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[DC] Raven's Replacement (Raven Lunacy sequel; OC in Teen Titans)

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Retroactive Hiatus - Author Note 9 for 'Raven's Replacement'
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    • Retroactive Hiatus - Author Note 9 for 'Raven's Replacement'

    I'm declaring a 'Retroactive Hiatus' for the week Mon 5th Oct - Fri 9th Oct.

    Delays have continued, and I currently have no episode buffer. The plan is to attempt to create an episode buffer over the weekend, and resume posting Mon 12th Oct.

    Your continued patience is appreciated!
     
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    • Green Market - Episode 41
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    • Raven's Replacement, Episode 41

    AN: This episode risks confusing you, unless you realise the previous 14 episodes were a flashback to earlier in the day. Episode 27, 'Hollow Consultant', was the last episode before the (long) flashback sequence started.

    ---

    Thinking back on the day we had, before meeting Animal Man... It was a 'Day from Hell'.

    Not that it was evil, but, in some senses, for me, anyway, it lasted for months. Though, the holiday was nice. And, we've a few new (Super) friends as a result. I... hope Robin hasn't done anything stupid.

    OK. I know he almost certainly has. Just hope the situation's recoverable.

    I'm guessing...

    Someone's trying to tell us something.

    Most likely candidate's the Man with The Book chained to him. We, Raven and I, possibly with Shepherd, will have to do a thorough review of what we've done and not done. It seems likely we've missing something important. But, that's for...

    Later.

    ---

    "Give you good money, for the green monkey. Even buy that puppy. What say you, dearies?"

    Goblin Market. First port-of-call. Hope Animal Man knows what he's doing...

    We're in Faery, or Fairy, or some other similar name. My first visit, obviously not Raven's, or Animal Man's. Get some respect, the locals are... unsure of me. Heard one mumble, 'Dreams of iron'; a strange concept.

    Raven looks at goblin stall-holder with a... neutral expression. A small, round, woman, of late-middle years, green skin, short pointed ears, any hair hidden by scarf, many layers, of many-patterned, clothes. An air of... restrained menace.

    "You would buy Our puppy?"

    Frantic glances between us.

    "I thought she was the Iron Girl's?"

    That's enough.

    Release the bonds on some of my magic, look deeper into this... woman.

    "Iron Girl am I? Would you like me to Name you?"

    Grovelling ensues.

    We watch.

    Some of the other stall-holders shake their heads, or nod in a considering way.

    "Grumble didn't mean to upset the Great Ladies!"

    "You offered to trade with us. I accept that we will trade. Shall we retire to your tent?"

    She looks at Raven, hopefully.

    "Yes, Yes! Grumble will do that!"

    ---

    The tent is remarkably large within, though whe'd still to bow our heads on entry. Many strange things hang from hooks, are in baskets, some look to be still living.

    "Grumble. I am Raven. You know of my Father. This is our guide, I call him 'Animal Man'. This is my companion, Sugoi. I am not naming the monkey or the puppy. We thank you for your hospitality."

    "You want to buy something from Grumble?"

    "You've sold me books, before. This time we come in search of knowledge. I know you sell such."

    Cunning flits across green face.

    "Some knowledge is dangerous to share. Very... expensive."

    Her glance flits tween monkey, and Animal Man.

    "Yes, look more closely at the green monkey. We would know where such gain their power, what source they draw on."

    She walks-up, stares directly at our Beast Boy mommet. He stares back.

    "A strange one. Both mortal and not. Yes, young, still ignorant, but very powerful."

    Walks over to a travel-chest, not unlike some of Raven's. Opens. Rummages. Pulls-out an old, travel-stained, book.

    "No... No... Hmm. Must visit there again. No... I see your next stop. The Land of Birds."

    Turns. Looks between the three (or is it five?) of us.

    "I have dealt with you fair. Not bargained for my secrets. Gifted you. Will you gift me, in return?"

    "Of course. Though, that was not a gift, but your side of a trade. I give you, in return, this stone. When regarded, in the dark, from it will always shine the first star of evening, Mid-Summer."

    Grumble steps forward, takes the small stone. Cups hands around it. Blows... darkness? into her hands. Looks. Grins.

    "A fine... payment. I will gift you a warning, yes, a true gift. I ask nought, and will accept nought, in return. The Wolves are out. Hunting. The Huntsman is Cloaked. Some say they smell fear from him."

    Raven nods.

    "A generous gift. And, now, I, we, should leave."

    We do.

    ---

    We travel through mists. Along cliff-edges, with roiling mist below. Over invisible bridges, hung tween invisible pillars.

    Yes.

    It's weird.

    My mind trawls back. Things to be done. Forgetting Robin, there's Terra. Control Freak. Max, in Tokyo. 'Larry'. Many others. Pure, of course.

    Act of Faith: it's all do-able.

    More mist. We're walking on a firm surface, that we can't see, but it's pretty even. There's the sound of wind, or, maybe, deep, slow, breathing...

    Leaving the mist. Blue sky above. A desert scene, sand, warm air, and...

    A Sphinx.

    A mobile, living one. Big enough to swallow all of us, at once.

    Joy.

    ---

    Answer the riddle. Raven's good at this. Sphinx watches puppy, carefully.

    Rolling dunes turn to hills, then mountains. More mist, but this suits mountains. Slowly, distant sounds become clearer. Almost, crystallise.

    Calls, birds. All clearly separated, so all may be heard.

    I guess...

    Land of Birds?

    ---

    AN: Destiny; not someone you want to disagree with.

    AN: Goblin Market; probably a relative - note that a lot of different beings are called 'goblins'...

    AN: 'Land of Birds'? Doubt I just invented this. Not a 'Naruto' reference. Possibly slightly inspired by Greg Bear's 'The Infinity Concerto'? (BTW, strongly recommended.) Dunno.
     
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    • Bird on the Head - Episode 42
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    • Raven's Replacement, Episode 42

    "I am not a Norwegian Blue. Let's make that quite clear."

    Seeing as the parrot's a rather familiar shade of green, that's a entirely reasonable comment.

    "However, my name is 'Praline', which has caused a few... issues over the years."

    I can see that...

    "On the other hand, I can see the attraction of being a lumberjack..."

    Oh.

    It's one of those parrots.

    ---

    Land of Birds.

    None of us have been here before, so we're sort of feeling our way.

    I'd asked Animal Man how he was navigating. Thought for a few moments

    "I'm tempted to tell you it's 'instinct', but in truth I call on my bird aspect, internally, and that gives me a feel for direction."

    "I was a little surprised we didn't have to fly to get here."

    "Yeah. That throws a lot of people. You've got to realise birds are still animals, and animals need ground to live on. We could have got here a lot quicker if we flew, or were prepared to do some really nasty climbs, but walking here makes a sort of point with them. That we share their animal nature."

    "I... can see why that might be important."

    But, still, we got a parrot. In Beast Boy's colours. With his sense of humour.

    I'm choosing to believe that's a good sign...

    ---

    "Of course, you have to pass the test..."

    "Wasn't the Sphinx enough?"

    "You came that way?"

    He (yes, I'm guessing gender) looks us over, carefully. Eyes stop on Cosmo. Cosmo yawns, showing all her puppy teeth.

    "I can... understand that."

    Coughs.

    "So, how can you claim to be connected with birds? I'll warn you now, keeping one, in a cage, as a pet. Probably not a good place to start."

    "My name is Raven."

    He looks at her.

    "So it is. Pass, friend."

    "I'm teaching a... friend how to get on better with her Owl spirit."

    Smirks.

    How do I know he's smirking? Somehow it's just obvious.

    "'Friend'? Nudge..."

    "Complete that phrase and we'll be talking dusters."

    Stops. Looks at me more closely.

    "I see. One of those owls. Pass friend."

    Suddenly, without visibly changing, Animal Man is all the birds. Every Single One.

    There's silence, for a few moments, as we all, even the mommet, and Cosmo, Look at him.

    "OK. I know when I'm out of my depth. You're all Big Juju. What do you want?"

    The Hook.

    "Two things."

    Pause.

    No objections.

    "We've a friend called 'Robin', who needs help. And, we need to find the source of Beast Boy's power."

    ---

    On our way out of there. Pretty sure they want to get rid of us. The mommet turning into a precise copy of the parrot probably didn't help.

    We've got a tiny, robin, who's, I guess, about the size a robin normally is. He's riding on Animal Man's head, next to the mommet. A few muttered comments and the three of them seem to have come to an agreement.

    Yes. On our way.

    The next stop.

    The Land of Machines.

    ---

    Animal Man can't help. Raven's reluctant. My job.

    After all, I'm a robot.

    Was. Still am. Part of the time.

    Industrial landscape. Bend it, so it's a healthy one, with consideration for Life.

    No, isn't perfect. Nothing is. But, Life and Machine, working together, to find Balance.

    Turn aside from the obvious approach, to The Factory. Walk through City, strangely deserted.

    Reach deeper into myself, call on my roots.

    Made to work with humans, help bend the machines to fit human needs, help the humans understand, work with, the machines.

    I approached Life from the side of Machine.

    We all start to see movement, out of the corner of our eyes.

    At least, I guess that. Based on how heads suddenly move.

    Nothing direct. Just hints. Some on the ground, even among the bushes, trees, that green City. Some in the air.

    I swear one of the traffic lights winked at me...

    We're there. I think. Sort of a combined university-hospital.

    A place of learning and healing.

    Hopefully.

    For a moment the name 'Trurl' comes forward in my mind, then fades almost as quickly. I really need to research that... I think... it's connected with various things I can't quite remember...

    The Hall of Mechanism.

    ---

    AN: Norwegian Blue; best not to mix up your parrots.

    AN: Trurl; no one smart messes with him.

    AN: See! Marvel (or DC) at my restraint! No parrot puns! :)



    With free Lumberjacks!

    Norwegian-Blue.jpg


    Probably not drunk...
     
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    • Naked Machinery - Episode 43
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    • Raven's Replacement, Episode 43

    "Strip." "How much?" "Everything."

    You know, sometimes I just think the universe wants me naked.,,,

    But, it wont win.

    Because, I'll be nude, instead.

    "The collar. On the puppy. The... clothes. On the monkey. Too."

    My, they are thorough, aren't they?

    "My name is 'Mac'. Short for 'Machine'. You are Geo. Raven. Buddy. Cosmo. Trix."

    "Tricks?"

    "Why not? Let's go. With that."

    This is a very strange machine...

    ---

    I'm nude, Raven is nude, Buddy's...

    Not sure. Think he's managing 'nude', rather than 'naked'.

    Cosmo's turned-out not to be wearing a collar, instead a smug expression.

    Our... No. 'Tricks'. Tricks turns-out to be nude, when we checked.

    We're not even allowed footwear.

    "The floors are warmed. Free of things. Likely to damage your feet", was the, rather smug, comment, when I asked.

    The machine's... no clear shape.

    Every time you look there's a different machine. Once it (he?), was even a small burning fire, a 'fire bow' beside.

    Back of the university-hospital. A smoothed, possibly warmed, area.

    Otherwise...

    Junk-yard. Many dead, discarded, machines.

    And...

    The Machine.

    ---

    Static-shaped. Apparently male, given the general build. Not... 'anatomically correct'.

    Looks at us with interest.

    Waits.

    We need to start? Glance at the others. I'm elected.

    Total.

    Joy.

    ---

    "My personal name is 'Geo'. Your... left little-finger seemed to know all our personal names, so I needn't introduce the others. May I know who I'm addressing?"

    The Machine thinks for a few moments.

    "Not a terrible start. But, you asked 'Who' I am, not what I'd like to be called. Still, you gave your personal name. Let's go for 'Trurl'."

    "The god Trurl? Lord of All Machines? The Great Constructor? He Who is both Horse and Rider?"

    Tilts his head, made of formerly-junked machines, to one side.

    "Yes, but. That last one... Ah. OK. I recognise it. That's from a long way off. You've really travelled, haven't you?"

    "If I hadn't been there I doubt I'd be the person I am today."

    He nods, neck being a rather interesting recycled ball-joint.

    "True of all of us, I think."

    "Why can't I recall you properly? I'm supposed to have a perfect memory."

    "Yes, but those aren't strictly your memories, they're the ones grafted on to you so you fitted the world you visited. Some worlds do that. Without asking your permission. Which, I think, is a little rude."

    "That would make sense. My father has a perfect memory, and he told me he'd consciously worked hard, all night, to recall as much of his local self's skills, as he could. Arguably, that made him the man he is today."

    "We are our experiences."

    "If it's not a rude question, is there a reason you present yourself as male?"

    He shrugs. Walks over. Picks out pieces of junk. Adds them. Becomes generously female.

    "Luke, I Am Your Mother!"

    "OK. Point made. Azar, my father's ex-wife, is my mother. And, I've come to realise, in a rather spiritual way. Without her suggestions, her inspiration, I wouldn't exist."

    "True."

    She gestures. The added bits return to their piles. She is now He.

    "Did you have to use a toaster for one breast? I really liked that toaster, growing up!"

    He shrugs.

    "He was one of the ideas that made you who you are. Your mother is inspiration, ideas. It seemed appropriate."

    "Should we do some sort of social thing? Sit down? Eat? Drink?"

    "Good! You figured that out. Maybe there's a chance for you, after all!"

    We social.

    ---

    "I'm supposed to ask you the right questions?"

    We're sitting, on surprisingly comfortable, bits of no-longer-junk machines. We're sipping human drinks, nibbling human cookies/biscuits, our host is sipping what looks like machine-oil.

    "Correct. Nice meta-question."

    "Thanks. So, what have we done wrong, so far?"

    Because you can always guarantee that you've done something wrong, no matter how near-perfect things've been.

    "Hmm. I'll choose to answer that from what I believe is your perspective. You are on a quest to rebuild Beast Boy, after your first attempt failed. Mainly due to lack of the right parts. Everything you do on your quest affects how Beast Boy will be in future. Does that make sense?"

    "Yes..."

    I look at the others. Raven and... Buddy are looking worried.

    "You didn't negotiate your previous two encounters. You brute-forced them. Used a power-play. At least there was no direct violence. True, you've no 'formal' shamanic training, but the three of you should know better. Is that how you want Beast Boy to act, in future?"

    "No."

    Three of us are shaking our heads. Cosmo's looking thoughtful. Tricks has grabbed a needle, is holding it aloft.

    "I Have The Power!"

    No. Just no. I think... I'm beginning to see what's going on. It's... worrying.

    "So, you're me? Next, Land of Cats? Then... Land of Animals?"

    "Excellent! You can learn. Correct on the first two. Last one depends on actions in the next one."

    "You're... about the nature of Machine, aren't you?"

    He looks... surprised.

    I take a deep breath. Prepare to work harder than I've ever before, in my recalled life.

    "Machine... is using mind to shape the material of the world, into something separate to you. In stripping we removed all our machines, our 'cyborg enhancements', tools we carry to manage the world."

    He nods, makes a 'continue' gesture.

    "I'm... the first 'natural' machine, in my world of origin, that's a... person. An AI that gets to make her own choices. That has a natural mind, as well as a spirit, which is something of all things."

    He's grinning. Widely.

    It's quite unsettling.

    "At base level... AIs and homo sap, we're both info-morphs, beings of information. Go deep enough, and everything is information. We're both bits of the universe that know we exist, can act on that knowledge..."

    "STOP! You're not ready for the next bit! Any further and you'll likely destroy yourself!"

    I... Stop. Sway.

    Fall over.

    Goes black.

    ---

    "Does she always overdo it?" "Yes, it's one of her bad habits." "Well, she needs to learn better!"

    Buddy, Raven, ending up with Trurl. Presumably discussing my, hopefully now-ended, unconscious state.

    "What hit me?"

    "You did."

    Thank you, Tricks.

    "Seemed best to let you sleep that off."

    A comment from the party healer.

    Open my eyes.

    On my back. Dressed again in my clothes. Others in theirs. A comfortable, but firm, bed.

    No, the others are standing around me, looking down. Not on the bed. With me.

    Cosmo's in (dressed) dark-haired girl-form. Looks worried. Reaches out. Grabs my hand.

    "Please don't do that again, Mummy! Mommy said you'd be alright, though."

    "I think you stopped in time. Likely no long-term damage."

    Rumbling of trash compactors, heavy machinery. Concealed concern.

    "What gifts might we reasonably accept from you?"

    "Good! You are able to learn!"

    Look at him.

    Same size, but a lot more effort's been put into appearance. Still obviously machinery, metal, but... more... elegant, better selected parts, not just anything that'd work.

    "Hold back on the deductions, the revelations, at least for a bit?"

    He nods.

    "At least until after you leave this place. It's too... close to you."

    "Right. You've already given me the gift of Insight, for which I thank you. Please tell me, more clearly, what was the third gift from the previous two places."

    "Cunning. I like that! Magic, the Market, you bought manipulation. Bird, you were gifted humour. So, tell me. What are your second and third gifts from here?"

    "The second gift is Self-Knowledge. Which's use of intelligence, and's different to the wisdom of Insight. The third we'll only learn after leaving this place."

    "Correct! Please, give my best to Cyborg. The path he treads is a difficult one. And now, I think you've kept some cats waiting, for far too long. And, you know how cats are about waiting..."

    I rise.

    Seem functional.

    We go.

    ---

    AN: Why nude isn't naked.

    AN: Green monkey, I wonder why this might be relevant? :)

    AN: Fire drill; a pretty basic machine...

    AN: Trurl; finny how this name keeps appearing...

    AN: The Brave Little Toaster; recommended!
     
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    • Difficult Episode - Author Note 10 for 'Raven's Replacement'
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    • Difficult Episode - Author Note 10 for 'Raven's Replacement'

    Episode 43, 'Naked Machinery', is the most difficult one I've done, so far, Took me at least a week to get it straight in my head, so I could type it in. Why? Unsure, but it's about a major change to Geo, in how she sees the world. Tricky to get right.

    The most difficult thing, as always, is what bits to leave out...

    So, yet again, apologies for delays.
     
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    • The Lady and the Cat - Episode 44
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    • Raven's Replacement, Episode 44

    Cats. All the cats. Everywhere.

    Should I worry?

    Cosmo looks... interested.

    ---

    Avoiding the Wolves. Non-trivial. Raven saved our bacon.

    She's still better than I am at dancing between the dimensions. There were a lot of wolves, of unclear size. And, they had a leader, who we didn't get a good look at.

    I'm afraid...

    They're the Wild Hunt.

    If that's been set on our trail, then someone's either desperate, incredibly powerful, or both.

    Have we pushed Pure too far?

    Animal Man's... out-of-his-depth. We've got 'too mystical' now we're so 'deep'. He led them off for a while, but got mauled. Raven healed him, just, but it exhausted her.

    Guess it's all down to me.

    Tricky's looking... more substantial. Paying more focused attention. I think... I've guessed what going on. But, I'll need to be sure.

    And, we're here.

    The Land of Cats.

    ---

    I'm... up front. We've arrived. An unclear landscape.

    And cats.

    All The Cats.

    I'm... a cat lover. More than dog person, really. Raven's exhausted. Animal Man's looking shaky. I need to focus. Do the right thing.

    But, I'm feeling my way.

    We don't want Cosmo... cat-bothering. So. Cat-girls.

    Better than the way that sphinx is looking at us.

    Yes?

    ---

    Cat-girls.

    Many, many, cat-girls.

    Including, on a hazy hill, some ways-off, a slightly surprised-looking sphinx cat-girl. Full-sized.

    I recognised the Cheshire Cat. Up a tree. Before we shifted things.

    Now we've a Cheshire Cat-girl. One who's... rather under-dressed.

    Maybe I shouldn't have glanced through that manga?

    But, I recalled 'Alice' from when I was younger. So I... wanted to see what a manga treatment looked like?

    Yes.

    I blushed.

    Steps forwards.

    "I'll guide you. Where do you want to go? What do you want?"

    Cosmo's... shifted. Now a dog-girl. Playing with some of the cat-girls.

    They all look to be enjoying themselves...

    The robin's... hiding.

    That makes sense.

    "We're looking for the... lost spirit of... Beast Boy. Can you help us, please?"

    She looks thoughtful.

    "We've got a lady here. With a cat and a chicken..."

    She licks her lips.

    "She said she expected visitors. Would you like to meet her?"

    I hope that's good news...

    "Yes, Please."

    ---

    Landscape's unclear, so I focus on it becoming clearer. More... green. Open woodland.

    And... I'm focusing on robot cat-girls.

    Maybe that'll help?

    Cheshire's... as under-dressed, but now has cyborg-looking bits. This doesn't seem to bother her.

    As we pass her, Nuku Nuku waves, grinning widely. We wave back.

    I pause. Everyone else does. Look. Up a tree.

    Tigger's there. Not as a robot cat-girl. Maybe he's too strong?

    Feel my throat catch, resist a flash-back. Swallow. Continue.

    Pass through a section of building. Or... maybe, a space station?

    "I don't think we're dreaming, Bones."

    A table. Two cat-girls. A shorter, red-headed one, with a look of sharp intelligence. A taller, white-haired one, classic doctor's bag by her.

    "I did wonder, Macavity. This doesn't feel like a normal dream."

    Pause. I nod politely.

    "I think we're just passing through. We wish you a good day."

    Get a nod in reply.

    Move on.

    ---

    A clearing. With a hut. Which is also a chicken.

    Oh dear.

    "Good. I've been waiting. I'm guessing you want some sort of explanation?"

    "Yes, please."

    "I'm... I was, Mother Mae-Eye. I don't know what happened, but when I awoke my cat'd brought me here."

    A black cat, which isn't a girl, looks up from the lap of the dark-haired lady, of uncertain age and garb. Opens one, green, eye. Yawns. Apparently goes back to sleep. The lady strokes the cat.

    "I've had a lot of time to think. Someone stole my body, my magic. I will repay that. But, I realised..."

    She looks at the three, no, five, of us.

    "I see. We are alike. You are... Elder. You have your Daughter, your Granddaughter with you. I, too, am Three. Let's call me... Baba Yaga, Willow, and, Hecate. But, not the weak Hecate of this world. The larger one. Who knows she is bigger than this world."

    She sighs, shakes her head.

    "Yes, I know. The Triple Goddess, which is most obviously the... Three Witches, in this world. And, we get to blame Graves for the Three. But I like the idea..."

    She stops. Blinks.

    Tricky's now taller than any of us, a crudely-made giant of a man, green-skinned, bolt through his neck. He bows.

    "Your servant, Ladies. Any bells you want ringing?"

    "Oooh! I like this one! Can I keep him?"

    A pause.

    "Clever. You invoked the Maiden. She's... a bit more modern. Easily distractable. But, the most unthinkingly cruel. While you might think the Mother is... fond of children in a way you don't like, she's arguably the most balanced, most human, of the three of us."

    Another pause.

    "Also... You might like to note how good his shape-shifting is. Even in this place, where things tend to show their true form. He's grown-up nicely."

    She pauses, again.

    "You're on a Quest. Nearing the end. Next is the Land of... Ah. But, you've not, yet, made that choice. Have you? We need to make... an agreement. What... do you suggest?"

    Rack my brains.

    "Well..."

    ---

    A sit-down. Tea and cakes. Provided by the Lady.

    Then, the ritual.

    Cosmo, Raven, and I.

    We... dance her a new shape, a new body, restore her magic, attempt to patch the holes we're pretty sure Pure ripped in her spirit.

    It's... hard, not actually painful, but we're shifting something that doesn't want to be moved. And, we're deep in the Dreaming. That some consider the source of all magic, all creativity.

    So, hope we don't make any mistakes.

    It's... done.

    And...

    Collapse.

    ---

    Waking-up. Comfortable bed. Cosmo, girl-form, mopping my brow with a cool cloth.

    Think I overdid it...

    Again.

    Look around. Cheshire's no longer with us.

    Hut... feels a lot more real. So does the green wood, out the open, unglazed, windows.

    There's a bird-boy, who I guess is the robin. Maybe... eight? Tricky's an early teenage boy, full-sized, with green skin. The black cat's... watching us. The Lady comes back in.

    "Well. I'm impressed. I believe we're in a small, private, world. And, it's all mine. Could grow larger, in future. This's... difficult. I am greatly in your debt, in fact, so much, that I will not use that as an excuse to harm you."

    Raven looks up from where she appears to be sewing. A... Beast Boy costume?

    "You could... play a game with us? That we, privately, agree the rules of? Would that work?"

    The Lady ponders.

    "That would fit with my reputation. I challenge you, you rise to the challenge, learn from that. I give you a reward to help with some future problem. I'd... be happy with that."

    Raven gets up. Walks over to Tricky. Holds-up the (tasteless) costume.

    Suddenly, he's wearing it.

    "Thanks."

    The Lady cocks her head to one side. Straightens. Nods.

    "Are you done with... Twinkle Star's world?"

    Stand. Seem to be OK. Look out a window. See all the different views of Cat Land, that somehow fit together.

    "I think..."

    Cosmo interrupts.

    "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat..."

    The world changes.

    There's a (shocked-looking)... Batgirl, stepping through the doorway, as the Lady steps aside.

    Tricky continues.

    "You know... that's the same tune as 'Baa, Baa, Black Sheep'..."

    There's a small-ish black lamb. Improbably carrying an unconscious Robin, dressed as Red X, with a ripped-open head-covering, so we can see his masked face.

    Lamb looks annoyed. How surprising.

    "Maybe I shouldn't have said that?"

    His voice fades away.

    Tricky's... doubled. Then, complete. Faint images of Raven and I flicker out of him, over to us, rejoin. Our lost selves can now rest, having returned 'home'. I feel a sense of relief.

    The Lady takes a firm grip on her cat. Who I know's, honest, not a cyborged Blackfire.

    Cyborg, Starfire, fade-in. Solidify. Look around.

    Step forward, give Starfire the alien disguise gadget, originally from Blackfire. She nods thanks. Puts it on. Goes from orange to pink-ish skin.

    Hand the Lady the Blackfire-maintenance kit and manual. She grins. Her cat looks confused.

    Tricky, Beast Boy, high-fives Cyborg.

    "Booyah!"

    The gang's all here?

    ---

    AN: The Wild Hunt; not something you want after you...

    AN: Cheshire Cat; honest, just a guide, honest... :)

    AN: Nuku Nuku; as enthusiastic as ever. Tigger, because he had to be there. Macavity's from 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats', as is 'Bones' (Grindlebone); they're OC.

    AN: Baba Yaga, generally, not someone you want to meet... Who is 'Willow', I wonder? :) Hecate, Teen Titan's Hecate, not quite the same person... Graves and the Triple Goddess...

    AN: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star; apparently Mother Mae-Eye's nickname for Starfire was 'Twinkle Star'... Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat; know your Alice. Baa, Baa, Black Sheep is, possibly unfortunately, relevant...

    Classic-Three-in-One.jpg


    Or you might prefer:
    les-19-meilleures-sorcieres-qui-mettent-de-la-magie-dans-vos-comics-mordre-mildred-cynthia-trois-sorcieres.jpg


    Or, maybe you'd like Mildred, Mordred (Morgan/Morgaine) and Cynthia (Mother, Crone, Maiden):
    Witching+Hour+%231+-+Page+26.jpg


    Finally, a montage.

    Please be warned: The Three Witches break the fourth wall...
     
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    • Difficult Episode - Author Note 11 for 'Raven's Replacement'
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    • Difficult Episode - Author Note 11 for 'Raven's Replacement'

    Episode 44, of course, took me longer than the previous one, about 50% more at ten days. I'm hoping this arc is atypical of the rest of this story.

    Getting rather ridiculous...
     
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    • True Names/Full Circle - Episode 45
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    • Raven's Replacement, Episode 45

    Wolves. Swallow-elephant sized Wolves. Sniffing at us.

    Oh.

    Dear.

    ---

    The gang's not all here.

    We're missing Shepherd. Doctor Blue. Roshi.

    More recent additions, Snoopergirl, Conner, Chris.

    And, I guess, Nurse Nurf. Though, strictly, she's not a team member.

    Yet.

    I'm guessing Fang knows where Shepherd is. Could get to her in a hurry, if needed.

    I'm... connected to Doctor Blue, and, I guess, Roshi. We could summon them here. But, probably best we leave someone to keep an eye on the Tower. Hopefully help... resist Conner, and Chris, getting into trouble.

    Odds are Snoopergirl will be out snooping.

    OK. Let's be sensible. Best hope's Chris persuades Conner to not do anything too stupid. Or, at least, not Boy Scout-ish.

    Sigh.

    ---

    "So, Baba, what else could I have done better?"

    She holds up a mirror, reflective-side before my face. I look at my eyes.

    Ah.

    Cat-like pupils. My night-sight ring. Tend to forget that. Guess I could've done more than just claim to be a 'cat person'?

    Hmm. Will magic out of the ring. Eyes resist, for a moment, then. morph back to human-style.

    "Control, girl. It's all about control."

    Nod a little bow. Never taking my eyes off her.

    "Thank you for the lesson, Grandma."

    She hides it well, but, I catch the smallest hint that she's pleased.

    "Guess we should get on with fixing green-boy here?"

    Tricky, OK, 'Beast Boy', morphs.

    Now blond-haired, un-pointed ears, no gloves, strange golden ring on one finger, elaborate golden belt, both marked with an 'L' symbol. Still in (tasteless) purple costume, though. A surprised expression.

    "Tch. You should know better than to be sloppy with Naming, this deep in The Dreaming. Mr. Dox? Thank you for your visit. You can go now."

    Waves her hand, Hair dark-green, again.

    "Wow! I knew all the tech! Knew how you had to work."

    Nods at Cyborg, who raises his eyebrow.

    "Knew all the science! It was... frosty."

    "I didn't notice a change in the weather."

    Could Baba Yaga have been drier?

    Looks at her. Obviously considers.

    "Sorry, Grandma."

    "I believe it's time for you children to go. I'll keep an eye on you, while you're in The Dreaming. If nothing else, for the entertainment."

    Gets up.

    Walks over to an immense cooking pot, which I don't think was there before. Stirs it with a suddenly-there ladle. Sniffs, sips from the ladle. Nods with some satisfaction.

    "Well? Run along!"

    We, briskly, leave.

    ---

    At a crossroads. OK, a fork. We've evaded the wolves. So far.

    Batgirl is slowly coming out of shock. She's supporting a barely-conscious Robin. A certain bird's sitting on his head, an owl on her's. Pretty sure I'll soon have to answer... 'questions'.

    Cosmo's in girl-form, as is Fang. They're talking quietly together, so quietly I can't hear what they're saying. Fang looks... worried, Cosmo's reassuring her. Maybe... thinking about Shepherd is more urgent than I thought?

    Animal Man's talking quietly to Beast Boy. Gesturing ahead. I think he's got his confidence back.

    The others are keeping their heads down, watching our surroundings.

    And... we've stepped on the third, hidden, path.

    The one between the two forks. Looking, the wider fork's well-paved, faint smell of brimstone wafting from that direction, the difficult fork, that leads to golden gates, faint sound of choral music.

    Guess we've got a majority of Christian backgrounds, here...

    And, ahead of us. On the path. We need to follow.

    A Lady of utter beauty. Quite annoyed. Facing an horde of hunters, their leader wreathed in shadow.

    Oh.

    ---

    All look at Beast Boy. All look at each other. All, but him, take one step back.

    "So, that's how it's going to be? Right. I can handle this."

    Strides forwards.

    "I'm Beast Boy. I'm a shape-shifter. I can take the form of any animal."

    "I'm... the Queen of Faery Land. This is the Wild Hunt. They've been summoned. To bring back to their summoner the bodies of the Teen Titans. And, they get to keep the spirits which are currently in those bodies."

    He turns, looks back at us. Then, turns to the Hunt.

    "I am Beast Boy, of the Teen Titans. Would you hunt me? I warn you. I hunt back."

    For a moment the shadow of a Wolf, large enough to take bites out of the Moon, stretches behind him. Then, he's just a boy, again.

    The shadowy figure, leader of the Hunt, steps forwards. Does he have horns? Bows.

    "We must. So are we bound. By ancient contract."

    "A moment."

    Beast Boy gestures us to join him.

    We do.

    "These are all those currently Teen Titans, and two associate."

    He indicates Animal Man and Batgirl.

    "Except one."

    Was that my voice?

    "No matter, my... master has already acquired that one."

    Out of the corner of my eye I see Cosmo hugging Fang. Can't tell if she's comforting or restraining her.

    "Who are we addressing? We have given our names, shouldn't you give yours?"

    My voice, again...

    "I'm..."

    There's a sense of terrible straining, then, somehow we know ancient bonds have been broken. There's a man of utter beauty, slowly removing a horned crown from his head.

    "I'm the King of Faery Land. And, this day, You have freed me."

    We realise that Baba Yaga is now with us.

    "I think you know me. I'm Baba Yaga. So, you no longer lead the Hunt. Who replaces you as leader? Isn't it normally the one who summoned you?"

    The King and Queen are smiling. Those are not smiles you want pointed your way. Speak in unison.

    "Pure! Be Here. You Are Needed."

    And, we have, a very surprised looking Pure.

    He's unconscious as well, which is a good trick.

    Lying on the ground.

    With a stocking'd-footed Shepherd standing on him.

    Holding one intact and one damaged Best Boot.

    OK.

    It's Shepherd looking surprised. Pure's just looking unconscious.

    Shepherd now has a small girl hugging her. Who is not crying. Honest.

    "It would appear we now have all the Teen Titans. So, we have caught them. Their souls are ours. We choose to leave them in their bodies. And, we choose to release them, unharmed."

    The King bows to Baba Yaga.

    "Will that satisfy you, Mother?"

    Baba Yaga looks thoughtful. Walks over. Carefully kicks Pure, several times, groin, belly, jaw. Rips his shadow away from him. Shakes it out. Breathes on it.

    Throws it into the horde.

    The horde look at it. Sniff it. Bow towards it, as it rises to its feet. Obviously ruined groin, belly, jaw. The King hands it the horned crown.

    "Be about your business. Begone!"

    The Queen makes a brisk gesture. A howl, and the Hunt's no longer there.

    Also, I notice, neither is Baba Yaga.

    "Come! This day we Feast the Return of the King. I swear that supping with us will in no way bind any of you, and you may return to Mortal Lands, the same night as you left, un-aged, un-harmed."

    We Go.

    We Feast.

    ---

    AN: Brainiac 5; don't get your green boys mixed-up. :)

    AN: Thomas the Rhymer, AKA 'True Thomas', who's apparently a real historical person...



    Again, this time with the lyrics:
     
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    • Difficult Episode/Arc - Author Note 12 for 'Raven's Replacement'
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    • Difficult Episode/Arc - Author Note 12 for 'Raven's Replacement'

    Episode 45, end of 'Hunt for Beast Boy/The Dreaming' arc. Glad that's done.

    Just the Author Omake that follows it to do.

    I'm writting-off the last two weeks of October. This arc will have to cover those, too. Next episode is nominally Monday 2nd November.

    Shall we see how things go?
     
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    • Raven's Replacement, Author Omake 9
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    • Raven's Replacement, Author Omake 9

    < First
    < Previous

    AN: This is an 'Author Omake', this one happens to be 'canon', but shouldn't (greatly) impact the overall story, so you can skip it if you want to. It falls after Episode 45, 'True Names/Full Circle'.

    ---

    "People of Toyland! I am your Princess, Princess Raven. I swear myself to you, and I will..."

    No more words.

    I'm dry. And it isn't because, until very recently, I was a wooden doll.

    Standing on a dias. In a back room of my palace. With no windows. Though, lit about as well as if by daylight, magically produced.

    I'm dressed as Raven. Though, the cloth is of best quality. My cowl is down. All I'm wearing in the way of ornament is a simple silver circlet. A living body. The gems dangling on the forehead style, favoured by my visiting brother? No. Just no.

    My audience? Carver, my loyal servant, and Slippy my... royal rocking horse. Impressed? No, they are not.

    Carver looks thoughful.

    "Starting with a speech? I don't think that will work. Some sort of magical demonstration? Far more your style."

    I don't believe I've ever seen a wooden horse try harder not to grin.

    ---

    We've been thrashing-around, a bit. Trying to figure what to do next. I'd prefer more time before facing my father, but we've all a strong feeling we're not going to get much. Hence, preparations, a mixture of improvised and scripted, done with a thought to entertaining my watching father.

    Didn't I mention that? Yes, I'm pretty sure I can now feel if his attention is on me. And, sometimes my empathy gives me a brief feel as to his attitute. So far, 'amusement' and 'anticipation'.

    So, first step done, now back to my warded workshop.

    ---

    Up into the astral, then Slippy carries us to the cruel Tower, off-shore, from my father's city. I'm fully focused on cloaking our travel, and part of that cloak is misdirection, 'subtle' (carefully calculated) probes of the defences on my father's castle, which seem to come from below.

    Meanwhile, we're in the Titan's dollhouse. In the room where the false Raven doll lies in bed, never waking. The doll Titans, with their bound spirits, are there, drawn by Carver. I force myself into the doll. Sit it up, make eyes than were never intended to, open.

    "Titans, awake!"

    ---
    AN: More than a seven month delay. For... let's say 'health reasons'.

    Next >
     
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    • There and Back Again - Episode 46
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    • Raven's Replacement, Episode 46

    On our way back. From the Faery Feast. The team reunited.

    Of course there's no problems.

    ---

    I believe we're still in the Dreaming. When, there's the harsh cry of birds. And, an irresistible wind.

    We're... elsewhere. A brief glance and the only team member with me is Raven. The place is featureless, feels... abstract.

    Yes, there's someone else. A man in a science-fiction styled suit-of-lights, festooned with mirrors. He's astride something, that's obviously a machine and is silver, but refuses to be resolved any more.

    "She told me you'd be brought here. Don't worry, I'm not famous, one of those in the background, like a roadie. Very unlikely you'll recognise me."

    "'She'?"

    He gestures, and he's sitting on the hand of an immense woman of silver metal, with silver wings. A flicker. She's now a team of dancers, similarly metal, formally dancing, switching between masks (in a masque?), around him. A third shift. Back to the first machine.

    "She is The Dancer. Taking whatever shape the dance requires. Honouring me with her presence."

    A forced cough.

    "I'd offer you refreshments, but was told you've just come from a feast. I don't wish you ill, but I needed to do this, can really use the... credit balance."

    He looks rather anxious, now I look at him closely.

    "You've... upset your... 'sponsor' in the world you were proceeding to."

    A pause.

    "The simpler of his names is 'Destiny'."

    ---

    We're in a night garden, on one of many paths, and there's many robed walkers on the other paths. All look very similar, are carrying a book, a tome, chained to one wrist,

    But, if you look carefully, there's subtle differences.

    Raven is looking calm, which I'll confess to not totally feeling. I think she's deliberately letting me take the lead. Floating along, cross-legged, mostly embedded in a meditative trance. Our... reluctant 'driver' is no longer with us.

    Looking down at the path, in the garden, that I'm walking. It's made of paper, no, parchment. As I walk my steps are leaving black, inky, foot-prints, which run and twist into unreadable words, then 'sideways', into a direction I can't see.

    Reality twists, and the garden I'm standing in is now a page in an immense, open, book. As this happens I twist my will, resisting becoming passive text. So I'm standing on the page. I can, very faintly, see Raven floating next to me.

    Looking down at the garden-now-page is an immense figure. Skin parchment, clothes, all the detail on the skin, ink. The only thing not parchment or ink is the chain, holding the book to his wrist.

    Destiny.

    ---

    Looking up at the figure, words start appearing in my mind, as if they have been written there. The lips don't move, there is no sound, but I know where the words are from.

    >>You have not been following the required path.<<

    The words have a pressure to them, almost irresistible, the pain, not anything like I've known before. But, I resist. And, write words into my mind, in response, using the ink of my will.

    >>I have been carrying out all the required actions.<<

    For a moment I consider giving the Eric Morecome quote about 'playing all the notes, not necessarily in the right order'. The one I got from my early education, using old family video. But... it seems unwise.

    >>This world would have ceased to exist, as somewhere worth writing about, without my actions. It would have burned in the flames of Trigon, as he strode in, using his daughter, Raven, as his Key. After that there would have been no further words to write in the book-of-the-world. The book would have been a tale of drifting ashes.<<

    My response is being pondered. There is a long pause. The immense head nods. A hand reaches down, closes the book, the page of which I'm standing on. Exerting my will, I twist.

    Colour seeps back into the world. I'm, we're, standing... in reality. In Titan's Tower.

    Home.

    ---

    AN: Yes, this is a (unnamed) OC from a setting in the style of Moorcock & Butterworth's 'Time of the Hawklords'... The Dancer is a mixture of the characters from that work, some of the mythic stuff 'Hawkwind' have done, and the multiple dancers used as part of some concerts *cough* Stacia *cough*. Suspicious people might wonder if the 'harsh cry of birds' could be hawks...

    AN: Parchment; paper, by contrast, is vegetable, not animal...

    AN: Destiny, brother of Dream, and Death, of the Endless.

    AN: "I'm playing all the right notes, just not necessarily in the right order" - Eric Morecambe
    Morecambe and Wise were a, arguably the, cornerstone of British comedy, on BBC television, 1970s and 1980s, Even after Eric Morecambe died, 1984, their Christmas Specials were a central part of many people's Christmas.

    AN: Yeah. A hiatus of more than seven months. Really not what I wanted, or might have planned.
     
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    • A Restful City - Episode 47
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    • Raven's Replacement, Episode 47

    Breakfast. A bit scaled-up, and not in the usual place. Because, there's a lot more people there.

    ---

    Best as we could tell, Raven and I got back minutes after the others. They'd not realised until they'd returned to the Tower from Faery that two people were missing.

    Animal Man, or 'Buddy' as he preferred, was the expert on the whole shamanic journey thing. He was part of our original expedition, and was pretty sure that we would return soon. He'd recommended everyone go about their business - he was going home.

    Shepherd wanted to wait for us, but Doctor Blue persuaded her that was unlikely to help. And things were likely to get 'complex' the next day. So, she, and Fang, went off to their beds, with Cosmo sneaking along behind.

    ---

    Yes, breakfast. We are in the gym, but it looks like a larger eating area. Sometime when I wasn't looking Raven and Cyborg appear to have used the ideas we worked-out in the other timeline.

    Not central, because that'd obviously make them the focus of attention, are the three who recently joined us. Superboy, Snoopergirl, and Chris. Superboy in super-wear, with leather jacket and sunglasses, Snoopergirl in a classic Supergirl costume, with a magnifying glass replacing the S-in-a-triangle, and Chris in shorts and t-shirt, with the 'S' Snoopergirl hadn't.

    Snoopergirl was the most confident of them. Superboy was fiddling with his sunglasses. Chris... Took me a few moments to realise he was stroking the head of a lamb, who was invisible below his table.

    All the team looked pretty good. Though Robin was switching between looking around the large room, and looking distracted. No one looked as though they were going to start talking, so I nudged Raven. A brief glance promised revenge.

    "Ahem. I've checked with Cyborg, just in case anyone wondered, and we are pretty sure we got back to our own world, as we were promised. The little side-trip Sugoi and I took? We want to talk that through, between us, before any explanations."

    She looks around. No one seems to want to jump in.

    "Two major issues. Introductions."

    She gestures to the three newcomers.

    "The second being what do we do next. I found some time, at the Feast, to talk to Animal Man. He strongly recommended a bit of a break to let things settle. Not rushing into the next adventure. I think we can make a good case that with Pure... dealt with we can take some time."

    She pauses. Still no one else stepping forward.

    "Robin?"

    Yes, she did say that a little... sharply.

    "Huh? Right. This is Superboy, Snoopergirl and... Chris. The full situation hasn't been explained to me, so, maybe they could each say a little about themselves?"

    Three people look at each other. No one looks ready to speak. Superboy twitches, is now on his feet, maybe as if he'd been head-butted by a lamb?

    After a brief look down.

    "I'm Superboy. Though I'm happy for you to call me 'Conner'. I was rescued, yesterday, from Cadmus."

    He takes a look around. Cyborg is visibly wincing. Robin is doing good blank face, though I see him swallow. I see Doctor Blue clenching her fist.

    "Yes, I'm a sorta clone of Superman. Because, Earth science, even at Cadmus, can't really clone him. From my implanted memories I think I was being trained to fight him. Which is stupid. Because, Superman."

    He sits down. Snoopergirl stands.

    "I was in a second cloning tank behind Superboy. I think something was wrong with... reality. Because without a lot of help I would've have been... mindless. I'm a 'sorta Supergirl'. And, for the moment, I'm calling myself 'Snoopergirl', partly because I'm trying to figure out who I am. Sorry, I haven't settled on a personal name."

    She sits. Holds out a hand to Chris, who stands.

    "I'm Chris. I believe in Truth, Justice, and the Boy Scout Code. I've got a life, because of the Teen Titans, and while I'm not a grown-up hero like the rest of you, I'm going to do my best, to do what is Right."

    He looks down, shyly. Then, "Psst!", behind his table. Leans down. Listens. Stands.

    "Ah. Yes, I do have super powers. I'm pretty tough. Can hear radio waves. And..."

    He rises up into the air.

    "I can fly."

    A rather pointed look, at me, from Raven. Didn't I explain Chris to her? No... I didn't.

    Oops?

    ---

    We are going out into the city. In smaller groups. Because otherwise, we'd look like an invading army.

    This makes sense, but was in some ways really frustrating. Towards the end of the discussion thoughts of things I needed to do kept occurring. And, I had to rein them in, because, yes, Animal Man was right. Yesterday had been a terrible, hurried, mess.

    Doctor Blue has prescribed Robin and Snoopergirl to do careful exercise with Master Roshi. Says it will be good for all of them. I wasn't sure to start with, but Robin is in need of time to 'settle'. Snoopergirl needs to get used to her body. And Roshi needs a bit of a diversion, which getting to know a new student will do. They're also guarding the Tower.

    Cyborg is quite firm that he will be taking the sub out, from the sub pen I still haven't visited, along with Beast Boy, to, and he half-glances at him, "make sure everything is working". Their job is to remove the anchor stones Pure put underwater, around the Tower, the ones that fuzzed our minds. Hopefully they can ensure they are happy in themselves, and with the other, in the process.

    Starfire is... taking Barbara and The Boys shopping. All appearing as normal humans, Barbara as a wealthy lady with her assistance dog, Starfire as her assistant, The Boys as minions. As a last minute addition, Doctor Blue will be joining them as a human doctor. Apparently she wants a quiet word with Barbara.

    The rump group, the rest of us?

    Raven, Shepherd and me. We get to supervise all the children. Cosmo and Fang will be human, and of course there's Chris. And, Conner. He doesn't count as one of the children. Honest.

    ---

    Careful explanations to Chris. We are investigating the city, surface view, in the wake of Pure. So, it makes sense to be 'human'. For him, and Conner, a new place. While pretty new to Fang, who we'd like him to keep an eye on, persuade to play human. Meanwhile the three 'adults' will be trying to get a feel for things. And relax. He's a little puzzled, but accepts this.

    Cosmo... will do what she does. We ask her to 'play nice'.

    Conner, we privately ask him to do a bit of child-minding.

    Talking to Raven, as we walk, I quietly explain Chris, as that's the most urgent issue. Robot Superboy. Probably someone else mixing in our affairs. That in... unpacking him my personal workshop is ready, and Shepherd has been briefed and got some training. I promise to go over Snoopergirl later, as I judge she's not, doesn't feel like, an urgent issue.

    Shepherd explains how she was drawn into the city, partly because of a remark Robin made. How she kept hearing the baying of dogs, in the distance. Then, assailed by magic from multiple sides, thrust into a shadow world, she was captured by and fought Pure. She's a bit shaken, recounting it, but seems better for telling the tale. I agree with Raven we need to investigate further. But, with the fall of Pure, not immediately urgent.

    As a bit of a distraction Shepherd tells a story to Cosmo, of a fantastic world of magic, civilizations both above and below the ground. Of a people, of the second sort, fascinated by spiders. That they used in their religion, and some became half-spider.

    Raven and I look at each other. Both, I think, reminded of the (unfortunate) drow wizard on the route to finding Nurf, in the other timeline. Guess one of the worlds Shepherd visited while travelling as Amazo Girl had some parallels. Cosmo insists that as we're in the city we must find time to go to the zoo, see some spiders. Seems a reasonable request.

    Poking around one of those backstreet junk shops, which, like this one, seem to have a faint other-worldly aura. Looking at Raven and Shepherd they also sense it. Cosmo grabs my hand, drags me over to what looks like a pile of rubbish, in a large bin. It's a large model boat, made of a strangely familiar wood.

    "Don't know why, but that boat sort of smells of you and Mom. Thought you might like to know."

    Ah.

    Yes, seems best we buy it, get it indirectly delivered.

    ---

    Anyone else seems to have had a restful day.

    Master Roshi remarked that Robin seemed a lot better, and, he thought he could 'do' things with Snoopergirl. Who has apparently decided on 'Mara' as a personal name.

    Only strange bit is some sensor ghosts that Cyborg spotted, while magical anchor clearing. Said they reminded him of Gizmo. But Gizmo didn't do underwater work, best as anyone knew.

    Strange.

    Anyway, tomorrow is another day. I hope.

    And, yes, Cosmo did get to see her spiders.

    ---

    AN: You've probably figured this out, but... Currently the most dangerous individual, at breakfast? Chris. Because, robot copy of a Silver Age super, and they don't tend to have these things called 'Upper Limits'...

    AN: A relaxing day. Nothing important happening. Move along. :)
     
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    • From Extensions to Keys - Episode 48
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    • Raven's Replacement, Episode 48

    Time passes. It's a bit of a cliche. But, seems the best description.

    ---

    After our 'quiet day', and before we slept, beds needed to be made. All right. Not just 'beds'. Whole rooms.

    We had run out of guest rooms some time ago. While it might have been nice to 'do the job properly' the simple approach seemed best. So, a little discussion, and use of the 'dangerous rituals' area, just in case.

    At the end of each corridor, in the two sides of the 'T', is now a door. This leads to another corridor, looking remarkably similar. Then another. We settled on two extra pairs, as more than that seemed an excessive walking distance. And it made our visualisation simpler, as we could think of it as a sort of folding around front and back of the crossbar of the 'T'.

    The windows obviously were an issue. We settled on being able to exit through them, in an emergency, and appearing outside the corresponding 'real' window. Views are duplicated, and dimension twisting combined with the Tower wards stop light leaving, or anyone entering, via windows. The doors into the corridors were a little simpler.

    Kory remarked on the inconvenience for those who fly, but the roof access to the central well is still good. There was enough extra capacity in the utilities feeds, water, etc., that we could get by until we finished a proper upgrade. Minor details like increased load and flexing in earthquakes have of course been thought of.

    If anything goes really terribly wrong a dimensional shunt takes all the extra rooms into a protected dimension, with an emergency supplies and communications room which we've slowly stocked. Of course, it all needs someone who knows what they are doing to later fix things.

    ---

    Chris has started school.

    Allegedly he is an orphan, with foster parents. Cyborg used his contacts to set it all up. And, there's some mind blurring and transport magic to fill in the gaps.

    We'd started with home schooling, but the Tower isn't ideal for that. Listening to him talk about school can be fun, he joined at the some time as someone called 'Hillary Chang', a far older girl, but who seems drawn to chat with him during breaks. We've suggested he not be concerned, and things should be OK.

    He's also been doing another sort of school.

    Getting used to how his alternate Superboy form works, locally. Master Roshi has dealt with most of that, and has said, privately, that he's a 'real monster'. A lot of it is about controlling his use of force, how quickly he moves. We've ensured few know of this schooling, but Fang is one who loves to watch him practice.

    Raven has been using watching his development as an opportunity to teach Shepherd finer use of her senses. They spotted an anomaly, and when the three of us looked, carefully, it seems his original material is slowly replacing the local 'patch' materials I used.

    With one exception. My replacement eye is unchanged. So, Raven has again used this 'training opportunity' to make it look to almost all forms of detection that his eyes are symmetrical. Any visible effect, like heat vision, appears to come from both, equally.

    Worth noting is that Chris takes a lot of interest in what all our 'Super Family' does, as well as Superman, and Supergirl.

    ---

    Snoopergirl has proceeded with her plans.

    She now has a solid identity as 'Roxy Leech', in Hawaii, having been accepted by Rex Leech as his 'long lost' teenage daughter. Other times she's in Metropolis, where we suspect she's investigating Luthor, and his connection with Cadmus, undercover as a publicity officer at Kuro Industries. Rest of the time she's local, getting training, being trainee reporter Tana Moon.

    I read-up on Super supers in those comics I bought. Locally, no Power Girl. After we put her together Snoopergirl made it clear she was going to let things develop, naturally, not force a contact with Superman or Supergirl. See who contacted her, in her travels.

    How is she travelling?

    Eventually Cosmo admitted to a fixed portal, only usable to Snoopergirl, that she'd been able to make for her, because she 'really needed it'. Raven, Shepherd and I took a really careful look at it, and, while crude, it seems to function just as Cosmo claimed.

    We've left it alone.

    ---

    Superboy has taken a hard look at his memories.

    Initially, there was some suggestion, from Nurf, that he consider further education. Make him separate, in his own mind, from the imprinted memories. He decided to take a different route, after considerable, and I suspect painful, discussions with Superman.

    Conner is using his strength in a more human way, as a labourer. We suspect that Superman has said something about the importance of work, as a way of understanding people. Not holding yourself above them.

    He has travelled around, we suspect sometimes leaving when he made a mistake, showed too much strength. Come back to the Tower, every-so-often, talked to us. Last we heard he was in Hawaii, moving heavy props around for the film industry.

    Wonder who he might meet there?

    ---

    Among other things I've resync'd myself with Geo Kuro, at Kuro Industries. That was how I confirmed SnooperGirl's presence. We had diverged quite a bit, recently, and I wondered if the process would work. But, it did.

    Receiving the Terminator shipped to me by Kuro Industries was also positive. I'd really been looking forward to stripping it down. Yes, I've checked to see if there was any more spirit than expected for something of that complexity. Nothing.

    Strip-down yielded nothing unusual. Mostly parts easily obtained at the top edge of tech for this world. In other words, 'basic super science'. The brain though, is the 'real thing', and's surprising effective for something that crude. The geometry of the circuitry...

    Realising that there was some sort of temporal feedback logic got me turning to my math. My alch-tech math. While I now understood the level of intelligence I couldn't tell if the original design was lucky or based on a thorough understanding of the principles. Or if that's even a sensible question, given the paradox. Annoying.

    I wrote my (edited) report for Mr. Luthor. Edited because I wasn't mentioning the time stuff, just the surprising brain effectiveness. I'd not promised him a report, but, this emphasised I got to do the analysis, not him. A bit petty, I know, but... Also, might ensure he underestimated me.

    ---

    I found why Nurf wanted to talk to... Barbara. She'd been 'sleeping' in our med lab, operating a Batgirl bot on the other side of the country, in Gotham. Yes, I'd built her one, for future testing, but it wasn't, I'm pretty sure, ready for field use. How?

    Nurf hadn't asked. Her concern was Barbara's health. And, that Nurse had let her do this without reporting to the CMO. Me. Nurse claimed that Barbara wasn't 'command staff', and barring correct ship roles there was not obvious reporting path. I strongly suspected attempts to mislead, Nurf was certain.

    "We have... because Oracle isn't busy enough, a Batgirl who needs to be 'useful'. We have Nurse who is... unanchored, unstable. I've done damage limitation, but the med lab is beginning to worry me. A lot."

    I blame myself. For not being more observant. On our last date Barbara was getting rather distant. In retrospect, was talking a little carefully about what she'd been doing. Wasn't pushing to agree another date. In some ways I guess I'm not 'driven' enough for her. Or, maybe longer term, we don't really suit each other.

    Things are going to have to change.

    ---

    Raven, Shepherd, myself. We've dug into Pure.

    I think I now understand the shadow world. It does something using obscure reality logic to create, or access, a world shift, a 'battle zone'. A people-empty, darker, mirror of the real world. Not somewhere you can live, or base yourself, but excellent for combat where non-combatants wont get involved.

    We've also found his base. There is a demon supervisor who is very happy to have someone to take orders from. This is where the demon patrols of the dimensional paths was run from. After a little thought it seems best to fold-up that whole operation. Pay-off (where morally acceptable) the demons, who vary from being philosophical to moronically accepting, send them home. Done.

    There is also what looks like the foundations of an invisible wizard's tower. That's what The Boys said, later, based on when they worked for Pure. Only signs of what happened are a deep embedded bird footprint. So, we guess it was Baba Yaga's Hut. And she took it back.

    Any other signs? Not really. And we looked pretty hard.

    ---

    Then there's the personal stuff. Shared in this case with Shepherd. We've been pursuing our medical studies at the local University.

    And all the other day-to-day stuff. Seems to be going pretty well.

    ---

    Overall?

    Nice to have a quiet period. But, I was waiting for the 'other shoe to drop'. While we waited for the dimensional tides to allow searching for Raven's spirit.

    Raven has been getting the pair of us to study Buttercup, a dark-haired girl superhero living with her two sisters, by dimensional skying. Not the colourful horses. We think something to do with her is the second key to Raven, the knife being the first one.

    And we think we know what the third key is, or at least must be made from.

    Me.

    ---

    AN: Those familiar with the (1990s onwards) Superboy comics might understand why Hillary Chang is a bit bemused...

    AN: In case it's useful, 'CMO' is Chief Medical Officer.

    AN: Conner and Chris are two separate cuts at 'Superboy', one sorta canon, the other home-brew. Don't anticipate much more use of them. I could comment on whether Superboy is a good fit for the Titans, but... I wont. :)
     
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    • Control and (Mis)Communication - Episode 49
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    • Raven's Replacement, Episode 49

    "Come on! Let us in. We only want to talk to you!"

    "No! You're going to hurt me!"

    ---

    Contacting the local Control Freak, using what we'd agreed with the one in the other timeline. On the surface, easy, as he should be less powerful, but we'd prefer not to compromise his secret identity, so where do we go to meet up?

    Larry would seem a possible complication. So, we prepare to summon him, using the magic circle Shepherd created, through which he appeared to her, and Robin. Just the core team is present, plus me. Oh, and Cosmo.

    "Larry? Could we have a few words with you?"

    Robin has his doubts, but is making the appeal for us. Larry pops-up from behind a potted plant, off to one side.

    "Hi, Boy Wonder!"

    He looks around.

    "I see you have the team, plus the apprentice. Nice to see your destiny is back on-track."

    Cosmo, as dog, comes out from behind Raven.

    Larry pauses.

    "Who is that? They aren't part of what is supposed to happen."

    He looks more closely. Turns his head in a direction that doesn't exist in normal space. Goes a bit pale.

    "Destiny. I expect you can handle all the problems you run into. I'm going on holiday. See you never. Chow! No, Ciao, I meant Ciao!"

    And he isn't there any more.

    Robin is looking a little bemused.

    "Was that the result we wanted?"

    ---

    Raven, Shepherd and myself, in Raven's room, we'd sat down, discussed, figured-out how to contact Control Freak. Tea was drunk. We even resorted to the special English cookies, the 'Rich Tea Biscuits'. Yes, we were heathens, we dunked them.

    We are hunting a Dream Walker, or that's how previous timeline Raven described him. But, we don't want to dunk ourselves in The Dreaming again. The last little venture was enough. So, we need something more directed.

    When he was supposed to first meet the Titans, as was shown to previous timeline Control Freak by Larry, a video shop and an attempt to rent a copy of a Warp Trek movie was the basic situation. No Larry interference, so presumably that is still in this timeline, as a 'destined event'.

    So, using a Warp Trek movie video, borrowed from Cyborg, Raven will act as a ritual anchor, and we will be on the end of a line thrown, into the edge of The Dreaming. We should, hopefully, arrive at the dreams of local Control Freak. Then communicate with him, offer our deal.

    ---

    The ritual seemed to go OK. We were at the top of some steps, at the front of a half-imagined older house. The steps led down into a basement-entry, a door by a rarely-cleaned window. Stickers, a radiation trefoil, "Danger: Mad Scientist!", and one that just said "Fnord".

    We knock. A pause. A brief discussion ending in a... thorough refusal.

    "What do you want to talk to us? Money? Fame? Production secrets from Warp Trek?"

    There's a pause.

    "How do you know I'm interested in Warp Trek?"

    I look around the door, at the window. Ah!

    "The Warp Trek starship model, hanging inside your window might be a hint."

    "I'm dreaming this, aren't I? Women never turn up at my door, in real life, who know anything about Warp Trek."

    "We are superheroes. We are supposed to know about all sorts of things. Including risks to the future of the whole world. Which is what we said we wanted to talk to you about."

    The door opens, a crack. A suspicious eye peers at us.

    "All right. You can come in. But... Give me a couple of minutes."

    We wait. The door opens, and we are invited into a cluttered room. A closet door is bulging, a little, I could imagine it creaking, as if recently crammed even fuller. We are faced by Control Freak, in Warp Trek pyjamas and a too-small robe.

    "Shepherd? You're supposed to do the next bit?"

    "Right. I'm Shepherd, this is Sugoi. We are with the Teen Titans."

    Suspicious look.

    "I don't think I've seen you on the news."

    "I'm Raven's apprentice. I'm pretty sure you've seen her on the news. I can do some magic, if you like. Raven did the magic which sent us to you, here."

    "No need to do magic. I'm pretty sure you are here, in my dreams. But, you feel real. I've been having strange dreams, lately. As if... something is going to happen, change."

    "Yes. We need your help, to save Earth. Where is your video player? We've a short video for you."

    ---

    He'd watched the video. It showed Control Freak, the previous timeline one. Smirking. Saying "Listen to Raven's Apprentice. She's got a fun deal for you. Live Long And Prosper, Within The Force.". Ending with a strange hand gesture.

    Then, rewound it. Watched it a couple more times. Thought for a while.

    "Tell me the deal."

    Shepherd explained how he'd get super powers, via a video remote, get to play a chase game, using all the video tricks he could imagine, with the Teen Titans, and then do set-up to help save the world from demonic destruction. No, he wouldn't have to fight any demons. Probably.

    I don't think he liked the 'probably', but he did seem interested.

    "So, I get to keep the super powers? Once the world is saved?"

    "Yes. And, you should be able to learn more ways to use your powers, later."

    "Nice offer. But, too risky."

    "You do get one more thing. Maybe you noticed at the end of the video? When the camera pulled back, a little, didn't your alternate look... a little more athletic than you?"

    "Yes... You mean that wasn't a video trick?"

    "No. You can get that build. Raven will do the magic. Raven did the magic on your alternate, she can do it for you."

    "Hmm."

    "Sugoi? Could you do that image trick you said we had ready?"

    I pulled out the prepared image crystal, from a belt pouch. Concentrated on it. A six-inch tall 3d image of 'athletic' Control Freak appeared, dressed as a Warp Trek admiral, rotating above my hand.

    "You've certainly gone to a lot of effort... So, end-of-the-world scenario, I'd be one of the heroes, and I get super powers and a tune-up out of it..."

    Pause.

    "I'll do it! Do I need to sign something?"

    "No, and if anyone ever asks you to sign something, using your blood? Work out a way to delay them, and get professional help."

    "Right."

    After that it was a matter of agreeing how he'd contact us, at Titans Tower.

    ---

    Nurf has been doing something I should have been doing more. Talking to people, rather than worrying about them, what they might be thinking, feeling. Yes, this has got results.

    "Geo? Did you ask Victor what was going on with Barbara, and the Batgirl robot? As we both know, they discuss things a lot, as between them they run all the non-magical security of the Tower."

    "No..."

    "Barbara asked Victor's help in turning your prototype into something sensible to field test. Because, according to Victor, she thought you looked really stressed, and turned her down when she tried to talk to you about what was worrying you."

    "I guess... she could have taken what I said that way."

    "She was 'trying to give you some space to work things out'. I strongly suspect she wanted you to approach her to discuss the Bat-bot situation."

    "I'm still not at all good at this relationships thing..."

    "Why don't we go talk to her, once she's available? I'll work on making sure things don't get too... upset."

    "Thanks."

    ---

    We got our discussion. Nurf had to cool things down, several times. It looked as though we'd both misunderstood the other.

    Barbara says she's achieved her objectives, in field testing her Batgirl robot, and establishing Batgirl is around in Gotham, again. Plenty of data to use in building the next version, and some crimes solved.

    I explained that the secret rebuilding of the Teen Titans had affected me more than I realised. A supporting role, not leadership, worked far better for me. And, when there'd been a break, it looked as though the most critical problems were fixed, I was a bit lost.

    We are still friends. Might we be more than that in future? We're both willing to say 'maybe'. But, for now, just friends.

    ---

    Nurf has gone with me to talk to Nurse. Nurse is... being official. I recall, from the previous timeline, this meaning considerable unhappiness.

    "Nurse, is there anything you want to talk to me about?"

    Nurse, in her blue-skinned servitor aspect, her image on the screen, looks at me.

    "No, Captain", from the servitor.

    A brief pause.

    "No, Chief Medical Officer", from the screen avatar.

    I look at her.

    Nurf and I leave.

    ---

    "So, I get to spend time on the Ship, as I thought I might?"

    "Yes."

    Nurf looks resigned. Snoopergirl has a tiny smile.

    "Just call me when you need me."

    ---

    AN: Control Freak is one of the new-in-the-cartoon Teen Titan villains. These tend to be different in style to the comics ones, like Slade. Main difference? Hard to say, but they give me the impression of being less 'rooted'.

    AN: It would appear that Larry pronounces 'chow' and 'ciao' in a very similar way, and really doesn't want anyone, like Cosmo, to think he is using the wrong word... (*cough* Dog Chow *cough*)

    AN: When you are thinking of cookies to dunk in your tea, you need to follow the science. :)

    AN: You probably wont notice the fnords; wonder where Control Freak came across them?

    rich-tea.jpg

    Rich Tea Biscuits
     
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    • Spirit, Mind, Body - Episode 50
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    • Raven's Replacement, Episode 50

    Annoying priest got to be annoying. And I wasn't there. I'm calling that a win.

    Another three-part discussion, with Raven and Shepherd. Circumstances don't force it on us, but taking Robin to see the annoying priest, in Japan, seemed wise. Best as we could tell, I wasn't required, as Shepherd would be there, as the apprentice.

    Raven can dimension walk as well as I could, in the previous timeline, and Shepherd is interested in meeting the man. Robin is a bit reluctant, but making clear this is partly about fixing the fallout from our recent trip to help Beast Boy makes sense to him.

    On the return Raven says it went as well as could be expected. The priest didn't get to have as much fun as in the previous timeline, though. Robin seems interested that, with practice, he might be able to focus his spirit into weapons, so they can strike things otherwise immaterial.

    Before they went we'd briefly discussed whether Master Roshi might benefit from joining the visit. Consulted Doctor Blue on the matter. Decided it was unwise to complicate things, and it might be considered cruel, to Master Roshi. So, he didn't get invited.

    Like I said, a win.

    ---

    I'd obviously got a bit out of balance. So, first I tried some slow exercises, as slow as I could, in the gym, with Master Roshi. My normal exercise program had got a bit mechanical, so this didn't seem a bad idea. But, it wasn't what I needed.

    "I do not think that The Tower is a place you feel you can be calm. You are waiting for the right conditions to do something important, unless I read things wrong. You need somewhere else."

    He coughs.

    I look at him directly.

    A moment's thought, and he has shifted to his elderly appearance, dressed in his full instructor-is-formal-to-student wear. I suspect I'm going to be troubled by what comes next...

    "You do not have a real mentor, here in this place. Raven is not your teacher, it is clear in how you interact. Nurf, while greatly experienced, is an ally you called into existence, and gives good advice, but wont tell you what to do. Cyborg was and still is someone you greatly respect, but don't see as a teacher, a mentor."

    He pauses. Looks at me for a few moments.

    "You called on Oracle, Barbara as she has asked me to call her, for help when you arrived here. Became very close. Drifted apart. She can not be your teacher or mentor. I am afraid..."

    He looks at me, nods decisively.

    "I'm afraid that I am the only one who was in what you call the 'previous timeline', as well as this one. And, I do not think I can be the teacher or mentor that will help you through your problems. Now, go, find a better place to seek your centre. This... old man needs to do private exercise."

    So.

    I am here, in a 'better place'. Outdoors, well-lit. A place with good memories.

    Doing my slow, slow, exercises.

    Meditating.

    On the Moon.

    ---

    Back in the Tower. A lot calmer. Arrange a meeting, which will probably include a ritual, with Raven and Shepherd in Raven's room.

    "Finding the spirits of the missing Teen Titans. We went into the Dreaming, found... a Beast Boy spirit, and a number of other things, too. But, we did not get a better idea how to find those missing."

    I look at the other two.

    "We've figured-out two of the three ritual objects we're pretty sure will create a link to Raven's spirit. But, not the details of the third one. When I met previous timeline Raven she wouldn't directly offer help, but she gave me a boon to summon a person called 'Carver'. While I was meditating on our problems a comment made by Master Roshi took on a new meaning - getting help from someone I thought of as a mentor, which translates via Raven to 'Carver'."

    The two look at each other.

    Raven speaks.

    "Based on your chain of logic I'm assuming that we summon Carver, and ask for assistance. Hence the planned ritual. Carver hopefully delivers, then the next evening, once we're mentally prepared, we reach out for Raven's spirit. Anticipating that we may well get Trigon as part of the deal."

    She looks at Shepherd.

    "That makes sense to me."

    ---

    We do the ritual. There shouldn't be any great risk, as Carver expects to be summoned, But it's a good idea to be respectful.

    Suddenly there is a shower of leaves, falling in our summoning triangle. They clear, and there's a woman in a business suit, slim attache case, short dark hair, dark clothes, slightly above the knee skirt. A calm and competent look. And, we may now know why she's called 'Carver', as her skin is wood, her hair leaves.

    "Good to be here."

    She looks around the room. Then stops, at the strange wooden boat, off to one side.

    "You might guess I'm interested in things wooden. Might I ask where you obtained that boat?"

    I look at Raven. Her brow furrows. Turn back to Carver.

    "In an unnamed junk shop, in the city. A little time ago. Why?"

    "Not important at the moment. So, how would you like me to help?"

    "We need help crafting a ritual tool. Unfortunately, we don't know what form the tool needs."

    "I would strongly suggest it be made of wood. I can help you most, that way. So, please tell me the details..."

    ---

    We now have our three ritual tools.

    Raven's knife, from when I entered this world. A limbless wooden doll, two-faced, my face on one side, Raven's on the other, completed by me breathing on it while mentally chanting. And, a knot of Buttercup's hair, from her (wooden) hairbrush, tied by Shepherd in a way impossible in three dimensions.

    Carver had to go off and fetch the wood for the doll, and while she was doing that she fetched the hairbrush hair. Yes, we could have done that, but she saved us a lot of travelling. When she got back she looked a bit distracted.

    "Any problems?"

    "Had to take a longer route than I expected. I sensed the attention of your local Trigon, and it seemed best to ensure that didn't focus on me."

    "Wise."

    The final work, then, done. Carver departs. We look at each other.

    The tools. The time. The place.

    Just the last one of those will need more work...

    ---

    AN: I could have put all the 'Moon' links, as I did, previously. But, I didn't. :)

    AN: Winding towards the end, here, as you probably guessed. Only a few more episodes. I'd wanted to do more with this episode, but it wouldn't cooperate. These things happen.
     
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    • Raven's Replacement, Author Omake 10
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    • Raven's Replacement, Author Omake 10

    < First
    < Previous

    AN: This is an 'Author Omake', but it is the other half of the main story, as is the case with the previous omake. It falls after Episode 50, 'Spirit, Mind, Body'.

    ---

    Beast Boy puppet jerks, a light appearing in his eyes. The rest of the team, as they see me sitting-up, with open eyes, focus, expressions appearing on their wooden faces. And, they jerk, shuddering in agony, as my father's power descends on them.

    "Daughter. A nice bit of stealth. A good diversion. But, I've been ready, I had these puppets made, tied to an alarm. You could not resist saving your... team-mates. Your friends."

    His power roils around me, I look, fighting to control my expression at the tortured wooden faces. Slump, broken.

    "You never had a chance, here. Will you end your fight, now? Fight me for your friends, knowing you cannot win? Abandon them, go rally other forces, continue the fight?"

    Grit my (wooden) teeth.

    "It doesn't end here. I will fight on."

    A wave of dark humour. His attention withdraws. Probably to check my diversion wasn't a hidden second attack.

    Good.

    So far he has done just what our best guesses said he would.

    ---

    Carver's father is the Royal Wood Carver. He was reluctant to talk, to her, about his past, but she thought he was the only survivor of a race of wood workers, the implication being Trigon had killed all the rest. He was... not a Trigon loyalist, and had supported as many rebellions against him as he could.

    Trigon took pride in finding reasons for him to carve wooden figurines, and the trap we been caught in, back on Earth, was his work. He in turn took pride in putting near-invisible flaws in any work he did for Trigon. Carver, his latest, greatest, work is flawed, or she was, but he'd told her ways she could work around almost all her problems.

    Having seen Trigon crush rebels for several centuries he knew the patterns he followed, and passed these to his daughter. This knowledge, plus fragments of spirit we'd woven, between the three of us, and Slippy's delicate dancing between the dimensions, let Carver substitute for the true spirits of the Titans, as I drew Trigon's attention, by waking my false Raven body. His torture of the carved bodies, with false spirits, before he tires and kills them, should hide any missing details.

    ---

    We are in my private dimension. 'We' being Carver, and Slippy, and the Titans. Carver wooden in her apprentice garb, Slippy a grinning, red-headed male teen, in leathers, and the Titans in human bodies in costume.

    There is tea and cakes. Shocked expressions. The examination of hands, the touching of hair, faces. Looking at each other.

    "Friend Raven!"

    Yes, I'm being hugged, then I'm patting the back of a crying... Kory. While I'm still looking at the others.

    "You came for us! I said you would!"

    There is mutual hugging, between Garfield and Victor. I politely don't notice the tears.

    "I told you she'd visited the prison! I told you!"

    "Yes, yes!"

    Robin, shaking a little, but with a neutral expression, looks around.

    "I had hoped that the Justice League..."

    Slippy sighs. Somehow steps in all directions at once, and trips Robin into lose hug, which Robin quickly turns into a firm one. Though, Robin pauses after a little, notices that Slippy's now a red-headed girl.

    "Shapeshifters..."

    ---

    People are calmer. I've apologised for not getting there sooner, the apology's been rejected. Carver and Slippy introduced.

    "So, you've... found the apprentice that you said, back on Earth, you'd been thinking of looking for. And a rocking horse."

    Slippy stands, bows to Robin, blurs his head briefly into a wooden horse. Robin sighs, and continues.

    "These living bodies that we're... in. They're permanent, not going to fade away?"

    "Permanent. I needed something like that as part of my apprentice-summoning ritual.

    "Your father..."

    "Trigon. Call him Trigon. We are within very good wards, here."

    "Right. Trigon. Not likely to overhear his name, here. I'm guessing 'here' is a long way from Earth, and just going home isn't something we can do."

    "No. Nothing at the moment stops Trigon from turning his attention to Earth. I, we, must find somewhere to fight him, defeat him. He has blind-spots, we can exploit those. I'll need all your help."

    Cyborg coughs.

    "We created the Teen Titans to support you. Ultimately, to defeat Trigon. Tell us what we need to do."

    "For the moment, rest. Regather yourselves. A little light exercise, use of your powers. I'm going to scry across the dimensions to Earth. Slippy will be doing some scouting."

    I look at them.

    "Carver?"

    "Yes."

    "Why don't you entertain them with... some stories of Princess Raven, in Toyland?"

    Only the tiny twitch of the edge of the mouth from Carver...

    ---

    "I've scryed, Slippy has scouted. There's a big disturbance in the dimensions around Earth."

    I look at Carver and the other Titans. They look... amused.

    "Best guess is something major has shifted in The Dreaming. What it does mean is that until things settle down Trigon is unlikely to attack Earth. And, when he does, his route there will be... a bit more complex."

    Kory looks thoughtful.

    "Slippy will be able to scout a good route for us?"

    "Yes. And we should be able to pick a good ambush point."

    Robin stands up. Brushes his hands off each other.

    "Until then, until the right time, you explain the route, things like The Dreaming to us, we plan and practice."

    "Yes."

    I take a deep breath.

    "And then Trigon dies."

    ---



    ---

    AN: Looks like Raven's not going for just a take-down...

    Next >
     
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    • Trail Run - Episode 51
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    • Raven's Replacement, Episode 51

    "Mom, Mommy? There's a funny magic wood smell in here. And it smells a bit like that model ship."

    Sometimes I wish I could figure out which of the two of us is 'Mom'. But, Cosmo wont explain her logic. And it changes, sometimes.

    ---

    Fortunately, while we'd been summoning Carver, Cosmo had been off playing with Fang, or 'Fleur' as she looks like she now wants to be called. Chris was probably involved, too. And, Shepherd was keeping a general eye on them.

    Her question arose when she came into Raven's room, where we were discussing our next steps.

    "There was a lady here, who looked to be made of wood. Do you think that's who you are smelling?"

    I'll let Raven handle the questioning.

    Cosmo doggy-ly wanders around, sniffing.

    "Does smell like living wood. And the model boat is definitely not living."

    She pushes part way behind where the boat is, on one of Raven's chests, by a wall.

    "There's a dimension trail, starting here. Faint, but I think I can follow it. Can we take the boat, see where it goes? I think it's... important."

    ---

    We discuss this. Raven pull-out some books on magical boats, and magical wood. But, it quickly becomes clear we could spend a great deal of time studying the subject. And... study doesn't seem the right way to go.

    We prepare to leave. Raven has put the model boat in her personal storage. Then, pauses.

    "I was given a bottle, when I left Azarath, by a priestess of Azar, who hid their identity. Told me I'd find a good use for it, some day. I've not thought of it since then. Now I remember it."

    She rummages in one of her bigger chests, pulls-out a small glazed bottle. Vanishes it into the folds of her robe.

    We check the wards, the ritual we are using the leave the tower. All looks good.

    Leave.

    ---

    It isn't like one of the more normal dimensional paths we tend to use. Yes, those curve, vary in what's underfoot. This is more... organic. Sometimes twists back on itself. Sometimes I can see a hint of what I think Cosmo is following. A golden thread. A scattering of red sand. But it comes and goes, and I can't feel the patterns as they shift.

    We take a long detour around an immense eyeball. Takes me a few moments, but I realise Raven is trying to signal to me that it's connected with her father. Oh. Not really sure I wanted to know that.

    But, even through the route is strange it quickly takes us out of the local dimension, into far areas that look a little familiar.

    Cosmo leads us into a green wood, scattered trees. To a pond. Drinks from the pond. Looks at the pair of us. We scoop a drink. Are refreshed. I feel... the pond is happy to help travellers. Proceed.

    We are getting close to the dimension of the Ship, though by a different route to any I'd followed, even scouted. Then, Cosmo leads us into a strange, spiralling twist, my stomach drops, and when up and down are clear again I realise we are in the previous timeline, again close to the local Ship dimension.

    Oh.

    ---

    Cosmo stops. Looks puzzled. Casts about.

    "I can't find any more of the trail I followed to get here. But, there is a faint trail of... both of you. I'll follow that."

    This is the strangest dimensional trail I've ever been on. I'm smelling sounds, tasting colours. Sometimes I'm looking out through Cosmo's eyes. Then I snap back to my own body.

    We are in... grey mists. A place that feels... empty, but full of potential.

    A... 'turn about' place.

    Cosmo digs a hole. In grey misty reality.

    "Put the model ship in there."

    We do. She buries it, very neatly. Then, tilts her head on one side. Looks where she dug.

    "I think it might be time for that bottle?"

    Raven carefully pulls it out. Examines it. Sealed, but there's a faint score mark. I loan her my knife, and with a precise blow opens. Sniffs.

    "It doesn't smell of anything. Pure water?", she says a little dubiously, "I want to hear a really good reason to risk tasting it".

    "Just pour it!"

    She follows Cosmo's instruction.

    "Now, I think we get a long way back!"

    We do.

    ---

    We get to watch a dimension forming. It is a moving, beautiful, experience. And, not one that there's any way to describe, in any language I know.

    Time to retrace our trail. Sensory distortions and all. And...

    First we can see the Ship dimension of the previous timeline. Carefully enter it. See the Ship, off in the distance.

    OK. But, we beat a hasty retreat because I think I catch a glimpse of Nurf, astral travelling.

    Round the spiral, and we are back in our timeline. And, yes, now there is a matching Ship dimension.

    Again, entry. Visible ship.

    Funny how I never realised what the model ship matched...

    I feel drained. Raven is flagging. Cosmo... I think we've found one of the limits of her energy.

    I pick her up, she nestles into the crook of my arm. Looks at me, hopefully.

    "Home?"

    ---

    We are drinking tea. Again. In Raven's room.

    Raven is speculating.

    "I think Carver made the model ship, put it for us to find in that junk shop, because she could see it was her work. Then followed the other trails to see where the model ship went. We in turn followed her trail, which led to where we needed to 'plant' the model ship. Each of us following the trail the other made. One of those paradox creation events."

    I look at her.

    Cosmo looks at her.

    She is in small girl form, and nibbling a cookie.

    "I... see..."

    Well, maybe I don't, but I'll go along for the moment.

    Raven looks speculatively at Cosmo.

    "You effectively made a whole dimension."

    "Sorta. All the bits were there, I just started them going."

    "If you had proper support, all the bits, could you make a credible place both to do summoning and fight in? We need a place to reach for Raven's spirit, and to fight Trigon if he arrives."

    "I think so..."

    "We get Control Freak, off-stage, to do his... bit."

    "Oh Kay..."

    I'm beginning to think we have something that might work...

    ---

    AN: Dogged determination will get you places reason will not? :)
     
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    • Chase Nurse Ship - Episode 52
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    • Raven's Replacement, Episode 52

    Semi-scripted. Multiple takes. Experts ignored.

    What's that?

    They've done the Teen Titans chase scene.

    Well.

    There were multiple takes of all but the end bit. Where Raven turned Control Freak athletic. And made it stick.

    They were happy to 'patch' fit Control Freak to unfit one, with edits. Raven refused to do any magical editing, said it wasn't in the spirit of the thing. And, I'm pretty sure she was right.

    They'd found a small animation studio, swore them to secrecy. Bounced ideas off them. I didn't get really involved, we let 'the boys' (not 'The Boys') sort it out.

    The three of them did borrow Fang, briefly. Introduced her to the studio staff. I'm sure I saw one drinking from a hip flask, a while later...

    They got us all in to watch the different takes. I think because they'd been arguing. Beast Boy, I asked him later, why he'd sat so he could see everyone. Explained he was watching people's bodies, seeing how they reacted.

    So, they agreed nearly all the first take was, in fact, the best. And went with that. If nothing else, they enjoyed themselves, distracted us all from what we know is to come.

    ---

    Doctor Blue (note, not Nurf) took me down to the med bay after the decision. The slow way, by the stairs. Explained she'd been talking to Nurse, explaining what was to come.

    There was Snoopergirl. Sitting on the floor. Holding Nurse. A full-sized Nurse servitor, which was not what I expected. There'd been crying.

    Doctor Blue looked at the scene.

    "Raven had to transform Nurse, make her 'grow up', before they did the chase scene. I read your notes, you asked me to check them, add anything missing, fix anything you'd got wrong. So, I reminded Raven she had to."

    Shakes her head.

    "She wasn't happy."

    I reach out a hand, towards the sitting pair.

    "I'm sorry, Nurse. We really haven't treated you well. My fault, I've been trying to make everything work. And..."

    She looks up at me.

    "I've just tried to do my job. Run the med bay. Only two people ever really talked to me. Oracle, and..."

    She hugs Snoopergirl.

    Glares at Doctor Blue.

    "I don't count HER. She just came and talked AT me."

    I swallow.

    "We need you to help. To go to a strange world with..."

    Snoopergirl looks up, at me, nods.

    "With Tana. Spend a lot of time there, at least months, maybe a year, supporting her. Very soon, after a few final preparations."

    Tana does a barking laugh.

    "Yes, I do need you. Originally they thought Shepherd could do the job, but, turns out she's not, at the moment, creative enough. Her mental wounds are still healing, I think. I, on the other hand, am."

    She sighs.

    "I can understand roughly what I need to do. It's a bit like creating a virtual world, a bit like writing a book. But, I just don't have enough... psychic strength to do the work, on my own. And you, you may not believe it, but you're incredibly strong."

    She leans back, holding Nurse with both hands, looks her straight in the eyes.

    "Will you help me?"

    "Yes."

    ---

    'Final preparations'.

    Plenty of supplies. Devices needed to make life on the Ship reasonably comfortable. A few months, personal time, of building, testing, assembly work in my personal workshop dimension. Lonely, but there wasn't a compelling reason for anyone else to be there with me. OK, in retrospect we could have organised that better.

    Shepherd had found the time (yes, we cheated) to locate Prof. Ivo's workshops. Based on what she knew of him from previous worlds. Borrowed some of his tools, that he uses to build Amazo.

    She said she'd, previously, considered finding as many of them as she could. Thoroughly wrecking them. But, on some level, it seemed... not right. She'd achieved her personal objective, already. So, borrow, return.

    We realised we needed to work on this somewhere... 'real'. Where all of us, me included, could learn, be creative. That was our best guess why we couldn't use my personal workshop dimension. Or, it was something to do with the nature of the Amazo tech.

    So, we time-accelerated the med lab, as the only place secure, under our control, isolated enough to do that. Did a few tests, seemed OK. And, we'd realised it was sensible to use locked-out parts of the med core as tools.

    It took Raven, outside, to do the acceleration, and Nurf, Shepherd and I, inside, to do the work. We needed to distract Nurse from the way we were using her systems, so she worked with Tana, starting to create the virtual-book-world. Shepherd was also using some Martial Manhunter mental tricks.

    After we started, she took me to one side.

    "I'm pretty sure I can distract Nurse, particularly if she willingly lets me, but... Her mind works on the surface, I can definitely feel her... incredible strength of will, below..."

    She shudders.

    "I don't want to go below the surface."

    Shepherd, Nurf and I, we turn to meditation, quite often, to get through this time.

    And, we are sleeping in the med beds, because of the confined quarters. Strangely, this seems to make Nurse a lot happier.

    ---

    We've built a strange, hybrid, device. An 'engram crown'. Prototype, test, break, test again. Alpha, then beta version. Built into it redundancies.

    We'd had to accept restrictions. It would only work for Tana, who has a rather... strange mental architecture, and the skill sets it provided were hard-wired. The basics of them came from Shepherd, learned some time back, in our stint in my personal workshop dimension. Then, from me, and Nurf.

    Using Amazo tech it would give Tana the skills she needed to do the more advanced parts of 'writing' the virtual-book-world. A good chunk of which is math, concerned with... Lets just say 'math'. And, if Raven and I were correct, 'bring Nurse out of her shell', by her desire to help.

    ---

    The five of us. Raven, Shepherd, and I. Tana and Nurse. We are at the Ship, we have unloaded the supplies. I can tell those we are leaving here are scared, but determined.

    Both Tana and Nurse have a Raven doll. They know that if they whisper 'Done' to it, they'll be picked-up. 'Help', and we'll be here as quickly as possible.

    Why did Shepherd come? We aren't quite certain, but it seems that it would be wise for Raven's Apprentice to visit the Ship. It would be bad if everything failed because we hadn't arranged that.

    What do we do now?

    Going home.

    And...

    Hope.

    ---

    AN: A bit more gloomy than I'd have preferred, but that's how it came out.
     
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    • Raven's Replacement, Author Omake 11
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    • Raven's Replacement, Author Omake 11

    < First
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    AN: This is an 'Author Omake', but it is the other half of the main story, as is the case with the previous omake. It falls after Episode 52, 'Chase Nurse Ship'.

    ---

    Slippy looks around. A little uncertain. Gathers himself. All eyes are on him.

    ---

    The Titans are looking a lot better. This started with some careful work on my private dimension, which has grown more considerably complex. I drew on the Titan's expectations, their dreams. Created a gym area, a workshop, even a lounge to socialise in. And, in the process, drew-off some of their shock, their pain, helped them smooth the edges.

    It is not the Tower, nor is it a simple extension of my room there. It is a... blending. There is more (carved) wood than was in the Tower, there is less... of a wizardly workshop, than my room was. There are several rooms the Tower didn't have, like a sleeping area, which both gives privacy and companionship, in ways normal physical reality wouldn't - Slippy had a lot of input, there.

    Slippy and Carver.

    The Titans aren't completely sure what to make of them. They are obviously... connected to me. And, they are friendly. Kory has little problems, one-on-one, but I've caught confused glances, between the three of us. Garfield and Robin seem to take easily to Slippy, but have more trouble with Carver. Carver seems to make sense to Victor, but Slippy makes him uneasy.

    I guess it is a work-in-progress.

    ---

    I've spent some time off failing to inciting rebellion. Not because I really wanted to. But because it would match the expectations of being an incompetent rebel that we're trying to build with my father.

    I've been appearing, doing grand magic, on occasion healing. Sometimes starting but then failing to do speeches. Then disappearing again. Sometimes only managing the disappearing in time with Slippy's hidden help.

    I'm using information provided by Carver, who in turn got it from her father. There was a list of the 'usual suspects', who any rebel would be expected to visit.

    I can't actually start a rebellion. Carver tells me that the odds are millions, across many worlds, will die.

    But, if I do nothing, my father will get bored, likely start executing the people of Toyland. Being an incompetent rebel leader keeps his attention on me. We hope.

    So, a holding action.

    ---

    "As we agreed, now things are little more settled, I did some more scouting, towards Earth. Trigon is looking really hard that way, Raven, I think he is alert to anything you might do, so it was smart to avoid any more scrying."

    Slippy takes a deep breath.

    "I found a strange place. It is... both new and not. A route to Earth, that is a little hidden, due to dipping quite close to the Dreaming, but I'm pretty sure Trigon will see it."

    Another pause.

    "I... need to guess. There is something strange about it. I'm sorry. It feels important. That's all I can really tell you."

    A decisive look.

    "It does feel... right though."

    "Luna."

    ---

    We have prepared ourselves. Physically, mentally, spiritually. It is time to go.

    To Luna.

    ---

    AN: "This is not the moon you were looking for..." Bit of a mangling of a couple of Star Wars quotes...

    AN: Apologies for confusion, but this was posted before I finished editing it. Raven was done really badly wrong. I'm still not happy with this, but I hope it works a lot better.

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    • Mangled Omake - Author Note 13 for 'Raven's Replacement'
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    • Mangled Omake - Author Note 13 for 'Raven's Replacement'

    Author Omake 11, made a real mess of the characterisation of Raven. Reposted that, which totally changes the meaning of the omake.

    Apologies.
     
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