Teen Titans copyright DC Comics/Warner Brothers
The Lonely Beast
Chapter 03: The Hunt Begins
[Titans Tower, Nightfall]
Robin grumbled as he sat at the TV Monitor, watching city surveillance footage.
the video playback showed the fight that occoured earlier that day.
it showed how 'reckless' the City Troopers were with the "technology" that He and Cyborg supplied.
how 'heroic' the Man-Beast was...and, how he protected Raven.
Starfire then approached Robin.
"Robin...are you alright?"
Robin grumbled.
"no...no, i'm not.
i've made yet ANOTHER horrible mistake." said Robin, glumly
"PLEASE, Friend Robin...do not be hard on yourself."
"why not!" exclaimed Robin
"I'M the one who made Cyborg build that technology...
I'M the one that approved the City Troopers to use it...
I'M the one who didn't trust Beast Boy, our Teammate, our FRIEND."
Robin sighed sharply.
"Raven was RIGHT...I should of listened to her."
Starfire sighed sharply.
the alien princess than placed her hand on his shoulder.
"you did what you believed was right, Robin...you just made an Error in doing so."
"that's ONE WAY to put it."
Robin finally turned off the TV monitor, unable to watch the video anymore.
"so...what is our next action?" asked Starfire
"nothing."
Starfire blinked.
"what?"
"I have NO IDEA where Beast Boy and Raven went, Star!
they left their Communicators behind...and, our resident Telepath is GONE, remember?"
Starfire sighed.
"right...I forgot."
"there's nothing we CAN do.
but, wait...and, hope that they're okay."
Starfire looked out the large window...and, saw that it was raining.
"I hope so, too."
[Meanwhile, Somewhere Else]
the rain poured HARD upon a dark, uninhabited forest.
the woodlands was MILES away from Jump City (or, ANY city for that matter)
deep inside the forest, the Man-Beast was walking down a path...with Raven in his arms.
Raven was still out cold, though the Man-Beast was keeping her body dry from the rain.
the Man-Beast was searching around, TRYING to find shelter.
he eventually spotted a probably location: a large mountain
with cat-like agility, it leapt up the rock formation crawled into a high up cave opening.
it crouched down into the small space, then laid Raven down on the stone floor gently.
the Man-Beast cocked it's head as it watched her sleep.
it knelt down to her, bringing it's face to hers and sniffed her.
he then gently nudged her with his finger.
it was OBVIOUS that he wanted her to wake up.
"ra-ven..."
[Dream]
Raven opened her eyes...and, found herself in an open, grassy field.
she looked around, as if TRYING to figure out where she was.
"beast boy?"
the wind blowed against Raven's face.
the dead silence was starting to make her paranoid.
"BEAST BOY!" called Raven
minutes passed that felt like hours...
Raven's body shivered, feeling UNEASY.
suddenly, Raven saw a shadowed figure moving FAST down the fields.
it was Large, Bulky and looked like a "furry animal"
Raven assumed it was the Man-Beast.
"BEAST!"
Raven ran after the "creature".
however, it didn't respond to her calls...so, she chased it.
"BEAST, WAIT!"
Raven chased after the man-beast, her cape spread out behind her.
Finally, the Man-Beast stopped.
it's back turned against Raven.
she slowly approached it, reaching out her hand.
"beas-GAAHH!"
the Beast suddenly turned, gripping Raven TIGHTLY in it's hand.
Raven grasped it's furry arm, frightened at this sudden act of aggression.
"BEAST BOY!, WHAT ARE YO-!"
the Man-Beast stared at her, it's body still in shadow.
then, it's white eyes suddenly turned yellow.
and, an extra pair of eyes formed above them.
Raven gasped in terror.
the "Man-Beast" then transformed.
it's body decreasing in mass, assuming a more "human" form.
the figure stepped into the light...and, Raven's heart nearly stopped at what she saw.
she saw HERSELF...only "she" had bright red skin four golden eyes, snow white hair and horn shapes on her forehead.
the Demonic Raven then grinned sinisterly, exposing her Razor Sharp Teeth.
"puny HALF human..." said Demon Raven, her voice "darker"
Raven's eyes were wide.
her demon self growled in her throat like an animal.
suddnely, the ground below Raven crumbled...
NOW, her Demon Self was holding her over a cliff.
Raven looked at herself...terror visible on her face.
"n-no!"
the Demon Raven smirked.
"how can you help Beast Boy control the Monster within him?..." began the Demon Raven
she then brought Raven's face CLOSE to hers.
"when you CAN'T even control your own!"
with that, Demon Raven released Raven...dropping her over the cliff.
Raven screamed loudly as she fell thru the endless air.
falling...FOREVER.
[End of Dream]
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
Raven instantly jolted up, now fully awake.
she panted hard, sweat dripping down her face.
"a dream...it was all a BAD DREAM."
Raven looked down, biting her lip.
"or...was it?"
Raven looked around...and, realised she was in a small cave.
she looked out the opening and saw that it was raining HARD.
"how did I-"
Raven suddnely remembered Jump City...and, the "Beastbusters."
she then narrowed her eyes, feeling anger burning within her.
"robin..." said Raven, darkly
THUD!
Raven gasped as a Hulking, Green Animal landed near the cave opening.
she soon relaxed once she realised it was the Man-Beast...Beast Boy's "Alter Ego"
the Man-Beast crawled inside the cave.
he seemed to be carrying "something" in his arms.
"b-beast?"
the Man-Beast looked at her, it's silver eyes full of concern...for HER.
"d-did you bring me here?"
the Beast nodded.
it then approached her and dropped the items it was carrying.
Raven saw that they were Random Medical Supplies.
First Aid Kits, Bandages and, Bottles of medical alcohol.
Raven stared at this, stunned.
she then looked at the Man-Beast.
"did YOU...bring this stuff for me?"
the Man-Beast nodded.
"stupid metal man hurt Raven...
Beast bring stuff to make Raven better."
Raven blushed.
"how sweet...but, it isn't neccesary.
I am capable of healing myself with my powers."
Raven suddnely recalled the Fight that the Man-Beast had with the troopers.
"OH, MY GOSH...
BEAST!, YOU WERE HURT!"
the man-Beast snorted.
"Beast fine...Beast fast healer"
Raven took note that the Man-Beast's bosy showed NO SIGN of damage.
"oh...o-okay."
KA-CRAAAAASH!
the Man-Beast suddnely got agressive, startled by the sudden thunder and lighting.
it ran out the cave and onto the stone balcony, ready to attack it's "unknown threat."
Raven watched as it grabbed a boulder and tossed it at the sky.
it then roared loudly at the thundering skies, trying to "scare off" the thunder.
"RAAAAAAAAAHHH!"
"NO, WAIT!"
Raven ran over to the Man-Beast and grabbed his massive arm.
the Beast looked at her, it's body still shaking with agitation.
"calm down...it's only the rain."
the Man-Beast breathed heavily, still stressed.
"don't worry...it won't hurt you."
after a few minutes, the Man-Beast finally relented.
Raven then guided him back into the shelter and safety of the cave.
"it's okay...just sit with me, it'll be alright."
Raven sat down on the stone floor, the Man-Beast soon sat beside her.
she gently stroked the fur on his arm as they watched the rain fall outside.
after awhile, Raven chuckled softly to herself.
she felt like she was talking to a young child, instead of a "Man-Beast"
but, in an odd way...the Man-Beast DID behave like a child.
so Innocent, so Naive, so...Ignorant, ignorant to the harshness of the world.
the Man-Beast breathed softly, getting CALMER.
"see?...it's only the rain." said Raven
the Man-Beast closed it's eyes...then exhaled deeply.
then, something happened that surprised Raven...
the Man-Beast jerked away and groaned, as if in pain.
"BEAST!, what's wron-"
Raven saw as the Man-Beast's bosy decreased in size.
it's fur receeded into it's green skin and torn clothes
his animal body took on more "human" features, as well.
Raven watched as the Man-Beast...became BEAST BOY, once more.
he groaned, then dropped to the ground, passing out.
"beast boy."
Raven crawled over to the comatose changeling.
she held his limp body in her hands, propping his head up.
she then touched his face gently, brushing some strangs of hair away.
"beast boy..."
as Raven touched Beast Boy's face...her chakra stone suddenly flashed red.
Raven's eyes widened, glowing white as unfamiliar images flashed in her mind.
[Flashback]
a green skinned child was sitting in the corner of a dark room.
he was sniffing and crying, his body trembling in fright.
the child's neck was shackled and chained to a wall.
and, his clothes looked OLD, DIRTY and TORN.
just then, the light turned on.
the child looked and saw a tall, dark man standing at a doorway.
the man was holding a crowbar and had a sinister look on his face.
"hello, garfield..." began the man
the child edged back, terrified.
the man approached him, lightly tapping the metal bar into his hand.
"time for us to have our "talk."
"p-p-please!, don't hurt me, agai-"
KA-POW!
[End of Flashback]
Raven jerked her head back in shock.
she looked at Beast Boy, confused.
what in the name of Azarath did she just see?
[Meanwhile, Elsewhere]
a man in green armor sat in a dark room.
the imaged of various video screens shimmering off his lensed helmet.
the screens were playing various images of a Hulking, Green Beast.
and, from inside his helmet...the man was grinning.
at that moment, a door slid open and someone walked into the room.
a figure that looked like a teenager stood at the man's desk.
"you wanted to see me?" said the Teen
the man silently nodded.
"INCREDIBLE...isn't he?"
the teen glanced at the monitors.
"I suppose..."
"I want you to track it down for me." said the man
"engage him in combat, see what he's made of."
the teen widened her eyes.
"with all due resepect, sir...but, ARE YOU NUTS!
didn't you SEE what that monster did to the police!"
"calm yourself, miss...he isn't like this."
the man then drew out a photograph.
he tossed it over to the girl...who snatched it.
she looked at the photograph...
which showed a teenager with Green Skin, pointed ears and fangs.
"Beast Boy?...the TEEN TITAN!"
"from what I hear..."B.B." is NO LONGER one of them."
the girl narrowed her eyes.
"why?"
"because the "Man-Beast"...is an Animal Form that he CANNOT control.
those Mechas that fought him were Created by the Titans...so, his is NOT one of them."
the girl looked at the man.
"i'm still not sure...I would feel BETTER if I had some back-up."
"then FIND SOME.
just so long as you give me what "I" want."
the girl smirked.
"FINE...this oughta be thrilling, anyhow.
BESIDES...I'll jump at ANY chance to fight a Titans, even an EX-Titan."
the girl laid the photo down.
she then turned and walked away.
"I'm sure whatever you have planned...he won't know what hit him."
the man then grinned.
"ROSE."
the girl stopped at the door.
she then turned and glared at the man with her left eye...her ONLY eye.
"my NAME...is Ravager."
"oh, of course...RAVAGER.
Ravager scoffed.
she then turned and left the office.
the man just smirked under his helmet.
[The Forest]
Beast Boy groaned as he began to awake.
he slowly opened his eyes, his vision blurry.
once his vision cleared...he found himself in a small cave.
he could see what looked like a forest outside, it was sunrise.
Beast Boy sat up, confused.
HOW did he get here?
the last thing he remembered was Jump City, the Alley, Those PUNKS...then-
Beast Boy gasped, then buried his face in his hand.
"no..."
"Zzzzz..."
Beast Boy shot his eyes open.
"wha-"
"zzzzz..."
Beast Boy looked and saw someone sleeping near him.
a girl with grey skin, short lavender hair and wearing a dark blue hooded cape.
Beast Boy widened his eyes, stunned.
"r-raven?"
Raven turned over, cuddling up to Beast Boy.
the green skinned teen froze in shock as Raven slept on him.
a part of him secretly ENJOYED this for some reason (another was TERRIFIED)
but, he was mostly confused, wondering WHY Raven of all people...was HERE with him.
wherever "here" was, anyway...
Beast Boy exhaled finally.
he then nudged her gently.
"raven..." said Beast Boy, softly
Raven continued to sleep.
"Raven, wake up."
Raven snorted, then mumbled something.
"nmmmmm...five more minutes, momma."
Beast Boy nearly chuckled at this.
but, he got over it and continued to try and wake her.
"raven!"
Raven began to wake up.
she sat up and slowly opened her tired eyes.
she arched her back and stretched out her arms, yawning loudly Raven then turned her head and looked right at Beast Boy.
"beast boy?"
Beast Boy was silent, unsure what to say.
then, SUDDENLY...Raven hugged him, tightly.
this left Beast Boy stunned.
Raven then parted and looked at him.
"thank AZAR your okay!"
"Raven...what are you doing here!" said Beast Boy, finally able to speak
Raven sighed sharply, looking down.
"I...found your letter back at the Tower."
"you did?"
Raven nodded.
"yes."
Beast Boy sighed, looking away from her.
"if your trying to talk me into coming back...forget it.
I'm NOT coming back, Raven...I CAN'T, it's too dangerous."
Raven exhaled, then spoke again.
"I did want to bring you back...
but, after I saw what Robin did...I think staying away is a Good Idea, too."
Beast Boy looked at her.
"Robin?, what did HE do?"
Raven narrowed her eyes, scowling.
"he supplied the Jump City Police with Weapons.
weapons based on Cyborg's Technology...designed to fight YOU."
Beast Boy widened his eyes.
suddenly, he recalled a "memory"
or, at least it THOUGHT it was a memory...
it felt more like remembering events from a dream.
he remembered Mechanical Men...with Troopers inside them.
he remembered them shooting at him, hitting him, TRYING to bring him down.
Beast Boy held his head, groaning.
"did I...hurt anyone?"
"no...you didn't.
THEY caused more damage than Beast did."
Beast Boy looked at Raven, confused.
"Beast?"
"the Man-Beast...that what he called himself."
Beast Boy was stunned at this.
his "inner animal" had a NAME!
did that mean it could Talk?...if so, then did it THINK?
Beast Boy turned away.
"if your not taking me home...then, WHY are you here?"
Raven touched Beast Boy's hand gently.
"i'm here to help you."
"help me?"
"Beast Boy, i KNOW what your going through...
I know what it feels like to have a monster inside you, trying to claw it's way out."
Beast Boy looked at Raven...who continued to speak.
"look...when I was a child, I had "problems" with my emotions.
when they got out of control, people tended to get hurt."
Beast Boy's eyes widened.
he then remembered that LAST TIME he saw Raven "lose control."
back with that incident with Doctor Light...
Raven lost control of her rage...and, NEARLY turned into a Demonic Monster.
"it would of been EASIER to just lock me up...or, kill me." continued Raven
"but, my Mother took me Azarath...wher the Monks there tried to HELP ME.
they trained me in how to control my emotions...to CONTROL my powers."
Raven looked at Beast Boy.
"you have the same problem, Beast Boy...we're kindred spirits.
so, I want to help you control this...NOT lock you up like Robin wants to do."
Beast Boy stared at Raven...he then looked away.
"I...I don't understand.
WHY would you care about what happens to me?, you HATE me."
Raven widened her eyes, stunned.
"I don't HATE you!
WHY would you ever think such a thing?"
Beast Boy eyed Raven.
"from all the times you Insulted me, Ignored me and Abused me."
Raven looked away, feeling SHAME for some reason.
"if I hurt you...then, I'm SORRY.
but, believe me...I really want to help you."
Beast Boy sighed sharply.
"I don't know if I CAN be helped..."
Raven clutched Beast Boy's hand.
"we can get through this, Beast Boy...TOGETHER."
Beast Boy remained silent.
"Beast Boy...look at me."
Beast Boy sighed, then looked at Raven.
the azarathian stared right at him.
"you think that your alone...but, YOU NOT."
Beast Boy widened his eyes.
remembering HIMSELF saying those very words to Raven, once.
"your NEVER alone...never."
Beast Boy finally looked away, shutting his eyes as tears threatened to escape them.
Raven touched his face gently, she then pulled him close and hugged him.
"what about...the others?" asked Beast Boy
Raven closed her moist eyes.
"they don't matter, anymore." said Raven, PAIN in her voice
Beast Boy finally put his arms around Raven and hugged her back.
"thank you, Raven...for not giving up on me.
it seems that your the only TRUE friend that I have, now."
this made Raven nearly cry.
"I know...so are you."
minutes passed as the two hugged.
they soon parted and looked out at the cave opening.
after a long silence...Beast Boy spoke.
"Gar."
Raven looked at Beast Boy.
"huh?"
"my name...my REAL name.
it's Gar, Garfield Logan."
Raven chuckled.
then, she got serious and spoke as well.
"Mine's Rachel...RACHEL ROTH."
Beast Boy looked at Raven.
"Rachel?"
Raven nodded.
"Hmm-Mmm..."
"that's a pretty name."
Raven blushed.
after a moment passed, Beast Boy spoke again.
"can I call you "Rae" for short?"
"only if I get to call you "Gar".
"DEAL."
the two smiled at each other.
after a few minutes passed, Raven stood up.
"well...come on."
Beast Boy looked at her.
"huh?"
"we can stay HERE all day.
if your going to learn to control "The Beast", then we need to find a better place to train."
"like where?" asked BEast Boy, standing up
"someplace where we won't be bothered...a place FAR away from people."
Beast Boy pondered this.
"you have somewhere in mind?"
"kind of..." said Beast Boy
Beast Boy looked at Raven.
"the place where this whole thing started...my "home."
"which is?"
"AFRICA."
Raven paused, then spoke again.
"Africa, huh?
well, getting there could take awhile."
"I think we can manage."
Raven smiled.
"then, let's go."
Raven took Beast Boy's hand.
the two then climbed down the mountain and made their way into the forest.
Author Note: This chapter was more of a Bonding between Raven and Beast Boy/Man-Beast.
Hulk Fans may notice that part of this sequence is similair to a scene from the 2008 Incredible Hulk Film (Hulk and Betty in the rain)
which ITSELF was based on a sequence from a Hulk Graphic Novel (the bit where Beast brings Raven medical supplies is from the book)
Also, Raven's Nightmare is meant to show the parallel between the Man-Beast and Raven's Inner Demon
(So, Raven has a "she-hulk" type of creature within her)
Ravager will INDEED appear as a villain.
mainly because in the time period where this story takes place...Slade is DEAD
(Slade was killed be Terra in "Aftershock Part Two", which happened BEFORE "The Beast Within")
Raven's line to Beast Boy was INDEED from "Spellbound" (a slight BBxRae episode)
