When Yuu Koutari woke up she was in bed, it wasn't however, the large, soft bed she shared with her boyfriend Masaaki. It was hard with thin sheets covering her. She tried opening her eyes but the light hurt and her head felt like it was burning.
With a groan she sat up, covered her eyes with her hand and slowly opened one eye.
After blinking many times she adjusted to the light and looked around. She was in some sort of hospital ward, clean white walls and a distinct smell of antiseptic. She was still wearing her business wear from the meeting with the Ministry of Magic.
"Where am I?" She wondered to herself.
As her eyes searched the room, she saw five other beds. Four of them were empty but one had someone in it, her heart skipped a beat as she noticed the short pigtails on the persons head.
"Mato!" Yuu cried, desperately trying to scramble out of bed but collapsing to the floor as her legs gave way.
"Mato!" She cried again, clawing herself up her bed. "Mato!"
It's okay, she's alive just unconscious.
"Who…" She started to say when the door on the far end of the room opened.
Suddenly there was a flurry of action, she was promptly placed back into bed, arms and legs were inspected, lights were flashed in her eyes and voices where talking rapidly.
Blinking and shaking her head to try and get rid of the fuzziness, she tried to wave the people off.
"Where am I?" She asked.
"You're in Titans Tower." Said one of them, a young looking man in a mask with a red shirt and green sleeves.
"I remember you." Yuu said, scrunching her face in concentration. "You spoke to me."
"My name's Robin." The man said smiling. "You're safe here."
"What happened?" Yuu asked, the burning in her head slowly fading.
Robin looked over at a large black man who seemed to be wearing metal armour.
Who? What? Yuu thought to herself.
The armoured man nodded.
"Her vitals are strong, she could probably do with more sleep though so give her the quick version." He said.
"Alright Cyborg." Robin said, he turned to Yuu. "We don't know ourselves what happened, we detected unusual energy readings in the city and investigated. When we got to the location we found you two." He paused and gestured to Mato. "Unconscious with some sort of energy ball above you. It dissipated soon after."
"Man, that thing was freaky." The large man said, Cyborg? "It totally messed with my sensors, gave me a headache for like an hour!"
"Energy ball? Cyborg? What are you talking about?" Yuu looked between the pair. "And where are we? What's wrong with Mato?"
"Is that her name?" Robin asked.
Yuu nodded. "And I'm Yuu."
"She hasn't regained consciousness since we brought her here. As far as we can tell though she's fine." Robin placed a hand on Yuu's shoulder. "And this is Titans Tower, home of the Teen Titans."
The burning started to return to Yuu's head.
Calm, stay calm Yuu. They want to help.
"I'm Cyborg! The ultimate fusion of man and machine!" The armoured man declared proudly, spreading his arms.
A stern look from Robin made him stop.
"But seriously, I really am a cyborg. Part man, part machine." Cyborg said looking slightly embarrassed.
"How did that happen?" Yuu asked ignoring the pain in her head.
"It's a long story." Cyborg shrugged looking unconfortable. "We don't really have time."
Robin nodded.
"You should get some more rest, we'll be back to check on you soon." He said patting Yuu on the arm. The pair left without another word.
Yuu slumped down in bed, very confused.
"They didn't really explain anything." She grumbled.
They did help you though.
"And who are you? I'm fairly sure I didn't have a voice in my head earlier." Yuu said.
What makes you think I'm your voice?
"Great, I'm going crazy." Yuu muttered.
The voice in her head giggled.
You're as sane as you were yesterday, it's me you fool, Strength!
Yuu's eyes widened.
"Strength! Where are you?" She cried.
I'm inside you, I'm part of you now.
"What? How's that possible?" Yuu asked.
Hell if I know, I grabbed you as soon as reality started falling apart. Then somehow we merged, I've been awake ever since, even while you were out.
"What about Mato?" Yuu asked, looking over at her friend.
I'm not sure, it's possible if Black Rock Shooter reached her in time.
"But what about the world? What happened to everyone?" Yuu said, a sickening realisation was slowly filling her.
I don't know. There was a hint of sadness in Strength's voice. We have to hope for the best, either it was just localised to London or it merged your world and ours.
"All those people though." Yuu whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "Masaaki, Saya, Yomi, Kagari. Oh god Kagari!" She cried.
What?
"Kagari was pregnant! What happened to her?" Yuu started to break down.
Yuu.
"Her baby will be born in the Otherworld! She can't survive there, neither of them can!" Yuu sobbed.
You forget Chariot, she would never allow harm to come to Kagari and by extension the child. Mary won't either.
An image of a toddler riding the giant mechanised nightmare popped into Yuu's mind, she laughed a little despite herself.
That's it, she'll be fine. All of them will.
A scream interrupted Yuu's thoughts, her head jerked towards the origin.
Mato was sitting up, screaming in pain as she held her left eye. Within seconds Robin and Cyborg burst into the room, running over to Mato.
"What's wrong with her?" Robin yelled over the screaming.
"I don't know!" Cyborg yelled back. "I'm getting some weird-ass readings here!" He was looking down at his right forearm at something.
Yuu and Strength realised at the same time.
Black Rock Shooter!
"Stay back!" Yuu shouted at the pair.
Robin looked over.
"Do you know what's happening to her?" He said running over.
"I'm not sure, but I think they're waking up!" Yuu said.
"What do you mean 'they're?'" Robin demanded.
"Robin!" Cyborg bellowed.
The Teen Titan and Yuu looked over. Cyborg was standing with a katana lodged through his chest and a smaller girl with long black hair in uneven pigtails and a long black jacket was staring at him.
Pretty sure she wasn't wearing that earlier.
"Cyborg!" Robin yelled. He sprang into action, pulling a metal cylinder from behind his back, it extended into a full sized Bo Staff, he leapt over an intervening bed and swung at Black Rock Shooter.
The Otherself batted the staff away with her arm and pulled her katana from Cyborg's chest, she lunged at Robin.
"No!" Yuu screamed, halting both of them in their steps.
Something passed over Black Rock Shooter's face, a shadow of emotion visible for a mere fraction of a second.
Yuu could've sworn she saw sadness.
Without a word, Black Rock Shooter summoned her Rock Cannon and blasted a hole in the wall, the explosion threw Robin and Cyborg off their feet and showered Yuu in rubble. The pale teen ran though the gap and Yuu could hear the discharge of the cannon a few more times before nothing but silence.
Robin and Cyborg looked at each other.
"What the hell was that?" Cyborg shouted.
"I'm not sure." Robin replied, he looked over at Yuu. "But I think you know." He said stalking over to her.
Yuu shrank back, the fire in her head flared.
"What is she?" Robin demanded, pointing his staff at her.
"She's an Otherself." Yuu said. "Someone from a different world who carries our negative emotions."
Black Rock Shooter ran, the screaming and fear in her mind was almost overwhelming.
Mato! Calm down, focus! She thought. Concentrate on my voice!
But the fear didn't stop, the screaming didn't stop. So she carried on running, it was a deep instinctual need. She raced through city streets, weaving through traffic and barging her way through crowds.
Mato, please. This is a flashback, she cannot harm you here. I'm with you.
More fear.
I am with you Mato, I love you.
Fear.
Hush now, I love you, I will protect you.
Fear.
Black Rock Shooter slowed down, the urge in her mind had lessened somewhat, just enough to regain some self control. She looked around the area, tall skyscrapers towered over her and above them, a clear blue sky. Black Rock Shooter stopped and stared.
Mato, please come back to me.
"So you're saying she's a focus for negative emotions that battle to the death to relieve mental suffering for their counterparts?" Robin said.
"Something like that." Yuu confirmed.
"Are you the same?" Cyborg asked.
"I think so, this sort of thing has never happened before. Humans and Otherselves have always been separate." Yuu said.
"Why didn't you lose it like she did?" Cyborg wondered.
"Probably because she was reliving a traumatic event in her life, when she woke up, Black Rock Shooter must have taken over by instinct to protect her." Yuu suggested.
"She need to find her, sounds like she could be a danger to herself and others." Robin said.
We can help.
"We can help, we know Mato and Black Rock Shooter best. We might be able to calm her down somewhat." Yuu stated.
"We?" Robin asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm like Mato." Yuu replied.
"Fine." Robin said, he turned to Cyborg. "Can you help her get to the car? I'll get the others."
Cyborg nodded.
Robin left and Cyborg smiled at Yuu.
"C'mon girl, lets get you up." He grinned, picking her up with ease.
"Who are you calling girl?" Yuu huffed. "I'm older than you."
"Really?" Cyborg asked. "You don't look it."
"What do you mean?" Yuu asked, curious.
"Here look." The large man said, pausing in front of a mirror.
"How?" Yuu asked, staring back was her fifteen year old self. "I'm thirty five!"
"Hey, you're the one who travelled outside of reality. You tell me." Cyborg quipped.
Black Rock Shooter was somewhat relieved, Mato had calmed down slightly but was sobbing uncontrollably.
Mato, please let me take your pain, let me help.
No response, just crying. Although she would never admit it, even to herself but sharing her mind with someone after Voldemort messed with her head worried her.
A brief flare of blue fire burst from her eye at the memory, startling various bypassers.
She also discovered another problem, she was utterly lost. The screaming in her mind had caused her to run blindly through the city, not paying attention where she was going. With no other option, she wandered through the city.
Yuu was sat in the back of what Cyborg had affectionately called the T-Car, Robin and Cyborg sat in the front while a grey skinned girl, Raven, sat next to her. Robin had quickly introduced the other members of the team before they left. A short green boy named Beast Boy and a girl with orange skin and extremely long red hair called Starfire, Yuu didn't know what to think of the others, her attempts to strike up a conversation with Raven ended with an emphatic "no" in a dry, monotone voice.
She watched in amazement as Beast Boy transformed into some sort of pterodactyl and Starfire flew up into the sky.
While they cruised the city attempting to locate Black Rock Shooter, Yuu tried exercising her legs to get some use out of them.
I'm not going to be confined to a wheelchair! She said to herself.
Don't. Strength warned.
"I know, it's hard though." Yuu said.
Raven looked at her.
"Sorry." Yuu said sheepishly.
Suddenly the inside of the car started flashing red and a loud alarm blared making Yuu jump.
"We've got a crime alert!" Robin said over the alarm, he pulled out a small round device and pressed a button.
"Titans!" He shouted. "Cinderblock has been seen in the city on a rampage!" He peered closer at the device. "And it appears we've found our target as well."
Black Rock Shooter was taken by surprise as a large humanoid creature exploded out of a building next to her, it hit with such force she was thrown across the street and into a small office building. Without a pause she got up and summoned the Rock Cannon, holding it out in front of her she climbed out of the rubble and fired.
The T-Car screeched to a halt, Robin, Cyborg and Raven jumped out and got into a fighting stance. Starfire and Beast Boy dropped down next to them.
"Titans!" Robin shouted. "We need to stop Cinderblock from destroying more of the city and bring Black Rock Shooter to the tower!"
"But, dude, it looks like she can handle herself!" Beast Boy stated.
Black Rock Shooter was dodging around the concrete creature's clumsy attempts to attack her, all the while firing her cannon at him. She swiftly rolled out of the way as a giant fist slammed down, she sprang on top of it and fired a blast point-blank into its face. The giant creature roared in pain and threw himself backwards.
"We need to help her." Robin declared. "Titans go!"
What followed was an incredible display of action as far as Yuu was concerned, Starfire pummelled the creature with fiery lasts from her hands as she flew around, Robin, Cyborg and Beast Boy attacked head-on. Each one complementing the other with Beast Boy transforming into a variety of animals and Raven stayed back encasing objects in some black energy and hurtling it at Cinderblock.
Yuu could see they worked perfectly as a team, the only slight hiccup being the Otherself that was also in the fray.
Black Rock Shooter was relentless in her attack, forcing the Titans out of her way and even shooting at Cinderblock without any regard to who was in the way. More than once Starfire or Raven had to dive in and save one of the other members before they got hit.
Whatever Mato was going through, it was severely affecting her Otherself.
We can help, I can help. Strength said.
"How?" Yuu said.
Let me take control, just like falling asleep. Strength replied. We've done it before.
Yuu took a deep breath.
"Okay, but try not to hurt Mato, okay?" She asked.
I will do my best. Strength promised.
"Robin, we can't take down Cinderblock with her getting in the way." Beast Boy shouted as he got up from being knocked aside by Black Rock Shooter.
"I know." Robin growled. "But I don't want to start a fight on two sides."
"MOVE!" Came a very loud bellow from behind them, they barely dove out of the way as a black shape sped past them. It slammed into Black Rock Shooter with the power of a freight train, creating a shockwave that shattered windows and cracked the pavement. The shape continued on, taking the Otherself with it.
"What the hell was that?" Cyborg screamed.
"I don't know." Robin shouted, slightly deafened by the crash. "Focus on Cinderblock, we'll have to worry about her later."
"Mato! Mato!" Strength yelled as she slowed down. Black Rock Shooter was being held in her fist, she snarled at the white-hair Otherself as she struggled to get free.
"Mato! I know you can hear me dammit, it's me Strength."
Blue fire blazed from the captive's eye.
"Don't give me that!" Strength berated, coming to a halt. "Mato, it's okay. What you're going through is natural, we've been through this before." Yuu's words coming from within, but spoken with genuine compassion from Strength.
"Mato, focus on Black Rock Shooter's voice and nothing else." Strength tried.
Where's Saya when you need her? Yuu sighed.
With a twitch of her head, Black Rock Shooter exploded into a ball of blue fire, throwing Strength backwards and releasing her grip on the pale teen.
She had fired her cannon into Strength's hand.
When the blast died down and the smoke cleared, Strength could see the damage she had caused herself. Her right leg was partially shredded, blue blood sprayed out in all directions like a burst pipe.
Shit. Both Strength and Yuu thought.
Black Rock Shooter raised the cannon and fired, launching into a run, Black Blade behind her ready to strike.
Strength raised her hands just as the blast hit and managed to grab the blade inches before it entered her eye, letting go of the sword, the black-haired girl performed a spin kick to the hilt that drove it deeper into Strength's grip and cutting her eye open. Sparks flew from Strengths fingers as they ground against the blade.
AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Yuu screamed inside her.
Shit! Strength thought. Yuu can feel what happens to me! What's Mato going through?
There was no time to dwell, Black Rock Shooter was already pressing her advantage. Attacking from Strength's blind spot she fired the cannon into the side of the tanned Otherself.
The shorter girl was blown away and crashed through three buildings before she stopped, she coughed up black and white blood before unfurling her hidden arms.
Yuu, I'm sorry. I never meant for you to get hurt.
She didn't get a reply.
Black Rock Shooter was with her in an instant, sword in hand, she attacked in a blur of motion. Metal clashed against metal, eventually there was an opening for Strength who punched the Otherself, knocking her out of the building.
"Black Rock Shooter! You're hurting Mato!" Strength yelled following her.
The Otherself stumbled slightly and shook her head.
"They can feel what happens to us! Please stop!" The girl the metal hands pleaded. "Just look at your body!"
Black Rock Shooter glanced down, seeing her leg in ruins. There was a pause, a long second before she gripped her head and silently screamed.
"Otherselves don't cause pain, we take it." Strength whispered, taking a step forward. "Out of all of us, you know this the best."
A flash of helplessness shone out of brilliant blue eyes, then it disappeared in a glare.
"I know she's hurting, but this is one thing you cannot fight your way out of. You need to take her pain Black Rock Shooter." Strength said with a voice full of sadness and understanding.
A shake of the head. Not refusal. Inability.
"She's stubborn, where do you think you get it from." Strength smiled. "You need to let her know it's okay for her to rely on you, that it's not a bad thing."
Fists clenched. She's trying, Black Rock Shooter cares more about Mato than anyone.
"Hey, Mato. It's okay to be scared. Yuu was scared as well, she still is. She's scared for you. You've always been the kindest and most caring, going to extreme lengths to protect others.
"But Black Rock Shooter wants to help you, she is you, another aspect. You're not really hurting her with your feelings, but you are hurting yourself by keeping those emotions to yourself." Strength took another step forward and gently placed a hand on the pale teen's shoulder.
No response.
"Years ago, you fought Insane..." Strength said.
A blue flash of fire.
"Easy." Strength whispered.
"Years ago you fought, her, because you thought it was wrong for others to feel pain and you wanted to protect them from it. It's a part of living though, the little bird cannot experience all the colours if she doesn't live."
Black Rock Shooter looked up suddenly with a silent gasp.
"Mato, share with your companion. She loves you, more than anything. She wants this. I think you've forgotten this since you were separated. Twenty years Mato, twenty, of being one of only two people in the entire world who didn't have an Otherself to share their burdens."
I'm sorry for what I'm about to say Yuu, please forgive me. Strength thought.
I know, it's to help Mato. I've had decades to come to terms with it. Yuu replied.
"And unlike Yuu." Strength forced out, bloodied tears starting to roll down her cheek. "You've never run off to the Otherworld to escape your problems."
It's okay Strength, I'm proud of you. Yuu whispered. I know that hurt.
Strength breathed a sigh of relief, she wasn't sure of what else she could say without repeating herself. It was up to Black Rock Shooter now.
"There she is!" Shouted a voice from above them.
Starfire? Is that her name? Strength wondered.
The rest of the Titans rolled up to them in the T-Car and got out.
"I'll be back Mato, please listen to Black Rock Shooter." Strength whispered.
She strode towards the Titans, they seemed uncertain of her.
"Stay back, she's working some things out." Strength said carefully.
"Who are you? And what happened to Yuu?" Robin asked.
"Oh, Black Rock Shooter split my eye with the Black Blade." Strength shrugged.
"No, I meant…" Robin began.
"I know what you meant, it's a little joke." Strength sadly smiled. "I'm Strength, Yuu's Otherself. She's safe."
"You're an Otherself as well?" Beast Boy asked. "Aren't you worried about your eye?"
"Not really, we heal pretty fast. And yeah, I am, I assume Robin has explained to you all what we are?" Strength said.
The Titans nodded.
"So what is wrong with your friend? The shooter of the black rocks?" Starfire asked.
"It's Black Rock Shooter, it's not a description, it's her name." Strength replied, slightly too aggressively.
"I apologise, I did not realise your people had such literal names." Starfire said shrinking back.
"You have a weird speech pattern." Strength said. "But it's okay, no harm done. I can tell you didn't mean anything by it. I apologise for snapping at you."
Starfire brightened up and smiled.
"Man, Black Rock Shooter is a mouthful." Beast Boy said, rubbing the back of his head. "Can't we shorten it to something like Rock?"
"Rock is a pretty cool name." Cyborg agreed.
"Maybe we should ask her first?" Robin suggested.
"Actually." Strength interjected. "The humans in our world used to call her Rock, I believe that's what she told them her name was."
"How is she?" Robin asked.
"We fall into your world, stab one of you through the chest, and destroy a portion of your city. Yet you sound like you genuinely care?" Strength stated wiping black and white tears from her face. "I don't want to sound suspicious, but why?"
"We've all done things through misunderstanding. Blaming people for what they've done without understanding the reasons leads to a dark path." Robin said. "Besides Jump City has seen more than enough property damage over the years."
Strength nodded.
"She's not doing well, I'm not going to go into much detail but Mato was kidnapped when she was young, before we came to this world she was experiencing a flashback. Reliving the experience with all the feelings associated with it, the event that landed us here must have interfered and now Mato is stuck in her mind, locked in her fear."
"Isn't there anyway of helping her?" Beast Boy asked.
"I've done all I can, it's up to Black Rock Shooter and Mato now." Strength replied.
"I can help." Said a monotone voice.
Everyone looked around to Raven.
"I can go into her thoughts and guide her." The grey-skinned girl said, feeling awkward at being the centre of attention.
"No!" Strength said forcefully. "Black Rock Shooter has her own history, especially with people going into her mind. She won't take it well."
"I can testify to that." Cyborg said. "She stabbed me before I could even blink."
"Bro! You okay!" Beast Boy asked.
"It's fine, she missed all my critical systems. Girl owes me a new chest plate though." The tall teen responded.
"Can we move her?" Robin asked, noticing the gathering crowd.
"Stay there." Strength replied.
She ran back to Rock who was staring at the ground.
"Black Rock Shooter?" She asked hoping for a response.
Rock nodded.
"Any progress?" Strength asked with hope.
Rock raised her hand out of her own sight and tilted it back and forth. Strength nodded.
"Come on, we need to get out of here. The Titans are taking us somewhere you two can be alone."
Rock nodded and followed Strength back to the T-Car.
Cyborg looked at Strength.
"Ain't gonna be no room for you, Strength." He said. "Sorry."
"That's okay, just point me in the right direction." Strength smiled.
"Just keep heading that way." He said pointing down a road. "It's a big tower shaped like a Tee, on a small island in the bay. Literally can't miss it."
"Thanks." Strength said. She watched as Black Rock Shooter, Raven, Robin and Cyborg got into the car, pulled a doughnut and sped off in the direction the machine-man said.
Using her Ogre Arms, she pulled herself up the side of a nearby skyscraper, pausing at the top to get her bearings. In the distance she spotted the tower Cyborg mentioned.
Very subtle. Yuu murmured.
Yuu! How's the pain? Strength asked.
Getting better, lucky I'm not going to be blinded forever.
Yeah, let's go catch up with Black Rock Shooter.
She took a running jump off the skyscraper, landed neatly and used her giant hands to propel herself to the next. One by one, hand by hand, using all four arms to rapidly speed through the city. She easily caught up with the speeding car and following it to the tower.
With a grunt she threw herself into the air, enough momentum was behind her to carry her over the bay.
She landed steadily on her feet but had to force her fingers into the ground to slow down enough so she didn't hit the tower. Huge tracts of turf gathered around her fingers as the ploughed the ground.
A green pterodactyl landed next to her and transformed into Beast Boy.
"Woah, that was so cool!" He grinned.
"What was?" Strength asked, confused. "Me ripping up your lawn?"
"Nah, not that, the way you jumped from building to building. I've never seen anything like that dude!" The green titan grinned.
"Err, thanks?" Strength said. "You wanna show me how to get in this place from here?"
"Yeah sure." Beast Boy laughed. "Follow me."
A/N
Can't believe I'm doing this, Teen Titans was a massive part of my early teens. Attempting to portray the way everyone speaks is going to be a nightmare. At some point I might create cover but still need to make one for The Tear first.
There are probably huge plot holes I'm missing but this is just some mindless fun, don't think about it.
Please don't burn me at the stake.
Teen Titans and the BRS Project are owned by their respective owners.