Raven awoke feeling happier than usual. Ordinarily, this day would fill her with dread, but not anymore. She looked around her room that the familiar sights. Her desk. Her closet. Her mirror and dresser. Each held significance. Her bed, Her walls, even the floor beneath her feet. To her, each was a sacred reminder that she was alive. She was still here. And not only was she still alive, but she had a home. She had people who, despite everything, cared for her. They cared about her. She couldn't help but take some time to appreciate it all. It had been exactly one year since she had defeated her father with the help of her friends. There was no more need to fear her birthday. She could finally just enjoy the day. No longer was she reminded it was just a year closer to her father's return and her own death. Her mouth gave one real, genuine smile. Raven gave one last look around her room and moved to get out of bed, determined to enjoy whatever stupid celebrations the rest of the team had prepared. Reality had other plans it seemed. As soon as she stood up, she was hit with a splitting headache. One worse than any she had in a great while. That wasn't going to stop her though. She continued her morning routine, sure the headache would be gone by the end of her meditation.
It wasn't.
She decided to go to the Common Room for some more tea. As she walked down the halls, the pounding in her head only worsened. There was the door. Her vision was blurring now. She considered calling for help. Her four teammates were all gathered by the table with a happy birthday banner strung above them. At least asking for help would be easier now, she thought. Raven braced for the inevitable "Surprise!". Luckily, she hadn't given her friends enough credit. No one shouted. Instead, Beast Boy walked over with a plate of waffles topped with a single candle. Whipped Cream in the shape of a heart. In a voice quieter than his normal one, he spoke.
"Happy Birthday, Raven." He said something else too, but it was as if he were on the other side of the tower. At this point, Raven wanted to say something like, "Help! My brain is trying to break through my skull." All she managed was,
"Help…", before toppling forward, completely unconscious.
It had been a day and Raven hadn't awoken. Beast Boy and Cyborg were doing a morning check in the infirmary. Cyborg held a mug in one hand and a clipboard in the other.
"How do you go from being perfectly fine one day, and the next day to being in a coma?" Beast Boy exclaimed. Cyborg did his best to keep his own voice level.
"I don't know, man. That's all I can tell you for now. I still can't find anything that would cause this."
"There has to be something wrong, otherwise she wouldn't be getting weaker."
"I know but," He glanced again at all the medical instruments within the room, "I just can't figure it out. Science may not have the answer here."
Beast Boy looked at the girl connected to the machines. There had to be something they could do. An idea popped into his head, but it probably wasn't a very good one.
"What if… What if we went inside Raven's head again?"
"What?"
"You can't find the answer out here. Maybe it's in there. Maybe Raven or one of the other Ravens can tell us. Or maybe something in there is what's causing this."
"We don't know what's in her head right now. It could be even more dangerous than last time."
"So what, we just do nothing?"
"I'm not saying that. I'm just saying you need to think about it and have a plan before you go just go jumpin' in people's head."
"We wouldn't just go jumping in! We'd be prepared. Supplies and everything!"
"You know I wouldn't be able to go right? I'd need to stay out here and monitor her."
"I can go by myself."
"That's not a good idea either. We barely got out with the two of us. Look, you can talk to Robin and Star about this, but good luck convincing either of them."
"We don't know all the risks." Robin began, "What if something happened while you were in there? What if Raven…dies while you're in there?"
"I'd still feel better than if we did nothing."
"We aren't doing nothing. Cyborg's been working practically non-stop, and we have many honorary titans on the case now as well."
"And she's still dying. If there's even a chance that this'll save her, we should take it."
Robin sat down on the coach, deep in thought. Starfire got right next to Beast Boy. She had been silently observing up to this point.
"Friend, tell me please, this is not just a reckless decision, yes?"
"I don't think so. Even if it was though, it wouldn't stop me. Everyone is doing everything they can. This is something I can do." Robin stood up.
"Alright. We'll do it. However, we'll need to keep the group small. I wish it could be different, but we have the city and other factors to consider."
"How small?"
"Given everything we know, I feel it's best to just send a pair."
"So, me and Starfire, then?"
"Why do you figure?"
"I'm definitely going because I've been there before. Cyborg already said he should stay to watch Raven. You can't because you're the leader and others might need you for something. So that leaves Star."
"What do you think, Starfire?"
"If it may lead us to the solution of how to help Raven, then I accept."
"Ok, both of you get your things ready and we'll meet by Raven's door in an hour."
Robin arrived by the door first, he was a little bit early. Next was Starfire. She had on a backpack with a week's worth of supplies. Hopefully, they wouldn't be gone that long, but it didn't hurt to be prepared. Cyborg was next. He did his best to copy Robin's poker face. Beast Boy was the last to arrive. He carried just a small pack of his own.
"Alright, you two." Robin began, "Good luck and remember to be careful. Do everything you can, but if you aren't able to find anything or it gets too dangerous, just get out of there."
Starfire wrapped him in one last hug,
"We will. See you soon."
Beast Boy pressed the button to Raven's door.
"You be careful there man." Cyborg said.
"You know me. Caution is my middle name." He extended his fist toward Cyborg. Cyborg returned the gesture.
Starfire crashed into Cyborg with a hug that would have vanquished lesser machines.
"Take good care of our friend out here."
"Do the same in there."
Beast Boy and Starfire entered the room.
"Good. The mirror's still right in the same place. You ready?"
"Yes."
"Ok." Despite his fear, Beast Boy snatched the portal from the dresser and gave a long look. The otherworldly hand appeared again. This time, he didn't fight it.
"Don't worry Raven. We're coming."
More and longer chapters coming soon! Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans yatta yatta yatta. How does fanfiction even work anymore? Do we still type disclaimers? Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this one. I have most of it written so maybe I'll actually even publish all of it. That would be exciting. Anyway again, hope you enjoyed this brief look into where this story will be headed and hope you have a wonderful rest of your day. Thank you for reading!
