Too Much Red: New Nemesis

By: Pakkrat

Chapter 6: Time to get Dirty

Note: Long time but we return with new surprises if you didn't see that coming. I don't own Teen Titans; Spawn characters, Maleficent, or Hades.

When you meet the gods you figure it is a time of nervousness. Maleficent instead has a slight anger in her snarl with waiting for her meeting. The place was the underworld and place of spiritual transition. The master of this realm slowly makes over the black rocks towards her with his blue skin flexing with his hands clenching to fists. With twisted fangs of yellow and his eyes the same color each turn in more agitation to Maleficent and her stare. Hair of blue flame flickers over his top, ruffling his black tunic this business dealing god of Olympus offers out his hand, "I hate when you call me like this! Ever since that whole mess with those Heartless demons you found..."

"Don't remind me Hades I have more things to deal with as it is."

"Really? What do you mean?"

Maleficent opens her hand and shows the figure of the Teen Titans from another world, "I want you to keep the gods out of our affairs Hades so I can finish matters with my uncle Malchior and Malebolgia."

"What? You mean they both need a favor? I don't know if this is something you need me for."

Maleficent turns and holds her staff tightly "Hades, we have no need for someone who is scared so easily. If you are not going to assist than," The turn in her smile made Hades angrier "perhaps we should forget any of our dealings and concentrate on other avenues."

Hades looks over to the souls siphoning into the world of the dead "I'll let you go this time toots, but if you screw me over it won't be pretty." Hades snaps his fingers and the souls in the river splash up one soul who swiftly fuses to the fingers in a flaming blue orb "Here you wanted this right?"

"Why yes we did thank you Hades." She had a cruel smile before turning "Remember what happens to those who fail us Hades."

"Don't know, don't care." He was now at her front his eye burning in flames and soon his body boils in heat red "Just remember next time you come down here, show me," His anger sets off an explosion "SOME RESPECT!" the walls to his sides had been crushed in flames and the area seemed shattered. Maleficent was not affected, she stood still and Hades calms down to ruffle his tunic, "Whoa, okay looks like we have everything under control." Flicking a finger on her throat and tracing to her chin he whispers "Remember who here is immortal, and who else can easily find themselves in his river Styx sooner," Now a swift flick on her nose she grabs the slight cut from his nails "than later kid."

Hades leaves her in slight annoyance but she leaves, "This is under fruition my uncles soon all will be as you wish. The things you wanted will be yours and nothing not even the gods will contest you any longer."

Another day and Roth floats into the bathroom, "What was the deal with the flowers?"

"Don't know…" Rasco groans as he droops into the bathroom to get his toothbrush "Don't want to know."

The two start brushing their teeth and Roth speaks in her brushes "Why do we have to go to the museum again?"

Rasco spits and turns to his sister "The museum is a dedication to Mom and Dad's old fight with Bata-Boom. Not even you are this dense."

"…." Roth glares to have the toothpaste spurt in Roth's face "I mean, with all of the things that are supposed to happen maybe the military should come in."

Military in Jump City? That was not his sister's normal attitude "You okay?"

Roth has a slight change of worry on her face "I just don't know if we are really ready for something like this. What if we're not ready? What if we're just asking for trouble?"

Rasco shrugs before sloshing water in his mouth than spitting the bubbly mix in the sink "Tell you what you try not to kill anybody little miss psycho and I'll worry about the rest." She has a second glare but before she can make a move the sink's spout points up and sprays her. With her hair matter back from a large gush of water Rasco grins in his escape. Her eyes glow blood red and she screams after her brother with one mission… revenge.

The Kagejin have come together with their respected clans. Even the highest ranked of their generals meet in the main halls to find Akaige was late. The long stone table has many platters of food, smaller Kagejin that were wild offered and food in broth was sat in front of a very specific general. Gaikotsu smiles widely as he tries to dip his finger into the food but he is slapped on the fingers by Karage, she smiles "You know lord Akaige forbids eating before all are seated for the feast."

"I can't help it! Farsha-Stew is so yummy! Little Farsha are put in a pot and roasted within the blood of Kiphiama for a real…" She has a twitch and Gaikotsu just turns to his plate "Never mind I know how you don't like to hear how it is prepared."

"Are they dead before preparation?"

"…." Gaikotsu is shifty eyed, "Sure, humanely even."

The sound of feet clacking caused all the demon generals to stand up at attention. Akaige steps out for the others to take their sets, his next to Karage and Gaikotsu. The feast was beginning but one other watched less pleased with the feast. His red eyes have golden pupils that slink more angrily with the sight of Karage talking with Akaige, his claw motions to her and she laughs only sickening this one Kagejin. The sight of Gaikotsu offering her something to eat makes her look and turn slightly disgusted with the eyeless worm creatures sloshing in gray thick liquid. "Is the princess offended by our meals?"

Karage turns to the Kagejin that looks at her with such hate she seems frightened. The demon is called Gaidoku and his long head bent back with his beak like mouth clenching onto a small arm slowly swung back into the feeding mouth. Standing, or rather stretching straight his long tail body pushes several feet into the air. Two arms cross his chest with his one large hand clicking the fingers on his other arm before asking "Well, princess, why have you not ate with us? Has the meal come to be… too much?"

Karage has looked to the meal and her stomach feels ill. Gaikotsu grabs the bowl and gulps the contents quickly "Oops, guess I got hungry watching." He reaches for a plate with some fruit like pear things with prickly hides "Here Karage you can eat these instead!"

She was reaching out but a large box slams to her front on the table, "No, princess, I have a special meal for you. I caught it myself eat it like we eat. Feast like we, the Kagejin feast!"

"Gaidoku you're starting to make me wonder why you are acting this way." Akaige stands to slam his hands on the table "Is this a sign of disrespect?"

"Never my lord for I have respect for your law. My only concern is I wish to see how our princess will feast with us like one of our own."

Gaikotsu gave a snarl while standing up "You want to go outside and talk this over Gaidoku?"

"Why would I do that? We all know I'm far superior to you Gaikotsu. In truth I should have been the grand general and not one of your ignorance!"

"You little…" Gaikotsu turns to Akaige who nods to him, "There is more to the role of general than simply being the strongest. You would never understand what makes me more deserving than you."

Gaidoku would argue more but his eyes trail to Akaige who was slowly trailing his claw over the tabletop. Turning to the side he sits back down. Karage was not sure what to do but her hand tugs on the wrapping of the box to see inside some small creature that looks like a fox but a smaller face like a cat. The very small orange creature has black paws and a black patch on their head as if a V. Green emerald eyes blink before the creature hops up and places its paws on the box's edges "It is so cute."

"Cute?" Gaidoku snorts as he crossed his arms again "You disgrace all that is Kagejin! You do not deserve to sit at this table, let alone call yourself princess!" Karage was looking away with tears, "See it even cries! What respectable Kagejin cries! You are and shall always be a freak!"

Enough words and Karage had to leave she floated away crying without any idea how to stop. Gaikotsu pushes from the table but stops to take the box. Gaidoku would have smiled if his beak would allow but instead he just pleasingly sighs "Weakness, total and utter weakness."

"Is that so?" the room is being emptied quickly leaving only Akaige and Gaidoku "I never knew you were so displeased with the way I run things."

"I already said my lord I do not hold anything for you but the girl is a mistake waiting to happen."

"Even so I choose to let her happen. You may be champion of the coliseum for the past several eons yet that means nothing in my court." Akaige waves his claw and Gaidoku stands than bows "Tell the others to feast in their clans this time. I'll also feast in my own privacy this time."

"Yes sire. Forgive me for my insolence yet if nothing is done about her I do not know if the empire will survive." Akaige raises a brow "I am not the only one who has questioned why you allow one so weak to sit at your side."

"Gaidoku there is more than the appearances of beings that identify their power. Not even their exertion of their power can define how powerful they truly are. In time you will understand, the strength one has is not so easily defined. If it was would my many times fighting heroes and champions of good be so different and sometimes lead to defeat?"

Gaidoku was not sure but he nods "If you say so sire." He leaves and Akaige crushes some stones in his clasp. Even if he seemed so calm he was enraged, these many times he felt more disruption in the empire. If his plans succeeded Akaige knew she would be fitting to the empire his plans all rely on Raven, and her daughter Roth.

The teens met over at the mall waiting in the center Vincent stood with Saber, while sitting Jimmy and Nova talked. Rasco and Roth ran over stopping to have some breaths before saying "Hi." and "What's up?"

Jimmy gives his salute asking "What was our little meeting for?"

"My brother and I have been thinking about how strange things are. We also figured since tonight we're going to fight some big nasty villains maybe a little recreation is in order."

Vince has a giant grin, "That is so great! I have been looking forward to seeing these new sales on the technical stores."

Jimmy was looking to the arcade but Nova has her eyes on the boutique, Saber now gave some thought about the sports store while Roth has her brother tugging towards the book store. While the kids move about in groups of two one man in a brown long coat with a wide brimmed brown hat walks behind them with his head tilted down. The hat tilts up and his green goggles shine.

Karage floated into the throne room and falls to the seat. Her shoulders begin bobbing with her sobbing and Gaikotsu barely could look at her let alone try and comfort her, "Er… there, there Karage I am sure things will be fine later on."

"It is never fine! The ongoing problems persist from my own weakness! If I were strong, more like the others than…"

Gaikotsu is grabbed in her crying form his eyes shrink and arms sort of drop. 'Why do I get myself in the middle of these things?' Finally she lets go and sobs on the throne again, a breath of relief and Gaikotsu sinks into his knees. Karage was a bit winded but she wiped her eyes and takes to the potions still on the throne's counter. "I will see her. She is the goddess of the chaotic, the more evil and cruel. If so she can teach me to be one like the Kagejin and I will then be able to stand at my lord's side without embarrassing him." Her potion is shattered on the ground but all that happens is she is turned a bright blue color. "However finding the right potion may never come to pass."

Gaikotsu looks over the powders and potions "Hold on, you're doing this all wrong."

The work of Gaikotsu seemed quick so she smiled before hugging him from the back, "Gah, stop that you little brat!"

Jimmy was looking at the turning globe with colorful lights. "Ooh…"

Vince had himself a remote control and taps several dials to cause a small remote car to drive forward "This is so sweet!"

"It's just a toy car."

"Jimmy, dude this is no normal toy car." Vince pushes a button and the car starts hopping "This baby has hydraulics, four wheel drive that allows VERTICAL driving capacity," The car rides up a wall making Jimmy even watch in his awed state "it also has some mega-powered stereos." The stereos came out the back and blew Jimmy out the store, Vince sweats as he lays the remote down "Uh… maybe too powered."

Nova with her emerald eyes looking over the clothes she had asks "Friend Rasco, will this not seem attractive?"

"Sure…" he was dragged to the clothes store by Nova and…

"Yo," Sabre holds up the black leather sleeveless jacket "Me or not?"

"Well I never…" Nova tugs his arm, "Does this sweater and skirt seem fitting? I feel it may be slightly too colorful or perhaps bland!" Sabre tugs his other arm "Hey how's this top and leather skirt with rings on the sides hem? You think it'd be better with some lace up boots or something?"

Rasco was now noticing the two girls connecting eyes, a fierce atmosphere fell on the room and though Rasco wanted to say he dreamed it they were really doing this. Before he could stop them, there is the shove of him out each other's way. The two girls stand nose to nose, eyes seemed to share heat in their stare so Rasco slowly scoots out the store to hide. Roth was smirking with her bag over her shoulder "Never see me getting so stupid over some guy."

While this seemed to turn into more a fight of faces and stares Roth sat on a bench letting her head slump to her hand. With this time for everyone relaxing she was more inclined to just want out. Eventually Roth notices the man sitting next to her some overweight guy in a brown coat. He looks to her and nods his goggled eyes "Hello."

"Hey," She was uneasy with someone wearing goggles "you shopping too?"

"Sort of just here because I have to. It's so strange the way we do things we don't like to do. Mainly so we can just say we actually did them."

"Yeah," Roth giggles to herself "my dad tells me stuff like that."

"I know your dad he's a nice guy." The goggled man chuckles "A bit on the stupid side because he never saw what greatness he was meant for."

"How would you know what he was meant for?"

The goggled man ignores her and stands to do a little bow "Hey I appreciate some company but now I must bid you ado. Here, take this as a slight present." The goggled man offers a bag and Roth holds it up to open it. Peeking in she raises a brow to the man now starting to leave "I don't like this kind of stuff."

"Oh trust me it's worth every minute." The goggled man walks off, "Oh, tell your father I said hello. He'll know it's me one way or another… Bata-Boom."

A portal opens up to the rocky bridge twisting ahead. Karage floats out slowly with her hands pressed to her chest. Several strange creatures pick up on her fears and slowly move for the strike. When she turns the large form of Gaikotsu appears he pushes her behind his back and screams a roar to the other demons, his normally golden eyes turned color this time it was a red color. The demons that had come stalking seemed to fall back and so with Karage at his side the two make towards the end of this path. Entering a den with one large throne they find none inside, "Maybe we needed a reservation?"

Karage levitates in the air a little before screaming "Tiamat! I've come for your guidance!" There is no response so she continues "I wish to know how to be evil! You are the queen of evil, of chaos! How can I be the things Akaige wants?"

The sound of wind picking up and something around laughter causes Karage and Gaikotsu cover their eyes. Stepping out Tiamat was in her human form a slight smirk on her lips while holding her chin. "So who wishes such odd requests?"

Karage lowers her head as a sign of respect; Gaikotsu let his jaw drop in the presence of this super hot devil. "I am Karage one of Akaige's most trusted. I have heard you are the queen of chaos. Karage has a tail poke her stomach, "Assistance."

"You're a Kagejin? You seem so frail for the Kagejin I remember."

"I was born outside the realm of shadows. It allowed for an oddity in my being. I was hoping you could help me with this same oddity."

Tiamat shifts her tail now back behind her waist "Oddity? This oddity of a heart? The silly little emotions that seem to make you so willing to love and care for the ones around you? Little Karage, why are you so foolish to believe I would assist you?"

"I merely thought you could." Tiamat taps her nail over Karage's nose, "Oh I can, but what makes a weak creature like you think you can call me for anything? In all my times never have I known a demon so pure of heart and soul. I never felt so disgusted in all my existence."

Karage shies away but the shadow of Gaikotsu standing to Tiamat overcasts her, "Watch your mouth! Karage has the blood of my people and I will not allow any to downgrade our proud breed!"

"Oh really? Than I guess you should…" Tiamat swings her arm smashing Gaikotsu over the walls "Do something about it!"

If you thought Gaikotsu was a leech, that he was worthless in the way of war, you had some things to know. After peeling off the wall his eyes glow bright red, "Why you…" A scream and his charge only interested Tiamat more. Swings and strikes she easily floated past every strike. Gaikotsu with his rage high began more fierce attacks but easily Tiamat had surpassed his skills through sheer power. A flash of speed she was behind Gaikotsu laying her palm on his back, the armor guard over her arm opens wide the snout of the dragon to charge a blast over her hand through Gaikotsu's chest, she screams in laughter before leaping off her toes to the distant throne than lying back her legs flop over the armrest "Tell me what ways shall I punish your arrogance? Torture is something I took pride in but so long have I really used any."

Karage held the injured Gaikotsu who now snarls at Tiamat "Come on, I'll rip that smug smile off your face!" a surge of wind and Gaikotsu seem to roll over the dirt floor. Tiamat held her other hand while its armor guard dragon head closes onto her arm again "Pathetic…"

"Please! Leave him be he only came because of me!"

Tiamat chuckles a little "Yes and you came because of Akaige. You know his visits do often give me the chance to enjoy myself. I must say he does enjoy my company as well. I can tell seeing what he has to deal with in his realm. If I were surrounded by a weak hearted female youth, and some foolishly brash general my wish to be around true power would be much known as well."

Karage gave her stare to Tiamat with a sense of hate, "You never speak of my lord like that!"

"Hmm?" Tiamat turns to her side hissing a little "He knows it is inevitable one day your love for him," A stare of nothingness haunts Karage in a moment "will destroy him."

Footsteps are heard and all turn to Akaige standing with his eyes glaring on Karage and Gaikotsu "You two leave now!"

Karage blushes, taking Gaikotsu she prepares to leave but a thwack of Tiamat's tail made the room shake violently. "They have a punishment to partake in Akaige! I do not allow any to leave without paying for that arrogance showed to me."

"Then take me instead." There is stunned awe from his two Kagejin, amusement from Tiamat "They are my responsibility so take what you will upon me instead."

Tiamat brushes her hair back to show a cruel smile "I think I can live with that but can you?" moving her hands Akaige turns to the others flaring his eyes so they leave. Tiamat kicks off her armrest and spins up straight in her throne, "Now what do I do with you?"

Returning home the teens decided to go to Roth and Rasco's house instead. There Raven was humming while moving some things around in the living room. "Why is your mom so happy?"

Roth and Rasco gave glares last night… "Don't know…"

Raven notices her husband Robert now coming down the stairs "Hey, what you been up to?"

"Nothing much just trying to gain my strength from last night." Robert growls as he wraps Raven over the waist "You just drain me good looking."

With the twitching of their children the two wander into the kitchen. The other kids have little snickers and chuckles while Ras and Roth now have their personal breakdowns. "Dude, your mom and dad are…"

"Shut your little freaking mouth Jimmy!" The two say in unison with flames in their eyes. Jimmy gulps before turning to a winged him; a pixie with butterfly wings flutters hiding with Novafire. She smiles asking "Why is it Robert is, the phrase… attractive?"

"You mean hotter than most, maybe the same reason Rasco is so cute."

Rasco gags as Roth shook her head "You two are both freaks!"

"I'm sorry but Raven is totally hot too! I mean, when she was a Teen Titan her outfit was so…" The sound of things breaking and all turn to Roth and Ras with their powers flaring up. Silence, and finally the calmed atmosphere returns so the TV is on. A small pixie speaks "Why is Raven hotter than Roth?" The question causes the TV to blow up and a small pixie screams as he's flung out a window. Vincent gulps as he stands over to the door "I think this subject is a strange one for you guys."

"They're our parents!" both snap.

Sabre gives her toothy grin, one she learned from her mother "Yeah but their not our parents and everyone knows someone has to have the hot mom or hot dad."

"You know this isn't helping the situation!" Roth rubs her temples before grabbing her gift "I might actually have a use for this thing, beating you to death!"

The package reveals a brown teddy bear; it has a pink ribbon on its neck that seems slightly burnt. Roth blinks as she saw a tug pull on the back so she tugs; the Bear speaks "Bata-Boom." In the kitchen Robert jolts up from his seat, "Bata-Boom." He pushes over his chair and stands in the doorway to the living room where the kids look at the toy, "Bata…" Robert runs in a scream to toss the doll but it screams "BOOM!" and Robert lunges covering the bear with his body, no one understood him as he was slowly shaking over the bear, it does nothing and he opens his tearful eyes before standing up. "Where the hell did this come from?"

Roth was looking to the floor, "Some fat guy gave it to me." Robert has a tightening feeling in his stomach "He said he knew you dad and he wanted me to have that."

Robert holds up the bear seeing the pink ribbon he unties it, his eyes shook so violently as he knew where it came from… the girl's ribbon… "Him… it's really him…"

Raven saw it all and her hand to her chest she asks in a low voice "Robert?" He was lost at the moment, "Robert, honey please." Robert turns to her with a flood on his face "Just come here, please." He slowly trails into the kitchen while the children were really confused. When there Robert stood a moment with his back to Raven she could feel every emotion in him now. His wife and her empathy could pick up on his mixing memories and fears from the sick monster he has to call… father. "Rob-." He latches to her hard; she was pulled in tight as he cries on her shoulder making her reel in the shock of the visions from before, Bata-Boom, Batallion Boomarius the bomber. She saw his first appearance on the roof, the attacks in the stadium, and so many other terrible things he achieved as the master criminal that gave so much pain to her beloved husband. His legs give, he weeps into her stomach and Raven holds on her beloved husband's painful shoulders supporting him in his pain. Times he woke and had a nightmare being the sick monster's son. She lowered her head in her own weeping, her own sadness for his sadness.

In the living room Rasco and Roth hear it all and never in all their lives did they hear their father cry like that. The others prompt to leave but never make it to the door Raven returns with Robert slowly collecting himself. "Tonight we are going to go to the museum. There will be many things you will learn, things you will face." Raven holds Robert's hand "However, you won't fight this alone. We are your family and we will stand up and fight alongside with you."

The teens all have there looks of pride while Jimmy asks "Can I get a souvenir from the gift shop before the end of the world?"

"Sure, but you're paying for it."

The group laughs and smiles as Jimmy crossed his arms. Raven has a smile but turning she sees Robert's eyes still so transfixed on the ribbon, 'It's him… I know it has to be him.'

The shadow world was quiet as Gaikotsu was munching on some small creature's bones. His ribs reform the bones to his own body. Karage stood with fear in her eyes but the portal opens and she flies over hugging Akaige. He screams falling over showing countless injuries over his body. "What did she do to you?"

Akaige shifts his back off the ground, "She used me as a damn tug toy before getting bored, and five heads one me… very painful." Akaige is helped up by Gaikotsu and Karage, "Do not go there ever again, that's an order!"

"Yes sir we will try to never put you in that mess again," Gaikotsu glares to his younger friend "Even if it's totally her fault."

"I thought you agreed! I never could have entered without your help!"

"Don't use logic on me!"

"I meant no harm, truly I did not!"

Akaige sighs as he limps towards the throne 'Maybe I was better off with Tiamat.' Akaige sees the two bickering and he shook his head. Even if Gaikotsu was an idiot for the most part and Karage trouble waiting to happen it did not change the fact they were Kagejin, and more important they were his.

Note: Another chapter after so long. I'm sorry for making so many wait but things are going slow with me. I have lots of things to do and so little time to do them. Hope to have more soon but if not take a little time to read my other stories I have tons of them. My favorites always have good stories so take a little time to read those too if you can. Thanks for reading and please review if you can to let me know how you feel.