The True Meaning of Sacrifice

by: IHOP

Chapter 2 – The Darkening

Beast Boy was beginning to tremble. "So, umm... why can't you just destroy the gem?"

"It's an enchanted gem," Raven answered grimly. "I'm afraid it's not easily destroyed."

"Oh."

There was a long, sickening silence.

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Later that day, the Titans had combat practice. In the center of the training room was a machine that simulated challenges meant to test each of the super heroes. They each took a turn on the machine, until finally it was Beast Boy's turn.

"Feel up to a battle with Mammoth?" Robin asked him as he entered the simulator.

Beast Boy slipped on his protective simulation goggles and smiled confidently. "Bring it."

Robin pressed a button and the simulator began to hum. The other Titans could see everything from outside through a window. The inside walls of the machine generated an image of an empty lot. There was nothing in sight save for a few large rocks scattered about. In front of Beast Boy there appeared a virtual image of Mammoth.

An electronic beep sounded and the virtual Mammoth charged at Beast Boy. He turned into an eagle and flew away. He then began a dive-bomb towards Mammoth's head, transforming into a pterodactyl upon his descent. But Mammoth grabbed Beast Boy and tossed him to the side. As Beast Boy lay on the ground, Mammoth pounded his fists into the ground, sending an earthquake in his direction. He jumped at the last second to avoid the large fissure that appeared under him; when he was again on solid ground, he turned into a rhino and rushed Mammoth. This time he made contact, but Mammoth retaliated with a swift punch to his side. This blow seemed to infuriate Beast Boy, for now he fought with a new fervor. He transformed into a gorilla and tried to crush Mammoth, putting him into a headlock and slamming him into the ground.

"All right, Beast Boy. Two minutes; that's a new record," Robin applauded. He prepared to shut off the simulator, when he realized that Beast Boy was still fighting. Now in his normal form, he delivered blow after blow to the virtual image. His eyes even appeared to be glowing red with rage.

The other Titans stared in astonishment. The simulator was deactivated and the image disappeared, but still Beast Boy continued advancing at nothing, until finally one of his punches landed on one of the walls. The wall cracked and sent a powerful current of electricity surging through Beast Boy's body. When at last the electricity stopped, he collapsed in a heap on the ground.

"Beast Boy!" Robin shouted, and the Titans ran to his aid.

Beast Boy slowly got up. "I-- I'm okay, I think," he said weakly.

"What happened?" Starfire asked with concern.

"I don't know. I guess I just got carried away." He tried to laugh it off, but he was clearly troubled. He stood up and limped out of the simulator and headed toward his room.

All of the Titans were concerned, but Raven was especially worried. She remembered her dream and a haunting thought came to her mind. She tried not to think about it, but she could no longer deny what seemed inevitable.

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Raven burst through the door to her room. She rushed over to where she kept her gem. As she examined it, she could tell that it was dead; all of the darkness had left it.

"No!" Raven gasped in horror.

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Beast Boy had been in his room for a few hours. Every few minutes an intense, sharp pain penetrated his heart, and it grew more and more unbearable with each occurrence. What's going on? Beast Boy asked himself. He then glanced back at the scar on his hand. Did I really absorb the darkness from that gem? What am I going to do? His mind was riddled with questions, but he couldn't figure out any answers.

Suddenly, another attack of pain struck. This time, however, Beast Boy felt it spread throughout his entire body. His muscles became tense and he could barely stand up. He held his throbbing head to try to steady himself, but to no avail.

"No!" Beast Boy moaned. "I can't let it get me... I've gotta fight..." He struggled to regain control of his body as the darkness consumed him. His thoughts became cloudy and he was overcome with rage. His eyes turned a glowing red yet again. He let out one final shout before he fell to the ground and blacked out.

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There's Chapter 2. I hope it's interesting.

Please Review.