Part 89: Training and Inns

"Sword Vent-Double Ray Blades!" Blackfire summoned her weapon: a double-edged saber.

"Nice," Pluto commented before he blocked a swing from Blackfire. "Too bad you need a bit more training with weapon combat!" he countered, pushing her back with his sword.

The newly Knighted Titans were in training, trying to get used more to their new armor and weapons

"HIYAAAH!" Starfire yelled as she brought her axe down on Cyborg. Cyborg grabbed the axe by the blade with his hand and wrestled the axe out of her hands before elbowing her in the gut. Starfire dove out of the way before countering with her green eyebolts.

"Raven! I know you can do better than that!" Shadowcobra teased as he blocked another thrust of Raven's sword with his own.

"Yeah? Try this!" Raven whipped her cape around, creating a dust cloud that blinded Shadowcobra. She then tackled the male Knight to the ground and held the sword to his throat. "Surrender?"

"Clever," he commented, before turning into shadows and reappearing behind her and holding his saber at the back of her neck. "Too bad I'm better."

"Really?" she did a sweep kick under his legs and he landed on his back. With a grunt, he got up.

"Why, you little minx!" he said, smirking under his helmet. "I better teach you a lesson for that," he said, teasing.

Raven smiled her helmet. If the punishment was what she expected, it would be very enjoyable. Raven laughed, "You better catch me first!"

Beast Boy and Terra were practicing together. Terra swung her sword but Beast Boy blocked with his hammer. Terra created a slight tremor, but Beast Boy steadied himself before swinging his fist at Terra's face. Terra dodged to the side and kneed him in the gut.

"Sorry, BB!" she apologized.

"Not as sorry as you're gonna be," he warned. He dropped his hammer and tackled Terra to the ground. Terra dropped her sword at that moment. They started rolling on the ground, enjoying themselves.

Draco caught Robin's glaive in one hand and Jinx's arm in the other. He then pushed them away. Robin growled and went into a battle stance while Jinx's eyes glowed pink. Jinx sent a wave of hex energy at a nearby tree, causing it to fall over Draco. Draco teleported and stood on the tree. Robin flew overhead and swung his glaive down, only to be slammed away by Dragonzer.

"You have to be able to control your monster during battle," he informed them as Dragonzer flew around him. Draco petted the dragon on the head. "Your monster is your friend, partner and familiar. You must care for and respect it."

Robin listened to Draco and nodded. "Brainstorm!" he called out. The giant blue condor swooped overhead. Robin dropped the glaive and grabbed Brainstorm by one leg. Using his other free arm, Robin drew a card and inserted it into the sheathed sword. "Shoot Vent-Storm Sniper!" a rifle appeared in Robin's hand and he opened fire on Draco. Draco deflected the shots with his shield, but was then slashed in the back by Jinx.

"Nice distraction, guys," he complimented.

They continued training until late in the night. They powered down and sat around the fire, where they talked about their new powers. They had fish and fruit for dinner that was prepared by both Draco and Shadowcobra. Strangely, the two Knights fought about who would do the cooking.

Starfire was sharing a tent with her sister, Jinx and Terra. Raven slept in her tent, alone. Jinx also preferred to sleep on her own, although, she wanted Draco with her. Robin, Beast Boy and Cyborg shared another tent and the Knights shared the last one.

Later that night, after everyone had went to sleep in their tents, Shadowcobra snuck out of the one he was sharing with Draco and Pluto and went into Raven's

He didn't come out until morning, looking awfully pleased with himself. Raven had a grin on her face all morning.

The next morning, after breakfast, the Titans, Knights and Blackfire powered down and cleaned up the campsite. Shadowcobra whispered something into Raven's ear, causing her to blush deep crimson. With a smirk, Shadowcobra loaded the supplies on top of Metalceros' back.

Pluto had finished tying the rolled up sleeping bags to Cerberus. He noticed Blackfire standing next to him. He smiled at her. "Oh, hi Blackfire."

"Good morning to you too," Blackfire said, grinning. She leaned down and kissed Pluto on the nose. Pluto blushed and turned away, resuming his work. Snickers were heard in the background, coming from Beast Boy and Cyborg.

Draco had tied the supplies to Hardhead. "I guess that's all of them," he said. Jinx wrapped her arms around his shoulders and leaned against his shoulder blades.

"I'm tired, Draco," she said, smiling. Draco turned around and kissed Jinx on the lips.

"Just wait, Jinx. Once we get to the other town, we'll find an inn. That way, you can rest on a bed."

Jinx smiled, sighing. "Umm…a bed."

Being the leader that he was, Robin led the group forward, out of the Snake Forest to their next destination: Seacraft Town.

The Titans arrived in town with little trouble. There were the bandits that tried to rob them blind, but they were beaten up by Cyborg and Robin as well as Blackfire and Starfire. Jinx cursed the bandits with bad luck soon after.

There were a few dangerous monsters along the way, but Draco and Shadowcobra took care of them.

Seacraft Town earned its name as a small fishing town with ports and docks for large ships. Its main business practices were trading and the selling of fish. A trader once a approached Robin if he would like to trade his utility belt for his fine robes. Robin shook his head politely. However, he did give the man some gold coins instead, which sufficed. The robes were made of silk and he gave them to Starfire as a present.

They found an inn and checked in. Since it would save more money to share rooms, the living arrangements were made:

Starfire and Blackfire

Jinx and Draco

Terra and Beast Boy

Pluto, Robin and Cyborg

Raven and Shadowcobra.

Later, they had lunch and then separated to explore the town. The girls went out in one group while the guys went out in another.

The girls wanted to check all the clothing boutiques and jewelry stores.

The guys went to look for weapons and armor as well as more supplies like medicine.

However, one place caught Shadowcobra's attention. There was a crowd of people standing around in a circle. He tapped Robin on the shoulder.

Robin turned around, asking, "What?"

"Do you see that?" Shadowcobra said, pointing at the crowd.

"Wonder what's going on?" Draco asked.

"I dunno," answered Beast Boy

"Looks cool," said Cyborg.

"We should check it out," Pluto suggested.

They walked into the crowd to get a better look. They saw two men, playing Duel Monsters, using Duel Disks.

"I win!" said the victor, "Now pay up!"

The loser reached into his coat pocket to pull out a satchel with gold coins. He tossed the coins to the winner. He growled and walked away in shame of defeat.

"Who else wants to challenge me?" asked the victor.

Everyone looked to each other. Draco was about to step forward, but was stopped by Shadowcobra.

"Let me do the honors, Draco," Shadowcobra said.

Draco hesitated before answering, "Okay, Shadow." He smiled.

Shadowcobra confidently walked forward and pointed to himself. "I'll duel!"

To be continued…