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Description
The new morning's sunshine that filtered in through the window of the Tameranean's room was a welcomed "good morning". So quickly had the perfect day come! Why, only last night had she wished upon a falling star, and already it seemed as though her wish had been granted. But the truth of a falling star, no matter how beautiful, is dark. Long ago had the star passed that route, and died. Empty wishes, empty hope, and high levels of disappointed outcomes loomed overhead. It was never a good idea to wish on something that wasn't even around anymore, surely only a dark twist would follow. But Starfire was far too innocent the alien here on Earth to think of the dark consequences of the hopeful myth of wishing on a falling star. Every fairy tale or nursery rhyme seemed to have a biter-sweet end. For example, "Ring Around the Rosie". The orange-skinned alien only knew a few of these tales and tunes, and so was more or less unaware of the risk she had unknowingly taken the night prior.

Either way, rays of sunlight attacked her closed eyes, warming her face. With a long yawn, the alien sat up in her circular bed, her feet still on the pillow as usual. She stretched her long, strong arms, helping her body catch up to the pace she was at mentally. "Ah," she sighed in contentment, smiling. The orange-skinned female stood up from her bed, striding over to the window and tearing open the curtains, staring happily up at the cloudless blue sky, at the feel of the sun's warmth on her body. "A glorious morning!" She smiled, turning her torso and head a bit to look back and see her precious Silkie still fast asleep on her bed, snoring loudly- something Starfire had grown accustomed to and could easily ignore now. "Silkie," she called to the sleeping larvae. "Today is a wonderful day!" She exclaimed, practically skipping to her closet. "We are going to have the picnic, I do hope!" The Tameranean took her clothes from the racks where they were hung, along with her gloves and small arm band, changing into them after removing her night gown. Adjusting it slightly here and there, she pressed the button next to her door, thus opening it with a mechanical 'whoosh'. Lifting her feet off the ground, she floated down the hall. As she neared Raven's room, which was a room she had to pass to get to the living room of the tower, she came to a halt to inspect an odd scene. Beast Boy was standing in front of the large metal door to Raven's room, the top of his head flat against the cool metal, his arms hanging limply over the dark-colored floor. Starfire floated there quietly, listening to Beast Boy as he spoke in an exhausted tone of voice, "Rave, I said I was sorry." Now the alien was curious, but mostly just exasperated. She inwardly sighed. What had Beast Boy gone and done now to upset friend Raven? "Please come out." The green-skinned male continued. "I won't do it again, not without permission!" He was pleading. Starfire noticed, but it wasn't enough to earn a response from their reclusive friend. Closing his emerald eyes, the shifter asked, "Are you even in there? Did you climb out the window or something?" He asked, half-joking, but at the same time he wondered if she had actually left, and he was talking to open air. "Please, friends," Starfire finally interrupted, earning only a move of Beast Boy's head, but he didn't lift his head, so all he saw was the purple-colored material over her hips. "Do not fight." The alien continued. "Today is going to be a good day, you cannot fight if that is to become reality!" She explained, smiling at the sheer thought of her plan actually working. "I am on my way to gather preparations for the picnic today."
"What picnic?" Beast Boy asked, his ears lifting a bit in interest. "I am going to request we take the 'day off' time to enjoy the clear skies and warm temperature."
"Oh, sweet!" Beast Boy grinned, jumping in excitement, no longer leaning on Raven's door. "Sounds great! If," he turned to glare at Raven's door. "Raven will ever come out of her room!" He complained loudly. "No." Well, at least he knew she was in the room still. Her tone was simple, blunt, and a bit sharp. Quiet in comparison to Beast Boy's often half-shouting way of speaking. It really was a wonder the two were dating; opposites truly do seem to attract. "Oh, friend Raven, please!" Starfire begged, clasping her hands together. "It is a outing for friend Cyborg!" She added, and with that Raven opened her door a crack, peering out with one violet eye that looked past Beast Boy to Starfire. Her boyfriend pouted at the way she pretended not to see him. "Why?" The empath asked. Beast Boy argued, "What does it matter? A day of outdoor fun with Cyborg and barbecues sounds fun!" He declared. To this, Starfire's smile returned with full force. "Precisely!" She agreed. It was then that the tower's lights began to flash red, and a loud warning sound echoed through the halls. Raven gave a sigh, fully opening her door. "Trouble," she closed her door behind her and pushed past Beast Boy, rushing into the main room. Starfire drooped like a dehydrated flower. Beast Boy look at her sympathetically. "Sorry, Star." He knew this would surely call off any plans. "Rain check. I'm sure we'll get the chance soon!" He said with an ever-optimistic smile, following after Raven, tailed by a very glum Tameranean girl.

The main doors pulled open as the three teen heroes entered the main room, Starfire flying ahead at the front. She flew into the air and looked down at Robin who was standing at the small computer. "What is the matter, friend Robin?" She questioned before anyone else could. "Plasmus again." He replied in a deadpan, obviously a bit bored with the purple sludge monster. After defeating the beast time and time again, it was just a nuisance. "Go!" He hollered anyway, leading the team out of the tower and to where Plamus was reportedly seen. Starfire flew close to Raven's side, and while they flew dared to ask, "Raven, please. What did friend Beast Boy do to upset you so?" She asked innocently. Raven turned her head a bit to at least acknowledge Starfire with a glance, then looked ahead, not wanting to run into something. The empath sighed a bit, said, "Nothing so important." Raven assured. "Just a relationship problem I intend to face, and fix, when we get back to the tower." She told Starfire bluntly. A glare was given to the nearby flying green falcon she knew all too well. Starfire didn't press the matter further, instead she angled herself downwards, flying beside Cyborg's car. "Friend Cyborg," she said with a smile, earning only a nod so his eyes didn't leave the road. "After our sure victory, would a picnic be an option?" Cyborg half smiled. "Meat after a fight? Sounds good to me." He agreed without hesitation, much to Starfire's delight. "There!" Robin suddenly called out as they approached a small park, the multiple-eyed creature wreaking havoc in a children's playground. The young girls and boys cried and screamed, scrambling. Without order, Starfire scooped up any child that was in danger, carrying them over to a small cave-like structure on the playground, standing in front of the small shelter, starbolts prepared to fire. Beast Boy's pterodactyl claws grasped Cyborg's shoulders, lifting the metallic half-human off the ground, he shooting his plasma cannon at the creature. Robin skillfully threw exploding disks into the creature's body, each beeping a few times before exploding, dark purple goo flying and coating some of the titans. Starfire was far enough that only a flew globs landed near her feet. Raven her teleported herself into a nearby building, watching the goo smack into the window, thinking absently how glad she was that she wasn't still levitating there. Robin wiped goo from his hair, but the fight wasn't over. Re-growing his arm and shoulder, he lifted an over-sized hand and smacked Beast Boy and Cyborg to the ground, completely covering them both. Cyborg wiped his face clean, muttering in disgust about having 'goop' in his gears. Beast Boy had to complain as well, of course. "Pleh!" He spat out a bit of the goo. "Dude, that's nasty!" Raven stepped through the wall of the building thanks to her powers, in mid-air taking her meditation position. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos," she chanted, a black and white 'soul-self' unleashed from her body, flying straight towards Plasmus, inside of him. "Sleep, it's just a nightmare." She spoke softly to the man deep within, attempting to help him relax and sleep so the fight could end. It was a success, for the goop melted away, leaving a gangly man lying in the puddle, fast asleep. Raven lowered herself to the side walk, watching the man quietly. Now and then she did feel sorry for him. It wasn't like he had ever asked for these powers, and he could never enjoy a single day. All his life he was asleep for his and other's safety. "Are we done yet?" The grey-skinned female questioned in a bored tone, gazing at the others. "Now all we need to do is get clean." Cyborg chuckled, wiping off his chest. "Seriously," Beast Boy grumbled, picking his hair clean. He shifted into a dog and shook his fur more vigorously, trying to shake off the disgusting thick substance. "Good work, team." Robin said, walking over to the gathered group. Starfire shortly joined, after returning the children to their parents. "Let's head to the tower and shower."
"Hey, Robin." Cyborg began, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder to keep him still. "Star and I really want to have a picnic."
"Sounds good, right?" Beast Boy beamed with excitement. What he wouldn't give for some grilled tofu burgers about now! Robin glanced around at the group. "Is that what everyone wants?" As usual, he used a voting system with majority rule. It was fair, but usually it wasn't in Beast Boy's favor. Today, however, everyone raised their hands- even Robin. Raven, however, seemed to play the stick in the mud. With all eyes on her, feeling the pressure and remembering how excited Starfire had seemed earlier, lifted her hand just a bit, enough of a signal to confirm the picnic idea. "Yes!" Beast Boy exclaimed, giving Cyborg a high five, which Cyborg did with force, throwing Beast Buy down, laughing deeply. "Dude!" Beast Boy complained, shifting into a gorilla, playfully tackling Cyborg. Starfire flew in small circles in the air, her ever-usual "glorious" quote coming out as it did whenever she was pleased. "Okay then, it's settled. Now let's go get clean." Robin mused with a bit of a smile.

After their showers, buying necessities for the picnic, and setting up in a nice, peaceful spot in the local park, everyone was more relaxed than when the day started. Even before Plasmus, the air had seemed tense. But now it seemed things had begun to calm down. Starfire and Robin sat down on a blue blanket they had chosen to bring, while Cyborg cooked up hamburgers, Beast Boy made tofu hot dogs, and Raven sat on the ground by a tree. She was the only one not relaxed. Why? Because she was thinking too much. She was stuck on the night prior, the occurrence between her and Beast Boy that had left them distant this morning. And what would they talk about when they arrived home? Would they talk about the problem, or should she deem it useless and move on? He hadn't done anything terrible, really, he was just being a boy, and neither of them could really change that. Perhaps she was being sensitive and over-thinking things since this was, after all, her first time being in a relationship. With those thoughts in mind, she had unknowingly forgiven him and was letting go of the subject.
"Ra~ven," Beast Boy's voice made her more aware, earned a glimpse of her violet eyes. He was standing just in front of her, something that surprised her, holding out a jelly sandwich for her. "I made you a sandwich," he explained, as if it wasn't obvious. "You like jelly, right?" His emerald eyes shined. "Yes," Raven nodded, accepting the food. "Thank you." She added before taking a bite. Smiling, Beast Boy sat beside his girlfriend, one leg stretched out, while the other was pulled up to his chest, his right arm wrapped around that leg as he leaned forward to see her past her hood. She was sitting in her meditation pose as she always was. Sometimes he really did wish she could relax a little and sit normally. But there were more important matters at hand. "Are you mad at me still?" He asked. "No," Raven assured, picking lightly at the crust of her sandwich. Her boyfriend sighed in relief, smiling. "I'm glad. So you forgive me? We're good?"
"More or less." Raven said, sounding a tad irritated. Beast Boy smiled either way, looking down at the grass. He didn't mind the tone she used, because he knew that, outside of her mind, outside of that mirror, he would rarely ever get to see her smile. But it would make that smile even more beautiful after a long wait. "You've been sitting by yourself for awhile now." He made an observation, looking to her once again, sitting forward on his knees. "Maybe you should-" Beast Boy's ears perked up, and he paused, lifting his head a bit. "Something's behind us..." He said softly, curiosity picking at Raven, who slowly moved to peer behind the tree there were sitting under. Behind them, in the shadows of other trees, stood some very familiar enemies. Slade's robots. Raven's eyes narrowed. "Slade. Why did he come he back?" She asked quietly. "Don't know, but," Beast Boy stood and was about to suggest they go warn the others, but before he could the enemies had struck at a different location. "Robin!" Cyborg shouted as the boy wonder was jumped from behind. Levitating, Raven encases the robot in her dark magic, throwing it into a tree, breaking it apart. Beast Boy leaped forward onto two of the bots, changing into a tiger as he came in contact with the enemies. Everyone was engaged in fighting the onslaught of robots, but Raven and Cyborg weren't focused on the robots. They both looked each other, asking the silent question 'where's Slade?' While they noticed what wasn't there, Starfire noticed what was. Past the robots, her emerald eyes caught sight of a familiar figure, familiar color. It wasn't slade, it was...? "Warp!" Starfire shouted in realization, flying forward, punching any small foes that got in her way. She shot energy from her eyes at the male, starbolts flying at him. "Why are you out of jail?!" She shouted, enraged that the male was not only free, but avoiding her deadly blows, deflecting them. "And dude, how'd you get to be an adult again?" Beast Boy asked, sitting atop a small pile of destroyed robots in his human-like form. "Be quiet, little shape-shifter!" He snapped, irritated by the remark. He throw an attack, but Raven pulled up a black shield of energy, deflecting the saucer-like energy. Beast Boy looked back, seeing Raven in the air just behind him. "Thanks, Raven." He smiled, earning a nod. Both looked up to see Starfire barrage Warp with starbolts from above, fury in her eyes. Warp countered her blows enough to keep himself from being wounded. "Hey," Cyborg's strong voice earning him an opening. When Warp turned to see who was yelling, Cyborg delivered a punch, cracking the elder male's helmet. Now Warp was struggling to ward off his attackers. Beast Boy went to aid Robin in finishing off the robots, leaving Raven levitating over them, assessing the situation. Slade was nowhere to be found. There wasn't anything that could lead to him, aside from the robots themselves. But robots could be reprogrammed, so maybe Warp was behind this by himself? Raven looked to Starfire as she crushed any robot that got in her way, glowing green eyes locked onto their true target- Warp. Raven remembered the tale she and the others had been told, about 'the drifting' and what had become of them in the future due to Warp's intervention. All too well she remembered it, hearing what had become of all her friends. She'd had nightmares after it all, but of course no one knew but herself. So to her, it was no surprise that Starfire soon reached her target, clasping his arm tightly in one hand, cracks spreading along the golden metal. She lifted the male off the ground with one hand, glaring into the slightly panicked Warp's eyes. "Did you not learn the lesson, Warp?" Starfire snapped, clenching her free hand into a fist, a starbolt prepared. Robin then stepped up beside Starfire, pointing his bow staff at Warp's device, the foggy sphere device on his chest. "Why do you have Slade's robots? Are you working with him? Where is he?!"
"There he goes again," Raven mumbled in unison with Beast Boy and Cyborg, looking to Cyborg who was exasperated. Walking forward, he held out his hands defensively, as if the enraged teens would turn on him if he stepped too close. "Robin," Cyborg began his usual attempts to persuade the team leader to relax. "Slade would have shown his face by now, or left some message or something. He's not the type to send out a big attack and not send a message along with it." He reminded. Raven nodded. "Slade wants your attention, Robin. It isn't him behind this." Robin slowly quieted down, looking down at the grass below his feet. Cyborg smiled, then looked up to Starfire as she began to question her enemy. "Why do you attack us?" She demanded to know. "Simple. Revenge." Warp said with a scowl, his hands on her wrist, trying to free himself, legs dangling a good foot or so off the ground. "For an alien, you are quite dumb. Aren't extraterrestrials supposed to be smarter than earthlings?" He mocked, and heard his armor groan under the pressure of the Tameranean's strength. Raven slowly stepped down onto the grass, approaching Starfire. "You need to calm down, Starfire." The empath warned. "I know you're holding a grudge, and you have a right to be upset, but-"
"Do you want to end up as I said?!" Starfire's shout left Raven a bit shocked, eyes widening a tad. Beast Boy walked up to Raven's side and snapped, "Don't even go there, Star!" He defended, the only one who had taken into account Raven's feelings about the tale. He and Robin, actually- they both knew how much it had frightened Raven, even if they hadn't been told. Robin couldn't help it, he shared a bond with Raven, and Beast Boy was close enough to see the small signs. While they argued, Cyborg managed to pry Warp from Starfire's iron-clad grip, and Robin tied him up. Raven, Beast Boy and Starfire stood at odds, the tension thick as fog. Raven was the first to break the thick air, turning and beginning the walk back to the tower. Beast Boy gave Starfire a glare, a rare occurrence, then followed the violet-haired female.

The picnic never resumed. Starfire hadn't been able to calm down, and Beast Boy and Raven talked out their earlier problems, as well as offering a bit of comfort to one another after the frightening possibility of their futures being brought up again. They realized they had both buried it, and weren't aware how thin their defense had been. Robin cooked dinner, Beast Boy made his own, trying to force tofu on everyone, and after everyone ate he and Cyborg battled it out on a video game, one of their favorites, "Invasion of the Bubblebots". Robin sat at the counter as he ate his ham, taking his time. It was odd, to see him so calm after something happened that could even remotely lead to Slade. Perhaps he was thinking about it silent, but not running away this time. Maybe even he got tired of clinging to news articles only to find dead ends. Just one peaceful dinner wouldn't be the death of him, though usually he did act like it. Raven and Cyborg had talked to him when they returned, it was the only reason he was able to eat. They warned he wouldn't be able to fight if he didn't fuel his body with food. He didn't seem to notice the team cared about him, not only Starfire, so they tried often to prove it. When Midnight approached, Robin was the first to head off to bed. After locking up the tower, Cyborg as well turned in for the night. Raven and Beast Boy sat in the main room, on the black couch infront of the tv. Beast Boy was channel flipping, Raven reading a book, both perhaps a bit too uneasy to sleep. This left Starfire, who hadn't come out of her room since they had returned from fighting Warp.

"Oh, Silkie," Starfire's soft voice whispered, sitting on the end of her circular bed beside her pillow, the pink-ish larvae resting on her lap, her slender hand stroking his skin. "Why would Warp return? And how did he escape?" She questioned aloud, staring at her door. She had been waiting for someone to come into the room to talk to her, but she supposed, after the fit of rage, they though she needed some time alone. "Oh, I yelled at friend Raven... she must be upset with me." That was why Raven hadn't come to her door, surely. And Beast Boy was just as likely not to speak to her, not until she apologized thoroughly. She supposed she had snapped out at them, done the biting off of their heads, but she was so angry, scared... she never wanted that dreaded future to come, and she'd do anything to stop it. Grasping Silkie with both hands, she lifted him at arm's length and at eye level, saying, "My dear bumgorf, what should I do? I fear my friends are terribly mad at me..." She trailed into silence, hanging her head, holding her pet close to her chest. Lying down on her side, she only stared at her door in silence, forcing Silkie to stay so she had something to cuddle, to help her sleep despite her dampened mood. The moon had ruled the night sky for quite a few hours now, the stars its faithful warriors to bring light to the night so those who were lost still had a way to find home. Underneath it's reign, Raven and Beast Boy were finally heading off to their respective bedrooms. Finally, everyone was in their beds- but the days events kept everyone up, pondering what was to come next. Surely if Warp was desperate enough to possibly be working with Slade, they had to be on their guards. But soon, everyone fell asleep. Well, almost everyone.
"Man, you would think those burgers woulda filled me up." Cyborg mused absently as he walked down the halls towards the main room where the kitchen was, mind set on getting a sandwich to curb his hunger. Raven had decided on some herbal tea. The two physically ran into each other as they turned the same corner. Cyborg jumped a bit, looking down at Raven, who was rubbing a small bump on her head from hitting his metal body. He was surprised to see her up. Sure, Raven always got up early, but the sun wasn't anywhere near rising, it was too early for even her. "Can't sleep, girl?" He asked, leaning back on the counter, hands grasping the wood. "No." Raven confirmed his suspicions. "I'm not looking forward to the date Beast Boy and I agreed to tomorrow." She admitted, reaching up into a cabinet to grab the tea she came here for. Cyborg smirked, "Oh? Is that so?"
"The carnival." Raven said, earning a small laugh. "Sounds fun." Cyborg teased. "Me and a crowd?" Raven asked, putting water on the stove and turning to dial to boil it. "Bad idea." She muttered, a bit irritated that he didn't see the problem. "Chill out, Rave," Cyborg smiled reassuringly. "Your powers won't be a problem, I'm sure of it. Just relax and have fun." He advised. The empath looked at him skeptically at first, then sighed softly, turning so her back was facing him, watching the water for her tea. "Maybe you're right." She admitted. "Of course I am!" Cyborg boasted. "Don't let your head get any bigger than it already is." Raven sighed. Cyborg grinned, "Yeah, yeah," he waved off the topic, grabbing that sandwich he had been coming to get, and heading down the hall, back to his room. "Try to get some sleep." He added. "To go anywhere with Beast Boy, you have to be well rested, or your sleep deprivation will lead to his death." He chuckled. Raven nodded as a response and a farewell, pouring herself a cup of the herbal tea she always drank when she was uneasy. Once she finished she headed back to her room, sitting down on her bed. As she sat there pondering Cyborg's words about her powers, wondering how he had so much confidence in her, she suddenly felt a great amount of uneasiness. Placing a hand on her head, she tilted it slightly to the left and looked around her room. Trying to wave it off as nothing but being overly tired, the young female removed her cape and lied down in her bed, pulling the blanket up to her shoulders, nuzzling her head into the pillow, eyes closed. Maybe this time she could relax. Just maybe.

"Cyborg!"
Raven slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. She was in the hallway. But, how? She had gone to bed, she knew she had. She glanced down at herself, and sure enough she had taken off her belt, shoes and cape- she had prepared to go to sleep. Maybe it was a vision. Looking up, Raven could only see the shape of a body on the ground, not moving. Two other figures raced towards the fallen first, screaming out 'Cyborg' over and over. She recognized their voices easily- she lived with them every day, after all. They were Beast Boy and Starfire. Getting to her feet, Raven tried to approach, but with every step the figures got farther and farther away. She couldn't see any color, there wasn't any detail on the three forms. "Beast Boy? Starfire? Cyborg?" She called, starting to run towards him, but they only drifted further away. ' What's going on?!' Raven thought, tiring as she ran at full speed. A male's voice was echoing, but she couldn't make out the words. She tried several times to levitate and fly, but she couldn't use her powers. And this made her realize she was likely dreaming. Coming to a halt, she looked behind her, seeing two other figures approaching her from behind. "Who's there?" She asked, but earning no respond. But suddenly, one figure disappeared, and a breeze blew her hair into her face. As she moved the hairs to see clearly, she opened her violet hues to see she was back in her room. Sitting up, Raven grasped the blanket tightly, looking out the window. It was still dark outside, the moon and stars still had control over the inky black sky. Looking down at the floor absently, Raven couldn't help but wonder who's voice had been speaking, the echoed voice that she couldn't make out. But she did know one thing for sure. Cyborg had been lying there in that vision, dream, whatever it was... and he had been dead.

Description
The new morning's sunshine that filtered in through the window of the Tameranean's room was a welcomed "good morning". So quickly had the perfect day come! Why, only last night had she wished upon a falling star, and already it seemed as though her wish had been granted. But the truth of a falling star, no matter how beautiful, is dark. Long ago had the star passed that route, and died. Empty wishes, empty hope, and high levels of disappointed outcomes loomed overhead. It was never a good idea to wish on something that wasn't even around anymore, surely only a dark twist would follow. But Starfire was far too innocent the alien here on Earth to think of the dark consequences of the hopeful myth of wishing on a falling star. Every fairy tale or nursery rhyme seemed to have a biter-sweet end. For example, "Ring Around the Rosie". The orange-skinned alien only knew a few of these tales and tunes, and so was more or less unaware of the risk she had unknowingly taken the night prior.

Either way, rays of sunlight attacked her closed eyes, warming her face. With a long yawn, the alien sat up in her circular bed, her feet still on the pillow as usual. She stretched her long, strong arms, helping her body catch up to the pace she was at mentally. "Ah," she sighed in contentment, smiling. The orange-skinned female stood up from her bed, striding over to the window and tearing open the curtains, staring happily up at the cloudless blue sky, at the feel of the sun's warmth on her body. "A glorious morning!" She smiled, turning her torso and head a bit to look back and see her precious Silkie still fast asleep on her bed, snoring loudly- something Starfire had grown accustomed to and could easily ignore now. "Silkie," she called to the sleeping larvae. "Today is a wonderful day!" She exclaimed, practically skipping to her closet. "We are going to have the picnic, I do hope!" The Tameranean took her clothes from the racks where they were hung, along with her gloves and small arm band, changing into them after removing her night gown. Adjusting it slightly here and there, she pressed the button next to her door, thus opening it with a mechanical 'whoosh'. Lifting her feet off the ground, she floated down the hall. As she neared Raven's room, which was a room she had to pass to get to the living room of the tower, she came to a halt to inspect an odd scene. Beast Boy was standing in front of the large metal door to Raven's room, the top of his head flat against the cool metal, his arms hanging limply over the dark-colored floor. Starfire floated there quietly, listening to Beast Boy as he spoke in an exhausted tone of voice, "Rave, I said I was sorry." Now the alien was curious, but mostly just exasperated. She inwardly sighed. What had Beast Boy gone and done now to upset friend Raven? "Please come out." The green-skinned male continued. "I won't do it again, not without permission!" He was pleading. Starfire noticed, but it wasn't enough to earn a response from their reclusive friend. Closing his emerald eyes, the shifter asked, "Are you even in there? Did you climb out the window or something?" He asked, half-joking, but at the same time he wondered if she had actually left, and he was talking to open air. "Please, friends," Starfire finally interrupted, earning only a move of Beast Boy's head, but he didn't lift his head, so all he saw was the purple-colored material over her hips. "Do not fight." The alien continued. "Today is going to be a good day, you cannot fight if that is to become reality!" She explained, smiling at the sheer thought of her plan actually working. "I am on my way to gather preparations for the picnic today."
"What picnic?" Beast Boy asked, his ears lifting a bit in interest. "I am going to request we take the 'day off' time to enjoy the clear skies and warm temperature."
"Oh, sweet!" Beast Boy grinned, jumping in excitement, no longer leaning on Raven's door. "Sounds great! If," he turned to glare at Raven's door. "Raven will ever come out of her room!" He complained loudly. "No." Well, at least he knew she was in the room still. Her tone was simple, blunt, and a bit sharp. Quiet in comparison to Beast Boy's often half-shouting way of speaking. It really was a wonder the two were dating; opposites truly do seem to attract. "Oh, friend Raven, please!" Starfire begged, clasping her hands together. "It is a outing for friend Cyborg!" She added, and with that Raven opened her door a crack, peering out with one violet eye that looked past Beast Boy to Starfire. Her boyfriend pouted at the way she pretended not to see him. "Why?" The empath asked. Beast Boy argued, "What does it matter? A day of outdoor fun with Cyborg and barbecues sounds fun!" He declared. To this, Starfire's smile returned with full force. "Precisely!" She agreed. It was then that the tower's lights began to flash red, and a loud warning sound echoed through the halls. Raven gave a sigh, fully opening her door. "Trouble," she closed her door behind her and pushed past Beast Boy, rushing into the main room. Starfire drooped like a dehydrated flower. Beast Boy look at her sympathetically. "Sorry, Star." He knew this would surely call off any plans. "Rain check. I'm sure we'll get the chance soon!" He said with an ever-optimistic smile, following after Raven, tailed by a very glum Tameranean girl.

The main doors pulled open as the three teen heroes entered the main room, Starfire flying ahead at the front. She flew into the air and looked down at Robin who was standing at the small computer. "What is the matter, friend Robin?" She questioned before anyone else could. "Plasmus again." He replied in a deadpan, obviously a bit bored with the purple sludge monster. After defeating the beast time and time again, it was just a nuisance. "Go!" He hollered anyway, leading the team out of the tower and to where Plamus was reportedly seen. Starfire flew close to Raven's side, and while they flew dared to ask, "Raven, please. What did friend Beast Boy do to upset you so?" She asked innocently. Raven turned her head a bit to at least acknowledge Starfire with a glance, then looked ahead, not wanting to run into something. The empath sighed a bit, said, "Nothing so important." Raven assured. "Just a relationship problem I intend to face, and fix, when we get back to the tower." She told Starfire bluntly. A glare was given to the nearby flying green falcon she knew all too well. Starfire didn't press the matter further, instead she angled herself downwards, flying beside Cyborg's car. "Friend Cyborg," she said with a smile, earning only a nod so his eyes didn't leave the road. "After our sure victory, would a picnic be an option?" Cyborg half smiled. "Meat after a fight? Sounds good to me." He agreed without hesitation, much to Starfire's delight. "There!" Robin suddenly called out as they approached a small park, the multiple-eyed creature wreaking havoc in a children's playground. The young girls and boys cried and screamed, scrambling. Without order, Starfire scooped up any child that was in danger, carrying them over to a small cave-like structure on the playground, standing in front of the small shelter, starbolts prepared to fire. Beast Boy's pterodactyl claws grasped Cyborg's shoulders, lifting the metallic half-human off the ground, he shooting his plasma cannon at the creature. Robin skillfully threw exploding disks into the creature's body, each beeping a few times before exploding, dark purple goo flying and coating some of the titans. Starfire was far enough that only a flew globs landed near her feet. Raven her teleported herself into a nearby building, watching the goo smack into the window, thinking absently how glad she was that she wasn't still levitating there. Robin wiped goo from his hair, but the fight wasn't over. Re-growing his arm and shoulder, he lifted an over-sized hand and smacked Beast Boy and Cyborg to the ground, completely covering them both. Cyborg wiped his face clean, muttering in disgust about having 'goop' in his gears. Beast Boy had to complain as well, of course. "Pleh!" He spat out a bit of the goo. "Dude, that's nasty!" Raven stepped through the wall of the building thanks to her powers, in mid-air taking her meditation position. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos," she chanted, a black and white 'soul-self' unleashed from her body, flying straight towards Plasmus, inside of him. "Sleep, it's just a nightmare." She spoke softly to the man deep within, attempting to help him relax and sleep so the fight could end. It was a success, for the goop melted away, leaving a gangly man lying in the puddle, fast asleep. Raven lowered herself to the side walk, watching the man quietly. Now and then she did feel sorry for him. It wasn't like he had ever asked for these powers, and he could never enjoy a single day. All his life he was asleep for his and other's safety. "Are we done yet?" The grey-skinned female questioned in a bored tone, gazing at the others. "Now all we need to do is get clean." Cyborg chuckled, wiping off his chest. "Seriously," Beast Boy grumbled, picking his hair clean. He shifted into a dog and shook his fur more vigorously, trying to shake off the disgusting thick substance. "Good work, team." Robin said, walking over to the gathered group. Starfire shortly joined, after returning the children to their parents. "Let's head to the tower and shower."
"Hey, Robin." Cyborg began, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder to keep him still. "Star and I really want to have a picnic."
"Sounds good, right?" Beast Boy beamed with excitement. What he wouldn't give for some grilled tofu burgers about now! Robin glanced around at the group. "Is that what everyone wants?" As usual, he used a voting system with majority rule. It was fair, but usually it wasn't in Beast Boy's favor. Today, however, everyone raised their hands- even Robin. Raven, however, seemed to play the stick in the mud. With all eyes on her, feeling the pressure and remembering how excited Starfire had seemed earlier, lifted her hand just a bit, enough of a signal to confirm the picnic idea. "Yes!" Beast Boy exclaimed, giving Cyborg a high five, which Cyborg did with force, throwing Beast Buy down, laughing deeply. "Dude!" Beast Boy complained, shifting into a gorilla, playfully tackling Cyborg. Starfire flew in small circles in the air, her ever-usual "glorious" quote coming out as it did whenever she was pleased. "Okay then, it's settled. Now let's go get clean." Robin mused with a bit of a smile.

After their showers, buying necessities for the picnic, and setting up in a nice, peaceful spot in the local park, everyone was more relaxed than when the day started. Even before Plasmus, the air had seemed tense. But now it seemed things had begun to calm down. Starfire and Robin sat down on a blue blanket they had chosen to bring, while Cyborg cooked up hamburgers, Beast Boy made tofu hot dogs, and Raven sat on the ground by a tree. She was the only one not relaxed. Why? Because she was thinking too much. She was stuck on the night prior, the occurrence between her and Beast Boy that had left them distant this morning. And what would they talk about when they arrived home? Would they talk about the problem, or should she deem it useless and move on? He hadn't done anything terrible, really, he was just being a boy, and neither of them could really change that. Perhaps she was being sensitive and over-thinking things since this was, after all, her first time being in a relationship. With those thoughts in mind, she had unknowingly forgiven him and was letting go of the subject.
"Ra~ven," Beast Boy's voice made her more aware, earned a glimpse of her violet eyes. He was standing just in front of her, something that surprised her, holding out a jelly sandwich for her. "I made you a sandwich," he explained, as if it wasn't obvious. "You like jelly, right?" His emerald eyes shined. "Yes," Raven nodded, accepting the food. "Thank you." She added before taking a bite. Smiling, Beast Boy sat beside his girlfriend, one leg stretched out, while the other was pulled up to his chest, his right arm wrapped around that leg as he leaned forward to see her past her hood. She was sitting in her meditation pose as she always was. Sometimes he really did wish she could relax a little and sit normally. But there were more important matters at hand. "Are you mad at me still?" He asked. "No," Raven assured, picking lightly at the crust of her sandwich. Her boyfriend sighed in relief, smiling. "I'm glad. So you forgive me? We're good?"
"More or less." Raven said, sounding a tad irritated. Beast Boy smiled either way, looking down at the grass. He didn't mind the tone she used, because he knew that, outside of her mind, outside of that mirror, he would rarely ever get to see her smile. But it would make that smile even more beautiful after a long wait. "You've been sitting by yourself for awhile now." He made an observation, looking to her once again, sitting forward on his knees. "Maybe you should-" Beast Boy's ears perked up, and he paused, lifting his head a bit. "Something's behind us..." He said softly, curiosity picking at Raven, who slowly moved to peer behind the tree there were sitting under. Behind them, in the shadows of other trees, stood some very familiar enemies. Slade's robots. Raven's eyes narrowed. "Slade. Why did he come he back?" She asked quietly. "Don't know, but," Beast Boy stood and was about to suggest they go warn the others, but before he could the enemies had struck at a different location. "Robin!" Cyborg shouted as the boy wonder was jumped from behind. Levitating, Raven encases the robot in her dark magic, throwing it into a tree, breaking it apart. Beast Boy leaped forward onto two of the bots, changing into a tiger as he came in contact with the enemies. Everyone was engaged in fighting the onslaught of robots, but Raven and Cyborg weren't focused on the robots. They both looked each other, asking the silent question 'where's Slade?' While they noticed what wasn't there, Starfire noticed what was. Past the robots, her emerald eyes caught sight of a familiar figure, familiar color. It wasn't slade, it was...? "Warp!" Starfire shouted in realization, flying forward, punching any small foes that got in her way. She shot energy from her eyes at the male, starbolts flying at him. "Why are you out of jail?!" She shouted, enraged that the male was not only free, but avoiding her deadly blows, deflecting them. "And dude, how'd you get to be an adult again?" Beast Boy asked, sitting atop a small pile of destroyed robots in his human-like form. "Be quiet, little shape-shifter!" He snapped, irritated by the remark. He throw an attack, but Raven pulled up a black shield of energy, deflecting the saucer-like energy. Beast Boy looked back, seeing Raven in the air just behind him. "Thanks, Raven." He smiled, earning a nod. Both looked up to see Starfire barrage Warp with starbolts from above, fury in her eyes. Warp countered her blows enough to keep himself from being wounded. "Hey," Cyborg's strong voice earning him an opening. When Warp turned to see who was yelling, Cyborg delivered a punch, cracking the elder male's helmet. Now Warp was struggling to ward off his attackers. Beast Boy went to aid Robin in finishing off the robots, leaving Raven levitating over them, assessing the situation. Slade was nowhere to be found. There wasn't anything that could lead to him, aside from the robots themselves. But robots could be reprogrammed, so maybe Warp was behind this by himself? Raven looked to Starfire as she crushed any robot that got in her way, glowing green eyes locked onto their true target- Warp. Raven remembered the tale she and the others had been told, about 'the drifting' and what had become of them in the future due to Warp's intervention. All too well she remembered it, hearing what had become of all her friends. She'd had nightmares after it all, but of course no one knew but herself. So to her, it was no surprise that Starfire soon reached her target, clasping his arm tightly in one hand, cracks spreading along the golden metal. She lifted the male off the ground with one hand, glaring into the slightly panicked Warp's eyes. "Did you not learn the lesson, Warp?" Starfire snapped, clenching her free hand into a fist, a starbolt prepared. Robin then stepped up beside Starfire, pointing his bow staff at Warp's device, the foggy sphere device on his chest. "Why do you have Slade's robots? Are you working with him? Where is he?!"
"There he goes again," Raven mumbled in unison with Beast Boy and Cyborg, looking to Cyborg who was exasperated. Walking forward, he held out his hands defensively, as if the enraged teens would turn on him if he stepped too close. "Robin," Cyborg began his usual attempts to persuade the team leader to relax. "Slade would have shown his face by now, or left some message or something. He's not the type to send out a big attack and not send a message along with it." He reminded. Raven nodded. "Slade wants your attention, Robin. It isn't him behind this." Robin slowly quieted down, looking down at the grass below his feet. Cyborg smiled, then looked up to Starfire as she began to question her enemy. "Why do you attack us?" She demanded to know. "Simple. Revenge." Warp said with a scowl, his hands on her wrist, trying to free himself, legs dangling a good foot or so off the ground. "For an alien, you are quite dumb. Aren't extraterrestrials supposed to be smarter than earthlings?" He mocked, and heard his armor groan under the pressure of the Tameranean's strength. Raven slowly stepped down onto the grass, approaching Starfire. "You need to calm down, Starfire." The empath warned. "I know you're holding a grudge, and you have a right to be upset, but-"
"Do you want to end up as I said?!" Starfire's shout left Raven a bit shocked, eyes widening a tad. Beast Boy walked up to Raven's side and snapped, "Don't even go there, Star!" He defended, the only one who had taken into account Raven's feelings about the tale. He and Robin, actually- they both knew how much it had frightened Raven, even if they hadn't been told. Robin couldn't help it, he shared a bond with Raven, and Beast Boy was close enough to see the small signs. While they argued, Cyborg managed to pry Warp from Starfire's iron-clad grip, and Robin tied him up. Raven, Beast Boy and Starfire stood at odds, the tension thick as fog. Raven was the first to break the thick air, turning and beginning the walk back to the tower. Beast Boy gave Starfire a glare, a rare occurrence, then followed the violet-haired female.

The picnic never resumed. Starfire hadn't been able to calm down, and Beast Boy and Raven talked out their earlier problems, as well as offering a bit of comfort to one another after the frightening possibility of their futures being brought up again. They realized they had both buried it, and weren't aware how thin their defense had been. Robin cooked dinner, Beast Boy made his own, trying to force tofu on everyone, and after everyone ate he and Cyborg battled it out on a video game, one of their favorites, "Invasion of the Bubblebots". Robin sat at the counter as he ate his ham, taking his time. It was odd, to see him so calm after something happened that could even remotely lead to Slade. Perhaps he was thinking about it silent, but not running away this time. Maybe even he got tired of clinging to news articles only to find dead ends. Just one peaceful dinner wouldn't be the death of him, though usually he did act like it. Raven and Cyborg had talked to him when they returned, it was the only reason he was able to eat. They warned he wouldn't be able to fight if he didn't fuel his body with food. He didn't seem to notice the team cared about him, not only Starfire, so they tried often to prove it. When Midnight approached, Robin was the first to head off to bed. After locking up the tower, Cyborg as well turned in for the night. Raven and Beast Boy sat in the main room, on the black couch infront of the tv. Beast Boy was channel flipping, Raven reading a book, both perhaps a bit too uneasy to sleep. This left Starfire, who hadn't come out of her room since they had returned from fighting Warp.

"Oh, Silkie," Starfire's soft voice whispered, sitting on the end of her circular bed beside her pillow, the pink-ish larvae resting on her lap, her slender hand stroking his skin. "Why would Warp return? And how did he escape?" She questioned aloud, staring at her door. She had been waiting for someone to come into the room to talk to her, but she supposed, after the fit of rage, they though she needed some time alone. "Oh, I yelled at friend Raven... she must be upset with me." That was why Raven hadn't come to her door, surely. And Beast Boy was just as likely not to speak to her, not until she apologized thoroughly. She supposed she had snapped out at them, done the biting off of their heads, but she was so angry, scared... she never wanted that dreaded future to come, and she'd do anything to stop it. Grasping Silkie with both hands, she lifted him at arm's length and at eye level, saying, "My dear bumgorf, what should I do? I fear my friends are terribly mad at me..." She trailed into silence, hanging her head, holding her pet close to her chest. Lying down on her side, she only stared at her door in silence, forcing Silkie to stay so she had something to cuddle, to help her sleep despite her dampened mood. The moon had ruled the night sky for quite a few hours now, the stars its faithful warriors to bring light to the night so those who were lost still had a way to find home. Underneath it's reign, Raven and Beast Boy were finally heading off to their respective bedrooms. Finally, everyone was in their beds- but the days events kept everyone up, pondering what was to come next. Surely if Warp was desperate enough to possibly be working with Slade, they had to be on their guards. But soon, everyone fell asleep. Well, almost everyone.
"Man, you would think those burgers woulda filled me up." Cyborg mused absently as he walked down the halls towards the main room where the kitchen was, mind set on getting a sandwich to curb his hunger. Raven had decided on some herbal tea. The two physically ran into each other as they turned the same corner. Cyborg jumped a bit, looking down at Raven, who was rubbing a small bump on her head from hitting his metal body. He was surprised to see her up. Sure, Raven always got up early, but the sun wasn't anywhere near rising, it was too early for even her. "Can't sleep, girl?" He asked, leaning back on the counter, hands grasping the wood. "No." Raven confirmed his suspicions. "I'm not looking forward to the date Beast Boy and I agreed to tomorrow." She admitted, reaching up into a cabinet to grab the tea she came here for. Cyborg smirked, "Oh? Is that so?"
"The carnival." Raven said, earning a small laugh. "Sounds fun." Cyborg teased. "Me and a crowd?" Raven asked, putting water on the stove and turning to dial to boil it. "Bad idea." She muttered, a bit irritated that he didn't see the problem. "Chill out, Rave," Cyborg smiled reassuringly. "Your powers won't be a problem, I'm sure of it. Just relax and have fun." He advised. The empath looked at him skeptically at first, then sighed softly, turning so her back was facing him, watching the water for her tea. "Maybe you're right." She admitted. "Of course I am!" Cyborg boasted. "Don't let your head get any bigger than it already is." Raven sighed. Cyborg grinned, "Yeah, yeah," he waved off the topic, grabbing that sandwich he had been coming to get, and heading down the hall, back to his room. "Try to get some sleep." He added. "To go anywhere with Beast Boy, you have to be well rested, or your sleep deprivation will lead to his death." He chuckled. Raven nodded as a response and a farewell, pouring herself a cup of the herbal tea she always drank when she was uneasy. Once she finished she headed back to her room, sitting down on her bed. As she sat there pondering Cyborg's words about her powers, wondering how he had so much confidence in her, she suddenly felt a great amount of uneasiness. Placing a hand on her head, she tilted it slightly to the left and looked around her room. Trying to wave it off as nothing but being overly tired, the young female removed her cape and lied down in her bed, pulling the blanket up to her shoulders, nuzzling her head into the pillow, eyes closed. Maybe this time she could relax. Just maybe.

"Cyborg!"
Raven slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. She was in the hallway. But, how? She had gone to bed, she knew she had. She glanced down at herself, and sure enough she had taken off her belt, shoes and cape- she had prepared to go to sleep. Maybe it was a vision. Looking up, Raven could only see the shape of a body on the ground, not moving. Two other figures raced towards the fallen first, screaming out 'Cyborg' over and over. She recognized their voices easily- she lived with them every day, after all. They were Beast Boy and Starfire. Getting to her feet, Raven tried to approach, but with every step the figures got farther and farther away. She couldn't see any color, there wasn't any detail on the three forms. "Beast Boy? Starfire? Cyborg?" She called, starting to run towards him, but they only drifted further away. ' What's going on?!' Raven thought, tiring as she ran at full speed. A male's voice was echoing, but she couldn't make out the words. She tried several times to levitate and fly, but she couldn't use her powers. And this made her realize she was likely dreaming. Coming to a halt, she looked behind her, seeing two other figures approaching her from behind. "Who's there?" She asked, but earning no respond. But suddenly, one figure disappeared, and a breeze blew her hair into her face. As she moved the hairs to see clearly, she opened her violet hues to see she was back in her room. Sitting up, Raven grasped the blanket tightly, looking out the window. It was still dark outside, the moon and stars still had control over the inky black sky. Looking down at the floor absently, Raven couldn't help but wonder who's voice had been speaking, the echoed voice that she couldn't make out. But she did know one thing for sure. Cyborg had been lying there in that vision, dream, whatever it was... and he had been dead.