DISCLAIMER: All forthwith is jointly the property of DC Comics and Warner Brothers studios. No profit is being extracted from this by myself and I am only writing this for purposes of entertainment,
A/N: IF YOU DON'T LIKE BIG AUTHOR NOTES THEN SKIP DOWN THIS PAGE.
TO ALL READERS OF 'ERA OF CHANGE.'
Everyone waiting for the continuation of my other works in the Gundam Wing/Transformers sections will have to wait, as its just becoming impossible to carry on writing something so massive as 'Era of Change'. It almost depresses me to sit in front of this keyboard and force out even a few paragraphs of text, to the point that I became completely disillusioned with fanfiction. That's why I'm writing these Teen Titans fics, because they come so easily and don't require massive amounts of forethought. They're short, sharp and fun to write. Era was once like that, but it just grew into something too massive to continue with...for now.
I really do apologise to my most loyal reviewers and readers, such as Andrew, Cyblade Silver and Microwave Jockey. I'm really grateful for the help and all the positive feedback you've given me, and I think of all of you as friends. I hope I'm not betraying your trust and letting you down, but I've explained above why I'm stopping for now on Era of Change. One day I will finish it, when I feel confident enough to do so, but for now I can sit down at my school computer and work on these lesser projects in-between lessons, necessary given the amount of spare time I'm losing at home with work, exam revision and other commitments. I truly am sorry, and hope you can forgive me.
TO ALL TEEN TITANS FANS.
I'm a BIG Terra fan, so I do support Terra/Beastboy pairings. However, I wanted this fic to be something that would appeal to EVERYONE, and that includes Rae/BB fans. The relationships in this story also added an extra element of angst to Terra's plight, especially given what she's paid in order to be free of her stone shell.
NB:
Thanks to POST, author of the fantastic 'These Black Eyes,' for permitting me to use some of the information he created about Terra in this story, and for letting me copy a part of her Birthday DVD from his fic.
TEEN TITANS: SPIRIT PROJECTION
PROLOGUE: FREEDOM
Dreams can keep us alive.
When all hope seems lost, the ideal of a dream can maintain, nurture, sustain.
The hope of a better place, life or destiny. To this story however, they are irrelevant.
This person, this child dreamt of people, friends who had leant her the strength throughout the hardest two years of her life, providing her with a rock to cling to.
Rock. Haha.
But one person dominated her thoughts more than the others. The person who had made her complete, who always lurked at the back of her mind and sprung up when she needed his memory the most.
And eventually, those dreams had leant her the power to break free. To be whole again. To exist at all.
A faint whisper in the dry air of the cave.
"Beastboy."
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Beastboy smiled proudly at the indigo-haired figure as she disappeared up the stairs from the rec room of Titans Tower, a small bundle in her arms. As she vanished, there was a tiny wail and she replied with the gentle soothing of a mother.
Feeling the warm glow in his chest that came from being a father, Beastboy leant back in the sofa and allowed himself to float away on the joyous emotion, drowning in bliss.
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Waves lapping, stumbling footsteps and laboured breathing.
Metal heels digging into the pebbles on the surf line, the limping figure finally stopped and took stock. The night was cold, and dark, the sky hued in a deep navy. The lights of many buildings ahead reflected brightly on the tranquil waters of the bay.
Despite their brightness, they were cold to her, offering no sanctuary or hospitality. Instead, she turned out to sea and saw a familiar and comforting sight. The giant building on its tiny atoll, unspoilt, perfect, it's floodlit exterior radiating warmth, peace, security, family.
"Home, I'm coming home."
Trembling with barely suppressed joy and excitement she reached out to call forth the transport that would take her home, only to gasp in shock at what she saw, or rather didn't see. Herself.
"Oh my God!"
And then there were only tears. Tears and the agonising sobbing of a lost and lonely child, so small in this great wide world.
And alone. Forever alone.
TO BE CONTINUED…