Asura, the humble servant By VegaArtemis
Jump city was very much similar of Gotham city, though they were hundreds of miles apart, one could always see a similar side to the two cities. Bright skies, busy streets, and your local superheroes. Although Gotham city had only one dark vigilante, Jump city had a whole team of guardians looking out for their citizens. And unlike Gotham's Batman, who preferred to keep himself a secret, the Teen titans had a huge capitol "T" shaped tower right in the middle of the bay.
This could be easily seen from the helicopter that Bruce Wayne and his protégé were riding in. Earlier that day, the Teen Titans' leader, Robin, got a call from Bruce and said he was to present the Titans with a gift for their recent victory over crime in Jump city. Eager to receive their gift, the Titans were awaiting Bruce's arrival on the top of the tower. "I'm not sure what it is, but if it's from Bruce Wayne, it's bound to be something good" said Robin to the other Titans.
"Maybe it's a new computer console, I have been getting bored kicking Beast Boy's butt in every video game we have" said Cyborg, Beast Boy looked at Cyborg smugly and rolled his eyes.
"Perhaps it is a new wardrobe and vanity set for me, Terra, and Raven to, how do you say, make ourselves up?" suggested Starfire
"you mean, put on make up Star?" asked Terra
"Yes, the crude art of applying powder and paint to one's face in order to make themselves look even more beautiful then they are" Said Raven in her monotone voice
"Something I do not understand, why is it that boys do not use make up?" asked Starfire.
"It's kinda complicated, Star" said Beast Boy
"look, there's the chopper!" said Robin, as the helicopter came closer, its thunderous roar over took the titans' ears. Robin, Beast Boy, Terra and Starfire all ducked down slightly in a reflex to stay away from the chopper blades, even if they knew they were too far off the ground to hurt them. As the chopper touched down onto the heli-pad, Robin could see the familiar face of Bruce Wayne in the passenger seat. The chopper's blades slowly came to a stop, and the door opened with the imposing Bruce Wayne stepping out of the chopper. He walked toward the Titans with a smile on his face.
"It's good to see you again Robin," He said in his deep businessman voice. Robin outstretched his arm and hand and gave Bruce a hardy handshake "good to see you too, sir" he said respectfully. The other titans were amazed; they had never heard Robin call anyone "sir" before.
"Mr. Wayne, I'd like you to meet the other Teen Titans," Bruce walked toward the almost as tall as him Cyborg and shook his metallic hand "Cyborg, pleased to meet you" said Cyborg as respectfully as possible "Glad to see your father's experiment was successful" said Bruce.
He then walked to Terra, who was practically dwarfed in size compared to Bruce, "I'm Terra, its n-nice to meet you sir" said Terra nervously. She had recently read the latest magazine saying Bruce was one of the most handsome bachelors in the world "nice to meet you to" Bruce said in a kindly voice and shook the already shaking hand of Terra
Beast Boy, who for some reason was staying close to Terra, was next "How's it going Mr. Wayne?" asked Beast Boy in his usual charismatic attitude. "Well enough thankfully, it's good to meet the boy who can change into the entire animal kingdom" Bruce said as he shook his hand.
Starfire eagerly awaited the hand of Bruce Wayne, she had read the same magazine as Terra, but she was not as shy as her. "it's an honor, no, a privilege to meet you sir!!" she said gleefully. "No, the honor is mine, this is the first time I've ever seen a Tamaranian." He said respectfully as he kissed Starfire's hand. Starfire practically melted away at the touch of Bruce's lips on her hand. Luckily she was caught by Raven who was standing next to her.
"You certainly have a way with the women Mr. Wayne" said Raven. Bruce chuckled as Raven handed the star-struck Starfire into Terra's arms. "And you are the first citizen of Azarath I've ever met, I hear it's quite a sight to see it" He said as he shook the cold hand of Raven.
After formally introducing himself to the Titans, he walked back a few steps. "As you all probably have figured out, I'm here to present you all with a gift on behalf of both the mayor of Gotham city, and Jump city." Bruce then turned his head to the chopper "You can come out now, Asura" The Titans' eyes turned toward the helicopter doors.
Out stepped a young man, no older than sixteen. He had short brown hair, emerald eyes, and wore a red and yellow tight fitting Buddhist robe. Above that he wore a large necklace of Buddhist prayer beads. He walked to Bruce's side with a nervous look on his face. "This is Asura. He is a Buddhist monk from Tibet. He wishes to be the Titan's personal attendant for the tower and your companion for as long as you wish. He is well trained in all forms of martial arts, he is a top technician, one of the few child philosophers, the only child considered to be Iron Chef material, house keeper, and plays a mean game of F-zero GX."
Each of the titans became interested as Bruce mentioned his skills, Robin and Starfire had a new sparring partner, Cyborg had a personal technician for his car and himself, Raven had a meditation partner and Beast Boy had a new opponent to play his favorite games with. "I-it is an honor to m-meet you all" Asura said nervously. Robin was the first to welcome. "It's good to meet you too, Asura"
"I come bearing gifts for each of you!" he said quickly as he lifted a large set of bags and packages. To robin, he gave a set of books about Chinese and Japanese Zen Buddhist techniques. "Wow! thanks man!" Robin said. To Starfire, he gave a telescope set and an astronomy book with the Tamaran system pointed out for her. "Oh my deepest gratitude towards you Asura" He gave Cyborg a small processing microchip, meant to enhance his sonic blasts. "Sweet! you're officially on my good side!" said Cyborg. To Beast Boy, he gave a huge book detailing every dinosaur that lived from the Cretaceous to the Jurassic period. "Wow! I had no idea these babies existed!" said Beast Boy ecstatically. Terra received a book on geology so that she could figure out the right kind of rocks to throw at her opponents. "Cool!" she said satisfied.
As Asura approached Raven, he kept his eyes from making contact with hers, Asura was blushing and shaking a lot, and almost dropped Raven's fragile gift, an enclosed incubator containing small blue egg on top of a book about chakras and poetry by Edgar Allan Poe. Raven curiously looked at the egg inside the incubator. "A raven egg?" she asked. Asura nodded his head. "Thank you" Raven said reluctantly.
"Well I can see that this is a friendship that will last" said Bruce. "You bet Mr. Wayne, thanks a lot! Any chance you could stick around for a little while?" asked Robin.
"I wish I could Robin, but Wayne Enterprises needs their CEO back." Enjoy your gifts and your new friend." As Bruce walked back to the chopper, Asura steadily stepped back away from Raven, still blushing and shaking. "Come on inside Asura, I'll show you around" Said Robin. Asura quickly rushed to Robin's side and followed him inside the tower. The other Titan's went about their business in the tower.
A few minutes later after touring the tower, Asura went into the kitchen and started to make the Titans' dinner. He started to cut blocks of cheese, boiled a large package of noodles, and started making a cheese soup. Beast Boy entered the kitchen and snuck up behind Asura, he put his hand on his shoulder and Asura jolted with a startled gasp. He turned to Beast Boy and breathed a sigh of relief. "Whatcha making Azzy?" he asked playfully.
"Baked macaroni and cheese" he said with a confident tone.
"Cheese huh?" Beast Boy had a dissatisfied look on his face. Asura then grabbed the cheese wrapper and milk carton and showed it to beast boy, they read "100% soy" "don't worry, I've got you covered" said Asura.
"Wow Azzy, you sure know a lot about us, how do you know so much?"
"Mr. Wayne pretty much explained everything I need to know about you in order to be a perfect attendant to all of you" He said as he continued stirring the cheesy mixture.
"Wow, Mr. Wayne does his homework" Asura continued making dinner. As his confection baked in the oven, the cheesy aroma attracted the titans into the kitchen. Asura was cleaning all of the cooking supplies up when he saw all the titans but Raven rush into the kitchen to investigate the intoxicating smell. Asura turned around to see the wide eyes and drooling mouths of the titans. "Not to worry, it will be ready in a few more minutes" assured Asura. ignoring Asura, the titans continued to stand and drool on the floor, watching the timer work its way down until it finally rang. They then watched as Asura grabbed the casserole dish with his bare hands, and set it down on the kitchen counter. "Doesn't that hurt? that thing has got to be hotter than Raven's temper!" asked Terra.
"Yea its hot, but I can deal with it, Buddhist training teaches to live with pain as our companion" assured Asura. He then reached up into the top cabinet and pulled out six plates and set them onto the counter. As he prepared to serve the mac and cheese, Raven appeared, finally caught by the lure of the aroma. He took a serving spoon and scooped the mac and cheese onto the plates. Each of the titans took their plates and sat down wherever they felt was a good place to eat.
"Wow, Asura, this is great! Where did you learn how to make this?" asked Cyborg.
"My mother taught me how to make it." Asura answered as he partook in his own plate. A few minutes later a ringing sound came from Robin's pocket. It was his pocket communicator. "Titans, Trouble! move out!" After robin said that, the Titans disappeared from the tower in less than a minute, leaving nothing but spilled plates of macaroni and cheese for Asura to clean up, which he was more than happy to do.
Meanwhile in the middle of the city, a group of slade-bots was pulling a bank heist at the first national bank. One of the bots were holding hostages, while the others were cleaning out the safe and loading the money into a hover-carrier that had busted through the roof of the bank. The police were already on the scene, but where powerless with hostages being held. Just as the last bag of cash was grabbed out of the safe, the robotic arm that was clutching it was blasted off by Cyborg's sonic blaster.
"Your bank account has expired, friends, looks like you are making illegal transactions" said Robin as he and the rest of the titans appeared from the hole in the roof. Starfire blasted away at the slade-bot keeping the hostages, while Terra and Beast Boy attacked the other larger mechs raiding the vaults. Terra raised the marble tiles from the floor and hurled them into the heads of the mechs and bots, while Beast Boy stomped and chomped his way through in the form of a tyrannosaurus. With the hostages unguarded, Raven approached them, "Azarath Metrione Zinthose" she chanted, and the chains binding the hostage together were loosened. As the hostages ran out of the building Raven and Terra continued to smash the attacking robots with chunks of rock and tile that was lying around. One of the slade bots got away with a few bags of money and hopped on the hover carrier. Robin jumped on just before it got too high. He climbed into the control cabin and slugged the slade-bot in the face, it responded with a few punches and kicks which were easily dodged, then Robin planted an electric disk onto the robot's back, and the robot collapsed with the sudden shock. The other Titans followed robin into the sky, Cyborg being carried by Beast Boy as a Pterodactyl, and Terra floating on a few tiles of marble.
"Good work team" said Robin. just as he said that, the back of the head of the incapacitated slade-bot opened, and a holographic image of slade appeared.
"Very good work indeed, Titans, in falling for my diversion." He said sinisterly
"What are you talking about, Slade?"
"While you were saving the bank, I sent an entire legion of my mechs to destroy your precious tower, but don't worry, I'm sure there is a box in some alleyway you can call home" the image of Slade then disappeared. The Titans then looked towards the bay to see the bottom of the tower engulfed in bluish flames and explosions.
"OH NO!! ASURA IS STILL IN THERE" yelled Beast Boy, "TITANS, GO!!" ordered Robin. The titans rushed to the tower as fast as they possibly could. As they came closer, they saw ten large orbs of blue light surrounding the tower. Even closer they saw those orbs were shooting blue beams of energy away from the tower and onto the attacking legions of slade- bots. The legions were being decimated by these mysterious blue orbs. "look, the top of the tower" said Starfire. There was a large, monstrous blue spirit creature with two sets of five arms spread out. Its eyes were closed and looking strait up into the air. The titans were half frightened and half amazed at this huge creature protecting the tower. As soon the remnants of the slade army began to retreat, the orbs stopped shooting, and went flew to the neck of the giant creature.
When the orbs met each other at the neck of the creature, the creature started to shrink gradually. It continued shrinking and until it disappeared entirely from the sight of the Titans. They then went to investigate the top of the tower, there was Asura, his shirt was gone, but he giant beads were still there, and they were glowing a bluish color. "Asura, was that creature, you?" asked Starfire with amazement. Asura shook his head "Well, did you have something to do with it?" Asura nodded his head. Starfire then tightly embraced Asura and twirled him around "Thank you so much for saving our beloved home!!" said a very happy Starfire "N-no problem star, but you don't need to show your appreciation by squeezing-the-life out of me!!" Starfire released Asura and he collapsed onto the ground, trying to catch his breath. "come on inside you guys, apparently Mr. Wayne didn't explain everything there is to know about me"
A few minutes later, Asura sat down with the rest of the titans in the main living room. "what you saw was a guardian spirit inside me. It protects me and those who I care about. Its name is Senju. I can summon it only when I am positive that I or the people I care about are in grave danger. I can never use it to attack others." explained Asura
"But there was no one in the tower, how is it that Senju was able to protect it?" asked Cyborg
"I was in the tower, I would have been killed if I hadn't done anything" answered Asura. Cyborg looked at the other Titans with an expression of obviousness. "Anyway, what you must know is that when Senju is summoned, stay clear of it. If I were to accidentally hurt one of you, I would lose control of Senju forever."
"Other than that, are you sure you are completely in control of it?" asked Robin
"Positive, no harm will ever come to you otherwise from me" assured Asura. Robin and the others breathed a sigh of relief. Later that night, when most of the others were asleep. Asura was meditating in the living room. His beads spun around his body slowly as he chanted quietly "oh mani pai mi nou, oh mani pai mi nou, oh mani pai mi nou"
As he chanted, Raven came in and stopped in her tracks when she saw Asura meditating. A quaint curiosity overtook her and she quietly approached him. As she did, the beads stopped spinning and came apart. Raven stopped and looked curiously. The beads flew to her and started to spin around her body. She didn't feel any sort of energy emanating from the beads, the were just spinning around her. She continued to walk towards Asura. Unlike Raven, Asura didn't levitate when he meditated, he simply sat, chanting over and over again, only stopping to take a short breath. But then, he stopped, and opened his eyes. He saw Raven and he started to shake and blush again, but not as much as he was before.
"Why are your beads spinning around me?" asked Raven
"Senju likes you" said Asura playfully
"Why?" she asked
"Senju is interested in those with a different enlightenment pattern than mine"
"Enlightenment pattern?"
"You control your powers with all of your emotions; I control Senju with only one emotion"
"How did you know how I control my powers?" Raven asked apprehensively
"Mr. Wayne pretty much explained everything I need to know about you in order to be a perfect attendant to all of you"
"Okay, so what emotion do you use to control Senju?"
"Care, simply that and nothing more. I care about someone, Senju protects them for me." Raven was intrigued by his response, and asked a more daring question. "Are Buddhists allowed to love, Asura?"
"Of course they are"
"I heard that they were not allowed to feel such emotion"
"Nothing can prevent that kind of emotion, Raven." As he said this, Asura's beads returned to his neck.
"What about passion?" asked Raven
"Yes they can feel that too, a few chapters of the Kama Sutra were written by Buddhist monks"
"Kama...Sutra?" asked Raven
"Translates into 'art of love'" chuckled Asura. Raven blushed a little after hearing this. She then quickly decided to change the conversation, "That was pretty impressive what Senju did for us, thanks a lot"
"Don't thank me, thank Senju, he is the one who wanted to protect you more than me" said Asura. "What were you chanting a few minutes ago?" asked Raven curiously.
"Oh mani pai mi nou, means, 'the universe flows within me' this is a sort of relaxing chant to my entire being, and it keeps Senju under my control"
"Senju certainly seems pretty demanding"
"All he wants is a pure mind and body to live in" Raven then sat down next to Asura "do you mind if I meditate with you?"
"No, not at all, Raven. I'd be honored." Raven smiled and closed her eyes, and moved her hands into a meditative position. Asura chanted as quietly as possible as to not disturb her concentration. "Azarath Metrione Zinthose, Azarath Metrione Zinthose, Azarath Metrione Zinthoes"
"Oh mani pai mi nou, oh mani pai mi nou, oh mani pai mi nou"
Jump city was very much similar of Gotham city, though they were hundreds of miles apart, one could always see a similar side to the two cities. Bright skies, busy streets, and your local superheroes. Although Gotham city had only one dark vigilante, Jump city had a whole team of guardians looking out for their citizens. And unlike Gotham's Batman, who preferred to keep himself a secret, the Teen titans had a huge capitol "T" shaped tower right in the middle of the bay.
This could be easily seen from the helicopter that Bruce Wayne and his protégé were riding in. Earlier that day, the Teen Titans' leader, Robin, got a call from Bruce and said he was to present the Titans with a gift for their recent victory over crime in Jump city. Eager to receive their gift, the Titans were awaiting Bruce's arrival on the top of the tower. "I'm not sure what it is, but if it's from Bruce Wayne, it's bound to be something good" said Robin to the other Titans.
"Maybe it's a new computer console, I have been getting bored kicking Beast Boy's butt in every video game we have" said Cyborg, Beast Boy looked at Cyborg smugly and rolled his eyes.
"Perhaps it is a new wardrobe and vanity set for me, Terra, and Raven to, how do you say, make ourselves up?" suggested Starfire
"you mean, put on make up Star?" asked Terra
"Yes, the crude art of applying powder and paint to one's face in order to make themselves look even more beautiful then they are" Said Raven in her monotone voice
"Something I do not understand, why is it that boys do not use make up?" asked Starfire.
"It's kinda complicated, Star" said Beast Boy
"look, there's the chopper!" said Robin, as the helicopter came closer, its thunderous roar over took the titans' ears. Robin, Beast Boy, Terra and Starfire all ducked down slightly in a reflex to stay away from the chopper blades, even if they knew they were too far off the ground to hurt them. As the chopper touched down onto the heli-pad, Robin could see the familiar face of Bruce Wayne in the passenger seat. The chopper's blades slowly came to a stop, and the door opened with the imposing Bruce Wayne stepping out of the chopper. He walked toward the Titans with a smile on his face.
"It's good to see you again Robin," He said in his deep businessman voice. Robin outstretched his arm and hand and gave Bruce a hardy handshake "good to see you too, sir" he said respectfully. The other titans were amazed; they had never heard Robin call anyone "sir" before.
"Mr. Wayne, I'd like you to meet the other Teen Titans," Bruce walked toward the almost as tall as him Cyborg and shook his metallic hand "Cyborg, pleased to meet you" said Cyborg as respectfully as possible "Glad to see your father's experiment was successful" said Bruce.
He then walked to Terra, who was practically dwarfed in size compared to Bruce, "I'm Terra, its n-nice to meet you sir" said Terra nervously. She had recently read the latest magazine saying Bruce was one of the most handsome bachelors in the world "nice to meet you to" Bruce said in a kindly voice and shook the already shaking hand of Terra
Beast Boy, who for some reason was staying close to Terra, was next "How's it going Mr. Wayne?" asked Beast Boy in his usual charismatic attitude. "Well enough thankfully, it's good to meet the boy who can change into the entire animal kingdom" Bruce said as he shook his hand.
Starfire eagerly awaited the hand of Bruce Wayne, she had read the same magazine as Terra, but she was not as shy as her. "it's an honor, no, a privilege to meet you sir!!" she said gleefully. "No, the honor is mine, this is the first time I've ever seen a Tamaranian." He said respectfully as he kissed Starfire's hand. Starfire practically melted away at the touch of Bruce's lips on her hand. Luckily she was caught by Raven who was standing next to her.
"You certainly have a way with the women Mr. Wayne" said Raven. Bruce chuckled as Raven handed the star-struck Starfire into Terra's arms. "And you are the first citizen of Azarath I've ever met, I hear it's quite a sight to see it" He said as he shook the cold hand of Raven.
After formally introducing himself to the Titans, he walked back a few steps. "As you all probably have figured out, I'm here to present you all with a gift on behalf of both the mayor of Gotham city, and Jump city." Bruce then turned his head to the chopper "You can come out now, Asura" The Titans' eyes turned toward the helicopter doors.
Out stepped a young man, no older than sixteen. He had short brown hair, emerald eyes, and wore a red and yellow tight fitting Buddhist robe. Above that he wore a large necklace of Buddhist prayer beads. He walked to Bruce's side with a nervous look on his face. "This is Asura. He is a Buddhist monk from Tibet. He wishes to be the Titan's personal attendant for the tower and your companion for as long as you wish. He is well trained in all forms of martial arts, he is a top technician, one of the few child philosophers, the only child considered to be Iron Chef material, house keeper, and plays a mean game of F-zero GX."
Each of the titans became interested as Bruce mentioned his skills, Robin and Starfire had a new sparring partner, Cyborg had a personal technician for his car and himself, Raven had a meditation partner and Beast Boy had a new opponent to play his favorite games with. "I-it is an honor to m-meet you all" Asura said nervously. Robin was the first to welcome. "It's good to meet you too, Asura"
"I come bearing gifts for each of you!" he said quickly as he lifted a large set of bags and packages. To robin, he gave a set of books about Chinese and Japanese Zen Buddhist techniques. "Wow! thanks man!" Robin said. To Starfire, he gave a telescope set and an astronomy book with the Tamaran system pointed out for her. "Oh my deepest gratitude towards you Asura" He gave Cyborg a small processing microchip, meant to enhance his sonic blasts. "Sweet! you're officially on my good side!" said Cyborg. To Beast Boy, he gave a huge book detailing every dinosaur that lived from the Cretaceous to the Jurassic period. "Wow! I had no idea these babies existed!" said Beast Boy ecstatically. Terra received a book on geology so that she could figure out the right kind of rocks to throw at her opponents. "Cool!" she said satisfied.
As Asura approached Raven, he kept his eyes from making contact with hers, Asura was blushing and shaking a lot, and almost dropped Raven's fragile gift, an enclosed incubator containing small blue egg on top of a book about chakras and poetry by Edgar Allan Poe. Raven curiously looked at the egg inside the incubator. "A raven egg?" she asked. Asura nodded his head. "Thank you" Raven said reluctantly.
"Well I can see that this is a friendship that will last" said Bruce. "You bet Mr. Wayne, thanks a lot! Any chance you could stick around for a little while?" asked Robin.
"I wish I could Robin, but Wayne Enterprises needs their CEO back." Enjoy your gifts and your new friend." As Bruce walked back to the chopper, Asura steadily stepped back away from Raven, still blushing and shaking. "Come on inside Asura, I'll show you around" Said Robin. Asura quickly rushed to Robin's side and followed him inside the tower. The other Titan's went about their business in the tower.
A few minutes later after touring the tower, Asura went into the kitchen and started to make the Titans' dinner. He started to cut blocks of cheese, boiled a large package of noodles, and started making a cheese soup. Beast Boy entered the kitchen and snuck up behind Asura, he put his hand on his shoulder and Asura jolted with a startled gasp. He turned to Beast Boy and breathed a sigh of relief. "Whatcha making Azzy?" he asked playfully.
"Baked macaroni and cheese" he said with a confident tone.
"Cheese huh?" Beast Boy had a dissatisfied look on his face. Asura then grabbed the cheese wrapper and milk carton and showed it to beast boy, they read "100% soy" "don't worry, I've got you covered" said Asura.
"Wow Azzy, you sure know a lot about us, how do you know so much?"
"Mr. Wayne pretty much explained everything I need to know about you in order to be a perfect attendant to all of you" He said as he continued stirring the cheesy mixture.
"Wow, Mr. Wayne does his homework" Asura continued making dinner. As his confection baked in the oven, the cheesy aroma attracted the titans into the kitchen. Asura was cleaning all of the cooking supplies up when he saw all the titans but Raven rush into the kitchen to investigate the intoxicating smell. Asura turned around to see the wide eyes and drooling mouths of the titans. "Not to worry, it will be ready in a few more minutes" assured Asura. ignoring Asura, the titans continued to stand and drool on the floor, watching the timer work its way down until it finally rang. They then watched as Asura grabbed the casserole dish with his bare hands, and set it down on the kitchen counter. "Doesn't that hurt? that thing has got to be hotter than Raven's temper!" asked Terra.
"Yea its hot, but I can deal with it, Buddhist training teaches to live with pain as our companion" assured Asura. He then reached up into the top cabinet and pulled out six plates and set them onto the counter. As he prepared to serve the mac and cheese, Raven appeared, finally caught by the lure of the aroma. He took a serving spoon and scooped the mac and cheese onto the plates. Each of the titans took their plates and sat down wherever they felt was a good place to eat.
"Wow, Asura, this is great! Where did you learn how to make this?" asked Cyborg.
"My mother taught me how to make it." Asura answered as he partook in his own plate. A few minutes later a ringing sound came from Robin's pocket. It was his pocket communicator. "Titans, Trouble! move out!" After robin said that, the Titans disappeared from the tower in less than a minute, leaving nothing but spilled plates of macaroni and cheese for Asura to clean up, which he was more than happy to do.
Meanwhile in the middle of the city, a group of slade-bots was pulling a bank heist at the first national bank. One of the bots were holding hostages, while the others were cleaning out the safe and loading the money into a hover-carrier that had busted through the roof of the bank. The police were already on the scene, but where powerless with hostages being held. Just as the last bag of cash was grabbed out of the safe, the robotic arm that was clutching it was blasted off by Cyborg's sonic blaster.
"Your bank account has expired, friends, looks like you are making illegal transactions" said Robin as he and the rest of the titans appeared from the hole in the roof. Starfire blasted away at the slade-bot keeping the hostages, while Terra and Beast Boy attacked the other larger mechs raiding the vaults. Terra raised the marble tiles from the floor and hurled them into the heads of the mechs and bots, while Beast Boy stomped and chomped his way through in the form of a tyrannosaurus. With the hostages unguarded, Raven approached them, "Azarath Metrione Zinthose" she chanted, and the chains binding the hostage together were loosened. As the hostages ran out of the building Raven and Terra continued to smash the attacking robots with chunks of rock and tile that was lying around. One of the slade bots got away with a few bags of money and hopped on the hover carrier. Robin jumped on just before it got too high. He climbed into the control cabin and slugged the slade-bot in the face, it responded with a few punches and kicks which were easily dodged, then Robin planted an electric disk onto the robot's back, and the robot collapsed with the sudden shock. The other Titans followed robin into the sky, Cyborg being carried by Beast Boy as a Pterodactyl, and Terra floating on a few tiles of marble.
"Good work team" said Robin. just as he said that, the back of the head of the incapacitated slade-bot opened, and a holographic image of slade appeared.
"Very good work indeed, Titans, in falling for my diversion." He said sinisterly
"What are you talking about, Slade?"
"While you were saving the bank, I sent an entire legion of my mechs to destroy your precious tower, but don't worry, I'm sure there is a box in some alleyway you can call home" the image of Slade then disappeared. The Titans then looked towards the bay to see the bottom of the tower engulfed in bluish flames and explosions.
"OH NO!! ASURA IS STILL IN THERE" yelled Beast Boy, "TITANS, GO!!" ordered Robin. The titans rushed to the tower as fast as they possibly could. As they came closer, they saw ten large orbs of blue light surrounding the tower. Even closer they saw those orbs were shooting blue beams of energy away from the tower and onto the attacking legions of slade- bots. The legions were being decimated by these mysterious blue orbs. "look, the top of the tower" said Starfire. There was a large, monstrous blue spirit creature with two sets of five arms spread out. Its eyes were closed and looking strait up into the air. The titans were half frightened and half amazed at this huge creature protecting the tower. As soon the remnants of the slade army began to retreat, the orbs stopped shooting, and went flew to the neck of the giant creature.
When the orbs met each other at the neck of the creature, the creature started to shrink gradually. It continued shrinking and until it disappeared entirely from the sight of the Titans. They then went to investigate the top of the tower, there was Asura, his shirt was gone, but he giant beads were still there, and they were glowing a bluish color. "Asura, was that creature, you?" asked Starfire with amazement. Asura shook his head "Well, did you have something to do with it?" Asura nodded his head. Starfire then tightly embraced Asura and twirled him around "Thank you so much for saving our beloved home!!" said a very happy Starfire "N-no problem star, but you don't need to show your appreciation by squeezing-the-life out of me!!" Starfire released Asura and he collapsed onto the ground, trying to catch his breath. "come on inside you guys, apparently Mr. Wayne didn't explain everything there is to know about me"
A few minutes later, Asura sat down with the rest of the titans in the main living room. "what you saw was a guardian spirit inside me. It protects me and those who I care about. Its name is Senju. I can summon it only when I am positive that I or the people I care about are in grave danger. I can never use it to attack others." explained Asura
"But there was no one in the tower, how is it that Senju was able to protect it?" asked Cyborg
"I was in the tower, I would have been killed if I hadn't done anything" answered Asura. Cyborg looked at the other Titans with an expression of obviousness. "Anyway, what you must know is that when Senju is summoned, stay clear of it. If I were to accidentally hurt one of you, I would lose control of Senju forever."
"Other than that, are you sure you are completely in control of it?" asked Robin
"Positive, no harm will ever come to you otherwise from me" assured Asura. Robin and the others breathed a sigh of relief. Later that night, when most of the others were asleep. Asura was meditating in the living room. His beads spun around his body slowly as he chanted quietly "oh mani pai mi nou, oh mani pai mi nou, oh mani pai mi nou"
As he chanted, Raven came in and stopped in her tracks when she saw Asura meditating. A quaint curiosity overtook her and she quietly approached him. As she did, the beads stopped spinning and came apart. Raven stopped and looked curiously. The beads flew to her and started to spin around her body. She didn't feel any sort of energy emanating from the beads, the were just spinning around her. She continued to walk towards Asura. Unlike Raven, Asura didn't levitate when he meditated, he simply sat, chanting over and over again, only stopping to take a short breath. But then, he stopped, and opened his eyes. He saw Raven and he started to shake and blush again, but not as much as he was before.
"Why are your beads spinning around me?" asked Raven
"Senju likes you" said Asura playfully
"Why?" she asked
"Senju is interested in those with a different enlightenment pattern than mine"
"Enlightenment pattern?"
"You control your powers with all of your emotions; I control Senju with only one emotion"
"How did you know how I control my powers?" Raven asked apprehensively
"Mr. Wayne pretty much explained everything I need to know about you in order to be a perfect attendant to all of you"
"Okay, so what emotion do you use to control Senju?"
"Care, simply that and nothing more. I care about someone, Senju protects them for me." Raven was intrigued by his response, and asked a more daring question. "Are Buddhists allowed to love, Asura?"
"Of course they are"
"I heard that they were not allowed to feel such emotion"
"Nothing can prevent that kind of emotion, Raven." As he said this, Asura's beads returned to his neck.
"What about passion?" asked Raven
"Yes they can feel that too, a few chapters of the Kama Sutra were written by Buddhist monks"
"Kama...Sutra?" asked Raven
"Translates into 'art of love'" chuckled Asura. Raven blushed a little after hearing this. She then quickly decided to change the conversation, "That was pretty impressive what Senju did for us, thanks a lot"
"Don't thank me, thank Senju, he is the one who wanted to protect you more than me" said Asura. "What were you chanting a few minutes ago?" asked Raven curiously.
"Oh mani pai mi nou, means, 'the universe flows within me' this is a sort of relaxing chant to my entire being, and it keeps Senju under my control"
"Senju certainly seems pretty demanding"
"All he wants is a pure mind and body to live in" Raven then sat down next to Asura "do you mind if I meditate with you?"
"No, not at all, Raven. I'd be honored." Raven smiled and closed her eyes, and moved her hands into a meditative position. Asura chanted as quietly as possible as to not disturb her concentration. "Azarath Metrione Zinthose, Azarath Metrione Zinthose, Azarath Metrione Zinthoes"
"Oh mani pai mi nou, oh mani pai mi nou, oh mani pai mi nou"