Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans, nor the song used in the chapter. Music police are out in swarms nowadays.
I've been bombarded with reviews! How did this happen so suddenly? Doesn't matter, cause I can't stop smiling to myself! Anyways, there will be time for much love after you read the chapter.
I've told some people I was going to use a song for background in this next chapter. I had one in mind in the first stages of this story, but then I took a good look though my song collection, and decided to try another. I came to my decision after a vision came in my head hearing the lyrics. It sounds just like the Titans singing the lyrics, and I could just see them in a karaoke bar singing it on a small stage. It's cheesy, I know, but cheesy is something everybody knows about, and therefore can relate to. Well, just thought I'd say that before the big premiere. If you disagree with my decision, please, feel free to suggest another song.
Spoiler Warning! I do use info from "Aftershock –Part II" in this chapter. If you want to be surprised, I wouldn't read this till Saturday Evening.
Part 7: Could You Save Me?Beast Boy awoke to the deep darkness, and felt his chest still hurting. His eyes adjusted to a stone ceiling. Raising himself from his lying position, he noticed stonewalls, of smoothed out rock, as they led to an opening; he then realized he was inside some cavern. 'I don't remember this. That brute threw me a good fifteen miles, but it was jungle. Did someone take me here?' He looked upon and realized his shirt had been removed, and replaced with bandage, obviously to help his healing ribs and stomach. "Ok, now I know something is going on. I certainly couldn't have done this myself," he spoke to himself, his voice echoing slightly through the dank cave.
"No, I brought you here," said a voice of female origin.
Beast Boy would recognize that voice for eternity, and quickly turned to his right to see the woman he knew as Terra. Even after all that time after the aftershock, she remained as beautiful as she was before. The armor he remembered her wearing, was nowhere to be found. She bore a regular long sleeve shirt, with a bronze chest plate on her left breast, protecting the heart. She had kept her armored gloves, and they were still dirty with volcanic ash. A pair of brown cargo pants finished the awkward clothing statement. Beast Boy noticed last the giant sheath strapped to her back. As she approached, the changeling was at a loss for action. Was she here as an enemy? No, that couldn't be it, not after the immense sacrifice she made. Still, that giant sword on her back left him nervous.
Still he felt compelled to ask her intent. "Terra, I thought you were gone for good. How did you survive?"
"Come here Beast Boy, I have a lot to go through," she motioned him to her. When he didn't comply immediately, she spoke to reassure him; "I'm not going to hurt you, I'm the only one who knows you're here. Please Beast Boy, give me the benefit of the doubt."
A small grin came to Beast Boy and followed her to the cavern enterance. He was gifted with the sight of a vast jungle, seemingly untouched by society. The lush greens were complemented with the rushing blue water, and the sounds of Tamaranian wildlife. He could see for miles around, from the cliff perched on top of a mountain overlooking the landscape. Beast Boy stood there for a long time, drinking in the beauty. The high afternoon sun welcomed him from the darkness. He was beginning to see Terra meant no harm, as it must have been her that treated his wound. "You brought me all the way up here?" he asked, still amazed.
I've seen you hanging 'round
This darkness where I'm bound
And this black hole I've dug for me
And silently within with hands touching skin
The shock breaks my disease
And I can breathe
"It wasn't easy, you were pretty heavy. Have you been gorging on tofu lately?" she giggled, bringing a bigger smile to Beast Boy's face.
"Well," he said, and took a seat at the cliff's edge, soon followed by Terra, "I'm dying to know how you came back to me."
"After I sealed the magma," she began, "I was ready to just succumb to the molten rock. But something happened; I don't know how, my power had evolved, and I was able to transmute through the liquid rock. I had to work my way through the earth's mantle, and after about a month, I managed to escape from an active volcano in Hawaii."
Beast Boy took a minute to let her story sink in, then spoke, "why didn't you just come back? I would have been so happy to see you alive."
"I, I felt I couldn't go back, not after what I did," she started to stared into the vast landscape, "Beast Boy, could you have really forgave me? I tried to drown Raven, I sent Starfire into the ocean, I almost crushed you and Cyborg, and I beat Robin into the ground itself. Could you? I wouldn't be surprised if you wanted to condemn me. I had trust twice: one time by you, and the other time by Slade. After betraying it both times, I don't deserve it anymore," at this point she began to tear. That is, until a green furry hand grabbed her shoulder.
And all of your weight
And all you dream
Falls on me, it falls on me
And your beautiful sky
And the light you bring
Falls on me, it falls on me
"Slade said it himself once: Trust is easy to destroy, but it takes time to build. Terra, you may have destroyed it when you joined Slade, but for me, you deserved it again when you saved the city, saved us all," he spoke as clear as he ever had.
Terra for one was shocked at this wisdom, "when did you become such a speaker BB?"
Beast Boy scratched the back of his head, "Heh heh, well that's what happens after a couple years. The point is, you did it because you thought it was what you should do. You did what you should when you joined him, and when you saved us. I know you've made mistakes before, but I know you're a good person."
Your faith like the pain
Draws me in again
She washes all my wounds for me
Terra then turned her head downward, unable to keep it aloft, "would a good person go back to Slade just for revenge?"
Beast Boy was now the shocked one, "What do you mean? You went back to Slade."
"Yes," she said, "for two things: I need these hairpins taken off, so I can be free to make my own decisions again."
"And the other?"
"If he won't do it, I will kill him. For all the wrong he's done, and all the wrong he's forced upon me. If he's willing to remove these, then I will leave. If he's not, then, well," she hesitated, "a part of me wants to destroy him. After hearing all that Beast Boy, do you still think me a good person?"
"Revenge can never be good, no matter the consequences that spring forth," he stood up, "Terra, what more important to you, satisfaction, or forgiveness?"
"Beast Boy, why ask that?"
"I'm asking you a simple question: do you want forgiveness, and to be able to live the way you want to? Or cut all that away, just to know that the man who wronged you is dead?" He turned to her and deadlocked onto her eyes, "Terra, as much as I want to see you get both, as much as I want you to have everlasting happiness. You cannot have both, and if you decide revenge I can't support that. I was afflicted with this power cause of a virus; and as much as I have dreamed of having a normal life without it, I owe it gratitude because of all the experiences and lessons it has given me. Can't you see anything besides anger?" it was his final plea to her, the girl he wanted to save so desperately.
The darkness in my veins
I never could explain
And I wonder if you ever see
Will you still believe?
And all of your weight
And all you dream
Falls on me, it falls on me
And your beautiful sky
And the light you bring
Falls on me, it falls on me
Terra was silent for the longest time, and then responded with getting up and unsheathing the Nodachi given to her by Slade.
"Slade wants you blood on this blade Beast Boy," she spoke in a monotone voice.
Beast Boy stepped back and raised his hands in defense. "Does that mean?"
Am I that strong?
To carry on
I might change your life
I might change my world
Could you save me?
She reached into one of her belt pouches, and pulled out a bottle containing a pint-sized container of blood. "But that is one task I can never accomplish," and with a smile she opened the container. She laid the giant katana on the ground, and poured the blood on the blade. "Glad I saved some after I killed that bird for rations." After the ceremony, she took the handle and drove the sword into the ground. She took the breastplate off and wrapped in on the handle.
"Let him think I'm dead, or whatever, I don't care anymore."
Beast Boy walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her, to which she quickly obliged. "You made the right choice," he said to her ear.
"For me it was a given," she looked up at him, "I have a true friend after all these years of searching. Thank you Beast Boy, you're truly special."
Beast Boy showed a look of concern or pain, depending on the outlook, "just friends?"
"Beast Boy, what are you saying," she was surprised to say the least, "you're making me all bothered." He released her and took her hands in his, "Terra, do you remember our date?"
"Yes of course, it was a blast, one of the best times I had."
"And after all that, and this, is friendship all you feel?"
"Well, not really. But," she hesitated, still doubt in her heart about all this. She was struggling just on trust and good, but love was way off.
"But?" he pushed for an answer.
"I don't deserve this. I was content just keeping you as a friend."
"But is that what you want?" he went closer to her face, her eyes trembling.
"...No."
"Everyone deserves to be happy Terra, even you," he edged toward her lips, "I want to make you happy," and then he brushed her lips with his.
And all of your weight
And all you dream
Falls on me, it falls on me
And your beautiful sky
And the light you bring
Falls on me, it falls on me (X2)
Terra stood frozen in time, as if she was under all that stone once again. She couldn't believe it. Even after all she had done to him he remained as fateful as ever. No matter what, she couldn't let go of him now. Beast Boy meant too much too her. He pulled away, to see her face flooded with her joy. He looked and saw that evening was upon him.
"I'd better try and find the guys, they might be in trouble," he spoke nervously, which surprised even him after his recent boldness.
"Wait, it's getting dark now. We should wait till tomorrow morning. I know the layout of the planet anyway. Besides I, I, I was hoping I could come with you."
Beast Boy smiled warmly, "That would be awesome! I'm sure the others would want to see you as well."
"Do you think they will let me explain myself."
"Being a Titan means being able to show mercy. After all, that's how all good people work," he smiled, feeling a little silly, "however, I don't think they will be as persuadable as me, it's a curse, to be so caring and charming." This made her laugh, a sound he had wanted to hear for a long time.
"Well, Mr. Casanova, lets prepare some shelter, and you can show me how charming you are."
With that they ran down the mountain to prepare some food, and bedding, before the sun went down. Tomorrow, the two would have quite a bit of walking to do. The perfect time to sort things out and prepare Terra for the other's judgment.
"Falls On Me," By Fuel
"Thank You!" To the Following:
Black Dawn
Thanks! About the virus, I think it'll wait until another story, possibly a continueance. I don't know just yet, I did that to show that the Titans were going through some change. Beast Boy is in for more surprises though. So if you're a fan stay tuned!
Aeris-Raven
Please!! Don't kill me!!! I know from your review you're a member of the Terra Hater's Clan, but I thank you for your kind words anyway. Any requests for a later story? Probably a BB/Raven though, as that's usually the pairing.
Caj Valivian
Wow! I never thought my writting was any good, it was way to get my ideas out. I'm very happy to know that there are people glued to the screen reading my tale.
LuckyLadyStar
I believe you're the first person to ever threaten me. Congrats! Anyways, I'm glad you're enjoying it. Robin will have his fill in the later chapters, so watch out.
raze-rebound
Thanks! Your words are kind!
DIWaRrIa
So, the name of your story is "Why can't you get the Right Message?" No offence, but it was had to read that review. Glad to read it, I'll look it up this weekend.
ssjEasterBunny
Dude! Can you believe this response! I'm being attacked by fans. I'm glad to know you were one of the first. Thanks for your advice, as I probably would have never done BB/Terra, without a little encouragement.
KPAAF eveyone, I'll see ya on the other side! :D
