-- O-Kay!!! Here it is! The big conclusion!! My profoundest thanks to Texas Silver, so far my most loyal mate! For this, you are promoted from Cabin Boy to Powder Monkey! (That means you get to clean the cannons.) As for the x-Core Writer, well at least I got some reviews from you. Now then, this marks the end of "The Trinity", but it is not the end of this little saga. More detail at the end of the story. For now-- Enjoy! - The Cap'n --
Part 14- Parting Words
(In the afternoon, a few hours before sunset, the East and South teams are preparing to leave. The West team is outside to see them off. Raven still looks like her mind is elsewhere, but she does her best to give a friendly farewell.)
Echo: Okay lads, hold still…
(Echo passes a hand over Mas and Menos.)
Mas: "Did it work?"
Menos: "Oh yeah!"
Twins: "Now we sound like us again! Thanks!"
Echo: (smiling) No problem lads!
(Shotman steps forward and shakes Speedy's hand.)
Shotman: I will challenge you again, my sharp-eyed friend. But next time, I will win!
Speedy: Just keep telling yourself that.
(Shotman grins and steps back to allow Aqualad to get by.)
Aqualad: Catch you later Medic. You know, someday somebody's going to surprise you and kick your butt in a video game!
Medic: I do not think that will ever happen, but, who is to say? Farewell, Beast Boy my friend. And you as well, Terra. I wish your relationship the best of luck.
(Terra blushes.)
Terra: Thanks…
Beast Boy: Hey, just hang in there, dude! Maybe someday, you can get yourself a girlfriend too!
(Medic shivers.)
Medic: Not if she never thinks to look here…
Beast Boy: What?
Medic: Nothing!
(Bumblebee hovers over to Cyborg.)
Bumblebee: See you, Sparky! Hey, don't forget to call me!
Cyborg: If I remember it!
Bumblebee: You better remember, wise guy, or you're gonna get it!
Cyborg: Oh yeah?
(In response, Bumblebee shrinks down to a tiny size and zooms in, aiming a fist at Cyborg. He cringes, shutting his eyes. She flits down at that moment, and plants a tiny kiss on his organic cheek, leaving a doll-sized lip print.)
Cyborg: Hey!
(Gemini is backing away towards the ship with a terrified expression.)
Gemini: No! No, stay back! Not again! Noooo!
(Gemini screams in pain as her spine turns to liquid in Starfire's farewell hug.)
Starfire: Thank you friend! You have allowed me to achieve that which I have desired for so long!
Gemini: Owww…Robin, I really hope you can deal with this better than I can!
(Robin steps forward and puts an arm around Starfire's waist, pulling her to him.)
Robin: (smiling) Don't worry, I don't think it'll be too hard…
(Déjà Vu steps forward and grins at Mas and Menos.)
Déjà: Come to Harbor City and visit sometime! I can introduce you to all of the fast women down there!
Gemini: You neglect to mention, I notice, that they're so fast because they're running away from you all the time…
(Photon exits the Tower. He is in his hologram, but his expression is blank. After he left everyone before, he wasn't seen for the rest of the day. He passes by everyone, shaking their hands. Bumblebee growls and raises a fist as he turns from her, but Cyborg grabs her wrist and shakes his head. When Photon finally gets to Raven, he gives her his usual contempt-filled glare that is reserved for her before shaking her hand. As he breaks contact, however, Raven feels something hard come away in her hand. As Photon walks away, something nags at her mind.)
Raven: (thinking) What was that…? It's the same look he always gives me, but something was missing… Like his heart just wasn't in it… Hm?
(She glances in her hand, seeing that she was given a piece of paper that is wrapped around something. She unwraps it carefully, and her eyes widen. In her hand is a small crystal, glittering brilliantly in the afternoon sunlight.)
Raven: (thinking) This is a-!
(Noticing words on the inside of the wrapping, Raven reads them over silently;
"Raven-
Though I was originally planning to kill my emotions while I was inside my mind, I instead took the liberty of destroying all of the hatred and bitterness that has been choking my heart for the last five years; I am finally free to feel what I want. In light of this, I wish to apologize for the way I overreacted last night. It was nothing more than a conditioned response. In truth, I meant every word I told you on the roof, and I would like to try to make things work between us, if you will have me. If not, I understand; I do not deserve another chance, after all. If so, on the other hand, please let me know soon. This time, however, I think it would be best if we started off slowly, as opposed to how I behaved under the Spring Fever's influence. The crystal you hold, as I'm sure you've figured out, will allow you to link your crystal ball with mine, so we can always see each other. One last thing; you asked me before, but I never finished my answer. My true name is Gabriel.
–There for you always, Photon. PS- I was under the effects of the virus when I said it first, but it is true: you really do have beautiful eyes."
Raven blushes and gasps as she finishes. She glances up, not daring to believe it, then sees that he is looking back at her and smiling; a real smile, filled with warmth, the first he has ever had. He then makes a small gesture, and a ball of red light rises out of the crystal. It hangs in the air over Raven's hand, then forms into a heart. She stares at it, and a warm feeling starts to spread through her body.)
Raven: (thinking) Gabriel…that's a great name…
(Photon waves to her, and starts to head towards the gangplank of the "Neptune's Crescendo". A slow smile spreads across Raven's red-tinted face, then she rushes forward and embraces him from behind. Photon stands shocked for a moment, then smiles again and lightly touches her hands. At that moment, as Raven squeezes a little more tightly, a realization hits him, and he chuckles inwardly.)
Photon: (thinking) Black Queen captures White Knight…Checkmate.
(The others stare at these two for a moment, slightly confused, then they all smile and decide to leave explanations for another time. Robin steps forward to say goodbye to the other two leaders.)
Robin: Thanks again for all your help.
Bumblebee: Anytime, Robin! Don't hesitate to call when you need us!
Echo: Aye! No villain stands a chance against the Teen Titan Trinity!
Robin: Trinity?
Echo: Sure! There's three of us teams, aren't there?
Robin: Trinity… (grins) Interesting ring to that…
(The three leaders clasp hands, then all head back to their respective transports.)
Bumblebee: See you guys around! Titans East, move out!
(The air ship takes off with a roar. On the way back to Steel City, Speedy raises a problem.)
Speedy: I'm getting hungry. Can we stop somewhere?
Bumblebee: This is why you eat at the party! …But why not? What do you want?
(Mas and Menos glance out the window, then begin yelling excitedly. They are pointing to… a fish taco stand.)
Aqualad: No!!
(The South team raises their T-flag, and they all wave down to the West team from the rail of the ship.)
Echo: Farewell Robin! And ye too, Star! Good luck to ye! Weigh anchor! Spread the sails! We're off with the tide!
(The ship heads out into the sea. Once they hit open water, Déjà turns to Photon.)
Déjà: Okay, tell all, you sneaky sorcerer!
Photon: What?
Déjà: You allowed Mademoiselle Raven to embrace you! You did not insult her! You…you smiled! At her! Are you sick, mon frere?
(Photon is quiet at first, then he smiles and gives a small laugh.)
Photon: No, my friend. I'm not sick. In fact…I'm feeling much better than I have in a very long time…
(Unable to deal with the idea of Photon laughing, smiling, and referring to him as "friend" in one sentence, Déjà Vu collapses in a dead faint.)
Medic: Then, you count us as friends now?
Photon: (smiling) Yes. (He looks right at Gemini here.) All of you.
Medic: So, does this mean you will also play video games with me?
(Photon's smile fades.)
Photon: Don't push it.
(One week later, at the West Tower, Robin is dragging a huge bag of mail into the War Room.)
Terra: Fan mail?
Robin: Let's see…
(He overturns the bag, and hundreds of black envelopes pour out. They are all covered with threatening symbols, the word "DIE!!" and quite a few other words that should never be printed. Robin looks at a few.)
Robin: These are from all over Harbor City…and they're all addressed to you, Raven.
(As Raven later finds out from a little bird in her crystal ball, Déjà Vu couldn't keep his mouth shut to Photon's fan club.)
Raven: Who cares? It'll die down eventually…
(At that moment, the alarm blares.)
Terra: Alright! Hero time!
Beast Boy: What is it this time?
(Robin scans the readout.)
Robin: A breakout from the prison. One guy. And now the blood bank is being attacked. (growls) This guy just won't learn his lesson…
Starfire: Then let us instruct him!
Robin: Right on. Titans, go!
HAPPY END!!
-- Woo-hoo! See, it all worked out okay! I don't know if anyone caught this, but if you look again at the romantic points in the story, you might see that I've been keeping a limiter on myself; that being trying to write something decently romantic, without once using the phrase "I love you". I think I performed admirably on that point, but that's just one pirate's opinion. Try it yourself, it's not hard! PS- Attention all anti-RavenxOC people: flame me if you can! You'll still never find me! I am invincible! Mwahahahahaha! Ahem Now, as promised, some details on the next installment. I am going on temporary hiatus from this site for three reasons. First, to finish writing the second half of "Beneath the Ice". Second, to get my stuff together for another school semester. Lastly, I am mad at the number of you out there who are reading and not reviewing. Freeloadin' Bilgerats!! Silver, x-Core, you two are forgiven. Now, that being said, I shall return in three to four weeks for the next story! Good sailin' shipmates! – The Cap'n --
Bonus!!!! Latin-to-English: A Guide to Photon's Crazy Spellwork! I don't know if the grammer is correct, and I don't really give a crap!!
Quinque Caelestis Defigo Signo- "The Five Divine Binding Seals"; a powerful spell that holds the victim in place, then uses the formation of the five seals to create a beam of magic that inflicts great pain and usually drains the victim's special powers for a whole day. Depending on the magical strength of the caster, the powers can be drained for weeks, months, or even years at a time.
Corpus Hecate Dominatio- "The Magic Controls My Body"; also called "Intention Combat" this fighting style takes the caster's last thoughts at the time it was cast, and turns off the mind temporarily. The caster's personal magic then absorbs as much of it's own element as it can from the surroundings and does whatever it takes to make the body fulfill the last thoughts. This fighting style is extremely powerful and dangerous to the user.
Aperio- "Reveal"; a simple spell that forces Echo and Photon's sealed promise to become visible.
Delitesco- "Conceal"; Another small spell to make the promise seal invisible.