An Author's Note: Sorry this took so long to get out. School plus a lack of ideas can do this…
Chapter Two
Personal Missions
Beast Boy snarled and lunged towards the Black Fox in lion form, trying to protect his love from the semi-omnipotent being.
The Fox laughed loudly. "Oh look. It's a kitty!" she said.
Beast Boy snarled and swiped the air. Kitty indeed!
"Isn't that cute?" The Fox's eyes snapped towards Raven "I think he's trying to protect you!"
"What do you want now?" Raven snarled.
"You could say I am here to help you out, since you seem to be in a deplorable state of denial here." The Black Fox grinned "Let me make this simple. You are Dragonborn. You need to find your dragon's powers. If you do not this world is doomed. Was that simple enough for your brain to handle?"
"She's not going anywhere with you!" Robin growled.
"Oh, so…you want the entire world to be destroyed….funny…I thought you people where supposed to protect this place?" The Black Fox grinned. "Or did you forget the little glimpse into the future I gave you?"
"But I have my powers back, they can't hurt any-"
The Black Fox snorted. "Ahhh, I never said it was your powers that caused that future now did I?" Somehow the Black Fox had gone from the doorway and was now stalking around Raven. How and when she had managed to do this was unknown. She hadn't walked…at least not that the Titans could see. "I just said that it would be destroyed if you did not get them back. You filled in the little blanks yourself."
"Leave her alone!" Starfire jumped between The Black Fox and Raven.
"Tsk, tsk. You people are irritating." The Black Fox said. "I'll make this simple for you, Raven. You can either come with me and get your dragon's soul…or you can see here and watch all the poor little people suffer and die."
"Rae, she's lying, trying to trick you-"Cyborg started, but Raven cut him off.
"No" Raven muttered. "She's not lying." Raven glared at the Black Fox "That's not how you work, is it? You don't lie to people; you just mislead them into doing what you want. Like right now. You know I could never say no to an offer like that…"
"You don't really have a choice here, little girl…you know that." The Fox said. "But since it might take you a while to realize that…I'll be back later…" The Black Fox then vanished without a sound.
A few dimensions over a small bird-sized creature flapped its way towards a small cave. The thing looked a bit like a red Velociraptor with a pair of leathery wings on its back. Despite its long fangs and sharp claws it was only the size of a parrot. It landed at the mouth of the cave.
"Hello?" it called "Are you there, greysnout?"
"Ah, Razk, I was expecting you. Come in."
The creature walking into the cave and came face to face with one of its own kind, only this one was blackish in color with a graying snout.
Razk sighed "It's time, isn't it?"
"I am afraid so, young one." The elder flared his nostrils.
"Eggshells! I don't want to do this! I don't!"
"I know, but you must. It is your destiny."
Razk growled and paced around. The old one was right. His kind never denied destiny, even when one's destiny was distinctly unpleasant, and poor Razk's was looking to be one of the worst of them all.
"Why do I have to go halfway across the universe to find a wizard I've never met in order to learn magic! And why, pray tell, must this teacher be the aarkkee of that monster Shantak?"
"Razk, you know that this was written in the stars before you and your brother Zol were hatched. Zol's part has come to pass. He has now become Shantak's familiar. Now it is the time for you to fulfill you part of the prophecy as well."
Razk studied his claws. "I know…I know…How do I find Shantak's aarkkee?"
"Come with me." The elder turned and walked deeper into the cave. Razk followed closely.
Soon they came to an opening in the cave. The cave was bare save for a strange looking object similar to a compass. Only instead of directions in had what looked like a small keyboard and screen.
"What is this?" Razk asked.
"A relic from the time of the First Dragons. A Worldcompass. It can take you to any universe you wish."
"But there are many universes, old one!" Razk said. "How will I know which one to go to?"
"Watch." The grey snouted creature pulled a lock of purple hair from…somewhere. He pressed the side of the Worldcompass and a slot popped out. He placed the hair into the slot. The Worldcompass started to whir and click like a computer.
"Razk, press this here and the Worldcompass will follow Shantak wherever she goes."
"But…I need Shantaks aarkkee, not Shantak herself!"
"The stars have said that Shantak and her aarkkee will soon meet face to face. Follow Shantak and she will lead you to the one you seek."
"I see…" Razk stared at the Worldcompass. It was just big enough for him to perch on. He fluttered up to the thing and crouched on it.
"I will return one day father." Razk pressed the button and vanished in a flash of light.
"I hope so my son."
Yet a few more dimensions over, in a world called Dermiania, there was yet another tower far different from Titans Tower. Instead of sitting on an island in the ocean, this tower was floating above a lake surrounded by mountains. Literally floating. As in up in the AIR above the lake. This tower was big and made of black stone and…it kinda screamed "Freudian".
This rather interestingly designed tower happened to belong to this dimensions local griffins. Totally different from the Azarathian breed, these griffins where about twice as big as the Azarathian kind, had long swan like necks…oh and they were telepathic. Not to mention their overall attitude was a vast improvement. In fact, the valley was home to several griffin species, including weregriffs, hippogriffs and landgriffs…
Not to mention a certain green scaly lizardlike creature that was currently swooping down from the tower with an irritated look. A very irritated look.
Her green wings folded and she dove towards a likely looking cow that was grazing beside a lake. The poor bovive saw her at the last second and tried to flee into the water.
It did not work.
Water splashed everywhere when she landed and small tidel waves went outwards, utterly soaking the poor fellow fishing.
The young man jumped up from the stump he had been sitting on to shout "Malachi! You made me lose my fish!"
"Sorry Joe, I didn't see you." The dragon replied. "Besides, it was just a small fish." She noted as she eyed the little creature gratefully swimming its way to fishy freedom.
"And here I thought I was supposed to be the blind one!" the young man growled and sat down on his stump again.
He was a thin, lanky little guy. You never would have guessed he had played football in high school. There are not that many small, blind football players out there. But somehow Jonas Corrith had done it, and had actually been pretty good at it.
But to be honest, he had an unfair advantage…
"You can have some of my cow, if you want. I'll roast it for you." Malachi offered.
"No thanks, not hungry now." Jonas replied.
"Then why were you fishing?"
"Bored."
"Oh."
A comfortable silence ensued. Malachi munched her cow and Jonas untangled his line and continued to fish. After a while, Jonas broke the silence.
"Did it work?" He asked.
"No." Malachi said flatly. "I went to sleep for a month. A month Joe! I didn't dream of her once!"
"Hmmmmmm." Jonas said. "We are sure that this Raven girl is real, right?"
"Pretty sure…" Malachi said.
"I don't know what to tell you Malachi. I mean, if Dralor cannot find a solution…"
"Then I'll just have to talk to someone who knows more about dreams than Dralor." Malachi said.
"Like who?"
"The Jorindor." Malachi said as she finished her cow, "I'm going to go talk to him right now."
"Okay, I'll pack some food and-"
"Who said you were going, Jonas?" Malachi interrupted.
"…I'm going."
"Nope."
"Yes."
"Jonas! He's practically the size of a skyscraper! Remember? He'd munch you like a mouse!"
"I'm still going with you."
"No, you are not, because I'm going right now, and don't you try to follow me." Malachi said as she stood up, dragging her bad leg behinde her, she started walking away.
"Malachi!"
"Jonas…look…I know that you don't like to be…well…babied, but I don't want you to get eaten by a huge snake! Okay."
"The fact is, Malachi-"
"The facts are these: Number one I can fly and you can't. Number two, I am bigger than you and not as easy to swallow, and number three…darn it Jonas you can't SEE…"
Jones balled his hands into fists and glared in Malachi's general direction "You of all people should know better than to say something like that." He said in a very, very calm voice.
"Jonas…I just…I…look if you died to I'd…just don't come with me!" Malachi shook her head and launched herself into the air. "I'll be back soon."
"Idiot…" Jonas growled, though he was not sure if he was referring to himself, or to Malachi. He supposed he should not be too surprised. After all, Malachi had just lost…her…boyfriend.
Thinking about that of course just made Jonas angrier. He had always had very mixed feelings about Malachi's dating history. On the one hand he was insanely jealous…and on the other hand Derek had been the kind of guy who had been impossible not to like…even if he was dating the girl that you happened to like…
Well, he was not going to just sit here on a log and fish while Malachi went gallivanting off to play around with the Jorindor! If Malachi thought he was just going to sit there than she was in for a shock.
Calleem, Yuurin, could you come here please?" He mentally called out to two nearby griffins. A few moments later he heard the beat of their wings and felt the wind from all the flapping.
Jonas? One of them, Yuurin, thought back. For some reason this variety of griffin could not talk out of the beak. Instead they were telepathic.
"Malachi has gone to visit the Jorindor. I'm going to follow her."
A long mental silence.
She won't like that…. Calleem said/thought.
"I don't care."
Okay…if you insist Jonas. Another advantage of being telepathic was the fact that one could tell immediately if someone could be persuaded or not. And Jonas was not in the mood to be argued with. I assume you called us because you want us to come with you?
"You mind?"
No. Both griffins thought Need a ride? Catch up with her faster. You want one of us to carry the dog as well?
"Yes." Jonas whistled, and a nearby Doberman pincer that had been sleeping under the trees yawned, stretched and wandered towards them. The well trained dog sat beside his master, waiting for orders.
His name was Apache, and he was a Seeing Eye dog. The last one of his kind…
Calleem gently levitated the dog with his mind. Apache, who had been transported like this before, barely yelped.
Jonas climbed aboard Yuurin.
Within moments, they were flying after the vanishing green form of Malachi.
Meanwhile, back in the Titans dimension, Raven was standing on the roof of the Tower, looking out at the sea trying desperately not to think of anything at all.
"Rae?" Someone, a certain green someone, whispered from behind her.
"Beast Boy…go away."
"Not this time." Beast Boy said. Darn it, she was not going to get out of this one! "Why are you avoiding my like this!" Raven did not answer. "What…what did I do?"
Raven finally turned towards him. She was surprised. How could he think that he had done anything?
"Beast Boy…I turned into a demon…I became a monster-"
"So!? I became a beast! Why are you acting like this!"
"But I hurt you! Beast Boy! I BIT you! It happened once and it could happen again and if I hurt you again-"
Beast Boy had enough. Without stopping to think he wrapped his arms around Raven's waist and squeezed. She wiggled and fought, but he was not going to let go.
"Raven, I'm not going to leave you." He said.
Raven stopped struggling, but she was trembling like a leaf.
"Beast Boy…my emotions…I could kill you."
"No, you would never do that." Beast Boy said.
"I can't control it!"
"Yes you can!" he let her go only to cup her face in his hands. "Raven, I remember what happened with Malchior. You smiled and you hummed and you laughed. Nothing bad happened…at least not with you emotions. You CAN feel…you just have to stop being afraid."
Every shred of Raven's common sense told her not to do what her heart told her to do…but this time her heart won. She leaned forward and the two of them were suddenly kissing again. Her wings seemed to have minds of their own as they gently wrapped themselves around Beast Boy's shoulders.
For some reason, he loved the feel of them there. It felt right.
"Aw…how adorable." The Black Fox was suddenly there.
"You!" Beast Boy growled and pushed Raven behind him. Raven, though she was flattered a bit, still gave him a glare. She could take care of herself!
"Well, are you coming or not?" The Black Fox said mockingly.
Raven stared at the strange beign strait in the eyes. She knew what her answer must be "Yes."
"Raven!" Beast Boy stared at her in shock.
"She's right…I need to do this." Raven said.
"Good." And before Beast Boy or Raven could make a move, the Black Fox had snapped her fingers, and Raven vanished.
Beast Boy glared at the Black Fox and lunged for her, but she vanished as well.
Beast Boy hit the pavement with an angry roar. The words that came out of his mouth where angry and vulgar, and they probably would have shocked his mother…both of them…
It did no good.
Raven was gone.
"Now, it's time for you to meet someone." The Black Fox said and pointed.
Raven follwed the finger and came face to face with someone she would never have expected.
The person standing in front of her was Raven's size and shape, with the same face and features. In fact, from head to toe the person standing in front of Raven was…Raven. Except for the fact that the other Raven was dressed…well…kinda like a ninja…and the fact that this other Raven had three long scars down her face and only one eye the pair might have been twins.
"Raven…say hello to Shantak…Shantak, say hi to Raven." The Fox's mocking smile grew wider.
A/N: Sorry about the lateness again…hope ya'll aren't too upset, and I hope this chapter was worth the wait.