Whitewashed Years
By Wicked Azar
formally Comalies
Disclaimer - I no own, you no sue.
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Chapter Two - Pilgrimage
2.1
Two lone figures stood on that sunny hill. They came every year, but never more frequently, to pay homage and memory to a fallen team member. They came, hoping to see a friendly face, but there was never even a sign someone else had been there. So they stayed for awhile, leaving a fresh bunch of fragrant flowers, before the left and returned home.
They didn't look much like they had three years ago, when the Titans had fallen. The girl's hair was still long, and still blonde, but her figure had filled out, and she was not as skinny as she once was. Now she was toned and strong. Her skin seemed to glow, and her eyes flashed a deep blue. She had a wicked friendly grin and a devil may care attitude. She still called herself Terra.
Her companion had changed much more than she had. He had grown to a towering six foot and filled out substantially. Broad shoulders, strong arms, and long legs made him a worthy opponent in human form. He was deadly in all others. His unruly green hair he know wore in a fashion that complimented him instead of making it look like he had just rolled out of bed. He was no longer a boy, and now called himself Changling.
Terra was downtrodden. She had been sure that this year someone would be here. She had been positive. Changling slipped an arm around her shoulders.
"Come on, doll, you didn't think they'd be here this year, did you?"
She shrugged. As the two walked away from that little memorial to a dear friend, she tried to remember the good times.
Her reverie was cut short when her communicator started beeping. She jumped, but Changeling reached his first.
"Changeling here." he clipped into it. He waited for a response, and then closed with. "We're on our way."
When he turned back to her, she had hidden back behind her usual cocky grin.
"Let's go, babe."
2.2
Raven was enjoying the afternoon breeze, letting the cool but not chilly air float over her as she sat beneath a towering tree with low, sweeping branches. She sat with a good book nestled in her lap, a collection of Shakespeare's comedies.
She was now a junior in college, majoring in English Lit. and enjoying the laid back life of a normal young woman. She'd fought away anger and resentment from the split, mostly, and still kept in contact with Cyborg sometimes.
After all, she did attend school in Steel City. It would have been rude to ignore him.
He and Bee co-led the Titans East here, and had tried so hard to get her to join up with them. But no. Her hero days were over. Too many memories.
Too many hard things to think about.
She had formed the original Teen Titans with Robin for the purpose of destroying Trigon. That completed, they should have disbanded. If they had, Starfire might still be-
She didn't allow herself to finish that thought and focused instead on "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in her lap. And of course, just as she was getting back into it, her cellphone rang.
She sighed and answered it.
"Rachel here." she commented.
"Raven? It's been a long time."
She tensed. "What do you want, Beast Boy?" She didn't mean to sound so angry, but maybe some of that old resentment hadn't faded yet.
"I'm sorry to call like this... but Terra's hurt bad. I need you to help her, Rae, please."
She closed her eyes, tempted to deny the shapeshifter. "I'll be back in Jump as soon as I can. Try and keep her stable."
Rachel Roth faintly resembled Raven. She'd intentionally changed her appearance as much as possible to protect herself from the media. She wore her long hair in a low ponytail, and clothes she had once vowed she'd never be caught dead in. Low riding jeans that fit like a second skin and baby tees were her usual ensemble.
And she missed the old days.
She hesitated and flipped open the cellphone, dialing up an old friend.
"Cyborg, I need a ride."
2.3
She felt very unsure of herself as a much changed version of the T-car approached the old Tower. It was only Beast Boy and Terra living there now, but they still called themselves Titans.
She snuggled down into the familiar fabric of her cloak. Cyborg had surprised her with it when he picked her up, saying she needed to wear so Rachel's identity wouldn't be blown.
He had a point. She still wanted to know how he'd gotten one. He refused to answer that.
When he parked the vehicle in the familiar garage, Raven stepped from the car and flew straight upwards, through the floors, until she reached the medical bay. She returned to a corporal form and apparently surprised Beast Boy, who jumped up snarling.
"Rae?" he spoke, a little shocked once she put her hood down and walked forward.
"I could ask you the same thing." she muttered, slipping into her old monotone ways. "You look good, Beast Boy." she commented, checking Terra's wounds. They were serious, but not life threatening. She set to work healing them immediately, closing her eyes.
Cyborg appeared in the room a few minutes later, having to take the longer way, and approached Raven.
"Be careful. You haven't done this in awhile. Don't overdo it." he muttered to her. That's when the old best friends' eyes met.
"Cy, you look... the same." Changeling commented with a faint grin.
"You don't, BB. You got tall."
He grinned. "Yeah, I outgrew Beast Boy. I call myself Changeling now."
The two exchanged an old handshake before Terra started to stir.
"Don't sit up too fast." Raven ordered. "Your stomach is still tender." Terra listened and let Changeling readjust her pillows so she could sit up and lean back against them. She looked around, shocked.
"Guys, it's good to see you." she said, trying to sound boisterous, but only pulling of mildly excited.
Raven hesitated before turning away. Cyborg took her place at the bedside while she crossed to the windows and looked out over the bay.
She dreampt of this view, of this place, when she was most homesick.
"Hey, Rae, we're gonna stay the night. That ok with you?" Cyborg spoke towards her. She nodded, and had a good feeling that she wasn't going to sleep well tonight.