A/N: I clearly own the Teen Titans.
Hey guys. Just want to say sorry for taking so long on this chapter. There was little bit of writer's block and a severe lack of motivation/enthusiasm. I either was too busy or just didn't feel like writing. I know a few weeks is short compared to more experienced authors who can take months to get a great chapter out, but still. Anyways, I hope you feel the wait was worth it.
Eris: Well, Malchior was a magical being, and I don't even remember if the dragon was his true form (I think it was). Even if he was a naturally occurring dragon, deciding to add that to BB's powerset out of the blue would be a bit too plot armor-ish (because I haven't already used too much of that as it is). But I like the idea of limiting his abilities if he was capable of taking a dragon form.
On the other hand, I think he managed to do it in TT Go!, but I'm going to discredit anything that happened in that train wreck. But in TT vs. JL, he was able to use a Griffin, some were-beast creature, and something resembling a medium sized genomorph from YJ. It's been theorized that was from the Red in Hell.
Again, who knows with the magical/mythical creatures. Even I don't fully know, and I'm the one writing this! I do know that I will probably be more open to using magical organisms in later stories, and I your ideas would probably serve to push that story along.
Still, thanks for always being there to leave your thoughts after every chapter. I'm glad you've stuck with it for this long.
EaSyBee: Thanks. Glad you think so.
Abigor27: I sent you a message, but I think I know what you are talking about. I saw a video with theories about why his forms changed in Hell in JL. vs. TT., and someone suggested it was the effect of a Trigon Seed. I'll admit I don't know a lot about the comics. I based this off a mix of the animated show and the Teen Titans movies.
mr macboy: Lucky timing my dude. And you're welcome.
frog31791: I hope so too man. I hope so too. And yes, it's always fun coming up with dialogue between the two.
Chapter 35:
The next day dragged on for what felt like two and a half days. When he first ran into his leader, he mentioned that he was ready to go through with his plan. Of course, Robin had been a bit unsure of how to react. After all, how many times does one of your best friends tell you that they're going to turn themselves in? But either way, the two would be heading down to the Mayor's office to schedule a court hearing within a few hours.
Beast Boy was clearly making the most he could out of the day. More often than not he was gaming, reading the books he had borrowed from Raven, eating, or just doing his best to spent time with the others. A majority of his day had spent with Robin, Cyborg and Jinx in front of the television, which was followed by reading in Raven's room for an hour and a half.
Right now, however, he was passing through the mesosphere and almost entering the thermosphere accompanied by Starfire.
"Man, I knew temperatures fluctuated in the atmosphere but that was ridiculous!" the green Tamaranean exclaimed. The temperatures had been jumping from way below zero to zero Celsius, just to drop like a brick again before skyrocketing to over a thousand degrees as they entered the second to last layer of Earth's atmosphere.
"Yes. That does happen as you ascend beyond the clouds." Starfire replied. She too had been rather taken off guard by the extreme changes she endured the first time she had entered the outer layer of the planet's atmosphere.
"If I may, friend, why did you wish to spent the time here?" the alien girl inquired.
"Ever since I gained the ability to morph into your species, I've been trying to find a good reason to come up here. I can quite literally fly away from my problems until they're too far behind me to be problems anymore. More so now that I'm a criminal to some degree.". As he spoke he faced the enormous ball of gas that was almost full one hundred million miles away. At that distance, would anything really matter?
Would anyone care that he had killed Mumbo if he was farther away than anyone could travel in a lifetime?
He wouldn't have to worry about fighting crime or keeping his friends happy.
He could completely forget about getting a job if the team was forced to split, and not once would he have to deal with the IRS.
In fact, the only issue would be sustenance. But as a Tamaranean he could simply find another planet capable of sustaining life. He and the team had passed by at least three when they searched for a transforming Starfire.
"Friend Beast Boy, are you okay?".
The green teen snapped back to attention and realized he had stretched out his right arm as if he was reaching for the sun.
"Yeah, I was just thinking.". Starfire gave an almost questioning look, but didn't push him in respect to his privacy. For just under fifteen minutes the two floated there in silence.
"Hey Star, if you were given a Green Lantern ring, would you use it or your own powers more in a fight?" the changeling questioned like he was playing a game of "what if's".
"I suppose I would learn to use the ring with my own powers like Alisand'r." she replied.
"So a Tamaranean became a Green Lantern? That's so cool.".
"Not as frigid as you would expect. The Vega System, where our home planet is located, was deemed off the limits to the Green Lanterns. And unfortunately Alisand'r died in her first battle.".
"I'm sorry to hear that. But were the two of you related? The 'and'r' part of your name translates to 'fire', like you and Blackfire.".
"I believe we were. But I do not know how, as this was several Earth years ago, and long before I was born." the alien girl explained. "What would you do?" she followed up.
"Hmm. I think I'd like to get used to them together.". The two traded silly questions like "Would you wear the Helmet of Fate?" and "What vegetable would you be?".
"I'm telling you Star, if you cut your hair and dyed it green you would look like a carrot.". He couldn't help but snicker at the mental image of Starfire transformed into a carrot.
"That is talk that is big for a head of the lettuce." the girl shot back with an amused tone.
"Fine, fine. Should we head back?". The orange skinned girl nodded during her laughs, and the two descended from the heavens towards the speck in the universe known as Earth. By the time the two had returned to the tower it was merely an hour away from dinnertime.
"How's the view from up there?" Jinx prodded upon seeing the two.
"It's great. But remind me to bring a heater and a couple hundred ice packs next time." Beast Boy offered.
"Hey B, we were thinking of getting a few pizzas tonight. Any requests?" the cybernetic hero called from the couch. He and Robin had started another round of games, which brought them up to a new daily record.
"Nah, I'll have what you guys are having." he responded with a shrug. Even though he had been easing meat into his diet for a short while now, it was still more than odd to see him so undemanding about getting vegan-friendly foods.
"But that doesn't mean go with the every-meat supreme!" the changeling shouted from the halls. He was rewarded with a very quiet "darn it." that a normal person would not have been able to pick up from the distance between them. As he traversed the halls in a journey to his room a soft tune came from his lips in the form of a whistle.
(A/N: Fun fact, at this point something inside my mind decided to turn off for a week and I got hit with HUGE writers block.)
Soon enough he was standing alone in his bedroom, surrounded by a few piles. A few of them had been organized and cleaned, but there was still a lot to do.
"Your honor, I plead not guilty, as I was not truly in control at the time. God, that's a good way to get thrown in an asylum. Your honor, I plead not guilty. I was in an enraged state after seeing my friend get hurt. Nah, that just looks like anger management issues.". As the green changeling rattled off excuses, each one got less and less viable than the previous.
A gloved hand slapped it's owner's forehead, where it proceeded to drag itself down across his face until it was down by his chin. It was starting to appear that pleading not guilty wasn't going to work in the slightest.
"Your honor, I plead guilty. I understand what I did, and I accept whatever punishment may be placed on me.".
Responsible, mature and practically the truth.
"Well, that was a waste of time." the green teen muttered as he began sifting through a pile and separating the trash from actual belongings. There were candy bar wrappers from brands that died out years ago, old shirts he didn't remember wearing, a few clean uniforms, and that monkey that seemed to just randomly appear.
"Junk, clothes, clothes, junk, junk...no idea...clothes, some form of fungus, junk, clothes.". Halfway through the pile Starfire stated, "Friend Beast Boy, the pizza is here." from the hall. Before joining the others at the table, Beast Boy make a quick trip to drop off the fungus at Starfire's room. If her interest in the documentaries was any indication, she should enjoy it.
By the time he got to the commons room everyone else had grabbed a slice or two of pizza. "We got pepperoni and plain cheese. Help yourself." Cyborg told the verdant teen. As ordered he grabbed two slices of pepperoni and one cheese slice and sat down with the others. Too soon for his liking he and Robin found themselves finished and washing up their dishes.
"If you're ready we can head up to the roof and I can fly us both down there." Beast Boy offered.
"If that would be easiest then I guess I'm okay with it. Just no loops or freefalls. Understand?" the Boy Wonder demanded.
Instead of agreeing to the Terms and Conditions, Beast Boy rubbed his chin in thought with a slightly devious look. "Well, now that you put that idea in my mind...".
"Beast Boy." Robin said with a warning tone.
"Don't get your tights in a wad. I'll keep it a straight and simple flight." the green teen promised. The white spots on Robin's mask furrowed for a second, but just as quickly went back to normal.
"Okay. I'll be up there. If you need to do anything, try to make it quick.". With that said, Robin left the room and headed up to the roof.
"Good luck B." the cybernetic teen offered with a hard pat to the back.
"Yes, I wish the luck that is good." the resident alien added.
"Uh, thanks guys, but we're just scheduling a meeting. It's not the actual trial yet." Beast Boy responded to his teammates. Still, they wished him the best they could before he dragged Raven to her room.
"What's wrong Beast Boy?" the empath questioned once the door was shut.
"Well, I was just wondering something. Last night you used my real name. May I ask why?". The very last thing he had heard the previous night was the moniker he had not heard in a long time. The lastest occasion was after that mission with the Doom Patrol, and the Titans seemed to lose interest in using "Garfield" less than a week later.
He didn't mind, but was just curious. Not a good thing when curiosity can kill a certain animal he could turn into.
"I just...did. I don't know why. It probably has something to do with us getting so much closer as of late. You don't mind, do you?" Raven replied after thoroughly putting her answer together in her head.
"I don't mind. As I said, I was just wondering why. Besides, when's the last time you chewed me out for calling you 'Rae'?".
"It's 'Rae-ven'." the half demon teasingly said with a poke to his chest.
Beast Boy's only response was to laugh. "But seriously, Robin and I should probably head out. I just wanted to say 'bye'. Chances are I'll be placed in some jailcell until the trial or hearing or whatever you want to call it.".
"But you told the others not to worry. Why are you telling me this?" the empath questioned.
"Technically, I didn't. All I said was we weren't in court yet. And frankly, I didn't see the need to get them worried.". His reasoning was confusing, but understandable in its own way.
"Well, I wish you the best." Raven offered with a hug. The two stood there for a full half minute until the changeling detached himself.
"I'll see you around." he offered before exiting the room and making his way to the roof, where he met Robin.
"So any requests? I can do a Pterodactyl or a Tamaranean.".
Let's go with a Pterodactyl. And remember: easy on the flight. Otherwise I'll be barfing into your eyes." the leader of the team replied while mentally preparing himself for whatever Beast Boy would pull.
"You got it boss." was all he said before his body expanded. Skin stretched from his hips and molded into his elbows as his arms elongated. The front of his face slowly jutted out into a beak-like mouth with a point on the back of his head. Within moments a full sized dinosaur was standing right in front of the Boy Wonder. Secretly, his teammate turning into extinct species had taken months to get used to.
The giant green reptile trotted its way to the edge where it lowered its body to allow Robin to climb on. Two quick noises came from the beak which sounded suspiciously like "Hold on.". Just in time, Robin tightened his grip around the slender neck of the flying reptile that had dropped itself off the roof and was diving to gain momentum. With a surprisingly nimble turn for something his size, Beast Boy used his large wings to turn himself upward and send the two flying into the city. Although he had never been religious until finding out Hell was real, Robin thanked every God he had heard of that Beast Boy didn't accidentally drop him into the cold water below.
All in good time the Pterosaur landed on a sturdy roof and let Robin get off before shrinking into his green friend.
"See? That wasn't too bad, was it?" the changeling joked at the sight of Robin getting accustomed to the feeling of walking.
"Not as bad as Starfire's cooking, I'll give you that much. But was that dive at the beginning really necessary?".
"Hey, planes have runways. The tower doesn't. I just found the next best way to get myself enough speed to keep in the air. A pterodactyl needs a lot more momentum that a hummingbird to keep from falling." the green teen explained, earning a half eyeroll underneath the white cloth of Robin's mask.
Having finished their discussion, the two Titans took their own paths to the ground, be it parkouring off the fire exits or flying down as a bird. With both feet back at sea level, the Titans walked across the street and entered the building the mayor worked at.
"Hello again Robin." the secretary welcomed. A quick glance at his companion was all she needed to deduce his reason of being there. "He's in his office. I'll phone in and let him know the two of you are on your way.".
Robin gave a polite nod in response and led Beast Boy down through the halls and to the office he had visited so many times during Beast Boy's absence. His knuckles met the wooden door three times in quick succession, earning him an invite in.
(A/N: I shall restate that I really don't know how these things are done IRL.)
"Hello Robin, hello Beast Boy. I take it you are here about a court date?" the man guessed from his desk.
"Yes sir. And if it's possible, could we keep this private? I'd rather not have the media involved if possible." the Boy Wonder requested.
"Well, I'll see what I can do. But I can't make any promises yet. Just give me a few seconds.". As offered, the mayor scrolled through the available time slots in the Jump City Courts page. "Looks like there's an opening in five days at 10:30 a.m. I'll send a message to the Judge about your request, but it may not go through." Arthur explained.
"Sounds good. And thank you." the green teen offered.
"If I may, I hope for the best. Despite what happened, I think you're still a good person.".
"Thank you sir. Is there anything else while we're here?" Beast Boy questioned. His apparent urge to leave didn't go unnoticed by Robin.
"Well, normally you would be placed in a holding cell until the time, but I might convince them to let you stay at the tower instead. How are you going to plead?".
"Guilty. Nothing else I can do." Beast Boy replied with a shrug.
"Well, I'll leave you to it. You'll need to get a lawyer and prepare yourself. Have a good night." the man at the desk offered.
"Same to you." both teens replied. In unison they left for the door and wound up on the streets. Aside from the few people still out and about, there was a normal lack of activity given the time. All the better as neither wanted an audience right now. The two returned to the roof Beast Boy had landed on earlier and prepared to return to their home.
"Sorry Rob, but I'll need to start off in a more humanoid form. There's no way to get a good takeoff in this environment." the green changeling stated.
"Fine. But not a word to the others." the masked boy warned, earning an amused chuckle from his teammate.
"By the time we get back I'll be able to shift into something else. I'll give you a warning.".
Before Robin could put the subject up for debate he was grabbed by the wrists and dragged upwards by a green Tamaranean. If his estimates were right, which they probably were after years of experience, Beast Boy lifted him about a hundred feet into the air before shouting down.
"I'm going to let you go now, but I will catch you. Ok?".
'No, this is most definitely not ok.' Robin scolded internally. But under the circumstances, there wasn't anything he could do to object. "Fine, but if I die I'm going to kill you!".
"Wouldn't expect anything else!" the green teen shouted back. Without the slightest hesitation he dropped Robin into a freefall and began to morph into a flying dinosaur. With expert precision he angled himself downward and sped past Robin before extending his wings and catching his friend with his talons. With plenty of time left the green lizard flapped and brought the two of them into a smooth flight.
"Starfire does a better job at this if you ask me!". In response, the pterodactyl just clicked its beak twice. Not that Robin could actually tell what that was supposed to mean. Soon enough the two were over the ocean. The wind was particularly unpleasant, but all in all the trip wasn't as bad as he expected. Just a few minutes later the giant dinosaur dropped Robin onto the roof of the tower and morphed back into his green teammate who landed with a graceful fall.
"So, better than Delta Air Lines?" Beast Boy asked with a grin.
"Not bad, but I need to ask Cyborg how he gets used to that." Robin answered as the two entered their home.
A/N: Well, I guess this took long enough. Hope you all are still enjoying this.
