Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, or Beauty and the Beast

AN: Hi everyone, finally back! Hahaha, sorry for the long wait! -

Hope you enjoy the newest chapter! Please please please review!

Chapter 12:

Hours later, Raven sat on her bed in the mediation position, halfway through her fifth book. Her eyes seemed to fly over the pages. She had stayed in the library long after the Beast had departed. Now she was reading in her room until she had to prepare for dinner.

Raven climbed up one of the many ladders to the topmost shelf. Her hands gingerly traced the titles of the many books, some she had read, some she hadn't, and some she had never even heard of. It was those books that she was the most excited to read.

"Raven?" the Beast called up to her.

Startled, Raven nearly lost her balance. She climbed down, two books under her arm. The Beast grinned at her. His many teeth would have looked menacing the night before. Now, she managed a small smile back.

"I figured you liked books, but I didn't know that you liked them that much!"

Raven's eyes narrowed a bit. Jeering voices suddenly came into her head, it just like that time…

"So, I'm freak with powers and an obsession with books. What do I care?" She said with venom., the words lashed out like an attack. Why was she so tense? Part of her knew that the Beast hadn't meant it that way, but still she couldn't help remembering those who had. The Beast looked hurt, but when he opened his mouth…

"Don't put words in my mouth, I wasn't trying to upset you. So don't get upset!" he yelled forcefully.

Raven looked at him, shocked. He began to pace a little; she could tell he was very nervous. He continued to walk and he growled slightly. She just looked at him, unfazed. At last he stopped and spoke again, very carefully.

"Raven, your powers…they're not new to me as you can tell. And you saved my life with them. I can only begin to repay you."

Raven's eyes widened in surprise.

"No!" she stammered "You have already done so much for me. You saved my life. I should be repaying you! And this…" she gestured around the library "is more than I could ever ask for. I-I'm not used to people being so nice to me. People are usually afraid of me. I'm sorry for misunderstanding…" She stopped rambling, her face burned. She had never let her guard down so much. It was dangerous, she knew, but she couldn't help it.

The Beast looked sympathetic.

"I understand. If you want me to stop being nice I will." He laughed at his joke, ruining the would-have-been-tender moment.

Raven shot him a look.

"You aren't funny." But she smiled anyway.

The Beast suddenly became serious.

"Raven? Will you….join me for dinner tonight?"

Raven's eyes widened. She looked up into his eyes and saw the hopefulness there. She bit her lip nervously. Her stomach turned over. Why was she feeling so anxious? A few books tumbled off the shelves. The pair turned their heads at the noise. The Beast looked back at her, crestfallen.

"It's alright if you don't want to. I understand…"

"No I want to!" She looked up at him quickly. "I would love to. Please don't think otherwise."

The Beast looked ecstatic which made Raven feel embarrassed. They bade their farewells at last. As he left and Raven turned back to the library, she smiled slightly. More books fell to the floor as she took a deep breath. Never before had she felt like this. She liked it.

Later, when she was heading back to her room, Raven was startled by a small cough. She turned in the hallway to see a pair of tired, wrinkled eyes gazing at her from a cracked open door. She took a step towards the door, when the occupant shut it quickly. She hadn't thought there was anyone else here besides those she had already met. On a whim she opened another door next to the one with the eyes. It was an orderly room. Various weapons hung on a large wall opposite where she was standing. The desk was tidy with paperwork stacked neatly, quills lay out precisely and ink jars in various colors all lined up in a row. The small bed was neatly made in the corner. An empty wash basin sat on a table next the bed; a small linen towel was folded next to it. There was dust everywhere. Raven ran her finger along the edge of the desk. It came up almost black. Whoever lived in this room had not been in here for a long, long time. Raven shut the door behind her as she left, feeling like she had just trespassed on something. What happened at this castle?

Raven tried many other doors and was greeted with the same picture. Empty, abandoned rooms. The last door she tried, however, was occupied. This room was dirty as well. Linens and clothes and empty plates lay everywhere. In the bed, lay the silhouette of someone sleeping. It must have been a deep sleep because whoever it was (their face was covered by the simple white blanket) never even moved. Raven let out a small gasp and left quickly, at last back to her own room and consumed herself in her finds from the library.

There was a knock on her door.

"Come in." Raven called out.

The door opened and in walked Bumblebee and Kori. In her hands, Kori held a bag full of various hair accessories.

"Friend Raven! I was so hoping that you, Bumblebee, and I could engage in the girl talk while decorating our hair with these delightful ornaments."

Over Kori's shoulder, Bumblebee made several disgusted faces at Raven. This provoked one of Raven's patented half-smiles.

"Okay," she said quietly. "I actually have some questions for the two of you."

Kori and Bumblebee took a seat alongside Raven on the bed. Kori dumped out the contents of her bag and began clipping bright pink flower clips into her hair.

Raven set her book aside and took a deep breath.

"What happened here? What is the curse? Why are there people hiding and why are so many rooms abandoned? What happened?"

Kori stopped clipping. She and Bumblebee exchanged frightened glances, as if talking about the curse would worsen it. The two of them opened and closed their mouths, looking like a pair of fish.

"Please," said Raven. "I would really like to know."

Bumblebee took a deep breath and spoke at last.

"It's so hard to explain. You can't even contemplate it if you haven't experienced it. The changes that we underwent. This used to be a beautiful and happy castle. There were so many people here. Everyone was so…happy. Prince Garfield was so kind. Then, one night he opened his door to the wrong person. An enchantress named Terra. She had powers like yours Raven. She was gifted with manipulating the earth. But she couldn't control it and she nearly killed Gar. But he forgave her and vowed never to tell her secret that she couldn't control her powers. It was only a misunderstanding. She thought that he betrayed her trust and she cursed us all. The castle became a dark place. Our sorcerer, Rorik, was turned into a dragon for it was him who Terra overheard talking about her. He now is known as Malchior. I've been told that you've already met. The rest of us became drained and depressed. We didn't know what would happen when we left. There were some who were brave and tried to go for help. Speedy's father was the first to go. He was Captain of the Guard. He and everyone else who went disappeared and were never heard from again and are now presumed to be dead. Those who are "hiding" as you put it are those who have lost all hope and will. Some of us believe that the curse will never be broken. Yes, we turn invisible and grow ill instantaneously as soon as we leave the grounds. This is very dangerous and that is why none of us are allowed to leave. But we all grow weak within the castle too. Its just is taking a lot longer. Speedy, Aqualad, Kori and I are really the only ones left who have the strength to go on. The castle is dying Raven. That's why it was so terrifying yet amazing when you came to us. You are like Terra in many ways. But you have brought hope back to the castle. I've never seen Gar this happy. Not since before Terra, at least. I believe he cares for you. You are the answer to his prayers, to all of our prayers."

Bumblebee finished her story abruptly. Kori remained silent but nodded slightly, agreeing with it all. Raven face was expressionless until…

"I don't know what you think I can do but you are wrong! I'm not here to save anyone. I don't want that responsibility so don't try and force it on me!"

Kori and Bee looked shocked. Tears swelled in Kori's eyes, a hurt expression on her face. Bee, however, looked skeptically at Raven, who bowed her head, ashamed at herself for losing her temper.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get angry with you. But you don't understand. I can't do anything for you. I would only hurt you. I'm bad luck. What can I do?"

Raven stopped and bit her lip. Her face burned with embarrassment and fear. Her black aura began to rise around her. Bee noticed this and reached over and embraced her, causing Raven to relax.

"Raven you don't have to do anything!" Bumblebee interjected.

"Just be yourself!" Kori added. "Now let's prepare you for dinner tonight."

Raven looked out the window and nodded. Her head was spinning. She thought of the Beast and what had happened to him. She could hardly blame him for what he had done to Robin and Victor now. She thought of the fear and hope in his eyes every time she looked into them. The curse…