7. Paradise Fallse

BEast Boy walked into the cave, Raven beside him. His mind was focused. Several times stray thoughts entered his mind about how beautiful the place was, how pristine, how wonderful it would be to just stay there with Raven forever...

He ignored them all. He knew one thing. Yes, he was in love with Raven. He was in love with ALL of her, and whatever ruled this place had sought to use her, twist her into a shadow of herself to control him. He would not tolerate that. This creature - whatever it was - would pay.

What bothered him, though...he wasn't entirely sure all of these thoughts were from the creature. Some of them might be his own. But he couldn't let himself doubt. If he doubted, he would be consumed. He wasn't sure how he knew that, but it sounded right.

Raven walked along behind Beast Boy, lost in thought. As afraid of what was going as she was, something had slowly percolated its way into her mind. She was afraid. She was feeling. And...nothing was happening. No explosions, nothing breaking, no danger. Without her powers, she could feel without consequences. Did she really want to give that up? And what had Beast Boy meant about his dreams not coming true?

Focusing, she thought through the fog in her mind, trying to remember what had happened before Beast Boy snapped her back to herself. Suddenly, the fog in her mind parted, and she stopped.

She remembered the kiss.

She reached up and touched her lips, remembering. Yes, it hadn't been her. Yes, it had been to serve some sinister purpose. But...it had been wonderful, and she wanted more. But...what if that was just this creature trying to use her against Beast Boy agian?

They reached the depths of the cave, and something stirred. A voice spoke in their minds.

I offer you so much, and ask so little in return...and yet you do this? Trespass in my sanctum?

THe voice in their minds was heavy, ancient, primal. There was not rage in the voice, not yet, but the weight of it drove Raven to her knees. She shivered at the power of the voice. She heard Beast Boy respond.

"You offer me nothing but lies, and ask that I sacrifice that which I hold most dear. Others may find your offer appealing, but to me it is the worst betrayal I could ever perform. I will not trade love for lust!"

The voice was his, but it was more so, as though a multitude spoke through him, and there were heavy overtones of snarls, growls, and screeches to his voice. It wasn't just him speaking...or perhaps it was more accurate to say it was ALL of him speaking.

Raven felt stunned by what she'd just heard. *Trade love for lust?* she thought. Then she understood, and it was all she could do not to cry.

The creature stirred.

Then you are of no use to me, Beast creature. Begone from my land. I shall find...other ways to feed.

Something slithered out of the darkness and seized Raven by her leg, pulling her in. She screamed as she was dragged past Beast Boy. He reached out to try and grab her, but other things slithered out of the darkness and grabbed her arms and other leg. As the slimy things slithered over her flesh she screamed.

Something streaked past her vision just before she blacked out.

Something green.

Something furry.

Something ANGRY!

The island environment suddenly became very dark, although no one noticed. Suddenly, a creature was expelled from the cave, to land on the sand of the beach.

It looked like something out of Lovecraftian horror. It was a writhing mass of black tentacles, red eyes, and slathering maws and fangs. It roared its fury, turning on the one who had dragged it from its sanctum.

The Beast lunged for the monster, roaring. The impact was deafening, and although the creature seemed to have an advantage at first, it quickly became apparant that it was unused to fighting, but the Beast was driven by fury and the vicious multitude of nature.

Tentacles fell in a bloody rain, and an unearthly screech of pain erupted from the creature. Then Beast Boy changed back, standing atop the creature and holding a stalactite from the cave.

"You offer temptation...but the price is too high." He drove the stalactite through the creature's largest eye.

A scream of rage, pain, and unearthly loss erupted in the air...and then all was silent. THe creature dissolved into a puddle of black blood, and the land changed. It was no longer beautiful, no longer paradise. It was a rocky crag, surrounded by thunderstorms. The spell that had hidden the truth was broken with the death of the creature who preyed on those who stumbled upon the land. Energy shot up out of the pool of black blood as it dispersed, returning to the original owners.

When the green energy entered her body, Starfire sat bolt upright, coming back to herself. She glanced down at the scenario. She was laying on rocks with Robin, his mask was off, she was only wearing a bikini bottom, and her hand was wrapped around his...

Shooting backward like a rocket, Starfire grabbed her top and fled, overcome by embarrassment and confusion.

After a moment, Robin sat up and glanced around, wondering what had happened. Glancing down, he quickly pulled up his trunks and went looking for the others.

Jinx and Bumblebee pulled away from Cyborg when the energies returned to them, confused as to what was going on.

When Cyborg came back to himself, however, he stared down at his hands, and touched his face. Then, for no clear reason, he broke down and wept.

When the energy returned to Raven, she searched through her mind and body. Things were back to normal. Her mind was clear, her memories were there. THe others would remember what had happened soon as well.

Looking up, she saw Beast Boy standing before her. She walked up to him. "Beast Boy..."

"Come on," he said, his voice tired, cold...broken. "Let's go find the others and get back to the Tower." He turned to walk along the dark, rocky shores, his shoulders slumped.

She stared after him, her heart falling to pieces inside her.