Chapter 5: A Truth Exposed

Starfire and Beast Boy continued on their journey through their friend's mind. Starfire stopped ahead and Beast Boy walked head on into her.

"Ouch..... Ow, Ow, Ow....." Beast muttered, holding his nose. He looked up at Starfire, who was looking around in an unquestionably suspicious way.

"I feel something is not right here. We are being watched," Starfire said. Beast Boy grappled the information in confusion. How could she know that? Then, he saw it. A shadow in the corner of his eye.

"Do you believe we are actually trying to harm you?" Beast Boy asked out loud, his voice echoing throughout the strange reality known as Raven's mind. The shadow gave a look of surprise, then concealed itself once more.

"You are a Raven, am I correct?" Starfire asked. "Surely you would know the way out of here?" The Shadow Raven appeared beside Starfire. Unlike the Raven of the real world, this Raven actually enjoyed and liked Starfire.

"You are wise, young red-head. Yes I do know the way. But I can't show it willingly." The Raven replied, looking deep into the emerald eyes of Star.

"Why can you not?" Starfire asked, backing away. The Raven didn't seem to want to answer, then sighed.

"We must fight a 1vs1," Shadow Raven said, "Because that is one of her nightmares." Starfire gasped, one of Raven's nightmares concerned her? Beast Boy was also thinking this, though he hoped that he wasn't in a nightmare.

"Raven has nightmares of facing Starfire?" asked Beast Boy suspiciously, deeply concerned.

"Oh yes, though Starfire does not know what Raven has seen. No one knows what Raven has seen, not even me, but we must fight."

"Well..... If I must to escape from this scary world, then I accept. But...." Starfire stopped when she heard a distant "Booyah!". Cyborg ran over to them, ever on the alert with his sonic cannon.

"Hey ya guys, wait up!" He called.

"Cyborg!" Starfire exclaimed, forgetting what she just accepted to. "How have you gotten in this place?"

"Raven sent me. She looked pretty exhausted...." Cyborg spotted Shadow Raven. "You did all this trouble to Raven, on her birthday, of all days, just from an arguement about a singer? Why on earth would you do that?"

"Well, she said that Jessica screamed like a banshee......" Shadow Raven muttered. Starfire and Beast Boy looked in confusion. Jessica Simpson was the trouble for all this? Whoa.

"And you weakened the barrier as well, causing some damage to the tower. Who are you exactly? Raven said you were another of her, from a different world, but who would believe that?" Cyborg asked enraged. The Shadow Raven sighed.

"I am not Raven, I am called Blacky from my people," Blacky started sadly, "But believe what you hear from Raven, she is correct." That made them all at a lose for words. Half of the tower blown up, their friend exhausted and not herself, all because of Jessica Simpson. Jessica Simpson, of all people. Blacky suddenly appeared really sad, not holding her otherself's infamous grumpy expression. Cyborg saw a tear form on an eyelash. He suddenly felt bad for what he said earlier, and said "How did you get to be here?"

Blacky turned and looked at him, eye to eye, with uncertainity that said She didn't know if she wanted to tell them. Oh well, she had some traits like Raven. Beast Boy, seeing this, decided to speak up.

"Okay then, nevermind. But as to how to get out of here? I heard something of a battle but I wasn't paying attention." He shuffled his feet, probably embarrassed for not listening earlier. But none seemed to mind.

"Oh yes, the nightmare that has been nagging Raven since the accident... When Raven and Starfire switched, that is." Blacky said. "Yes, sadly I must fight you Starfire. And I want you to know I don't want to do this."

"Neither do I," Starfire replied, sadness spilling out of her voice, " but if it is to be done, then let it be done." Cyborg was confused, he hadn't a clue what they were talking about. He saw the girls eyes falter in sadness, but quickly reassure themselves that it wasn't to the death...... Or was it?

Meanwhile......

"Raven, are you okay? Raven, wake up! Raven?" Robin shaked his friend that fell unconsious to the floor not too long ago. Raven groggily opened her eyes, saw Robin, and relaxed.

"Looks like I've done it correctly....." Raven muttered. She sat up in her demolished room and sighed. There were no signs of a barrier ever being there before. She had work cut out for her. She touched the ruby on her forehead, and gasped.

"Raven? What's the Matter?" Robin asked, deeply concerned for Raven and all his friends.

"A nightmare is coming to life. We must stop it. my other doesn't understand!" Raven tried to get to her feet, stumbled, and fell.

"Robin, the mirror......" She told him, holding up her hand. Robin grabbed it where it was dropped earlier, but he didn't give it to her.

"Raven, you are far too weak to do it again!" Robin said roughly.

"Don't be stupid. Do you care for Starfire or not?" Raven replied angerly. Robin gave a hint of surprise in his face.

"What do you mean?" He asked hastily, thinking of his beloved Star.

"This nightmare I've been having, of Starfire fighting me.... Well...." Raven paused.

"Yes?" Robin asked, knowing the answer but not wanting to hear it.

"She dies. We both die. You must help me. Give me the mirror, now!" Raven finished. Robin quickly handed the mirror to Raven, for her news troubled him.

"I will come. I must come," Robin started, "And you will not stop me." Raven nodded, knowing his love for Starfire, and focused her energies.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven cried, her strength flowing into the mirror. It created a vortex, the gateway into the darkest part of her mind. Robin helped Raven up and they were sucked into the hole. 'Starfire, here I come!' thought the boy wonder, hope gleaming from his eyes.

TO BE CONTINUED.......

Do you mind the chapters being soooo long? Once I get started it's hard to stop...... Comments please!