Seven Years' Bad Luck in One Day
Review Responses:
Ultimate R-Man: Glad you like the fic. I try to keep fairly close to the show's style, though it's difficult to do that and actually have anything interesting happen in the fic. Thanks for placing this fic about equal with Happy-Raven's. I like her work, glad people consider it at least equal.
JulesFire: Yeah, Lust comes on a bit strong, but that's her job. Don't know if I've mentioned this in a previous review response, but I like your Rob/Star one-shot series. It inspired me to write one, but I didn't due to this thing being on my mind at the moment. Regardless, thanks for the review.
genivf: Thanks for the review, glad you like this fic. I try to keep characterization decent; glad you like it.
biohazardjonny: Glad you enjoy it. I like Fear too, she's fun to write.
dragoon-bane: This update is a little slow to come out, but at least it's here. Friendship coming from Love is inspired by Raven's mistake in the comic series when she believes she loves Dick Grayson (Robin 1) after she's able to feel. Turns out she's just friends with him, and was mistaking it for love. Starfire... uh... set her straight on that one.
AlwaysWrite: It's a rare thing for me to give up on a story. I try to keep this one moving as much as possible, but I have limited time to write at school. Glad you got to read it again.
Kare-San: Yep, I was unsure of splitting Love, but it worked out well enough. Raven might be able to blackmail Cyborg, but I think she's generally trustworthy. I agree that Hatred, Rage, and Malice are interesting characters, and I'm glad you like the fic. Thanks for the review (and again for the fanart)
Slane: Quite a review. Yes, this story makes the most sense taking place shortly after 309 (The Beast Within). Silkie isn't in this story, and Cyborg hasn't moved away, etc. The preview for "Birthmark" makes me nervous that this sort of fic will soon become obsolete, but what can you do, right? I like Trigon. Anyway, Yes, I agree that it's nice that the emotions are more rounded. I tried to make it seem like they started off flat and then got more range of emotion later, but it's hard to do. Glad you like the story, hope you like this chapter as well.
Mel-The-Gryphon: Thanks for the review, and the cookie! Glad you like the story
Mephisto2022: Glad you liked it! Here's the next chapter.
Robinsfan: I don't take offense at reviews. Criticism is fine as long as it's not just mean. Glad you like the long chapters, and here's another. This one weighs in at just short of 20 pages in OpenOffice, so it should be long enough for most.
dr.evil99: Glad you like the Rae/BB moments, I like writing them. I decided to go Master/Slave with Trigon and the red emotions because I like to have villains be villains. Trigon is straight evil, and the emotions are just pawns. Thus, they are redeemable. Responding to reviews is tiring, but I enjoy it anyway, gives me a chance to speak back to my readers properly.
Friend of Regrem Erutaerc: Heh, glad you like it. I like the couple as well. Here's chapter 6!
Ghost Man: Glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing.
Meeper: Meep meeper meep. Meeper meep-meep meep. (Thanks for reviewing. Hope you like this one.)
dancingirl3: Yay, you reviewed! That's good!
warprince2000: Glad you like it, updated as soon as I could.
disappearer/Syani: I like the Timids as well. Thanks for the review.
Digital-DNA: I like the ending, I think Malice really despises Trigon, and I wanted to show it. Raven and BB will probably get together, it's intended to be a Raven/BB fic.
MoonHawke: Thanks for the review.
John Steppenwolf: Glad you liked the chapter. As for Robin's identity, the creator of the show actually specified that he's no particular Robin,and that none of the characters have alter-egos. They are just superheros, and keep the 'mask' on 24/7. Although Fractured has his 'DNA-buddy' Nosyarg Kcid, I think they were just trying to be clever. I'm sticking with the 'no one has a name besides their superhero name' school of thought in general.
Change-Of-Heart2: Glad you liked it!
DragonBlond: Glad you liked this fic. I like Rob/Star, Rae/BB, and BB/Terra actually. Thanks for the compliments as well.
quite-a-shame: I like that line as well. Here's the next chapter, only a little late!
RaidesruleXI: Splits are hard to think up. Glad you like the story, and thanks for the review.
Rurouni Tyriel: Glad you like the story. Cyborg is often the odd man out, and gets stuck with some random girl. I like that the other Titans get to speak to various sides of Raven, and I like trying to make the emotions have preferences for certain Titans. Speaking of being locked in a room with Kitten and Glgrdsklechhh, that's a frightening prospect. Here's the next chapter! (That's supposedly the right way to spell Glgrdklechhh, from the credits of that episode. What a name.)
The Last: Suitably yours is the last review to be responded to. Glad you like the story, and here is the continuation.
A/N: Woosh, lots of reviews. This chapter is a long one, hope everyone enjoys it. This story is set before Brother Blood's mechanical enhancements from 413 (Titans East Pt 2), so any part of the story that conflicts with facts from 413 should be taken in that light. Plus, I wrote that part before the show aired, so there. Enjoy the chapter.
Raven sat next to Beastboy as he spoke softly to Fear, trying to calm her. Today had been... strange. She looked outside, at the lengthening shadows. It was late afternoon now, and soon they would be searching for Hatred, Rage, and Malice in the dark. She sighed, looking around the room. Embarrassment was still cleaning the mess left by Rudeness in the kitchen, blushing slightly as she did so. Worry was trying to help, but was so cautious about damaging the counter top that she constantly pestered Wisdom with questions about the cleaning solution, which paper towel to use, and other simple things.
Raven sighed again. A strange day indeed. Suddenly the couch moved a bit as a girl clad in red-violet robes sat on the couch next to her. Raven looked towards this emotion, not quite sure who she was. Romance just smiled at her happily.
"So, things are going pretty well, don't you think?" Romance's voice was happy, but also somewhat alluring. She whispered to Raven, seemingly hoping that Beastboy couldn't hear.
Raven narrowed her eyes. "Things are going well? I have fourteen copies of myself running around the city, and you think things are going well?"
Romance shrugged, still smiling. "Not about that. With Beastboy. He's being so nice, and you are warming up to him too."
Raven shook her head. "Look, I don't know why you emotions keep pressing this so hard. Beastboy and I are friends, that's all."
Beastboy grinned from next to Raven, where he had been eavesdropping. "Yeah, just 'cause you split from Love doesn't mean you know everything about it." He winked at Romance.
Romance suddenly blushed and giggled. "Oh, uh... you heard?"
Beastboy smiled at the emotion, and the embarrassed looking Raven next to him. "Of course, you two are sitting right next to me, I couldn't help it. Still though, whatever goes on between me and Raven-"
Raven couldn't help it. "Raven and I."
Beastboy stopped, then grinned. "... whatever goes on between Raven and I is going to happen. You can't be so push-"
Beastboy stopped as he felt Lust's arms reach around him from behind the couch, and her chest pressing against the back of his neck as she hugged him slightly. "Mmm, but I love being pushy. Come on Beastboy... Now that you are healed, we should get to know each other a little better."
Beastboy went pale, looking with near-fear at Raven. Raven was scowling darkly, quite obviously not happy with this behavior. There was a noise from the kitchen as Embarrassment quickly hid in a floor cabinet, not wanting to be visible with Lust acting like this. Even Romance looked a bit miffed.
"Um.. I... I don't think... Raven would be very happy with that." Beastboy tried to pull away from Lust's touch, but she held him tightly.
"Mmm, trust me, she would feel like this too, if she ever let herself think it." Lust's hands begin to wander, moving down Beastboy's chest. "Trust me, Beastie, come with me; we'll go to Raven's room, you'll be happy with what happens, I'll make sure of it."
Beastboy watched as Lust's hands moved farther down his torso. Suddenly, they were stopped by telekinetic power. Everyone looked towards Romance, as Lust's hands were moved easily back up to Beastboy's shoulders.
Romance smiled slightly. "Um, as much as I'm sure all of us want to do... that... with Beastboy, maybe you should wait until he's ready, don't you think?"
Lust looked irritated. "I think he's been ready for years, Romance. Come on, it won't hurt anything."
Raven sighed loudly. "It WILL hurt something. I'm not even ready for that sort of thing, and I don't even know how I feel about Beastboy right now. You are doing more harm than good, Lust."
Lust lightly massaged Beastboy's shoulders with her slender hands. "I bet Beastboy agrees with me. Come on Beastie, you know you want to go to Raven's room with me."
Beastboy finally got over the weirdness enough to speak. "Actually I sorta... don't. I mean, I'm sure it'd be fun and all, and I like Raven a lot, but I like her for her, not because I'm trying to do... that."
Lust played at pouting, crossing her arms under her breasts, pushing them up slightly whilst turning away. "Aw, come now. You know that you would love it."
Beastboy grinned, feeling a little more secure now that she wasn't touching him in such a weird way. "Yeah, I'm sure I would too, but that doesn't make it right. I mean, Raven and I are just friends, so we shouldn't do that sort of thing anyway."
Lust pouted. "Well, fine. I'll just go sit all alone in there. If you want to come cheer me up, you know where I am." Lust smiled and winked, then walked off into the hallway.
Raven watched her leave, then pulled her hood up over her head. It was confining, and as sick as she was, wearing a heavy hood was probably not the best idea. Still, she liked the way it covered her face. She could feel the blush in her cheeks, having heard Beastboy say that he liked her a lot. She felt like such a little girl, blushing and getting all gooey from just the slightest bit of affection. She hoped it was just Romance's proximity that was making her this way.
She noticed Beastboy looking at her. She tried to sound like she wasn't blushing, and in so doing made her voice sound a little more irritated than she planned. "What?"
Beastboy grinned, despite the irritation in her voice. "Why do you wear that hood? Isn't it hot and uncomfortable? I mean, you have a fever."
Raven fought down the blush, returning her face to a normal look. Not liking her clothing preferences being questioned, she didn't have to create false irritation this time. "It's my hood, and my head. If I want to wear a hood, why do you care?"
Beastboy's grin faded; he looked a bit like a puppy that had just been kicked. "Um, well, I guess so."
A few seconds of silence passed.
Beastboy smiled again, looking back up towards Raven. "Well, I don't like when you hide your face like that."
Raven tried to hide the curiosity in her voice. "Why?"
Beastboy just grinned, reaching up and carefully pulling her hood back and exposing her surprised face. He was acting so boldly; it was unusual for any of the Titans to touch her or her clothes, unless she had been injured in battle. He smiled, looking into her eyes.
"I don't like it 'cause it hides your face. You're too pretty to hide like that all the time."
Beastboy, as if suddenly realizing what he said, pulled his hands away from her hood, and stammered a little. "Uh.. Well, you know what I mean."
Raven's emotions recovered before she did. Romance smiled brightly, obviously pleased. "Aw... that was so smooth, Beastboy. No wonder we love you so much."
Beastboy grinned, though he was blushing furiously. "Um... thanks Romance. I meant it though, I wasn't just trying to be smooth."
A small giggling sound from Fear made everyone suddenly look at her. Fear picked her head up from Beastboy's thigh a little, looking at him as if thinking. She moved her hands to her hood, hesitating a few seconds, then pulled her hood down, revealing her face. She smiled weakly. "Um... thanks Beastboy. That was really... nice." Fear laid her head back down, closing her eyes and smiling just slightly.
Raven smiled. She seemed to be doing that a lot recently. Something in the way Beastboy's eyes had looked when he had pulled back her hood... it made her feel comfortable and happy. She remembered feeling this way only one other time; in the kitchen when the others had found Love. She didn't want to admit it, but she was honestly starting to feel something for Beastboy. She felt the blush on her face again, but didn't hide it this time. She smiled a little more, looking at Beastboy.
"Thank you... I... will try to wear my hood down more often."
Beastboy looked happy with even this small response. His happiness made Raven happy. She felt strange, feeling emotions so openly, with nothing happening. Perhaps with her emotions out in the world, it didn't hurt to feel a bit.
She hoped she could still feel when she got them back inside.
Starfire flew alongside the following emotions as they surveyed the city from above. It was getting cold as the day faded into evening, and Starfire wanted to find the three evil Ravens quickly and get back inside. Being out in the cold worried her, as did the thought of Raven being in pain due to all of her emotions being out of her. She floated over towards Happiness, while still searching the streets.
"I have noticed that Beastboy and Raven are smiling. This is good for you, yes? You are happy when Raven is happy?"
Happiness grinned. "I'm always happy. But Raven is happier now too, so that's good. Beastboy makes her happier than she'd like to admit, so I'm glad that she's finally getting used to the idea."
Starfire giggled slightly, happy to hear that her suspicions were well founded. "I have thought that perhaps Raven and Beastboy should do the dating. They enjoy each other, and I think they would be most happy."
Bravery flew up next to them as well, having noticed the two girls hovering still instead of searching. "Raven would love it! Except that he'd make her mad all the time, but that just means that we'd get to fight. I've never fought BB before, so that might be fun!" Bravery flexed her biceps.
Starfire smiled. "Beastboy and Raven do fight often, though I think that it is a healthy fighting, like Cyborg and Beastboy, yes?"
Happiness laughed. Her laugh was light and joyful, and it made everyone who heard it want to join her. "Not quite the same. At least I hope not! Still, I think they'd like dating, even if they got into fights; it will probably be ok."
Rudeness descended into the middle of the levitating group of superheroes. "Oi! They'll never get th' chance to date if we don't get a move on! We're supposed to be looking for Malice an' them, right? Stop blabbering and get a move on!"
Starfire pouted. "Hhmph! You are being rude and unpleasant! Not only that, but you have ruined that skirt!"
Rudeness looked down at the barbecue stained skirt. "So? The one you have on is exactly the same anyway; just wear it instead. Anyhow, let's get goin', eh?"
Bravery squinted, looking at something on the ground. "Hey! I don't think we have to look far! Isn't that Malice?"
Starfire and the other two emotions immediately turned to look. Down below, walking through the fairly empty streets, was a crimson cloaked emotion, Malice. She was walking quickly and pointedly, as if she knew exactly where she was going and was wasting no time in getting there. Starfire looked back at the emotions now gathered behind her.
"We must follow Malice. She is going someplace, and we must find out where before we attack her. Perhaps it is the hiding place of Rage and Hatred?"
The four girls swooped down to rooftop level and followed Malice carefully. Starfire readied her communicator. She would call Robin if anything went wrong; he could fix it.
Cyborg tapped his fingers on the steering wheel in boredom, as he and Friendship drove through the streets in a vague grid-like pattern, with the new EM scanner on the hood. Driving around with no particular goal was dull, and Cyborg was running schematics through his head trying to come up with some sort of flight system he could install for himself. His mental machinations were interrupted by Friendship's voice.
"This is kind of boring, huh? Let's talk; Raven doesn't talk to you much." Friendship smiled at him from her seat.
Cyborg grinned back. "Heh. Rae doesn't really talk to anyone much. Well, Starfire from time to time, but recently she's been kind of a shut-in."
Friendship shrugged. "She worries too much. She knows that the red one will eventually get out and mess things up. She worries that one of you guys might make her angry enough to bring him out again. It happened with Terra."
Cyborg looked serious. "Yeah, I remember that. Rae actually had to sneak back into the tower and get her mirror after we met up underground. Real weird."
Friendship nodded. "Yep, she needed to meditate. Terra really got to her, she's had problems with trust since then. Malchior didn't help."
Cyborg nodded. "I bet he didn't. Do we really bother Raven that much though? I mean, I don't think I've ever made her angry enough to bring Him out."
"Nah, she just worries too much. Oh! I just remembered that I wanted to ask you about Jinx. What makes you like her anyway?"
"Heh. Uh, I don't know really." Cyborg was blushing slightly, but trying to pretend like he wasn't. "She's nice and all, but like I said; she's way too into being a villan."
Friendship smiled. "Is she really though? I mean, the last few times we've faced them she just sort of dodged mostly. Not only that, but she looked so sad when she found out that you were on our side still."
Cyborg shrugged. "I don't know why she's been like that. Maybe she's just confused because she sort of fell for me; then I betrayed her. Still though, I wish there was some way to get her out of the HIVE and over to the good side. Brother Blood has got her brainwashed pretty well though; I don't think it's possible to get her out of there."
Friendship shrugged. "It'd be child's play for Raven to break the mental control from Brother Blood."
Cyborg turned to look at Friendship, then turned back to keep an eye on the road. "She can break it? How? Those HIVE kids would die before breaking away."
Friendship laughed. "Brother Blood is fairly good with his mental abilities, but he's nothing compared to our father. If we can avoid being controlled by Him, Brother Blood is nothing."
"Heh, alright then. Maybe we can try that out next time we have a few days to plan. Right now, I've got something on the scanner. Doesn't make sense though, it's coming from a church that has been in ruins for decades."
Friendship looked at the scanner. "Stop the car here, it makes too much noise. We should call Robin and tell him we found Hatred and Rage."
Cyborg looked at her. "What about Malice?"
Friendship focused her mind for a few seconds. "She's not there. Hatred is back to being controlled by Him already though. Good thing that it was us that found them and not Starfire."
"Why is that?" Cyborg cocked an eyebrow at the emotion.
"Well, Starfire is rather bubbly and full of emotion, any of us could detect her for a couple hundred yards in any direction. I'm not exactly a whole person, so I'm a bit hard to find unless I'm being looked for, and you... well..."
"I'm half robot. Yeah, so we should be able to get pretty close, right?" Cyborg didn't like being reminded of his mechanical side, but it was coming in handy at the moment.
Friendship nodded. "Yes, but you should still call Robin, just in case."
Cyborg nodded, pressing a switch on his arm. A few seconds later, Robin's face appeared. He was sweating, but it didn't look like he was in combat. "Cyborg. What's up? Did you find them?"
"Hey man. We found Rage and Hatred. We don't know about Malice. We're going to sneak up on them; see what's up. If we don't call back in ten minutes, come to this location." Cyborg pressed the switch to ping the old church's coordinates over to Robin. "Good luck getting components, Robin. Cyborg out."
Cyborg turned off the screen on his arm, and looked back at Friendship. "Ok, let's do this."
Robin set down the communicator, and returned to digging slowly around the large, strange plant. Digging was going slowly, and Knowledge had told him that the only usable part of the root was roughly two feet down. Having only his hands and a birdarang to dig with, Robin was getting tired.
"This would go a lot faster if you would help; what are you doing anyway?"
Knowledge put a smallish green book she had been reading back into the component bag. "I was reading. Have you seen any Broc flower around here? I could make some healing powder for Beastboy if you could find any."
Robin shrugged. "I don't know what Broc flower is. Can't you help with this? You can dig a lot faster than I can."
"Yes, I can dig faster. However, I'm not as precise, and I'd likely destroy the fragile root tip. You need to do it, and you need to put away that birdarang."
Robin sighed, continuing to dig, using just his gloved hands. "So, what is that book? It didn't look like it had a title."
"It's... um... nothing important. Just some interesting book I found in the tower."
"Why so secretive about it then? You've been stealing glances at it the whole time we've been hunting for these components, whenever you thought I wasn't looking."
Knowledge was a bit taken aback. He'd noticed; she'd thought he wasn't watching her. He was more observant than she or Raven knew. She smiled slightly. "It's a private book, no one is really supposed to read it."
Robin laughed. "Yeah, Beastboy's diary, right?"
Knowledge's eyes widened. "How did you-"
"It's a private book and close to everything he owns is green. It just made sense. Does he know that you are reading it?"
Knowledge pulled out the book, opening it and beginning to read it again; now that the secret was out, it was pointless to hide it. "No. Still, I think he will like that I was reading it. There are a lot of things he'd like to say to Raven that he didn't have the courage to; it's all in here."
Nodding, Robin continued his digging, getting closer to the root. "Yeah, Beastboy is cowardly like that. He should just come out and say whatever he's feeling. It's been obvious to me for months that he's been into you. Well, into Raven."
Knowledge shrugged. "Cowardice in this matter isn't all that uncommon. You haven't told Starfire."
Robin kept digging, despite his surprise. Had it been that obvious? "What about Starfire? I don't have anything to tell her."
Knowledge kept reading, although she did raise an eyebrow at him. "Then, you should know that she has the same nothing to tell you. Beastboy a coward indeed."
Robin decided to change the subject. "Is this the part you need?" He held up the tip of the root stalk, and Knowledge took it from him.
"Hmm. Yes, that will do. It's a bit small, but it should work. Gather a few of the leaves as well; Raven is running low on them." Knowledge placed the book, root, and small bundle of leaves in her bag, and began walking back towards the R-Cycle. "Now that we have all the components, it's time to gather the emotions. We don't need to have them willingly with us, but given that the warded cell is ruined, we need to at least subdue them."
Robin nodded, getting on the R-cycle, and feeling Knowledge mount the bike behind him. "So, back to the tower?"
Knowledge nodded. "Nowhere else to go at the moment. Cyborg should call back slightly after we get there."
The R-Cycle roared off into the night.
Deep within her own mind, Malice planned. Trigon was controlling her body directly, and she could do nothing to resist Him. She was having trouble finding anything to do. Trigon was simply too powerful; she had no way to combat Him. It was frustrating to simply watch herself obey His every command, but she just didn't have the power to fight back.
Something on the periphery of her senses caught her attention. Malice focused on it; it was an emotional aura. Determination, and too strong to be anyone but Starfire. Malice couldn't turn her head to look, but knew who it was as well as if Starfire had come and introduced herself. Malice focused harder, trying to 'see' past the bright glow of Starfire. There were others. Happiness, Rudeness, and Bravery were with her. The four of them stood no chance against her in a fair fight. As long as Trigon was controlling her body, they would be beaten easily.
Malice thanked Azar that Trigon could only use her human senses while controlling her. He would be unaware of Starfire and the others until they made some mistake, or attacked. Malice centered herself, trying to focus her mind. She would need all the power possible to break Trigon's influence once He diverted His mind to some other task. It may come too late, Starfire and the others may be injured, but she could do nothing until his control slackened at least slightly.
She saw that she was approaching the cathedral she had attacked earlier. The noise from the recent attacks seemed to have caused the residents in the area to stay inside for the night. Malice smiled inwardly. Though she still wished to cause harm, doing so would drive away the Titans, and she needed their help to be free. Freedom took precedence over her own namesake.
Malice felt Starfire's aura shift, and realized that she must have figured out where they were going. Starfire stopped moving, and Malice lost 'sight' of her. Malice hoped that Starfire would help her, that she could force Trigon away. She also hoped that she called backup... that she called Beastboy.
Starfire pulled her communicator from her belt, and pressed the switch to call Robin. A few seconds later, a yellow-cloaked Raven appeared on the small screen. "Yes, Starfire? Have you found something?"
The young alien tried to hide her disappointment. "This is Robin's communicator, yes? Why are you answering?"
Knowledge's tone was one of exasperation. "Robin is driving the R-Cycle. He can't talk at the moment. My hand was close to his belt, so I answered it instead. What have you found?"
Starfire tried not to think about Raven riding on the back of the R-Cycle. She focused on the task, trying not to let her jealousy get the better of her. "Very well. We have found that Malice is going back to the cathedral. We are to pursue her, yes?"
Knowledge winced as the bike turned suddenly, then scowled as she spoke. "We are apparently coming to meet you there. Do not engage her until we arrive."
Starfire smiled; Robin had heard that she was in danger and was coming to help her. "We will stay away from her until you are here. Please have a safe trip."
"We'll try to. Knowledge out."
Starfire smiled at the emotions around her. "Are we ready to fight Malice? We must be strong and able to harm her, even if she looks like our dear friend Raven."
Brave shrugged. "Yeah, I'm ready. I'd fight Raven if she'd give me the chance!"
Happiness giggled. "Dear friend! Thanks! I'll fight, but I wish Beastboy was here; he's the only one who can get to her, you know?"
Starfire smiled. "Yes, that is true! I shall call him!"
Beastboy looked down at Fear as she slept next to him. It had taken a while for Fear to calm herself enough to drift off to sleep, but her constant shaking and terror had exhausted her, and she had eventually drifted off. He didn't move his arm from around her; he was afraid that he'd wake her. He turned back to look at Raven, who had been watching him as he had been staring at Fear.
"Uh... Raven? You ok?"
Raven shook her head suddenly, as if shaken out of a trance. "I'm fine. It's just strange... seeing you hold her. She... looks like me."
Beastboy grinned. "Yeah, she does. That's why I can't stand to see her so scared all the time. I don't like to see you suffering."
Raven didn't respond immediately; instead, she just kept looking at the green teenager beside her. It was as if she had never seen him before today, and now her eyes had suddenly opened. Who was this person? He couldn't be the same annoying shapeshifter that she had known for years. This person was sweet, caring, supportive. He always knew what to say, he meant what he said, and he had the courage to stand up to Trigon himself. Despite the hardships inherent in the release of her emotions, Raven was happy to be able to see this side of Beastboy, and she vowed that she would try to be alone with him more often, to see if it could bring this side of him out a bit more.
"Are you ok, Raven? You haven't been talking for a while." Beastboy looked at her with concern in his eyes. Raven shook herself out of her thoughtful trance, then turned towards him again.
"Yes... Yes, I'm fine. It's still just... strange."
"Enlightening, actually." Raven and Beastboy both jumped at the sudden voice behind them. Luckily, Fear did not stir from the slight movement. Wisdom continued.
"I am surprised, Beastboy, and that does not happen often. I... rather, we... never expected such a strong act of affection on your part. Although I expected some sort of change while we were all out like this, I never expected that Fear would be able to expose her face like this. You've expanded her profile; she's no longer only able to feel fear. She has grown; we've all grown. It's... You're incredible, Beastboy."
Beastboy grinned, obviously embarrassed by the strong praise from the stoic emotion. "Uh... thanks. I just... I just want to help you all be happier. Fear is always so scared; I just wanted her to have a few minutes of calm, you know? Just like I always try to make Raven laugh; it's the same thing."
Raven smiled, realizing how much she had been missing.
Beastboy continued. "I'm glad we could spend so much time together though, Raven. I think I've been with you more today than the rest of the time I've known you combined."
Raven's smile grew. "I'm... beginning to regret not having spent more time with you earlier, Beastboy. I have... enjoyed today."
Beastboy grinned widely, his eyes shining. "You mean, you actually like me? Not just Love, Romance, and Lust, but you actually like spending time with me?"
The dark empath nodded, her hair waving slightly as she did so. Her voice was quiet, admitting it out loud was difficult. "I... I do like you."
Beastboy grinned. "I like you too, Raven. I haven't been able to tell you before, but I do really like you."
Raven reached out her hand once more, and Beastboy took it in his. She smiled at him; her violet eyes staring into his emerald green eyes. She felt light, as if a great weight had been lifted from her, just by admitting her feelings to him. Still, something tugged at her. She had admitted that she liked him, but 'like' wasn't really the full extent, and she was beginning to realize it. She could sense some hesitance in his mind as well, and knew that he was thinking the same thing. Wisdom departed, a knowing look on her face. Raven was vaguely aware of Romance watching from the far side of the room, a smug and pleased look on her face, and embarrassment watching from the kitchen, while hiding behind the countertop.
They both spoke at the same time. "Beastboy, I-" "Actually it's-"
A few seconds passed, both of them blushing. Beastboy spoke first. "Raven, I can't leave it at that. I mean... It's really weird to say, but I don't just 'like' you."
Raven felt nervous; she held her breath involuntarily. She both hoped and feared that she was right about what he was saying.
"Raven, I guess I'm trying to say that I... I lo-"
Beastboy was interrupted by his communicator's cheery ring tone. He looked irritated for a second, then grinned as Raven let out her held breath. He pulled the small device from his belt and pressed the switch to answer it. Starfire's face appeared on the small screen, a bright smile on her lips.
"Hey Star. What's going on?" Beastboy smiled, despite the interruption. Actually, he felt almost relived that he was saved from saying something that he might regret later.
Starfire smiled at the slight blush on her teammate's face. "We have found Malice. Happiness wishes for you to be here. Perhaps you can help us subdue Malice?"
Beastboy nodded, his expression once again serious. "I'll be there soon. Don't... hurt her, ok?"
Starfire nodded, obviously happy that Beastboy cared for Raven. "Very well. We will await your arrival."
Beastboy switched off the communicator, and smiled at Raven again. "You should stay here. You're sick, and I don't want you to get hurt."
Beastboy turned to head towards the roof. Suddenly, he felt someone throw their arms around him from behind, and cling to him tightly. Beastboy turned around to find Fear hugging his legs desperately. She looked up at him with moist eyes. "Please don't leave. Don't leave me alone. I don't want you to go fight Malice."
"I won't be able to do anything if you leave; I'll be too worried." Worry stood next to him, her eyes wavering.
Beastboy grinned. "Hey, come on, I couldn't leave you here alone. Come with me; I'll keep you safe, and you can watch me to make sure nothing bad happens."
Fear seemed to calm herself a little, standing next to Beastboy instead of hugging his legs. Her hood was up again, hiding her face, but she seemed secure next to Beastboy. Worry wrung her hands, but still stood, obviously intending to follow Beastboy to the end. Wisdom stepped forward as well, looking at the others with calculating eyes.
"You will need assistance with Fear and Worry once you reach the battle. I will come along. Beastboy, I want to say something." Wisdom looked uncomfortable. It was unheard of for her not to be fully confident in any situation. She placed a hand on Beastboy's shoulder, looking him in the eyes.
"I believe in you, Beastboy. You have already freed Malice and Hatred, even if only for a moment. I believe that you can free them permanently, and that you may even help to free Raven. When it becomes time for battle, allow me to comfort Fear and Worry, and you must focus on helping Malice. She doesn't deserve to be enslaved, and I look forward to you rescuing her, no matter what problems she may cause. Thank you, Beastboy, for giving us all hope of being truly free of our Father. Thank you."
Beastboy blushed, a little blindsided by the serious speech. "Um... thanks, Wisdom. I'll try my best to get Malice to come around. We gotta go though; Star is waiting for us!"
Beastboy smiled, took Fear's hand, and led her through the doorway into the elevator, being followed by Worry and Wisdom. He pressed the door open button, holding the door open for a moment. He grinned at Raven.
"Raven, when we get back, I'll tell you what I was saying before."
Raven nodded, a slight blush in her cheeks. "Then, I hope the battle goes well. Good luck, Beastboy."
Beastboy smiled, and then winked at her as the door closed. Raven turned to face forward again, her heart beating fast. She was so worried about him, is this how people felt when they were in... when they liked someone?
Raven got up and walked to the kitchen, placing a small pot of water on the stove, and setting it to boil. Maybe tea would help her relax a bit. Azar knows she didn't need Worry, of all people, splitting again. She looked back towards the elevator.
"Be safe, Beastboy."
-
Starfire knelt behind a large block of broken masonry, near the broken doors into the cathedral. Malice had just entered, and Starfire was waiting for the others to arrive before following any further. She looked over towards Happiness.
"This is dangerous, yes? I wonder how long it will take for Robin to get here." Starfire smiled, but her eyes betrayed her fears about this mission.
Happiness was smiling and her eyes were happy as well. "Shouldn't take all that long, right? Robin's R-Cycle is pretty fast, and we aren't all that far from them anyway. Plus, Robin would help you no matter what was happening when he got here; he's just like that."
"I say we got 'er anyway! Malice is mean and all, but she's not that hot a fighter. I think we should just charge in!" Bravery put her fists up, throwing a few mock punches.
"You 'think' we should 'just charge in', eh?" Rudeness scratched her rear idly. "You don't ever think, really. I think we should just let 'er get whatever she wants, then hit her on the way out."
Another voice cut in, blunt and proper. "Then, you are an idiot. Malice can teleport just as easily as any of us can. We should go in now, subdue her, and then proceed to Hatred and Rage." Knowledge walked calmly up towards the others, followed closely by Robin.
Starfire's eyes shined happily. "Robin! You have arrived!" She leapt up and hugged him, as his eyes widened in surprise.
"Uh, yeah, Starfire. We parked the R-Cycle a few blocks to the east. Are you ok?" Robin smiled at Starfire, though his voice showed concern.
Starfire smiled, pulling away as not to embarrass him. "I am quite fine. Now that you are here, we are to attack, yes? We must fight Malice without hurting her; Beastboy is coming as well."
A large black shape took form a few feet from the gathered teens, forming first into a large birdlike form, then landing and fading to reveal Beastboy, Wisdom, Fear, and Worry. Wisdom lowered her hands, the teleportation of Beastboy and the others draining her slightly. She looked at Starfire and Robin. "Sacrificing stamina for speed seemed prudent."
Robin nodded. "Makes sense. Are you ready, Beastboy? We don't know how she'll react now that she's not in prison."
Beastboy nodded, his features grim despite his normally joking manner. Fear was holding onto his right arm, and Worry was on his left. He looked down at them, and a smile broke across his face. "Hey, c'mon guys; I have to go. Stay here with Wisdom; she'll take care of you. I promise I'll be back in a few minutes."
Fear and Worry slowly, cautiously, let go of his arms, and went to stand by Wisdom, though Fear's eyes still wavered, and Worry still wrung her hands nervously. Wisdom sighed audibly, but nodded towards Beastboy.
"So... uh... Ready to go, dudes? We have to go get Malice back." Beastboy grinned at Starfire, Robin, and the small group of Ravens.
"Yeah! We'll go kick her butt! Can't be too hard, right?" Brave jumped up, grinning confidently.
"I'm afraid it will be much harder than you think." Malice's voice sounded from above them. Her voice was different, deeper, meaner. It had no semblance of Raven in it at all. Four glowing slits denoted eyes beneath her hood, and a large, demonic horn hung from her belt.
Everyone turned towards the voice, only in time to be blasted in different directions from telekinetically affected earth from underneath. Wisdom, Fear, and Worry were standing far enough away to avoid the small explosion of soil, and wisdom pulled the other two back, moving to a safer distance of roughly fifty feet.
Robin stood quickly, pulling out his bo staff. "Titans, Go!"
Robin threw out a smoke disc first, hoping to distract Malice long enough for the rest of his team to recover. With a look of near-boredom, Malice used her power to redirect the disk towards Starfire, where it exploded, causing Star and Knowledge to be surrounded in a thick cloud of dust.
"Yeah! This is what I wanted to see!" Bravery flew in quickly, firing bolts of black energy at the fiend, all of which were dodged as if child's play. Malice raised her hand, black power glowing from it, and watched carefully as Bravery rounded for another strafing run, then fired. The perfectly aimed shot hit Bravery in her ribs, and Bravery dropped twenty feet to the ground, with a pained grunt.
Malice dodged quickly left as her senses warned her of Robin's assault. The bo staff cleaved through the air, and Robin landed deftly on a window sill near Malice's hovering form. "Malice! Snap out of it! We don't want to hurt you!"
Malice's laugh sounded deep and demonic, seemingly impossible to be coming from the small-framed teen aged girl. "Then you are a fool! You cannot reach Malice where she is. You heroes have bothered me long enough, and now you shall know death!"
Robin pushed away from the window sill as he felt the stonework crumbling. Malice followed his jump with her eyes, then fired another bolt of energy, which sliced into his left ankle mid-flight. Robin landed awkwardly, stumbling and falling to the ground. He grasped his wounded foot in pain, then pulled a bandage from his belt.
Malice's cruel grin spread. With an injured foot, he couldn't dodge around like before; he was a sitting duck. Her hand glowed with power again, and she aimed it at the struggling boy.
Suddenly, she fell forward heavily, dropping a few feet through the air before catching herself with flight again. Starfire hovered nearby, her glowing green eyes narrowed in anger. "You will not harm Robin! He is only trying to help you!"
Malice sneered, Robin forgotten for the moment. "Ah, the alien. You should be proud. When I arrive here, your world will be the second to fall to me." Malice shielded herself from the dozens of green bolts that Starfire began wildly throwing at her.
Rudeness watched from where she had been knocked to the ground. Her legs were pinned beneath a large stone, and she was unable to lift it with her hands. The pain from her legs kept her from concentrating, and so her powers were worthless. She looked to the side, to see Happiness laying unconscious from smashing into the cathedral. Rudeness turned back towards the fight. Her normal carefree demeanor was gone; too much was at stake here.
Beastboy finished tying the bandage for Robin, glad that Starfire was able to distract Malice for a few seconds. He looked up just in time to see the starbolts halt for an instant, and in that instant, Starfire was blasted from the air by telekinetic burst.
Robin leapt upwards, using his right foot, and snatched the horn deftly from Malice's belt, landing somewhat painfully on the rubble behind her. He glared back up at Malice, holding the horn tightly. "Stop this, or I'll smash this to pieces."
Malice's chuckle was full of derision. "Mortal, you stand no more chance of crushing that than any other human. Demon bone is beyond your strength."
Malice's eyes glowed brightly, and the horn was torn from Robin's hand, as the rubble he was standing on flew into the air, then piled back down on top of him. Malice laughed darkly, holding the horn once again in hand.
"Stop!" Beastboy's voice rang out clear, as he stood before Malice. His eyes were fierce, and he was standing ready to react to anything. "Stop doing this; you know you don't want to do it!"
Malice's sneer widened. "You haven't figured it out yet, have you, boy? I'm not just some petty emotion. You are speaking to Trigon the Terrible, scourge of a thousand worlds! Cower in fear, mortal, for your world's death is at hand!"
Deep inside her own mind, Malice struggled. Trigon's control was too strong, he was focusing nearly completely on her, and her mind wasn't strong enough to break him. She bashed her mental power against his control repeatedly, but she wasn't even able to move her own fingers. All she could do was watch.
Beastboy scowled angrily. Trigon. "I don't care WHO you are! You can't hurt Raven like this; she doesn't deserve it! Come on Malice, I know you are in there, fight it! You can beat him!"
Malice waved her hand, and the broken masonry around Beastboy pulled up from the ground, forming a rough cage around him. Beastboy still stood in defiance, hoping against hope that Malice would break through somehow.
"Beastboy! Run! She's too strong!" Fear's voice broke out from her hiding place with Wisdom and Worry.
"We can fight again later, when everyone is better! You have to flee!" Worry spoke as well, her voice wavering.
Wisdom tried to stop their shouting, but was unable. Malice sneered, then turned back towards Beastboy. "So... the other emotions care for you, do they? You were the reason that Malice and Hatred were able to defy me, weren't you?"
Beastboy grinned darkly, realizing that Trigon saw him as a threat. "Yeah, and I'm the reason you'll never be in control of Raven. I won't let that happen, not ever!"
Malice didn't move, but a long steel rod, used for reinforcement for the walls, rose from the rubble and straighted out, a torn and sharp point aimed at Beastboy. Malice's cruel sneer grew. "With but a thought, you die. No one can save you now, boy."
Malice screamed inside her own mind, seeing the rod held towards Beastboy like that. She fiercely attacked Trigon, hoping for even the smallest crack, but to no avail. She sobbed inwardly. She had failed... Beastboy would be killed, and by her own hands. Suddenly, something changed. Trigon's control slipped; something must have happened to Rage and Hatred. Malice took the initiative, smashing through Trigon's weakened defenses, and wresting control of her body from him.
The rod fell to the ground, and the cage around Beastboy crumbled. Malice sank slowly to the ground, her hands holding her head. Beastboy ran forward, realizing that something must have changed.
"Malice! Is that you? C'mon, answer me!" Beastboy placed his hands on Malice's shoulders, turning her to look at him. Her two violet eyes stared back.
"For... the moment... yes." Malice's voice was weak and halting, as she was still fighting an inner battle. She lifted the horn by her telekinetic power, trying to ignore the howling voice of Trigon in her mind.
"Beastboy... I don't know what this will do... Just... thank you..." Malice pressed the horn with the last of her strength. At first, there seemed to be no effect. However, a moment later, a small crack appeared. Then, another crept across the horn. Finally, the horn snapped; its resistance failing. It crumbled to pieces, and Malice cried out in sudden pain, collapsing to the ground.
A black cloud gathered around the unconscious emotion, four glowing slits the only features in the amorphous cloud. Beastboy stood immediately, ready to fight if needed. Instead, a voice sounded in his mind. "You've won, boy. Next time you will not be so lucky."
The cloud dissipated, and Malice's eyes fluttered open. She righted herself shakily, and then looked up towards Beastboy. Beastboy grinned back.
"Malice? You're free!"
Malice held out her hands, looking at them, then searched her mind. He was right; she felt no more compulsion, no taint of Trigon at all. She was free, completely and permanently free!
Malice stood, using her powers to raise the fallen rubble off of Robin and the other emotions. She dropped the stones to the side, and looked around at the angry teenagers surrounding her.
"I... I am sorry. I am no longer controlled by Trigon, but that only means that he will be all the more powerful when we attack Hatred and Rage." Malice was wary of Robin's angry glare, as well as the newly recovered Starfire.
Starfire landed, her green eyes fading. She walked over to Malice, looking her in the eyes for a few seconds. Then, she smiled. "Welcome, Malice! I am happy that you are free!"
Robin, trusting Star's judgment, placed the secretly drawn freeze disc back into his belt, and stepped forward painfully, reaching out his bruised hand. "Welcome to the team."
Malice looked down, then took Robin's hand, shaking it curtly. Involuntarily, she squeezed his hand where the bruise was, and he jerked his hand away, a look of annoyance on his face.
Malice sighed. "Sorry, force of habit. One moment." Malice concentrated, and Robin's wounds lessened severely, her healing power increased by the raging emotions within her. Trigon had nearly slain Beastboy; he had to pay.
Knowledge's voice broke through the air. "How were you able to escape control? I could sense your battle; you had no hope of winning alone."
Malice looked towards Knowledge, and also at Rudeness, who was helping Happiness to her feet, while berating her for falling unconscious. "He is too powerful to defeat when he focuses, but his attention was diverted. I don't know why."
Beastboy looked around. "Hey, where's Friendship and Cy?"
Cyborg strained against the metal restraints that Rage had formed with her power. He and Friendship had been caught snooping around the altar, as Friendship had recognized the runes. The sudden outburst of dread had caught Rage's attention. Cyborg stopped straining. It was pointless; the metal was too strong, and he was too tightly bound to pull away. Friendship still hung limp in her restraints next to him; unconscious.
Rage and Hatred stood before him, red eyes glowing dangerously. Rage stood a few steps in front of Hatred, and Cyborg noticed an air of leadership around her. If he could just get free, he could take her out. With their leader gone, the other two emotions should have no problem getting free.
Rage spoke, in a deep and angry voice. "Fool! How could you think we would not notice your incursion? The restraints will hold you until your friends come to rescue you. I will deal with you all at once." Rage turned sharply, walking quickly away, her mind working with Trigon's to form a plan.
Trigon had been defeated. There was no other explanation. It had not happened in a thousand years; and now he had been defeated by a few scraggly teen-aged mortals. Trigon was furious, his rage scared even Rage herself. Still, she felt his power flow in her blood, and she knew that she would never be allowed to join with the Titans. She had to follow him, and Trigon wanted vengeance. When the rest of the Titans got here, she and Hatred would show them the power of Trigon the Terrible.
Hatred still stood looking at Cyborg and Friendship. Cyborg looked back at her, with no hope in his human eye. Her four eyes unnerved him; there was no humanity underneath her hood. If Beastboy was here, it might be possible to turn her, but-
His thoughts ceased for a moment, as Hatred's eyes closed, and reopened to reveal simple violet. A small smile crept across her lips, as she raised a single finger to them. Cyborg nodded. Trigon was focusing on Rage; Hatred was being ignored. He felt the metal restraints weaken slightly. Hated shook her head slowly, signaling to wait before doing anything. Cyborg nodded.
Hatred's eyes closed, and then reopened as four slits, her disguise back up. It wouldn't be long. She hated resorting to Cyborg as an attack plan, but with her limited options, he was the best choice. She waited, hiding her plans from Trigon's occasional mental probes. He assumed that she was under his control again and would be so until combat began. By then, it would be too late.
At least, Hatred hoped so, for Beastboy's sake. She could feel Trigon's own hatred, feel his embarrassment at being defeated, and feel his rage at being denied the horn. Without the Horn of Balroth, Trigon could not be summoned to this world through the means of that spell, and the only other way was to consume Raven directly. If Beastboy couldn't free all three of them from Trigon, it was only a matter of time before Raven lost her struggle against him.
Raven would eventually fail, if she was alone. Hatred thought, remembering only a short time ago, when Beastboy had come to Raven's room after the team had fought off Malchior. He'd told her that she was never alone. Hatred was hoping that he was right. Alone, Raven would fail. With Beastboy... perhaps even Trigon the Terrible could be defeated.
A/N: One down, two to go, eh? Trigon is reeling from losing a battle, he's not used to it. Hope restored, Hatred is beginning to rebel more as well. Next chapter is Malice getting used to a team, the team getting used to Malice, and more battling fun. See you soon (hopefully). Review if you'd like, and I'll respond. Till then!