Edit: After getting some sleep, this definitely needed some editing. I added almost 700 words and clarified and fixed some mistakes. Enjoy!
Alrighty guys, I know it's been a long while. At this point the story might have a bit of a different tone because of the time, but we're gonna do this, at least for one more chapter. I honestly forgot where I was going with this, but that means I can improve on what I had originally (I also forgot where I was going with the pairings, so don't 100% count on it being polyamourous anymore [of course I'll work it in if I think I can do it well]).
(And honestly? The Goo Goo Dolls' new song Miracle Pill got me. Theme of this story. Go give it a listen. I also got to be one of the first to hear it EVER in concert, so there's that too. )
I did go back and fix 99% of the errors in the current chapters, so there's that. (there were so many) I'm on summer at the moment so if I can buckle down and keep my productivity up with my art, I won't feel guilty about working on this instead.
Also, HAPPY PRIDE MONTH GUYS! I wish I could feature a pride parade in this chapter, but that's for the future (we still technically have 8 months time between this point in the story and the end).
Also, because I'm too lazy to do it myself, suggest song lyrics that fit the last chapters and throw 'em at me (Keep it rock, punk rock, alternative rock, etc, like the Goo Goo Dolls, Imagine Dragons, Pretty Reckless, Queen, The Score, Linkin Park, ect. None of that pop or country crap. I'll even take Disney music). I'm gonna start doing that, because I bleed music. It also keeps things fun.
Tomorrow is another day, that we need
I don't know where I'll be searching for, the things I've seen
And I'm feeling all these things before, I go through
All that I would do, I do for you, oh
- Shell Suite, Chad Valley
Oh no, is the only thing that crosses Apache's mind as her eyes drift to Raven. From here on out, everything is mixing itself up. They were supposed to be scrambling for answers, and as far as she could tell, Raven hadn't been having trouble meditating but a time or two over the last few days. She doesn't know if this is her doing, or if there is another reason. They'd been so busy with her the last few months that Slade and Trigon had been put on the back burner, unless they had spent all of the time right after Raven's birthday scrambling and the hysteria had slowly subsided. She can feel guilt gnawing at her insides. They had no warning, and it's most likely her fault. Or she's here to help them find clues because they were not working this out themselves. She knows Raven thinks about this often, per her questioning when she'd first discussed this with her.
Perhaps this is no ones fault, and this is the way the dice were cast.
"Titans, let's go," Robin says, venom in his voice and features, his shoulders stiff and fists at his sides. Apache turns to follow them, completely disregarding the fact that she as no bra and is in an oversized T-shirt and pajama bottoms, and Robin turns around to pin her with a glare, stopping everyone in their tracks to give the two inquisitive looks. "Not you. This is Slade, you'll get in the way and we can't afford that. Don't leave this room, and do not touch the computer."
"But-!" Apache gives a sigh as she is ignored, the door swishing shut behind the rushing Titans. She moves to stare out of the large windows, the blackness of the night causing the lights of the city to glow brightly in the distance and dance on the water like everything is continuing on as normal. She crosses her arms. She can just see the glow of Slade's fire from here, and it makes her stomach bottom out.
This is not good. They have no clue what they're getting themselves into, especially when she could just tell them. All Slade is doing is trying to lure them out. They're putting themselves in danger unnecessarily. She groans loudly. Why is she here if they just won't listen? She understands, she really does, but it gets to a point where it becomes ridiculous and the ones not listening are sabotaging themselves.
She perks up, Raven will be back soon.
Apache practically sprints back to Raven's room and promptly begins to pace the length of the room, her hands folded behind her back. Frustration is eating her up from the inside out. The one thing that she could help with and a problem she could help them avoid and they won't listen. As far as she's concerned, it's pointless for them to go down into the library. A fight they could avoid.
She slows. She is trying to keep herself occupied with thoughts of the Titans, but with them gone for an undisclosed amount of time, thoughts of her mother and Ebony are beginning to seep into her mind. She shakes them away, teary eyed.
Screw it, if they won't listen, then fine. Let them get their asses handed to them and put in more effort than they need to in the wrong places. She'll be here helping the one person that hasn't been a complete ass to her over the last week and a half.
She's missing being a dog. Missing not being plagued with memories. She felt like she actually had a purpose as a dog. She could sniff things out, and the Titans actually allowed her to hang around and aid them. Maybe this was a mistake and she was meant to stay a dog? She was certainly doing more good as one.
She's startled when a grumbling Raven rushes back into her room a half hour later, bottles and candles floating around to create a salt circle around Raven as she folds her legs to sit within it, her urgency plain to see.
"Raven! Are you okay?" Apache calls quietly as she rushes forward on the balls of her feet lightly, coming to a stop a few feet away from Raven's circle.
"Just fine," Raven keeps her eyes closed as the bottles replace themselves on her shelf.
"You're going to Azarath?" That does it. Raven's eyes shoot open to give her a hard look, to which she sinks back at.
"Of course you'd know that."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Apache raises her hands at belly height, wringing them together, unsure of what to do, her head slightly tilted to the side as she gazes at the girl sitting on the carpet with heterochromia eyes.
"That's a bad idea," Raven grumbles. "I think this is something I need to do on my own. You probably already know what's going to happen anyway."
Apache gives a nod. "I understand. Good luck, and just know that it's only a vision. He won't touch you. I wish you guys would let me do more," she folds her hands together under her chin, giving Raven what she hopes is an encouraging expression. Raven merely nods, closes her eyes and chants. She's gone within seconds, and Apache is once again groaning in frustration, throwing her hands up into the air in exasperation. What a joke!
"I can't fucking believe this!" She screeches. It feels as if hackles are rising on her back, but she knows there's nothing there. Just in her head. It doesn't stop her from being pissed off nonetheless. She feels so inadequate. Plus, who wouldn't want to see another dimension, even if it's a destroyed one? And Raven give Slade the smack down? She'd pay to see that any day.
She goes back to pacing, picking at her nails in the nervous gesture she thought she'd kicked years ago.
After hours ticking by, Apache decides to move back to the common room to wait. They wouldn't be back until almost dawn.
She has half a mind to have a meal ready for them, so she doesn't feel so useless, but some of them probably wouldn't eat it anyway.
She's dozing on the couch after tiring herself out from pacing when she's woken by the Titans returning. She falls off the couch with a yelp, scrambling on her hands and knees to be able to lay her eyes on the group of five. "Ev'ryone alright?" She calls as she pulls herself up using the couch, her eyes darting back and forth over each figure. She pushes her messy hair from her face absentmindedly, ignoring the death glares two of the Titans are giving her.
Everyone looks alright, just a few bruises here and there and a defeated and confused look in their eyes.
"We're fine," Raven calls quietly, her cloak wrapped around her in a defensive manner.
"It has been a... Long night," Star says tiredly. They all move to take seats on the couch, Apache moving to sit on the floor a little ways away from them. No point giving Robin and Cyborg any reason to go after her with so much as a dirty look.
Explanation time. She can already feel the weight of the situation, and it is very sobering. She folds her hands in her lap, twiddling her thumbs quietly.
"Whenever you're ready, Raven," Robin says gently. He truly is a good friend, always trying to make sure his team mates are happy or feel listened to and protected. He truly is like a protective older brother. She can feel her resolve softening. She can't really fault Robin for being a dick. She tilts her head, waiting for the quiet cloaked Titan to begin her long owed explanation to her teammates.
"The Ancient Order used the name Scath to protect the true identity of their master. We know him..." Raven looks a little sick, paler than she usually is. This is the last thing she wants to be admitting to her family. It's only hard because she believes she will be rejected for her parentage, but she underestimates the love her team holds for her. Never would they reject her over something that was no fault of her own. She did not get to choose who her parents are, and she should not be punished for it. Apache can only hope that the people of Azarath held this belief and taught her such a thing, but Apache is skeptical. Raven seems broken. Like she's never had anyone, and that only comes from rejection. Apache could be mistaken, though. She truly hopes that she is. "As Trigon," Raven finishes slowly. This sparks something in all of the Titans, like they had all heard the name before. Apache tilts her head ever so slightly in confusion.
"Are you serious?" Cyborg sounds concerned, his hands coming up halfway in a defensive gesture, even as he gazes down at Raven in worry. "That's who we're up against?"
"His cruelty is legendary, even on my world," Star says, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning forward, her expression thoughtful as she gazes at Raven with eyes as green as emeralds.
"So, what makes you go all glowey in the dark?" Beast Boy says after a moment, voice laced with curiosity, and Apache fixes him with a glare that he doesn't see.
"It's a warning. It means Trigon is coming," Raven lifts her gaze, and it finds Apache for a moment before finding the window and gazing out at the rays of light beginning to peak over the horizon. "The only way he gets here is through me. I am not just a person, I'm a portal."
"But Raven, why you?" Robin rests his hand on her thigh in a comforting manner, his voice full of concern and confusion.
Raven's gaze falls to her lap, her face taking on a sour expression, her nose wrinkling like she'd smelled something terrible. "Because... Trigon is my father."
Apache almost laughs at the expressions on the Titan's faces, all wide eyed and shocked. She manages to keep her expression blank, and even feels guilty for the feeling. This is a truly heavy situation, and as much as she already knew, it wouldn't be right to mock them for something they had no inkling of.
"Bad things are going to happen soon," Raven says as she rises to her feet and glides past Apache to stand in front of the window to gaze out at the silhouettes of Jump's buildings. "Really bad things. And it's going to be my fault." Apache can just detect a quiver in Raven's usually steady tone. "I thought I could handle this alone, I tried, but I was wrong." Apache can feel herself deflate at Raven's despair. This is truly something she does not want to happen, and she feels as if it's inevitable and that she'll destroy everything she loves. No one deserves to feel that way.
Apache lets a small smile flit past her lips despite herself as Star floats over her and to Raven, pulling her around gently to look at the group of them in their faces as they gather around each other in only the way a family can. The weight in the room pulls the smile from her lips nonetheless as she scoots back to lean against the now vacant couch.
"For confiding in us, we are most humbled," Star says gently, reassuringly, to Raven.
"I only have one question," Cyborg says dangerously. "How do we stop him?"
"We don't," Raven says, defeated.
"That doesn't mean we still can't try," Beast Boy says, ever the optimist. They all turn to watch as the sun finally begins to turn the sky a lighter purple over the city. It's quiet for a long time, and Apache lets them have their moment, afraid to even breathe lest she disturb them. Everyone is startled by an exclamative sound from Beast Boy. "Apache! Don't you know how we defeat Trigon?"
That has all five of them turning to pin her with their eyes, and she can't help but sink into herself under their gazes. She gives a sigh.
"Look, there's more than just one outcome. There's a movie called The Justice League vs. Teen Titans, and take a guess as what happens in that? There's also a comic I could never get my hands on, so I don't know what happened in those. There's so much more than one outcome to this, and there are already differences to the cartoon and here. Like I said to Raven when she asked, I don't want to tell you because it's like shooting yourself in the foot. If you're expecting one outcome, and something else happens, that could be a fatal mistake." Apache tells them quietly, sheepishly.
"I think we could handle you telling us what happens and still be ready for if something else goes down," Robin lifts a distasteful eyebrow at her, his arms crossed.
"And then if one of you ends up dead, I'll feel as if that's on me, and that isn't fair," Apache argues back.
"You need to tell us, now," Cyborg growls at her, and she can feel her face contort and her eyes burn before she's able to reign it in with a shaky sigh. She was so used to him being so kind and happy go lucky that she couldn't imagine him treating her in this way, and it isn't fair, dammit. She can feel her resolve tear like a piece of tissue paper. She knows she'll probably never be accepted by Robin and Cyborg, and it hurts, but she also knows she'll get over it eventually. "Then," Apache speaks through the lump in her throat. "it isn't on me if someone gets hurt."
They all take up their previous seats again as she describes the events of The Justice League vs. Teen Titans, as well as the differences. She goes on to tell them how they defeat him in what is supposed to be their universe, and repeats over and over again to get her point across that it most likely won't be the same, because she's here, and if she's here, that has to mean something. Plus, kid's shows always end on a high note.
They're all quiet, Robin and Cyborg skeptical as usual.
"It seems too easy." Beast Boy says.
"Because it's a kid's show," Apache gripes at him. "Trigon is an intergalactic demon, for Christ's sake. The Justice League vs. Teen Titans was closer to what is should have been because it wasn't targeted at kids, and that was still too easy as far as I'm concerned."
They fall into a thoughtful silence. Her stomach is rolling around uncomfortably. She shouldn't have told them anything.
"Look, just promise me you guys won't take anything to heart? As long as you guys stick together, I'm positive you'll conquer anything you set your minds to," Apache says quietly.
"Of course we will," Star gives a bright smile, taking a liking to Apache's words instantly.
"It doesn't mean that we can't step up our training regimens," Robin says, his chin resting on a closed fist.
Apache almost screams. "No, that means you're planning for one or two outcomes, which is exactly what I said not to do!"
"Doesn't matter," Cyborg says. "We can increase our regimens to be prepared for anything."
"No, you can't. You guys will do just fine continuing as you are. It's like an in class final essay. There's no way in Hell you can prepare for it because you're going to be given the topic in class to write about. This final fight? You might have an idea, but you won't know any of the specifics before you get there."
"She has a point," Raven cuts in, and all gazes fall on her. "We won't know until the time comes. If we succeed, we succeed. Nothing we do now will make or break us then."
Robin's eyebrows knit together in thought. Apache knows he isn't willing to listen to her, but he might listen to Raven.
"One extra training session per week, that's final," Robin says, causing Beast Boy to groan loudly.
"Why don't you guys pepper some fun in there too? No point in making these next few months miserable," That earns her dirty looks from Robin and Cyborg, and she shuts her mouth.
After their discussion, everyone moves off to their rooms to get some sleep. It's uneventful for the rest of the day, and Apache is itching to start on her plan on converting Jinx.
She's been having trouble getting a deep sleep the last few days, and she need something to focus her attention on. There's no point in wallowing in her grief when she could be doing something productive.
Raven is up by noon, and her stirring causes Apache to wake as well as she could attempt nothing more than a doze in her apprehension and unease.
"I need to start on converting Jinx," she tells Raven as the girl shuts herself in her closet to change out of her pajamas.
"And how are you planning on doing that?" Raven calls through her closet door.
"Well, either show up in their lair or bump into her when she's getting coffee."
"You'll end up dead if you just show up unannounced in the H.I.V.E.'s lair, " Raven deadpans, stepping out of the closet a moment later to fix her with a "you're an idiot" look. "And how are you planning on getting out of the tower long enough by yourself to do that?"
Apache just shrugs at her. "I figured you could help me with that."
"You're asking a lot, I hope you realize that."
"I do, but you're willing to let me attempt to help save the world, right?"
"Now I'm not so sure..."
Apache snorts. "You can't go back on what you said. And, I need a room. It isn't fair for you to have to change in your closet, even though it's nothing I haven't seen before and nothing I don't already have."
Raven rolls her eyes. "We're moving Kori to another room since she's between mine and Dick's rooms. They're doing that today."
"Why am I the last to know?" Apache feels so bad for Star having to move to a different room for her. She knows they're only doing this because Robin doesn't trust her. Have to keep her close, right?
"We discussed it yesterday, and it didn't come up."
"Of course." Apache's eyes find the stuffed raven toy that resides on Raven's shelf. "We should set up some cameras, see if Jinx has a schedule. If she starts seeing me around, it'll be easier to get her to talk to and trust me."
"And how are we going to do that without Vic or without someone finding out?" Raven crosses her arms.
"... I don't know. I'd say surveillance but I can't exactly survey her with Boy Wonder keeping me under lock and key. Can't you do something with magic? Like, rig a computer to record the data and put a tracking spell on her?"
Raven's eyebrows knit together in thought. "We could try it. I can't guarantee it would work, but it's worth a shot."
Apache nods. The next few days are going to be long.
Now that I have it typed out, it feels like a filler chapter and short. My disappointment is real. But to be fair, it's 4 in the morning and this took me 2 hours to type up. Just be glad you got a chapter. I'm kidding. But in all seriousness, I will try to finish this. Key word, try. I might come back through in a day or two and beef this chapter up a little or make some edits, we'll see.