ACT FIFTEEN

Back at Titan’s Tower, Raven used her powers to heal as much of their injuries as she could, especially the wound in Robin’s side.

The wound vanished, and most of the pain subsided.

He smiled thankfully at her and she smiled back at him.

Cyborg on the other hand was grumpy and miserable as he tried to fix his damaged wires and joints.

“Do you require help?” Starfire offered.

“No thanks.” he coldly said. He quickly apologized for snapping, but he was very upset. “Even if I still had my right arm, I couldn’t reattach it. My vital wires have been severed and the joints are busted. I’d need a complete overhaul!”

He gazed down at his sole left arm, and Starfire felt sorry for him, and she was deeply worried.

As for Terra, much as she felt strange to be back at Titan’s Tower-- not that she had anyplace else to go-- she was gazing off at the corner of the sickbay.

Celestia’s body was placed in a cryogenic-tube to keep her well, but Twilight, Discord, and Spike were kneeling down by it, giving a sort of silent service to their beloved monarch.

Twilight remembered how Celestia guided her well. She wouldn’t be who she was today without her, and she even remembered Celestia singing her ballad to her when she became Princess of Friendship.

You've come such a long, long way
And I've watched you from that very first day
To see how you might grow
To see what you might do
To see what you've been through
And all the ways you've made me proud of you

It's time now for a new change to come
You've grown up and your new life has begun
To go where you will go
To see what you will see
To find what you will be
For it's time for you to fulfill your destiny

She buried her face in her hands and wept ever so softly.

Discord and Spike cuddled up to her, comforting her.

Terra felt awful. “It’s all my fault!” she sighed. “She leapt in to protect me, because I screwed up… again!”

Robin placed his hand over her shoulder, “It’s not your fault. You tried to help us, which proves you still have the heart of a hero within you.”

Terra still didn’t feel any better. These were all the trouble and dangerous things she was trying to avoid, but it was obvious to her now that there was just no stopping it.

She was shaking and her tears were falling. Robin hugged her close.

“Uh, sorry to break things up,” said Raven “But does anybody realize that creep is still out there?”

Everybody realized this, especially the Equestrians.

Twilight’s features began to harden. “Yamimakai…!”

There was no way she was going to let him get away with what he did to Celestia, or any of the other innocent people he had slaughtered!

Robin felt the same way, as did the others.

“Uh, just one thing...” Cyborg pointed out “Even if we find the guy, how can we possibly stand up to him. You saw how dirty he fights. The guy’s a total beast!”

“Beast Boy…!” Terra murmured. “We’ve got to try and save him! We have to!”

The other Titans weren’t so sure if that was possible, but they didn’t dare say that to Terra.

All of them were exceedingly frustrated.

“All this time…” said Starfire “The evil was right before our eyes and we had no way to know.”

This type of evil was unlike anything they had ever seen or faced, and had mastered powers and abilities they never dreamed of. All their scans were no good. Raven couldn’t sense the evil, and her powers were not that good against it either, as was evidenced from the battle.

Cyborg felt that even if he had tried to tranquilize Beast Boy in court like he planned, it probably would have had no effect on him.

“I still don’t get it.” said Raven “Of all the people in the world to choose, why would the evil pick Beast Boy?”

The Titans then remembered what Yami has said before the fight began.

“I could feel such anger, such hate, and desires to punish and exact vengeance on those who wronged him. Beast Boy was perfect for me!”

The Titans knew that Beast Boy was pretty mad at them all lately for the falling outs they had, but they still didn’t believe that was it.

“I think I know why.” said Terra, looking for shameful, so downhearted like she wanted to kick herself clear into orbit.

“What is it?” Robin asked, but Terra looked far too shameful to admit it this time.

“She doesn’t have to answer,” said Cyborg “I think I know where we can find the answer.”

He left and came back with Beast Boy’s diary, realizing they never read the part about Terra.

“He has a diary, with me in it?” Terra asked.

“He has written about all of us.” answered Starfire “…And he said some rather unkind things towards us all.” she paused and looked down “…Which we did not take too well, and it lead to things worsening.”

Terra felt nervous, but then again she, too, wanted to know what he had written about her.

Robin flipped through the pages, passing by the all the other stuff marked, “Terra”, “Titan Rising”, “Aftershock.”

“Here it is,” Robin said “…Things Change.”

Terra swallowed hard, but silently, fearing she didn’t have to read what was on the page.

The Titans read what had to be a recap of Beast Boy’s entire encounter with Terra, including where she said…

“Things Change, Beast Boy! The girl you want me to be is just a memory.”

The Titans could hardly believe their eyes, and Terra’s spiritless expression confirmed it was all true.

Robin shook his head at her in such shock and shame. “You didn’t want anything to do with Beast Boy, or us?”

“You did not wish to remember us?” added Starfire.

And Cyborg jumped in with, “You basically told a kid who loved you with more passion than I ever saw, that you wanted nothing to do with him. Kicked him out of your life-- Don’t be friends, don’t want to know, don’t want to see, and don’t want to remember…

…Just so you could live a normal life?”

Raven looked sourly at Terra “…I wish I could say I’m surprised at you.”

Discord and Spike heard everything, and they were not the least bit pleased.

“That is not cool, little lady.” scolded Discord.

Terra understood this fully now. While her reasons were understandable, the way she handled it and behaved, kicking Beast Boy to the curb and telling him to stay out of her life…

…Completely inexcusable.

“I wanted to make it up to him.” she explained “I did a lot of thinking, and I realized my mistake. So I thought, maybe, we could try and reconcile.”

“Guess it’s a little late for that, huh?” said Spike.

Everyone gave him a look telling him he wasn’t helping.

Twilight heard everything as well, and she couldn’t believe her ears at something so outrageous but she had nothing to say at the moment, and didn’t even turn around.

“Wait, look…” said Discord “What’s that slip on that page?”

Everyone could see that Beast Boy had included a segment for himself as well, near the front of the book.

“I think we should look.” suggested Robin. The others all agreed.

“Just point out here,” said Discord “It’s very bad to read someone’s diary.”

He was just ignored, and Robin began to read Beast Boy’s segment.

“Dear Diary, this is my first entry. I write this to you because I feel you are the only one I can tell my feelings to, and a great way for me to let off steam when I am enraged, so I don’t have to hurt anyone physically or break something.

Though people call me Beast Boy, my real name is Garfield.”

Discord couldn’t help but hold in a chuckle “Garfield…?”

He was still ignored and Robin kept on reading…

“My life hasn’t really been a happy one, and I’ll start as far back as I know.

When I was five I was bitten by a rare green monkey. I got really sick, and my folks used an untested serum to cure me, which mutated me green, pointy-eared, fangs, and gave me my animal morphing powers.

I felt like a freak, but then again that’s what happens when get powers-- it can cost you dearly.

But this nightmare was only beginning.

Soon after the mutation, there was a terrible flood, and both my folks were lost. I still blame myself for their deaths. I really think I could have saved them!

Then my foster mother was killed in an explosion on the farm where she lived, an explosion started by two thieves that abducted me, and forced me to do work for their nasty boss, and he plotted to kill me to inherit the money I was worth.

I was beaten, abused, yelled at for a long time, until the Doom Patrol came and rescued me. They saw that I had great potential and decided to let me join the team, but Mento was just too much of a jerk, even after I didn’t bother to go after The Brain so I could save the life of my new family, he always acted tough and strict with me!

I couldn’t stand it, so I quit the team and struck out on my own, hoping to find a new beginning, and more importantly: someone that could love and appreciate me, but it was starting to look like too much to ask…!

Everywhere I went, people were rude, pushy, insulting to me; always misjudging me just because I was green. They even let me get a few words in, let alone give me a chance.

Even taking a simple sip from a drinking-fountain in a park and they call the cops on me, thinking I’m poisoning it or something.

Then I met the Titans, and it was beginning to look like my troubles were over. Especially when I showed Cyborg that being different doesn’t make a big difference, and you can still be amazing.”

Cyborg did remember that, and it even made Raven remembered how he taught her not to feel so different herself, and stop beating herself for feeling “Creepy.”

“So the Titans were formed, and it started to look like my troubles were over.

I even decided to try being positive, more cheerful. I began to try to take on the role of a typical comic-relief-- telling jokes, playing tricks, pulling pranks, all this to try and forget my own past and hide my inner pain from my traumatic life.

…But deep down, the pain burned. I knew I could never disarm it, and I knew that none of the others could either. They all had their own problems, so at least I thought I could try and brighten their minds, give them a good laugh-- Raven especially. If anyone needed a friend, or at least try to smile, it had to be her.

We did have some good times, and loving moments, but it seems that there are just more bad times than good.

Everyone saw me as more annoying than funny, or optimistic. They treated as if I was the stupidest person in the world, even if I had a good idea that turned out to be right, and often excluded me from certain things.

Even Raven loved it better when I wasn’t around.”

Raven paused and heard her own voice insulting Beast Boy many times in the past, proving the story more accurate.

Like the time on “Deep Six”: “Could you go ahead and accidently leave Beast Boy’s mic off!”

When they fought Adonis at the animal labs: “Wow! Bad Grammar…! That ought to scare him!”

When Cyborg infiltrated the Hive Academy and left a robot clone in his place at the tower” “Any chance we could replace Beast Boy with a robot?!”

When she returned to defeat Trigon, all she could do was act rude and snark at him: “Don’t get used to this smile, because you’re still not funny.” And even when he was overjoyed she was alive and hugged her, like how she hugged him once, “…Quit it!”

Even when Beast Boy went off to try and reconcile with Terra at her school: “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I wish Beast Boy were here.”

She finally began to get the feelings maybe she wasn’t as good a friend to Beast Boy as she thought, despite whatever good times they had due to them being so few and far apart!

Robin continued reading, and there was more slandering of the team…

“Even when I do try to help the team and save the day, sur, I get a little “Thank you” and maybe a pat on the back, but then it’s quickly forgotten, and I’m swept under the rug until the Titans actually need me again. That’s the ONLY time they ever seem to really care about it…

…Especially Raven and the way she constantly gets in my face and smacks me!

Below were a few pencil sketches of Raven doing said things to Beast Boy.

Throwing a furious fit and destroying a birthday party the Titans made for her…

And indeed, she had smacked him many times over, even when he was right about something or just making a simple suggestion.

All the Titans were no better as the story read on, as Beast Boy sketched them almost exactly as they treated him sometimes, even if he was annoying to them, that was no excuse…!

They gave him angry looks, ignored his ideas, and even if he came up with a plausible and serious explanation, they acted like it was a first for him—once more, regarding him as too dumb to be much of a use or interest.

“I’m starting to feel I was wrong about them. They really aren’t the family I thought I wanted. They’re starting to feel more like just teammates than friends or people I can care for.

All I try to do is give it my all, be the best guy I can be, try to bring them a little sunshine and laughter when they need it, and THIS is my reward: Hate, disregard, no care!

That’s not nearly as bad as the way Jump City treats me, preferring the other Titans to me, when I work just as hard as they do to protect this city, this world, this galaxy.

…I’m not trying to pretend like I’m entitled to praise, or people should be licking my feet, but is just a little praise and respect too much to ask for?

Why do people always have to look away from me?

Take things from me?

Insist that I change to be more like them, or be treated harshly if I don’t.

Even those girls in Tokyo; they were looney-- cheering for me when, even I can tell, sucks at singing with his ordinary voice. Why they’d cheer for anyone.

That’s no good. It’s just not what I really want.

All I ever wanted was a little bit of respect, understanding, but most of all, I wanted to have someone I could love and care for and would love and respect me bacl.

…Instead, I always get the opposite!

I’m tired of all the changes in the city! I’m tired of being looked down on in shame and disgust! I’m sick of being robbed of my dignity, and I’m especially sick of my teammates treating me like less than a human being.

Everyone else can move on from their troubles, and I get treated like dirt and never get any hope!

Then again, everyone I ever met either died on me, or turned out to be such jerks and would betray me!

That’s how it’s always been, but I guess it’s a sign.

This is who I am, nothing more than a mere lightning rod that has to take in all the trash so everyone can feel good about themselves.

Even Terra has betrayed me (As is written in her section)

While I may have respected Terra’s wishes, and I will leave her to live her new life in peace, I have reached my limit.

It’s become obvious to me that no matter how hard I try, no matter who I’m aligned with, no matter what things I do, I’ll never gain what I want, especially seeing as nobody seems to notice or care about it anyway.

The only course now is to stop trying. I’m fed up with always trying and failing, so at least this way I won’t build false hopes anymore, and I can accept the disappointment with less pain.

Still, sometimes, I really wish I could punish all these people. Anyone with half a brain would see they deserve it, and those who defend them would be punished too.

…But that won’t really help, will it.

At least I can confide with you, because unlike others, you can’t physically or emotionally hurt me.”

The final entry below that was a song, with a few sad sketches he had made to express his misery and accepting his ultimate defeat in perusing happiness, and how crushed he felt: “How could this happen to me!”

…There was nothing left to read.

The Titans, Terra, the Equestrians, all were positively horrified!

“Oh, Beast Boy!” sobbed Terra.

Starfire had tears of shame in her eyes, but she couldn’t find words to say.

Cyborg and Robin tried all they could to come up with excuses, like Beast Boy was just being a stuck-up kid, and needed to get over himself and move on with his life and mature…

…Which they had been doing before, acting like pushy bosses instead of being understanding, caring or sympathetic like real friend should. and only added to his already deep inner pain and grieving!

Even more so, all the Titans realized that during the battle, they just ruthlessly attacked Yamimakai not even once stopping to realize that it was still Beast Boy’s body, and that their the real Beast Boy was in danger and needed help!

Raven, feeling heavy in her heart, and ashamed of everything, finally said what everyone was thinking. “…We’re monsters.”

Discord, Spike, even Twilight was inclined to agree.

“So that’s why Yami said Beast Boy was perfect for him.” said Spike.

“If I had lived like that, I’d have snapped long ago.” added Discord.

Robin clutched the closed diary in his hand, “Beast Boy never did any of those things. He just supressed it all, and wrote his anger out in this. He never once really tried to get back at us for… for anything.”

“Well, maybe a sick prank here and there.” Cyborg pointed out.

Nothing would change the facts, The Titans and their horrible ways of forcing their views on Beast Boy played a large role in what was happening now.

Terra felt more ashamed of herself than ever for breaking his heart and demanding he move on with his own life and leave her to follow hers.

She felt so weak in the knees that she flopped onto the floor, with her tears falling, yet she couldn’t sob, feeling too ashamed and upset to do so.

Twilight said nothing, and didn’t even turn around to face the others.

It was all clear to her now why Beast Boy didn’t trust friendship or joy and wasn’t willing to try it, whether he was already possessed or not.

She swore, if Celestia were alive, she would scold everyone saying things like…

“In one-thousand years, I have never heard of such despicable, dysfunctional, disregarding disgrace!”

Robin slammed the book down on the table. His fist was shaking hard as battled with his inner shame.

“Okay! So we’re not perfect. Nobody really is. We’ve made mistakes, and we can learn from them.”

Starfire wiped her eyes and her features hardened. “Yes! I agree! We must not dread on this, but use it in our newfound determination to stop this evil and rescue our friend.”

Cyborg and Raven agreed.

Terra stepped forth, “Count me in as well.”

The Titans all gawked at her, and she smiled bravely. “That’s right; Terra’s back!”

She pulled away her school uniform to mysterious reveal her old outfit-- black shirt with a yellow and encircled T. Yellow shorts, traveling belt, boots, gloves, and goggles.

“Can she bend reality too?” wondered Discord.

“Things Change, but that doesn’t mean they can’t change again, and I’ve had a big change of mind, and heart.

…I want to save Beast Boy! I owe him that much!”

Robin smiled at her and nodded proudly, welcoming her back to the team, slipping her a communicator as well.

Terra felt great for the first time in a long time, having finally confronted her feelings, doing what she felt was really right, and feeling she was where she belonged.

Everyone then looked over at Twilight, who still hadn’t even turned around, let alone say anything. She just stayed on the floor near Celestia, and basked in the light of the full moon shining through the window.

This made him suddenly remember…!

“This is our chance!” cried Discord “We can head back to Equestria!”

“Yeah!” chirped Spike.

Raven headed off to go get her brooch from where she had left it in the lounge.

Spike then called to Twilight. “We can head back! We can get help from the others, and…”

But Twilight looked down at the floor, clenching her hands tightly. “I don’t know if I can go back.”

The Titans and Terra were shocked, and Discord picked his ear. “Um… sorry, but I must’ve had a wax buildup. Did you just say…?”

“…I can’t go back!” cried Twilight “How can I, with Celestia gone?! Imagine how everyone will react when they find out!

…And it’s because of me!”

A moment of silence followed, and everyone looked at her with concern.

Twilight hung her head low as her tears started to fall again.

“If I had never come to this world in the first place, none of this would’ve happened and Celestia would still be…!” she couldn’t finish.

The Titans hated seeing her so miserable. Starfire felt like crying herself.

“Twilight,” Spike said “You had no way of knowing any of this. None of us did.”

“It’s all part of life, Twilight.” Robin said “I’m not trying to sound insensitive but, you can never truly predict or plan out what life will bring you.”

“Besides,” added Cyborg “It’s not every day you get to meet magical beings form another world, and befriend them.”

Starfire nodded and lifted Twilight’s head to look deeply at her, “The evil is free now, which would have happened whether you came or not, but now we can work together and stop it.

Is that not what friends do?”

Twilight thought deeply inside her, and remembered of all the things Celestia taught her about friendship, and all that she had learned from it.

Spike cuddled up to Twilight and Discord nodded bravely at her.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” he said to Twilight “But you’re one of the bravest, kindest, most honorable beings I’ve ever met. When Fluttershy redeemed me, I never thought we could be friends, but we are.

…And I believe in you…

…Friend.”

Twilight smiled and rubbed her eyes. Her confidence was starting to strengthen, and she got up onto her feet, and took a look at Celestia in the tube again.

“I will be brave, and I will help my friends, for you, and in memory of all you did for me.”

Terra stepped forth. “That goes for me too.”

Everyone turned to face her, and she looked around at everyone. “Beast Boy is in danger too, and I’m not going to let that monster get away with this.

I want to help him!

I want to make up for all the things I’ve done… including what I did to Beast Boy.”

Robin asked, “What do you mean “What you did?” He already forgave you for all that stuff. We all did.”

Terra felt ashamed, but as she opened her mouth to say another word, Raven came back into the sickbay with a worried look on her face, “My brooch is gone!”

Everyone gawked in concern, and they all had the same idea, which Raven confirmed by holding up a note she had found, from Yamimakai.

“If you’re looking for it, you’re too late! I’ve already swiped it!

…Hah, Hah, Hah!”

Everyone’s blood ran cold, especially Twilight’s.

“No, he wouldn’t!”

“He would.” said Discord.

“He must’ve used it to go back to Equestria!”

This was very disastrous indeed. Twilight couldn’t even begin to imagine how horrible things were about to be back home…!

Author's Note

How touching of them to be willing to reconcile...

...NO DEAL!!