Hey Everyone! I thought I would drop by and deliever a new and exciting(I hope) chapter for everyone.I want to thank everyone that review! Thank you so much!I tell you it motivated me to write another chapter. Pretty soon school will be over with and I will be able to write on a more frequent basis, that is if I don't go to summer school. That is neither here nor there enough of my babble, on with the Story!
Disclaimers: You already know! I'm a poor student what can you possibly squeeze out of me? Wait a minute don't answer that.
Chapter 15: It Is Time
Raven's violet eyes roamed the wide open vastness of her mind's eye. Her blue clad booted feet made small patter noises as they met with the stony ground beneath her. She looked at the black and red swirls as she wondered and then voiced,
"How did I get here? I didn't use the mirror Anya gave me to get here." she continued to walk glancing around at the scenery, "I kind of understand where Beast Boy was coming from . . . it is creepy in here. Well at least I know how to get out." She rose off of the ground a couple of feet and flew forward at a quick pace. As she flew by dirt and other debris brushed upward in her wake.
"Here we go." she grumbled flying through the archway that led to her happy personality. Not really looking forward to dealing with her right now, but was unpleasantly surprised to find that Happy was nowhere to be found. In fact this did not look like happy's domain at all.
"What's going on here?" she landed looking around. The space was never-ending darkness bleaker than the previous area. She found a light in the distance and began gliding to it. The closer she got the more she began to make out a figure standing in their own personal spotlight their face was covered in shadow, she also picked up a dark but familiar aura.
"Who are you!" Raven shouted loudly to the figure, who merely shuffled their feet taking a sip from a cup then placing their arms behind their back. The shadow appeared to be male and tall, taller than Slade by two inches. The figure had on a white button up shirt the first three buttons undone showing off a well defined chest and black dress slacks and black dress shoes, but the closer she got the colder the shadow felt. She groaned at the evilness emanating off of him in familiar waves.
"Angelus?" The shadow shook his head then brought a gold goblet to his mouth taking another sip. Tilting his head back down only his forehead and black curly hair visible, his arms returned to their place behind his back,
"Close but no cigar." The deep voice spoke in a humored tone. Raven made it to the light and the figure then gasped at who had invaded her mind,
"Dread!" she tried to escape, but Dread grabbed on to one of her arms successively holding her in place. He peered into her amethyst orbs with his icy blues,
"Leaving so soon? Why don't you sit down so we can chat!" He grunted tossing her over his shoulder she hung in the air for a brief minute then landed on a soft object. She gasped as she looked around and found she was placed on a soft white leather sofa. She glanced around and found that the whole scene changed into a grand library. The black nothingness turned into walls lined with books, to the right was a majestic cherry wood desk with papers sitting in neat piles, to the left was a small bar with alcoholic beverages(I don't know why but in every study there is a small bar somewhere. I don't get it I thought they were suppose to be studying?), in front of the sofa was a fireplace with logs waiting to be lit, the floor was black and white in a chess board design, and in front of the fireplace laid a white bear rug with it's mouth gaping open and eyes full of surprise. Dread outstretched his hand and sent a flame to the wood in the fire place igniting it instantly. The gold goblet in the other seemed to have disappeared into thin air. Raven gasped and turned to look at the dark lord.
"What are you doing in my mind? And how are you these changing things?" Dread walked around the sofa sitting very close to Raven bringing her legs to rest in his lap and putting an arm around her small shoulders. He caressed one of her calves gently leaning forward he inhaled deeply closing his eyes to savor her scent. He opened his eyes slowly smiling at her,
"Saxton was right. You do smell good." Raven swallowed hard,
"What do you want?" she asked looking at him fear etched in her features. He continued to smile at her with his handsome face. He leaned back into the cushions still looking at her,
"I want to know more about the third woman that haunts my dreams. I want to know more about Raven Roth." He chuckled at her surprised expression which quickly turned to anger.
"You are a very sick man. Are you aware of this?" Raven said coldly but moaned in pleasure as his caresses traveled upward to her thigh that snaked around to her inner thigh. He closed his eyes to her moans that brought him excitement. "Please . . . stop." she begged breathlessly. He opened his chlorine colored eyes looking at the half demoness. Her eyes were closed,
"Please what Raven? I know you crave this so stop fighting me." His fingers disappeared beneath her leotard which brought her eyes to open she sat up quickly and slapped him across the right cheek. "Okay maybe I took the lady too far." He attempted to stroked her face with the back of his hand she batted his hand away a disgusted look on her face. "Do not look at me with disgust daughter of Trigon." she gasped and tried to get up but was yanked into his lap. Her back pressed firmly against his chest as lavished her with kisses to the crook of her neck. He wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"Let go of me!" She yelled as she bucked against him trying to free herself.
"Um . . . no. I don't think so." as he continued to kiss her pale skin. His tongue trailed the length the of her graceful neck which brought shiver down her spine.
"I said stop! Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Dread's arms were covered in black then outstretched releasing Raven, he yelled in surprise, then his arms were pinned to the sofa. He looked up at her with a cocky grin on his face as she hovered over him. "Now! Why are you in my head?"
"It would appear that I had an affect on you. You look quite flustered."
"Answer the question!"
"Fine, but on one condition." Raven's face remained emotionless aside from the red in her cheeks that was seeping away. He sighed, "Come down here and have a seat and we can talk like civilized adults." Raven looked skeptical. "I will not touch you while we talk I promise. . . Yanks I tell you are so untrusting." the last part he said to himself. Raven finally relented flowing down slowly taking a seat on the far end of the sofa.
"Talk." she ordered simply. He chuckled at her softly before beginning,
"Well my sweet I want to talk to you today for three important reasons. Reason number one . . . I want to persuade you talk to your cousin and make her end this useless war. I have tried on countless occasions to talk some sense into her. Honestly, you can not hope to defeat me and my forces."
"You are not sure what we can do. You assume we are weaker. Never underestimate your opponent. It is pride before the fall of man."
"You are quite intelligent my sweet. How delicious?" He said smiling at her. He went to brush some hair out of his face but forgot that his arms were pinned to the sofa. "Um . . . Raven can I have my arms back now?"
"No. How do I know you will keep your word and not touch me?"
"You don't. That is why it is called trust my dear. Please? This piece of hair is really bothering me."
"I can't say that I care." Raven said coldly crossing her legs bringing her arms to her chest grinning at him. He growled then put on another cocky smile,
"Raven I promise to behave while we talk. Besides you need to know why I am here."
"Fine! You can have one of your arms." Dread's right arms dropped to the sofa with a plop which he quickly brought to remove the bothersome hair from his face.
"Thank you my sweet-one. Now where were we?"
"You were saying something about us quitting and allowing you a victory?" She raised one delicate violet colored brow at him.
"Oh right sweet purpureus numb"
"Wait a minute. What does that mean?"
"Purpureus?" Raven nodded, "Oh that stands for purple beauty in Latin. Anyway"
"Are you sure that is what that means?"
"Of course. Your hair is purple as well as your eyes not to mention you are devastatingly beautiful. Why do you ask?"
"Angelus calls me that all the time." Dread chuckled,
"It would appear the dear boy is smitten with you. Ha ha. He has wonderful taste." Raven's face turned to a disturbed one,
"He is my cousin. Maybe it was some kind of mistake?"
"Maybe . . . on your behalf." Raven looked up at him in a confused manner, "Which brings us to the second reason I am here. You wondered why Bradstone won't allow you to look in the Le'Dred family lineage book. Well turned to page 536 and you will see why. That book is quite a page turner." He leaned back into the cushions placing his one free arm behind his head "In fact pages 536 through 575 are worth the read. 517 is a good page too. Let's not forget pages 576 and 582." Without realizing it his left arm rested freely on his well toned abs while the other remained behind his head.
"And your third reason for invading my mind?" she growled in annoyance. Dread shook him self out of his dreamy stupor,
"Oh . . . I almost forgot you were there purpureus." She groaned in boredom, "The third reason I came by for a visit is to ask you oh so nicely to be one of my queens."
"Queens?"
"Yeah. You and Anya will rule by my side."
"What makes you think that she would agree to this or I for that matter?" Dread pondered this for a moment then shrugged,
"Whether you like or not purpureus. You and Angel face will be my queens. I just thought I would attempted to give you what looked like a choice." He shrugged his shoulders. Raven scoffed then began rose off of the couch turning her back on him walking away,
"I will not be your queen and neither will Anya. If that is all you my get out of my mind now." While she talked he crept upon her then pinned her arms above her head pressing her into the bookshelf.
"Come on purpureus. I'll be gentle the first time." He nipped at her neck. His hands slid down the length of her body resting on her hips. He used his body to keep her trapped.
"Get off of me! You said you wouldn't touch me."
"Yeah while we talked and I'm done talking."
"I'm going to send you to meet my father personally if you do not get off of me!"
"Ooo so feisty. I like that." He captured her lips ravishing her mouth with hot forceful kisses. Raven protested against him beating his toned chest with her small fists, which didn't make a difference because he was too close to her to create the momentum she needed to break free, but she kneed him in the groin causing him release her mouth long enough for her to say her enchanted words,
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" He was completely booted from her mind. As her consciousness returned to her body.
"AHHHAAH!" Raven fell out of the air falling to the bed. She sprang up as she looked around wildly not really seeing anyone. Her breaths were shallow she tried to get up but fell backward on the bed groaning loudly as she held on to her abdomen. She winced as hot pain scattered throughout the length of her body she realized that she did not finishing healing. Raven pulled her hand to her eyes and found blood, realizing immediately that she reopened the wound Slade was by her side in minutes,
"Raven. . .it's okay. What happened?" she looked into his sapphire eye and held on to him tightly. "Raven what's wrong. Talk to me." She just held on that much tighter her breaths were labored. He stroked her violet hair trying in vain to calm her down.
"Please Raven tell us what is wrong. You are scaring us terribly friend." Starfire pleaded bringing her clasped hands to her lips in hopes that her friend will heed her plea.
"He contacted you didn't he?" it was more a statement than a question from Anya. Who stood beside Starfire with her arms across her chest a sad expression on her features. Slade looked to her with desperation on his face. Raven's breathing slowed as she looked over to her cousin,
"He has contacted you too?"
"All the time." she whispered tucking stray dread locks behind her ear. "I tried. . ." pulling out of Slade's arms looking at her intently,
"You tried to what Anya?" Anya sighed tiredly walking over to the bed sitting beside Raven. Her now sad navy blue eyes looked into Raven's.
"I blocked your mind off from him so that he couldn't haunt you the way he has haunted me for years. One night when he came for his visit into my mind he told me of his affections for you. I just didn't want you going through that. So I pumped up the strength in you normal mind shield. Obviously I didn't make it strong enough." Raven looked at her sadly,
"But you tried and that is more than I could have asked for. I had no idea he tortured you so. I am sorry." Raven said pulling Anya into her arms. Groaning Raven let her go reaching for the knife wound.
"Heal her Anya." Slade said impatiently as he took a look at the wound.
"I can't." in an equally impatient voice.
"And why not?" he said in an aggravation.
"Because if she tries to heal me now after I have just interrupted healing myself, her magic could very well put me in a coma and I really don't need to be in a coma right now."she explained. Looking to everyone in the room she asked, "Where are the others?"
"They are out seeing if there were any survivors on the battlefield."
"Good. Because what I am about to tell you guys I'm not sure the others could handle just yet." Starfire flew over to the bed taking a seat beside Anya. Taking a deep breath Raven told them everything. While she explained Slade dressed her injuries,
"Then we need to find out what is in that book." Slade said looking between the two cousins as he finished tapping Raven up.
"Yes friends, it is imperative that we find the meaning behind the mad man Lord Dread's words."
"I will teleport us there to avoid suspicion." Anya said getting off the bed closing her eyes beginning to gather energy, Starfire walked over to stand beside her, Raven tried to get up on her own power but was still to weak from not healing completely.
"Here let me help you." Slade said slowly putting one arm underneath her legs and the other behind her back sweeping her up gently. "Are you okay?" She smiled up at him and nodded her head,
"Yeah. I am fine now." she laid her head against his chest. Slade stood beside Anya's other side,
"Is everybody ready?" They nodded they were ready, "Amity Seraph Zion!" they were engulfed in white energy then disappeared from view.
Dread sat on his ebony craved throne with rubies adorning it, a grin plastered on his lips. He opened his eyes to see Angelus about to punch him in the face. Dread caught his fist quickly looking at his son in his pretty grey-green eyes,
"Now son. Is that anyway to greet your father?" Angelus glared at Dread, who merely smirked at him
"It is if I hate him."At this Dread frowned yanking him closer speaking each word slowly,
"It would appear my son we have a problem."
"I guess it does." Dread growled pushing Angelus across the room. The young man hit the ground sliding across the marble floors hitting a distant wall with a boom. Angelus quickly got back to his feet taking a fighting stance. Dread walked over to him casually with his arms behind his back.
"Angelus I don't want to hurt you, but if you keep this up I'm going put you in the infirmary."
"YAHHHHA!" Angelus charged at him full force only to be caught by the throat. Dread held him in the air by his neck. Angelus legs thrashed about reaching for the ground, his eyes rolled around in his head, his body became weak as he tried desperately to breathe.
"You know Angelus," Dread began calmly as he looked his younger son in the eyes, "I want you to rule by my side as a prince. Like you deserve too, but I will kill you before I allow you to fight against me with the Rebels. You and Anya are all I have left of your mother." at hearing this Angelus fought harder to get free, "Angelus," Dread began softly he sighed tiredly, "I loved your mother. Rule with me son. Don't fight me." Angelus stopped struggling and hung limply in Dread's grasp, which loosened drastically, "I'm going to put you down now." Dread dropped the young man, who fell to his knees wheezing and hacking in air. Angelus looked up at him as he held his throat,
"Why do you want me to rule by your side?"
"I loved your mother and I see myself in you. I see your potential."
"Potential?"
"Yeah. My only regret is that I couldn't raise you myself. You would be great by now." Angelus looked at him for a moment,
"I will join you on three conditions." Dread tilted his head at this,
"Hmm. You truly are my son. Name your price." He grinned at him.
"Tell me the truth about my past, don't ask me to fight the people I care about the most, and help me win Raven. If you help me do those things then you have a deal." Angelus looked at him with hopeful eyes. Dread placed a hand under his chin pondering the request for a moment, looking down at him Dread shrugged his shoulders,
"Fine. You have a deal son." Dread extended his hand to him. Angelus looked at it for a moment then smiling he took and allowed Dread to bring him to his feet. Dread chuckled loudly causing Angelus to jump slightly, "You know what Angelus I like you. I'm glad you are my child. Come I want you to meet someone." Dread put an arm around the younger male and led him to an unknown destination chatting with him the whole way.
Ericsson's ocean colored eyes slink lazily to each rebel in front of him,
"Okay Rebels we have a job to do so I'm going pair everyone off with someone else. We need to get rid off all the dead and see if we have any survivors. Is everyone clear?"
"You know Ericsson?"
"What Blaze?"Ericsson asked he already knew to expect some shit from her,
"You actually sound like a leader. Aye captain." She saluted him and everyone laughed including Ericsson. The laughter temporarily taking their minds off the task ahead, but as quickly as they laughed it died down,
"Why thank you lady Blaze." turning back serious, "I'm going to pair everyone off now. Blaze and Yoko you will search the north and the west, Claude and Cyborg you will the search the south and the east, Bo and I will search the center is everyone clear on what is to be done?"
"Um Eric?"
"Yeah Yoko?"
"Where did you tell Blaze and I to search again?" she asked truly dumbfounded scratching her short black hair. Ericsson tilted his head in a tired manner,
"I got it Eric. Lets go Yoko." Blaze placed an arm around Yoko's shoulder leading her to their area.
"Let's go comrade."
"Yeah the quicker we get this over with the quicker I can check on Rae." The two big men walked away.
"It looks like it's just you and me mate." Bo said looking at Ericsson
"It looks that way let's get to work."
Anya and the others landed in the Jump Town church library. The library had volumes of books strolled across the floor. Stepping over several books Anya poked her head out of the door to see if Bradstone was coming their way, but found the hallway empty. Starfire flew over to the windows to see if he was in the gardens, but he was not present.
"It would appear the Elder Bradstone is not here friends." Starfire stated the obvious to everyone. They peeped around the library to make sure Head Elder Bradstone was not in the very place they were trying to investigate but he was not. They then locked the doors to make sure he didn't come in.
"Okay people we have a book to find." Anya said flying over to the lineage section to began searching. Starfire followed suit taking the different row from Anya.
"What does the book look like friend?" Starfire called innocently from her area. Anya looked up from her search,
"It is a large golden book." She said swiftly continuing her search. Slade walked over to a table with four chairs surrounding it. He propped Raven down gently into one of the chairs. She smiled up at him giving him a small nod of thanks, which he returned to her. Slade joined in with the others in looking for the missing book.
"It is not over here friends. Perhaps I can assist you Anya." Starfire asked gliding over to her and began looking in that area,
"Don't bother Star it is not here either. He must have moved it. I will check in the closets you guys keeping looking in the other sections." Anya said walking away
"Wait a minute. I have it right here." Slade said removing a gold bound book with gems incrusted in the metal, from the slot on the shelf. The book was large with a golden lock on the side preventing it from opening freely. He walked with the book sitting at the table beside Raven. The others crowded around them. The cover read The Chronicles of Le'Dred in black bold letters.
"Amity Seraph Zion!" The book remained closed. "He must have put a counter spell on it to prevent us from looking in it. Clever old bloke!" Anya exclaimed,
"Perhaps I can pry it open with my strength?" Starfire asked looking at the others,
"Or I can just pick the lock and save you two all the trouble." Slade said sarcastically. He reached into one of his many pouches and pulled out a set of lock picks. Slade twist and turned the picks in the lock with expert motions, "Maybe the Head Elder is not as clever as you give him credit for." Slade spoke arrogantly, "Voila! Pandora's Box is open."
"Okay this is the moment of truth." Raven said looking back at Anya, "Go to page 536."
"Come in, Dwight." a middle aged woman called from the opposite side of the door. "What is it that you require now son?" she spoke from her bed where she was reading a book, but rose to her feet after noticing Angelus standing behind Dread. Her strawberry blonde braid fell behind her back as she gazed upon him, "My word he is more handsome than I could have dreamed." she gasped. She made slow steady steps to the young man her red silk robe billowing in the wind with every step. Ursula looked into his grey-green eyes with her turquoise ones. She took his face between her two hands, "You look like your father did when he was your age." Angelus placed his hands on her wrist peering down at the beautiful woman with a confused expression,
"Who are you madam?" She smiled at him then looked over at Dwight, who nodded, she looked back up at him,
"I'm Ursula, your Grandmere"
"You're my Grandmother?" He looked down at her shocked. "But you look like his age." he pointed his head in Dread's direction. She snickered at him pulling one of his bare muscular arm into both of hers leading him to sit on the bed. They faced each other,
"Let's just say I age well, and. . ." he looked at her strangely, "I know a few spells."
"Angelus wants to know about his past Ursula." She glared at him, "Oh right, mother." Dread said rolling his eyes.
"See what I have to put up with?" She asked Angelus getting a chuckle from him. "You have such strong features; a defined jaw, broad shoulders, striking eyes I could go on but that is not why you are here." he shook his head, "You are here to learn who you are. . .listen to your story."
"This can't be!" Anya exclaimed taking a few steps back a hand up to her mouth. "This is some sick and twisted nightmare." Raven's mouth was agape as she continued to stare at the man in the book.
"This is most unpleasant news." Starfire said looking at the picture as well. In the photograph a man stood majesticallypeering into the eyes of anyone who dared look at the page. His icy blue eyes burned holes into anyone who dared to stare, his black curly hair sat in a neat pile atop of his head, his tan skin shone vibrantly through the photo, he wore charcoal armor and a black cape with a red underside. Underneath the picture the name Dwight Franco Le'Dred son of Bradstone and Ursula Le'Dred was plastered in bold black letters.
"Lord Dread is Bradstone's son?" Raven stated more than she asked. Raven finally pulled her eyes away from the book looking back at Anya, who seemed to be blowing steam from her ears. If looks could kill not a person in her line of vision would survive her death glare.
"Let's not loose focus people Dread told us more than just this page." Slade said flipping through the pages after the initial shock passed. "He said 576 and 582." The page turning ended and Ericsson's picture was visible. He stood just as majestically as Dread under his picture was written in black print Ericsson Bradstone Le'Dred son of Dwight F . Le'Dred and Justine Palmer.
"This is not happening to me!" Anya growled she stalked away she punched a nearby table shattering it to splinters. "What next? What else is in store for me?" she ranted flailing her arms about.
"Your not going to like it." Slade said the page open to the next surprise.
"Oh no. Anya, please friend do not look." Starfire said walking over to her putting her hands on her shoulders looking into her now sky blue eyes.
"Star. . .she deserves to know the truth. More than anybody." Raven said solemnly looking at her sadness evident on her ash colored face. Anya marched slowly to the book that was simultaneously destroying her life. She looked to the page and found her "twin" brother staring back at her. Tears sprang to her eyes as her knees buckled underneath her she fell into Slade who supported her weight steading her up. Starfire held her arms to herself as she looked at her friend desperately wanting to help,
"Are you alright friend?"
"I don't know what alright is anymore?" she broke out into full out tears leaning into Slade's chest. He looked at Raven for help but eventually held the crying young woman in his arms rubbing her pure white dread-locks. She pulled out of Slade's arms looking down at the ground wiping her eyes, "I am sorry. Aghh I never loose control like this . . .it's just I've never. . . just. . .I don't know what I'm saying." she threw herself into one of the chairs. Her head in her hands, her white dread-locks keeping her face from view. Starfire walked over to her kneeling in front of her taking her face into her hands,
"You have every right to feel betrayed and hurt. It does not make you weak in my eyes. You are still a warrior my friend." Anya looked into Starfire's emerald eyes then threw her arms around her breaking into tears all over again sobbing loudly. Starfire held her tightly, "That is right friend, let it all out." Starfire cradled her head as Anya held on tighter. She's better at this than I am.
"I would have to agree. Way better than me too." Slade looked down at Raven, whose eyes were glued to the two girls before her. A small tear trailed down her face as she watched.
"I can't believe that bastard! That old geezer knew all along! He has been lying to Anya and I since day one." Angelus exclaimed jumping from the bed. Dwight put his hands on his son's shoulders.
"Look at me son. We will get him back." Angelus shook his head. "Hey! I promise you we will pay him back. Akil too for that matter."
"He took mother from you. That sod! Then pretended to be my father. How dare he!" Angelus snatched away from him storming about the room.
"Angelus!" Ursula shouted getting his attention. He looked back at her with anger in his eyes. "Come and sit with me." she said with a wisp of smile on her face patting the area in front of her. Angelus walked over to her taking a seat, she took his face into her hands rubbing his cheeks with her fingers. "Your father has already come up with a plan to pay everyone back for hurting you, but we need you to trust us, okay?"
"What do you need me to do?"
"We need to awaken the dark powers within you. Powers that will make stronger than your wildest dreams, but are you willing to allow us to bring them forth. This ceremony will not be an easy feat."
"I understand. I trust you." His chest stuck out proudly. Ursula looked at Dread who seemed very pleased,
"Dwight. . . I believe it is time."
Hey guys did you like it? I hope you did. I'm, trying to move the story along get into the good parts. Let me know if anyone was out of character or if anything was over the top so I can go back in and straighten it out. Please review and tell me what you think.
gracefulraven,
out!