I've made you all wait long enough. Here are the further adventures of Kori in Nevermore!

Disclaimer: We all know I don't own these guys and gals. It's depressing but true.

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ON WITH THE STORY

Entering Nevermore II
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Alone once again, but knowing she would never truly be so while in this place, Kori took a moment to gather her thoughts on what she has learned and her ultimate goal.

Standing before the monolithic arch bisecting her path, Kori absently stared through to the other side. Idly, the warrior noticed there was no end in sight to the winding path beyond the arch. In fact, she counted at least another three gateways before even her sharp eye-sight failed to make out any more details.

"Oh Raven, what a journey you set before me," Kori whispered half to herself and half to her friend. Reaching out her hand, Koriand'r allowed her fingertips to test the threshold, hesitating as if she expected to meet the smooth surface of glass.

A delicate kaleidoscope of colors washed over the air around her knuckles in a thin layer, vying for dominance amongst each other. This went on while Kori watched, mesmerized by the interplay of hues, until a triumphant evergreen pulsed steadily around her whole hand.

Feeling a rapid series of nipping tugs on her fingers, Kori let loose an amused smile. "You are obviously not a patient one." By now the whole maw of the arch shimmered with a strong green wash of light. Removing her hand from the glow which stubbornly tried to cling to her skin, Kori took one last fortifying breath, instinctively knowing her period of rest was finished until she safely returned to the physical plane. Bright lime peel green light shone in Kori's eyes when she reopened them.

"I am ready," she addressed the writhing silk screen of dark green color in front of her. "Here I come."

And she confidently stepped through the archway.

Intuitively Koriand'r knew that within the realm of the mind nothing is as it seems and appearances are deceiving. This is why dreams, even prophetic ones, as Lilith and Raven can attest, are heavily riddled with metaphors, allusions, and out-right nonsense that carry no meaning in the waking world until it suddenly makes sense.

So when Kori entered the green one's area she almost expected the world around her to change in an obvious fashion. But the sky was still the sinister dark canvas with thousands of red gleaming stars staring at the boulder pathway floating unsupported in the space between top and bottom.

There was one difference, however, Koriand'r noticed as she leapt over a short rocky obstacle in the path. This place demanded more physical exertion to move forward than the realm of Knowledge. Instead of the smooth, clear road that she had traveled with Knowledge, the ground before her had a plethora of ditches, hurdles, and sheer rock face to climb over.

While Kori was not deterred by having to use extra muscles to get around, the subtle change in the environment had her wondering if every section of the path altered to fit whichever of Raven's manifestations lived there.

Taking a moment at the top of a wall to catch her breath and survey what came next, Kori heaved an exasperated huff when she saw the veritable obstacle course she still had to get through. "Really, Raven? As if we don't go through enough of this in training sessions."

"But I love a challenge, Kori."

"EEEKKK!"

There was a moment where Kori almost flung herself into flight over the edge of the rock column, but forced logic of her surroundings (and prior consequences) overrode her instincts. Kori simply adapted to a crouch and shoulder roll away from the voice behind her.

Laughter rang out as Koriand'r finally caught her first glimpse of the impatient manifestation that fought to see her next yet kept her wandering for a good half hour before showing up.

"Your reactions are so much fun to watch, Kori! Too bad this time you didn't try to fly," 'Raven' smiled broadly with her hands on her hips and hood down. "I wanted to catch you." Thrusting out a hand to snag a bemused Koriand'r by her elbow and pull her back up from her crouch, the green garbed 'Raven' stole a quick kiss.

Surprised, Kori used her free hand to cover her cheek where the heat from the kiss still lingered. A smug smile crossed 'Raven's' lips and the manifestation rocked back on her heels. "You left yourself wide open, Kori."

Raising a haughty eyebrow and removing her hand from her face, Kori responded to 'Raven's' unvoiced critique. "Never mind the fact that you had extended a peace offering first; I assure you, it will not happen again."

Far from feeling remorse, 'Raven' grinned widely and resting her hands so they interlaced behind her head, relaxed and quite cocky. "We'll see."

Narrowing her eyes at the implication that her future interactions with Raven's splintered psyche will result in sneak attacks, Kori silently vowed to herself that she would not be caught off-guard by her friend again. Her ego demanded it.

"By the way," 'Raven's' voice broke through the quiet staring contest, "you can call me Courage."

"Ah!" Kori smiled as the actions of this manifestation began to make sense. "I am pleased to meet you, Courageous One."

For a moment it seemed as if the green cloaked female blushed before violently shaking her head and scowling at a point just beyond Koriand'r's hip. Confused, Kori apologized only to gain a quick reassurance that she did absolutely nothing wrong. "I'm not mad at you, Kori! I'm kind of unhappy to see her here."

Before Kori could ask Courage to clarify who she was talking about, the empath simply pointed behind her. Whirling around, slightly anticipating another 'Raven' to be standing there, Kori saw nothing but the cliff drop and the sky.

Tilting her head back to Courage, Kori sent a questioning glance that was met with a tsk and a sigh. "There," the green cloaked 'Raven' pointed. "Behind the boulder next to you. Two feet to your right."

An almost inaudible squeak propelled Kori to investigate while Courage muttered unhappily behind her. "Can't get her to come out of that damn labyrinth to talk or play for anything, but she'd come within five feet of others for a chance to see Kori." A scoff accompanied the statement increasing Koriand'r's curiosity as to which part of Raven Courage was referring to.

The boulder was cool to her touch as the alien walked sedately around it, trailing her fingers in the pits and grooves of the stone. When she finally cleared the corner, Kori did not see anyone there; she only saw another gray rock nestled next to the one she leaned against.

About to turn back to Courage perplexed, a minute twitch caught her eye and Kori refocused her stare upon the little boulder. Every few seconds ripples disrupted the gray surface of the rock revealing to Kori that what she was looking at was no piece of earth but a camouflaged 'Raven'. Reaching out, Kori briefly brushed her fingers over the peak point of the disguised manifestation.

The gray cloak felt exactly like Raven's, finely woven heavy fabric that straddled the line between silk and velvet. Hand now hovering in the air above the cloth, the alien hesitated to fully pull away.

There was something about the huddled defensiveness of this 'Raven' that invited Koriand'r to comfort her. Just as Raven has done for her many times this week already. With a sense of determination, Kori knelt in front of gray 'Raven' and pushed back the hood hiding the face of her friend.

Wide indigo eyes on the verge of tears peered up at her with trepidation. 'Raven' did not resist even as Koriand'r's fingers lifted from the hem of the hood to cup her jaw and tilt her head up for a better look, but she could not stop trembling. "There is no need to fear me, gray one. I am your friend. What is your name?"

A pink tongue-tip fleetingly tried to moisten thin dry lips before 'Raven' opened her mouth a sliver to allow her words through. "Ti…ty" came her voice, so quietly Kori's normally sharp hearing could only pick up the hard consonants at the beginning and end of 'Raven's' breath.

Shaking her head in the negative but not taking her eyes off 'Raven', Kori asked her to repeat what she had said. "I could not hear you."

Again the shy girl spoke but the words got lost in the air with not enough power behind them to reach Kori's ear. Frowning in concentration, Kori tried to complete what she had heard but the middle of this 'Raven's' name still eluded her. "I'm sorry I can't…" Kori began before Courage's patience completely ran out.

"Her name is Timidity! She's my neighbor and resides in the labyrinth just beyond the next gate, normally. But since you are here, Kori, the gates will shuffle themselves depending on who is strong enough to beat out the others to meet you." Draping her torso over the top of the real rock they were next to and leaning on her elbows, Courage smiled smugly. "I got the jump on the others because I wasn't concerned about the little 'quake' we had."

Koriand'r had turned her head towards Courage when she had spoken but kept her hands upon Timidity. "You fought?"

"Yep!"

Shaking her head, Kori gave Courage a half smile. "I am flattered, but to get to the exit do I not have to go through each of your realms?"

"Nope," came the response.

Lifting a hand off the rock, Courage pointed at Timidity. "That's why she's here. Even if she had the power she can't fight very well; she's too timid." Lowering her hand back down, Courage made a greatly unamused face. "And she knows I won't kick her out of my realm, so she's taking advantage of that and butting into my time with you."

Timidity flinched at the accusing tone but refused to escape from Koriand'r's touch which had drifted from her jaw down her shoulders and ended at her hands.

There was a lull in conversation while Koriand'r processed what she had learned. "How many gates must I pass into then?"

Courage shrugged, not knowing the answer and not caring enough to find it. Timidity, on the other hand, felt bad about trapping Koriand'r here in the first place so she tapped her thumb against an orange wrist in sequence before stopping.

"Two more?" Nodding, Timidity opened her mouth to try and give her friend more information, but nothing came out. Kori bit her lower lip to keep from letting a grin slip at the oddly adorable sight of 'Raven' imitating a fish.

The gray cloaked manifestation blushed darkly as Kori's amusement tingled on the edge of her senses. Ducking her head and attempting to pull away from Koriand'r's hold, Timidity wanted to flee back to her labyrinth and hide, silently berating herself for going against her better judgment and seeking the alien out in Courage's realm. But Koriand'r was not letting go.

"Forgive me Timidity. My amusement is based upon my fondness for Raven. And you are a very cute side of her." Kori leaned in and brushed her cheek against wide-eyed Timidity's still red cheek. Drawing back, Kori smiled softly, "Please tell me what you wish to say."

The Tamaranean had gambled with that move, very aware of how easily Raven is flustered and 'stimulated' with physical contact. Kori hoped that with this manifestation, however, her nuzzle would actually relax the timidness. 'Shock value, I suppose it is called.'

And shocked was certainly the word to describe the suddenly rambling manifestation. "I'm sorry, I wanted to see you and I knew I would not get you to my realm so I came here and that's why Courage blushed. She never blushes but when you greeted her I had just arrived and I imagined you talking to me and I blushed so she did too. I'm sorry! The gates are too crowded because everyone wants to meet you and I hate crowds. You need to be careful going through the last two gates. The demon is awake and she'll try to catch you."

Despite saying more than she ever has since she guided Beast Boy and Cyborg through the maze so long ago, Timidity could only look Koriand'r in the eye for the first two words. Then, slowly, her eyes fell to the ground and her voice returned to a shushed whisper that warbled fearfully by the last sentence.

Dropping fully to the ground so she sat with her back to the rock, Kori snatched Timidity, still curled in on herself, by the waist and slid her onto her lap. Timidity squeaked multiple times between being pulled over and being hugged by the alien from behind.

Kori's voice vibrated the fine hairs on the back of her neck as she spoke, causing Timidity to shiver violently at the arousing sensation. "I'm glad you came to see me so do not apologize for that. And thank you for your concern about my journey." Kori was well aware of Timidity's reaction and Knowledge's warning echoed in her consciousness, but the princess decided the consequences were worth the effort to let Raven know she cared.

The captive manifestation did not say anything and if it were not for the tremors gently shaking the form in her arms Kori would have believed Timidity fainted. As it was, Kori lifted her eyes to Courage who had left her perch against the tip of the boulder and now stood facing the two with her arms crossed. Indigo eyes were narrowed dangerously and thin lips were drawn in a scowl.

"My cloak may be green but jealousy is part of Desire's realm. I don't appreciate you monopolizing Kori, Timid." Unspoken was a threat to remove her 'sister' from her realm in retaliation for butting in where she was unwanted.

Timidity cringed at Courage's tone yet seemed undecided between giving in to her natural inclination to disappear and the equally strong need to remain in Koriand'r's embrace, touching the alien female in an intimate manner.

Koriand'r decided for her by tightening her grip. "Stay." Eyes still on Courage, she continued. "Am I not embracing you as well, Courage? You blushed earlier under her influence."

Courage's scowl twisted a little more as she begrudgingly acknowledged the connection with a curt nod. "But it is not the same, Kori. Just as Raven's empathy allows her to experience the emotions of others, there is still a difference which separates those outside emotions from her own." Shrugging with her arms still crossed, Courage tried to come up with an appropriate analogy when Kori gave her a confused look.

"Flavor," Timidity whispered drawing a nod from Courage who continued to explain.

"Yeah, it's like flavor. Assume everyone has the ability to give Raven a taste of flavor when their emotions brush against her empathy. Now, we'll associate two flavors to Timid and I. I'll pick mint and Timid will be salt. As for the situation, you know when Roy really wants to hold Garth's hand he takes a moment to build his courage, coaching himself to just reach out and not worry about things? The moment he starts to move is when the mint flavor is strongest and sharpest to Raven. Yet, it is diluted, like a drop in a bucket of water, compared to the taste of her own courage when she reaches out to take your hand. I taste as if she bit into the plant itself versus sucking down a mint tea. Then, Garth becomes shy as he squeezes Roy's hand. His emotion tastes like overly salted french fries. Raven's reaction to your displays of affection is as strong tasting as if she bit into a block of pure salt."

Revelation hit Koriand'r as Courage's descriptive insight to Raven's empathic abilities concluded. "That makes sense."

"Which is why I'm not thrilled to have Timidity here," Courage pouted.

Kori laughed. "Do you want a hug as well?"

A positively demonic twinkle entered those bold indigo eyes, mirrored weakly by downcast ones. Both manifestations wanted something different than a hug but only one had the guts to ask for it.

Easing back into a relaxed stance with her arms folded behind her head, Courage grinned and answered. "Let's get you to the next gate first and then you can give me my reward for being an awesome guide." Swinging around with a whistle, Courage sauntered to the edge of the cliff and tapped her foot twice on the surface.

From below a grinding crunch began to echo and became louder as a broad pillar rose, leveling off next to the cliff. In the middle of the pillar stood an arch gateway.

"Ta-dah! Congratulations, you've made it to the next level!" Courage proudly announced.

Pushing herself up off the ground with a hand in Timidity's to pull her up as well Kori threw Courage an incredulous look. "You made me run around for half an hour when you could have brought that up earlier!?"

"But it was so much fun watching you," Courage smirked lecherously. "Besides, Knowledge got you for a full hour. I wasn't going to let her outdo me!"

Throwing her hands up in exasperation at the non-logic Courage employed, Kori moved to the exit intent on getting back to her quest to return to the physical plane. "Hey! Wait, Kori! What about my reward?"

Kori paused and turned to the sulking manifestation. "I do not believe you deserve a hug considering Timidity has been the one to give me most of the information I need in order to leave this place safely." Pointing a glare at the green cloaked 'Raven' and crossing her arms under her breasts, Kori continued, "Besides you could have just asked to speak with me for however long you wished instead of tricking me into an obstacle course. I get enough of that kind of behavior from Dick -"

"NO!"

The double-voiced roar was so loud and unexpected that Koriand'r flinched and covered her ears, ducking down as if to take flight with a leap. The sky seemed to bleed from the thousands of red stars until it pulsed with a hot anger. The strange event frightened Kori who looked towards her two guides in hopes of some form of reassurance that what passed as normalcy here would return, but even they held expressions of anxious apprehension.

An echoing silence replaced the air after the sky shook and trembled.

Face truly serious for the first time since Kori met her, Courage warned the Tamaranean against ever mentioning their team leader while she is stuck here. "We felt the pain he caused you when he broke your heart. And that angers us."

"And when we are angry," Timidity expounded from underneath Courage's green cloak, "we cannot control ourselves and bad things happen."

Contradicting emotions warred within Koriand'r's heart. Still frightened but relieved that nothing horrible occurred, Kori nodded and allowed her gratefulness to tenderly rise to the surface of her spirit. "Thank you for caring, Raven."

Courage relaxed back into her usual cocky stance while Timidity blushed horribly and hid behind her 'sister' again, unable to handle the lime peel green eyes looking at her so intensely.

"I will refrain from mentioning my break-up since it causes you turmoil, but you need not be angry on my behalf. While I am still sad sometimes, I have moved on." Kori's statement brought out shocked faces and two voices with the same question.

"What?!"

Chuckling, Kori turned to the gate and moved to stand in front of it, ready to move on and reach the exit. "I suppose I should have told you sooner, Raven. My heart has finished mourning and is ready to consider another to love."

A pair of pale hands grasped the warrior's wrists and tugged on them in frantic askance. "Who, Kori?"

Again it seemed as if the very air came alive. Something was holding its breath, anticipating the Tamaranean's answer with a mixture of hope and fear.

Rotating her hands to release herself from Courage's grip, Kori reversed the hold, grabbing the hands that captured hers and giving them a yank. Courage fell forward into a hug.

"My beloved Raven, even though a Tamaranean's heart may be ready to venture into battle once again, preparations must be made for the body and mind to enter the fray." Smirking at the feeling of a rise in temperature from Courage, Kori opened her eyes to look at Timidity who was red as a ripe tomato and clinging to the green cloak in front of her for dear life.

"I am not ready to declare my intentions, but you will be the first to know when I am," Kori promised her friend. Then she smiled teasingly. "Who knows, maybe I will tell you as soon as I return to the Tower."

Grinning Courage rocked up and snuck a kiss then pushed the Tamaranean closer to the exit. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

Laughing Kori bid the two manifestations farewell and entered the portal, half excited to meet the next emotion and half preparing for battle to reach the exit.

Chapter End

Hope you enjoyed!

ToaR