. Nine

Daughters of Azarath

Crescent's POV

One word: whoa. She looked almost exactly like me; she was just a little older. Raven… hadn't Starfire mentioned that name before…? Goodness, I'm almost a clone of this girl and no one who knows her can tell me?

"Well, this is awkward," a green boy standing next to her said. "Are you two like clones? Raven… you never told me you had a clone!"

"Quiet," another man whispered. He had long white hair and icy blue eyes. "Raven, perhaps you can explain?"

"Ssh," the one named Raven hissed and grabbed my ragged cloth and pulled me behind the rock. "What was your mother's name?" she demanded.

"A lot of people called her Luna, but her family called her Arella. She never told me why," I purposefully omitted the Azara part.

"Is she alive?" Raven asked.

"Could you explain to me where this is going?" I answered with a question.

Raven repeated her question.

I sighed. "No. She died ten years ago."

"Impossible…" Raven whispered.

"What?" I demanded.

"My mother's name was Arella. She died ten years ago."

We looked deep into each other's eyes… could it be?

"My mother always told me I had a relative whose name began with an R," I said, scrutinizing the girl sitting across from me.

"What are those links for?" the man asked.

"They're used to suppress powers," Raven answered.

"Uh… yeah. How did you know that?" I questioned.

"I've seen them before… long ago," Raven replied.

"OK… who are those two?" I asked.

"Beast Boy and Rorek," she pointed to the green one at Beast Boy and to the man at Rorek.

"So… wait… we're getting off subject here. I think this is a bit too much to just be a coincidence," I said.

"It's not," Raven replied monotonously. She took my hands in hers and felt my palms. Suddenly I felt a presence in my mind. "You've been having inexplicable dreams… or visions," she said suddenly.

"Whoa," I pulled my palms out of her hands. "Could you tell me before go into my mind?"

"When is your birthday?" she asked sharply.

"What? OK hold on here! I wanna know what you're talking about," I wiped my forehead and my eyes closed for a minute. I was very tired and I didn't have time for mind games.

"Answer my question," Raven snapped.

"Look, I don't have time for this. I'm tired, I'm hungry, my foster father was murdered a few days ago, and now a person I care about very much is in a lot of pain. I don't know you, and it's almost my lunchtime. Even if it's a piece of stale bread… I don't care, just tell me what's going on or I'm outta here," I yawned. I put my head on the rock and closed my eyes, enjoying the few moments of peace.

"Do you know where Cyborg and Starfire are?" Beast Boy asked.

Didn't they say that they were hoping for a Beast Boy and a Raven to come and help them? I thought I remembered that… "Um, yeah," I answered.

"Really!" Beast Boy exclaimed. "Can you take us to them?"

"Beast Boy, we may have a bigger problem on our hands than Trigon and Malefica," Raven hissed.

My eyes shot open. "What?" the three of us asked simultaneously.

"Look, this is going to take a long time to explain. Take us to Starfire and the others and then I will explain," Raven promised.

I thought it over for a few seconds… they were wearing the brown rags all the slaves were, so they wouldn't stick out… and I had to check up on Aqualad anyway. I hoped he was ok… out of everyone he was the only who had tried to talk personally to me. "Fine," I said finally. "But be quiet, Trigon has eyes everywhere."

"Oh, we know," Rorek replied and I led them out from behind the rocks through a labyrinth of tunnels until we reached the cavern where some of the slaves ate and slept. I led them over to where we sat, and as we approached all of the Titans' faces turned… and hope lit them up.

Raven's POV

"Friend Raven!" Starfire cried and ran up to me and hugged me tightly. Tears of joy ran down her face. "I am so sorry, friend Raven."

"It's ok," I comforted and hugged her back. When she let go I gasped. Her skin was drawn tightly to her body, and she was as skinny as a stick. Her eyes were glazed and tired, and her hair was disheveled. Her face was smudged with dirt and dust and she was wearing a ragged brown bag, like the others. I looked around and saw that everyone was like that. Even Cyborg's metal wasn't gleaming; it was dull and dirty.

"Hi, everyone," I was about to take a seat when everyone rushed up to Beast Boy and me and hugged us.

"It's good to see you two," Bumblebee smiled weakly.

"¡Sí!" Más y Menos exclaimed.

"But who's that guy?" Speedy jerked his thumb at Rorek. Despite their obvious fatigue, all of them were smiling. Crescent was off to the side a bit, leaning over something.

"I am Rorek," the mage replied. "A wizard that Raven summoned to aid you all in your fight against Trigon."

"Wait, isn't that the guy who became the big dragon thing?" Cyborg asked.

"No, that was Malchior. He took my appearance to fool you all," Rorek explained.

"Where's Aqualad?" Beast Boy asked.

Immediately the smiles faded and the faces became very sullen. They parted to where Crescent was bending over a figure. We walked over, and tears came to my eyes.

Aqualad was sleeping, but his breaths weren't regular, and much of his body was bandaged.

"What happened?" Beast Boy asked.

"Malefica," Bumblebee answered shortly.

I sighed. "Crescent, when was the last time she came?"

"Yesterday, that's when she beat Aqualad," Crescent looked up and wiped her eyes.

"Why?" I continued my interrogation.

"Because she wanted to know where I had slept a few nights ago," Crescent replied. "There was some orb there that she found."

I groaned. "You let her take the Orb of Karaz?"

"You know what it is?" Starfire asked.

"Sit down," I ordered.

'This is not good,' Knowledge sighed.

'Well thanks Captain Obvious,' Rude snapped.

"Well to start off with the obvious, this is my sister, Crescent," I began.

"You had a sister all this time and you didn't tell us?" Cyborg exclaimed. "Why?"

"Because I forgot. My mother told me a long time ago, but it never came to mind that the information would be useful. She specifically told me not to try and find Crescent," I replied monotonously. "Now that I remember I can see how much Trigon's plot thickens," I took a deep breath and began. "When I was born, it was prophesized that I would destroy the world and bring Trigon out from his prison. That prophecy has been fulfilled, but two years later, Trigon and my mother had another child, Crescent. My mother told me that this child's fate would be much worse. She was told that she would open the gate for the Dark God to step into the world.

"Long ago, Lady Azar and the Dark God Karaz fought a one thousand year war. At last, Azar trapped Karaz in a mirror, so Karaz created legions of minions to try and free him, and at the head of these minions was Trigon. On top of that the Dark One placed a part of himself in the world, which is known as the Orb of Karaz," I sighed.

"Trigon is using Azarath and all of us to draw Crescent and myself to him so that he can free Karaz. Even if we destroy Trigon and fail to stop Karaz from stepping into the world, all will be lost."

"So everything could be for nothing?" Bumblebee asked sadly.

I nodded. "The Twin Prophecies will be fulfilled, and we, the Daughters of Azarath will take the sides of Lord Karaz in his conquest to obliterate benevolence," I intoned. "This must be stopped."

"What about Robin?" Beast Boy asked.

"But Robin is d—" Speedy began.

"I know of a way to bring him back," I cut Speedy off. "But it's dangerous, now come, I need to heal Aqualad."

"Wait a second," Crescent began. "You expect me to believe all of this?"

"Didn't you feel drawn to the Teen Titans," a smile flickered across Rorek's face.

"Well yes…"

"Destiny, dear child," the wizard replied. "You do not have to believe everything all at once, just trust destiny."

"Raven are you sure you can heal him?" Cyborg asked skeptically.

I nodded and bent over Aqualad.

"Uh, c'mon let's hurry it up," Beast Boy said suddenly.

"What, why?" Crescent asked.

"Because you're all seconds away from dying," a cold voice said from behind us. My blood turned to ice as I turned around, forgetting the beaten Aqualad. Why did she always appear at the most inopportune times?

'Kill her now,' Bravery yelled.

Malefica stood before us in her long black dress, a snarl on her face. "This is my second trip to these accursed mines for the day, I'm tired and in a bad mood, so I'd prefer to destroy you as quickly as possible. As for you two," she pointed at Crescent and I. "You two are coming with me." She put her hand up.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" I cried and grabbed the two people closest to me: Rorek and Crescent. A shield came around us as a howling tempest battered the cave. The others were tossed into the corner of the cave and groaned in pain. When the wind stopped beating on my shield I put it down, and Beast Boy was already charging as a T-Rex towards her.

A grin flicked across Malefica's face and when she put her hand out cufflinks flew out from her sleeve and latched onto Beast Boy. He immediately turned back into a human and Malefica flicked her wrist, sending him flying into the others. She waved her hand and an invisible shield was erected around them.

"No!" I cried. I won't lose him again, I thought.

"Azar—" I began but was cut off by a bolt of red lightning that had erupted from Malefica's fingertips. I brought my hands up to defend but Rorek jumped in the way… the lightning curved and smashed into Crescent's cufflinks, shattering them.

"How dare you!" Malefica hissed.

"You can't beat us all," I shot.

"Please, that girl cannot control her powers, you barely have any powers, and as strong as you may be, mage, I am stronger," she laughed. "So try me."

There was a roar and all of a sudden Crescent was leaping at Malefica, her hands aflame in red light. She screamed and brought her fist down on the witch, sending her crashing to the ground. Crescent roared and opened her mouth… red light poured out from it. Malefica's shrieks filled the cavern.

"Raven, she's killing her!" Rorek exclaimed.

"Good," I whispered.

"No! Stop her now," Rorek commanded.

"What? Why?"

"Fine, then I will!" Rorek snarled and leapt over and shoved Crescent out of the way. Her spell was broken and she collapsed to the ground. I ran over and looked at Malefica. Her nose was bleeding and she was battered from Crescent's attack.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, and used my body to prop Crescent up on her feet.

"Because Crescent would have destroyed us all," Rorek replied.

"Y—you saved me," Malefica whispered. "P—please I'm s—so weak, h—help me. I—I don't want to g—go back to T—t—tr—trigon… Please."

"What do you think?" Rorek asked.

"I think she's lying, she's a traitor and a conniving snake," I hissed.

"She may not be lying. Look at her, what does she have to lose?" he asked and put his hand up.

"Nothing," she whispered. "BUT YOU TWO HAVE A LOT TO LOSE!" she roared and red lightning crackled from her entire being. Pain erupted through my body as I was sent crashing yards away from the witch. She rose up and looked ready to strike again. I felt the warmth of blood running from my nose and from my head, and my back hurt terribly. I summoned up enough strength to make one final getaway from Malefica. As I felt the air thicken around me I gasped out…

"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos," and black magic enveloped us, teleporting us out of the mines, but I was able to steal one final look at Beast Boy. Despair filled his face and it almost brought me to tears. As we landed back outside I muttered, "I lost him, again."

Malefica's POV

"Forgive me, my master," I begged. "They escaped me."

"What!" Trigon roared.

"Please, give me one more chance," I asked.

"There are no second chances when you are in my service," Trigon flared.

Tears came to my eyes. "Well please, My Lord, fulfill your part of the bargain. I have done almost everything to perfection. Please, all I want is to be with my parents."

Trigon laughed sickly. "Fool girl. Why should I repay you, you worthless pawn? I see no gain in it for me."

"But you promised," my sadness was replaced by anger. If he would not give me what I requested, I would destroy him.

"Never trust a demon," Trigon sneered.

"If you will not give me what I want, then you will be destroyed!" I shouted and got up, my eyes glowing. Red lasers shot forth and crashed into Trigon's chest. The demon lord screamed as my lasers encased his whole body and electricity crackled throughout him. I broke my laser and Trigon fell to his knees. I brought my fist up and slashed it down. Trigon shrieked again as flesh was peeled from his skin.

"E—ENOUGH!" he roared and suddenly, I was knocked off my feet, and I felt very weak. "I enhanced your powers, and I will not stand for this!" he roared and red lasers collided with me. I felt like I was going to explode. I screamed and fell to my knees as Trigon continued his assault. I had to escape, maybe then, somehow, I could get my revenge. I concentrated myself through the attack and suddenly, the pain left me. Am I dead? I wondered. That was impossible because there was still a stinging in me and I felt blood on my skin. I looked around, gasping for breath. I was outside Trigon's palace in a cave… I didn't care if he found me or not, right now I just wanted to sleep…

Raven's POV

We sat in a silent circle around a dim fire underneath a small overhanging cliff. I couldn't get my mind off of Beast Boy… how had I lost him? I should have saved him before the others… why did he have to slave in those mines now? Was it my fault?

"What now?" Crescent asked after awhile.

"That depends on when your birthday is," I replied.

"As of tomorrow… three days."

"Well then, we have three days for you to learn to control your powers, get the Book of the Dead, free our friends, resurrect Robin, destroy Malefica and Trigon, make sure that Karaz doesn't step into the world and restore earth," I said, trying to sound calm.

'Well good luck with that,' Sarcastic drawled.

'Thaaaaanks,' I replied.

"Wait, why?" Crescent asked.

"Because Trigon must complete his spell on your birthday, when your powers are the strongest."

"This will not be easy," Rorek said. "We will, at times, have to split up."

I nodded. "Now get some sleep," it was past dark. "Because tomorrow, we start your training."

Crescent nodded and curled up in a little ball. Rorek summoned a blanket and pillow for her and she was soon fast asleep.

"Can she master her powers in three days?" Rorek asked skeptically.

I sighed. "It will be difficult, but she is a Daughter of Azarath, so she may grasp her powers better than others."

"I see. Well, things certainly are more complicated now."

I nodded. "We face the most difficult challenge of our lives, and I hope we can succeed."

Rorek put his hand on my shoulder. "We will, Raven, we will."

A/N: Well there's another chapter for you all, and thanks to those who review, have cookies! lol. Well anyway continue reviewing please and um… there was something else I wanted to say. Oh right! I told you chapters would start getting longer… this one was about 7 pages, and srry if it was choppy, but I'm still having a writer's block, though it seems to be just for this story because I published a kingdom hearts oneshot yesterday easily! Well anyway enough ranting from me and I hope you enjoyed! SoR