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Chapter 36. Possession.
Meliah was leaning against the wall of the elevator with her arms crossed over her chest, eyes closed. At some point she started to pinch the bridge of her nose and to massage her temples to alleviate the tension Mento's mental inquiry had left behind while Raven stood across the small area trying to give the other girl space.
"Gar told me he proposed, why didn't you say yes?"
The question took Raven by surprise. Meliah's tone and demeanor however were not at all friendly and she felt the need to defend herself "I've already decided I will, I just needed time… Why did you send Wally away?"
Meliah's eyes crystallized again against her better efforts to which Raven responded "My turn for a bold question" said in an expressionless monotone.
Meliah just raised an eyebrow but just said "Fair enough… he reminded me of Gar too much… and he will be ours even if we have to kill YOU! " Meliah said and a low growl escaped her as she grabbed her head and slide down against the wall. Raven was taken aback but instinctively raised her hands encased in her dark energy as the bell of the elevator rang signaling they had reached their destination.
But there, for a split second and a desperate whimper, Meliah's eyes went back to blue and managed to whisper "Raven… get out… I cant control her anymore…" and she screamed in pain and started to transform and getting bigger. Raven phased thru the doors before they opened and quickly raised a shield to protect her from a ball of fire sent her way.
Cyborg had been on the kitchen and got his cannon ready the moment he saw Raven lifting a shield to divert a fire ball that unfortunately was diverted where he was standing right against the cabinet where he kept the lighter fluid for when they had barbecues on the park. It exploded immediately causing the nearby windows to break and from the elevator they could hear the strain of the cables as they tried to hold the weight and out of the smoke a claw appeared as a growling sound made its way out, with a glowing chest ready to breath fire again.
Raven started to levitate backwards towards the broken window trying to contain the strange animal back with tendrils of dark energy but no matter how much she tried, there was no other way but to lure her out before it destroyed the rest of the tower, as well as no mistake on what she had turned into… a dragon that had vengeance in mind.
Once out, Raven tried again to contain her but once the dragon's body made it to the window, she spread her wings and followed her with great ease. It reminded her of another dragon she faced a few years ago. But the solution to that one in particular had been simple. This time, there was no spell to lure her away or trap her in a book. Instead, it occurred to Raven that perhaps instead of attacking from the outside, an inside approach might be the solution. The only problem was getting Meliah to calm down enough. But her line of thought was cut short the moment she realized something the moment she looked into her eyes.
Instead of the crystallized blue, there were shreds of black and red. So there is a spell after all. She thought to herself, but the distraction cost her dearly as she didn't see coming the tail that, with great force, slammed against her midsection, knocking the air out of her lungs and propelling her into the open ocean.
The dragon diverted its course and maneuvered around the sonic blasts coming her way. The base of her neck, glowing in anticipation of the incandescent fire building as Cyborg only had a few seconds to escape before he would be incinerated.
One way would be to retreat back inside in the hope of getting at least to the elevator before the fire reached him or jump off the tower and hope to land in one piece but as he thought this, his cybernetic mind was also making the calculations and got to the conclusion that he might be better off free falling out of the tower than to make a run for it, so, he decided to jump off the broken window instead and as he fell, tried to change the polarity of his cannon to use the sonic waves as a buffer and hopefully once he touched the ground, it wouldn't be as painful, but the dragon was fast and soon closed its mouth to put out the fire and arched its neck downward in pursuit of its pray.
The dragon was ready to breath fire again when out of the corner of her eye, saw a green cheetah running towards the water and decided to fly towards it instead. The dragon twisted its body in the air to change direction and make room for the massive wings and tail and roared the moment the feline jumped towards the water.
"BEAST BOY LOOK OUT!" Yelled Cyborg and the cheetah looked over his shoulders just in time for him to come to a screeching holt right before the dragon's tail slammed on the ground a few feet in front of him. The green cheetah roared and tried to jump over the spiked tail but a claw cut his path short. This enraged Beast Boy even more, because the longer he took, the fewer the chances Raven had to survive under water. He was not sure how long had it been but he thought it was way too long for his comfort. Meliah was really giving him hell, as if making him suffer for some reason. A reason he thought he had been forgiven for.
He had been willing to take on whatever punishment Meliah so fit for his lack of courage all those years ago but the mere thought of Raven having to pay the consequences with her life was unbearable. Fear and panic where rapidly subsiding, making way to rage. Letting the Beast take over was now his last resort. He glanced at the dragon again in search for a bit of human heart but only saw vengeance in the crystallized eyes as she tried once more to trap him in her claws.
So, he let The Beast take over as he realized with a heavy heart that his childhood friend, his sweet little Meliah was gone, and had been gone probably since that day he left her behind.
with a bone chilling cry, the Beast started to appear. Longer, heavier frame. Covered in a dark green fur. Jaw elongated to make room for sharper teeth. Claws that could easily rip the skin and the eyes lost the green orb and became cold, chilling white.
The Beast was faster and stronger but had never encounter anyone bigger than himself. The claw that had managed to get a hold of him was no match as the Beast, with all his strength, pried it open to free himself. But the scaly surface that was the dragon's skin proved to be a challenge. He bit and clawed his way to the back, in between the wings.
The dragon took off, trying to shake the other animal off her back but with every twist and turn she made, the Beast remained and tried to advance towards the neck.
From the ground, family and friend watched in horror. Mento and Rita had never seen Garfield turn into the Beast and although he had been far, they could tell it was of an impressive height.
"Steve, what is that? What's wrong with our Garfield?"
"That's the Beast. Beast Boy transforms into that every time he's really mad and Raven is in danger and right now is really pissed off" answered Cyborg while he pressed a few buttons on the panel of his left arm.
"Is he dangerous?" asked Rita not being able to look away from the Beast on the Dragon's back that was flying precariously closer to the ground.
"Only if you get on his way" said Cyborg.
Roars from either one could be heard. Fire illuminated the ground as the dragon tried and failed to fight him off.
"Garfield is still in there, but that… Beast is in full control right now" said Mento trying to push his powers and look into the Beast 's mind but he roared some more and almost lost balance. Rita gasped in horror as the Beast had fallen and was now hanging from the side on one of the wings while the dragon flapped them harder.
"Steve, stop! You're putting him in more danger than what he is. Right now he needs our help. We need to get to Raven before is too late"
"Your wife is right. I have a lock on Raven's communicator but is drifting deeper into the ocean"
"What about the dragon. That other entity has blocked me out completely, almost as good as Raven did and we cant leave our son alone to deal with her alone"
"Don't worry Mento I have the solution right here. I just need her to get closer…"
The dragon roared this time as the Beast had found a tender spot to bite into but in the jerked moves lost control and both fell on the ground. The Beast having more advantage on the ground, attacked the other animal regardless of its size and ventured to attack its wings the moment she made the attempt to fly again but suddenly, a blast of Cyborg's sonic cannon burn through its right wing and the dragon roared in pain and sharply turned its head just before another blast hit her in the chest. She flapped her wings to regain some stability but then her mind started to cloud and lose focus as she dangerously approached Cyborg who still had his arm outstretched, cannon humming in anticipation before being fired once more.
"Cyborg… are you sure that will work?" asked Mento while trying to concentrate on the massive animal closing in on them and making sure she was distracted enough with the help of his powers.
"Yeah!, I just need her… one… bit… closer…" he said as the dragon prepared to land, claws in front of her and her chest lighting up in sign of the fire being created when Cyborg fired his canon one more time, but instead on a sonic blast, it was a syringe that hit the animal straight on the chest. Fire dissipated mid air. Wings and tail disappeared and the massive body started to shrink into itself until just a human form fell limp on the sand.
The Beast had landed unceremoniously on the sand ready to attack again but as he saw the unconscious girl on the ground, he quickly turned the other way jumped from the rocks and turned into a sword fish and disappeared in the water just before Mento tried to pry into his mind again and Rita got too close.
Mento's connection with her mind was cut abruptly as the girl fell unconscious upon contact with the syringe. Cyborg was panting, eyes fixated on the fallen girl and slowly lowered his arm, turning his cannon back into his hand.
"I sense no mayor brain activity at the moment. She's dormant" said Mento,s stepping next to Cyborg to asses the situation.
"You mean she's in a coma… I have to take her to the medical bay immediately. The serum stopped her heart, if I don't re-start it soon she'll die" said Cyborg as he walked towards the girl and pick her up with the greatest of care then headed towards the main door in the tower with hasty steps.
"Cyborg, are you sure is safe… if she wakes up …" said Rita, with a worried tone and expression as she eyed the unconscious girl in his arms.
"Ma'am, all I can tell you is that is not her fault and don't worry, once her heart starts beating again, we'll keep her dormant until we find a solution. Besides, Beast Boy would never forgive me if I didn't do everything within my power to save her" Cyborg said as he hastily walk thru the door with Mento on his heels to make sure she wasn't awake and take them by surprise. When they got to the elevator, Mento realized his wife wasn't following but stayed by the door and gave her an inquisitive look.
"I'll wait for Garfield… I just hope he got to Raven on time" she said this quietly before turning around and run to the beach.
Beast Boy's head was spinning. He was swimming so fast, trying to focus on the direction at the same time as he tried to subside his panic and most of all, control his anger. He could feel the beast lurking at the very edge of his being, demanding release even though he understood that in a moment like this, his master would know better how to rescue his mate.
He swam in a straight line, keeping in mind the direction she had fallen. But the farther he went, the deeper the water got. He was afraid that in her unconsciousness, she would drown. He couldn't lose her now. Not when they finally had a future together.
After a quick glance around, he finally found her. There, close to the bottom, wrapped in her cloak as the pressure held it tight around her. She was barely conscious and quickly, he turned into a squid, tangled its tentacles around her and as quickly and carefully as he possibly could, he pushed her out to the surface. Once out, he turned into a whale and carried her on his back towards the shore where his adoptive mother was waiting anxiously.
Beast Boy turned back to his human form and quickly carried her to the sand, performed CPR and a few moments later, Raven started to cough and was finally able to breath. She made the attempt to sit but felt dizzy, her eyesight was partially blurred and was suddenly cold.
Carefully, Garfield lifted her to his chest while he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. There in the fast rhythm of his heart, which she found soothing and cozy, she close her eyes while his chin rested against her forehead, both softly sighing, basking in each other's warmth.
Rita had to admit it was a sweet sight. Garfield, the carefree jokester, had never been the possessive kind, but with Raven, she discovered a new side of her adoptive son she had never seen. As well as Raven. The powerful sorceress who's demonic heritage had kept her and her husband on edge at being so close to their son and yet, she was the one to bring Garfield to his knees and bring out the solemn, caring, responsible being that held her with such earnest as well as a wilder side that only sought to protect her.
Raven tried to forget about the panic and fear she had felt when underwater. When Meliah hit her, not only had she been thrown across the bay into the ocean but had also knocked the air out of her lungs and had no time to even tried to swim as her cloak wrapped around her small frame with every move she tried to make.
She had tried to use her powers but she needed to be able to speak in order for her magic to work and with hardly any air in her lungs, she was getting weaker and weaker. And started to drift in and out of unconsciousness. Her only thought was Garfield and how much she regretted not having spent more time with him. But he was there now. He had come for her and now there was no way she would let him go. It felt so right to be in his arms, listening to his heart beating and his soft breathing, but unfortunately, as she tried to enjoy this moment, she also remembered the reason he had to rescue her.
"Where is Meliah?" she asked as she tried to sit straight. Beast Boy locked eyes with her for a moment then looked behind her. That's when Raven realized they were not alone and his adoptive mother had been the entire time. A rosy color appeared on her cheeks regardless of the stoic expression, which Rita noticed but decided not to embarrass her further.
"Cyborg and Steve took her to the medical bay. She's alive but unconscious. Steve is trying to find out what's going on in her head but she had blocked him out somehow"
Beast Boy put squeezed her hand softly to get her attention "Rae, what happened? I know she was mad because of Mento but why did she attack you and Cyborg?"
"I'm not sure… I sensed something different about her since this morning but I couldn't tell what exactly. On the elevator she was as faraway from me as possible. I told her I could teleport out of there and meet her in the common room if she was uncomfortable but, she said no…but there is something else. She said she couldn't control her, anymore. Gar, I need to get inside her mind again. I might be able to help…"
"No Rae, she's out of control. There is no telling what's going on in her mind now. You saw how she reacted when Mento tried to read her mind, I cant imagine what she'll do if is you inside…"
"Gar, Meliah is still in there. Mento's powers are different from mine, I can get to a deeper level and help her control or even suppress her angry side…"
"But Rae…"
"Gar… she needs us and most of all she needs you to believe in her. Meliah is not gone, she's trapped within her own mind but unless she's conscious, her other personality cant take over"
Garfield said nothing more. A small speck of hope started to build in. if Raven was right , which she always was, then Meliah would be ok. The conflict however was great. There was no telling what lurked inside Meliah's mind that could stronger.
Raven was at risk and she knew it. If her suspicions were correct, her demonic presence would only trigger it further as any other demon could. But she had to try, for Meliah and specially him.
Rita and Garfield helped Raven to her feet. And slowly made their way inside the tower. They walked silently until they reached the common room. Garfield suggested that Raven at least rest a couple of hours before anything else. When she refused he had won the argument with the reasoning that her almost drowning had not been a laughing matter and that she needed all the strength she could only get when healed. Rita backed him up and even offered to accompany her to her room while Garfield inquired about his friend in the medical bay.
Although Raven never allowed anyone in her room other than Starfire, she didn't close the door and Rita took that as an invitation. Slowly , Rita entered and was on edge at the eeriness and other worldly atmosphere and looked around her with nervous glances at the figurines, statues and unknown artifacts that laid around the room. With little light coming from a candle that had come to life on its own.
"You do not have to stay if it makes you uncomfortable" said Raven from the book case on the wall without turning to the woman behind her.
"I'm sorry Raven. I didn't mean to be rude, I just… I have never met anyone like you." said Rita as she approached the bare dresser where the mirror laid face down.
"Its ok, most people haven't … Don't… touch the mirror… it will send you places you don't want to know about" Raven said as she made her way to her bed and started to look thru the book's pages.
"Dear, you need to rest. Garfield wont allow you to do anything unless …"
"Allow me?" said Raven in an icy tone with an arched eyebrow.
"… unless you are fully rested. I don't exactly know how will you do what you're planning but it must take a lot of energy from you. He wont forgive himself if something happens to you that he could have prevented"
"And that's the same reason behind my decision. Meliah was with his parents the day they died. He blames himself for that and more. I will do anything within my power to help her…"
Rita was now sitting on the bed next to Raven who had removed the hood of her cloak to give her visitor a less cold welcoming. But she wasn't sure it worked as Rita was still tense.
"I guess there is much more Steve and I didn't know about our boy. When we adopted him, we knew his parents had died and that he had endured a harsh time after that. We tried to make him feel as… welcomed and loved as we possibly could. Overtime he seemed to be better but now… I realize he was just trying to hide his pain but, thanks to you, he seems to have found a balance"
"I like to think so as well" said raven and Rita gave her a smile.
Garfield arrived at the medical bay and found Meliah in the same bed she had been before, but with more tubes and monitors. He walked slowly to her bed and carefully approached her. Removed one of his gloves and grabbed her hand. It was cold and limp. As if … he didn't dare to think of it.
"She's stable but the amount of meds I have to use to keep her like this is risky. I'm not familiar with her physiology but all I can say is that we need to find a solution soon. I don't know how long she can withstand the meds. I'm going by what my dad told me but… is not the same… sorry man, I just don't know what else to do"
"Is ok tin man, I know you're doing everything you can" said Garfield without looking away from the girl.
"How's Raven?" asked Mento coming to stand behind his son and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"She's good dad. In her room resting"
"You make me sound like some weak damsel in distress" said Raven as she entered the medical bay followed by Rita.
"I'm sorry son but she's more stubborn than you" said Rita coming to stand next to her husband while Garfield walked to his girlfriend and hugged her.
"Rae, I thought you were going to rest"
"I'm fine Gar, thanks to you" she said with a chaste kiss on the lips that made him smile. Even more when she blushed afterwards when Mento cleared his throat behind them.
"Raven, I understand you will attempt to enter her mind. I have been trying since she fell unconscious but she had blocked me out and the barriers remain"
"With all due respect Mento, but your powers are superficial. I can get deeper past the mental barrier but it will take some time"
"What do you mean Rae?" Asked Cyborg speaking for the first time since she arrived.
"The first time I entered her mind, I found myself in a series of landscapes and memories that I couldn't discern until… I had a glimpse of her true form."
"What do you mean true form"
"Gar, I'm sorry but… there is a demon taking over Meliah"