Six

Malefica's Tasks

Malefica's POV

"They are here?" I exclaimed. At least I wasn't going crazy… I really had seen them.

"Yes," Trigon answered simply. "In a cave not far from the Mines."

"Do you wish for me to go there?"

"Of course. Eliminate them."

"It will be done," I bowed before Lord Trigon and set off into the cold night.

Raven's POV

Rorek was out scouting. We had set up camp in a cave a few miles away from Trigon's Palace, and while Rorek was out, Beast Boy and I were starting a fire.

"Uh… what are we going to eat?" Beast Boy asked.

"Rorek'll conjure something," I shrugged.

"Aw man… I'm getting sick of this magic food," Beast Boy complained.

"Well we could fry a four eyed bird," I suggested.

"Does that count as meat?" he inquired.

"I don't know, do you consider demons meat?" I smiled. I got up from the crackling fire and walked over to my sleeping bag. Beast Boy put his hand on my shoulder and turned me around. His arms drew me closer…

"Aw isn't that so sweet?" a voice taunted.

Beast Boy whirled around me, and fear filled me.

Malefica stood in the doorway of the cave. She was smiling maliciously and her eyes gleamed evilly. The mark of Scath was on her forehead, but I could barely make it out through her blond hair.

"Malefica," I hissed. Rage seethed within me.

'Destroy her! Feed on her soul!' Rage screamed. 'Obliterate her for what she did!'

'Control her!' Bravery yelled as she pulled her chains down.

Malefica laughed. "I don't think your daddy approves of this, Raven," she mocked.

"What do you want?" Beast Boy snapped.

Malefica brushed her hair out from her eyes. "That girl," she pointed at me.

"No!" Beast Boy cried and lunged as a tiger.

"Beast Boy!" I screamed… didn't that boy ever learn?

Malefica put her hands up and red lightning crackled from her fingertips. They crashed into Beast Boy and encased his furry form. He slowly turned back into a human, but Malefica's attack did not relent. Beast Boy's screams filled the cave.

"R—raven!" he gasped as his nose began to bleed.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" I screamed. Rocks encased in black energy were hurled into Malefica.

She smiled and pushed her hands towards the rocks. The lightning continued and thrust Beast Boy into the rocks.

"No!" I cried, tears coming to my eyes. I heard a crack and Beast Boy's howling grew louder. He dropped limply to the ground, and Malefica walked over to me, kicking his body out of the way.

Anger burned within my chest to strike her down right then, but I had to control myself. I had to hold her off until Rorek got back.

"Witch," I hissed.

"I'm a witch? Let's not forget what you did, Raven," she sneered. "I guess I was right, I did see you against that rock."

"How did you see me?" I asked. How could Rorek's spell have been broken?

"It was faint, but I could just see an outline of you. As for finding you, it wasn't that hard. Don't you know that fires give off smoke?" she laughed.

"So what now?" I asked angrily.

"Now… now it's over, Raven. You're going to come with me and serve my master's purpose. Azarath will be ours!"

"Yours… you fool! Do you really think that Trigon will give you anything for your service? When your worth has expired he'll eliminate you," I laughed at her. "You'll just become a lifeless husk… maybe if your lucky he'll let you work in the mines. I'm sure the slaves will have fun with you."

"Shut up!" she yelled and clenched her hands into fists. Suddenly the air around my neck thickened and I was lifted off the ground. My breaths were short and insufficient… she was choking me to death. My lungs burned for air, but my throat wouldn't open!

"Wha—?" I choked as she opened her first and I collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. She walked over to me and rolled my weak form onto its back, putting her foot on my chest.

"You lose again Raven," she smiled.

I couldn't fight her… she was too strong. She was just too powerful for me. She brought her hands up and lightning crackled forward towards me. Pain exploded within my body and my nose began to bleed. I felt the life slipping away from me as the electricity surging through my body became more intense. Darkness began to cloud my vision and I tasted blood. My scream pierced the air.

'Don't give up!' Bravery's battle cry was distant…

Suddenly the lightning stopped and I heard Malefica shout: "I will be back!" she laughed and then she was gone. The pain had been so intense… and all my thoughts were distant… darkness overcame me…

…Slowly consciousness returned to me, and I tried to sit up, but I felt something across my chest. I looked to my side and Beast Boy lying right next to me. I felt no dried blood on my face and someone had removed my cloak. Rorek was sleeping a few feet away.

I smiled… Beast Boy had done everything for me, but at the same time I blushed.

There was a glimmering wall across the entrance to the cave, and I supposed Rorek had put some shield up to protect us.

I turned around to saw Beast Boy and my blush deepened: he wasn't wearing a shirt, although makeshift bandages covered most of his chest. I put my arm across his body and kissed his sleeping lips. He sighed and his eyes opened.

"Oh," he pulled his lips away and blushed. "I was supposed to get up before you," he smiled.

I laughed softly. "It's ok. Thanks for looking after me," I whispered.

"Oh, it wasn't that hard," he answered softly and pulled me closer to him and kissed me gently. "You know I'm always there for you. You never gave up on me," he said after.

'Aww!' Love squealed.

'Why don't you go to sleep?' Rude snapped.

'Cause this is my thing, like being a grumpy gills is being yours,' Love laughed.

'Shut it, I don't even have gills!' Rude shouted.

'Oh be quiet,' I ordered. 'And enjoy the moment.'

I was still very tired and I closed my eyes, putting my head against his chest. Soon his breathing settled and I knew he was sleeping, and not long after I also fell asleep in Beast Boy's arms, and despite everything that had happened, I was completely and totally happy.

Malefica's POV

I had them! I thought angrily. Then I just had to go to these stupid mines! It had better be something good!

Trigon's voice spoke in my head. 'We have found it,' he said. 'The Orb of Karaz has been located. Bring it to me!'

'What about the girl?' I asked.

'Leave her for now. Let Raven go the mines, then take them both.'

'I would have had her tonight, my Lord,' I answered.

'We cannot afford to lose the Orb, Malefica,' Trigon snapped.

'Of course, Master.'

The cold Azarathian winds chilled me to the bone as I was carried in my litter to the mines. I closed my eyes and concentrated my thoughts, erasing any doubts or questions I had so that Trigon would not sense them.

I whispered to nothingness: "Soon, mom and dad… soon."

A/N: OK just thought you should know that this story also has some CyBee, RobStar, AquaOC and RorOC, but it's mainly BBRae and plus all that pairing wouldn't have fit in the summary hehe. And sorry about how short a lot of the chapters have been but I promise they'll start getting longer… eventually lol. Also, expect this story to be longer than Web of Deceit. Well hope you enjoyed!