32 Productions Presents…

A Teen Titan Fan Fiction The New Titans in…

"Sibling Rivalry"

Chapter Two

Hallway

Conjure stood outside M's room, tray of brownies in hand. Her heart was going a mile a minute, but she controlled herself. Now was the time. She was going to make her move, right now! May Azar bless her in her time of need! She moved to knock and just as her knuckles rapped against the metal surface, she saw another hand doing the same. Turning, she found herself staring into the purple eyes of her sister.

Ebony: The hell are you doing?

Conjure: I could as you the same question…but without the swearing.

Ebony: I'm giving M my gift for Valentine's Day.

Conjure: That's what I'm doing.

Ebony: Brownies? That's your present?

Conjure didn't like her sister's tone of voice. Was it possible that… Her empathic abilities told her it was! Her own sister was nosing in on her man! …her…soon to be man. Whatever. You know what she means.

Conjure: My gift was from the heart. More then I can say for your store bought gift.

Ebony: Oh, you can take your "gift from the heart" and…

The door slid open. The two turned from each other to face M and held out their presents.

Both: Happy Valentine's Day, M!

M: Yeah, that's great. I gotta use the bathroom, so if you could just…wait, I can teleport. Duh.

And with those brief words, he was gone. The two waited patiently and silently. Finally he returned and they held their gifts out again.

Both: Happy Valentine's Day, M!

M: Hey, alright! Brownies!

Ah ha! Conjure tried not to look smug, wanting to be humble for her sister. After all, it wasn't her fault for making… M looked in the bag presented to him.

M: Holy wheat toast! I've been looking for this game everywhere! How'd you get it?

Ebony: Game store owner owed me a favor.

M: Well, thanks both of you. Welp, I'm going to go play this game and eat brownies, hopefully pwning Helios at the same time. Away with me!

And with that, he was gone. The two sisters stood there, dumbfounded at what had just occurred. Finally Ebony flicked a stray strand of white hair from her face.

Ebony: He liked my present best.

Conjure: Don't be childish. …and he clearly appreciated my gift more.

Ebony: I see how this is…you want him for yourself, huh?

Conjure: He's not property to be owned.

Silence.

Ebony: So that's a "yes"?

Conjure: …yes. Look, Ebony…I don't want to fight with you over anything, let alone a boy. Can't you find someone else?

Ebony: Can't you? I found him first!

Conjure: You did not.

Ebony: Did too.

Appa: Don't take this crap from her. She's just a little brat. You're the older sister. Stronger, smarter…you're better! Make sure she knows it!

Conjure held her head. Ebony's face went from annoyed to concerned in seconds.

Ebony: Hey…hey, are you okay? Deb, what is it?

Conjure: N…nothing. Just a headache. I need to go. Pardon me.

Still holding her head, Conjure headed for her room. Her short meditation wasn't enough. She needed more. But Appa wasn't concerned. With its new found intelligence, it was quickly devising ways to keep pushing forward. It wouldn't be long. Soon…very soon…Conjure would be all hers. And the first thing Appa was going to do was change its name. "Appa"…ugh. Ebony sighed. …well, enough about her sister. There were more important things to be worried about right now. M would be hers, oh yes. How…um…possessed by her he would be. Conjure was fine. Just a headache. She said so. But what to do now…? She needed to think about this. How hard could it be?

Ebony's Room

Ebony paced the room, phone to her ear.

Ebony: Please, Mom? You got to help me out.

Raven: Honey, I'm in the middle of something. I have a husband to get something for, remember? You know, the whole thing about conception of a baby requiring participation of two people?

Ebony: Mental image…burning…mind's eye…

Raven chuckled softly on the other end.

Raven: You're just like your father. You make me laugh only when you're not trying to. Okay, what is it now? Did you do as I told you?

Ebony: Yeah but…

Wait a sec. If her mother found out it was her sister she was competing with, she may not help. Ho ho, way to catch on before it was too late! Ebony patted herself on the back mentally.

Ebony: …somebody is trying to horn in on him.

Raven: Is that so? That does make it harder. What kind of girl…it is a girl, right?

Ebony: Um…yeah.

Raven: Okay, what kind of girl are we talking about?

Ebony: Er…quiet. Calm…pretty much most of the crap I'm not.

Raven: Hmm…and the guy? What's he like?

Ebony: Kind of feisty, you know? Energetic. A little weird, but not so much that it puts you off. …I told you this before.

Raven: I was half asleep, give me a break. Wait…

Silence on the other end.

Raven: It's M, isn't it?

Ebony: …yes…

Raven: Honestly, Arella…

Ebony: What? He's CUTE, Mom. He's funny, he's kind and he's cute!

Raven: You could get a guy who's more…down to Earth.

Ebony: Oh, boo Mom.

Raven: Pardon?

Ebony: "Down to Earth"? Was that a joke?

Raven: Why would…oh. Oh Azar, did I actually…? I think I feel ill.

Ebony: Seriously, Mom…I like him, that should be enough for you.

Raven: In any case…I think you've got the best chance. Alright, try hanging around him a little more. Do things he likes to do with him, okay? And most importantly…flirt.

Ebony: M…mom!

Raven: I'm serious! But be VERY discreet. Make him ask himself if he's imagining it. Understand?

Ebony: Uh huh…okay. I think I got it. Thanks, Mom. You're the best.

Raven: Wait, I have a question for you. …do you think your father would appreciate me buying him a sweater for Valentine's Day?

Ebony sweatdropped.

Ebony: …a sweater? Mom, he doesn't even get cold.

Raven: Damnation…I'm all out of ideas. If he'd just tell me what he wanted…damnation. Screw it, I'll just get him a card. It's not like I forgot his birthday.

Ebony: …well, say hi to him for me, okay?

Raven: Of course. And if he still doesn't come around, give me another call.

Ebony: Thanks, Mom. Bye.

Raven: Talk to you later.

Ebony hung up. Okay…flirt but don't look like you're flirting…how the hell do you do that? Damn being a girl was hard.

Ebony: (muttering) Should I wear make up? ...all I have is lipstick and nail polish. …crap, who can I ask for more stuff? …Ashley! Ashley owns stuff!

Turning, Ebony dashed out of the room. To the workshop!

Conjure's Room

Shade: …Debra, what did I tell you before?

Conjure: Father, please…you know Mother would never help me. You're all I have. My only reliable source for information in this case is you.

She heard him hitting his head on something hard several times. Finally he spoke up.

Shade: I'm going to feel like an asshole for asking this…can't you ask…you know, him?

Conjure: …Mr. Logan?

Shade: Yeah.

…she loved him, she really did, but her father was a strange man. Why did he insist on never saying Mr. Logan's name?

Conjure: …I…Father, please…

Shade: Alright, alright…but next time…God forbid there IS a next time…call someone else. Please.

Conjure: I promise.

Shade: Alright, what went wrong?

Hmm…if he learned that his favorite daughter was her rival in this matter, he'd never help. Conjure was certain he loved Ebony more then her (insecure, isn't she?), after all. So…it was best to not say.

Conjure: I seem to have a rival. I'm not sure I can compete…

Shade: First off, don't sell yourself short. I'd hate to think the way I helped raised you gave you self esteem issues. Second, what are we dealing with?

How to describe her sister? Use the negatives…

Conjure: Well…she's rash…violent…difficult to compromise with…

Shade: Sounds like your mother…well, not the rash part, but…anyway. To me, that's tough competition…but I can't speak for this guy. Most wouldn't want a girl that smacks them around.

Conjure: You did.

Shade: Hey, hey, hey. I get enough of that talk around here. …I really can't advise much for you, kiddo. I mean…with your problem, it's not so easy. All I can say is be yourself…just more generous then usual.

Conjure: I see…thank you anyway, Father. I'll try my best.

Shade: Atta girl…I guess. Anyway, remember your promise. I wasn't too helpful anyway.

Too true, but Conjure didn't have the heart to say it.

Conjure: Good bye, Father.

Shade: Later, kiddo.

Conjure hung up. Okay…she could do this. She HAD to do this. There was no choice. She…she…had to meditate first. Her mind was racing. Though she would lose valuable time, the risk was too great. …she could tell this was going to be a harder session then most. With this in mind, Conjure lit some incense candles to help her relax. Sighing, she sat down and crossed her legs.

Appa: You waste what little time you have left as the controller of this body. Go on, do something fun. Go to a club, have a slumber party with your friends, go sky diving…something like that.

Conjure: Talk while you can. I'll beat you. I swear on my copy of the Book of Azar, I will beat you.

Appa: Is that right? Once I'm in control, I'll take great delight in burning that book. Or perhaps I'll use it to beat the life out of a few people. Splatter the cover with the blood of innocent people. Yes, that's what I'll do. Can't you just taste the irony? The irony of using a book that preaches pacifism to murder people?

…on second thought, Conjure didn't want it to talk while it could. She wanted it to go away. …please…

Workshop

Skeemat took off her mask and wiped her brow. …wow, she even sweats. Her admiration and disgust for her "father" knew no bounds. Admiration for being able to create such a similar thing to a real living girl…and disgust for wanting to. …eh, screw the bastard. Her project was finally COMPLETED! It had taken her over two hours to complete, but it was worth it. There was a knock on the door. …if it was Helios, she was going to say something very unkind before shutting the door in his face. Fortunately, that was not the case.

Skeemat: B…Beast Boy! Hi!

Beast Boy: Hey, Ashley. Here, this is for you.

He gave her a card. Skeemat's heart…or what passed for it…jumped. Hurray! There was no mistaking it now!

Skeemat: Um…Beast Boy…I…uh…got you something…that is, I made you something and…um…well…HERE!

Not knowing what else to say, she shoved the present into his hands. He took it, blinking.

Beast Boy: Um…thanks…what is it?

Skeemat: Oh, it's um…well, it's a room hologram projector.

Beast Boy: …and it does…?

Skeemat: Here, let me show you.

She took it back and opened a small panel on the back. There was a keypad, a thin LCD monitor, and up and down arrow buttons on it. The object itself was the size of the top of a TV table, shaped like a hexogen with a green button and a red button on the right side. It was metallic gray. …evidentially, she didn't need all that scrap metal for the project, she just wanted someone to carry the crap in for her and needed an excuse.

Skeemat: First you need to hit the green button on the side like this.

The machine beeped as she pushed the button and red beams shot out in every direction, sweeping around.

Beast Boy: Yow!

Skeemat: Relax. It's just measuring the room.

The small screen flashed, indicating that the measurements were complete.

Skeemat: Then you select the program. Let's try…beach setting.

Hitting the arrows a few times, Skeemat hit the green button again. The room seemed to shimmer before turning into a perfect replica of a beach. Even the table seemed to transform, becoming a drink stand. Only the machine itself (and them) didn't change.

Beast Boy: Whoa…

Skeemat: You like it?

Beast Boy: You made this just for me?

Skeemat: …well…yeah. I…well, that is…gaaah! Why is this so hard to say?!

Oops, that was meant to be an internal thing. Beast Boy sighed.

Beast Boy: I was really hoping you'd get over this.

Skeemat: Get over what? What are you talking about?

Taking a wild guess, Beast Boy hit the red button, shutting the device down.

Beast Boy: I'm not blind, Ashley.

Skeemat: I was that obvious?!

Damn! She thought she was being discreet. Taking a deep breath, she decided that since he knew already, it was time to give it her best shot.

Skeemat: Then…what do you say? I mean…I know I'm not human, but…I really…well…I…you know…love you.

Ta dah! She had done it! At last the words had left her mouth. …why did he look sad? That wasn't the appropriate response. Despair began to fill her.

Skeemat: What? What's wrong? Please, just give me a chance. I can be as human as you want, I just…

Beast Boy: Whoa, whoa, whoa…calm down. …that doesn't make a difference to me.

Skeemat: Then what's wrong?

Beast Boy: …the truth is I'm gay.

Twitch. Twitch, twitch. Skeemat was certain she was about to blow a fuse (assuming she had fuses in her body).

Skeemat: (quietly) You're gay?

Beast Boy: …yeah. I've known it since I was thirteen.

Skeemat: B…but the card…

Beast Boy: I got one for everybody.

Damn him and his niceness.

Skeemat: …so all this time…I've humiliated myself…worked HARD on a god damn gift, just for you…you've even KNOWN all this time that I was in love with you…AND YOU NEVER SAID ANYTHING!?

Taken aback by her sudden outburst, Beast Boy gulped. Skeemat looked ready to punch his lights out.

Skeemat: I don't mind that you're gay. I understand how that works, but f! You led me on this whole time! I…I can't believe you! Take your stupid gift! Keep it, I don't even want to be reminded that I wasted time on it!

Pushing him aside, Skeemat ran out the door, leaving her mask. She was so upset. Her thoughts were jumbled. She was honestly afraid she was malfunctioning.

Ebony: Whoa!

She collided with Ebony, causing the both of them to fall down.

Ebony: Ow…I was hoping to run into you, but not so hard…

Skeemat: (mumbling) Sorry.

Suddenly, Skeemat just felt drained. The pair stood back up.

Ebony: Um…Ashley…I need your help with something. I…are you okay?

Skeemat: …I'm fine. What's up?

Ebony: …put make up on me? I really don't know how, aside from lipstick and nail polish. Besides, I don't even own any. Can you help?

…why bother saying no? Skeemat nodded.

Skeemat: Come to my room. I'll fix you up.

Ebony: Thanks.

Main Room

Helios stared at the empty brownie pan in dismay.

Helios: You…ate them all?

Looking back from the couch where he was playing his game, M shook his head.

M: Er…actually no. I threw them out.

Helios: You WHAT?!

Picking up the floating boy, the larger one shook him frantically.

Helios: Are you insane!?

M: I couldn't eat them, man! They tasted rank! …but I didn't want to hurt her feelings, so I kind of vaporized them in an explosion a few miles away.

Helios: Oh…well, that's okay I guess.

Sitting on the couch, Helios watched him play for a few minutes.

Helios: …this game sucks.

M: I'm trying to give it a chance. She went out of their way and all. Besides, the reviews say this was great…though I'm starting to question them.

Helios: Huh? Who got you this?

M: Ebony.

Helios: What the hell, man? They didn't get me jack crap.

M: Ladies dig me, what can I say?

Snickering, Helios shook his head.

Helios: The only thing ladies "dig' about you is the fact you can disappear.

M: Bite me.

…CHOMP.

M: GAH! What the hell, man?!

Helios: You told me to.

M grumbled. It wasn't a serious attack…but it was freaky, man. You don't bite people, that's just wrong and stuff.

Helios: …seriously, this game sucks.

M: I know…I know. But I've got to at least beat it or I'll hurt Ebony's feelings.

Helios: You're way too nice.

M: And you're too round. ZING!

Helios: …I hate you.

Skeemat's Room

Ebony sat still as Skeemat applied make up to her face. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong with her friend.

Skeemat: Okay…you've got a light complexion so using something too dark will just make you look like a slut…

Ebony: Yeah, try to avoid that.

Skeemat: Not sure I have anything light enough for you.

Huffing, Ebony looked at her pale hand.

Ebony: I'm not that pale, am I?

Skeemat: Your mother is practically an albino. Of course you…you…

Skeemat couldn't take anymore. She had held it in and held it in and finally the dam she had erected in her mind had burst. The fact that she was prettying her friend up for a guy wasn't helping. She started to cry into her hands.

Ebony: Ashley? Ash, what's wrong?

Skeemat: Get out…just get out…

Ebony couldn't just leave. Not while she knew her friend was crying like that.

Ebony: Do you really want me to leave? Think about it for a sec.

…thinking…and…Skeemat lunged forward and hugged her friend, crying on her shoulder.

Skeemat: He didn't…he was…he doesn't like me…

Ebony: Who doesn't? Ashley calm down…you're shaking.

Taking a few deep breaths, Skeemat managed to calm down enough to talk sensibly.

Skeemat: That thing I was working on…it was for Beast Boy.

Ebony: I figured that.

Skeemat sat up, looking her friend in the eye.

Skeemat: WHAT?! You knew too?!

Ebony: I think the whole tower knows.

Skeemat: …son of a bitch…anyway….I gave it to him and poured my heart out and…he…he said no.

Ebony: Why?

….that was a tricky question. …on the one hand, it would be wrong to go around telling everyone he was gay. …on the other hand, he never told her NOT to tell anyone. …of course, that was probably implied. …but then again, she was royally pissed off. Sadly, with Skeemat, when she's pissed, her judgment tends to be a little altered.

Skeemat: He's gay.

Ebony: He's WHAT?! Are you sure?!

Skeemat: He came out right then and there.

Ebony: Damn…hey, come on, cheer up. Life is full of swings and misses. You just got to keep swinging until you get that grand slam.

Skeemat stared.

Skeemat: Did you just try to reassure me with a BASEBALL reference?

Ebony: I was mostly raised by my dad. Of course I used a baseball reference.
Skeemat: I was raised by my dad too…sort of…and I wouldn't use a sports reference in a situation like this.

Ebony: Look, you see what I'm trying to say, right? Back off.

Skeemat: …yeah…I guess I do. …but is it going to hurt each time?

Ebony: Like…

Skeemat: Use a sports reference and I'll make you up like a clown.

Ebony: …um…getting…um…well, it's like…falling down a very long flight of stairs.

Skeemat: …yeah, alright. I'll accept that.

Skeemat let her friend hug her some more, tears still trickling down her cheeks.

Skeemat: …Eb…no, Allie?

Ebony: Yeah, Ash?

Skeemat: …thanks for being my friend.

Ebony: You make it sound like a chore. I LIKE being your friend.
Skeemat: …I'm okay now.

She pushed away, wiping her eyes.

Skeemat: …you won't tell the others I cried, will you?

Ebony: Our secret.

Skeemat: You rule. Okay, enough gabbing, let's get you set up.

Skeemat got back to work, still hurting, but feeling better then before. She may have struck out, but she'd be damned if Ebony was too.

END PART TWO