Teen Titans: Shadowpact pt.2

“Why me?” Raven asked, still sounding a bit choked after everything was exposed to her.

“Because,” Dr. Fate began “it was what Madam Xanadu saw in the cards?”

In response Xanadu walked up to raven, her deck of special tarot cards in hand, before holding up the one that depicted as the Raven. A black shadowy bird was in the picture with its wings spread out, a smaller figure like a girl in the middle of it.

“I have foreseen it all, Raven.” She said, making her look up to Xanadu’s eyes. “You are not the first to have been sought out like this, nor will you be the last. But my visions have seen the Sentinels, yourself included, standing up against the coming evil and defeating it. But it cannot happen without you, that is why you are here.”

Raven took the card from her after Xanadu offered it. After looking it over, thinking on what Xanadu told her, Raven looked around and asked “What great magical evil are we talking about exactly?”

“Blackbriar Thorn.” Blue Devil answered.

“Who?”

Fate indicated for her to follow him as he walked to the table in the room, the others following as well. Fate raised his hand towards the crystal ball in the center and said a magical phrase. The words seemed to activate the ball as it began to glow with energy before light shined from above it and began to show visions and images.

Fate explained everything, starting with “Centuries ago, Blackbriar Thorn was a powerful leader of a druid cult. Gaining magical knowledge and skills through the black arts, Thorn amassed his great power through the use of the Mortis Orb. It is a powerful artifact that is able to bring life to anything, even the dead. Fearing that his powers would be to great, a band of monks and priests were able to use Thorn’s magic against him, sealing him within a great tree. The Mortis Orb and Thorn’s own staff were split apart and taken far away from each other. If he gains both again he will rise to his original power.”

And all of it was shown before Raven and the others in the images before them. Thorn using the orb to rise an army of undead men, using the druid arts to create large plant monstrosities to kill, the monks using their own power to fight back. It was almost like being there when it happened and yet not.

“So all we need to do is keep him from getting them, right?” Raven asked.

“Well that’s where we got the problem.” Deadman said. “See he’s already got his staff.”

“How? I thought he was still trapped.”

“Thorn may be trapped,” Xanadu began “but he now works through two pawns. Both dead men who’ve lived on in one sense or another. Gentleman Ghost and Solomon Grundy.” As she finished saying their names both appeared in the images in front of Raven. “Thorn’s knowledge of necromancy and the afterlife likely lead him to them before allowing some leverage to gain their loyalty.”

“But why wait until tonight?” Raven asked.

“’Cause it’s the night of Samhain, obviously.” Blue Devil said, getting a confused look from Raven. “You don’t know your history that much, do you, kid?”

“I....haven’t exactly been to school lately.” She blushed a bit.

“Samhain was the original name for the celebration that became what is now known as Halloween.” Fate explained. “The ritual was started long ago by the druids themselves. But in those days there was no giving of candy or the like. Back then it involved sacrifices to the old gods to keep the seasons and harvests in check. Some, however, thought it could be used as a means of gaining ancient magical energies from the world.”

“People like Thorn and his cult I’m guessing.” Raven said.

A nod came from Black Orchid before Deadman said “So basically we’re guessing he plans to get himself out of the big ole’ evil wishing tree. Then try and make some kind of sacrifice or something to make himself even stronger. And he’s only got so much time before he can do that since Halloween’s over in a few hours.”

“Thorn will need to make his move by midnight tonight if he hopes to gain the powers of Samhain.” Xanadu explained. “That is where we come in. All of us.”

She looked to Raven, as did the others, making her think for a moment before saying “So basically we’re off to fight a ghost and a zombie from resurrecting an evil wizard all on Halloween night?” After saying all of it she smirked and said “Where do we start?”

Deadman laughed and said “I’m liking this kid already.”

A confident smile from some of the others before Fate said “There’s an old tomb in Rome, that is where the Orb will be hidden.”

“Bette buckle up, kid.” Deadman said. “Fate’s road trips tend to get a little intense. Mainly ‘cause there’s no road, just a lot of flashy lights and a aftereffect that makes you feel like your insides are marshmallow.”

Raven smirked as she and some of the others walked off to prepare, meanwhile Blue Devil stayed behind with Dr. Fate and asked “You sure we can trust that girl?”

“You are too quick to judge,  Devil.” He said. “Raven had abandoned her heritage and fights to protect the earth.”

Blue Devil gave a small grumble and said “That still doesn’t mean I trust her.”

“Was your introduction into the team any different when you first joined?” Fate asked before walking off.

For a moment Blue Devil stood in silence, contemplating on what Fate had said. With a final huff he walked off to join the others and reach the Roman tomb where the Mortis Orb waited.

********************

In the middle of a large cemetery in Rome, most all of the remaining tombstones and markers worn out with age, stood a large tomb that was broken into.

Deep inside were both Grundy and Gentleman Ghost. They’d reached the crypt where, after opening the stone casket hidden inside, retrieved the Mortis Orb. It was small, about the size of a softball, but was a deep dark black color with small swirls of yellow energy inside.

Looking back to the rotted remains of the man inside the crypt, a monk by the looks of his robes, Ghost said “Thank you for your cooperation, my good man. No need to show us the way out.” Ghost and Grundy walked out of the tomb, he looking up at the clear moon in the sky and saying “Such a beautiful night for a reawakening.”

“A pity it will never happen!” a voice echoed around them.

In front of them a glowing symbol of the Egyptian ankh appeared, all of the Sentinels of Magic, and Raven, appearing from it.    

“Ah. It always figures.” Ghost said, seeing them. “Whenever you plan a party there is someone who will want to crash it.”

“Put the Orb back where it was, Ghost.” Blue Devil threatened. “Before we put you, and Grundy, back in the holes you were buried in.”

“Ever the brutish member of the team, aren’t you, Devil? But what’s this?” Ghost asked, looking towards Raven. “A new member? I wasn’t aware the Sentinels of Magic were allowing children into the ranks. Or are you just babysitting?”

“Babysit this!” Raven said before firing a bolt of magic at him.

Ghost held his staff up, creating a barrier to deflect Raven’s magic off, after which he dropped it and said “Grundy! Make yourself useful and get them!”

Grundy growled before charging forward, saying “Grundy smash magic men!”

Everyone leapt out of the way before Grundy’s fists could hit, he smashing a nearby grave marker in the process. The Sentinels split, each taking one of the two opponents.

Xanadu recited magic words before creating a circle of fire around Gentleman Ghost. Holding his staff up Ghost fired at her, she creating a shield in front of her to block. Taking advantage Ghost pointed his staff at her feet, firing and sending her back. Deadman tried sneaking up from behind, waiting for the right moment when Ghost’s back was turned, before flying towards him. Ghost turned in time and fired, his staff hitting Deadman back.

“Don’t think I couldn’t see you coming, fool.” He said. “A dead man’s eyes can see another dead man just fine.”

Fate suddenly flew in and fired magic at him, making Ghost put up a barrier only for it to break after being pressured by Fate’s attack. He fell back, getting up in time to see Fate help Xanadu back to her feet, before firing his staff at both of them. A giant raven shadow appeared in front of them and absorbed the attack, Raven stepping through and showing she was ready for a fight.

Meanwhile Grundy fought with Black Orchid, she using her super strength abilities and punching Grundy right in the chest. He roared, showing it would take more than that to stop him, making her try to kick him. He grabbed her leg before she could hit and swung her around before tossing her into the air. Instead of falling Black Orchid stopped mid-air, revealing her ability to fly. While his back was turned Blue Devil fired his trident at Grundy, hitting him. He turned in time as Devil rushed forward and swung his staff. Grundy grabbed it and the two struggled.

“Grundy will kill blue man!” he yelled. “Blue man not as strong as Grundy!”

“You’re right. Blue man way stronger!” he laughed before swinging Grundy off his trident.

Grundy skidded into another marker before seeing Blue Devil ready to fire his trident again. Pulling a nearby tombstone out from the ground Grundy tossed it, hitting Devil and making him drop his trident. Grundy turned just to receiving a fly punch from Black Orchid, he grabbing both her hands afterwards as the two began to power struggle.
Gentleman Ghost fell back against a tombstone, looking up to see Raven standing with Xanadu and Fate with her.

“Had enough?” Raven asked.

“I think, in situations like these,” Ghost began “it’s best to call for more men to take the field!”

He pulled the Mortis Orb from his jacket pocket and began to recite magic words. The Orb glowed brighter and brighter despite the black coloring. Just as Ghost finished a wave of magical energy seemed to sweep around the area. Suddenly the ground shook and everyone looked down, one form a boney hand to spring up and grab Raven’s ankle. Before she and anyone else knew it, a horde of undead men rose from the graves, all reaching up for them or standing up before walking towards them.

“Not a pretty picture, is it?’ Ghost said as he stood, seeing them deal with the zombies. “Death never is!”

A few zombies had grabbed Xanadu by the dress while others grabbed Raven’s other leg and cape as well. Fate managed to fly into the air before firing magic to free both of them. He managed to destroy some zombies giving both Xanadu and Raven time to destroy the others and free themselves.

“What now?” Raven asked Fate as more zombies surrounded them.

“Take them out!” Fate declared, making both of the girl magic users start firing magic at them.

Blue Devil and Black Orchid found themselves surrounded while fighting Grundy, who smiled with delight at having more zombies at his side against the two. The zombies attacked, some being blow away by Devil’s trident while Orchid used her fighting skills against them. At one point A zombie hand reached from underground and grabbed Devil, making him trip backwards. When he fell more hands popped out, grabbing him and holding him down, especially his trident. As he struggled more zombies came forward to finish him off, only for something odd to happen to one. It twitched and shivered for a moment before, suddenly, attacking the others zombies around it.

When enough of them were down it looked back and said “I’ve got your back, Blue.” Showing it was Deadman possessing the body.

As the fighting progressed Gentleman Ghost could see the zombie horde was only keeping the Sentinels busy, not fully stopping them. Even Grundy was faltering against Blue Devil now even with the zombies aiding him.

“A gentleman never runs from battle as it sullies his honor.” He said to himself. “But there are those who say there is no honor in death.”

Raven had spotted Ghost trying to make a run for it, making her fly off and Fate, who saw, say “Raven, wait!” before being cut off by more zombies attacking.

Raven flew overhead, chasing down Ghost, before zipping down and firing her magic at him. He turned and created a shield with his staff only for Raven to concentrate her magic to use a stronger attack.

“Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos!”

Her magic reached out and levitated a number of grave markers that all flew towards Ghost, hitting him from all sides. Some broke against his shield before it broke and two managed to hit him. He fell back and, as Rave watched she could see the Mortis Orb fly out of his jacket pocket.

“I’ve got it!” she exclaimed, flying down to catch it.
 
Fate looked and, seeing what she was about to do, cried “No! Raven don’t touch it!”

Raven did not hear in time as she swopped down and caught it in her hands. The moment she touched it Raven felt a sudden surge of magic go through her. In her mind she began to see visions of things. A large tree with an alter in front of it in the middle of a forest. Something inside the tree. Vision of the past when Roman soldiers marched against a city of druid worshipers. A tree-like man sitting in the tree and opening his eyes as if looking at her. Chatting echoing everywhere. And then he spoke and Raven heard the voice of Blackbriar Thorn in her mind.

I can see the power in you, child

How......are you....?

You fear that power within you. You fear you heritage

I’m not afraid....of anything...

Then prove it. Unleash your powers! Unleash the evil within you!

N....no. No I won’t!

Then I’ll do it for you, daughter of TRIGON!

Raven could feel it, Thorn’s reach spreading through her body and forcing all the raw magic within her throughout her body. In reality everyone could see as her black energy enveloped her body, everybody stopping and looking worried.

“I think we’d better get down!” Devil said.

“She’s gonna blow!” Deadman said before flying out of the zombie’s body.

Then, all at once, the entire energy built up from Raven exploded out, decimating everything around her. Before everything became black Blue Devil saw Black Orchid hold her arms up as the energy swept towards her. Dr. Date put a barrier around himself and Xanadu before the energy forced them back. The zombies were swept away into ash while Grundy and Ghost ducked or hid like the others. All Raven could do was scream as she felt everything flow through her in one violent force.

Finally Raven fell to the ground, dropping the Mortis Orb in the process. Gentleman Ghost recovered, as did Grundy, and walked over to pick it up before the Sentinels of Magic could act.

“You see?” he said as he and Grundy loomed over her, Raven starting to black out. “Little girls shouldn’t play with magical artifacts.”

With that Raven felt her head grow too weary and passed out.

*******************

“Raven?” She hears someone say as she began to wake. “Get up, Raven.” She opened her eyes a little and began to see Dr. Fate kneeling over her. “Come on, Raven. You need to get up.”

Raven sat up, being helped by Fate, and groaned as she rubbed her head. She took a moment to look and see Madame Xanadu and Blue Devil were also with him but Deadman and Black Orchid were not around.

“What was that?” Raven asked as she pulled her hood down and rubbed her head.

“The influence of Blackbriar Thorn that still resided within the Orb.” Xanadu said.

“He used it in order to force all your magical energy deep within you.” Fate added. “You are lucky you’re unharmed.”

“Not after I’m done with her, she’s not!” Devil yelled. As Xanadu stood and tried to calm him he said “You saw what she did! She nearly got us all killed! And now Black Orchid’s gone! And Deadman!”

“What?” Raven asked, surprised.

“I saw it!” Devil said. “Orchid was caught in the blast. Likely DM too. All because you had to get in the way, kid!”

Dr. Fate tried to say something before Raven stood and, annoyed, said “I didn’t know what would happen. I was only trying to help.”

“Help? You got two of our friends blow to who knows where.”

“It’s not as if I did it on purpose.”

“Yeah? Bet you’d have tried, since you’re blood’s the same as the being that tried to take over the world!”

“Says the kettle talking to the pot!”

“You think you know me, girl? You don’t know anything about me!”

“Neither do you!”

“ENOUGH!” Fate said, pushing both of them back, needing to use magic to create a small barrier in front of Blue Devil.

When both calmed a little, still angered, Devil looked to Xanadu and said “You know you say you’re never wrong, Xanadu? Well, there’s a first time for everything.”

With that he walked off, Fate following after to try and talk sense into him. Raven crossed her arms and turned away from him, now with only Madame Xanadu with her.

“Ease yourself, Raven.” She said. “I can feel that tension in you.”

“Well he’s the one who started it.” She said, indicating Bleu Devil. “He can’t just let go of the fact I’m half-demon, can he? It’s not like I ever wanted it.”

“Then you should know, Raven, neither did he.” Xanadu said, making Raven look at her confused. “You see Blue Devil wasn’t born demon, he was once an ordinary man.”

Raven thought to herself before saying “Deadman did say something about how he hated being one. I thought he meant he didn’t like being born one.”

“More so to say he hated that he was tricked into becoming one.” She explained. “He made the wrong choices that lead to his current condition, just as all of us have made one mistake or another in the past. Even  Dr.Fate and Deadman when they did not trust Devil at first. They thought he would let his demonic side get the better of him, but in the end they were proven wrong.”

“What about you?” Raven asked. “You think you made a mistake about me?”

“Not at all.” Xanadu said. “While the visions are never fully clear, they do show me what must be seen for victory’s sake. And I did see you standing with us in victory over Thorn. But simply knowing what will come is not enough. One must act if they hope to see it fulfilled.”

“I tried. And look what happened.” She said, indicating everything around them. “Orchid and Deadman are gone. So is the Mortis Orb.”

Xanadu shrugged and said “And I suppose we have no idea where they’ve gone either.”

Raven suddenly perked up and said “Wait! We do know.” When Xanadu asked Raven explained “When I touched the Orb I saw the tree. The prison where Thorn’s kept. And I know where it is. Come on, we need to tell the others.”

As Raven rushed off to tell them, Xanadu smiled to herself, revealing she knew that would help put Raven’s mindset back in the game, before joining her.

When Raven reached where Fate and Devil where, the latter said “What do you want?”

“Look.” She began. “I know you don’t trust me. Fine. Just listen to me for this one time.” She looked at both of them and said “I know where the tree is. It’s in Scotland. That’s where Grundy and Gentleman Ghost are going with the Orb and the Staff.”

“Then we should make haste.” Fate said. “Every moment we delay comes closer to Thorn’s resurrection.”

Blue Devil looked back between Fate and Raven, both giving him looks that basically said ‘no time to be head strong about this’, even Xanadu walking over and giving the same look.
He sighed and said “Alright. Let the kid lead the way.”

Raven smirked as Fate nodded before he said “Well Raven, you know the way. Perhaps we should travel your way.”

She nodded as she pulled her hood up before saying “Buckle up.” And encase all of them in a shadow-self Raven that dissolved into the ground.