Chapter 5

Raven teleported into the living room, something large in her arms; she had her back turned to the other titans were sitting and watching TV.

"Hey Rae, what's.. OH MY GOD! BEAST BOY!" Cyborg quickly leapt off the couch and ran to his best friend, who was in Raven's arms.

Soft tears were coming from her eyes and objects in the room and the connecting kitchen were levitating and moving around.

"What happened?" Robin's response to the sight was more of a demand than a question.

"Slade.." she barely uttered.

They quickly took the changeling to the infirmary once more. After taking X-rays and attaching him to different monitors, Cyborg told the news.

"He has several cracked ribs, a fractured arm, a concussion and slight swelling in the brain.. He may have some brain damage.."

The words tore through the Titans' hearts. Starfire embraced Robin tightly and began to cry into his shoulder. He placed an arm around her and asked "Will he be alright?"

"Eventually. Rae, I wouldn't advise that you heal him. The sped up process could hurt more than help right now."

She nodded sorrowfully. There was nothing she could do for him. She felt a pair of strong metal and flesh arms pull her into a hug.

"He'll be ok my lil' sister.. I make sure of it.." Cyborg had always thought of her in this way. She would always be his little Gothic sister, and Beast Boy would always be his small, green best friend.

Days passed, Beast Boy had not yet awoken from his state. Raven stayed at his side. She was allowed to heal his bodily injuries but instructed to leave his head alone.

Robin had held Raven responsible. He was not being understanding and would not listen to anyone.. except Starfire.

"Thank Azar for her.." Raven thought. Raven was in her usual uniform, the dress she wore that night was shoved into the very back of her closet. It was only a reminder of how her emotions hurt everything and everyone around her. "You suffer because of me Gar.. It's always me.." She pulled her hood over her head and let soft tears flow.

"Rae… Don't cry…."

Raven shot her head up and looked at Beast Boy. His eyes were open slightly and he was still very weak.

"Don't cry…" he weakly lifted up an arm and placed it on her shoulder. His touch didn't feel the same. It was as if he never experienced what happened between them. Raven scanned his mind quickly and found it to be true. Her heart was slowly coming apart.

"It's better this way.. I can no longer hurt him."

Removing his hand to not make her feel uncomfortable, he spoke once more. "What… happened…"

"Slade.."

He only closed his eyes and laid his head back as a sign that he understood.

"I'll go tell the others that you're awake." As she made her leave, Beast Boy could only struggle in vain to try and think about the events that took place. His thoughts moved to another subject, his favorite one; Raven.

"She only cares for me as a teammate" This was something that always bothered him. "It wouldn't work.. I'm not her type.. I'm just the goofy green boy.. just a stupid green boy..." He never could stand his appearance or his immaturity at times. He was only the comic relief to cover up his pain. He'd lost much, but he wouldn't show it. His green skin was another thing he didn't like. It made him even more of a freak, and his elongated canines and pointy ears didn't help much. "I'm just an ugly loser"

Raven had told the others about Beast Boy's awakening and Cyborg acted with enthusiasm.

"Alright! Now things can get almost normal around here!"

"Even more normal than before" Raven replied in a monotone.

"What?"

"He doesn't remember what he and I had."

"Well, you have to tell 'em."

Raven shook her head. "No. I don't want to cause him any pain in the future.."

"Friend, Raven. You deny love?" Starfire was confused and felt a pain for her dearest friend.

"No, I love him too much to hurt him."

"But why not just.."

"Robin, you and Starfire don't have to deal with what I do. So just drop it! Gar and I were never together, but Slade did attack him in a huge battle. Got that?" She turned and headed to her room. There she had the privacy to express how she pleased.

The weeks that follow went on as if nothing had happened. Beast Boy and Raven never cut themselves again, and everything was 'normal.' Beast Boy still secretly longed for Raven and Raven stayed away to avoid hurting him. Robin's and Starfire's relationship went a little slower once more and went on unnoticed. The Two would leave the tower to go on dates, Beast Boy and Cyborg battled it out on the Game Station, and Raven stayed in her room to read and meditate.

Events and adventures came and went. Everything seemed to be a distraction from Slade, Trigon, and Raven's destiny until the countdown to Armageddon was upon them.

Slade had done his services for his master, Trigon; Raven had mistakenly opened the portal that allowed him to cross into their world.

"Thank you servant." The demon lord called to Slade.

"You are welcome master"

"Now stand aside, I must see my daughter!"

Raven was on her knees, her clothes were ripped and the spell marks wore glowing their bright red. She looked around her, her father had appeared in the park. The happy place was now a wasteland, all the trees were scorched, the ground was only dirt. Her Titan allies were behind her, all their faces in shock. Raven looked up at her demonic father in horror, he began to grow to his normal height and began to look more menacing.

"Thank you Raven. You showed some usefulness…" He laughed evilly and began to walk towards the city.

Seeing this, Robin drew his staff and let out his cry.

"TITANS! GO!"

Bumblebee took her B lasers from her side and let out hers.

"TITANS! TOGETHER!"

(I'll skip tha big fight between both Titan teams and Slade and Trigon. Tha next chapter might be near tha end.)