-The Visit-
It's fall now. The fleeting summer months have long since come and gone, leaving behind only memories of their fading warmth, which has been replaced by autumn's bitter chill. The sky, recently overcast by rain, is now clear, with the sun in the distance slowly approaching the horizon. The leaves on their tree have already started to change, the deep greens of summer receding while a myriad of vibrant, glossy reds and cool, dark yellows take their place. A brisk wind blows all around, causing the tree's limbs to stir and creating the soft sound of rustling leaves. A few of the leaves descend from the branches and slowly begin racing each other to the cold ground below. As they tumble through the air, however, a couple of the leaves are swept up by the wind, and glide away from the tree before fluttering down the sloping hill and out of sight. The breeze brings with it the crisp smell of autumn air, as well as the scent of rain and damp plants. The patches of grass still visible between the carpeting of fallen leaves are dead and brown, moistened with the water of the not-so-long-ago shower.
Apart from the slight swaying of the tree limbs in the wind and the fluttering of a few leaves as they dance to the ground, the only movement on the hill comes from a lone figure slowly making her way towards the top. Her skin matches the tone of the horizon, which is a rich orange with the setting of the sun. Her eyes, which normally sparkle like emeralds, are currently more subdued, taking on a darker, jade hue. As she climbs, her crimson hair is whipped about by the wind, but she ignores it, walking purposely towards the tree atop the hill. The hill is steep, and she feels the weight of each footfall upon the ground. Each step takes effort, and though it would be easier for her fly up the hill, today she can't seem to find the joy within her necessary to take flight. She has walked this path before, and remembers each journey well. Each step on the cold ground drags up another memory she would rather not face.
After some difficulty, she reaches the summit. The hilltop is small, maybe ten meters across, and situated directly in the center is their tree. It rises high into the sky, towering above hill, ascending up towards the heavens. Its bark is thick and knotted, and is colored a deep, rich brown. The murmur of leaves rustling in the wind quietly permeates the hilltop. The woman doesn't need to look around for them; she knows where they will be. Beneath a large section of branches, she sees her friends.
They sit together, just as they always have, in the dying shade of their large oak tree. She smiles when she sees them, and hurries over. She's brought them flowers, just like all the other times, and just like every other times she gently places the dead plants in front of them. She bends down and sits beside them, her mouth already open as she begins to regale them with all that they have missed.
"Little Jason has already started flying, can you believe it? Robin and I were so proud when we saw him soaring around the tower's common room! And he said his first word a few weeks ago. Can you guess what it was? Blorth! It's incredible. I can't believe how big he's getting. Oh friends, I wish you could meet him."
She pauses, trying her best to keep her voice even. "I wish he could meet you..." she adds, her voice quieter. "I've told him all about you, about how funny and great and smart and... and how brave you were. I know you both would love him." She takes a moment to compose herself before she continues.
"Cyborg says hello, and he's sorry he hasn't been able to visit more often. He's just so busy leading Titan's East, and he never seems to find the time to come and see you. I'm sure he will soon. But guess what! He and Bumblebee are getting married! Isn't that amazing! And guess what else. I'm going to be the maid of honor! I'm so excited! And Cyborg thinks that Robin will be best man, though he said he wished-"
Her voice stops abruptly, an image forming in her mind of a short, green figure in a fancy suit, flashing his trademark grin. She shakes her head, willing the tears to go away. "It's all so exciting," she continues quietly, her voice cracking somewhat.
She sits in silence for a time, waiting for the wetness in her eyes to diminish. Finally, when she feels that she can speak again, she carries on with her story.
"The rest of the Titans are all doing well, but they all miss you." She glances over at her friends, trying to smile. "I miss you." Despite all her best efforts, she feels a single tear roll down her cheek. She makes to wipe it away but is distracted by a leaf falling from the tree. It lands on top of her head, and she laughs.
"It is so wonderful to see you again friends," she says, no longer bothering to hold back her emotions any longer. Her mind drifts back to the day they left, and she can't stop the tears from spilling onto her face.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
The deafening crash echoes through the whole tower, bringing with it unmistakable cries of pain and distress.
"Raven!" cries Beast Boy, who is up from his seat faster than any of them. By the time the others reach Raven's room he has already taken the form of a rhino and is in the process of knocking down the door. It falls away, revealing a terrible sight.
Raven is on her knees in the center of her room, surrounded by streams of dark energy, which are flying around her in the room. She clutches her head in pain, and cries out once more.
"Raven!" yells Beast Boy from the doorway, fear in his voice.
She glances up, a look of pain and fear on her face. "My powers..." she says, her voice strained, weak. "I c-can't, can't control them." She cries out in pain once more, her face distorted in anguish. Beast Boy makes to cross the room, but she cries out again, this time in warning. "No, it's too dangerous."
"I don't care," says Beast Boy, his voice defiant. He crosses the room, dodging the streams of energy, finally reaching Raven's kneeling form upon the floor. Just as he reaches her, the streams of energy merge, forming a solid, impregnable wall, preventing the others from reaching them. Beast Boy kneels down next to Raven, their faces close.
"You... idiot," she says quietly, a small smile appearing on her face despite the pain. "You have to go, before it's too late."
"Yeah, like I'm just gonna leave you here," he says sarcastically, managing to return her smile. "Not a chance."
"M-my powers... too unstable." Her smile fades and she winces in pain. "I can't control them for... for much longer."
Beast Boy put his arms around her, pulling her to her feet. "We have to get you out of her," he says, thinking. He's about to speak again when she interrupts him.
"You don't understand!" she shouts, pain and frustration amplifying her voice. "You need to leave now!" Despite her current lack of control, she manages to open a small, one-way hole in the dark energy bubble that surrounds the pair. "Go! NOW!" she shouts, her voice desperate.
But Beast Boy just stands there, his arms folded her, not moving a muscle. A sad smile is on his face, and he whispers up to her, "I think it's you who doesn't understand. I'm not going anywhere."
Raven is confused, unable to understand his decision to stay. "But… I don't know what's gonna happen..." says Raven hesitantly, her voice cracking and tears rolling down her face.
"It doesn't matter," Beast Boy tells her quietly, holding her tight. "I'm won't leave you."
They find themselves staring into each other's eyes, holding one another close. Their lips meet briefly, for a first and last time. Then Beast Boy whispers into Raven's ear, "It's alright. You can let go now."
And she does, releasing all the power and energy she has been holding in for so long. For the first time in her life, she feels free. A genuine smile crosses her face, and she laughs. Beast Boy smiles too, and a moment later the couple is enveloped in darkness, holding each in a tight embrace, before they vanish into nothingness.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Now she stands atop their hill, beneath their towering, old oak tree, reading the word inscribed upon their marble tomb.
-Rachel Roth and Garfield Logan-
-Raven and Beast Boy-
-Best Of Friends Who Shall Be Missed-
-Gone, But Their Love Lives On-
Scrawled beneath the engraved words is another message, made by Cyborg many years ago. It reads: "BBxRae Forever!" written inside of a tiny heart.
Time passes, and eventually the woman manages to stop crying. She slowly stands, wiping the wetness away from her bright green eyes. The sun has vanished beneath the horizon, leaving the hill in semi darkness.
It is time for her to go.
She leans down and places a small kiss on the cool, white marble. "Goodbye friends" she whispers, smiling sadly. "It was... glorious to see you again." And then she turns, walking away, back down the hill.
And then she is gone.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
MC: I wrote the first version of The Visit is a single night while worrying about my finals, so afterwards I felt that I could do a better job. I like this one a lot better. I think it's more emotional. Let me know what you think, I'd really like to know if you guys like this version better than the first one. Thanks.
Adios Amigos, Adios. =)