Zanotronxl: Ah, tale as old as time.
Korog the Oversoul: It is fine.
Skull Flame: Yes... and no. Tim is not SMARTER than Bruce, he is just a better DETECTIVE than Bruce. There are key differences in that
Lian is awesome. Why WOULDN'T we use her?
Yes, Brion is Geo-Force
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: As long as Jade and Lian are safe and happy, he is fine
Here are a few reviews answered by Ghost:
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Yep and...yep.
Skull Flame: Harley pulled a few strings. Yeah, in canon Tim's a better detective. No, Lian is an adorable ball of adorableness, too perfect for this Earth. Yeah, wait for it. Yes, they have. Brion IS Geo-Force, you didn't get characters mixed up.
LUCARIO HMV ADVANCED: Thanks, we appreciate it.
Anarken Mad Bancho King: Of course, they're cute together.
61394: Yeah, it...kinda does.
Zanotronxl: Try it and you may not survive. This is the reaction. Ben "*Sniff* That's my boy." And smiles proudly. It's tough to say.
Co-Writter: GhostKaiser23
Artist: GhostKaiser23, he goes by Hangman12 on Deviantart. Either look him up, or go to my profile to see links to all of his official work for this story
Disclaimer: Cartoon Network owns Ben 10 or Teen Titans
AUTHORS NOTE
And here we are with the middle of this arc, part two.
I hope you all enjoy!
James' Harem 2
Chapter 32: Markovia Terror Part 2 The Trap
"I am so proud of you right now!" Roy cheered as he picked up Lian, the girl having helped finish some homemade cupcakes
Lian giggled happily from that, covered in flour and her hands sticky from the icing.
Cassandra smiled at the sight, unable to look away. It was...nice. To see such a loving relationship between a father and daughter. How Dick and Duela treat her. She also imagined acting like this. With a little sibling or...
She shook her head over dramatically, her black hair being shaken all over the place
Lian saw Cass do that and imitated her, thinking it was some kind of game. The little girl laughed loudly as she did so, being overdramatic and excitable. Cass saw how Lian copied her...was this? Was this what it was like to be an older sister? To play with them and be a family? Because if so... she liked it. She REALLY liked it.
She smiled happily, taking Lian from Roy
"Oh?" Roy blinked as he saw Cass pick up Lian from him.
Lian looked at Cass...and was given a somewhat awkward hug before going full hug. Lian smiled and hugged back with a giggle
"Awe~." Duela cooed gently and then looked at Dick. "I want one." She whispered to him.
"... But we have Cass?" he blinked, not getting what she was saying
"Not ENTIRELY what I mean, Dicky Bird~." She whispered her hand stroking on his leg
"Oh... Oh! Oooooh~!" he realised
Duela just smiled and kissed him on the lips, glad that he had caught on.
...
"Oh..." Dick blinked and passed out
*back in Markovia*
"Your DAD is the leader of that trio?" James asked as they had gotten back together, Gregor and Brion were also with them, though guarded by Terra and the guards.
"Yeah." she nodded
"So he killed our parents?!" Brion snarled
"I don't know. Maybe? He said that he's not stopping the contract. Meaning he'll try and kill you again, your highness." Rose answered
"GRAAAAHHHH!" Brion almost lunged at Rose, only to be stopped by James and Terra; following the guard pointing their weapons at Rose and the Titans.
"Brion! Stop!" Terra grunted trying to hold him off.
"Rose ISN'T her father!" James answered "It's not her fault! Heck she's the best bet in protecting your brother!"
"ENOUGH!" Gregor commanded, halting his guards and stopping his brother. "Brion, the Titans have come here and saved my life. They've brought Tara back to us. They are here to HELP."
Brion ceased his anger and stopped trying to lunge at Rose "I... Apologise." he sighed as he backed up
"Hot hot hot." James whispered as he blew cold air on his hands, Brion having been with beginning to melt the ground in his anger
"What do you mean this Rose is our best bet?" Gregor asked the fellow king
"She knows her father. So she's our best bet at working out what his next attempt would be." James explained
"Meaning we have a plan. Do you have a safe room or somewhere you can hole up?" Jinx asked the king.
"No, I will not hide." Gregor called "There is a ball tomorrow evening and I refuse to look like a coward to my people days after my reign began!"
"I...Alright. But WE'LL need to hide in plain sight then." James answered after cooling his hands off. "We will guard you. I want your party planners and guards to talk to Rose. Show her around and the party plans."
"Of course; guards, listen to Ms Rose. And take her to the planners, make a strategy and plan that will work in our favour." Gregor instructed.
Rose nodded and grinned, excited. James looked at Rose before she left, knowing she had got this.
"What does this mean for Tara, Jinx and yourself?" Brion asked as he looked at James.
"Simple. Tara and Jinx will be following Gregor around and act as body guards while you and I will walk around the place, look for where the attack might come from and during the party we will investigate anyone who looks suspicious." James instructed simply
"I'm alright with that. Anyone who gets close. I hex them." Jinx agreed
"I'm alright with that too." Tara agreed.
"Alright. I can agree to that too." Brion followed up as he looked at James suspiciously
"Then we've got our plans. King James...Thank you, once again." Gregor responded
"Anything for Tara's family." James smiled. Gregor smiled and walked off with Tara and Jinx "Looks like we'll be working together, Brion...Or do you have an alias?" James asked
"Geo Force." Brion said proudly, hands on his hips
"Huh. Okay." James nodded, seeing the connection of the name. His power wasn't JUST earth based, it was also lava/magma based too. "On the nose and too the point."
"My sister is apparently referred to as Terra." Brion deadpanned
"Touché." James answered. "Let's go, I don't want Deathstroke getting the drop on us." Brion nodded and followed
*with the assassins*
Cheshire was standing inside the cave, thinking about that handsome man who she sparred with...there was an amazing spark. Something stirred in her she thought she wouldn't do feel again. Something she hadn't felt since...
She pulled the picture out of her kimono, opening it softly. She thought gentle thoughts, seeing the picture of Lian...her darling baby girl. Jade Nguyen smiled softly, her fingers brushing the picture lovingly
"That you're daughter?" Deathstroke asked as he saw Cheshire from behind
"Yes. And your daughter got in our way." Cheshire replied, folding her picture back up
"Yes. She did." Slade smiled to himself. "We'd do anything to protect them though."
"Fine, I promise I won't kill her." she rolled her eyes
He nodded in agreement. "Appreciate it...Wound the boy though if he DOES hurt her."
"The shape changer?" she wondered
"You see another man on that four-person team?" He asked
"He your daughter's boyfriend or something?" she joked
"Yes." He answered simply and walked off, making her double take.
"Wait! Seriously?!"
"Seriously. And be careful if you get close to him." He continued
"Why?" she frowned
"The boy's a man-whore." Deathstroke finished off and walked away with a clear disdain there
"... A man whore?" she blinked
*with the Grayson's*
"He's a what?!" Roy laughed
"A man-whore. He's got girls chasing after him after he got married." Dick explained with a smirk as he joked about his friend
"Oh man...I thought Batman had women chasing after him before he was married." Roy laughed
"Still has a few." Duela added
"Really? Oh dear." Roy rubbed his eyes in joy.
"Man whore!" a cute innocent voice called and giggled
"...Lian!" Roy's laughter turned into stone as he heard that as everyone turned to the giggling child
Cass pointed to herself and shook her head. Meaning 'I didn't teach her that.' showing that Lian had just overheard them
"Um, Lian. Honey. That term...That word...It's not a good thing." Roy tried to think of an answer that was tactful and good for a five year old. "It's a naughty word. Don't say it."
"Oh. Okay. I won't say it." Lian frowned and held her teddy "Sorry daddy."
"You didn't know before, you know now. Okay?" Roy added, stroking her head and reaffirming her.
"Okay." she nodded and yawned
"Good girl, time for bed." Roy picked her up and began to walk. "Thanks for visiting guys."
"Go?" Cassandra asked sadly
"What's wrong, Cass?" Duela asked in concern.
"Have to go?" she asked sadly
"We have to." Duela answered with a slow nod
"Does Cass not want to leave?" Roy asked Dick
"Yeah. She loves Lian." Dick smiled "I'm not real surprised though. She's finally got a little sister figure."
"Yeah, I do too." Roy nodded and agreed. "Hey, I've got an idea. What if Cass sleeps over one night?"
"You sure?" Duela asked
"Yeah, I mean...If that's okay with you guys. She'll need to have some spare clothes for tomorrow though." He answered, thinking ahead for her with Cass clearly looking excited
"Um, sure. We'll get some stuff ready and she'll be ready; right, Ca-?" Dick asked before he was hugged by her.
"Thank you!" she smiled
Dick just smiled and hugged back. "It's okay. But behave yourself while you're here; okay?"
Cass nodded and giggled
"Okay, so...Cass is here, we're back home?" Duela asked
"Yeah, that's the plan." Dick responded making Duela grin pervertedly "We'll be back with her stuff; okay?" Dick followed up.
"Of course, I'll get the guest room sorted in the meantime." Roy nodded as Cass looked ready to jump out a window with how much she was bouncing
*time skip, Markovia*
James grumbled as he adjusted his suit. He never liked these fancy parties He was feeling VERY restrained in this "I feel constricted." He whispered in his earpiece.
"I think you look amazing." Jinx responded.
"Thanks, I...You're not here." James accepted the compliment but deadpanned
"This is the official garb of the King's Guard." Brion answered, wearing a suit of his own.
James nodded, looking around the fancy party "There's a lot of titled people here." James commented, seeing various royalty and knighted people, mingling with the crowd.
"Keep your eye open for anyone suspicious." Tara reminded
"I know, I am. And I'm glad I ate before doing this. We've seen enough bad action spy movies to know hunger equals incompetence." James responded, keeping his eyes open while not being suspicious himself and he noticed a gorgeous woman with olive skin wearing a sexy green dress keeping her eye on the king 'Okay. Green dress. Eyes on the king.' James thought as he walked over to her, but keeping his guard up.
The woman had olive skin with a few faint scars, hidden by makeup. A jade green dress that went halfway down her thighs and showed some cleavage with some golden detailing around the edges. She had pouty lips, green eyes... And familiar black hair, like a mane
"Excuse me miss." James spoke as he grabbed her attention, but not catching anyone else's.
"Yes?" she asked and James recognised her voice. It was Cheshire
"I think you're in the wrong party." He spoke softly as not to arouse or worry the room.
"Oh~? And is there ANOTHER party?" Cheshire asked puckishly. "Or are you asking me for another dance?" she asked, holding out a hand for him
"I'm on duty." He answered.
"Is it your 'duty' to deny a lovely woman a dance?" Cheshire asked "What better way to keep an eye on me?" James frowned and took her hand, a hand going to her waist as the two began to sway to the music. The two danced on the floor, flowing with the melody. "You're an excellent dancer. Who taught you?" Cheshire asked
"My dad, actually." he smiled
"Oh? Not much femininity in your life?" Cheshire teased
"The opposite actually. He was just a great teacher." James answered. "What about you?"
"Some random dance instructor. Need it for the job." she shrugged
"I guess that's fair. Who hired you?" James asked, cutting to the chase.
"Aaah. No foreplay?" she joked "Sorry handsome, can't tell you that." James gave her a small twirl and a dip, pulling her up slowly. Cheshire gasped as she was tilted like that, being treated almost like a princess. She smiled up at him and chuckled, the two continuing their dance "I must say. You look much better in this form."
"In a suit? Or as I am?" James joked
"As a human." She stated simply
"Oh, well. For someone like you...I guess finding a guy is difficult." James responded
"Not really. Have you looked at me?" she joked
James kept his mouth shut; he honestly didn't GET a good look at her before now. He DID admit...she WAS beautiful, but she WAS an assassin who was going to kill the King... Although some of his lovers where former villains... And he was sorta friends with Deathstroke...
"Tell me. Why do this?" he asked
"Because my daddy does it? And I was trained by the league? And I like it?" Cheshire listed off "I tried to quit this life once. Settle down. Had a daughter... It wasn't for me."
"You abandoned your daughter?" James asked
"No. I visit when I can." Cheshire frowned "But it's dangerous around me. I left her with her father... He's a good man. An honest man. But he couldn't make an honest woman out of me."
"Did you let him try?" James asked
"We were kids, stupid. Spurn on by our lust for each other. We just... We don't fit. We've both moved on." Cheshire admitted sadly
"Ah. I know how that can be." James said, thinking about his father and his Father's ex-girlfriend Terry "... What's your name?"
"Jade Nguyen." She greeted
"Explains the love of green." James joked "I rather like the colour myself. Reminds me of home. I'm James Tennyson." he gave her a small twirl before they came back face to face
"Hmm~ you dance so well." she purred like a cat "And I've heard stories of you, James Tennyson. That you have a good number of women clinging to your every world already, including Deathstroke's darling daughter. And the other two girls you brought with."
"I don't mean it like that." James shrugged "It's just... How love works. Outside Rose. She and I, we aren't..."
"Oh! The girl has a crush, does she?" Cheshire snickered softly "Interesting. I must say, I wouldn't mind getting trapped~ in your~ we~b~." she purred, moving her lips closer to his
"For an assassin, you've been really obvious and giving yourself away." James muttered before he kissed her. The two held each other softly as their lips brushed, working against each other gently, before they broke with a soft sigh
"Oh baby. I'm not the killer tonight." Jade muttered, running a hand across his cheek
"What are..." James started before he suddenly felt short of breath, coughing lightly as the world felt blurry
"I'm the distraction." Jade whispered, helping James lean against a wall and sit on the floor so he'd be safe and comfortably
BOOM!
*five minutes ago with Gregor, Jinx and Tara*
Jinx and Tara were dressed in the armour for Markovian Knights, that his their identities and their normal costumes, they blended well as they protected Gregor. Jinx and Tara were dressed in resplendent dresses; Jinx was dressed in a sleek purple dress, upper-arm long-gloves and stiletto shoes, her hair was brushed back to her shoulders, since she didn't want to stand out...MUCH. Tara was dressed in a golden dress with green trim, flat shoes and a flower by her left shoulder. A royal dress expected of a princess of the realm
"You look amazing, Tara." Gregor smiled, seeing his sister back with them.
"Thank you Gregor. I missed you." she nodded
Gregor nodded as they mingled with the crowd, shaking hands with nobles while some women were gossiping that 'King Gregor might have two concubines'. Since they were a little ignorant and didn't know about Tara and Jinx although the girls were quick to correct those rumours and soon the women gasped in shock, seeing the returned Princess Tara Markov back in her kingdom with THAT gossip spreading through the party like wildfire
"I think we've caused quite the stir, Tara." Gregor chuckled gently.
"Yeah." she blushed
"Is that my darling niece Tara?" a loud boisterous voice cheered. Tara froze as she heard that, a voice that she recalled after so long away from home.
"Ah, Uncle." Gregor spoke as they turned around and saw him.
He was a tall and imposing man, greying brown hair with a moustache that extended down to his chin, brown eyes, slightly wrinkled skin from age, wearing a dark red uniform with golden trim and a blue sash "Gregor my boy, your majesty." the older man bowed to Gregor
"How are you doing, Uncle Fredrick?" Gregor asked, knowing the man all his life.
"Very well, Your Majesty." The man responded. "And I see our missing Princess is home as well." he said as he pulled Terra into a hug
"Oof! H-Hello, Uncle Fredrick." Tara flinched at the man's strength from pulling her in. She always knew he was stronger than her, but that was when she was younger. The guy was much stronger than expected!
"Look at you. You remind me of your mother." Fredrick smiled, praising Tara.
"Your mother?" Jinx asked Gregor.
"Uncle's sister." He answered "Uncle, this is Jinx. Tara's guest for tonight."
"Her girlfriend." Jinx stated/corrected without hesitation
"Oh, girl-girlfriend?" Fredrick smiles before double-taking at the answer
Tara was blushing gently and nodded. "Yes, girlfriend." as she hugged Jinx's arm
"I...did not know you were a lesbian." Fredrick blinked in shock.
"A lot has happened in the years I was gone, Uncle." Tara answered "And I am bisexual, not a lesbian."
"Oh! Well, I...I apologise." Fredrick apologised. "I should get back to the party. It's wonderful to see you, Tara." He bowed and walked away, glaring the second his back was turned. Jinx clocked onto it, she had a bad feeling about that guy.
"What's wrong?" Tara asked
"That Uncle Fredrick..." Jinx whispered.
"He's my uncle." she frowned softly
BOOM!
Jinx and Tara pulled Gregor down in worry, thinking this was another attack again "James, what's happening?" Jinx presses her earpiece and tried to communicate with him.
"Uncle!" Gregor called out but couldn't see anything
"Come on, this way!" Tara called out and pulled her brother away.
Jinx nodded and followed, the two leading the king away. They headed to a corridor and flung the doors open to get out...but something was off. The floor felt... wet?
Immediately, the whole corridor was folding in on them! The three yelled, only to quickly be silenced as the corridor was completely overwhelmed
*three minutes ago, with Rose*
Rose was outside, she was on guard for anything or anyone...she knew another attack was about to happen and quickly raised her sword, blocking a gun shot
PING!
"Trying to kill me, Deathstroke?" She asked as she readied her blades
"Trank shot." her father said, walking in and smirking
"I thought you were above such things." She answered, though REALLY relieved that he wasn't going to kill her.
"I am. But when it's you, I'd kill myself before I hurt you." Slade answered truthfully and simply "However. A spar to knock you out and get you out of the way? That I can do." he smirked and drew his sword
Rose saw his confidence and steeled herself, this wasn't going to be like Lady Shiva...but god would it be close.
The two ran at each other as metal clashed on metal and sparks flew between the two, seeing their eyepatches in the other's remaining eye. The two slashed at each other, their skills showing as they almost danced around each other. A father and daughter fighting. One a hero and still learning, the second a well trained and experienced assassin.
Rose tried to trip him using a trick Dick taught her but Slade blocked the attack... And allowed Rose to hit him with a trick that Kori had taught her, throwing a small grenade against his foot. It was a small explosion, but it made his ankle buckle
"ARGH! Hnn!" He grunted as his ankle was knocked out. "You got me." before her knee slammed into his chin and then she slammed her sword grip into his nose and sent him to the floor
Rose didn't say anything; she wasn't going to let up. But internally, she was ecstatic, she was beating her dad. She was doing it!
BOOM!
"What was that?!" she gasped
"Looks like. My job's done." He grunted and got back up.
"What do you-? You're a-! Rose to Titans! Guys! What happened?" She presses her earpiece and was attacked by her father, one simple strike to her face. Rose fell unconscious to the floor and left.
"I'm sorry, Rose." Slade whispered, sheathing his sword and helped his daughter into a less compromised position. He made sure she was hidden and smiled proudly at her before he ran off
*elsewhere*
"Right, that oughta do it. Wait for the signal, blow something up." Atomic Skull commented as he stood outside. He looked up and saw the clock strike the hour... And shot a blast at the wall! "Okay!" He smiled at his work, though he WAS a little pissed off. "Leavin' Me to be the explosion guy."
*with James, time skip*
James groaned as he began to wake up, clutching his head in a near-drunken stupor. "What...Hnn...I got whammied." He pulled himself up softly with his head still throbbing. He felt... Weak.
Poison
Jade used poison on her nails
He reached up to his earpiece and tried to contact them. "T-Titans...Respond." and noticed some paper on his chest "Huh? What's-?" He wondered and read it...and his eyes widened, waking him up. He sat up, his eyes zooming across the page quickly. It was from Cheshire...and it detailed where they were going to be with a kiss mark at the end, the lipstick used the same colour as her lips. As well as a picture of herself "Whoa-ho-ho!" James blushed as he looked at the picture. He shook his head and got back in the game. "Okay. Save the king!"
"There you are!" Brion snarled as he stormed towards James
'Here we go.' James thought as he KNEW where this was going.
THUD!
James grunted as he was punched in the gut by Brion, before punched in the back and slammed into the floor "WHERE WERE YOU?! MY BROTHER AND SISTER HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED!" Brion roared "YOU ARE CONSPIRING WITH THOSE ASSASSINS, AREN'T YOU?! I SAW YOU FLIRTING WITH THAT... THAT WOMAN!" He stomped onto James' back, causing his foot to catch on fire, scorching James for his 'betrayal'. James screamed out in pain, before punching Brion in the dick to get him off. James' back blistered from the intense heat, but he shrugged it off and turned into his Necrofriggian form to cool him off "Y-You're a monster!" Brion yelled before launching balls of lava at the hero
James just stood there and-
GULP! GULP!
Ate the balls of lava before freezing Brion's hands and punched him in the face; just enough to calm him down "Will you knock it off?!" James snapped. Brion panted heavily, having just seen James transform, eat his attacks like they were nothing, pinned him to not being able to attack...he was terrified "Cheshire left a note to me. I KNOW where she's going. We can SAVE them!" James hissed at him, glaring deep into his fear-driven eyes "I am not letting Tara or anyone she cares about get hurt."
Brion heard how determined James was...despite the animosity, despite the worry for his sister...he could hear how James cared for her. "I-I'm-"
CRASH!
James ripped Brion out of the ice "Apologise when we get Tara. We've got to go." James answered, turning back to normal, burn mark on his back and all. "We need to find Rose, the note didn't mention her, and try and work out how they got around the guards." James explained/ordered
"Y-Yes." He whispered in fear as James went off to find her.
"Oh Brion! My child!" the Markov's uncle cheered, rushing over and hugging him
"U-Uncle!" Brion gasped as he was hugged. "How did you escape? Are you alright?"
"With the rest of the guards! I am fine! We're are your siblings?" he asked
"They...They were-" Brion frowned
"No. No, no, no! They-They can't-!" Fredrick gasped and backed up in fear. "You. You were supposed to PROTECT THEM!"
"And we WILL!" James responded.
"They are dead!" Frederick snapped "Brion has proven he is unfit for the throne by failing his siblings! I will have to lead this country! Damn you boy, because of you I've lost my entire family!"
"Uncle, we-" Brion felt total guilt from what his uncle was spouting.
James however, was noting how he was speaking; Cheshire's note...it just didn't click with him. All he could do was look at this man who, for all intents and purposes, THOUGHT his family was dead. But he didn't see any sorrow. Nor anger.
Just someone yelling
'What IS this guy?' James thought to himself, no emotion, just rampant yelling.
"Get these two out of my sight!" Fredrick ordered the guards.
James frowned and left, looking at the halls. There were strange gaps missing, like parts of it where accidentally pulled away. Like glue or tape being pulled off cardboard 'Let's see if one of my guys can scan this place.' James thought as he selected an alien. In a flash of yellow James had now transformed into a large blue crustacean alien, he had many legs and four pincers that he had full control of, a thick protective exoskeleton and a fixed face.
"Now, let's see what I can gather here." James spoke with an old victorian British accent as his hands and mind began to work, looking over the clues and seeing what normal people couldn't. "Hmm. Yes. I see." He muttered to himself. "Aha!"
"What is THIS?" The guards gasped in shock as they were escorting Brion away.
"Gentlemen. I know who did this and WHERE they are hiding." James spoke politely and clearly to them.
SHINK!
The guards pointed their weapons at him "I knew this would end this way." James sighed and shot two bolts of paralysing electricity at the guards but spared Brion.
"Huh?" Brion blinked
"I have found microscopic traces of clay, local dirt, pollen, trace amounts of titanium and other particles in this corridor. And to simplify it, I have triangulated the location where Clayface's base is." James answered.
"...You figured ALL that out?" Brion asked
"This is one of my smartest aliens. And most efficient." James explained. "Follow me, we need to collect Rose." He scuttled off, his claws rubbing together as pincers rubbed together like wringing hands
"...Aliens. Are. Scary." Brion whispered to himself.
The prince followed James out into the garden where he used his enhanced intelligence to located Rose, after re-enacting the scuffle of her vs her father in his mind "Rose!" he called as he noticed her
"Hnn...Ow. My head. James?" Rose groaned as she was woken up by her name.
"Yes, it's me, my dear." He answered holding her hand.
"Who...who's this guy?" She asked
"I'm thinking of the name 'Wattson'." He responded, helping her up. "I know what happened here and I know where Clayface and the others are."
"Lead by my dad." she groaned "Where are they?"