Chapter 16 - Guilt
The next morning, Rachel walks out of her room to talk to Dick about last night.
Dick: How is he?
Rachel: Stressed. I can feel he's going to be depressed soon, too.
Dick: I've explained it the best I can to the police. He didn't kill anyone.
Rachel: That doesn't stop how guilty he feels for it. He's like a completely different person.
Dick: Can I talk to him?
Rachel: Yeah.
She steps aside to let Dick walk through into her room. Sam was seen lying away from his face in bed, facing the window to catch the sunrise outside.
Dick: Sam?
He had no response, which isn't normal for him. Who would after that?
Dick: Sam. I know you're listening. Last night... It wasn't your fault.
Sam: That's not what it felt like.
Dick: You gave him a choice. You weren't planning on killing him, right?
Sam: No...
Dick: I saw what happened, Sam. You can't live like this, and you know that.
Sam: I don't... I want to figure this out just as much as you do. I just... don't know how...
Dick: You have us, Sam. Your girl is out there, waiting for you. DO you want to talk to her more?
Sam: Yeah. I wouldn't mind that.
He slowly, but finally, gets up out of his bed and walks out of the room to see his girlfriend.
Sam: Hey...
Rachel: We don't have to talk about it if--
Sam: I do. I just... It's a lot to take in...
Rachel: I'm here for you, Sam. Take your time.
Sam: I wish he hadn't done that... It was jas if everything I had worked for was wasted in an instant.
Rachel: You didn't waste anything. Please try to understand.
She gives him a big hug, holding him together before he breaks apart. He hugs her back tightly, his strength evident.
Sam: Thank you.
Rachel: It's gonna be alright...
Dick: We're here for you, Sam. You're gonna get through this. You wanna hear some good news?
Sam: Depends on your definition of it.
Dick: The cops discovered remains of oil on Deathstroke's armor. There is a chance he was at the old oil rig on the outskirts of the city before he ambushed us.
Sam: Why would he go there?
Dick: It's abandoned. And Cyborg hasn't scanned that area of the surrounding country since we had to go to Gotham for a few days.
Sam: So... could Black Mask be there?
Dick: It's possible. But we can't go right away, not after last night. I'm gonna hold training for the Titans later today instead. It's up to you if you feel comfortable attending.
Sam: Sure... I'll be there.
Dick: If you're sure. I'll see you later. Get some rest, Sam.
He then pats Sam on the back before walking down to the lounge to talk to Kori.
Rachel: Are you sure you want to train?
Sam: Yeah. I can manage.
Rachel: I need to handle something for a little bit. Are you gonna be okay until then?
Sam: I'll be... alright.
Rachel: Okay. I'll see you later.
She makes sure he gets to his room before returning to her room to meditate. She's been feeling something different with her Father in the crystal. As she meditates, a voice echoes from the gem to her mind.
Trigon: My, my. You are just unpredictable, dear daughter.
Raven: You'll never break out, Father.
Trigon: I must say, I underestimated your lover boy. He's pretty wise for one so young.
Raven: If you even touch him---
Trigon: Please, daughter. You cannot deny your purpose. You are bound to be the destruction of the world.
Raven: I've heard enough from you!
Trigon: Once I break free, I'll make sure he's the first to die by my hand—all as you watch.
Raven: Enough!
She shuts him down by sealing the void between her and him. She opens her eyes back up to see that she was still in her room, haunted by her father's words of promise.
Later on, it was time for the training session to start. Sam suited up and made his way downstairs to the training room. He noticed Raven was already there, leaning in the corner.
Demi: Hey, Rae.
Raven: Hey...
Demi: You alright?
Raven: I'm fine.
Demi: You don't... sound fine.
Raven was silent in response. It's become hard for her to hide her feelings from him.
Raven: I'll... tell you later, okay?
Demi: Okay...
Everyone else arrived in time for training. Raven noticed something was different about Beast Boy. He was acting irritated towards something.
Nightwing: Okay, team. Today is a sparring session. I'll be assigning two of you to face off against each other. Keep your skill levels to a minimum, please. Going first will be Demi and Blue Beetle.
Beetle: Alright! Let's do this!
Demi: Whatever you say.
They both stepped up onto opposite ends of the platform.
Announcer: 3... 2... 1... Go!
Beetle quickly flew up into the air and fired a few shots at Demi, who managed to deflect and dodge some. They then engaged in combat.
BB: Are you crazy?
Beast Boy snuck up behind Raven to talk to her, but she already felt his presence.
Raven: What are you talking about?
Beast Boy: You're dating a killer, Rae.
Raven: Don't call him that. He's not. You know what happened.
Beast Boy: And what if it happens again?
Raven: Enough, Garfield. I don't want to hear you right now.
He then walked off, feeling even more irritated at her. Eventually, the spar ended with Demi victorious over Beetle.
Beetle: Damn... you got me on that sweep. How'd you do that?
Demi: I look for the openings. Batman showed me how.
Beetle: Lucky...
They both walked off the platform back down to where everyone else was watching.
Nightwing: Okay. Up next will be Cyborg and Starfire.
One after another, Titans were paired up to spar. That was spar until it came down to two.
Nightwing: Lastly, we'll have Demi and Beast Boy.
Those words shook Raven. After hearing BB's insult and Demi's traumatizing experience last night, this could go downhill fast.
They both stepped onto the platform, Demi's expression almost blank, but Beast Boy's filled with anger.
Nightwing: Best of luck to you guys!
Announcer: 3... 2... 1... Go!
Beast Boy quickly turned into a cheetah to charge and leap at Demi, only for him to dodge. He eventually managed to pin down Beast Boy with his boot on his chest. However, this only infuriated Beast Boy even more, as he transformed into a gorilla, grabbed his leg, and threw him into the wall.
Demi: Ow... really?
BeastBoy wasted no time, lunged onto the wall, and began repeatedly punching him in the face.
Nightwing: That's enough!
Beast Boy would not listen. He just kept punching him, grunting in rage.
Raven: Garfield, stop!
He was about to deliver a final smash to Demi's chest, but was kicked in the chin by Demi, knocking him back.
Demi: Stop...
Beast Boy: You're done!
Blood dripping down his mouth, Demi picks up his sword and cracks his neck. Beast Boy transforms into a dragon and breathes a fireball out of his mouth, aiming right at Demi. But to everyone's surprise, his blade cuts right through it.
Beast Boy immediately flew up, transformed into a lion, and charged down to crush Demi. He quickly side-stepped before Beast Boy landed and delivered another furious kick, sending him up before grappling his leg and pulling him to the ground.
Demi once again leaped onto him, the edge of his sword to his throat. He stood there for a moment before slowly stepping off him, feeling even more guilty. Beast Boy's expression of anger was quickly changed to fear in that moment.
Demi: I... I'm sorry...
Beast Boy stood up and stormed out the door, passing through all the other Titans, in shock at the event that had just taken place. Demi became shaken up again before dropping his sword and falling back to the ground, crying. Raven quickly flew up and held him close before he cried out even more.
Raven: It's okay... Let it out...