The Longest November

Disclaimer: I OWN NEITHER TEEN TITANS NOR V FOR VENDETTA. Credits go to Glen Murakami and Alan Moore.

TITANS TOWER, 11:12 AM

"Happy Blorthog!"

Starfire entered the lounge spouting something about a Tamaranian holiday, arms overflowing with what I assumed to be her planet's festival trinkets while Cyborg and Beast Boy argued over their childish video games. Across from me, Robin blared some sort of alternative hip hop instrumental through his ghettoblaster. I read my poetry in silence.

"Please, friends. If we could for one moment-"

"C'mere Beast Boy, ya little snot nugget! I got somethin' for ya!"

"Would you two cut it out?! I can't concentrate on my work with all the yelling!"

"I don't see how you could concentrate on work with that ear sore playing in the background." I pondered, deciding to be a smart-ass about it.

"I'm only playing the music to drown out these two!"

"Well maybe when Raven gives me back my nail clippers, YOU can have the controller!"

"That's it, I've had it up to he-"

"QUIIIIIEEEETTTTTTT!" the room fell silent as Starfire solemnly began her speech.

"Friends should not behave in such a manner toward each other, especially on Blorthog! Is it your wish to bring forth the Rekmas?"

"Who, the what, now?" Beast Boy asked in a nonsensical manner. Starfire hung her head as she explained the meaning to her fellow Titans.

"In Tamaranian, the word 'Rekmas' means "the drifting" and signifies the separation of people you hold dearest to your heart as their friendship begins to die." One by one they glanced at each other as Robin broke the silence.

"Starfire, we're not gonna drift apart." he said with a sincere smile. "We're roommates. At some point, we're bound to get on each other's nerves. It's completely normal. We're all gonna be best friends forever, promise."

Starfire's face got a little brighter as she grinned with a slight nod. I guess when the Boy Wonder's right, he's right; took me almost a half a year to get used to Beast Boy. But that age old question arises: how long is forever?

Our communicators lit up with that unmistakable red light. Just as I got comfortable, it never fails.

"We got trouble. Mad Mod's been spotted with Warp at the Cultural Museum downtown, let's move." Robin huffed as he latched the communicator back on his utility belt. Mad Mod and Warp working together? That's a new one.

JUMP CITY CULTURAL MUSEUM, 1:22 PM

"Oi! So this ruddy clock is what the fuss is all about, yeah? Wot'sit do exactly?" Mad Mod queried with his thick British accent. Warp marveled at the object in his possession. "This, mister Mod, is the Clock of Eternity. Essentially a time machine; expensive here in the present, but worth more than anything in the future. It's been my life's goal to steal it…now it's finally in the palm of my hand."

"That's all good and well, mate, but ol' Moddy's gotta look out for numbah one. Can it get me where I need to be?" Mad Mod continued to inquire.

Warp laughed and gave Mod his assurance, "Not only does it have the power to get you where you need to be, it'll get you when you need to be."

"Well I see both your futures, and it looks to me like there's only hard time ahead. Titans, GO!"

Robin swooped down while throwing flashbangs as he landed, causing Warp to blind fire shoulder lasers with one hitting Beast Boy upon descent. Mad Mod reached for the Clock and advanced toward the center of the room behind an exhibit. Starfire shot a few star bolts at Warp, which he swatted away with ease.

"Warp is undefeatable. You cannot beat an opponent who knows the future." Warp bellowed with the utmost verbose confidence.

"Azarath Metrion ZINTHOS!" I sent two nearby pillars plummeting towards Warp, hoping they'd connect; instead he blasted them to splinters with his energy weapon, now pointed at me. Cyborg, seemingly out of nowhere, stood in front of me and countered the beam with his sonic cannon. I can't even count all the times he's saved my life. All the times we've saved each other.

"Keep an eye on Mod, Raven! We've got Warp!" Cyborg called out as his cannon's blast wave continued to collide with Warp's.

I flew over to where Mad Mod cowered as he tinkered with the clock.

"Where do you think you're going? Hand over the Clock, now!" I ordered.

"Sorry, luv! Places to be, biggah fish and chips to fry!" Mod uttered as he opened the space-time bridge.

Warp, still battling the Titans, furiously questioned Mad Mod on his intention.

"Mod! You knew of the Clock the entire time? How dare you double-cross me!"

"Nothing personal, old chap! Every lad for himself, eh?" Mod chuckled as he waved and entered the wormhole.

No time to think about it, Raven. Gotta act fast!

"I'm going after Mod!" Raven told her team as she soared into the vortex.

"Raven, wait! Stop!"

Robin called to the young Titan, but the portal closed. He turned to Warp, who had since then been subdued, hoping to get an answer as to what just occurred.

"Where did they go?! Tell me!" Robin growled.

"Hahaha! You're too late, Titans. Mad Mod and your friend are long gone…into the future."

I've traveled across dimensions before with magic, but this is entirely different. I float like I'm weightless, even though it feels as if there are forces between me and Mod, propelling us through this…bulk.

"Ggggiiiveeeee…Mmmmeeeee…Theeeeeeeee…Ccccllllllooooockkkkkkk…" The sound is distorted. There's a void ahead of us, getting closer, but it feels like eons. Mod's clutching the device like a newborn child. Can't reach far enough. The void is upon us now, stretching across my vision. Could it be the night sky?

Raven lands roughly with a thud onto a snow-capped sidewalk. Still dazed from the journey and landing, she curses, steadily gaining her composure while putting a hand on the crown of her head.

Where am I? When am I? More importantly, where's Mad Mod?

There was what appeared to be a bar a few blocks away from where Raven stood. Good enough place to turn over a few leafs for the time being. The air was cold wherever she was, still assuming it was November, so she utilized her cloak's hood. Also, she had just came out of nowhere and landed practically in the streets, so going incognito was most likely the smart thing to do in this case.

The bar smelled of alcohol and cigarettes upon entering, no surprise there. Definitely not a place Raven would spend her weekends off, but they were playing post-punk on the jukebox which she happened to enjoy. Odd, not too many places like that in Jump City.

"'Ello, luv. Fancy a pint?" the bartender asked.

That accent…I'm either in a limey version of Jump City like all the other times, or that time jump teleported me to England.

"No thank you. If you have Earl Grey, I'll take a cup. By the way, I'm a little lost. Could you tell me where this is?" said Raven.

"Why, you're at McKinnon's! Best pub just outside of London!" stated the barkeep, matter-of-factly.

London. What are you planning, Mod?

The Englishman poured the tea and handed it to Raven.

"Here you are, Earl Grey fresh out of the pot. Anythin' else, luv?"

"An up-to-date newspaper if you got one." Raven replied as she blew on her tea.

"Might think about readin' that one quick, luv. Only a half hour 'til curfew." the bartender warned.

Curfew?

The barkeep laid the newspaper next to her tea plate. It read "CHANCELLOR MOD ISSUES EARLIER CURFEW" with a date of November 4th, 2023.

November of 2023. It's been twenty years.

TO BE CONTINUED