ZERO HOUR
Author's Notes:
After scanning the large archive of Teen Titan fan fiction, I've come to realize there are a lot of writers/fans out there who love to focus on Raven. Indeed, even I find her the most entertaining of the group, her character make up holds the most complexity for story telling. It also was interesting to see just how many paired Raven up with either Beast Boy or Robin, even though from my experience in the TV show.. both are already spoken for, in a way. The other direction I discovered was Raven being paired with a new character, which is something a fan boy or fan girl would naturally do. I am guilty of this latter motive. The following series, if I'm fortunate to write enough to call it a series, revolves around the character of Nix, originally called Zero.
Nix has two major abilities, one is telepathy, but is limited and untrained. The other power is the ability to negate other's powers. Any power that requires energy, emotion, or DNA reconfiguring, Nix can manipulate it. He can shut it off or lessen it. His range however, is very short… approximately 50 yards at best. Basic weaponry or tools he has no control over, unless it is energy reliant.
The goal of this series is to show the growing attraction between Nix and Raven, and that Nix's powers will play a major part in Raven learning to deal with her own emotions. I plan to write Ten Key Points in the lives of Raven and Nix, from their meeting till a very important point in time. Should this series become of interest, and any wish to add stories in between the Key Point Episodes, then by all means: PLEASE do so.
I am not a very talented writer, and when it comes to humor.. especially of the potent kind that exists in the Titan's universe, I lack.. any story that could be improved upon, added too and make concise, I'll welcome opinions and comments and perhaps change them to reflect those suggestions.
All these stories are to be rated R, to cover planned events in future stories. Language will be at most, PG-13, and intimacy will be implied, not detailed. I hope to maintain a quality of taste, and lemons you can get anywhere.
I think that's it. This is very new to me, even though I have thousands of stories running through my head, getting them on 'paper' is going to be a real challenge. I hope doing this will inspire me to produce some long awaited Orange Road stories.
Anyway, enough ramblings. On with the show.
Episode One – Zero Hour
Chapter One
"Titans, GO!"
The familiar command, issued by team leader, Robin, coaxed the five titans into action. The day had begun simply enough; each Titan had risen from sleep, focused on their individual tasks at hand. Beast Boy was prevented from making breakfast, and quickly there after, so was Star Fire. That chore fell to Cyborg, who didn't mind since he wasn't going to be using any tofu or alien ingredients. Robin set the table while Star Fire and Beast Boy did other morning chores to spruce up the command center of Titan Tower. Only Raven remained absent from the routine, as she was in her room meditating.
The blasting alarm, however, ripped her from her quiet reprieve, and she phased through the ceiling and joined her comrades in the command center. Robin gave a quick briefing, a new villain had broken into a high security research facility, aiming to steal a new prototype weapon that's able to dissolve many forms of material. With little word, the Titans raced off to save the day… bringing us back to the present moment.
Standing upon an over turned bus, a large man dressed in dark green with a black cape, stood confidently. The prototype weapon was secure in his hands and he smiled as the Titans came rushing his way.
"Yes, yes.. Come to me, Titans! Come and find defeat at the hands of Zorak!"
Aiming the weapon, Zorak fired. The beam missed Starfire by inches, and Raven had to duck down hard to avoid a deadly fate. Robin launched his boomerangs at Zorak, but his fired again, and Robin watched his boomerangs disintegrate like so much cotton candy.
"This isn't good. Titans, watch yourselves!"
"Dude!" Exclaimed Beast Boy, "That's some diet pill!"
Aiming his arm, Cyborg tried to fire back, but found his energy suddenly depleted. "Hey, what's going on?"
The Titans regrouped behind a near bye restaurant. Raven peeked around the corner as Zorak stood there, laughing.
"This is not productive."
"I don't get it, " Complained Cyborg, "I'm at full power, my reserves are online and I'm in top shape! But my cannon didn't discharge!"
"Friend Cyborg," Star Fire said, patting his shoulder, "Are you perhaps under a bit of pressure?"
Even in the heat of the battle, Beast Boy coughed a laugh at the implied comments, eliciting glares from the other four, "Hey, I didn't say it!"
Robin sighed, "We have to get that weapon away from him! Cyborg, stay here for now. Raven, Starfire… attack from two fronts. Beast Boy, try to get behind him and I'll go at him head on!"
The four nodded their agreement, with Cyborg running a quick diagnostics. Raven and Star Fire took to the air, and Zorak watched them come at him. He fired the weapon again, a strife attack to back the two away. Star Fire's eyes became bright as fire as she charged up. Throwing her arms, Star Fire had meant to throw her blasts at Zorak, but suddenly found herself empty of power. It took another instant to realize she was falling.
"YELP!" Was all she could cry out, before crashing into the charging Robin. Both became sprawled on the ground, in a tangled mess. Raven watched this, her concern heightened by the apparent failing of two of her friend's powers.
"Azarath Metreon Zinthos" Raven cried out as she aimed to encase Zorak and pry the weapon away. Her fears, however, became confirmed when she too came crashing down onto the couple below.
"What's going ON?" Robin cursed as he pulled himself free and helped the ladies to their feet.
"Whats the matter, kids? Finding yourself a little weak in the knees?" Zorak laughed again! A sudden roar behind him, however, startled Zorak and he turned as Beast Boy came rushing in, morphed into the form of a raging bull! Zorak cursed, as he didn't have time to raise his weapon.. when suddenly Beast Boy changed into a butterfly! Flapping wildly, he was barely able to get past Zorak before changing back to normal and joining the other three on the ground before Zorak.
"Dude, what is UP with us? It's like our power plugs been pulled!"
Zorak nodded, above them on the bus, "Indeed it has, kiddies! How does it feel being less then your normal selves?" Zorak smirked as he pointed the weapon at them.
Robin wiped his mouth as he stared up at Zorak, putting himself in front of the girls. Beast Boy followed suit, as Cyborg ran up to join his friends. "How did you do it? What did you do to us?"
On queue, a boy about their age, crawled up onto the bus beside Zorak. His expression was sad, and he certainly did not look too pleased to be there. Zorak clasped a hand on his shoulder. "This is how I did it, Titans. Meet my son, Zero!"
Brushing Zorak's hand from his shoulder, Zero growled, "Would you please STOP calling me that?"
Zorak ignored him, "You see, Titans, Zero here can neutralize a person's super powers. No matter what powers you got, he can shut them down.. turning you into little boys and girls.. no more a threat then ants on a sidewalk!"
Zero sighed, looking very uncomfortable. Zorak again aimed the weapon at the group. Zero looked shocked, "Father, you assured me there would be no killing!"
Zorak scoffed, "Listen, boy! These meddlesome Titans will keep coming for us if I let them live! It's better this way if we're going to succeed in our mission!"
Under his breath, Zero quipped, "Your mission, father, not mine!"
The momentary distraction allowed Robin to quietly extract two smoke pellets from his utility belt. Throwing them to the ground, they exploded and in the sudden air of smoke, Zorak and Zero could not see the Titans escape. Zorak fired the weapon randomly, and when the smoke finally cleared, the street was empty.
"Damn!" He cursed, and looked to Zero as if it were his fault, "Next time you keep your mouth shut, boy!"
Zero blanched under his father's terrible gaze, and he silently followed Zorak as he jumped from the bus. Keeping aim with the weapon, Zorak and Zero vanished between two buildings.
Not far away, Robin leaned back against a brick wall, shaking his head, "We're going to have to find a way to deal with those two!"
Star Fire frowned, "I am not of much help when I can not fly or use my power beams."
"Yeah, "Beast Boy chipped in, "None of us are conditioned to fight the way you do, Robin!"
Cyborg rubbed his hands together, "I know some combat techniques, and I'm damned good with the punches, but if I can't get close to Zorak.. I'm no use."
Quietly, Raven added, "I doubt meditation is going to turn the tide." She pauses then continues, "I've never felt so depleted in my life."
"What about Terra and Miss Chanic? Perhaps they can be of some use?" Star Fire asks.
Terra and Miss Chanic had been called to Titan's East to assist in a mission there. To bring all up to speed, Terra had been rescued from her stony imprisonment nearly a year ago, and after months of difficultly, became a Teen Titan again. Her and Beast Boy had even started dating. Their infectious infatuation would be the eventual cause of Star Fire and Robin's relationship as well. Miss Chanic came into the Titan's graces some months ago, when she met Cyborg at a Super Hero convention. Also a cyborg, the two hit it off very well, and she agreed to assist the Titans on a limited basis. Raven currently was the only one un attached. It both suited her, and left her feeling left out. This last bit, she would never admit to her friends.
Robin shook his head at Star Fire's suggestion, "It stands to reason that if our powers all got sucked away by Zero, so would theirs. No, we need to get back to Titans Tower and come up with a plan! Before Zorak carries out what ever his mission is!"
It was then that Raven had a sudden flash of insight. She didn't know how, or what caused her to feel this way, but for some reason, she was certain, " I know what he's going to do!"
The others looked at Raven, and Robin asked, "What is it, Raven?"
Raven felt cold inside, and she allowed those fears to reach her eyes, "He's going to dissolve the prison.. and release all the criminals! Especially all of our enemies! He means to destroy us all!"
To Be Continued