XxXPsychic MoonXxX: Waz up? I spent a long time on this chapter! XD Plz enjoy! Don't forget to review!!

A crow darted through the air, landing on top of the tree with a loud caw. It peered down upon the bench that was built amongst the twigs and leaves that scattered the ground, watching Malcolm shift in position so that he lay on his back facing the gray sky. The air was chilled and he could feel a few telltale droplets of water landing on his face, but he couldn’t care less.

He inhaled deeply, though crinkling his nose in distaste at the unpleasant smell of car exhaust billowing into the ice-cold atmosphere. He guessed it was around 4 PM or so, and decided to visit Raven’s place before dark; Valley Rose was a very big city, rather like New York in appearance, and like any big city there were gangs that ruled the streets at night. Malcolm didn’t really feel like tangling with any drunkards tonight; he’d just end up killing them off.

After three days of waiting, Raven had sent a message via Brendan to him this morning that her grandmother would arrive at around 3 this evening, and wanted to meet him at 4:30 sharp. Raven included that she was staying over at the Silvermoon Manor for five nights. So, after a couple more moments of lying on the cold bench and staying frozen to the bone, Malcolm got up and left the park, soon making his way through the streets and past the shops.

This time he ignored the catcalls thrown at him from the street corners he passed by and reached his own manor within ten minutes. It took him five more minutes to get to Raven’s place, and this time the guards let him in without a word.

The Silvermoon Manor was like a palace in its splendor, with a lush, soft red carpet with white walls that were covered in awards, certificates, portraits, and photos. Not to mention the maids and butlers that walked with quick, hurried footsteps from door to door across the hallway, the majority of them carrying some important dish on a silver platter. Twice he spotted Mrs. Silvermoon making her way through one of those doors, dressed in an elegant sparkling purple dress with her long blond hair tied into a bun, her high heels clicking loudly with each hurried step and her white purse swinging wildly. Walking next to her was Mr. Silvermoon, with equally elegant looking clothes. Both of them looked as though they were going on some business trip.

Malcolm slowly advanced up the long, spiral staircase that led to the second floor, stopping and admiring several portraits and pottery along the way, catching glimpses of several rooms and locked doors with keyholes. Eventually he reached the second floor hallway and headed to the right, stopping in front of the door at the end with a gold nameplate that read ‘R.K. Silvermoon.’

He could hear some muffled voices inside, and hesitated before opening the door. Raven’s room was huge; his room was, too, but hers seemed even bigger. It had several posters covering the walls of various Anime and video games, and a particularly large one with a picture of a restaurant in Tokyo, Japan. And unlike his bedroom, which was scarcely decorated/occupied, Raven’s room had many things like large beanie bag chairs, a large flat plasma screen TV with a Nintendo Wii hooked up to it, a tall shelf filled with books next to a large study desk with a laptop resting on top, her closet door, a large window lined with dark purple curtains that were drawn back to let in the evening light. A dark blue mat with a cloud pattern splayed on it marked the middle of the room, and off against the wall was Raven’s large four-poster bed with a soft, bouncy mattress and decorated in her favorite colors: purple and lavender, with black curtains.

It was there on the bed that Raven was seated with her grandmother, dressed in her sky blue pajamas with the same cloud pattern as the mat. Her grandmother was dressed a bit oddly, however; she wore all black except for a silver necklace with a pendant shaped like a crescent moon. She was a bit skinny and Malcolm could tell that she would be rather tall as well. Her long dress looked quite witchlike, and her silver hair was short and straight, reaching the spot where her slender neck met her shoulders. Her eyes were ocean blue and sparkled with the same light that Raven’s possessed. She looked more like someone’s aunt than a grandmother.

Upon Malcolm’s entrance to the room, Raven’s head swiveled in his direction. “Hey, you made it! A bit late, though,” she said jokingly, pointing at the clock perched upon her wall across from her bed. It read 4:32 PM, and Malcolm smirked. “Anyway, I’d like you to meet my Gran-Gran, Vivian Silvermoon.”

“It is a pleasure, Malcolm,” she greeted, smiling. “Come, sit with us. We have much to discuss over dinner, but I want to get to know you better before then.”

Malcolm obliged, and once he placed himself comfortably next to Raven (with his shoes off, of course) she continued. “My granddaughter has told me so much about you already. I want to thank you for being such a good friend of hers.”

Malcolm nodded. “So, is Raven really a Magi?” he asked quickly.

“Yes, and so are you,” she replied. Malcolm and Raven looked at each other exchanging grins. “However…I can’t train you. You see, I can tell you are a Magi by your Aura. But let me explain to you this first, as every Magi must know this: there are five types of Aura, based on five elements. They are Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, and Lightning. Your Aura is Fire, and Raven’s Aura is lightning, making her a Lightning Magi.

“Lightning Magi are rather rare, just like Fire Magi. Your type of Aura also gives you the ability to manipulate your Aura’s element. I can train Raven because she has the same abilities I do, but a good friend of mine is a Fire Magi, too. He is also related to your mother…Bellarie Frasier was her name, wasn’t it?”

He nodded slowly. “Yeah…Bellarie. What’s your friend’s name?”

“Jerald Torche. But this won’t mean you and Raven will be separated during training, at least not yet, I think.” She paused. “He will be here tomorrow. We’ll spend the next five days teaching you the basics. They should be quite easy for Magi of your potential, I’m sure of that.”

Raven smiled her satisfaction and hugged Malcolm tightly, surprising him. “Lighting and Fire go together swell, don’t they, Gran-Gran?!” she exclaimed.

“They’re rare, yes, but they go perfectly together. Their skills, strengths, and weaknesses compliment each other’s, and they make the best of friends. However, when pitted against each other you can be sure there’s going to be massive destruction. Lightning’s cunning, quick ability and Fire’s all-consuming willpower can really tire each other out.” Vivian slid off the bed and swung her purse onto her shoulder. “I believe that our dinner is ready. Let’s go.”

“Oi…” Malcolm said slowly, picking at his food. “Vivian…do you believe that my Mother’s killer was a Magi?”

Vivian paused, chewing and swallowing her spaghetti slowly in thought. “Yes, that’s the most likely solution I can come up with. I’m assuming that you’re going for revenge?”

Malcolm studied his fork for a moment. He had considered searching for the killer himself, but he also knew that he’d have to become stronger for that. But that didn’t mean he was willing to become power-hungry; only fools would do that. “I’ve thought about it, yes,” he answered. “But I’m not sure yet if I want to kill the verdict. I’d prefer to send them in prison, because then I wouldn’t have to live with the knowledge that I killed a man, whether he was a criminal or not.”

“A wise choice and well said,” Vivian smiled. “It’s a shame these people despise you. You’re quite the charming young man.” Malcolm slightly blushed.

“Yo,” Raven nudged him in the ribs. “You better finish that spaghetti soon. You’re sleeping over here.”

Malcolm dropped his fork in surprise. “But…who’s going to watch the mansion?!” he stammered. Raven grinned.

“Heh! Daddy’s sending over some guards to prevent anyone from going in. Plus Gran-Gran’s sent a few ninja over as well.” She explained, finishing the rest of her meal with a noisy slurp.

“What am I going to wear?” Malcolm wondered.

“Your PJs, of course!” Vivian smirked and closed her eyes in concentration. There was a small popping sound and a suitcase appeared next to her. Malcolm gaped.

“Whoa…” he gasped. Then he said sheepishly, “Um…thanks.”

“No prob, Bob!” Raven dismissed with a wave of her hand. “Plus you’re sleeping in the room next to mine, okay? But besides that,” she handed her plate to a passing maid, and Malcolm did the same, having just finished his dinner. “It’s only, like, 6 or something, so I want to show Gran-Gran how I can control puppets. You better come too, because I need you for the next stunt!”

Raven winked at him, and Vivian laughed. “You and I are so much alike!” she exclaimed. “Puppeteers also make good spies and strategists. Do you know why?”

Malcolm and Raven shook their heads. “It’s because we have a thing for manipulation. You see, we can control others just like we control puppets. That’s how you can tell who’s a Psychic and who’s not; you have them put a puppet show for you, and then you’ll see.” Vivian stood up, brushing herself off. After telling a nearby butler to take Malcolm’s things to his room, she turned around and led them to the spacious, elegant living room.

Vivian sat herself down on the large sofa in the middle of the room. Raven had Malcolm stand near the TV, and she brought out the same red-headed puppet from before and did the same routine. Vivian was very impressed, but her show wasn’t over yet.

“Okay, Malcolm, this is where you come in!” Raven beckoned him over and he obliged, standing next to her facing Vivian. “Alright…and on the count of three!” Raven faced him, her eyes closed. “One…two…three!”

Suddenly, everything was thrown into darkness. Malcolm felt his stomach lurch, and a shiver went down his spine. He could sense another presence in his mind, dominating and powerful.

He had become a puppet.

XxXPsychic MoonXxX: Dang! 1,823 words in this one! The desription of Raven's manor was a bit overdue, but please don't hate me for this!! XI And review! XD