Hello, Sora here! I'm back with an update on Returning. Pretty quick too, I might add. There isn't much to say this time so I'll run through my basics.
This is a Robin/Raven, Terra/Beastboy and possibly more couples to come fic. I do not intend to change it and greatly appreciate it if those whose forte is pairing flames would indeed avoid this fic, or read it politely, whichever makes them happier. Compliments and criticisms are always welcomed and encouraged, I can't get better without your help.
I do not own Teen Titans, but I think I'll be able to cope. Here we go!
6:30 the following morning found Terra pacing impatiently on the living room floor. "Are you ready yet, Raven?" she asked in frustration. Raven glanced up from her book and spared the earth mover a brief glare.
"Cool it, Terra. This spell is not easy and it's technically only meant for one person, not two. Besides, I don't really want to do this anyway."
"Yes you do," Terra countered.
"Excuse me? At no point in any conversation did I ever say 'Oh Terra, I desperately want to go to Tamaran and reopen painful wounds for both myself and my old friend'. That was your suggestion, remember?" Terra responded by rolling her eyes.
"That much sarcasm in your diet can't be healthy," she remarked.
"It's what keeps me going," Raven returned.
"Whatever. You know you'd be happier if you could see them again."
"Forgive me for being hesitant about seeing people who may still despise me," Raven bit out.
"They won't, I promise!"
"Don't make promises you can't keep."
"I'm not. It's been a long time. I'm sure they've forgiven you by now! But there's only one way to find out. You ready yet?"
"I'm about as ready as I'll ever be. Grab the bags and step into the circle." When Terra had done what she was told, Raven entered the circle as well and began her chant, hoping for the best.
"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos. Haleon, Kinthe Tamaran, Ah, Tamaran!" A bright light engulfed both of them and for a few moments, they could see nothing.
When the light blindness finally left her vision, Terra got her very first look at Tamaran. They had landed in a town bazaar, and to Terra, there was nothing more bright or exciting than this alien world. Her smile was impossibly bright and her eyes shone with joy. "Wow," she breathed.
Raven, on the other hand, sported only a soft smile. Tamaran was much like she remembered. Though she told no one, Raven had spent much of her first year alone traveling not only the world, but the galaxy. Tamaran had become something of a shopping stop for her, though she had never known Starfire was such a short distance away during those times.
"It's so busy," Terra whispered, still awed by the great sights and sounds. Indeed, there was raucous celebration stretching all up and down the streets.
"We must have come during a festival of sorts," Raven deduced. "I suppose there's only one way to find out though. Let's ask one of the locals." With that, the violet haired sorceress proceeded to snag a young man walking by. Terra watched in amazement as Raven haltingly began to speak Tamaranian. The man responded brusquely and left quickly. Raven sported a grin.
"Well, what did he say?" Terra asked.
"Aside from calling us ignorant visitors, he told me they were celebrating the princess's wedding day." Terra looked blank.
"And we're excited about this because…"
"Now we know where Starfire is," Raven finished simply. Terra looked still more confused.
"Just because we know about this wedding?"
"You're really not following, are you?"
"Sorry, I'm still pretty new at this whole visiting alien worlds and understanding vague comments thing," Terra groused and Raven relented.
"Let me try to bring you back up to speed," she said with a trace of amusement in her voice. "On Earth Starfire was just Starfire. Here, that's not the case. Here, she's also known as Princess Koriand'r. As in the princess who's wedding is being celebrated." Terra's jaw nearly scraped the ground. Raven raised her eyebrow as the blonde continued to gape.
"You really should close your mouth. You look like a dead fish…quite a delicacy on this planet if I remember correctly," Raven mused. Terra's mouth slammed shut and she tried to collect her scattered array of thoughts.
"So…Starfire is tying the knot. Maybe with Robin?" Raven flinched and Terra immediately became panicked and apologetic. Raven was her only ally, and perhaps the only person who gave a damn about her. This made Raven important to Terra, and she didn't want to hurt the dark woman.
"Could be," Raven replied in a clipped tone.
"Sorry," Terra whispered.
"It's fine." Raven answered. Terra looked sorrowful, but she tried not to let it last long. "Well," she tried again in a forced cheerful tone, "no matter the groom, Star's still getting hitched. We have to see this!" She grabbed Raven's wrist. "Come on!"
It wasn't hard to find the palace. The structure was huge and surrounded by huge throngs of people. Terra dragged Raven up the entrance way, flanked by two guards.
"Halt!" the larger of the two guards called out in harsh Tamaranian. "Only those of Noble and Royal families will be permitted to see the actual ceremonies. Peasants may wait outside as her royal highness and her groom will make an appearance after the wedding." Terra looked confused and frustrated; she really needed to learn Tamaranian. She hated being left out.
"What did he say?" she asked. Raven waved the question aside for a moment.
"Let me handle this." In the same halting Tamaranian she had used before, Raven began to explain something.
"There is no need to worry," she began soothingly. "We are both of high born families. My name is Lady Raven Roth of Azarath, born of Lady Arella and pupil of Azar." Her former title now sounded strange on her tongue. She had been just plain Raven for a very long time. The guard nodded.
"And she?" he asked, gesturing toward Terra. Raven smirked; she was still a little bitter about the "Ms. Doom and Gloom" remark. Now was a perfect time to get revenge.
"She," Raven began, "is Princess Terra of the Mole People." The guard looked long and hard at both of them before nodding.
"Welcome," he said warmly. The second guard patted them both on the shoulder and allowed them in.
Once they were safely inside the palace and out of earshot, Terra turned to Raven. "What just happened?" she asked.
"I got us in," Raven replied.
"What did the guard say?"
"Only Royal and Noble families were permitted to view the wedding."
"So you lied," Terra concluded.
"Only about you," Raven corrected. Terra stopped walking and stared at the other woman.
"So, what, you're royalty too?" she asked incredulously.
"Nobility, actually. I was born to a Noble on Azarath."
"Oh…cool. What excuse did you use for me?"
"You'll see soon enough," Raven answered almost airily. The tone set Terra on guard. Nothing good was going to come of this, she was sure of it. Terra was so lost in her worries that she did not immediately notice the fact that Raven had changed directions. When she did look up, she saw Raven was walking down a corridor adjacent to the wedding hall. "Raven! Wait up!"
And so concludes chapter four. The "Princess of the Mole People" is in honor of my brother, Mizu. He thought it would be funny, so I put it in just for him. You may be wondering why I have posted two chapters in one day. The answer is pretty simple. I have a lot written down, but not a lot typed up, so I sat down today and got productive. Expect more soon. Until next time! Sora out.
