Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans.
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Rise of War
Chapter 13: A Helping Hand
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Raven unwrapped the last piece of gauge around her arm and then pulled down her sleeve. After shedding a few tears she had retreated to the bathroom to get a quick change of clothes and remove all the bandages Beast Boy applied on her for they were no longer needed. Raven let out a deep sigh before taking a look at herself in the mirror. Beast Boy would be expecting an explanation now; he was waiting right outside for her. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and headed outside.
Beast Boy stood in the corner of her room leaning against the wall. Beast Boy had his head bowed down so he didn't sense her presence until she sat down on her bed not meeting his gaze. Beast Boy shuffled his feet trying to find a way to break the uncomfortable silence.
"So um…" Beast Boy nervously spoke rubbing the back of his head. "What really happened?" Raven took a slight glance at him before answering him.
"My father…he's still alive. Apparently he wasn't destroyed as we were hoping." Raven began.
"But that can't be possible. We saw it all, you totally obliterated him!" Beast Boy said waving his hands in the hands.
"No, he managed to survive. He's trapped once again and wants to be released. I'm his only way out, I'm still the portal." Raven explained.
"But that doesn't explain why you're going on some killing spree each night." Beast Boy said taking few steps towards Raven.
"Unlike before I didn't have a choice and had to open the portal. But this time I do and I refused to release him. In response to my refusal, he somehow got a strong influence over my rage releasing it and…changes me into a monster…" Raven trailed off then. Beast Boy knew this must be hard for her so he let her take her time. Raven let out a deep breath before continuing. "I have no control over myself then and I go out at night and kill, destroy, create havoc, anything to his pleasure. It's how he's torturing him. He said he won't stop until I open the portal, otherwise he'll make me continue the carnage each single night…"
Beast Boy then found himself seated besides Raven taking all what she said in. His ears were drooped down in sadness and sympathy for Raven, though he wouldn't express it for he knew does not like receiving sympathy, she doesn't like to show that she is weak. Beast Boy looked over at Raven who had a distant look staring at the floor.
"So…what are you gonna do?" Beast Boy asked.
"I don't know…I don't know what to do." Raven answered in a sullen voice.
"Why don't you tell the others-"
"No!" Raven immediately said glaring up at Beast Boy who flinched back by her tone. "I can't tell the others. I'll get through this on my own. Besides, how are you supposed to tell your friends that you were the one ruthlessly murdering people each night? Robin would be beyond furious, Starfire would be crushed. Same as Cyborg. They'll never forgive me."
'Shouldn't I be mad at her too? I mean she killed all those innocent people! She's the reason why that little girl Sarah has no family any more!' Beast Boy thought to himself. 'Then how come I can't get myself to be mad at her? Maybe it's because when I found her that night…she seemed so helpless and weak. I just had to help her. All this is not her fault anyway.'
"But Raven we're your friends, we can help you."
"No one can help me now." Raven said turning her head away from him. "I'll get through this on my own."
"Then I'll help!" Beast Boy said raising his arm.
"No."
"Come on Raven! After everything you told me, I'm not just gonna sit back and let you get through this on your own and I won't tell the others!"
"You promise?"
"Friends honor!" Beast Boy said grinning widely closing his eyes. Raven looked up at him for a while before coming to a decision.
"Fine." She said. After that they both remained silent for a short time. "Did you and the others already get called by the police?"
"Yeah we did." Beast Boy said his smile fading.
"How many were killed?"
"Um…"
"Whenever I become that…thing, my memory gets a little fuzzy and it's hard for me to remember some things." Raven explained.
"Oh well…four bodies were found. If I didn't bump into you last night they could've caught you." Beast Boy said placing his arms behind him and leaning back.
"I never got to thank you for that."
"Hey don't worry about it, what are friends for huh?" Beast Boy said. Raven was silent for a while before speaking.
"Thank you." Raven said. Beast Boy looked over at Raven as did she. "For helping me and also um…taking care of me last night." Raven said rather shyly. In response Beast Boy gave a big grin.
"No problem, I'd do anything for you Rae." Beast Boy said as he leaned forward and placed his arm around Raven's neck.
"Really?"
"Yep!"
"Then start by getting you arm off me and not call me Rae." Raven ordered glaring at Beast Boy. Beast Boy laughed nervously as he pulled his arm back.
"Sorry Rae-VEN!" Beast Boy instantly corrected himself.
"Titans, assemble in the training room!" the voice of Robin boomed through out the Tower. Beast Boy stood up and looked back down at Raven.
"Come on." Beast Boy said as he offered his hand to her. Raven looked down at his hand and back up at him. She simply stood up on her own and walked out of her room. Beast Boy dropped his hand frowning but then quickly reformed a smile and ran out of the room following behind Raven.
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"What! No match at all?" was the first thing they heard as Raven and Beast Boy entered the training room, the others were already there.
"Sorry man, it didn't match up with anyone in our files." Cyborg said holding up a piece of paper. Robin growled as he turned to the entrance of the training room to see Beast Boy and Raven.
"Oh good you're here. No time to waste now, we're going to have a long training sessions today." Robin said placing his hands on his waist.
"Training session?" Starfire asked.
"Yes. We don't know what we're up against, and taking a look at what it can do we have to be prepared for this thing. We'll be patrolling the city tonight so when this thing strikes we'll be out to get it and annihilate it!" Robin said decisively, not hearing Raven gulp at his words. "So Titans, lets begin." Robin said before turning and walking further into the training room.
"Dude do we have to start now, we didn't even have breakfast." Beast Boy said as his stomach grumbled.
"Breakfast later, training now." Robin said. Suddenly a loud grumbling sound erupted within the room. Everyone turned their attentions towards Robin's stomach. "Scratch that. Breakfast now, training after." Robin said as he walked out of the training room.
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After a good morning's breakfast everyone retreated to the training room and began their morning training sessions. Throughout breakfast Raven tried to stay calm while hearing Robin's plan to kill whatever it was causing bloodshed each night. Beast Boy tried to keep her calm throughout the time. Now in the training, each did their own exercises and workouts then Robin had them run through a training simulation course over and over again. After they each sparred with one another and did everything all over again and again.
"Come on Titans, no time for a break." Robin said as he wiped away the beads of sweat from his forehead. The others sat on the floor, backs to each other, panting and sweating miserably.
"All this to get me, I'm flattered." Raven whispered to Beast Boy.
"Come on now get up now." Robin ordered.
"Robin, I think even you've had enough for today." Cyborg said looking up to his leader.
"I'm not stopping now, so get up!" Robin ordered again.
"Robin I think we could all use a break." Beast Boy said.
"No!" Robin shouted.
"Friend Robin, please…" Starfire said looking up to Robin with sad eyes. That was able to break the ice. Robin sighed as he dropped down his intricate demeanor.
"Sorry guys…" Robin apologized.
"Hey man, its okay." Cyborg assured him.
"It's just that…" Robin trailed off placing his hands on his hips. "So many people have killed mercilessly." He said. Raven turned her eyes away, not willing to listen to what Raven had to say. Beast Boy glanced back at Raven, knowing Robin's words would probably affect her. "I just can't stand it, people being murdered, families crying at night. Whoever this killer is, I won't stop at nothing to see it taken down." Robin said firmly.
"Don't worry Rob, we'll find this murderer." Cyborg said as he stood up and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Yeah. Come on, I think we can use a break." Robin smiled as he walked out of the training room followed by Cyborg and Starfire. Raven and Beast Boy still remained seated on the floor.
"It's not your fault." Beast Boy said after a few seconds of silence.
"Yes it is." Raven whispered.
"No it isn't. You're being forced into this against your own choice. There's nothing you could've done."
"Yes there was. None of those people would've died if it wasn't for me. I should've just released Trigon instead of let him control me and kill all those people."
"But even if you did let him out, he still would kill everybody." Beast Boy said. Raven sighed as she realized that.
"Whatever decision I make everything will still be my entire fault." Raven said as she stood up.
"That's not true." Beast Boy said standing up as well.
"Yes it is!"
"But-"
"You don't understand Beast Boy!" Raven shouted. "I release him or not, either way people will still be killed because of me! Everything will be my fault!" Raven shouted before leaving the training room. Beast Boy stood there for a while contemplating what to do. He then walked out of the training and searched for Raven. He had found her in the hallway looking out the window. He slowly walked towards her and stood by her side.
"It's not your fault you were born in a family like yours. It's not your fault that you're half demon, neither is any of this your fault. It's just how life goes I guess. We get put insane situations and we just gotta pull through it ya know. Just like every other day." Beast Boy spoke softly.
"Not in this case." Raven said continuing to look out the window.
"That's what you said last time, when the prophecy was going to happen. You said there was nothing we could do to stop it but look where we are now, we're still living. We stopped your dad even when you told us how impossible it was. You said it was going to be your fault but you made up for everything. You were the one who destroyed him."
"But I didn't."
"Well you gave everyone a time of peace and you can do it again. And this time for sure you can beat Trigon!" Beast Boy jauntily spoke. Raven looked at Beast Boy who was grinning blissfully. She just looked at him as she thought on everything he just told her. She then remembered one of her visions, when Beast Boy was hugging her. Raven would've expected Robin to help her out though this ordeal like last time, but this time maybe Beast Boy could.
"Since when did you become so intellectual?" Raven asked as Beast Boy cocked his eyebrows curiously. Raven then offered a small smile. Beast Boy smiled and chuckled.
"I'm more than just jokes ya know." He said.
"Thanks." Raven smiled as did he in return. The two stood there staring into each others eyes not speaking at all.
'Looks like we're having another moment.' Raven thought to herself.
"Speaking of jokes wanna hear one?" Beast Boy excitedly asked.
'And there he goes ruining it again.' Raven thought as she rolled her eyes walking away as Beast Boy followed telling one of his latest jokes.
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Must be my shortest chapter, but anyhoo hope you all enjoyed that one! Please do review guys and next chapter will be up soon! I also got a new BBxRae fic coming up really soon, gonna have a lot of BBxRae fluffiness, look out for it.
-C18G