A/N: So I would just like to apologize for my horrid absence from the world of Fanfiction. I know I haven't updated for an obscene amount of time, and I am so sorry for that. In my excuse, I have been taking care of three newborn babies that are now 7-8 months old, taking all AP and Honors courses in school, and trying not to become a social outcast in my little amount of free time. This chapter is a little over 1,000 words (big for this story) and an effort to make amends. I know this is a tiny chapter compared to other stories but, hey, I do my best. So here you go! Enjoy:
Chapter 7
Why can't I get it? It's just a stupid spell! A normal, usual, completely in the box spell…
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!"
The only sound in the dark room burst out of the raven-haired teenager sitting cross-legged on the floor. A black box sitting a foot away shuddered, hung in midair for a moment, then crashed back to the floor.
"Ugh!" Raven blew the hair out of her face with a frustrated grunt. Sitting up on her ankles, she reached across the floor to grab the box that was the source of her anger.
"Why-"
Thud.
"-Wont-"
Thud.
"-It-"
Thud.
"-WORK?"
CRASH!
Raven threw the irritating box across the room with a final yell. This spell had been bothering her for days now. It was a simple levitation spell and yet, was being impossibly difficult. Sure, she had been distracted, but that doesn't excuse the miserable failure that was her magic! If only she could focus! Maybe a quick break would help…
Leaving the isolation that was her room, she ventured out into the hallway and continued on into the brightly lit Common Room. Spotting Beast Boy and Cyborg on the couch, she headed in their direction.
"Hey, Rae! What's shakin' bacon?" Beast Boy was obviously his very chirpy self that morning.
"Hello, Beast Boy." She dully replied. How this boy could be so happy all the time was beyond her. She wasn't cheery at the best of times, and when she was frustrated… Watch out. "Hello, Cyborg."
He replied in a distracted manner after trying to scoot past Beast Boy's animated car that was currently ahead of him in the screen. "Hey, Raven. Can't really talk now, gotta beat BB in this ga… NO! Come on!"
Beast Boy's cheering could probably have been heard all the way across the city. "Whoooo! Look at where that trash talking takes you, Cy! Down to loser-ville with the rest of the losers, that's where!" He was laughing hysterically now.
Raven sighed. Oh boy… Here it comes.
Cyborg's indignated voice was resounding throughout Titans' Tower. "Not fair! You cheated! I was talking to Raven and you completely used the Double A source code! That is illegal! Cheat! Cheat! Cheat!"
And here is the jumping…. Time to intervene.
"Guys! That's enough!" Raven's usually quiet voice was now loud enough to break through to the two boys in the middle of a shouting fight in the living room. "Cyborg, I would like your help in making my image now, please. That's why I came down here in the first place."
Not entirely true, but good enough.
Cyborg jumped at the mention of more precious electronics. "Oh, sure Raven! Let's go to my roo- I mean, my Command Center, that's what I'm calling it now- and we can get that set up for you. Everyone else has gone right?"
The Command Center- as it was now called- was filled floor to ceiling with electronics: Sound systems; DVD and VCR players; computer screens, monitors and keyboards… Some of the stuff Raven couldn't even recognize. Wait… Was that a toaster?
"So, Raven. What do you want your alter ego to look like?" Cyborg was sitting at a computer desk, staring at her excitedly.
"Uh, like a girl?" How am I supposed to know? I've never been a normal girl who goes to the mall to pick out the latest fashion trends… Eww, how do I even know what "fashion trends" means...
Cyborg's hesitant voice came from beside her. "Okay… I guess that means we're starting from scratch." A grey outline of a female came up on the screen. "Do you want to be skinny or fat?"
Raven stared at him.
Cyborg giggled. "Right. Stupid question. Do you want to have long hair or short?"
And on and on went the questioning. Maybe a billion questions later, Raven's alter ego was on the screen, staring back at her. She had glossy black hair to her mid-back and pale skin. She was wearing a white v-neck t-shirt with splatter paint all over it, and dark blue skinny jeans. A pair of bright red converse, matching some of the splatter paint, adorned her feet.
Raven and Cyborg both stared at the final result, dumbfounded.
"Is that really… me?" Raven asked.
Cyborg shook out of his stupor and grinned up at her. "If it isn't now, it will be when you put on the ring!"
Raven slowly smiled.
Walking out of Cyborg's room, Raven thought of all the things she would now be able to do. Just like a normal teenage girl.
I can go to the bookstore and buy books that don't just have to do with dark magic, because that's what the Titan Raven would do, not this Raven. Oh, good point. Should I still go around calling myself Raven when wearing the ring? Hmmm… Or maybe I should change it… But what is a name similar to Raven? I'll think about it later. Oh! And I can go to my café and maybe even recite some poetry. That would be wonderful. Just a normal person reciting poem, not being stared at by the entire population.
Raven had now reached her bedroom door. When the automatic zhoom of it opening reached her ears, she was still thinking.
Maybe I could even bring some of the Titans with me… I wonder if Beast Boy would like it there..- Wait a second. Beast Boy? What?
Hi, Raven!
Hello, Raven.
Why am I even here?
I'm…so…sad…Raven….
Raven sat down on the bed with a heavy sigh. Oh, no.
Why so unhappy? Everyone should be happy! Alllllll the time!
Raven is feeling stress as a result of her unfortunate confusion in relation to her fellow Titan Beast Boy.
Why can't you just talk like a normal person? You make me so angry!
Please, don't fight. We emotions must stick together… I'm so sad for us…
Raven grumbled under her breath. "Why you emotions can't just stay put is beyond me."
Raven, we are you! Duhhhhhhh… Happy giggled hysterically.
"I understand that, Happy, thank you."
We are here to help you understand your emotions, Raven. Your are currently: happy about wanting to involve Beast Boy, thinking rationally about the situation (That's me.), angry at your loss of control, and sad for yourself because you think you can never have a real relationship.
"But I don't want to be involved with Beast Boy! It was just a stray thought!"
God, Raven! You make me so mad! Just fess up already! You like him!
Stop being mean to her, Angry, she's sad enough as it is…
Raven sighed. Again. This was going to be a long night.
A/N: So I hope you liked it! I'm sure you all figured out which emotions were which. Review and tell me what you think!
PS: I have been trying to think of a band name for them and I have only come up with retarded stuff. I am kinda stuck on the Burning Comets, though, because it is a play on Starfire's name. So, just review your thoughts on that or other ideas! Thanks so much!
PPS: I know I always promise to update faster and I never do. I truly do make a conscious effort to do so, but sometimes life just kicks the crap outta you. This is what has been happening to me…
PPPS: You know… If I had maybe 10-15 reviews, I'm sure I would update. Because I already have the next chapter half-written…
REVIEW! If I get 10 reviews I will update! No matter how soon or how long it takes!
