Ch 10

The T-ship ride to Africa was making Beast boy nervous, but he felt something else was wrong and as he looked to his former leader Mento, Mento looked back at him from his ship with concern in his eyes. As it appeared, it disappeared in his eyes.

'Beast boy,' said Mento through his mind.

'Something doesn't feel right,' said BB.

'None of this is right.'

'That's not what I meant. Is there anything you want to tell me Steve?' asked the Changeling.

'I removed Raven's memories of you and her together last night. I thought we discussed this?'

'Yeah, but I didn't decide for sure that this is what I wanted. Crap, if she ever finds out for some reason, she's going to hate me and send me to another dimension.'

'Beast boy, calm down, she won't ever know if you keep your mouth shut. Besides, I told you once I did this, there was no going back.'

'You should have asked me if I was sure.'

'I knew you would change your mind Beast boy. Love is a complicated—

'Wow, you and Rita make it look so easy,' said BB sarcastically. 'I can't believe you did this!'

'Would it have really worked out BB? Her emotions need to be kept in check. It's not exactly the best way to be in a relationship when your girlfriend can't feel.'

BB could feel the anger coursing through his veins. 'A—are you trying to piss me off?' She'll never be alone, and I'll always love her. You can't change what's in my heart!'

'Calm down Beast boy, it's time to put this aside and concentrate on the battle ahead. Our lives are on the line; your life is in danger. It's time to put foolish teenage love behind. This could very will be the most important battle of your life.'

BB broke the link and looked at each of his friends. Robin was intensely looking head. He could tell his leader was ready for the fight ahead. Starfire was looking at her boyfriend. He could tell she had a lot of pride in her leader boyfriend. Cyborg was keeping his eye on everything that was going on with the ship.

He almost couldn't look at Raven, knowing what he had done. He knew he would never forgive himself, but he risked a glance at her. She was mediating, and he couldn't help but smile at the sight. She was so beautiful to him. What he didn't expect was for Raven to open her eyes and look at him. He saw a flash of worry and a smile before she got back to meditating.

BB began to relax. He knew now that he had to focus on the battle ahead. He had to make sure everyone was safe and didn't get killed. He would deal with his pain when everything was over. 'If I make it out alive.'

'Beast boy.'

'Ah! Uh hey Rae.'

'It's Raven. How many times do we have to have this discussion?'

'You can talk all you want Rae. You know you like the nickname.'

'Sure, just as much as you like being called Garfield.'

'That's who I am now. There's no going back.'

The Titans, the Doom Patrol, and Raven's family landed in a large clearing near own of the villages in Africa. When they walked into the village, Garfield instantly recognized the people as well as the chief.

"Garfield," the man smiled at him.

"King Twaba," he said as the chief hugged him.

"It is good to see you Garfield, but I'm sorry about the circumstances."

"Did they come by here by any chance?" asked Garfield.

"Galtry came an hour before you all got here. He brought a man in a mask with him, and a demon disguised as a man."

"What did they say?" asked Garfield.

"He knew this is where you would be, and Galtry said that you would not make it out alive Garfield."

"So, they're nearby?" said Robin.

"Uh Robin," said Cyborg, "I think that mountain in the distance with the dark clouds is a dead give away."

"Cyborg's right Robin," said Raven. "My father always wants his enemies to know where he is at all times. It's how he instilled fear in others."

"Trigon is your father?" asked King Twaba, "but you possess no evil in your heart Raven."

"My mother was human and kept me towards the light."

"So she has," the chief smiled. "She is proud of you and watches over you now as you fight for this world."

"You're a medium," she said.

He nodded. "I wish you all luck. We are counting on you."

"We won't let you down King Twaba.

The mountain got close with every step they took. They were all on alert for any surprises. Every now and then Garfield would see the looks Robin and Starfire, Cyborg and Bumblebee, and Mento and Rita would give each other and he smiled. He was glad they were happy. He just hoped no one would be lost in this battle.

"It's about time you all showed up," said Galtry.

"And we'll take great pleasure in destroying you all!" said Slade.

"Not today and not ever again!" yelled Robin. "Titans Go!"

"Doom Patrol, attack!" said Mento.

It was in Garfield's instincts to morph, but he realized what would happen. His life would be cut short, so he took a breath and entered the chaos with hope in his heart. During the battle Garfield got thrown a good distance away from his friends. When he rose to join his friends, he felt an arm reach out and grab him.

"Ha, ha, ha! Changeling, we meet again."

"Let me go you monster!" he yelled.

"You're mine now changeling, and you will be my pet and help me destroy those who oppose me!"

"Why would I ever help you? You hurt your own daughter, and you've hurt so may others."

Garfield didn't get an answer in words but when he started to change into the beast, he knew he wasn't in control anymore as a collar was placed around his neck. Dread filled him before a shock traveled through his system, knocking him unconscious.

Raven fought off a group of her father's fire army when she saw her father open a portal. Her eyes widened at the green, unconscious beast held in his arms, a collar around his neck. A smirk came to the red demon's face.

"No!" she yelled as she attempted to fly towards her father and when his army reappeared in front of her, her eyes glowed white. "I don't have time for this!" she blew them away. Looking past the debris, she saw her father enter the portal. It was getting smaller as she rushed to get to her teammate in time.

She barely made it into the portal as she turned to see it disappear just before her grandparents, aunt, and uncle followed behind her. Looking forward, Trigon nor BB were in sight. She closed her eyes and tried to sense his emotions. "He must still be unconscious," said Raven. "I can't get a feeling from him."

"Raven, have you seen that collar before?" asked Craven.

"Now is not the time for questions. We have to find Beast boy," she said as she started walking.

"We need to know what the collar does in order to remove it from the changeling," said Craven.

Raven sighed. "Fine, it not only controls the powers of whoever wears it, but whoever controls the collar, controls the electrical shocks. I was tricked into wearing it when I was young and working for my father."

"How can it be removed?" asked Zinthos.

"Only Trigon or his blood can remove the collar," said Raven.

"So, you'll be able to remove it. We just need a plan," said Zinthos.

"It will be difficult, but we need to distract Trigon while Raven gets BB out of harms way and removes the collar."

"You four know how to fight?" asked Raven.

"We've learned how to fight at early ages," said Metrion. "My mom learned from her mother and my mom passed down her techniques to me," she smiled. "My husband on the other hand was born with telekinesis, and I taught him what my family passed down. So, you could see you come from a family of fighters."

"My mother didn't believe in fighting," said Raven.

"Yes, she was a pacifist and very delicate," said Azar. "It was her choice, so I let her be."

"You think she should have been strong enough to survive, and you believe she was weak," said Craven.

"She's always been so cold to me, and I know why. I just feel like she didn't fight that hard to be with me. I know it's selfish, but I wanted a mother, not someone who came by every now and then to see how my training was going." Raven stopped in her tracks to concentrate and see if she could sense Beast boy. "He's awake, confused, and angry." Her eyes went to the place where those feelings lie, and they saw huge, mountain where the skies of the planet changed from purple to a dark blood red.

"He's not very subtle," said Metrion. "So, how should we precede?"

"Cautiously by foot, we don't want to bring attention to ourselves," said Raven,

"Do you think he has some idea that we're here?" asked Zinthos.

"Not yet but we should get going," said Raven. "Who knows how much time we have until he does," she said as she followed her family to uncertainty. She couldn't help but worry about Beast boy. She knew what Trigon was capable of. 'Please be all right.'