Her Act of Kindness Chapter 2: The Meeting, a teen titans fanfic

A/N: I would like to say thank to everyone who is at least giving my story a glance at this point. Still, the more reviews the better. Recreational storytelling is a bit outside my comfort zone, and I could use all the advice you have. (Yes, to the person who guessed – Otto Plasmus.)

At moments like these, Raven was grateful that no one on the team had asked why she had needed an afternoon nap earlier that day. The following exercise in mind linking required an immense amount of focus and energy. None of this was aided by the fact that she was trying to stay wide-awake in the middle of the night. She understood, however, that no matter how taxing her act of good will was on her body now, the rewarding feeling afterwards would make it all worthwhile. She thanked the two officers who were on their watch of this body for leaving and trusting her alone with Otto's coma-like form. Most of the time, at least one member of the penitentiary personnel would be monitoring the sleeping body just to make sure all life-support systems were functioning properly. For Raven, complete and total silence would be needed in order not to knock her mental connection with the partner she was about to 'buddy up' with.

The empath took a few steps closer towards the great cylindrical chamber that kept the lanky, near-middle-aged man in an almost constant state of slumber. She required the proximity of no more than a few yards. When Raven had come to visit the very first time, about ten weeks ago, she couldn't help but think to herself what in the name of sanity had caused her to wish to do this. As far as just about every official and/or civilian, not to mention the other Titans, were concerned, this was just another menace to society. He was a man, but at the same time a creature. It was this creature that would drain away energy any possible way he could find. Not to mention the fact that he didn't seem who got in his way or the number thereof. As is seen here, this is the price paid for having both empathy skills and also a conscience. The last time the adolescent heroes had been in combat with this former mine worker, he had been beaten in a matter of moments. Jump City's champions had become quite proficient at finding ways to bring down their long-time nemesis. But something happened the last time around that had made it quite different for the girl in question.

As Plasmus's human counterpart lay there quickly fading out of consciousness, she saw something in his eyes – something that only someone as emotionally perceptive as Raven could capture. It was a wordless plea, desperation to remain on the outside. She knew that if this man could remain in a state of human awareness, he would not intentionally cause violence towards those around him. He had neither the wish nor the strength of will to remain in his catatonic sleep. Ever since, the psychic heroine had been in debate with herself about how to go about Mr. Von Furth's request for external stimulation. She possessed the ability to communicate with others through their brains, she knew that much. It was also understood that no matter painful the scenario, for this person to only be active in his dreams, he could not under any circumstances be given release. That was when the epiphany came to her: if no one could release Plasmus to the outside, perhaps she could use her powers to take the outside world to him. Raven was always responsible and inquiring enough to always keep herself informed of the major events going on in the city. Perhaps she could use that wealth of knowledge to keep his yearning mind quenched. Maybe then he would not feel so desperately alone.

This brings us back to the present. After so many visits, the female Titan knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she had made the right choice. Now was the time for the eleventh mark in the tally. Setting her cloak out on the cold ground beneath her, she set her legs in the lotus position, made herself as comfortable as could be done, shifted her steady gaze back towards the motionless form before her, and began the mental preparations. All that was needed was for her to close her eyes and "prepare for departure." This union of psyches had become comparatively easier after turning it into a common practice.

Darkness…

This was generally the first thing to greet Raven at the commencement of these journeys. To check into the dreams of others was one thing – to make herself a part of them was far different. The best way to describe a sensation such as this would like floating aimlessly through empty space without the need of specialized clothing. After a few moments of this, though, she would always find her way towards the light. It was the light that would guide her mind out of this limbo and place her into the dreamland generated by Otto's ever-active subconscious. These settings were generally rather placid. It was like stepping into a painter's amateurish reproduction of a section of Jump City. The way he himself had described it once was that he could maintain some semblance of memory of the places he had traveled to on his numerous monstrous rampages. (Raven's least favorite visit was when he had attempted to re-create the football field. She disliked that even more than the power plant.)

The mental incarnation of the violet-haired fighter opened up her eyes in the lighted area. Raven now found herself standing on a barren city street looking at a simulation of a familiar pizzeria. There were several outdoor booths with large umbrellas sticking out of the middles. There were a few dream-quality staff members wandering around the premises of this fantasy structure. Otto did have the ability to fabricate fictional people in his constant dream world, but he had once been able to interact with others for real. As long as he was aware that he wasn't actually awake, there could never be any substitute. Now came the time for Raven to make her weekly intrusion, which he welcomed, and in turn, receive her morality boost for the week. She wandered past all the vacant settings until her eyes happened across a familiar scrawny figure sitting with his back turned at the far end of the lot.

"Well… hello again," the girl called out in a monotone that was only near steady once she was just a few paces behind him. Plasmus was obviously caught by surprise, but he actually turned around to face her with a huge grin on his face.

"Huh. Long time no see!" he replied, obviously glad to have flesh and blood (or in this case, close to it) company.

A/N: Well, that's all I have for now. How did that hold your attention? Hope it wasn't too 'dry.' The villain in question is mostly ignored, but sometimes I like to wonder what goes on in a mind that's always asleep.