Different

Chapter Sixteen

Within two seconds in hyper drive mode we made it to the bridge. There were cars locked between each other, and sirens were going off in every direction. The cement was cracked as though a massive earthquake had struck. Rage was hovering in the middle of the destruction. Her four eyes were gleaming blood red as she laughed at the chaos she had created.

"How much time will you need?" Robin asked, a grim look reflecting the emotions of the rest of the team.

"By my estimation, approximately 10 minutes and 3.4537 seconds." Knowledge answered.

"We'll get you more than that," Cyborg fist bumped her.

"Titans, GO!"

The group disbanded. The emoticlones stayed well hidden so as to not give away our plan. Rage was positioned high above the wreckage, smoke swirled around her. Starfire flew Robin to the top of the bridge; Beast Boy took a lesson from them and morphed into a pterodactyl. He flew a short distance up, screeching at me to grab his ankles. I obliged, and soon we were airborne. Cyborg monitored the citizens from below, checking vitals and helping them evacuate.

Beast Boy slowed down when we reached the top of the bridge. I released his ankles and landed on the tip perfectly.

"Rage!" I called.

The red cloaked girl twisted around. She snarled the minute she recognized me.

"Rage shall consume you!" She roared.

"You don't control me anymore!" I growled back.

The emoticlones flew around me and began circling. They started flying so fast, it looked like I was surrounded by a rainbow ring.

My emoticlones rejoined my body, sending a surge of energy throughout my body. I felt my powers returning. I hadn't realized how empty I had felt without them.

Through the joyous reunion, I managed to make out Rage in the distance. First she looked confused. Then she was shocked. Finally her face regained its usual horrifying hatred.

"I will not go back!" She shouted.

She conjured up a source of red, lightning-like energy. She prepared to launch it's power at us, but before she could completely gain control of the monstrous power, Beast Boy transformed into a green octopus and wrapped his eight legs around her. He prevented an intense impact with the ground by morphing in a condor. His clawed feet held her up while he used his powerful wings to keep them up. As they we're about to hit the ground, he returned to his human state and shifted himself below her to break the fall.

"Don't touch me!" She shouted. She pushed herself off of her and rose to her feet. An energy as black as night sent him airborne across the bridge. His shoulder collided with the pillar. The loud crash of impact was followed by a yelp of pain. Rage hesitated. Her four blood thirsty eyes closed the second she heard the crack. Once they reopened, her eyes resembled mine.

"Garfield!" She cried out, rushing to his side.

She knelt by his side, her hands lightly touching him to find where the broken bone was.

"Don't..." Beast Boy groaned.

'Even he is afraid of us,' she telepathically communicated to me. She sounded heartbroken. I hadn't realized Rage was capable of such emotion until I heard the sorrow in her voice.

Starfire brought me down to the ground. I joined Rage at Beast Boy's side.

"Don't cry," he finished.

He looked up at her smiling through the pain we both knew he was feeling.

"Aren't you afraid?" She asked.

"I could never be afraid of you." He murmured. He must have hit his head pretty hard, too, because he kept on speaking even though I could tell it was difficult to keep his voice audible.

"You and Raven...you are a package deal. I love her, and that means accepting everything...and everyone that comes with her."

"You promise you don't hate me? I...I hurt you...I'm a horrible person."

"I could never hate you." He smiled.

"Besides, if Raven could accept me after I kidnapped her...in full on Beast form...I think I can forgive you for a little broken arm." He joked.

Rage looked up at me, her eyes full of remorse.

"I'm ready..." she whispered.