Author's Note: Yep, I know, you thought I was dead and you hate my guts and you're not sure if the story is even worth reading when it takes six months to get an update out of the author. I deserve all of your curses, but before you're too harsh, know that most of them have already smitten me. If you read my profile, you'll know that I had a particularly painful experience which I would rather not talk about in December of 2008. That made this story particularly difficult to work with for a while for irrational emotional reasons. And about the time I started to feel stable and my Muse started talking to me again (fickle little thing, ain't she), IB decided it was a good day to have an international panic attack and lay on the "You-Fail-This-And-You-Won't-Graduate" projects. Point being I survived, but just barely, and it is now summer, I'm back in the world of the living, and have delivered a nice, long, and I think eventful chapter. Oh, and I was also a perfectionist with the action here, so there's another reason it took so long. I think I'm better with the psychological stuff, but we'll see. Hopefully it's not too bad. OK, shutting up now. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Dudes, seriously? When I own something, you'll know. Now is not that time, but I've got dreams. Don't destroy my dreams! Yes, I am cracked.
Raven was understandably disoriented. One minute she was arguing with Beast Boy in the common room, the next she was arguing with Beast Boy in the hall of doors that was his shattered and disoriented mind. At least, she was fairly sure that's what had happened. The details were fuzzy at best, but she remembered the gist. Now she was here... no longer arguing with Beast Boy. Where 'here' was, was exceedingly difficult to discern because 'here' was little more than darkness. It was like sleeping, except she was conscious enough to look around and move. There were swirls of color here and there, patterns from behind her eyes, blinking and dancing innocently. They were all around her, wherever she turned, assuming that she was actually turning at all. Without direction, she couldn't even tell which way was up and which was down, if she was in her body in a different dimension or a mind floating amiably through nothing, if she was even still alive. She had to be alive. Raven had to be alive, if not for her own sake and destiny than for his. Beast Boy was on the verge of something big, something he either didn't truly know about or didn't understand. They'd been talking- well, she'd been talking. He'd been yelling, panicking, and having a full blown freak out. He'd needed her to stop him before it happened, before he did whatever he was planning. Before the other and Zinara hurt someone.
Raven began to squirm, thrashing around like a fish on the shore. This wasn't right; she couldn't be here. Whatever it was that she had to do, she couldn't do it wandering somewhere in between hers and Beast Boy's bodies. An exasperated yell slid through her lips and made no sound. She had to get back; she had to get to the museum. Her efforts proved fruitless as there was nothing to strike and nowhere to go. Raven was beginning to feel a mixture of frustration and stupidity as her flailing limbs slowed and her brain kicked in. Floating around in frenzy wasn't helping Best Boy, and she had to help Beast Boy. Emotion couldn't help her here. That much was becoming blatantly obvious, she couldn't feel her way out of the black. Reason was the best method, the one that had always worked for her in the past. She pulled her imagined parts into a lotus position, calming herself. A disciplined mind could do amazing things, slow the heart, sing a chord, and even navigate the oblivion. She just needed to focus. Her body, she had to get back there. Nothing happened. She concentrated harder, willing herself to feel her real appendages, a small fire of desperation igniting in her chest. This was not a luxury of existence, it was a necessity. Her body was a necessity. He needed her. Now, before it was too late. She opened her eyes.
She was lying on the Titan's couch, her cloak wrapped securely around her body like a blanket, almost as if someone had tucked her in. Someone who cared about her. That was mildly disconcerting, though, she acknowledged in the back of her mind, still a sweet gesture in a creepy sort of way. It meant that either all of Beast Boy's newly emerged personalities were also in love with her, or he, the Beast Boy she knew, was completely and sanely helping Zinara. Well, at least she was back. Her head hurt like someone had tried to smash it with a crow bar... or crush it in a vacuum, take your pick, but she was in her own body and conscious. That was an accomplishment. Groaning, she reached up to cradle her temples in her palms. No sound came. Her arms didn't move. Startled, she tried to turn her head, to look around, but nothing happened. Her eyes widened and her mind raced. What was going on, what was happening? How was this possible? She tried to jerk, to turn, but her body just wouldn't obey the commands flying from her brain at 100 miles a minute.
"Think rationally, your body is still adjusting. Be patient," whisper a part of her mind soothingly, cold and intellectual.
"Patient? They're in danger and we should be patient?!" This was also a part of her mind, an angry, frustrated part. Clearly she had more of a problem than paralysis; her emotions were out of their collective minds. Going wild.
"Come on guys! There's a bright side to this!"
"No there isn't. It's hopeless."
"Shut up all of you! I need to think."
"Raven, why does it matter? People will get hurt; people could die, unless you do this."
"There's no time!"
"We've failed him. He asked us to help and we can't do anything. It's all our fault."
"Will you shut up for a minute?! I need to think."
"No, you need to act. You need to get up and do something."
"How, then? What happened? How do I get out of this?"
"Well, the magic used to put us to sleep was clearly powerful, but it was also unfamiliar, probably not meant to interact with demon physiology."
"Really. Thank you for that newsflash! Now we feel intelligent."
"And you're supposed o be the smart one."
"Guys! Think positive!"
"If you'll kindly let me finish. Remember what Beast Boy told us?"
"He told us a lot of things. Like that people could get hurt if we don't hurry!"
"He said that I wasn't supposed to wake up until Zinara wanted me to," Raven thought pensively.
"Exactly. When Beast Boy pulled us into his mind then sent us back here, he must have broken the spell, but only partially. Your body still needs a moment to remember how to follow your directions. Your control was also affected, most likely, which is why you can hear us."
"Wonderful. That's just what I need right now, a bunch of useless do-nothings talking to me when I can't ignore them."
"Hey! These useless do-nothings got you out of that dark place!"
"We're what bind you to your friends, what make you human."
"A lot of good that will do Beast Boy if I can't move," she snapped, glaring at the ceiling. "And for the record, it was my meditation and ignoring you that got me out of the 'dark place', not your chaotic ramblings." Her emotions answered back indignantly, clambering to be heard above each other.
"Raven, ignore them," came one in particular, small and sweet, with a feisty edge that stood out among the other flatter characters in her mind. "You know what's most important to you, to us. Beast Boy, you have to help him. Let me assist; let me take care of them. Do what you have to, I'll hold them back, unite them. Just give me a little hold in your mind, and I'll make the impossible easy." Raven felt a little wary about giving any emotion so much as a say in her decision making process, but the truth was that her powers were fueled by emotions at their most basic level. If this one could give her the power to do what she had to, then how could she fight it. And this new emotion was right; Beast Boy was the most important thing. Something warm and giddy washed over her and a rather crazed smile twisted her lips. She wanted to giggle, to dance, to float away into this inexplicable joy. Then it grew, swelling like the tide as a wave of rage hit her, blinding and powerful, animalistic. Then it cooled into a hard determination, tempered by the memory of the joke that wasn't funny and sharpened by the wrath of finding a bruise on his body that wasn't inflicted by yours truly.
Slowly, cautiously, with a bite of urgency, she felt her hand and focused on the sensations in it. The warmth from her cloak, the smoothness of the fabric as it brushed her fingertips, the tingle of her blood flowing beneath the pale skin. It was hot, sweat beginning to wet her palm uncomfortably. Don't try to move the spoon, don't try to bend it or make it float. Just pick it up and make a knot. Not with your hands, just pick it up. That's how she'd mastered telekinesis, not by trying to move the objects, but by putting them somewhere else. Now she refused to force her hands to move, merely willed it to cool. And slowly, sluggishly, it began to creep out, her fingers pushing against the barrier of the cloak and dragging her arm behind it. Then with an almighty heave, it flopped out and off the couch, perpendicular to her body. Triumphantly, she wiggled her fingers, grinning smugly when they responded to her commands. She twisted her wrist experimentally, bending her elbow and gazing at her hand, then, her face set, she reached towards the mug on the table before her. The tea was long cold, any honey she might have added sitting thick at the bottom, the smooth ceramic chilly and heavy. Raven rolled her head to stare at it hard, envisioning it in her grasp.
Again, nothing happened. The tea just sat there, defiantly, as if to taunt her. Stupid cup. She needed her powers. Moving was fine and dandy, but if she wanted to make it in time she'd need to teleport and if she wanted to stand a chance against the animal kingdom she'd need the rest of her powers. Her finger curled slightly, claw-like and aggravated. This was unacceptable, how was she supposed to fight if she couldn't even move a little cup? How was she supposed to help? The cup began to tremble and vibrate, shuddering under the pressure of her emotion. If she couldn't do this, if she didn't make it, what would happen to him? Would he be tossed aside after accomplishing his task? Accompany Zinara on whatever mission she might have? Leave the Titans forever? The memory of their last argument, that is, last real argument, forced itself to the surface of her mind, its details sharp, as if she were experiencing everything again. The resigned pain in his voice as he told her he couldn't come back. The lightness and reverence of his touch when he caressed her face, like she was some kind of mystic creature that might bolt or break if he applied pressure. The desperation as he... kissed her. The longing and passion, apology and demand, the inferred good bye. As if that was to be their first and last.
No. A black aura sprung from the table, engulfing the quivering mug. That would not be the last, not by a long shot. She hadn't slapped him or reprimanded him in any way for that invasion of her personal space. He wouldn't get away with it; this would be no kiss and run. He was going to face the consequences! The cup shot into the air, tea sloshing everywhere, but Raven didn't care. This new emotion, whatever it was, was pumping her so full of raw power she barely noticed her own success. Her thoughts were racing; energy flowing, wild and strong, yet that didn't matter because she was still in control, so to speak. She wasn't driving the wave and neither was she washed away by the current. Instead she was riding it, guiding it in a general direction and allowing its might to fuel her. These threats to leave and not come back were empty; she wouldn't allow him that luxury. Beast Boy couldn't just pick up and go whenever he wanted. He knew people, he had friends. He couldn't just abandon them; he had to consider the impact his departure would have. The pain it would cause them, cause her. The tea was no longer in the mug. It was floating above it and around it in little droplets. Her fingers curled in tighter and the mug and tea shuddered in unison.
He wasn't going to leave without a proper good buy, nor was some Siren going to influence him to do so. True, the jokes weren't funny, but Beast Boy always thought they were and that's what made them important. True, the constant interruptions were annoying, but they were a chance to see Beast Boy. And yes, he was immature and persistent and had bad taste in most things, but that was part of his charm. All the things she complained about had become such a part of her life she couldn't imagine existence without them. Who else could make her laugh, even if it was silently? Who else had never left her side, had fought to protect her even when he wasn't himself? Who had never faltered, had always been there to give her hope even in the most forlorn hour? Beast Boy, Garfield, whatever you called him. He couldn't leave her, not after everything they'd been through, not after she'd gotten to know him. She couldn't let him go, let someone else or some stupid action take him away, change things between them. Life without him was unacceptable. She needed him.
The mug shattered, sending tea and ceramic shards across the room, the lights flickering and an unnatural wind catching her hair as she threw back the cloak and got up. Whatever Beast Boy was afraid of doing, whatever crime he was in danger of committing, she would stop. What he feared she would make disappear and anyone who thought they could stand in her way should be wary. Zinara and this other should be wary. They weren't going to take Beast Boy from her. That would not be their last kiss. Perhaps Beast Boy didn't think she could stand against them, but he'd rarely seen her as determined and as passionate as she felt at the moment. He wanted her to stop him, but she was going to do more than that. She was going to save him and Azar help the one who tried to stop her. With one swift motion Raven tugged her hood into place and opened a black portal beneath her feet.
The air was charged, deathly still and dangerous. The thing, the creature that had come out of Garfield's chest, was sparkling on the floor, wiggling from time to time as it swelled. It seemed to glow a pale yellow like dying fireflies, the gleam catching the shapes of random objects and transforming them into monsters. The other artifacts were placed nicely out of the way, as if the exhibit had been designed with a large space around the Half Heart and everything else pressed against the wall. It was wide and long, the wall by the door bare, perfect for fighting without causing serious damage. Oddly convenient, but that didn't seem particularly important at the moment. Robin held himself still, eyes flickering from the thing to Garfield warily with his body tense and ready for almost anything. Garfield was staring hard at Robin, his gaze ablaze with inhuman fury and harsh enough to send a fainter heart scurrying away. But not Robin. He was going to fight, as stupid and suicidal as that seemed, he was going to take this creature on, get to that light, and contain it before the chaos it was bound to unleash began. Garfield knew all this full well, and it gave him a perverse pleasure to think of how soon that smug look in his eyes would be hidden by closed lids. But there wasn't much time to savor the anticipation, the other Titans would soon be showing up and Raven wouldn't stay put for long. Her arrival would make things much more difficult. Better to take out "The Team" and spirit Zinara away to some place safe before she arrived. A grotesque smile twisted his lips, his new fangs glinting in the half light, his clawed fingers flexing. Robin shifted his weight, preparing for what was coming.
Faster than any human could possibly move, Garfield was in front of him, then behind him. Robin gasped as something twisted his arm, locking it into a position human arms were not supposed to assume. He bent as Garfield put pressure on his shoulder, hissing when those claws began to dig in to the space between his muscle and bone, and then gasping as he was thrown through the air. He slammed into the wall by the door upside down, crumpling into a heap almost comically. The green boy followed him, flexing his fingers menacingly and examining the crimson stain beneath his nails, which had burst through the fingertips of his gloves and now protruded from the ragged cloth. Robin tucked his feet beneath his body, rocking back onto his toes and holding his arm. The fact that Beast Boy had just hurt him like that was more painful than the actual wound as it struck at the very core of who he thought Beast Boy was. A kind, light spirited kid who, despite his lack of maturity, could hold his own in a fight. One who would never savor a hunt like this (the boy was a vegan, for crying out loud), one who had always been loyal to the Team, one who had always stood up for the right thing. His friend was now here to annihilate him. And to enjoy it.
Garfield paused a few feet away from the fallen Titan, grinning expectantly. He said nothing but his luminous eyes challenged. 'Get up'. Cocky jerk. Robin sprung up, landing a side kick right into the changeling's chest. He grunted, stumbling back and looking quite shocked. The Titans leader struck with his open palm, aiming for his neck. One well placed blow there could knock out the boy and end the conflict and save them both a lot of grief. Robin just wanted this to end before any serious damage could occur. Unfortunately, Garfield wasn't as stunned as Robin thought. He twisted sideways, his spine contorting as if it had twice the number of vertebra, and did what could only be described as a one handed, sideways round-off. Robin dodged Garfield's feet and pulled some flash grenades. Before he could throw them, Garfield had his wrist, pressing hard on the pressure point next to his thumb, forcing his fist to open and the grenades to fall, useless, about their feet. With an almost playful grin, Garfield leaned in and whispered, "Is that all? I thought you were stronger than this." Robin grunted in annoyance and swung his other fist at Garfield's temple. The changeling caught it and forced it down so that he held both wrists by his waist, paralyzing the Boy Wonder. Smirking, Garfield snaked his foot behind one of Robins, the one slightly in front of the other where Robin had his weight, and jerked it out from under him. Robin fell backwards, Garfield shoving him down to the floor. As they tumbled Robin forced his leg between their bodies, pulling Garfield onto himself so that when they hit the ground he could use the momentum. When they landed Robin pushed with the leg between them and sent Garfield flying onto the floor above his head. He gasped in shock, landing hard on his back and quickly rolling to his feet, absolute wrath burning in his eyes now. He wasn't smiling any more.
Robin, his path now clear, made a run towards the glowing creature that was beginning to look eerily like cousin IT from the Addams Family. It seemed to turn and shrieked an ear splitting minor chord which could have sent shivers down the most heartless of humans' spine. Before Robin could take another breath, a dark arm had snaked its way around his neck. He gasped, clawing at it, but the more he struggled the tighter it got. Hot breath was by his ear, an animalistic growl rumbling in the chest behind him. He heard something that could only be described as the cracking of bones and felt hard objects shifting beneath the skin of the arm that held him. He dug his fingers into the changing flesh, wrenching it away so that he held the contorted arm before him, elbow locked across his shoulder. For a moment he considered breaking it, snapping that elbow, but instead he grasped as high up on the arm as he could reach and shoved his body as close to the attacker's as possible, squatting until his back was pressed firmly against Garfield's lower chest and stomach. Then, with an almost savage cry, he flipped the green boy over his shoulder. He did go flying, but not in any sort of normal way. Garfield twisted in mid air like he was doing a front hand spring without hands or a floor. Yet it wasn't quite a flip either, just a movement Robin didn't recognize.
Robin didn't have long to contemplate what it was that Garfield did because the changeling no longer seemed to be savoring every moment. As soon as he landed, he twisted out of Robin's grip and hit him full in the solar plexus with the heel of his palm. He skidded back, finally stopping in a crouched position by the door, staring in disbelief at what had once been a member of his Team. Garfield's form was so distorted it was repulsive; he no longer even appeared human. Yes, he was still human shaped, but his fingers had become so stubby in comparison to his claws that his hands looked paw-like, his face elongated outward slightly into almost a snout, his pupils tiny specs of grey in the grotesque emerald gold of his eyes. His mouth was slightly open, revealing several rows of thin, sharp points. For a moment they just stared at each other down the hall formed by the other artifacts, savoring the perfection of the scene. Man versus animal over the maiden, like a twisted version of some kind of ancient, epic tale.
"Robin," came a shrill call as a thunder of footsteps began just outside of the exhibit, breaking the moment. Garfield hissed and hunched down, making himself appear even more beast-like.
"Yo, Rob, we came as soon as we could! Where's-" Robin cut him off by pointing at the green creature.
"What has happened? Are you all right? Robin, where is Beast Boy?"
"There."
"No, it can't be. That can't be him! He's never been able to do anything like this before. He's only partly transformed. It doesn't even look like a natural animal! Beast Boy can't do that."
"Maybe you should tell that to him," said Robin coldly. "He's doing a lot of things he shouldn't. Like protecting whatever that is." He gestured to the glowing creature amongst the shattered glass.
"What the-" Cyborg followed Robin's gaze, and jumped slightly at the sight of the glowing creature. Under normal circumstances, Robin would have frowned on his carelessness, but the fact was that Garfield wasn't exactly a standard sight either, so he couldn't quite blame him for being distracted. "Robin, what did we miss?" Garfield hissed impatiently, shifting and his oddly jointed legs.
"Beast Boy ate the Half Heart and-"
"He did what?"
"He ate it! And then that light came out of his chest. It's been growing ever since. We need to get to it before it stops."
"Why? It this small thing so dangerous? Shouldn't we be more concerned with our friend?"
"Star, if it could do this to Beast Boy while still just a rock, what do you think it will do when it can move around," Robin asked rather harshly rubbing his arm and examining his bloody fingers. Starfire gasped at the sight of them, then, eyes blazing green with wrath as she put two and two together, she turned her gaze to Garfield.
"Beast Boy, stop this now! Come back with us!" Garfield's eyes moved slowly from her angry face to Robin's injured arm with a certain satisfaction, his lips twisting back into a smirk.
"Come on, B. We don't want to hurt you."
"Well, that's odd," Garfield hissed, his voice somehow augmented with something trumpet-like, an octave lower. "Because I want to hurt you."
"Just come back to the Tower," said Robin, standing up and pulling out his bow staff. "And we'll figure out what's going on."
"Oh, I already know what's going on. I know. You would flee now if you knew what was good for you." He stopped, his voice changing, shifting from the voice they were used to, to a strangely melodic, female tone. It was beautiful, beautiful and dangerous. "Then again, who am I to give up retribution? Human, you will pay." He was looking straight at Robin, his mouth stern and snarling. Then, his lips twisting, the trumpet-like voice returning. "You can't beat me."
"Do not think we will not fight you," warned Starfire, her fists glowing with the threat to her love."
"On the contrary, Star," Garfield leered, falling forward onto all fours and addressing her by the affectionate nickname. But it was contorted somehow, dripping with malice and disgust, like the mutation of affection. "I'm counting on it." His body began to change again, growing, elongating, expanding. It wasn't the usual blur of green that usually signified the transformation between man and animal; it was much slower, meticulous, like the body didn't quite know how to make itself shift. Hair burst about his neck and down his back, his spine shooting out from his tail bone into a long, arching tail. Hands and feet curled into paws, claws thickening into formidable talons. Bones groaned as they lengthened and joints reversed. Squelching could be heard as organs moved and grew and shrank out of existence. Spines grew from the tip of the tail into a bushel of barbs dripping with some sort of liquid. The Titans hovered by the door, frozen by the spectacle. By the end there was no longer a man before them, but some sort of giant lion that made the massive room about him look small. His back was a good inch or so above Cyborg's head, his scaled scorpion's tail arching several yards from the ceiling. The paws were as big as Robin's chest and the head was massive, frilled with a wild mane and armed with fang like teeth. The face stretched on it was neither human nor beast, a mockery of Beast Boy's grin pulled across a snouted bone structure. The creature eyed them enthusiastically, bending close to the floor as if preparing to pounce.
"Titans," whispered Robin, meeting the Manticore's gaze. "Go." Starfire hesitated a moment longer, then began to hurl starbolt after starbolt at the thing, landing each in his chest. The sound of Cyborg's sonic cannon charging could be heard above the small explosions of impact and then a twisting beam of cyan energy shot from his arm, mingling with the neon green of the starbolts, and sending a cloud of smoke into the air as it impacted. An awful howl was heard from behind the screen, a mingling of Beast Boy's pained scream and the wrathful cry of a beast. All firing ceased as the sound reached the Titans. It was Beast Boy, and not. Clearly he could feel everything they did, but was he aware? Was he still in control, or was this entire persona just the siren in his skin?
"Hey, B," Cyborg called uncertainly. "You OK?" The beast leapt from the smoke, tackling Cyborg to the ground. His claws made an awful screech as they ran across his metal chest, his eyes intent and vicious. "I'll take that as a yes."
"Oh, you're so funny," murmured Garfield. He brought his great head down next to Cyborg's ear so only he could hear his next words. "Concerned for my well being, Cy? Even when you're trying to kill me? I guess the tin man still has a heart after all. And here I was thinking your father had ripped it out with the rest of your humanity." Low blow. Cyborg gritted his teeth and pressed his sonic canon right into the beast's chest. Garfield shifted at the sensation, his smirk faltering. "Then again..." He fired. Garfield shrieked, rearing backwards onto his hind legs, gnashing his jaws furiously, yet, with some perverse kind of satisfaction. Starfire flew over, nailing Garfield in his exposed gut with a starbolt, sending him toppling onto his back, and pulled Cyborg to his feet.
"Thanks, Star."
"Are you still well?"
"Peachy,"
Garfield pushed himself back up, looking almost pouty. He didn't seem particularly upset by the set back. Robin, his bow staff held securely in his right hand like an extension of his arm, began to sneak behind the mythical animal towards the Half Heart, hoping that he was sufficiently distracted. He wasn't. Garfield swung around fiercely, sending Robin flying back towards the door with his paw, as if he had batted a fly out of the air. He landed on his shoulder, bouncing a little bit, then lay on the floor momentarily stunned. Garfield took a few steps towards the Titan's leader, then, his tail arching over his head, struck at him like a scorpion.
"Robin," cried Starfire, dropping to the floor. Robin rolled out of the way a split second before the hit landed, the spines only catching his cape. The venom bubbled on it, hissing and spluttering like some kind of acid eating at the reinforced fabric as Garfield drew back and readied himself for another blow. Robin sprung to his feet just as the spines rushed him, watching as they sank deep into the floor where he'd been. Hissing in frustration, the Manticore Garfield struggled to pull his tail out of the thinly carpeted cement. The Titan's took advantage of the fact that Garfield's tale was stuck to regroup. Robin shed his cape, Starfire checked Robin over and launched herself back into the air, ignited her starbolts, and Cyborg turned up the yield on his sonic cannon. Garfield gave them a sideways look and, for a moment, a flicker of regret danced in his eyes and they lost their luminous, yellow hue. He glanced at the mess that was Robin's cape, then down to the sink hole his tail had created, pensive.
For a moment, the world stood still as the gold came back. There was the sound of shifting weight, then Garfield sprung at Robin, claws outstretched. Starfire tackled him mid air, slamming him into a pedestal. The hollow wood groaned under the pressure and splintered, the metal helm it was supporting clanging as its glass case shattered and it fell to the floor. Garfield tried to use his hind legs to shove her away, catching her in the stomach as he struggled to right himself. Starfire let out a grunt of discomfort, but other than that she took no notice. With one hand she grabbed his throat and, fist closed into a tiny steel ball, she struck him in the snout with the other. Garfield howled, trying desperately to get her off of him, but he couldn't get any semblance of a good angle. The alien princess hit him again, her eyes burning.
"Star," cried Garfield in his trumpet like voice. "Starfire, please!" She hesitated, looking into those eerily luminescent eyes. His voice was desperate and pleading, hinting at feelings of betrayal, but his eyes told a different story. There was no pain in them, nothing to indicate he wasn't mocking her. Nothing to indicate he wasn't getting some kind of sadistic joy out of the whole thing, like someone who was right about something terrible. He noted the uncertainty in her face, his face splitting into a cruel grin. "Are you enjoying yourself? It is your nature to hurt, isn't it," he breathed quietly, for her ears only. "Behind the innocent facade that's what your species is good at, right?" Starfire let out a cry of hurt and indignation, gripping one of his paws and throwing him easily to the other side of the room. He hit three of the display cases, demolishing their glass shields, breaking several vases, and cracking the stone tablet on the wall behind them. There was a cry of agony and then silence. The Titans froze, waiting to see if Garfield was still standing. After what seemed like an eternity there came the quiet sound of cracking bones and human groaning and Garfield emerged from the debris. His uniform was torn, his skin unnaturally pale, and he was clutching at his thigh. Something dark and crimson was running through his fingers and his eyes, though no longer golden yellow, were livid.
"Rob, he's not looking so good," commented Cyborg quietly. "We need to end this, fast."
"Don't you think I know that," he snapped back, his eyes never leaving Garfield's. Garfield leered a little at their conversation, taking the moment to glance down at his injured leg and pull a shard of glass out of the wound. Starfire winced as he carelessly tossed the red piece aside and covered the gash with his hand. "We need a plan."
"Plan fast. Because at this rate the little dude's going to kill himself, he won't need any help from us." Robin shot Cyborg a very harsh look which he responded to with a shrug. "Robin, look at him." There was a very slow, but very steady drip of red liquid slipping through Garfield's fingers, though his expression didn't reflect that he was in any pain. As a matter of fact, he looked almost pleased with the laceration, as though it somehow proved his point and validated everything he had done and was planning to do.
"Tired already? Here I was expecting this to be difficult," Garfield taunted in a low voice.
"Really? 'Cause from where I'm standing it looks like your losing," Robin shot back, his hard gaze unblinking. Garfield's grin widened.
"Losing? Nah. I'm stalling. What are you doing?" Robin paused for a minute, letting his words sink in, then, his eyes widening in sickening understanding, he stole a glance at the Half Heart. It was no longer anything like a rock. Where the light had been there now sat what could best be described as a girl, but not like any Robin had ever encountered. At first glance she looked like little more than a huge lump of dusty brown hair and/or feathers rising out of a pool of more hear and feathers. Then she turned her head and he caught sight of her round, unnaturally pale face, as if she were born to a life in the sun but condemned to live in darkness until it robbed her of all color. Her eyes were huge and owlish, orbs of pure golden amber with slits of thick marquises of black onyx. Her arms were scaled like bird's feet from the elbows down and her hands weren't hands at all, but three fingered talons. She was still glowing faintly, the golden aura that had surrounded the stone as it grew still radiating from her skin.
"OK, that's new," said Cyborg blankly, staring at the girl in utter disbelief. Robin's eyes narrowed as he followed suit, his grip on his bo staff tightening. So, this was the siren. Didn't look like much, but he knew better than to underestimate her. Appearances couldn't deceive him, she was dangerous.
"Zinara," Garfield breathed, his expression turning almost happy as he gazed at her. She smiled faintly back at him, her wide, thin lips curving affectionately. The moment was shattered when a black vortex opened up barely a yard from the siren, dark energy surrounding a hooded figure.
"Raven!" yelled Robin, his voice a mix of relief and anxiety. She paid no attention to the Team Leader; her silent gaze was fixed on Zinara. For a moment they just stared at one another, gold eyes meeting violet. It was a curious contrast, the golden girl in nothing but her hair surrounded by warm glow next to the cloaked creature engulfed in black energy. Naked to clothed, long hair to short, pale yellow skin to grey, light to darkness.
"Zinara," Raven greeted in her usual monotone.
"Half-breed," she responded warmly.
"Raven, get her," shouted Robin, crushing the stillness. "Take her back to the Tower!" Raven looked away from the siren and gave him a quick nod. Garfield let out a snarl and, before anyone could so much as blink, had started towards Raven on all fours, his body shifting as he went. The change happened faster now, still not the blur of green they were used to, but not the painfully slow process from earlier either, as though the mind was getting used to its body again. He launched himself into the air, his body making final adjustments in the air, and a shaggy green wolf tackled Raven, pinning her to the ground. Raven gasped at the impact, her hood falling around her shoulders and her head banging against the ground, but she didn't struggle. She just stared at Garfield, unflinching and calm. He snarled at her, small pricks of black in his normally white eyes, then moving faster than was natural, he brought his head down to hers and began to close his jaws around her neck.
'Are you going to kill me, Beast Boy?' He froze, letting out a low whimper. His teeth pressed into the delicate skin of Raven's neck and she could feel his hot moist breath tickling her throat. If he had wanted her gone, he very easily could have taken care of it. But his rigid body and frozen bite told of an unwillingness to do so. 'Don't you remember who I am?' Beast Boy shuddered, tucking his tail between his legs and removing his paws from her shoulders, but he did not release her. Raven stared up at him, willing him to hear her, forcing herself across the telepathic bridge that still connected their minds.
'Raven," came a tentative reply. She nodded and his jaws tensed, forcing her to remain still. 'Raven, is that you?' This time she didn't move her head at all. She merely brought her hand up and rested it on his furry back, twisting her fingers in his thick, rough fur. He shuddered again, releasing her neck and tentatively licking the hollow of her throat once, almost like an apology. His wolf's tongue was warm and soft and would have made any other person in any other circumstance laugh out loud. Raven allowed herself a small smile as she stroked his still trembling back. Maybe he had abandoned them, maybe he had been under the influence of the siren, but he'd come back. When she'd called he'd come back. For reasons she couldn't explain, that made her exceedingly happy.
"Garfield!" A sudden, high pitched scream like a minor chord sliced through the air like a whip, causing Raven to jerk to cover her ears and any surviving glass in the room to shatter. Beast Boy, on the other hand, howled in pure agony, rearing back onto his hind legs and falling over backwards. The connection was severed as they both pulled back. He lay on the ground twitching for a moment, then he was still. Raven got to her feet gingerly, glancing around to see what happened. Zinara was curled up on the ground, her large eyes closed and her rapid breath even, like she had gone to sleep right there. Robin was standing over her, staring perplexedly at his hand, as if it now possessed a strange new power he hadn't been aware of. Starfire and Cyborg were staring at him in much the same way, apparently baffled.
"What happened?" demanded Raven, pulling her hood back into place and giving the rest of the Team a steely look.
"I just... touched her," said Robin rather blankly. "While you were keeping Beast Boy busy I figured it was the best time to apprehend her. But when I touched her, she just..."
"Screamed like he was made of red hot metal and passed out," finished Cyborg, shaking his head. "I don't know, man. This whole thing is getting to be just a bit too weird for me."
"Agreed," said Starfire quietly, looking around at the after math of their battle. "I do not understand what has happened or why. I wish things were as they used to be." No one seemed to know exactly what to say to that.
"Well, come on," said Raven suddenly, walking over to Beast Boy, who had slid back into human form, and placing her hands over his bleeding leg. They began to glow a pale blue as she healed the slash. He let out a low moan as the flesh was pulled back together, but gave no other indication that he was anywhere close to consciousness. "We can't very well do anything about either of these two here, so let's get them back to the Tower."
"Yeah, good plan."
"Cyborg, can you drive her?"
"What? Yeah but, Raven, what about him?"
"I'll take Beast Boy back myself."
"Raven, maybe it would be better if you took this back to the Tower and put her in the safe room first. We don't know when she's going to wake up or what she'll do. I'd like to be on the safe side."
"Or I could take Beast Boy."
"Friends, have we not had enough fighting for one day?"
"Guys, we could all just ride in the T-Car," suggested Cyborg, gesturing to the door with his thumb.
"Raven," continued Robin, ignoring both of them and pleading with the empath. "You teleport faster than even Cyborg can drive and we really need to get this siren back to the Tower before she wakes up." Robin stopped, crossing his arms as though the case were closed and glancing down at the siren. He blinked once, a pale blush beginning to rise in his cheeks as a new bit of information became apparent and he looked away quickly. "Besides..." He trailed off, glancing again at the unconscious siren at his feet and shifting uncomfortably. "She's- She- She doesn't have a lot on." Raven looked over at the girl in disbelief. Her massive amounts of hair were wrapped around her body like some kind of robe and the only flesh you could really see was her arms, feet, head, and bits of her stomach. It wasn't like some kind of awful Sci-Fi movie and the Teen Titans should have been mature enough to deal with it, but the concept of a woman without clothing is just something one aught not mix with teenage males. Raven sighed, trying to think rationally through the whirl of emotions that were still spinning through her head. She could understand Robin's argument, but she also really didn't want to let Beast Boy out of her sight. Finally, she snorted in defeat, rising and walking over to Zinara.
"Fine, I'll meet you there." The other three nodded and started towards the door. Cyborg went over and picked Beast Boy up, slinging him over his shoulder and giving Raven a comforting look. He didn't know what had just happened between the two, but he could tell it had been... intimate. She nodded back at him appreciatively. "If he wakes up..." she started. Cyborg paused, waiting for her to finish her instructions. Out of everyone on the Team, Raven was the closest thing they had to an expert on any of this and he trusted her judgment. The silence was a little strained, but not unbearable as Cyborg waited patiently. Raven sighed in frustration, looking over towards the wall. "Don't let him wake up," she finished lamely. He nodded understandingly and followed the others out. Raven watched him until he was out of sight, then reluctantly picking up the unconscious siren, opened a black portal and went back to the Tower. Hopefully, she'd be able to get Zinara some clothes, lock her in the safe room (not that that would help much, she wasn't a demon), and clean up the mess she'd left by the TV before the others had a chance to question her about it. Then she'd come back here. This had gone past the normal diabolical plotting of their enemies and Robin wasn't the only one who needed answers. Raven was going to find them, one way or another.
"All right," said Robin, rubbing his temples and looking exhausted. "Beast Boy's in the interrogation room, the siren's in the safe room with all its defenses turned on, and Raven's back from looking over the other artifacts in the exhibit. What do we know?"
"Not much," admitted Cyborg, supporting his head on his large fists. His human eyelid was heavy and he seemed to be putting a lot of effort in to sitting upright. Robin let out a low sigh, dropping his hands onto the table and rolling his neck.
"Raven," piped up Starfire, optimistic as always. "What have you found out?"
"Nothing concrete. Everything I found was vague at best."
"What can you tell us about the siren?" Robin specified.
"Like I said, nothing concrete. The exhibit had a lot of artifacts that were found with the Half Heart that speak of some kind of crime against nature. They say it used a great power and tried to destroy the world."
"The good old 'destroy the world' ploy."
"Yes. Clearly she failed, and the gods condemned her to be lost for all eternity in a sinking prison. What that means exactly, I can't say, but it's obvious that no one ever expected her to be able to escape."
"Sinking prison? Didn't Beast Boy come back from the ocean several times when he was only acting a little odd? Like he had gone out to find something?"
"Yes. What's your point?"
"My point is that maybe this sinking prison is was some sort of cage that just floated around at sea and Beast Boy swam out to find that. If that's true, then that might explain why this is all happening now." Cyborg received several inquisitive looks and he got up to explain. "The water currents could have taken it out of the Mediterranean, where the rest of the stuff was found, floated it around the globe, and finally deposited it off the coast of California." Several eye brows went up. "No, no, it makes sense! And it would have taken hundreds if not thousands of years. Raven, when are most of those artifacts from?"
"Around 490 BC," she answered slowly. "Found in what is now Naples."
"All right," said Robin, holding up a hand to stop Cyborg from arguing his point further. "So, she tried to destroy the world and the Greek gods put her in a cage and set her adrift for eternity and that's how she got here. Who is she, and more importantly, what is she?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but there is one possibility. There was one vase that told the story of one of the Sirens-"
"There were only a few of them?"
"Anywhere between two and five. According to the legend, one of them called Parthenope had an unconsummated romantic association with a mortal, Metiochus. Supposedly, she had some sort of accident and ended the relationship soon afterwards. She then cut her hair and dedicated herself to Dionysus."
"The God of Wine?"
"Among other things."
"So what are you implying? That who we have here isn't a full blooded siren at all, but the love child of these two?"
"But if it was unconsummated, doesn't that mean they never... you know."
"I know it's a rather important detail to ignore, but if you discount the fact that they never 'you know'-ed, everything fits. The fact that her singing has the ability to lure men anywhere and her bird like appearance definitely point to some kind of siren heritage, but if she were a full siren, then her song should have affected Robin too."
"Which it didn't."
"Precisely. And can you guess where the Tomb of Parthenope is?"
"Naples?" Raven nodded.
"Where the Half Heart and all the artifacts were found."
"Assuming for a moment you're right and what we have is a half-siren half-human hybrid, why wouldn't they just come out and say that somewhere? Why all the secrecy?" That one seemed to stump everyone.
"Maybe they were embarrassed," suggested Starfire. "Perhaps what she did was so terrible that anyone related to her would have suffered the consequences. Perhaps they were trying to save their noses."
"Trying to save face," corrected Robin. Starfire gave him a puzzled look, but he waved off her questions.
"The sirens were also supposedly sworn to celibacy. The offspring of a siren would have provoked serious question. Parthenope and Metiochus probably would have been killed, not to mention any child born of the union."
"I gotcha. They kept their kid a secret to protect her and themselves."
"It's only a working theory, but it's the best we've got right now."
"So that just leaves us with how she tried to destroy the world in the first place, what exactly she did to Beast Boy, and where this Half Heart fits in."
"I can tell you that the Half Heart itself held the power used to almost destroy the world. How she used it and what she did to Beast Boy you'll have to find out from her."
"I'm on it," said Robin, standing up and making his way towards the safe room. Starfire floated over to his side quickly, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"Robin, it's late. Should you not obtain sleep?" she suggested meekly.
"No, Star. We need to know what's going on, what she's planning. I can't wait." He tried to pull away, but she tightened her grip sternly. Cyborg couldn't help but smile at the couples antics as he stretched, leaving for his room.
"Star's right, Rob," he called over his shoulder. "We can shove a bed and blankets into the safe room and interrogation room for the siren and Beast Boy and question them in the morning."
"The situation's too urgent."
"Robin," said Starfire, walking around him so she could look directly into Robin's eyes. "They are not going anywhere. Please go to sleep." He looked stubbornly at her, intent on flat out refusing and marching to the safe room instead. Unfortunately, Robin always had a soft spot for Starfire's gaze. As she stared at him he found all his resolve melting into fatigue until finally, he caved.
"You win," he admitted, brushing her hand off his shoulder and clasping it in his for a moment. "I'll sleep, but in the morning-"
"In the morning," she continued, smiling warmly. "You shall get all the answers you seek." He smiled at her, feeling the distinct desire to brush his fingers across her cheek, but checked himself when he remembered Raven was in the room. He wished her a good night and left, an overly pleased Starfire at his heels. Raven watched them go, her curious newly acknowledged emotion twanging in her chest. For some reason, as she watched the two leave, she was thinking about Beast Boy.