Chapter Eleven
Weeks had passed since Raven's encounter with Terra. As she anticipated, the end did come.
Her father arrived through her, reducing the world to a burnt wasteland. But thanks to her, the Titans were able to fight back and save her from whatever fate may have fallen upon her had they not been there. And thanks to them, she found the courage and strength to fight back against Trigon and banish him from Earth.
They had returned to Titans Tower and celebrated their victory. Late that night, though, Raven's mood was far from joyous.
"You were right, Terra." she muttered to herself, looking out the window. "You were right."
Tears flowed from her eyes freely. "I wish you could've seen it."
She knelt down and sobbed, rather loudly. Shortly afterwards, she heard a knocking on her door. 'Who could that be?' Raven thought.
A glimmer of hope crossed her mind. Was this Terra, from some future time coming to tell her all would be well? She rushed to the door and opened it; it was Robin.
"I thought I heard you crying." he said, concern in his voice. "Mind if I come in?"
Raven sighed. "Sure." She stepped aside, letting him in.
Robin looked around her room. "You plan on redecorating anytime?" he asked.
"No." Raven said. "It's still part of who I am. Most of my tastes are still the same."
"Most of them?"
"Well, I don't have to be so reclusive and creepy now."
"Creepy? Who says you're creepy?"
"No one." she lied, not wanted Robin to be on Beast Boy's case for something he said months ago. "It's just...how I compare to the rest of you. You all are so social, while I have so many strange ways."
"Well, I never though you were creepy. Just misunderstood."
"Thanks."
"Sure." He sighed. "Now, why were you crying?"
"Did I wake you?"
"No, but I heard you on the way back from the bathroom."
"Oh." She sighed and sat down on the bed. "You know how you said that I have so much hope inside myself? That I inspired you?"
"Yeah?"
"Well, not long after our encounter with Slade at the old library, I had a plan that I came up with on my own." She took a deep breath. "I planned on killing myself."
Robin was aghast. "What...why?"
"I realized that if I was destroyed, there would be no portal for Trigon, thus preventing the end of the world."
"That's...that's rather drastic, don't you think? Sacrificing your life for the world?"
"I know. But it would've been worth it."
"Well, I'm glad you didn't do it."
"Don't thank me. Thank Terra."
"Terra? What did she have to do with it?"
"You see, I apparently did succeed at my plan. Part of it was to use all my life energy and powers to restore Terra to life. And I did. Well, after my funeral, she got some help by the Justice League to travel back in time and stop me. And that's what happened. She stopped me, and ever since, I've been feeling guilt for that."
Robin could hardly believe what he was hearing. "So...what did Terra do after she saved you?"
"She vanished. Since she changed history, I couldn't bring her to life, and she just disappeared right in my arms."
"What was she doing in your arms?"
"I was hugging her." Raven started to cry again.
Robin rushed over to her to support her and laid her on the bed. "I'm sorry Raven." he said.
"For what?" she asked.
"I should've tried harder to be there for you. If I had been, you might not have this pain inside you."
Raven sighed. "Well, at least I know it's possible to save her. I just have to find a way that doesn't involve sacrificing my life."
"I know you will." Robin said, hugging her. She returned his embrace, hugging him as she did when she saved the world. Then, she kissed him. He was surprised.
"Um...Let's keep that to a minimum, okay?" he said.
"Sure." Raven chuckled. "'Night, Robin." she called to him as he left her room.
He waved awkwardly at her before closing the door.
Raven laid down again, and sighed.
"I'll bring you back one day, Terra." she muttered. "I promise that."
She took off her shoes, cloak, and belt and laid down to sleep.
She managed to smile at a thought she had; she was, at last, the master of her own destiny.
The End