Summary: Terra has become aware of the Titan's latest development, and is seeking revenge.
Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans.
AN: This is the first chapter of the rewrite of my first story. I wrote it a long time ago, and after re-reading it, felt that it needed a lot of editing. To all who liked the first one, I apologize. I won't delete it, but I just feel that it needed some work. To anyone who hasn't read it, you may read the first one, read this one, or read both. Either way, enjoy!
1
Richard Grayson sat in his office, staring blankly at his computer monitor. His jet black hair was spiked in its usual style, making him look like a madman. If it weren't for his mask, his eyes would've revealed bags from a consistent lack of sleep, which would have further emphasized his crazy appearance.
He took another big gulp of coffee from his mug before sighing and leaning back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head. He stared at the ceiling, which was a boring slate grey. I hate work, he thought. He sighed once again before returning to the façade that was his "leader mode", or as his friend and colleague Beast Boy would call it.
He dove back into his work, but froze when his eye caught something. It was a rarely-opened file that sat somewhere in the midst of the rest. Puzzled, Robin clicked it, and a scarily familiar face popped out at him. He let out a yelp, but recovered long enough to look closely at the betraying blond that had caused his team so much trouble. Richard grimaced, closing the window and going back to his duties. He right-clicked the file and clicked the "delete" option. The computer asked if he was sure and Robin almost laughed at it before clicking "yes".
It was morning, and the Titans were dispersed. Every hero was immersed in an activity of their choosing, so the tower was busy. Starfire stood in the kitchen, preparing yet another one of her native recipes. The alien took a wooden spoon and lightly tapped it on her silk worm's head, telling it to keep out of the boiling pot. Silkie obeyed and crawled over to some already-prepared delicacies and began devouring.
Robin walked in a while later, making his way over to the kitchen to add his mug onto the growing pile of dirty dishes in and around the sink. He spotted Starfire and smiled wearily, letting the alien princess kiss him on the cheek. He wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing her back.
"You are tired," Starfire stated, playfully scolding her boyfriend. Robin shrugged.
"These files don't update themselves, Star," he leaned against the counter and folded his arms. Robin yawned and turned away, commencing to walk back over to the entrance. Starfire put her hands on her hips.
"To where are you going?" she asked. Richard turned with a confused expression on his face.
"The gym?" he pointed behind him. The alien sighed.
"Hey, I have to keep up-"
Starfire put a hand up to stop him. "It is alright," she smiled, "You may go." Robin smiled and turned, walking out of the room.
On the roof, Raven sat in mid-air, meditating as usual. She centered herself, clearing her mind and emptying her thoughts. The air in the morning was cooler, and the dark Titan preferred venturing out of the tower during this time. Even though the others were already awake, it had been proven that they do not start their irritating sounds until noon. Raven breathed out.
"Hi, honey."
Rachel opened an eye and looking to her right. Once she identified the person, she closed her eye and sighed.
"Hello, Gar." The dark Titan touched the ground below and let Beast Boy pull her into an embrace. The green Titan smiled, having never forgotten the moment when she first let him do the gesture. He leaned away a bit to see his love's face, who smiled softly at him. Garfield smiled wider, pulling Rachel into a soft kiss. The dark Titan flushed, still a bit startled from the first that he'd kissed her. She told herself over again that blushing and quickening heart rates were normal symptoms of love and kissed the green Titan back.
Beast Boy pulled his head away from Raven's and dug his hand into his pocket, pulling out a small cobalt box made of velvet. Raven's raised an eyebrow, wondering what the changeling could be hiding in the small cube. Garfield notice his girlfriend's eyes on the box and turned his back to her, signalling that she wasn't to look until he was ready. Raven rolled her eyes and folded her arms, waiting for the changeling to show her what he was hiding.
Finally, Beast Boy turned to reveal the opened box. Rachel gasped. In the box was a simple gold and ruby charm bracelet, but it still made the dark Titan smile. She looked up at her boyfriend, who grinned sheepishly as she took the accessory from its case. She eyed the bracelet with a raised eyebrow, contemplating its price.
"This looks expensive, Gar," she fit it onto her wrist and gave Beast Boy a warning look. Garfield scratched the back of his head and looked at the ground.
"Yeah, but I couldn't resist," he smiled to himself and fidgeted. Raven sighed and looked at the charm bracelet. She smiled.
"Well, it is nice," she said. Beast Boy looked at her and grinned, pulling her in for another kiss.
Robin gave a right hook to the punching bag that swung back and forth at him. Every time it came back to its original place, the masked Titan would assault it again with one of his limbs. He didn't notice when Cyborg walked in, going straight to the bench press. The half-robot smiled and waved.
"Hey," he greeted. Robin nodded.
"Hey." He punched the dummy once more. "Where's Bumblebee?" Victor grinned.
"Where do you think?" he asked. Richard rolled his eyes. He still remembered when the yellow-and-black-donning Titan and the half-robot had practically cornered him, demanding that Bumblebee live with them in Jump City. The Titan leader tried his best to resist, but after a gruelling while of whining and threatening, he was worn down. Robin put some of that irritation into his next kick.
"Aw, Dick, don't feel bad. You put up a good fight," Cyborg started his reps. Robin side-glared at his friend, who merely laughed.
"You know it's your fault that Beast Boy and Raven are together, right?" Robin asked. Victor paused to brush imaginary dust from his electric blue shoulder, grinning proudly.
"Yep, I'm that good of a matchmaker," he responded. Richard rolled his eyes again. "Aw come on. You know you're happy for them too." Robin paused and thought back to when the two Titans had finally united. He shrugged, deciding that he was happy for them.
"He finally managed to drive her crazy enough to be with him," the masked hero joked, making Cyborg bellow with laughter. The chuckles died down, and Robin yawned again for the morning, lazily swiping at the punching bag. Victor took note of this and stopped his workout, walking over to his best friend.
"Yo, man, what's up?" he laid a hand on Robin's shoulder.
"Files. Just updating files," Richard shrugged.
"We have that many Titans?" the half-robot asked. Robin nodded.
"So many Titans in so many regions," he commented, going back to hitting the punching bag. Cyborg nodded.
"I wonder if they all know each other," he contemplated. Robin stopped, letting the sac swing back and forth. The thought never occurred to him before, but now that it was in his conscious, a growing worry grew within him. He face-palmed.
"Why didn't I think of that sooner?" he asked, half-groaning. Cyborg shook his head.
"I don't know, but now we gotta think of something, because what if one was in trouble…"
"…in another's region without any sort of back-up plan," Robin finished with a nod. He sighed. "Yeah, I know." The masked Titan punched the bag with more force.
"A banquet! That is what we shall hold!" Starfire jumped up in joy. She started to rant on about her idea as the rest of her friends listened. The alien walked about the common room while explaining her plan in glee, her smile radiating throughout the room. The five other superheroes eyed their happy teammate as she talked and talked, half-listening, half-ignoring. Finally, Starfire came to a stop and clasped her hands together. There was silence amongst the others as they stared back at the alien.
"Well, aside from that Spitflax-"
"Sputflinx."
"Uh, Sputflinx, that doesn't sound like a bad idea," Cyborg looked at the others, who nodded in agreement. Starfire grinned and looked over at Robin, who smiled.
"Sounds good, Star," he praised. The alien princess's grinned increased as she looked over to Beast Boy and Raven. The green Titan grinned.
"Cool! I can finally show Raven my moves!" he wriggled his eyebrows, resting his chin on the dark girl's head, who was seated in his lap. Raven raised an eyebrow, looking up from her book.
"You have moves?" she questioned sarcastically, causing her boyfriend to frown. The rest shook their heads, glad that despite their new found relationship, Raven and Beast Boy hadn't really changed. Raven sighed.
"If it's the only way…" she said. Starfire clapped, looking over at Bumblebee, who was standing in the way of the alien's unanimous vote. She shrugged.
"Okay," she agreed. Koriand'r gasped, flying up into the air and flipping.
"…"
Everyone paused, looking towards the source of the noise. They caught sight of Rachel, who fidgeted behind her tome. Beast Boy nudged her.
"What?" he asked slyly. "What did you say?" The dark Titan shook her head.
"N-Nothing," she dismissed, burying her head in her novel.
"Rae, I know you said something," Cyborg accused. Raven glared at the half-metal Titan.
"Really. Drop it," she warned. The looks she received never seized to annoy her. Rachel slammed her book shut and breathed out.
"Fine," she let up. "I was suggesting…a masquerade." She fiddled with the binding on her copy. The other sat in silence, staring at the dark girl.
"Uh…" Cyborg started.
"I just…think it adds mystery. That's all. Can we drop it now?" Raven crossed her arms and huffed. After a moment of thinking, Starfire gasped.
"Yes! A masquerade!" she declared, pointing a finger in the air.
"Sure, that sounds fun," Robin agreed.
"Wow, Rae. I didn't know you had an imagination," Beast Boy snuggled Raven, who frowned at his comment.
"Why am I your girlfriend again?" she asked. The green Titan leaned away, his ears flopping in mock sadness. Rachel looked back and rolled her eyes.
"So, then it's settled. The Teen Titans are having a masquerade," Robin announced.