Prologue
"Titans," Robin yelled, in his usual fashion, "GO!" Instantly the teen heroes sprang into action.
"Bus-ted," Red X said, in a sarcastic tone. He put down the diamond he had intended to steal from the museum. "Here we go again, eh kid?" he directed at Robin.
"Maybe you should learn to keep your mouth shut," Raven replied dryly, her eyes glowing white. Soon the nearby velvet ropes were constricting X, holding him still long enough for Cyborg to make his move.
A blue wave of sonic energy erupted from Cyborg's blaster, hitting X head on. He went flying across the room. "Booya!" Cyborg cheered. "X marks the spot, baby!"
"Aww, I wanted to say that!" Beast Boy sighed.
"Then maybe next time you should attack him," teased Cyborg
Starfire soared into the sky to intercept him, catching and holding his arms. "Stop stealing things now, please," she said.
"Nice try, Red," X replied. Like a trapeze artist, he swung up and landed - feet first - on Starfire's back. Starfire dropped down a little, but managed to stay airborne. He leapt off her, aiming straight for Robin.
"Give me the suit," Robin said, bo staff drawn.
Red X had his signature X weapons ready. Whirling blades erupted from his gloves. "No way," he said, "I'm having too much fun."
"Fun's over," Robin suddenly said, smiling. "Beast Boy, now!"
The green changeling suddenly morphed into a giant gorilla, ripping the belt off of the suit, depleting it of its power. He morphed back into his regular self. "Hope you're wearing suspenders, dude," he joked, twirling the belt around his finger.
"Damn," X said. He tapped into the last of the Xynothium ore powering the suit, and vanished into thin air.
"Good work, team," Robin said. He picked up the diamond and replaced it in its display case.
"Yeah! We didn't even destroy any of the displays this time!" Cyborg said. "That's gotta be a record for us."
"Jubilation!" Starfire said, in her usual bright tone. "We must celebrate!"
Robin smirked. "Pizza, then?" he said, as the five walked out of the room.
Red X reappeared on the museum roof. "I failed again," he muttered.
A voice replied inside X's head. "You are a disgrace," it snapped.
"Sir, the Titans showed up," he protested, talking on the communicator in his ear. "They stole my power source."
"We have had enough of your excuses," the man replied. "Failures in our organization will be eliminated. You have been warned." The connection cut out.
"Shit," X swore again. He regretted ever making the deal with the damn syndicate in the first place. But, without Xynothium, his suit was merely a costume. The power the suit offered was an addiction... and the organization helped satisfy his cravings. The price? His loyalty and service.
"Xynothium or no," X decided, stamping his foot, "I've got to get out." He sighed. There was only one place to turn now. He looked to the sea, towards a little island with a T shaped tower.