Fan Fiction ❯ Demon in Disguise: On Tamaran ❯ Chapter 3

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Chapter 3

"So, why Okaara?" Raven asked Starfire. "Why not Earth? And why is your sister here?"

"We are on Okaara because it is the closest planet from Tamaran, and because it offers the most protection for you." Starfire explained.

"Okay, I guess that makes sense. But that still doesn't explain why your sister is here. I thought you hated each other." Raven said.

"Komand'r and I have mended our dispute, for the most part." Starfire told Raven.

"Oh." Raven then lay down and slept.



"Slade, please don't! Please don't make me do those things again! Please!" These were the words that Raven was screaming in her sleep, causing various objects in the room to be surrounded by black energy and shatter, before being gently shaken awake by a very confused looking Kalista.

"What are you doing here?" Raven asked, trying and failing to hide her fear.

"You said I could come and see you today, remember?"

"I did, but not before sunrise."

"It's way past sunrise, Raven."

"What time is it?"

"Three in the afternoon."

"When did you get here?"

"Just a little after six in the morning. I saw you become human. Why did that happen?"

"Every night when the sun goes down I transform into a demon, and when the sun rises I become human."

"Were you born this way?"

"No. It's true, my father is a demon; in both literal and figurative context. He raped my mother, and I was born from that incident," Raven paused at the Euphoran's horrified expression. "but the reason for my sunrise and sunset transformations, is because of experimentation. I was experimented on about six years ago by a man named Slade. He used mind control to make me do his bidding. He forced me to do terrible things."

"Is it true? What they say?"

"What WHO say?"

"Students here, they say that you've killed people. Is it true?"

"Yes, it's true. I've taken over one hundred lives, something that I'm not proud of."

"Slade made you do that. Slade made you kill those people."

"Yes, Kalista, he did."

"I'm sorry."

"Thanks, but I'm over it. It took me awhile, but I'm over it."

"so," Kalista began, changing the subject, "Want some food?"

Suddenly realizing the absents of food in her stomach, Raven nodded. "Sure."

"It's not much," Kalista started, lifting a basket by her feet and setting it on the bed, "just a snack. Will it work?"

Raven stared at the food which the Euphoran had offered; two cups of red-colored fruit juice, and a few strips of jerky. No, I'm afraid it won't.

"Oh, okay. So do you want something else? Raven what's wrong?" Kalista could easily read her expression; Raven was about to be sick. Raven couldn't even talk. Kalista placed her hands on Raven's face and absorbed her nausea into her own body, then let it go.

"Thanks." Raven said.

"No problem, Raven." the Euphoran replied.

"I was aware that you choose to not eat certain types of foods, is it because you are allergic to them? Or because you don't like their appearance?" the Euphoran asked.

"Neither. I don't eat any meats cut into strips or drink red liquids because I can't stomach them." Raven explained. They bring back memories. Memories which I would prefer to keep buried. And how did you know about that?"

"Starfire told me."

"When did she tell you that? And where is she now?"

"She told me that, just before she left to go and speak with the Warlord's again. Raven, is there something bothering you?"

"No, nothing's bothering me." Raven lied.

"Don't lie to me Raven, it won't work, I'm an empath just like yourself. Now please tell me what's wrong."

"I thought I'd gotten over it. Gotten over all the people I've killed. But, I guess I haven't."

"I might be able to help you."

"How?"

"Meditate. Meditate, and I will help you sort out your problems."

"Very well." Raven then closed her eyes, and began to chant. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos. Azarath Metrion Zinthos. Azarath Metrion Zinthos..."

As soon as she was sure that Raven had entered a trance, Kalista placed two fingers on both of Raven's temples, and entered her mind.

Start of Raven's Trance

All around her, Kalista could see mutilated corpses. The sounds of men screaming in both pain and terror could be heard everywhere. The air was thick with the smell, taste and color of blood. The Euphoran walked through the carnage until she reached a door. Opening and stepping through it, Kalista stared in horror.

She had stepped into what was clearly a sell. No windows were visible, there was a huge enpenetrable steel door at one end of the room, and on a crudely made bed in one corner lay the shivering, bleeding and naked form of the human Raven. Raven suddenly transformed, letting out a loud prolonged scream of pain as she did so. At the sound of the empath's scream, the steel door slid open to reveal a man. He walked to the bed and roughly turned Raven onto her stomach. He then placed his hands on her back and began giving her what appeared to be a therapeutic massage, until Raven began screaming in pain. Kalista heard the sound of muscles and skin tearing, and a circular object erupted from the demon's back with two needles on the underside. The man, Slade, removed the object and pressed one of the two buttons on its top, then pushed it into the gaping hole in Raven's back. The demon cried out as he did so, then lay still as whatever drug in the needle had its desired effect. The wound healed itself, and Raven stood. Slade handed her her clothing, and Raven dressed. She then left in her black leotard, yellow belt, and dark blue cloak, a glazed look in her four yellow eyes.

"You know who I want you to kill, correct?"

"Yes, Slade, she'll be dead before sunrise." Raven promised. She then teleported out of the sell, with the unseen Kalista following.

The two reappeared in front of a t-shaped building, of which Kalista had never actually seen but had been told about by Starfire. They were standing in front of Titans Tower.

Raven entered, and walked up the stairs and down the hall. She knew her destination, and who her intended target was. The demon stopped in front of a door and knocked. "Koriand'r, can I come in?"

Inside, Princess Koriand'r sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes. 'That could not be Metrion, could it?'

"Kory, let me in, please."

"Metrion, is that you?"

"I told you never to call me that!" Raven retorted.

"Raven, I am elated to see you! I have missed you so!" Star cried happily as she threw open the door, and came face to face with an eight foot tall demon, who was currently seething with rage.

"Raven?" the Tamaranean asked, unsure as to whether the hideous creature in front of her could actually be her beloved Raven.

"Yeah, Star, it's me. So you say you've missed me, huh? Well, you know what?"

"No, what?" Starfire asked, smiling warmly, sure that Metrion's answer would be a joyful one.

"I haven't missed you at all." Raven said coldly, then watched as Starfire's two emerald-green spheres filled with tears, which began to stream down her face. The Tamaranean reached for Raven, but Raven pushed her away, hard; hard enough to send the golden-skinned female hurtling into the adjacent wall.

Star sat up, blood flowing from a wound in the back of her head, which blended perfectly with the crimson strands of her hair. "I do not know who you are, but you are certainly not Metrion!"

"I told you never to call me that!!" Raven shouted.

"My Metrion would never behave in this manner! She is a grim but kind and caring individual! And you are not she! You are nothing but an vlarsicurkattaka!" Star spat.

"Oh, I am, am I? You'll regret calling me that, Koriand'r." Raven then knelt down by Starfire and produced a knife with a long serrated blade from her cloak.

Star had seen Raven holding knives before, and had actually been on the receiving end of them more than once. She remembered the bloodplay clearly. Star could remember the feel of the cold steel as Raven dragged a knife across her bare skin when the two were in bed together. Looking into the eyes of the demon, she could tell that Raven (if it WAS Raven) wasn't joking about her threat.

"I'll make this quick, who knows, might even be painless." Raven said, sending chills of fear down Kory's spine.

"Raven, you do not wish to do this! Please, do not do this! Please!" Starfire begged.

"Oh no Koriand'r, I really do. I really, really do." Raven then put the blade against Star's throat. "Stop struggling. You cant escape." she said as the Tamaranean made a futile attempt at escape, trying to fire starbolts from her eyes. Then in one quick stroke, Metrion cut the alien's throat. She watched her victim go limp, and the endless flood of crimson which gushed forth. The demon then began to lap up as much of the blood as possible. "Remember this?" Raven asked the lifeless form of Starfire, not expecting an answer. "I do."

Metrion then began to cut up the body, cramming chunks of raw muscle and flesh into her fanged mouth. When Raven left the Tower, nothing but a skeleton remained.



"Starfire's dead?" Slade asked, noticing Raven's blood covered clothing.

"Yeah, she's dead, and was very delicious too." Raven answered.

"Very good, Raven. Very very good." Slade purred.

End of Raven's Trance

"NOOOOOOOOO!!!! KORIAND'R!!!! I'M SORRY KORY!! I'M SORRY!!!!" Raven screamed at the top of her lungs, shoving Kalista away from her.

"Shhhh. Raven, it's okay. Raven." Kalista said gently, trying to comfort her empathic friend. She could feel the emotions of fear, revulsion, and remorse coming off Raven in waves. Kalista also could feel Raven's nausea which threatened to overtake the shorter of the two girls, or was it her own? She watched, not being able to stop Raven, as Raven leaned over the side and vomited up blood.

"Easy Raven. Let it all out. That's a good girl." Xyannis, who had rushed out of her office at Raven's first scream, said while gently massaging Raven's back to alleviate the discomfort.

As Raven saw the red liquid streaming from her mouth her fear grew in intensity, making objects shatter. "That's Koriand'r's blood!! I killed Koriand'r!! I killed her!!"

"Raven, Koriand'r's fine. She's with the Warlords, talking about something." Kalista said gently.

"No, Kalista, you're wrong!" Raven managed to say between retches. "I-I killed her! You saw it, I killed Starfire!!"

"There now, Raven. Why don't you try to sleep while I go and fetch Starfire." Xyannis suggested after Raven had wiped the last trickles of bloody vomit from her mouth. The doctor then left to find the Tamaranean princess.

"Can't do that! I might kill Kory all over again."

"No you won't. You love Koriand'r more than life itself. You would give your own life before you would take hers." These words were spoken by the black-haired Euphoran, as she put an arm around Raven's shoulders. "Believe me, Raven, I know. I can sense it."

"You're right, but what if you're wrong? What if I were to take her life? What if I-"

"You would never do that Raven. You love Koriand'r too much to do something like that to her."

"Yes Kalista, but what if I lost control of my demon side and attacked her, what then?" the sorceress' eyes had closed for a moment, and in that instant the flood of pictures came rushing back to the forefront of her mind, as though they were stuck behind her eyelids. Raven had now begun to hyperventilate, her breathing coming in quick gasps.

"Raven, you need to slow your breathing." Kalista said. "Metrion, are you listening to me?"

"What did you call me?" Raven asked, anger and shock mixing with the fear.

"I called you Metrion. That is your real name, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is my real name. But I would prefer you not use it." Raven requested.

"But it's a really pretty name." Kalista said.

"Yeah, so, what's your point?"

"It's just so pretty. Why don't you want to be called Metrion?"

"Because Kalista, I changed my name from Metrion to Raven when I was two. I did so to escape my father, Trigon. He tried to use that...All the anger and hate, constantly pressuring me, taunting me to make my powers stronger. Somehow, I escaped his care and was raised by priests on Azarath, who were able to help me control my emotions. That is what powers me; that makes it necessary for me to keep myself in check at all times."

"Oh. That makes sense. Raven, may I ask you a personal question?"

"You've already done that, but sure."

"You don't let Starfire call you Metrion, or do you?"

"I do, but she normally calls me Raven."

"And what about other people, your friends?"

"So far only Koriand'r is allowed to call me by my real name. I don't want people to know who I really am. I don't want them to know who I am on the inside."

"And who is that? What are you like on the inside?"

"I worry about things. I'm afraid that I won't be able to keep either my demon blood or my emotions under control if I let anyone know who I really am."

"It's understandable that you're frightened of exposing your true self to others, but what about Koriand'r?"

"What about her?"

"How do you feel around her?"

"I feel safe. Kory's the only person who I can actually be myself around."

"You're afraid of what people will think of you if you show your true self. Apparently you have a reputation of being the resident ice queen of Titans Tower to maintain."

Raven nodded. "Uh huh, you're definitely right about that."

"You have difficulty with trusting people, don't you, Raven?"

"Yes."

"Do you trust me?"

"Not yet."

"Why not?"

"Because you don't deserve it. Trust is something you have to earn."

"How do I earn it? I really would like to be your friend, Metrion."

For some reason, Kalista's usage of Raven's real name didn't upset her anymore. "Wait. Wait and see."

And that is exactly what the empathic Euphoran did. She waited in silence, keeping her eyes fixed on Metrion's stern pale countenance; fearing that if Raven were to go into another trance she would never come out of it.

The door opened and Koriand'r rushed to Raven's side. "Raven, Xyannis said that you were sick. You are okay now, yes?"

Raven stared at the Tamaranean, and for an instant she saw the beautiful form of her wife replaced with a skeleton. "Yeah, Star, I'm fine. Go and finish whatever business you have with the Warlords."

"There is no need for me to leave, Metrion. The business I had with the Warlords is complete."

"Fine, then I'll leave." Raven then teleported out of the ward, leaving her love behind. She teleported directly into the coldest and darkest cavern of the university. She went and sat down, leaning her back against the cold stone of the wall and her eyes closed. 'Now I can finally be alone; no one will find me here.'



"Raven, what are you doing down here?" a man's voice asked.

Raven's violet eyes opened, and stared into the blue-skinned face of Lorn, an Okaaran male who had managed to achieve his goal, which was to make dark and brooding Raven a little less so. Or at least he thought he had. He had a warm kind face and short blonde hair, and stood about four feet tall.

"What's with the face?" Metrion asked, noticing that Lorn's normally ever-present smile was missing.

"I was worried about you, Raven." he replied. "I went to see you in the medical ward, Kory and Kalista said you were upset and puffed out on them. We've been looking everywhere for you. You worried everyone, especially Star." 'And Kalista.' "So, why'd you get so upset?"

"I don't wanna talk about it." Raven said.

"C'mon Raven, you can tell me anything. You always did before." Lorn reminded her.

"Yeah, well that's because you were too persistent. You wouldn't shut up and leave me alone until I told you."

"It cant be that bad."

"Oh, it's bad. Really, really bad. I killed Koriand'r."

"What'cha talking about, Ray? Kory's fine, I saw her about an hour ago."

"No, I don't mean literally. I was meditating, and in my trance I killed her."

"Is that like the time where you thought Slade was alive?"

"Yeah, kindda, I guess."

"Wanna tell me what you saw? Might make you feel better."

Metrion considered the man's offer. She could either tell Lorn and get rid of the picture of Kory's mutilated form, or, she could keep her problem to herself, and let the visions eat at her; working on her mind until she lost her sanity. She decided on the former.

"I'm sorry." Lorn said, after Raven had finished.

"You have nothing to apologize for." Raven replied. "But thanks anyway."

"Feel better?" the Okaaran asked.

Metrion thought for a second before answering, "Yeah, I do. Thanks for your help, Lorn."

"You're welcome, Raven. Now come on, you shouldn't be here. It's freezing."

"I'm fine, Lorn," Raven lied. "The cold doesn't bother me." she shivered.

"Come on, Ray, let's get you warmed up, okay?" Lorn held out a hand to the sorceress.

Raven stared at it, before grasping it in hers, and being gently helped to her feet. Somewhere, high above the planet of Okaara, the sun set, and as it did so Raven collapsed to the stone floor of the cavern screaming in pain. "It's never hurt this bad before! Please Lorn, make the pain go away! I don't care what you do, just make it stop! Please!"

Lorn knelt down beside Raven, and gently turned her so her head was lying in his lap. "Raven, I don't think there's anything I can do, but I'll stay here, I promise." 'X'hal! Where's Kalista when you need her? She could take Ray's pain away, but I can't.'

"Thank Azar, it's over." Raven said relieved, after about an hour of screaming. She stood and immediately collapsed again.

"Easy, Raven. Now, what was it that Kory'd do after you transformed?"

"Tamaranean acupressure." Raven answered.

"Oh, yeah, that was it. Well, I can't do that, but I could give you a massage. Want me to?"

"Normally I'd say no, but sure, will you?"

"I'd be happy to." Lorn set to work. As he began to massage his friend's shoulder blades, back, and sides he became concerned. 'My, Raven is so tense! She's like a taught spring that needs release; her muscles are all bunched up! I knew that transforming changes her body, but I didn't know her muscles would be so tight. This might take a while.'

'Oh, I wish Kory'd do this.' Raven thought longingly, basking in the sensations which the Okaaran's hands provided.

'Have you asked her to, Metrion?' her conscience piped up.

'No, I haven't. What's it to you?' She didn't receive an answer.



"Raven, here you are! I have been looking everywhere for you." Starfire scolded gently.

"Sorry, Starfire. I just needed some alone time." Raven said sleepily. The massage which she had received had done wonders for her body. The pain was completely gone, and now all she wanted was to fall asleep in Starfire's arms.

"Here, Koriand'r, Ray should be asleep soon." Lorn said, handing the nearly asleep Raven to Starfire.

"Thank you, Lorn." Starfire then left the cavern.

'I wanted to soothe her body and mind, but I only managed the former.' Lorn thought.

"Lorn, I don't think anyone can soothe Metrion's mind; not even Koriand'r." The black-haired Euphoran said sadly, from beside Lorn.

"I know, Kalista, but I wish I could." the Okaaran replied.

"So do I. She is in such emotional pain; there is nothing that I would like more than to soothe her mind." 'Wait, hold on a minute! Maybe I can!' The two friends left the cavern, following the path which Koriand'r had taken; out of the cold darkness and back into civilization. Converting /tmp/phpV1ipp4 to /dev/stdout