Still don't own anything.
Chapter 1: Neutrality
The national phase of World War III had been hard on the Teen Titans, or "A Little Older than Teen" Titans as Beast Boy said to the eye rolling of all involved. But they acknowledged that he had a point and changed their name to the Titans. Due to the MSRT, almost all of the team was ineligible for service, except for Robin. Because of his obvious leadership skills, the 19 year old was put on the fast track for an officer's rank following a year in officer training school. However, before he could be sent to the front, the metahumans attacked. Because of his connections to the superhero community, and thus, the Justice League, Robin was sent home, to the obvious relief of his girlfriend, Starfire, who, while proud that her beau was to fight with honor, was worried about his potential death. Robin, of course, had no qualms about returning. He was a Titan, and belonged with them, and Starfire.
However, his return heralded more problems, the most pressing of which was what side the Titans would choose. To whit, Robin called his old mentor, stationed in Gotham.
"Bruce."
"Dick," such pleasantries was common for the two. To say that they were cut from the same mold was a ridiculous understatement.
"I see you haven't joined your Justice League comrades."
"I didn't take this job to rule the world, but to protect it. They may be metahumans, but they're still humans, and humans have a bad track record at fixing the earth." Robin just grunted in response. "However, it is hard to fight against them."
Robin gave his old boss a sly smile, "Especially Dianna, right?" he asked, receiving a trademark Bat glare in response.
"And how is your princess?" countered Batman.
"Much better now that I'm back," Robin said, gloating a bit and refusing to take the bait. However, he turned serious a second later, "I feel like we should be neutral as well. We have ties to the League, Star really liked Wonder Woman, if I remember. Anyway, the old ties of superhero solidarity are probably very strong, at least among Star and Beast Boy, and I've worked with Supergirl before, and through you, I've gotten to know Dianna pretty well."
"And the other two?"
"Well, Cyborg may become a nationalist, and it is hard to tell with Raven. She'll more than likely go with the majority."
"It sounds like you've thought this out, Dick, why do you need me?" asked Batman.
"You say your neutral, but I've seen what Wayne industries is doing. Government contracts are up, and mass production of some advanced weaponry, advanced anti-meta weaponry, is coming down the line. Bruce, exactly how neutral are you?"
Batman sighed. To an untrained eye, it was nothing but an exhalation, but Robin recognized it, it to the Batman was an SOS was to a sinking ship. The man didn't like the current situation. "Dick, you learn that there really is no such thing as neutrality for us. We want to stay out of things, but whatever happens, we can't. I have a duty, as Batman, to protect Gotham and to the ideal of justice that people like Superman advocate. It is what differentiates me from a killing vigilante. It is what allows me to do what I do with a clean conscience. The Batman is a cosmic identity, and has a cosmic duty. But, as Bruce Wayne, I have a duty to my family, city, and country. Batman may proclaim his neutrality without violating his duty, but Bruce Wayne cannot."
Robin nodded. "However," Batman continued, "I don't think that such a thing will affect you, or your team. You may actually pull out being neutral."
"And the ramification of staying neutral?" asked Robin.
Batman shrugged, "I can't say. The League probably views me as the Flash as traitors, and will deal with us in kind. I don't know what will happen with the neutrals. As of now, the nations are probably glad we aren't fighting them."
"That's what I thought," said Robin, "choosing a side has the potential for retaliation that we don't want."
Batman nodded, "Neutrality, at least for the time being, is probably a good idea. There is no telling who will win."
"Superman..." began Robin.
"Is being contained in Africa by a ring of ships equipped with Kryptonian ore. They basically have created a force field around the continent."
"Courtesy of Wayne Industries?" Batman nodded in response.
"OK, well, I'm going to talk to the team about this," Robin said.
"Very well, good luck Dick."
"Same to you Bruce."
Raven sighed. It was quiet in the common room, and she knew she had to enjoy it because it wouldn't be much longer. Beast Boy had climbed up to the ceiling as a spider monkey, holding a water balloon filled with oil. He was going to bomb Cyborg for rigging his game controller so that the directional commands were flipped. When Raven pointed out that no one would appreciate oil stains on the carpet, he pointed out that it has seen much worse—a Tamaranean pudding monster, for example. Raven could've argued, but she didn't. Besides, this could be amusing. Cyborg always blew such things out of proportion, and a mistake on Beast Boy's part could lead to some humorous confrontations, though she hoped he wouldn't get Starfire. Either way, she won. So, she now sat waiting for Beast Boy to drop his balloon, way out of the way of the potential splash zone.
Raven heard the heavy footsteps of Cyborg coming down the hall, the swish of the door, and then nothing. At first she was disappointed, didn't Beast Boy see him? He had to, if she had heard him, Beast Boy heard him ages ago.
SPLASH! "BEAST BOY! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, YOU TOFU-MUNCHING, GRASS STAINED, SHIT HEAD!"
Raven smiled a bit. Though she would never tell the two, she thought their antics, when taken in small doses, were quite funny. Also, Beast Boy had gotten better with his timing. She knew he knew she was waiting for it to happen, and built the suspense. A sign, perhaps, of his maturing into adulthood—he was becoming a better showman.
"Cyborg, quit trying to climb up the wall, rinse off, and come back here, I have an announcement," Raven heard the voice of their leader from behind her.
"Boyfriend Robin," asked Starfire, "why is friend Cyborg covered in a black film?"
"Because Star," began the voice of their patient leader, "Beast Boy dropped it on him and will now clean up the carpet."
"Righty-o, Rob!" the cheerful voice of the prankster sounded from behind Raven. Soon, she heard the quiet hum of the carpet cleaner and the low talking of Starfire and Robin, who had been inseparable ever since Robin had gotten back from OTS. It wasn't quiet, but it was normal.
The door opened again, and there was a grunt followed by another grunt as Cyborg began to wrestle Beast Boy. Raven imperceptibly shook her head, those two were just like brothers, always at each other.
"Cut it out, you two, and sit down. Raven, if you could come here also," Robin intoned from the coach, sitting with his arm around Starfire. Shifting her face into its normal emotionless state, Raven got up and moved to the common area, followed by Cyborg who was holding a struggling Beast Boy in a head lock.
"Man, you know where some of that stuff goes? Everywhere! Not cool!" Cyborg chastised Beast Boy.
"Dude, then you shouldn't mess with my controller!" protested Beast Boy.
"Shut up, you two!" Robin said through clenched teeth. Starfire giggled, the three reminded her of the earth show, Three Stooges. It was quite amusing.
"Titans, as you know, the nations of the world are currently at war with the Justice League and its affiliates. I personally think that we should remain neutral on this issue. All of us have contact with the belligerents, and I don't think that any of use want to have to fight them, whether they be former superheroes or citizens of this city. However, I am willing to here what you all have to say on this."
Starfire spoke up first, "While I understand what the League of Justice is doing, for the actions of the humans during the last year were absolutely horrid, as a sovereign, I can sympathize with the governments of earth. I think I would feel as them if Tamaran would suffer a similar fate. At the same time, I cannot, in all good conscience, support people who use these, ummm, nudes?"
"Nukes, Star," Robin gently corrected. She spoke like a true princess.
Starfire nodded, "Yes, nukes. Anyway, I cannot support them nor the Justice League. I believe we should be neutral."
Robin's smile widened. He knew she would support neutrality. To nobody's surprise, Cyborg spoke up next.
"Well, I can't say that I'm pro-League right now. After all, I grew up in this area, and I probably am more sympathetic to the nations than to a bunch of Leaguers. When I got my body, my father told me to never let the fact that, for all intents and purposes, I was more powerful than anyone else allow me to dictate their life. People are free to choose for themselves, or at least should be. I'm inclined to fight for the nations, but you guys are my family. If you think we should stay neutral, I'll stay neutral. However, if any of these meta's or overseers comes into this city, I'll lay down a whooping that they won't likely forget." Robin nodded. It wasn't strict neutrality, but it was close. After all, even neutral, they couldn't let war touch the city.
"I have nothing to add," Raven said from the side, "I was born to doom the world, but we stopped that. No matter what form the world takes, all that matters to me is that it exists," and those I care about exist in it, she added in her head, "I, like Cyborg, will not tolerate an attack upon the city. But, that is the extent to which I am willing to commit myself."
Robin was very pleased. He believed that the potentials split would come from Cyborg and maybe Starfire, however, this was not to be the case. He turned, along with the rest of the Titans, to look at Beast Boy, expecting a shrug, a quick affirmation, and a demand to return to pranking and playing video games. What he saw, what they all saw, was a surprise. Beast Boy was looking at his hands, which were clasped in front of him, a frown upon his face. For a minute, everything was silent. Beast Boy looked up, and saw everyone looking at him. Quickly smiling, he turned and said, "Sure, whatever," got up and headed out.
Robin was bemused for a moment, as he was sure the rest of the team was. But he shrugged it off, Beast Boy could be a bit, well, odd. Turning and facing the rest of the members, he said, "Well, it is decided then, the Titans are neutral and will not tolerate violent action in the city, agree?" Everyone nodded and he smiled. "Very well then, I'll inform the mayor and the government. This should at least be satisfactory news for them." With that, the team dispersed. Cyborg turned on the TV, planning on getting a little gaming in, Robin went to return to his room, closely followed by Starfire. And Raven sat still, thinking about what Beast Boy did. It wasn't like him, first to be deep in thought during a meeting—or any other time, the cynical part of her mind said—nor was it like him to just up and leave in the middle of a meeting. No matter how boring, Beast Boy stuck around to the end. She supposed it was a leftover from his days on the Doom Patrol, she couldn't really picture Mento being too happy about people leaving meetings early. It was almost dinner time, and she knew that Beast Boy would return to eat. After dinner, she resolved to catch him and ask him about his peculiar actions during the meeting.
Thanks to Linzerj loves Warriors and AkumaKami64 for the reviews. I hope that the story satisfies your expectations. Anyway, school is winding down, which means work is pilling on, so updates may be a bit sparse in the next few weeks. I'll do what I can.
To those who are just joining the story, I hope you like it. As usual, reviews and criticisms are much appreciated.
Mors101
