Fan Fiction ❯ A Visitor from the Past ❯ In The Demon's Company or Slice and Dice? ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: As before I still do not own Teen Titans.

 

Author's notes: This is the second installment of the Artirion story, I would like to send out my thanks to Jurodan for giving me the criticism that I needed to make this fic better and to improve my writing. I recommend his stories all of which I have read, they include In the Mind of Another, From Stone, Starfire's First Christmas, and More than a Thief. Now enough talk, Here is the new story.

 

In the Demon's company, or Slice and Dice?

 

Starfire: Go Beast Boy inform that video game monster who is the boss! *She waves her hands in a fighting position*

 

It has been about a week sense the Titans gained their new guest, BB is still a little suspicious but he is quickly growing to trust Artirion, especially sense he learned that Artirion likes tofu. Raven has never been happier. Starfire is happy because now she has time to try and get Robin to love her, and Cyborg has just grown to like the guy. There has been only one alert sense Artirion arrived and the Titans got to see him in a true fight.

 

Flashback.

 

The Titans are responding to an emergency call, Mumbo, Control Freak, and the H.I.V.E students have joined forces.

 

Gismo: Well, It looks like you pitsniffers have added a new member to your cruddy team.

 

Artirion: (Pointing at Gismo) You would do well to watch your mouth, or you might find it getting you into trouble.

 

Gismo: Whatever, ya snot eatin' loser. *Gismo fires his laser at the titans, they easily dodge it*

 

Artirion: May I fight them; I wish to stretch my powers. There have not been any good fights sense I returned.

 

Robin: Be my guest.

 

Artirion cracks his neck and begins the fight, all of the baddies launch one form of projectile attack or other at once, Artirion just stands there. All the blasts hits him but when the smoke clears he is missing.

 

Artirion: Over here.

 

As the Bad guys looks around they see Artirion standing behind them.

Mumbo: *Pointing from the place Artirion was and where he is* How did you get there?

 

Artirion: Magic.

 

Suddenly Artirion's fingers grow and end in sharp points and before anyone can react he is standing directly in front of Control Freak.

 

Artirion: Boo.

 

In a swift economical motion he slashes Control Freaks new improved remote and slammed him against the wall. Mammoth charges him and he used the brute's weight and momentum against him flipping him onto his back and bringing a foot down into his gut. Mumbo attempted to curse him and Artirion simply waved his staff, Mumbo's curse rebounded and he was turned into a bunny. Gismo was flying toward Artirion and trying to ram him, so Artirion jumped and brought his feet down on Gismo's wings breaking them and then connecting his heel with Gismo's face knocking him out cold. All that was left was Jinx who was quivering but ready to fight. Artirion pulls out a very sharp ninja throwing star (Shiruken).

 

Robin: Artirion, NO!

 

Too late Jinx was collapsing to the ground with the star securely imbedded in between her eye and nose, Raven gasped, Starfire shrieked, BB closed his eyes to the carnage, and Cyborg tackled Artirion.

 

Cyborg: What did you do that for?

 

Artirion: To capture her, if you let me up you'll see she is quite alright.

 

Cyborg: How can she be alright? You just killed her.

 

Artirion pushes Cyborg off, gets up, and walks over to Jinx. He grabs the star and pulls sharply. It comes out with a disgusting squelch. Then to the amazement of all the Titans the wound closes leaving no scar, and Jinx starts breathing.

 

Cyborg: How… How?

 

Artirion: Bewitched, as soon as the metal is no longer in contact with the body the wound heals and the victim is resurrected, we used them in the demon legions to do training and live captures. Jinx will be back to normal in about five hours.

 

Robin: That's incredible.

 

Artirion: Isn't it though? Now can we get back to the Tower? I wanna get a few things done.

 

Robin: Right.

 

End Flashback.

 

Robin: Where are all the bad guys?

 

Starfire: Do you want badness to befall the city?

 

Robin: No Starfire, I am just getting so bored, I've whooped Cyborg at Metal Mashers 1, 2, 3 & 4, and I still wanna see Artirion fight again. *He hangs his head over the back of the couch*

 

Cyborg: *Steam comes out of his ears* You didn't whoop me; you won by the skin of your teeth.

 

BB: Say, where is Artirion anyway?

 

Cyborg: I saw him head out, I think he wanted to explore the city.

 

Just then the door opens and the Titans thinking the H.I.V.E is attacking again prepare for combat, but finds it is only Artirion.

 

Artirion: You guys going to shoot me?

 

Robin: No, it's just that the front door is much less used than you might think.

 

Artirion: I see, anyone seen Raven?

 

Raven: I'm right here, what do you need?

Artirion: I found the most incredible place, and I wanted to show you.

 

Raven: Oh, okay.

 

She hops from the ledge and lands right into Artirion's arms. The other Titan's are shocked but then remember that they are together and then relax a bit, they are starting to get used to this.

 

Raven: Lead on.

 

They walk out the door, Artirion carrying Raven to see this place he found.

 

BB: I didn't know Raven could do happy, much less love.

 

Cyborg: Well, I think you should be glad she found someone so right for her.

 

BB: I am, very.

 

In the streets of Jump, Raven and Artirion are walking toward this place when Raven asks him an unexpected question.

 

Raven: Artirion, how was it that you returned to this world?

 

Artirion looks slightly taken aback and then thoughtful.

 

Artirion: You know something, I really don't know. I remember spinning through a…a something, like the void between dimensions but, much darker. Then I was in the park where I saw you.

 

Raven: I see, well I'm glad that Xarra saw fit to restore you to life.

 

Artirion: As long as I get to see your pretty face.

 

Raven smiles and blushes then Artirion's face makes a sign of recognition.

 

Artirion: Ahh, here it is. *He points to a dark building with a sign over it that says, “Open Mike Night”.*

 

Raven giggles uncontrollably, and Artirion is struck dumb by her reaction. He thought that this would be a wonderful place to take Raven.

 

Artirion: What's so funny?

 

Raven: I'm sorry to tell you, but this is my favorite café. Artirion looks very put out; he had looked all day to find the perfect place to take Raven for their reunion date only to find out that his surprise place was her favorite café. Raven seeing her boyfriend so crestfallen knows that he worked really hard to find this place.

 

Raven: Come on, General, let's go. You found the best place in the city for herbal tea. *She loops her arm through his and leads him into the little café*

 

Artirion's look brightens considerably as he and Raven go through the door to enjoy a cup of tea, and the poetry. About halfway through their tea and to Raven's surprise Artirion gets up to speak on the mike.

 

Artirion: (On stage to the crowd) Love is a beautiful thing to find, when you find love your heart is complete, but some might think that ravens do not love, this is not so, ravens do love and I wish to ask my Raven to be my love, eternally.

 

Although it was not a poem and most obviously made up in the heat of the moment Raven felt that he put his heart into it and when he got back to his seat he got a big kiss for his efforts. Smiling they finished their tea and left to head back to the tower.

 

Cyborg: WHAT DID YOU DO, BB!!!

 

BB: I kind of snuck into Raven's room and took Artirion's journal. *He rubs the back of his head, and gets a sweat drop (Anime style)*

 

Cyborg: What's wrong with you man? You don't just go into Raven's room and steal her boyfriend's things!

 

BB: Come on Cyborg, just one little peak.

 

Cyborg: You remember what happened last time we tried to poke around in Raven's room?

 

BB: Yeah but that was a mirror.

 

Cyborg: Alright BB, but if something happens I will never forgive you.

 

BB: Alright, Alright.

BB opens Artirion's journal and begins to read aloud

 

~~ June 14, 2004~~

It happened again today,I fear that it will happen when I am in the company of the Titans or worse, Raven. If it begins and I harm her I don't know if I will ever forgive myself. I am contemplating leaving but that might just be worse than anything else. It appears that I am faced with a dire dilemma. I will consult the spirits.

 

Voice: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

BB looks up with horror in his eyes to meet the blood red pupils of Artirion, which are piercing into his with the obvious intent of murder. Artirion's breathing is heavy and BB knows he has really stepped in the deep dog shit this time.

 

BB: I…I was…just.

 

Artirion: YOU WERE JUST WHAT? SPIEING ON ME? PRYING INTO MY PERSONAL BUISNESS?!?

 

Artirion starts going through a hideous transformation, his arms grow long down to his knees, his teeth grow and protrude from his mouth. He starts to sprout fur in his skin and face, his fingernails also growing long and sharp, the blood red of his eyes expands and his entire eye is glowing red with death. His face elongates about three inches. He also starts to hunch slightly, his normally flowing hair stands up and spike back on his head and his entire body gains lots of muscle. Very long sharp spikes grow from his elbows, knees and out of his shoulder blades; finally he grows about two feet to tower over everyone standing at a grand total of eight feet three inches. With a beastly roar the transformation completes itself. BB is crawling backward on all fours scrambling to escape, Raven is holding on to Artirion's arm attempting to calm him, and Cyborg is charging his cannon to fire. Artirion is so angry thoughts of strangling BB start running through his head, he wants to kill, kill BB and then kill Cyborg for letting BB read his journal. Raven is defending them she will have to die, too, then…….…………wait, what is he thinking, he can't kill Raven, she is his love, his bond. If he kills her his life will mean nothing. His body starts to revert back to normal and his anger levels off. Soon, naught but the original Artirion is left standing before them. He walks toward BB, his eyes still burning with rage.

 

Artirion: *With extreme menace in his voice* Give me my journal, now. *He holds out his hand*

 

BB hands it over without a word and knows he just avoided being hacked to bits. Making himself a silent vow he promises to never steal from a demon again. Artirion walks off in the direction of his and Raven's room to keep from getting any angrier than he already is. Raven breaths a sigh of relief and then rounds on Beast Boy.

 

Raven: What were you thinking, you just a well as signed your own death warrant by taking something of his. If it was any other demon than Artirion you would have been hacked to pieces and eaten.

 

BB: I'm sorry; I just wanted to know more about him.

 

Raven: Then you should've asked.

 

Robin rushed is with Starfire hot on his heels.

 

Robin: What happened? Starfire and I heard something!

 

Raven: Oh, the usual. BB almost got himself killed by poking into Artirion's private things without his permission.

 

Robin: BB, didn't I expressly tell you to give him his privacy?

 

BB: Yeah, but how can we trust him?

 

Robin: Raven trusts him, what more do you need to know?

 

BB: I'm sorry.

 

Robin: Don't apologize to me, go tell him your sorry.

 

Raven: I don't think that is such a good idea, Artirion needs some time to cool down.

 

Cyborg: Yeah, the dude freaked out, he got all big an ugly on us.

 

Raven: I am going to talk to him.

 

Robin: Fine, we'll deal with BB.

 

Raven teleports to in front of her door where she hears Artirion, who is in obvious distress. She opens the door and enters. Artirion is sitting on the bed

he appeared to be trying to control his breathing.

 

Raven: Artirion, are you okay?

 

Artirion: No, No I'm not okay.

 

Raven: I'm sorry BB read your journal it's just…………..

 

Artirion: Raven, that's not what's upsetting me, the thing is that it is taking less and less anger to set it off.

 

Raven: Well, your breed of demon are made to be easy to piss off, you are bread for war.

 

Artirion: I know, but I'm not in a war, when I transform I can find a reason to slaughter anyone, even if all they did was speak to me. I thought about killing BB for reading my journal, then I thought I should kill Cyborg too, because Cyborg let him read it, then I thought about killing you because you were defending them that's when I came to my senses. Except, just the thought was enough to make me scared.

 

Raven: You are a Berserker class demon after all, your demon forms first impulse is to strike, I knew this when I chose to love you.

 

Artirion: I know, but what about your friends. They never got that choice; they will never trust me again.

 

Raven: They will, and if they don't they don't need us here.

Artirion: Did you say “us” here?

 

Raven: I did, if they don't trust me in whom I chose to love then they can all get along fine without me.

 

At this point anyone with eyes and a brain the size of a peanut can tell that Artirion is near crying, but he refuses to let a single tear drop in front of anyone. Then he comes up with a radical idea.

 

Artirion: Hey Raven, I just had a thought…..

 

Raven: Really, was it lonely?

 

Artirion chuckles

 

Artirion: Your wit is as sharp as ever, my thought is if we could find the trigger that tells me not to attack when I'm in my demon form then it would make me safe.

 

Raven: I'm afraid that is impossible.

 

Artirion: Why?

 

Raven: Because, my father didn't train one into you.

 

Artirion: I see. Well, I think it is time to go and face the others. *His shoulders sag in defeat*

 

Raven: It'll be okay.

 

Artirion: I hope so.

 

They walk down to the control room where Cyborg is filling Robin and Starfire in on what happened, when Artirion sits down BB makes a point of giving him a wide breadth in case he flips out again.

 

Artirion: Hello.

 

Robin: What happened?

 

Starfire: Yes, why did you attempt to attack, BB?

 

Artirion: We might want to sit down this may take awhile.

 

All the titans sit down and Artirion begins to tell them what happened.

 

Artirion: Well, you know that I was a general in the demon legions of Trigon. It is unusual for a demon so young to become a general, because you need much experience and proofs of loyalty before your master will trust you so exclusively. I managed it because of what I am, I was born a Berserker Class demon.

 

Robin: Berserker Class?

 

Raven: In a demon army there are three main classes of demon, Fodder, Soldier, and Leader, and in each main class there are many subclasses, and in each subclass there are more subclasses, until you get to a specific breed.

Berserker Class demons are born to be leaders but they have a flaw, when they transform to fight they don't distinguish between friend and foe. They just attack whatever demon is closest to them, slashing them into little chunks and then moving on. That's why most are powerful enough to sustain a human form, so they don't just go rampaging through the world killing.

 

Artirion: Also, Berserker class demons can be trained not to attack something, but because there are so many demons in an army the masters usually just teach us not to attack something like the color yellow.

 

Robin: I see. So, what's your “Do not kill” sign.

 

Artirion: Trigon didn't give me one. So when I transform if I don't have something strong to hold me to reality I will just go and slaughter whatever I see. The only thing that can possibly hold me back is Raven.

 

Robin: Then how can we be safe?

 

Artirion: Sense Trigon didn't give me a “no kill” signal I need to transport myself into my own mind, hunt down my demon side and contain it. Then I will be able to keep my head when I transform. Then I will also only be able to transform at will and no one will get hurt.

 

Robin: Alright, why are you telling us?

 

Artirion: Because, I need someone to go with me as backup.

 

Cyborg: Is that going to be you, Ray?

 

Raven: No, I need to be out here to guide Artirion to his demon side.

 

Starfire: So who is to accompany you on this journey? * She cocks her head to one side*

 

Artirion: Well, I was hopping………….BB would come.

 

All the other titans are shocked, why would he chose BB.

 

BB: Me? I thought you hated me.

 

Artirion: I don't quite hate you but the fact still remains you are the best man for the job.

 

BB: Alright, I'll do it, but just to show that I'm sorry.

 

Artirion: Fair enough.

 

Cyborg: So while you two are messin' around in his head and Raven is watching over you, what do we do?

 

Artirion: You have a god?

 

Cyborg: Of course.

 

Artirion: Then pray to him.

 

Robin: Do you need anything special? Some incense or something like that?

 

Artirion: Well, some green tea for both of us would be helpful, it will steady out minds and prepare us for the jump. If you would get some for us we shall meditate and ready out bodies.

 

BB: You make this sound like we are going into the tenth level of hell.

 

Artirion: With a Berserker demon running around, you might prefer to be in the tenth level of hell. From what I hear, Berserkers like to kill you slowly when they have the chance.

 

BB: Dude that is so not what I needed just now.

 

Artirion: Just trying to make you ready.

 

Robin: I'll go start the tea.

 

Artirion: Thank you Robin. Alright BB, open your mind and find your center. Expel all feeling from your mind and senses, then you will have achieved stillness. This will help your mind to steady.

 

Both Artirion and BB sit cross legged on the floor, and begin a chant similar to Raven's but with different words.

 

Artirion: Azarath Interion Veronious

 

BB: *Cupping his ears to hear what Artirion is saying* Azarath Interion Veronious.

 

This goes on for about ten minutes and then Robin comes into the room with two steaming cups of green tea.

 

Artirion: Thank you, Robin.

 

Both BB and Artirion drink the tea but because of the nasty taste of unsweetened tea BB chokes a little.

 

Artirion: Alright BB, are you ready for the wildest ride of your life?

 

BB: I guess so.

 

Artirion: And just for the record I appreciate what you're doing.

 

BB: No worries.

 

Robin: BB, I…I hope you know what you're doing.

 

BB: Dude, how bad can it be, if I die I'll just come back to my body. *Artirion whacks him lightly on the back of the head*

 

Artirion: Don't be a fool, even you should know that of you die in there you become a vegetable.

 

Starfire: I am confused, if harm befalls Beast Boy in his mind he will turn in to some form of plant life?

 

Robin: No, A vegetable is someone whose brain has stopped functioning but there body is still alive.

 

Starfire: But if he is alive would he not recognize us?

 

Cyborg: No Star, his brain function would have stopped completely, he would just sit there.

 

Starfire: Would there be no way of restarting his brain?

 

Raven: No, what little brain BB has would be gone.

 

Starfire: Well, then friend Beast Boy I wish that you try and remain safe.

 

Artirion: Okay, all goodbyes said? Good, Alright BB, close your eyes and hold up both of your index fingers.

 

BB does exactly as Artirion says, he feels two light touches on his fingers, and then all, his world goes blank.