Fan Fiction ❯ From Stone ❯ Voices ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: Since I obviously don't own the copyright to Teen Titans, I'm taking advantage of the Fair Use Clause of the Copyright laws to write a story with them in it. Who knew the government would protect the little guys? Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

 

Chapter 3: Voices

 

Raven lay still on the cot, still in her recuperative meditative state. Robin watched her carefully, looked at the monitor, and then to the others. Beast Boy was gone. He swallowed the hard lump that formed in his throat. `He can take care of himself…' Robin paused, remembering Raven's room, the floor littered with tattered books. Beast Boy would have had to enter that to reach the mirror… even Beast Boy would have realized that those tattered books were all that was left of Raven's collection… and the last hope to bring back Terra. Robin bit his lip; Beast Boy would have to wait.

“Robin, where is Beast Boy? Have you seen where he has gone?” Starfire asked him, a bit confused.

“Starfire, something tells me Beast Boy will want to be alone right now…” Robin said as calmly as he could. He was probably going to visit Terra. Robin frowned a little bit, knowing this would be another blow to him that nobody could heal.

Starfire nodded slowly, then looked back down at Raven. She was still holding Raven's hand; after what had happened and how close they had came to losing Raven, neither of the other Titans saw anything wrong with how protective Starfire had gotten.

Cyborg stood close, watching the display screen, and frowning at the computer he had smashed to bits. “It looks like she's waking up…”

Raven's eyes opened lazily, she blinked a few times and tried to sit up but all three of the Titans held her down. “You need to rest Raven, you've suffered major trauma.” Cyborg said firmly.

Raven's eyes darted between the three of them, and then widened, “Beast Boy?”

“He left.” Robin answered quickly, “Don't worry, just try to rest.”

“But I… but he…” Her eyes were wide and filled with fear.

“Beast Boy can take care of himself, don't worry.” Robin said soothingly.

Raven nodded, still very unsure, “I failed…”

“Raven…” Robin started

“I failed… and he knows it…” Her chin trembled ever so slightly.

“Raven, do not worry. Once you are rested we can get you new books.” Starfire said smiling.

Robin's eyes went wide for a second and he nudged her, “Raven, we don't blame you, you've been under a lot of stress…” he looked at Starfire who finally understood and blushed with a frown, “… but don't worry, I'll talk to Beast Boy, I just want you to stay here.”

Raven looked at him then to Cyborg and then Starfire, then nodded.

Robin stood and motioned for Cyborg to follow him walking to the door, “I'm going to look for Beast Boy, I think I know where he'll be, just make sure Raven stays safe and rests up, ok?”

“Yeah, of course.” Cyborg said, looking back to Raven who lay in bed, while Starfire acted surprisingly motherly, “Where do you…” his words dropped away as he saw Robin was already gone, “… man I hate it when he does that…” He said shaking his head, walking back to Raven's side.

 

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Beast Boy walked down the trail to the cave quietly; he hadn't come in a long time. It just felt wrong every time he did, watching Terra stuck as statue… it gnawed on his insides thinking about it. Still, that feeling couldn't compare to the fear he felt or the anger he had for himself. How could he have pushed Raven so hard? Even for Terra…

He barely noticed entering the cavern where Terra was. The air was stagnant, not stirred since his last passing nearly two months ago. The last time he was here he has promised her he would come back soon, and here it was, two months later… he closed his eyes and walked forward towards Terra. The young Titan stood silently, arms away from her chest and her hair fixed while flowing in the air wildly, unlike her normal straight and down. She still looked calm; maybe she had known she had to sacrifice herself?

“Hi Terra… sorry it took me so long for me to get back. I know I promised and all…” He scratched the back of his head, embarrassed and ashamed, “Its just things have been sorta busy…” He looked to the ground, thinking as hard as he could. Something about the area still made him want to just curl up in a ball and whimper, not even moving until the day Terra came back, or until he joined her. He couldn't though. It was not his place to become so overcome with despair, with so much sorrow that he could not contain it.

“We fought Mumbo again.” He started, thinking about the last time she faced Mumbo. “It was a lot like the time we faced him and you were… He was robbing a bank again. But before we could catch him, he sucked up Raven, like a giant vacuum!” He got into the story, the slightest grin appearing on his face as he talked. “The next thing you know, we were all turned into animals! I mean, Robin was a monkey, Star was a cat, Cyborg was not only a bear, but he was in this pink frilly tutu.” He laughed a little at that thought. “Raven was turned into a rabbit; I didn't turn into any animals though… I kinda blabbed to him about my abilities. So, he turned me into a lamp. You should've seen… It…”

Tears began to well up in his eyes, but he wiped them away quickly, with the sleeve of his suit. “Never mind. Don't worry about it. It's a dumb story… It's one of those things where you had to be there to get it.” He winced to himself, once he realized what he said. “You remember… the time we went to the amusement park? You remember, right? When I was drooling on the gravity thingamabob and, even though you nearly threw up you thought it was hilarious? Then, we went and had popcorn, and then I nearly got sick… wait, why am I talking about this with you? I mean, there's better things about that time, like the haunted house, I mean, that was great, even if it did scare the pants off me.”

His eyes started to well up again, as he went on. “Then, we went on the Ferris wheel… And I promised I wouldn't stop being your friend, no matter how bad of a thing you did…” Beast Boy slumped over, “But I couldn't even keep that promise to you! I mean, I should never have been such a jerk to you, I should've tried to help you get away from him, and what did I do? I insulted you! I told you we weren't friends anymore!”

Beast Boy took a few steps forward then stumbled and fell, finding himself looking up at Terra while he was on his knees. It almost seemed fitting. “You're not the only one I've been a jerk to… Cyborg had a super-bad virus, and it nearly destroyed the city! Do you know why that happened? Because I was so desperate to play Monkey Madness 4, that I put his life in danger. I crashed his computer. And, in Raven's head, there was me, and I was attacking her, but it wasn't me! And I didn't do anything, until she nearly died, I just stood there, watching her get creamed! I nearly killed Raven, and cost her all of her books, her entire library! I pranked Starfire, and nearly got her in trouble with Silkie! I drink Soymilk straight from the carton! And I know I'm the only one who drinks that anyway, but I'm sorry!”

“Terra… Terra I'm sorry.” He bowed his head, “Raven's books are gone… she was the only person who could have helped you…” Tears streamed down his face and for a time he stifled a small sob. “It's my fault…” He finally managed to strangle out in a hoarse whisper, “It's my fault… I pushed you away… I pushed everyone away… I pushed Raven too hard… Terra I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…”

“Beast Boy, it's not your fault.” Robin said quietly.

Beast Boy whirled around to see Robin standing at the entrance of the cave, he quickly turned away, “Go away.”

“Beast Boy, listen to me…”

“I said go away.” Beast Boy choked out, trying his best to sound angry, but failing miserably.

Robin took a few steps forward, “Raven…”

Beast Boy flinched visibly, “Is… is she ok?” He slowly turned back to look at Robin, his face reddened from crying.

“She's fine. She wants to know if you are.”

Beast Boy looked back at Terra, “Tell her I wont hurt her anymore…”

“You just saved her life.”

Beast Boy trembled then stood and faced Robin; “I was the one who put her life in danger! Just like I did to Cyborg, just like I did to Terra…” His voice trailed off.

Robin rested a hand on Beast Boy's shoulder, “You didn't do anything to Terra. She saved us all, remember.”

“I PUSHED HER AWAY! I promised her I would always be her friend and I lied. That's why she went back to Slade…” Beast Boy said,

“That was her decision.”

Beast Boy shook with rage, his voice became quieter, “She was forced…”

“Beast Boy,” Robin shook his head, moving closer to him.

“Don't Beast Boy me, it's my fault, it's not just my fault it's all our faults. We forced into Slade, we turned our backs on her when she needed us most. What friends are we? We stabbed her in the back!” Beast Boy had balled up his fists and his chest was heaving, and he trembled, growling audibly.

Robin grabbed Beast Boy by the shoulder, “Beast Boy, she betrayed us remembAAARGH!” Robin grimaced as Beast Boy transformed into a dog and bit him on the shoulder. Robin stumbled back a few feet and grabbed the wound, “BEAST BOY! What do you think you're DOING?!”

Beast Boy leapt away from Robin and looked at him for a moment, his eyes went wide for the briefest moments and he stopped growling. He backpedaled, not looking where he was going and without realizing it backed into Terra. He looked back at Terra, then to Robin, and back to Terra again, his tail sticking between his legs as he began to whimper. Robin took a step towards him, still nursing his sore arm, but Beast Boy ran past him, making his way to the tunnel exit. By the time Robin had reached for a net bomb he was already out of sight.

 

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Robin entered Titan's Tower more than annoyed, his shoulder still ached and Beast Boy was gone. He had found his communicator at the entrance, but had lost him after that. He had done his best to cover the wound, but he still needed it looked at, but not with Raven in the sick bay. There would be too many questions, and at the moment, Robin didn't want Raven to suffer any more undue stress. He grabbed his communicator, “Cyborg. Cyborg pick up.” He whispered.

For a moment, nothing happened, but the screen flashed to life and he saw Cyborg staring back at him, “What is it man? You find BB?”

“Sort of, he was with Terra.” Robin replied

Cyborg sighed, “I guess we should have seen that one coming. Where is he?”

Robin sighed heavily, “It didn't go that well… he ran off.”

Cyborg caught a slight glimpse or Robin's wound, “What happened to your arm man? It looks like you…” Robin scowled, “… got bit… did Beast Boy?”

“Look, I said something I shouldn't have, ok?” Robin said, and bit his lip, “Is there any way you can bandage the wound without taking me to the medical bay, I don't want Raven seeing.”

Cyborg eyed him carefully, “Ok man, but you really think we should hide this from Raven?”

Robin closed the communicator, “Positive…”

 

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Starfire hadn't shut up in the past two hours since Robin had left to find Beast Boy. Raven turned and watched her friend ramble on, briefly wondered if there were worse fates than being stuck in the room with the Tamaranian girl. At this point, she wasn't sure. “… and that is how I found out that shooting the villains on the television will not stop them in real life…”

Raven shuddered briefly remembering that incident, but saw her opportunity and cut Starfire off before she could continue, “I know I can't leave the medical bay… but do you think we can practice meditation?” Raven queried.

Starfire blinked a few times, trying to decide on whether it was ok or not, and then drifted into the air, “I see no harm…”

Raven sighed with relief, sat up, and began to float. She let out a deep breath and closed her eyes, beginning to chant, “Azarath… Metrion… Zinthos…”

Raven found her center, but it appeared as if it was already occupied… she stared for a moment as Beast Boy and Terra appeared in her mind, hugging. Raven gasped and stopped chanting immediately, much to Starfire's surprise. What surprised Starfire more was Raven falling back into the bed and then over the side.

Starfire floated over her friend in seconds, quickly checking the shocked gray skinned girl, “Raven, what is wrong?”

Raven grabbed her sore head, weakly rubbing the spot she had landed on, “I… “ She looked up at the concerned Tamaranian and stopped, “Nothing. Nothing is wrong Starfire.”

“But you have fallen. What is wrong?” Starfire kneeled next to her friend, still concerned.

“I told you I'm fine.” She glared at the girl and stood uneasily.

Starfire rose and confronted her friend who was now pulling the monitoring devices from her arms, “You say you are fine but you are obviously not. What is wrong?”

“I am FINE. I don't need to be here…” She said and tore off the last of the monitors.

“Cyborg said you were not to leave…”

“I don't care what Cyborg said, I'm fine now.” Raven moved towards the door, but Starfire floated in front of her to block her exit.

“Please, you must stay here.” Starfire's voice was trembling.

Raven lifted the cowl over her head, “I can't stay here.”

Starfire flew backwards, blocking the doorway, “I will not allow you to leave.”

“Starfire, I just want to leave, just let me leave.” Raven's voice was devoid of energy she was still drained.

“I am sorry, I cannot.” Starfire held still, holding onto the doorframe.

“Please, Starfire…” The Tamaranian steadfastly refused, Raven had to get out of this room, she had to get out of here and she needed to think, she needed to be alone. She lowered her head slightly, “I'm sorry Star…” With a wave of her hand Starfire was thrown away from the doorway and Raven made a hasty exit.

 

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Cyborg looked at the wound, “Man, he bit you hard! You're going to need some stitches…”

Robin rolled his eyes, “Just do it, I want to go find Beast Boy.”

Cyborg picked up the needle and the string, reaching for a bottle as well, “You sure you don't want any anesthetic…”

Robin growled, then Cyborg started to stitch the wound, “Positive, now just do it.” Robin winced ever so slightly when Cyborg started, but he had bigger things to worry about, and anesthetic would only hide the pain, and possibly slow him down. Chief among them were finding Beast Boy and then figuring out what to do with him.

“So,” the needle entered Robin's arm and he winced again, “exactly what did you say to BB to get him so riled up?”

“The truth.” Robin replied and went silent.

“About?” Cyborg asked pulling the string threw the other side and then cutting it.

Robin didn't reply, turning around and taking a step forward before stopping. Raven stared at him, hand to her mouth, her eyes were wide and she was obviously scared, “Beast Boy…” she murmured, then turned and fled down the hallway.

Robin winced, rushing to the door, “Raven! Stop!” Robin knew she was gone and bowed his head, first Beast Boy then Raven… this was not going well.

 

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Raven flew above the city, ignoring repeated calls on her communicator that first asked and then demanded her return. `I have to find Beast Boy…' after the mess she had created… `I have to find Beast Boy.' She thought to herself trying to keep the images of her room and of Terra and Beast Boy hugging from her mind.

“And what will you do when you find him?” The voice inside her head echoed, and stuck with her, what was she going to do when she found Beast Boy. She growled and pushed the thought the demon had placed in her head aside, she had to do this. “What happens when you find him and he attacks you, like he did Robin?” The demon's voice played around happily in her mind. Raven was dumbstruck for an answer… after everything that had happened, why wouldn't Beast Boy attack her? She stopped moving for a moment, things were so complicated… she had hurt him so badly… “He didn't even have a reason to attack Robin. What do you think he's going to do to you, traitor?” Raven eyes widened for the briefest moment while fear gripped her…

“RAVEN! RESPOND!” The communicator snapped her back to reality; it was Robin again, demanding her return again.

Closing her eyes and floating down to a roof she grabbed the communicator, “Robin, I'm here, I…”

“That would be the problem, we need you here, you still aren't well.” Robin snapped. There was a brief pause and then Robin continued, “I'm sorry, it's just you need to be back here, I didn't mean to yell…”

“I need to find Beast Boy. It's my fault he ran away.” She said, her voice filled with concern and grief.

“Raven, we will find Beast Boy, please, just come back.” She ignored him and placed the communicator back on her belt.

“What makes you say that? …I was the one who pushed you too hard.” Raven whirled to find Beast Boy crouching at the edge of the building, facing away from her.

The rain started to fall, and Raven looked up, she hadn't realized it was ready to storm. Looking back, Beast Boy hadn't moved, remaining in a slightly hunched crouch. She slowly raised her arm toward him, but drew back, “Beast Boy, I'm sorry I haven't freed Terra. I'm sorry I failed you…”

Raven felt rivulets of water coming down her face, at this point she wasn't sure if it was tears of just the rain, or some mix of both. She closed her eyes, “I…” She was stopped abruptly, opened her eyes widely and found Beast Boy hugging her. He was obviously crying, she could hear him. She winced, why couldn't she help him? Beast Boy leaned in against her, sobbing. She put her arms around him and held him tight.

 

*A SPECIAL Thanks to my good friend Nina for the lines of Beast Boy. I couldn't have done this story without having that rant, and she is the one who wrote it. All compliments on that scene will be forwarded to her.