Beast Boy sat on the edge of his heels, his fur twitching from brushing up against the cold, damp wall in the form of a cat. His ears twitched, listening to the voices that drifted to and fro from the echo of the cavern.

"How did they get in here? Do they not feel the curse?" Raven asked, who stopped just behind him.

Shadow smiled in the darkness, next to him the Drake stood with the Shade lowered closer to the ground, looking around him with curiosity.

They followed us, fell down the hill as well after watching us slide down in this place.

Beast Boy felt his body crack as he transformed into a Night Dweller again, the voice of the Drake bursting in his ears, "Well, we wouldn't have slipped if you didn't push us." The Shade snorted, "It was our only choice in keeping them in our sights, you know as well as I do that we need their help."

The large cat looked away, unsettled with the Shades answer. "We do not ask for help. We only owe debts, I can care for myself. I'll find my way to the mountains eventually."

The shade stared at him, "that is how you got wrapped up in those tournaments right?"

The Drake snarled and false swiped at the Shade, claw inches from his nose, "You have no idea what I have been through fox."

The Shade stared at him, Shadow nervously sitting beside them, looked up at Beast Boy who padded closer, Raven stood nearby-but was unable to hear them since they spoke out loud. The Drake looked toward him as Beast Boy approached and sighed, "We sensed the danger here, but we are unable to return the way we came. But the curse doesn't seem as strong as it was before. It seems weaker."

The Shade nodded beside him, "everything seems weaker. Makes you wonder how long we have."

"Enough, we have a young one present." The Drake growled, giving a side glance toward Shadow who gazed at them both with uncertainty. Shadow opened the mind link between them all and repeated what they said to Raven who listened quietly. While doing so, the Drake and Shade stood and sprinted past them-suddenly realizing there was fresh water available and splashed into the pool, sinking their muzzles deep into the fresh water, taking large-long gulps.

"The curse is weakening." Raven repeated quietly, watching the Shade and Drake. She looked up at the entrance to the hide out, listening to the animals drink nearby. She turned toward them, "well, I best continue my work-I need to find a book here before dark to test out some spells."

Beast Boy watched her grab her bags and climb to the top. He looked back at the ones left, the Shade and Drake finally done filling themselves with fresh water. He cut a small smile, "Come one, let's follow her."

He transformed into himself again, the Drake and Shade staring at him with awe and little shadow padding behind him. They find it amusing that you can take many shapes...

Beast Boy laughed as they found themselves back in the library again. Raven felt something push him aside as he heard Shadow prick at his mind, I'll help you find the book!

He watched the pup turn the corner of a shelf full of books and disappear from sight, quickly on Raven's heels. Beast Boy picked his way through the back of the library, gazing at all the books. There seemed to be hundreds-no thousands of books strewn throughout the place.

A few minutes went by before a loud crash was behind him. Turning around he saw a few books scatted on the ground, a few large ones near his feet. Looking up he saw Shadow dangling from the top of the case and squeaked out in surprise as his claws sliced through the wood, losing his grip and falling toward the floor. Beast Boy quickly jumped forward and caught him, the pup almost taking him out from the force as they fell to the ground in huffs. A few more books fell around him and he quickly got to his feet, letting the pup to his paws and moved away from the flying debris, a sneeze inching in his throat from the dust.

"You ok?" came a voice nearby.

Beast Boy heard Raven from the edge of the bookcase, stepping out and glancing at all the books laying scattered on the floor around him. The pup lowered his ears and barked. He glanced up at Beast Boy I was only trying to help.

"It's ok little dude." From behind him he could hear the scrambling of paws and claws on the trap door until it was pushed open from the inside. Beast Boy looked behind him to see the other two creatures scamper in as Raven walked over toward Shadow. She gazed at the books scattered on the floor and reached out toward a dusty red cover. She flipped a few pages, her eyes gazing at the yellow and brown crisp paper. Her eyes widened, "This is it!"

The pup scampered to his paws and shock off the dust gathered on his fur and smiled, I knew I could find it, he gazed over toward Beast Boy, always trust your instincts! That's what mom told me.

Beast Boy blinked at him and watched as Raven began walking off, concentration written on her face, plain as day. She must have felt his eyes on her because she glanced up at him for a moment, but said nothing. The pain of their last exchange still fresh in their minds. She sighed and opened the book, flipping through a few pages in haste. She whispered something under her breath and a flash of blue appeared to her side and disappeared. She glanced at it and gave a halfhearted smile,
"they're right, the curse is weaker…each minute that passes by…"

She glanced at the pages again as Beast Boy got to his feet and gazed around him, hearing the quiet murmurs of his violet haired companion nearby.

"Stranger, look, look!"

Beast Boy looked to his left to where the Shade and Drake stood, staring curiously at the pup nearby. Shadow was chasing something bright that floated off the ground, it had a blue tint at first and when Beast Boy looked closer he realized they were an abundance of large bubbles, formed by smaller ones coming from cracks beneath the floor. He lifted his foot, watching a bubble form and stared as it floated up to his face, seeing a distorted picture of himself back at him.

There was a loud pop and Beast Boy glanced down to see Shadow sprawled on the floor, shaking his fur from the wetness. Then he leaped again, watching with surprise as he jumped onto a large bubble that held him stable, claws gripping the slick sides. Beast Boy laughed and watched him float about halfway up a bookcase before it popped and he fell, rolling on the floor. Beast Boy leaped forward and transformed into a beast himself, jumping on a bubble and feeling it burst beneath him, tickling his belly. He heard a huff and looked behind him to see the Drake backed up in the corner, fur raised, popping every bubble that came nearby with a hiss; the Shade jumping on the small ones, like a kitten would with a ball of yarn. He watched with amusement and suddenly saw his reflection, wiggling to and fro as a bubble as big as him lifted from above. He watched with wonder and heard Shadow cry out, "mine!"

Beast Boy felt a pressure as the pup leaped up on his back and jumped onto the bubble, cringing as he heard his claws scrape on the slick surface. He watched with a laugh as Shadow rose above the three beasts, Beast Boy following in his Night Dweller form and watched him rise above a bookcase. Beast Boy raced around and weaved between rows of bookcases, trying to keep eyes on him. The pup was well above the library of books, when he saw a look of terror on his face. Beast Boy didn't have time to react as a force more powerful than a gust of wind slammed into him. The changeling flew forward and crashed into the nearest bookcase and watched as books and bookcases tumbled around him, everything was loud, there was pain…then…nothing.

Beast Boy's ears rang as he tried to push himself back to his paws. Shaking, he transformed back to his human form and huffed with effort, trying to wiggle himself free from the books across his arms. Something heavy was on him…everything was dark. He blinked, trying to see and coughed from the effort. Then there was light, and voices, a few voices.

Beast Boy looked up to see arms reaching down and grabbing him. His ears rang as he got to his wobbly feet, he couldn't stand right now. No…his head hurt too much. Beast Boy shook his head and the voices became cleared and the images formed, he saw violet eyes and blinked the tears away from the pain that traveled up his back. Something was bruised. He felt his shirt twisted and realized he was still wearing the one Raven gave him earlier, brushed it down, the dust coming away and revealing the gray color.

"Beast Boy?"

Stranger!

Beast Boy shook his head again and raised his arm to rub his eyes, "what…what happened?"

He looked around to see Raven holding his arms steady so he didn't fall to the floor. She had a concerned look on her face. He saw little shadow on top of a few books in a pile nearby and the two other creatures stood a distance away, watching.

Raven shook her head, "I had no idea…the spells in here…are…more powerful than I expected. Beast Boy are you hurt?"

The green teen rubbed the back of his neck and stretched, smiling, "I know I need to hit the books, but you didn't need to do it for me literally."

Raven stared at him and sighed, recognizing his joking attitude, "Yeah, you're just fine. Next time…don't..." she paused in thought and sighed, "Don't leave my sight."

Beast Boy gave her a strange look, the last of the ringing finally disappearing. He smirked, "yes ma'am."

She sighed again and shook her head in acceptance and looked around the room, "I need a bigger area…" She paused and looked around then landed back on Beast Boy, "will you come with me?"

"What, so you can keep an eye on me?"

She looked at him, "so I know you're safe."

Beast Boy blinked, feeling warmth of her concern hit him but he brushed it aside as another question hit him. "So… where did those giant bubbles come from earlier?"

Raven looked at him confused, "Bubbles?"

"Yes, Shadow was on one, that is why I was distracted-before you know…knocked me out."

Raven cringed and then fell quiet in thought, "well...it may have been an effect with the spell-it most likely reacted with the water, turning it into a different more confined form. That is the basis of the spells in the book anyway." She paused, "the spell tester may have triggered on you too since you are a shape shifter, but I can't be certain" Beast boy glanced at the book in her hands, dark red with white lining.

Raven walked over a few piles of books and around a standing bookcase before sitting down letting a sigh escape her lips. Everything was still so confusing. Nothing seemed right, Beast Boy was right. Something was wrong. Could Xian be the problem? Has she been tricked? One of her hands traced through her hair. It has been years since she last saw her best friend. She could still see his smile as they raced around the village at night together when they were kids. Hand outstretched as they climbed buildings with only a jar of fire bugs attached to their hips.

She closed her eyes feeling heat sear at them. It was hard to tell. He…didn't seem to be lying. Nothing came off as a lie. She usually could feel those things. It felt too real. Too unfair to even contemplate.

There was only one way to find out. Go visit this "master" directly. She snorted in half amusement, realizing it did seem almost sci-fi like her teammate suggested. But she needed the information either way, whether it be lies or not. Her hands gripped the side of the book, knowing these powerful spells could potentially hurt her if not done right. She looked at the cover and let her hand graze over the top of it. This was her home, her first home. She isn't…no…she won't run away like last time.

I'm stronger now…than before.

Was that the truth? She thought of her father and the fight her and her teammates had between him to save her second home. Earth. She thought of the planet and regarded it of its beauty-how different it was from here. The people were different too. They haled her as if she was a hero. Here…she was a villain. Even so…I shouldn't give up. There are people here looking for hope…peace or something like that. Even if it means destroying everything and starting anew…

She sighed and realized how far she was from where she last saw Xian. She wondered if he knew how to get here… She shook her head, he was the one with the plan after all to find the spell book...

Xian stood nearby picking some berries off the bush and tossing one in his mouth. He looked at her from his peripheral vision as another berry was tossed in the air.

"You know…you should go after him." He said before catching the next berry referring to Beast Boy. She had explained to him what happened while he was absent.

Raven looked toward Xian in mild shock, "I thought you said he was useless."

He smirked, "Useless, he may be…but he is a friend after all, or is he not?"

Raven fell quiet as he continued, "if you were to so easily give up on friends, I wouldn't like to think of what you would do if I was in trouble."

Raven cringed at his harsh words then spoke, "I…I never really meant to NOT go after him… I just was giving him some time..."

"Time? Time for what? Time to contemplate how he may die?" Xian intervened, chewing on his next berry.

Raven looked up as he continued, "Raven, this place is dangerous, you know as well as I that he won't last more than a day on his own."

She was quiet then spoke, "...you don't give him enough credit."

Xian shrugged, "it's what I see."

"He's stronger than he puts out. Sure he's a little weird, and lazy sometimes. He doesn't seem like a hero right off the bat. More of a comic relief smashed in a ball of misfit teenagers."

She smirked and continued, "But you know…I'm starting to realize the more I'm stuck with him…that he is that stickiness that helps keep the team together."

"Oh?" Xian glanced over toward Raven.

"He supports our differences, doesn't judge. He's willing to put his life on the lie for any of us and most of all he's a friend. Someone to talk to when you feel alone. He has a kind heart under all those jokes…" She sighed, worry creeping up inside her. Perhaps he was in danger right now.

Xian laughed, "Raven…are you sure he isn't your secret love? I don't want any threesome going on in this relationship."

Raven's eyes widened in surprise, "are you joking?"

Xian's eyes fell halfway and he shook his head with a laugh, "go on and help him. He should be near the village where the people gather, go North West and you'll find him. While there, you should try searching for a book…" Xian dug into his pocket and handed Raven a piece of paper, scribbled with notes. Raven looked down at the paper and saw about four sentences. She began reading them out loud but Xian hushed her.

"That goes with the spell-it should come in handy if I'm not around. The spell along with that coding is in a book deep in the library-its name is: Red." He paused, "in it you should find the morphing spells. You know simple ones from dark magic I'm assuming. Well these are much more powerful. They are able to transform objects into more stabilized forms. Like a seal."

Raven felt his hand on her wrist and she looked up at his eyes, "you want me to seal him away?"

Xian nodded, "it must be cast tomorrow night during the blood moon."

"Why?" She questioned.

"Because that is when his power is weakened. But be warned…yours will weaken as well."

Raven looked at the paper, "so this is for…demons."

Xian gave her a sad look, "don't sound so glum. A half demon can be a hero too...you're not evil-you can perish that fear."

She sighed and she felt his arm across her shoulder, "I believe in you, I'll meet up with you later-the next time I get free tonight."

She looked up, "how will you find me?"

"Eh, I have my ways. Don't doubt me." He smirked and kissed her forehead before taking a few steps back.

"Go find your friend, I have to head back now-don't forget…Red…blood moon, got it?"

Raven nodded and watched Xian turn around she let her arm fall to her side and she felt the round lump of the rock next to her cool fingertips. She took it out and examined it for a moment.

"Xian!"

The blue haired individual turned around in curiosity than surprise as he watched a rock being thrown his way. He caught it and saw the familiar shape, he gave a half smile as she called out, "one day we'll escape to the stars…"

He looked up and showed off the rock in acknowledgment and turned back around, racing through the trees, "one day…"

"It seems that I have lost contact with Xian temporarily..." Raven sighed closing her book in frustration, unsure when she will see him next.

"I have no way of knowing which way to go. I may be wandering around aimlessly looking for this 'master'" She sat down rubbing her temples. She could hear Shadow and Beast Boy running in the back of the library searching through countless books, from what she could tell, they were trying to stack them as high as possible.

This is so frustrating. I wish I had an arrow…a sign to tell me where to go next. She dug her hand in her pocket inside her cape and crumpled the paper Xian had gave her, feeling the edges rake against her hand. Even more so, there was the new finding with her drawings. If Beast Boy was telling the truth and saw the same boy…what does that mean? Has time stopped? But everyone was moving around so freely. She saw a shape drift toward her and she let out a breath of exasperation.

There was a sharp sensation pricking at her mind, sounds like you have quite the puzzle on your hands.

Raven looked up to see the dark cat picking his way toward her.

Yes… she replied to the Drake.

The cat sat down tail wrapped in front of his paws, so…what's your story?

Mine? I like to think of it as an average story of a girl biting off too much she can chew.

The Drake stared at her. That I can understand.

Right

The drake shrugged his broad dark shoulders realizing she was not much for chit chat and replied curtly, you need to find something and so do I.

Raven looked up from the book at the Drake, What do you mean?

My family was last seen in the mountains…if you help me reach them then I will show you where the master resides.

Ravens eyes widened, then looked down, I have to reach him by tomorrow night.

The Drake looked at her with confusion, that's when a loud bang suddenly hit their ears and another large bookcase fell, the Drake and Raven both had to close their eyes to avoid the dust getting in their eyes.

"Beast Boy!" Raven yelled seeing the guilty teen standing on the other side with large eyes, "I've already destroyed half this place, I don't need your help doing it too!"

Beast Boy peeked shyly over the book case, Shadow ducking down at Raven's hard stare.

"Eh…heh, sorry I didn't want you feeling left out."

Raven sighed and closed the book and decided it was best to head back out where there was more room and less of a chance of destroying anything important.

Beast Boy watched as she turned around, pushing books away with her hands, dust rising in every spot. Beast Boy looked over toward Shadow who watched Raven climb over the pile of books back toward the outside. The pup turned to him and pounced on a few books himself, sliding over toward Beast Boy in free style. He smiled as the pup neared, I flew pretty high when I was on that bubble stranger.

I remember

The pup gazed back at Raven who was a few feet away now and the both began walking forward, he saw a book that lay not too far away that read, "fire spells" Beast Boy picked it up and stared at the title for a moment before spotting the backpack Raven left off in the side. As he climbed toward it he felt his mind prick you should have saw her face.

Beast Boy glanced at the pup who was scampering over the books, what do you mean?

When I told her you were hit, she completely freaked out

Freaked out?

Yeah, like I thought she was going to destroy the rest of the building to get to you. I was freaked… so I sort of stayed back.

Beast Boy looked up to see Raven staring at another book that lay scattered on the ground farther up as he reached the backpack and slipped in the book-feeling it was interesting. Picking up the pack he glanced at the pup, cringing in pain from his aching muscles and mulled on what he said, I'm sure it's because Robin would kill her

Who's Robin?

Oh, just the our leader

You have a pack leader?

You can say that, he's bossy enough.

Shadow gave it some thought as he scampered over some books then made a face, I would never want to be leader.

You and me both kid. Beast Boy smirked, too much responsibility for my liking. I'd rather run free and not be stuck worrying about everyone else.

Now you're speaking my language Stranger

As he neared Raven she was looking at another book, the one she held earlier tucked under her arm. She gazed up as he neared and he held out the bag for her. She stared at him and took it without any words. Nodding she put down the book with a sigh and replied, "I wonder if I'll ever see this place again. There are so many books, so many mysteries I don't know about…mysteries that may lie here."

Beast Boy looked around and shrugged, "I sure you will once this is all over."

She looked at him with confusion, "you sound confident."

He smirked then shrugged, "sometimes you have to be, if you want to win the battle… even if you have to fake the confidence."

She glanced at him as he turned around back to Shadow and to see where the Shade and Drake ran off to. He noticed they were nearby a window, the sun was dropping low again, why does it seem the days run so quick? It was if the sun sets hours earlier than the one back on earth. He stared at the dimming light and as if he heard the question Shadow piped up, staring at the window himself, his dark fur casted a burned orange as if his fur was on fire itself.

My momma told me this is the dark planet. The sun sets much faster than a single smaller moon. The moon stays to play longer because we howl to it; sing to it.

There was a breeze and Beast Boy watched Raven walk past, opening the side door back outside and the sun settled on her cloak, casting her a dim orange, like a candle against violet glass. He watched her take a few steps before following her out, then glanced back at Shadow, who scampered after them and paused to look up at Beast boy once they were back outside.

We don't sing with the sun. So it doesn't like to stay very long.

Beast Boy stood outside, feeling the sun lick at him skin, listening and smiling at the pup's reasoning, perhaps you should sing to the sun.

The pup looked back at him and smiled, maybe we should!

Suddenly there was a sharp yip of excitement and he watched Shadow race on top of a stone and sit back, suddenly he began howling to the sky. Raven looked toward him as he howled, and heard the scamper of claws as the Shade and Drake paused nearby, staring at the pup with ears folded back in agitation.

"What is he doing?" Raven demanded, looking toward Beast Boy for answers.

Beast Boy smiled and shrugged, "Singing for the sun."

She stared at him and then at the pup who fell silent and wagged his twin tails, fangs poked on either side, "I'll never understand…" she mumbled.

I promise I haven't forgotten. I'm in the middle of no where for a few months, I have time to write now. I just need to push through it. :)

Mai