Fair warning, bad fictional parenting. It doesn’t get much worse than your father being an actual, literal demon trying to bring about the end of the world.
“When I use my powers, I have to put a little of my soul into whatever I’m moving. I become a part of it and it becomes a part of me.”
Raven, Teen Titans 2003.
Raven is a teenager who has to keep her emotions under control, or else her powers go out of control. She was always my favorite Teen Titan. This quote reminds me of how I feel while writing. I put my soul into my work. My spirit will live on in all the writings that I do, the fanfiction, the original fiction, the essays; everything. And I don’t want my Third Age writings to be the only writings I’m leaving behind. I hate it here, as all the Ardan Elves hate their world. They all want to sail home to their mommies! Or whatever family they’ve got in Valinor. However, there is still evil to fight in this world. Even if the evils in the real world are a lot harder to fight than the evils in a story. Raven’s not alone, she has teammates, and so do I; even if we can’t all be together physically in one state, never mind one building. I’m finally being more honest with my partner, MabustheDark, about how much I struggle in life, and it’s awesome! No more worrying that whatever I have to say will completely break them. My partner’s got this! They’re worth getting outside my own head.
Raven has a teammate named Starfire whose powers are fueled by her emotions (flight from joy, energy projection from righteous fury, strength from confidence). Naturally, there was an episode where they had to switch bodies (and powers). I haven’t watched that episode in a while, but that’s the power of really knowing your characters. Sometimes, all the drama you need is to have them try to cope with each other’s problems.
So without further ado, here is some wisdom from Raven, the Dark-type Teen Titan, for anyone else who’s struggling to keep whatever power they’ve got under control. And just as importantly, a warning for people who don’t understand that when someone’s going from 0 to 60, it’s because you didn’t notice 1 from 59. You might be free and encouraged to express your actual, honest emotions; unfortunately, other people are not. Mental health is no joke even when you’ve got a loving family to support you. Some people don’t even have their family on their side. Some people receive more love from their friends.
- “Maybe you haven’t noticed, but my emotions are dangerous. I can’t afford to feel anything.”
- “My powers are driven by emotion. The more you feel, the more energy you unleash.”
- “My mind is a battleground, whipped and ripped asunder, torn from the very fabric of reality.”
- “I am afraid. But that doesn’t mean I can’t fight back.”
- “If it wasn’t for that beast, I might not be here right now. Having that thing inside doesn’t make you an animal. Knowing when to let it out is what makes you a man.”
- Said about Beast Boy, another one of her teammates. He shapeshifts into animals!
- “Don’t make me send you to another dimension.”
- “So for those who don’t believe in ghosts, how many of you would be willing to spend a few nights in a house considered haunted by restless spirits?”
- “If I die, I will become a ghost. If I become a ghost, I would haunt everyone, only my enemies, not my allies, my enemies.”
- “A magician never reveals her secrets.”
- “So, does anyone actually have a plan?”
- “You may have created me. But you were never a father! Fathers are kind! Fathers protect you! Fathers raise you! I was protected by the Monks of Azarath. I was raised by my friends! They are my family! This is my home! And you are not welcome here! Azarath Metreon Zinthos!”
- For context, “Azarath Metreon Zinthos” is the phrase she uses to focus her powers. Azarath is her home, while Metreon and Zinthos have no confirmed canonical meaning. Back in STAR Blazers, I had Metreon mean “mother” and Zinthos mean “friends”. One of my aunts from my dad’s side of the family didn’t want us saying this phrase cuz it could mean something “ungodly” or whatever. Even back then, I thought her censorship ideas were weird. She also banned Full House and Wonder Pets. Like grow up, woman, this is a kid’s show. Why would it mean a swear word? To my knowledge, I don’t remember any fuss made over all the made-up alien words Starfire ever said…
- She’s also kicking Trigon’s ass during this speech! You go, Raven! Your dad sucks!
“HFE, thank you for creating and sharing so much art and writing for free. How can we help turn your passion and skills into a full-time gig?”
I’m glad you asked!
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