Amnesia

*I therefore disclaim any and all characters and/or places from Teen Titans. Anything used are for fictional purposes only.

Chapter I

News traveled fast. The unconscious boy who'd appeared out of thin air in the gathering yesterday morning was the talk of the village. No one knew him. Black-haired, lean, and guessed to be in his late teens, he was found to be an Earthling, not magical in any way, which was puzzling. A long time ago Azarathians had placed wards around the land which allowed only them to enter and exit as they wished – not that anyone had for the past who-knows-how-many centuries. A being who could wield frightfully powerful magic might be able to slip through the protective spells somehow, but as the Earthling was no Merlin, it could mean many things. Someone might have sent him there, but for what purpose? Or – gasp – could it be that the wards had severely weakened without their knowing?

All Raven knew was that the boy was to be under her watch.

Her mother had originally been from Earth, she knew that. If her appearance – a rosier complexion and rounder eyes than true Azarathians, if also a little on the short side – wasn't a dead giveaway, her slightly less than average magic would have told on her, since it was acquired and not ancestral. Besides, she often retold her life on Earth as it was to Raven and she always spoke of it with an identifying sense of belonging.

Arella – formerly Angela – would have been the one chosen to take care of the Earthling, but she had a daughter who was about the same age, and the elders thought that it would be more beneficial for the boy. Perhaps he would be more… open.

Monks bowing their heads to her in respect, Raven made her way through the labyrinth of corridors, solemnly nodding back, not with less respect. She entered the breezy hall, and spotted some of the council elders huddled over what she guessed to be the boy.

"–so we're absolutely sure he possesses no magic whatsoever?"

"No. We looked into that thoroughly."

"What of the possibility that he was sent here?"

"Excuse me." Although the conversation was interesting, it could be continued in more private chambers, as was appropriate, and impatience clawed at her. They had summoned her here, but they had kept her waiting in the visitor's hall for quite a while. She was irked.

They turned around. "Raven." Respectful nods, which, again, she returned, as was the courtesy. "I assume you've been notified of your newest responsibility?"

"Of course." Otherwise, what in the name of Azar was she doing standing in front of them?

"Good," the first one said approvingly. "You may start right away. We shall now attend to our duties." He motioned for the other one to follow and they made for the exit.

"Wait, one moment, if you please." She hesitated slightly. "If I may know of his name, your Graces?"

They both chuckled. "You will have to find that out yourself. Be warned, though, that he may not remember at all – the protective wards around Azarath may have affected him."

She bowed in thanks, and they left. Raven turned around and edged closer to the boy, pulling down her customary hood to inspect better.

The description she'd gotten from the council was accurate, but not precise. Raven sat down beside him on a chair. His previously worn clothes were replaced with the usual ensemble of the upper middle class. He was… young, definitely no older than she. His jaw was quite nicely angled. She cocked her head. His eyelashes were feminine, but it only made his face look even handsomer. (If Raven would spare the time to think on it more, she might've blushed.) His hands were so obviously masculine, but if one looked closer, his fingertips would obviously be from his mother – it, too, like his eyelashes, were femme. His hair, black, was messy and although it was a little greasy from dried sweat, her hand – on an impulse of its own – reached out to brush it back from his forehead.

Slightly horrified, she pulled back her hand. It wasn't in her place to… to do anything of the sort! For all she knew, he might have had a sweetheart waiting for him. Silently, she was annoyed at herself. What happened to keeping her private space to herself at all times?

… Still, his hair had been softer and yet coarser than what she had imagined. She had liked it. Raven would allow herself that.

Consciousness started to stir. He began to be aware of how sore his muscles were. His head felt strangely empty, though. Other than that, he was perfectly fine.

He was lying down on something hard, some sort of cool stone. However, for some reason he was very comfortable where he currently was, and didn't feel like he ever wanted to move, but his instinct – or some other deeply-ingrained knowledge – pushed him to wake up.

Blue. The color of the sky above the sea before a midnight storm. It was the first thing Raven thought of when he opened his eyes.

Not forgetting herself, she supplied, "Good afternoon. How fare you?"

He blinked, once, twice, three times. "Uh, I'm all right, thank you."

She nodded. "Good. You may call me Raven. You are currently in Azarath, which exists in a different dimension from Earth. One of the villagers found you in the square yesterday during the morning gathering. Do you remember anything before you came to us?"

It was too much for someone to take in all at once after they'd just regained consciousness. He replied, with some difficulty, "One second, please. I… I need to clear my head."

She could sense his cautiousness at approaching her, a complete stranger in a completely new surrounding. Raven nodded again, this time with a touch of sympathy. "Of course. Forgive me. One thing at a time, then."

After a few seconds, he attempted a weak smile. "Nope. Sorry, I really can't remember anything." He was silent for a while, and then warily asked, "I am currently in a different dimension?" When she nodded, he pressed, "How did I get here? Did you… did any of you transport me here?"

"No. That's what stumps us." Raven looked thoughtful and a little concerned. "We don't know how you got here. Therefore, it's important that you should remember what happened before… but since you don't, then it wouldn't be right to force you. I'm to help you find a way to return to Earth safely, as the defensive spells around Azarath will only allow Azarathians to pass through them unharmed. However, I will have to wipe your memories concerning us when we are done, to ensure our safety in secrecy. Can you accept this?" He nodded, with a smile.

There was a short pause, and then, gently, but curiously, "If you may… Do you have something I can call you with? What is your name?"

The Earthling shook his head, looking frustrated. "I… I don't know. I can't remember."

Eh... the idea's been playing in my head for a while. Yes, it's AU, but other main Titans will come into the picture. I think.

Is the chapter length too short? I'm also a little lost as to how to start the next chapters, so I'm going to leave it to you - if you review (which I strongly hope you do) include the starting line you think I should start the next chapter with. Any line, any sentence. Just make sure it fits where the story's going. Thank you :) Reviews appreciated, flames, uh, welcome.

- the feather quill