It was 2:00 in the morning and through the darkness of the forest walked a lone figure staggering heavily. His scraggily black hair obscured his face as he rested against a tree. His breathing was heavy and labored as he fell to the ground. With a good amount of effort he stood up again and stumbled into the outskirts of Jump City.
Not far away in a particular criminal academy the perimeter alarm rang out awakening the three Hive students on guard duty who looked up at the screen. They all watched the staggering figure with a grin as they turned and left.
The figure made it to the warehouse district. The light of the full moon illuminated him as he stepped onto the cold cement.
He wore a gray tank top with black cargo pants and combat boots. A black pendant on a silver chain was dangling from around his neck and his hands were covered in burn scars. And it was finished with a tattered and torn cloak. His breath could be seen in the cold night air as he walked.
He hadn't even taken a few steps when he heard voices above him
"Hey, Snot-muncher! Whatcha think your doin here?" Gizmo called out.
"Yeah, this here is Hive academy turf." Bellowed the Meta-human Mammoth as he crossed his arms.
Jinx eyed the stranger mischievously. "Give up now and we promise we wont give you to much of a beating." She said with a giggle
The stranger looked up at the trio with an empty stare. His blood red eyes could be seen from behind the hair covering a good amount his face. He continued to walk without caring.
The Hive trio stared at him in disbelief. They jumped down in his path.
"Who do you think you're messing with punk?" Mammoth growled as he cracked his knuckles in front of the stranger. The stranger looked up with a glare as the two others surrounded him.
"I wouldn't try any funny stuff barf brains." Gizmo said as he activated his mechanical spider legs from his backpack.
The stranger looked around and made eye contact with the pink haired sorceress.
She winked and waved cutely at him before Mammoth threw a monstrous punch at him.
With little effort, the stranger jumped back and landed on Mammoth's large fist. With a quick turn he spun and delivered a kick to his jaw sending the meta-human flying into a wall.
The stranger landed on the ground and stood up steadily as a black flame erupted over his fore arms.
All the Hive academy students took a step back in surprise.
"Is this scrum-buffer a Titan?" Gizmo asked shocked.
The Black fire flowed around his arms as if waiting for them to attack.
Gizmo fired first with a series of rockets that the stranger dodged easily and incinerated them to ashes with his fire as he ran at the boy genius, his flames melting the cement as he ran low to the ground.
Before he could reach Gizmo, Jinx let loose with one of her pink hexes that caused the area beneath him to explode sending him into the air.
He hit the wall of a warehouse with a grunt as he fell to the ground breathing heavily.
"Ah, what's the matter? Little fire fly fall down?" Gizmo chuckled.
The stranger stood up but fell back to his knees as he coughed up a good amount of blood. The flames on his arms died down almost completely as he tried to stand up again.
Jinx stared at him curiously "Why do you stand up, why not just stay down and be defeated?" she asked with a smile.
He glared as he stood up using the wall to keep his balance "I... will not...lose." he said with a small amount of blood trickling from his mouth.
"Take this snot-picker!" Gizmo yelled as he fired another barrage of missiles at the stranger not caring that Jinx was between them.
Jinx ducked as the missiles passed over her towards the stranger.
The missiles connected with the wall above his head causing a large explosion making the wall crumble and break.
Jinx looked up with her eyes wide in terror as she saw a large chunk of the wall come falling in her direction. The stranger looked up and saw the wall falling and dashed next to her, his flame increasing in power as he faced his palms up at the debris. An inferno pillar of black fire exploded from his hands blasting the large broken building pieces into molten rock and dust.
Jinx looked up at the stranger, her eyes were full of tears. The stranger's arms fell limply to his sides as he turned and walked past gizmo and Mammoth who stood shaking in awe and terror at him.
Jinx looked back in the direction he left, and she could see visions for a future as the first drops of rain began to fall.
The stranger made it to an alleyway. His breathing was worse
"Damn! That fight took all I had left." He panted as he collapsed against a wall.
The rain came down hard on his limp form as he watched the sky.
"Death must be a stones throw away." He chuckled. Somewhere in his consciousness he could sense the approaching figure. The shadow of the person loomed over him.
His vision went in and out as he looked up.
The shadow kneeled down next to him.
"Death?" he asked
The shadow grabbed his arms and slung him over its petite shoulders.
"No, I'm not." Said a feminine voice. "I'm one who doesn't want you to die just yet."
His vision came into focus for a moment and he saw the pink hair of the girl from earlier.
"Oh, it's you. Put me down and just let me die already." He coughed as his eyes closed.
The girl looked him over as they walked "Why are you in such a rush to die?" she asked curiously. He stayed conscious for a few moments longer. "Why should I be in such a rush to stay alive?"
She didn't respond to his question. And he soon fell into a dreamless slumber.
He woke up after what seemed like weeks to him.
He sat up in the brightly lit room, his arms and other numerous wounds were bandaged and he could sense someone else in the room with him.
He turned and saw the pink haired girl he had fought. She sat smiling and her cat-like eyes were locked on his form.
"So, I see you're awake." She said with a grin.
He turned his face away from her. "Why did you help me? I would have gladly died in that alley." He said softly.
She frowned and stood up. She walked over to him and stared at him with a look of disgust before slapping him.
"I don't care what your reasons are! Death is never an answer!" she yelled at him.
He sat there for a second in shock before starting to chuckle, then moved on into full rolling laughter.
"What makes you think you know anything about me?" he asked with an agitated grin.
Jinx smiled and pulled out a small leather bound journal "I raided your stuff while you were out. You've been in a coma for three days."
He tried to stand up angrily but fell back in pain and sighed, "What's your name?" he asked
Jinx sat on the bed next to him. "My name is Jinx, and this is the Hive Academy." She said with a grin.
He had a confused look on his face "I'm Zeke. And isn't the Hive a group of criminals?" he asked scratching his cheek.
Jinx merely giggled and stood up with a spin. "Most of our jobs are less than legal if that's what you mean." She said with a big chesire cat grin.
He sighed and slowly stood up with a wince moving over to his clothes that were neatly folded on a chair close to him.
He was still wearing his boxers. He redressed in his cargo pants, tank top and boots.
He patted himself down frantically.
"Where is it!" he said hysterically
Jinx cocked her head to the side and pulled the black stone pendant out of her pocket.
"This what you are looking for?" she asked
Zeke turned and snatched it from her. "Why did you have this in your pocket?" he asked casting her an angry glare.
Jinx took a step back startled "Well...uh... I thought if you didn't make it I might get a few bucks for it." She said with a smirk.
Zeke gave a half-cocked look "You are a strange girl." He said as he removed some of his bandages.
Jinx looked him over curiously.
Zeke noticed her glances. "What?" he asked bluntly.
Jinx took a couple steps closer and examined his arms. "Your fire, I've never seen a black flame like that. And it burns your skin when you use it." She said examining his bandaged wrapped hands.
Zeke frowned and rubbed his arms slowly.
"It's no concern of yours. I'm used to it." He said.
Jinx sat down in the cushioned chair "So, where are you going to go? Do you have anywhere to stay?" she asked
Zeke flexed his arms and winced a little. "Unfortunately, I won't be going anywhere for a while in this condition. I don't stay in any one place to long as you probably read in my journal. Though this town has one of my final stops."
She nodded. " I read about the items you were stealing from various cities, and organizations. You kept newspaper clippings in your journal. But you didn't write why you were stealing them. Are they worth money?"
Zeke gave a slick grin "More than you would believe, but that's not why I take them." He said coolly.
Jinx blinked a couple times. "If not for money than why?" she asked surprised.
Zeke looked down. "They're to dangerous for people in power to own. They would be used as weapons that would be capable of wiping out entire nations if used.
Jinx looked shocked at his proclamations.
A security camera watched the two talking and on the other end was a man with a smile hidden behind a mask. His name was Slade, and he is the new headmaster of the Hive.
"I believe we have found a new student." He said with a snickering tone.
Zeke stopped talking suddenly. "I don't know why I told you all that." He stammered.
Jinx giggled. "Maybe the Hive could be of some help to you. We have a lot of meta-humans who could help." She stood up and walked over to him.
He turned and shook his head "I wouldn't recommend..." he was cut off by Jinx leaning up, her eyes closed, and kissing him full on the lips.
She backed off slowly and opened her eyes with a blush.
Zeke just looked down at her with a scarlet red face himself and couldn't find any words.
Jinx looked up at him with a smile. "That," she started "was for saving my life."
Before he could find any words the infirmary door slid open and in walked a man wearing a black and orange mask and dark clothes. He held his hands clasped behind his back.
"I see our guest has recovered. Did you make sure all of his needs were met?" Slade asked in a snide tone.
Jinx bowed her head shakily in his presence. Zeke looked at her and could sense a tremble of fear from her.
"He just awoke sir, I was going to escort him to the cafeteria and to some sleeping quarters." She stammered quickly.
Slade chuckled lightly. "Very well, but later I would like to speak to our guest." And with that Jinx led Zeke past Slade and out of the room. Zeke half turned his head to Slade not liking the vibe that came from the masked man that he was sure was smiling behind that twisted mask.
Jinx quietly led Zeke down several corridors and stopped in front of a double door labeled "Mess Hall"
"Here we are." Her voice seemed distant and quiet. "I'm sure you would like some food, you look like you haven't eaten in days."
Zeke looked down and began to rub his grumbling belly. "Now that you mention it?" he said with a squinting expression.
Jinx giggled and opened the doors into the brightly lit room filled with a menagerie of juvenile super powered criminals. All talking and conversing with each other over trays of food. All at once the room went silent and they all looked towards Jinx and Zeke.
Zeke glared at the people in the room.
"What?" he growled threateningly and all the students went back to their meals.
"Well, you're a real head turner aren't you?" Jinx chuckled as she led the way to her group's own self declared private table.
Zeke took a seat casually as Jinx walked over and got them each a plate of food. It appeared to be a dish with mashed potatoes, peas, and steak, while Jinx had a simple salad and chicken tenders. They began to eat quietly as an awkward silence overtook them. Zeke was the first to speak up.
"So who was that masked guy back there?" he asked, his eyes squinting.
Jinx stopped eating suddenly, her eyes opened in fear and her hands folded in her lap. "His name is Slade. H-he's the new headmaster who took over the Hive about two months ago." Her voice cracked as she spoke.
Zeke looked up with an arched eyebrow, his face expressionless. "So I take it he's..." Zeke was interrupted by Jinx standing up with a smile across her face. "Let me show you to your room." Zeke fell back slightly eyes wide open in surprise.
"Uh, ok." He stood up and followed her out of the mess hall and down a series of corridors.
"Is this whole place under ground?" Zeke asked as he examined the walls and ceiling.
Jinx smiled and nodded. "Very perceptive. The entire academy occupies an underground region in the warehouse district and partially under the ocean of Jump city. It's the size of about ten football fields."
Zeke whistled, impressed. "Man, I'd hate to see the contractors that were hired for that gig."
Jinx giggled again and stopped in front of a door with the number 213 on a metal plate. "These are our guest quarters for non enrolled students." Zeke scratched his head. "So where do the enrolled students live?" Jinx half turned and gave him a seductive grin. "Why? Thinking of joining up and staying with me?" Zeke took a step back in confusion blushing a little. "You are one strange girl." He said covering his face. Jinx merely smiled again and opened the door. "Most students live in outer dwellings. I live in an apartment in the downtown section of town." Zeke stepped into the room and looked around. "Spacious." He said. Standing in the center of the room.
Jinx walked back to the door. "You should rest. You're still not fully recovered from whatever ordeal you went through, and the headmaster wants to speak with you in the morning." She said as she walked.
Zeke nodded "But I will leave once I'm capable." Jinx nodded and exited the room. Once she was down the hall, her communicator beeped and she flipped open the screen to reveal Slade's face.
"So how is our guest?" Slade asked in that oily voice of his.
Jinx gulped and looked into the screen. "I just showed him to his room. He said he'll be leaving once he has recovered." She waited to see Slade response.
Slade seemed deep in thought. "Understood, but bring him to me in the morning. By the way, you're apartment is being renovated. I suggest you find somewhere else to sleep tonight." His face vanished from the screen, leaving Jinx with the task of finding a bed for the night. She sighed as she placed her communicator back in her belt and turned back. "The guest rooms each have two beds." She said quietly as she walked back down the hall.
On a small island, a large T known as Titans tower sat. In the main room the Titans sat after an uneventful day. Not so much as a purse snatching had taken place.
Cyborg and Beast Boy were playing a racing game on their game-station while Robin and Starfire were conversing over how to travel faster than light. Raven sat off to the side reading one of her various books when her head shot up suddenly in surprise.
Robin looked at her cautiously "What's up Raven?"
Raven looked over to him and raised her hood over her head "Something dangerous has entered the city." She said as she stood up and walked out of the room.
Starfire looked around "Should we not ask friend Raven what is wrong?" she asked naively.
Robin shook his head "No, Raven likes to be alone. We should let her be." He said taking a sip of his coffee.
Raven sat in her room in the center of numerous scattered books with a small crystal orb as she recited an incantation.
"Recam, sorran, kresoon, nestal, herion, maratek!" As she spoke the words a swirling cloud of energies could be seen in the crystal. When they cleared the symbol of Scath could be seen in the center of the vortex.
"No!" Raven exclaimed as she threw the crystal away from her.
"I thought I was finished with him!" She curled into a fetal position on her bed and shook slightly.
Zeke sat in the on the floor of the room in the center of a circle drawn from red chalk with a triangle inside. Six candles were lit around him as he meditated in the lotus position with his eyes closed. He mumbled a chant under his breath.
A small rapping on the door brought him out of his trance. He opened one eye "Enter." He said in a monotone voice.
The door opened and Jinx popped her head inside. "Hello!" she said in a cheerful tone as she walked in waving. She carried an over night bag slung over her shoulder.
"I hope you don't mind but I was thinking of crashing here tonight." She said.
Zeke shrugged and closed his eyes again. "Whatever, it's your school."
Jinx frowned Ya know, most guys would flip to sleep in the same room as a hottie like me."
Zeke smirked a little as he sat in the circle.
"Just what are you doing?" she said examining the circle.
Zeke opened a single eye again. "This is a fire restoration circle. It draws out my inner energies, recycles them, and heals my wounds."
Jinx scratched her chin. "Huh, which god is this power under?"
Zeke laughed out loud before stopping himself. "Sorry, I don't follow any god. Lets just say I have my problems with higher powers. All my spells and abilities come from myself." His laughter reduced to a small chuckle.
Jinx sat on one of the beds bringing one knee to her chest and wrapping her arms around it. "I'm a follower of Odin myself. Ever since I was young, I can't remember who taught me but they said I was a servant of the Norse gods."
Zeke stood up from his circle as he flexed and stretched. "That's enough for one night."
Jinx looked up at him, her face unreadable. "So, ummm, what is your story?" she asked.
Zeke looked back at her, his own face masked by an emotionless facade. "That's... none of your concern." He said, not in a hurtful tone but one that said he didn't want to think of the past.
"Oh, ok..." Jinx said quietly.
Zeke looked down at her and sighed. "Lets just say I was born and it's all been downhill from there."
Jinx nodded and stood up. She walked into the bathroom and changed into her pink nightgown and walked back out. Zeke was wearing a simple pair of sweat pants.
Jinx looked over Zeke's body noticing his toned muscles and numerous scars on his back and chest.
"Wow." She said simply.
Zeke looked back at her noticing her revealing sleep wear. "Wow yourself."
"Where did you get those horrible scars?" she asked walking over to him.
He looked down. "These are the reason I don't follow gods."
Jinx took a step back and sat on the bed. "I see."
Zeke sat on his bed with a sigh. "I'm sorry if I seem cold. How about I tell you my story if you tell me yours."
A smile crossed Jinx's face. "Well, my story is pretty simple." She started. "As a child, I lived with my parents but I couldn't control my powers. Things broke, shattered, caught fire, and blew up. When I was five our house collapsed because of my powers and my family tossed me away like a piece of garbage." A tear could be seen in her eye as she told her story.
"You don't have to continue." Zeke said leaning over.
Jinx shook her head. "No, I'm alright. After that I wandered around for a while. No one wanted to take me in for long. Everywhere I went bad things happened. That's how I earned the name Jinx. One day about ten years ago, I found a traveling circus. In the back was an old fortuneteller who saw me for what I was. She pulled me inside and taught me how to control my powers, and explained to me what I was. I ended up joining the circus for awhile and they trained me in acrobatics while I learned to harness my powers."
Zeke leaned back as he listened to her story. "Sounds nice. Why did you leave?"
Jinx lowered her head. "For awhile I was happy. It was like having a family again, until one day after the final show of the, the ringmaster called me into his tent. He told me all kinds of things trying to sweet talk me. When I didn't give in he tried to rape me. In a fit of fear and anger I lost control of my powers and brought a landslide down on the troupe. Only I survived. After that I was scouted for the Hive and promised a chance at truly belonging and a chance to get back at those that hurt me. For some reason I agreed and enrolled." She finished her story and sat back sighing.
Zeke sat back and let out a deep breath. "Wow, what a story. But it seems we have more in common than I originally thought." He stood up and stretched his back.
Jinx waved her finger at him. "Alright! Your turn, now spill."
Zeke took a deep breath. "When I was a young child my family was happy. I lived with my mother and stepfather. They never told me he was my stepfather, but part of me knew. When I turned six I started having strange dreams about a giant red figure. He kept talking to me in a strange language. He frightened me beyond all measure and I never had a decent night sleep. About a year later my powers manifested, in a big way. My arms came ablaze with black fire burning down my home, but unlike you my parents didn't make it out and my last thoughts were of them screaming." He closed his eyes as he spoke in a firm voice.
Jinx covered her mouth with her hand. Her eyes open wide in shock.
"I ran from my home for what seemed like days, my mind and arms burning with the knowledge of what I had done. I ended up crashing into a group of priests who glared down at me with wicked smiles. And they branded me with the Title that would haunt me for as long as I would live. Monster. They told me they knew what I was and knew what I had done. I was a child of evil. The seed of the destroyer whose name they dared not speak. They forced me into a dungeon below a church. I endured torture and pain for years. Every day they called me monster and caused me unbearable pain never daring to let me die. They kept my powers restrained with charms and religious runes. Then, on my thirteenth birthday, they pushed me over my limits and I became the monster they called me. My powers erupted strong enough to destroy my bindings. I had broken free and proceeded to wipe the church off the face of the earth. I even hunted down the priests that had tortured me. And lets just say they are not among the living anymore. After that I encountered a man who fought and beat me. He told me he could train me to control my powers and teach me about who and what I am. Everything else is in my journal which you read."
Jinx looked down at the floor. "I see why you have a problem with religion. To be branded a monster is not easy to live with. But why are you stealing those things? None of the ones you've listed have anything to do with each other."
Zeke smiled. "You're the first one I've ever told my story too. And at first glance it may seem that way, but they all are linked. But it's better if you don't know. I've stolen three of the five items and have hidden them carefully."
Jinx smiled at him. "In your journal you wrote about the Eyes of Ragnon, the Book of Ages, and the Dagger Key of Faust. Three items from different cultures scattered across the world."
Zeke looked at the clock. "We'll have to finish talking later. It's really late, we should get some sleep."
Jinx nodded and climbed under her covers. She sank her head into the pillow and faced away from Zeke. Her thoughts occupied with the story she heard. She couldn't help but compare it to her own. We both have a similar past with fucked up history. Though I had a few happy moments he spent a long time in pain
"Before I turn in I do have one question." Zeke asked as he lay in his bed staring at the ceiling.
"Shoot." Jinx acknowledged
"This is a school for criminals yet I don't sense a very strong malevolent spirit coming from you. Why are you here?"
Jinx stiffened her shoulders and pulled her covers higher. "Get some sleep. The headmaster wants to speak with you in the morning."
Zeke frowned. He could feel she was hiding something, but it wasn't his place to butt in.
He turned over and went to sleep.
Jinx lay awake. She could not stand it. She wanted to tell him why she was here even after she helped bring down the Brotherhood of Evil. She wanted to give up crime but things had not gone that way.
She placed her hand on her chest as she remembered the unbearable pain of the nanite probes flowing through her bloodstream. A pain that felt like a searing hot needle stabbing her every nerve multiplied by a thousand. Slade had used it on her once as an example of how he expected obedience from those that might betray him. S he didn't last ten seconds of the torture. She couldn't stand to feel that again.
She bit her lower lip. If she told anyone, they would activate and kill her in a slow very painful death.
She did her best to sleep.
In the morning Zeke stood in Slade's headroom beside Jinx. Slade sat in his chair behind the desk with his fingers interlocking.
"Allow me to ask you a few questions." He stated in a flat sentence. Zeke could already sense the man's dark spirit.
"And what questions would those be?" Zeke arched an eyebrow as he listened.
Slade chuckled. "Question one, what are you're plans in this city?"
Zeke scratched his head. "I have no reason to lie so I'll tell you. I'm a thief, so I'm here to steal. But what I plan on stealing is my business."
Slade closed his visible eye. "My boy, I already know what you plan to steal as well as why."
Zeke tensed at Slade's words. "H-how could you know?"
"Lets just say, your father and I are acquainted." Slade said quietly.
"Question two, how much of your power did you release when you fought my agents?"
Zeke narrowed his eyes. This Slade character was starting to make him feel uncomfortable. "I guess about maybe twenty percent, give or take."
Slade gave an approving nod. "Very good. And finally, would you be interested in joining the Hive? We have excellent resources as well as capable manpower and security. Your stolen goods could be kept under the highest guard."
Zeke slammed his hand down on the desk with an audible thump-causing Jinx to jump back! "Alright! Explain yourself now! How do you know about me?"
Slade turned to Jinx, giving her an angry glare.
"You and your team have a mission. I want for you to borrow some funds from the Jump City first national bank. And I want it done within three hours. Or else." He finished, running his fingers along a button he wore on a thick metal wristband. Zeke saw Jinx's expression change to one of absolute terror at his words. Her eyes were wide open as she stepped back slowly than turned and sprinted out of the door.
Zeke watched her as she ran away.
"Ah, now we can talk about such subjects alone." Slade spoke in his snake oil salesman style voice.
"What did you do to her?" Zeke growled. His fists clenched tightly.
" I merely put her on a short leash. She has much potential but unfortunately she has a habit of... neglecting her studies."
Slade stood up and walked up to Zeke. "But weren't you interested in my knowledge of you and your family?"
Back at Titans-Tower, an alarm rang out alerting the team to a crime.
Robin ran into the room. "Titans! Move out!" he yelled over the intercom.
Raven was in her room searching her books for any record of another gate to Trigon. After hours of searching she came across a small piece in the back of an ancient leather bound text.
"when sacred text is invoked
with the key of the dead one open the door
a man of living metal will replace the eyes of the king of darkness
and with the blood of the two siblings let the world fall into the abyss.
Twelfth Prophecy of Azar
Raven held the book with shaking hands. She hadn't even heard the alarm as she read.
"Raven! C'mon we have to go!" Robin yelled outside her room.
Raven closed her book and quickly levitated through the halls towards the garage as they all entered the T-car and took off towards the city.
"Friend Raven, what troubles you?" Starfire asked with a look of concern on her face.
Raven merely brought her hood over her head so her face couldn't be seen. "It's nothing." She said turning her head to face out the window. The other Titans didn't say anything else to her as they sped towards the crime scene.
Zeke pointed his finger at Slade, a look of agitation in his face.
"Spill it! Then tell me exactly what you did to Jinx!"
Slade chuckled. "As I said, your father and I are acquainted. The great destroyer Trigon. The one who was bound to wipe out all civilization and end all life on earth."
Zeke was growling and his hair was standing on end. He grabbed his arm and squeezed it tightly. He could feel the monster inside him wanting to lash out.
Slade watched Zeke with interest.
"I seem to have struck a nerve. I became one of your father's minions after I died. An unfortunate incident with an unappreciative apprentice."
Zeke smirked. His knuckles were turning white from his constant gripping. "I could smell that bastards influence on you. So why would you want to help me?"
Slade turned his back on Zeke. His hands were still clasped behind his back.
"My boy. It is no good to anyone if that beast is allowed back into this dimension. There is absolutely no profit in it for anyone, and I too know the second prophecy of Trigon's coming."
Zeke's anger was festering inside of him just looking for an outlet.
Slade turned back and faced Zeke. "You seem distracted. If you wont enroll in my school, how about merely attending for a while. You seem to be fond of my student Jinx and your abilities and knowledge would be very...educational."
Zeke turned his back on Slade. "Loosen Jinx from whatever leash you have on her and I'll consider it." Zeke gritted his teeth. This is why hated getting involved with people. Every person he had known for to long had been used against him or betrayed him. Yet here he was again, getting involved with someone who he hadn't even known for a whole day.
Zeke walked out of the room. He could feel Slade's smile behind that mask.
"I'm going to help Jinx." He said in a strong voice.
Slade sat back in his chair. "Excellent idea. This should get you acquainted with our cities group of resident super heroes. The Teen Titans."
Zeke stopped walking. "Teen Titans? I've heard of them. And as far as I'm concerned they will not be a threat to me." He pulled out his tattered cloak and replaced it over his shoulders and walked away.
Slade just sat in his chair and with the press of a button, a wall opened up revealing a wall of monitors. They were of various locations throughout the city but with a few keystrokes they all focused on one particular bank as he watched with delight.
Outside the bank, the H.I.V.E. trio was loading the money into a large floating carrier.
"C'mon ya pit sniffin traitor! Hurry up!" Gizmo yelled to Jinx who was loading the money along side Mammoth.
Mammoth looked down at Jinx as she loaded the heavy sacks of money. He could see her breathing hard and watched her muscles straining. He knew it had been hard for her since she had come back to the Hive. All the other students saw her as a traitor since she helped the Teen Titans back when the Brotherhood of Evil had nearly won. But Mammoth was the only one who saw her actions for what they were. They had both joined the Hive on the same day and ever since they had been together. He had always seen that Jinx had too much heart to be a criminal. He had always wanted to see her get out.
They had just finished loading the money when Mammoth got blasted away by Cyborg's sonic cannon! "Titans, Go!" Robin yelled out as they charged the room.
Jinx was trying to hide behind the carrier and looking for a way to escape when she heard Slade's voice in her earpiece.
"Where do you think you're going? Get back there and fight." He spoke into her ear.
Jinx froze up and slowly turned back. She walked into sight of he Titans who looked at her in shock.
Robin was the first to speak up "Jinx? What are you doing here!" he yelled.
Beastboy glared at her. "Isn't it obvious? She's joined back up with the Hive. I knew we couldn't trust her."
Jinx raised her hands. Her palms glowing with her pink hexes as she faced the Titans, her eyes wide with tears as she was forced to go against the ones she wanted to trust her.
"ATTACK!" she heard Slade's voice again and she let loose tossing her hexes at the Titans.
The battle began, Cyborg and beast boy attacked Mammoth while Robin and Starfire went after Gizmo.
Jinx stood facing Raven. The dark Titan stared at her with judging eyes and her hands glowing with black energies.
"We were beginning to trust you Jinx. But I guess betrayal is what comes naturally to you. Give up now and serve your time. This is your only warning."
Jinx took a step back defensively. Her hands still glowing even though her eyes showed fear.
Raven could sense several emotions emanating from Jinx, which made her uncertain of Jinx's true intentions.
Jinx knew that if she lost or refused to obey, Slade would kill her.
Raven slowly levitated closer. "What's the matter Jinx? Regretting your choice?"
Jinx's eyes looked around desperately for a way to stop this.
CRASH!
The window above them exploded inward as a man in a tattered cloak burst in through the flying shards of glass.
He landed with a loud thud on the linoleum in a kneeling position.
All of the Titans looked at him in surprise as he stood up slowly and flashed them all a glare with his blood red eyes. His cloak's collar coming up to just below his nose.
"So, you must be the Teen Titans I was told about." He said in a joking tone.
Jinx looked back at him with a smile "You're here." She said hardly believing it.
Zeke removed his cloak and tossed it with a single hand as he waited for the attack.
Robin looked at him with his eyes narrowing. "Are you with the Hive?" he demanded.
Zeke smirked and charged at Robin with blinding speed and with a single kick to the stomach sent Robin flying into a nearby wall.
"No I'm not." He said with a smile as Cyborg charged his cannon and fired it.
Zeke dodged to the left and ran up to Cyborg but got blindsided by one of Starfire's starbolts.
Cyborg breathed a sigh of relief for Starfire's aid. "Thanks Star." He said smiling but it disappeared when he saw her expression. Her eyes were glowing green and she looked pissed. He then noticed why and saw Robin lying off to the side holding what looked like a dislocated arm.
Zeke stood up as Mammoth, and Gizmo gathered behind him. Jinx ran up to his side and was checking him for injuries. He merely popped his neck joints and smiled.
"This might be more fun than I originally thought." His arms tensed and erupted in black flames.
"Whoa dude! Do you see that?" BB yelled out.
Raven rolled her eyes at BB "We're not blind." She levitated higher into the air and her hands glowed with her black energy as she shot her magic attack at him.
"AZARATH METRION ZINTHOS!"
Zeke's fire began to swirl around his arms as he aimed his palms at her and let loose with his black flames.
"Incantations take to long!" he laughed loudly as their two attacks collided canceling each other out.
"WHAT?" they both said at the same time.
They both tried again and again but each time their attacks collided the other canceled them out.
"Who are you?" they asked simultaneously.
Zeke could feel a familiar presence in the girl. One like his own. And it was awakening the monster inside him.
Raven stared down with a glare, as the strange boy seemed overly irritated by her.
Zeke convulsed and fell to his knees holding his sides. When he looked up his two eyes had changed two four glowing red narrow slit like eyes. His teeth were gritted and it looked like he was smiling. Four large black wings made out of his flames burst forth from his back
Raven and the others watched him in horror as he transformed.
"Y-you're..." Raven could barely speak as she watched. This was what she had sensed.
Jinx watched in horror, her mouth gaping as he began to laugh maniacally. His voice seeming to echo with power. He glanced up at Raven again, his grin growing wider.
"Zeke..." Jinx called lightly, her voice barely above a squeak as she took a slow step closer to him.
"Jinx, stay back!" Mammoth whispered to her. But Jinx kept taking slow steps towards Zeke.
Zeke leapt into the air batting away Starfire like a gnat who crashed into Cyborg like a bowling pin! He kept moving towards Raven through the air, his wings batting his flames like an unholy dance of embers. He struck out with his flaming right hand, which Raven blocked with her dark energy but was still knocked back by the force.
"Who are you?" Raven asked a little more frightened.
Zeke didn't answer but kept on grinning as he attacked Raven time and time again knocking Raven back with each strike she blocked!
Zeke landed lightly slightly out of breath as he continued to laugh sadistically. Raven was sweating a little and trying to catch her breath as she eyed down Zeke. Just past Zeke she saw Jinx slowly approaching with trembling hands.
"Zeke..." she said again. Her voice shaking as she walked closer.
Zeke half turned and saw as she walked up next to him gripping his flaming arm. Jinx winced as her hands began to burn but she gripped him harder. Zeke's smile faded and one of shock spread across his face. His fire died away instantly and he slumped slightly.
"Jinx?" his voice still echoed but was softer than it was. Jinx fell to her knees still holding his arm, as he kneeled down beside her.
"Jinx... what did I do?" he asked quietly.
Suddenly he convulsed again and grabbed his head in pain! His four eyes opening wide in agony as he roared.
The Titans were recovering and getting ready for their second wind now that Zeke was distracted.
Mammoth saw this and ran up, grabbing the two along with Jinx and making a break for it through a wall!
Gizmo was following slowly with the hover container full of money.
"Hey you guys! Wait for me!" he called out as he managed to catch up.
The Titans stood up and tried to dust themselves off. Robin was held up by Starfire who flew him to the nearest hospital while Raven caught her breath and helped BB pick up Cyborg.
"Dude? What just happened there?" BB asked depressed.
Raven gave him her normal non-emotional stare.
"We lost. Get over it." She said turning her head away. Her true thoughts were obvious even to BB's smooth and shiny brain. That boy Zeke definitely had a connection to her father, Trigon.