The Hybrid

Trouble in the Valley of Peace

The team was brought to the green grassy hill just outside of the Valley. Garfield broke through the swirling vortex first. "Whoa," The green teen marveled as the rest came in. Raven saw the quaint little village resting in the heart of the huge mountain base. The village surrounded the one gigantically ascending mountain jutting into the skies above.

"Wow," Raven quietly whispered amazed as Tigress patted her on the shoulder.

"Welcome to the Valley of Peace," Tigress announced with a smile.

"It's a good place to be. Not much happens around here," Po said casually. Tigress eyed the panda suspiciously. "I mean, other than the bandits, villains, thugs, you know, the usu." Raven saw the mountain of the Jade Palace resting in the neck of another higher mountain. The green, red structure on top of the mountain gleamed in the sunlight. Raven felt Garfield dart past her, looking down into the valley.

"This is so cool! It's like a video game come true!"

"Talking animals in ancient China? How is this any different from the mystical magic land of Corinth with Grootslang?" Raven asked.

"It doesn't have a wise crake snake," Beast Boy muttered. Raven smiled as they went down into the valley. Ducks, pigs, bunnies, and goats roamed the streets in packed stone-covered streets. "Wow, this is amazing."

"If you say so," Raven muttered, noticing the stares and glares from other animals. Garfield frowned, but Po suddenly patted Raven on the back.

"Don't worry. They're like that with every new person, even me," Po smiled.

"You?" Lief asked, "But you were raised here." Po shrugged.

"It doesn't stop people from judging. The harshest critics are your family members." Beast Boy looked at the ground with another frown.

"What's wrong?" Raven asked.

"I was just... thinking of the time I... called you a freak. It must have been rough getting that from your friend," Garfield sighed.

"Best friend," Raven corrected, making the green teen feel worse, "But I got over it. Plus, you were right, I was creepy." Raven gave a dangerous smirk. "But so are you."

"Me? How?"

"Oh, I don't know. I would think that sneaking into someone's room, taking up magic, and being so worried about them is a little concerning. Even stalker-ish," The blue/red-haired teen slowly grinned with a closed mouth.

"WHAT! I was just... trying to get to know you better, that's all!" Beast Boy exclaimed. Raven only smiled as they reached the bottom of the stairs.

"UGH! STAIRS!" Po groaned loudly, making Tigress's eyes roll.

"We do have two magicians here," the hyena stated. Po seemed relieved and excited, but Garfield looked worried.

"What's wrong?"

"Elevation has always been a tricky thing for me. I can do it, but it's tricky. I can't explain it," Garfield mentioned to Raven. "It's easier for me to go up-down, not down up." Raven nodded, opening up her own dark portal. As the team went through it, Po shivered violently as they made it to the top.

"GEEZZ! Can we never use your portal again, Raven? It gives me the creeps!"

"Po!" Tigress harshly corrected.

"No, he's right." Raven shivered. Garfield was confused. "Combined with my animal powers, I can start to feel the coldness of my original powers." The green teen was still confused.

"In any case, we're here." Leif finished. The large decorative doors of the Jade Palace opened wide. Raven's eyes widened again as she saw a bird, monkey, snake, and some small bug fighting each other in a sparring match.