~Titan's Tower, sixteen years ago~
~Beast Boy's POV~
"Yo, B," Cyborg called after me down the hall. I stopped abruptly and turn towards my best friend, forcing a smile.
"What's up, Cy?" I ask, giving him a high-five that nearly shatters every bone in my hand.
"You wanna play some one-on-one? Betcha can't beat me at Mega Monkeys X: The Vengeance of King Louie!"
"Nah, dude." I decline, though I have to give him props for trying. It's been nearly a month since I picked up a game controller. It was around the same time she left…
Cyborg must have noticed my change of attitude, because his cold metal hand gently patted my back in attempt to comfort me.
"C'mon, man," he said, "Ya cain't keep blammin' yourself. She didn't leave 'cause of y-"
"But what if she did?!" I cut him off. A mixture of rage, confusion, and abandonment filled my entire being. I let out an exaggerated sigh and pushed past him.
"I'm going for a walk." I call, unsure if he is still listening or not.
The fresh air overcame my senses as soon as I exited the tower. I changed into a falcon to make a hasty getaway. I couldn't stand being there any longer, especially when everything reminded me of her. The salty sea breeze lifted my wings off the ground and before I knew it I was hovering over Jump City.
Now that there weren't any distractions, I gave myself time to think about her.
Starfire had been sure that her best friend left because she didn't want to be our friend anymore, but after much convincing from Robin, she was reassured that she would never leave them like that without saying so. Cyborg, being the big-brother type, was concerned that she was being held captive, but as he had done with Starfire, Robin steered his thoughts towards a rather important piece of information. If she were being held captive then a ransom of some sort would have been made. Robin's opinion was that she had left of her own freewill, and that she wouldn't have done so unless she had something urgent to take care of.
However, I couldn't help but feel she was leaving because we had started to become serious with our relationship. Like, serious serious. We might have taken it a little too far, but instead of leaving she should have talked it out with me! Everything had been going well until that night. If it meant that I could have her back, I would gladly prevent our passionate rendezvous. But no matter of wishing could help me now.
Suddenly, a lone figure caught my sight from below. My heart nearly stopped when I noticed the violet hair. Before I realized what I was doing, I swooped down and shifted into my human form before I had completely landed.
~Jump City, Antique Books~
~Azira's POV~
The city was bustling with large herds of people outside of the bookstore I had taken refuge in. Out of sheer luck, this store was the first place on my mother's map. I took in my surroundings in awe. There were dozens of books upon ceiling tall shelves along with a few center displays of collectable comic books. I couldn't believe it. I must have died along the way and despite my demonic heritage, managed to make it to heaven.
A woman in her late sixties approached me with a black book entitled 'Magix: Hexes and Enchantments'.
"I was worried you weren't going to come back in time and I would have to give it away to another." The petite woman said in a Russian accent. She placed the book in my hands.
"Oh, I think you have mistaken me for someone else," I responded.
"Are you not Raven of the Teen Titans?" the woman peered at me from behind her glasses.
"No, ma'am," I politely corrected, "My name is Azira, but I can see how you could make that mistake. I based my look off her."
The woman easily believed my little white lie and apologized for her mistake. She offered me a few sales pitches that were very generous, however I declined saying that I needed to be somewhere soon. I promised the storekeeper that I would return and left the shop into the busy streets.
People bumped into me in their hurry and some did a double take, most likely trying to determine whether or not I was 'Raven of the Teen Titans'.
I heard a thud that sounded a lot like a crash landing. I decided to ignore it, but someone's hand latched onto my arm forcing me to turn towards the noise. I let out a shout of fright and was about ready to knee my apprehender in the gut when I realized that I knew the person. Well, I didn't know the person exactly, but I recognized him from my mother's scrapbook.
He scanned me entirely before landing on my eyes. His elfish ears drooped down when he realized I wasn't who he was looking for.
"Oh, I'm really sorry about that," he said, scratching the back of his head nervously, "I thought you were…never mind. I really am sorry, though. Dude, I can't believe how much you look like her though, I mean, your hair is longer and your eyes aren't the right color, but, I mean, you-I'm rambling now, sorry. Um…Hi, I'm Beast Boy."
I stared blankly at the gloved hand he pushed towards me. I had never heard anyone talk so much in one breath and quite frankly, I had trouble keeping up with what he had said. I took his hand and gave it a firm shake and introduced myself after I had finally processed everything he had said.
"Azira? That's an unusual name." he tilted his head, then quickly amended, "unusually pretty."
"Thanks," I said, "my mother chose it."
"Really? How did she come up with it?"
"Well, I suppose it's because it's similar to someone she cared for very much."
"Who was that?" he persisted.
"Oh, um, just my aunt." I lied.
Beast Boy took the hint and became silent for a moment while he thought of something else to say.
"Well…I guess I better get going." I smile and walk around him.
"Wait," he called after me, "Where are you going? It's gonna be dark out soon. Trust me, you don't wanna be out and about when the sun goes down unless you have someone with ya."
"I was heading towards this café at the end of the street, Tomcats. Ever heard of it?" I looked at him expectantly. His pointed canine pierced his bottom lip drawing out a bit of blood. I could sense the uneasiness stirring within him. His ears peeled backwards like an animal's would when it hears a sound of an uncomfortable frequency.
"Yea, I know the place." He admitted. "I guess hanging out there beats staying at the Tower, though. Mind if I tag along?"
I contemplated the idea carefully. This boy did have some connection to my mother. If he was one of the famed Titans from my time, if he couldn't help me find her then one of his teammates would certainly be able to.
"I don't see why not." I shrugged.
His ears perked up as he flashed me a toothy grin. The two of us walked the short distance in silence. The closer we got to our destination the more we could feel the beat of an electric bass pulsating down the sidewalk. Soon the high pitched wailing of the guitar could be heard from the well known rock café. Both of us increased our speed to walk in step with the beat of the drum. The changing lights glowed, painting the grey path different colors of red, yellow, blue, and orange.
"I wonder who they have playing tonight." Beast Boy thought aloud.
"Who knows," I answered, "it's open mic."
"Maybe I could bring the house down with my awesome singing!" He joked, obviously lightening up.
"Perhaps," I offer trying to sound optimistic. The music increased significantly when we pushed the double doors open. A brunette woman came up to us with two menus.
"I thought our favorite Titans were never going to return." She grinned at the two of us before guiding us to a table set for two facing the now unoccupied stage. It was clear that she was yet another citizen of Jump City confusing me with Raven. I knew I was near identical with my mother's features, but you would think these people would see the difference in our eyes.
The waitress came back with two mugs of freshly brewed tea and a single slice of blueberry pie topped with whipped cream and two forks. She sported a proud grin for remembering her costumers' usual order. She turned on our heels and disappeared amongst the decent crowd.
I brought the mug up to my lips and sipped it so as to not burn myself. 'Black tea,' I smirked, 'I must be more like my mom than I thought.'
"Sorry about that," Beast Boy frowned, "She must think you're Rae."
I leaned forward at the nickname with a questioning look.
"Rae?" I placed my cup onto the table.
"Yea, she is my-" He hesitated, "She was a very good friend of mine."
My eyebrows furrowed. It was obvious he was lying, but I didn't know him well enough to point that out so I let it slide.
"Did something happen to her?" I asked.
"What?" He responded. He had a very confused look playing on his green features.
"You said she was a good friend," I clarified. "Did something happen?"
"Oh," he thought for a moment, "well, she kinda sorta left the team about a month ago."
"Do you know where she is at?" I asked hopefully.
The look on his face said it all. My heart nearly stopped and a lump formed in my throat. There was no way I had traveled this far back just to be in the same boat I had started out in.
The sound of an electric guitar's gentle melody called our attention to the stage. A girl with thick black hair swayed with the microphone in her hand. Her face was full of sorrow that matched the way I was feeling. With her gloved hand she pulled the mic closer to her lips and began to sing.
"Amy says she's all alone
Says the world doesn't even know
About the pain she hides inside
Says happiness is just a lie
Smell the roses, throw them down
Just whisper, don't make a sound
Don't want the world to know the truth
You've been broken and abused…by you
And Amy says
'I see you laughing at the rain that hits your face
With your arms stretched open soaking in the love
In a world I find so hard you find so beautiful
There's a hope in you deep inside for me.'
The colors of her mind
Bleed into each other
And as the morning melts the night
And the stars enchant another
While her eyes are still held shut…"
I force the words away from me and refocus on Beast Boy. He had begun to nibble on a bit of pie. The blueberries stained his lips a blackish blue. He didn't look as hurt as he had before, but the pain was still lingering.
"Could you tell me about her?" I asked.
"I'd rather not talk about it." He mumbled.
"Sometimes the best memories are the hardest to talk about. Especially when the one you shared them with is no longer around. But you will always feel the hurt if you don't share them with someone." I pointed out. I held my breath hoping praying that I had not overstepped any boundaries. A gentle sigh escaped his blue covered mouth.
"You're right," He said. "I just don't know where to start."
He looked to me with pleading emerald eyes begging for guidance.
"How about with the truth," I instructed, "tell me what she really is to you."
A blush crept onto his cheeks making them look an odd shade of brown over the usual green.
"I-I, uh, well, I…Um, you see, I don't exactly…I don't really know anymore." He admitted. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably before adding, "I thought we had something. But I guess I was wrong."
"'Something' is usually a two way street. Even if the outcome isn't what one might have expected." I tried my best to comfort him, though it proved difficult when I didn't know him all that well.
"You're oddly wise for a girl, what? Sixteen years old?" he inquired.
"Fifteen," I corrected, "I'll be sixteen next month."
In the silence that followed I picked up my own fork and ate the remains of the discarded pie. We listened to music for a while longer. I finished up the pie and began pulling out some cash.
"No, let me get it." Beast Boy said with enough force to let me know that nothing I said would change his mind. I raised my hands up in defeat and thanked him for his generosity.
He paid for the meal as I picked up my backpack. When Beast Boy returned he looked at the bag for the first time.
"Were you going somewhere?"
"I'm staying in Jump City for a while to do some sight-seeing." I informed.
"Sight-seeing in Jump City?" he smirked, "I mean, the city is cool and all, but there isn't much to look at."
"It's not exactly sight-seeing as it is reliving history." I shrugged. "My mother lived here once. I don't have much left of her except this map and a note."
His mouth formed an 'O' shape though the words did not fully develop.
"Well, if you need a place to crash, you could stay at the tower?"
It was a simple gesture of kindness that I couldn't pass up. I didn't have much money to my name and paying for a hotel would just about leave me out to dry. There was also the chance that the Titans could help me find my mother. After all, she had been one of them.
"That would be…nice." I nodded.
His face lit up at my answer and he chimed, "Sweet!"
Soon we were at the shoreline of Jump City. The sky had already darkened a soft purple and blue with few stars speckled across it. Beast Boy morphed into a pterodactyl, flew up above the ground slightly, and gestured for me to grab his feet to which I obliged. He flew across the water with ease. We made it onto island off the Jump City Bay in no time.
"Uh, wait here for a sec." Beast Boy instructed before entering the tower.
~Titan's Tower~
~Beast Boy's POV~
I wasn't quite sure how I would go about informing the team about us becoming a hotel for a tourist for who knows how long, but it had to be done. I could already hear Robin's voice scolding me for making decisions without the team. Despite every instinct in my body telling me to run while I still could I kept walking down the hall to the living room where I knew everyone would be.
The automatic doors slid open and three pairs of eyes looked up from where they sat. Robin and Starfire were cuddling on the couch as they always did around this time while Cyborg was busy in the kitchen killing a whole farm in the process of cooking his meal. This time I ignored the stench of raw animal meat and focused on the elephant in the room, as the expression goes.
"Uh, hey guys." I laughed nervously and scratched the back of my neck.
"Alright, what did you do now, Beast Boy?" Robin asked.
"I-I don't know what you mean." I forced a smile with my hand still resting on my neck.
"You're doing that thing with your hand again." Cyborg pointed out.
"Dang, I really gotta stop doing that." I muttered.
"Friend Beast Boy, might you share what is troubling you?" Starfire moved out of Robin's arms to face me.
"Uh, nothing's troubling me, Star. I mean, there is something I need to talk with you guys about, but it's nothing bad…really."
Robin raised an eyebrow quizzically, signaling for me to continue. I took a deep breath and began the speech I had been thinking up on the way here.
"Okay, so it's like this." I said going into serious mode, "We as Titans are supposed to help people right? Right. No matter the terms, right? Right. Well, I sorta met this person out on the city when I went for a walk and we got to talking when I realized said 'person' didn't have a place to stay while visiting our beloved town, so I may have sorta offered her a place to stay here."
I sucked in a huge gulp of air while I waited for my friends to say something. Robin got up from the couch and started walking towards me. He lifted up his hand and I flinched instinctively bringing my arms above my head for protection. To my surprise his hand didn't land on my face as I had expected it to, but on my shoulder accompanied by a soft pat.
"Why don't we meet this visitor of ours, huh?" he offered a small smile before walking towards the door. Dating Starfire has definitely changed him. In my opinion, for the better.
I slowly unwound myself out of the cowering position I was in and followed him. Before I exited the door I turned towards the kitchen.
"Hey, Cy?" I called. He was completely frozen from the scene that had just unfolded, but he regained consciousness at his name.
"Yea?" he looked at me expectantly.
"Whatever animal you murdered for dinner," I smirked, "It's burning."
I started running away from the room to catch up with Robin and Star just as I heard a satisfying "AW, MAN!"
The moment we opened the doors Starfire gasped and ran to embrace the girl in a bone crushing hug. Our visitor had her back turned to us so that all we could see was long violet hair and her pale arms crossed in front of her. Starfire squeezed her tighter, if that was even possible.
"Friend Raven!" She squealed, "We have all missed you so very much!"
"I'm…not…Raven!" Azira barely managed to say in between gasps of breath.
"But of course you are!" Starfire brought her hand to her mouth as she backed away from Azira. The girl turned to face her and Starfire could see that it really wasn't her long lost best friend. The person in front of her had forest green eyes and was a chakra short on her forehead.
"My name is Azira," she explained, "I'm just passing through Jump City to visit a few places. Beast Boy offered me a place to stay, but I know you guys are a team so the choice is yours to make together. I will understand if there is no place for me here."
"No," Robin spoke for the first time. "There is no need for that. You will be allowed to stay here for the time being."
The boy wonder walked back into the house without looking back. Starfire was thoroughly investigating Azira, lifting up her arms and studying her hair and the features on her face.
"The resemblance to our friend is most uncanny. Tell me, are you somehow related to Raven?" the Alien Princess continued circling Azira with a watchful gaze.
"Um, sadly no." She answered. She laughed but it sounded forced. I picked up Azira's scent in the wind. She smelled of lavender as Raven did, however anxiety was overpowering the familiar aroma.
"Are you most certain?" Star persisted.
"Yes, I am certain." She answered again, this time more forcibly. The nervous scent faded and was replaced by something leaning more towards anger.
"C'mon, Star. Give her a break, I bet she's tired."
"Why would I wish to break her?" Starfire's eyes widened in shock.
"I didn't mean it like…Ah, never mind. Could you help me out by getting some blankets and a pillow?"
"Of course, Friend!" Starfire replied, always eager to help someone out. When she vanished into the tower I turned to Azira.
"Azira, you don't mind sleeping on the couch, do ya?"
"A blanket outside on the rocks would be okay with me at this point!" Azira joked with a large grin.
Looking at her I couldn't keep from wondering if that was how Raven would smile if her powers didn't restrict her from being over-emotional. I still loved Raven's smaller version, nothing could change that. But I would give anything to see her overjoyed like Azira was.
~Azira's POV~
By the look on Beast Boy's face it was clear that he was thinking of Raven. His two jade orbs glazed over in a dreamy state and softened in the corners. His lips curled into a small smile.
"Uh, Beast Boy?" I lean towards him trying to get his attention.
His eyes doubled in size, his content smile faded, and he looked surprised to see anyone else was around him.
"Oh, yea, right!" He perked up, "Just follow me!"
He led me down a hallway slightly furnished by couches and chairs along the narrow path. At the end was a short stair case. We climbed the steps slowly and come up to an elevator. There were a total of eight floors. Beast boy explained to me what each one contained to make the time pass.
"First floor is the lobby, where you will be staying. It's got a huge T.V and an awesome game system, so you won't get bored." He laughed, a bit forced.
"Second is the infirmary. I hate going there, it gives me the creeps. With any luck you won't have to visit the place while you stay here. Then there is the crime lab, evidence room, the gym-" he paused noticing how intrigued I had become at the word 'gym'.
"Have you never been to a gym before?" he asked.
"Where I come from we aren't really allowed to fight, so we see no need for physical practices." I explained.
"Oh," he chewed his lip momentarily before continuing, "Where are you from?"
"Uh…" the bell to the elevator dinged twice before sliding open. 'Saved by the bell,' I smirked at the thought. We exited the elevator and walked down the hall side by side.
"What were the other floors?" I asked before he could repeat his question.
"Oh, yea! The gym was the last floor I told you, right? Okay, well after that is the danger room, the monitor room and lastly, the Titans' rooms. The bathroom is up there, too. I'll show you where it is later."
He finished just as the doors to the lobby opened. The room was large and was half dining room/kitchen, half living room. The entire tower seemed to have a color scheme of yellows, reds, and blacks. Everything looked really comfortable, but that could have just been the jet lag talking.
Starfire rushed in with a blanket folded over her arms and a pillow between the blanket and her chest, hugging it like a stuffed animal.
"I have brought you the necessities of a good night's slumber!" she cheered.
A huge, embarrassing yawn escaped my lips and I immediately felt a heat rushing to my cheeks. Beast Boy and Starfire gently laughed and the girl offered me the blanket and pillow which I graciously accepted.
"We shall let you rest." She pushed herself off the ground and floated to the doors.
Beast Boy said good night and was about to follow her but I stopped him.
"Thank you for your kindness," I arched my back in a slight bow, "It is most appreciated."
"It's no problem. Really." He brought his hand up to the back of his neck and laughed awkwardly. He then turned and left me in the lobby alone.
Robin and Starfire were talking excitedly at the table anxiously awaiting the breakfast Cyborg was preparing while Beast Boy observed the array of murdered animals on the skillet. For them it seemed like just another day at the tower.
'They must do this every morning, like a routine…' I thought to myself as the scent of meat made my stomach churn. How anyone could eat that stuff was beyond my understanding.
"Yo, Azira." Cyborg called and immediately received my attention. "Any requests?"
I stared at the assortments of eggs, bacon, and ham. I was about to decline when I saw the waffle maker in the background. Cyborg took notice and started to whip up some batter.
"One batch o' waffles comin' right up!" he exclaimed.
I smiled shyly and joined the others at the table. It was certainly awkward being the third wheel, and it didn't help that their emotions were washing over me like a tidal wave. I sipped at the hot tea and tried to distract myself by the delicious aroma of waffles filling the air.
"So, Azira," Robin asked, "where are you visiting from?"
If I would have been a half-demon like my mother I would have surely broken every window in the tower with my nerves. My stolid expression remained on my face even though inside my heart was pounding against my chest.
"Oh, I was born in Gotham City."
'Not a complete lie…' I comforted myself as I chewed my bottom lip.
"Really?" he asked, "How's Batman doing?"
"He is well." This time it's a complete lie. 'He's dead in my time…'
"Well, that's good." We fell silent for a while as the breakfast foods were distributed amongst us. Starfire's perky voice suddenly sounded when we all brought our choices to our plates.
"Friends! Should we not celebrate the joining of a new companion by journeying to the mall of shopping? Or perhaps the pier?" her large grin nearly split her head horizontally in half.
"That's up to Azira. She might be tired after her trip here." Robin placed his hand onto Starfire's.
Both of those places were on the map my mother made me. It would be nice to 'journey' there with friends.
"Sounds interesting." I say with a smirk, "Why not?"
The answer sent Starfire soaring into the air shouting, "Oh, joyous day!"
The guys laughed and joined the excitement while I ate my waffles with a contented smile on my lips.