Passing Judgment: Playing by the Rules Chapter 12: No End in Sight, a teen titans fanfic

-Passing Judgment: Playing by the Rules-

-No End in Sight-

Click …

What the hell? X turned around, drawn to the odd clicking sound that echoed within the warehouse. Eyes narrowing on the silhouette leaning against the exit to the warehouse and putting X's senses on high alert, trying to determine if this was a trap with the way the young man was flipping his lighter on and off. Giving the man his utter attention, the excessive clicking ceased.

The stranger stepped into the warehouse.

His long hair billowed like black smoke with what little wind that blew into the enclosed warehouse, he turned his back to X and slid the door shut … darkness. X braced, "Okay … so I didn't exactly ask for permission to use this as a drop off sight, I'll be sure to write an apology to the owner."

The silhouette chuckled and a cold chill raced up and down X's spine when he recognized the voice. Switching on his night-vision, to see the face of the one he couldn't believe was actually here. The stranger's head bowed and made it hard to see his face, until he looked up and flicked open his lighter. The small little flame providing some light, to make it easier for X to see the stranger's face as he lifted up his head and flashed a deadly grin that only heightened the threatening glow of his burning amber eyes.

"Red … X … how've ya been, Ace …"

X shook his head in disbelief, "… Azul …?"

Azul chuckled again, and brought his lighter up close to his face, breathing in, he gently blew on the flames and X jumped back when a stream of fire came rushing at him. His mind completely blanked out with who to do, and on reflex brought his arms up to cross over his body, but the flames split in four different directions all around him. Heading towards the candle chandelier that hung over head, swirling around and lighting the candles, the flames were suddenly jerked back to the lighter where Azul flipped it shut and pocketed it.

X glanced from the chandelier back down to Azul, staring at him in utter confusion, not quite sure when the cold-hearted criminal learned to do that! He took a step back when Azul took one forward, holding his hands behind his back he smirked, "Come now, Ace, for old times sake, unmask yourself and we can get reacquainted … it's been forever."

"No it hasn't," X sneered, "otherwise I wouldn't have to put up with you again. Where the hell did you come from?"

Azul shrugged, "I just got out from Sydney. Apparently stealing weapons of mass destruction in the form of rare Fire Opals earns you the life penalty with no chance of parole. However the guards were nice enough to let me go … after I told them I had the tendency to stir up a bloodbath."

X snorted, "Dumb-ass, who were you working for?"

"A gentleman named Slade, heard of him?"

X nearly broke down laughing, "So not only did you become a killer, but you've become a psychotic power-crazed lunatic … I knew it would happen."

Azul shook his head, "On the contrary, Ace, Slade knew where the Teen Titans headquarters were, I didn't. You see, during my stay in Sydney, I remembered a peculiar item I had almost lost … remember my book?"

"The Rexxez Chronicles were at Titan Tower?"

"Precisely, and owned to none other than the Sorceress herself, Raven."

So it comes full circle … that's creepy, X shuttered inwardly, not one for magic, but use to see it still couldn't get over the fact that it was magic. He was a logical thinker. Everything had a logical meaning behind it, everything had an origin, magic just wasn't his field … but Azul … Azul was the first spell-caster he had come into contact with when he was younger. Just watching him produce hot flashes of energy from his hand out of thin air was so knew to him then.

Yet … the last time he was with Azul he couldn't control the elements no matter how hard he tried … which explained his confusion when he watched the flames swirl under his control. Azul had grown far more formidable than X had first anticipated, but he wasn't in anyway impressed or uneasy … just curious. If X remembered correctly, no matter how strong Azul's power was, there was a limit he couldn't lengthened, his life energy.

Raven and other spell casters on the other hand, X knew they could go on for hours without slowing down – X knew Raven first hand, he fought with her on more than one occasion. Speaking of Raven … she had the Rexxez Chronicles … meaning running into Azul was inevitable if he wanted his book back, and if he wanted his book back no doubt he was after the Eon Ring as well. X lifted up a golden ring big enough to fit his head through and wear it as a collar.

Watching Azul's facial expression closely, seeing intrigue, he smirked under the mask, "If you want your book … I think you're after this as well huh?"

Azul grinned, "It's like you can read my mind."

"You're just an easy book to read Azul."

"I guess if that's so," Azul held out his hand, "You wouldn't mind handing over that ring would you now, with no conflict I trust."

X snorted, and clipped the ring to the side of his belt, "You know better Azul, not everything's free, ya gotta earn what'cha want."

Azul snickered, "Go figure."

Switching positions and with a jerk, Azul held out his lighter blowing the flames in X's direction. The thief rolled to the side, pushed off the ground and flipped to gain as much distance as he could from the pyromaniac. Staying crouched on the ground, looking over his shoulder to keep his eye on Azul, he instead found the fire stream heading straight for him. Jumping and twirling around, holding out his palms and countering with his red laser beam. Upon impact, the flames and the chemical exploded, Azul was blown back and X was slammed against a steel beam.

Sinking down and shaking his head to recover. X gulped when Azul was already on his feet, empty palm held out he shouted forcefully, "Zehbrek!"

A blue burst of energy shot from his hand to X.

Gritting his teeth and ignoring fatigue, running from the danger zone and rolling when the shockwave of the blast hit him. Back on his feet the thief spun around and launched a good dose of explosives that forced Azul to run until X stopped and took his chance to charge. Once close enough, he jumped and delivered a drop kick to the spell-caster that didn't notice how fast his once childhood-partner had become.

Foot met face and Azul was dropped to the ground, the back of his head hit the far wall of warehouse. X standing over him reached down to grab a hand full of his collar, a grave mistake on his part. Azul showed he wasn't through with the night and threw a hard power-charged punched to X's face mask. Cracking it, sending him flying to the middle of the warehouse, the thief went skidding to a stop, groaning when his head rang within the destroyed mask.

His broken scanner started to fizz out his vision and forced him to take it off. Throwing it to the side, pulling himself up and keeping his eyes on Azul. Amber locked on silver with a bloody grin. X gulped and held his breath when Azul slowly pulled up the Eon Ring that was now in his hands. X reached for the ring on his belt, but it was gone … Azul really had it, and his victory showed in his amused slightly breathless chuckle, "Well now … I say I've earned my reward … wouldn't you agree? Partner."

"Ha …" X snorted, "You were always the funny one Azul … always the funny one …"

X jumped to his feet and charged the weakened spell-caster. Azul scrambled to his feet and ran away from the chase, however never made it far when X shot out a sticky substance from both palms and glued Azul to the ground. Or so it seemed, in another breathless magic command the sticky xinthonium was blown off the desperate Azul. X stopped to shield himself from the falling xinthonium and when it was over he glared at Azul, who sat up and in another loud command shot pure white hot energy from his palm.

X didn't dodge, but countered with an explosive and through the smoke came down on Azul with a spin kick. Nailing his heel with the side of his head and justly knocking the Eon Ring to the side. Without even checking to see if Azul was out he ran for the ring, scooping it up and clipping it back to his belt. He turned to observe the exhausted Azul who gasped for air. Apparently he had reached his limit, X smirked, "That all you got? You should have stayed in prison."

Dizzy … dizzy … the world was spinning … and it was hurting.

Azul took a deep breath and gritted his teeth. Glaring at the ground, closing his eyes and admitting defeat, having the only thing in common with X, they both had the foresight to give-up when it wasn't their fight to win. Nodding, convincing himself that he lost, looking up to his once partner and gulping down the iron-tasting blood. He sighed tiredly and in all honesty hated the fact that his pride had to suffer for his life. Breathing in exhaustion he nodded again, "So I over did it … you win … but just to let you know I'm not after the Dragon Trove just for the treasure … it's Ka – Jylin … he's back and he's after the same thing."

It took a moment for the information to register … and when it did X raised a brow and looked off to the side, "Well … that's not good."

"You know he's still sore over our betrayal," Azul coughed and as best he could try to bring himself back to his feet. Slowly but surely he was able to stand eye to eye with X, who tensed and braced for anything, "and if I'm right about anything you're the one that should be even more so worried than me, you're the one that watches over Lance … right?"

X fingered the Eon Ring, "Even if I do … what's it to you?"

Azul sighed tiredly and stumbled against a steel beam, unable to really stand up straight, nearly using up all his life energy in the fight, he huffed, "Because … I think you'll find something I left back at your hotel rather amusing … I'll take over the job of looking out for Jylin for you … just know if you find the treasure we split fifty-fifty. Alright?"

"We're thieves Azul," X's silver eyes glittered in amusement, "sharing isn't something we preach."

"For old times sake then?"

"I never liked you then, and I still don't like you now … but we'll see how this goes down."

"Alright then … I'll consider that a deal," Azul closed his eyes and gulped and slowly reopened his eyes to see X already making his exit, but in a silent voice he stopped him, "Ace … the sorceress, could you give her something for me?"

X raised a curious brow and looked over his shoulder, wanting to see this, "What?"

Azul took a deep breath and bit down on his lower lip; reaching into his pocket he pulled out what looked to be some kind of jewelry box for a bracelet. Now, X really wanting to know what was up with this, especially when Azul threw it and he caught, feeling so tempted to open it and see what was inside. He looked up with Azul sighed, "Tell her … I'm sorry …"

For stealing back a book that was already yours? X wanted to ask, but since Azul looked about ready to pass out he put it off, but he wasn't stupid … there had to be something else behind this gift. Plus, he wasn't going to lie … he felt uncomfortable giving Raven a gift from other guys … especially Azul, but he went with it and shrugged, "Sure, whatever … I guess I'll be seeing you around then?"

"Yep … just don't do anything stupid."

"Don't worry; I'm not entirely like you."

Zak … he's on Earth? Why? How … when? Raven asked herself as she laid side-by-side with Lance upon the child's bed. Not able to trust him resting on his own … or even wanting him to sleep in the living room where Malchior was now "patrolling". Their little conversation earlier, after she had asked him if he knew who Azul was took her by surprise. Zakardo … the President's older son that killed his own little brother, just because he had a book that he wanted … at least … that's the way Raven remembered.

Taciko or Tac was a sweet little boy – granted still a little older than she was – he always managed to make her feel accepted, more so than Zak himself who she had known for far longer. Only because they had the same trainer and often times practiced together … Raven, between the two brothers made her feel like she wasn't an instrument of doom. They both made her feel like a kid … however; the only time she could feel that way was when she was with one of them at a time.

Zak and Tac hardly if ever at all got along, and quite so often she was at the receiving end of their wrath, always getting mad at her because they felt she was betraying their friendship. It was like she had to be with one of them or none of them at all … and back then she was just a child, she couldn't choose even if she wanted to! They were both too special to her … too precious … which was why it would be her first heart break when she found out Zak killed Tac and set her up for the murder.

Driving her away from Azarath straight to Earth clenching the one thing that Zak wanted so bad from her … the Rexxez Chronicles …

Something she hadn't read until not-to-long-ago when she released Malchior … her second heart break, one she thought she could never recover from because she had just gotten over Zak. A real tragedy that she couldn't even read a book that was her only memory of a childhood long since burnt to the ground without feeling some kind of pain. That's why it hurt her to even know that Malchior was within the same hotel room as her, not entirely because he had tricked her … but because she had to go through the same kind of pain she had thought she fled when she left Azarath.

Raven gulped and wrapped her arm around Lance, holding him like a little teddy bear to sooth her own insecurities, she nuzzled her nose into the back of his head and tried to forget about the past for one night. Just one night, one day, one moment in life to forget and live on was all she asked for. But she was Raven … daughter of Scathe … no matter how hard she tried … true happiness would never be hers to have … to hold … to experience … she was a half-bred demon.

Pain …

Is the only thing she's ever known –

SLAM!

"Who the fuck are you!"

Raven immediately sat up when she heard the entrance door slam and X's voice shouted through out the entire suite. Looking down at Lance, making sure he was still asleep, Raven jumped off his bed and went to the door when she heard Malchior start to get cheeky, "It's late, the child and Raven are asleep, was slamming that door really necessary?"

"I'll tell you what's fuckin' necessary, kickin' your goddamned ass, now who the hell are you!"

Rushing down the hall, and entering the living room to see Trenton all riled up and Malchior trying to appear calm when in all actuality, Raven sensing that he was just asking for a fight. Being closer to Malchior, she used her demonic aura to try and help calm him down, quite surprised to feel that he had been startled by Trenton's enraged presences. Obviously, the thief had just been through a long night with the way his clothes were ruffled and his posture gave away that he was only running on adrenaline about now.

If his body had its way, he would have collapsed in exhaustion by now, but seeing another body in the room who he was sure as hell wasn't their before he left pissed him off. Raven pushed the dragon back a bit to help lesson the tension and turned to Trent, "X … it's alright, this is Malchior, he just came to make sure Lance and I were safe while you were gone."

"Malchior?" Trenton glared, and Raven had to admit, she's never seen him angry before so it was new to her, even his tone was threatening, "okay princess, when the hell did I give you permission to let strangers come waltzing in here while I'm away, huh?"

Raven was about to calmly tell Trent to settle down least he wakes up Lance, but Malchior had to go and open his mouth, "Incase you've forgotten, ruffian, you're speaking to a lady and one that's doing you a favor by staying here to watch a child alone while you're off gallivanting doing whatever it is that comes to your little head."

Trent looked insulted, but at the same time shocked that he had actually heard those words come out of the dragon's mouth – granted he didn't know Malchior was a dragon yet. However seeing that he had the audacity to even tell him how to act in front of others and just plain old seeing Raven beside him made him feel like the Sorceress was taking his side. Trent was all for working along, but right now he was feeling really put out, "You're not serious are you? Princess, check your boy because his making his way up to the top of my shit list."

"Malchior, shut-up," Raven growled and turned back to Trent ignoring Malchior's own growl of protest, "X, calm down! It's not what you think –"

"Oh you don't even want to know what I'm thinking!"

"Trent!" Raven nearly screamed in frustration, everything in the living room rattled, and dishes in the cabinets of the kitchen nearly exploded when she used the thief's name for the first time since she's been with him. Narrowing her violet eyes on the thief whom she hadn't forgotten accused her of helping Robin out, she informed him as calmly as she could. Which was hard when she felt Trenton's strong emotions seeping into her own personality, it showed in her speech, words she'd never use, came spilling forth, "It's been a long fucking night and to be quite frank I don't wanna hear anything else coming from you! Malchior's not here to hurt anyone, and I am not in the mood to explain what had happened while you were gone. Just go to your room and stay there for the entire night come morning we'll all get together and have our little talk. In the mean time, everybody just shut the fuck up! God …"

If that wasn't blunt, Malchior didn't know what was.

But since when had the sweet sorceress he since knew been a cusser ... he wasn't willing to find out at the moment.

She seemed ready to pop, and he'll spare her the stress ... for now.

But Raven had gotten her point across without taking any short cuts and even Trent got it … but he still didn't like that another guy was here while he was away. Eyes shooting back and forth from Raven to the inhuman male, Trenton swallowed his rage and threw it in the back of his mind. Raven was right, it had been a long night and he needed a break.

Without saying much he began to make his way to his room, but stopped when he slipped his hand in his pocket and felt something, the jewelry box Azul wanted him to give to Raven. Already in the hall, he turned to call to Raven, but fell silent when he saw Malchior reach a clawed hand up to brush away a strand of fallen violet hair from the side of her heart-shaped face. She looked up at the dragon for a moment and Trent could have swore he felt something in his gut stir at just the way they looked at one another.

They had history …

With a snort, Trenton shook his head and decided to give the gift to Raven in the morning, thinking to himself, It's too late for this and I'm tired … I'm going to bed … but even as he prepared for bed, and jumped into the sheets to close his eyes and sleep. The image of Raven and that other guy was burned into the bad of his head and he couldn't ignore it.

Raven huffed in annoyance and brushed Malchior's hands away, "That's why I told you to leave … X wouldn't be happy if he saw you here."

Malchior scoffed, "And suddenly you dictate your action on the way that human feels?"

"No," Raven defended, "it's just … I don't know … it's just wrong for him to leave then to come back and see someone else here. I know you would be disturbed as well if it happened to you."

"Disturbed is putting it lightly," Malchior snorted, "I would be livid."

Raven raised a curious brow, "Livid? You?"

"Of course, I leave my child alone with a woman who I believe I can trust with my heart, only to come back and see her with another man?" Malchior shrugged, "I'd be furious."

"Really?" Raven sneered, "One problem though, I'm not in anyway close to X … I'm just a protector for his nephew, so him being mad makes no sense, especially when he accused me of spying on him earlier."

"Oh my dear sweet Raven," Malchior smirked and playfully patted Raven on the head with a light-hearted chuckle, the tense moment from earlier gone from his muscles as he gently pushed her back in the direction of Lance's quarters, "sometimes the answers we seek are always right there in front of our noses … just often times we're not smart enough to realize it's there. So take your own advice and get some sleep until morrow is when the fun begins."

Raven shook her head and moved herself from Malchior's touch, never bothering to question his statement, she re-entered Lance's room and closed the door. Silently and softly sliding into the bed with the child she against wrapped her arm around him and held him close. Staring at the far wall she sighed and closed her eyes, trying to do what she could to at least settle the annoying voices in her head to calm her raging thoughts.

Tomorrow came …

Faster than Trent wanted it to

With sunlight pouring into his room through the curtains and shining on his face, the sleep deprived thief groaned in annoyance and tossed to his other side to avoid the sun. Yet was met with an even more so irritating alarm clock that buzzed in his ear, telling him to get up, wanting the world to end just so he could continue sleeping and not have to face the world. He finally accepted the fact that he was going to have to get up and slipped his hand out to shut the alarm clock up.

Hanging his arm over the edge of his bed, reluctant to stir, he grumbled a sat up to glare at the far wall when memory of last night pounded at his head. Literally. That power punch which cracked his mask did a number to his head, it throbbed like a mother. Trying not to let it get to him he proceeded to get ready for the day, freshening up and dressing in a button-up long sleeved white pinstriped shirt with black cargos. He left his hair a mess and prepared to exit his room for the kitchen to get something to eat.

However, quite aware that he and Raven weren't alone this time around, he braced for another confrontation with the other guy. The one with the crimson eyes that Raven said went by the name of Malchior, the thief scoffed and before he took a step out of his room the memory of the small little jewelry box popped into his head. Turning around to stand before his nightstand he reached for the golden box next to his alarm clock, but hesitated when the image of Raven and Malchior flashed before his eyes.

She seemed so relaxed …

With that other guy …

Trenton couldn't put his finger on it, but something about seeing Raven with him – with any other guy for that matter somewhat disturbed him. He figured it was because of his slight paranoia for being a thief and always trusting his first rule of life: Trust No One that was affecting his ability to relax around people. Granted he was nonchalant and frankly unaffected by many things in life … trust was something he just never learned to do.

With a shake of his head he snatched up the golden box and stuffed it in his pocket to give to Raven when he saw her today. Finally leaving his quarters he silently crept – out of habit – into the living room where he saw the other guy sitting cross legged on the couch concentrating on something. To Trent it looked like he was just glaring at the curtains to the balcony, but upon closer inspection, Trent saw that he was dimming down the light of the sun that came into the room.

Incredible, considering Trent never thought it could be done.

"Manipulating light," Malchior spoke after releasing his power on darkness and allowed the sunlight to drench the room. His crimson eyes reflecting the light he was trying to bend to look up into silver orbs, a fanged grin seemingly permanently planted on his face, "a very difficult feat … but for hell-born creatures it's as easy as snapping a finger. Sorry for the horrid meeting last night, but trust when I say I mean absolutely no harm, I'm actually here to help."

Trenton raised a suspicious brow, narrowing his suspicious silver eyes, he walked by Malchior to the kitchen, "Right … where's Raven?"

"Right here," Trent gasped when the sorceress appeared from the floor through a black whole portal she created, bring with her Lance who was giggling through the whole trip. Standing before the thief that glared at her softly he scoffed and walked around her to the kitchen.

"Gods, I hate it when you do that."

Lance giggled some more as Raven set him on the floor, "It's actually kind a fun Uncle Trent! You should try it!"

Trent snorted, "When pigs fly up my nose."

Raven followed after Trent and stood next to him as he jerked open the fridge to look for anything to eat, glancing down at the violet eyed demoness, following her cascading violet hair that fell over her shoulder as she looked up at him. He looked down at her when she asked seriously, and in a quiet voice, "Are you okay?"

"That's a weird question," Trent whispered in response, closing the fridge door to lean against it and cross his arms over his chest, he shrugged nonchalantly, "but yeah … I'm alright now."

Raven raised an uncertain brow, "So you don't mind Malchior staying with us?"

Trent rolled his eyes, figuring that, that was what she actually meant when she asked that question, "That's stretching it a bit princess."

"He helped save Lance last night," Raven informed and Trenton's eyes widened a fraction of an inch. Looking into the living room where Lance hesitantly sat next to the relaxed dragon, watching him fiddle with his cuffs.

He looked back down at the sorceress and furrowed his brows, "What happened last night?"

Raven told him the truth, "Someone came after Lance in his room while I was talking with Malchior … Malchior caught the kidnapper and helped heal Lance after the man had allegedly knocked him unconscious. We sent the man to prison, and Lance wouldn't be up right now if Malchior hadn't have healed the wound."

Trent understood the explanation, but stepped closer to Raven and asked curiously, "So are you alright?"

"I'm fine … but last night … did you …whatever you did … was it … um … successful?" Raven felt funny asking a criminal such a question … she could very well be betraying her friends by associating with the thief that was near the top of Robin's to-get list. But it was an unexplainable feeling … she didn't feel guilty … she just felt uncomfortable, but it was a sort of discomfort that she knew she could grow out of.

"Yeah," Trent nodded, but reached out a hand to brush a lock of violet hair that fell to cover the side of her face, she watched his hand and trailed it over his wrist, his arm, his shoulder straight back to his silver eyes. Absentmindedly tilting her head on his head that cupped her cheek, she blinked when he leaned forward and quietly said, in a sincere tone, "It never crossed my mind that you were spying on me … I was just irritated that Robin can't leave you alone."

"I'm his …" for some reason she was hesitant to say it. However she did anyway, but someone it turned out colder than it should have, "… I'm his friend … he's my leader, it's only natural that he should worry."

"Right," Raven's breath returned to her when he dropped his hand from her face and stepped back, giving her back her space he turned away from her and shrugged, "now that we've established that, you can now understand it's only natural for me to do the same."

He was using her own words against her … but for once Raven wasn't hostile, in fact she smirked and chuckled ever so slightly, coming up from behind Trent with her elbow she nudged him playfully. Taken a back, Trent looked over his shoulder to see a strange glimmer he saw in her eyes, one that he was sure as all hell she'd never have. She was Raven, the Ice Princess after all … she shouldn't be playing with him.

Concerned, he watched her go from the kitchen to the living room to sit with Malchior and to help relax the hesitant Lance. Leaving Trent to lean on the kitchen counter and tilt his head quizzically, Maybe this bond thing is far more serious than I first thought … good thing is I haven't sprouted her powers after the gym incident back at the manor … but princess seems to be suffering from a long term affect. Her personality's bending …

Trenton wasn't much of a supernatural believer … but he wasn't much of a believer of people being something they weren't … and for himself to be the cause of it.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, but the name Trenton and a few other characters not created in the DC world are mine.

A/N: Well, well, well … wouldn't you know a fast update … sure it's not one after the other, but it's still faster than all my other ones, review and I'll see what I can do, thanking you reading and the compliments I love you guys.

L8er daez!