Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans.
The Healer
Chapter 1: Bad Guys, Pizzas, and a Book
"Teen Titans, go!" cried Robin.
His battle cry summoned an onslaught of attacks from four super powered teenagers. From the sky, Starfire unleashed a barrage of starbolts while Beast Boy transformed into a pterodactyl initiating a continuous flow of aerial strikes. Robin sent explosive discs in all directions and Cyborg kept a steady stream of his devastating sonic-boom cannon. The high-powered combos paralyzed the villainous trio: Gizmo, Mammoth, and Jinx. The Titan's successive attacks subdued Gizmo and Mammoth. Jinx, however, miraculously survived the thrashing.
"Not good," she said. "Not good at all. Gotta retreat."
But when she turned to escape, a shadow in the shape of a bird rose from the ground and greeted the villainess. The shadow's appearance quickly rendered Jinx immobile. From the darkness stepped forth Raven.
"Going somewhere?" she challenged while her hands started to become engulfed by a dark aura.
Jinx's knees trembled until they gave way. She fell back with her head down and sighed.
"No. I, uh, we give up."
Raven grinned and lowered her hands.
"Good."
"Raven!" called out Beast Boy. "Sorry, did you get Jinx?"
"You guys got sloppy. Yeah, I got her," Raven responded in her monotone voice.
"Whew! Thought we let her get away," said Beast Boy laughing.
"Way to be on top of things, Ray," Cyborg added. He then winked and smiled at the hooded girl.
"Good job, Raven," said Robin.
"Oh yes! A splendid job!" cheered Starfire.
"But our job is not done," continued Robin. "We have to turn them in to the police. Star, get Jinx and Cy get Mammoth. I got Gizmo."
"What about us?" asked Beast Boy. "What should we do?"
"Beast Boy, you and Raven can go ahead of us."
"Aye aye, Capt'n!" responded the green boy saluting.
And so, the three Titans left.
"We got off early. What d'ya wanna do? Oh! I know! Wanna catch a movie? Or! Or we can go to the carnival! It just started at 7 and—"
"Stop," ordered Raven. She pulled her hood down and looked at Beast Boy. "They're just going to be gone for moment, not for the whole night. Let's just go home. Besides, I want to start this book I just bought the other day."
The young shape shifter could only groan in response to his silent teammate.
"Fine," he sighed in defeat. "Let's go home. You're no fun, Raven."
"Well, I'm not here to be your playmate."
They started on their way home.
"But at least let's get some pizza. You owe me at least that much."
"Owe you? When did I owe you anything?"
"Well that time when you, um... Well you owed me something at some point, right?"
"Why're you asking me?"
"Whatever, let's just get some pizza. A few boxes sound good. Maybe ten."
"Are you really that hungry?"
"They're not all for me! We're buying them for the others, too! For the team. We did have a big day of crime fighting, after all. And for that, we deserve a good amount of pizza."
"Whatever. Let's buy some and go straight home. I've already used up enough time chasing bad guys that I could've been using to get in to that book."
"What's the book called, anyway?"
"Why do you need to know?"
"Just tell me. Or is it something you can't say? Ooh, Raven's hiding a dirty book!"
"Are you an idiot?"
"Then just tell me the title."
Raven sighed.
"The title of the book is 'Into the Abyss.'"
"What's up with the book that got you so excited?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me," Beast Boy answered with a sly smile.
Raven stopped and faced Beast Boy. Then she smiled.
"Enough with the chatter," she said and pointed behind him. "We're here."
"Huh?"
Beast Boy turned to the pizza joint behind him.
"So we are."
"Just get your pizza and let's go."
Beast Boy turned to Raven, grinned at her and said, "Be right back," before running through the store doors.
"Azarath metrion zinthos..." Raven softly chanted. Her mantra kept a steady rhythm that complimented the serenity of her room. Candles were lit around her and they illuminated the usually dark room with a soft golden glow. Raven's face was imbued by a smooth yellow hue from the many candles that circled her. She continued her mantra that seemed to have a control on the swaying of the candle flames. As she kept her chant going, she began to float. The only time her mantra was disturbed was when she inhaled and exhaled as if she were expelling a negative force within her.
A knock came on her door and the whole peaceful atmosphere was instantly disturbed. Raven opened her eyes and slowly descended. Her expression did not display any form of agitation, but her eyes conveyed her anger. She then stood up and floated towards the door, landing on the floor just before it. The door slid open just a little so that she could get a peek at her visitor. It was Beast Boy.
"Hey, Raven. Everyone just got back, so... Pizza time!"
His smile was big, exposing all his teeth.
"You guys go ahead."
She started to close the door but Beast Boy put his foot forward to stop the door from completely shutting.
"Come on, get out of your gloomy room and join us. You know you want to."
"No. Now, please remove your foot so I can go back to my meditation."
Beast Boy moved his foot and the door closed. From inside her room, Raven could hear Beast Boy grunting and stomping away. She returned to her place in the middle of the candles and resumed her meditation pose.
"Azarath metrion zinthos."
Once again, she started to float. She spoke her mantra and entered the doors into her world—her mind. However, her time for tranquility did not last. Another round of knocking sent shockwaves of destruction throughout her quiet space.
"Gee, I wonder who it could be."
Two distractions in a row were short of bringing out Raven's dark side. She growled at the knocking of her invader. She marched to her door and opened it.
"Look, Beast Boy, if you—oh, it's you."
A cheerful girl greeted her at the door. Starfire's smile was not as big as Beast Boy's earlier, but it was just as friendly and warm.
"Hello friend. It is now the time for the feasting of the pizzas. Oh, won't you join us?"
Raven sighed and massaged her temples.
"Starfire? Did Beast Boy put you up for this?"
"Well, um, no... Not really. He did no such placing of me here."
"Star?"
"Oh, okay. He wants you to join us. As a matter of fact, we all desire for your presence at the table. You are not hungry?"
"I'm not. Thanks, but no thanks. And please, if anyone else tries to come here, stop them. I don't want any more distractions."
"But please, Raven, can't you—"
"No. I just want my alone time right now."
Starfire was hesitant to give up but she saw the conviction in her friend's eyes. She knew as well as anyone else that Raven wants to be left alone from time to time. With a sigh, she waved her white flag.
"Very well. But we will be there for a couple of more hours. If you wish, you may come."
"I know. Thanks."
The door closed, thus ending the encounter. Raven let out a sigh of relief while Starfire heaved a sigh of defeat.
"Can I still meditate?" Raven wondered.
She looked around her room and noted that the darkness seem to have grown. The candles grew smaller and with them their flames grew weaker. Flames of vitality they were no more as with Raven's concentration they started to break as well. It was rare for Raven to complain. Instead, she would point out missed opportunities.
"I was planning to meditate before reading. But the time for meditation has already passed."
She stared at her bookshelf and flew over. Her finger ran across the books scanning for her latest addition. When she found it, she pulled it out and then walked over to her bed. She sat down and laid the book on her lap. Her hand was gentle as it studied and opened the book. She delicately yet swiftly flipped the pages in search for the first chapter. Her hand stopped. For a moment, she went over the print observing the fine, intricate and decorative writing. A smile crept on her lips and then she started to read. It began thus:
Chapter 1: The Discovery
Jaded trees lined the stone pavement on which I walk. To my
left, I hear the plotting of a murder of crows. To my right, I
hear the maniacal laughter of the hungry vulture. It is my
flesh they want—my soul they want to destroy. Here I am,
taking my first steps into this forsaken land. And I fear that
any false movement will be the end of me. Jaded trees lined
this cold, stony road that I traverse. What, I wonder, can
these swarms of killers do to me. Will they feed on my—
A knock came and stole Raven's train of thought from her again. She removed her eyes from the book and stared at the door. She waited but only silence answered her. When she decided to continue her reading, the knocking returned. It was no longer possible to ignore the knocking. She slammed the book closed and walked over to the door.
"I thought I told Starfire to keep anyone else from disturbing me," she grumbled to herself.
The door slid open to reveal not one but two figures. Cyborg and Robin stood side by side each with a smile to meet the irritated girl.
"Great," she hissed. "The cavalry's here. Two against one doesn't seem fair."
"Hey, Raven. You feel better?" said Cyborg.
Raven raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't know I was sick."
"No, I mean how's your mood?" Cyborg corrected himself.
"Well, it was better."
Cyborg struck out and he knew it. He needed some saving from this sinking ship. A quick glance at the boy wonder gave him his cue. It was now Robin's turn to bat.
"Um," he started, "we were just worried that something's bothering you. From what I heard from Beast Boy, you've been cooped up in your room since you arrived. And when it was time to eat, you didn't come. So, is everything okay?"
When he finished, Robin was hoping to get a reaction. If he had uttered the wrong words, he would be shot down as fast as—or maybe faster—than Cyborg. Raven looked at Robin then at Cyborg then back to Robin. She closed her eyes and pinched between her eyebrows. A sigh escaped her mouth.
"Look, guys. You all know I want my space. Today, I just feel like wanting more space than usual. Thanks for worrying, but there's no need."
The two boys looked at each other and then at Raven. They smiled and nodded.
"Okay," said Robin.
"And you're sure nothing's wrong?" Cyborg asked.
"Positive," responded Raven. "Now, I was reading a book and I was wondering if I could get back to it."
"Yeah, of course," answered Robin.
Raven turned and the door closed. Robin and Cyborg then headed for the living room.
"We should've known that," Cyborg said.
"Yeah, we should've," agreed Robin.
"Must be a good book to make her want to stay in her room."
"I don't know. I think any book does that to her. As long as it is, you know, on something she's interested in."
"But, man, was she grumpy."
Robin chuckled.
"Yeah. I don't know what was holding her back from ripping both our heads off back there."
"I know!"
When they got to the living room, Starfire was playing with Silkie while Beast Boy was playing a video game with a slice of pizza hanging out of his mouth.
"So," Beast Boy started, scarfing down his pizza, "is she coming out yet?"
"Nope. She wanted some time alone and I don't know how she could have made herself clearer," answered Robin.
Cyborg went over to the kitchen and Starfire flew over to Robin. She hovered beside him with Silkie wrapped in her arms.
"That is such a shame," Starfire commented. "I was looking forward to do the hanging out with her. And probably do the chat."
"Yeah," said Robin, crossing his arms. "She's simply not in the mood right now."
He looked over to the Tamaranian and saw that she was frowning a little. Robin smiled and placed a hand on her right shoulder.
"Don't worry. She's fine. Just, you know, grumpy."
Starfire returned Robin's smile after being reassured of her friend's well-being. She started to play with her cuddly pet again as she floated away. Robin walked over to the couch and sat down. He put his feet up on the table as he laid back to watch the game Beast Boy was playing.
"So, what're you playing?"
"'Ultra-smash Dudes 2'," Beast Boy replied without breaking eye-contact with the screen.
Cyborg returned carrying a plate with a glorious sandwich stacked at an amazing foot-and-a-half. He sat next to Robin and joined him in watching Beast Boy tear through the enemies.
"Do we have more pizza?" asked Robin.
"Yeah, over there, at the counter."
Cyborg pointed behind him.
"Thanks."
He jumped off of the couch and headed for the kitchen. As soon as Robin opened the pizza box, the alarms went off. Cyborg froze before taking a big bite out of his sandwich and Starfire nearly dropped Silkie. Beast Boy, on the other hand, retained his attention on the game.
"Titans, trouble!" exclaimed Robin.
Both Cyborg and Starfire left the room and darted down the hall. Before leaving the room, Robin noticed that Beast Boy was still stuck to his playing.
"Beast Boy, let's go! Emergency at Sector 11!"
"But, I'm so close to this level's boss!" complained Beast Boy.
"No time. Now let's go."
With a sigh, Beast Boy lazily stood up and turned off the screen and game system. He then ran towards Robin.
Robin nodded and said, "Now, can you just check on Raven? Make sure she's on her way."
As soon as he finished, they both ran into the girl in question.
"No need. Let's hurry."
Robin went ahead and Raven followed. Beast Boy ran next to her and said, "Guess you had to put the book down, huh?"
"Yup. And it was just getting good."
Chapter end