Author's Notes:

I am extremely disappointed that this act alone has almost 10-K words. That's WAY too much, and I can't reduce it.

Inuyasha and friends, along with the royal caravan arrived in the Takeda village. The village people cheered for the arrival of their princess and Lord Kimo.

“What a bunch of saps.” grumbled Inuyasha. Kagome elbowed him for that.

Then Tsuyu’s father came out, and next to him was another familiar face.

“It’s Nobunaga.” cried Kagome.

Shippo took a good look at the young Samurai. “That’s the guy you told me about? He doesn’t look like an idjat.”

“Just wait…” said Inuyasha.

Kagome couldn’t argue with him this time, but she did notice Nobunaga seemed a little down hearted. He didn’t notice her or the others yet. “Oh, no...” she thought to herself “Don’t tell me he’s still grieving over the princess.”

The two lords greeted each other by bowing respectfully, and then Tsuyu hugged her father.

“Words cannot express how glad I am to see you safe and well.” the father said.

“Father… I wouldn’t have been safe were it not for the help of my friends.” replied Tsuyu. Then her gaze fell upon Nobunaga, and he looked at her and his smile showed.

“Nobunaga…” she hugged him warmly. Nobunaga blushed softly, “P… Princess Tsuyu.” And he couldn’t help but hug her back, “It is good to see you too. I am glad you made it safely.”

They separated, and then Lord Kimo approached him and the two men bowed to each other, “Amari Nobunaga… was it not for your nobility and honor I may have been dead. I owe you my life.”

“You owe me nothing, Lord.” said Nobunaga “The Princess is happy and you are alive. That is all that matters to me.”

The princess felt flattered, but Kagome felt worried.

“Nobunaga…”

“Yes Princess?”

“Nobunaga… your monkey is dancing on your head again.”

The people of the village laughed at him, and Nobunaga hung his head in shame feeling very embarrassed as Hiyoshimaru just danced on his head.

“Still and Idjat.” grumbled Inuyasha.

Shippo and Kagome both felt sorry for Nobunaga.

Soon, the celebration began. There was music and dancing in the village. Children played while adults chatted.

The trio was invited to sit with the royal party at the entrance to the palace where they were served endless courses of food. Shippo was really enjoying himself gobbling it all down, and Inuyasha was forgetting his manners as he ate, and ate.

There was only one dumpling left, and both Inuyasha and Shippo grabbed it.

“Hey! Hands off!” Inuyasha growled.

“I had it first, and it was closest to me!” protested Shippo “Besdies, I’m a growing boy and I need my food!”

CLUNK!! Inuyasha hit Shippo in the head making him dizzy. “Ha! First come, first served.”

Kagome was fed up. “Sit!”

WHAMM!! “A’rgh!”

The dumpling landed on Shippo’s plate. “Ha! And you just got yours.”

Inuyasha could only groan in disgrace.

Kagome apologized to the royal party, “I’m sorry about this. He’s usually not so brash.”

“It’s quite alright.” said the lord “Boys will be boys after all.”

“Who are you calling a boy, old man!” sneered Inuyasha.

“Just ignore him.” said Kagome, and she sipped her tea without much of a care.

Tsuyu kept casually looking around. “Something disturbs you, my princess?” asked her husband.

“Where is Nobunaga? He was invited to eat with us, was he not?”

“He was.” replied Tsuyu’s father “But he has not been seen since your arrival.”

Inuyasha and Kagome had a good idea why.

“We can go look for him, if you want?” suggested Kagome, and the royal party agreed.

Soon, they were looking around the village for any sign of the samurai, but Kagome had a feeling she knew where he was. “I studied ancient samurai in school. When they’re feeling down or dishonored, they like to be alone with their thoughts.”

They stopped, and they could see him, sitting under a lone tree on a hill just outside the village. His eyes were just tight as he clutched his gold katana in his lap, while Hiyoshimaru sat up on a tree limb above him.

Nobunaga opened his eyes when he could hear their footsteps.

“We brought you some food.” said Kagome.

“Thank you, I have eaten already.”

Shippo walked up to him. “Kagome and Inuyasha told me that you’re in love with the princess.”

Nobunaga winced softly, and blushed slightly. He looked at Kagome and Inuyasha, “Don’t look at me, I didn’t say a thing.” said Inuyasha, and Kagome confessed that she told the secret, only because she knew Nobunaga wanted it kept secret, and if Shippo found out he’d blab to everyone.

Nobunaga sighed, “The Princess and I have been friends since childhood. I was always there for her, and sometimes I would make her laugh through acts of misfortune.

Even after she had married Lord Kimo, my love for her was never extinguished, but I did not wish the Princess to know of my feelings. Her love is for her husband, and that is what makes her happy.

I have no desire and no wish to upset that or cause any confusion.”

“Wow…” said Kagome “That is very sweet and noble of you.”

Even Inuyasha could ignore it “So what are you going to do? Just sit around all the time feeling sorry for yourself. That’s not very noble. It’s the act of a coward.”

For once, Kagome couldn’t argue with him, “I hate to admit it, but he’s right. I’m sure there are lots of women around the village who would love to go with you, Nobunaga.”

Nobunaga clenched his fists tightly around his sword.

“Are you okay?” asked Shippo.

Nobunaga hung his head forward, and his bangs covered his shame filled eyes. “I understand your intentions, but… you are sorely mistaken.

Though my heroism has been honored by the village, I am still seen as a lowly vassal, and viewed as the village Idjat. There is no woman who desires me.

And even still, I wish no other.”

A moment of silence followed.

“My love is only for Princess Tsuyu, but because I cannot be with her I would much rather stay on my own than court a woman I have no feelings for. It would be most dishonorable.”

Shippo hardly understood due to his young age, but Kagome felt sorry for Nobunaga and Inuyasha “Like I said: nothing but an Idjat and a coward.”

Kagome and Shippo glared angrily at him, and Nobunaga stood and began to walk away.

“Where are you going?” asked Inuyasha

“It is not necessary that I remain here and be insulted!”

“Go ahead… all you’re doing is proving me right.” sneered Inuyasha “Unless you learn to stop feeling so sorry for yourself and improve your ways, you’ll never be seen anything other than an idjat.”

Nobunaga snuffed and he continued to walk off.

“Um… Nobunaga!” called Shippo.

“Don’t go that way!” called Kagome.

The edge of the hill was steep, while Nobunaga usually found this out by surprise, this time he skillfully leapt down the hill landing without a scratch. “I was aware of it this time.” he said, but his pride was suddenly sullied when he continued to walk forth and tripped over a small rock he hadn’t seen, and he fell flat on his face.

“Idjat!” Inyasha scoffed.

Hiyoshimaru leapt out of the tree and danced on Nobunaga’s back while he just lay there miserable and disgraced.

While that dimension was also another time, hundreds of years past in the Feudal Era, in the Digi-destined world, it was a Monday morning at the High School.

The girls’ basketball team was conversing with each other. “Hakano didn’t come to practice this weekend.”

“Didn’t you hear? Davis Motomiya shafted her.”

“She’s been crying all weekend. She didn’t even come to school today.”

Kari heard this, and she was not a bit pleased, and went off to find Davis.

As Davis walked along the school, a lot of guys who liked Hakano but got shot down by her, and other popular girls, gave him props for sticking it to Hakano that way.

“You go, Davis.”

“Way to stick it to her.”

“They’ll have more respect for us guys now.”

Much as Davis enjoyed the praise he was getting, he did feel just a little bad having to really hurt Hakano like that, and any other girl he rejected; knowing how rejection felt himself. “Ah, well… what’s done is done.” he said to himself.

He got to his locker and saw Kari there. “Hey, Kari…” but then he noticed how upset she looked, and she stood directly in front of his locker refusing to let him through.

“How could you do it, Davis?”

“What?”

“Don’t play dumb with me. I know you hurt Hakano, and that other girl from last Friday who tried to ask you out.

How could hurt them like that?”

Davis sighed and rolled his eyes, “Look… that first doesn’t interest me, okay? And Hakano, she got what she deserved for shitting on me in first grade.”

Kari felt disgusted, “I can’t believe you. You just dumped them without giving them a chance.”

Davis was starting to get angry, “Just like you never gave me a chance?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

Davis decided to come clean with her, “I know you and TK have been dating for a while. I overheard you two on Friday. When were you planning on telling me, or we’re you waiting for me to ask you out and reject me?”

Now Kari felt a little ashamed, but her anger remained when she felt this confirmed, “Look, I made my choice. I’m with TK now…”

“…And that’s fine with Me.” he cut in.

Kari nearly froze on the spot. “You… you’re fine with it.”

Davis nodded “Yeah… I’m not a little kid anymore. I gotta’ grow up, and if you’re happy with TK, fine. I’ll learn to accept it. Now can I please get into my locker?”

Kari was so amazed, she just stood where she was and Davis walked around her, got his things and went off to class.

She was still shocked when she was in class and hardly paying attention.

“Ms. Kaymiya?” the teacher called “Ms. Kaymiya? Are you paying attention....?”

Kari finally snapped into reality, “Sorry, sir.”

Some of the students snickered, and the teacher tapped his ruler, “Try to stay on topic.”

The teacher continued with his lecture about famous poets, who died of insanity and loneliness and yet wrote some of the finest poetry and stories in the world.

As the lecture continued, TK, sitting next to her whispered, “What’s up?”

“I’ll talk about it later.” she whispered back.

It wasn’t until lunchtime that TK and Kari sat down with Ken and Yolei.

“He knows about you guys?” Yolei asked in shock “And he’s actually okay with it?”

Even TK was surprised to hear this, “I thought for sure he’d throw some kind of tantrum, or act so jealous he’d fly to the moon.”

“Well, he’s not twelve years old anymore.” said Ken “To be honest, he has changed a bit over the years. We all have.”

Kari still felt this was unusual. It was Davis after all. She knew he liked her, and still thought it funny the ways she played with his crush on her.

“Hey, guys…” Davis said, joining them at the table. Sitting next to Kari, which made everyone gawk him strangely. “What? Can’t I sit with my friends?”

“Well… it’s just you haven’t been eating with us for a while.” said Ken.

“Well it was kind of hard to…” replied Davis “So many girls coming up to me and asking me out, I could barely get into the lunch line, but today hardly any girls approached me, and that suits me fine.

Guess my message is finally getting across.”

“…Your message?” asked TK.

Davis nodded and told the gang some of the things he had told Veemon the other night, about rejecting girls due to a lack of interest. “I’m just not interested, and I’m not giving free rides to girls who want to boost their image.

That’s why I stood up Hakano.”

The others were shocked, especially Kari, but then again it was sort of understandable. “I remember all the time those popular girls made me cry in middle school.” said Yolei “They would talk in the washroom of how I was ugly and that I’d be luck to snag even a most desperate geek that came my way.”

Ken had never heard this before, and held his girlfriend’s hand and smiled lovingly at her.

The others thought it was sweet seeing the two together and TK held Kari’s hand and pecked her cheek. Davis smiled and then continued to eat his lunch.

Kari, however, felt a little concerned for Davis. She still thought it was amazing that he was willing to accept she was with TK, but seeing how cute Ken and Yolei were and how they shared the same warmth as she felt being with TK, and Davis was sitting without anyone special…!

Of course, his rejecting every girl that came his way was his own doing, but she already felt what he was doing wasn’t healthy.

Davis looked at her, “Aren’t you going eat?”

Kari giggled softly and then consumed her fill, but all the while she kept being concerned about Davis.

Even after school, TK was walking Kari home, and they had a study date at her place. They passed by the soccer field where Davis and his team were practicing.

“Davis… Man on!” someone shouted, and Davis zipped across the field showing off his mad soccer skills. It was no wonder he was team captain.

There were girls sitting in the stands watching their boyfriends practice and cheering them on, while some girls were booing and hissing at Davis, as some of them were rejected by him, and others were upset because he had rejected the other girls.

“Pig!” they would call him.

“Herat breaker…!”

“What are you, Gay?”

Davis took no notice and continued to practice.

“Why are you looking at him like that?” asked TK.

Kari decided not to keep any secrets from her boyfriend, “I’m really worried about him, TK. Davis shouldn’t be pushing girls away like this… it can get really bad for him.”

She referred back to the lecture in literature class that day, about the famous poets that went insane of loneliness.

TK realized her issue, “You don’t actually think that could happen to Davis. He doesn’t seem to mind. After all, I’m still surprised he accepted that you and I are dating.”

“But TK… he likes me too.”

“Liked you,” Kari. He said he was willing to put it behind him.”

“The point is…” she took a moment to calm herself so as not to fly off into a fit, “I think that’s why Davis was rejecting all those girls. He wanted to ask me out, and I didn’t tell him you and I were already dating.”

TK pondered deeply “Yes, that could be possible, but what are you getting at?”

Kari didn’t answer him until they got home to her place, and the first thing Kari did was get out every magazine or paper that had addresses and dating websites.

“You’re going to set Davis up?” TK asked.

“More like help him” replied Kari “I think he needs to open up and really give girls a better chance.”

TK wasn’t so sure about this, but as he thought it over, “Well, he does need to stop hurting girls’ feelings, and if he’s really over you he should show it more.”

Kari nodded “I don’t want him to grow up all alone and never finding true love either. So maybe if we find him the right kind of girl, he’ll change his groove.”

By this point, TK was completely sided with his girlfriend and agreed to help her all the way. “My mom has loads of girlfriends with single teenage daughters. They don’t go to our school so they won’t know of Davis’ rejections.”

So they set to work getting all the websites and emails of girls whom were looking for a boyfriend.

Kari even set up a webpage for Davis on the top three best dating sites she could think of. Complete with information, his email and everything

“Davis Motomiya

-Digi Destined
-High School Soccer Star.

Age: 16

Interests: Soccer, Video Games, monster movies.

“Playing… hard-to-get.”

“What do you think?” asked Kari.

“Um, it’s neat, but won’t your mom flip when she gets her internet bill at the end of the month?”

Kari assured him there was nothing to worry about, “These websites are free, and it’s the best way.” She refreshed the page and found the inbox already had fifteen potential dates waiting to be answered.

The two went over the potential dates seeing who the best choice was for Davis. They spent so much time working on the matchmaking…

…They forgot to study!

The next morning, Davis checked his email, and was he ever surprised! “What the hell… fifty emails?”

He expected they were spam or junk mail, but each and every one of them was from a girl, none of which he knew or went to his school.

“Please go out with me.”

“I’m into video games too.”

“Wow! You’re THE Davis Motomiya? You helped saved the world! We should totally hook up.”

“What is all this?” he wondered aloud.

Jun came along and looked through his open bedroom door, “Ooh… looks likes someone’s a regular ladies man now.”

Davis suspected his sister was behind all this. “Nice try, Jun. You got me...”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t do this. I don’t even know who these girls are. They’re all in high school, I go to college.”

Davis then went to confront his mom.

“What’s with him?” Jun asked to Veemon.

Veemon explained to her what Davis told him, “And that’s why he’s avoiding girls.”

Just was shocked, “Well that’s just stupid.”

“Don’t call Davish, shtupid!” snapped Veemon.

“No, he is!” protested Jun “Just because he didn’t get together with Kari he won’t give other girls a chance? That’s sick!”

Veemon sighed “It’s not just because of Kari, he’s jusht not intereshted, and nobody shays he hash to be with shomeone.”

Jun would have protested, but she realized it was pointless to be arguing with her brother’s Digimon, feeling Veemon would agree with Davis on any terms. So she just walked off.

Veemon sighed “I don’t think I’ll ever undershstand human girls.”

When Jun went into the kitchen, she saw Davis and their mother quarrelling. “Honest mom?” asked Davis “I know you and your little setting me up game.”

“Honest, Davis, I didn’t do this… though I really wish I thought of it earlier.”

Davis rubbed his eyes in frustration. “I got to get to school.”

He grabbed his bag and went off.

As he walked to school, he stopped at a corner waiting for the light to change.

Ken and Yolei saw him and jogged up the street. “Davis…” Yolei called to him.

Davis turned sharply, and then sighed in relief seeing who it was.

“Are you okay?” Ken asked.

“Just a little on edge.” replied Davis “I thought I was finally free of all this attention from girls and then suddenly I get a shit ton of emails from a bunch of girl I’ve never met before. They don’t even go to our school.”

His friends both thought that was weird indeed, but they also felt concerned, “Davis… sorry to say,” said Ken “But don’t you think you’re starting to take those whole rejecting girls things a bit far?”

Davis growled in frustration, “Why the hell is everyone so concerned about my love life?!!”

“Hey!” snapped Yolei “We’re just being concerned.”

Davis apologized, “I’m sorry. I just can’t take much more of this. Between my mom trying to set me up, and all these girls coming after me, and Kari dating TK-- Can’t I have some room to breathe?”

Before Yolei and Ken could answer, three teenage girls on their way to their own school came up the street and screamed with joy.

“That’s him!”

“It’s Davis Motomyia!”

“Wow! He’s even cuter in person!”

They shrieked like girls seeing a rock star, and began to run towards him.

“SHIT!!” Davis shouted and he took off down the street, while the light still hadn’t changed. Cars came screeching to a halt, and some softly bumped into one another.

“Hey you, kids!”

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Wait for the light!”

At school, Davis was very late for class because of those girls chasing him all over until they gave up and had to head to their own school.

“Nice of you to join us, Motomyia.” the teacher said.

“I’m sorry sir.” Davis panted.

“Just take your seat. It’s time for the test.”

Kari gasped softly “The test!” and TK winced too “We forgot to study!”

In the Titan’s world,

A few days had passed. There was no crime, and the Titans had been spending their time casually.

Robin continued to train in the gym, and Raven had her nose buried in her book. Strangely, she was munching on a candy bar, and a bag of potato chips; things she didn’t usually snack on most of the time.

Cyborg and Starfire were looking at a website made by all those fans that took the team’s pictures the other day. “Ah, yeah… feels great to be loved, don’t it?” said Cyborg.

Starfire giggled, “It is most wondrous. I feel like a star of the movies.”

They even checked the forum of comments people left.

“I like Robin. He’s the coolest.”

“Nah… Cyborg… He rocks.”

“Starfire… she’s so beautiful.”

“You can have her, I’m into Raven.”

Starfire called over to Raven, “It appears that you and I have the affectionate admirers.”

All Raven did was let out a low and sarcastic “Yay.”

Beast Boy came into the lounge, and looking still non-too optimistic.

“Good morning to you, friend Beast Boy.” Starfire said to him.

“Morning Star, morning Cyborg.” He said in a low tone, but he didn’t even bother to say to Raven or even look her way. He was still rather peeved at her for the way she had been acting towards him, as well as smacking him so much. He just poked through the fridge and got a root-beer.

Raven didn’t even look his way either and this sparked some worry among Starfire and Cyborg, and before they could say a thing, Robin came into the lounge. “Okay, Titans, I think today’s a good day for a pizza. Who’s up for some?”

Everyone, even Raven seemed up for it.

“We’re going to be going to a new place.” Robin announced.

“New place…?” Beast Boy asked in shock, “What about the corner pizza-place? That’s where it’s at, you know.”

“You didn’t know?” Cyborg asked “It just went out of business, today.”

Beast Boy felt his stomach churn.

“Cyborg’s right.” said Robin “The place was bought out, and they plan to convert it into a hardware store.”

Beast Boy’s thoughts were going wild, “No, no, no… not another change?! I can’t take it!”

“I shall miss our dear corner, pizza place.” said Starfire “But I suppose we must move forward, and accept the change.”

Beast Boy felt even sicker as he thought, “Why don’t you just stick a knife in my ass while you’re at it.”

“Come on, let’s go.” said Cyborg, and he Robin and Starfire dashed out the door while Beast Boy sipped the last of his soda, crumpled the can in his hand and tossed it in the recycling.

Raven hovered up to him intending to slap him again, but this time he was ready and angrily grabbed her wrist and then glared at her threateningly. “You try that again… and so help me… I will (Bleeping) break your hand off!”

He forcefully let go and walked on ahead, but Raven called to him, “Maybe you should learn to grow up, and maybe I won’t have to.”

Beast Boy didn’t know how much more of Raven’s abuse her could take, but he didn’t talk to her.

Even in the T-Car, they sat in the back with Starfire in the middle, but they didn’t dare look at each other.

“What’s up with you two?” Cyborg asked.

“Nothing...” Beast Boy and Raven both said.

Starfire looked between the two, “You have had some disagreement?”

Neither of the other two said a thing, and just kept their heads turned away from one another.

Robin had a very bad feeling about this.

Meanwhile, it was a half day at Murakami High, and all the students were let out early.

Terra got her geometry test back. She failed miserably, mostly due to the fact that she didn’t study.

Her two friends couldn’t blame her, knowing Beast Boy was responsible in keeping her distracting with his creepy obsession with her.

“That little faggot is going to pay for this.” sneered Jackie.

Jillian socked her fist, “Just let me get my hands on his green neck, and I’ll squeeze until he turns blue!”

Terra took no notice, and just continued to stare at her test, and it reminded her of the last thing she said to Beast Boy, when she told him to let her go; “I’m not a hero. I’m not out to save the world. I’m just a girl with a geometry test next period and I haven’t studied.”

As she disappeared into the crowd, she never forgot that look of distraught that was on his face, and just a few days ago when they ran into each other, he looked much worse, almost furious enough to knock over the a high-rise, and he didn’t even talk to her… which didn’t really bother her…

…Did it?

“Yo’… are you in there?” Jackie called to Terra.

Terra snapped out of her trance, “Huh?”

“You weren’t thinking about that kid again, we’re you?” asked Jillian.

“N-N-No… I wasn’t.”

Jackie gasped “You totally we’re!”

“I thought you were over that guy? He stalked you and you sent him packing.”

Terra nervously clenched her fists softly, and the stone floor beneath the girls’ feet began to quiver softly.

“What the…!” cried Jackie.

Terra quickly calmed down, fearing that if people discovered she was geo-kenetic, they’d deem her a freak, and would kick her out of school, and she’d lose the normal life she was leading.

“Probably just the vents below the floor.” said Jillian.

When they turned to look back at their friend, they found she had gone off without them.

Terra needed some time to herself to think. “What’s wrong with me?!” she asked herself “Why am I still thinking about him? He’s not part of my life anymore!”

The more she tried to silence her thoughts and memories of Beast Boy, the harder and harder they came back to eat away at her, which it had been doing ever since Beast Boy first saw her, and she pretended she didn’t remember him!

The images of all that continued to play, and she could only sense how desperate he looked to win her back, but she ultimately refused, insisting that she didn’t want anything to do with him or the Teen Titans, and wanted to pursue a normal life, and forget her traumatic past and all the pain she caused herself and others.

After running into Beast Boy the other day, it was quite obvious to her that he wasn’t getting over her either, and it made her guilt increase.

“I’m got to stop thinking about it!” she groaned to herself “With time it’ll fade, I’ll move on, and he will too.”

That’s what she hoped for, but the meantime she really wished she could do something to make her own guilt disappear faster.

The Titans were already sitting in the new pizza place, and Beast Boy was disappointed at the menu “Nothing vegetarian but a plain cheese pizza? What’s up with that?”

The waitress explained “Vegetarian items don’t sell well here, and besides most people prefer meat anyway.”

“Terrific.” groaned Beast Boy “Fine, I’ll just have a small cheesy.”

The other Titans had already ordered, and the waitress went away. After she left, all the Titans looked grimly at Beast Boy.

“What?”

Robin shook his head, “Beast Boy, we’ve all tried to be patient with you, but you’ve got to get over all this losing Terra.”

“Oh, boy… here we go again.” groaned Beast Boy.

Starfire tried to comfort him, “Beast Boy, we understand that you are upset by this girl you believe was Terra, but you must remember that the sea is bountiful with many other fish.

I am certain you will one day meet a nice girl whom you can court and fall in love, and share matrimony, have the babies, and acquire all the happiness you are deserving.”

Much as such thoughts and confidence would be warming to most guys, all Beast Boy could do was sigh, “Sure, Star. Whatever…”

Starfire felt shot down that her words didn’t help him.

“Beast Boy,” said Cyborg.

“Please, no more.” Beast Boy said “I know you’re all trying to help me,” he paused and took a quick glance over at Raven “Most of you anyway.”

Raven narrowed her eyes. “Hey, it’s not our fault you want to be some whinny prick because one girl dumped you.”

Beast Boy took great offense to that.

“Raven, that wasn’t necessary.” said Robin.

“Why not…? It’s the truth. All he does is whine and complain and expects us to feel sorry for him like he’s some kind of victim. In the end of the day he’s just a sorry excuse of a human being who can’t let go of the past and grow up.”

Beast Boy’s face was turning bright red with rage.

“Raven, you are being extremely rude.” said Starfire.

“Just telling it like it is.”

Beast Boy stood up and glared at Raven deeply “I’m warning you, bitch! Don’t push me!”

Raven stood glaring furiously at him “You talk to me like that again, and I’ll…!”

“Enough, both of you!” snapped Robin “We’re in public, is this how you want people to see us?”

“Robin, I am sick and fed up of the way she has been treating me and constantly smacking him.”

The others glared at Raven for that, but Raven didn’t seem to care a bit.

“Raven’s also right, Beast Boy.” said Robin “You yourself said that you let go of Terra, but you’re not acting like it at all.”

Beast Boy felt upset that Robin was siding with Raven, “I said I’d let Terra go. I never said I’d move on. I don’t have much of a reason.”

“Quit bullshittin’.” said Cyborg “You got plenty to move on about, you just won’t accept it cuz’ you’re too busy throwing a fit like a little kid.”

“Yeah, right.” scoffed Beast Boy “I have LOADS to move on about. A city that disrespects me, all my favorite things being taken away from me, and my so-called friends are doing nothing but busting my chops that I’m taking it a little hard!”

All the other Titans looked at him with sour glares.

“If this is how you want to be, Beast Boy…” said Robin “Then keep it to yourself. None of us are interested in your shit anymore.”

All the others nodded.

“Fine.” hissed Beast Boy, and he got up and left, not even bothering to leave any share of money for his order, which ironically came a few minutes after her left. “Who ordered the cheesy?”

The Titans could only sigh in dismay.

“I’ll take it.” said Raven, and the second it was placed before she began to munch on the pizza like crazy, and he friends gawked at her. “What are you looking at?!” she growled.

Beast Boy flew clear out of the city, as he couldn’t stand the sight of all the changes he could see, not to mention all the people who hardly showed him any respect.

So he flew all the way out to the clifftops near the outback outside of Jump-City. The first place he and Terra went to on their first and only date.

As he looked over the cliffs at the city, he really thought of it all disgusting, and the way his so-called friends had just dealt with him…!

He was so upset that he took out his old Doom Patrol mask from his pocket and put it on good. “I’m not coming out of this until people at least listen and try to understand.” he said to himself.

Suddenly, he heard the sound of rocks being kicked as if someone were there. “Who’s there?!” he called, and he leapt over the rock formation to confront whoever it was…!

It was Terra, and she screamed in fright at the sudden appearance of him, but then they both calmed down.

“Oh, it’s just you again.” Beast Boy grumbled.

“Beast Boy?” she asked, almost not recognizing him, having never seen him with his mask on before.

He didn’t bother to answer her and just turned away and began to walk off.

“Wait!” she called “I want to talk to you.”

“Oh, NOW you want to talk?” he snarled at her “Why are you even here? I let you go and now you’re following me around?”

Already she didn’t like the tone of his voice, but then again a part of her felt she couldn’t blame him. “I was here having some time by myself. I needed to think.

And I really think we need to talk.”

Much as he suspected this wouldn’t end well, Beast Boy decided to give her this chance, but he stood where he was. “Then talk…”

Terra took in a deep breath and chose her words carefully, “I know this has been hard on you… you know, what happened between us.”

“No surprises there.” Beast Boy grumbled under his breath.

“But I want you to know, I had reasons for what I did. I just couldn’t stand my old life anymore. I made so many mistakes, and I ended up hurting a lot of people. Do you have any idea what that feels like?”

He didn’t even look her.

“I just couldn’t take it anymore, and I didn’t want to hurt anymore people. I felt that… well… living a normal life would be the best thing, and it’s done great for me.

Can’t you understand that?”

She expected him to start throwing a fit and scolding her, but the first thing he said was “…Of course I understand.”

She was very surprised, and more so to hear him say…

“You’ve lived a life of hardship and tragedy. You tried to desperately to fit in, but you end up alienating yourself from others. You wander around down the street but nobody notices you, says “hello” or even gives you a smile… like you don’t exist, or you’re just not important.

Sometimes you wonder why you were even born if this is how you live, and you would do anything to change it.”

Terra was astounded that he understood how she felt, even probably more than she did.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I know it’s hard, but I know we can somehow try to let it all slide. Improve ourselves from this, and become better people.”

He turned and looked at her grimly, “So what do you suggest that I do? You expect to me go around pretending everything’s okay? You want me to smile at everything, and act like the happiest person in the world?”

He shook his head at her, and though his mask concealed most of his features, the emotion, the displeasure, the upset in his voice nearly pierced Terra’s soul.

“Damn it, Terra… You broke my heart!

You know, it didn’t have to be this way. We could’ve found some way of working things out between us. You didn’t have to come back to the Titans, but you wanted to get rid of everything, including the good memories we shared together.

You just told me right to my face to keep out of your life, and then you tossed me to the curb like yesterday’s trash and you didn’t seem to have much of a care in the world!”

Terra bolted upright, “It was just as hard on me as it was on you.”

“If that’s so, why the hell did you do it…?! Why did you pretend you didn’t remember me or the past, and told me to leave you be?”

“I just told you why!” snapped Terra “You said you understood that.”

“I DO understand!” snarled Beast Boy “But you need to understand that there’s a difference between “Understandable” and “Excusable!”

Terra tried to come up with an argument, but she couldn’t think straight the way he was balking at her.

“Face it, Terra. In the end you were cold, cruel, and just plain selfish. It didn’t matter to you what happened to BOTH OF US in the end, just as long as YOU were happy.

Well, good luck with that!

And while you’re at it… leave me alone. I respected your wishes, and I gave you your space. Now you respect my wishes and give me mine.”

He walked a few paces away from her, and she called to him “You’re really being a stuck-up asshole, you know that?!”

“Maybe…” replied Beast Boy “Or maybe I have a reason to… one besides the fact that my heart got stamped on.

But why should I tell this to you or to anyone? It’s not like it’ll make a difference.”

He then flew off back to the city leaving Terra all alone. A part of her felt glad that Beast Boy was gone after giving her shit, but there was another part of her that felt upset, and that covered a lot of her.

“I’m sorry, Beast Boy.” she said to herself “But Things Change and we all need to get used to it.”

She said it, but her body was racked with that guilt wondering if she really meant it.

In Equestria,

The newspapers were still showing the front page about the big mess of the Grand Galloping Gala, and yet surprisingly, Spike was not labeled a menace when he told how what happened was just an accident.

There was even a quote from Princess Celestia in the column; “I was hoping for some excitement to happen, and as usual I always seem to get my wish.”

Spike, had saved the newspaper to ogle at his so-called fame, “What do you know? I’m actually famous for an accident.” Spike chuckled.

The girls rolled their eyes.

“He’s getting a little carried away with all this.” Starlight whispered, and Twilight agreed. “Let’s just keep cleaning. Princess Cadance, Shining Armor and Flurry heart will be here any minute, and the place has to be spotless.”

Starlight and Spike noted that the room was already glittering like diamonds. The map table was so clean you could see your reflection in it.

“I think it’s all clean enough.” said Starlight.

Twilight gasped at a tiny speck on the floor “Then what is THAT?!”

“Um… a tiny little crumb.” said Spike “What’s bad about that?”

Twilight sighed at herself “I’m just worried about Flurry Heart. I’m trying to make this place safe for a baby pony.”

“A baby alicorn pony.” said Starlight “Not to mention one that nearly destroyed the Crystal Empire.”

Twilight let out a frightful panicking scream.

“WHAT IS IT?!!” Starlight and Spike shouted. “Nothing, I just wanted to get that out.”

The others groaned.

Soon there was a knock at the door. “They’re here!” cried Twilight.

The big doors opened…

“Twily!” cried Shining Armor.

“Bro!”

Twilight dashed up to her brother in a huge hug, and he hugged her back. “Ooh… you’ve gotten soft on me. Haven’t you been working out?”

Cadance giggled, and then hugged Twilight with her one free hoof, and then motioned to the baby, “Say hi to Auntie Twilight, Flurry.”

Flurry Heart just cooed and giggled as Twilight pecked her niece’s little head.

Shining Armor smiled, “Hiya Spike… Starlight.” and he just dropped his suitcase on the floor by Spike.

“Hi.” Spike said “Would you give me a hand, Starlight?” but Starlight was too busy cooing at playing with the baby to notice him; they all were! “Never mind…” Spike sighed and he dragged the heavy suitcase to the guest room Twilight had prepared.

Then he went back to see two more suitcases, bigger and heavier than the last one. “Could you take these to the guest room, Spike?” Twilight asked.

“No problem.” Spike groaned, and he pulled and tugged the huge baggage to the bedroom.

He was puffing and panting when he got back, “That’s the last of it.” he panted, but Cadance told him to hush as Flurry Heart had fallen asleep in her buggy.

Spike quieted down. “Is there anything else I can do for any pony?” he asked softly.

“No… I don’t think so.” said Twilight.

“Say, Spike…” said Shining Armor “Heard you caused a scene at the Gala. I wish we could’ve been there.”

Cadance chuckled “I can’t believe Celestia didn’t mind all that, but I never did understand how she always kept her fun side.”

Remembering the Gala reminded Spike of Rarity’s rejecting him, and he asked Cadance, “Um… this may sound silly, but…” he hesitated.

“What is it?” Cadance asked.

He was about to ask his question, “How dangerous is a broken heart?”

Cadance thought that an unusual.

“Oh, not this again…?” Twilight groaned softly.

Shining Armor whispered to Starlight “Am I missing something?” and Starlight whispered to him about Spike and Rarity. “Oh…” he felt a little sorry for Spike.

“Why do you ask?” Cadance asked.

“Well, you’re the love expert, I just want to know.” said Spike.

Cadance already sensed an ulterior motive, but she did her best to answer, “I suppose it depends on whoever it is; the kind of creature they are, and what kind of life or relationships they have. Some can get over it, some can’t… and few may go so crazy there’s no telling what they’d do.

Love is a complicated thing, Spike. Just as love can bring the greatest of joy, it can also bring the greatest of sorrow.”

Spike thought that was all very profound, and now he felt worried for himself.

“Why?” asked Cadance.

“Um… nothing really…” replied Spike “I… think I’ll go for a walk.” and he left almost swiftly.

Twilight then explained to her sister-in-law what happened between Spike and Rarity. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” said Cadance.

“I think he’s getting worse.” said Starlight “He’s been trying hard not to let it get him, but I don’t think he’s holding out well.”

Twilight just hoped Spike wouldn’t do anything crazy.

Spike walked along twiddling his fingers nervously “Okay, gotta calm down.” he said to himself “Nothing bad can happen. I have friends. They love me, and I love them… we’re all cool then. I can prove it.”

He went off to find any of his friends and hopefully prove himself right.

Fluttershy’s place wasn’t very far. He thought he’d see if he could help her with something, or just spend some time with her.

Fluttershy was getting ready to feed all the animals she took care for. “It’s lunchtime everyone.” she called, and her animal friends were all eagerly awaiting their foods.

Angel stepped up first and held up a little bowl, and he was served a scoop of his favorite carrot and greens salad.

Angel cuddled up to Fluttershy’s leg; his way of saying “Thank you.” and Fluttershy pecked his head, but she still had so many animals to feed when Spike came along.

“Hi, Fluttershy.”

“Oh, hello Spike.”

“Do you need help with anything?”

She stuttered and stammered a little, “Oh, well um… actually… if you don’t mind. I could use some help feeding all the animals.”

“Great! I’d love to help. I mean that’s what friends are for.”

Fluttershy noted how antsy he seemed, but she gave him a list of instructions of what to feed the animals and how much of them to feed. “Remember…” she warned him “Don’t give them anymore or any less. If their food patterns get disturbed, they could begin to act strangely, and that could lead to trouble.”

“No problem.” said Spike “Spike at your service.” and he bounded off for work outside, while Fluttershy deal with the animals inside.

“Okay, let’s see…” Spike said as he went over the list “Birdseed for the birds.” Well that’s easy.”

It was actually easier said than done, because the bird feeders were all too high for him to reach--Something that Fluttershy should have taken into consideration.

Suddenly, he got the idea to climb up the long poles, which was not as easy while balancing the bucket of birdseed on his head. “Careful… Careful…!” he whimpered.

Suddenly, one of the birds flew onto the bucket on his head which started to tip the balance. “Hey! Stop that!” yelled Spike, but another bird came along, and another, and several more, making the balance tip and bend. “Stop it!” shouted Spike “Get off me.”

Suddenly he felt the wood pole begin to creak as it couldn’t take all that weight. “Uh-oh…! WHOAAAAA…!!” the pole broke off and the entire feeder fell forward, crashing on the ground and throwing birdseed all over the place.

The birds went crazy and swooped in from all over. “Oh, no!” cried Spike, remembering what Fluttershy had said.

He would have shooed all the birds away, but some of the other animals-- the chickens, the bear, the gophers and squirrels-- we’re all squeaking, pounding and growling for their lunch, causing Spike to fall into a panic, and he rushed in such a hurry to feed the animals, that he completely had forgotten Fluttershy’s instruction list.

“I’m coming! I’m coming!” he called to the animals as he frantically fed them too much of something, or too little of something. In his haste he even fed the wrong food to the wrong animals.

Worse than that, he forgot to close the gate to the chicken coop, and the chickens all got out! “No!!” cried Spike “Come back here!”

Fluttershy heard the commotion and raced outside. She gasped the biggest gasp she had ever gasped at the sight of her yard in such a mess.

The first thing she did was draw in a huge breath and shout “FREEZE!!!”

All the animals stopped dead on the spot at the sound of her voice, even Spike.

Spike giggled nervously “I… had a few mistakes?” he said trying to be innocent, but Fluttershy could only sigh. She wasn’t the kind to lose her temper at anyone, especially if they had an accident, but Spike could tell she was rather annoyed.

“I can help you clean up.” Spike offered.

“No!” Fluttershy snapped, and cleared her throat “No… no thank you. I can do this by myself.”

Spike could take the hint, and he too thought it best he go before he caused more trouble. “I’m sorry, Fluttershy.”

“I know you are.” she called to him without even looking at him.

Spike sighed and went on his way.

“Okay, that was just a mistake.” he said to himself “We all make mistakes. She wasn’t mad at me… I think.”

He searched for anyone else that he could help.

He suddenly found Applejack, with her applewagon. “Apple crumbs!” she grumbled as she inspected the broken wheel on her wagon. She couldn’t get her apples to the market like that, so she had to get the spare wheel off the back of the wagon.

Spike saw this as his ticket to redeem himself.

“Need some help, Applejack?”

“Oh, hey ya, Spike, and that’d be nice. All I need you to do is put the wheel on while I hold up the wagon.”

Using her mighty farmer’s strength, she lifted up that huge wagon. “Okay, Spike…!” she groaned, “Put her on!”

Spike did as he was told and snapped the wheel into place, and Applejack set the wagon down. “Much obliged, Spike.” Applejack said as she inspected the wheel to make sure it was on good and tight. “Eeyup. I think that does it. Thanks again, Spike.”

Spike felt so over joyed that he hugged her deeply. “Whoa! What’s all this for?”

“For being such a good friend…”

Applejack smiled and hugged him back, but that’s when her wagon began to roll away, downhill. “Hey! My apples!” cried Applejack, and she took off after the wagon.

“Wait for me!” Spike called.

That wagon zoomed straight through Ponyville and many ponies jumped out of the way. “Stop that wagon!” cried Applejack as she ran after it.

“Applejack…!” Spike called as he ran as fast as his little legs could carry him.

While at Sugar Cube Corner, The Cakes’ were loading their own wagons with loads of baked goods for a party they were catering for.

Baby Pound and Pumpkin were watching and cooing from their playpen, and Pinkie Pie was watching them and keeping them out of trouble.

“See that, kids? Someday you’ll be baking just like Mommy and Daddy.”

The babies just giggled and tossed their stuffed animals up and about, while Pinkie tickled them.

“I think we’re all set.” said Carrot Cake.

“Not quite…” said Cup Cake, “There’s a still one more big box of cupcakes we need.”

“I’ll help you get it.”

No sooner had the couple gone inside did the ground start to rumble.

“What’s happening?” cried Pinkie, and then she saw the runaway apple wagon heading straight for them!

“RUNAWAY WAGON…!!” Applejack hollered.

Pinkie screamed, “Look out, kids!” she cried to the babies, but much to her surprise the babies saw the wagon coming, and Pound flew up and out of the playpen, while Pumpkin used magic to levitate herself to safety.

Pinkie then screamed as the wagon came straight at her.

Applejack quickly got out her rope and lassoed at one of the wagon’s harness rods. She pulled with her might and managed to get the rushing wagon to stop on a slope just overlooking the joint.

Pinkie sighed ever so heavily not wanting to think how close that was.

“Applejack…!” Spike shouted as he came running over the hill. Suddenly he tripped over a rock and then rolled straight into her, and they both went flying, landing in the wagon as it rolled down the hill.

Pinkie screamed and shut her eyes as the wagon actually rolled just past the joint, taking the Cakes’ wagon with it, and crashing hard into a tree sending apples and pastries all over the place.

Carrot Cake a Cup Cake heard the crash and rushed outside with their box of cupcakes, and before they could even question they just froze dead on the spot. Their eyes bulged wide at the huge mess they saw, which made them drop their last box.

The two wagons were in pieces, many of the apples were all squashed and bruised while not a pastry had survived the crash and all sat in piles of mush.

Both Applejack and Spike were covered in applesauce and pastry, and Applejack gave Spike a nasty glare. There were no words to describe how upset she was. Now her entire shipment was ruined and she wouldn’t be able to make her usual profits.

The Cakes’ we’re just as upset. Now they didn’t have their order for that big party they promised to deliver, and there was no time to make more cakes and goods. They’d lose their pay and their reputation would be soiled.

“I’m really sorry…” said Spike “I didn’t mean to.”

“Unfortunately, that doesn’t really make up for our loss of profits, Spike.” said Mr. Cake.

“Oh, never mind…” said Mrs. Cake “There’s no sense in being angry. We have a lot of cleaning up to do.”

“And then we got a load of customers, who won’t be gettin’ their deliveries, to make up with.” added Applejack.

Spike would have offered to help clean up, but Mr. Cake practically insisted, “I think it’d be best if you just left, Spike.”

Dejected, Spike began to walk away and passed by Pinkie Pie, and for once Pinkie couldn’t think of anything optimistic here, and shook her head grimly at him.

Spike could only, once again, walk away with his head hanging low.

He stopped off at the obstacle field where Rainbow Dash was practicing for a Wonderbolts show she was due to perform in.

She flew through hoops, around big posts, and through a huge puffer that make a big cloud of smoke. “Ah, yeah… who’s gonna rock it at the show?” she boasted.

Spike didn’t take much notice. He just sat there at on the bleachers resting his face on his hand grimly.

Rainbow took notice of this, “What’s got you down in the dumps?”

Spike sighed, “I’m not having a very good day. I’ve been causing nothing but bad luck ever since I came outside today.”

Though he didn’t thoroughly inform her of the messes he had made with the others, Rainbow just told him, “It could always be worse. Besides, we all make mistakes, but you’re not bad luck.”

Spike smiled softly, feeling it was nicer not to be scorned.

Rainbow then went back to do the course again, but Spike suddenly noticed one of the huge poles was coming loos where it was staked into the ground.

Rainbow flew passed it on her first lap, which loosened it even more. Spike worried that it would possibly fall over and land on Rainbow the next time she tried to loop around it.

Feeling overly worried, and despite all the bad luck he had been having that day, he ran over to the pole and got a hammer that was near its base. He began to pound at the stakes to drill them further into the ground, but he didn’t notice as he pounded away the vibrations of the hammering caused the wooden post to begin to crack near its base.

Rainbow was coming round to loop around the posts for her routine when she noticed him under the pole, “What are you doing?!” she called.

“Huh?”

The pole then broke and began to topple right on him, and he wouldn’t get away in time. “YAAAAAAAAAAAA…!!!”

“SPIKE!!” cried Rainbow, and she swooped in and shoved him hard out of the way, and got hit by the pole herself, crushing her right wing. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH…!!”

“RAINBOW…!!” cried Spike.

Rainbow was able to walk on her feet, but her wing hurt too much for her to flap. “OW!!” she groaned.

“Rainbow!” cried Spike “Are you alright?”

“GET AWAY FROM ME!!” she thundered at him, making him jump back as if he had seen a Timber Wolf. “Now my wing’s probably broken! I won’t be able to participate in the Wonderbolts’ show!”

Spike tried to explain himself, but Rainbow just stormed off to tend to her sore wing going, “I take it back! You ARE bad luck!”

Then she was gone!

Poor Spike was feeling more crushed than ever. “What is going on today?!” he grumbled, “Why can’t I do one lousy thing right!”

He walked along softly kicking a stone by his foot

He passed by the elementary school where the Cutie Mark Crusaders and their schoolmates were in the playground during recess.

He didn’t dare go too close, not wanting to cause anymore mishaps or injury, but the Crusaders saw him and they trotted over to him.

“Spike, we’ve seen happier faces in a frowning contest.” said Sweetie Belle

“What worm’s been gnawin’ at your apple?” asked Applebloom.

Spike just backed away from the girls, “I’d rather not say.”

The girls were confused, but as they tried to approach him, Spike just ran away going, “Don’t come near me!”

Then he was gone, running off so quickly.

“Wow! He must have one big problem.” said Scootaloo.

“I think I know what his problem is.” said Sweetie Belle and she explained to the others what she found out from Rarity, and how she just dumped him, not wanting to give him a chance.

“Well that there’s just silly.” said Applebloom.

“That’s what I felt.” said Sweetie Belle “Sure, it is strange, a dragon and a pony, but that shouldn’t make much a difference. Rarity’s just being self-centered again.”

Scootaloo’s head twitched “Are you girls thinking what I am?”

The others nodded, and agreed to help out.

“Hold it a minute.” cried Applebloom, “Remember what happened the last time we tried to play matchmakin’ with Ms. Cheerilee and Big Mac?”

Cheerilee walked by having overheard them. “I remember it too well…”

The girls slowly turned round and smiled innocently at their teacher, but Cheerilee could already sense something was up. “What are you girls up to now?”

“Oh, nothing…” replied the girls.

Cheerilee didn’t buy what they were selling. “Girls, you have a long history of doing crazy stunts, and it usually ends up causing big disasters with hilarious consequences. You may have good intentions, but this time I think you should tell me what you’re planning before you do it.”

The girls really didn’t want to, but respecting their teacher, and not like she gave them a choice, they explained their plan to set Spike and Rarity up and why.

“I see…” said Cheerilee. Much as she thought Rarity was being rather shallow, “Girls it is her decision. I know you may not understand this because you’re young, but you should remember that romance isn’t something you can force on a couple.”

The girls hung their heads low, “Yes Ms. Cheerilee.”

“Good. So I don’t have to tell you this is something you should stay out of.”

The girls nodded, and Cheerilee went away.

“We’re totally doing this, right?” asked Scootaloo, and the others nodded.