Disclaimer: I have no ownership of Teen Titans
Chapter 7
Beast Boy returned to the village and placed his package in the hut he'd taken residence in. He then went to King Tawaba's so he could have another talk with him. In all honesty, the king was surprised to see him again so soon.
"You've made your decision already?" he asked. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure," said Beast Boy. "I want to take the trials."
King Tawaba smiled and said, "I'm very glad you've decided this. It will be rough, but I know you'll be able to do it."
Beast Boy smiled in return and said, "So, what's the first trail?"
"You've passed it!" laughed King Tawaba.
"What?" said Beast Boy, confused.
"The first trial in the Trials of Manhood is that you must make the decision to take on the trials," said King Tawaba. "You've successfully completed this trial and now I shall tell you the next trial you are to complete."
"Okay, cool, what is it?" asked Beast Boy.
"You must survive on your own for three days and three nights," said King Tawaba.
Beast Boy stared at the king for a moment. "Survive on my own?" he asked.
"That's right," said King Tawaba. "I will blindfold you and lead you into the jungle. I will leave you there and you must survive until I come back to get you three days later."
"Oh, uh, great," said Beast Boy, who wasn't exactly excited about this. The last time he'd been alone in the jungle he'd been bitten by the Sakutia infected monkey that had nearly killed him. "So, when do we do this?"
"I will take you out tomorrow morning," said King Tawaba.
"Tomorrow?!" said Beast Boy. "That soon?"
"Don't worry, you'll do fine," said King Tawaba.
Beast Boy soon left King Tawaba and was met by Aiyana, who had been waiting for him outside of the hut. As soon as he came out she smiled and asked, "So, what did you guys talk about? I haven't seen you for hours!"
"I'm taking The Trials of Manhood," said Beast Boy.
Aiyana's eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. "You're taking the trials? Wow, this is a big deal."
"Evidently," said Beast Boy. "And I've already completed the first one and I'm gonna do the second one tomorrow."
"What is it?" she asked, curiously.
"I don't know if I'm supposed to tell you," said Beast Boy. "I mean, King Tawaba said he couldn't tell me the trials until I agreed to take them."
"Come on, Garfield, who would I tell?" Aiyana laughed. "All of my brothers have already gone through the trials and girls go through a different right of passage. So, come on, tell me."
"Well, okay," Beast Boy gave in. "I have to survive on my own for three days and nights. King Tawaba's gonna take me into the jungle tomorrow morning blindfolded and I've gotta survive until he returns in three days."
"Do you think you can do it?" she asked.
"I sure hope so," Beast Boy laughed nervously. "I mean, it's just three days."
"Well, I hope you complete the trial successfully," she said.
"Thanks," said Beast Boy. "Well, I'm gonna go prepare. You know, get myself mentally prepared, or whatever. I'll see you in three days."
He went into his hut and decided to write back to all of his friends. He knew if he waited until he got back from his trial they'd ask what took him so long and if he, God forbid, didn't make it back from the trial he wanted them to at least know how much he appreciated that they missed him.
Dear Cy,
Hey dude! You're totally right, I'm going through major videogame withdrawal here. And don't get all proud of your high score just yet cuz when I come back I'll break it, easily. I can't wait to hear the new speakers in the T-car, though I might not hear them for a while. Oh, and thanks for the comic books. They'll help me remember how to read. I miss you and the team a lot and I hope you kick all the bad guy butt there is while I'm gone.
-BB
Dear Star,
Please don't be sad that I'm gone. I'll see you again someday, I promise. And I'll make sure to do an extra cute 'face' for you. And you should try to tell some jokes in my place while I'm away. There's a joke book in my room under my bed. I know you'll make me proud. And thank you so much for the picture! It was probably my favorite gift in the package. Oh, and I think getting your ears pierced is a great idea and you should totally take Raven with you. When you get them done take a picture and send it to me so I can see. Good luck!
-Beast Boy
Dear Robin,
Glad to hear you guys are surviving without me but would still rather have me there helping you out. And don't worry, I'm not coming back until I'm ready. Thanks for the tofu, I was really missing its soy beanie goodness. Oh, and heads up, Starfire's gonna attempt getting her ears pierced and she wants to Raven to do it with her. Just wanted you to know.
-Beast Boy
Dear Raven,
Thanks for sending the package and the extra magic stone. I lost the first one within seconds. You know me better than I know myself, sometimes. Anyway, I'm glad to know even you miss me. And don't say you don't, cuz I know you do. You wish my energy was there so it wasn't so uncomfortably calm. And thanks for the advice. I am gonna make this count. In fact, I've started a special right of passage into becoming a man. It's called The Trials of Manhood. When I complete all of the trials I'm gonna officially be a man, so be prepared to address me as Beast Man from now on. The thing is the trials take a real long time to complete. King Tawaba said it takes years. So it looks like I'm not coming home for a while. I thought you could break the news to the others better than I could in a letter. Thanks for the notebook and pens, I'm gonna put them to good use. And thank you so much for helping me get here and even coming with me. You're a really good friend.
-Beast Boy, soon to be Beast Man
Satisfied with his work he folded the letters, put the name of the person they were to go to on them, and then put them in a nice pile on the floor. He picked the stone up, unsure if this would really work, and dropped it onto the letters. In a puff of smoke the letters, and the stone, was gone.
"Wow, it really worked," he said to himself. "Gotta give Raven credit, she really knows her magic."
He then got to work making himself a nice meal with the tofu Robin had gotten him. It took a while, but the end result was very satisfying. He then grabbed his new comic books and began to read each one. As much as he loved being in Upper Lamumba, he did miss a few of the little things from home like comic books.
By the time he'd finished them the sun had set and night was approaching. With the last of light quickly fading away he decided to take a good look at the picture Starfire had sent him. Cyborg towered behind the group, smiling and waving. Starfire had one arm wrapped around Robin's shoulders and she was waving enthusiastically as well. Robin had one arm wrapped around Starfire's waist and was standing proud. Raven was standing with her arms crossed and though she was facing the camera, her eyes were staring off to the left. What surprised him was that her hood was down.
Soon the land was completely dark and he decided he should get some rest. He had no idea how early King Tawaba was going to get him up, but he knew it'd be far earlier than he'd be ready for. So, with a full stomach and knowledge that all of his friends missed him, he slipped into a peaceful slumber.
"Garfield, it is time."
Beast Boy awoke with a start to see a large figure looming over him. He gave a startled scream and jumped up. It was very dark, but with his heightened eyesight he was able to see it was King Tawaba.
"What? What's going on?" he asked, confused.
"It's time for you to begin the second trial," said King Tawaba. "Come."
The king led Beast Boy out of his hut and then wrapped a blindfold around his head. From there he was lead out of the village and into the nearby jungle. Beast Boy felt as if he'd gotten barely any sleep at all and wanted to turn around and go back to his nice little hut. But, he knew he couldn't turn back. He had to follow through with this trial or he'd be kicked out of the village.
After what seemed like hours of walking, King Tawaba stopped and took the blindfold off of Beast Boy. Beast Boy rubbed his eyes and looked around. Again, had he not had heightened vision he wouldn't have been able to see a thing. But he could see that they were deep in the jungle and he could hear the various creatures of the night still lurking.
"And now, I will leave you," said King Tawaba. "Good luck and I'll come for you in three days."
"Okay, thanks," said Beast Boy.
King Tawaba turned and was about to leave, but paused and turned back. "Oh, and, Garfield?"
"Yeah?" Beast Boy yawned.
"You can't use your power to change into animals," said King Tawaba. "You must complete each trial in your human form."
"Oh, great," said Beast Boy, not trying to hide how much that complicated his plans for surviving our here. He then watched as his mentor headed back into the jungle. Once he could see him no longer, which didn't take long, he decided to go back to sleep. He found a soft place on the jungle floor and curled up. He knew his heightened senses would alert him if he was going to be in any danger. The ground was wet and Beast Boy already felt miserable. He knew he'd be lucky if he completed this trial.
Hours later, he awoke and found he was covered soaking wet from the humid jungle. He saw that the sun had somewhat rose, so he figured he should get up. He took his wet clothes off and placed it in one of the few sunlit areas so they could dry. He stretched and felt his stomach rumble. Now he'd have to find something to eat.
He began to walk through the thick jungle, remembering he couldn't get lost from the spot King Tawaba had brought him, looking for anything edible. He was quite glad when he found a banana tree but then realized he'd have to climb all the way up on his own to get the fruit. He took a running start then leapt up onto the tree, holding on tightly. Once he was sure he wasn't going to slide down, he slowly began to crawl his way up. The bark against his mostly bare flesh scratched and was painful, but he knew he could handle it. Once at the top he grabbed as many bunches as he could and threw them to the jungle floor, knowing the more he got the less amount of times he'd have to make this climb again. As soon as he was certain he had enough he climbed down.
He brought all of the banana bunches back to where he'd be making himself a little campsite and ate one as a small breakfast. He knew he had to find water, next. He stood silently and let his sensitive ears pick up any and all of the noises around him. And, in the far distance, he could hear running water. He grabbed two bunches of bananas and began to walk towards the sound. Every ten feet or so he'd drop a banana so he could make his way back. He just hoped they wouldn't all be picked up by the various animals around him.
After a bit of a walk he found a river with clean, clear water. He cupped his hands and drank to his heart's delight. Now that he knew where the water was he was sure he could survive the next two days and nights. He headed back towards his campsite and found that all but seven bananas had been taken. Luckily, they'd been just enough to help him find his way back. But, upon arriving back at the site, he saw that all of the other bunches were gone as well.
Maybe he wouldn't survive.