Beast Boy perched atop a branch of a tall oak tree, his eyes never leaving the bustling school entrance below. His heart raced with anticipation as he watched the students pour out, their laughter and lively chatter filling the air. Among them, he spotted her—Terra, her blonde hair shimmering in the warm afternoon sun as she walked with her schoolmates.
He remained hidden, biding his time. Eventually, as he had hoped, she separated from her group, heading towards the bus station alone. As she passed by an abandoned field, he saw his opportunity. With agile grace, he leaped down from the tree, transforming back into his human form mid-air.
Lost in thought, Terra nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden appearance of Beast Boy, now standing before her with his arms crossed and a playful smirk on his face. Her eyes widened as she took in his transformed appearance—his muscular build, his new all-black attire, and the subtle air of danger that seemed to surround him.
"Beast Boy?" she stammered, her voice a mix of surprise and uncertainty. "Is that you? I... I almost didn't recognize you."
Beast Boy's smirk grew, his eyes roaming over her with intent. "That was the plan, Terra," he said, his voice low and carrying a hint of darkness. "You see, like you once told me, things change and now I've also changed..I've embraced a part of myself that I kept hidden, a part that I think you're going to like."
A flash of suspicion crossed Terra's face, and she took a cautious step back. "What are you talking about, Beast Boy? What are you even doing here and what do you mean by 'a new side'? I don't understand any of this."
He took a deliberate step towards her, his eyes burning with intensity. "Oh, but I think you do understand, Terra," he nonchalantly answered back, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You see, I've spent a lot of time thinking about us, about what happened between us, and I realized something. I was too weak before, too weak to protect you and now I know why. I realized I was weak because I was always too eager to play the hero and this held me back.
Terra's eyes widened in confusion, and she shook her head, her blonde locks cascading over her shoulders. "I don't know what you're talking about, Beast Boy," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "That was a long time ago. I've moved on from that chapter of my life and you should too."
Beast Boy's smirk faltered, but only for an instant before his eyes hardened with determination. "No, Terra, I haven't moved on," he said, his voice cold and resolute. "Far from it. I'm tired of you passively pushing me around, and you don't get to decide decisions for the two of us anymore. That ends today."
Fear crept into Terra's eyes, and she took another step back. "You're scaring me, Beast Boy. Please, just leave me alone. I need to get home. What do you want from me?"
He advanced, his gaze unwavering. "I want the old Terra back," he said, his voice intense and laced with longing. "I want to turn back the clock and give us another chance. I want you to see me for who I truly am—someone strong, someone who can always be there for you, someone capable of protecting you and helping you control your powers."
Terra's breath quickened, and she shook her head, her eyes pleading. "Please, Beast Boy,things weren't the way you remembered them to be. I just want to be left alone with a normal life now. Can't you understand that?"
Hurt and anger flashed in Beast Boy's eyes. "No, Terra, I can't understand it," he said, his voice now very harsh and bitter. "Not when you're all I can think about. Not after everything we shared. You came into my life and broke my heart, and now I'm offering you the chance to mend it. I gave you a choice the first time but I saw that was a mistake as you're still the same naive girl who can't make up her mind, this time, we do things my way."
Terra's eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she stood her ground, her shoulders straight and her chin raised in defiance. "I'm sorry, Beast Boy," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her eyes. "But I can't give you what you want, not like this. Too much has happened, and I can't change the past but the girl you want is just a memory"
Beast Boy's expression softened momentarily, the hurt evident on his face, before his eyes hardened once more. He looked into Terra's eyes once more as if pondering on a tough decision. Seeing this useless dialogue was getting nowhere and Terra's face remained unfettered he paused for a moment. "Fine," he said, his voice cold and distant. "Have it your way, Terra if that's how you want it then I'll make sure you're just a memory on this planet too."
The atmosphere crackled with tension as Beast Boy advanced onto Terra, his eyes burning with a mixture of intense anger and sadness. He moved with a new, predatory grace, his muscular frame towering over her small form. In a swift motion, he grabbed her, pressing her against a nearby tree, his hands tight on her arms.
"You think you can just walk away after everything you put me through?" he snarled, his breath hot against her face. "Do you forget how you tried to end my life and betray our team? Or how about the time you joined forces with Slade, of all people? And let's not forget the satisfaction on your face as you laughed and gloated when you thought you had killed me."
Terra's eyes widened in shock, and she struggled against his iron grip. "Beast Boy, stop! You're hurting me," she pleaded, her voice shaking.
But Beast Boy was beyond reason, driven by months of pent-up anger and internal torment. "Hurting you?" he spat, his voice dripping with bitterness. "You have no idea what true hurt is, Terra. You betrayed me, betrayed the titans, betrayed everything we stood for. You sold us out, and you lied to me when we were supposed to be best friends."
Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, but he refused to let up, his grip only tightening. "And let's not forget the chaos you brought upon this city," he continued, his voice harsh and accusing. "You helped Slade put fear into innocent people, and you nearly unleashed a volcano disaster that would have wiped out everything. If the people knew it was you, Terra, they would show no mercy. But here I am, the one you called a friend, grappling with the choice of letting you go or taking you as the prisoner you deserve to be."
Terra's eyes filled with tears, her body trembling in his grasp as the weight of his words hit her.
Beast Boy's face moved closer to hers, his voice now a whisper thick with pain. "You played with my heart, Terra. You made me believe we shared something special, only to throw it all away. But this time, I won't be the one left shattered."
Terra's breath caught in her throat, and she finally found her voice, her eyes pleading. "Look, Beast Boy," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "I know I made terrible mistakes, and I regret them deeply. But I swear I'm not that person anymore. I'm trying to make amends and be better. Please, just let me go and let the past stay in the past."
Beast Boy's eyes flashed with a mixture of emotions—agony, fury, and confusion. "Let you go?" he repeated, his voice harsh. "Why should I? So you can go back and rejoin Slade? Or maybe this is all part of your plan to attack the Titans again? I'm tired of your mind games and besides, you never gave me a choice, Terra. You chose to let me go a long time ago and if the girl I knew is just a memory now then I have no reason to spare the one in front of me."
Terra's eyes widened in fear, and she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. In that moment, she realised the dark state Beast Boy's mind was in since the end of their relationship and that his mental state had taken a turn toward a dark path of no return.
Anguish and hurt flashed in Terra's eyes, and she shouted, "I am trying to make amends! Yes, I've made mistakes, but I'm facing them head-on, not running away like you, hiding behind your anger and lashing out at everyone around you!"
Beast Boy's eyes narrowed, his grip on her arms tightening further. "And who are you to lecture me, Terra? While you were off 'making amends,' the rest of us were picking up the pieces of your mess. We had to repair this city and deal with the fallout of your actions. Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven—we're all battling our own demons. But we didn't use them as an excuse to inflict pain on the innocent like you did."
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "You think you're so special, so above the rules, but you're just a selfish brat who thinks the world revolves around her. No wonder you never had any real friends."
At those words bit at Terra, It reginited old mental scars, Terra's gaze faltered, his accusation striking a deep chord. But her pride wouldn't let him see her pain, so she lashed out, her eyes glinting with a dangerous yellow light. "At least I'm not a mindless brute, driven only by primal instincts," she spat, her voice laced with venom. "Your body may have changed, Beast Boy, but inside, you're still the same pathetic loser I left behind."
With that, she unleashed her powers, the ground beneath them shaking violently as she summoned her geokinetic abilities.
An enraged Terra now came at full force, but Beast Boy was ready. Months of gruelling training had honed his instincts, first he anticipated her attacks and then he seamlessly transformed, first into a hawk to evade Terra's initial strike, then a tiger, and finally a gorilla, each form chosen with precision to counter her every move. With his new mastery of his skills he could have easily gained the upper hand and ended their brawl, but with his primal instincts at their peak, combined with the raw pent up anger he had been keeping inside, he had something more sinister and terrifying in mind for his old flame.
He could have ended the battle quickly, but there was something more he wanted—something more intense, more visceral. A desire to make her understand the power he now wielded, the beast he had become, he then unleashed his secret weapon—his new, refined werebeast form. With a low, guttural growl, Beast Boy began to transform once again, The air around him seemed to crackle with energy as his muscles bulged, his fur bristling with a dark, savage breathing became ragged, each inhale a primal growl that echoed through the air. The familiar green hue of his skin began to shift, darkening to a sinister shade of forest-green, as if the very essence of his being was corrupted. Veins bulged beneath his skin, twisting and throbbing with an unnatural vitality as his muscles swelled to grotesque proportions.
Bones snapped and shifted beneath the surface, his spine elongating and contorting in a macabre dance. His once-boyish features distorted, his jaw jutting forward aggressively, teeth sharpening into deadly fangs that glistened with a sinister dew. Hair, coarse and wild, sprouted across his body, adding to the feral aura that now surrounded him.
His eyes, once warm and full of life, now burned with an otherworldly glow—a deep, crimson red that spoke of blood and rage. The irises narrowed to slits, reflecting the moonlight in a way that sent shivers down Terra's spine. The boyish charm she had known was gone, replaced by a predator's gaze, hungry and devoid of mercy.
But it was the transformation of his hands that truly terrified Terra. Fingers lengthened and curved, transforming into vicious claws that dripped with a viscous fluid. The sound of his elongated nails scraping against the air sent a chill down her spine, a stark contrast to the gentle touch she had once known.
A low, guttural growl rumbled from his throat, vibrating the ground beneath their feet. It was the sound of pure, unadulterated rage, a beast unleashed and hungry for vengeance. Terra's heart hammered in her chest, the fear palpable, suffocating.
This was not the Beast Boy she remembered—the boy who had made her laugh, who had nervously fumbled with his words when confessing his feelings. This creature before her was a monster, a grotesque perversion of the person she had once known and loved. The light in his eyes had been snuffed out, replaced by a burning desire for retribution. Her legs trembled, threatening to give way beneath her. She felt rooted to the spot, unable to move, unable to escape the nightmare that had become her reality. The air around her thickened with the weight of her guilt and regret, suffocating her, taunting her with memories of what they once had.
How did it come to this? Her mind screamed in desperation. How had the boy who had once been so full of life and hope transformed into this abomination, this force of pure, unleashed rage?
Beast Boy now dominated the battlefield which now resembled a war zone, with Terra desperately unleashing a barrage of attacks that tore the ground apart, sending rocks and debris flying. But Beast Boy was unstoppable, his new, muscular werebeast form overpowering her at every turn. He moved with relentless precision, landing one crushing blow after another.
Finally, he delivered a devastating strike that sent Terra crashing to the ground, her breath ragged, her body bruised and broken. "F-fine then," she gasped, her voice barely a whisper. "Finish it... just finish me... just get it over with."
Beast Boy loomed over her, his form towering over her, his monstrous form cast a long, ominous shadow over the battlefield. Terra could see the raw, unbridled power coursing through him, feel the malevolence radiating from his every move. And yet, within the depths of those terrifying red eyes, she caught a fleeting glimpse of something familiar—something that made her heart ache with a twisted sense of longing. Beast Boy then advanced toward her, every intention of ending it once and for all.
The air was heavy, thick with the weight of their shared history, as Beast Boy stood facing Terra, his eyes reflecting the pain and anger he felt. Her once-vibrant form now lay bruised and battered, a stark reminder of the choices that had brought them to this dire crossroads.
"Wait, Beast Boy," Terra's voice rang out, trembling with emotion. "Before you finish me, please, just hear me out."
Beast Boy opened his mouth to respond, his voice laced with bitterness.
But Terra continued, her voice cracking as she struggled to contain her emotions. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I need you to know how truly sorry I am.I'm sorry for betraying the team, for turning my back on everything we stood for. Slade manipulated me, and I was stupid enough to fall for his lies." Beast Boy's heart clenched at the sincerity in her voice, at the raw, vulnerable girl who stood before him. He saw the tears spill over, trailing down her cheeks, and felt the weight of her took a step forward, her voice dropping to a whisper as she continued, her words filled with shame. "And I'm sorry for betraying you, Beast Boy. For acting like I didn't know you, like I didn't care. It was all an act, and it killed me inside." Her hands balled into fists at her sides as she struggled to express the depth of her sorrow. "I loved being part of the team, and I loved—"
Her voice broke on the last word, and she paused, steeling herself to continue. "I loved being with you. You were the best thing in my life, and I threw it all away."
Beast Boy felt his anger began to waver, replaced by a flood of conflicting emotions. He saw the sincerity in her eyes, the genuine remorse that poured forth, and it cracked the walls he had built around his heart. In that moment, he saw Terra—really saw her— the young vulnerable girl who had been used and manipulated and understood the depths of her regret.
"I know sorry isn't enough," she went on, her voice tremulous. "I don't expect you to forgive me, but please, just know that I am truly, deeply sorry for everything."
Beast Boy's heart clenched at her words, heavy with the weight of their shared past. Beast Boy's gaze dropped to the ground, his mind reeling as he grappled with the torrent of emotions washing over him. He saw flashes of their shared moments—the laughter, the adventures, and the love they had once shared and the memories flooded back—memories of their time together, their moments by the sea, their shared training sessions, their first date, and even their last embrace before she was turned to stone.
The war within him reached a boiling point, and in a moment of raw vulnerability, he transformed back into his human form. With a ragged sigh, he stepped forward, closing the distance between them. His hand reached out, gently brushing away a stray tear from her cheek. It was a tender gesture, one that conveyed his own vulnerability. In a twist of emotions rather than delivering the final blow as he originally intended, he leaned down, the pain and regret in her eyes mirroring his own. "I'm sorry too," he replied, his voice hoarse and raw. "I should've tried to understand, to see your side of things." Their gazes held, an unspoken understanding passing between them. The hurt, the anger, the betrayal—it was all still there, but something else was growing in its place. A spark of something that might, with time and effort, heal the wounds they had inflicted on each other. Beast Boy's heart hammered in his rib cage, hope warring with uncertainty.
Deep down he still wanted to trust her, to believe that what they shared was worth fighting for. With a slow, deliberate step, he moved toward her, closing the remaining distance between them. Their eyes remained locked, searching, questioning, as they stood mere inches apart. Then, as if drawn by an invisible force, they moved simultaneously, their bodies colliding in a tender embrace. Beast Boy's arms wrapped around her, his hands gentle on her back, as if afraid she might break. Terra melted into his touch, her arms finding their way around his waist, holding him with a possessiveness that spoke of her own vulnerability. Terra gazing into his eyes stumbled on her words, "can we... can we possibly start over?" she asked, her voice trembling, "can we be friends again?"Beast Boy's thumb gently brushed away a stray tear that had escaped down Terra's cheek, his touch feather-light. "More than friends," he whispered, his voice steady and sure, a promise and a plea all in one. Terra's eyes widened at his words, her breath catching in her throat. "More than friends?" she repeated, her voice a husky whisper. He nodded, his gaze intense, his eyes never leaving hers. "More than friends," he confirmed, his voice thick with emotion. "We were always more than that, Terra. We just got lost along the way."Terra's lips curved into a soft, sensual smile, her eyes shining with a mixture of relief and desire. "More than friends, then," she agreed, her voice steady, her body relaxing into his embrace.
"Now time for me to finish this" Beast Boy whispered, Terra's eyes widened in shock thinking Beast Boy was about to betray her, her body still stiff beneath him. But to her surprise it wasn't another blow but a kiss as Beast Boy embraced her again as the kiss lingered, the anger and hurt began to dissolve, replaced by a whirlwind of conflicting feelings. Her hands found his shoulders, pulling him closer as she surrendered to the intensity of the moment, responding to his kiss with a desperate, unspoken plea for something they both feared was lost.
In that moment, everything else faded into obscurity—the pain, the anger, and the memories of the past. They were just two people, lost in a whirlwind of emotions, trying to make sense of their complicated feelings.
Beast Boy pulled back slightly, his breath ragged, his eyes searching hers. "There, I finished it ?" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I finished what we never got to do on our date when Slade showed up and ruined things."
Terra's eyes, shimmering with unshed tears, reflected the turmoil within her as she struggled to find the words. The weight of their argument still hung heavy in the air between them, its intensity having wounded them both deeply. She took a shuddering breath, her gaze softening as she finally spoke.
"You know something, Beast Boy," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I may have pushed you away, but it was never because I didn't know who you were or what we had. It was because..." She paused, her voice catching as she struggled to continue. "It was because I always felt like I didn't deserve someone as good as you and I was afraid of losing you."
Beast Boy's heart stuttered at her revelation, his anger softening as he realized the true nature of her actions. "You were scared of losing me?" he asked, his voice gentle, despite the hurt he still carried.
Terra nodded, her eyes never leaving his. "I know it might not make sense," she continued, her voice trembling. "But I'm always running, I ran away from home because of my powers and after everything that happened, after I broke your heart and betrayed the team, I felt like I didn't deserve your love or trust anymore. So, I pushed you away, not because I wanted to, but because I was afraid of getting hurt again myself."
Beast Boy's expression softened, melting away as he took in the fact that Terra was a runaway without guidance. He took a step towards her, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and understanding. "Terra..." he breathed, his voice hoarse with emotion. "You don't understand. I was the one who failed you. If I had been stronger then, I could have stopped Slade, I could have supported you through your struggles. Instead, I let you face them alone."
Terra shook her head, her blonde hair falling across her face, dampened by her tears. "No, Beast Boy," she choked out. "It was me who failed us both. I made the choice to run away, I was too afraid to face my own emotions, and in doing so, I lost the one person who really cared about me."
Her words struck a chord within Beast Boy, resonating with a truth he hadn't expected. He saw the raw vulnerability in her eyes, the fear of rejection and the pain of their shared past. In that moment, he understood the depth of her feelings and emotions that had driven her actions.
"Terra," he said, his voice soft and filled with a tenderness that surprised even him. "It's okay Terra, I think after all this time I finally understand and see the pain you were going through. Look we both made mistakes, but we can move past them. Together."
A tear escaped the corner of Terra's eye, sliding down her cheek as she nodded mutely, her heart too full for words. In that moment, their shared pain and regret created a bridge between them, a connection that transcended their arguments and misunderstandings.
Beast Boy took a step forward, closing the distance between them, his eyes never leaving hers. "Let's start over," he whispered, his voice steady and filled with hope. "Let's forget the past and build something new, something stronger, together."
Her lips curved into a soft smile, a ray of light amidst the darkness of their argument. "I'd like that," she whispered, her voice steadying as they hugged each other again.
However, their moment was fleeting, as Terra's injuries peaked, cutting short their passionate embrace. She winced, a soft groan escaping her lips as the pain became too much to bear.
"Terra!" Beast Boy exclaimed, his eyes widening in concern as he realized the extent of her wounds. "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize you were still hurt. Let's get you somewhere safe and tend to your injuries."
Terra nodded, her breath still ragged, as she leaned into him, seeking comfort and support. "I'm okay, Beast Boy," she murmured, her voice steadying. "I'm just glad you're my friend again. "
Reality came crashing down as Beast Boy realized the severity of the situation. He had let his emotions cloud his judgement, forgetting the extent of her injuries. He backed away, his eyes filled with regret and concern. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, his voice heavy with remorse. "I lost control and let my feelings get the better of me. I never meant to hurt you like this."
He paused, his eyes flicking between Terra's wounded form and the distant silhouette of the Titans Tower. "Sigh I can't just take you to a normal hospital, and to bring you to the tower... What would the others think?" he muttered, biting his lip. "How would I even explain this, but I can't just leave you here either."
His eyes softened as he gently picked her up in his arms. "I'll take you to the T-ship. We'll figure something out, together."
Terra, her breath coming in short gasps, managed a weak smile. "You're a hero at heart, Beast Boy," she whispered, her eyes shining with a mix of pain and gratitude. "Even in your darkest time you're still a titan."
Beast Boy's cheeks flushed at her words, feeling a mix of emotions. "Just rest, Terra," he said, his voice gentle. "We'll get you the help you need, and then we'll tackle whatever comes next, as a team."
As he made his way towards the hidden T-ship, his mind raced with the explanations he would have to give to his teammates. But in that moment, with Terra's soft body cradled in his arms, he knew that he would do whatever was necessary to protect her, even if it meant facing the consequences of his actions and confronting his team.