This fanfiction was a collaboration with a friend.
It was a ghastly stormy night. The previously azure sky was mourning in a tango of thunder and lightning. The inhabitants of Jump City were soundly sleeping, all but one...
Midnight, in the dark recesses of Raven's mind a haunting pain was taking form, overshadowing the dready strom. Murky matter cloyingly repugnant whispering harsh, inevitable truths : " I will escape, my stubborn portal".
Trigon, that demonic oppressor , destroying her world, threatening her precious friends…making her feel responsible for freeing him. Guilt was like a venomous snake, swallowing her whole. Regret was an imprint forever etched on her skin…it was enough to drive one calm and collected, cobalt-haired justice seeker into an insane headless-chicken (the kind Beast-Boy uses as props for his mindless jokes).
But another emotion was battling for dominance. If guilt was like a flutter in her stomach, anger might as well have become her whole being. Red-hot waves of fury erroding the rock of stability that was her life before Trigon. Before worrying, the death, the decay…
Insomnia thy name is Raven.
Next day came, and along with it a spledous rainbow graced Raven's sight. She gave a wistful smile and our witty, intrepid bookworm chose one of her favourite poetry books then gracefully made her way into the living room motivated on perusing the delectable reading material , of course all plans went down the drain the moment Beast Boy opened his motormouth.
"Dudes pirates vs ninjas thirteen, I've been waiting for this game my entire life!"
"Give up green bean, nobody can defeat the game master, BOOYAH!", Cyborg boasted.
Upon seeing Raven trying to sneak away from the room, BB sayd enticingly:
"Rae, you've got to play it with us, it's a one in a lifetime opportunity…"
"Gee, however will I cope without it", Raven answered sardonically.
"That's the spirit!", shouted Cyborg.
Annoyed Raven left without a word.
It was a surprisingly crime-free day, so at night Raven went to her favourite poetry club. It was the night readers read their compositions, and although reluctant, she wanted to participate.
Her turn finally came, Raven went to the stage, her hands shaking as she gripped the microphone and recited:
"Lost in a universe of dust and bone
Of perishing souls, wailing alone
The mummer's act long gone, forgotten
We're haunted by pesky flies from rotten
Fruit which had been sweet like honey
Slaves to the system's flagrant money
Yet in the dark a shining hope prevails
It's camaraderie which never fails
To bring justice, miracles and wonder
Such a golden opportunity is never trifle "
After saying her poem the audience started clapping, and Raven's cheeks blushed red like a rose. In the club were all sorts of people: poor , shabby would-be writers, elegant businessman, wild teenagers looking to pour their souls on paper. They were all clapping encouragingly. On the first row Raven saw a beautiful, Barbie-like person dressed all in white. Her eyes seemed the most piercing, her smile the most bright.
After taking a bow and listening to some other poems everyone left. While rounding the corner Raven heard a shrilled cry. Running like a locomotive to the scene she saw a tall, burky man with bloodthirst in his eyes and a mean, frightening grin on his face. The man was leaning against a women, his knife pointed menacingly at her throat. Without thinking too much Raven acted : Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos and the barrel from above the murderer's head came crashing down, hard on his skull. Once he was knocked unconscious and after calling the police, Raven went to calm down the victim of the attempted murder. It was the white-dressed woman from the club…
"You are the girl who performed today", the woman sayd, recognizing Raven.
"Uh…", Raven sayd uncomftable
"You saved my life! Merci beacoup, petite corbeau. My name is Marie Dublanc…"
Raven interrupted her, wanted to wrap everything up rapidly:
"You're welcome ma'am, be more careful next time"
After her heroic escapade, Raven returned to the tower to be greeted by another sleepless night.
At sunset Raven made her way to the cooling beach, The golden hot sand creating a pleasant sensation around Raven's body adorned with a fetching, crimson bikini.
She came to concentrate in her little sanctuary. Discipline was the fine art she needed to develop, to curb all emotions under her heel. And if she felt like Atlas, being punished by having the whole world on her shoulders, than that is a burden she will have to endure to keep the monster in chains. Raven started chanting:
Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos…
Azarath…
A little away from her, sat sly madame Dublanc wanting to obtain a golden tan. She turned her forest-coloured eyes on Raven and noticing her healthy figure and graceful moves from the last time they met , a plan started to form in her mind. She approached like a lioness stalking her prey …
"Hello, little Raven, remember me?" Madame Dublanc inquired.
"Madame Dublanc..." Raven started saying
"A heroine like you shouldn't be alone. Mind if I keep you company?..."
"Right, well I'm a bit busy right now so I would appreciate if…"
"Wonderful! Let's talk about ourselves shall we? I am a dance studio owner and I noticed how healthy and athletic you are, little raven. And your mind has such enchanting, raw emotions…Just think of channeling them towards the exquisite art of ballet…"
Raven thought while blushing that Dublanc and Beast Boy needed to exercise the fine art of shutting up, being as quiet as a mouse even.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am but I don't think ballet is for me…"
"I saw you meditating, you must be trying to discipline your mind. Ballet offers you such possibilities you know…"
Like saying a magic word, Raven's eyes shot up looking transfixed at Madame Dublanc. She acted so helpful, and innocent like Starfire. But Raven was not one to believe stranger's intentions no matter how sugary they seemed. What could she possibly gain?...
"I'm sorry Mrs Dublanc but I currently do not possess the financial capabilities to repay you" Rave sayd wanting the discussion to end.
"Nonsense dear, for you it's free", Dublanc assured.
"Why are you doing this?", Raven asked.
"Because darling such a possibility for raw talent needs to be cultivated"Dublanc sayd, while smiling jubilantly.
"I will think about it" Raven assured her.
After thinking for three whole days Raven made her decision. She was going to take ballet lessons, for controlling her emotions and protecting anyone. The lessons will just have to be another secret like her poetry club meetings …
So Raven buys the necessary clothes, a black, shiny leotard, with thin, white stockings and beige pointe shoes.
At the studio she was greeted warmly by Madame Dublanc and together established that Raven would met her at the studio every Monday if she was available.
Dancing was surprisingly enjoyable for Raven, to the point of becoming a passion of hers. She would concentrate on maintaining her position, executing like a dark yet luminous star her demi-plie on the barre to perfection. Her eléve and tendu denoted her grace, she was like a swan flying in the morning light becoming an ace at jeté and pirouette. With every second that passed Raven's world was taking colour, and every minute that formed was spent in veritable joy, undulating to the melodious music...in the end, convincing our dear scholar to come to the expert classes.
And best of all, Raven's nightmares ceased for a while.