Insaneiac: And now, I'll bother you with as little words as possible. The next three chapters will be part of a mini-trilogy called Fate. Not only is it effectively the biggest chunk of the story, I'm also brining in something big as well. Fact…make that huge! So sit back and enjoy.
Reviews
Alexnandru Van Gordon: Of all the people I know, I'd of though you'd have the intelligence to not ever insult Slade… He's everywhere man. EVERYWHERE! And yes, I did find the mask part fit in quite well.
Infamous one: So, what you are saying is, my character should die? Maybe… I know I have something planned for him, but I won't say much more. I should fear giving it away too soon.
Disclaimer: Yah right! You think I'd be writing stories if I owned Teen Titans?
Fate Part 1: Resurrection
It had been two weeks since Titans East Tower was completely destroyed. Two weeks since the horrid death of Bumble Bee, Leader of Titans East. It had been two weeks since Blink had disappeared from the map, and it had been two very long weeks since Robin was kidnapped. The hope of finding the Leader of the Titans had dwindled horridly, and everyone in Titan Tower could feel it coming. Maybe it was time to assume that Robin was dead, that life needed to go own.
To put it blatantly, the Titans needed to get over Robin, and continue protecting the city. Somehow, that aspect all rested in their heads, but not one of them wanted to voice the opinion. Cyborg was acting leader, but they needed it to be official. These were the Teen Titans, defenders of all that was justifiable in Jump City. They needed to do there job, not go on wild goose chases.
And as all of this poured in and out of Raven's head, during one of her attempts at meditation…something she had been having much difficulties with since Robin disappeared, so did the memory of the conversation between herself and Beast Boy in the infirmary. 'It's his eyes Raven…' She recalled, her eyes opening. Every time she closed her eyes now, or at least every time that recollection passed through her head, she saw Beast Boy's eyes.
She couldn't imagine the eyes of Beast Boy accompanying Blink's face. The eyes of someone so...so full of passion, of life... Of course, she never really had the chance to see Blink eyes, and really couldn't fathom if Beast Boy was being truthful, or if he really just wanted to get away from Raven. However, whenever she tried to talk to him now, Beast Boy would say he was training, and ignore her.
He had definitely changed greatly. His usual demeanor of nonsense and annoying joy had disappeared almost completely, and in its place was someone different. Beast Boy had become wholly serious about training, and being prepared for something he would tell no one about. Not her, not Starfire, not even his closest friend in Titan Tower, Cyborg.
Speaking of which…
"RAVEN, GET YOUR BUTT IN HERE!" Cyborg hollered from the main room. Raven inwardly smiled. She could now blame him for breaking her concentration, not her wandering mind. Slowly, Raven stood to her feet, and made her way to the main room.
"What is it that couldn't wait until I was done?" Raven muttered, striding towards the main room. In the room, she saw everyone sitting around, looking down at the ground. "What happened?" Raven inquired, looking towards the temporary leader.
"We are going to hold a vote, right now. Robin is, like it or not, gone. Jump City needs protection, and we are the only ones that can do it right now. So from here out, whoever takes the most votes will be decided as team leader for good." Cyborg instructed, his words betraying to Raven his true feelings. 'Beat me too it I see.' Raven mused to herself, before walking into the room.
"First of all, we are going to nominate two people for leader ship." Cyborg muttered, before seeing Aqualad's hand shoot up. "Yes Aqualad…"
"I nominate Speedy."
"All for?" Cyborg replied, smiling as only two hands went up. Cyborg must have picked now for a reason, as the other two members of Titans East were out on patrol, zipping through the streets as fast as they could. "You can't vote for yourself." Cyborg followed, up.
One for Speedy. Not looking too good for him. Then, to Raven's dismay, Starfire spoke up.
"Although I do not agree in giving up on Robin, I will nominate you Cyborg."
"Well…I nominate Raven!" Beast Boy shouted, almost on reflex. The outburst caught everyone off guard, but Raven most of all. No one had expected Beast Boy to suggest her, and even fewer expected Raven to be a choice. She never really seemed to be a leader type.
"Beast Boy…" Raven muttered, before Cyborg raised his hand again.
"Alright, show of hands Titans. For me…" Cyborg inquired, watching a grand total of two hands raise, Raven's included. The other hand belonged to Starfire, who had suggested Cyborg in the first place. "And for Raven…" As soon as he finished, four hands raised into the air, crushing the two before it.
'Oh no…' Raven mused, as she watched Cyborg from across the room. 'I will kill you for this Beast Boy.'
"I guess that settles that then. Raven, you are officially the new leader of Teen Titans. Congratulations." Cyborg replied dryly. It wasn't something to be hugely proud of, considering the circumstances. She could bet the Cyborg himself was pretty angry that Raven had been preferred over him…but that was the miracle of Cyborg. He got over things fast.
Raven looked around the room, twitching slightly as all the eyes watched her. She was the leader now, they needed leadership. If Raven hadn't been able to keep her emotions in constant control, her fear would have been well spotted. But her eyes rested momentarily on Beast Boy's eyes, before she felt her confidence return to her.
"Well…" Raven stuttered, trying to figure out what Robin would do. She had never led before, and the thought of leading now was still new to her. "Let's get to training." She finally finished, before walking out. 'I swear Beast Boy… you'll pay for this one'
Slade's Lair ------
It was time. Time for the final pieces to the puzzle to fall neatly in to place, and for the world to come to fear Slade eternally. His apprentice was ready to undertake the tasks set out for him, and Slade was eager to see his plans come to fruition. All he needed was the final element to his plan. His greatest achievement rested upon the attainment of a single item that would otherwise remain unimportant.
He needed a book.
"Damian, come here, now." Slade firmly commanded, hearing the sounds of Blink teleporting behind him. He still remembered putting the mask on Blink's face, and how it had become a part of him. "I have need of you to attain an object of great importance."
"Ask, and I shall do."
"I need you to get me a book. Not just any book, a very special book. One with great powers and secrets." Slade ordered, needing not to look at Blink to understand the confusion from him. 'The benefits of being able to read the mind.' Slade mused, before continuing. "I believe it has a name, if I recall correctly. It goes by 'Malchior.'" Slade finished, not turning to face his apprentice.
"And where shall I find this book master." Blink replied, without any potent emotion escaping his voice. This pleased Slade greatly, even though it had been over a week since Blink's submission
"I believe it is in the hands of the Teen Titans."
"I will have it soon." Blink replied again, before teleporting away. Slade just sat and smiled, staring at the screens.
"I know you will. I know you will." Slade articulated, satisfaction varied in with his regular tone.
Titan Tower ------
Beast Boy had left the training room momentarily to grab something from his room, when he felt his communicator go off. He figured it was a crime, and waited till he got into the room to open it. His face lightened with surprise, as he saw Blink's face. It was then when he felt like worrying.
"Ello Mate. Don't worry BB, I patched through to yours specifically, mate." Blink opened, his voice sounding as fresh as it did two weeks ago. "Figured I pay full on the bet we made."
"What bet… and how did you get through to me dude?"
"Common Mate… You really think I'll let Robocop's technology stop me? 'Sides that mate, meet me at these coordinates. I got some news for you that will make you go bloody crazy mate." Blink responded.
However, despite it all, Beast Boy saw something. Blink's eyes were…different. Somehow, he couldn't place it… they had changed. "No problem dude." BB responded, before closing the communicator, and turning to leave. It would have been easy, had Raven not been standing at the door as he turned around.
"RAVEN!" Beast Boy yelled in surprise, before getting pushed backwards by Raven.
"WHAT are you THINKING?" Raven growled, her anger exploding out of her. It was still a miracle that everything was still intact as it was.
"Wh…what do you mean?"
"You know EXACTLY what I mean!"
"Li…listen Raven. Just calm down…" Beast Boy responded, horribly afraid for his life. He knew Raven rarely got this angry, and those be damned when she did.
"Nominating ME for team leader! ARE YOU INSANE!" Raven yelled, cringing as Beast Boy's closet exploded. Raven could have sworn she heard Beast Boy cry as a teddy bear's head landed in front of her.
"I just… just chose the most capable…capable person. PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!" Beast Boy yelled, as energy crackled from Raven's being. Beast Boy had never seen her both this angry, and this out of control. "I thought…thought you were always the mos…most capable and…and clear headed."
Slowly, Raven cooled down, and just glared at Beast Boy, still angry. "I never wanted to be the leader Beast Boy. I can barely control my own emotions. How am I going to control them!"
"You're Raven. You'll do it somehow." Beast Boy reassured her, feeling much more confident now that her rage had subsided, at the expense of Buford the Fluffy Teddy.
"Beast Boy…" Raven muttered, before looking at the head of the bear. "Um…"
"Don't ask… please just don't ask." Beast Boy muttered, looking down at the ground. Slowly, he looked up to see Raven smile, slightly, and walk out of the room, leaving Beast Boy to his own little thoughts, and his own plans. "Besides, you'll be great. You just need to take control." Beast Boy muttered to the empty room, before turning into a crow, and flying out of the room by the window he had. He had a meeting with a friend, and it was rude to be late.
Well…he had to make one stop.
Jump City-Downtown ------
Blink stood atop the building he had set up, his disguise reverted back to his current self. He could take comfort in know he could mask his current look from Beast Boy… at least until he had served Slade's purpose. He knew how to get the book, and he knew Beast Boy would do it. All he had to do was goad him into doing it. Something that would be beyond easy for Blink to accomplish.
Then a can of beer collided with his head, and sent him stumbling. Quickly, he assumed his disguise as his former self, and turned to the beer. He knew what that meant, and as quickly as he had picked up the beer, Beast Boy landed down on the other side.
"Told'ya I'd bring the beers one day." Beast Boy joked, turning to his friend.
"That ya did mate." Blink commented, cracking it open, and taking a long sip.
"Now, what was so important?"
"What… no small talk? I was hoping for some chit-chat with mah drinking mate before the party began." Blink retorted, looking unto Beast Boy. It didn't take long for eye contact to be established, and then quickly broken by Blink. Be it his old form or his current image, he couldn't change his eyes feelings.
Beast Boy stared momentarily, before sipping the beer. 'His eyes are definitely different.' "Raven is leading Teen Titans now." Beast Boy spoke, as he dropped the empty can of beer. "And they have all assumed Robin is dead."
"That's a real bitch right there mate." Blink replied, before crushing the can, and tossing it off the side of the building. "A'ight then mate. Let's see just how much training you been doing. Keep up with me, and I'll tell you the secret." Blink yelled, before jumping off the building, and onto the busy freeway below. Beast Boy let a smile slip as he ran towards the edge, and jumped after Blink.
"IT'S ON!"
Titan Tower ------
"YO RAVEN! Where's BB?" Cyborg hollered, shooting another four targets with his sonic cannon. About a half hour ago, Beast Boy had gone upstairs for something, and hasn't been back since. Cyborg was beginning to wonder as to where exactly Beast Boy had gotten to. 'Maybe he's back to television. Bout time.' Cyborg mused, as he turned to Raven.
"I saw him ten minutes ago. Why?"
"Cause he ain't down here. Is he watching TV again?"
"I didn't see him there when I came out of my room." Raven replied, as one by one the training Titans broke from what they were doing, and turned to Raven.
"What is this about friend Beast Boy?" Starfire asked first. Cyborg shook his head quickly, before turning to Starfire. "Is he missing?"
"Well, he ain't here, after freaking out about training for two weeks straight. He better be at the TV…"
"He's not." Speedy interrupted, coming in through the door. "And for whatever it counts, he's not in his room, the bathroom, the kitchen, or the roof."
"And why where you going through his room?" Cyborg asked, his right eyebrow raised.
"Curiosity"
"Don't forget, that killed the cat." Cyborg replied, a rather darker tone to his voice as Speedy walked back to target practice. Quickly, Cyborg turned on his communicator to see if he could find Beast Boy, and frowned as he saw a bleep coming from BB's own room. "That idiot left his comm. here!" Cyborg hollered, dropping his arm. He saw Raven move to reply, when the alarm went off. In a heartbeat Cyborg had his communicator up, and was analyzing the problem. "There's something big going on downtown."
And slowly, as if expecting something, everyone turned to Raven, and stared at her. "Um…Titans go?"
"BOOYAH!" Cyborg hollered, as he charged to his car, and everyone ran towards their forms of travel, leaving Raven to her confused lonesome. Soon, her confusion turned into mild bewilderment, as she quickly realized she was being left behind. Yet, the same steady thought remained in her head as she ran to nearest window to exit Titan Tower. 'I'll get you for this Beast Boy'
Downtown ------
Something had broken out downtown. Something not everyone saw everyday as they went about the daily grind. The saw a rhino charge into another individual, and smash him into a car. To make it even stranger, this was going on during active traffic. These two crazy people were fighting in the middle of speeding traffic, on one of the busiest days of the week. Hey, Monday's are like that.
"Common BB, yah got more than that…dontcha?" Blink taunted, appearing unscratched behind BB. Charging the rhino, Blink came at it with a strong kick, only to have BB shrink to a mouse, and dodge the blow. To follow up, Beast Boy turned into his normal self, and back flipped as a car came speeding by. Blink quickly returned to the attack, jumping at Beast Boy, and swinging a hard left. Beast Boy blocked, and rushed in for an attack, driving his elbow into Blink's chest, and following with a spinning back hand to his face.
Blink caught the backhand, and delivered a strong kick to Beast Boy's neck, knocking him to the ground. Blink aimed to shoot at him, but quickly dodged backwards as a car came whizzing by. Another jump later and Blink was on top of a car, speeding away from Beast Boy.
"You gotta keep up BB, or you'll lose mate." Blink yelled, watching Beast Boy jump onto a car of his own, and begin jumping from car to car, attempting to catch up to Blink.
"DUDE! You're insane!" Beast Boy yelled, before jumping to another car, and coming face to face again with Blink, one car to his left.
"Hey, what can I say Beast Boy. I aim to misbehave." Blink countered, before firing off blasts of energy at Beast Boy. He dodged the first three, then leapt from the car he was on, and nailed Blink with a kick to the face. Stumbling backwards, Blink felt himself take a strong right to the chest, and a kick to the jaw in quick succession. The blows sent him flying off the car, and into the side of nearby city bus. Latching onto a piece of the bus, Blink flipped himself onto the top.
Beast Boy followed suit, leaping to the top of the bus, and staring across at Blink. "A little bit different from the last time, don't you think?"
"Common BB mate. Did'ja really think I'd make it easy?" Blink taunted again, before charging down the bus towards Beast Boy. Beast Boy spun to his left side as Blink tried to kick him, and quickly ducked as Blink tried to kick him again. In perfect position, Beast Boy delivered a strong uppercut to Blink, knocking him in the air. Blink, on his game, teleported behind Beast Boy, still airborne, and drove his elbow into the back of BB's head, driving it into the hard bus. Beast Boy rolled to his feet, and quickly turned to see Blink swing at him. It was too late to dodge, and BB took a strong right to the face, sending him rolling to the side, and off the bus.
"Ooh, that's gonna hurt!" Blink mused, as BB climbed back up on the other side, and delivered a punch to the back of Blink's head.
"It's like nothing for me to crawl under a bus, I hope you know dude!" Beast Boy taunted, as he followed his punch with a sweep kick, taking Blink off his feet entirely. Attempting to finish the first round of attacks, Beast Boy drove his heel towards Blink, only to have it blocked and turned against him, tossing himself to the ground. Both kicked to their feet at the same time, and as if reading each other's minds, they both unleash roundhouses at each other, only to be blocked at the same time.
"You've gotten better BB."
"Or you've gotten sloppy…mate." Beast Boy said with a dumb grin on his face, before grabbing Blink's blocked kick, and pushing him onto his back. Blink quickly followed this with a hand plant, driving the other, the free, foot into Beast Boy's jaw, and lifting him off his feet, effectively knocking him backwards. Blink landed on his feet, and Beast Boy landed on his neck, yet still rolling back to take him to his feet. Both were breathing heavily, and both were bruised.
That was when the T-Car turned the corner, and the Titans came into view. "Dam mate… looks like it's time to make things a little more interesting…" Blink muttered, before running towards Beast Boy. Dodging a punch from the green bugger, Blink pressed an open hand to Beast Boy's chest, and pushed with all his might, sending him flying forwards and off the bus, onto another car in front of it. Blink, following suit, jumped onto another car in front of the bus, and turned to his friend.
"Things are going to get a wee bit complicated BB." Blink said with a sly grin, as his hands glowed a deep shade of violet. Turning to the bus, Blink unleashed his energy in the form of two waves, running along the ground. Beast Boy watched, in total horror, as the bus was thrown into the air, and sent flying towards Cyborg and the T-Car.
"Oh…my…GOD!" Cyborg hollered, as his eyes turned to the projectile bus coming his way. It was definitely something new for Cyborg, who really clued into the fact that he should not still be in the car. Cyborg quickly turned the car to the left, and narrowly dodged the bus, hearing it skid across the ground behind him, crashing into other cars as it did. "RAVEN! HE THREW A BUS AT ME!"
"Come again Cyborg?"
"A BUS, HE THREW A BUS AT ME!"
Back at the cars, Blink spun towards Beast Boy, and unleashed another wave of energy. Beast Boy quickly leapt onto a car in front of him, watching the car he was formerly on go flying into a building, and exploding on contract. Streams of fiery metal and debris came exploding out onto the busy street, smashing onto cars and street, impeding Cyborg's path.
Another shockwave of energy, and Beast Boy was sent flying backwards, knocking him back several cars, the high speed fight still wreaking havoc on Jump City. Blink cursed as he saw the T-car come speeding towards him, and threw two waves of energy into cars behind him, sending three flying towards Cyborg. As quickly as possible, Cyborg dodged the first two, but the last one collided with a car in front of him, and blocked Cyborg out right.
"DAMMIT!" Cyborg yelled, as above him, a barrage of green blasts pounded into a purple shield. Starfire dived towards Blink, seeing that the range tactics were failing, and met face first with a blast of purple energy, knocking her out of the sky. Turning his attention to the left of him, Blink grabbed an arrow from the air, and quickly spun to his right, flinging it right back at Speedy, and getting a bull's-eye
And then a tire came flying towards Blink, surrounded by a familiar black aura. Blink quickly dodged the tire, but failed to miss the second tire flowing it, taking a clean smack to the face, and being flipped off the car. Blinking almost immediately, Blink landed on another car, and quickly rubbed his jaw before sending a large blast of energy careening into the demon girl. The blast sent her tumbling, but a faithful Starfire was there to catch her.
Unfortunately, she missed the car flying in her direction, and the two Titans both fell from the sky, stuck to the car-missile.
"COMMON MATES! THIS IS ALMOST BORING!" Blink hollered, not noticing that BB had leapt from his car, and turned into a gorilla, smashing into the car Blink was on, and sending the Australian flying through the air, and the car bouncing. Beast Boy jumped again, onto a near-by semi truck, while Blink landed face first on another car.
Blink blinked onto the semi, and quickly continued his attacks on Beast Boy, swinging a right and a left respectively at his drinking mate, and being blocked at both swings. Beast countered with a quick front kick, catching Blink in the chest, and knocking him backwards slightly, giving him time enough to flip over Blink, and toss him by his neck down the length of the semi, and onto the hood.
"Alright BB, I guess it's been long enough." Blink yelled, teleporting back behind Beast Boy, and blasting him at point blank with a surge of energy. The blast sent him flying forward, and face first into the metal top of the semi's trailer. "Meet me tonight at Terra's lil'grave mate. And make sure you bring a specific book."
"What… book?" Beast Boy choked out, slowly stumbling to his feet. "Cheap shot by the way Blink."
"The book is called Malchior I believe. Bring it, and I can revive your lady mate. I promise." Blink yelled, before blinking back onto the hood of the Semi, and smiling at the driver. "But you might want to start by getting off the semi, as the free ride is OVA!" Blink screamed, before punching through the window of the truck, and tossing the driver from it.
Before Beast Boy could do anything, Blink slammed a hand onto the steering wheel, and turned as sharply as he could to the left, causing the semi and trailer to fall down, and skid across the ground horribly, colliding into anything in front of it like a battering ram.
"UNTIL TONIGHT, TATA!" Blink yelled, before disappearing. Beast Boy had jumped ship, and avoided the horrible destruction caused by the semi, as he landed on the sidewalk. It didn't take long for Beast Boy to see the destruction surrounding him, and his eyes went wide. The road looked like hell, the buildings were burning, ambulances were everywhere, and the Titans had been defeated.
'But since when could Blink generate that kind of power.' Beast Boy pondered, as Cyborg came pulling up beside him. The T-Car was trashed, with its front end now looking like it had smashed into a pull. Beast Boy was stuck wondering how it could even move.
"HE TRASHED MY BABY!" Cyborg screamed, as he slid out of the car. "That car flinging PSYCHO trashed my baby!"
Soon, Raven and Starfire had landed too, and caught up with the rest of the Titans, and all eyes turned to the wreckage. "So…since when could Blink do that…?" Raven muttered. The scene was something out of an end-of-the-world movie. Fire lined the street, wreckage and debris was everywhere, a semi was on its side and on fire, and down the street a ways was a car was half stuck in a building, still on fire. The road looked like hell, and it was all attributed to one man.
"The maniac flung a bus at Cyborg. A BUS!" Speedy hollered, rubbing his side. The arrow had sent him flying into a wall, and smashing into his side.
"It's Slade… He's definitely had a hand in Blink's recent talent increase." Raven muttered, before turning to Beast Boy. "How did you know he'd be here?"
"Lucky guess?" Beast Boy muttered, before noticing everyone was watching him. "Fine, I left Titan Tower shortly after I was in my room. I wanted to do a check of the city, see if it was all fine. Found him, and started up this ugly fight." Beast Boy lied, stuttering mildly on a few details.
"It was lucky that friend Beast Boy was here to stop him before he could do anything really bad." Starfire commented, doing her best to be cheery.
"Really bad? Star, HE FLUNG A BUS DOWN A STREET! The damage has been done!" Aqualad hollered, looking down the street. "Plus he flung cars into buildings, into people, and into a… FISH STORE!" Aqualad hollered, before falling to his knees. "NOOOO!"
"Oh get over yourself." Cyborg replied, smacking him across the head. "We need to regroup, and now. We need a new…" Cyborg began, before hearing an impatient cough from behind him. "Oh…right."
"We need a new plan now." Raven finished, turning to the group. "Blink has gotten way too powerful. Slade is somehow increasing his talents, and we need to be able to counteract it now." Raven continued. "Meet back at the tower, and we'll decide what to do from there. For now, we need to get out of here."
Slade's Lair ------
The headband had worked like a charm, multiplying Blink's power tenfold. His previously untapped abilities and powers were now at his full availability. And it was all thanks to his endless supply of self created energy. The carnage on screen was exhilarating to say the least, and the embarrassment of the Titans was always a treat.
Yet there was one thing Slade still did not have. One major victory he had still been cheated from. Robin. He had him in his grasp, he had him admit defeat, and he even had him tagged as his own. Yet still Robin persisted in defying him. It had become most aggravating and most perplexing. How could anyone still refuse that potently after all this.
Then it came to Slade. The one thing he still had, the strongest link in the chain that was Robin, was also the most fragile. His friends, the other idiot Titans. If Robin was to watch one…
Slade could only smile before getting to work. He had to make arrangements for what would indefinitely be the breaking point of Robin's mind. Arrangements, preparations, and maybe even another visit to his favorite little captive, to remind him once again how useless it was to resist.
Titan Tower ------
Beast Boy stared at the door in front of him. For years it had been the one door you would not enter. It was almost as taboo to Beast Boy as eating meat. Sure, everyone was out dealing with a robbery, and Beast Boy had gotten out saying he had been injured during the fight with Blink, but he still knew exactly how much detail was spent into that room.
'Raven would kill me for this.' Beast Boy thought to himself, before entering the room. The very first thing he noticed was how dark it was. As if the light had been drained out, allowing only total blackness to inhabit the room. It was, to say the very least, disturbing. But Beast Boy had a mission he was on, and he would not leave until he was done. Slowly, he stepped into the room, and looked around, jumping as the door shut behind him.
"It's okay… there's nothing wrong with this room…" Beast Boy muttered to himself, stumbling around the creepy clean living space. He was looking for the books, knowing all well and good that Raven kept Malchior with those. 'Sometimes the best hiding place is in the most obvious spot'
"You know, Raven will kill you…" A voice said out of the blackness, startling Beast Boy. He spun around to look at whatever was talking, but could see none. "…She'll probably tear you limb from limb, piece by piece."
"Listen dude…" Beast Boy began, following the voice. He knew all well and good who exactly the voice belonged too. "…Raven doesn't have to know I was ever here."
"Judging by the foolish remark, you must by Beast Boy… She seems to speak a lot about you." The voice continued, still hiding in the dark. "Mostly about how stupid you act. Yet lately it seems more about trust."
"Listen Malchior, I know it's you I'm talking to." Beast Boy said, gathering confidence. He had just found the book he was looking for, and was all prepared to take it and go. "I need you to come with me for a little bit, just long enough to fix something that never should have happened."
"Oh yes, this is your brightest yet. Let's take Raven's dirty little secret. You really must be in need of help." Malchior taunted still, as Beast Boy grabbed the book. Quickly, he ran out of the room, and shut the door. He needed to disappear quickly, and get to Terra's Tomb. "Exactly what is it you need anyways…"
"A friend of mine said you can bring back Terra."
"Your friend is a fool."
"Maybe so, but he hasn't lied yet."
"Then you're the bigger fool for continuing to believe him. I guarantee you; this will result badly for you." Malchior insulted again, as Beast Boy left the tower, and made way for Terra's tomb.
"Trust me, fools do anything for love." Beast Boy finished, before dropping into the sewers, and speeding to Terra's Tomb. "And I might just be the biggest fool of all."
"No argument there." Malchior retorted, as Beast Boy ran.
Terra's Tomb ------
Without his disguise, the lifeless eyes of Blink stalked the statue of Terra. He knew all too well and good that the book would do nothing to revive her. He knew that Beast Boy could be easily goaded into doing almost anything, as long as it results in Terra coming back. Why wouldn't he? Beast Boy and himself would have done the exact same thing for the exact same reason, and both would fall for the exact same plan.
Which probably made it hurt even more. But he had to do it.
"Fate… Fickle in your ways aren't you." Blink spoke to the statue, staring at it. "What force can match it? It leads kings to greatness, and tyrants to graves. It raises towns, and sinks cities. The weakest can become immortal, and the greatest weak. Yet for every reason I look at it, fate leads me here." Blink continued, staring at the petrified eyes of Terra. "I am the son of Grace, with a maiden of Fate to guide me. Was I always destined to do this?"
Just then, as Blink was speaking aloud, Beast Boy came running into the room, holding the book in the air with a triumphant pose. "I GOT THE BOOK!"
Quickly assuming the disguise of his old self, Blink turned to Beast Boy and smiled. "That you did mate. Now then, giver it here, and we'll have you lady friend back to you." Blink proclaimed, grabbing the book handed out to him.
It was time for the charade to end.
"Thank you dearly mate, you've been essential in this, you really have." Blink spoke, turning around. "Master Slade truly needs this book."
Beast Boy just stared, emotion never truly registering on his face as he watched Blink cast off his disguise, and reveals his true appearance to Beast Boy. He turned again to face his friend, holding the book tightly in hand.
"You're…you're…you're kidding right…? Right…Blink?" Beast Boy choke out, still not sure of anything at that moment. That air had become thick, almost like mud, and all sound seemed to disappear. The man he once called friend now looked like something out of Slade's own personal army.
"I assure you, Beast Boy, I am not." Blink replied, emotionlessly, yet all too cruel.
He felt weak, as if he had been hit in the chest by a sledgehammer. Beast Boy fell to his knees, eyes wide as plates, as the full effect of the words sunk in. This was a man he trusted, and considered a friend. Through all of it, he defended Blink against his friends, despite his actions. He fell to his hands now, staring at the ground, the words still absorbing into his mind.
"But… "Beast Boy struggled, tears dotting the ground below him. This wasn't the first time he had been betrayed, but it felt as if a brother had stabbed him. Suddenly, he charged Blink, grabbing him by his collar, and staring into his eyes with hellfire burning. "BUT YOU PROMISED!" Beast Boy screamed, anger pouring into his words.
"Only the truly foolish put faith in promises. Slade opened my eyes to that long ago." Blink replied, his eyes remaining just as dry as he had began. "And now, all he need's is Malchior here for his victory to be complete." He finished, before smashing an open palm into Beast Boy's chest, and sending him hurdling backwards. He watched as he landed smack on his back, and laid there.
"What about Terra?" Beast Boy muttered weakly, his voice cracking like glass under pressure.
"What about her? Did you honestly believe that this stupid little book could revive the dead! It's idiocy to even consider it." Blink countered no emotion in his voice, which made it all the more crueler. He watched, nearly lifelessly, as Beast Boy's eyes began to flow water. This was not the first time he felt betrayal, but it was surely the most potent.
"Why… Blink? I trusted you…" Beast Boy choked out, his voice weak. He felt like he had a knife rammed into his back. Blink only remained quiet, staring away from the kneeling Titan. Despite the emotional pain that was wreaking havoc on his body, Beast Boy forced himself to his knees, and stared back at Blink. "WERE YOU JUST PRETENDING ALL ALONG?" Beast Boy screamed, tears streaming from his eyes. The statement caught Blink off guard, brining his eyes back to Beast Boys.
"…Yes. It was all an act. Every moment of it. And like I knew you would, you played along."
"How…could you?" Beast Boy choked out, his voice gone squeaky. In front of him was a man he once used to hold as a close friend. Now all that remained was a half masked liar, holding in one hand the book, and in the other a broken and shattered friendship.
"How could I not? Master Slade…" Blink started, before hearing a horrible yell from Beast Boy. It sounded as though all the rage he had ever stored away unleashed in a horrible burst.
"SLADE! SLADE! TAKE A DAMN LOOK BEHIND YOU!" Beast Boy screamed, pointing at Terra. "THAT IS WHAT SLADE DOES FOR HIS APPRENTICES!"
No words came from Blink, and no emotion was drawn from his self. He just stared. "Master Slade…"
"I SWEAR TO GOD, STOP CALLING HIM MASTER! SLADE IS A POISON. WHY WOULD YOU SUBMIT TO HIM!" Beast Boy screamed, coming back to his feet. His hands were squeezed into fists with such rage; he looked as though he might even break his own hands.
"FATE BEAST BOY. IT WAS FATE!" Blink retorted, turning away from Terra. Anger finally came through his voice, just as silence had gripped the room once again, except the heavy rage laced breathing emanating from Beast Boy. "We are all entwined in it!" Blink threw a finger back to Terra, and pointed. "Her fate was death, your fate was to help me, and my fate was to serve Slade. It entwines us all, and binds us all. Fighting it is a waste of time." Blink finished, looking back at Beast Boy. He had fallen back to his hands and knees, and he looked like he was going to be sick. "And it was fate that brought this book here."
"I'm sorry, truly, but I believe it's time I intervene here." Malchior spoke up, drawing all attention to it. "I truly don't care as to how this ends, but I do so care about this drabble about fate. For instance, I may not be able to resurrect her, but it is possible."
"HOW!" Beast Boy yelled, looking at the book.
"A contract. A deal binding a favor from you in blood to me. It'll give me the extra power needed to perform something as straining as a spell like that."
"Impossible!" Blink retorted, as Malchior laughed.
"Foolish child. Impossible is the word of the weak."
"Malchior! What does this contract require?" Beast Boy screamed, once again becoming the focal point of the entire ordeal, and running to the book. "I'll do anything! ANYTHING!"
"You truly are the biggest fool of all." Malchior mused, chuckling even as he said it. It wasn't a friendly chuckle, but more of a dark, foreboding chuckle. "It means, Beast Boy, that upon any time I may choose, you must repay for me a favor of my choosing. Anything I want, need, or ask, you will do. That is the deal…do we have one."
Beast Boy stared at Terra very briefly, coming eye to eye with the former Titan before resting upon the cover of Malchior. "Yes. Yes you do,"
"Good." Malchior muttered, before swinging its pages open, and blast Beast Boy with a burst of blackness, lifting him into the air almost immediately. It quickly surrounded him, filling the room with an eerie dark glow. Slowly, Beast Boy's arms stretched out to the side, and his eyes rolled into the back of his skull as the blast continued.
"What's going on?" Blink yelled, dropping the book. Malchior still continued, drawing an incredibly bright light from Beast Boy's chest, and drawing it to the center of the book.
"Daricus, Grathos, Xintha!" Malchior hollered, as a blast of entwined black and white energy slammed into the statue, and brought to room to a colliding glow of blackness and whiteness. A few seconds later, and the lights faded. Beast Boy was dropped to his knees, allowing him to breathe once again, and Malchior was shut again. However, the biggest thing to be realized was that the statue had disappeared, and on the place where it stood was now a girl, crunched up into the fetal position, her chest rising up and down with the steady pace of breath.
"The deal is struck, and my part is done." Malchior finished, before Blink picked it up. Truly, Blink's world had shifted; as he watched the dead come back to life. Slowly, he turned his emotionless eyes to the struggling Beast Boy, and kneeled down beside him, lifting him up by the chin in an almost insulting manor.
"Take her and leave Jump City. Get as far away, as fast as possible." Blink whispered, looking back towards the girl. "Keep her safe Beast Boy… you were given something rare today. Fate has stepped aside to allow your happiness." Blink finished, before dropping him to the ground, and disappearing with the book.
Slowly, the girl stood to her feet, struggling to stand up, and looked around. Slowly she looked at her hands, and then took a deep breath of air, filling her lungs for the first time in too long. She took a sniff of the air, and slowly ran a hand through her blonde hair, feeling it again. She looked around the room, her eyes quickly adjusting back to normal, and then across the room to the struggling Beast Boy. "Beast Boy?" She spoke for the first time, her voice ringing in Beast Boy's ears. Slowly, he raised his head to look at her, and a big dumb smile came across his face.
"Terra…you're alive…you're back…"
Insaneiac: HOLY CRAP! This chapter was over 7000 words. THAT'S MY LONGEST YET! Anyways, Blink and Beast Boy are at horrible odds now, and Raven is officially leading the Titans… but more than anything, Terra is back! And I did it with plausible reasoning (and Malchior) too. I deserve something for this! Maybe a reward or a prize. Anyways, enjoy the chapter's happy-ish ending, as the next two will level you all. Until then.