A/N: Hey guys, I'm SO sorry about the long wait. The holidays were insane at my job and then I ended up getting sick for about a week. But to hopefully make up for the wait I have a nice long chapter for you guys. I really hope you like it. Please let me know what you think. I will be going on vacation at the end of the month, meaning I will be without internet for about two weeks. I will try to get part VIII out before then, but if I don't you won't be seeing an update from me until the beginning of February. The good thing about this vacation is that it will give me plenty of time to write so updates should hopefully be more frequent when I get back. Anyway, enjoy Part VII. Love, Ellivia22
Disclaimer: If I owned Teen Titans we would know by now if there's ever going to be a season 6. I'm impatiently holding onto hope that the original show will come back someday.
Dedication: Fifteen years ago I dedicated this chapter to my high school crush, Brandon. Even though he ended up not being my soul mate I still dedicate this chapter to him for being the best high school crush I ever had.
I'll Be
Part VII
Beast Boy
Once I regain consciousness again I still have that heavy feeling from whatever Slade has been injecting into me. The first thing I notice when I completely come to is that I'm no longer chained against the wall. Instead I'm laying on a mattress in the corner of the basement. A heavy blanket is on top of me to keep me warm. What the hell?
I sit up, wincing. Despite being captured, last night was probably the best sleep I've gotten since I've been doused with the chemicals. I don't hurt nearly as bad. I glance down at my nearly bare chest. Someone had placed a white cloth on my burns, laced with some soothing substance. Aloe perhaps. Not only that, my broken wrist is wrapped up. Why? What is Slade playing at?
"Good morning, Apprentice," Slade's voice rings in the basement. It's unnaturally pleasant. "I hope you are feeling better."
Despite the minor fixes to my injuries I find that I am still too weak to stand. I watch as Slade emerges into view, a tray in his hands. I expect Slade would try to force me to eat meat as a form of torture, but to my surprise there's just a slab of tofu on a plate with salad and a glass of water. He offers me the tray. "Here. You need your strength."
I stare at the masked villain, not trusting him in the slightest. Knowing him, he probably put poison in it or something. "No thank you," I answer coldly, folding my arms across my chest. "Just because you fixed up the wounds that you inflicted on me does not make me automatically trust you."
"I'm not asking for you to trust me," Slade says. "I don't think anyone has ever trusted me." He places the tray beside me on the mattress. "However, I am hoping that these small gestures will help you see that life will be much easier on you when you decide to join me."
"I still don't understand why you are so determined to get me to join your side. Yes, you mention that you want me for my powers, but we have battled many times. You should be well aware that I'm the weakest person on the Titans. Surely you'd be more successful with someone else."
"Selling yourself short is not going to get you out of this," Slade answers. "I chose you not solely based on your powers, but because of your loyalty. I know all about you, Garfield Logan. Every team that you've been on-whether it be the Doom Patrol or the Teen Titans, you have always been a loyal teammate. Loyalty is a very important trait to have. I know that once you realize all that I have to offer you I will have your loyalty. Forever."
"It's great you have so much faith in me," I reply. For some strange reason Slade's words give me a confidence boost. "Especially since nobody seems to believe in me anymore. But you are forgetting something, dude. Despite the way my teammates have been treating me I am still loyal to them. I am loyal to the Teen Titans. And to Raven. I'll always be loyal to her. No amount of torture that you inflict on me will change that."
Slade's eyes narrow. "Is that so?"
"Yes." I try to sound strong and confident, but it's difficult to do. The fear is building up fast. I can feel my heart pounding and breathing becoming more difficult. I know that I just condemned myself to more torture, possibly death, but I don't care. I refuse to give into Slade no matter what.
Slade snaps his fingers. His two henchmen appear and grab me roughly from the mattress. My knees buckle, but the henchmen force me to stay standing. "Well then, I think it would only be fair to warn you that I used to be in the military. I am very familiar with torturing someone into submission. You WILL join me!"
I involuntarily start shaking when two more henchmen come into view pushing a white stretcher on wheels. A large leather strap is in the middle, and a leather cuff on each side. I don't even attempt to struggle as I'm forced onto the stretcher and strapped up. "W-what are you going to do to me now?" I cringe when the henchmen rip the rest of the upper part of my purple and black uniform, exposing my mutilated chest. Then they place multiple circular white pads on various parts on my torso. They finish by attaching more pads on various parts of my head.
"I'd like to call this Thought Reform. You'll see things much differently once I'm finished." I close my eyes tightly. I try not to think about what's about to happen otherwise I'll freak out even more and make things worse. "Let's try the lowest voltage first."
My body convulses involuntarily when I feel the electricity enter my body. Like when he burned me I force myself to not make a sound. It's not so bad I attempt to tell myself reassuringly, even though I feel my head buzzing and every muscle tingling. I can survive this.
"Kick it up a notch," Slade instructs.
I grit my teeth so hard I can feel them trembling. My mind starts to feel slightly fuzzy. Why is Slade doing this to me? Why am I with Slade anyway? I should be back at the tower with my friends. They are my friends. Aren't they? And Raven-does she truly love me? I'm not so sure anymore.
"He's surprisingly still strong enough to defy me. Put it to the maximum."
The buzzing of the electricity going through my body is overshadowed by my tortured screams. My head is going to explode any second. I try to think of Raven as a distraction. Instead all I can think about is the sinking feeling that I'll never see her again.
In the form of a green cheetah I sprinted as fast as I could toward home. It felt as if I had been running for days, when in reality it had only been a couple of hours. I couldn't wait to see the T-shaped tower again. I couldn't wait to see Robin, Starfire, and Cyborg, despite what they still thought of me. Deep down I still considered them my friends. I always would. Most importantly I couldn't wait to see the girl I loved. My Raven. Thinking about her the whole time was the only thing keeping me sane during my capture. Because of her I was strong enough to resist Slade. She was the one person I missed the most.
It came to a great shock when Slade announced that after a torturous month he was letting me go. At first I thought it was just a trick to play with my emotions, but to my surprise he let me walk out the door without argument. Once I was outside in the sunlight I took advantage of his strange kindness and sprinted as far away from him as I could get in my fastest animal form. As I ran, Slade's last words echoed in my head constantly.
I'll see you soon, Apprentice. When the time is right I know you'll come back to me. Just like Terra did.
I tried to tell myself that Slade's words were his way of saying that he had given up. After a month of constant torture sessions, he was still unable to break me. But I knew Slade, he would never give up. Still, I would rather be dead than go back to such an evil villain.
I felt my heart pound rapidly in my chest. Not from running, but because Titans Tower was finally in my line of sight. The enormous T looked just as I remembered. At long last I was finally home. I sprinted even faster to the entrance. I was finally safe. Eagerly I resumed human form, then punched the secret code that I knew by heart: 22510720. To my surprise, the screen below the number pad began to flash in red.
ACCESS DENIED
That's strange. I was sure that I had entered the code correctly. Just in case I punched in the code again.
ACCESS DENIED
I didn't understand. Why would Cyborg change the code? We've had the same code since after Terra betrayed us. Was there an attack on the tower while I was gone? Were my teammates all right?
The Titans are glad that you are gone. That's why they never came to rescue you. They don't want you back.
I whirled around wildly, but there was no one around. That was strange. Instead of being inside my head it sounded like Slade was right next to me, but he wasn't. I was alone. I pushed Slade out of my mind. Slade had to be wrong. My friends were in danger and that was why I couldn't get into the Tower. I wished that I had a way to contact them, but I had lost my communicator somewhere.
Even though my strength was failing me from the long journey I forced myself to turn into a small green hummingbird. I traveled as fast as I could along the side of the building.
You are nothing more to the Titans than the family pet. Their own personal guard dog.
Leave me alone! I thought furiously to myself. Once I was high enough I noticed the the window to my room was slightly ajar. Just enough for me to squeeze through. I quickly fly through the opening, then turn back into myself. I sway slightly from the lack of energy, but forced myself to stay standing. At first it would seem that I was in the wrong room. It was definitely my room all right. I recognized the green walls. It looked so different from what I remembered. Where was my bunk bed? Where was the desk I had in the corner? All the personal items I had scattered on the floor for my friends were gone too.
In the middle of the room was a red and black treadmill, a workout bench was in the corner where my desk used to be, a punching bag in the other corner, and a TV mounted on the wall next to my closet. What the hell? Did they really replace me that quickly? A large lump formed in my throat, making it difficult to swallow.
I have to find Raven I told myself frantically. She'll know what's going on.
At first I planned to go to Raven's room after exiting what used to be my own. I got distracted by sounds of laughter coming from the living room. Familiar laughter. I could hear Robin, Cyborg, and Starfire's cheerful voices as I loomed closer. Not only that, the disgusting smell of steak and ribs flooded my nostrils. Various colors of streamers hung from the ceiling. Balloons were taped to the walls. They were having a party. Were they celebrating that I was gone? I felt myself tremble from that very thought.
"Steaks and ribs are all cooked y'all," Cyborg boomed cheerful, holding the huge plate in his robotic hands. A chef's hat was on his bald head, a white apron covering up his metal front. "Let's get this party started!"
"Smells wonderful, Friend Cyborg," Starfire said joyfully. She got out of Robin's embrace on the couch and started floating toward the kitchen. "I do always enjoy what you cook."
"I agree," Robin said, getting up from the couch as well. "It's nice being able to have meat without listening to dumbass complain about it."
Cyborg laughed. "You and me both, man. I always got so sick of him breathing down my neck whenever I cooked. You know, I'm so glad I tossed out his tofu!"
"Yes! Now we have better smelling foods in the ice box," Starfire added happily. "I can now store more of my pudding."
You have never been shown the appreciation you deserve. Slade's voice rang in the halls. I looked around once more, but didn't find him anywhere. I will make sure you are appreciated.
The laughter and cruel words from the others hurt more than anything they had done to me so far. Slade was right. I was nothing but a joke to them. A nuisance. Where was Raven? She'd put a stop to this madness. I didn't see her. I was too afraid to venture further into the common room to investigate. I didn't want the others to see me.
Raven never loved you. She only pretended to so you wouldn't kill yourself. She hates you just as much as the others do.
The more I saw, the more I was starting to believe what Slade was saying in my mind. I expected the others to act this way, but not Raven. She wouldn't do that to me. She wouldn't lead me on, play with my heart like that. She's not cruel.
"Yo Rae your steak is getting cold," Cyborg called, placing the plate on the kitchen table.
I heard a book snap. Then I saw her. Raven looked the same- same blue cloak, same violet hair, same indifferent expression. She was back to her normal self. I didn't see any hint of being worried or scared for me. If anything she looked relieved. Despite all that, she was still the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
"Sorry," Raven said, floating toward the kitchen. "I had forgotten what it was like to read in peace. I never thought the tower would be this peaceful. I'm so glad Beast Boy's gone."
Robin laughed. "I know what you mean. It is always a pleasant surprise when we succeed in missions without any trouble. I told you guys we'd be better off without that green pest."
More cruel laughter. I leaned against the wall. Every word they said was like iodine in my already open wounds. A tear fell down my face, followed by another. I couldn't help it. My heart was breaking all over again. No wonder they didn't come to rescue me. It was because they all truly hated me. My feet were glued on the floor and I couldn't help but watch as they celebrated a life without me. It took all that was in me to hold the sobs back.
Raven let out a giggle, taking a bite of her steak. "You know, I never actually loved Beast Boy. I just made him think that so he wouldn't commit suicide."
Cyborg let out a low whistle. "Wow that's cold. You should've let him just kill himself. We would've been spared from his stupidity sooner."
"We wouldn't be a good team of superheroes if we had blood on our hands, now would we," Raven said in her usual monotone. "He was so gullible, he believed every word of love I said. I was only going to stay with him until he solved his mental issues. It's a good thing that he's gone, otherwise I'd be stuck with him for a LONG time!"
I couldn't take it anymore. Silently I slid down the wall, burying my head in my arms. Quietly I sobbed, my chest burning. Everything I thought I knew was wrong. The Titans never cared about me. Raven never loved me. Nobody ever cared about me...except Slade.
I am the only one who is trying to do what is best for you, Garfield.
Was I seriously considering going back to the worst villain in Jump City history? Did I really want to be a villain? When I really thought about it, being good hadn't gotten me anywhere. It was nothing but heartbreak. Maybe the other side was better. Once I composed myself I stood up and made my way down the hall. The first thing I was going to do was get revenge on the Titans for discarding me like trash. And I knew exactly who I was going to start with. Before I left the tower I heard a frightened voice scream my name. "BEAST BOY!"
Raven
Raven
Where in the hell did Slade take him to?
I had been flying quickly through the city for several hours, following the glowing object in front of me. According to my locator spell in order to find the person that I'm looking for I had to enchant a personal object belonging to that person. After searching Beast Boy's room I discovered that the brown leather book he had left for me is his journal. Perfect.
The brown book floats in front of me, glowing bright green. So far it has taken me out of Jump City, strayed away from Gotham. Now I'm about half way to Steel City. My heart pounds vigorously in my chest. Besides the feeling of electric shock I haven't been able to feel Beast Boy since. I hope with all my heart that he's still alive. I don't know if I'd be able to survive without him. Deep in my heart I know that he's my soul mate, and the only person I'd ever want to be with.
Slowly Beast Boy's journal starts descending closer and closer to the ground. Finally. I must be getting close. It finally stops in front of a run down mansion in the middle of nowhere. There's not another house close for miles. The grass looked dead. At first I think the book has led me astray. Why would Slade bring Beast Boy here of all places? When I close my eyes, however, I can feel Beast Boy's presence in my heart. He's here. I think I know where to go.
I don't waste any time. I safely put Beast Boy's journal in my cloak, then shut my eyes and seep through the wall next to the door of the mansion. If Beast Boy is being held here, the most obvious place to check would be the basement. Using my magic I phase my head through the ceiling just enough to see if my hunch is correct.
Oh my God!
Beast Boy is here all right. The green changeling is chained against the wall. Thick silver chains are across his exposed chest. I'm horrified by the terrible condition he's in. His chest is mutilated in multiple bruises and what looks horribly like several burns. His face isn't much better. It's swollen and layered in multiple bruises and blood. From my position I can tell that he's unconscious.
Oh I'm going to KILL Slade Rage booms in my head.
Before I can get to Beast Boy I notice that two of Slade's henchmen are standing guard. One on each side. That's easy enough. Wordlessly I grab two large boxes that are in the corner of the room with my powers. Then I throw the boxes at my targets as hard as I can. With a heap the guards fall to the ground, knocked out.
"Beast Boy!" I cry, coming into the room. He doesn't move. I have to wake him up fast. I don't hesitate. Gently I place my hands on his battered face. "Garfield, wake up. It's me, Raven. I'm here to save you!" No response. Tears are in my eyes, threatening to fall any second. "Come back to me. Please!"
Relief sweeps me when his eyes slowly. By his dazed expression I can tell he's still really out of it. "R-Raven?"
"Yes it's me."
Before I have the chance to break the chains that are holding him up, his eyes grow cold as ice. Pure hatred is on his face, an expression I've never seen on him "GET. AWAY. FROM. ME!"
I take a step back in confusion. "W-what?"
"Why are you here, Raven? Did you come to rub it in my face?!"
"I don't understand."
Tears of hurt appear in his green eyes. "I know the truth. I know that you only pretended to love me so I wouldn't kill myself. H-how could you be so cruel to lead me on like that?!"
The answer is obvious. Slade has done something to Beast Boy to make him doubt my love for the changeling. "Slade has been lying to you. I do love you. More than anything in the world." I say softly.
Beast Boy struggles with an internal conflict. I can tell that he's wanting to believe me, but is too afraid to. "J-just go, Raven. I don't want to see you again."
I ignore his words. I refuse to leave this room unless he's coming with me. There's got to be a way that I can show Beast Boy how much I love him. But how?
Allow me Love says passionately in my head. I feel her take over, my cloak changing to a deep purple. I can feel the love for the green changeling sweep me from head to toe. My heart feels almost peaceful. Gently I take Beast Boy's face in my hands. He tries to resist me, but I hold firm. "Garfield, you are the sweetest, most loyal, and bravest person I know. I've loved you since the day you came into my mind and I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. Everything I do is for you. Please, don't doubt our love."
Knowing that time is a factor I lean in, giving him a short, but passionate kiss. In that kiss I pour in all our good memories; memories of our times alone; memories of him making me feel good without knowing it; and of course all the kisses we've shared. When I pull away, Beast Boy is staring at me in extreme relief and pure joy. A tear trickles down his cheek. "Raven," he whispers. "My Raven."
I smile. "Yes. Now let's get you out of these chains."
"I'd hate to interrupt such a tender reunion, but I'm afraid my apprentice is staying right here. Make another move and I'll burn him until there's nothing left but meat and bones."
I whirl around to see Slade descending the stairs, followed by at least three of his henchmen. I fall into a ready stance, my hands glowing black. "So that's why you took him."
"Yes. I had thought that him joining me would give me a strong and loyal ally. But it would seem that his love for you is something no amount of torture can break. So I guess all that is left to do is kill him."
I grit my teeth in fury. The random objects in the room start levitating in the air from my anger. "OVER MY DEAD BODY!"
Slade smiles at me. "But of course. Ladies first."
My cloak turns white as I feel all my emotions come together to help me fight. I rise high in the air, the power running through my veins. Using the objects around me I knock out the approaching henchmen easily, while simultaneously avoiding their line of fire from their laser weapons. I refuse to give up. I'm going to get Beast Boy out alive if it's the last thing I do.
Beast Boy
I struggle to watch the battle that is going on in front of me. It's difficult to do. Just holding up my head for a couple of seconds is draining my energy fast. My heart is pounding in anxiety for Raven. So far she's doing a great job fighting off the number of henchmen that keep shooting at her. I've got to help her somehow. I can't let her die on my account. But how? I have little, to no strength left in me. I have to try. I'll do anything and everything for her. First I have to get out of these chains. Somehow.
I grit my teeth forcing my attention away from the battle. I struggle to get my non injured wrist out of the cuff. Not good. There's only one thing I can do. Pulling as hard and fast as I can, I manage to get my hand out of the cuff, scraping open my wrist. It begins to throb, the blood running down my arm. I don't let that stop me. I'm almost free. Now all I have to do is-.
Out of nowhere a green starbolt hits the chain holding me up by my broken wrist. I hit the ground with a thud. A starbolt. Does that mean...
"Titans Go!" Robin yells.
I watch in amazement. Starfire and Robin immediately begin fighting all the henchmen that Raven has been struggling with on her own. I can't believe they actually came for me. On the other hand, maybe they're just here to save Raven. It wouldn't surprise me. Cyborg runs in my direction. Immediately he breaks the chains that are around my wrists and the silver chains that are wrapped around my chest.
"T-thanks," I stutter. I still can't believe he's here.
Cyborg's face is so pale it's almost white. He's staring horrified at the injuries that cover my body. Carefully he helps me to my feet, holding onto my arm to keep me standing. "C'mon. Let's get you out of here."
My knees buckle. I can feel the energy drain out of me fast. I glance wearily at the half robot. "I can't transform. If I do, it will kill me."
"My car's parked outside. I'm going to take you to the hospital."
Cyborg's positive words come as a complete shock. Isn't this the same person who hated my guts? Why is he actually trying to save me? I don't understand. It doesn't matter. At this point all I care about is Raven making it out of here alive.
I look over at the half demon. Now that the rest of the Titans have showed up, there is less of Slade's henchmen to fight. Slade is no longer in sight either. Raven is on the ground, blocking attacks and shooting objects at her enemies. I wish I was just as strong as she is. I'm not. I'm weak and always will be.
The next few minutes are like a flash in my eyes. I watch in horror as one of the henchmen blasts the large bookcase behind Raven. Immediately the bookcase starts to shake. It's going to fall any second. I push away from Cyborg, running as fast as I can towards the girl I love. The adrenaline that I'm feeling masks the aches and pains. I have to make it to her in time.
"BB come back!" Cyborg shouts. I ignore him.
Right before I reach her I turn into the first animal that comes to mind. Then everything becomes black.
Raven
Now that the other Titans have shown up to help me, the battle against Slade's henchmen is much easier. Starfire has been helping me take out henchmen while Robin ran after Slade. I haven't seen Cyborg yet. Did he even bother showing up at all?
I struggle to keep on attacking my enemy. My emotions are stretched to the limit. If this battle doesn't end soon I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I just hope with all my heart that Beast Boy is okay. I stop attacking when I hear a low growl fill the nearly empty basement.
Without warning I feel a furry arm grab me firmly around the waist. I don't have time to protest. The creature moves me quickly to the other side of the room. Then he lets go.
CRASH!
I whirl around. The bookcase I was fighting in front of is on the ground, the books spilled all over the place. Then I see who grabbed me.
I find myself staring into the eyes of a large green Beast. The Beast-Beast Boy saved me. The large animal is breathing heavily. I watch the creature shrink down in size and back into the green changeling. He stares at me almost blankly, panting. Beast Boy's strength runs completely out. His knees give out and he starts to collapse.
"BEAST BOY!" I barely manage to grab him before he hits the ground. I sink to the floor, cradling the teen in my arms. I don't need to use my powers to know how close to death he is. That last transformation is taking its toll on him. "W-why did you do that?!" I practically sob. I forget all about the battle. It doesn't matter anymore. He is the only one that matters. "I-I'm supposed to be saving you!"
I close my eyes, placing my hands on his severely burned chest. I force myself to concentrate. I have to heal him now before it's too late. Beast Boy struggles to breathe. I don't feel anything. My powers aren't working. Why aren't they working?!
"Rae..."
Beast Boy's green face is so pale it's almost like lime green chalk. The multitude of bruises and blood that is on his face is standing out considerably. His eyes are barely open. "D-don't worry, Beast Boy," I choke out. "Y-you're going to be all right," I struggle to convince him as well as myself.
"No Rae. My end is near."
Tears start falling down my face rapidly. I can't help it. "Don't say that!"
He manages the strength to reach up and wipe the tears off my face. His green hand rests on my cheek. "Don't cry, Raven, please. I...I'll be all right. I promise." I hug him tightly, careful not to harm him more. "Tell the others that I'm sorry for everything I've done. Tell them...tell them that I'm sorry I wasn't the teammate they deserved." Beast Boy manages above a whisper. A tear of his own falls down his cheek. "Thanks for believing in me...for loving me."
"I-I'll always love you, Beast Boy," I choke out.
He gives me one last toothy smile. "I love you too." His green eyes fall shut.
"No, please," I whisper. I place my lips on his. I feel all my emotions and love pour into him. Oh Azar, please I pray silently. Give me the strength to save him.
As if by magic I feel my hands grow blue. Though the tears continue to fall I force myself to concentrate. First I start healing the vicious burns on Beast Boy's chest. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Already I can feel that he's getting better. I think I might have just pulled him out of the clutches of Death. He's still very weak, but maybe if I continue healing him, he'll have a fighting chance. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos."
"Raven," Starfire's timid voice interrupts my concentration. "Cyborg called the rescue people from the hospital. They will be here soon to provide assistance."
The hospital. Yes she's right. There's only so much healing I can do before I collapse myself. I'm going to need more help. I already feel light headed from the healing I've done so far, not to mention from the battle. And since Rage destroyed the medical ward at the tower, the hospital is the next best option. I hope with all my heart that I've healed him enough where he'll survive the journey. Without acknowledging Starfire, I turn into my Raven form, carrying Beast Boy with me to the Jump City hospital.
To be continued...
