Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, but I own too many people to list.
A/N: Please don't kill me! I'm so sorry this took longer then expected, but I was sick! I couldn't get on the computer without the fear of throwing up on the keyboard – and yes, I was that sick. I think one of the cousins or nieces or nephews gave it to me when I went to this one party. (Shrugs) I don't know, but I hated being sick, especially on my vacation damn it!
X: (snickers evilly in the background) Now all I have to do is up the dosage of her medication and she's out of my hair for good.
Me: Say something X?
X: Nah (innocent smile) just praying for you to get better is all.
Me: Aw, thanks X, you're so nice to me.
Rorek: O.o Uhh … that wasn't what you were –
X: Shut up! do you want her to find out I'm trying to poison her food?
Rorek: -o- there is something wrong with you X
X: Nothings wrong with me! Don't you hate it what she's putting us through? Government? Authority? Man! I don't do good with authority!
Malchior: Who does? I just got a ticket making my way here, name cop.
Raven: Actually it was Cyborg that gave you the ticket.
Malchior: Damn hybrid.
Raven: Your fault for kidnapping me from my bedroom, dumbass
Rorek: O.O
X: O.O
Malchior: … What?
Rorek/X: Dude … you know how to drive?
Malchior: … shut up.
Me: Okay, on to the story already! Enjoy!
--
So It Goes …
Azarath's sunrise …
Beautiful …
Simply lovely …
Rorek closed his eyes and relished in the memory of when he had first experienced the sunrise with his mother … father … younger brother … and older sister … it felt so long ago … and it was. Over a thousand plus years … and he was still alive … all because of Malchior … the dragon that cursed him with a gift that Rorek knew he could have done far better without. The wizard frowned and brought a hand to his slowly beating heart … it wasn't only slow … it felt almost non-existent.
Though … he expected as much when he was capable of living for over a thousand years. The gift of gab … he snorted at the thought and leaned his head on the pillar of one of the opened arches in the palace that was his room. Azarath … the Central Skyline … hmm … I never thought it was possible I'd be coming back here again … I wonder … he thought changing gears all of a sudden, not wanting to remember the past that he trained himself to slightly forget. Why use the word "slightly" because he knew to forget for an eternity, was for the past to rush up and catch you off guard.
That was his belief and he stuck to it.
Forever on guard and alert the wizard turned around when he heard his door open and close gaping when he saw it was Francesca … her size … "Fran – Francesca? What on … how did … huh?"
The nightstalker seemed to smile at him as she slowly walked towards him and rubbed up against his leg. Being that she was big enough to have her head touch his hand without him having to bend over and pick her up – actually it looked impossible to pick her up now. Rorek smiled and shook his head, "Amazing … I thought you white nightstalkers grow mush slower … or were you just playing in a place you were not supposed to?"
Francesca licked the side of his face, her rough sandpaper like tongue actually tickling him, "You taste sweet."
Rorek chuckled nervously – Francesca was a carnivore after all and he was reminded of that plain and simple fact when he saw her sharp canines. Pulling away and sitting on the bay window of his room, Francesca followed and plopped her head in his lap. Purring softly, yet loud enough so Rorek could know she was content, the wizard sighed and gently stroked her fur, "Alright Francesca … tell the truth … why are you here? Kenneth isn't awake yet as I'm more than just sure and I'm not on the menu for today the last time I checked … what ales you?"
He spoke to her like she was of an equal being to his intellect.
It flattered Francesca of course, because what creature doesn't like to get praise from another higher than her. However, flattery was flattery … but his question was more towards the point than he let on. Rorek … little did he know … or little did he dare to even believe was more so like Malchior then he lead himself to believe. His words were smooth and gentle, kind and true … however … whether he meant it or not … he had a very persuasive tone.
One that said he could be trusted no matter what, hell half the time he put Raven in a spine after she found out he not only wasn't a prince, but he wasn't a "good-guy" so to say. He was a gunrunner and worst yet a black-market dealer … he practically ran it all over the world! Big time and yet he claims he's not a thief … it was hard to believe him … but that smile … who couldn't trust him? The nightstalker looked up at his radiant ice-blue eyes and answered bluntly, "Saligia has sent me a warning to tell you … she says that all that was mentioned in the Conference Room where Arella and the 13 Monks have exchanged words will be given to Ellris …"
"Ellris!" Rorek pulled up and away from Francesca much to the nightstalker's misfortune; she was just beginning to enjoy being petted. Slit brown eyes she looked up to Rorek and tilted her head in wonder when he stared at her in confusion, "You … you had a word with Saligia?"
Francesca purred and jumped off the bay window, "That I have … she is not as evil as you presume her to be … it's just in her nature … her job … her duty. As mine is to defend my master and his friends … so is hers as a Student of Death."
"Student of …" Rorek trailed in thought, but then paled when knowledge rushed him and practically knocked the wind right out of him when he stumbled back, but held his footing, "Death's Apprentice … I knew that name was not of mere coincidence! Francesca! Gather Kenneth, I'll find Malchior and Raven we have to find Ellris! Fast! That damn dragon doesn't know who he's messing with!"
Francesca watched him dash out of his room in nothing more then his pajamas and blinked then casually made her way towards her master's quarters, "I would have figured "Student of Death" would have given her title away to the one named Ellris … dragons … strange creatures those ones."
Out in the hall Rorek raced to Malchior's room and banged his fist on the large elaborately designed – not to mention big and heavy – doors, his ice-blue eyes laced over with much worry and openly expressed fear. "Malchior! MALCHIOR! I know you're in there! GET UP! Something pressing had just come up! Malchior! MALCHIOR!"
SLAM!
The doors slid open to reveal a royally pissed off dragon, snarling with his eyes full on glowing a deep bright scarlet his claws digging into the side of the wall where he slid the door wide open. Rorek yelped at the sudden movement, but rebound with a glare all his own as the dragon growled, "You. Got 5 seconds to explain to me why it is you're standing before me so early in the GODDAMNED MORNING in Sponge-Bob Square-Pants PJ's! FIVE!"
"It's Francesca!" Rorek frantically elaborated to the growling, snarling, virtually pissed off dragon.
"TWO!"
"You're sister! Ellris! The reason for the shutting down of the portals! Meet me in the Library! I'll explain everything then!" without looking back or caring, a flash of silver he was already rounding the corner down the hall, leaving Malchior in a wake of confusion. Literally, his eyes still glowing scarlet he raised a brow and snorted.
"Stupid wizard," he growled and marched back into his room, jerking his claws out of the wall, slightly tearing a chunk out of it as he slammed the door shut, still cursing the damned wizard with every part of his being Malchior could think of.
Meanwhile, around the palace walls, Rorek skidded to a halt nearly slamming into the far wall as he made his way to Raven's room. Being the gentleman he was banged on the wall less urgently then Malchior, "Raven! Miss Raven, please excuse what offence I may bring, but get up! Raven!"
Groggily the demoness growled and slid her door open to glare annoyingly at Rorek, though her glare was turned into confusion when he noticed his state of attire. Messy, mused, and tangled balled mane of once silky puffy soft white hair disheveled Sponge-Bob Square-Pants PJ's (complete with Squid Ward fuzzy slippers). Raven knew she'd regret the question, but she had to ask, "What the hell are you wearing?"
Rorek looked over himself and could have blushed in embarrassment, but rolled his eyes and reached in, grabbed her wrist and yanked her out of her room. Raven yelped and didn't know whether to slaughter Rorek right then and there for touching her go with the flow, "Never mind what I'm wearing! We must get to the Library quickly! It has something to do with Ellris. Francesca spoke to Saligia."
For second Raven was blanked when the name "Saligia" slipped into her head, but when she put Ellris in the mix she realized who they were talking about and ran with Rorek towards the library, "Saligia? Malchior's sister? Why now is she in the picture?"
"Because she's not just a used tool for Ellris …" Rorek explained as he weaved around the Palace expertly until they reached the library easy, "… she's his Army."
--
"… Ah-ha … this … Arella Roth is it?" Ellris asked as he strolled through the Hunter Forest, the sunlit dawn shinning through the canopy of the TALL trees that seemed to go on forever. Stopping and crouching upon the branch he was walking on he looked down to his daughter that was a branch lower harshly trying to flick the freshly obtained blood on her claws.
Saligia snarled up at her father, her eyes tinting red before faded back to it's void sapphire hues and settled for a snort as she continued to wipe her claws and fingers free of the fresh blood, "Yes … Ellris … her name was Arella."
Ellris nodded and stood back up, hand on his chin, he leaned against a random trunk and thought for a moment with furrowed brows, "Hmm … Miss Arella … do the women of Azarath's conniving trickery hold no bounds? Interesting enough I was never planning on using her for my little plot … but with the new information you've given me Saligia … it seems things have just lightened up a bit for us."
"You kill her Ellris you kill off the only one that knows the Seven Amulets' exact location," Saligia warned and silenced when her father shot an annoyed glare her away, she shrugged nonchalantly still trying to get the blood off her person, "just saying."
"Mm … yes … of course you were," Ellris blinked slowly then pushed off the trunk and disappeared from sight, reappearing upon a different branch further from Saligia. Forcing her to follow he ignored her growl in irritation from all the blood … the blood of innocents … of Ellri's will. Gods she wanted not more then to be free of him! Him and his insanity … when he lost she hardly knew, all she knew was she never wanted to be apart of his demented world. Yet was it her choice? No. The blood she was proud to have … the blood of a dragons was at the fault. Dragons' and their ways … it was her own unbecoming … but then again, she couldn't really place the blame on that either … because what she did, what she does for Ellris.
It was her job from when her very being was weaved together, thread by thread o her life, every fiber of her being … she was Saligia … the seven deadly sins … she had no choice. Though she never hated it, never put any kind of angst to her name, her reason of birth, or her duty to full fill … it was all Ellris that was abusing her power and if she could just get her claws around his neck. Chock the life out of him, feel his energy leave her, and then literally rip his soul out for him to helplessly watch his body die.
Die and never be able to return to it because after she suffocated it she'd chop it up into million little pieces, feed it to the demons of hell, and then afterwards eat his own heart before his damned soul. Yeah … that was a great birthday present … she'd do just about anything to get the chance. So cocky, so arrogant, so … so … so everything that her brother was but multiplied tenfold … how her mother ever fell for a drake like him Saligia never knew and quite frankly thought Naomi to be INSANE for it!
Saligia took a breath to calm herself down as she continued to follow her father to the Northeastern Lands that belonged to one of the Four Major Dragon Clans. Lead by Grandmaster Zhain and the only sane drake NOT to come to Ellris's little "meeting"last night. Saligia stopped when her father did and watched as he turned around with a thoughtful expression upon his face. Looking down towards her he titled his head curiously, "Saligia … by any chance, did you manage to catch a glimpse of the little demoness herself? You know, the daughter of Lady Arella?"
Confused for a moment by the question, Saligia raised a brow and answered with a shrug, "Uh … yes … I have."
"Was she with Malchior?"
Saligia frowned, What's he getting at? His questioning disturbed her, but loyally she answered anyway, "Yes … Malchior was by her side for the entire night … until they retired to their rooms did he separate from her."
Ellris snorted and cursed quietly to himself, then addressed Saligia aloud, however she couldn't help to feel a bit of his plan was coming undone with his worried tone, "This is going a bit faster then I expected … we have to reach the Northeastern Lands by tonight no exceptions, we need his support."
"Support or more blood." Saligia growled still smeared in with blood from her earlier mission to the Southwest Lands.
Her father looked down at her and snapped back, "I don't believe it's your place to question me."
"I'm not questioning father dear," she sneered, "It's the truth … don't think I'm stupid Ellris, you're using me to erect an army of the undead … aren't you."
"So if I am my dear," the arrogant dragon grinned and chuckled, baring his fangs at his daughter who could feel her own snarl coming as he mocked her, "the last time I checked you couldn't do a thing to stop me …"
"Asshole." Saligia barked up with a pissed off growl.
"I love you to my dear," Ellris snickered and stood back up, "let's head off, we've wasted enough time."
Just about to take off, Ellris was stopped when Saligia snorted and leaped down to the ground of the Hunter Forest. Shouting back up defiantly (anything to agitate Ellris), "We're not going anywhere unless I take a bath, this blood is getting to me."
Her father rolled his eyes and plopped on his branch and propped his chin upon his palm and his elbow on his knee, "What have I ever done wrong to deserve you?"
An ironic question … funny or not Ellris huffed and sat in wait as his daughter had her way.
--
"Raven, love, please tell me this imbecile did not just wake us up to tell us something as ridiculous as this," Malchior growled tiredly as he rested his hand on Raven's lap, burying his nose within her sweet scent to keep him from slaughter Rorek right then and there for waking him up so early in the morning.
Raven looked down at Malchior and ran her fingers through his hair; sighing she looked up at Rorek and shrugged, "I don't know Rorek … it sounds far fetched … Saligia being the Apprentice of Death? What proof do you have besides her name … which mind you could be of mere coincidence."
Rorek opened his mouth to argue, but Malchior snapped up with a sudden snarl, "Look here you little nuisances, Saligia IS formidable in battle, she IS conniving, and she IS a dragon! It's in our nature to do things for our own gain and I'll be the first to admit it if not Ellris or Saligia themselves. You don't have proof she's the Apprentice of Death just like all the other Grandmasters, Mistresses before you! Relying on speculation, and assumptions aren't good enough."
"It's not speculation or an assumption," Rorek argued heatedly, "you were her brother Malchior! You should have had at least an inkling of a feeling there was something off with your sister! Besides, you weren't the ones that spoke to her back on Earth, she had nothing to gain with Ellris!"
"She's Death's Apprentice right?" Malchior challenged, "With Ellris he's going to send her on killing sprees to get her stronger, because with every soul dead at her hands gets her closer to Azrael. Ellris won't risk that unless he had the Seven Amulets of Hell to contain her."
At this, the thief that had supposedly caught a few Z's while the two argued snapped his amber eyes open at the mention of the Seven Amulets of Hell. Head resting on Francesca's grown size, he looked up to the white nightstalker who shrugged and gestured to the two, sitting up. Kenneth scooted closer to the frowning Raven and tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention. Looking back Raven was meet with Kenneth's tired amber eyes and his whispered question, "Seven Amulet's of Hell … those things still here in the palace?"
Raven jerked her head back in shock, "Wha … how'd you know what the Amulets are?"
"Fernaco wanted to snatch them up as we went after the Red Sea Sapphire," Kenneth yawned then nodded, "so what? They still in the Palace?"
"I wouldn't know …" Raven shook her head, "only the High Priestess knows it's true location, the Seven Amulets aren't something to play with. Even people like you, X, could easily access it's power … can you image what would happen if Ellris gets his hands on it? I think it's best that neither of us knows where the amulets are."
Kenneth chuckled and lazily rested his head on her shoulder, closing his eyes, Raven gave a dry annoyed look at the tired thief who looked ready to fall asleep on her, "Yeah … but you know … I think we're going to be needing them … I'll do the research … "
"Research?" Raven growled, "X, you're not going to steal those amulets!"
"Why not? If no one knows where they are then no one gets hurt … yeah … mm … night …" sliding off Raven's shoulder Raven turned around to glare at the knocked out thief … he really did look wasted, maybe he was just mumbling on with nothing in his suggestion. Though … with Kenneth … Raven couldn't be entirely sure.
He was thief that does things for his own pleasure.
What he felt like doing was going to be done.
Whether it be for legitimate reasons, or just for the hell of it.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
All heads turned to the entrance of the library to see a young maid peeking her head around the opened door shyly, her bright lavender eyes timid and unsure, "Um … ex-excuse wha-what offence I may bring … bu-but there is a request for your audience at the Conference Room … th-the 13 Monks wish fo-for a word."
Raven got up from the bay window she was sitting up and pushed Rorek and Malchior's menacing forms back behind her with a scolding glare the walked up to the servant girl and bowed in respect, "Thank you, may I ask you to tell them we'll be on our way. We're not exactly dressed for a meeting."
"Tha-that's not necessary," the servant girl blushed as she responded to her higher up, Raven raised a brow in wonder as the servant girl continued, "Um … the 13 have sent you on a mission ... to-to the Northeastern Lands … an emergency was called by a Dragon Clan."
Rorek glanced over at Malchior questioningly; Malchior looked back at him and shook his head to save the question for some other time. Raven blinked and nodded, "Very well then … we're on our way."
"Ple-please … follow me." pushing the door open even further, Kenneth was shocked wide awake when he saw a bunch of guards standing at the wait, even Raven pulled back unsure of the situation. They were being escorted by Royal – No … These guys … they're Priests! Raven took note that their uniforms were different then the guards that were posted at her and her friends' doors. The Priests before her all held calm expressions and nearly trustable auras but Raven knew – from first hand experience – Priests were ruthless. As well as Priestess.
Seeing no choice the four followed with Francesca in the back, one of the Priests held out a hand to her in order to motion for her to stay, but the white nightstalker snarled and made a bound for her master. Protectively standing next to him, X yawned and stretched mockingly, looking back at the confused Priest he chuckled and smoothed back Francesca's fur. Purring the nightstalker looked back at the priests and snorted.
Without much else incident the four was lead to the Conference Room where Raven showed her three companions how to greet the 13 Monks. Bowing upon her right knee with his left hand touching the ground, they followed her and got on both knees properly sitting before the Monks. The one in the center bowed her head and in a childish voice greeted in perfect English, "Welcome, please excuse what inconvenience we may have cause by calling to you at such an early hour, but as I'm sure the servant has told you. This concerns Grandmaster Zhain and his Northeastern Lands, please, speak up, which of you is the dragon among the group."
The question Raven knew wasn't necessary because all the Monks were either an Azarian or a Demon … the reason there were no dragons was because dragons didn't believe in their system. Though, speaking of dragons … Raven looked to Malchior who looked up then bowed his head, "That would be me."
"Stand and speak your name young one," a demoness to the far right demanded.
Kenneth shook his head trying hard to shut his mouth; he hated authority, any kind of show of authority. He just hated them all and by the way Malchior held back a growl Raven could feel so did the dragon himself when he stood up, "Malchior … Malchior Sirelle …"
Raven held her breath, He lied … trying not to appear to worried about his little lie, Raven blinked and looked at the 13 Monks that whispered amongst each other. However with a soundproof barrier erect they weren't heard until they dropped it and a male on the left side this time spoke up. Still addressing Malchior who took it all in stride, though he felt Raven worrying for him it was quite unnecessary. It may have been a thousand years ago, but Malchior still remembered how to respond and what to expect when put under the hot light.
"Well, Sirelle, we may not know what clan you are from, but we trust – since you are the only dragon in close proximity at such sort notice – you'll do all you can to assist Priestess Raenell who shall be acting ambassador for the Central Skyline in assure peace between Dragon and Azarian."
Rorek's brows furrowed and with little hesitation interrupted, "Excuse me, but Priestess Raenell? Acting ambassador? What about the Princes?"
"Who are you to question?" the male that Rorek had interrupted asked abruptly.
Rorek stood along side Malchior and bowed his head in respect, "Forgive me, I am Rorek Aiedail and I was only trying to understand –"
The Monk held up his hand to silence the wizard, "Unnecessary, we understand your concern and you must understand that this is a safety precaution. Too much has been happening and there is only so much we can risk. Raenell, you understand do you not?"
"Fully." Raven answered obediently, making Kenneth sick to his stomach, gods … he really did hate authority.
"If all is understood," another male in the 13 spoke, "then know that there will be a ship waiting for you to depart later tonight. A servant will call upon you when the time is right. Dismissed."
Bowing the four left the room, each with a bad taste in their mouths.
Francesca twitched her ears and bumped her head to her master's hand, Kenneth looked down at her and frowned, Wonder if it's possible to teach you how to sneak around … yes, the idea he gave Raven earlier was still in his head, though now he was more determined to go through with it. If only to piss of the higher ups, because like stated so many times before, he HATED authority.
--
Malchior: Young one? Young one? Why that – I'll – hold on … why does Ellris concern himself with what Raven doing close to me?
Me: (shrugs) How am I supposed to know.
Raven: You're the narrator; I think you'd know.
Me: … O.O … oh … yeah … you're right. When did you get so smart!
Raven: … There's something wrong with you.
Me: But it's that something that makes this story so good. l8er daez!
