Teen Titans: Half-Life

Chapter 11: Nevermore, Once Again. (part 2)

Again, Teen Titans, in whole or part, is copyright Warner Bros., Cartoon Network and DC Comics. I do not lay claim to any of the characters or elements except for Knives and the overall plot line of this work of fan-fiction.

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The automatic double-door closed behind them with a fizz of electronic machinery. To Beast Boy and Cyborg the sound seemed almost painfully loud in the settled silence of Raven's mind. The only sounds were of dirt being blown across their path by a light wind and their own hesitant footsteps. The silence was so complete that BB and Cyborg involuntarily started tiptoeing down the path wary not to attract any unwanted attention. Even now just the thought of the kamikaze raven birds sent chills down Beast Boys spine and he wanted to avoid them at all costs. Get the job done and get out was his plan, however his plan had called for a few more people than just Cyborg.

Transforming into a German Shepard dog, BB closed his eyes and listened for any sounds, especially those indicative of the other Titans or of enemies.

Nothing.

Flashlights were not necessary, in part, thanks to the black core sun, which hung overhead; a starless void in the night sky. A red halo aura pulsed and flowed along the outer perimeter, sufficient enough to illuminate their immediate surroundings adequately enough, and was the closest thing, the only thing, resembling actual light in this bleak wasteland. But even so, Beast Boy kept his flashlight on, carrying it in his mouth.

The passage of time ceased to have any influence or presence in this place. The land remained constant, unchanging. Even their footprints failed to leave any marks in the earth beneath them as the pair walked in silence. Beast Boy kicked a small stone, it tumbled and fell from the side of the narrow path and plummeted into the darkness below, never to be seen again, or so BB thought before a rock, that looked remarkably similar, struck him atop the head. A lesson he apparently needed to be reminded of; reality and physics also did not operate the status quo here.

Looking back upon the traveled path, he could just barely make out the medical lab doors from this distance. Which was saying a lot. The constant lack of proper lighting made the door seem all the further away. Finally Beast Boy could stand it no longer; returning to his human form, he cupped his hands over his mouth and screamed at the top of his lungs.

"Knives! Robin! Starfire! Where are you?"

Cyborg jumped back reflexively; frightened by Beast Boys sudden outburst, gasping in surprise as he did so. He held his index finger to his mouth to signal BB to quiet down, but BB's back was turned for him to view, but it was not necessary for neither of them said anything for countless seconds, waiting and hoping to hear a reply, so they waited,

And waited

And waited some more.

But still the silence was the only thing they heard. Finally Cyborg shook his head, tired of waiting for a reply that wasn't coming.

"I guess the others couldn't come along?" Cyborg whispered.

"Why are you whispering Cyborg?" Beast Boy said, not moving.

"Um...I don't know." still whispering

"What are you afraid of, dude? No ones going to hear us. Even those beady eyed crows would be something of a relief to all this quiet, we need some action around here." Beast Boy suddenly took off down the path, waving his arms and rapidly throwing taunts and insults to anything that had ears.

Cyborg readied himself to chase after Beast Boy and had taken a step forward prepared to launch himself into a full sprint, when someone wrapped their hands around his arm and pulled him back.

"No! You don't want to follow him, not that way." Spoke a melancholy and gray caped Raven, suddenly appearing beside him.

"Let me go, I have to follow him," protested Cyborg

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Beast Boy continued to run, unaware that he had left Cybrog eating smoke. He didn't care, he just wanted out of this place a.s.a.p. He continued on until his liner path brought him to a solid stone archway erected above the road. The archway looked old, yet solid, with minor breaks and cracks dotting its almost smooth surface. If Beast Boy had taken the time to notice, he would've discovered that it also leaned forward at a steep angle.

But by this time he was fairly worn down from his non-stop ridicule run and decided it best to stop for a rest. Coming to a halt just beneath the base of the archway, he leaned forward, hands on knees, and gasped for air to soothe his burning lungs. He still believed that Cyborg was right behind him and sat down, leaning against the stone pillar, to wait for his friend, when he noticed where he now was, he stared in confusion.

A grass field with peaceful rolling hills and a gentle river, winding it's way through, towards a strange yet exotic city settled quietly upon the horizon. A robust breeze ebbed along this green land the gentle sway of grass and smells of young vibrant flowers brought an overwhelming sense of peace to Beast Boys exhausted body. He gazed over this serene landscape. Last time he had been in Raven's mind, he had encountered a similar scene, but it didn't have a city or river, so where was he now?

The question froze in his mind when his sight fell upon the river. The water, it was the purest shade of blue that he had ever seen. His mouth went dry with thirst and he quickly found himself kneeling by the water's bank. He cupped some of the crystal blue water in his hands and was about to take a drink when he stopped, his mouth wide open.

Could he do it? Drink the water? True it looked real enough, felt cold and wet in his hands, and ran between his fingers just like the real thing, but this was Raven's mind. It was an unpredictable, rule defying, abnormal, and menacing place where things were not what they seemed.

But he was oh so thirsty!

After much soul searching and inner debate, Beast Boy decided that it wouldn't hurt if he tried just a little of the water, test it out. Surely she wouldn't be angered if he drank a itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, insignificant sip. Lifting a small pond in his cupped hands he tilted his head back and drank.

His eyes went wide with wonder. The water was as good as it looked. It had no taste, yet was cold, refreshing and pure. He could feel it travel down his throat and revitalize his body. He had never tasted anything so wholesome and fulfilling before. The minute amount he drank was enough to kill his thirst and wipe his fatigue completely. Despite his initial misgivings, he smiled contently.

"What the hell are you doing?" An enraged voice cut at Beast Boys side. His head snapped towards the voice and for a moment he felt relief at seeing Raven standing beside him, but only for a moment. Raven stood before him cloaked, with the hood up, in a shade of deep crimson, four black eyes, set atop an expression of loathing and disgust, looked over Beast Boy as if he was a nostril air in her food.

"Don't drink the water." She said, the cutting tone of her anger dulling slightly but still sharp enough to maim.

"Uh...sorry." Beast Boy chuckled tensely, his mouth forming a twitching smile that fought to become a frown.

"Sorry is not good enough."

"I'm so going to die." He contemplated while deciding on a suitable gravestone. He was caught completely off guard when she slapped him very hard the face.

"What are you doing here again anyway, freak? I know I never said, 'don't come back' but it was implied and I guess I mistook you for someone smart enough to figure it out."

The slap across the face did hurt physically, leaving a deep red mark where it had connected. But the hollow feeling of betrayal left the real deep pain, Raven had never hit him before. He never even considered the possibility that even a part of her wanted to hit him. He tried to shrug it off, but he couldn't stop the tears.

Crimson Raven didn't give Beast Boy a moment to recover, "I don't know why you're here and I don't much care, but if you don't depart now, you'll see a side of me you won't much like."

Beast Boy sniffed back the tears, his sadness quickly turning to anger, "What are you going to do? Remove your clothes?" Beast Boy gave a squeak of surprise and clamped his hands over his mouth in startled realization. He was in for it now. When Raven was angry, it was considered beneficial to your continued existence if you did not aggravate her further. Unless you really did have a death wish or just liked watching random objects detonate. But then what did he do? Without thinking he went and insulted the personified, culmination of all of Raven's anger.

He retreated a few steps expecting the slaughter to begin any moment.

"You'd like that wouldn't you?" Crimson Raven expression changed from loathing to mischievous in one flowing motion. Without pausing she reached up with her right hand and undid the clasp that held the cape around her shoulders and let it fall to her feet. Clothed in only her leotard, Crimson Raven advance upon Beast Boy running her hands through her pitch black hair, pushing out her chest, and swinging her hips ever so slightly.

It was all happening too fast. He'd gone from confusion to sadness, to anger, shock, surprise and finally utter bewilderment; Beast Boy's mind was swiftly on, what can only be described as, 'a voyage to trip out city'. He blushed the same color as Crimson Raven's clothes, unable to speak, unable to run, he could only stare at the sexy female strolling towards him His hands still in a death grip over his mouth..

She quickly finished off the distance between them and wrapping her arms around his neck she pulled her face close to his. On her face she wore a smile, which on onther face might come off as coquettish, but on Crimson Raven it looked more like a mad threatening, leer.

"Raven I...I...I didn't mean what I said. I wasn't thinking. Please don't" Beast Boy begged unable to break away from her, Raven's black eyes locked straight onto his. They seemed to hypnotize him, make him helpless to her advances. Like a trapped animal he desperately looked for a way to escape. This was all wrong, this couldn't really be Raven could it? A part of him said it was Raven, or at least a part of her, the anger, hatred, immoral, and malevolent side to her personality, perhaps.

"Don't fight it Beast Boy, embrace it." Crimson Raven whispered into his ear, "I'll make this a day you'll never forget."

Time was up, he had to escape now, or do something he would regret forever. There was only one way out now. Surrendering control over his legs he allowed himself to fall backwards into the river, taking Crimson Raven with him. When he hit the water, his breath caught, eyes opened in shock, and he clenched his teeth against the sudden sensation of being instantly submerged in ice-cold water.

Crimson Raven released Beast Boy, gave him a final look of profound anger, laced with disappointment, before using her legs to push off of him and propel herself towards the surface. Beast Boy took this opportunity to transform himself into a squid form and with what strength he had left, thrust himself down river before letting the natural current carry him away.

While floating downstream, his mind played through his encounter with Crimson Raven. He refused to believe that that 'thing' had anything to do, in whole or part, with the real Raven. But what was he to do? One thing was for sure, he needed to find Cyborg again, as well as the others, and tell them what happened. But they didn't need to know 'everything' that had happened. Best to save the both of them that embarrassment, it was the only decent thing he could do to make it up to her.

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"We appear to be lost." Knives said in an unnecessarily sarcastic tone.

"I know, I know." Robin said flustered. "It all looks the same to me."

Ever since their arrival in Raven's mind they had been stuck in this accursed labyrinth. Wandering the dull gray halls for what must've been several hours. Worst of all they couldn't tell if the others had arrived safely as well.

"I at least hope the others arrived under better circumstances." Robin said.

"I'm sure they're fine." Finished Knives

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The sounds of several dozen alarms fell upon absent ears, as Titans Tower security system gave off the shrill cry of an intruder break in. Security cameras continued to fallow the 3 intruders while the footage was routed to computer screens for the Titans to watch. But of course they were all occupied elsewhere on another plane of reality.

"This is too easy." Jinx observed aloud with dissappointment

"Yeah, only those barf-brains would be so stupid to leave their place unguarded." Gizmo added.

The other companion, a huge muscular man with a lot of facial hair, nodded his head and followed it with a grunt of agreement.

"All we have to do is get the battery and get out." Mammoth reminded them.

"Sure, but not before we leave those snot nosed goodie-goodies a few 'surprises'."

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I have been thinking about this for some time and I finally settled on the perfect theme/image songs for Knives. 'Sinking' by The Cure. The somber music and lyrics fit the dark/angst side of his personality. On the other hand, to show his comedic nature and Beast Boy's as well, 'Slipin'N'Slidin'' by Jamiroquai.

For Raven I also came across a perfect image song, as well. "Darkness" by Disturbed. As for the other Teen Titans, I have not found any yet.

Oh and Peppermint Dream, if your reading this, I was listening to another song by Jamiroquai called 'Black Crow' and it reminded me of your O.C. Crow. Thanks for the inspiration for adding song to characters.

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