Teen Titans: Saurian Surprise

Chapter Four

Emotions Abound

Towering book shelves loomed far above and beyond the sight of all who entered, dozens of computers rest on stands awaiting use from either their caretaker or any who wished to seek information, and countless piles of books lay stacked on the floor in various piles ranging from a few feet to that of a skyscraper in height. This realm belonged to the emotion Knowledge. The yellow cloaked duplicate of Raven was seated at her lone desk, reading in content silence, stopping only to adjust her glasses or to turn a page.

She was just about to turn the page when the sound of footsteps caught her attention, followed by three sets of shadows cascading on to her desk. Knowledge immediately lifted her gaze, pushing up her glasses as she focused on the forms of none other than her two fellow emotions, Affection and Timid, and a curious saurian that was intently watching her with fiery ember-hued eyes. Releasing a friendly cry, Godzilla Junior swings his long tail and accidentally knocks over a towering stack of novels, sending them crashing to the marble flooring of the library-like realm.

"Hello, Knowledge.", Affection said, warmly greeting her fellow emotion.

"Affection, Timid. I've been expecting your arrival.", Knowledge said, acknowledging their greeting and presence as she slowly rose out of her chair, walked around her desk and approached the two emotions and the saurian.

"I assume this is our theropod guest?", Knowledge remarks in inquiry.

"Yes.", Affection confirmed with a gentle smile and a slight nod.

"Interesting. Truly fascinating, if I'm quite honest with myself.", Knowledge mused, proceeding to advance towards the saurian until only a diminutive gap of space was left between them.

Knowledge takes this chance to further examine the dinosaur, taking in all the details of its unique appearance. She was certain that she had seen this creature before, or at least knew of the classification of the theropod. Then, once she recognized the three rows of silver dorsal spikes, it hit Knowledge like a bolt of lightning. She couldn't believe that she didn't realize it sooner. The creature was similar to its father, possessing nearly all the physical traits of... Godzilla.

This was indeed a startling revelation, as Knowledge knew how dangerous it was to unintentionally take in the offspring of the largest, most powerful, and fearsome being on the entire planet. But at the same time, she wondered if the infant saurian wasn't abandoned by its parent. The Godzillasaur was only a couple of months old, so there was simply no possible way for it to survive in the world alone. It made for quite a dilemma, one that Knowledge would have to address to Raven directly. Knowledge was soon disrupted from her thoughts by Godzilla Junior, whom initiated his token of affection by giving the insightful emotion a lick across the right side of her face with his tongue, leaving a trail of saliva in his wake.

"He's very friendly.", Timid stated in a low voice, a small smile forming on her delicate features.

"Quite. Now, tell me, why did you both decide to come to my realm?", Knowledge responds in inquiry, taking off her glasses and using her cloak to wipe off the saliva before placing them back on her face.

"This innocent creature entered my realm. He most likely came here by accident. I couldn't turn him away, my heart wouldn't allow it. I noticed how affectionate this creature was towards Raven, despite her attempts to distance herself from him and discourage him. It reminded me of how she treated someone else, someone that she loves... someone who we all love dearly. That's why I brought him here. I was hoping that you could summon the others here to meet our newest friend, so that they could receive the compassion, friendship and affection that this creature has to offer.", Affection answered truthfully, making sure to explain the situation to her fellow emotion.

"Very well. I will summon the others. But I must also contact Raven. She will no doubt be concerned on the whereabouts of our saurian friend. And I must also divulge some important information to her regarding the identity of this creature.", Knowledge states, her hands glowing with ebony power as she summoned forth a portal to one of her fellow emotions' realms.

From out of the first of many portals appeared an emotion wearing a pink hooded cloak. A joyful smile was spread across her face, one that was without sadness or grief, anger or rage. She is Happy, the most cheerful and excitable of all of Raven's emotions. Being the fun-loving and care-free emotion that she is, she made her presence known by unleashing her usual fit of giggling laughter as she raced around the room making airplane-like sounds.

"Woo-hoo! Yeah! Hiya, Knowledge! What's up?", Happy greets, coming to a stop right in front of the yellow-clad emotion for the time being.

"Greetings, Happy. You've been summoned to meet our guest.", Knowledge informed in reply.

"Is it Beast Boy? I've been begging Raven for months to let him visit!", Happy asks, eager with anticipation and even more excited about the thought of having some fun with the green changeling.

"No, but it should be most entertaining for you nonetheless.", Knowledge replied evenly, gesturing her right hand towards Timid, Affection and Godzilla Jr.

"Ooh, a dinosaur! Hi, Affection! Hiya, Timid!", Happy greeted, receiving a shy wave from Timid while Affection gives her a verbal response.

"Hello, Happy. I'm glad that you could join us.", Affection said, her voice as gentle and soothing as a summer breeze.

"You know me. I wouldn't miss a chance to hang out with you guys... or anyone, for that matter!", Happy chuckled, walking past Affection and Timid as she made her way towards Junior.

"So... who's this cutie?", Happy asks, smiling up at the saurian.

"The creature's name, or at least the one they've given him thus far, is 'Junior'.", Knowledge informed, pushing her glasses up her face once again.

"Junior? Hm... I like it!", Happy giggled.

Taking the initiative in establishing a bond of friendship, Junior proceeded to gently lick Happy's face with his long tongue, his kisses causing the cheerful emotion to burst out in friendly laughter. Hugging the dinosaur's head, Happy giggled as she gently pet the creature, causing Junior to release a low rumbling purr. He was enjoying the attention, as was Happy who relished in having someone other than her fellow emotions to comfort and spend time with.

"Aw! He's so sweet and adorable! I love him! Can we keep him?", Happy asks, her gushing voice sounding almost like a plea from an excited child who was begging her parents for a pet.

"Happy, why do you insist on asking questions to which you already know the answers to? We couldn't possibly keep him here with us forever.", Knowledge deadpanned.

"Aw! Why not?", Happy pouted, giving her best puppy eyes display as her lower lip trembled ever so slightly.

Knowledge was about to give Happy a very detailed explanation as to why the Godzillasaur couldn't stay when another portal manifested itself in her realm. Out of the portal steps an orange cloaked emotion who was currently holding a piece of pizza in her right hand. This emotion was known as Rude, the crudest and one of the most trifling of all of Raven's emotions.

"Yo! Knowledge! Why did you bring me here to this dump, eh?", Rude demanded, releasing a loud burp shortly afterwards.

"You were summoned because...", Knowledge began to speak only to be interrupted.

"Yeah, whatever. Don't care. Whoa!", Rude scoffed, her attention soon averting to the Godzillasaur that Happy, Timid and Affection were around, making her advance towards the creature as her curiosity became intrigued.

"Where did the dinosaur come from? That ain't Beast Boy, is it?", Rude inquired, looking back at Knowledge for confirmation and leaving her slice of pizza unprotected.

"Hey!", Rude hollered as the piece of pizza was snatched out of her hand by Junior, who proceeds to devour it in one swift motion.

"You ate my last piece of pizza, ya filthy lizard!", Rude yelled at the top of her lungs, glaring angrily at the Godzillasaur.

"Oh, be nice for once, Rude. He's just hungry. Besides, you should watch your figure. Don't want you developing any love-handles, now, would we?", Happy laughs, poking Rude in the hips with the index finger of her right hand.

Before Rude could muster up a snarky retort against Happy, another portal appears and out steps the emotion wearing a dark green hooded cloak. She is known by the other emotions as Brave. And being the competitive emotion that she is, Brave was always looking for a little fun in form of combat or sports. Fearless and bold, Brave would challenge anyone or anything, including dinosaurs if one were to appear in her realm... or any of the other emotions' realms, for that matter.

"What's up everybody?", Brave calls out, racing up to her fellow emotions only to come to an abrupt halt once she realized that there was a saurian creature present.

"Cool! Did you guys bring the dinosaur here for me to fight? I could use a good challenge!", Brave said in her usual eager and competitive tone, jumping around as she made some quick jabs at the air.

"I'm afraid that you will find no such challenge from this placid creature, Brave, and I certainly wouldn't recommend antagonizing him, either.", Knowledge stated matter of factually.

"Ah, heck! And here I thought I'd be able to have some fun.", Brave grumbled, kicking over a stack of books in an attempt to ease her disappointment.

"Don't be disappointed, Brave. I mean, how can you be with something as cute as him?", Happy said, smiling as she rested her cheek against Junior's face.

"I guess.", Brave mumbled, not paying any attention as Rude stuck out her foot to trip the green cloaked emotion, causing her to fall towards the marble flooring.

However, Brave was saved from her crash landing by Godzilla Jr., who raced forward to halt her descent by using his large skull to cease her fall. Brave arms encircled the saurian's head that kept her body propped up, preventing her from falling, allowing her to soon regain her footing on the marble flooring. Thankful for the assist, Brave gently embraced Junior's head in her arms, resting her forehead against his scaly flesh for a few moments before taking a step back.

"Thanks for the save, tough guy.", Brave said with a grateful smile, receiving an affectionate lick from the Godzillasaur.

"Now, don't get all mushy on me.", Brave groaned only to get nuzzled by Junior.

"Okay, just this once.", Brave caved, gently embracing the saurian's head in her arms.

Suddenly, a portal appears, surprising even Knowledge who could swear that she did not send for anyone else. It was then that a red cloaked emotion stepped out from the portal. It was Rage, the most unpredictable and fearsome of all of Raven's emotions. Despite having been freed from Trigon's influence, once Raven defeated him, Rage was still very aggressive and temperamental when she was around the other emotions.

She often took a sadistic joy out of scaring Timid, not to mention getting into brawls with Brave, attempting to upset Happy by playing cruel pranks on her, knocking over Knowledge's towers of books, and insulting Rude which would usually lead to verbal showdowns. The only one that Rage seemed to avoid was Affection. Whatever reason it is, only Rage knew... but she clearly would never speak of it, even when questioned by Knowledge. The red emotion walked towards Knowledge, not even acknowledging the presence of the other emotions or Junior as they looked on.

"Knowledge, is the novel that I desire available yet?", Rage demanded, her two glowing, crimson-hued eyes staring into the glasses of her fellow intellectual emotion.

"Unfortunately, no, it is still out on loan to another, Rage.", Knowledge answered calmly, adjusting her glasses once again.

"Then tell me which one of them has it!", Rage snarls, grabbing two fistfuls of Knowledge's clothing and getting right in her face, nose-to-nose as they stared into one another's eyes.

"You know that I cannot divulge such information. Besides, what is it that you want with this particular novel?", Knowledge replied before making an inquiry to the angry emotion.

"It can help me find the answers that I seek.", Rage stated reluctantly, releasing her grip on Knowledge.

"And what answers would it be that you seek?", Knowledge questions, arching an inquisitive eyebrow.

"That is none of your concern, you pathetic, intellectual egotist!", Rage snarled in insult, her teeth bared in fury.

Skreeeeeeonk!

Upon hearing this sound, Rage slowly turns in the direction that the cry originated, her glowing eyes fixating on Godzilla Junior and Brave, Timid, Affection, Happy and Rude standing amongst the saurian. It was a sight that made Rage's blood boil, her hand clenching tightly into fists. How did that creature get here? Who was responsible for this? In Rage's mind, she came to only one conclusion: Beast Boy.

"What is that... creature doing here?!", Rage hissed, pointing at Junior as she glared directly at her intellectual emotion counterpart.

"He's our guest. So, please, refrain yourself from causing him any bodily harm. It would not be wise, considering the young theropod's species and parentage.", Knowledge informed.

"Guest? Guest?! It's an intruder! It doesn't belong here!", Rage shouts, her eyes glowing an eerie red in response to her temper.

Just as Rage turned away from Knowledge, she immediately came face-to-face with Junior. Startled, Rage took a step back only for the saurian to give her a long, messy lick across her face with his tongue. Growling out in a mixture of disgust and outrage, Rage nearly claws the her face in an attempt to remove the dinosaur's saliva. She doesn't get much respite from her ordeal as Junior proceeds to affectionately nuzzle her face with his muzzle, his signature rumbling growl-like purr echoing in his throat.

"Get away from me, beast!", Rage hissed, giving the saurian a push only from him to redouble his efforts in order to gain her attention.

"Leave me alone!", Rage ordered harshly as she pushed the saurian creature's head away aggressively before turning and marching towards Knowledge who was now seated back at her desk reading a novel that contained every species of theropod dinosaurs ever known to exist.

She would not get far, for no sooner than did she manage to walk a few feet away did Rage find herself suddenly jerked off her feet, as if her cloak had been pulled by something. Crashing to the marble flooring on her rear, Rage spins her head around to discover the being responsible for snagging her cloak and causing her fall to the floor. She discovered it to be the Junior who had captured her cloak and tugged her with enough force to send Rage crashing to the marble flooring, the very cloak of the red emotion currently within the saurian's toothy maw as his tail swished back and forth in a playful manner.

That was it! She would no longer tolerate this! She would teach this beast a lesson, one that would serve as a message to all who dared to enrage her. She is Rage, the embodiment of malice, hatred, and anger! And she would prove it to all before her! Ripping her cloak free from the Godzillasaur's mouth, Rage stands back up to her feet and summons dark crimson energies to her fists.

"You want my attention? Well, now you have it! Prepare to suffer, you wretched creature!", Rage growled, the crimson-hued mystical energies powering up for an assault on Junior.

"No!", Timid exclaims, rushing forward and placing herself in front of Junior in order to shield him from Rage.

"You dare protect that thing from me?!", Rage screamed, narrowing her eyes at the gray cloaked emotion.

"I-I w-won't let y-you h-hurt him!", Timid stuttered in proclamation, trembling yet refusing to back down.

Timid's unexpected actions completely shocked Knowledge, Affection, Happy, Rude and Brave. Never before have any of them witnessed Timid standing up to Rage, knowing all too well that she was deathly terrified of the crimson cloaked emotion. It would also seem that, at least for a brief moment, Rage was surprised by Timid taking a stance against her in order to protect Godzilla Junior from her wrath. It didn't last.

"Oh, is that so? What are going to do, you mewling little coward?", Rage retorts, a sinister grin etching its way across her features as she slowly, menacingly advanced.

"D-Don't come a-any c-closer! I-I m-mean it!", Timid warned, raising her right hand towards Rage as it became encased in mystical ebony energy.

"A warning? How amusing.", Rage chuckled darkly, getting ready to attack only for a certain green-clad emotion to take a stance beside Timid.

"Back off, Rage!", Brave thundered, ready and more than willing to get into an altercation with her wrathful counterpart.

"Why don't you pick on someone your own size?", Happy added, taking her stance beside Brave, her hands resting on her hips.

"Yeah, ya raging jerk!", Rude shouted, crossing her arms over her chest in defiance.

"Step aside! All of you!", Rage demanded, shouting at the top of her lungs as she glared at the assembled emotions.

"You will not harm this gentle creature, Rage. Nor do I believe that you truly wish to inflict harm on him.", Affection stated, her tone indicating that she knew something about Rage, something that none of the others did.

"And why do you dare think of such a notion?", Rage inquired, glaring daggers at the compassionate emotion.

"Can you really hate one of the few beings in this world that cares about you? Could you really harm one who loves and accepts you?", Affection answers with a compassionate smile, reaching up to gently caress Junior's scaly head.

"I do not want or need the love and acceptance of anyone!", Rage bellowed, her fists shaking with fury.

"Then, tell me, why do you want this novel, a novel that is solely focused on Beast Boy? Why does he intrigue you so? What is it that you wish to know about him?", Affection questions with mischievous smile, reaching within her cloak and pulling out a familiar green novel.

"You told her?!", Rage snarled, turning back to glare accusingly at Knowledge who remained seated at her desk.

"I told you that I couldn't divulge the information of who it was that possessed the novel. However, I didn't say that I wouldn't tell the one who had it that you were seeking it.", Knowledge responds, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"How dare you?!", Rage screamed, almost tempted to leap over and strangle Knowledge with her bare hands.

"You can't hate him, can you?", Affection asks, her inquiry immediately causing Rage to twirl around and glower at her menacingly.

"Shut up!", Rage yells, wanting to disengage herself from this conversation for reasons that only Affection seemed to have an inkling of.

"You can't hate him... because, no matter what you tell yourself, no matter how much you deny it, you love him just as much as any of us do.", Affection said, smiling kindly at her polar opposite.

"I don't... love...", Rage growled, averting her gaze away from Affection and the other emotions.

"Then prove me, prove all of us, wrong by telling us that you don't love Beast Boy.", Affection challenged, smiling confidently as she awaited a response from the unpredictable emotion.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of silence, Rage falls down to her knees, her hands tightly clutching her skull in despair and utter frustration. She couldn't face her fellow emotions, her hood keeping her expression hidden from them. She hated nearly everything, except Beast Boy was... different. She couldn't explain it, let alone understand what it was about the green changeling that made her feel so disarmed, lost, and uncertain. And yet, at the same time, he intrigued her.

He was the only one that didn't view Raven as a freak, the only one who could possibly see her as anything more than a raging monster. He was gentle, caring, courageous, sweet, and humorous... sometimes. All these things and more Rage would normally despise in anything or anyone else, but when these qualities were applied to Beast Boy... she found them endearing to her, even if she would never admit it. It was all so exasperating and unbelievable. How was it possible for him, Beast Boy, to affect her like this?

She was disrupted by her thoughts by Godzilla Junior, who leaned down to gently and affectionately nuzzle her face in an attempt to sooth her. Despite herself, Rage reaches up with her right hand to gently caress the saurian's lower jaw, gazing into the Godzillasaur's fiery ember eyes as she did. It was then that she spoke, her tone lacking the anger and malice that it would normally possess.

"You're just like him. You're always there... wanting to include me in on everything, wanting my attention, wanting to see me smile... always trying to comfort me, always trying to make me feel accepted... always caring about me and treating me as something other than a monster.", Rage muttered in confession, her low voice just loud enough that only Junior, and a certain emotion, could hear.

"Go away. Please... leave me alone. I don't want to hurt you... or him.", Rage whispered, rising to her feet and turning to walk away.

Godzilla Junior attempts to pursue Rage, wanting to comfort her, but was stopped dead in his tracks by Affection who stepped in the halt the saurian. She knew what Rage needed, and despite the fact that Junior's intentions meant well, it was best for him to give the wrathful, distressed emotion some space. Only time would tell if Rage would come to acknowledge and accept what she felt in regards to Garfield Logan.

"No, Junior. For now, you must leave her alone. She needs time to think... time to accept what she's experiencing, time to accept the feelings she has been denying for so long.", Affection told the saurian, causing Junior to release a low cry of disappointment.

Skreeonk!

"Shh... it's okay. We're here. Everything will be all right.", Timid said in a gentle tone of voice as she caressed Junior's muzzle.

Despite the attention and the comfort provided by the other emotions, Godzilla Junior couldn't tear his gaze away from Rage just yet, looking on as Rage rested herself against the wall that stood a dozen feet away from where Knowledge's desk was situated. He could sense her sorrow, anguish, self-loathing, and loneliness. If only there was something he could do to help Rage, some way to make her feel better. If only...

Titans Tower

The Roof

Peace, quiet, and solitude. Three things that Raven demanded and often enjoyed, especially when she was either reading or meditating. It was quite often that she'd retreat to the rooftop in order to escape the noise caused by her teammates various activities. And though she wouldn't admit it to anyone, she did enjoy watching the sun set slowly over the horizon. She inhaled a relaxing breath of fresh air before exhaling it out gently through her nostrils, remaining suspended in the air in her usual meditating pose with her legs crossed.

It would not last, that much she was certain of. It would only be a matter of time before her friends, or Junior, came looking for her. Her wait wasn't a long one, for no sooner did the thought occur to her did her three friends appear on the roof. She was surprised that the saurian wasn't with them, but then perhaps it was in sleeping in Starfire's room or lounging about in the common room. However, if she were to judge the apparent look of distress on Starfire's face, it would appear that something was wrong.

"Beast Boy, Starfire, Cyborg. What a pleasant surprise.", Raven remarks in a somewhat sarcastic tone of voice, uncrossing her legs and setting herself down on the ground.

"Friend Raven, have you seen Junior?", Starfire asked, landing right in front of the dark sorceress.

"Not since earlier. Why do you ask?", Raven replied in her usual monotone.

"Star can't seem to find him. And we, uh, thought he'd be up here.", Cyborg stated, shrugging his shoulders ever so slightly.

"I am most worried! What if something horrible has happened to him?", Starfire said in a sorrowful tone of voice, keeping her hands tightly clasped together as her sparkling green eyes began to water.

"Don't worry, Star. We'll find him. Right, Cy?", Beast Boy assured, resting a gentle hand on the female Tamaranian's shoulder before glancing at his cybernetic friend for support.

"Right, BB.", Cyborg agreed, knowing it was best not to worry Starfire any further than she currently is.

"Yeah. Let me know how it all works out.", Raven said in complete indifference to the whole situation, beginning to walk away from her three teammates only for a certain green changeling to block her path.

"You know, Raven, since he's, like, not up here with you... maybe you could come along and help us find him?", Beast Boy offered in suggestion, smiling awkwardly at the gothic empath.

Raven was about to respond to Beast Boy when, quite suddenly, she heard the voice of one of her emotions speaking directly to her through their psychic link. This wouldn't be the first time she'd been contacted or communicated with her emotions in this manner, though she was often reluctant to engage in conversations with her emotions at all. Sometimes it would be a couple of emotions, or just a single emotion wanting to speak with her and be acknowledged. It usually depended on the situation. Nonetheless, Raven was surprised that it was Knowledge who contacted her through their shared emotional connection.

I'm sorry to disturb you, Raven, but there is an important matter that needs to be addressed.

Can't this wait until later?

No, I'm afraid that it cannot.

*Sigh* Fine! What is it, Knowledge?

It was then that Raven heard an all too familiar cry, one that belonged to the saurian. But it came from within her mind. Her violet eyes widened, her face, one that was usual devoid of any emotion, took on an expression of pure shock and utter disbelief upon realizing this startling revelation. The Godzillasaur... Junior... was in her mind!

Skreeeeonk!

I believe that answers your inquiry, does it not, Raven?

Author's Notes

There you have it. Junior meets Raven's emotions, Knowledge contacts Raven, and Raven discovers that Godzilla Junior is inside her head! What more could happen? Oh, I know! How about Raven & Beast Boy going in to retrieve Junior... and then Raven's emotions decide to have some fun with the animal-morphing, green-skinned changeling?