" The man gasped.
"Hush," Celeste replied softly, but her aura of power and authority was enough.
"You are safe here with me for the time being. He will not find you here." She continued.
"Then... my lady, my mistress, is it really you?" He asked in awe.
"Your eyes do not deceive you Lorthan, last member of the order of the monks." Celeste answered as she stared deep into his blood-red eyes.
"Why have you taken me here under your protection, grand lady?" He mumbled.
"Because you are the last of the monks, and the Master must not find you." Her voice was smooth as silk, but you may have thought she was screaming for his shocked expression.
Lorthan had alabaster skin and two jagged horns sticking from his round face. His wide eyes were the traditional dull red, and he had a small. Pug-like nose. He was short, but still thin and hollowed. The yellow robes he wore signified his place in the order. Celeste had already cleaned and stitched them back up.
"Y-you plan to conspire against the Master, the great one?" He squeaked?
She eyed him calmly. "I will no tell you what you should not tell. All you need to know," She started into his eyes, sending him a silent message. "Is that I have captured you. You are my prisoner, as is the girl Adena. I am a human by the name of Gwen and I live in the lower levels."
Lorthan seemed to be hesitant for a moment, and then he relaxed, his eyes becoming dazed for a moment; and then opened again.
"How long do you intend on keeping me? My master will notice that I have gone." Hi voice was colder, and distant.
"As long as I wish, Mithros, come put him back in his chambers." Her voice had a cool disdain in it, and Desparos silently dragged the man back to his personal quarters.
"I do not understand, Mistress Celeste." Adena asked as she changed from her formal red, little dress. "Am I your prisoner?"
She smiled and shook her head. "No, you are my guest and my friend Adena. You may leave if you wish."
Th child glowed with pride. "But then why did you tell Monk Lorthan that I was?"
She gave a small sigh and began. "We rescued Lorthan from the monastery, but if Trigon was to ever find him and feed upon him; then he would find out of my existence and all our plans would be destroyed. He allowed me to alter his memories, completely erasing any ones he had of me and who I am. That way if Trigon did capture him, we would still be safe."
This made sense to the girl. "But why did you capture him?"
"To slow Trigon's return." Celeste replied softly as she pulled the bracelet off her wrist.
Adena eyed her for a moment and then slowly she whispered, "You think he is going to rise, don't you?"
Celeste stopped, her eyes locking on to Adena's. "Yes, but that is why I need you."
The girl opened her mouth to ask another question when she continued.
"That spell opens a portal between two worlds. You are the only being to ever have been born with an ability to open that world besides one. Trigon will use this other person to open the portal, and I will need you... to open it for me." Her voice was soft and slow, her eyes soothing the girl silently.
"You are going to... follow him?" Adena asked in hushed tones.
The woman nodded and replied to the girl's unsaid question.
"I am not afraid."
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A/N- that was basically a plot-filled chapter. You understand Adena's purpose and Celeste's plan. This fic will not be a RavenXBeast Boy. They are only friends finding more about each other. Now, please REVIEW!