Disclaimer: Don't own the Teen Titans, however I do own the Queen, Malchior's father, the Shadow Dragons, Azalon, the name Kenneth, and … that's it … everything else isn't mines
A/N: The Internet is rejecting me! I don't know why? I've been good … why does it turn it's back on me? Oh well … I'll figure it out later, but while I have an Ace in the hole I'm sending you guys this chapter.
So enjoy!
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Mic Check: One, Two
"All your services are unnecessary," Ellris'malchron the supposed only "Hellborn" dragon because of his fusion with a demon of hell growled at the Shadow Dragons that followed him from life to hell. Bowing they all backed off and let him take a deep breath and stretch his wings reaching out as if to try and touch the sky. He yawned wide to the point it felt like it'll rip his face apart. He shook himself off and looked about his body … grinning at his wounds that were rapidly healing he chuckled and shook his head, "even after a thousand years my Champion hasn't forgotten his training."
"Master …" Ellris'malchron raised a brow then narrowed his slit eyes at one of the females that had blocked Malchior from moving. Pretty in a mature sense, Ellris'malchron scoffed at her and flicked his weak wing at her. Folding it around his body he gave her a growl of permission to speak freely, "… if it's not so bold of me to ask … why is it that you let him go? Is it not what the elfin Queen wishes of you to complete such a task?"
"That Queen can do whatever the hell she likes, but punish me because I didn't do as she says? She can just try," the female bowed lowly knowing that she had supposedly angered her master she apologized and stepped off. Watching as he walked around the rooftop of the palace in Ryrule City, or where the Light elves dwell. Waiting for the Queen to come up and see them, Ellris'malchron sighed and leaned on the rail. Glancing to his followers he blinked and bowed his head in thought.
However it didn't last long when in the far way a door was slammed open and in came marching the cause of this whole dilemma, the Queen, "Ellris!"
Ellris growled and got off the rail, turning around and leaping in the way he met the queen halfway on the roof and flicked his wings to make sure to blow a good gust of wind in her face as he landed, "Your targets I think I'll save for some other time."
"I said I wanted them now!" long wavy light brown hair waved about as her aura pulsed and swirled to challenge the dragon, Ellris snarled and did the same. The Queen was not giving in, boring her icy blue eyes she gritted her teeth, "This has gone on far enough, I will not jeopardize my kingdom because of a false prince walking around. A thief nonetheless!"
"Now my dear is that my fault?" Ellris sneered and let his wings flutter and shake from the cold that suddenly touched the bare skin, "It was just rush and panic that has done a messy job. Besides all that … if this is for your kingdom then why is it that you put killing lives before the retrieval of the power gem?"
The queen glared and circled the dragon that was circling her, both staring the other down with great tension in the air, "Do not dare question my authority, remember who was the one who summoned who here beast."
Ellris chuckled and jumped high over the queen, hand on her shoulder he made sure to grow his claws and grip hard so if she were to struggle she'd likely scratch herself. Pulling her down to him, the queen wrenched herself from his grasp, but gasped when his claws cut through her gown, "As far as I can tell your majesty you have no authority. The prince is back in his lands and that leaves you with as much authority as an ant. Not very important dare I note."
"Damn you! Release me at once!"
Hands off Ellris laughed when the elfin woman whirled around and from pure chaotic power alone she formed a sword and swiped to kill. Dodging with little effort Ellris floated back and his seven servants all lined up ready to fight as the Queen stood at an offensive position. Rage, pure rage was seen in her eyes and the servants roared, provoking her to attack she flinched and tightened her grip. Gritting her teeth she flicked her wrist with the sword and had it disappear. Pointing at Ellris who stood with his arms crossed over his chest with a smug grin on his face she shouted, "Remember, if the jewel isn't returned to it's rightful place then Azalon will fall apart and whether you like it or not you go with it! The delicate balance of this democracy depends on your laziness, so gather yourself together or we all perish."
"Don't panic," Ellris snickered and let his wings raise up to make himself seem bigger, "panic is the enemy, only if my son should fine the power to destroy me is when you should panic. Have a good day Islasmursa, I'm going to figure out if I feel like obeying your command."
"Bastard." Islasmursa growled and watched as he crouched and flew off, his Shadow Dragons following in a series of growls and roars, leaving the Queen to frown and bow her head. Whether it be in shame or though, or both it didn't matter … the deed was done and she was starting to feel the pressure. Time was never on anyone's side,
Not even an elves'.
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"Hey! Was I suddenly forgotten or something? What the hell's up?" X came squeezing through the entrance glaring at everyone in the place he raised a brow and tilted his head when he saw Raven's startled look along with Malchior's confused and bewildered expression. "Okay … do I want to know what's going on?"
"Raven's linked to Elfin Royalty," Malchior answered bluntly.
X blinked … then blinked again and snorted, "I had to open my mouth."
Malchior growled, annoyed at the human he said, "Then learn to shut it."
"Raven … are you sure?" Rorek asked, "Are you absolutely sure about your claims?"
Raven sighed and closed her eyes, "Of course I am, my family … my bloodline is a descendent of slaves and servants for powerful sorcerers and sorceresses, it is how I came to know so much and have magic become apart of me. Now this … this discovery, I think I know why my mother was chosen to bear me, because we were attached to elves."
Silence … everyone was just sitting to try and think about this whole thing. Though Kenneth must have missed the memo because he hadn't a single clue why this was so special. Rolling his eyes he scoffed and called to Rorek, "Hey! Are we going to get this over with? We can always talk to Raven some other time, not like she's gonna' drop dead right where she stands. Rorek! Get the led out!"
"You really don't know when to shut your mouth do you?" Malchior growled and marched up to the human who took a step back, but glared at the dragon all the same.
"So what if I can't what are you going to do about it? Curse me to shut up the same as your precious over there?" X snorted mockingly gesturing to Raven who had knocked herself from confusion to look at X and Malchior, Rorek gritted his teeth. Whispering something about 'This isn't the time!' though that was all she could make out before he marched up to the due and shoved them apart. Acting as the parent scolding his sons he glared at them both.
"Enough, in a way X is right, we can deal with Raven later, Malchior just get into the forest. X get out of the cavern I'll be out with you."
The thief turned raised a brow and pointed out, "Dude, that's what you said earlier and I was waiting forever."
"This time it's different, I'll be out soon I promise," Rorek dismissed and waved X off, the thief sneered and shot one last glare at the dragon that was borrowing his battle-suit. Annoyed, X turned and squeezed out the crack muttering things about irritating wizards, stupid dragons, and dumb damsels. Why me? Huh God? Why me, why do I have to be the special ant under the fucking magnify-glass? Dusting off his – or Malchior's pants X sighed and shook his head looking up and across the way to where he'd be heading towards the town. X gulped and leaned on the rocks, Elves … dragons … a magical era and age that time forgot … why do I get the feeling this isn't going to end well?
A gentle breeze blew passed and X was beginning to get impatient.
He may have been a thief and he did value patients … but damn! He's not really on a job so why the hell was he – X blinked when silver head popped out of the entrance, coming out slowly, but surely. Rorek sighed and leaned against the rock surface to get a good train of thought going. Speaking aloud to X could hear he gulped, "I really don't like where this is going … the Queen wanting our heads, and Raven connected to the royal bloodline somehow … it's all to coincidental. The three of us – Lady Raven, Malchior, and myself are all brought together by a past that's quickly sneaking up on us. Honestly Kenneth … I highly doubt that you have anything to do with us anymore … I think you were right earlier to up and leave. It's getting too dangerous for you to stay."
"Oh no you don't," X growled, pushing off the rocks to stand and properly address Rorek with his intensive hazel glare, "you're not getting rid of me that easily. Hell no! Not when you put me through a whole bunch of shit that could very well cause me my fucking life! Whether you like it or not I'm stickin' through this till the end. Not like a got a choice anyway. Now, you gonna' get me to that freakin' city? Or do I have to walk there my damn self?"
Not exactly a motivational speech, but Rorek felt enlightened all the same. Smiling gratefully the wizard got off the entrance and called back into the cave quietly, but loud enough for the two inside to hear, "We'll be back soon, I promise."
"Then go!" Malchior growled and Rorek shook his head, turning to X Rorek shrugged.
"You heard him … try to keep up." without so much as a warning Rorek bounded across the field, X gritted his teeth and snorted, You think you're so damn funny don't you, scowling X followed after him without much effort. Either Rorek was slower then Malchior or he was just playing around like X thought he was. He watched as Rorek leapt high – higher then any human he'd ever seen (X blamed it on the wizards powers) then spun around shouting out a few of those weird enchanting spells. X looked back to see two of the air-boards that had been ditched from the elves from last night rise up.
The idea was simple enough for X to catch on as one of the chosen boards swooped towards him while the other flew up to Rorek, X jumped and caught balance on the air-board. Pushing forwards to catch up to the show-off of a wizard ahead, X gritted his teeth and growled, when Rorek looked back and broke into a spin to go faster. Annoyed, X crouched low and forced the board to go even faster, because either of the two knew it they hit the forest at close to sonic speed. Frightening the animals that dwelled and relaxed in the serine forest.
X shot up out of the trees then dove down to dodge, spin, twirl, duck, and flip from all the vines and branches that reached out to snag him. The thief grinned when he swerved away from a few trees then shot forward and wiped passed Rorek, startling the wizard he snickered and saw that the city really was little more then a few trees ahead. "Kenneth! Slow down, we're reaching the gates, we don't want to be seen remember!"
"Just sit back and watch the show, I'll take care of this easy." X snorted thinking aloud to himself … at least he thought he was. Rorek caught on and thought that X was communicating telepathically to him. A shocker considering the thief despised magic and never knew how to use his mind to its fullest extent. Pushing the thought to the back of his head the wizard watched uneasily as X pushed himself to go faster, What does he think he's doing?
Breaking through the trees and crossing the No-Man's Land that separated the forest to the city limits where a gate went around the entire fortress. It was like a huge safe that was too easy to crack for X. The main alarm towers were already focusing on him and as long as magic wasn't used it was all good for him. Barriers weren't a worry considering the fact that they'd need a big supply of energy to hold one up and around the city.
Somehow, X just knew that kind of energy the Underground City just couldn't afford to waste on a barrier. Climbing over the gate he faintly heard the shouts of warning from the guards on the wall and enchanting blasters were fired on him as he flew over the gate. Knowing the main watch tower was going to be called for back up, X climbed until he was eye to eye level with the elves that were in the building.
A smirk on his face X saluted, "See ya …"
Rorek in the trees gaped when he saw a huge explosion on the watchtower, worried Rorek was about to jump on the board and go after X, but stopped and thought better of it, "Kenneth! Aftaka! Kenneth!"
He tried to get connected with the Red X, tried to feel for his aura and nearly fell over when he heard X reply, "Hey … Rorek … get to the gates right now! I'll open them for you! Go!"
Confusion, X knew how to connect telepathically?
Since when?
Suspicious Rorek jumped on the air board and shot himself over No-Man's Land then straight through the cracked opened gates, about to fly deeper to find X, the back of his shirt was suddenly yanked and he was pulled down onto the dirt. A hand clasped over his mouth, Rorek struggled, but looked up to find it was only X dragging him into a guard house. Around him guards ran around trying to find things and look for whoever was the cause of the chaos. Rorek kicked the door shut and gasped for air when X let him go. Turning to see the thief fighting off two guards that stood in the house, Rorek will forever never underestimate the power of the human when he knocked both the elves to the ground unconscious.
Tired, and panting X bent to pick up their weapons ad tossed one to Rorek, the wizard gave them a strange look and cocked his head back to Kenneth, "What are you planning to do? Storm the whole city?"
"No," X sucked in a deep breath as he slide over to the window, crouching down low and peeking out the left corner he cursed to himself lightly, "damn, I already stormed the city, now it's time to get the hell out of Dodge while these bozos are all hyped up on the fallen tower. Yo, Rorek, see what you can find that'll be help to us, and make it quick I don't think we go enough time."
"Enough time? For what?"
"Fuck it! Just go raid that damn house already Jeez!" temper, temper, Rorek ignored the thief's sudden harsh words as he looked out for anyone that posed a threat to their hide out. Sighing tiredly Rorek looked around to find shelves of potions, powders, tomes, staffs, and magic daggers. It was like an armory shop in there, Rorek looked even closer at what they all had to say and gasped when he spotted an eerie blue powder. Kenneth glanced back at Rorek, "What?"
Snatching the powder up, Rorek turned and excitedly waved it at X, "This! Right here! It's a Kry'onic Powder Diamond, thought to have just been mere legend … but … but it's right here! In my hand! Isn't it a miracle?"
"Rorek! Why the hell should I fuckin' care about a damn powder?" X growled, "If it'll get us out of here in one piece than I'll be impressed, but since I don't see anything happening, put the god damned thing away!"
Rorek's excited face dropped to that of an irritated scowl as he snorted and walked to the door, "I'll show you why it's cause for intrigue."
"Now what the hell do you think you're doing?" X stood up about to stop Rorek from opening the cork, but seeing him pop it open, X decided just to stay back and watch as Rorek gestured for X to stand next to him.
Skeptical X shrugged to himself and followed Rorek's demands. Taking one last look out at the chaos around the house, still wondering if the wizard's head was on right. X stayed close and watched as Rorek tipped the jar and whispered over and over the same enchanting spell. The powder poured into his hands, but never touched and began to swirl around them both, X tensed as the ground below them formed a perfect glowing circle. "Uh … Rorek …"
Still chanting, Rorek flipped the jar back up and the powder stopped, floating … X noticed that the elves around them where already starting to turn towards their attention. Biting down on his lower lip and getting ready to attack of the need be, Rorek shot open his ice-blue eyes and smirked, "Restart."
FWOOSH!
X cringed, shut his eyes and held his breath when the swirling powder spun the opposite direction and a bright light blinded him from seeing what was going on. Knowing that he wasn't moving, yet feeling as if he was approaching mach 16 on a space shuttle, it somehow exhausted him and he fell to the ground on his knees panting. The world felt like he had just spun around non-stop and a nauseated feeling started to settle in. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner he never had caught up to him and throwing up an empty stomach he heard his move being mocked and it was by Rorek.
Both were on the ground, on their hands and knees whatever had happened X was suspecting that Rorek didn't do a very good job at executing it, "Rorek … what … the hell just happened?"
The weakened wizard pointed to the window, "I … I reversed time … to the point when you just hastily shot down the main watchtower … now everything is as it was and as it should be before we got here … but we're still here … meaning I made us impervious to time in that one split second of transport. If you had listened to me earlier you'd know. The Kry'onic Diamond is so small it's considered powder when accumulated into a jar as such … they are … in belief the sands of time that have escaped Death's Hourglass."
"You …" X gulped to try and get the taste of vomit from his mouth, "… you reset time?"
"In a nutshell …" Rorek shrugged and shakily got to his feet, helping X up the thief groaned and wobbled a bit at first. Feeling like a baby just learning how to take its first steps he sighed and shook his head trying to get a bearing on his head. He sucked in a shaky breath and slowly blew out, Rorek did the same and walked to the window, smiling when he saw everything was in order. He looked over to X and chuckled; "Well now … I think it's time for us to get to work."
X nodded softly and looked down to see that the Kry'onic Diamonds were back in their jar and it was halfway full … shocking, considering he thought Rorek used even more then that. Thinking that it'll come in handy later he took the jar and capped it with the cork that lay on the floor not to far away.
Gun strapped to his waste still, X looked out the window with Rorek and frowned, "Damn … we're in no position to sneak …"
Rorek raised a brow, "Why? I think it's perfect, no one's out in the street and up on the roofs no one is posted."
"No?" X snorted sarcastically, "You reset time, meaning the tower's fully functional, one of the reasons I took it down so that we can navigate through the city without the worry of the main security control center still in operation. We go out there we'll be spotted by the tower … you may think that no one's on the roof, but once the word's out watch the guards go up and the lasers come down to turn us to Swiss cheese."
"Not if we look like one of their own we won't," Rorek smirked and turned to point at the closet across the way in the house. Seeing three uniforms for the job, X tilted his head and snickered.
Playfully punching Rorek on the side of his arm he jogged over to the closet, "I knew I became friends with you for a reason."
After dressing themselves into their respective uniforms, Rorek had to worry when he saw X "alter" the disguise a bit. Dressing as if he was cosplaying with elfin clothing making him self look like he was going to prepare for a photo shoot. Rorek sweat-dropped nervously when X even slipped on a sword. Letting the belt hang down on his left hip he clipped on the gun to one of the low pockets and grinned devilishly at the door. "If we're gonna' do this, might as well travel in style."
"Yes … style …" Rorek chocked shook his head with an exasperated sigh, "Kenneth, don't think you'll stand out if you dress like you're going to be in some kind of video game or comic book? We're trying to blend in you know what that means?"
"Duh," X sneered and put a hand on the edge of the uniform cap on top his head, tilting it over his right eye to cover it and shadow the left, it was just as good as wearing a mask without loosing the "style" which he called it, "the best way to blend in is to stand out so much people'll think you're an idiot, then to blend in too much and have them think you're suspicious. Get it?"
Still lost Rorek shrugged, "I suppose –"
"Good, now get the led out with the concealment spell, we're burnin' daylight," X scoffed and forced Rorek to rush and suppress their auras before the thief swung open the door and let the sunlight flood into the small guard house they took residence in. Walking out with an air like he owned the place, Rorek couldn't help to gulp in nervousness when a few guards shot them both odd looks. Gods I hope we look convincing.
Only doing enough to point their ears out so they wouldn't be overlooked and tinted their eyes to a black background, Rorek just prayed that his long pitch black hair didn't seem too suspicious. "Chill dude, we're almost to the market."
Rorek jerked his head back and glared at X skeptically, "How would you know?"
"Because I just saw a merchant that's how," X said with a hint of agitation in his tone. Observing X's posture, Rorek had to wonder how it was that he cold be so confident in every thing he does or thinks. Even if it may be wrong or unjust he stands by it a full 100 percent with a look that'll even give the leader of the Teen Titans a run for their money. With a calm, easy, cool way about him, it was short drop till his temper hit boiling point, an alter ego of Robin he was in every way.
Yet … deep down … Rorek knew there had to be a little something more to the thief, just had to be. Because with the story he told of his blackmailing family connected with the elves, and their murder … plus his name … "Aftaka" meaning: "to steal" all too – way too coincidental.
Almost … creepy …
"Rorek," X whispered, startling the wizard from his train of thought, the thief had stopped in front of an open vender eyeing an obviously fake piece of jewelry.
Rorek blink and raised a brow, Why is he whispering? "What?"
"Guy to your left, sitting at the bar with a mug in his left hand," X noted quickly and smiled innocently at the woman who was behind his vender, Rorek slowly looked to his left trying to be as discreet as possible and noticed that X had been right on the mark. A man … he appeared to be another guard from the outer walls was rambling wordlessly to the bar tender the stench of alcohol strong around him.
"What about the drunkard?" Rorek sneered snobbishly without meaning to and eyed another piece of jewelry along with X.
"On his belt, there's a loosely tied pouch that looks like it holds money," X also noted and Rorek took a peek, it was a brown leather pouch that looked ready to fall off at any moment, "snatch it up."
A direct order that Rorek just couldn't obey, in fact he stilled and gasped, "What?"
"Get it now while he's not even familiar with reality." X gritted his teeth praying that Rorek would put aside his manners and pride to take a leather pouch.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes!"
Rorek growled and stormed off, "Then you do it, because I refuse to."
"Fucking Brat," X scowled and glared at Rorek's retreating form that walked down deeper into the market, shaking his head. X glanced at the drunkard and rolled his eyes, This is pathetic, reaching out and with little effort at all he stole the pouch and walked towards Rorek without looking back. The wizard sighed and glared at the ground feeling X approaching him from behind the thief tossed the pouch up and down mockingly, "Coward."
"I still have my dignity Kenneth," Rorek argued defensively, "I'll never steal."
X scoffed, "What the fuck does dignity have anything to do with life? Wake up Prince Charming because the real world doesn't give a damn who the hell you are, what your moralities are, or what you plan to do when you get older. You think just because you've lived a thousand years plus that you can get away with thinking that you're still in fantasia? Bullshit. Don't make the mistake that the world hasn't changed much since the past, because whether you like it or not it has, and it's all about getting yours before the other guy gets his. So get with the program."
"It doesn't have to be that way," Rorek gritted his teeth and balled his hands into tight fists. Obviously refusing to listen to anything X had to say.
Though it was apart of Kenneth's personality Rorek had missed, because Kenneth always had a way with words and said anything that came to his mouth. "Nope, it doesn't have to … but it is. Welcome to Earth, hope your stay at Dreamland wasn't too brain damaging. Now here," pouring out at least half of the silver coins that were in the pouch he gave them to Rorek, "go find stuff that'll be of use to us … and if you don't have enough, don't hesitate to just take the five finger discount."
Rorek sneered and took the money, "I'll never steal."
X watched as Rorek walked off once more away from him … sighing sadly, X shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pocket looking around he raised a brow, Now where should I begin?
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X: Note to Rorek: friends help friends stealRorek: Oh hush up! Stealing is wrong and you know it!
X: Wrong? People love me because of the things I do, you're just jealous
Rorek: Jealous of a barbarian? Oh please ... you're only like that because you think you are! It's all in year head, you see if you … blah, blah, blah, blah (drones on)
X: (yawns and noticed a crisp Benjamin on the floor) Sweet … hey, if Rorek should ever come out of his "Mother's always right" Speech, then tell him I jumped into the next chapter … in the meantime, I'm gonna ste – eh – buy stuff. See ya!
(X runs off, I walk in)
Me: (scratches the top of head) Any of you guys seen a 500 laying around anywhere? I could have swore … (noticed Rorek's talking to himself, looks to the readers) What's with him? Last time he want on a rant was when X – (gasps!) – X! My 500! Damn that freakin' thief! Aw hell, I'll get him later but seeing that this is the end of the chapter I have to get to making the next … so … (looks back at Rorek, then shakes head sadly) poor guy, if he does wake from his drone, tell him he's wanted in the next chapter … and if you see X with my 500, tell him to give it back!
Geez! First the Internet rejects me now this? What the hell's the world coming to … l8er daez guys …
Rorek: Blah, blah, blah … very wrong … blah, blah, blah … should always do right … blah, blah, blah … karma will come around … blah, blah, blah …
Malchior: And I fused hearts with this idiot? God forgive …Raven: You're fault for being selfish.
Me: Hey! I said L8ER DAEZ! Meaning end chapter! Get a moving to the next already!
Malchior: (scoffs) I don't feel like it.
Me: (Sighs exhaustedly and addresses the readers) See what I have to deal with for you people? See ya guys l8er … for now I have to round up this zoo, and where the hell is X I just know he took my damn 500!
