Masquerade Chapter 2: The Thoughts That Follow, a teen titans fanfic

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, voted, and said happy birthday!!!

Special thanks to Earth Magician for giving me the correct spelling for Nightwing.

What To Expect- Basically, it's mainly about Raven... her feelings towards Robin's disappearance... and the mysterious shadow that follows her once she takes a soul-searching trip to Gotham City...

Genre- Hmm... Let's see... drama/general/action... also a lot of revelation.

Don't worry. This really isn't that sad, more gloomy.

Disclaimer- I do not own (any) Teen Titans.

Masquerade

Chapter 2- The Thoughts That Follow

[Raven's POV]

Who are the puppeteers that control our lives?

We each have a part in the show, and I knew the part I had to play.

I had to repair the broken puppets.

...I had to prepare the stage.

"Why, why are you running away?" The mysterious figure asked.

The dark girl was discernible unlike the oblique form speaking. She replied coolly, her arms crossed in silent defiance, "I don't run away."

"Why are you hiding the truth from yourself?"

Her eyes slowly drifted away as she spoke in a hushed, livid tone. "I never hide."

"Raven..."

She snapped. "Don't say my name!"

"I'm still alive," he confirmed gently. She felt his stare on her, his secreted eyes quietly undressing her soul. He made her fell like a transparent wall. "And you're afraid."

"I'm not afraid!!" Her eyes darted to the blurred, shadowy vapor, trying her best to convince him. But she felt like she was talking to a mirror, as her own angry response bounced off its surface, glaring back at her, making it seem like she was the only one who needed the persuading.

He acted as if she didn't say a word. "...I'm here, even now." His voice was so reassuring, beautiful, lulling. She felt his warm presence grow nearer, her dormant feelings upsurging, but even still... she stepped back slowly. She wanted to believe, she really did, but she shook her head hesitantly and took another step away from his warmth. She knew better not to make a mistake twice. She distanced herself, the air gradually becoming colder. "I know... I know you still lo-"

"SHUT UP! I hate you! Everything that comes out of your mouth is all just a big, fat, ugly lie!! And you're dead!!! Dead, dead, dead, dead, DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

She screamed it at the tops of her lungs, collapsing into the abyss of darkness that was her mind, as her screams died away into the nothingness...

Her green, melancholy eyes stared upon the metal door. Tears were spilling down her orange-tan cheeks. She placed a warm hand upon its cool surface and was about to push it open... until she heard a slight disturbance in the atmosphere.

"Starfire." Her voice was soft, yet stern. The dark, enchanting girl walked slowly towards the tall redhead, as her midnight blue cape flowed gracefully behind her. "What are you doing up so late?"

The usually pert Tamaranian girl cast her head downward, uncomfortable to be found in this position, by his door. "I am merely... thinking."

The half-demoness stood directly in front of her downtrodden comrade then looked behind her to see the entrance of a doorway, and she knew specifically whose it was. Starfire had been in love with him, and for some reason, it made Raven feel guilty. But still, she put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I understand."

Starfire only nodded solemnly as another tear slid down the side of her face. Quickly wiping it away, she now looked up at her leader, trying to find every bit of strength that she had left within her. "Raven?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think... Robin will ever come back?"

Raven flinched slightly at the mention of him and immediately withdrew her hand from Starfire's shoulder. She turned away from her and shook her head resolutely. She didn't know why the alien princess repeatedly asked her this question. Maybe she expected that the answer would be different this time or maybe that she would get encouragement from her, but it was always the same in Raven's mind. She wouldn't feed her friend false hopes. "No. I'm sorry Star, but I don't believe Robin is ever coming back. He would have come back by now, if only..." Raven stalled for a brief moment and decided to abandon the rest of her answer.

Starfire blocked her from leaving. "Friend Raven... if only, what?"

Raven spoke dully, burying her feelings within monotone. "It's nothing."

The Tamaranian girl ignored her emotionless response. "Does it have to do with me? Had I done something wrong to make Robin go away?

The dark leader veered her icy eyes towards Starfire's, piercing the girl's soft, emerald orbs. "Star..." She began reprimanding dangerously. "...don't you ever blame Robin's stupidity on yourself. You never did anything wrong to him!" Her voice was in a tone that the tan girl had never heard. "Just forget about him!!"

Starfire began. "But-"

Raven tore her eyes away from hers, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why can't you just forget about him? He didn't care about you or any of us. He left us." She closed her eyes silently. "There is no reason."

"Raven..."

"Please Starfire, just go to sleep." She didn't want to talk about this any longer. The redheaded alien gave her one more pleading... but she knew when she was beaten. She began walking away. However, before Starfire was completely out of earshot, Raven spoke in a low pitch. "It's not good to mourn for those who are dead."

Starfire stood still for a moment and gasped at the words. She hurried quickly back to her room.

Raven watched her go. Then without a word, she turned around. She treaded towards the darkness, disappearing without a trace.

[Raven's POV]

It has been five years since your disappearance.

I had hoped that everyone would just forget about you... forget that you were ever here... forget that you had affected their very lives.

But I guess that it's too much to ask.

I had, at least, wished that you would just leave us alone, but wishes are only silent prayers of a hope. And I have no more hope to be given up.

You are the ghost that lingers over us hauntingly, incessantly. You are the illusion that deceives. The others are such dreamers, believing that their dream would come true. Their dream is for you to come back.

But I know better.

You're dead.

And that is all there is to it.

I can do nothing for you.

It was a dark night, though the storm of snow and bright city lights made it look as if the city was about to come to life.

White flooded her vision, as Raven sauntered inconspicuously down the streets of Gotham. She was covered in a black cloak, her hood hiding her face... only known as the mysterious figure with a beautiful shape.

For some reason, all she could think of was getting far, far away from Titans Tower.

Whatever that meant.

[Raven's POV]

You're dead.

And you very may as well be.

Because if you were still alive, I'd kill you.

So it's best that the past is buried.

Or else I'd bury it for myself.

Swish

A quick, nimble sound caught her ear, among the many voices of the civilians.

Her sharp, incisive eyes deftly searched the tops of the surrounding buildings.

The vague, ambiguous figure hid in the shadows, intently watching the dark girl below.

Nothing.

She only saw darkness.

But in the confines of her mind, she could almost see a familiar figure, a green, yellow, and red blur jumping across from building to building, leaping with such grace. The determination and raw beauty was written within every movement...

Raven shook her head to get rid of the disturbing thoughts, brushing her hair back with her hand. 'I'm beginning to imagine things.'

She glanced back at the buildings for a second, then continued her journey through the dark, dangerous city of Gotham.

[Raven's POV]

Yes.

Our lives... our lives are nothing but a cruel joke.

And even if life changes, that fact never does.

Cause everything you thought you thought... turns out to be wrong in the end.

Everything you did...

Everything you said...

It's so dumb. I can't believe that I believed you.

...I feel so bitter.

Raven turned her eyes up to the snow-filled sky. She felt so numb inside. She felt so dead... as if all the life she had, had been sucked out of her, her being hacked away until the only thing she had left was the ability to feel pain. Her surviving emotions were only that of dark shadows... anger, acrimony, sadness... and hate.

[Raven's POV]

It was all your fault.

Once you did what you did, it felt like the end of the world.

And time was suppose to stop, but time went on...

Without you...

Raven gained speed in her step to the point she was almost running.

She didn't know why she was racing down the streets.

All she wanted to do was get farther and farther-

And then she realized what she was doing.

She immediately stopped.

[Raven's POV]

Why did you leave??

I don't know, and I really don't care.

But I hate you. I hate you with every fiber of my being.

I hate you for making us all suffer.

I hate you for taking me with you that night.

I hate you for not saying... goodbye.

Raven searched for a way home.

She feared the alluring desire... the temptation to just forget and leave everything behind in the process.

Just leave without a reason.

Just like Robin.

[Raven's POV]

I hate you.

I hate you so much.

Raven shivered against the cold. She had been out there to long. She could barely feel her toes.

Her eyes scanned the dark area. There was a dim light in one of the dark alleyways.

'Maybe, it's a shortcut.' She thought.

The unfathomable girl walked into the somewhat gloomy alley. There were men around a fire, desperately trying to keep warm. Some were standing next to a wall, smoking and doing drugs. Others were drunk and had passed out. All in all, they all held a disgusting stench to them.

Raven trekked through the passage, though it was almost as if she seemingly glided across the frosty grounds. She paid no heed to the unwanted stares she was receiving. She was too irritated to notice.

Thus, she also didn't think much of the dirty men who just happened to be following her.

"Hey, sweetie." whispered their ringleader coming closer to her, his breath stinking of nicotine. He and his crew stared sickeningly at her lithe form. "Wanna have some fun?"

The shadowy man who had been following Raven watched on angrily. He was ready to pounce from his hiding place and attack the amok assholes. But he remained composed and observed her silently.

Raven kept going, not paying the least bit of attention to them.

"Hey! We're talking to you!" shouted one of the alleged bastards.

She ignored them completely; her mind was elsewhere.

Finally, the leader ran up to her and put his hand on her shoulder. She stopped in her tracks, her patience wearing thin.

"Where do you think you're going? Let's play." He spoke forcefully. His grip on her tightened. His gaze lowered to where her more private regions would be, imagining his own disturbed fantasy. He grinned a demented grin. "First, let's take off your little cloth..."

His hand stretched to seize her cloak.

But, she grasped his arm before he could.

His eyes, at first, widened in shock and fear, then contorted into an ugly grimace. The sound of breaking bones cracked through the artic silence. He wailed like a little pansy, squealing in pain. "AHH!! YOU BROKE MY ARM! YOU FUCKING BITCH!!! LET GO OF ME!!!"

She didn't.

Her eyes glowed white and her hands emitted an immense, black energy. She didn't even turn to face him. Her emotions were that of uncontrolled anger, her feelings and thoughts in a whirlwind of utter confusion and rage.

She let go of him.

"AAAAHHHHH!!!!"

Suddenly, by an unknown invisible force, the man flew from her and all the way against a wall, the sound of his head and brick echoed throughout the alley walls as his screams withered into fearful and cowardly whimpers.

Scarlet blood slowly seeped from his skull, as he fell into a deep unconsciousness. Raven walked over to his body with a grim expression on her face. Suddenly, the sleazy dirtbag lying in front of her took the image of the boy she hated most.

She spat on him.

[Raven's POV]

I absolutely loathe you.

The others looked at their leader fearfully, but they were instantly annoyed when they saw the evil smile on Raven's face.

Another one of his cronies yelled. "YOU WITCH!"

They all darted towards the caped girl in rage, which was sure to be their next mistake.

'Fools.' thought Raven bitterly. As they neared her, she didn't whisper a single word or even make a single movement. She just stood there watching with lifeless eyes, as the invisible force that she created lifted all of the malodorous bastards up and slammed them harshly against the walls of the alley to join their motionless leader.

The other men who had been minding their own business ran out of the darkly dismal passage to make a quick getaway from the inexplicable girl, fearing for their own lives.

Raven stood there, still immobile. Her body began to shake violently. She held her head in her hands.

She felt the pure anger inside of her creep. Her eyes flashed red, but she concentrated fully.

"Azerath, Metrion, Zinthos..."

The glow reverted back to white, and at last, her eyes dissipated into their normal color. Her breathing became ragged.

Raven staggered away from them all, the sides of the alley littered with bodies.

Finally, out of the dark hell hole, she gave up on wobbly legs.

Her body and mind had exceeded their limits, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

She felt so numb as she turned on her back and faced the sky.

[Raven's POV]

All you could do was leave... leave me with a rendered heart.

Small, sparkling snowflakes flitted down from the wintry heavens.

[Raven's POV]

...And a broken promise.

Her eyes shut close peacefully, submitting to the darkness. She didn't care what happened to her. She simply wanted to escape, escape the life that God had so brutally given her. She just wanted to disappear.

As she passed out, laying unconsciously on the cold ground, the man from the shadows hovered over the body of the inert girl.

'She's grown to be incredibly.' He mused thoughtfully.

He carefully lifted her body, causing her hood to fall off, revealing her sad yet beautiful face. The man's eyes softened, staring at her admiringly. Then, he whisked her away into the unknown.

The snow covered his footsteps.

(Stop)

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Yeah... well I hope that'll be okay for awhile...

I'll be updating soon!

To Be Continued?- Next chapter will reveal what had happened to Raven on the ever-fateful day that she woke up... Flashback -Enough said... I'm not giving anything else away! -lolz- ...off to writing!!!

Flame?- I'll be accepting flames for this chapter. [Constructive Criticism needed!]

Review?- I'm not sure if you'll be able to review if you've already voted for this chapter. So, if you want to say something, you might have to use Anonymous to say it.

Anyways, thanks a lot! Hope to hear from you soon!

Love ya!