Hey everyone, was up! This is the beginning of a story I've been wanting to write for some time. I hope you like it. R&R please.
Robin was currently in his room at his table, looking over an array of newspaper clippings. Some had to do solely Slade while others were simply Slade related. He had spent hours just sitting there staring at them, hoping to get something out of it. But it simply led him in a circle of more and more questions. Twice Starfire had come by to try and relieve him somehow. Twice Robin had turned her away, though every time she came he seemed to get less irritable about the interruption. He soon regretted sending her away; he began to feel a slight migraine from all the thinking. His door opened and in walked Cyborg.
"Hey man, you got a minuet"? Robin brushed the newspaper clippings away.
"I actually have lots of minuets. What's up"?
"Octavius' party, remember its tomorrow. We were all wondering if you still wanted to go or not"? Robin thought for a moment. He was trying to decide which required more attention; Slade or Alec Octavius. True both represented an equal threat but they hadn't seen or heard of Slade since Terra's stone encasement. He finally looked back up to Cyborg and nodded.
"Sure we'll go, it's not like we have anything better to do". Cyborg nodded back and left. Robin then thought about the first time they had met Octavius. Alec was the one and only nephew of Otto Octavius, AKA: Dr. Octopus. Alec owned a large multi national corporation called Octech Ind., though the Titans found him to be more than a young entrepreneur. He had employed the Titans to retrieve stolen chemicals which were dangerous beyond belief. Upon retrieving them they discovered that he had used them to secure a more terrible weapon. He actually turned out to be just as ruthless as his lamented uncle. Robin could remember the day they walked back into his office like it was yesterday.
FLASHBACK
The next day the Titans were walking back through the office door of Alec Octavius. He rose at the site of them.
"Ah, the people of retrieved my equipment I can't thank you enough", he said extending his hand. Robin didn't take it but simply stared Octavius in the face. Who read Robin's frustration and returned to his desk. "I can understand if you're all more than slightly miffed".
"You didn't tell us everything the last time we were here", said Robin standing his ground. Raven stepped forward.
"You withheld information that we needed in order to safely deactivate the device", she said her frown darkening. Alec nodded a little and then walked in front of his desk and crossed his arms.
"It was necessary for the protection of this company and my assets", his eyes narrowed.
"WHAT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, OR US", roared Robin pointing to his friends. "If you had just told us what exactly it was we were up against we would have been able to stop him with a lot more confidence".
"Well you didn't have the information", replied Alec and there was a long pause. He shook his head and pulled five small slips of paper out of his coat pocket. "I don't want to part company on bad terms so why don't you attend a small gathering with me"? He handed them the slips of paper and backed away slightly.
"What like a party", asked BB.
"Very good BB", said Alec in a mock kindergarten teacher tone. Beast Boy glared at him and looked over his ticket. "These passes will grant you full access to the nights festivities, it would look good for our country in you all attended". Robin looked from his pass to his friends and back to Octavius.
"First of all, we look after the whole world. Not just America. Though we are home based in this country, we don't exclusively represent it".
"Fine, fine. Look Robin its just a night out to enjoy yourself and witness history in the making". They all put on curious looks.
"What's going to be so historical", asked Cyborg.
"Ah well, that's a surprise. You all like surprises don't you".
"Not when they deal with you", said Robin. Alec then gave up trying to be friendly.
"Come or don't come, that is your choice. However, if you ever even enter another Octech building again, I'll kill you". And this was something none of them were surprised at.
"I am baffled at how you can be so heartless", said Starfire.
"Well get used to it babe, in corporate lingo I'm called Mr. Big. And will do anything to unsure my continued reign if you will. A business is filled with pawns my friends. And this case was no different. I had a small problem and I used you to fix it". Except in the case of Slade, never had they heard someone speak of such cruelty without fear of being brought to justice. Even so, Slade used some discretion of his movements. Robin took a step closer to Octavius who was smiling rather maliciously.
"If we come to this little party, its going to be to keep an eye on your mafia ass and to hope to God that we catch you red handed with something dirty".
"Well I guess I'll see you all there. You can go now". None of the Titans moved. Al of them staring at Octavius with nothing short of pure anger. "The door isn't going to open itself you know". With that he turned and left through another door. Robin ran after him and found a small room with absolutely no other way out, empty.
"Damn", said Robin to himself.
"What do we do now", asked Beast Boy. Robin looked at his ticket and pocketed it and started to leave. The other Titans followed him out and they headed back to the tower.
END FLASHBACK
Robin walked over to a spot on the wall where he had hung up a clipping of their mission for Octavius. It was a small article but still noticeable.
"TITANS FOIL TERRORIST PLOT TO POISON JUMP CITY RESERVIOR"!
The man they were trying to stop was named Shrapnel, he was a terrorist, but wasn't planning what the newspaper had said. Octavius knew that and still sent them into harms way along with jeopardizing the lives of thousands of people as well. He kept wondering if this could turn into an Octavius obsession as well as Slade. He ripped the article off the wall and placed it on his desk. No matter how terrible Alec was, Robin would not allow himself to create two monsters for himself. He decided to round up everyone in the main room and form a plan about how the night would work. He had been to few formal parties, one or two which he attended with Bruce. He wasn't much for the old classical way to party, but he was sure Lee might be able to help them with that. Even a prom (even if it's a forced one), can get pretty wild.
Forgetting about he clipping he walked out of his room and towards the main living room. No one, not even Raven would be able to see that what would develop over the next few days would be just as distressing as Slade. It was only a question as to who would carry such an obsession.
Well that's the beginning. I know it might not have been that good, but first chapters usually aren't. Well see what happens. Tell me what you think and I'll update for you as soon as I can. laters!