Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Teen Titans or any characters in the DC Universe.
Beast Boy rolled over in the king size bed he shared with his wife. Raven was still asleep, which surprised the changeling as Raven always seemed to wake up first. Rubbing his eyes he looked around the room. Judging by the level of brightness that entered through the large windows he knew that it was around midday. Glancing at the alarm clock he saw that it was actually getting close to 2PM. They had been asleep for nearly 3 whole hours, which in hindsight didn't really surprise him.
Beast Boy grinned. Raven had never been so … exquisite. He curled up next to her and wrapped his arms around her chest. There would certainly more rendezvous with Timid, if this would be the end result. He kissed her bare shoulders and she stirred as she began to wake.
That was when he heard the knocking on the door.
So that's why I woke up.
"Who's there?" He called out.
"It is I, Starfire. May I enter?"
"Sure" He called back. "The door isn't locked."
Starfire opened the door and entered just as Raven was rolling over and rubbing her eyes.
"Forgive me friends for interrupting your slumber, but there is important news."
Raven rolled over and stared at the empress.
"What?" She asked tersely, clearly annoyed that Starfire had entered the room while she and Beast Boy were still in a 'compromising situation'.
"Please Raven; do not be angry with me. Nightwing sent me to tell you."
She paused and began to fidget nervously with her fingers.
"Well don't keep us waiting Star, what's the news that couldn't wait for us to get up? Did Terra run away?" Beast Boy asked her.
"No friends, it is nothing that serious. We have all been invited to dinner."
"Who invited us to dinner?" Raven asked impatiently in way that was very reminiscent of her old self. Starfire had slowly begun to learn over the past months that Raven's old acerbic personality wasn't entirely the product of her former demonic past.
"The neighbors next door have invited us." Of course, next door meant the mansion estate that was over half a mile down the road.
"You mean the Saudi Prince who's never in town?" Beast Boy asked.
"Uh huh." Starfire replied. "The invitation says that he is most anxious to meet us."
Raven rolled her eyes. "Let me guess, Nightwing already accepted and now we have to spend the evening with a spoiled member of the House of Saud and his blowhard billionaire friends?"
Starfire looked cross. "Nightwing thought that it would be a good way to meet future benefactors who might fund future branches for the Titans."
Raven sat up, covering herself with her sheet.
"Starfire, you are an Empress with a net worth of over several trillion dollars. Bruce Wayne, Lex Luthor, Bill Gates and even Carlos Slim Helu are paupers compared to you. Why should we beg these jerks for money? Half of them are probably criminals anyway." Raven complained.
Starfire crossed her arms. "Because, as Nightwing said, it will make them become 'involved' and that they will become 'stakeholders' and thus better citizens."
Raven knew it was pointless to argue. Still, she had an ace in the hole.
"I don't have anything to wear." She replied point blank. "All my formal wear is back at the Tower."
"Nightwing said that we can just wear our gala costumes. And I brought yours and Beast Boy's with us."
"Fine." Raven grumbled. "We'll go." Then she quickly corrected herself. "That is, if you want to Gar."
Beast Boy shrugged his shoulders.
"Why not?" He replied. "We won't have to cook tonight or send out for pizza."
That's right Gar, think with your stomach!
HEY! He replied telepathically.
Sorry. She replied sheepishly.
"Where's your husband? I want to talk with him about Terra before we go. And when is this anyway?"
"Richard is by the pool with the guys. The invitation says that the reception is at 4PM and dinner will be served at 6PM."
Raven sighed. "I guess we'd better get ready soon."
Starfire missed the subtle hint to leave.
"Uh Star, we could use some privacy now." Beast Boy grinned at her. "We aren't wearing any pajamas, in case you forgot."
Starfire blushed and after apologizing she walked out of the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Beast Boy hopped out of the bed and walked into the bathroom. Raven heard the shower start up.
"So what are you gonna talk with Dick about?" He called from the bathroom.
Raven got up and followed him into the shower stall. As she walked into the bathroom she saw that she had a bad case of bed head and frowned. In that regard she missed her old violet hair, which always seemed to stay straight, no matter what. As she stepped into the steamy shower stall she grabbed the soapy loofah and began to scrub her husband's sweaty back.
"I need to get into Terra's mind Gar. It's the only way were going to find out what's really happening."
"She's gonna make a fuss Rae, I'm not sure he's gonna go for it."
Raven slapped the loofah into his hand and turned around, her back ready for a scrubbing.
"We'll see about that."
The male Titans, minus Beast Boy, had been sharing some lunch and male bonding around the pool. Cyborg had grilled some buffalo burgers which the young men had consumed with fries and soda pop for lunch as the still present dirty plates bore witness to. They were all wearing their swimming trunks and relaxing while they shot the breeze.
"So what do you guys think about Raven and her 'ghosts'?" Speedy snickered. "Now I know why Bruce gave them the house. It's haauuntteeedddd!"
"Listen Speedy." Cyborg snapped. "In these matters I'll always give Raven the benefit of the doubt. Always!"
The archer raised his hands into a mock defensive posture. Mas y Menos, along with Aqualad remained silent.
"Sorry! So you're taking this seriously?"
"I am." Nightwing answered. "You guys weren't there when we fought Trigon. We would've been sunk without Raven. If she says there's a problem, then I believe her."
"I'm glad to hear you say that Dick." Raven interrupted as she and Beast Boy stepped outside into the pool area, joining the other Titans. "Because I have a request I wish to make."
Nightwing looked up at the angelic Titan, who looked anything but angelic at the moment. He knew that look on her face and he knew it meant one thing and one thing only: trouble for him.
"What is it Raven?"
"It's Terra."
The former Boy Wonder sighed. "What about her?"
"I want to go into her mind. I'm convinced that the evil presences are somehow associated with her."
Nightwing looked away from her towards the floor, then back at Raven.
"I can't force her to let you do that Raven, it's a violation of personal privacy."
Aqualad stood up, his eyes clearly expressing his alarm.
"Are you saying you think she possessed Raven?" The Atlantean asked.
Raven shook her head.
"I have no idea if that is the case. I do know that her behavior is out of character, even for her. Something is happening to her, and I want to get to the bottom of it."
"But we can't force her Raven."
"I'll do it without your permission if I have to." She threatened him.
It was times like these when Nightwing wished that someone else were the leader of the Titans, especially when it came to Raven. It was true that now that she was half angel that she was much nicer than before, but she could still be difficult and pig headed. Apparently her bitchy side was grounded in her human nature more than they had originally thought.
"Fine." He capitulated. "I'll tell her that unless she lets you probe her mind that she can't come back to Jump City with us."
Raven nodded. "That's acceptable." She glanced at her watch. "It's 3:30, shouldn't you be getting ready for the dinner party?"
"Hey, we're guys." Speedy joked. "We can get ready in less than a minute."
Raven glared at the men, who capitulated and headed back to their rooms to get ready.
"Has anyone seen Terra?" Beast Boy asked. "Does she even know about the party?"
"She didn't take her communicator." Cyborg answered. "We left her a note and the invitation in her room; I guess she'll show up when she's good and ready."
The Titans dispersed while the Logans stayed by the pool and picked up the dirty dishes.
"You do think Terra's possessed, don't you Rae."
She nodded her head silently.
"What will you do Rae?"
Raven bit her lower lip. "I guess I'll have to fight them."
Beast Boy and Raven stacked the dirty dishes and headed back into the house. They did not notice that they were being spied on, by a blond female who had watched everything from a small window in the house.
The Graysons and the Logans were the first to be ready to head over to the "neighbor's" mansion. Raven offered to fly them over there on one of her flying disks, which were now white instead of black. One of the things Beast Boy liked about Raven's now white energy was that it was warm instead of bone chilling cold as her old black energy was. There were a couple of vans in the mansion's garage, which the remaining Titans would ride over in later, once they finished getting ready.
A burly main dressed as a butler was standing by the gated entrance to the Prince's Starwood mansion. As Raven landed her flying circle he eyed them carefully but didn't even move as they approached him. Richard noticed that he had an UZI draped over his back. The two couples stopped in front of him.
"May I see your invitations?" He asked in English with an Israeli accent.
Nightwing handed the 4 invitations to the guard who examined them carefully.
"So you're the neighbors?" He asked. "Since you're superheroes with secret identities I suppose you don't have any ID's on you that I could see."
Raven frowned.
"This is pointless. If they're gonna be this rude to us why bother? Let's just go home." She suggested.
"I'm sorry miss, but how do I know that you really are the Teen Titans?"
Raven's eyes glowed white and the guard's UZI slipped away from him into Starfire's hands, and she quickly crushed the automatic weapon with her bare hands before giving it to Beast Boy who morphed into a gorilla, grabbed the guard by his coat lapels lifting him off the ground and handed him the mangled remains of his UZI back to him before setting him back down on the ground.
"My apologies." The guard replied calmly. "I wish you hadn't smashed my UZI, now I'll have to send for another one from the guard house. He turned around and unlocked the gate.
"Would you like me to call for a limo? It's quite a hike from here to the house."
Raven spread her arms and the white disk reappeared under them.
"We can manage." She replied in her monotone as they proceeded past the gates and up to the mansion.
The Titans met with more security muscle on their way up to the mansion's main entrance, where they were vetted by the last guard and were granted admission. Once inside they were greeted by a very stuffy looking butler who asked them to follow him. After filing through the palace, which dwarfed the mansion that Bruce had given them he led them to the entrance of a grand ballroom, where another butler stood guard. The first butler handed him their invitations and excused himself. The ballroom was already milling with all sorts of famous and wealthy people. Nightwing recognized Lex Luthor near the rear of the ballroom as well as a few of the younger and shapelier Hollywood starlets of the moment.
The ballroom butler looked upon their invitations and then raised his head after which he spoke in a loud voice.
"Announcing Garfield and Raven Logan of the Teen Titans!"
A few heads in the crowd looked in their direction but it was clear that they were being ignored by the masters of the universe assembled in the room. The butler gestured to the Logans to enter the room which they did.
Beast Boy opened a telepathic link to Raven. And I thought the crowds at the Mayor's parties were stuck up!
Told you we should have stayed home. She replied.
As they reached the bottom of the steps leading into the ball room they heard the butler announce the Graysons.
"Announcing Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Koriand'r of Tamaran and her Royal Consort, Nightwing of the Teen Titans!"
This time every conversation in the ballroom ceased and every eye was on the Graysons, who were greeted with applause by the celebrity and super wealthy crowd.
Too bad you aren't still a demoness Rae; he could have introduced you as Queen of whatever realm Trigon ruled.
I'll pass. She replied. Anyway, at least no one will bother us tonight. Sometimes it's good to be a nobody.
A Nobody? Rae, those people are all alive today because of you!
But they don't know about how I defeated Trigon. And they don't need to. Sometimes I'm glad we're considered second tier superheroes. It gives us some privacy.
Beast Boy grumbled. If Superman or Batman were here they'd have turned more than a few necks.
Come on Gar, we don't do for the accolades. And think about how Nightwing must feel. He's going to be ignored while everyone sucks up to Starfire.
I guess so; anyway I hope they have something vegetarian on the menu.
As Raven smiled at her husband they both noticed that the Graysons were already being mobbed by the billionaires assembled. No doubt more than a few would be jockeying for privileged trade deals with the Tamaranians. The Logans shook their heads and walked into what remained of the crowd in a vain hope to mingle. Much to their surprise they were approached by a dark man in an elegant Italian suit.
"I apologize for your underwhelming reception. I'm afraid that most of my guests are only familiar with Superman and Batman." He smiled. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mohammed al Saud, your host." He said as he extended his hand to Raven, who accepted it.
"You too are royalty if I am not mistaken Mrs. Logan." He said as he shook Garfield's hand.
"I used to be. I was never proud of the house I once belonged to."
"Yes, yes, I heard of your transformation Mrs. Logan. Tell me, have you ever had the pleasure of meeting G'bril in person?"
"No, I have not had the honor of meeting St. Gabriel, your highness."
"Perhaps someday Mrs. Logan. I want to thank you and all the Titans for coming on such short notice. It wasn't brought to my attention until today that you were present in your home. Also, I do apologize for my security detail. They can be … single minded at times."
"Uh, how did you get a bunch of Israelis to be your body guards?" Beast Boy asked. "I thought you guys don't get along."
The prince smiled. "You are quite correct Mr. Logan. But you know the saying. For the right price, anything can be acquired. And they are the best money can buy, not that they would be any match for the Titans of course."
"That goes without saying." Raven replied in her monotone.
The prince gave a slight bow to Raven.
"Now if you will please excuse me, I shall now go and greet the Empress and the Prince."
The Saudi prince strolled away and the Logans watched him as he greeted Starfire and Nightwing.
"He sure seems to know a lot about us Rae."
"Probably just his security force doing their jobs." She replied as she saw the other Titans arrive at the announcement station. She noticed that Terra was not with them.
Terra managed to hide in the house until everyone had left. She sat down on the bed in the guest room looking at the note and invitation they had left behind for her to see. The party was not what concerned her. She was panicking over Raven entering her mind and what she might find in there. She closed her eyes and cradled her head in her hands while worry and dread were consuming her. She might get kicked out for good this time, even after a whole year of good behavior.
"Terra." She heard a familiar masculine voice call her. She looked up and saw the Wild Man and her younger self standing before her.
"I knew I shouldn't have listened to you. Raven's gonna enter my mind and she's gonna find you. Once that happens I'll be finished. I'll get kicked off the team and I'll still be pregnant!"
The Wild Man cupped Terra's cheek in his palm.
"Do not worry Terra, for we have everything under control."
"You do?" She snorted. "If I refuse to let Raven explore my mind I'll be banned from the Jump City Tower. How will I get BB back if can't get close to him?"
"You have to trust us on this one Terra." Teen Terra assured her. "But you're right about not letting Raven into your mind."
"We cannot let her find me in there." The Wild Man added. "It would be disastrous. She would no doubt remove me and you would never get Garfield back."
"I can't believe that I was so stupid as to let you talk me into this." Terra moaned. "I can't go back to Garth."
"You're right; that would be a bad idea." Teen Terra reminded her. "We need to keep moving forward."
"Forward?" Terra screeched. "And just how will I do that?"
"We will make our move at the party Terra." He reassured her. "Now get ready and head over there. We don't have much time."
"What are you going to do?" Terra asked apprehensively.
"There's no time to explain." Her younger self replied. "You're gonna have to trust me. There really is no other choice Terra. There's no going back."
Terra felt a wave of despair overwhelm her. She had once again painted herself into a corner with her bad choices and decisions.
"Ok. I just hope that whatever you do will work."
"Don't worry Terra, it will work." Teen Terra replied. "I will let you know when to let me take over. But you'll have to trust me and give me complete control, otherwise we'll fail. Do you understand?"
Terra nodded. "I'll do whatever you say."
It was now 5 minutes till 6 and all the Titans, with the exception of the Graysons, had indeed been completely ignored by the Billionaires and the Hollywood glitterati. Some of the guests had been downright rude to the Titans; in particular a teen pop star who chastised the Titans for living in a luxurious bayside tower while there was a homeless problem in Jump City. Raven put her in her spot when she asked her how much she paid for her beachfront home in Malibu.
Just before the original butler appeared to inform the guests that dinner was served the announcing butler had one final guest to introduce.
"Introducing Her Highness Tara Markov, Princess in Exile from the occupied Kingdom of Markovia and member of the Teen Titans."
Terra's announcement drew far more looks than the Logan's had, and while Raven would never admit it, it bothered her. She kept an eye on the geomancer as they were led to their tables. As she expected, Starfire and Nightwing were seated at the table of honor with the host and several billionaires, including Lex Luthor. She wasn't envious as she had no use for people who just couldn't be satisfied with the fortunes they amassed and found those who had amassed it by clearly unethical means, like Lex Luthor, to be especially distasteful.
She was slightly miffed to be seated at a table at the far end of the room with the B list Hollywood starlets, most of whom she had never even heard of (even though Starfire probably knew who they were). Much to Raven's surprise the young starlets and their dates, many of them no older than the Logans, knew who Raven and Beast Boy were and lavished them with attention. Things were going smoothly as the staff was leading the last few guests to their tables until one of them led Terra to their table and sat her next to Beast Boy.
"Sorry I'm late guys. I forgot my communicator again and didn't get home until 30 minutes ago. It's a good thing I went to my room or I wouldn't have seen the note about the party."
Raven cleared her throat. "I thought you had renounced all claims to the now nonexistent crown of Markovia Terra."
Terra grinned sheepishly. "It's true, I did. I just thought it would be fun to be introduced once that way. You used to be princess too Rae. Did you also have them introduce you that way?"
"No." She replied. "I renounced any claim I might have had to that crown almost a year ago. I wouldn't even want anyone to think that I still have ties to that kingdom."
"Excuse me Mrs. Logan." A stunning red head interrupted. "What kingdom would that be?"
Raven sighed. "It's from another world and I would really prefer to not talk about it."
The red head's date, a pretty boy, no doubt a "rising star" jumped in. "It was a demon realm, right? And you renounced it when you became part angel, right?"
"That's right! You're half angel!" A brunette chimed in. "That sounds so cool."
Raven sighed as she was in no mood to discuss her shameful past with a group of strangers, but she also knew that she could not be rude to them. Noblesse oblige and all that stuff.
As Terra watched Raven field the questions she heard a voice in her head. It was Teen Terra.
Now Terra! She's distracted! Let me take over!
Terra felt apprehensive. What are you going to do?
Stop worrying Terra! Everything will be fine. But you have to let me take over! There isn't much time! We have to do it now!
Can't you at least tell me what you're going to do?
There's no time Terra. If we don't move now there won't be another chance. Do you want him or not? Because it's now or never. Either let me take over or forget about BB forever.
Terra turned and saw that Raven was still patiently explaining to her impromptu fans about her transformation into a half angel.
Ok you have my permission. Go for it.
It's about time.
Terra suddenly felt a surge of pain envelope her body and she fell to the floor, shrieking in pain. Beast Boy leaped to his feet and was at her side in an instant.
"Terra! What's the matter? Are you OK?"
Raven immediately sensed that something was amiss.
"Gar, get away from her!" She shouted as she reached for him.
Terra turned around and grinned at Beast Boy. She had 4 blood red glowing eyes. And she continued to transform until she looked like a red skinned, white haired twin of Raven. Dark tendrils emerged from under her red cape and they captured Beast Boy and quickly dragged him towards her, his resistance was futile and he disappeared into the folds of the cape.
Raven's eyes were now glowing white as her body crackled with white energy.
"Release him, monster!"
The red demoness made a mock expression of being offended.
"Now what way is that to talk to your sister Raven?"
"You are not my sister Lamia! Now release him!" She growled.
The red demoness laughed. "Make me!"
Raven fired two blasts of white energy from her fists at the demon. By this point everyone in the dining room was aware of the ruckus and the Titans were rushing to assist Raven. Unlike when she fought Trigon, the white energy did not affect Lamia, who laughed even louder.
"He's mine now Raven, and you'll never see him again! Terra and I will enjoy him thoroughly, that much I promise you."
As Lamia continued to laugh she was engulfed in a black hemisphere. It then morphed into a creature, much like Raven's black hemispheres used to convert into a large bird, except this time it was a hideous 4 eyed monster, which vanished without a trace.
"Garfield!!!" Raven screamed at the top of her lungs.
-----------------------------------
I think we were overdue for a cliffhanger.
Also, where were you guys this weekend? There were hardly any hits for the previous chapter (OK there were over 100, but that's WAY below normal).
I'm not boring you, am I?