Fan Fiction ❯ A Raven Like No Other ❯ Chapter Twenty: Aftermath ( Chapter 20 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Chapter Twenty: Aftermath
(At Titan Tower)
It was earlier in the morning, and the sun was gradually rising, filling the skies with its brilliant glory. By this time, Raven had already woken up and returned back to her room with her things to clean herself up. After showering and putting on a clean leotard, cloak and her boots, she journeyed to the roof of Titan Tower to perform her ritual early morning meditation.
Upon arriving there however, she found Beast Boy there sitting on the ground Indian style with his back facing her and his face toward the still rising sun. All of his bandages were removed off of him and all of his injuries were gone, as if they were never there. He was now in a pair of dark sweatpants, white sleeveless muscle shirt, white socks and black and red sneakers. It was clear to Raven that he was actually meditating right where he was.
Raven was about to say something when...
“I was wondering when you'd show up Rae.”
Raven was taken aback by Beast Boy's statement.
“How did you know it was me? It could have been anyone else.”
“You're the only person I can think of who'd wake up this early to meditate with the desire to enjoy the beautiful sun rise, (grinned) plus I was able to smell your natural aroma even before you entered ever quietly through the door.”
That last comment caused Raven to unwitting blush under her hood while trying to hide her shock expression.
“You were actually able to smell me,” Raven asked in disbelief, “You actually know how I smell like?”
“My powers, strength, speed and healing factors weren't the only things that were enhanced,” Beast Boy replied, “My senses were also enhanced. Therefore, I can now even tell what kind of soap you used to wash yourself with, and still be able to distinguish it from your true scent.”
This caused Raven to blush even further, although she felt a particularly familiar emotion getting turned on by it. Needless to say, Raven had to keep that amorous heart sister at bay.
“I guess what Rage have done to me came with its benefits,” Beast Boy replied as he turned to look at Raven with a smile, “I never did got to say thank you for it Raven.”
“You're definitely back to normal for the most part,” Raven retorted in a monotone under her hood.
“Meaning?”
“What Rage infused into you can't be extracted or reversed since it completely bonded with you.”
“My body may have changed on a number of levels,” Beast Boy retorted, “But who I am is still intact.”
“And I wouldn't have it any other way.”
Beast Boy gestured to her to come toward him and wordlessly she obeyed. Standing up, he embraced and kissing her passionately and she gladly returned the favor. After a few minutes they pulled away reluctantly to catch their breaths.
“Since we're both up here and no one else is awake at this time,” Beast Boy suggested, “How about we meditate together?”
With a smile, she replied, “Yes, I would like that.”
Position themselves in front of each other, Raven and Beast Boy sat down on the floor and assumed their ritual meditation stances. With the sun continuing its rise, couple began their meditation together.
(Three Hours Later)
The time now was 9:35 a.m. and Cyborg, Robin and Starfire have already woken up. The trio was in the kitchen fixing themselves some breakfast. Robin and Starfire still have bandages on them whereas Cyborg was fully repaired, one of the advantages of being a half human/half robotic android. Ten minutes later, Jinx, who was also bandaged like Robin and Starfire, slowly entered among the Titans with her crutches. It sucked having one of your legs in a cast, Jinx thought. She wondered if she should even be among the Titans. She was about to hurry back to the room Starfire prepared for her last night until Cyborg and Starfire caught sight of her.
“Jinx,” Starfire called out joyfully, “How nice of you to joy us on this bright morning.”
Jinx slowly turned to face the Titans.
“Hi,” Jinx replied with a surprisingly shy and nervous voice.
“Hey Jinx,” Cyborg welcomed, “For a moment I thought you were thinking of locking yourself in your room.”
“The thought honestly crossed my mind at first,” Jinx admitted.
“Please,” Starfire requested, “Come dine with us on this merry moment of breaking the fast.”
“Say what,” a perplexed Jinx asked.
“She means come have breakfast with us,” Robin interpreted.
“You mean you guys don't mind,” Jinx asked with a surprised expression, “I mean I know I've helped you guys out last night, but...I'm not deserving of your kindness or hospitality, especially after all I've done...”
“Let the past stay in the past,” Cyborg suggested, “Sure, you made lots of mistakes but that doesn't mean you can't fix them. And like I said, you willingly risk your life without question to help us and that's worth giving you a chance and starting over if anything. So what do you say?”
Jinx stayed quiet for a moment before she came to a decision.
“All right,” Jinx agreed, “No sense in putting myself through self starvation.”
“Splendid,” Starfire cheered. Jinx made her way to the table the three Titans were sitting at. She took a seat on one of the cheers that was there and grabbed a free bowl that was on the table and fixed herself a bowl of cereal with some of the sliced and pealed peaches that were in a bowl provided on the table. After pouring in some milk, Jinx began dining down. While eating Cyborg asked, “So how's your leg?”
“Never better,” Jinx replied in sarcasm.
“No need to bite off my head,” Cyborg retorted.
“...Sorry,” Jinx apologized, “I just hate the circumstances I'm in.”
“You mean you being here with us, right,” Cyborg asked.
“No,” Jinx responded, “I mean having my leg in the condition that it's currently in.”
“So aside that you like being with us now,” Cyborg teased.
“What do you mean,” Jinx asked cautiously.
“You said that you hate the circumstances that you're in and when I asked if it was being here with us, you immediately said “no”.”
Jinx saw what Cyborg was implying.
“Whatever,” Jinx replied.
“Tell us,” Robin asked with a serious tone, “All jokes aside...when your leg heals up, do you intend to resume your criminal activities with Mammoth and Gizmo?”
Jinx was caught off guard by his question as everything at the table went silent. All eyes were on her now as they awaited her reply. She wanted to say something but it was as though her words got clogged in her throat.
“Well Jinx,” Robin said. Jinx honest didn't know what to say. She felt her heart pumping harder and harder with every passing second as her body trembled slightly. She was sure that if she gave an answer that would have surely betrayed their trust and kindness she'd be in trouble for sure and jail would be the first and final stop for her, with Bumblebee's compliments. Robin was about to say something when…
“Cut her some slack Robin,” Cyborg cut in coolly, “We shouldn't put her in a position like this especially after all that's happened.”
“Friend Cyborg is right boyfriend Robin,” Starfire agreed, “We should at least give her a chance, shouldn't we?”
Robin remembered too well the incident that occurred with Terra and how she hurt and betrayed Beast Boy and the rest of them to Slade, and if anything, he didn't want his friends or himself to go through that same hell again and repeat history.
“I already promised you all that I won't cause any trouble while I'm here,” Jinx reminded, “And besides, Stone risked his life to save and protect me during the battle last night when he could have gone with the option of letting Rage kill me on the spot and save his own skin.”
“Yes he did risk his life to save and protect you,” Robin admitted. Starfire interjected, “It's clear that you continuously refer to friend Cyborg as “Stone”. I know there must be some reason to this, yes?”
Jinx futilely fought hard to refrain from blushing but failed to as a streak of redness appeared on her pale cheeks. Starfire didn't need to think hard as to why Jinx was blushing; the facts were evident. Before another word was said, Beast Boy and Raven appeared through the entrance hand-in-hand and made their way to the others as the four at the table turned to greet the new Teen Titan couple.
“Greeting friend Beast Boy and friend Raven,” Starfire greeted cheerfully.
“Hi,” Raven replied in her normal monotone, but with a small smile.
“Hey guys,” Beast Boy greeted. That was when everything stopped what they were doing to realize something awkward about the situation. Beast Boy was fully conscious and healed with no bandages on him and with NO battle scars.
“Beast Boy,” Cyborg exclaimed in disbelief, “You're...completely healed up and-”
“And up and running,” Beast Boy cut in.
“But,” Robin said, “You were totally busted up like it was nobody's business and in some kind of coma state! How were you able to make such a rapid recovery?”
“It's really strange to say this but I owe that part to Rage,” Beast Boy revealed.
“Come again,” Cyborg said. Raven explained, “When Rage infused Beast Boy with her special potion, she not only increased all his abilities and strength but also his healing factors. I admit I was also just as shocked as the rest of you, seeing that those same injuries he was inflicted with would have taken him weeks to recover from at his previous healing rate.”
“I'll say,” Jinx retorted, “Love sure does hurt a lot.”
“Whatever,” Raven replied. A second later, everyone at the table realized that both Beast Boy and Raven have been holding hands the entire time since their arrival.
“I trust that both you and Beast Boy are a couple now, yes,” Starfire asked happily. Both Beast Boy and Raven blushed but nodded their heads. Before Starfire or the other could give their congrats, Raven continued, “Listen everyone...I want to apologize and say I'm sorry for all the trouble and chaos I caused over the days. None of it would have happened if I was honest with G.L. and myself.”
“Don't worry about it Raven,” Robin reassured, “We're just happy that no irreversible damages were done. But we're also happy to see that both you and Beast Boy are together.”
“It's about damn time too,” Cyborg added with a tease, “With the way you both would argue and fight over ridiculous nonsense, you both could pass convincingly for a married couple.”
Again both Raven and Beast Boy blush from hearing their fellow Titan's comment.
“Raven always said that my playing video games and watching TV would prove dangerous to my mind,” Beast Boy teased, “Yet amazingly her reading of books and my journal proved fatal to everyone if not handled with extreme care.”
Everyone busted out laughing at the truth behind the statement while Raven blushed yet again and smacked Beast Boy across his shoulder of that last comment.
“But seriously,” Robin said, “It's great that both you and Raven are together now, because from all that we've seen from the two of you, you both are practically good for each other and Primal and Rage can testify to that.”
“Speaking of Primal,” Beast Boy spoke with a serious but calm tone, “I want to apologize and say I'm sorry for that. When I became him, I lost all control of myself and did things completely outside myself and it nearly killed all of you guys.”
“It wasn't completely your fault BB,” Cyborg reassured, “You were brainwashed and under a powerful mind control. We explained everything to Bumblebee and the others, so there's really no personal or hard feelings about it.”
“Besides the physical burns and bruises we'll have to heal from,” Jinx murmured. The others chose to ignore her at the moment.
“What frightened me was that I was able to see myself do all those things but I couldn't do a thing about it,” Beast Boy admitted, “...I was possessed...by dark and corrupt feelings I didn't want you all to know existed inside me.”
“After the first Man Beast incident it would be pretty hard for you to put it pass us no offense,” Cyborg stated, “But we also want to apologize to you also Beast Boy since all of us share a blame as the reasons you became corrupted for a time.”
“Yes Beast Boy, we are truly sorry and hope that the events that took place amongst us didn't damage our friendship in any way,” Starfire said.
“That goes for me as well,” Robin spoke, “I know we've been hard on you at times, but we didn't mean to hurt or offend you in anyway.”
“Everyone's apologizing today,” Jinx snorted, “...Do you guys always get this sentimental or is it just because I'm here?”
“Does she have to stay with us,” Raven asked feeling annoyed by Jinx.
“Just pay her no mind Raven,” Robin suggested, “She's just teasing.”
“That's right,” Jinx said, “I was just teasing.”
“...While you're our `special' guest here,” Raven said with a cold voice, “Don't make it a habit.”
Jinx said nothing further to the gothic Titan as she turned back to eating her breakfast.
“Although you were crazed out BB,” Cyborg said to lighten up the mood, “I have to admit you were a really good and strategic fighter.”
“I agree,” Robin said, “You gave us all a real good fight and we were giving it our all.”
Beast Boy blushed from their compliments, “C'mon guys, I wasn't all that!”
“I beg to differ,” Starfire spoke, “You battled us in ways we never knew you could, as rough and brute as you were; and some of your new abilities and transformations were rather impressive as they were indescribably deadly!”
“Uuh...thanks,” Beast Boy said with a nervous laugh as he scratched the back of his head, “But I really went berserk as the great green fire-breathing dragon.”
“Ya think,” Jinx retorted sourly, “You left your trade on my beautiful left leg and because of that, looking at my leg will always remind me of you, and how you scarred me while I was young and innocent.”
““Innocent”,” Raven mocked, “As if you know what the word means.”
Jinx was about to say some in retaliation but Cyborg shot her and Raven a look for them to say nothing further. Wanting to break the tension between the two sorceresses, Robin interjected, “We could use those new abilities of yours Beast Boy. It would surely have criminals think twice before they cross you the wrong way.”
“Too bad Botanico will never live to till them that,” Beast Boy interjected, “I'll admit that he was...quite tasty. He was like a mix of fresh salad and steamed vegetables. I now understand the pleasures snakes get out of swallowing their prey whole and fresh.”
Everyone looked at Beast Boy oddly for a moment before he gave them a toothy grin that gave a feeling of predation.
“Sometimes G.L. you frighten even me,” Raven retorted, “And that coming from me says something.”
“And here it was that I was always afraid of you,” Beast Boy replied, “But after all that happened, I found everything that's happened between us to be most ironic.”
“Are you both done flirting already,” Jinx asked, “It's awkward enough that I'm having breakfast with you guys as it is, so let's not make things weirder please.”
Raven was tempted to pull off something malicious on Jinx but resisted the urge to. Letting go of boyfriend's hand, Raven went into the kitchen to fix herself some tea. Beast Boy followed her into the kitchen to fix himself some breakfast when Raven whispered something into his ears. Cyborg looked at the green and gothic Titans as he wondered what they were saying to each other. He saw Beast Boy smile and nod his head about something as he prepared his breakfast, which was a bowl of fruit salad and apple juice. Beast his breakfast to the table, Beast Boy sat and with the others and began eating.
“What was that all about between you and Raven just a few minutes ago,” Cyborg asked.
“Something private, thank you,” was all Beast Boy said as Raven came and sat down next to him with her cup of herbal tea in her hand. Removing the hood off her head, Raven looked up at Jinx who in time looked at Raven as their eyes met in an eye-to-eye contact. Raven expressed no emotions from her eyes even though her expression felt as though she was peering through Jinx's soul.
This girl really creeps me out, Jinx thought was she turned away. Raven just sipped her tea without saying a word to the pinked haired sorceress. Beast Boy eyed Raven and thought to her, You were right. Having Jinx around with us will certain make life here a little more interesting as weird as it sounds.
Didn't I tell you, Raven replied back telepathically.
(Meanwhile At The Abandoned Warehouse)
“Where the hell is that stupid girl,” Gizmo yelled as he kicked one of the empty boxes, “She should have been back by now!”
“Maybe Jinx ran into a little trouble,” Mammoth suggested.
“Or maybe she was dumb enough to let herself get arrested for getting caught doing something stupid!”
“Well whatever the reason we're getting nowhere just sitting around doing nothing. So what now? Should we go look for her?”
“Why bother,” Gizmo scoffed with disinterest, “It's just one less person for us to worry about. Besides, Jinx chose to ditch us and do whatever the hell it was she went out to do, and undoubtedly she got herself caught in the act. And I'm not about to let myself caught by the cops going looking for her! Whatever mess she now got herself into when she chose to ditch us, she's on her own. We have better things to do than take orders from a girl who daydreams about that half-man tin-can Titan!”
“You mean Cyborg,” Mammoth said, “Yeah, I sensed that she still likes him. It's rather sad on her part. I thought she had better taste.”
“Girls are complicated creatures to figure out,” Gizmo retorted, “If you ask me they should have came with a set of instructions.”
“In whatever case,” Mammoth interjected, “I'm getting bored here. So let's get out of this dump and find somewhere to go or something to do.”
Gizmo simply shrugged and grabbed his things before he headed out with Mammoth.
(Two Months Later)
Things have been progressing well for the Titans over the passed number of weeks. Their injuries have healed up and they were back in action. A few infamous criminals like Plasmus and Cinderblock did a few crimes, but nothing that the Titans couldn't handle and Beast Boy's new abilities helped greatly when needed. Other small-time criminals like bank robberies appeared but were easily dealt with by Beast Boy and Raven.
During this time, Starfire and Robin have gotten closer in their relationship, as did the relationship between Raven and Beast Boy, who Raven would affectionately call him “G.L.” on occasions. It was a surprise to many who were fans of the Titans that Raven and Beast Boy became a couple although a number of them said that both them looked good together. Raven however, was surprised to hear what some of the fan girls weresaying about Beast Boy and his features, wishing they were in her place. Beast Boy too heard what some of the guys were saying about Raven and her features, and if anything he didn't like what he heard anymore than Raven since some of things said from the guys were rather perverted. The Titan couple paid them no mind and went about their own business.
Beast Boy would practice his new abilities and transformations, and experiment with them to see if he could come up with combo techniques when animorphing and battling. He couldn't morph into the dragon as before since that level of power and speed required him to transform into G.L. the Primal first and he hadn't got the hang of controlling himself as Primal perfectly, but he was working on it with Raven's assistance. When he wasn't practicing, he'd either be hanging out with the others, or meditating with Raven to keep the dark side of himself dormant and in status. On occasions Starfire would sometimes join the couple in their ritual meditations since both her and Raven had done so with each other on occasions since the time they once switched bodies as a result of the Puppet King's first and only assault. And when Beast Boy wasn't meditation, hanging with his friends, training, or sleeping, he'd be with Raven and he'd with her to, as Starfire once put it, Raven's favorite depressing café on occasions.
True to her nature, Raven wasn't one who took interest in playing video games although she'd watch her boyfriend battle it out with Cyborg on one of their games while she's reading one of her books. Much to Cyborg's shock, Beast Boy had recently started beating him with eye-popping combos and strategies. He couldn't make out as to how he started losing all of the sudden; Cyborg had no clue that Raven would sometimes telepathically give Beast Boy some pointers while playing. She was able to do this since she watched both Cyborg and Beast Boy's game playing more times than she could remember and had ample time to study both their moves. Basically, she'd have found ways to beat both of them if she were to develop an interest in playing video games. But she chose to share that knowledge telepathically with Beast Boy instead.
Jinx's left leg was mostly healed up but still showed a few battle scars much to her displeasure. She still had to give her leg some time to recuperate before she was able to use it to the full extent as she used to before. During this time she received no word from either Gizmo or Mammoth or heard any news about them, and through it all, Cyborg kept a watch on her, making sure that not only did she keep out of trouble but also keep her from hurting herself. In spite of her circumstances, Jinx wasn't treated as a prisoner or threatened to be sent to jail after her recuperation much to her surprise. And to the Titans' surprise, Jinx kept her end of her promise as to not cause any trouble during her stay at Titan Tower. Through the whole two months, she got a taste of life with the Teen Titans first hand and even though she might not admit it, it wasn't all that bad as she thought it would be.
(A Week Later)
Cyborg was in his shop working on the T-Car after finding a glitch that resulted in the car's computer system to malfunction. While working his car, he soon heard the sounds of the door opening followed by footsteps. He looked up from inside the T-Car and saw an familiar pink-haired teen sorceress making her way to him.
“Hey “Stone”,” Jinx greeted.
“Whatzup Jinx?”
“Not much really. I was bored as hell and I didn't find much to do.”
“Besides staying out of trouble,” Cyborg teased.
“Ha ha ha,” Jinx retorted in sarcasm.
“If you like, you can help me with my T-Car?”
“You'd trust me to help you with that?”
“We started trusting you when we let you in our home,” Cyborg replied with a smile, “Doesn't that tell you something?”
Jinx thought about the statement Cyborg made to her. In all honesty she didn't really consider being trusted by the Titans seriously until Cyborg brought it to her attention. Before she could reply, the Titan siren went off.
“Looks like we're gonna have-ta postpone the project,” Cyborg said as he and Jinx hurried out of the shop and toward the main meeting room also known as the common room. Robin, Starfire, Raven and Beast Boy were already assembled by the time Cyborg and Jinx arrived.
“What's the trouble,” Cyborg asked.
“Mammoth and Gizmo are back and are attacking downtown Jump City,” Robin explained. Jinx gave no reply as she watched Gizmo and Mammoth wreak chaos where they were.
“They seem to be having a lot of fun,” Beast Boy said with a sarcastic tone.
“Their fun is about to come to end. TITANS, MOVE OUT!”
Robin and the others turned made their way to the exit when Cyborg realized something.
“Hey,” Cyborg said, “Where's Jinx?”
“We'll worry about her later,” Raven replied. Robin added, “Our priority now is to stop Mammoth and Gizmo from doing further damage!”
Cyborg didn't argue further as the others stormed out of the tower, being momentarily left behind. With a sigh, Cyborg ran to catch up with his fellow Titans with questions on his mind about Jinx's sudden disappearance...
TBC