Reunions: Chapter 11- Battling the Shadows

A/N: The chapters seem to be getting longer. I will try to write a few chapters a week, but it's hard to get them posted. I know where this series is going and what my next series will be about. However, there are many events to come. I promise you, Max will return, and Terra, well, you'll just have to wait! Plus, I added a character! Don't ya just love it?

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans. Deal with it.

"All right, troops," Brave barked, "let's move out!"

The plan was simple: Cool and I would circle the shadows on his moped. I would use the telephone wires to wrap them together. Then, Brave would parachute down from an airplane that Smart was driving. Finally, Love would yank the wires and pull the shadows into the ocean. Our plan was foolproof.

"Raven, this is Brave," my walkie-talkie crackled. "Do you read me? Over."

"Loud and clear," I replied. "Are the others in place?" I was already on top of the skyscraper from which Cool would drive his moped. The jump would have been impossible, but luckily my telekinesis worked on mopeds.

"All there," he responded. The one I worried most about was Love. After all, he had been following me around like a lost puppy. Literally, because BB's emotions had his shape-shifting ability. "Ready for launch?"

"Aye, aye," Cool responded, "Captain Brains-Over-Brawn." Even with the noise of the traffic and the distance between Cool's walkie-talkie and my ears, I could hear the sound of Smart's voice telling Cool off.

"Ready, princess?" Cool smiled.

"I'm not a princess," I denied.

"I know," he chuckled, "but since you don't like 'babe' and 'dudette' is out of the question, that's all I've got."

"It'll have to do," I replied. I got on the back of the moped and readied myself for the jump; the rush, the strength it took to lift the moped into the air. Cool revved the engine, and we were off

The air rushing up my nostrils was painful. My ears were popping from the change in air pressure. The pure exhilaration of it all was nauseating, and it didn't help to have thousands of rushing cars, all billowing exhaust into the air, right below your feet. In all of the excitement, I almost forgot what I had been assigned to do. But as we fell, closer and closer to the road, I suddenly recalled what I needed to do.

"Azarath, Metrion, Zynthos!" I bellowed. A shield of black energy surrounded the moped. It slowed the falling, but it drained my energy. I struggled to stay upright while keeping the moped under my control. My head was spinning, my vision was blurry, and I was feeling faint.

"Are you okay?" Cool asked me. I tried to respond, but my mouth felt dry. My eyelids closed; the moped fell faster. I slid from the seat. Now, the only thing I was holding onto was Cool's leather jacket, which began to tear. I dug my nails in further. I looked down for somewhere to put my feet. Big mistake: I saw the city rushing toward me, and it made me queasy.

"Raven!" Cool yelled, but it was too late. My eyelids closed once again, and I fell from the back of the moped, plummeting towards the ground. It was all over; nothing could save me now.

"I got ya!" said a familiar voice. I felt strong arms surround me for a moment, then felt them disappear as the arms became scales. I opened my eyes and saw the horizon. Looking down at my rescuer, I noted that it was a green bird-like dinosaur. Was it Beast Boy?

My rescuer set me down on the sidewalk near where the shadows were. He turned his back on me and turned into a panther, diving at a shadow and clawing it to the ground. After a few shadows had bit the dust, he turned into the dinosaur again and flew me off in the direction of the busy center of the city. Lights whizzed past as I struggled to hold on to the dinosaur's back. His scales chipped at my skin, and my hands became bloody from the scrapes.

Are you okay? A voice rang in my ears.

How are you talking to me? I responded.

I can do anything I want in here, he replied. Be quiet now, we're approaching the control center.

I thought that was the control center, I said, confused.

Not the only one, he assured me. But back to my first question, are you okay? Your hands are badly scraped and that fall could've killed you.

Yes, what's it to you? I replied indignantly.

Well, I apologize for caring about your safety, he said somewhat sarcastically.

Now, I could see the main control center, a large silver dome. Through one of its many glass windows I saw workers going about their errands as usual. Each resembled Beast Boy in one way or another. A few times I could've sworn I saw a green wolf, but I think my mind was just playing tricks on me. At last, the green dinosaur landed.

"Thanks for the ride," I started.

The dinosaur was changing. Little by little, it took the form of a human boy. Of course, he was still green and he had pointy ears, but otherwise human. I couldn't figure out which emotion it was, at least, not until he walked over and kissed me on the cheek.

"You're welcome," he replied. "We better take you inside. You're the only one who can stop the shadows from taking over. If they do, he'll never wake up."

"Okay," I sighed. He led me in through a glass door. Inside, the workers were busy as ever. One bumped into me and apologized. Seeing who I was, he tipped his hat and moved on, but walked backwards, still staring at me. This resulted in him knocking into another worker's tray and spilling its contents.

"Is he Clumsy?" I asked.

"No," Love replied, smiling. "You're just well-liked here."

I groaned. I would never hear the end of this. We continued on, not stopping until we reached a door labeled, "Control Room." Love entered his password, then led me inside. The walls were lined with rows of computers. Workers occupied most, but a few remained empty. All was quiet as I closed the door behind me.

"You all know Raven, right?" Hearing my name, several workers jumped, and one, who was in mid swallow, spit out his coffee. After they got over the initial shock, they returned to work. "Come on," he said, "I'll show you my computer."

"Wow." Inside his computer were files. Some began with names, others with places, and some with strange objects. "What's this one?" I asked, pointing to a file titled "Incense."

"He likes the smell of it," he replied. "And we have you to thank for that," he added.

"But why?" I was still really confused.

"Because," he replied smiling, "you smell like it! Now, here's a file you might find interesting." He clicked on a file entitled Friends and Acquaintances. There were thousands of files; some based on first impression, some based on years of knowing them. I was shocked to find a file with my name on it. "Go on," he urged, "open it."

My picture came up on the screen.

Name: Raven

Age: 20

Hair: Violet

Eyes: Dark Purple

Personality: changeable, can be somewhat irritable, also very nice, feels alone

His opinion: very likable, mysterious, intelligent, interesting

Current Status: crush

"WHAT? What the heck does that mean?" I demanded, grabbing Love by the collar.

"It means, uh, could you put me down?" I did as he asked. "It means he likes you a lot. It also means there is potential for a relationship. So, any other files you'd like to see?"

Terra, my mind screamed TERRA! Still I fought it. "No thanks," I said through gritted teeth. "Could you take me to the main room? I want him to wake up, and I would really like to get out of here."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself."

The main room was simple. A bed, a desk, comic books, video games-hey! This was an exact replica of BB's room in Titans Tower. There was no one in sight. But at last I spotted one pointed ear sticking out from behind the bed.

"Go away!" He shouted over the music to his Gamestation game, the one Robin got him for Christmas. "I'm busy!"

"Can I talk to you?" I asked, speaking for the first time. He put down his game and stared at me in disbelief.

"Raven? How did you get in here?"

"Well," I began, "I used a spell to enter your mind. I was supposed to bring you back, but then I ran into the shadows. And," I pointed to Love, "this doofus."

"That's a term of affection, right?" he asked. I shook my head.

"So, what I'm trying to say is, the whole team wants you back."

"No they don't," he denied. "I'm just a pest. No one likes me. And I don't have a chance with…the girl I love," he said finally.

"True," I agreed, "you can be a nuisance, but we still like you. We're your friends. We don't care. And, if it weren't for you, I'd be the one unconscious right now."

"Yeah, but what about love?" he shot back. "Name one person who loves me."

Now what was I going to say? "Uh," I started.

"See, you can't! Now, why should I come back?"

"Well, I do know someone." A smile shot across his face. "She's really shy, and she's not completely sure. But she likes you enough to risk her life and go into your mind just to get you out." I finished, then realized that I had said too much. Way too much.

"You-" The appearance of another vortex cut him off. The spell was wearing off. Perhaps one of its conditions was that I had to admit something in order for it to be completed. Instead of fighting it, I prepared myself to dive into its center.

"You promise you'll come back?" I asked him, just to be sure.

"Promise. I'll never forget you!" he shouted after me. He said something more, but the vortex swallowed me and drowned out his words. It pulled me in then set me down again, but this time in the Titans Tower hospital room. Beast Boy was still unconscious. The others were staring at me, looking disappointed.

"Oh no," I gasped, "I failed. He's still unconscious."

"That's okay, Raven," Robin comforted me. "You gave it your best shot. We're all really proud of you." The others nodded. But our sudden reunion was broken by a sleepy voice.

"What time is it? I need waffles." It was Beast Boy! I hadn't failed. Without thinking, I rushed over and gave him a hug. "Raven, you're choking me!"

"Sorry," I said, "but I was so worried. I thought you'd never wake up again."

"Hey," Cyborg suggested, "why don't we go get pizza to celebrate? Of course, someone's gonna have to share with Beast Boy, and I refuse to eat tofu cheese again."

"Not me," the others chorused.

"What about you, Raven?" Terra asked.

"I volunteer," I replied, "as long as we can get smoothies."

As we walked off toward the T-car, with Terra and Robin fighting over the front seat next to Cyborg, Beast Boy approached me. "Just wanted to thank you for saving me."

"It's okay," I replied. "I owed you one."

"I'm sorry about before. Believe me, I don't like Terra that way anymore."

"Do you like anyone that way?" I asked curiously.

"Yes," he said, "as a matter of fact, I do."

"Who is it?" I questioned.

"You'll find out in time."

"Yes, indeed. In time, everything shall fall into place. We will find the girl. She will serve you as she was destined to. She will learn to obey you, Master."

"Excellent. The prophecy shall prove true."