So here is my first update for the new year. ^_^ With the virus finally gone from my computer, I should be keeping up with the chapters better. I hope you continue reading and as always, Reviews are always appreciated.
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans.
Chapter 9
While the village of Upper Lamumba had pretty much returned to normal, twilight had begun to descend upon the village. Smoke rose up from various fires, and a few people chatted quietly was they walked towards their homes. It had been a long day and Chief Tawaba was feeling the brunt of it. The fact that the boy had returned, made him nervous. Was the prophecy coming true just like Dr. Phoenix said? His eyes were scrunched up with worry and he fingered his white beard nervously.
"You know it would only have been a matter of time." Phoenix said as he walked towards him. "How else would we keep Trigon from destroying the Earth in the near future? They need each other now more then ever."
Chief Tawaba sighed. "Yes, I have not forgotten what you have told me. I just hope all this impending doom does not stop him from being himself. Garfield is a special child and I see much potential in him. Do you really think we are doing the right thing?"
For awhile the two old men stood in quiet company. Each was contemplating what the other said but finally Phoenix broke the silence. "I do believe it is the best choice. Now there's nothing left to do but wait for history to unfold."
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Unbeknown of the elders' conversation, Beast Boy and Raven were also quietly talking. The hut was warm from the fire and as they talked, Raven could already feel a small headache coming on. Her emotions were such a mess now that Love had made her debut. Now all she could hear were them arguing about this whole situation.
"Tell him how you feel!" whispered Brave.
"No!" Timid whimpered. "He won't feel the same way!"
"Just try. Maybe he'll like you back..." Love added.
"Forget him!" Rage demanded. "Men are all the same!"
Moaning a little, she rubbed her head and contemplated her next move. How should she act in a setting like this? Each emotion had a point, but what was the truth? Finally, she paused and looked at Beast Boy seriously. If she told him how she felt, it was better to be rejected now then sometime later in a public place. Memories of the pain of Malchior echoed in her heart but she tried to forget that. Beast Boy was her friend wasn't he? What was the worst he could do, other then reject her feelings? At least it would relieve all this...tension. All of this closeness was driving her crazy!
"Raven? Are you okay? You're acting a little different..." Beast Boy said. His look was filled with concern and cautiously, he placed a hand on her shoulder.
Startled out of her thoughts, Raven quickly said "What? Oh, no...I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind, that's all."
Nodding, Beast Boy took a bite of his soup and placed it back down on the ground. "You know what Raven? I think you worry too much! We will get through this, you'll see."
"And you worry too little." Raven retorted, rolling her eyes. For a few moments she was quiet before adding. "So, what were you and Little Gar up to earlier? He seemed to have something important to say until you cut him off..."
Beast Boy blushed. "Um...it was just...that kid he....well..."
Rolling her eyes, Raven sighed. "You should be more careful since we are staying here. It is your past after all...or haven't you noticed? I believe that was your mother I spoke to earlier? She seemed like a nice person. How come you haven't mentioned your family when we were back home?"
"Oh...you know. It never really came up." Beast Boy said evasively. "Besides, it's not like I stayed here for very long."
Raven looked at him for a moment, before nodding. "If you don't wish to talk about it...fine. I respect your privacy as you have respected mine. For the most part that is."
Standing up, Beast Boy looked at her with intense eyes. "It's not that I don't want to talk about my past. I love my family but...it's a past I have wanted to forget for so long. Do you know what it's like to see every wrong move before it happens? I wish I didn't know because if I'm in denial, I won't have to feel so helpless to stop it!"
"What wrong move?" Raven demanded. "In this time-line you are only three years old! What could you have possibly done at such a young age that you don't even want to spend a rare opportunity with those you care about?"
"I'll tell you why." Beast Boy growled angrily. "It's because it's my fault that my mother is dead! That my whole family is dead!"
There was silence in the hut, with only the fire crackling between them. The warm mood had suddenly shifted to tense and uncomfortable. Beast Boy was about to get up to leave, when all of a sudden a loud scream echoed through the village. Raven looked at Beast Boy but the boy had frozen in place. His eyes were wide with shock and with a start, he quickly raced towards where the sound came from.
Raven was close behind and could see that already a crowd had formed. Whispers were floating around but Beast Boy paid no mind and pulled his way through the large amount of people. In the center, little Gar was whimpering as his mother rocked him. The little boy's hand was starting to swell and tears poured down his face. Not too far away, a monkey screeched in the trees but all eyes were on the child's face.
"Where is he?" A demanding voice asked. "Where is my son?"
Mark Logan forced his way through the crowd and searched frantically for his family until finally his eyes fell upon little Gar's form. He and Steve Dayton had come home early from their expedition because of how dark it was getting but when they neared the village, Mark began to fear the worst. At the sound of her husband's voice, Marie glanced up at him sadly and for a moment their eyes met. The older man crumbled down next to his family and cradled his little son in his arms.
Among the clutter and the chaos, Beast Boy and Raven watched with shocked eyes. Everyone seemed to have forgotten they were there and Raven could sense the deep fear that was coming from Beast Boy. "Do you know what is happening?" She whispered.
"This is when I get my powers." Beast Boy said with disbelief. "I am going to get deathly sick and when I am better, I will wake up green."
