After dressing Raven brushed her hair. She kept looking at her face in the mirror. Raven never wore cosmetics or make up and consequently she didn't own any. No eyeliner, no lip stick, nothing. This wasn't surprising as she couldn't see herself with lush eyelashes or bright red lips. And contrary to popular belief, she didn't go for the Goth look either. Sure, she was gray, but that was just her natural look, which she always accepted at face value and never gave a thought to enhancing. Until now.
As she looked into the mirror she frowned. The dazzling gem, which hung on its golden chain, dangled between her breasts and stood in sharp contrast from her achromatic face, which seemed to bother her suddenly. She made a mental note to ask Starfire to take her to cosmetics counter at the local department store at the mall.
She headed for her room's exit and stopped at the door. Raven didn't want anyone to see the pendant, especially not Rachel who would be familiar with Star of Eradon, and would immediately know what she had done. She pulled forward the collar on her leotard and dropped the magical pendent inside her garment, where it lodged itself between her chest. The pendant felt warm to the touch, heated by Rage's anger.
Satisfied that the pendant and chain were satisfactorily hidden from view she released the elastic collar, which snapped itself around her neck. After picking up a book she then left her abode and headed straight to the common room to prepare some tea.
As she walked down the corridors Raven was immediately aware of how relaxed she was feeling. At first, out of habit she tried to suppress Rage, but she was nowhere to be found. Raven likened the feeling to having spent her entire life carrying a huge rock on her back, which was now gone. She felt lightweight, as if she would just float away with a breeze.
As she looked around the Tower seemed brighter, less ominous … or dare she think it … friendlier. As she walked past Starfire's room she recalled the mental note she made earlier … and smiled.
She reached the elevator, which happened to already be at her floor and boarded it. She pressed the button for the common room level and the utilitarian looking lift, which doubled as both a service elevator and a passenger lift, clanked to life, humming and making whirring sounds as it rose to the top most floor in the Tower. She opened her book and resumed reading it.
When the doors opened she entered the common room. Cyborg was in the kitchen, preparing a meal. Robin and Starfire were watching the television while Rachel and Beast Boy were chatting on the far end of the temporary replacement for the crescent shaped couch, which was an old sofa set Cyborg had previously stashed away in the Tower's basement.
Raven approached her twin and the changeling, closing her book.
"Hello sister." Raven greeted her clone as she reached the couch, stopping behind it.
"Hello Raven, you're looking cheerful." Rachel replied.
"I guess I am feeling cheerful." Raven confirmed as ran her fingers through Beast Boy's hair.
The changeling tilted his head back to see Raven. She smiled at him and leaned over, giving him a peck of the cheek. The changeling was unable to hide his surprise, unlike Rachel, who kept a straight face.
"Rachel is correct, you are looking most content, friend Raven."
Raven glanced at the princess. Starfire only prefixed people's names with the word 'friend' when she felt uncertain about a situation. Which was fine, they could take their time getting used to the new Raven.
"Star's right, you're looking so … relaxed." Robin remarked.
After kissing Beast Boy, Raven could feel the temperature of the pendant rise substantially, to the point where it almost felt hot. She resisted the urge to touch where it was under her leotard, and it quickly cooled off.
"I suppose that I am feeling content, even happy."
"But Raven, you don't do happy." Beast Boy blurted out.
To everyone's surprise, she laughed. "I guess I didn't know what I was missing."
She turned towards the tin man. "So Cyborg, what are you making for dinner?"
Cyborg grinned at her. "I'm making one of your old favorites, before the grass stain turned you vegetarian … my patented three meat spaghetti!"
"Dude! Stop trying to corrupt her!" The changeling protested.
Cyborg ignored him. "What do you say, Rae-Rae? Remember, nothing beats meat."
Robin and Beast Boy both flinched, as Cyborg had addressed Raven by the forbidden nickname. This would not end well.
Raven giggled. "Sorry Cyborg, but I'm now a committed Azarathian vegetarian."
Beast Boy pumped his arm in the air. "You tell him, Raven."
Cyborg smiled maliciously. "Aw, c'mon, this was your favorite, you'd even have seconds! And you never have seconds. And how about you Rachel? You remember the meaty goodness, don'tcha?"
Beast Boy noticed that Rachel's mouth was beginning to water. It was true, she remembered the flavor and how much Raven liked Cyborg's signature dish, even though she had never physically consumed it herself.
"I'm with my sister on this one." She replied in an unconvincing voice.
"Cyborg! You are being a bad friend! You will immediately desist with the tempting of the meat! You know that Raven and Rachel are now vegetarians for religious reasons! You must not torment them this way!" Starfire wagged her finger at the tin man.
"Chill out, Star, I'm just messing with them." He snickered.
Raven smiled as she turned to her clone and the changeling.
"How about we go out to the Flying Saucers. It's been a long time since we last went."
"Actually Raven, I've never been there with you." Rachel replied.
Raven giggled. "Silly me, you're right, we haven't. I guess there's a first time for everything. Shall we go?"
Rachel shrugged her shoulders. "I guess that would be better than Gar's Tofu Surprise."
"Hey! What's wrong with my Tofu Surprise?"
Both women laughed, almost in unison.
"Nothing, we'd just rather go out." They replied in a single voice.
Raven raised her arms, forming one of her flying disks. "We'll see you later."
The disk with its three passengers took off, phasing through the large windows before flying away. The three remaining Titans looked both surprised and confused.
"OoooKaaaaay" Cyborg remarked. "What the heck was that?"
"Yes, I agree with Cyborg, even though she was most pleasant, Raven was being the freaky."
Robin sighed. "At least they aren't fighting, but yeah, it was weird, it was like they were both on the same wavelength."
"Well … Rachel is her clone." Cyborg remarked. "What do you think, Star? Is this glorious?"
The princess stared at the disk, which was now across the bay and almost invisible eye.
"I am unsure, Cyborg. I do not know."
-( scene break )-
The next day Rachel and Starfire were at the mall, shopping for some "civvies". Starfire knew the shopping center like the palm of her hand and she led Rachel through the shopping pilgrimage, taking her to the "right" stores and avoiding the wrong ones.
They were in a store that specialized in very stylish and expensive jeans. Rachel examined a pair that Starfire suggested she try on. She looked at the denim pants with a skeptical eye.
"Starfire, you know more about these clothes than I do … because I don't know anything about jeans … or any kind of clothing that's not my leotard and cape … but are you sure these are my size?"
Starfire was examining a pair of jeans herself and almost didn't hear Rachel's question.
"Yes, Rachel, I did measure you … I cannot believe that you did not know your size."
"You can blame Raven for that, at least I'm here, willing to try something new … but … how am I supposed to wear these jeans?" She asked, staring at the impossibly small looking pants.
"You put them on, as humans would say: one leg at a time."
"Do I have spray lubricant on myself first? Why are they so tight?"
The princess giggled. "No Rachel, a lubricant would be a bad idea. And they are tight to highlight the sexiness of your body."
"You mean highlight my butt … I don't know Star, I'm used to having my legs exposed. This is going to feel … confining."
"But the bare legs are not stylish … you are so much like Raven sometimes."
"Well, I am her clone, after all."
"You are, but you are also different from Raven in many ways … and speaking of your 'sister', how was your outing yesterday? I must say, I was surprised that you let Raven join you for the dinner with your boyfriend."
"We had a good time … she actually behaved like a sister. She was really nice, which is kind of odd. You have known her for long … was she being odd?"
Starfire put her pair of jeans back on the rack.
"Yes, though the word I would use is freaky. Raven did not seem like herself yesterday … she was more like … you. And you are correct, I have known Raven for a very long time and I must say, I was not the only one who thought that she was being strange."
"I know what you mean. When I was in the infirmary she came to visit me. She was nice, well, kind of. She called me sister."
"Did that make you happy?"
"It did … it meant a lot to me … you know, it's really hard to be a clone … you don't feel like you're a real person … and when she called me sister, it was like I was no longer just a clone. But …"
She paused.
"What is it, Rachel?"
"She said that I was a bad sister, and she accused me of stealing Gar from her. She also told me that she hadn't given up on winning him back. And yet last night at the restaurant she was so gracious. Gar was blown away by how nice she was."
Starfire frowned.
"Raven is my dear friend. She is complicated and for that reason I have always given her the space. But you did not steal him from her, she rejected him."
Rachel slouched upon hearing those words.
"That's not exactly true. Raven didn't really reject Gar, she was buying time."
Starfire nodded. "Yes, she has told me that. I do not agree with her. She rejected Beast Boy most cold heartedly. She did not say that she was not ready and needed the time."
"I know Starfire; I have that memory in my mind. But like you said, she is complicated, I should know. But she was telling you the truth. And now … I feel conflicted."
"I do not understand."
Rachel sighed.
"I'm beginning to think that maybe she's right, that I did steal him. I mean … I look just like her … what better way to catch a guy on the rebound by being just like his crush, but without the baggage. And that's how I justified taking him, at least to myself. I told myself that Raven could never be right for him, so I would step in and be the Raven he needed me to be. It did eventually become more than that, but …"
"Yes?"
Rachel wiped a tear away from her face.
"She's changed, Starfire."
"You mean, because now she is the nice?"
Rachel shook her head.
"No, it's more than that. She suddenly seems so calm and relaxed. I can't explain it, it's impossible … unless …"
"Unless what? Do you believe that Slade has replaced Raven with another clone? But how could he, all of the remaining clones were destroyed … unless Slade saved one or more somewhere else."
"She's not a clone … she's Raven … I can sense her aura, it would be different if she was a clone like me."
Starfire looked perplexed. "So what is it? How is it that Raven changed?"
Rachel paused and looked concerned, she even frowned. Then she shook her head again.
"No … it can't be that. She wouldn't. She muttered to herself."
"It can't be what?"
Rachel smiled. "Nothing Starfire, just a ridiculous idea that crossed my mind, it's not even worth mentioning."
Rachel focused her attention back at the pair of jeans she was holding.
"Shall we go try on some jeans? I want to see the look on Gar's face when he sees me wearing these, assuming I can squeeze my butt into them … did you know that Raven has a secret nickname for herself? It's thunder thighs."
Starfire looked aghast. "Rachel, you do not have the thunder thighs!"
The sorceress giggled. "I know, but Raven always compared her figure with yours, and felt she came up short."
"Rachel, I did not know, and why would she think that way, she is most lovely, as are you as well."
Rachel smiled.
"I know, I know Gar likes my figure, thought I still don't know what he ever saw in Terra. Talk about a stick figure!"
Starfire smiled. "We shall go next to the Victoria's Secret and buy you the slinky sleepwear. Beast Boy will be most appreciative."
Rachel nodded her agreement. "You know, he isn't a boy anymore, trust me, I can vouch for that."
Starfire giggled mischievously. "You made him a man. That is the correct saying, yes?"
"Oh yes, on both accounts … now where are those fitting rooms?" Rachel said as she looked at the jeans. "I still think that I'll need a shoe horn to squeeze into these pants, though."
-( scene break )-
If there was anything Beast Boy hated more than going to the mall with girls on a clothes shopping trip … he couldn't think of what that was. Maybe eating meat, though shopping would be a close second place. In order to weasel his way out of the trip he said that he had to do his laundry and some tidying up in his room. After collecting his dirty laundry he found that he had several loads to do. Just as he was picking up the first basket to take to the laundry room, there was a knock on the door.
"It's open!"
The door slid open and Raven entered the room. She was carrying a vase with 12 violet roses. The changeling smiled.
"Hey, those look nice! Who gave them to you?"
"They're not for me. They're for you."
"Huh? Did Rachel send them?"
Raven smiled, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
"No, they're from me." She said as she handed the bouquet to him, kissing him on the cheek as he took them.
"Gee Rave … thanks! They're nice … buy why, what's the occasion?" He asked as he put the vase and flowers on his desk.
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for all the mean things I did and said to you over the years."
The changeling gave her one of his winning grins.
"Aw, forget it Rave, I was a pest back then, I had it coming."
She shook her head.
"No, you didn't have it coming. I can't blame my shameful behavior in anyone other than myself."
He shrugged. "It's water under the bridge."
"Perhaps, but nonetheless I want you to know how much you mean to me. You're more than a friend, Gar."
He nervously rubbed the back of his neck." Yeah, sure. You're more than just a friend too, Rave."
She leaned forward and kissed him chastely on the lips. After which she used her dark energy to pick up all nine of his dirty clothes baskets.
"I'll help you out with your laundry."
As the teleporting dark energy engulfed them, to take them to the laundry room, Beast Boy wasn't sure if he was feeling excited, scared or guilty. Perhaps it was all three. After the black hemisphere sank into the floor, the sun began to shine through the window, highlighting the bouquet on his desk.
-( scene break )-
The smallest pebble can trigger an avalanche. I didn't think I would get this one done tonight, but here it is. And Wow! 25 reviews for the previous chapter!
And now the mail bag.
shaylove
Oh wow! I wonder how BB will take to that...
That is a very good question
Rosalind du Coudray
Now I'm not liking Raven very much! Dude...that's not even fair! She's my favorite...and I'm starting to dislike her for the drastic measures she's going to. I mean...I know she loves him and all but...
Either way please continue soon! I love love loooooove this story!
Don't be too hard on Raven. People do even dumber things out of love.
FelynxTiger
My money's on Raven -u-',
This is going to be good :9, I think the price will be worth it if everything end up as BBxRae, if not, well there goes precious Raven's life years.
It appears that Raven is carefully planning things out. But never underestimate Rachel. Guess who's going to find the bouquet?
fluff lover
ITS TIME TO RAISE OUR TALONS TO WAR. project 86 fall galioth perfect song for this story
Maybe someday the website will allow us to attach a theme song to our stories?
bluedog197
yahoooooooo a fight for the heart i say dude this will be good. if your gonna fight for the heart might as well die trying right now rachles okay but she stole beast boy but really great story keep it up. by the way asking if raven will give up on beast boy is yumi giving up on ulrich to sissy
And Rachel is starting to have doubts about herself.
Who will win?
Stella de Oro
I am a huge BBRae shipper. I want them to happily end up together. But I actually like Rachel. I feel bad wanting BB and Rae to end up together, because Rachel is nice and deserves a chance, too.
It's sad, someone has to lose!
titanfan45
I gotta envy Beast Boy, having twin very attractive women vying for your attention has got to be an ego booster. I don't imagine Beast Boy would be happy to learn what Raven has done and at what price.
I once dated a girl who was a twin. It was interesting.
Red X
I dont want minimize Ravens feelings, but she is too young to make a decision like that. Specially over a guy who just dumped her. How many relationships starting in the adolescence lasts all life?
Young and foolish do go hand in hand sometimes.
Jason9000
Cut her lifespan in half? Haven't you already established that she'll live for thousands of years without aging through your other stories? So what is she only going to live to be five hundred?
In some stories she's immortal, in other's she's not. For the purposes of this story, she has a normal human lifespan.
RobRae4Ever
Is it worth the sacrifice? In my opinion, definitely not! Give up half of her life for a guy who forgot her without a second thought. Do you belive BB, or any guy, worth all that? Its like do a complex cosmetic surgery just to please somebody else. Find someone who loves you by who you are.
Raven has chosen to make a big sacrifice. The only silver lining is tha of she fails, she can removed the pendant and resume her normal lifespan, minus the time she burned wearing the necklace.
Hailey V
The price of wearing that necklace isn't worth it...unless of course you make her life span a demons life span so this way she'll live and grow old with BB :) tht is if they get together...and I dont get why she's changing herself for a guy, sure this guy is BB but still! If he doesn't like her because of rage than he sucks. Great chapter :)
I didn't think anyone would approve of Raven's choice.
Katwizzle
Wouldnt rachel know what the necklace does? W hat if she told the team...
She would, which is why Raven has hidden it. But Rachel is already wondering
The Cretin
I've had talks with Sir Alwick about if this guy or that guy could be considered evil or a villain. Same goes with Slade. Was he always a villain? Or was he forged into one? I guess the thing to remember is that- above all else, Slade is human. His decisions, good and bad, have somewhat been a reflection of that humanity and its experiences.
I like this chap. One of the reasons why is that Raven reasserts herself. However, I do question this "Star of Eradon". Do you feel that Gar is worth it? Ya know, I used to think that there was no other "triangle" that could rival Star/Dick/Babs. I stand corrected as you laid one out that's turned me into a bowtie. Eagerly awaiting your next chap. Burnin it up ain'tcha ;) Its been like one everyday. XD Good luck and keep rockin
Actually, I don't think he's worth it, but Raven is getting desperate.
GreennaveyblueRaven
Would,t she be imotal because of her demonn inherrtiange or coundn,t it just take her humman year span away?Go raven win back your man.
As mentioned above, she has a normal human lifespan in this story.
Curse you Perry the Platypus
There is strength! Oh and the sacrifice was not worth it.
It's looking unanimous.
gabylokita41
Wow didnt see that coming, who knows if its worth her losing half of her lifespan but then again everything's worth for love . nice chap loved it :D
We have a fence sitter! It really is a tough choice for Raven.
Cyllan Anassan
I can't believe I'm agreeing with Malchior... she just destroyed what makes her special, for a boy? Is she 13 or something? She just reduced herself to be Rachel in order to have a boy who consider her a "psychotic woman". I'm very dissapointed of her. Anyway, I still want to know who'll leave, because this is turning in a soup opera way to quickly for me.
Because of Rachel's injury, the departure has been deferred. Raven knows this and needs to make her move soon
ferlion12
So...
the older she gets, the more she changes from ravens originally personality .
As they move from teens to young adults, you would expect some changes
Headphones
I love Raven,I do but she needs self fight over a guy that gave up on you easily (even though it was her fault)If BB wants Rachel find someone better lolBut amazing chapter though
Will Raven's effort be for naught?
discb
Idk I kinda like Rach... at least better than I like Robin...
TT Robin is kind of an "anti-robin". In the comics Dick joked around a lot, he was still less serious when he became Nightwing. I guess they made him so anal in the show to assert his independence from Batman.
Avandra the Mary Sue Slayer
Raven's playing dirty! Ha! I like that! No one can say that she's not brave. It takes guts to do something like that, I understand her choice and I'm pretty sure I'd find it worthy too, but it's still a high price. I wonder what would Gar think about that... and Rachel too. And what will happen if Rave wins BB back? What will happen to Rachel? I'm BBxRae all the way so I'd be glad, but I think I'd feel bad for the poor Rach. She didn't ask to be clonated, but she didn't ask to inherit Raven's feelings for Beast Boy either! I can't wait to see the outcome of Raven's move!
Raven is daring and bold. Will it pay off remains to be seen.
Titan18Gamble
I don't get why everyone hates Rachel. She seems pretty nice to me, and clones are nothing more than identical twins. The memory upload makes them more similar than natural twins, but they're still different. When you see cloning from the twins viewpoint, and these questions about whether or not they're really human look silly.
Rachel, while not perfect, is nice. But she is a wedge between the Chromatically Challenged Couple™ (thought it could be argued that they are the Chromatically Challenged Couple™ V 2.0)
Minaethiel
Uh oh, that gem can only lead to trouble o_o in fact I can see how it might actually end up hurting the man Raven loves instead of helping her to get him. Although I think Miss Rachel needs to watch her back xD no way does Raven give up, so even if the gem doesn't work, she'll have another trick up her sleeve.
An insightful observation. I would think that BB would be devastated upon learning about the Star of Eradon
SladeRavenFan
Well, I think that Raven shouldn't have to change for someone to love her.
True, but I think this is a trap far too many people fall into.
Dragonkyng
I hope Beast Boy finds out, and forces her to remove the necklace.
That could be pretty dramatic.