Beauty and the Beast
A Teen Titans Fanfiction
Written by: Marina Montenegro
Edited by: Nick Candido
Based on DC Comics Characters
and Disney's Beauty and the Beast
North of Jump City, a dense forest stood. The location was a favorite spot of local hunters, hikers, and camping groups. Only one narrow road cut through the trees, leaving an abundance of wilderness for anyone trying to escape the city life. Despite many, many attempts by local scouting groups, much of the forest remained unmapped. Off to the west, a large mountain was often visible above the trees. At its base stood an overgrown and forgotten mansion. Few travelers have ventured far enough to find the mansion, and those who did stumble across it never returned.
A large iron fence surrounded the property, gated with a heavy lock. A stone path, cracked by overgrown weeds, led up to the worn front steps and oak doorway. Two brass handles emerged, one from each large door, and a matching dusty knocker hung.
Inside the house, heavy drapes covered the large windows, ensuring the room was never well lit. Handmade mashad rugs were placed over the hardwood floors. The halls were decorated with original paintings and mosaics. On the second floor, the fireplace hissed, illuminating the small room. Bookcases lined the walls and at the center of the room stood a large oak desk. It's surface was cluttered with papers and notes, as well as various newspapers all headlining the feats of the Teen Titans.
At the desk was a leather armchair where the master of the house sat, holding the most recent edition of the Jump City Daily News. The headline read: "Local Heroes Save Tokyo". The picture below the headline featured the mayor of Tokyo, a beefy man with graying hair and thick glasses. He posed beside five young heroes, each wearing a gold medal around their neck. Raven, the gloomy sorceress, stood on the right. Her cape was wrapped around her, but her hood was tucked back to reveal her pale face and short blue hair. Beside her, Starfire was smiled directly at the camera. Her long hair was swept behind her shoulders, and her attire was, as always, traditional Tamaranean clothing. Her arm was wrapped carefully around Robin's gloved hand. The Boy Wonder, Gotham and Jump City's favorite hero, was looking up at Starfire through his mask. The pair was the talk of the town lately. You couldn't turn on the TV without a talk show gossiping about Robin and the alien princess being seen sharing a pizza, or holding hands in a park. Next to happy couple, Cyborg towered over the group. A metal arm was raised, waving to the crowd. The final, and shortest team member, was on the left: Beast Boy the green shapeshifter standing proudly, hands on his hips.
Gloved hands clenched the newspaper, crumpling it into a ball. The man rose, stepping carefully around the desk to the seating area in front of it. The desk was pressed against the back of a vintage blue sofa that faced the fireplace. He tossed the newspaper into the flames with a frustrated grunt.
The door behind the desk creaked open, and an older man stepped in. "Is everything alright, sir?"
"Fine," he replied. "A drink, please, Wintergreen."
The older man, Wintergreen, stepped into the study, moving towards the bar cart to the right of the fireplace. He poured scotch into a glass, and brought the glass to where Slade sat on the sofa. Like Robin, Slade never removed his uniform. His mask, his suit - they are a part of who he is. His face hadn't been seen in over a decade now, not even by the trusted Wintergreen. The mask was split down the center, with the left side orange and the right side black and featureless.
"What is troubling you tonight, sir?" Wintergreen asked.
"You already know." Slade took the scotch from Wintergreen. He leaned forward, towards the fire, with his elbows resting on his knees.
"May I speak freely, sir?" Wintergreen asked. He leaned forward, placing a coaster onto the coffee table. Slade only gave a slight nod in reply. "Perhaps, it is time to leave the Titans alone. With all due respect, you aren't getting any younger."
"I know," Slade replied. "I'm getting old. That is why I need the Titans gone. That is why I need an apprentice."
"Sir-"
"There is work to be done. Someone needs to continue it for me when I no longer can." Slade downed the scotch in one gulp, placing the empty glass directly onto the table.
"You can find an apprentice elsewhere."
Slade shook his head. "I need someone on the inside. Terra was perfect. She gained their trust. We had everything. If she hadn't -" Slade clenched his fist.
"Sir, they will not agree to work with you." Wintergreen said carefully.
"I know," Slade replied. "That's why I won't give him a choice."
Beauty and the Beast: A Teen Titans Fanfiction
August 2017
