Fan Fiction ❯ Starfire's First Christmas ❯ Chapter 2: Merry Christmas One And All ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2: Merry Christmas One And All

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. Merry Christmas.

The titans stared at the spot Raven had been sitting in. Starfire blinked, turning to them, "She forgot the carols of singing we are going to sing."

Robin looked over, "I think she wanted to look over her present."

Beast Boy grabbed the videotape, "She had the right idea." He said and walked out of the room.

Cyborg watched Starfire who was watching the door closed, "Starfire… I have a confession to make…"

Starfire turned and blinked a few times, "Yes?"

"I…" She smiled, waiting in anticipation, "I…" He watched her eager anticipation, "I…" his heart sunk at the thought of how disappointed she would be. I can't tell her, "I think I'm going to put the oil in my car. When I get back we'll go caroling." He smiled as she clasped her hands together joyously.

Robin and Starfire watched Cyborg make a quick retreat into the hall. A few seconds after entering the hallway and the door closing, they heard the hollow metallic ring of metal hitting metal. "Cyborg? Are you ok?"

Cyborg sighed, he had to remember that sound carried when he put his hand to his head. "Yeah, I'm fine, I'll see you guys later."

"So, Starfire, what would you like to do now?" Robin looked over to the smiling alien.

"Is it not Christmas tradition to roast nuts from the chest?" She said, smiling.

Robin looked at her confused for a second, "Nuts from the chest?" Then it dawned on him, "OH! Chestnuts. You mean chestnuts roasting on an open fire?" Starfire nodded, Robin sighed briefly, "Yes, yes it is. I'll go set it up."

Raven opened up the ancient tome with great care. Even though the book was well maintained, it was still well over a thousand years old. The script was latin, which she was well versed in. The knowledge within could be studied for lifetimes… Algundriz had been the foremost wizard in all of Europe during Roman times, if not in the entire world. He had lived for well over two hundred years… and his book contained all of his knowledge. Giving the briefest semblance of a smile, she began searching. She would have plenty of time to read the book… but for now all she cared about was one spell.

Beast Boy gingerly put the tape into the VCR, he wasn't sure he wanted to see it… especially today. Still, he managed to lift the remote and turn on the TV. Images jumped to life, and he saw himself, and then Terra, in the park on a bright sunny day. He blinked a few times, and then looked down. It was still painful for him… even more so today. Forcing himself to watch a few seconds more, he saw Terra smile. He looked away a few second later, and turned the video off, returning to the operation room.

Cyborg went to his room and sighed. Technically he could celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa, since Kwanzaa wasn't really a religious holiday. He just wasn't used to celebrating Christmas is all. Was he really going to tell Starfire that he didn't celebrate Christmas? After all of her enthusiasm, it just didn't seem fair. He looked at the small glass container of oil. He hadn't really had qualms about buying the other's gifts, and they had certainly bought him gifts.

Cyborg also took a quick look over to the gift he had opened early… the one he had received a few days earlier and in private. He smiled briefly; he hoped Jinx enjoyed the bracelet he gave her as much as he enjoyed the driving gloves (a bit oversized, but fit well enough) she had gotten him. Placing the oil on his bed, he decided to go back to the operation room and celebrate Christmas in earnest.

Raven looked at each page, soaking in knowledge, but continuing on before truly learning anything… she had to find the spell… The knock on the door surprised her, and she nearly lost her place. "I'm busy, please go away."

"It is me, Starfire! I would like to invite you to chestnut roasting and the singing of carols!" Her oh so chipper voice was dulled threw the door, but only slightly.

Raven sighed, "Come back later… I'm busy."

"But…"

"I said I'm busy, can you please leave?" Raven nearly pleaded, she needed to concentrate on this if she was going to get it done in time…

"Okay…" Starfire said dejectedly, and walked off while Raven returned to reading.

Robin saw the frustration evident on Starfire's face as she re-entered the room. "Is everything ok?"

Starfire looked over to where Robin, Cyborg, and Beast Boy were sitting, watching the chestnuts roast on an open fire. "Raven did not wish to come."

Beast Boy rolled his eyes, "She doesn't have the Christmas spirit…"

Robin shook his head, "Don't worry Star, she'll come around."

Starfire walked over to the couch and sat down next to Robin, "Is this the roasting of the chestnuts?"
"Yup…" Robin replied, and there was a popping sound from the chestnuts.

"Oh, does that mean they're done?" She looked over eagerly.

Beast Boy and Cyborg looked at each other. Robin blinked, and bit his lip. Starfire looked at them waiting for a response. It was Robin who answered, looking back towards Beast Boy and Cyborg, "… does anyone know when they're ready to eat?"

Raven turned yet another page, she was already half way threw the book when she found what she was looking for. She smiled and began to gather the ingredients required.

Cyborg rushed over with the fire extinguisher as flames leaped from the chestnuts while Beast Boy, Robin, and Starfire watched in slight horror.

"Perhaps we should try caroling instead…" Starfire murmured.

Robin watched the last flames dim and finally go out, "Yeah… let's do that instead…"

Beast Boy knocked on Raven's door, Starfire standing behind him, "We're going to go caroling… want to come with?" There was no response, "Raven? Raven did you hear me?"

Raven looked forward and around the hall, they were at her room. She shook her head, even if she wasn't busy, she wouldn't have gone. She was never good at singing, and her voice was enough to hurt her own ears… she jumped when she felt a hand fall on her shoulder.

"Raven? What are you doing?" Robin asked sternly.

"I am busy, just trust me…" She looked at him, "… if all goes well, this will be a Christmas to be remembered not only because its Starfire's first."

Robin looked at her confused, "What are you talking about?"

Raven peaked around the corner, and watched Starfire and Beast Boy head towards them, "Just, please, trust me. I have to go." Robin looked at her for a moment longer, and then released his grip. In seconds, Raven had disappeared.

"Have you seen Raven?" Starfire asked, "She is not in her room."

Robin paused for the briefest of moments, "No… I haven't seen her… but we can go without her."

"I bet she can't sing anyway…" Beast Boy added.

Starfire's shoulders fell a little from disappointment, "ok… let us go caroling." She said, regaining her enthusiasm.

Raven watched them go, they were dressed warmly, noticeably wearing different hats than the ones that Starfire had given. Raven had all the other ingredients for the spell except one, and that one would be hardest to get…

Raven was used to hiding from her friends, and from others, for that matter, but stealing was a different matter… but in this case, Raven knew it was warranted. She snuck into Beast Boys room and quickly searched for what she needed. Shuddering at some of the stuff that was scattered in his room. She finally found what she needed, and hurriedly dashed out.

As Cyborg stood in the frigid cold, breathe visible in front of his eyes, he wondered why he had wanted to do this. He was never able to carry a tune, but this was just horrible. In fact, hearing Beast Boy sing, he wondered why he didn't consider this a form of torture.

Some people watched them, some astonished that superheroes would stand on a street corner and sing, some cringing at the sound, and some wondering what on EARTH Starfire was wearing. The young princesses of Tamaran was wearing a, for lack of a better word, a fur… that was bright purple and pink. Of the group, however, hers was the only voice that was good, noticeably better than Beast Boy who was singing horribly off key, Cyborg, whose voice was as wooden as a log cabin, or Robin, whose voice was… somewhat screechy.

It took her a few moments to realize she was the only one singing. She looked at the others, "Friends? Why are you not singing?"

Beast Boy shrugged, "Because we stink at it…"

Cyborg nodded, "Yeah… we're doing pretty bad here…"

Starfire looked down, she was a horrible singer on Tamaran, and a horrible singer here… "I'm sorry."

The trio looked at each other, "Sorry? For what?"

"I… I am not a very good singer… I…" Starfire mumbled.

Robin put a hand on her shoulder, "Star, with all seriousness, your voice is angelic"

Starfire looked up, slightly confused, "But on Tamaran…"

Robin winced, vaguely remember the deafening sounds that were considered music on Tamaran, "Star, this isn't Tamaran. I like your voice, don't you guys?" Cyborg and Beast Boy nodded.

She blinked a few times, confidence growing a bit, "Really?" They nodded again.

"Why don't you try doing some more carols?" Robin said, "We'll watch." He said, and smiled at her.

Raven had all the components she needed for the spell. She grabbed the book of Algundriz, the ingredients, and used her powers to transport her to the destination. The ritual was complex, and she needed things to go just right… but this would turn out to be the best Christmas gift anyone could give.

Starfire had gone threw a few Christmas songs, and a small crowd of admirers was growing. "… And although it's been said…"

Raven sprinkled the ingredients in a circle around the lone target of the spell, "Daiza Almun Regaz…"

"… Many times, many ways…" Starfire's voice slowed, reaching the end of the song.

"…Ventrulu Kulmen Estran…" Raven's voice grew slowly louder, growing in strength to carry off the effect.

"…Merry Christmas to you…" Starfire finished and a roar of applause rose from the crowd and her friends.

"CALTRATUM VINDICTUM!" Raven's voice rose and echoed threw the cave, then she fell to her knees, completely spent from the casting of the spell and the power it took to cast.

Starfire smiled widely and the other Titans rushed over.

Beast Boy was jubilant, "That was great Star!"

Robin nodded, "Excellent."

"BOO YAH!" Cyborg yelled, causing Robin to loose his footing.

"Oh I am so very happy!" She clasped her hands together, then grabbed and hugged them.

"Star… can't… breathe…" Robin managed to utter as she squeezed them a bit too tightly.

Raven groaned, and grabbed her stomach, she felt completely exhausted. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and she smiled, "It worked…" She managed to murmur to herself before all went black.

Starfire, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Robin walked back to Titan's Tower. They'd been gone for almost three hours. Robin wondered if Raven was done with whatever she had been planning.

"Are the clouds supposed to fall?" Starfire said looking up.

"What?" Robin asked, completely confused.

"DUDE! It's snowing!"

"Snow? Is that what bits of clouds are?" Starfire looked as the white flakes fell from the sky.

"No, it's… snow. It's like a cold, pleasant version of rain. It happens in winter."

Starfire blinked, "So… snow is good?"

Robin nodded, and stuck out his tongue, a snowflake fell upon it, he smiled, "Yeah."

"Why did you just do that?" She looked more and more confused as white flakes started to cover her brightly colored fur.

"Try catching a snowflake with your tongue." Cyborg said, holding his hand out, watching snowflakes dissolve on the metal.

Starfire held her tongue out and caught a snowflake. Robin laughed, and they continued on their way home.

When Raven woke up, she was laying on her back looking up and at a familiar face, "Merry Christmas Terra."

Terra stood over her, normal again, well, human again. Terra sighed with relief, "I was afraid you were hurt… wait… it's Christmas? How? What happened?"

Raven nodded, "Christmas day… and you're the surprise gift."

Terra blinked a few times, "… wait, what?"

Raven shook her head, "They don't know I managed to free you… thank Robin… err… his mentor. He gave me the spell book that had the spell that freed you."

"Freed me?" Terra looked at her, skeptically.

Raven sighed, "… When you stopped the Volcano, you were turned to stone."

Terra's eyes went wide, but Raven held her hand up, "Let's just get back, I'm sorry, but your gifts from everyone will be a little late this year." Terra nodded dumbfounded.

"So… all that's left is dinner?" Cyborg looked over to the table, his stomach grumbling.

"Yup." Robin said, removing some rolls from the stove and placing it on the table alongside some other dishes he had prepared.

"Dude, don't forget, I'm making Tofurkey!" Beast Boy said, smiling widely.

Starfire smiled, but Robin and Cyborg looked at each other in mutual disgust.

"I should make some pudding of happiness!" Starfire said cheerily.

All three balked at the suggestion. In fact, the thought of Starfire cooking was somewhat nauseating. The last time they had eaten her cooking had been the last, and all of them had gone to the medical lab. Robin reacted first, "No, no thank you Starfire, we have it under control, don't we Beast Boy?" He nudged Beast Boy in the ribs somewhat unnecessarily.

Beast Boy nodded quickly, "Yeah, we have it covered Star. No need."

"Besides, diner is almost done, I just finished the main course." Robin said, running over to the stove and removing a large glazed ham.

Beast Boy rolled his eyes, "And don't forget, for those of you with a heart, I cooked a Tofurkey." He said, removing the gelatinous brown blob that was shaped as a turkey.

The table was set, and they gathered at the table. As Beast Boy and Cyborg were about to lunge at the smorgasbord, Starfire looked around and got up.

"Something wrong Star?" Beast Boy said, fingers inches away from the `leg' of his Tofurkey.

"Where is Raven?" She asked, pointing to the space usually sat.

"That's a good question." Robin murmured to himself, thinking back to their cryptic meeting before they went caroling.

"I will get her! Do not feast without me!" Starfire flew off, smiling as the guy's hung their heads, forced to wait longer as their food sat in front of them, mocking them.

"Raven! We are about to feast! Come join us!" Starfire said, knocking rapidly on Raven's door. "Raven? Raven are you in your room?" Starfire lowered her head, exasperated; Raven had disappeared for Christmas… sulking she went back to the operations room.

The look on Star's face told the other Titans what they needed to know. "Raven was not in her room." Starfire said unhappily.

"What is up with her today?" Beast Boy asked, reaching for his Tofurkey again.

"Do you think we should wait for her?" Robin asked, immediately regretting it as Cyborg and Beast Boy glared at him.

"… No…" The surprise on everyone's face was evident at Starfire's simple, and completely unexpected, answer.

"Really?" Cyborg asked, shock still evident in his voice.

Starfire made her way over to the chair, "You were right Beast Boy, she does not have the spirit of Christmas…"

"Well then… uh… shall we say Grace?" Robin asked, but Beast Boy and Cyborg had already began stuffing their faces. Starfire sat at the other edge of the table, unhappily watching them eat. "I'll take that as a no…"

The laughter from the doorway made everyone turn. Raven stood there, watching them with a slight smile.

"Raven, where have you been all day?" Beast Boy managed to say, bits of Tofurkey flying from his mouth.

"You missed the caroling and the roasting of the chestnuts…" Starfire looked at her a bit crestfallen.

"I know, I'm sorry… BUT…" her smile widened ever so slightly, "I brought another gift." Raven took a step into the room, and away from the doorway, revealing Terra who was smiling weakly.

"Hi guys… merry Christmas…" She said, and chuckled a bit.

The rest of the Titans stared.

Robin stared at her in complete disbelief, "…How?"

"Terra and I both agree, you gave me a very, very good book." Raven said, lifting the book of Algundriz.

Beast Boy could barely move, the thoughts a jumble in his head… he couldn't think straight. Somehow, when he opened his eyes again, he was already at the door and hugging Terra. For a moment, there was no movement, and then he felt her arms on his back.

"Beast Boy… not that I don't mind… but apparently, I've been encased in stone for the past 5 months and I'm pretty hungry… mind if I join you?"

Beast Boy nodded rapidly, turned to get a chair and found that Starfire had placed one next to his. After they sat down at the table, Raven tapped him the shoulder, "Now… what's this about me not having the Christmas spirit?"

Beast Boy sighed, looked up and smiled, "Raven?"

"What?"

Beast Boy pointed up at the smiling Starfire who was holding Mistletoe above them. Starfire watched them, holding up a finger, solemnly stating that, "Christmas tradition, those under mistletoe must kiss." Terra giggled and Beast Boy puckered up. Raven sighed, but even though the worst part of her nightmare was about to come to pass, it wasn't such a bad day after all. She felt Beast Boy's lips on her cheek and winced slightly. There were worse fates, she thought to herself, although which fates those would be eluded her at the moment. Meanwhile Starfire had moved between Terra and Beast Boy, and then finally between herself and Robin.

Merry Christmas

The End