A pair of footsteps echoed as the lone figured walked down the hallway, rubber soles squeaking against the shiny vinyl floor. She stopped in front of the door labeled "Infirmary", pondering her next move. As she deliberated the metal door smoothly slid open, revealing Cyborg's statuesque figure, which towered over her diminutive frame.
"Yo, Raven."
"Hello Cyborg, how is she?"
"She's doing fine, that field first aid you gave her did wonders. I cleaned her wound or what was left of it and gave her some antibiotics. She's been in a healing trance for a while, her burn is pretty much gone, she should be waking up soon."
"I see. A healing trance."
"Yep, just like yours. I gotta say Raven, your timing was perfect. She owes you her life."
"I know." She replied in a flat voice, devoid of any emotion.
"If you want to, you can stay with her. I was just off to the kitchen to get some lunch, but I'll be back later."
"Yeah … I'll stay with her."
Raven entered the infirmary and the door slid shut behind her. Rachel was resting in a new med station, as each Titan has his or her own station, customized to their physiology. As expected, Rachel's' station was identical to Raven's.
Rachel floated in the air; her body was stiff as it gently bobbed up and down, as if she was floating on water. Raven noticed that she was not wearing her boots and was wearing some special thermal socks to keep her feet warm.
Are my feet really that big? Raven pondered as she looked down at her own two feet, which were still inside her signature blue boots.
Raven returned her gaze to her floating doppelganger, who she scrutinized carefully. She drew closer and looked at her, as if for the first time. Raven felt a chill run down her spine. Cloning was an affront to nature, something so unnatural that almost all nations had banned its practice on humans. That of course didn't stop Slade. After her rescue Raven read Robin's report. Slade had attempted to make over one hundred clones and from the records Cyborg was able to salvage there were ten alpha quality clones, thirty seven betas and the rest were epsilons.
The epsilons were substantially defective, in that they were not perfect clones as some genes shifted in the cloning process, producing healthy clones that had visible differences. Some were too short; others had eyes of the wrong color, etc.
The Betas were closer in quality, the defects were not so easily discerned but they were there. Robin would have noticed.
No clone was a perfect match. The alphas were perfect genetic copies, but that didn't mean that discrepancies would not appear during the growth stage. The biggest challenge was to get fingerprints and retinal scans to match. This happened in only four of the alpha clones.
Rachel was the most perfect of those four clones and was the only one to have Raven's memories copied into her cerebral cortex. Raven remembered feeling a chill shoot down her spine when she read that Slade destroyed all of the other clones. While she didn't relish the thought of over one hundred copies of herself walking the Earth, she was shaken by Slade's callousness, which was cold and evil even by his standards. Cyborg said that the clones were never awake, but for some reason that provided her with little consolation.
Rachel continued to float in her healing trance. She was the lucky clone, the one that actually got to live. Of course, she had unwittingly betrayed Slade, and now had a bull's eye on her back. Raven wasn't sure where she would be safer, with the veteran Titans in Jump, or far away in San Antonio, with a much greener team around her. And as Raven had witnessed firsthand, the clone was more reckless than she was. There were differences between them, which were becoming more apparent and obvious with the passage of time.
Raven focused on Rachel's face, which of course was a perfect copy of her own. How could Gar look into that face and not see the original girl it was copied from? Or did he? Was Rachel really an upgraded version of herself? Raven had furtively watched Rachel and Beast Boy sit together on the now destroyed circular coach. She remembered watching enviously as Rachel caressed the changeling, stroking his face, his neck, even his chest without manifesting any discomfort. In fact, Raven was certain that just seeing Rachel caress Beast Boy made her feel self conscious, embarrassed as if she were caressing Beast Boy herself.
Just as Raven sighed Rachel's healing trance ended and she gently floated down onto her med station bed. Raven's first instinct was to bolt, as she suddenly had no desire to face Rachel, but for some unknown reason she remained.
Rachel groaned as she woke up, instinctively reaching for where her wound used to be. She was still wearing her leotard, which had a hole where the laser hit her. She sat up and flinched, reaching again for the spot where the burn used to be.
"It's still sore, isn't it?"
Rachel turned towards Raven, looking slightly startled.
"Yes, it is. How bad was it?"
"Pretty bad, there was a lot of burned tissue." Raven said as she leaned forward to get a closer look. "There's no sign of the burn anymore. Of course, your nerves are still frayed but that will pass. You did a good job regenerating yourself. I couldn't have done a better job myself."
"Thanks, I learned from the best."
A small smile appeared on Raven's face.
"Yes, now that you mention it, you did … Rachel … back at Lexcorp, you called me 'sister', do you remember saying that?"
Rachel closed her eyes and dropped her head.
"Yes, I do remember … I … I apologize for that, that was very presumptuous of me."
Raven hesitated before replying.
"I'm your only relative, besides my mother, who lives on Azarath … she still doesn't know about you, I wonder how she would react?"
"Maybe it's better that she never learn of my existence."
"I don't know the answer to that. She didn't give birth to you, so it could be argued that she isn't your mother, but there is no doubt that she is related to you, in a strange, science fiction kind of way."
Rachel brightened.
"Raven, are you saying that we are related?"
A troubled look appeared on Raven's face.
"I suppose that we are. Whether or not we are sisters is another matter altogether."
"I understand, you have every right to reject me that way. Still, I guess I see you as my older sister."
"If it's any consolation, Rachel, you are the closest thing I've ever had to a sister. Though, you would be a bad sister."
"I would?"
"Yes, you would. You stole my boyfriend from me."
Rachel sweat dropped.
"I … the other day I suggested to Gar that I should give him back to you."
"And he refused, right?" Raven replied.
"Yes, he did. He said he wasn't a football."
Raven snorted. "Boys and their stupid sports metaphors."
Rachel giggled. "You can say that again."
Raven locked eyes with her.
"Look, I'm not a pity case, in need of charity. I know everyone thinks I'm beat, because you're nicer than me."
"I am?" Rachel asked in a skeptical voice.
"Yes, you are, now shut up, I'm not done talking. You might be nicer than me Rachel, but I'm not defeated yet and I haven't given up, I have some qualities that you don't have. I will fight for him, though not physically … and that's a promise … sister."
Raven turned and left the infirmary, just as Cyborg returned from his lunch break, with Beast Boy. They exchanged brief pleasantries, Raven informed them that Rachel was awake and she pecked the changeling on the cheek before she left. Cyborg approached the med station, where Rachel was still sitting with a happy grin on her face.
"So how are you feeling, little lady?"
Rachel turned to face him and single word popped out of her mouth.
"Sister!"
"Say what?" Beast Boy interjected. "Did Raven do something to you?"
Rachel turned towards the now closed door.
"She called me sister!"
Cyborg grinned.
"Well alriiiiight! You ladies kissed and made up."
Rachel suddenly looked apprehensive.
"Well, we didn't exactly make up; she said she was going to win Gar back."
"She did?" The changeling asked in an astonished voice.
"Hoo boy, Robin isn't gonna be happy about that. Not after what happened last time." Cyborg added
"No, there won't be any fighting."
"Are you sure Raven said she would win him back? I mean, she's smart as Albert Einstein, but Raven couldn't pitch woo with a shovel. You're a lot better at that than she is."
The changeling snickered. "Chrome dome's right."
"I wouldn't underestimate her." Rachel replied.
"Then you're also as smart as Einstein." Cyborg snickered. "Ready for some tests? I just want to be sure that you're OK before I discharge you. Then you can go play with your boy toy."
"Dude! That's not cool! I'm not a toy."
"Sounds good to me." Rachel replied with a happy smile.
-( scene break )-
Raven quickly walked back to her room, phasing through the door as she arrived. She went straight to the magic chest she kept in the rear of her room, the one where she kept the book where Malchior the dragon was imprisoned. She whispered a spell and the chest unlocked itself. She raised the lid and looked inside the chest.
Over the years Raven had acquired other magical possessions that needed to be kept locked in a safe place, and few places were safer than the chest in her room. As soon as the lid was raised, Malchior greeted his captor.
"Ah, to gaze upon a beautiful girl's face, it is like a drink of fresh, sweet water for someone who has been exiled to a dry and barren desert."
"I didn't come to see you." Raven replied in a drone as she rummaged through her chest, digging through a pile of small boxes and books inside the chest.
"I see, you have come to retrieve one of your magical treasures. May I be of assistance in helping you select the right item?"
Raven continued to rummage. "I don't need your help, Malchior. I know what I'm looking for, so leave me alone or I'll throw you into the incinerator!"
"Come now, sweet Raven, throw me a bone! It's boring in here … just what are you looking for?"
"This!" She replied as she withdrew a small jewel box. She grabbed a golden chain and lifted it out of the box. At the end of the chain dangled an exquisite gem, which sparkled with a supernatural amethyst color. She stared into the gem mesmerized.
"Raven! That's the Star of Eradon! I know what powers that gem possesses."
"So do I." She replied.
"Then you also know the terrible cost of accessing those powers. Raven, you must not wear that stone!"
Raven frowned at the book.
"Since when do you care?"
"I do not, but you are my jailor. If something were to happen to you, and something terrible will happen to you if you wear it, I will be trapped in this book."
Raven snorted. "What makes you think that I'll ever let you out? As for the price, it's worth it."
"Raven, are you insane? You do know that your lifespan is reduced by the amount of time you wear the stone, and that every time you remove it, you lose an entire month of your life."
"Then I won't remove it."
"But you'll cut your remaining lifespan in half."
"That is a price I am willing to pay."
"There are other side effects, Raven, negative side effects, to wearing that jewel."
"It's worth it." She said as she raised the golden chain over her head.
"Raven! Wait! Why are you doing this? Are you doing this to win a young man's heart?"
She glared at the book. "It's none of your business."
"Oh dear, so it is about a boy … Raven … you are a talented sorceress and a powerful demoness. Why are you throwing yourself away like this?"
Still holding the chain over her head, she replied: "Because I love him."
Malchior heaved an exasperated sigh as Raven slipped the chain around her neck.
Her eyes bulged and she gasped. She fell down on all fours and was clearly in pain.
"I told you there would be side effects."
"Shut up!" She hissed between her clenched teeth.
Raven's body felt like it was on fire and she struggled to breathe as the magic in the jewel worked its way through her. After what felt like a short eternity the pain began to subside and slowly it decreased until it was gone. Still on all fours, she panted as she was ready to collapse from exhaustion. Sweat dripped from her face, which she wiped away with her sleeve as she stood up on what felt like rubbery legs.
"So, Raven, was it worth it?" Malchior asked.
Raven continued to pant, but soon recovered. She walked to her bureau and looked at herself in the mirror. Of course, nothing physical had changed, her face was still gray and her locks were violet, she was still Raven. But there was something else, something different. As she studied her reflection she saw it … there was a hint of softness that wasn't there before.
"Most definitely worth it, I should have done this years ago." She remarked as she closed the chest, locking it with another spell.
Raven noticed that she was drenched in sweat from the ordeal, and she decided that a quick shower was in order. As she stepped into the bathroom, she focused inwardly, looking into Nevermore. She knew that the gems powers had worked, of that she had no doubts. But nevertheless she wished to confirm it. As she looked in she saw the usual emoticlones: Happy, Timid, Brave, Rude, Love, Lust and a host of others. But there was one that was nowhere to be found: Rage.
Raven raised the gem so it was in front of her eyes, in addition to its usual amethyst color; it had a slight hint of crimson red. Rage was imprisoned in the gem, outside of Raven's psyche, and would remain there as long as she wore the necklace.
She stripped down, and wearing nothing but the necklace, she showered. Once she was done, she smiled. She had never felt so clean in her entire life.
She then pondered the costs that Malchior had mentioned: A lifespan reduce by half. The price was indeed steep.
"It's totally worth it." She murmured to herself as she dried off.
As she dressed, she hummed happily to herself.
"Now we'll see who is the best Raven, sister!"
-( scene break )-
Raven's back, though I wonder if she's going to tell Beast Boy why she never removes that necklace, not even when they make love (oops! Did I say that?). Will Beast Boy learn the truth behind the Star of Eradon, or will Raven keep that a secret? And what about Rachel? (Yeah, I know, you hate her guts.)
And I have to say, I have never seen so many thoughtful reviews. I am curious about what you think of Raven's move. Is it worth the sacrifice?
And now, for the mail bag!
FelynxTiger
Another sad chapter, at least just the beggining -n- Raven! you should've listen to Rage :c ...Jk jk :L good thing Raven's a hero at heart huh? sigh, v.v Oh Raven it's okay
i fear that the end will leave me with a sad smile and a lot of tears
see u next chapter!
Raven has a big heart, even if Rage rampages through it. Though, not any more, as long as she wears the necklace.
The Cretin
As I said you have me looking more and more like the Gordian Knot. By the time this story's done I'm gonna end up lookin like Reed Richards after gettin drunk and hittin on Wonder Woman...
Raven has come far under your hand in this story. This is some of the best character development I've seen for her in a long time. The mere choices and decisions that she has had to make in this wonderful tale have been monumentous. I can't really hate Rachel. As I said in my previous review, she doesn't deserve it. Still, that doesn't necessarily mean that I like her either. I guess you could say I'm neutral.
As before, I find it hard to leave a solid review. Gar is my all-time favorite DC superhero. More than Supes, more than Lobo, moreso even than Starfire and Raven. However, its hard for me to "get behind him" here. Some of his decisions have me nodding my head in understanding and others have me shaking my head in frustration. I have to give you kudos. My favorite DC hero and YOUUUUUU make it hard for me to like him. Hallmark of a good storyteller right there. :) I eagerly await your next installment. Take care and keep rockin
P.S. I curse you Slade Wilson for starting this whole thing. I have a good mind to build a "Scavenger's Daughter" and stick him in it.
Slade is the Titans nemesis for a good reason. Whether as Deathstroke, or the cunning mastermind he was in the show, Slade Wilson is a force to never be underestimated.
titanfan45
Raven showed her true colors in this chapter, she again did what was right. It's true that she did briefly consider letting Rachael be taken by Slade but in the end she did what was right as she always has as a Teen Titan. Even after seeing her future with Beast Boy without Rachael in the picture, she still saved her rival. Raven is a first class Hero even with her flaws.
I can only imagine how strong the temptation must have been for her.
Rosalind du Coudray
I'm so gonna...gonna...I don't know what I'm going to do to Rachel, but it ain't gonna be pretty! I feel like Raven leaving would be the best option though at this point. She has a chance to start completely fresh!
Please oh please oh pleeeease continue soon!
Rachel had better watch out, as a new and improved Raven is back!
Hailey V
Ugh Dumb Rachel. If I was Raven and I heard her claim me as kin I would smack her and say 'we may look alike but we are not from the same kin' great chapter :) I'm glad Raven saved Rachel because well I dont want BB to like her by default. And I dont see Raven leaving someone to die, she may be half-demon but she is a hero...not like the proud hero but like the quite dont say anything hero.
Raven seems to have accepted Rachel as her sister, though she did let her know she was a bad sister. Still, for Rachel that must have been a thrill to hear. Of course, when a Rage free Raven challenges her for BB's fair hand, she will learn the real meaning of the term "sibling rivalry"
Dezarulordoftwilight
I like Rachel. Well whatever this was a good chapter, I always enjoy reading some of the background of the villians especially Slade. And good job with the raven almost betraying Rachel part it was good.
A Rachel fan! They do exist :-)
Vanizakkk
Frist of all great storie, I love the suspense. But I have to say that it's a little hard for me to beleive that beast boy is reall in love with The clone, I mean he's only known her for a a short while. He can say what ever he wants but the truth is if she didn't look just like raven he wouldn't be all in love with her. And The Clone is really annoying because even if she didn't ask to be cloned she still realized it and she still went through with a lot of stuff and did things that weren't her place and was unfair to raven. And the clone only loves beast boy because of ravens memories I mean let's be honest she doesn't even know the guy. She can't just be all like " hey I'm your clone I took your man buts it's cool though let's be sisters" like WTF that's not cool. And if you've already decieded that The clone is going to stay with beast boy then I think it should be raven that leaves it just won't be the same if she stays I'm pretty sure she would feel a little resentment twords her team mates I would. They didn't notice before they should just keep The clone and gar. The clone already took gar might as well take her teammates too. Her cloaks, her leotards, her tea does she want that too. How about her room..she can live in that too. She should start over because everything is all messed up anyway if the clone would have died and beast boy then he stays with raven that just means she's second choice that he just settled for her and that's not cool either. And for what it's worth I obviously think raven and bb should end up together:)
I think that Beast Boy is confused, and now that Raven is free of Rage (if artificially) he's going to be even more confused.
Katwizzle
If none likes BB and Rachel why dont you make her go away! I cant wait for the next chapter!
But we need Rachel for our little drama!
RobRae4Ever
"You're wrong, it doesn't. No one really cares…" Ok, this is one of the moments than make me dislike Raven, even when I love her. She has friends who would die for her, but to her "No one likes me". Is really sad seeing someone nice only pay attention to the bad things in their lives. So you lost the guy you liked, lift your head and find someone better. You can. BB gave up on her too easily, was that really love?
I am certain that Raven hates herself because of her demonic half. Which is why she chose to pay the price to wear the Star or Eragon.
Chico Magnifico
*sigh* this is almost as sad as my Washington Redskins losing on Sunday :'(
But I really don't think you're gonna leave it just at that, and I like to believe there was a little foreshadowing you did there with Raven saving Rachel...for now. You are known for throwing plot twists around (really good thing lol) so I'm kinda hoping for that haha.
And for the record, I don't hate Rachel but I don't like her intercepting Ravens BB...aww man it still hurts :'(
Go Broncos!
Azarune
I guess I am one of the select few that actually doesn't have a problem with Rachel. I just hope eventually all of them can be happy. The tension is killing me man!
Another Rachel fan! And the tension, now that the playing field is level, it's going to get worse.
Cyllan Anassan
Well, despite the fact I don't like Rachel at all, Raven did the right thing. I don't think she could have live with the guilt after that... and isn't it what love is all about? Wishing for the happiness of the loved one, even if it isn't with you. Although I have to admit that when she was imagining what could have happend I really felt sorry for her. Fate has been just too much unfair for her.
I still hope Raven can find some hapiness of her own... no matter how wrong everything seems to be right now. She deserved more than anyone, for all the things she can't escape of still having the kindest heart.
Awesome work.
Well, I can't guarantee a happy ending at this point, but it sure is going to get interesting.
bluedog197
I have not made my self know ... i'm the original first ever Bluedog197 from Club penguin so hello people. dude that was awesome i would have went with rage but raven is the bigger person and that was a twist first raven gave up. but will still love him then raven call's rachel his mate and third rachel called raven her sister cool story dude. keep it up.
Now the two "sisters" are going to fight to win BB's heart.
Curse you Perry the Platypus
Apology accepted, you know I hate Raechel as well, but know I can say it knowing I'm not the only one!
Like they say, there is strength in numbers.
MelonLord28
The Raven we all know and love could never let a comrade die for something so, comparatively, petty. Even if all of us jerks would be cheering at her death. A bit of a catch 22 that, the reason my baser side wants Rachel gone is because Raven is who she is, if she wasn't, I really wouldn't give a crap about her feelings. I don't often stay awake at night wondering whether that space ranger from the episode "Troq" is happy or not, he's a piece of... you know.
I figured you all knew that Raven wouldn't stand by and not save Rachel.
Avandra the Mary Sue Slayer
Okay, author's alert made this story pop onto my mail so curiosity got the best of me. I thin I should leave some feedback before it's over, at least once, because I feel this is the best work you've come up with (I still have some reading to do but it's my favorite for now). ai must agree with everyone that it's not easy to empatize with Rachel, but I did come to like her, as she didn't ask for what happened to. her. I would probably question the sincerity of her feelings for BB if I was her; she inherited them from Raven after all. I really hope she can build an identity of her own.
On the other hand, there's Raven. The original one, but she's still flawed, cursed. It would take her too long to have a normal relationship with BB, so it doesn't seem to be much hope for her here. It must be horrible to see the one you love with a "perfectioned" version of youself (I don't think Rach is actually better, they're just different... kind of).
On the other edge of this triangle we have BB. He's chosen Rachel over Raven thus breaking the latter's heart, but it would have been the same for Rachel had he preferred Raven. I can understand his decision, though, but it must be painful still. I'm sure he won't be able to forget Raven and that he'll always harbor feelings for both girls. I can't think of a way for this story to have a happy ending and yet I trust that you'll either make that possible, or you'll make a sad-but-realistic-and-great ending like the sad one of your first version of Tough times in Jump City. I can't keep writing for longer, so I'll just say that I can't wait to read more. Keep up this awesome work!
Thanks! That was one heck of a review! I'm not sure that this is my best story, but it sure is different from what I've done before.
discb
Rae's heart is too big.
Plus she has a strong sense of right vs. wrong.
gabylokita41
Wow that was awesome . it would of been cool to see the result of making rae turn away and let Rachel die but then again rae-rae isnt like that. Anyways this has been an awesome story i just love the type of stories u write they never disappoint u hehe anyways awesome chap cant wait to see the next one :D
What ifs can be thought provoking.
Dragonkyng
Always seem to review when you don't do the mail bag...
Anyway, glad Raven took the high road, but i still think things are bleak for Rachel. And I think BB will have to choose which to save in the end. Or, he'll realize that he still wants Raven, problems and all, which will drive Rachel to Slade a la Terra
And things have become even bleaker for her, though she doesn't know yet.