Ch 6

Robin had gotten up especially early to meet his guests on the roof. As the ship landed, he wondered how the team would take the news about Beast boy. They cared about the changeling, and they had raised him.

"Robin," said Mento as he stepped out of the ship along with Rita, Negative Man, and Robot man, "what's going on?"

"There's something you all need to know about Beast boy," said Robin as he looked over their faces.

"We all ready now Robin," said Rita as sadness swept along her face. "We just didn't know when. Before he left the Doom Patrol, we talked about what would happen when he began to feel the effects of his shape shifting crashing down on him. We were going to bring Beat boy back to Africa and to the tribe leader who first raised after his parents' death."

"He's changed his mind since then, since then," said Mento, "but I think he should go back to Africa to die."

"He's not going to die. We're going to find a way," said Robin.

"If we couldn't find a way, what makes you think you can?" asked Negative Man.

"Raven is determined to find a way and every Titans is behind her," said Robin.

"I doubt anything will come of her search," said Robot man. "You can't stop death if it's meant to happen."

"I can't believe I'm hearing this, but that's not the point. We have three villains on our hands who are threatening to put what little life Beast boy has left in danger," said Robin.

"Who are we up against?" asked Mento.

"Lets go inside and I'll debrief you about them," said Robin.

After Robin went into depth about the villains' history, he could see the determination in each and every one of their eyes to protect their family from these villains.

"Wow, these are some bad guys," said Robot man.

"And you said the big, red demon is Raven's father," said Mento.

"Yes, and he wants to use the Beast to take over the universe," said Robin.

"Well we won't let him get the green runt," said Robot man. "Over my dead body."

"So, what kind of connection does Raven have with her father?" asked Mento.

"Pure hatred," said Robin. "Did Beast boy happen to talk to you about our battle with Trigon?"

"Yes," Rita smiled. "That girl is brave to stand up to her father like that. Beast boy's so proud of her. I mean I probably should have figured it out sooner that he loved her. He always talked to me about your battles, he mentioned her every time."

"We have a lot of work to do Robin," said Mento. "Get all the Titans up, it's time to prepare for battle."

"Sounds good," Robin smiled as he disappeared down the hall.

Rita looked to Mento. "How worried are you Steve?"

"I have a bad feeling it's going to take all Beast boy has to defeat these evils. He won't make it through this battle alive," he said, not realizing Raven had heard him.

Training was brutal, leaving all the Titans tired but in good spirits. Beast boy was just glad Robin had called the Doom Patrol into this fight. At the same time he couldn't help when his mind went to a dark place. 'Their not just heroes, their my friends and my family. If anyone dies—He felt a strong hand on his shoulder.

"Don't think so pessimistic Beast boy," said Mento as he looked around the room to see all of its heroes. "You know I've never seen so many heroes in one room before."

"Are you trying to distract me?"

"We all know the risks Beast boy."

"Do you think we can win without casualties?"

"What are you thinking?"

"I don't want anyone to die for me. I'm just—

"If you want to see tomorrow, don't even think about finishing that sentence," said Raven. "You're just as important than anyone else in this room."

Beast boy could practically feel the anger radiating off of his girlfriend. "I appreciate you saying that Rae but are you ok?" he asked as he touched her shoulder.

She looked to Mento. "I don't know. Why don't you ask Mento about the conversation he had with the rest of the Doom Patrol members?"

"This is not the time to deal with this right now," said Mento. "We have more important things to think about."

"He's right. I don't know what I was thinking," said Raven as she chanted her magical words to calm down.

"I know what it's about Raven," said BB. "Mento and the rest of the team didn't even think I would live to see my tenth birthday. Before you came and saved my life as a child, I had accepted death as a part of my life that day and many other days to come."

"Well I can't accept that. I will not let you die. I will find a way so help me Azar, and you can't stop me!" she said as she walked out of the training room.

"That girl really loves you Beast boy," said Mento. "I have a feeling she'd do just about anything to save your life."

"That's what I'm afraid of," said BB as he left to find Raven.

Walking straight into her room, he saw her gather up books with her powers, settle down on the floor, and began reading. BB couldn't help but smile as he sat down next to her. "If you're just going to sit there and stare at me, then leave but if you want to help, grab a book and AH!" she screamed as BB attacked her. "Garfield what are you th—She was interrupted by his crying. She held him tight, crying tears of her own.

BB awoke to realize he was lying with a bunch of books on Raven's floor without Raven. Sitting up, he heard footsteps behind him so he got up and turned around to see a freshly showered and clothed Raven. "You should probably shower."

"Yeah," he said as he walked up to her, kissed her passionately on the lips, and ran out of the room.

Raven managed to find her balance from the mind-blowing kiss her boyfriend had just given her. As she sat down on the bed, a knock came to her door. She got up and opened the door to see her grandparents, uncle and aunt. "Come in," said Raven as she stood aside, "what are you doing—

"We heard about Trigon's return," said Craven.

"And we're here to fight," said Zinthos.

After Beast boy took his shower, he got some breakfast and as he was eating, he could feel eyes on him, which made him feel uneasy. He turned to see Bumblebee had been staring at him. He smiled at her as she came into the kitchen.

"Hey Beast boy, how are you holding up?"

"Right now I can only concentrate on defeating Trigon, Galtry, and Slade. I've really tried to think not to think about anything else."

"We've all got your back. Nothing is going to happen to you," said Bumblebee.

"Everyone's been great. I don't think there's enough words to say how thankful I am to have such great friends, family, and Raven."

"How's she doing?"

"She's good at hiding her emotions that's for sure but sometimes I can see a flash of sadness and devastation pass over her eyes, and it makes my heat break. How can I do this to her? If I don't—

"Well you shut up about that all ready! If you bring it up again, I'll have to kill you," said Raven.

Beast boy just burst out laughing, and it was caught on by Bumblebee, who saw the look on Raven's face and instantly stopped laughing. "S—sorry Rae, but it was funny."

"There's nothing funny about it Beast boy. This is your life we're talking about," said Raven.

"I know, but I'm not going to die at the hands of your father, my kidnapper, and Slade. I won't let it happen."

"Smartest thing you've said today," Raven said as she sat next to BB with a cup of tea.

"Just wait Rae," he smiled, "the day's not over yet," he said as he kissed her on the cheek, causing her to blush.

"Aw, how adorable are you two," smiled Bumblebee.

"We are adorable, aren't we Rae," he said as he put his arms around her.

Raven smiled before she laid a powerful kiss on his lips that he swore made him see fireworks. Leaning his head on her shoulder, her smell filled his sense and made him feel good. Bumblebee smiled at the couple before leaving to find her own boyfriend. She felt he could use some comforting.

"I love you," she said softly to the green changeling.

"I love you to Rae," he said as he removed his head from her shoulder to lean in and kiss her.

After his kiss, they wrapped up in each other. Heated kisses were exchanged as well as arm limbs groping onto one another to make sure what they were touching was real. No one was going to tell them to et go of each other despite the mess Raven was creating in the living room with her emotions.

They broke apart for air to see what damage Raven's emotions caused. When she got up from her chair, she felt BB stop her. He smiled. "Let me clean it up, you need to mediate."

"Thank you Garfield," she said as she gave him one last kiss before she disappeared down the hall.

"I'd do anything for Rae," he said as he got started on the living room. It got him thinking. Maybe it was time to fight not only the villains but to live a long life.

In the middle of mediation a voice entered her mind. It made her feel hatred deep in her soul. 'Raven, my daughter, you will hand over the changeling.'

'Get. Out. NOW!'

'There is no way he will survive. I will use him to take over the universe and afterwards, he is of no concern. His fate is fixed. There is nothing you or anyone can do to stop it.'

'Want to bet? You don't know anything, and I will not let you take him!'

'Why Raven, such anger. Perhaps this changeling has a hold on your heart. It is no matter to me, for he will die after I have taken over the world, whether it is by my hands or his own genetic makeup.'

'I know what you're trying to do, but it won't work anymore. I've seen who you truly are, and it's pure evil.'

'And you were created to bring evil into the world. You're birth into the world shook Azarath. What does that make you?"

'Innocent. It wasn't my fault that I was born, but I was raised by good people who believed I could be something more than the daughter of Trigon.'

"Believe what you want daughter but deep down inside, there is darkness within you. You can't run from it.'

'You're right, but I've used it in a constructive way, and I don't even know why I'm trying to justify this to you. I don't need your approval to find my worth,' she said as she felt her anger get the best of her, 'Now. Get. Out. Of. My. HEAD!'

Coming out of her mediation, she felt the need to release the emotions chaotically swimming in her head. She phased onto the roof and flew to a deserted island and let out all she was feeling on the trees and the earth beneath her feet. Once she tired herself out, she felt her body give out as she fell to the ground. She closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing at a normal rate.

After taking another hour to mediate, she flew back to the tower, landing on the roof. She took the time to look at the view before, and she couldn't imagine never seeing this view again. So now more than ever she was determined to destroy anyone who was threatening to take this away. She wouldn't let anyone take her friends, her family, or Beast boy.

"Raven?" She turned around and smiled at her boyfriend, "everything ok?"

"Trigon contacted me while I was meditating. He tried everything in his words to weaken me, but I didn't fall," she smiled.

"Well uh that's great Rae," he said in confusion. "I'm very proud of you."

"He has no control over me anymore Garfield, and we will beat him, Slade, and Galtry."

BB smiled. "And I'm more determined to find a way to beat my condition and it's because of you Rae. I've never wanted to live more than I do right now. I want to be with you until we're old and grey."

"Me to," she said as she came into BB's arms.

Beast boy could swear he could feel her smile, but he still had his doubts. 'She doesn't know Galtry like I do. There's no way, but I have to try for everyone in the universe. I have to beat them. I have to let my past go and face what's happening right now.'

"We can do this," he said into her neck. "We have to."