Here's the next chapter.
Disclaimer: I think we all know what goes here by now.
Ch. 11: The End of the World
Raven wasn't sure what was happening. This boy with black hair and a mask just wouldn't give up. As he told her a story, images flashed through her mind. Memories. They were her memories. She was older in the memories and stronger. Her father. She remembered that he'd ended the world. Her world. Her home. There was no hope. Yet, this foolish boy wouldn't give up.
She did notice a strange bond between her and the boy. One forged by the sharing of minds. So they had met and she'd trusted him enough to risk such a bond. There were also the memories. Like she'd told him. She saw them. Like a dream or a nightmare. Maybe both.
But, he said to hope so she followed him. She watched them fight her father. Watched them do everything and knew there was nothing she could do. Horror filled her and a dread she couldn't begin to describe. It was like a horror film when you knew that the evil was lurking just on the other side of the door the character was about to open.
After one particularly nasty blast, she searched for Robin. He was just lying there. She had a terrifying moment where she wasn't sure he was breathing. Trigon approached and began to tell her what she already knew. She closed her eyes to accept the inevitable. Memories flashed across her eyelids and a boy's voice saying, "We're a family. That means we protect each other."
For the first time in her life, rage rose in her and was welcomed. She stood and told Trigon exactly what she thought of him. Her anger gave her power along with the love for her friends. Mustering up every last bit of her strength, Raven blasted her father back to where he'd come from.
In gratitude, she hugged Robin knowing he'd understand. Beast Boy shouted at her and seemed genuinely concerned that she wasn't herself. Smiling, she put his fears to rest, finishing it off with, "And don't get used to the smile, because you're still not funny."
He hugged her for the second time shouting, "Raven!"
They went back to the tower. Raven went straight to her room and changed her clothes then cut her hair. Right after snipping off the last lock, there was a knock on her door. She opened it to find Beast Boy standing there. He seemed both guilty and concerned.
"I just wanted to make sure you were alright," he said quickly.
"I'm fine," she informed him.
"Because...well, you've had a big day and..."
"I'm fine," she said again and sighed. "I honestly don't know what I feel. Just that it's not bad."
He nodded. There seemed to be more, so she waited for him to get it out. Finally, he said in a rush, "I'm sorry I didn't come save you."
"What?"
"I..." He looked away from her and his ears drooped. "I'm sorry that I didn't come save you."
"Beast Boy, I don't know what you're talking about." She tilted her head in confusion. "I was never in any danger. You were."
"When Robin went to go find you," he explained. "We all wanted to go, but..."
"He was the most logical choice," she answered, still confused as to why he felt he had to apologize for that. "I know you would have come for me if he couldn't."
He looked up at her. "You do."
"Yes. Beast Boy, it was you that taught me what a family was, remember? We're a family so we protect each other. You're words." She gave a very tiny smile. "It was those words that gave me the strength to fight my father."
"Really?" He perked up for a moment then glared at her. "Then why did you hug Robin?"
"Because he had faith in me." She still didn't understand why this was so important to him, but she'd indulge him. He did fight her father for her. "No one has ever had faith in me until I met all of you. Robin reminded me of that. Taught me that nothing was impossible until I gave up." She smiled a little more. "Besides, if I hugged you, you would have died of shock."
He blinked then laughed. "True. Very true." Grabbing her hand, he pulled her down the hallway. "Come on. We're having a party to celebrate saving the world. You have to come."
For the first time, Raven gave his hand a small squeeze. Then she returned her to usual self and groaned. "A party?"
As soon as everyone went to bed, Raven slipped out of the tower. It bothered her to return to the library where she'd released her father, but she had no choice. She had to find it. For hours she searched around in the rubble with no luck. Where was it? She was starting to get frustrated when a small gleam caught her eye.
"Yes," she whispered as she picked up the penny. Using her magic, she put a small hole through the top then threaded a chain through it. She examined her necklace with a soft smile before putting it on and hiding it beneath her clothes.
I'll have the next chapter up as soon as I can.
