Rise of the Beast
A Teen Titans Fanfic by Quill N. Inque
I do not own Teen Ttans.
Chapter 13: Onslaught
"The darkest hours of Hell lie before you."- Lord Talbot, "The Wolfman", (2010)
Beast Boy loved Halloween.
Other than Easter, it was the only holiday of the year where giving out candy was mandatory. And, being a shapeshifter, he didn't even have to buy a costume. Though he was no longer a child, Beast Boy relished both the chance to trick-or-treat and the opportunity to play Halloween pranks on his friends.
He was not the only one checking his calendar. Throughout the fair city, people were preparing for the arrival of the ancient holiday. Freshly carved jack-o-lanterns, ranging from crude to masterful, lay inert on countless windowsills and doorsteps. Bakeries had already begun to turn out "Halloween Specials", and department stores tried to outdo each other in costume sales. Candy was bought by the bag and bucket by anxious mothers, while children attended class in their gaudy outfits. An air of festivity and excitement permeated the very air as all and sundry counted down the days to October 31st.
The changeling smiled to himself as he removed a heaping handful of the half-carved pumpkin's innards. "All right, Jack, time for your lobotomy," Beast Boy joked, imitating the voice of Dr. House. "This won't hurt a bit."
"Please, friend Beast Boy, can you explain the purpose of carving geometric patterns in produce?" Starfire's voice was curious as the Tamaranian princess watched him work.
"It's just for fun, Star," Beast Boy replied as he removed another gooey glob of seeds. "But I'm so good at it, I turn jack-o-lanterns into an art form." That last comment was directed at Cyborg, who was using his built-in tools to carve his own pumpkin.
"Oh, yeah?" Cyborg said, his voice playful. "We'll see who's better, grass stain. Bring it on."
Beast Boy wiped the blade of his carving knife, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Hang on, I'm almost finished. There," he added, turning his pumpkin around. The vegetable now bore the horrible visage of Davy Jones, carved in exquisite detail. The movie villain was so life-like that he appeared to be glaring back at them. "Top that," Beast Boy said proudly.
Raven looked up from her book, intrigued, and got up from the couch to inspect her boyfriend's work. "I gotta say, Beast Boy, that's impressive," she said.
Robin stared at the jack-o-lantern. "How long have you been working on that?"
Beast Boy checked the clock on the microwave. "Two hours, thirty-five minutes, and twelve seconds," he replied, grinning. "My best time yet!"
Cyborg shook his head. "I hate to admit it, Robin, but this is one time Beast Boy has me beat. Ain't no way I could carve a pumpkin like that, even with my robotic parts."
"It's all in the wrist, dude," Beast Boy smirked.
"Will we be doing the trick-or-treating?" Starfire asked. "It sounds like so much fun!"
"Halloween is still a week away, Star," Robin grinned. "I don't know about you guys, but you're NEVER too old for trick-or-treating."
"I heard that," Beast Boy agreed. "I've already mapped out the route we'll take. There's this old lady on Sixth Street who gives out full-size candy bars every year!"
"For real?" Cyborg's voice was shrill with glee. "I can't wait!"
Neither can I. The Beast's grating tones sent chills up Beast Boy's spine.
Go away, Beast Boy snapped. I don't want to deal with you right now.
What you want does not matter in the slightest, Garfield. I would have thought you'd learned that by now.
Shut up.
You are so cute when you try to be scary. It's almost endearing.
Go to hell, you walking flea condo!
Now that was just insulting! The Beast actually sounded somewhat offended. There's no call for put-downs here, Garfield. I am merely looking out for OUR interests.
I've seen what those "interests" are, dude, Beast Boy replied, shuddering at the memory of his dream. And I want nothing to do with them.
Idiot. I have witnessed firsthand the darkest desires of your heart. I have been to the shadowy corners of your mind, and seen the urges and emotions you choose to lock away. I know how much you wanted to kill Slade when he turned Terra against you, how you continue to blame yourself for getting kicked off the Doom Patrol. And, on a far more "intimate" note, I have seen the thoughts you have about Raven. And what thoughts they are! Tsk, tsk, tsk, Garfield! What would Raven say if she knew?
Beast Boy blushed furiously. I don't know what you're talking about.
Oh, I think you do-o-o-o, The Beast taunted him in a singsong voice. Your parents would undoubtedly be ashamed of you for dropping to my level, had you not been too weak to save them back in Africa!
SHUT UP! Beast Boy's hand slipped on the carving knife, and he hissed in pain as the blade left a long, shallow cut on his palm.
Oooh, it looks as if I've hit a nerve,the creature chortled.
"Beast Boy?"
"What?" The changeling abruptly snapped back to reality.
"Are you spacin' out on us again?" Cyborg asked. "Maybe you should see a shrink, man."
Beast Boy looked woefully at his injured hand. "I just lost my concentration, that's all."
Raven knew perfectly well what had happened, but gave no indication of such knowledge to her friends. "Come on, Beast Boy. We need to wash and bandage that cut before it gets infected," she said, gently guiding him from the kitchen.
Robin gazed worriedly after them. "Beast Boy's growing worse and worse, Cyborg. That thing he's got cooped up in his head seems to get stronger every day."
"At least he hasn't had another relapse," Cyborg replied. "But I can't help wonderin' how long he can keep this up."
"I hope he CAN keep it up," Robin lowered his voice so Starfire wouldn't overhear. "As much as we would like to help him, this is a battle that only Beast Boy can win. It kills me to see him like that, but I just don't know if there's anything we can do."
"I'm just glad Raven's givin' him a hand. Otherwise, Beast Boy wouldn't have any help at all. And if anyone knows how to win a mental conflict, it's her."
"I'm sure Beast Boy is learning a lot of things from Raven," Robin chuckled as he set his pumpkin down.
Cyborg looked at him in confusion. "What are you talkin' about, man?"
Robin grinned hugely and nodded in the direction of Raven's room. "Haven't you been paying attention? Those two have finally gotten together, Cyborg."
"What?" Robin's friend was utterly taken aback. "How do you know?"
"I've just noticed some small changes," Robin replied, his grin becoming a smirk. "The way they look at each other when they think no one's watching, the way they look for any excuse to hold each other's hand, and the way Raven has mellowed out a bit. Haven't you noticed that she's become much friendlier toward everyone these past few days?"
"Yeah, now that you mention it," Cyborg tapped his metal chin thoughtfully. "I wonder why he didn't tell me."
Robin guffawed. "Probably because Beast Boy was afraid you'd tease him. You're kinda bad about that, you know."
Cyborg looked a little guilty. "Should we tell them that we've figured it out?"
"No, they need some privacy. Those two will tell us when they're ready. Besides, if anyone deserves some happiness in his life, it's Beast Boy. After all he's gone through…I won't lie to you, I'm glad for him."
"Me too," Cyborg said. "You owe me ten bucks, by the way."
"What?"
"Don't you remember? Last Christmas we made a bet on how long it would take BB and Rae to get together. You wagered at least a year, but I was sure it wouldn't take THAT long." Cyborg's voice turned smug. "Turns out I was right."
Robin reached into his pocket and handed Cyborg the money.