Disclaimer – See the first chapter.
Warning – Stupid humor, eventual f/f romance.
Other – Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish this before my trip. So here it is, for all it took a while.
"That's the castle?" Raven questioned dubiously. It didn't look like much; bland stones surrounded by dirt. The only remarkable feature was that is was gigantic.
Beast Boy chuckled, "I think Prince Robin is trying to compensate for something, if you catch my drift."
He unsuccessfully tried to prod Raven into winking with him. All he got in the end was a silencing glare.
"So…" Starfire murmured, "Shall we go in?"
"Yeah," Raven began walking forward only to realize she was lacking companions, "Are you coming?"
Starfire sighed softly. There was the chance that Robin would imprison all three of them for traitorous activities and she had hoped to avoid that for as long as possible. Beast Boy hadn't moved due to the same thought process; he had a vague idea of what prison would be like – he wasn't fond of the jumpsuits.
"Coming…" Star murmured, edging forward.
Raven tapped her foot on the ground, eyebrows raised, "Any day now."
Unbeknownst to them, a shadowy figure loomed in a window, watching their every movement. It seemed ominous, as no light fell upon it, but its teeth glinted in the sunlight leaking through the window and it cackled. As he stepped away from the window, the bells on his shoes jangled, and Mumbo danced with mirth. It was all happening too perfectly.
He skipped down to the throne room, trying his hardest to pull off an innocent smile. Fortunately, Robin was too distracted to notice Mumbo, let alone the grin. He was leaning on one fist, brooding. His other hand was tightly gripping the armrest of his chair so hard his knuckles were white.
"Oooh, my liege!" Mumbo snickered, drawing out the vowels. "The Princess has arrived! And my little green fellow and your 'knight' as well."
"Send them in…" He murmured, not truly paying attention. His mind was occupied at the moment by the sense of foreboding he had been suffering through. There was a knot in his stomach and nothing he did could loosen its grip.
As he waited, he glanced out his large stained glass windows. The sun was going down so he wanted to get this over with. Sooner, he thought, rather than later. His prayers were answered as Mumbo ushered his guests inside. Cyborg was right behind them, eyes narrowed. Cy wanted to make sure nothing too fishy happened. It was, after all, his duty to protect the prince.
"Princess Raven, please step forward." Robin commanded. He tried not to act too intimidating since he didn't know how she'd react. She took a small step forward, not bothering to hide the fact that she wasn't pleased with the situation. "Are you ready for our wedding ceremony?"
Raven's eyes widened slightly; she had thought he'd want to gather people for it, not just spring it on her. It was then that she noticed a priestly looking man waiting patiently behind Robin's throne.
"Well…" She trailed off.
"Yes?" He supplied, getting to his feet. The priest stepped forward, opening his book.
Raven refused to go forward any further and her eyes darted around, looking for an escape. What she found instead, though, was that sun had just set. She smirked for a moment before walking calmly to Robin's side. Starfire bristled quietly – this wasn't part of the plan.
"Please cut to the important stuff," Robin requested. He stood a little straighter.
"Oh, well… if you insist… Do you Prince Robin take Princess Raven to be your lawful wedded wife, to care for and love til death do you part?"
"Yes."
Raven smirked. Her second set of eyes had just begun to open.
"And do you Pri---" The priest stopped abruptly, eyes wide. He took a shaky step backwards.
Robin stared at him as if another head had sprouted next to the priest's neck, "Why aren't you finishing?"
"She… she…" He sputtered.
Robin grabbed the front of the other man's robes tightly, "Finish it now!"
"Look!"
Robin turned to view his bride and fell backwards. She had sprouted her tentacles of black ooze and all four eyes were alight.
Starfire glanced between the royal pair, slightly worried. She was prepared to step in at any moment, in case Raven lost control. But Raven seemed to know what she was doing, so Star held tightly to Beast Boy, both to keep him back and to keep herself standing up.
"I can't marry you," Raven stated menacingly. "This curse demands true love."
Robin gulped like a fish out of water. He nodded, face nearly white. "What are you?"
"Cursed to be a half demon."
"Oh." Robin was shaking in his boots; he'd never seen anything like this before. "That makes perfect sense?"
"Good." Raven stated, "Since Starfire was the one to awaken me from my slumber, she is also the only one I am allowed to marry."
Robin regained his composure as best he could, "Then… go… Don't come back…"
"Does Star still get the land you promised her?" Mumbo cackled.
Robin glared at his jester, angry beyond words. All he could manage was a nod. Cyborg stepped forward, presenting Starfire with a sheaf of parchment. She clutched it tightly.
"Thank you, Prince Robin." She curtseyed politely, "May we leave?"
He nodded, waving his hand at them. That was a complete disaster. As soon as they were out of the room, he shook a finger at Mumbo.
"You knew that would happen!"
Mumbo tried to look innocent, "I did?"
"That was catastrophic! You knew she was a cursed girl! You knew sending Starfire would evoke a reaction like that!" Robin accused, his self-righteous nature flaring to life. "You will find me a suitable bride this instant! And no funny business! If you screw with me this time, I'll have you beheaded."
Mumbo sighed, pretending to admit defeat. The threat of beheading was almost comical, as the kingdom hadn't performed that service in many years. Most criminals were sentenced to life in jail. "As you wish, your Highness."
He found his magic tool somewhere in his cloak and dusted his fingers over the top of the orb. His crystal ball whirled to life. A young maiden with flowing pink locks appeared. She, too, was locked in a castle somewhere, guarded by a mythological beast.
Robin eyed her suspiciously, "No curse?"
"No curse." Mumbo promised.
"Fine. I will choose my knight this time, so you can't mess with me again." Robin summoned Cyborg forth, "Cyborg, you are to sally forth and fetch this girl for me. I trust you to avoid anything vaguely resembling the chain of events like today."
Cyborg tried his hardest not to stare at the pink haired beauty, "Yes, sire. What's her name?"
Mumbo smiled mystically; he knew Robin was going to pick Cyborg for this quest. Who else but his trusted second-hand man? Sometimes people were too predictable. Mumbo had purposely chosen a maiden that was likely to fall for Cy. "Her name is Jinx."
"Jinx." Cyborg repeated. He bowed deeply, "Your will shall be done."
Robin nodded, "Good. Get going, then. Find the girl."
Mumbo danced off – palace life was so entertaining. And besides – he hadn't lied this time. The girl wasn't cursed. She just magical powers.
Starfire clutched her deed and went off to her promised plot of land, dragging an almost reluctant curse-ridden Raven behind her. Beast Boy, for lack of a better thing to do, followed close behind. The land wasn't astounding, but Star was just glad to own something of her own. It could have been on swamp land and she wouldn't have minded. Luckily, though, it was fairly decent and farmable.
The moon had just begun to peek through the thick clouds and Beast Boy transformed into an owl. He was going to scout through the surrounding area and report back. Although they were in safer lands, it paid to be aware.
Raven glanced around, thoroughly unimpressed, "He should have chosen a better plot of land for you."
Star smiled, spinning around. "Perhaps, but it will do. It is the first and only land I have ever had, and I love it."
Raven conceded her argument; it was pointless to try and push Star to want more. Star would what she had, no matter what it was she was having. Robin could have given her a five-by-five piece of the garbage dump and Star would be prancing around overjoyed.
"I guess we should get a shelter put together," Raven sighed. It seemed like a lot of hard work. Her tentacles lashed anxiously around her. "I mean, he didn't bother giving you anything to work with."
Star shrugged, "We will make it into something."
Raven stared at Starfire for a moment, judging how serious Star was. "If you say so…"
Star smiled happily, "I do."
"Hey Star…" Raven took a step in Star's direction.
Star paused in her joyous whirling, "Yes, Raven?"
"I… I luh…"
"Who's up for grub? I'm makin' waffles!" Beast Boy pounced down onto the turf, transforming back to his boy-form.
Star was instantly distracted, "Oo! What are waffles?"
Beast Boy grinned madly, "They're like bread, only better."
"So it is a specialty of this kingdom?"
Raven kicked the ground, frustrated. Here she was trying to break her curse and Beast Boy wanted waffles. It was hard enough to say those three little words, not because she thought Star wouldn't return them, but because she was worried it wouldn't be enough. What if what she felt wasn't enough? What if her love wasn't true?
Eventually Beast Boy gave up on making waffles. He had no supplies and no cooking utensils. Upset, he decided to just call it a day and catch some z's. Raven had no problem with that turn of events, though Starfire was disappointed that there were no waffles.
"Starfire." Raven tried again.
"Raven." Star returned, completely oblivious.
"I wanted to try something."
"What?"
"Breaking my curse." Raven fiddled with her hands nervously. This could be her one chance at being free of the demonic side of her powers.
"Oh!" Star beamed, "I love you Raven!"
Raven nearly fell over. It was so easy for the other girl; emotions were nothing to her. Star probably collected them like Beast Boy collected lice, ticks, and mosquito bites. It was a little harder for Raven, though, "I… I…"
"Come! It is not hard. I. Love. You."
"I luh-love you." Raven finally uttered out. She was immediately filled with strange warmth, emanating from the soles of her feet. It washed over her and she floated several feet into the sky, glowing brilliantly.
Star watched with growing fascination. This must be the end of the curse – which meant her love for Raven was true and that Raven loved her back. For her this was only petty confirmation for something she already knew to be true.
When Raven settled back on the ground, her second set of eyes had disappeared and the tentacles had receded. She groaned as her body gently hit the ground, where she lay limply for a moment. Her mind was abuzz. Suddenly there was more space for her other emotions. She felt a smile lighting across her face.
Star was at her side in a millisecond, murmuring concerned statements into Raven's ear. Raven turned to her and pressed a kiss on Star, full of longing. She finally felt free.
Beast Boy sat up, grumbling, "Will you two keep it down? I'm trying to sleep."
Star broke away, giggling, "Sorry!"
Raven tested a small laugh and found it irritating. So maybe she wouldn't feel everything all at once. And laughing was a definite no until she had some time to practice it. But her curse was broken and she had a home, and friends. It felt like nothing could go wrong, at least for them. She could care less about what happened to everyone else. And for a long time, nothing did. At least for them.
It was a few weeks later when Robin's angry holler could be heard throughout the kingdom. It seemed Mumbo would always be up to his sneaky tricks.