Teen Titans Fan Fiction ❯ The Pheonix Chronicles ❯ The Pheonix Awakens ( Chapter 8 )

O.k. So here it is, Chapter 8! *YAY!*

Hope you all enjoy it!

Standard Disclaimers Apply: I don't own the Teen Titans, Justice League Unlimited or anything else I may have inadvertantly thrown in here. Just Phaelyn, Amalthia, Pangaia, other stuff I made up- you know- the OC's. If you want to use just let me know! :) Thanx!

 

BTW- To Kinsha and Malchior 2- Thanx so much for the reviews! (Big Huggles!)

And this chapter is Dedicated to: Ron the TT Fan Your review was wonderful! Thank you so much! (And just so you know, the cliffy beast is a female Cliff Hyren named 'Betsheba', or 'Beth' for short. ;) )

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The Pheonix Chronicals - Chapter 8 : The Pheonix Awakens

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"No, he's not."

 

If Batman was at all phased by the blue-black aura surrounding Raven's hands or the menacing look she was giving him from similarly glowing eyes, he didn't show it. On the contrary, he merely stared hard at her for a moment before addressing her.

 

"I don't think you fully comprehend the gravity of the situation at hand, Raven. This being is a complete 'un-known'. We have no idea who he is, where he's from or what his objectives are here. And quite frankly, I don't think you kids are up to the challenge. No slight intended."

 

"Hey!" yelled Cyborg, rather indignantly. "You're not in charge around here. You can't come in here telling us what we can and can't do!"

 

"That's right," agreed Beast Boy. "It's that kind of attitude that made Robin leave you in the first place, Dude!"

 

Batman didn't even dignify either of their outbursts with a response. He just looked at Raven steadily. But before he could open his mouth, she started to speak.

 

"One, You greatly underestimate us. Two, This 'un-known' as you call him, has a name. It's Phaelyn. And Three, You are the only one in the dark around here, so why don't you leave these things up to the ones that do know what's going on?"

 

Batman's eyes narrowed.

 

"Underestimated or not, the Titans don't have anywhere near the resources the Justice League does. We are more able and better prepared to handle a situation such as this. And whether you like it or not, we've deemed him a possible threat. So why don't don't you be reasonable and hand him over to someone older and more experienced in these things?"

 

The corner of Raven's mouth twitched slightly at his last comment.

 

"I am far older and more experienced than you could possibly imagine, Batman. And Phaelyn was intrusted to me specifically. So if you think you can take him, you'll have to get through me."

 

Batman quirked an eyebrow, watching her steadily.

 

"You're sure you want it this way?"

 

Raven nodded.

 

"We can take perfectly good care of him ourselves. You were not wanted or needed. If such a time comes, we'll call you."

 

Batman stood there a moment more, then shrugged lightly, heading for the doorway, and incidentily, Raven.

 

"Fine. If that's the way you want it, then so be it."

 

That got Robin's attention. 'It's not like him to give up so easily. What's he up to?'

 

By then Raven was moving over slightly to allow him passage out of the room. At the last moment Robin caught the slightest bit of movement from Batman as he reached for a compartment on his utility belt.

 

'I knew it!' "Raven! Watch out!"

 

But before he could even get the whole thing out, Robin knew his warning was too late. Batman had pulled out a small capsule and throw it at Raven. The air around her turned a pale yellow as she was engulfed in Batman's trademark Knock-Out Gas. Robin's eyes narrowed at the man who had been his mentor. Then they widened in shock as the gas turned an electric blue-black and vanished, the view being replaced with a very pissed off looking Raven! The bluish-black aura was now completely surrounding her.

 

"I warned you once. Now I'm telling you. Stay away from Phaelyn!"

 

With that, Batman found himself trapped in a see through, bluish bubble. He slipped, landing on his ass, as the thing rose up into the air a few feet. When he was able to right himself, he tested the strength of his mini prison by punching it. The side merely stretched with his fist and snapped back into place.

 

"Man! I hate it when John does this!" he growled. (1)

 

"Now...Go back to the Justice League and tell them this: Stay away until they learn some manners! I'm in NO MOOD to be dealing with head-strong little up-starts such as yourself! NOW GO!"

 

And with that, Batman and his bubble disappeared with a barely audiable 'POP'.

 

The sound of crickets chirping would've been too loud as everyone just stared at the still glowing Raven. Slowly she calmed herself down, in the process, floating back down to stand on the floor again and the glow wanning away into nothingness. No one else had seemed to notice, but the other Titans had come up the hallway just in time to witness the whole scene between Raven and Batman.

 

Speedy was the first to break the silence.

 

"Um, what just happened here?"

 

"Dude! Raven just totally kicked Batman's butt!" Beast Boy exclaimed, a manic smile speading over his face.

 

"Naw, man. She just swatted him like a gnat!" said Bumble Bee.

 

"But the question is, 'Why'? And, maybe more importantly, 'Where' was he swatted to?" said Aqualad.

 

Raven, who by this point had walked into the room to stand beside Phaelyn, turned to look at everyone.

 

"I will not allow anyone to take Phaelyn away from here. It is my duty to protect him and I shall. And if that means that the JL has a problem with me right now, then so be it. Maybe next time they'll send someone more diplomatic. And as for 'where' I sent him, don't worry. I sent him back to JLHQ. He's fine."

 

"You mean the HQ? As in, the one in space?" asked Cy, rather incredulously.

 

"Yes, Cy. The one in space. You didn't think I'd leave him down here when I wanted him to deliver a message, now did you?" Raven reached out to push back a lock of Phaelyn's bangs gingerly, looking back down at him. "No one's going to hurt you now. I'm here, Phae."

 

Robin's eyebrow just arched in curiosity as Raven seemed to forget for the moment that there was even anyone else in the room. And for the first time, he noticed what it was that was different about her appearence...the jewel on her forehead was blue.

 

~*~*~*~*~

 

'Phaelyn.........Phaelyn, wake up. Phaelyn.........Come on, Phaelyn. Wake up for me.'

 

Phaelyn slowly felt himself regaining consciousness. It felt like dragging his mind through quicksand. Slowly, and with great effort, he opened his eyes.

 

"Mother!"

 

Amalthia smiled down at him as she stroked his hair, his head cradled on her lap. He shifted, turning so that he could wrap his arms around her.

 

"Mother, I'm so glad you're safe! I thought you were dead!"

 

He buried his face in her stomach.

 

"It must've been a dream! Nay, a nightmare! I'm just glad it wasn't real!"

 

Amalthia stroked his hair, smiling down on him sadly.

 

'My dear Phaelyn.'

 

Her voice sounded so airy and light, more so than normal. He looked up at her...and just barely caught the waver in her image. His eyes grew large as the implication hit him.

 

"No! It can't be! It wasn't real! You can't be..."

 

Amalthia cupped his face in her hands and smiled gently.

 

'Oh, but it is. It was all real and I am quite dead.'

 

Phaelyn shook his head slowly even as he felt his eyes start to burn with unshed tears as she said the thing he couldn't bring himself to.

 

'It's alright, Phaelyn. You're safe. That's all that matters now.'

 

"How can you say that? Our world is gone! I saw Father die, felt him die. And now you tell me you're dead too! How can that be alright?!"

 

'Your father died protecting us and gave you his last remaining strength so that you could defeat the demons when you were stronger, one day. And I died getting you to safety, among allies. You are among friends, you are safe, and My sacrifice was not in vain. How can tell me that all is not right?'

 

Phaelyn shook his head.

 

"Even in death you are confusing. Your voice is soothing even as your words rip my heart apart."

 

Amalthia grimaced at the pain flooding her dear boy's voice. He buried his face in her stomach again.

 

"How am I to go on without you? How am I supposed to live when all of you are gone?"

 

His muffled voice wafted up to her ears and she smiled anew.

 

'You still don't understand, do you, Phaelyn?'

 

He looked up at her through bleary eyes with confusion.

 

'I will always be with you. You are my son and part of me will be with you wherever you go. You will never be without me.'

 

She stroked his hair and gently wiped away a stray tear escapee. He pulled back slightly and wiped at his eyes. She shook her head.

 

'Ever my little warrior. You will go on. As all life does. And you will become stronger for it. For in you lies the power to make your dreams come true.'

 

Phaelyn faced her again, this time better resembling the young soldier she had seen last on Pangaia.

 

"I will avenge you, Mother. I swear it. You and all of our world. There will be no demon safe from my wrath!"

 

'NO!'

 

Phaelyn looked startled by her outburst.

 

"No?"

 

Amalthia shook her head, a serious look on her face.

 

'No. Things are not always what they appear and you will have to learn to see past your prejudices in order to find the truth!'

 

Amalthia framed her son's face with her hands.

 

'Phaelyn, you are a god, a giant among men and a product of of your environment. Your abilities are governed and colored by your experiences and views. Such is the way of gods. You are destined for greatness, my son. And greatness does not come easy or cheap. Don't forget that!'

 

"But, Mother! It is my duty to avenge you! It is a matter of honor and I know that Father would.."

 

'Your Father would want you to live on, as do I. But if that means that you live only to become a twisted and embittered reflection of yourself, then my soul will Never rest!'

 

"No, Mother! Please! I could never do that to you! Please, tell me what you want! I'll do anything for you! Anything!"

 

Amalthia's features softened again as she took in the worried look on his face.

 

'Make me a promise, Phaelyn.'

 

"Anything, Mother!"

 

'Promise me that you will learn to look beyond the veil of hate that clouds your heart and see the truth that lies within it.'

 

Phaelyn nodded.

 

"I promise, Mother. I promise."

 

Amalthia nodded and her image fluttered again, a sure sign that her time here was quickly coming to an end.

 

'Grant me one more thing before I must leave, my son.'

 

He nodded, looking at her intently.

 

'Don't let your heart die under all the weight your shoulders bear. Let people in and learn to live again.'

 

Phaelyn's eyes started to tear up again.

 

"I don't know if I can, but I will try for you, Mother. I'll never forget you, Mother. Never."

 

Amalthia folded him into her arms, relishing the feeling of his warmth one last time, her own eyes starting to water.

 

'You can. I know it. I have faith in you. And I will always love you, Phaelyn. Always. No matter where you go or how far away I seem, my love will never be far away.'

 

Phaelyn hugged her tighter.

 

"I love you too, Mother. Mother... Mother?"

 

The feeling of her calming presence was slipping away along with his conciousness. The feeling of loss was soon replaced with a sence of vertigo as his senses all came flooding back in a rush and he found himself being held in a calming embrace as a soft voice whispered to him in a strange language. After a moment though, the voice seemed to focus and his mind wrapped around the words, finally making some sense of them.

 

"It's o.k., Phae. It's alright. I won't let anything happen to you. You're safe."

 

'That voice! It can't be...Mother! No, it's different somehow.'

 

He pulled back to look at the person holding him, just to realize the face and voice that reminded him so much of his beloved mother, belonged to none other than the Demoness! His face contorted in rage and then shock as his mind screamed that she was a demon...and his heart cried that she was a friend.

 

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O.k., so it took me long enough....again! (Damn that work thing!)

 

(1) John is the name of the African-American Green Lantern in the JLU. (Justice League Unlimited)

 

Well, anyway, Please! Tell me what you think!

 

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