Hey there, everyone! That's right; SuperHeroTimeFan is back with another new chapter of my best story, Path of the Padawan! Before I start, I would like to thank everyone who has ever supported me in my story. Thank you, Christian Jedi, Logan GC, JacklyinKarst, Flaming Dragon, KrautYank, Princess9903, Hylianodst, Robin Rani, RedtailHawk19, All4thesnow, JediSpiritMonk, HighjackLuv, Witchsoul531, Ocnarf and all of the Guest reviewers for favoriting, following and liking my story so much. All your support for my story means so much. Now, before I start my new chapter, please allow me to answer everyone's questions. Robin Rani, thank you for explaining to me why you point out the errors in my chapters. I'm sorry for sounding a bit too angry, it's just that I don't like my stories to be criticized that much. All4thesnow, I assure you that Serra won't be acting too selfish and all. She's going to change over time. Okay, now that I've answered everyone's questions, please give it up for my newest chapter! Please feel free to review, rate and as always, enjoy!
Chapter 21: Another Mage
Miami Florida March 10th 2147 hours
Late at night, a girl walks up onto the top of a roof. She wore an azure robe, along with a violet robe as well as denim shorts and blue boots. On her face were several markings, and her hair was dyed azure like her clothing. As she walked over to the edge of the building, she tightened her shoes before taking a deep breath and then placing her cape onto her back. She put on some black fingerless gloves and after that, she clenched her fists before spreading her arms out and falling off the roof. As she fell, she started to fly through the air.
As she flew through the wind, she laughed happily. From roof to roof, the girl started to wander throughout the City of Magic. When she passed by the flower shop and noticed the withering plants, she extended her right hand and a small, glittering blast came out. This mysterious female smiled as she watched the plants grow. The next building she came across had a rooftop with hardly any of its neon-lit signs glowing. Laughing playfully, the girl sent another sparking blast at them, causing the lights to shimmer throughout the city. She smiled at her work as she soon flew back to her home. "Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess. We seek it thus and take to the skies." The girl recited to herself happily. As she landed, she continued to say her soliloquy. "When ripples form on the water's surface, I, Raven, shall know no rest." She finished up before walking back into her apartment.
Happy Harbor High March 12th 1432 hours
As the week went by quickly, classes at school seemed to get slower. Ashley, Megan, Connor and Lux, along with the rest of the students as they watched Snapper Carr wrote something on the board. "Even though magic is a myth, William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' points out everything there is to magic itself. Now, can someone tell me the role of Robin Goodfellow, or as he is famously known for, Puck?" he asked. Ahsoka raised her hand as the teacher smiled and gestured to her. "Puck was a rebellious and snippy sort of character, serving the Fairy King, Oberon. While he wasn't technically a part of Shakespeare's casting lists as Robin, Puck was meant to stir up trouble." She explained. Snapper smiled and walked up to the board. "Miss Tanner is correct, students. Puck was meant to stir up trouble, causing lovers and Athenians of sorts to be in the midst of confusion and delay." He told the class. "But like all power, let it be magic or science, it has its consequences." He added on.
While he was talking, M'gann set up a mind link and looked to Ahsoka happily. "Wow, I guess that you really did your homework." She stated. Ahsoka looked back and smiled. "To be honest, there were no such things as plays where I come from. We only had operas or live music performances, but no plays." She replied. Before the conversation could go on more, the bell rang. Snapper looked up and sighed. "Well, I guess that's it, everyone. Be sure to read Act 2, Scene 1 for homework." He instructed. With that, all the students walked away and back to their homes whilst the four members of the Team made their way to the Zeta Tube.
Mount Justice 1513 hours
The Team came together later on after school to train. As of now, training became very difficult for the Team. There were eight members before, allowing them to be able to train in groups of two. Now, since there were a grand total of thirteen on the Team, they would all have to split up and alternate when sparring with each other.
Aqualad fought against Saw as the soldier of Onderon performed a low jab. Robin was sparring against Jaybo as the technician was thrown to the ground while Kid Flash and Lux fought with each other. As they were sparring, Artemis took on Serra, who backflipped and blocked a jab from the archer. Serra smirked as Ahsoka and M'gann started their duel. Superboy stood by and watched as Zatanna fought with Raquel. Black Canary foresaw everything and smiled. "Excellent work, Team, you have all been being very productive." She stated. The Team stopped their training and smiled back at their instructor.
As Connor was playing with Wolf, Batman walked into the room. Black Canary nodded to the Team as they all straightened up their postures. The Dark Knight remained silent until he pulled up a holoscreen. "For the past few weeks, there have been mysterious energy surges occurring in Florida." He explained to the Team. Everyone looked to one another before they looked back to the Dark Knight. "What happens to be the problem, then?" Batman's ward asked. Batman looked to the Team and nodded. "That's what we need you to find out." He explained. Aqualad stepped up and nodded affirmatively. "We stand ready." He said. Batman nodded to them as the Team went to the Bioship to head to Florida.
Western Mongolia 1536 hours
Sportsmaster, Deathstroke and Wotan all stood in a meeting room for the Light and awaited their superiors' commands. As Queen Bee fixed herself up, she looked to the rest of the members of the Light with fury. "Before, ORDER seemed nothing more than pests, but now that they have exposed me to the public, ORDER must be taken down!" Zazzala exclaimed. Lex Luthor looked to the rest of the Light and sighed. "Recently, LexCorp has reported this broadcast made by the ORDER earlier on these past few days." He stated. The Light then turned their attention to a screen showing the breakout just a couple of days ago. Cat Grant then appeared on the screen with a slight smile on her face. "Due to this recent breakout of Queen Bee with the assistance of Light members Sportsmaster and Deathstroke, the ORDER has gained the support of the United States Federal Government, the Marines, Interpol, the FBI and the CIA so that the League of Shadows, as well as the infamous Light, can be tracked down. This is Cat Grant signing off, with the order from the ORDER." The reporter announced. The Light looked at the report one last time before all scowling with annoyance.
Deathstroke turned to the Light with a concerned look in his eye before sighing. "I guess that for now, one has to perform a sacrifice to win the war." He told the Light, with experience from his times in the war. Vandal Savage nodded and mumbled to himself. "If the ORDER is to continue interfering with our affairs, then the League may be of assistance to us." He stated. Klarion looked to the members of the Light with a smirk on his face. "Maybe Zatanna could help us out. I sense a powerful and magical essence coming from Florida and I'm betting that it's her." He remarked. Ra's Al Ghul nodded and looked to the two assassins. "Go with Klarion to find the Team and try to make a compromise with them for the time being." He ordered.
Just then, the door swung open as the sounds of footsteps echoed the room. The Light and their associates looked to see who had walked in and burst in on their discussion. There was a girl who looked similar to Deathstroke, except she had a more feminine build, as well as two katanas at her side with a Walther P-38 gun, and her right eye was covered instead of the left, like Deathstroke's was. She looked to the Light and craned her neck. "I'm in too, Father." The girl stated. Deathstroke stuttered as he walked over to her daughter. "Rose, what are you doing?" he asked. Rosalyn looked down and sighed. "I want to get back at the ORDER for nearly taking my life. For that, I vow to assist the Shadows and the Light in any way I can." She stated. Deathstroke sighed and looked to the rest of the members of the Light, as well as Sportsmaster. "She can come, but she can't get in the way." Crusher remarked. Rose smiled and hugged her father. "Let's go." Sportsmaster said.
Florida 1756 hours
It took about two hours to get to Florida, but the Team didn't mind. Most of them were used to long journeys like these for a long time. Ahsoka was reading her book while Serra meditated. Jaybo showed Robin and Wally his gear while Saw checked over his weaponry. As Artemis sharpened her arrows, she took notice to Ahsoka reading her book and chuckled. "What are you reading?" the archer asked. Ahsoka looked up from her book and smiled. "It's a school assignment book that was given to us all. It's called Midsummer." The Togrutan explained. Serra opened her eyes and looked to her friend with confusion. "What's summer?" she asked. Wally's eyes widened as he turned from Jaybo and Robin to Serra. "You don't have summer in your galaxy?!" he asked in disbelief. Ahsoka and Serra both nodded. "We also never have plays, so I consider this book to be quite interesting." Ahsoka stated.
Robin walked over and looked at the part Ahsoka was reading. "Oh, you're reading about Puck." He stated. Ahsoka looked up as the Boy Wonder chuckled and sat back while placing his arms behind his head. "From my experience in reading that story, I'd say people should be pretty careful about rebellious youths or tricksters." He said. Zatanna looked to him and scoffed. "I'm not saying I don't like the story, but Shakespeare's magic is nothing compared to real magic." She stated. Ahsoka chuckled as she went back to her book. "This is really interesting, guys, I mean it. If we had this kind of stuff back in the Outer Rim, then nothing would get boring from time to time." She explained. Before anyone could argue, Lux's voice came in. "We're nearly at the place. Prepare to land." He said. M'gann nodded as both of their ships landed on the ground, somewhere outside of Disney Resorts. "We go on foot from here." Aqualad ordered. The rest of the Team acknowledged as they ran to find what the situation was.
At the same time, Klarion teleported into the area nearby with Deathstroke, Rosalyn and Sportsmaster at his side. "Remember, we find the Team to initiate a truce, and then we work on taking down the ORDER together." Klarion instructed. The two male assassins nodded as Rose unsheathed a katana. "Let's get to work." She quipped. Before she could move, Deathstroke stopped her. "This mission is strictly for negotiations and nothing more, my daughter." Slade stated. Rose sighed and sheathed her katana again. "Okay, Dad, let's get to work." She repeated. Slade chuckled at her nature as they ran off to find the Team.
Unbeknownst to any of them, Raven was watching over. "I wonder where everyone's headed." She said to herself curiously. As she saw everyone take off, Raven started to go after them.
The Team leapt across the rooftops of Miami as they searched for the strange energy surge. Aqualad, Ahsoka, Kid Flash, Artemis, M'gann and Serra all went into Stealth Mode and raced across the city as quietly as they could. No one was able to notice the Team going around the city at that time of night, and the Team was thankful about this. "We need to move as fast as we can so that we can find whatever's causing these anomalies to occur." Rocket stated silently. Aqualad nodded as they continued to search the city. Miss Martian flew over each of the buildings to find what they were looking for, but after a while, she frowned with disappointment. "I've got nothing, Kaldur." She reported through the psychic link. Aqualad sighed as he signaled for the rest of the Team to stop. The Team stopped to land on a rooftop so that they could take a rest. Robin took out a water bottle as the rest of the Team just rested there.
Just then, Klarion stepped out of the shadows, looked around and then sighed. As he chuckled, the rest of the Team took notice and prepared to attack him. Before Saw could even blast him, the witch-boy held his hands up in surrender. "We're not here to fight." He stated. Zatanna held her position and scoffed. "Is that so? You're one of the reasons my father is gone, and now, you're going down!" she remarked. At that moment, Deathstroke and Sportsmaster appeared from the top of the water towers nearby, followed by Rose from a nearby building. Artemis and Robin aimed their weapons at Sportsmaster and Deathstroke respectively while Ahsoka and Serra pointed their lightsabers at Deathstroke's daughter. Aqualad looked to Klarion with a stern look and craned his neck. "What do you want? Are you behind the anomaly occurring here?" he demanded. Klarion sighed and walked up to the Team leader, causing Rocket, Zatanna, Kid Flash and Saw to go to his aid. Rebel, Superboy, Jaybo and Miss Martian prepared to attack the Shadows should anything happen. "The ORDER has been a thorn in the Light's side for too long, and I believe that it's been the same with you as well." The witch-boy explained. Aqualad held a Water-Bearer ready in case the warlock attacked him. "Are you proposing a truce between the Light and the League?" he asked. Klarion snickered and nodded. "Are you in?" he asked, holding out his hand. Aqualad looked down to it before looking up and shook his head no. "Tell the Light that there will never be a day when Forces of Justice and Demons of Darkness will ever work together." He remarked. The Team looked to Aqualad and smiled. Klarion groaned and cursed to himself. He signaled for the assassins to fall back as they acknowledged.
Just then, before they could leave, the Witch-Boy stopped and widened his eyes with surprise. "You weren't the ones causing the mystic essence?" he asked. Zatanna grabbed one of Ahsoka's lightsabers, activated it and then pointed it dangerously at Klarion. "What's it to you?" she asked. Klarion stepped back as Aqualad gasped. "That magical energy is still here!" he exclaimed. At that moment, some girlish laughter started to fill the air. All seventeen people looked around as Raven came out from the sky and above the next building. "Who is she?" Ahsoka asked as she regained her lightsaber. Raven smiled and looked down to them. "The name's Raven, freaks, so remember that." She snippily quipped. Aqualad pointed a sword to the girl while Klarion pointed a finger. "Get her!" they both commanded. Raven laughed as she started to fly away, with the Team in close pursuit.
Raven laughed as she flew throughout the forest. She knew that the Team and the Shadows were following her, but she didn't mind. All she wanted was some fun. "Try and catch me!" she yelled out playfully. Serra zoomed under her with Force Speed as she tried to catch her. "She's heading towards the mine ahead!" she informed the rest of the Team through her comlink. Kid Flash zoomed by and winked at her. "Thanks, I'll be sure to catch her!" Wally stated. Serra nodded affirmatively as Kid Flash ran after Raven.
Raven could see Kid Flash run behind her. She should have been worried, but not in the least. In fact, she was actually joyful. "I'll make it easy for you, Gonzales." She quipped. With that, Raven flew low enough to the ground and started to fly faster than before. Kid Flash started to gain on her, but she continued to laugh happily. As Wally was wondering what was making her so happy, Raven suddenly pulled up. "Hey! What's the big deal?!" the speedster demanded. As if his question was answered, he crashed into a pile of logs. Raven flew down and looked to the speedster while clicking her tongue. "Are you hurt?" she asked. Wally growled as Raven continued to fly.
Artemis and Rocket flew after Raven in hot pursuit as the wondrous and playful mage laughed. She looked back to see if they were still following her. She raised an eyebrow in confusion when she saw that they had disappeared and continued to fly. At that moment, Robin, Superboy and Aqualad cut in front of her. Her eyes widened when she found out that the five had ambushed her. She landed on the ground and looked around at the heroes. "Do you feel lucky?" Connor asked as he cracked his knuckles, causing Artemis to aim her bow at her. "We've got years of training, powers beyond yours, and a lot of luck." She remarked. Robin then aimed a taser cord at her and scoffed. "What have you got?" he snippily asked. Raven smirked and reached her hand to the side. At that moment, a beehive fell into her hands. The Team gasped when she threw it into the air and blasted it into five equal pieces, all landing on the Team. "I've got bees." She playfully replied. Rocket started to make a shield to protect herself from the swarm as the rest of the Team screamed and just shielded themselves from the bees. Raven laughed once again as she flew away while the five tried to get the bees away from them.
As Raven flew away, she had no idea that the remainders of the Team were still following her. She did, however, take notice of the Shadow members up ahead in front of her. As Deathstroke and Sportsmaster prepared to attack, Raven screeched to a halt in the air and blasted spells upon them. The two assassins pulled back just as they were attacked. As Rose came to their aid, Raven flew off into the distance.
All of a sudden, Klarion intercepted her with a blast. She gasped and looked down to see the Witch Boy. "Why can't I ever be left alone?!" she complained loudly to herself. She then landed on the roof and prepared to attack the Lord of Chaos with a magically energized sword. She charged straight at him and was nearly able to stab at him until Klarion made a shield. "Rachel Roth, is it? I assume that you were the one responsible for the mystic essence here?" he asked. Raven scoffed and stepped back to attack again. "What's it to you? You're nothing but an old man version of a tomboy." She quipped. Klarion smirked at her and sighed. "You and I are alike, in a manner of speaking." He stated. Raven continued to hold her ground as she raised an eyebrow in confusion. "How so?" she asked. Klarion scoffed and stroked Teekl. "There are never any magicians who like to use their powers for fun. If you think I asked to be part of the Light to cause chaos under supervision, then sadly you are so mistaken." He remarked. Klarion smiled at her as Raven scoffed. "True, but when have you ever seen the Light or the League wanting to do anything for fun?" she asked. Klarion chuckled and placed an arm on her shoulder. "When you see the Light, everything will be answered." He responded.
As Raven thought this over, Ahsoka, Serra and Zatanna leapt across the roofs, trying to find the kindred girl. "Did anyone ever get her name?" Ahsoka asked. Zatanna looked to her and smiled. "A while back, the Zatara family knew another family of mages. That family was known as the Roth family, its only people being Trigon and Rachel Roth. Rachel always liked to be known as Raven, and was very playful with her powers. I believe that girl to be Rachel herself." Zatanna explained. Serra looked to Zatanna and pondered. "So, why would your friend appear now?" she asked. Just then, Ahsoka pointed to another rooftop. "I think Klarion may want something with her powers!" Ahsoka exclaimed. The girls looked to see Klarion and Raven together.
Raven continued to think as Klarion snickered. I wasn't expecting the Daughter of Trigon to be behind the surge, but with Rachel on the Light, no one will be able to take us down! He thought to himself sinisterly. Before Rachel could tell the Witch Boy her decision, Ahsoka and Serra jumped down and held their blades at Klarion's neck while Zatanna ran up to the navy-haired girl. "Rachel, it's me, Zatanna. Klarion can't be trusted! You have to listen to me! He's gonna exploit you, and the Light will cast you aside once they have no use for you anymore!" she exclaimed.
Raven's eyes widened with shock as Klarion began to growl angrily. "If I can't have her, none of you can!" he yelled. The Team arrived on the scene to see Zatanna protecting Raven while Klarion growled and started to breathe fire at them. As Aqualad and Zatanna made their shields, the rest of the Team fended for themselves. M'gann tried to fly away, but she was caught in the hell. Aqualad also fell as Klarion blasted Teekl to attack the rest of the Team. Serra assisted in helping Connor take down the giant tiger, much to the Boy of Steel's surprise. Serra looked to him and smiled. "I believe I promised to assist you the next time you needed cover." She quipped. Connor smiled as he continued to attack the cat. As he was tussling with Teekl, he took notice to the downed M'gann. Serra ran over an attacked the cat and looked to Connor. "Go aid M'gann! I'll take care of Teekl!" she ordered. Connor nodded as he ran over to his girlfriend with worriment.
Meanwhile, Ahsoka ran over to Klarion to land her blade onto him. He ceased his attack and started to focus on getting the Togrutan. Zatanna lowered her shield and started to assist her friend in taking down the Lord of Chaos. Raven just looked at the scene with bewilderment as she started to rethink over her decision. "Nothing can ever be fun, nothing at all. Fun can only happen not with force, not with the forces of good and evil, it will only happen as long as you make it that way." She stated to the evil warlock. Ahsoka and Zatanna looked to her with smiles on their faces as Klarion looked to her with a shocked expression.
She levitated into the air and started to encircle her arms around her chest. "Levitatus Milanda!" she casted. At that moment, Klarion was lifted off the ground as Raven spread her arms out in front of her. "Inaseio!" she incanted again, this time sending vines to entangle Klarion. The Team watched in wonder as Raven started to unleash her full powers on the Witch Boy. For once, Klarion was scared. Not scared of the Team, but of the magician trying to take him down for manipulating her! Now, Raven twirled around and placed her hands out in front of her as she cast another spell repeatedly. "Bortika Aloua Vilea Jou!" she echoed, causing a blast to send the Lord of Chaos to the ground. The Team and the Shadows looked to see Klarion getting up weakly as Raven looked down to the enemies with disgust. "Etativel meht rehtegot!" she cast, causing all members of the League of Shadows present in the area into the same place. She then placed her hands out and her eyes started to glow. The villains looked at her with terror as Raven started to cast her final spell. "Basalichi Infrado!" she yelled. At that moment, a portal opened up beneath the four and they were sent away.
Raven landed on the ground as she started to pant with exhaustion. The Team ran up to her with smiles on their faces. Ahsoka looked to where Klarion and the rest of the Light once stood and chuckled. "So, Klarion has to explain what he has done." She quipped. Lux and Saw walked up to her as her boyfriend placed a hand on her shoulder. "It almost makes you think of Puck." He remarked. Ahsoka laughed as Zatanna smiled. She then walked up to Rachel and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You fought well, Raven." She complimented. Rachel smiled to her old friend as she looked to the rest of the Team.
Aqualad then stepped up and smiled. "Are you now willing to join the Team, and to take down the Light once and for all?" he asked to her. Raven looked at his open hand and sighed. "With everything that's already occurred, I need some time to think this all over." She stated. The Team looked to her with understanding as Ahsoka and Serra smiled. Raven continued to turn away from them, but she had a smile on her face. "For now, your offer has been put into consideration. I will make sure to contact you when I have made my final decision, but for now, I need some free time, I need some fun." She said. The Team looked to her with confusion as she looked back to them with a playful smile on her face. Zatanna and Ahsoka shared the same look as Raven flew off into the night.
As the Team flew back to Mount Justice, Ahsoka continued to read her book. Jaybo looked to her and smiled. "I wonder what Raven will do now." He pondered. Ahsoka looked up from her book and sighed. "Raven will know what's right. All she needs is some time to herself." The Togrutan stated. Artemis chuckled as she looked back to Ahsoka. "So, what do you think of the book so far?" she asked. M'gann looked to her with a smile as Ahsoka started to take out a pad of notebook paper and a pencil and began writing. "It's good, and now I know how the book ends." She stated. The rest of the Team laughed as Ahsoka drew a picture of Raven in her sketchbook. "All in a night's dream." She said to herself happily.
Author's Note: Well, I hope that everyone liked this new chapter. The Christian Jedi and I thought of this, and from the looks of it, I believe it turned out well. Please be sure to thank The Christian Jedi for helping me out. A new chapter will be out later this week. Please be sure to review and rate, for I am always keen to hear from you guys. For now, this is SuperHeroTimeFan signing off. Have an excellent week!