Teen Titans Fan Fiction ❯ The Pheonix Chronicles ❯ From Crumbs, To Cookies ( Chapter 9 )

Ok, So here it is, the LOOOONG awaited next chapter of Phoenix Chronicles. Hope you like it. ^_~

 

Standard Disclaimers Apply: I don't own the Teen Titans, Justice League Unlimited or anything else I may have inadvertently 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!

The Phoenix Chronicles - Chapter 9: From Crumbs, To Cookies

 

Batman blinked a couple times, trying to clear his vision, after having been dumped rather unceremoniously on his ass in the middle of the JLHQ control center. It was only after his vision cleared that he realized the colorful lumps in his vision were actually other JL members, and they looked like they were ready to beat the hell out of him!

 

“Stand down everybody,” said Superman as he walked up from somewhere off to Batman's left. The Green Lantern, Hawk Girl, Wonder Woman and the Martian Manhunter were the closest to him. Superman offered Batman a hand up, saying, “I take it things didn't go well.”

 

“That's the understatement of the week,” muttered Batman as he straightened his cowl.

 

“So what happened?” snapped Green Lantern.

 

“Well, I went down there all calm and authoritative, just like you suggested,” he scowled at the large black man, “and was rather rudely told that we should mind our own damn business.”

“And you just left?” asked Green Lantern incredulously.

 

“Just left?” Just! I was thrown off the planet! I didn't just leave by any means of the word!” growled Batman as he turned to stare at the mouthy superhero.

 

The Green Lantern took a step closer to Batman, staring hard at the masked crusader. “I can't believe that a bunch of kids threw you off the planet.”

 

Batman's eyes narrowed as he leveled his best glare at the man in front of him. “I told you things weren't on the best of terms between Robin and myself after he went to Jump City. And Raven's always been moody. In case you didn't notice, I was dropped on the floor in a heap!”

 

/Um, Guys? / came Flash's voice over the intercom.

 

“Yes, Flash? What's wrong?” asked Superman.

 

/Bat's ride just arrived. It didn't dock, it didn't fly up and ask for clearance, it just, poof!, appeared! And there isn't any sign of Bats! /

 

“He's up here with us, Flash,” said Superman.

 

/ Uh, ok. How did he get up there? /

 

“We'll fill you in later, Flash. Go prep Batman's vehicle for take-off. He's returning to the planet,” ordered Green Lantern.

 

“The Hell I am!” said Batman, glaring once again at John. “If you want to get your ass handed to you, you go!”

 

John stepped closer, closing the distance between Batman and himself till they were virtually nose to nose. “What's wrong? Scared of a bunch of kids?”

 

The look Batman gave him would've withered a lesser man. It merely looked like a challenge to the Green Lantern. Luckily, it also warned the others that a fistfight was about to ensue if they didn't step in.

 

“Alright! That's enough! Stand down you two!” said Superman, pulling Batman back by the cape as the Martian Manhunter gently but firmly pulled John out of Bruce's face.

 

Diana walked up to Batman and quietly asked, “Exactly what did happen down there?”

 

“Exactly what I said. I tried to be diplomatic at first, but firmly told them that we thought it would be best if the newcomer came back here with me where we could evaluate him. Robin didn't seem pleased. Raven just went all out evil and glowy on me. She wouldn't even listen to me. So I decided to hit her with a little dose of sleeping gas, just to incapacitate her. Unfortunately she blew it off like the newest perfume at the mall! Then she proceeded to trap me in a big bubble and play galactic hacky-sack with me! I've never seen Raven do anything like that. I'm good, but I'm not that good. Someone else gets to take the next crack at her,” finished Batman with a glare in Green Lantern's direction.

 

“I didn't think Raven was that powerful,” said the Martian Manhunter, J'Onn.

 

“Maybe it's her time of the month. You know, power-surges and all,” came Batman's smart-ass reply.

 

Diana's mouth twitched in amusement. “Is that a crack against women, Bruce?”

 

Batman looked back to Diana. “Not at all, Wonder Woman. Do you think I'd be that stupid with you standing right next to me? Having my pride wounded once a week is more than enough, thank you.” The trademark sarcasm was still present, but luckily for him it only amused her. She found it hard to be too annoyed at him.

 

“Those kids have no sense of respect for their elders! And if Raven needs an attitude adjustment I'm sure one of us can do it,” fumed John, eyes lightly blazing with a green glow. “I'll go down next. They'll see things my way.”

 

“I don't think that's-” started Superman but he was cut off by Wonder Woman, who finished the statement.

 

“-such a bad idea. Maybe they'll listen to someone like you, John.”

 

The Green Lantern arched an eyebrow but smiled satisfactorily before turning and striding out of the room.

 

Superman turned to Wonder Woman saying, “What are you thinking, Diana? You know the Titans are going to rebel against him with his attitude. Especially after the recent events with Batman.”

 

Diana nodded. “I know. That's exactly why I sent him down there. First off, if Raven's powers are spiking, due to hormones or whatever, he'll stand a better chance than most against her. And if anyone can bring back our mystery man while doing the least amount of damage, it's John.” She shrugged lightly then. “Besides, if on the off chance, they send him back empty handed, then I should have a good chance of talking with them later. Everyone knows I'm generally very diplomatic.”

 

“Then why didn't you just go down there in the first place?” asked Superman.

 

“What? And ruin the chance that someone could actually bring him down a peg or two? Not on your life!”

 

That got a wry smirk out of several of the nearest JL members. Except Shayera. The Hawk Girl's lips thinned in mild disapproval as she turned and walked away. Wonder Woman sighed. She was Shayera's friend and she didn't like hurting her feelings, but sometimes she wished the winged beauty could let loose a little. Ever since Shayera had come back to the Justice League things had been tense between John and her. It didn't help when he'd broke up with Vixen.

 

Everyone knew he still had feelings for Shayera, including her, but she'd completely shot him down in flames when he'd tried to start things back up between them. Which didn't make any sense considering Diana knew Shayera still loved the headstrong black man. Ever since that day, `headstrong' and become `downright nasty' on occasion, even more so here as of late. In hindsight, Diana supposed that that was what was happening now. He was still moody. He won't ask Vixen back out. Shayera won't take him back and he doesn't have eyes for anyone else.

 

`Gods, but this is a convoluted situation,' she thought as she let out an exasperated breath. Diana felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to look at Batman.

 

“It'll be ok. Things like this have a way of working themselves out,” he said quietly.

 

“Since when did you become so optimistic?” she asked him.

 

Batman smirked, just enough to let her catch it, as he said, “Only for you, Diana,” before he too turned to walk away.

 

~*~

 

Phaelyn felt as though he was being pulled in two. How could you both hate and feel drawn to the same person? How could you loathe their touch when it was so soothing?

“I must be losing my mind,” he muttered as he leaned into the Demoness's shoulder, giving into the gentle touch for a moment.

 

“Shh, Phae. It's ok. You're safe,” her voice whispered in his ear.

 

Her words both comforted and confused him. He was alright but how could he be safe wrapped in the arms of a demon? Suddenly her embrace was too much for him and he pushed against her, forcing her to relinquish her hold on him.

 

He looked at the demoness. She looked to be about his age, eighteen or so, except in her eyes. There, in those deep blue pools, she seemed to be very, very old. She was pale, almost the color of moonlight, and her hair was so black it could have been shadow if not for the faint blue sheen. But it was the jewel on her forehead that truly took his breath away. The diamond shaped diadem sparkled with an inner light that made it's deep blue iridescent. It was almost an exact replica of the one that had graced his mother's forehead.

 

“Who are you?” he asked her, looking rather confused and at a loss.

 

She looked at him steadily, holding his gaze with her own.

 

“My name is Raven. I am a friend.”

 

He looked at her intently, trying to decide if he believed her or not. Oddly enough he couldn't sense any falsehood coming from her. The truth was one of his purviews. He frowned lightly and looked around the room, for the first time noticing that they weren't alone in here. On the contrary, there seemed to be a hoard of visitors here to see him. Then he realized that they weren't only staring at him, but her as well. `Things just keep getting more curious,' he thought.

 

“And just where am I?” he asked the group at large. A young man in yellow and red answered him.

 

“You're in Teen Tower, just outside Jump City. My name's Robin. I lead the Teen Titans. As such, I have to ask you, What are doing here?”

 

Phaelyn thought a moment before answering. “That's a good question. I'm not sure I know the answer. This is where I was sent when my world was destroyed. `Why', I'm not so sure.”

 

Raven looked at Robin and the others. “He's here to recuperate and grow into his newest abilities,” she said.

 

“And just how do you know him, Raven? I've been rather calm as you've ignored me so far, now I think I deserve a few answers.” He stood there, waiting patiently, with a dead serious look on his face.

 

Raven's first reaction was that she didn't owe him anything, but she knew that was more Amalthia's personality than her own. Robin had been there for her more than anyone else had. He knew more of her skeletons than anyone else in this room. The least she owed him was an explanation. She nodded lightly.

 

“I haven't felt right all weekend. I told you that. When I was meditating earlier, a vision came to me. A shadow by the name of Amalthia told me that her world was being destroyed and that a visitor would soon be here. She said I had to protect and help him. Then she gave me what was left of her power as her world finally died. That's when I realized why I had felt so odd and uneasy. I was feeling the battle waged on Phaelyn's world.

My first thought was to let you know, Robin. That's why I came out to find you. You were busy and I thought we had time before all hell broke loose. I didn't think Phae would be here so soon. And after Phae arrived, everything's happened so quickly. I just didn't have the time, or quite frankly the answers, to give you.”

 

“And what was with going to Nevermore and trapping Batman in a bubble and how do you know all this?”

 

“I had to go to Nevermore. I have to sometimes, just to find my center again. When Amalthia gave me her power it…changed… me. I'm still not sure how much it changed me, but it did a lot of rearranging to my psyche. I found out most of my information on Phaelyn and Pangaia in Nevermore. And when I felt something was wrong, I came out and found Batman threatening my charge. I meant what I said about being charged with Phaelyn's safety. And not even the damned imperious Justice League is going to tell me how to do my job!” Her eyes flared along with her temper again, but only for a moment, before she reigned it in again.

 

“Easy there, Rae,” said Cyborg. “We're just curious.”

 

She took a calming breath before answering him.

 

“I know. It's just an odd mixture of power and nitro running through my veins right now. I'm trying to keep a tight reign on it, but it's not quite that easy. My emotions just seem to be running away with me today.”

 

Everyone in the room seemed to take a collective breath of apprehension upon hearing that. Phaelyn wasn't quite sure why though.

 

“I don't get it. Why are all of you acting like she just said she was going to kill you?” he asked.

 

The odd green boy looked at him and said, “Dude, Raven giving into her emotions isn't such a great idea. She told us it was dangerous.”

 

“Dangerous? To feel?”

 

“Yeah, well, when Rae gives into her emotions, things tend to blow up!” exclaimed the green one.

 

“It's a long story, Phae,” said Raven, looking at him again.

 

“We seem to have time. Besides, I fear I'm at a distinct disadvantage here. You seem to know quite a bit about me, but I seem to know nothing about you. Or your colleagues for that matter,” he said, looking back at her, trying to read her expression. She looked apprehensive.

 

Just then the proximity alarm sounded.

 

“Shit!” said Cyborg. He went to a screened panel on the wall and tapped a few buttons. A screen came up showing the view of a clear blue sky. The only thing marring the pristine beauty was a glowing green ball that appeared to be heading straight for them.

 

“Don't they ever take the hint when they're not wanted?” muttered Robin.

 

“Apparently not,” growled Raven.

 

Phaelyn's gaze turned back to Raven, who was now cloaked in a black aura. Her expression spoke volumes as to her current opinion of their erstwhile guest. Her body fairly radiated seething fury. It seemed that the others had noticed her current mood as well as he heard the partially metal teen say, “Oh, man. We're screwed!”

 

The green one put a hand to his forehead and shook his head almost despairingly. “The fit is about to hit the shan. Everyone who believes, start praying, cause the world's about to die!”