I do NOT own Teen Titans
Time: Immediately after previous chapter.
Finding Raven,... Blood,... Rage,... Chess,...
Beast Boy wandered through the ship in the form of a not so large, green colored, Gordanian. To say that he was getting frustrated would be an understatement. He didn't know the language, so all the signs were meaningless. Nor did he know if his color would draw attention or not. But most importantly, he didn't know where his friends were. When he'd realized they were being gassed, he'd tried to change into an amoeba, and fall on Raven. That seemed to have succeeded. He was, after all, on the ship. But it seemed in the process he'd gotten separated from her. At least that's what he hoped had happened. For all he knew they'd killed the rest of the team, and he'd been merely dragged aboard on one of the aliens' boots.
Hearing more of the Gordanians approach, he turned into the form of an amoeba, and then continued on his way once they'd passed. He was still thinking it was better safe than sorry, but at some point he would have to try other methods. With a sigh, he turned down another corridor. Immediately he noticed a difference; the doors seemed to be sturdier, and they were all locked. The shape shifter assumed it was a place to store prisoners and got his hopes up. Ten minutes later they were dashed as he realized the calls were all empty.
Beast Boy took another deep breath, and returned to the main corridor. There he decided the heck with creeping around, and shifted into a bear. Immediately the world around him changed. The most sensitive nose of any land creature on earth sniffed the air, and provided him with a massive array of information. Raven's scent was unmistakable, though very faint. Taking another sniff, he decided none of the other Titans were present. Falling down on all four, the shape shifter began to follow the violet-haired girl's trail.
Several times he had to hurry and hide as an amoeba, but eventually he came to a large door. On it was the sign of Trigon; a scarlet mark that looked like an 'S.' Beast Boy frowned and sniffed the air again. The odor told him there must be at least two dozen Gordanians in the room. Realizing there was only one way to scout the place without giving himself away, he reverted to being an amoeba and waited. Half an hour later several of the aliens rounded a corner, and headed for the door. For a brief second he turned into an Etruscan shrew, and leapt on one of their feet, returning to an amoeba as he did so. Soon he was in the room.
It was massive, and it wasn't just from him being an amoeba again. It held, by his count, thirty Gordanians with room to spare. On a bed, at the far end of the chamber, attached to a futuristic looking IV, was Raven. The violet-haired girl looked pale, but he hoped the IV meant she was alive. After all, what use would there be for it if she wasn't? The boot he was riding approached her, and he released his hold on it when it stopped near the bed. Sliding to the floor, he crept out of sight beneath the bed and turned back to his human form. Listening, he heard her heart beat; slow but steady. The shape shifter closed his eyes in relief, only just realizing how terrified he'd been that the worse had happened.
The door to the chamber opened again, and Beast Boy was vaguely aware of the newly arrived Gordanian speaking. Whatever it was he said, the whole room erupted in motion. Several faces looked beneath the bed, and the fact he'd reverted to being an amoeba should've hidden him; it didn't. A hand-held weapon started to play over the floor, steaming where it hit. With death near, he reverted to a humming bird and fled the small space; immediately the air was filled with beams.
Considering his options, he switched into the giant ten ton crocodile, and fell on top of ten to twelve of the aliens. His thrashing tail sent several more flying. Careful not to hurt Raven, he lunged on top of several more, still whipping his tail around. Pain tore into his body as they overcame their surprise, and started hitting back. In a match of pure physical strength they were nearly the equivalent of Starfire, and she could toss cars around.
He lunged once more, and brought his back up against a wall. Turning into a dragon, he sent forth a stream of fire that burned pure white. The Gordanians went running for cover. From hiding places their weapons still stuck out at him, and he breathed on the tattoo on his right wing tip. For some reason it weakened the pain from the attacks. Returning his attention to his foes, he exhaled another blast of dragon fire and sought them out. Many had fled the room, and only a few had weapons. Remaining where he was, his flexible neck twist and turned, blasting pure fury at those who'd stayed.
"Foolish one. Do you hope to stand against the power of Trigon?" An old looking Gordanain spoke, standing still amidst the chaos.
Beast Boy turned his attention towards him. On his forehead was the same mark as had been on Slade's. A scarlet 'S' that glowed. It explained how they'd known he was under the bed. The alien had been communicating with Trigon in some manner, and had been told by the demon. The Gordanian had then immediately come here to hunt him down.
"I can try." He responding, buying time to analyze the situation.
"It's impossible to fight a being whose infinite power can see everything. How could you hope to win?" The alien frowned. "But you did send three tens of my soldiers running. Join us, and you'll be allowed to live. Your reward will match your service to me, and from your power I image that would be great indeed. Everything you could hope for would be yours."
"I think not. Release Raven and I will allow you to live." Beast Boy replied.
The ancient Gordanian smiled. "It's beyond your power to kill me." He simply said.
The silver dragon hurled more fire, and sent it at his confident foe. Where he struck the floors and walls burst into flames, but the Gordanian was never in its path. Thew alien turned and dodged in a way that was very similar to the way Slade once had. The shape shifter stopped the onslaught, and stared back at his blue-skinned enemy.
"See. It's useless. Even if you were to run and hide, Trigon would just tell me where to find you."
"What do you have planned for Raven?" Beast Boy demanded.
"The Gem? She will be kept asleep until the time of the ceremony approaches, then she shall be his portal."
"And what about the other Titans?"
"Those? We were told not to harm them, that when his time arrives they were his to play with. He desires to see their faces as their world ceases to be. They will live for eternity as his play things." The ancient Gordanian smiled. "But you can escape their fate. Join me."
The shape shifter frowned. "No."
"Pity. You would've been so useful."
The alien moved, seeming to disappear and then reappear in front of him. Pain smashed into his chest. Before he could hope to react, another blow sent him flying with several of his ribs broken. Automatically he reverted to an amoeba, trying to hide.
"Ah yes. You can hide from me, but not from Trigon. I merely need to ask him, and he will tell me where to find you. It's hopeless. I will strike at will when you least expect it." Confidence radiated from the voice.
He returned to his dragon form, keeping his eyes focused on the powerful Gordanian. "Perhaps. But there's something you've missed." Beast Boy stated.
"And what is that?" Humor filled the ancient voice.
"I know Raven would rather die than allow Trigon to escape his prison. As much as that would hurt me, I will carry out her wishes. You might be able to find me, but I'm very hard to kill. On the other hand, this ship will be easy to destroy, and you will die along with her. Whatever Trigon has promised you, is it worth your death?"
"You're bluffing." The ancient alien declared.
The shape shifter noticed the muscles of his foe flex, and leapt at him, changing into the form of the giant crocodile again. His jaws closed around the skilled warrior's foot as he nearly made it to safety. A kick with his other foot caused Beast Boy to let him go. Immediately he reverted to being an amoeba before there could be another attack. There was alien blood floating around inside him; he'd done some damage. His body started the healing process as he wondered what to do.
If I stay still and close of my senses, then maybe Trigon won't be able to locate me. The shape shifter mused. From what I've heard he sees through people's eyes, and if I can't see... Maybe, but then I wouldn't be able to see danger coming. He stared at Raven. Somehow he knew if he decided to try to take her, the old Gordanian would be back. And despite getting in a single hit, he was outclassed. But it must take time for him to communicate with Trigon and then get where I am. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to hide like I am now. So if I keep moving, I would always be in a different spot than the one Trigon told him I was in. Hrm. But the ship is going somewhere, and that probably isn't good.
He cast caution to the wind, and changed into a cheetah; he left the room at a run, ignoring his broken ribs, and was soon hundreds of feet away. There he changed into a bat, and listened. He heard a humming sound, and tried to smile. The action was repeated several times; the cheetah for speed and the bat to find his way. During the process he ran into three Gordanians, but a few seconds as a dragon sent them running. In less than two minutes he entered a huge room full of machinery. He wasn't sure, but he figured it was either the engine or the power source for the ship. Whatever it was, the sound could be heard throughout the whole vessel.
He shifted into a dragon, and took to the air. His righteous breath tore into the equipment, and in places it melted; in others it exploded. He flew the entire length of the immense chamber before the Gordanians working in the room could respond. Some wore wings, and took to the air to fight him. Those he blasted with more fire, sending them into hiding. Other took positions on the floor and used weapons. His body was racked with pain, but he merely remained where he was, seeking them out. To destroy the room it didn't matter if he focused on them, or the machinery. Either way, the damage was considerable. Eventually the battle ceased, and he forced his broken body to travel over the wrecked machinery several times, turning large parts of it into rubble. It'd been risky. If the ship had been driven by some explosive fuel, it could have destroyed the entire vessel. But it'd been a gamble he'd been willing to take. When he'd claimed Raven would rather die than allow Trigon go free, he knew it to be the truth.
In agony, Beast Boy fled the room, using the form of a cheetah once more to cover several hundred feet. Looking around, he saw nothing to distinguish this area from any other. Just an endeless corridor like many others aboard the vessel. He dropped to the floor and turned into an amoeba. Blocking his sight, he hoped Trigon would no longer be able to see where he was. However, vibrations from footsteps would alert him when danger approached.
Fearing for Raven, but hoping for the best, he settled down to heal. Briefly the shape shifter wondered how long it would take her to wake up if he were to pull out the IV. If she were awake, she could teleport them both to safety. On the bright side. He mused. At least I know the other Titans are safe.
Several hours later he awoke, his wounds nearly healed. Keeping his eyes closed he shifted into the form of a bear and sniffed the air; Raven was still okay. Other scents came to him, and he decided he might eventually investigate them, but for now there were other things he wanted to do.
Changing into a bat he listened, then he was running as a cheetah. Once more he used the process to find the place he wanted; the outer hull of the ship. There his dragon form began to burn elongated gashes into the hardened metal. Even with the full fury of his breath, it was hard. The atmosphere tore at him as it rushed out through the holes, and he smiled. More damage for the Gordanians to deal with. He raced from place to place, never staying still long. Those he met he sent fleeing with dragon fire. Every once in a while he created another hole in the hull.
During the process the shape shifter came across something that looked familiar, sort of. He studied the objects and decided they were ship mounted weapons. He grinned, and sent several bursts of flame their way. They exploded easily, causing him some burns.
Running once more he search the ship for water. Having lost so much moisture thirst was killing him, and his amoeba form was nearly useless.. This time he used a bear to sniff the air rather than a bat to listen. It's sensitive nose eventually lead him to what seemed to be crew quarters. The faucet, while strange looking, was probably something every humanoid culture developed. He turned it on, and drank.
Food was found in a more grotesque manner. His made a slight pinprick in a finger, and let a single drop of blood fall. As an amoeba he dropped into it and ate his fill. When he returned top his human form, he was still full. The transformation process handled things like that. It carries wounds over from one shape to the next, as well as thirst and hunger. Satisfying hunger as an amoeba meant his human form ceased to be hungry as well.
Beast Boy studied the faucet and smiled, wondering where their water came from. Obvious they had to recycle it, and that meant they had stores of clean water. He became an amoeba again and followed the water that came from the tap. Eventually he emerged into a large tank. The one thing about amoeba is they could reproduce really fast, and that was what he started to do. Soon the tank was full of sludge as he multiplied, making the water unsuitable for drinking. He figured they would just purify it, but it was something else to keep them busy.
Returning to an anonymous place, the shape shifter settled down to think. If he was right the ship was no longer travelling towards whatever destination it'd had. That was good, since it meant Raven would remain here. Searching for her on a whole world would be just too much; it would take forever. Still, he didn't know what to do. He could indeed destroy the ship, but except as a last resort that seemed pretty extreme. He was even relatively sure none of the Gordanains he'd encountered so far were seriously hurt. It wasn't the way the Titans did things. Once you started killing, it was just a slippery slope you slid down until it became easy; then you were a villain. That brought Slade to mind. Even the soul of such a monster weighed on him; not that he wouldn't do it again. He sighed, and for lack of anything else, decided to meditate. it helped him think before, so maybe it would now. Seems I'm picking up some of Raven's bad habits. He thought, slightly amused. Taking a lotus position as best as a single celled organism could, he silently began to repeat the violet haired girl's mantra. 'Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos.' Time passed, and he entered a trance.
"Hello." Came a dark, tired, voice.
Beast Boy gasped, surprised at the voice. Thought he decided maybe he shouldn't be by now. Rage sounded tired; no, way beyond tired. He had no doubt she'd been sending out the same message since the attack.
"Hello." It came again.
"Rage?" He asked, wondering if he would need to revert to his human form and talk for her to hear him.
"BB?" She asked, sounding surprised. As though she'd given up hope, and it had just been restored.
"It's me." Beast Boy replied.
"What happened? Where're we? Raven hasn't opened her eyes for so long, and it not like a normal sleep. If it were, then I would be asleep too unless she was dreaming, which she isn't."
The shape shifter told her what'd happened.
"I see." The weary voice replied when he'd finished. "The drug keeps her unconscious, but I'm further down in her mind in this prison; it has a harder time reaching me."
"What do we do?" The shape shifter asked, his own hope blooming with each word she spoke.
"Good question. Need to get that IV out of her, but you say that it would be difficult?"
"It would be. She'd guarded by someone who's a bit better in a fight than I am. But if that's the only way then I'll try it."
"Remember when we shared blood?" Rage asked, sounding serious.
"Yeah. I'm guessing it's what allows you to speak to me."
"True. But it also works both ways. It allows you to speak to me." The emoticlone paused for a while. "It's also a bit more than that. At least for you."
"How?"
"There is a seal on this place that keeps me from leaving. The most I can do with the connection between us is talk. But if I drop the seal that keeps people out, you can use it as a portal to enter my domain." She explained.
"Oh. And like when Raven enters Nevermore she'll disappear?" Beast Boy asked, wondering at the implications.
"Yeah. This is the inside of her mind, but it's also a pocket dimension. When she's here, she doesn't exist in your dimension anymore. Get her here, and she'll be safe from the Gordanians. At least until they return to earth to try again."
"Sorry to tell you, but I don't have a clue how to conjure a portal." The shape shifter said.
"You do. It was given along with the blood I gave you."
"I don't recall anything like that. Just the taste of the blood."
"Just get to her and hold her. Then think of me and say what come to mind." The emoticlone explained.
"Hrm. Can give it a try. But I'm pretty sure I don't know how to open a portal."
"You will. I'll need to rest since it will be my power that creates it. I'll be waiting."
Leaving the trance, Beast Boy looked around. About magic he had no clue, but at least now he had a plan. He rose from his position and changed into a cheetah; it took less than a minute to get back to the room where Raven was.
The ancient Gordanian was sitting beside the girl. "Back again?" He asked, looking up. "The damage you've done to the ship might get us all killed." The blue-skinned alien calmly noted.
"Oh?" Beast Boy studied Raven. She looked okay.
"Without our engines we can't move, and we're in Aknarian space. They will track us, and seeing us hurt will destroy us." He shrugged. "We once killed several billion of their people, and it seems they hold a grudge."
"I wonder why." The shape shifter commented.
"If our hull was in one piece ,and our weapons worked, there would still be a chance. But alas." The Gordanian shrugged.
"Never heard of them." Beast Boy admitted, walking closer to Raven while keeping his eyes on ancient, blue-skinned, alien.
"Don't expect them to be sympathetic towards you, or the Gem. If they knew they could deny Trigon access to this dimension with her demise, they would do it in an instant."
The shape shifter reached out and touch the violet-haired girl's hair. Seeing the alien tense, he shrugged. "By your own admission we're all dead. What do you expect me to do?"
The Gordanian shrugged. "If you can fly in space you might try to escape, but they would be on the lookout for that. " He laughed. "Actually Trigon would demand that I let her go. If she dies, then so does his chances for dominion of this dimension. At least for a short time."
"Why do you serve Trigon?" Beast Boy asked.
"Many Gordanians do. He sees all, which means those of us who gain his favor can seek prey no matter where they hide. Worlds that are weak, or ships that're filled with treasure. Who else would we serve?"
"Someone who doesn't want to destroy whole worlds?" The shape shifter suggested.
"Only those who resist him will see their worlds destroyed. We have no fear of that." Came the calm reply, suggesting it was entirely reasonable.
"You said he wouldn't interfere if I were to take her from here?"
"No. But what chance do you have? If you can, take me with you. I'm rich beyond your imagination. I've looted worlds and even lead the warfleet against the Tamaranians a while back. Whatever you ask for, it shall be yours."
Beast Boy frowned in thought. He had hold of Raven, but how to cast the portal? Immediately words rose to his mind. "Daemon Per Dominium Sanguis Da Vita Da Mihi Porta Vestram Dominium." He silently intoned, sending the words to the red-clad world around him disappeared, and he fell. To keep hold of Raven he switched into a dragon, and let his wings slow his fall. Soon he landed in the domain of Rage.
The shape shifter lowered Raven to the ground and looked her over. The end of the IV was still in her arm so he pulled it out. Other than that she looked okay. Her pulse was strong, if a bit slow. He then turned his gaze towards Rage. She was on the ground, not moving. "You okay?" He asked with a frown, quickly moving over to her.
She looked up, as if surprised at his concern. "Just a bit drained." The red-clad emoticlone replied. "Takes some effort to resist the drug even if it isn't affecting me as much as the other emoticlones." She grinned, and her eyes glowed. "Trigon is furious." She chuckled, and the grin widened. "Now that feels good."
Slumping down on the ground, she rested. "Soon as the drug leaves her system I'll be fine. What I'm wondering is how do we get her out of here before she wakes up. I still don't care for her to know about the blood. Not yet. You rightly intoned the words silently, so even Trigon doesn't know about it yet, and I want to keep it that way."
Beast Boy nodded, understanding. "What are the possible ways to get out? And where would we end up?"
"If you could get to Nevermore, the door would take you out through her mirror. You would be in Titan's Tower. The same with the entrance to my domain." She stared up at the red light that lit her world. "But for either we would need some way past the seal." Her voice was tired and darker than normal.
She turned to look at him. There might be a way, but it would be risky, and you would need to trust me absolutely. I would need to use your power for the spell, and if you resist it would ..." Rage shrugged. "I just know it wouldn't end well."
"I trust you." The words were simple, said in a straightforward tone.
The red-clad emoticlone studied him. "The seal is meant to keep me in. Should another cast a portal out of here, it wouldn't affect it."
"I'll still clueless on portal casting." Beast Boy pointed out.
Rage nodded. "But I'm not. I would need to use your body, and your power for the spell. I would need to possess you."
The shape shifter nodded, and stood. "Okay."
Cautiously the red-clad emoticlone stood. "You sure? If you resist our powers would clash, and you're far from weak. Raven could be seriously hurt."
"I trust you."
She nodded. "Think of the forbidden door." She ordered, and stepped forward. Raising her hand to his chest, all four of her eyes closed; she vanished.
Something dark and cold, yet warm entered him. He accepted it without fear, and quietly watched as his hand rose, and he started to chant. "Porta Ego Te Coniuro; Porta Ego Duce Te Aperire." With each word his strength diminished until he was on his knees. Then the words stopped, and though he was still weak he wasn't in danger of collapsing into unconsciousness. Rage appeared in front of him.
"Take her and go. Find the forbidden door and get out." She smiled. "And thank you for trusting me." Her dark tone expressed disbelief that he had, and even in its own way gave thanks.
Beast Boy grinned wearily at her. 'If it takes that much energy to open a portal, I wonder how Raven can do it so easily?"
Rage shrugged. "The weakness will only last until the portal collapses, which it will as soon as you enter it. Most of your strength will return then. So if you open and close a portal fast, it's not as bad. Now go."
He rose and gave her a hug, surprising her. "Til we meet again." He told her.
The red-clad emoticlone smiled. "Til next time." She replied, and returned the hug.
Beast Boy picked Raven up, and stepped through. Behind him the dark portal closed, and most of his strength returned. Looking around, he noticed they were directly in front of the forbidden door. He assumed that was due to him, and maybe Rage, setting it as the destination by thinking about it. He stepped through, and appeared in Raven's room.
Supposedly the drug would clear out of her system, but he still headed down to the clinic. Cyborg, the usual medic for the team, was in the commons room. Soon the cybernetic teen had taken things over, and Beast Boy sat back on another cot to relax.
"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos." The violet-haired girl intoned, mediating.
She had no clue how she'd got back to the tower, though she was glad she had. The monitoring system Cyborg had installed had shown the ship landing, and taking her onboard. Then it had taken off. The team had went nuts looking for Beast Boy, and then had tried to give chase; unfortunately the vessel had left no trail. They'd returned while Starfire had left for Tamaran to inquire about any Gordanian ships they might've spotted. Given their history with the race, it was something they were very vigilant about.
Then Beast Boy had arrived with her in his arms, the drug still in her system. She'd woke up an hour later, very very hungry. Her emoticlone were all okay, but as clueless as her. They'd fallen asleep at the same time as she had.
Only the shape shifter knew what had happened, and beyond the part about turning into an amoeba, and following her onto the ship he wasn't saying much. He had, when Starfire had returned, told her that the warleader, who'd led the fleet that had devastated her home world, was probably dead. The usually jubilant girl had given a very scary smile and simply said, 'good.'
A knock at her door caused her to look up. Reaching out with her dark powers, she opened it.
"Evening." Beast Boy said, entering with a case beneath one arm.
"Evening." Raven replied, recognizing the case as the chess set.
"A draw isn't a loss, or a win." The shape shifter reminded her, holding up the case. "Want a game?"
She gave a slight smile. "Sure. How about we make a bet over it. I win and you tell me the full story."
"Sorry. No can do. And don't be so sure you're going to win that easy." He beamed a smile at her.
Her heart started beating faster, and she felt a little giddy.
"By the way, when I picked up the bracelet for myself, I also got this. Hope you like it." He handed her the bracelet he'd picked out for her. "Just a thank you for helping me meditate and stuff." Beast Boy hurried to add, heart beating way too fast.
"Thanks." She smiled, and slipped it on her wrist, blushing slightly
He was right, the chess game wasn't as easy as she'd expected, but after two hours she managed to corner him. It was the sort of game she liked, hard with the end always in doubt. "Another?" She asked, smiling happily.
End of Chapter.
Many thanks to those who read and review.