This. . .is where my entire T.T. saga begins.
This story is a spin off from the very last T.T. episode of "Things Change," which took place several months AFTER the "Trouble in Tokyo,"movie; made during season four. (According to Cartoon Network.)
When the T.C. episode finally aired in season five, I was annoyed over the way ended, as well as many others. And in the 21 years of my writing experience, I've always had the desire to improve or add to certain episodes. Mostly animated shows. Especially if I didn't like the way they turned out. I'd always add my own version to theirs, to make it one complete script. And normally, it was for my own private satisfaction. Only now, I get the privilege of sharing this with everybody else. It'll be like you're watching their part of the episode, and then another part will ensue. . .MINE. For all of you who were discouraged over the whole thing, I promise that if you read this all the way through. . .You will NOT be disappointed! So. . .Hang on to your seats, and enjoy the ride!
(My version starts here. . .)
With the added help of Beastboy, the five Titans managed to defeat the unknown creature that they were having so much trouble with. Tired and hungry, the group of them trudged off to the same pizza parlor Beastboy had just come from with Terra. In fact, the very pizza he'd ordered for them was still sitting on the table. Only now, it was cold and very rubbery. Seeing this immediately caused Beastboys appetite to vanish. Sitting back in his chair, all he could do was twiddle with the straw in his glass, staring off into space. As the others silently ate, they looked from him to themselves with worry. Especially Robin. Inside he knew he had to confront him again for leaving the team a second time, and almost putting them in a bind. Looking toward Cyborg, Robin then looked at Beastboy and asked,
"So. . .Where is she?"
Not really wanting to talk about it, Beastboy shrugged then muttered, "I don't know. Still at school I guess."
"A good place for a Titan." Robin sharply replied. "And for you. . .Instead of being with us where you belonged!" Now Beastboy could feel himself getting very annoyed.
"Dude! I wouldn't have left you guys if it weren't important! But I had to try and convince Terra one more time. . ." Looking down at the table, he sadly shook his head and replied, "I brought her here. I even took her to the Tower and showed her her old room." He added, seeing the surprised expressions on their faces. "But even after all that she still didn't want to face who she was." Leaning forward very casually, Robin looked him square in the eyes and replied, "That's probably because it wasn't her!"
"It was her!" Beastboy replied, voice beginning to tremble with anger.
"No. . .I don't think so." Cyborg answered, trying to be as casual as possible. "I just think you wanted Terra back so much, that you got her mixed up with some other girl."
For Beastboy, having his own best friend doubt him was entirely the last straw. Quickly he got up and slammed his chair so hard up against the table, that it actually made both girls jump.
"Hey. . .Take it easy, man." Cyborg said, trying to calm him down.
"No. . you take it easy! I'm not mixed up! And I'm not going crazy! But I know one things for sure. For a team, none of you care about the way I feel!" Actually hurt over that remark, Starfire tenderly gazed at him and replied, "Beastboy. . .All of us are greatly concerned for you. Of course we care."
Softening up to the gentle tone in her voice, Beastboy shook his head.
"No you don't. Nobody ever takes me seriously, and I'm sick of it!" He hollered, glaring more toward Raven, who immediately matched his angry gaze with one of her own.
"Well some of us would, if you wouldn't act like such a clown. . ." Now for the first time ever, Raven watched as his arms slowly folded in a defiant manner.
"Oh, you're right. Maybe I should be more like you , Raven. Cold, grouchy. . .and sarcastic!" Beastboy snapped out, watching as her eyes widened with surprise. "At least then I'd get noticed!"
For a minute, Raven was so taken back over his unexpected retaliation, that she could only look away with a stunned expression on her face. But she wasn't the only one thrown off by his uncharacteristic behavior. Marveling at him, Cyborg slowly shook his head.
"Dude. . .What is your problem?" Feeling the hurt seethe over the rage, Beastboy shook his head.
"Nothing! I'm just tired of being treated like a joke! The one time I need you guys to support me, and this is what I go through?!" Now glaring at Robin, he hollered, "You want proof? Fine! I'll show you once and for all!"
And with that, he quickly spun away from the startled group. Knowing this time they'd better follow him, Robin looked toward the others and replied,
"Come on. . .Let's get this over with!"
After a quick fifteen-minute stride, the group of them walked into the schools lobby just as the evening bell sounded off. One by one the students began to pour out of their classes and into the hallway. "She's over there. . ." Beastboy said, approaching one of the many classroom doors. Like clockwork, Terra walked out the door with an arm full of books.
Still in her school uniform, the mere common sight of her had all their mouths falling open with disbelief. She looked nothing like what they remembered.
"I can't believe it. " Starfire gasped with surprise. "Could it really be her?"
"Whoa. . ." Raven numbly whispered under her breath. At the same time, Cyborg nudged a very dumbfounded Robin and whispered, "Dude. . .that's either Terra, or a twin."
Now they watched as Beastboy stepped in front, blocking her from going any further. Rolling her eyes with exasperation, Terra shook her head and sighed.
"Man. . .Don't you ever quit?"
"No. Not this time. . ." Beastboy replied as the others approached him from behind. Looking at the group of them, Terra let out a derisive chuckle. "What? We're enrolling superheroes now?"
This caused Robin to step on the side of Beastboy.
"Do you have someplace private where we can all talk?"
"Look. . .I really don't have time for this, right now. I need to be getting home."
"Home? Where are you staying?" Giving Starfire a questionable glance, she replied,
"At a dormitory. Why?"
"Please. . ." Robin pled. "We won't take much of your time. It'll only be a minute. I promise."
Thinking it over, Terra sighed then replied, "Alright. But this is the last time!" With that she spun away from them, and began to head down a flight of stairs.
This took them down into the basement of the school. Setting her books down on the bottom steps, Terra turned to the group and folded her arms. "Alright. Whatever you have to say, make it quick because I don't want to get locked down here!" Staring hard at her, Robin asked, "You don't remember any of us, do you?"
"Sure. . .You're the Teen Titans. . ." She said with a nonchalant shrug. "Everybody knows who you are."
"But you don't just know us, Terra. You're one of us." Robin stressed, watching as she glared at him.
"No, I'm not!" she defensively hollered. "You have the wrong person!"
"Well. . .There's only one way to find out." Cyborg replied, as he unclicked the DNA analyzer off his belt.
"What are you doing?" Terra suspiciously asked as he began to scan it over her.
"I'll be just a second. . ." He said, pulling it away. By the way his eyes widened, Robin already knew the answer. "Dude. . .It is her." This confirmation had Robin quickly gazing at Beastboy whose arms tightly folded. "Told you!" he hissed through his teeth. Overjoyed with the news, Starfire threw her arms around Terra without thinking.
"Terra!" She cried, hugging her tightly. "It is so good to see you again!" Terra's response to her was very frigid. Before Starfire realized what was happening, she pushed her away. "What are you, crazy? I said I don't know you!"
Seeing the crushed expression on Stars face was enough for Raven. Eyes narrowing with spite, she stepped forward and said, "Either you don't. . .or you won't . But, there's only one way to find out."
Now before Terra knew what was happening Raven reached out and gripped her by the arm. Intently she began to focus in on her innermost thoughts, forcing Terra to share them with her. As Raven probed into her mind, she began to see flashes of Beastboys face, of him and Terra at the fun park, Terra's room at the tower, Slade, the intense battle Terra had with her, and the other Titans, the volcanic eruption. . .blackness, then nothing.
Gasping, Terra yanked her arm out of Raven's grip and spun away from her. Clutching her head in her hands, Terra found herself completely swept away by the memories that continued to resurface against her will. But that wasn't the only thing. From deep within, she could feel the powers that had been dormant for so many months beginning to stir. So much so. . .that a low rumbling began to occur through out the basement, rattling the pipes, and shaking the foundation. Panting uncontrollably, she shook her head.
"No. . . No ! I won't let it happen. I won't let it happen!" she whispered, as the vibrating gradually came to a halt. Now when Terra spun back towards the startled group, her eyes glowed the brilliant yellow that they all knew so well. Then just as quickly her blue pupils returned flashing with anger, and for the first time, recognition
"Why are you doing this to me?! Why can't you all just leave me alone?!"
"Terra. . ." Robin gently replied, now stepping up to her. "Why are you denying who you are?"
The mild tone in his voice calmed her just enough for tears to fill her eyes.
"Because. . .I don't want to become that monster , again!" she hissed in a trembling voice. "Are you satisfied?!" Through her inner turmoil, her stinging gaze found Beastboys.
"You just couldn't leave well enough alone, could you? You just had to interfere. . ." Shaking her head she glared at him. "Well, I hate you!" she hollered, as a devastated expression crossed over his face. "I hate you! And I don't ever want to see your face again! Leave me alone!" She hollered, now backing away from them. "All of you. . .Just leave me alone !" Thereafter Terra turned and ran up the stairway, until she'd disappeared completely. Through the stunned silence, Beastboy felt as though his heart had been ripped from his chest. At the same time, Robin full of regret turned to him and shook his head.
"Man. . .I'm-"
"Save it. . ." Beastboy whispered in a cracked voice. As he quickly turned and walked away from the others, Raven knew that somehow things really weren't going to be the same anymore. And for the first time ever, the thought of that actually bothered her.
For the rest of that evening Beastboy was nowhere to be found. And when he didn't show up by nightfall, the others really began to worry. By then the environment inside the Ops room was silent, and very gloomy. Even for Raven's taste! From the panoramic window, she could see the shimmering lights of the city, and the faint view of the Golden Gate bridge. Over and over again she replayed what happened in her head. And the one thing she couldn't shake, was the devastated expression on Beastboys face. Seriously. . .If wasn't one thing. . .it was another. . .and another and another! Putting her head down she turned and headed out the room. As she passed the depressed group, Robin asked, "Where you going?"
Looking at him out the corner of her eye, she quietly replied, "To get some air. . ."
Knowing a little better, Robin cocked his head at her and asked, "Well, when you find it. . .can you let us know?" Catching on, Raven gave him a tiny smirk and muttered, "Sure."
And then without another word she set off, honestly not knowing what she was getting herself into!
To be continued. . . .