Hey everyone! Here's Chapter 7! This one is pretty short, but I hope to upload the next chapter really soon! Hope you enjoy :)
RPGPersona: They're definitely having a difficult time getting information about the mission, with all the hostility and all. I enjoy including the more personal, thought-based moments with Beast Boy. I feel like that's something Childlike lacked (and with good reason, in my opinion based on the plot of the story), so I'm excited to use that writing method in this story. I feel like it adds a lot more detail into the thought processes that he deals with, and separates his information well from that of the rest of the team. That was an enjoyable yet painful scene to write, with all the bad memories at once. And, of course, it allowed for me to write another BBRae scene, which I enjoyed a lot haha. Glad you're enjoying the story :)
Please keep reading and reviewing!
The morning came faster than the teens had hoped, with the sunrise light feeling more like an intruder than a welcomed visitor. The team groggily made their way out of their rooms and outside to where the previous night's fire sat. Robin was the first to arrive, with Starfire and Cyborg not far behind, and Raven and Beast Boy taking up the rear. When everyone was finally gathered, Robin took no time before beginning to address the team.
"I was thinking about how we should proceed in this mission, and I think we should begin a more in-depth search," he started, "A lot of the reported sightings take place in the jungle, specifically near the waterfall. I believe that that will be the best place for us to begin our search."
The team nodded in agreement before Cyborg spoke up.
"Yeah, almost all of the sightings were there. Seems reasonable enough," he said.
"Should we alert Abioye to our search?" Starfire asked, concerned about further upsetting the skeptical tribe leader.
"Yeah, that would probably be a good thing to do. We'd likely hear about it if we didn't," Robin agreed, "Cyborg, did you end up looking over those samples last night?"
"I did, but didn't figure out too much," Cyborg started, "I was able to analyze the DNA and figure out just how the disease affects the victims on a cellular level, but wasn't able to figure out much else. I can't find a way to reverse or eradicate the disease. I know it can be treated, but I haven't figured it out yet," he motioned towards Beast Boy, "B, do you know anything about how it was treated with you?"
Beast Boy thought for a moment before responding.
"Not really, no. I was pretty young when it happened to me, and I don't know anything about the science behind it all. Sorry," Beast Boy responded, feeling bad that he couldn't provide more information.
"It's all good; don't worry about it. If you end up remembering anything about it, anything at all, let me know, okay?" Cyborg asked, and Beast Boy nodded. "I'll keep studying it though; see if I can't find something out."
"Sounds like a good plan, Cyborg. But we should go ahead and make our way towards the village so we can update Abioye on our plans. We need to utilize the sunlight for as long as possible today if we're going to be searching," Robin said, and the team started to head towards the village.
Since they were becoming more and more familiar with the jungle path towards the village, they no longer required that Beast Boy lead the team, which he liked. Beast Boy always chose to walk behind the other Titans with the exception of Raven, who was always right by his side. Today was no different.
The team soon arrived to the village after about 30 minutes of walking. Robin led the team, followed by Starfire, Cyborg, then Beast Boy and Raven. The villagers were already out and about, having started their day early at dawn. Like always, when the teens entered the village, the villagers looked up in pause from the activity at hand to watch them. Most of them would remain silent and avoid interaction with the teens, but a select few felt the need to share their hateful words with the teens, specifically Beast Boy.
A larger man carrying a recently deceased animal carcass approached the Titans. He walked by them, but not before purposely pushing Beast Boy with his shoulder.
"Mutant," he slurred as he left, his expression laced with disgust. Beast Boy remained silent but tense, choosing not to turn it into a battle.
The team soon located Abioye and approached him.
"Greetings," Abioye said when he noticed the presence of the teens, "What business brings you to our village today?"
"We wanted to inform you of our next course of action. We are going to search the jungle for Dr. Register, focusing our search in the vicinity of the waterfall," Robin explained to the village leader.
"It sounds like you have narrowed your search. I trust that your mission is nearing completion?" Abioye asked.
"It's hard to tell if we'll be done soon or not, but we hope so. We have gathered a lot of information, so we should be able to complete our mission soon," Robin said, trying to remain as calm and orderly as possible around Abioye.
"I would trust so. Your presence is causing quite a stir in my village, and I wish to restore balance once again. But, of course, that would require you to be gone," Abioye said, directing his eyesight towards Beast Boy.
"We are working as fast and as efficiently as we can to complete this mission. We understand that you don't want us here, and trust us, we're trying to get this done as soon as possible. We'll begin our search now," Robin said, beginning to get fed up with the fueled conversation. Abioye nodded and resumed his previous activities as the teens headed off towards the jungle once again to begin their search.