[Chapter 6]
[Several days later]
Things had settled down in the Tower quite a bit. Raven had awoken without any major problems, which meant that the kid who, as Plasmus, clobbered Raven didn't have to worry about an angry Edward coming to visit him in prison.
Robin and Starfire were able to enjoy a night on the town and opened up about their feelings toward one another, so, the team was told that there was another couple there. That move emboldened Terra and Beast Boy to have a long talk and they told the team that they were going to be dating as well.
Edward smiled, knowing that while Cyborg was odd man out, he would support the three couples. The team would grow closer together as a result of the pairings.
The team started to get used to the white Raven as well. Her abilities were somewhat enhanced with the feelings she was developing. Needless to say that while she was still quite sarcastic in her speech, there was times when Edward detected the warmth behind it.
But, the day came when Raven said, "Edward, let's head for my room. There's something there I promised to show you."
Beast Boy started to say something but, one look from Edward and Raven silenced whatever he would have said.
"Not a word, Beast Boy," Edward said, "Not unless you want to be teleported to another time…or dimension."
"Who me?" he squeaked.
"Yeah, you," Raven said seriously, "It's not going to be what you might think…unless you're thinking a certain mirror."
Beast Boy smiled then, "Be careful, Edward. Her mind can be dangerous."
Edward smiled, "I know. Heck, I was in Terra's mind and that was an interesting time. We'll let you know what happens."
He took Raven's hand as they walked to her room.
"I usually don't allow anyone in here," she said a few moments later after the door closed.
She picked up her mirror and said, "Just relax. You'll be sucked in, but, when you get your bearings, you can land safely. You'll see different versions of me there, just like with Terra. Watch out for Anger and Rage, though, they might be very nasty.
"I'll follow you in, though."
Edward took the mirror and looked into it for several seconds. As he did, he felt that suction she talked about and within a few seconds, he was in her mind.
He saw that he was falling towards a section of rocks and quickly formed a mini-dragon to recover. He landed safely and wondered aloud, "OK, where to now?"
"Follow me," a familiar voice said. Edward turned to see Raven landing. She was wearing her purple uniform as she approached Edward.
"Well," she said, "Welcome to what makes me who I am. The other emotions are waiting for us nearby. I'm sure you'll be here again, but, they've been bugging me to meet you."
"Do we fly or walk?" Edward asked.
"Fly," she said sardonically, "It's faster."
Edward flapped his wings and took to the air. As he did, he saw Raven fall into formation and even take a slight lead.
As they flew on, Raven gave him a rundown on what to expect.
"Happy will be in pink and in a good mood, obviously. She'll be the easiest one to talk to.
"Timid will be in gray. She's very sensitive, as Beast Boy and Cyborg discovered. Treat her with kid gloves.
"Brave…she's probably going to challenge you. If that happens, just don't beat her too bad.
"Rude will try to tear you down. She's the one that gives me the sarcasm for Beast Boy.
"Anger will really try to bait you. She's ticked at the whole world, but, she's minor compared to Rage. Rage is still confined but, sometimes, barely. She gets loose and it's hell.
"There's a few others as well. Affection will certainly be there…as will Love."
Raven grew silent then as they flew on. It seemed to take a long time, but, finally, Raven pointed and said, "Land there."
Raven started down, followed by Edward. They landed softly and Edward transformed back to human.
A girl in pink arrived and said, "Is this who I think it is?"
Raven nodded. That resulted in Happy giving Edward a hug, "I'm overjoyed to meet you! You make Raven very happy."
"Why the pink?" Edward asked.
"Cause it's my favorite color, silly!" Happy said with a laugh.
Another emotion arrived. Timid was, well, timid in her approach to Edward.
"Hi," she said shyly as she took slow steps.
"It's OK, Timid," Edward said gently, "I'm a friend. You're safe."
"You sure?" she asked, "Last time Raven felt this way, we were all hurt badly. I'm scared that it will happen again."
Edward's heart melted at that as he said, "That guy's gone for good. Raven's not going to be hurt by me. I'll protect her and the Titans. She'll never feel that kind of hurt again."
"Yeah, right," another one said, "Raven's been hurt too much! Last time, it was by a dragon like you! Just go away before I kick your ass!"
Edward stood up and looked at the emotion: Anger had arrived.
"Not gonna happen," Edward retorted, "I care about her too much. Malchior is nothing like me."
Anger charged at Edward with a snarl, "Prove it!"
Edward sidestepped the emotion and said, "I do not wish to fight you! You're part of Raven and if I fight you, you might end up hurt."
"Then, I'll kick your ass!" she said and as Edward watched, he saw what Dr. Light feared…Anger was riding on a billowing cape about 10 feet into the air.
Raven said, "You'll have to fight, Edward. If you don't, that will prove her point. She's wanting payback."
Edward sighed, "Fine. I'm not responsible if Anger gets hurt." He didn't really want to fight any aspect of Raven, but, Anger lashed out with a tentacle and Edward dove out of the way.
He formed a bull and charged towards the emotion, but, before he got there, he shapeshifted to a hawk and struck the emotion, forcing her backwards by the blow.
"You'll pay for that!" Anger snarled and fired off a black energy bolt that surrounded Edward. He flexed his wings…or tried to as they were pinned down.
Next thing he knew, he was slammed into a rock pillar and slid down, dazed by the impact. He shook his head to clear it and transformed to his mini-dragon form.
"I really didn't want to use this form," he muttered.
He loosed a low power lightning bolt that hit Anger, knocking her backwards, then, before she could recover, Edward blasted her with the ice, encasing her.
"LET ME OUTTA HERE!" Anger screamed.
"Not till ya chill out," Edward said calmly.
"Good one!" Happy cheered from the sidelines. Edward winked over at her.
Anger wasn't done yet…"Azarath Metrion Zinth…" Edward had gone over and clamped his paw over her mouth, breaking the spell.
"Sorry, love," he said, "I can't let you do that. You've no idea how my own version of Anger would erupt if provoked."
Anger tried biting Edward, only to moan in pain as her teeth hit Edward's miniature scales.
"Diamond hard," he said, "You're lucky if you didn't chip a tooth trying that. I got all day, toots. Let's just calm down and channel that anger at someone who deserves it. Raven loves me and I love her and this little tantrum only hurts her. I can respect how you feel after her heart was broken, please try to respect my feelings."
Anger slumped in defeat. Edward took his paw off and gently lifted Anger's chin.
"Truce?" Edward offered, "Tell ya what. I intentionally hurt Raven, you can kick my ass…fair enough?"
Anger nodded, "You have a deal." She was, well, angry that Edward beat her, but, she'd wait and see if Edward broke his end of the bargain.
Edward stepped back and looked at how to free the emotion from the ice. Without warning, he spun around and struck the ice with his tail, causing the ice to crack and split open.
"You all right?" Raven asked her angry side.
"Yeah, just freaking peachy," Anger snarled, brushing the ice off her cloak, then, shivered.
Raven shrugged, "Serves you right."
"Bite me!" Anger said.
"And Rude, too," Edward noted.
They heard a belch. "Nope, that's Rude over there," Raven said, pointing to yet another 'emotion'. Edward wondered why Rude was an emotion when that's more behavioral in nature.
"So," Rude asked, "Who the hell in the guy with the scales? Some lizard?"
"Play nice, Rude," Raven warned, "Edward's part of my life and I won't have him insulted."
"But, I can still be myself with that green grass stain, right?" Rude asked snidely.
"Sure," Raven said, "Why not?"
"Awesome! Wait till I think of more stuff to call him next time he tells a bad joke!" Rude said, heading for the rest of the gang.
There was a white version of Raven who showed up and walked over to Edward and before he could react, she grabbed him into a bearhug and kissed him deeply.
"You must be either affection or Love," he presumed when she let him up for air.
"Well, I am the strongest one she has," the emotion replied, "I am the side of Raven that, yes, is Love and Affection. You've no idea how we waited for Raven to accept that she could love and trust once more. Malchior almost killed this side of Raven.
"But, we know that you're just the opposite of that guy and will treat us like royalty. You've healed her…and us as well."
"It's you I need to thank," Edward said, "I think Raven realized that there was a similar issue. It's been a long time, centuries actually, when there wasn't that special person in my life. Who would have known that person would be Raven?"
Raven herself said, "I knew that the first time you tried a mental link, actually. But, we both know that what we feel for one another is for-real. That's what counts. The other Titans trust him as well.
"We need to head back, Edward, I promised Robin we wouldn't be long."
Edward knew that there would be other trips in the future, so, he said good-bye to the gathered emotions, including Anger who tried to spit into Edward's face, only to get chewed by Happy, Timid and Love/Affection.
Edward took to the "air" and Raven said her mantra and a blinding flash enveloped Edward…