Chapter Text
As Raven chanted the three words of the ritual, her voice resonating with power, she could distinctly hear Trigon's furious roars, his wrath echoing through the depths of her mind. She pleaded with Jinx, desperately urging her to reconsider, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.
Inside Jinx's mind, she could feel Trigon's power, blasting through everything in his path. Darkness and fire consumed every memory, every thought, every image now tainted by his evil presence. "Is this what Raven always feels?" Jinx wondered, witnessing in her inner eye how Trigon became deeply intertwined with her thoughts, burrowing into the darkest corners of her mind.
"You will regret this, witch!" Trigon's voice echoed, flames spewing from his mouth. Jinx felt an excruciating pain in her forehead as her head seemed to be tearing apart.
The last thing she heard was Trigon cursing her for eternity. Then, she opened her eyes, finding herself in the infirmary.
Jinx found herself trapped in a tormenting suspension within the recesses of her own mind, every moment stretching into what felt like an eternity. Anger flared within her gaze as she locked eyes with Trigon, now shackled to the confines of her own consciousness. The weight of her actions bore down on her, disbelief mingling with the numbness that permeated her body.
Every movement felt like a struggle as pain pulsed through her, a heavy burden dragging her down. With a heavy heart, Jinx watched Raven's retreating figure, growing smaller and smaller until it disappeared into the void of her mind. The sense of loss engulfed her as she lay suspended in the darkness, consumed by the agony that gripped her in its unrelenting hold, until exhaustion finally claimed her in a fitful sleep.
"Aggh," Jinx let out a pained moan, awakening Raven who had been peacefully sleeping by her bedside.
"Hey, you're safe now," Raven reassured her, her hands carefully wrapped in bandages, remnants of the burns she had suffered. Her eyes bore a mixture of relief and concern for Jinx's well-being.
Jinx glanced at Raven's injured hands, a stark reminder of the consequences they both faced. It was all because of that seemingly harmless and intriguing piece of jewelry she had come across just a week ago. "What the hell happened... oh, I remember... hell," Jinx muttered, gingerly touching her bandaged forehead. "So it did happen."
Raven's voice quivered with a blend of guilt and worry as she hastened to speak. "I can't take it away. Anytime you want, you just have to tell me, and..."
"No, no," Jinx interrupted quickly, noticing the overwhelming guilt written all over Raven's face. "No."
Cyborg approached, his mechanical eye scanning Jinx's vital signs. "Hey, Pink!" he greeted her with a warm smile. "Everything looks normal as far as I can see."
Robin stood nearby, his concerned gaze fixed on Jinx. "Hey, Jinx. You really gave us quite a scare there."
"Hello, Bird Brain," Jinx replied with a playful smirk.
"Raven told us what happened. We're impressed and grateful," Robin continued, his voice filled with sincerity.
"I always wanted more power. It's kind of cool to finally have it," Jinx admitted, concealing her own concerns behind a façade of confidence. "I mean, it's a pain in the ass not to use it for stealing stuff, but overall, I think it's a great deal."
Cyborg chimed in, his cybernetic enhancements providing him with insight. "You'll need to learn how to control it, though."
"But I'll teach you. I'll do whatever it takes to make it as easy as possible," Raven promised, her emotions swirling in a chaotic mix of guilt, gratitude, care, and love. She was determined to support Jinx through this challenging journey.
Jinx could see Raven's internal struggle and offered a reassuring smile. "Damn right you are. You owe me big time! If it weren't for me, you'd be on your way to the loony house," she said, gently placing a hand on Raven's shoulder. "Relax, Goth girl."
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After two days of being confined to the infirmary, Jinx grew tired of her sickly state. Determined to break free from the confines of the infirmary, she embarked on a mission to convince everyone, including Raven, who had been overly protective and awkward around her due to a sense of unjustified guilt.
As she stepped out, a rush of exhilaration and trepidation washed over her. The newfound incredible power coursing through her veins made her body feel different—stronger, more agile, and resistant. It seemed perfect in every way, yet it also fueled her anxiety, a constant companion lurking within.
"There you are," Raven's calm voice broke the silence as she emerged from the door, stopping at the edge of the roof where Jinx was seated
"I was starting to wonder when my nanny would find me," Jinx said, playfully serious.
"I'm sorry... I know you need your privacy... but," Raven began, her words trailing off.
Jinx rolled her eyes, a gesture brimming with playful exasperation. "Can you please stop apologizing, Rae? Just for one minute?"
Raven let out a sigh, her inclination to apologize once more evident. Jinx could discern, with absolute certainty, the inner struggle that plagued Raven's thoughts. Raven longed to be close to Jinx and provide her with unwavering support, driven by her father's influence. However, Raven had grown accustomed to isolation, making it challenging for her to navigate the realm of social interactions. Jinx could clearly see the conflict etched on Raven's face.
"Hey, Dark Bird, sit," Jinx ordered, breaking the silence between them.
They both remained silent for a while, allowing the weight of their emotions to hang in the air.
"So..." Jinx began, initiating the conversation, "is this how you've been feeling your entire life?"
"What do you mean?" Raven inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"The constant sensation of being watched, the anxiety, the nightmares," Jinx clarified.
Raven nodded in acknowledgment. "Yeah... pretty much my whole life."
"That explains why you've always been like that, no offense" Jinx remarked, seeking to convey understanding rather than criticism.
"None taken," Raven responded, her voice laced with gratitude as she appreciated Jinx's unexpected empathy. The weight of guilt settled heavily upon her, causing her words to tumble out in a rush, a mixture of anxiety and nervousness overtaking her. "...but, you know, Jinx, I can take it away. You just have to say the words. Things like this always have to be willingly. It's just one more ritual, meticulously studied by me. I've delved into its intricacies, its secrets. There will be no more consequences, no more nightmares. It's a simple... a ritual, nothing more. Just ask, Jinx. Just... there's no need for you to..."
Raven halted mid-sentence, her words catching in her throat, as she observed Jinx's reaction. The way Jinx looked at her. "Sorry... I mean... ugh, Jinx, no I can't do it. I can't bear the thought of living with the knowledge that you're trapped in the same inferno I'm in."
Jinx, leaned back slightly and reassured her, her gaze drifting upwards toward the vast expanse of the sky. "Relax, Raven. Trust me when I say that I'm definitely not living in the same hell as you."
The words hung in the air, lingering with a hint of enigma. Raven couldn't help but be perplexed by Jinx's unexpected support. "Why? Why are you doing this? You don't even like me! We were never friends"
A playful smile danced across Jinx's lips as she leaned closer to Raven, making a cheeky gesture resembling a fake kiss. "I DO like you, demon baby. More than you think."
Raven's pleas became more desperate, her tone infused with a sense of urgency. "Just tell me, Jinx! Help me understand why!"
Jinx, now serious, met Raven's gaze with a piercing intensity. "Raven, maybe you think your friends know you, when the truth is, you don't even fully know yourself."
I know exactly who I am," Raven asserted confidently.
Jinx leaned in closer, her tone direct and straightforward. "Do you? Honestly, I think you have no clue."
Raven's desperation intensified as she faced Jinx's persistent challenge. However, Jinx, sensing the anger and obsession, felt a genuine warmth and concern welling up within her.
"Raven, have you ever really looked at yourself while your father insults you, telling you that you're worthless?" Jinx locked eyes with Raven, catching her off guard with the pointed question.
"Have you ever see your tears streaming down your face, completely miserable in front of the person who is supposed to protect you?" Raven sat there, speechless, stunned by the raw truth in Jinx's words.
"Have the Titans, or even you, truly seen the little girl inside you, desperately seeking her father's love, only to realize that he'll only show affection if you embrace the darkness within? Have you ever witnessed your own face when you're on the brink of death because your own father wants you dead?" Jinx's words cut through the air, exposing the depths of Raven's turmoil.
"Have you ever witnessed the true essence of Raven as she emerges in the face of the darkest events? Have you seen her selflessness when she willingly puts herself in harm's way to save a lowly thief she barely knows?. No?" Jinx concluded, her tone softened with understanding. "Well, then, I guess I do know you better than anyone else."
Jinx stood up and extended a hand to Raven. "So, if that's not reason enough, screw you."
Raven sat there, rendered speechless. She was both astonished and captivated by the pink-haired woman's unexpected wisdom. She had underestimated Jinx's depth of understanding.
"Jinx... I..." Raven began, but Jinx interrupted her with a dismissive wave of her hand.
"Forget it, Rae."
