Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans or Azarath, but all the Characters with the freaky names – other then the ones that the Teen Titans own – are mine!
A/N: Very long chapter … 14 pages … my fingers are dieing here … but I could have gotten longer I know I could have, but the stupid imagination box put out at 1:32 in the morning (exact to! I checked!) … Though I think it was all worth it! Enjoy!
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Homeward Bound, Welcome to Azarath
"Don't move."
"Wha – ow! That hurt!" Rorek growled when a Priest roughly tilted his head to the side and behind his ear he stapled a circular tracking device. Agitated, Rorek glared at the Priest and reached up to rub the sore spot they had stapled the round metal tracker. It hardly hurt, but the treatment was unnecessary.
The priest could careless and gestured to the portal that was open and active for Rorek to jump in, "Step onto the platform, any attempt to alter the route of your dimension travel will be concluded with a single press of the button where the tracker placed at the back of your ear with halt all your movements and bring you back to Azarath. Is that understood?"
Rorek nodded, already over the tracker treatment, but frowned at the thought of not being trusted. He was always a trust worthy guy, the priest turned him around and pushed him onto the platform towards the portal, Well, he's a really unpleasant fellow, trying to keep his patience in tack, Rorek looked up at the control center and narrowed his eyes onto Raven, "Miss Raven … why aren't you coming with me?"
Raven blinked and frowned sadly, lifting a hand up to the glass as if to put a hand on his shoulder, she sighed, "I can't leave Malchior here Rorek … sorry."
Ice-blue eyes softened in understanding as he nodded and sighed, turning his back to her he marched towards the portal, "I'll be back on time Miss Raven … I promise."
Sarcastically, as if trying to crack a joke in this most tense time Raven replied, "No pressure."
A smile passed Rorek's lips he entered the portal and the sensation of flying downwards pulled at him greatly. Taking control Rorek managed his way through the glowing, crystalline walls calmly, sighing tiredly when he felt a great deal of energy taken from him before he felt gravity's pull grow even harder. Flipping in the middle of the floating travel, he felt his feet gently touch ground before he dropped on one knee was when the portal's soft caress left him.
Slightly panting, catching his breath and holding his gut Rorek put a hand to his head and held it for a moment in dizziness, Well … I guess it's safe to say Ellris' plan of closing off the portals isn't in action yet … but the effect of the other closed Tri-Branches are quite evident. I feel much weaker than before … with that conclusion Rorek took a look around his surroundings and nodded when he recognized the area. Miss Raven's room … at least I don't have to go in search of Titan Tower.
Obviously satisfied with the outcome Rorek jogged across her room – which he noticed hadn't been touched in a while – reaching her door he stopped when it took a moment to scan there was someone in the room needing to get out. Yet just as it slid open, Rorek nearly had a heart attack when one of Stafire's green bolts shot forth and nearly decapitated him if he hadn't have dodged out of the way. "AH! Wait! Miss Starfire – WHOA!"
The alien princess snarled and grasped his collar, yanking him up to his feet – without much effort – and pulling him eye to glowing green eye with her she growled, "Who are you and why have you trespassed within friend Raven's quarters?"
"Miss Starfire! It's me! Rorek Aiedail! Do you not remember me?" Rorek frantically explained and Starfire's glowing narrowed eyes, narrowed even more in suspicion, but she pulled away from him with a raised brow and gave him a one over.
Her glare suddenly softened and her glowing green eyes faded to it's original green bright innocence shine, "Ro-Rorek …?"
A huff of relief went through his veins, Woo … she remembers me … good. Slowly, Starfire set him down and he smiled with a nod, "Yes, it's me, Rorek."
"Rorek? You have returned …" she was obviously slowly taking it all in, Rorek didn't blame her … after all he did just pop up out of nowhere to say the least. She looked over him and into the room searching for possibly Raven and once again Rorek's guess was right when she asked curiously, "Have you come alone? Where is Friend Raven, the Red X, and Malchior? Did they not go with you to Azarath?"
Rorek gulped, "Um … Miss Starfire … maybe it's best if you take me to the rest of your team so that I may explain things furth – AAHH!"
Without warning Starfire gripped his wrist and dragged him behind her speedy flight through the maze that was Titan Tower until they finally reached the Ops Room where the rest of the Titans sat. Robin at his corner of the counter reading his paper, Beast Boy and Cyborg playing video games. As if nothing has happened and life went on, Rorek wasn't taken back, but he was dazed by the sudden travel. So much so he hardly caught any of Starfire's words that flew out of her mouth as fast as her voice box could carry sound.
"Friends! The Rorek has returned and holds news of his trip to Azarath! Please gather quickly so that we may hear his tale!"
"Wha?" Beast Boy paused the game and looked around the couch and smiled wide and bright when he spotted Rorek, "Dude! You're back! Where's Raven?"
Robin blinked behind his mask and stood up from his spot neatly folding his paper and placing it on the counter he walked up to Rorek who had sat down on the couch to catch his bearings. A bad feeling crept into Robin's gut when Rorek connected his ice-blue eyes with his … it wasn't so much the connection that gave Robin the bad feeling. It was the fact that Raven wasn't with him along with the other two guys that he most certainly DIDN'T trust at all in their little group that tipped him off.
Cyborg greeted the mystic and in a matter of minutes it was now Rorek's turn to start talking. The wizard didn't at all like the fact that he had to be the one to bring the bad news … but it must be told, "I'm afraid … I'm not here at all to bring good news … it would seem that in our quest to bring Ellris down we – as in Kenneth, Malchior, and myself – have been framed, imprisoned and tried to death all in the matter of a night and this morning."
Silence shot through the room with Beast Boy and Starfire gasping at the mention of death. Robin's mask narrowed, I knew nothing good would come of separating, Raven, glaring at Rorek with a raised brow he questioned, "What about Raven? Where does she stand in all this?"
"Not guilty and free, thank the Gods … but still held under suspicious eyes," Rorek sighed and nodded, satisfied – but not at all happy – with his answer, "she's decided to stay because Malchior and Kenneth are still in their cells … which brings me to my reason for coming … if I am not back from my journey to Earth to retrieve the white book that once sealed Malchior away to prove us all innocent of any crime committed by sunset Azarath time … Malchior and Kenneth will be put to death in a heart beat, but I cannot go alone. You four must come with me as guards to watch my every move and make sure I don't … escape."
"Oh don't worry," Cyborg warned, "you ain't goin' nowhere if this concerns the lives of others and my little sis."
Rorek nodded with a helpful smile, "Good, now let's head to my home and we can finish this nice and fast before the sunset."
Starfire frowned in distaste, she didn't like the fact that anyone was put in prison and her friend had not come back. She had to know, "When you leave, will we be able to pass through with you?"
Robin could have kissed Starfire for that question, he had totally forgot to ask something so obvious, Beast Boy and Cyborg nodded and all eyes turned to Rorek for an answer. The wizard stilled and gulped, I don't know what to say … in truth, he didn't, mostly because he didn't know if Ellris warning still held that the Titans couldn't come. Yet … if anything should go wrong … they could help in their case of proving them innocence! He blinked and smirked, Miss Raven you're a bloody genius! Looking up to the Titans he contained his excitement and nodded, "Yes … I think it's a good idea you should come with me back to Azarath."
Starfire hovered off the ground and did cartwheels in the air giggling and laughing in plain joy. Robin couldn't contain a smile, Beast Boy and Cyborg cheered and slapped a high five, Rorek chuckled at their excitement, but stood up and made his way to the exit, "Now that, that's over with. Shall we continue? I wish to get this done as fast as possible."
Robin looked back at his Team that suddenly stood at attention serious as could be … they looked more hilarious than menacing, "Let's go Titans! Lead the way Rorek!"
Without effort at all the Titans plus Rorek traveled down to the garage, Rorek waited till they opened the garage doors and without warning, on foot, took off faster than the T-car and the R-cycle. Yet stayed with them to lead them to his mansion. Even though he knew Robin knew where he stayed, he highly doubted the other Titans knew yet. Crossing the water Rorek jumped up high and darted over for a few seconds, then dropped down and ran over it for another few seconds then shot back up in the air, gliding for a moment and back down to run over water.
It was a very impressive rhythm that got the Titans watching wondering if he would fall into the water or trip over a fish any time soon. Yet he made it to the other side without issue and leapt up onto one of the low buildings of the city. Pausing to catch his breath for a moment and looked back to see if the Titans had kept up, he watched them catch up and then took off again. Leaping building from building leading them to the south side of the city where the trees and the forest were, Rorek decided to take a break and sat a top of the T-car.
Looking over to Robin he signaled for him to lead the rest of the way and in no time at all they arrived at his mansion, even before the T-car stopped, Rorek was already running on the graveled ground towards the front steps. Coming to a skidding stop when he saw Saligia sitting at his steps, holding her side and eyes closed as if sleeping … dead a sleep.
Beast Boy raised a brow and looked over to Cyborg, "Who's the chick?"
Cyborg shrugged, stopped the car and got out with Robin stopping in front of him, the Titans stepped up next to the cautious Rorek who just stood staring at Saligia in worry, If she's here … he couldn't allow for himself to finish his sentence. Bad enough it threw him off that she was even at his steps! He didn't need to know if Ellris was around. Starfire floated next to Rorek, "Who is the woman on your steps Rorek?"
As if when the Titan spoke it finally awoke the slumbering dragon, Saligia opened her sapphire eyes and locked them on Starfire and smiled weakly, "Starfire … Robin … Beast Boy … Cyborg … what a pleasant surprise … I never expected you four to be here as well …"
"Cut the theatrics Saligia, what are you doing here?" Rorek gritted his teeth, controlling his head to think straight as the dragoness weakly got to her feet, but leaned on his pillar, closing her eyes again and sighing.
She looked really tired.
It was even fooling Robin, he thought the girl would fall over at any second … but if Rorek wasn't expecting her on his stoop then there was no reason for him to even think of trusting the girl. Not until there was a proper understanding on which side she stood on. Theirs or was she an enemy? The dragoness chuckled and reopened her eyes after catching her breath and smiled at Rorek amusingly, "Rorek … you should know already know … I'm here to waste your time until sunsets and until my brother is under the guillotine along with his thieving friend. Ellris was actually impressed with him you know …"
"Robin," Robin jerked his head back and nearly fell over when he felt Rorek enter his head, under his mask his eyes looked over to Rorek who firmly held his gaze with Saligia, "head around to the left side of the mansion, Bryson always keeps the kitchen window open there, slip through and try to find the book within the parlor. I trust you can find it."
Robin glared at Saligia, obviously she wasn't a very trustworthy person, and as much as he hated taking orders, this just wasn't his field of expertise. Slinking away from the scene, Saligia watched the human with a curious brow raised, however Rorek caught her attention once more when he stepped forward, "Stand aside and let us pass without trouble Saligia, I don't care what Ellris sent you here for, either way I'm walking into that house and getting my book with or without your cooperation."
Saligia shook her head, "Sorry Rorek … but that's not how it goes, you know that."
"Fair enough." Powering up, Starfire followed suit and Beast Boy took a step back to observe the battle first before he got a chance to attack, Cyborg charged his cannon and held it at the dragoness who pushed off the pillar and chuckled sadly. Holding out her right hand she called forth her double-sided scythe and twirled it for the four to see.
Beast Boy gulped, "Nice blade."
Saligia eyed him like a slab of meat on the shelf that she'd like to buy for lunch, "Thanks, like to see it up close?"
The changeling paled and squeaked, "No thanks."
Cyborg snorted, "Kind of big for a little lady like you, sure you can handle yourself?"
Saligia raised a brow, "The last person who underestimated me became part of my undead army. Would you like to join?"
"Un-un-un-undea-undead ar-ar-arm-army?" Beast Boy stuttered, his fear of the woman growing with every word that came out of her mouth.
Cyborg narrowed his eyes on her, "Don't listen to her BB, she's just trying to scare us."
"Yes …" Saligia chuckled, and hissed dangerously in a mocking manner, her amusement quite evident in her sapphire eyes, "fear me."
"Enough talk!" Starfire floated higher and without warning launched a barrage of aimed starbolts; Saligia twirled her double-sided scythe to block her off and leapt up to meet the alien knowing to take her out first. Yet Cyborg didn't allow for her to go after her without trouble and launched his sonic cannon in her way. Forcing the dragoness back to the ground where Beast Boy transformed into a rhino and slammed her into various trees into the forest.
Saligia gritted her teeth and took the hit when Beast Boy ended his charge she jumped to her feet and slashed her scythe at him, but he had already taken off into the air. Only to find Cyborg charging her with a fist that he nailed right in the middle of her face. Throwing her even deeper into the forest where she skidded to a stop on her back and had her head slam into the trunk of a tree. Her scythe she had vanished from her hands least it threw her off balance as she flipped to her feet and into the trees.
Yet just as she jumped onto a branch Starfire came flying at her launching starbolt after starbolt before firing her green energy through her sees. Saligia dodged them all up to the top of the tree then leapt over to the near by tree when the one she was on fell over due to Starfire's harsh treatment. Panting Saligia took off to a clearing in the forest where Rorek had followed after her and without warning a flash of silver came at her. Using one branch as leverage, Rorek flipped and landed a perfect drop kick in the middle of Saligia's leap.
Down she went with Rorek flexing his body in the right angle to land another kick to her chest and further take her down to the earth in a sickening crash. The Titans all gathered around the dust and dirt that was kicked up when Rorek and Saligia came down, and gasped when Rorek was sent flying and knocked into a tree.
Starfire and Cyborg's cue to launch more of their power at the cloud of smoke and dirt where they thought Saligia was still within. Yet with a furious roar Saligia came out of the dust and went straight for Beast Boy in his hawk form. Transforming into a human with a fearful look in his green eyes. Saligia snarled down at him smelling his fear she was just about to take her claws and dig it into his chest when he transformed into a mouse and dropped out of her grasp.
Outraged, Saligia landed crouched on a tree branch, but even before she could move Cyborg launched his sonic cannon on her once again dropping her to the earth. Saligia rolled to her feet, and locked her eyes on Rorek's skeptically narrowed gaze, She's hardly even trying and she was wounded even before we started to fight … plus she had the chance to kill Beast Boy twice! What the hell is she playing at? Running for him, Rorek braced and tested a theory when she swiped her claws at his chest, his head, his stomach and stabbed at his side, he dodged them all and caught her wrist at her final move. Pulling her close to him and twirling her till he twisted her arm in an odd very uncomfortable angle behind her back and pushing her up against a tree.
She growled in pain and with her free hand she dug into her pocket and twisted it to stab back at Rorek's side, Rorek knocked the knife out of her hand and took it into his own. Bring it to her throat he could easily slit it and he felt her body suddenly slacken it's struggle against his hold and he frowned, "I knew it."
"Then do it," she whispered silently leaning her forehead against the tree her body was pressed against, "You can you know … all it takes is a flick of the wrist and all your troubles will end … you're going to want to kill me anyway when you find out what happened to Bryson."
Rorek glared and tightened his grip on the blade, "What did you do to Bryson?"
Slowly Saligia pushed her forehead off the tree and discreetly leaned against Rorek, trying the best she could – though still mind full of the blade on her throat. She tried to look over her shoulder to Rorek, however he never allowed it. The best she could do was stare at the ground, "What do you think? I'm working for Ellris … did you think he would be safe?"
"You killed him," it wasn't a question obviously … it was a statement and a horrible truth when she had replied with a nod, still aware of the knife against her throat Rorek gritted his teeth and couldn't help to think she was right. He really did want to kill her right then and there … Bryson … his best friend and only person to talk to during the passing centuries of the thousand years he's lived. Killed … and the killer? Right in his grasp … she was right. He could do it … the Titans couldn't stop him and by the look on their face they really didn't know what to do.
He did want to.
He could … and he should!
Saligia could fell his urge to kill her growing and braced for the slight pain she knew would come when he slit her throat … yet, when he pushed her against the tree and his grip on the knife shook. She blinked when instead he spoke into her ear rather then run the cold kiss of the blade across her throat, "I'm no pawn for suicide."
Rorek sneered and pushed off her, throwing the knife to the ground in a way the blade stuck into the dirt.
Saligia leaned on the tree and kept her back turned to him and closed her eyes, You idiot! Why did you have to have honor! Clawing the bark, Beast Boy, Cyborg, and Starfire frowned at the scene, as Rorek turned away and walked back to his mansion. Yet stopped to call back to the Titans, "Let's go … our business is finished here."
No it isn't! Saligia threw herself at the knife and sent it up high over her head then sent it flying at Rorek, without skipping a beat he dodged, caught and spun around to send the blade flying right back at Saligia. The dragoness roared when the blade embedded into her right shoulder.
It hurt like hell, but it wasn't enough to kill her!
Rorek knew it and smirked, at Saligia's snarling anguish, "You want it that bad Sally, you can do it yourself."
Beast Boy cringed, "Ouch … I don't know what hurts more, the pride or the wound."
Starfire gently pushed him to follow Rorek, looking back at the dragon that growled and ripped the blade from her shoulder and jammed it into the tree behind her. Frowning sadly, Starfire shook her head, "I would guess that pride is more in pain then the body …"
Cyborg snorted, never bothering to look back, as he shrugged, "She'll get over it and come back for revenge … maybe."
Revenge? Saligia shook her head and hunched over, staring at the knife, which she thought Rorek would have taken her with, No … I could never bring myself for revenge Cyborg … but it was supposed to end here! Damn you Rorek! Damn you! Damn it all! Now what am I to do?
Lost, the dragoness sat in the middle of the bright, sunny, and breezy forest. Never realizing just how lovely the setting of Earth was at this very moment until she felt the breeze kiss her sweating weakened body. Feeling something wet drop onto her leg, Saligia sniffed and smelt it was a salty, not irony like her blood should be. Slowly lifting a hand to her eye she gasped when she felt she was crying. I really am pathetic …
--
"Robin!" Rorek screamed from down the stairs in the middle of the main entrance to his mansion, "Robin! Where are you?"
"Right here," jerking his head from the stairs to the parlor, Robin came walking out looking around to his friends before resting his eyes on the glaring wizard. No, he wasn't glaring at Robin, even if it looked like it. Robin knew he was glaring at something else least he had already blown up in his face, "I couldn't find the book in the parlor. You know where it is?"
Robin shook his head, "It's useless now, we were sent on a wild goose-chase … another one of Ellris' little games … he wanted me to fail, and I have a feeling he has the book with him … so we'd be searching in vain."
"But …" Beast Boy frowned, "dude, what now? We can't just have Malchior and X killed off … can we?"
"No," Robin said firmly, "we're going to Azarath and we're going to fight for Malchior and X's freedom, we know them better than anyone and we have nothing on record over there. We can at least support them as best we can and possibly postpone whatever fate they have … what did the judge say if you don't return with the book?"
Rorek shook his head, "Nothing … and his not a judge he's the Prince of Azarath, but I know he won't be happy with the fact that I don't have the evidence I was supposed to obtain … the royals already have bad-blood with Raven and just to spite her … I think our lives may be in danger."
Beast Boy chuckled with a sarcastic humor, "Oh … and it gets worse, what else could go wrong?"
"Ellris bringing an army up to the Skyline in order to over take the Azarian Government." All heads turned to the door where Saligia dragged herself to lean against the door with a tired and weak sigh. Her shoulder still bleeding from Rorek's maneuver sapphire eyes sweeping over everyone in the room before settling at the scowling Rorek, "He will do it … it's what he's been after."
Rorek scoffed and rolled his eyes – he was trying to hold it back, "What are you doing tell us his plans … again?"
Saligia sneered at Rorek, "Trying to help since you're just too lost in the dark to see the light, or in this case Ellris' plan. I'm already sure Malchior told you of his failed attempt at gaining Azalon am I right?"
"Yes, he has, but what has that got –"
"You didn't listen to his explanation closer did you?" Saligia chuckled and pushed off the door to walk into the mansion, passing by the tense fighters before sitting on the steps of the grand staircase. Resting her head on the rail she glared at Rorek who challenged her with his own narrowed gaze, "Ellris likes to toy with government … it's like his hobby … the fact that his son, Malchior, my brother –"
"Wait!" Beast Boy pointed, "So you're that Saligia girl!"
Saligia gave the changeling a dry look, "Kind of late aren't you?"
Beast Boy nervously morphed into a kitten and tucked himself away in Starfire's arms in order to avoid Saligia's cold sapphire blue eyes. They were so dark it was creepy, the dragoness shook her head and looked back to Rorek in order to continue her explanation, "Anyway, like I was saying … Ellris had already ripped the Dragon Clans into turmoil like a paper doll he shredded them to nothing by murdering all their Grandmasters and Mistresses along with their Champions and sisters … at least I tried to spare some of them … but most of them are under my control … as well as their defenders and armies. When Malchior and Raven united it took away a great deal of his power, but for now what he lacks in power he'll make up for in numbers … my 'gift'."
Robin raised a brow, "Malchior and Raven united? What does that mean?"
Saligia chuckled and Rorek cleared his throat and looked away not wanting to be the one to tell, Saligia on the other hand had no shame. If anything, her blood was rather proud that her brother had brought forth her family crest once more, "Think real hard human, Raven's a half-demon, my brother is a dragon, a unity that can take away my father's power can only be the Mating Ritual."
Cyborg. Exploded.
"WHAT! MATING RITUAL! YOU MEAN TO TELL ME MY LITTLE SISTER ISN'T LITTLE ANYMORE!" Robin, Beast Boy, and Starfire all jumped behind Rorek in fear of Cyborg's wrath. Steam streamed out of his ears and nose like a waterfall as he shook with rage. "WHERE'S THAT DAMN DRAGON! I'LL RIP HIS DAMN HEAD OFF! HOW DARE HE TOUCH RAVEN!"
Saligia giggled in amusement at the heated cyborg, "Just to let you know this Mating Ritual is strictly consensual … Malchior couldn't manipulate his way through this even if he tried. Raven is all the same as guilty as my brother."
Cyborg growled, "Well when I see that girl I'll smack her up side the head for – Raven! How could you!"
"I really don't see why you're so high strung about it … it's her life," Saligia shrugged with a bored expression.
"Yeah? Well … what if she didn't use protection she could be … ya know!" Cyborg paled when realization set in of the horrible possibility, "Oh my god … Raven could be … could be … could be …"
"Pregnant?" Saligia raised a brow and Cyborg near fainted at the mention of the accursed "P" word, "Quite possible considering the Mating Ritual wouldn't be full filled if there was protection. Though Malchior wouldn't even know what protection is for his life unless someone told him, remember he was locked in a book for a thousand years."
Beast Boy gulped, "Now there's a scary thought, isn't Raven just 16?"
"17," Robin corrected.
Cyborg shook his head and aimed his parental glare at Robin, "Does one year make a frickin' difference? She's still underage!"
Saligia blinked "But look on the bright side, the child wouldn't be a bastard child in demonic or dragon eyes considering the parents are rightfully marked, that's the one thing that counts in Azarath."
"Enough with the possibilities!" Rorek interrupted suddenly looking as embarrassed as all hell for the subject that was brought it, embarrassed more for Malchior and Raven and less for himself, because the subject was being spoken of so freely! It was unsettling and uncomfortable to say the least, "Look, it doesn't matter if Raven is … is … whatever she is, but Malchior and Kenneth as well and my own life is in danger because we don't have enough evidence to prove we didn't kill the 13 Monks of Azarath! Time is ticking and Ellris is going to send an army up to the Central Skyline without the warning to the Princes to defend the Floating Island! Saligia, I appreciate the knowledge, but I have to know are you still going to be siding with Ellris? You can stop this, you hold the key to his undead army!"
Saligia shook her head sadly, "He has the Seven Amulets now … all he has to do is summon one of the Seven Servers and they can do the same job as me with a snap of a finger. I'm still under Ellris' control because he's still my Grandmas … no … wait …"
"What?" Robin raised a brow noticing Saligia has suddenly stopped and took on a look of realization; "Say something now if it might help us."
"Well … it's just a theory …" Saligia thought for a moment, "… but … if Malchior and Raven mated –" Cyborg grumbled at the subject, "– and Ellris' power drained … it could mean that Malchior is now the new Grandmaster and all my control could be switched from Ellris to Malchior or Raven … or I could just be free either … anyway … it'll only work with whoever calls me first to their command with the subjugation spell."
The wheels were turning with a plan in Rorek's head, "So … what is your subjugation spell?"
Saligia looked at him and shrugged, "The single word: Submit. Said in any language I can submit to my new Grandmaster or Mistress … whoever it is. Same works for Malchior to Raven, a natural subjugation spell would have been placed on her after the Ritual … though … I don't know if it'll work on her … she's a demon and demons have a different way of keeping the peace. Ours is the more direct approach since time began."
"But you still think it'll work?" Rorek asked for confirmation and Saligia nodded.
"Maybe …"
Robin looked at the two, "So … I see one of you has a plan, mind filling us in and getting us to Azarath before Malchior and Kenneth are killed off?"
Rorek nodded with a confident smile, "No problem … but first for this to work, Saligia, you have to go back to Ellris."
Saligia's suddenly light hearted amused smile from watching the fuming Cyborg dropped as well as her eyes when it connected to the ground, as she whispered, "I can't …"
Rorek frowned, "Why not?"
"Because …" she sighed and slowly looked up to meet Rorek's ice-blue gaze with a renewed confidence … however it only lasted so long. Rorek's eyes were still too intense for her to hold and she ended up looking back to the ground, "… Ellris wants you dead …"
Beast Boy stilled, "Aw … dude … don't tell me we're going to have to fight you, I was just beginning to like you."
Saligia chuckled sadly and glanced at Beast Boy, "Glad to know I have a fan …"
Rorek sighed and turned around, pulling his silver white puffy tangled mane to his shoulder to expose his back to Saligia, the dragoness – as well as the rest of the Titans gave him an odd look, "Ellris wants me dead … he'll get it, go for it Saligia."
"Wha – are you insane!" Saligia shot up off the stairs too fast for her head to catch up and she ended up having to lean on the rail to keep from falling from dizziness as she glared at Rorek as if he grew an extra head, "I'm not going to kill you! If you haven't noticed I don't have the heart to!"
Rorek looked over his shoulder to her to give the dragoness a dry look, "You don't have to kill me … but even if you tried it wouldn't work, and in order to kill me you have to kill Malchior at the same time apparently Ellris skipped that little detail."
"But still," Saligia argued, "what you're asking me to do is dangerous …"
"What I'm asking you to do is scratch me deep enough for Malchior to feel it," Rorek growled, losing his patience, "that's it."
"…" Saligia grumbled and glared at Rorek, "You're crazy …" looking over to the shocked Titans she gestured for them to turn knowing they were probably not use to blood and the like, "this could get messy."
Robin gave Rorek an odd look, "This is kind of drastic don't you think?'
Rorek shrugged, "Maybe so … but it's necessary … for both Saligia and for us. I can always blame my not being able to get the book on the fact that someone else beat me to the punch."
"True … but it's still drastic," Robin frowned and raised a brow when Saligia tapped her feet impatiently on the ground, knowing that she wasn't going to do anything unless they turned around. Robin motioned for the rest of the Titans to turn, even if he felt stupid in doing so.
Saligia glared at Rorek and lengthened her claws, "I don't know why you even trust me … I killed you friend."
"Well … that just means I have nothing to loose now doesn't it?" Rorek snorted, "Plus … it's amazing what you can live through."
"Yeah … hold your breath …" lifting her claws up and concentrating more on the fact that this was necessary and aiming for his back where she knew he wanted her to wound. Sucking in a deep breath and bit down her lower lip she brought her claws down as fast as she could to bring as little pain as she could. It still wasn't enough and Rorek felt to the floor screaming in excruciating pain when his flesh was torn, bring her clean hand to her mouth in shock. Saligia with the rest of the Titans ran to Rorek's bleeding body, "Gods … I'm sorry! It wasn't supposed to hurt!"
"It's okay … ah …" Rorek groaned and shakily stayed on his hands and knees his white mane curtaining around his face as he tried to ignore the pain, but knew it was impossible and if it was impossible for him. He snickered, "sorry Malchior … it was a necessity."
--
In his cell, Malchior roared and shot a hand to his arm feeling his back suddenly burning with pain, "Fuck! Rorek!"
"Yo! Malchior!" X in his cell not to far called out when he heard the dragon roar, "You alright?"
"No! I think Rorek ran into trouble!" Malchior shouted back still holding his side.
X knew what that meant and he fell back on his bed to glare at the ceiling, "Fuck … just what we need … what time is it?"
Still trying to get over the shock from the sudden rush of pain, Malchior hissed and gulped trying to clear his head and snorted, "Uh … I'm not sure … ask the guard."
"HEY! STIFF!" X called to the guard that was posted just next to his cell, "How much longer till sunset?"
"An hour."
"WHAT?" X shot off his bed and rushed to the barrier, but made sure not to touch it like last time, "How the hell can that be? It doesn't even feel like the day's gone!"
Malchior sneered and glared at the ground massaging his shoulder, "Remember when we told you the nights of Azarath are far longer than Earths X? Well … do the math, if the nights are longer, than the daylights are shorter … much shorter. Cut in half from Earth's daylight in fact."
"That's shit's just fucked up …" X growled and wanted to hit something, but everything in his room was too hard and he didn't want to hurt himself in the process so he kicked and scuffed the stony ground, "fucked up man, just … damn it! I don't care if Rorek dies, his fucking soul better carry out the plan! My claustrophobia's kickin' in, shit."
BANG!
Malchior and X both cringed – but Malchior more so – when the sliding doors of the dungeon were slammed open, large, big, heavy doors where if they were slammed would echo greatly. Annoyed Malchior growled, but once he could a scent of his mate he seized his growling and stood up to try and see if it really was Raven. Rolling his shoulder still trying to get the pain from his back he saw Raven first open X's barrier than his.
"What's the occasion?"
Raven looked up at Malchior and smirked, "Even if Rorek doesn't make it till sunset, we might just be able to keep your head intact. Found an old friend of yours … the name "Malachite" seem familiar to you?"
Malchior narrowed his eyes at Raven skeptically then raised a brow when she began to lead him out of the dungeon, "Malachite … yes … he is familiar … but how did you find him … and how is he even – hold on. Malachite was transferred from the Southeastern Lands to the Northeastern to become a Defender … was he …?"
Raven looked over her shoulder to Malchior and nodded, "Yes, he apparently was there to witness everything that Saligia and Ellris has done, even has a battle wound to prove it."
X smirked, "Awesome, that saves Malchior, what about me?"
"What about you?" Raven raised a brow and looked over to X, "You did steal the Amulets after I told you to leave it alone. I think a few years in Azarian prison would do you some good."
"What! Aw come on Rae you can't do that to me!" X panicked and jumped in front of her, earning him a dry look from the cold-hearted demoness with her very own dragon mate wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her into his embrace. Resting a chin on her shoulder and taking in her sweet scent, X ignored him and pleaded to Raven, "I don't look good in strips and closed off spaces aren't my thing! You have to save me here, you have to I'll do just about anything!"
Raven snickered and leaned back into Malchior when the dragon connected his head to hers giving X a very good chance at examining their similar markings upon their foreheads. Black strips that stretched back into their hairline on their temples and tipping towards the upside down crescent mark in the middle of their foreheads. They looked like royalty … and the perfect picture.
He'll remember to use that compliment suck up if he ever needed anything else from them.
Raven sighed and shrugged, "I'll think about it, but first we have to get to the Conference Room and face Reign, Gwen, and Miles again to plead your "Not guilty" case."
"The fucktard and the bitch," X sneered and turned away from Raven and Malchior to make his way to the Conference Room himself, "just the people I need to deal with."
His footsteps nearly disappeared in the hall as Raven turned and wrapped her arms around Malchior's neck, feeling him just resting his hands comfortably above her tailbone she looked at him with a sigh, "I've missed you …"
He smirked softly and caught her in a chaste sweet kiss whispering, "I still love you."
"I can tell," Raven rested her head on his chest listening to his slow rhythmic heartbeat, "I'm not feeling well Malchior … I think I'm coming down with something."
Malchior pulled his head back trying to look her in the eye and she helped him when she looked up at him with a worried expression which just made him concern, "You don't seem sick to me … you look fine."
She gulped, "You sure?"
"Positive," he smiled, but it was turned to another kiss when Raven pulled him down. This one lasting much longer than the first, but never deepened, just sweet and … he didn't want to think it, but it seemed like Raven was trying to reassure herself of something. He hoped it wasn't of her love for him. Whatever it was, he hoped he gave her what she wanted when she pulled away and stared at him for a moment. Her eyes searching for something … her mouth hanging open as if she wished to say more … yet the words fell on her when her eyes traveled to the ground.
Silently she pulled away from him and returned to her refined self, "They're probably waiting … let's go."
She had something to say … she had something to tell him … Malchior knew it.
How?
Easy, she just looked troubled and he had the power to stop them both and force the words from her mouth, and to outlast her in the waiting contest for her to tell him what was wrong. Yet … he was too late to do so when she entered the Conference Room and immediately dropped his hand that she had been holding to drag him to the room. Separating himself from her to sit next to X, Malchior tried not to worry himself so much and distracted himself with Malachite the Emerald Dragon that was the new addition to he table and who was staring at him in shock.
Mouth agape and everything.
Malchior couldn't help to smirk … he knew why he was more so shocked than he should be.
The mark upon his forehead and Raven's was a good shocker to any dragon that knew what the markings meant.
"Malachite," Malchior inclined his head in respect, but Malachite held his breath and instantly bowed low in acknowledgement.
"Mal – eh, er, um – Gran-Grandmaster Malchior … for-forgive me for sounding so formal, but … it's been … it's been a while."
Yes … the wonders of a few magical markings.
They really can make or break the person wearing them out in the open's future.
In Malchior's case, the odd looks he was getting from the royals of the Palace Azar and the curious look he got from Raven as she gave Malachite a look of her own. Malchior chuckled and X on the side raised a brow, "Yo, Mal … you sure he's your friend from a while back? Cause right now he's acting more like your groveling servant."
"You see this?" Malchior pointed to his forehead and X nodded as the dragon's smirk grew, "It means instant power … Ellris wanted to take back his Grandmaster title, well now it's impossible because I hold it … my family crest thank you very much … and don't ever call me Mal again."
All this was whispered and the only one's to hear were Malachite, Francesca (she was kicking back in the corner, still tired from her travel and argument with the dragon), and Raven. Raven in particular was enlightened, So Saligia was right … it is their family crest. Suddenly the importance of her mark hit Raven like a ton of bricks … she wasn't just Malchior's mate … she was in a sense Royalty!
"So here we are again," Reigned tiredly and rubbed the side of his head to keep a headache he was feeling coming on at bay, staring at Malachite he gestured to the dragon, "Who are you and why should I care?"
Miles glared at his brother, "Rude much brother?"
Malachite looked back at the Prince and took in a deep breath, still recovering from his confusion he answered in a slight daze, "Uh … Mal-Malachite … Malachite De'endrekres."
"Malachite …" Reign tested the name and blinked, "Isn't that another name for green copper?"
Raven glared, "That shouldn't matter."
Reign sneered, "Just trying to be nice, half-breed, besides I was not talking to you I was talking to Malachite. Now, what do you bring to the table?"
Malachite growled and bared his very impressive fangs, "If you don't mind your highness, I suggest you speak to Lady Raven with much more respect then you have. She's far more high ranked than you think and if you don't want war on your hands, heed my warning for I know the Grandmaster to the Southwest rather well."
X's mouth dropped to the ground, Oh shit! War! Damn that's a mean threat!
Even Raven stilled and shot Malachite a worried look, but neither did Malachite falter or Malchior budge to shut him up. In fact Malchior just sat with a smug smirk as Prince Reign just sat there, befuddled and bewildered. Even Gwen couldn't back him up on this and Miles didn't know whether to laugh at his brother's suspense or worry at the mention of war.
Either way the silence was broken when the doors swung open and Rorek came stumbling in on the arms of Robin and Cyborg trying to hold him up. Reign and Gwen stood up at the sudden barrage of people that walked into the Conference Room, Raven smirked at the sight of her friends and X was blown away, Shit … this just keeps getting better and better, Boy Blunder better back me up … hold up … what's wrong with Rorek? And where's the book … oh no … this don't look good.
Rorek looked up to the prince and cringed at the pain in his back then glared at Malchior, "You owe me for this one dragon."
"Why? I was not the one that opened my mouth to retrieve the book and ran into a mess … who did this to you to begin with?"
"Saligia … and Ellris has the book … but I have a plan."
"Ellris has the damn book! Rorek!"
"He had it before I even got there, so calm your scales dragon."
"Damn it." Malchior cursed under his breath and Rorek closed his eyes tiredly when Reign sneered.
"What the hell happened to you? And who are the rest of you?"
Robin jerked his head back when the older male before him spoke English, "Um, we're the Teen Titans and once we heard our friends were in trouble we came to plead their case not guilty. Does that answer your question?"
Rorek couldn't help to chuckle, "So I guess I made it on time?"
Raven stood up and went to examine Rorek's wound with a cringe, touching it Malchior on the side snarled, in pain. This didn't go unnoticed to the royals and Raven took their moment of distraction to whisper into Rorek's ear, "A bit extreme on your part, but good job."
"Saligia's on our side for good …" Rorek whispered back, "… but we have a bigger problem."
"How big?"
Beast Boy chimed in, "Oh think a massive undead army and you've figured it out. Nice to see you again Rae! We've missed you!"
Robin went up to the table and looked over to the three – er – four including Malachite he didn't know, "Okay, I know this may seem a bit extreme, but we're about to be attacked my a massive undead army lead by a Hellborn Dragon with the Seven Serves of the Seven Deadly sins and we need to form a defense plan fast … so … who's the leader here?"
Silence …
That is until Gwen screamed, "Are you out of your goddamned mind!"
--
(doorbell rings)
Me: (gets up to answer it) Yeah?
PizzaGuy: 26 dollars, will that be cash or check?
Me: (digs into her pocket for money) Uh … hold on …
X: (walks into the picture with a sour look and snatches the pizza and pulls cimple back into the house) How 'bout free. (Slams the door on the PizzaGuy's face)
Me: O.O X! You can't do that!
X: I just did, pizza's up guys!
(At the same time as Rorek, Malchior, X, and Raven reach for the same slice. Dramatic glare and music plays in the background. All of a sudden cimple's room turns into an old western house, tumbleweed included)
Me: O.O … o.O O.o … Un-freakin'-believable …
X: The slice is mine, back off.
Rorek: I beg to differ, thief, that slice was mine to begin with.
Malchior: Oh yeah, who said Chris Angel wanna be?
Rorek: My mind powers told me so …
Raven: What mind powers? If anything I'm the closest one to mind powers.
Rorek: … It's mine anyway …
(Western background drops back to cimple's room as a wall is blasted open and a deranged PizzaGuy stands with a crazy look in his eye while holding a loaded shotgun)
PizzaGuy: That pizza is mine! None of you paid for it!
Me: I have nothing to do with this … (scoots off the scene)
X: Five-way show down! All or nothing! Ready! And! KILL EACH OTHER! (X pretends to jump in, but leaps instead for the pizza and sneaks off) Suckaz!
Me: … O.O … total randomness I know … but this is what you get when pulling an all-nighter … and don't give me that look I just can't sleep! Hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll have the next one up as soon as I finish and proof read it. l8er daez!
