Props:
Lady of Faerie: Oh, sorry about that. (Brain: What a drama queen! What happened to her 'friend?')
DarkSideOfBlue: (Brain: You mean purple?) Thanks for the conditional encouragement! (Brain: He means he hates you, but wants that extra ego point.)
Nibbles: As usual, a cute review. Thanks! (Brain: Die, cuteness!)
Visigoth: You dare question my use of words! (Brain: 'Popular' usage is 'one who practices magic or sorcery. Strictly speaking, it is one who practices divination through communication with the dead.) So, you don't think a half-demon can communicate with the dead? Pthhhhpt! (Brain: And yes-you guessed it…) Check my bio page for 'amusing novel' updates.
Change-of-Heart: That is one of the nicest reviews… (Brain: I hate it!) No more keeping secrets.
DM: You are always welcome to be random. (Brain: Even I find it amusing…) Thanks for the invite! The reason I write fairly competantly is because I am old, and well read. (Brain: Well-old, anyway.) Rock on, babe! What does the scorekeeping refer to?
Bgone: What! You love my story, and not me? (Brain: 2 points, B.)
Billy: oooooooooooooooooooooo-kay… is this soon enough? (Brain: Impatience breeds contempt-the kind that makes me want to hurt someone…)
Teleportal: I take it back. You insult my brain by assuming we do not know the meaning of TTFN, from Winnie the Pooh! (Brain: Yeah, me too…although if you upset Vin, you can't be all bad…)
Warprince: You can't wait-so what? (Brain: Oooh! Maybe he will kill himself!) Not nice, Brain. Perhaps you could read and review some of my other stories while you are waiting? Or some of my favorite authors? (Brain: That is not a suggestion!)
YumeTakato: Oooooh…you said it…no cookie! (Brain: At least she's smarter than you…)
Will-the-Titan: Thank you! (Brain: (glowering evilly) Why not a 10!) I also, am picky-I rate your review an 8.73! (Brain: Thank you, Mr.Spock.)
Dannyspudge: If you want reviews, why do you not sign in. (Brain: Cause he's lazy-like you are.) Then I could just click on your name…
2Lazy2Register: (Brain: Pretty please?) Glad you're hooked! Did you remember to add me to your favorites?
GreenMartian: Thanks for the review, Mom!
JustShadow: (Brain: Shall I?) Yes, Brain-you can kill him now…
ShelsSMG: Thanks! What's your name mean? (Brain: Probably something as stupid and embarrassing as yours…)
Well, that's all the reviewers… (Brain: That's it? Where is Scooter, and the crazy one, and Jules, and… I shall hunt down and kill the other hundreds who perused without paying!)
The Accounting, pt 5.-- 'Beastboy Revealed'
Beastboy and his friends came across the scent of a camp. The aroma of cooking meat was overpowering, and irresistible. They made a few elementary communications, and spread out, to take the camp by surprise from all directions. Creeping through the underbrush, he saw the campfire, and the animal flesh being roasted on a spit. There was no sign of the owners of the camp, however. He was more cautious than most of the others, but as they charged the clearing, each one trying to gain first possession of the prize, he was unable to restrain himself.
The hunters were waiting, perched in the trees surrounding the clearing. Several shots rang out at once, deafening percussions that nearly drowned out the screams of his friends, as they were struck down. Beastboy headed for the concealing undergrowth as fast as his legs could carry him, but just as he thought that he had reached safety, he was sent sprawling, flipping end over end. Realizing he had been shot, he nonetheless managed to limp to the comparative safety of the darkness, before stopping to examine the extent of his injury.
He had been hit in the meaty part of his leg, and the wound, although perhaps not fatal, was bleeding profusely. He wondered what he could do about stanching the flow of blood when a new sound caught his attention, causing his hair to stand on end - it was the baying of hunting dogs. 'Shit,' he thought; he was going to have to find his friends, and quickly, if he was going to get out of this alive. He needed help to cover his retreat. The pain in his leg became of minor importance as he ran as fast as he was able. Time was of the essence - he realized that, even if he could evade the dogs for awhile, the loss of blood would inevitably take him down. Even as he ran, he was becoming lightheaded… .
Raven and Batman sped to the south woods in the Bat Helicopter. Even before Raven had finished her admittedly fantastic explanation of Beastboy's peculiar behavior, Bruce had urged her to come with him in the Copter - and run off, not allowing time for Raven to do other than follow him.
Once in the air, Bruce had nervously explained that the Mayor of Jump had informed him just that day that a party of professional hunters had been dispatched to that very area south of the city. The man who had suffered the grievous injuries almost a month ago had died, although that was not yet public knowledge. The hunters were instructed to track down and eliminate the animal, or animals, which had caused the tragic death of the lone hunter.
"If your suspicions are correct, we may already be too late," Bruce relayed sadly.
"But - do you really believe those old stories can be true?" Raven was still amazed that Batman had not laughed her ideas off.
"Raven, I don't know if they are true or not; but I have come to believe, through experience, that almost anything is possible." He paused to consider his words. "And being that your friend already assumes animal forms, how much of a stretch is it…?"
"Robin, do you not think that it would be wise to check on the condition of Beastboy?" Starfire pleaded for permission to talk to her changeling teammate.
"Starfire, Cyborg and I have already told you - Raven is spending the night with him. I, for one, am not brave enough to want to walk in on her and Beastboy… ."
Beastboy was running out of time. The hounds were gaining on him, and most of the rest of his friends had scattered. Only two ran with him - not enough to protect him from the inevitable savage attack. Even then, the hunters would not be too far behind… .
"There - there is the hunter's campfire!" Batman flipped several toggles, and directed Raven to a view-screen set on a swivel above her seat. "That's an infrared display - you should be able to track your friend, or at least the hunters. I'm going to rely on you to direct me."
Beastboy ran about 1000 yards up the small stream he had stumbled upon. At that point, he collapsed, weak from lack of blood and exertion, not to mention excruciating pain. He closed his eyes, and awaited the inevitable. He just hoped that the end would be quick. His thoughts turned to Raven, the lovely enchantress who had stolen his heart so long ago, without even knowing it. He realized now his mistake in not telling her. He was sure now that his dark princess would have understood. She had to. He could tell that she really cared for him; she would not abandon him so quickly, without trying to help. Not his Raven. Underneath her gruff exterior, she was a loving, giving person. He had learned that much from his month of heaven, getting to know the girl he loved. She just had to erect a shield to protect herself - no, to protect her friends, from the unrestrained power of her emotions. He wished he could see her one last time, just to tell her how sorry he was that it took him so long to realize that he could trust her with even his life.
"Right there!" Raven shouted, pointing out the slight glimmer of moonlight reflecting off the stream. "Don't worry about landing - I'm going down." Raven morphed out of the 'Copter, leaving a startled Batman to watch the proceedings through the infrared scope.
The first of the hounds had just caught sight of Beastboy as Raven materialized next to the stricken changeling. She immediately erected a black energy shield, and morphed both herself and Beastboy back to the hovering Bat Copter.
Tears overfilling her eyes, Raven worked to stop the bleeding from the ugly wound on Beastboy's leg, as Bruce flew as fast as he could, back to the Bat Cave. She used her healing powers on her green friend, but he still did not respond to her pleas that he wake up.
"I don't know if he's going to make it, Bruce," she choked out.
"Alfred has performed similar miracles before, Raven. Don't give up yet. Keep talking to him." Bruce ordered.
The dark girl did as she was told, alternately professing love for the little metamorph through her tears, and cursing his stubborn refusal of her help. She continued speaking to Beastboy as she fumbled to change the blood-soaked dressing on his leg. It took her a long moment to decide that her eyes were not deceiving her. The ugly, gaping wound was healing, having been reduced to merely a healthy puncture wound. Beastboy opened his eyes shortly, seeking and fixing on Raven's face. He whined softly, and licked her hand.
(Brain: There! I updated, okay?)
But I don't have the story finished yet! I'm getting nervous!
(Brain: It's all Scooter's fault. Let's kill her.)
Yeah...and I don't even get as many reviews for this fine piece of fiction as I do for that trashy 'letter' thing...
(Brain: Please review, before he starts whining to me again...)
