Chapter 3: To Let Down Walls
Beast Boy looked at the others and raked a hand through his leaf green hair. "I, don't really know what's wrong with Raven. She said that… she didn't want to die though. I-I don't know what she means but… I think she's serious. Which means… I… we… have to do something. The little changeling turned to look again at the stormy sky. "I have to do anything…" he whispered almost inaudibly. "For the one I love," he turned back to look at the other Titans. Everyone seemed about out of their minds with worry, especially with Raven hiding her problem.
"Well, where is she now?" Robin asked suddenly. At the very least they could all try to go talk to her. Beast Boy realized with a start that he had no clue.
"I-I don't know," he replied, and off hand he seemed just as surprised as the others at the comment.
"She is not residing in her sleeping chambers?" Starfire asked curiously. Beast Boy shook his head. Cyborg frowned. Being the equivalent of a human Swiss Army Knife, he punched a button on his arm and a screen showed up. 'Raven: location, unknown'. Cyborg's frown deepened.
"She turned off her tracking device," he sent an imploring glance in Robin's direction.
Robin understood but shook his head.
"No, we won't search the city. Knowing Raven, she knows what she has to do and right now she obviously wants… or needs, to be alone," Cyborg sighed in frustration. Starfire flew over and laid a hand on the half robot's shoulder. They were all very worried for their friend. "Beast Boy-?" Robin stopped and they realized the green titan was gone. Starfire gave a tiny cry of distress and Robin took her into his arms comfortingly. They moved to the window to watch as a green sparrow flittered off towards the city.
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Raven moved swiftly through the streets and people dodged to get out of her way. A few shouted angrily at her as she rushed unforgivingly through the crowd. She finally reached the outskirts of Jump City and she muttered her chant to fly higher into the air. She flew out towards the undeveloped area by the highway. Dropping down into the woods she moved deep enough that the sounds of highway activity were drowned out by peaceful silence. Ascending onto a small mound crowned with a small sapling she sat and rested her back against the thin, stem-like trunk of the tiny tree. She closed her eyes and assumed lotus position, bringing thumbs and pointer fingers together in relaxed rings. She began to breathe slow and deep, preparing herself for a trip into her mind… which was becoming increasingly difficult.
"Azerath, Metrion…" she gave a frustrated sigh. "Azerath, Metrion, Zynthos," as she drew out the last word of her incarnation she felt the familiar dizziness of turning in on herself, reaching back into her mind. A small swirl of light flashed before her closed eyes and she was in her mind. Her physical self opened its eyes, now glowing pure white, and began a low haunting chant of her mantra.
Within her mind Raven was standing on a rocky platform overlooking her mindscape. A burgundy-cloaked figure was rapidly moving towards her. (Ok, I don't wanna confuse you so listen up. Italics imply an emotion speaking to Raven. Ok?)
"Hello Passion," Raven said coolly to the burgundy-cloaked figure. Said emotion lowered her hood to reveal a Raven with long, flowing violet hair that swirled about her and, of course, blood red lips. Passion blinked her long, dark lashes. Raven… it's been such a while… when will you let me out, sweet? She spoke with a rich, seductive voice. Raven narrowed her eyes. "I need to talk to Trigon. Bring me Rage, Hate, and…Pain." She instructed the emotion. Passion stared back haughtily. Pain too? You are sooo gruesome… she wrinkled her nose before gliding off. Raven noticed Passion was wearing a pair of strappy burgundy heels instead of the boots worn by not only Raven but the other emotions as well. She rolled her eyes. A few moments later three black circles appeared in front of her. Hate, Rage, and Pain slid up from the black pools and stood staring at Raven.
Hate and Rage both displayed the four eyes of Trigon while Pain had a dull version of her own violet optics. Rage, cloaked in red, stepped forward and smiled to display sharp fang-like teeth. Hello Raven… Rage said with a malicious stab wreathing her voice. Raven sneered back at Rage who only grinned wider. To the side Hate gave a sickening chuckle. Raven shifted her gaze to the black cloaked Hate. "Rage, Hate, give me Trigon," she growled. The two emotions smiled with morbid joy. At the command the two stood facing one another and with their equally horrid voices lacing together began a snake-like hiss of Raven's mantra. Both glowed with Raven's black magic and began to float up into the air. They began to spin, faster and faster until they merged into the four red eyes of Trigon, his body forming soon after.
"Daughter!" he cackled in his booming voice. Raven didn't move a muscle.
"What have you done." She glared at her demon father. Trigon laughed.
"Why… what are you talking about?" he asked, giving her a sinister glance from all four eyes. She growled.
"You know exactly what I mean. What did you do with my memory of the third royal planet's name?" she hissed. Trigon's devilish grin widened.
"I gave it to Love. Your most forgotten emotion. I would tell you how to elicit the information from her… but it seems much too nice a thing to do," he rumbled. Trigon laughed before disintegrating back into Rage and Hate. Raven grimaced.
"You two can go. Pain, stay. Rage, tell Love to come to me." Raven instructed. The emotions reluctantly obeyed. Another black pool appeared to reveal a cloakless Raven in a gold leotard. Raven cringed as she saw the uniform and Pain gave a muffled groan of distaste. Love's belt sported pink gems rather than Raven's usual red. Love's ashma chakra gem was also heart-shaped and pink. Love smiled sweetly at Raven. You called for me, Rae? Love said in her soft, delicate voice. Raven gave her a plastic little smile.
"Yes. I need you to tell me the name of Quadrant Three's royal planet." Raven requested simply. Love's smile faltered. Yes, well let's see, umm… you should already know that. It is your memory after all. But perhaps… if you were to bring… Beast Boy… I might be able to tell him. Love giggled at the thought of seeing Beast Boy. Raven looked horror stricken. Her most carefully guarded secret, wrenched out of her that easily? Love would easily spill her feelings to Beast Boy and off hand; those secrets were ones she had intended to carry to her grave. She thought about it a moment and her desire to keep the secret with her to her grave was beginning to sound very likely. However, Love might not spill the beans if she was careful. She could just bring Beast Boy into her mind and, find the answer and leave before any damage happened. It was a hefty risk, but worth it. Definitely worth it. She nodded grudgingly at Love, who smiled brightly before vanishing. Raven looked over at Pain.
"I just needed to tell you, stop coming out. I'm supposed to be emotionless and you're NOT helping," she said harshly. Pain whimpered and nodded before vanishing as well. Raven sighed wearily before letting herself be pulled back into reality. She felt a little better. That was, until she became fully aware and saw Beast Boy looking at her worriedly from the edge of the clear.
Author's Notes:
ok. I hate this chappie. that's ok though. I hope it didn't take too long to get out, it's just i'm all excited about writing the "other" part of this story AND I have this story just itching to be written called Wish Upon a Star which has a plot inspired by the quote 'Beauty inspires obsession' on the box of girl with the pearl ear ring. Anyhow.
Reviewers, I love you. Blaze-Firestorm, patience! It's genre is suspense for a reason. Vampire-Orchid and WingsofaRaven, I huggle you. Now... if you would... review on this chappie too! All of you!
