Chapter Twenty-Four: "Letting Him In"

"Yes." Robin said sternly.

"I don't think you're going to like this." Beast Boy lowered his head, avoiding eye contact.

"Beast Boy!" Robin almost yelled.

"Well, I'm not quite sure what it means, but if you don't want to marry the shadow, the shadow and the one you love have to battle to the death." Beast Boy managed to say, trying to remember word for word.

Cyborg looked at Raven, "Which means-"

"Starfire verse Kayla!" Raven said as she jumped up from the table and walked to the window.

"NO!" Robin yelled.

"I do not understand." Starfire looked at her friend's worried faces.

"If Robin doesn't want to marry Kayla then the one he loves, that's you Starfire, will have to fight Kayla for Robin's freedom." Cyborg explained to her.

"How am I to defeat her?" Starfire asked.

"You can't." Raven said, looking out at the rain falling down.

"Why not Raven?" Starfire asked, walking over to her.

"If I can't defeat the Shadows then you can't either." Raven said simply.

"Starfire is not going to fight! I don't want her anywhere near the Shadow Realm!" Robin ordered.

"But Robin, if that is what it takes to keep you here then I must." Starfire said softly.

"You can't beat them." Raven said sternly, as she quickly turned into her soul self and went straight to her room.

"Shall I go talk to her?" Starfire asked looking around.

"Not now Starfire, give her some time." Robin said sadly.

"Well dudes and dudettes I'm tired and it's time for me to get some beauty sleep." Beast Boy announced, yawning.

"What time is it?" Cyborg asked.

"Its 9:43pm" Robin replied. "We should all get some sleep."

Beast Boy was out the door first, heading towards his room. At least that's what everyone thought. He actually made a turn and went straight to Raven's room. He stood outside her door, starring at it. As he starred his mind was having doubts.

Knock on the door!

What if she's trying to sleep?

I highly doubt that.

How do you know?

Because she would have said goodnight or indicated she was going to sleep.

Maybe I should go to bed too.

Knock on the door!

No, I think I'll just leave her alone.

You can't do that. Knock on the door and see if she's ok.

What if she hurts me?

She's not going to. Did she kick you out when you offered to help?

No.

Then just give it a shot. Knock on the door.

Fine.

Beast Boy knocked on the door softly. He heard no answer, but he knew Raven was in there.

"Raven, its Beast Boy. Are you ok?" He asked into the door.

There was no reply. Beast Boy began to worry so he turned into a bug and found a hole big enough for him to squeeze through. He looked around and found Raven looking through her books. He turned into his human self and stepped forward a few steps.

"Raven?"

"What are you doing in my room?" Raven said hatefully.

"I wanted to know if you were ok."

"Peachy."

"Raven, come on. What's wrong? Why didn't you tell us how to defeat these shadow creeps?" Beast Boy asked.

"We can't beat them." Raven told him.

"Well maybe we can't but you can-" he paused, "right?"

"I can't." Raven lowered her head.

"Why not?" Beast Boy asked stupidly.

"Because, my power is to weak compared to theirs." Raven slowly explained.

"I don't think that's true. Have you ever tested it?" he asked her.

Raven sighed, "No I haven't." she admitted.

"Then why don't we test it now." He asked.

"Do you know what that would require?" Raven asked, looking at him like he had told her something extremely stupid.

"No, but I know you can beat 'em if given the chance." He smiled.

"I would lose and worse-" she paused for a few seconds, "I will be killed."

"Come on Raven, can't you test it out with Keyda? I mean she won't kill you. Will she?" Beast Boy asked, walking closer to her.

Raven closed her eyes and began chanting. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos, Azarath Metrion Zinthos . . ."

Raven was now inside her mind and Beast Boy waited patiently, taking a seat on her floor.

--In Raven's Mind--

Keyda where are you? KEYDA!

I'm here Raven, have you decided?

My answer is still no.

Then why do you call upon me?

I need to try something, but in order to do it I must fight you.

That isn't very wise Raven.

I know that, but if I can test my theory will you promise not to kill me.

I couldn't kill you even if I was allowed the chance. Kayla has forbidden it since you are Robin's only way back here.

Good, stay here. I need to talk to a friend.

The green one?

How did you know?

Hurry back.

--Back in Raven's Room--

"We can try this out. I will be harmed, but not badly." Raven spoke up.

Beast Boy, unaware that she had awakened, jumped when she spoke.

"That's great! But now I have another question to ask you." Beast Boy looked away.

"What is it?" Raven asked, curious.

"Can I join you in your mind?" Beast Boy asked sheepishly.

"Why?"

"Because I want to see what they can do."

Raven wanted to say no. She really did, she allowed no one into her mind, and to allow Beast Boy that opportunity wasn't the best idea, she would probably have to watch him and guard everything while fighting Keyda.

--In Raven's Mind--

Hidden from Keyda, Raven was having a discussion with herself.

I can't let him in!

Yes you can.

I don't want to baby-sit him while fighting Keyda.

Maybe he can help.

How?

I don't know, but give him a chance.

Raven opened her eyes and looked at Beast Boy, who was silently looking at his gloved hands with interest.

"Fine, but under one condition."

"What's that?" Beast Boy asked.

"You don't touch or mess with anything." Raven snapped.

"Deal." Beast Boy smiled.

Raven got out her mirror that she used for mediation. Beast Boy looked at it with worried eyes.

"You sure you want me to use that? Isn't there another way in?" Beast Boy asked, hoping she'd say there was.

"No." and with that the mirror glowed and a giant raven claw came out and grabbed Beast Boy.

Naturally Beast Boy panicked. "I change my miiiiinnnnnnddddddddd!" he shouted as he was dragged inside. Raven chuckled at the site.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos, Azarath Metrion Zinthos . . ." she began to chant.

--In Raven's Mind--

"Hey Beast Boy, what's up?" a girl much like Raven asked, only wearing a pink cloak.

"Ouch." Beast Boy said as he untangled himself and stood up. Happy giggled.

"Where's Raven?" Beast Boy asked.

"I am Raven."

"I mean the real Raven."

Without a word or sound Happy Raven disappeared and Raven stood before him.

"Have a nice trip?" Raven asked, showing small hint of a smile.

"Not really." Beast Boy said, rubbing his head, and then looking around. "Where's your shadow friend?"