Teen Titans: The Only Way
Chapter Five- Keep an eye on him
Disclaimer: Not mine. Never will be. But if it was...
A/N: OK. I found out that, according to the comic, Charlie's name should be Roy. But this is my story and I don't like that name. Plus, this isn't the comic, so NYAH!
When Cori and Raven walked into the living room, they were met with an onslaught of high-fives, handshakes and enthusiastic greetings. "Dude!" BB yelled as he high-fived Cori's boyfriend, grinning wildly. "Great to see ya again man!" "Same here Green," Charlie grinned back. "Cyborg!" he greeted, turning around to face the metal titan next to Beast Boy. "How's it hanging Tin Man?" "Yo!" Cyborg yelled back, slapping Charlie on the back and giving a hearty handshake. "It's going pretty good, Arrow Boy. What are you doing here?"
At this question Robin jumped in and made the titan boys' day. "Guys, THIS is Cori's boyfriend! He's the one who is here to help us out!" "Dude! Sweet," came Beast Boy's response. "Yeah! Awesome!" Cy exclaimed. "I was kinda getting worried at who Cori's man was. Hoping it wasn't some loser!" "AHEM!" the boys jumped as Cori cleared her throat to announce her and her sister's presence. Cy blushed at his comment as Cori just glared at him. "Sorry to interrupt your little reunion boys, but would someone please explain how you all know each other?"
"Heh. Sorry Sweetie," Charlie spoke up, walking over by Cori and Raven. "I know that this might sound a little weird and it's kind of hard to explain." "Try us," Raven challenged in her icy tone as the two sisters glared daggers at him. "Heh. Ok," he began, looking to the other boys for support. "Well, um. We met at this Tournament of Heroes dealio a couple of years ago and we defeated this, um, this bad guy and Robin made me an honorary titan. We've sort of kept in touch over time and I've helped out a few times in battle when the girls were gone, but we are kinda good friends. Heh..."
Cori just stared at him and then turned her back on him. "I cannot believe you did not tell me. I am so disappointed—" Cori trailed off and turned her head slightly so Raven could see her mischievous smirk. Raven read her mind and smiled a little, agreeing with her twin's silent plan. As the boys stuttered to explain themselves, they failed to notice the floating pillows surrounded by black energy, ready to smack them. Just as Robin was about to speak up, the girls attacked, slamming pillows into the four teens as they let out screams of terror and surprise. "ARGH!" yelled Robin and Charlie at the same time as they were knocked down first on their butts. "Hey!" Cy screamed as he got knocked back and tripped over the fallen Robin. "Mmfph!" muffled BB as the pillow hit its target and he flew into the couch upside-down.
Raven and Cori turned around to face the battlefield, smirks dancing across their lovely, identical faces. "Guess you are not so speedy anymore, Speedy," Cori mocked as she glared at her fallen boyfriend. "Serves you right for not telling me you already knew the Titans." "Ah, well," Charlie replied, standing up while rubbing his sore behind. "I didn't completely lie to you. I knew of the Titans, and I had met the guys here, but I truly have never met anyone else. I promise." Cori noticed the sincerity in his voice and softened her features a bit. "Hey," Robin exclaimed, reaching out as Raven extended her pale, soft hand to help him up. "Speedy here was the only one who knew about anything. I was even surprised to know he was the one coming. So, why did you two attack us three as well?"
"Eh," Raven said, looking at Cori with a glint of playfulness in her eyes. "Because we felt like it. Besides, it was kind of...fun..." If anyone else had ever said that to Robin, he would have let them really have it, but the fact that it was Raven, he just smiled. At Robin's lack of response to her apathy, Raven was surprised and let the corners of her mouth twitch up slightly into a small, but warm smile. The two birds simply locked eyes as everyone around them got up and started to mill about. Cy and BB went back to their game, Raven and Robin started a small conversation about what her meditation process would be, and Charlie walked over to Cori, planted a peck on her cheek and led her over to a corner away from everything.
"I see what you mean," Charlie said softly, nodding over to the two wrapped up in their own little world, and kissing his lover on her luscious lips. "They are so totally like us! Looks like you won't need to strain yourself or Raven when it comes time for her, uh, well, you know..." His grin grew wildly and the love poured out of him and into another passionate kiss, making Cori shudder and close her eyes as his feelings washed over her. "Yes, I know," Cori replied, breaking the kiss and pushing those feelings away because now was not the time to lose control. "I am hoping it will be easy, but Raven, like me, can be quite stubborn and I am afraid that she will be reluctant to see his feelings for her. I will try my best, of course, to put some commonsense into her dreary little mind."
The couple looked over at the two sitting in the kitchen and something suddenly popped into Cori's head. "Wait a minute. Hey guys," she called to everyone, disturbing them from their distractions. "Where are Starfire and Terra? Charlie has not yet met them." "Oh man, yeah," Beast Boy exclaimed, pausing the game and not noticing getting an evil red eye glaring at him. "How could I forget about the girls?!?! Oh man, please don't tell Terra. She'll kill me! They are out back practicing." BB stood to get up and fetch the girls, but Robin interrupted and left with Raven to bring Star and Terra in.
Starfire and Terra were truly enjoyed to finally meet Speedy, as he was to meet them as well. After the quick introduction, everyone went out back to practice to let Speedy get acquainted with the team, but Cori and Raven merely watched their friends leave before heading to Raven's room to begin her training. Speedy latched on quickly to the Titans' attacks and settled quite nicely into their routine. The tower didn't have another guestroom, but Charlie had already decided he would stay in Cori's room. Surprisingly enough, the Titans were okay with this arrangement as a few of them were already well acquainted with what happens with people their age in the bedroom.
One week passed by rather quickly and none of the teens had seen the dark sisters for more than an hour or so. The two spent practically all day meditating, either locked away in Raven's room or letting the cool breeze calm them on top of the roof. Robin was desperate to see any and all of Raven he could, and was even more anxious to come in contact with her. Without her presence Robin felt quite empty— almost like a part of him was missing. But whenever he did get a glance of Raven, his heart fluttered and his smile grew even brighter. These emotions were quite strange to him and he didn't completely understand them, but somehow he knew, just knew, it was true love.
Finally, at the end of the week, Cori informed her sister that it was time for the next step in her training, that she was ready to move on. So the next morning everyone was surprised and overjoyed when they saw the twins join them for breakfast. Robin was so excited to have Raven back at breakfast, but he soon felt somewhat angry, as he could not get a word in edgewise. Everyone was talking to Raven, asking how her training was going, and the constant chatter kept her from talking with the now sulking Boy Wonder across from her. Robin decided he would talk to her after the meal, but, of course, Cori whisked her away before everyone was done and took her sister outside to begin their new session.
After a few minutes Cori popped back in to talk to Charlie privately while BB and Terra faced off against Cy and Star in a wrestling video game. "Sweetie," Cori half-whispered to Charlie as they sat alone by the stove. "Now, you know this next part for Raven is going to be hard, but even harder for her friends. I need you to make sure they stay away today. Especially Robin— Keep an eye on him. I know he has been coming every now and then to watch Raven, but I cannot have him, or anyone else, distracting her. We do not want anyone to get hurt. That would definitely not be a good thing, especially for Raven." Charlie agreed to keep a close eye on his friend and the two kissed before she said 'Thank you' and teleported back outside.
While Cori and Charlie were chatting, Robin was moping by the window, near the hallway, thinking of the awful morning he had just experienced. "Do not worry," came his favorite monotone voice from the shadows behind him, scaring him just a little bit. "We will get a chance to talk later. After training, I promise." "But when will that be?" Robin questioned as he turned to face the bright amethyst eyes staring at him from the darkness. "Tonight," she answered, staying hidden from her sister. "Meet me by the couch at Midnight. Everyone should be asleep and we can talk then— just the two of us." Robin could hear the smile in her voice at that last part as he nodded his agreement and he felt her teleport back outside before Cori noticed she was even there.
Robin's spirit was now quite happier as he went and sat down to watch his fellow teammates, only to be joined a few minutes later by Speedy. Man, he thought, his mind racing with risqué ideas. I can't wait until tonight. But- Gosh- Midnight is so far away. Even still, tonight I get to talk with Raven, alone— just the two of us... This last thought brought a smile on his face and Charlie chuckled at the bemused expression his friend wore. He must be thinking about Raven. I'd know that look anywhere, he thought. I have that same exact look when I think about Cori. Man, I definitely have to keep him away today. If he see Raven at this stage, he'll flip!
—Meanwhile—
Outside, Raven and Cori stood among the rocks as Cori assured her sister of this next step. "Are, are you sure?" Raven asked, worry etched in her slightly wavering voice. "I mean, the last time this happened, well—let us just say it was not pretty." "I know what it is like Rae," Cori said. "But do not worry about it. You have already done this once, so it will be harder for that emotion to be let loose. The more you use your emotions, the longer the leash you are given on how you can feel." She paused, giving her sister's hand a tight squeeze. "And besides, I am here now. I am here to help you through this— no matter what." Raven smiled as she found comfort in her sister's words and nodded.
"All right," she said, stepping back and taking a deep breath. "Now, how do we go about this exactly?" Cori smiled reassuringly. "Ok. We are going to work on your bad thoughts: anger, jealousy, and hatred, that sort of stuff. Just let it out and do not hold back. Believe it or not, but controlling these emotions are easier than controlling the good ones— especially love. Now, just keep control of your emotions. Let them all out, but at the same time, keep a level head and always be aware of your surroundings."
"Okay," Raven agreed. "But I cannot think of how to start feeling like that." "I will help," Cori said, indicating for her and Raven to hover a bit in the air. "But do not take anything I say to heart— it is not me— it is just for your training." Raven nodded and closed her eyes slightly. Cori's look turned serious as she thought images and words to her sister's mind to get her feeling everything she didn't want to. Raven gasped as images of their troubled past— their father, their mother, and their home— flooded her mind and her emotions started to seep out. More images— this time of her friends being happy, playing, Robin and Star kissing— hit her and she could no longer hold it back. Her eyes flew open, blood red, as her figure rose and her cape billowed out behind her. Tendrils of darkness crept from beneath and headed for the tower, but were stopped by an invisible wall. Cori floated, hood up and covering her now completely white eyes, a few yards away, using her powers to keep Raven's from spiraling out to civilization. It hurt her to tell and show Raven these horrible things, but she knew it was necessary, so she pursued with a vengeance.
Raven's anger grew immensely as she now saw her friends broken bodies strewn upon the pavement; and then her left alone while others congregated elsewhere. Every emotion overcame her: anger, hatred, fear, jealousy, pain. She screamed with rage as Cori now talked to her to keep her feeling these emotions, but to keep her in control. "That's right Raven," she sneered, hating herself for being the one to do this to her. "Trigon ruined your life, took your mother, your family away. And he will hurt your friends. But that does not matter— because they do not like you anyway, you are different, you are scary. No one wants to be around you. Robin loves Starfire, but not you. You— you are doomed to be alone!"
"NO!" Raven screamed, rage and every evil emotion consuming her; the black tendrils growing larger and her eyes deeper. "NO! SHUT UP! YOU ARE WRONG! YOU ARE WRONG!" She could feel herself slipping away as she struggled to gain control. Come on Rae, Cori's voice popped in her unconsciousness, pleading with her. Come on sis. You can do this! You can control this! This is not real, remember? Come on, Rae. Come back to me. Raven's mind is a swirl of black fog as you see her normal self near the bottom of a pile of different colored Ravens. The good, bright emotions were underneath her, and the dark, evil emotions were piled on top of her.
Hearing her sister's voice, Raven found her strength and began to fight and push her emotions down. But it was another voice that entered her mind that pushed Raven to really fight and take control.
—Back in the Living Room—
Robin got bored of watching the games and decided to go watch his Raven outside. Charlie saw him get up and ran to stop him at the door. "Uh, Rob," Charlie said, a little too casually. "Um, hey, why don't we head out to the gym and spar a bit?" "Maybe later," Robin said, pushing him aside. "I am going to go outside right now. To check on the girls, ya know." "You can't!" Charlie yelled as he jumped in front of the door. "Cori made me promise not to let you out there. And trust me— you are going to wanna listen to her." "Pshh. Nonsense," Robin said, a little perturbed at his friend's desire to keep him away from Raven. "Now move!"
With that he kind of shoved Charlie out of the way and walked outside to find the girls. What he saw next nearly broke his heart. Raven was in demon-mode, surrounded by swirling masses of darkness as he saw Cori hovering a few feet away, glowing lightly. "Raven!" he screamed as he ran to the rocks to bring his Raven back. Charlie was close on his heels and gaining slightly, but still could not stop him. "No Robin," he yelled, chasing his friend but never reaching him. "Wait! Come back Robin. Man, leave them alone! It's all right; it's her training. Don't distract her!" Unfortunately, Speedy's words fell on deaf ears as Robin could hear and think of nothing but Raven. Her screams were painful to him and he couldn't afford to lose her to the darkness.
"Raven!" he screamed one last time, finally reaching the rocks where the two girls resided for the moment. He found himself at an invisible wall and could not go any further to help her. The evil Raven turned her attention on him as he approached and looked like she was struggling to decide to kill him or run to him. Hearing an outsider's voice, Cori was disturbed from her concentration as her powers stopped and she looked around, stunned, to see whom had come. The evil Raven took advantage of the momentary lapse in her invisible cage and urged her darkness to overtake the Boy Wonder standing on the side. Before the tendrils reached out for Robin, they took a small detour to knock Cori down. Cori never saw the blackness heading towards her and was knocked to the rocks at the unexpected attack. Charlie was almost to Robin as he saw the fluttering silver of his girlfriend's cape as she plummeted to the rocks below.