Fan Fiction ❯ Ruby Dreams ❯ Disturbing Dreams ( Chapter 1 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

“Ruby Dreams”
By: DarkSeductress
Summary: (AU) Raven is the leader of Titans, who have just reached adulthood. Titan member Giovanni, the weather witch, is having strange dreams linked to the criminal Red X, which are making her powers spin wildly out of control.
WARNINGS: Vampirism (which means blood play, blood drinking, and basically just blood in general), semi-consensual sexual situations, X-men crossover, mentions of Static Shock
Author's Note: Just so everyone knows all the names of Titans and the other superheros they don't get confused (this is for Zeron especially!): Robin - Richard Grayson, Beastboy - Garfield (Gar)Logan, Cyborg - Victor Stone, Raven - Raven Roth, Starfire - Koriand'r (Kori), Static Shock - Virgil Hawkins, Gear - Richie Foley, Storm - Ororo Munroe, Gambit - Remy Lebeau, Rogue - Marie. Those are some of the names for now, not all of them appear in this chapter but you need to know anyway.
Author's Note 2: I'm only saying this once, so there's no confusion whatsoever: Robin is not a Titan. Don't ask me :) It'll all be revealed in due time but you're lucky to guess anyway :) And the Titans are adults. That's all you need to know! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of the Teen Titans, X-men, or Static Shock. They are owned by their respective parties.
Feedback: appreciated
Distribution: Just ask first.
Chapter 1: Disturbing Dreams
Raven knew it was happening again. The Titan Tower was drenched in rain with violent thunder and lightning, where as the clouds over the rest of Jump City were calm and silent.
There were only two people in the world who could manipulate the weather and one of them was a resident of a mansion in Manchester, while the other was a Titan. To say the least, Raven was worried about Giovanni Willows.
Raven knew the dreams had started nearly a month ago, around the time they had unsuccessfully battled Red X. She didn’t exactly know what the dreams contained because Giovanni wouldn’t discuss it. It almost tempted Raven to take a quick peek inside her mind but she didn’t want to break Gigi’s trust.
The one thing Raven did know was the dreams were becoming more frequent and from the growing intensity of the isolated storms, possibly more violent.
Raven suddenly noticed the rain slacking up. She sighed with resignation. She didn’t want to pry, it wasn’t her style. But as leader of the Titans, Raven felt it was her responsibility to get to the bottom of this. She had given Gigi a chance to seek her out a few weeks agao but Raven didn’t figure that was going to happen.
Raven decided to wait until Gigi joined her on the roof. They needed privacy and it wouldn’t be long till Gigi made an appearance.
Giovanni woke with a start. Her breath was coming in short pants and her body was afire. She fell back in bed with a groan.
“This can’t be happening...” She whispered into the darkened room. She felt the storm’s rage and knew she was losing control. She had to gain it back.
First, she regulated her breathing, taking slow deep breaths. Then she started to chant, “Find the center. Find the center.”
Slowly, she felt the thunder receding, the lightning recoiling , and the rain lessening. The energy was returning, she could feel it gathering back into her body.
Giovanni took a sigh of relief once her energy was once again suppressed in her center. This was becoming tedious and dangerous. She knew Raven would not be happy.
Angrily, she swiped her lime-green sweat-drenched hair out of her eyes.
“What the fuck am I gonna do?” She muttered with shame. “This is sick.”
She slowly rose from bed. She needed to shower to erase the feel of his gloved hands on her body, then meditate to clear her mind.
In the shower, she turned heat up until steam rose. She could feel the water scolding her chocolate skin but she didn’t care. ‘It felt too real,’ she thought with a shudder, ‘too real for comfort.’ She scrubbed her skin with disgust and fought the urge to cry.
“Find the center. Find the center. Find the center.” Giovanni chanted with a fervor.
When the water started to cool, Giovanni slapped the shower off. She knew Beastboy would complain for the hundredth time this month about the lack of hot water but she didn’t care. If he knew the reasons, he’d understand but he’d never know, so he would never understand.
She trudged back into her room, clad in a towel. She threw on her usual outfit : a fitted green t-shirt with a ‘T’ on the front, a black floor length skirt with two slits up the sides, neon green fishnets, and finally knee-length neon green boots. She put her hair in a knot and started her way downstairs.
Just as Giovanni suspected, Cyborg and Raven were already up. Cyborg was fixing breakfast before Beastboy could whine about the absence of tofu. Raven was fixing her usual pot of tea.
“Good morning, Gigi.” Cyborg smiled with concern in his eyes. “Your coffee’s ready to go. I figured you didn’t sleep well last night.”
“No, I didn’t. Sorry about that. I hope I didn’t wake you.” Giovanni gave him a small smile as she filled a mug with coffee and tons of sugar and cream.
“It’s okay, Gigi. Don’t worry about it.” Cyborg placed a hand on her shoulder. “But, uh, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, Vic.” She tried to give him a reassuring smile but failed because she wasn’t fine and nothing at the moment was okay. Before she buried her head in her coffee, her eyes connected with Raven.
“We can talk later.” Raven said politely taking a seat at the table.
Giovanni simply nodded before pulling herself up on the counter as Beastboy and Starfire entered the kitchen. Beastboy appeared thoroughly pissed, while Starfire looked a bit troubled.
“Something wrong, Starfire?” Raven inquired as Giovanni tensed.
“There seemed to be a terrible storm this morning and I could not sleep again.” Starfire stated quietly throwing a wary look a Giovanni.
Raven could instantly feel guilt, disgust, and shame rolling off of Giovanni.
“Yeah, and there was no hot water again!” Beastboy roared. “Gigi, what the hell?”
Giovanni glared at Beastboy, “Sorry guys, didn’t mean to inconvenience anyone.”
Starfire instantly smacked Beastboy, “It is not that, Friend Gigi, I just think Beastboy was trying to convey his immense concern for your state of being. Right, Friend Beastboy?”
“Yeah...” He grumbled reluctantly with a grimace, “what Star said.”
Raven was sure she heard Gigi mutter, “Up your ass, you moldy bitch,” which was punctuated by a low rumble of thunder.
“Gigi and I are going to meditate and we’d appreciate it if we weren’t disturbed.” Raven instructed as she rose.
“Okay. Well, you two are meditating, I’ll start the training exercises.” Cyborg nodded before returning to his breakfast.
Raven heard Giovanni sigh as she abandoned her coffee and toast. The final words she heard was Beastboy demanding, “Where’s the damn tofu?”
Raven could feel nervousness pushing off of Gigi as they reached the rooftop. They both assumed their respective positions.
“Before we start,” Raven started softly, “I want to know if you’re really okay.”
Gigi was silent. She couldn’t keep secrets from Raven, especially when they could probably affect the team. Then she remembered Raven’s words after the first storm and dream, “Giovanni, I realize you have your need for privacy, I hold my own very precious, but just remember it doesn’t help to hold shit in. Believe it or not, but when one of us is in pain it affects us all. Not just because we’re a team but because we’re friends. So when you’re ready to talk, I’ll be waiting.”
“No, Raven, I’m not okay.” Giovanni stated finally.
“The dreams are getting worse.” The concern in Raven’s voice was evident.
“Yeah....They’re so damn intense I don’t know what to do.” Gigi muttered in frustration.
“You want to tell me what the dreams are about?” Raven’s voice retained the same tone.
Gigi started to radiateconfusion as she said, “Red X...”
“Red X.” Raven said in realization. “After the we fought him that’s when they started.”
“Yeah.” Gigi whispered. “He did something to me.”
She was speaking so low, Raven wasn’t sure she heard Gigi.
“Giovanni, I didn’t quite hear that.” She moved a little closer.
“Those wounds never healed.” Gigi’s voice was barely audible. The wind started to pick up and Raven knew Gigi was fighting an inner battle. “I’m sorry. Just give me a minute to pull it together.”
Raven simply nodded and did something neither one of them expected, she reached out and clasped Gigi’s hand, “I’ll be right here.”
Gigi smiled before closing her eyes to recite her mantra. There had always been a sisterly bond between them, a sort of understanding of the reasons for their repressions. They both understood the dangerousness of the other’s powers and the need for strict emotional repression, even though Raven was clearly more adept at the art of repression.
But that wasn’t the reason Raven was suddenly tense and wary. The wounds...the wounds....She remembered those wounds clearly, two circular punctures above Gigi’s left breast It had worried Raven from the moment they’d found Gigi with her shirt ripped and stained with blood.
In the midst of the fighting Red X had disappeared in what everyone assumed to be a hasty retreat, only Gigi was no where to be found. Panic had spread when it was decided Red X had kidnaped her. Raven had tried to remain calm and cool to her team but inside she was an emotion away from blowing up a whole city block, she wasn’t a fool. The Titans were adults now, so not only were they facing criminals but ruthless adult criminals. With that came new dangers to the team, especially the female counterparts.
That’s why the search was frantic. That’s why Raven feared the worst when Gigi’s unconscious body was found. When it was discovered that Gigi had not been rapped, Raven had other suspicions.The marks had strangely resembled the markings of a vampire but Raven wasn’t sure.
Gigi had demanded the Justice League and the X-men not be called. She remembered Gigi hissing at her when they were alone, “Vampires don’t’ fucking exist, Raven. Red X is just a freak. Some people rape, others do this. I’m fine.”
Raven had felt Gigi’s uncertainty as she stormed out and kept a strict watch over her behavior. Nothing weird had manifested besides Gigi’s dreams. At first, Raven had thought maybe Gigi’s trauma was trying to get through her dreams and politely suggested they talk. Now after a month, Raven knew it was something more.
“I’m ready now.” Gigi’s voice broke into Raven’s thoughts.
Raven nodded and gently squeezed Gigi’s hand.
“I just want you to know, I don’t believe in vampires but this shit is starting to freak me out.” Giovanni stated calmly.
“I know but we have to consider everything, Gigi. I’m not too excited about the idea either.” Raved sighed releasing Gigi’s hand. “Let me see the wounds.”
Giovanni slowly pulled up her shirt, “Shit, they’re oozing.”
Raven’s eyes widened in alarm, “Have they done this before?”
“Sometimes directly after a dream but never this much. I’d throw some alcohol on it, a bandage and it’d stop.” Her frustration was resurfacing. The wind whipped sharplyShe took a deep breath.
“Giovanni, you know better. You should have told someone, this could be serious damn it.” Raven scolded with a pointed stare.
“Hey! Don’t look at me like that. I figured I was fine.” Gigi protested holding up her hands defensively. “I didn’t get sensitive to light. I wasn’t hungry for blood. I figured I was fine.”
Raven gave a sigh of exasperation as she placed a hand over the wounds. Her hands and eyes began to glow black as she mumbled, “Azarath, Metreon, Zinthos.”
Suddenly, Raven snatched back her hand in pain. Shock was written over her face, “I can’t heal them...I should have tried the first time and I wouldn’t have missed this. Damn.”
“So I’ve been infected with something by that asshole or I’ve been bitten by ....a fucking vampire.” There was fear and sadness breaking through her voice. “Raven, I’m going to cry.”
A light mist of rain had began to drip over the tower.
“Yeah, I figured.” Raven smiled sadly, “I personally think you need to.”
Gigi sniffled as Raven wrapped an arm around her shoulders and whispered, “Azarath, Metreon, Zinthos.”
They became immersed in black shadows before appearing in the middle of Gigi’s bedroom floor. Raven stood and brushed the dirt off her jeans before moving to throw open the giant velvet green curtains. Gigi watched as Raven sighed.
“If we don’t call the Justice League, I really think we should call the X-men or at least Storm.” Raven thought aloud.
“Raven, I told you before, this is my problem. I don’t want everyone worried sick cause of me. It’s really not that big of a deal.” Giovanni wiped the tears from her face.
Raven whirled around with her eyes ablaze, “How can you fucking say that with a straight face?” Something downstairs cracked. Beastboy could be heard yelping. Raven took a deep breath, “That guy is screwing around with your dreams, who knows what else he’s fucking with in there.”
“Okay,” Giovanni glowered, “I get your point. I’ll call Ororo in a week if things don’t get better.” The rain continued to fall against the roof, Giovanni swiped away some more tears.
“If you don’t, I will.” Raven promised. “I’m going to see how the training went. I’ll be back with some bandages.”
Gigi watched Raven exit the room. She was dreading this, even though she knew it was going to come down to it. She didn’t mind calling Storm, she had been Gigi’s mentor, it was just that calling Ororo meant Remy LeBeau would make an appearance. He was one person that Gigi never wanted to see again. They had a lot of unresolved issues and one them was named Rogue. But Gigi figured leaving in the middle of the night with Remy being the only one not knowing wasn’t the best way to resolve those issues.
She’d just have to deal with his insufferably handsome face when it showed up.
There was a soft knock on the door.
“Come in.” Gigi called as Starfire poked her head through the door.
“I hope I am not disturbing you, Gigi.” Starfire smiled timidly.
“No. You can come in, Star.” Gigi smiled, swiping a stray tear. She noticed Star’s hair was damp and there was a towel around her neck. They must have gotten very muddy. She was carrying a small vial in her hands.
“Is the soft rain not glorious?” Star smiled softly taking a seat on the plush carpet beside Gigi.
“Yeah...I’m crying...” Gigi mumbled staring out the window.
“Are you not well?” Star asked with concern.
“At this point, I really don’t know...” Gigi sighed.
“I think I might have something to help.” Star beamed as Gigi raised an eyebrow. She handed Gigi the vial, “It is a Tamarian sleep of no dreams potion. It should help you sleep well.”
Gigi inspected the vial, “Does it work?” The liquid was a glowing green.
“Yes, this one actually works.” Star grinned.
“This one?” Giovanni smirked, “What about the others? Like the one you gave Beastboy last week?”
“Oh that,” Star’s grin became coy, “sometimes I must tell little white....half-truths to get him to try my new dishes.”
“I see.” Gigi rolled her eyes with a smile.
“Our secret, okay?” Star smiled mischievously.
“Sure.” Gigi nodded. “Oh yeah....sorry about the mud.”
“It was glorious.” Star laughed standing. “Beastboy waddled in it as a pig.”
“Thanks, Star.” Gigi chuckled.
“You are welcome.” She smiled heading for the door.
Once alone Giovanni stared at the vial. All she had to do was drink it before bed if she wanted to be rid of Red X. But now she had a big question placed before her: Did she want to be rid him?
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