Legal Tender: I have ABSOLUTLY NOTHING TO DO WITH TEEN TITAN'S! I DIDNT MAKE THEM..I DIDNT DRAW THEM OR WRIGHT THEIR STORY LINES. but this fic is mine and so are my characters that i created for this story.
Chapter Two: Whipping Boy
As Corry finished speaking, he took in three swift painful breathes before he again rested his head on the steel slab of a bed he lied immobilized on. Starfire pried the final metal restraint from the tortured young man. with the loud clank of metal on concrete, the young mans arm twitched and retracted close to his chest. In unison to his twitch, the crate next to him budged.
Robin: "No more playing, i want to know. What did TRUTH do to him."
Elderly Man: "They replaced him...Only the mind remains."
Robin: "Replaced? With what?"
The elderly White haired man looked to the floor in shame before answering. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before he let out a riddle for only one of the Titans to understand.
Elderly Man: "The flesh hast been cast down from the shell, accept now the form of Ziekel. Behold the Thorn, the bearer of burden has been reborn."
Raven was checking the pulse of Corry at the wrist as he spoke. She abruptly dropped Corry's arm onto the table midway through the old mans speech and quickly walked towards him with her right arm reaching out and grabbed him out from under Cyborgs sonic Cannon. Even being lifted effortlessly from the ground at such a high speed, the elderly man kept his eyes closed and refused to flinch.
Beastboy: "Whoa!"
Starfire: "This was not, how do you say, expected."
Robin: "Raven, What are you doing!"
Cyborg: "C'mon Raven, just putt him down."
Raven: "You...How?...Why?"
The frail old man held up with ease by Ravens one arm tried, but could not hold back the tears that come with pain, sadness, and most of all guilt.
Elderly Man: "I….I'm so sorry. Kill me if you want...but give him a life worth living. Please. ..I beg you."
Robins hand fell softly onto Ravens left shoulder pulling her back to reality. Ever so slowly, she lowered the old man and set him on his feat. As Raven let go, he slumped down to his knees and wept silently, shifting the dirt and grit under his knees.
Robin: "I don't think he will pose any threat, looks like he's willing to pay for his crimes."
Cyborg: "Yeah, looks like. But hey, you cool Raven? You seemed more than a little mad there."
Raven: "I'm fine..."
Raven raised here hood and glanced quickly over her shoulder to see Beastboy and Starfire staring at her with an obvious look of confusion and concern.
Raven: "We should stop standing around and get him back to the tower."
Robin: "I agree."
Beastboy: "Tower? Shouldn't we take him to the Hospital?"
Robin: "The Tower has a state of the art medical facility, it shames the Jump City General Hospital and its clinics. Take one good look at this guys body and tell me he deserves anything less then our help."
Beastboy: "yeah, that makes sense."
Starfire: "I shall carry with me Corry to the tower."
Raven spoke up to counter Starfires statement.
Raven: "No, I will take him to the tower."
Cyborg: "Are you sure?"
Raven: "Yes."
With 'Yes' Raven looked at the other Titans with a stern expression that quite honestly frightened them.
Robin: "Um, if its alright with Star, then go ahead."
Starfire: "Uhh.."
Starfire looked swiftly at Raven who's determined gaze still instilled fear, than to the others. Cyborg, Robin, and Beastboy all looked at her causing her to blush and look to the ground. she reached with her right hand and grabbed her left arm before giving her response.
Starfire: "I..um..I do not have complaints, please do bring him to aid Raven."
Raven turned to Corry and observed his body was shaking from being in the cold, dank cellar. the bloody cloth sack over Corry's face expanded and contracted in short bursts from unsteady breathing. Raven made her approach to the table Corry lay upon, and perhaps from the desire to help Corry breath easier or out of curiosity to see his face; she reached out to remove the sack. as her left hand grasped the sack just under his chin, Corry spoke.
Corry: "Please.."
Ravens face remained void of emotions, but she withdrew her hand, and slid it under his scarred neck and black matted hair petruding from under his bloody mask. She sat him up at a steady pace and placed her right arm under his two knees and proceeded to lift him effortlessly. standing still for an instant, she then turned her head to the kneeling shell of a man to her right and glared. Raven, holding a limp bodied and bloody Corry; flew without hesitation up the stairs and towards the tower. The titans confusion was equaled only by their silence. Robin couldn't help but stare with his jaw slightly ajar, Starfire was still blushing slightly but felt much more confused then embarrassed at this time, Beastboy sat with mouth opened and wide eyed while Cyborg tried to figure this all out. In this defining silence, someone had to say something.
Cyborg: "Umm, anybody know what Ravens deal is?"
Beastboy: "Maybe she's under mind control from the Project Mind Snatcher organization on Venus! or maybe she's a clone sent to take the real Ravens place to gain our trust and..."
Cyborg: "Nice try BB, but maybe she's just ticked off that this could happen to someone."
Beastboy: "I don't know man, Project Mind Snatcher..think about it, i mean, it could happen. Right Robin?"
Robin: "Sorry Beastboy, but I definitely have to agree with Cyborg on this one."
Starfire: "Her anger made it appear personnel."
Cyborg: "You mean personal."
Starfire: "Yes, Personal."
Robin placed his forefinger and thumb to his chin in thought.
Robin: "I don't know why she got so angry, but i think we should head back to the tower and see if Raven is feeling alright and if that guys in stable condition."
Cyborg: "Ya, I think that's a pretty good idea. What do ya think Star?"
Starfire: "I agree, let us be going."
Beastboy: "I'm TELLING you! Project Mind Snatcher, P.M... uh, anyway I think its a definite maybe."
Over the streets of a busy Jump City, raven flew far above the buildings carrying a battered young man who appeared to have past out. to herself, Raven held a private conversation. the topic was that of a certain young man in her arms and how she should deal with..it.
Raven: (How..I thought he was buried! the last thing this world needs...I..I could always just, drop him.)
Ravens mind raced with possibilities, the realization that killing him could be, and might just be the only good thing to do. But how, dropping him would be as affective as anything, but the others would never believe she couldn't have saved him before he hit the ground. perhaps poison, or she could use her power when no one was at the tower, she could always say it was an intruder. upon these thoughts entering her head, guilt swarmed her very heart and soul.
Raven: (No! No, I cant, I wont become him...I wont!)
Corry: "Will i die?"
The sudden outburst from the motionless victim in her arms gave Raven a bit of a shock, nothing noticeable such as a jump; it just pulled her back to reality. after such a shock, how could she regard Corry as a lifeless corpse? Raven: "I'm taking you to Titan Tower, you'll be taken care of there. It on the island straight ahead, hold on." (I'll keep a close eye on you, if you even smirk in a disturbing fashion, ill...deal with you then.)
The Titans walked towards the same door they came through to enter the makeshift torture chamber, leaving an elderly man smiling through his tears upon his first taste of redemption. He wasn't going anywhere, one exit; and the police would come in soon enough to sweep up all the garbage along with him. all seemed wrapped up nice and tidy, excluding Ravens odd behavior. Yet, the kneeling man had something else to say, one final request. The way he signaled his desire to speak was blunt, making raising a hand or simply speaking seem sheepish. Cyborg is a rather large (metallic) man, it tends to come as a shock seeing an elderly man reach out and grasp onto Cyborgs ankle.
Cyborg: "Something you want old man?"
Elderly man: "As a matter of fact, Two things now; if I may be so intrusive."
The smile on his aged face appeared to be like a statues, it never seemed to end. The elderly man wiped tears of guilt and joy from his face with his left sleeve.
Elderly man: "First of all, I'm not that old. My name is Edison Murphy, my parents gave me the name for a reason; to be used. And secondly.."
Edison raised his right arm to point directly at the Wood crate next to the metal slab Corry had been chained too.
Edison: "The party was positively delightful, but the birthday boy forgot the best part of a birthday. Will you be a model teen and bring him my gift."
Starfire: "I adore the exchanging of the gifts! Could it be a Glorfindorb?"
Edison: "I'm sorry, but it is not."
Beastboy: "What are you trying to pull man? That a bomb or something?"
Starfire: "Maybe a zimpharchin?"
Edison had a slight chuckle before giving an answer.
Edison: "No, nothing of that sort. Its him, his coat."
Robin: "What do you mean, Him?"
Edison: "I swear, you couldn't understand. Just take it to him please."
Cyborg: "I think I'll scan it for explosives first."
Beastboy: "Good call."
Edison: "Tisk tisk, I don't feel very trusted."
Robin: "Already forgot about blowing up your next door neighbor huh?"
A brief and yet powerful silence was charged from Robins statement.
Edison: "Valid point young sir, scan away Robot."
Cyborg: "Its Cyborg, not 'ROBOT' old man."
Cyborgs eye glowed slightly red as he thermo scanned and analyzed the object inside the crate.
Cyborg: "Alright, it aint a bomb. but it still don't mean I trust you."
Edison: "Fair enough."
Robin: "Lets crack it open."
Edison: "Absolutely not! It is my psuedo sons birthday and to him I bestow this final gift, don't even think of opening his present...bad birdie!"
Robin glared at Mr. Edison due to his mockery of his name. Robins eyes slanted slightly as he opened his mouth to let loose a clever comeback, but not a word was spoken as Starfire and Beast boy gave a slight tug on Robins Cape. Robin turned his head with a somewhat confused look on his face to see Two large sets of pouting eyes watering up inches from his face.
Robin: "What?"
Starfire: "The..the exchanging of the gifts is sacred Robin. one can not open anothers package."
Beastboy: "Dude, you wouldn't open my presents would you?"
Robin: "What? No..I...(sigh)...okay. We'll let Corry Open it."
Starfire: "Wonderful! I shall do the carrying to the tower."
Starfire floated over to the crate with a smile of victory and joy. when she placed her hands on the crate and lifted it she let out a slight 'umph'.
Robin: "Do you have it?"
Starfire: "Yes, it is just heavier than I assumed."
Robin: "Alright, lets get going. Cy, If you would be so kind as to escort our host Mr. Edison to the police."
Cyborg: "My pleasure."
Cyborg walked behind Edison and lifted him straight up onto his feet with his left arm, a nudge from cyborgs hand sent Edison walking in the direction of the stairs.
Edison: "Alas, all parties must end I suppose."
Falling in line after Cyborg was Starfire holding the heavy crate over her head, Beastboy trying to help Starfire, and Robin covering the rear. As Cyborg, Starfire, and Beastboy walked over the door Raven toppled and the small mound of partially conscious TRUTH researchers, Robin paused in the doorway. Hanging from the wall was a blood stained whip with multiple lashing ends. As Robin inspected even closer, He noticed glimmering pieces at the ends of each strand. Reaching into his belt, he pulled out a pair of tweezers and ever so carefully plucked one of the shimmering objects from the whip. It was metallic, jagged, and coated in old and fresh blood. Robin took a small vial out of his belt and placed the barbed piece of metal in for further inspection at the tower.
Cyborg: "Yo Robin, you comin man?"
Robin: "On my way."
Robin placed the vial into his belt and turned for the door. at the foot of the steps a man with a beard and a white lab coat stirred.
Alex: "N-nothing but a defect. can't e-even be utilized. Heh heh. You took the garbage out for us, but we will burn it. Heh heh he...just a matter of time. Just a matter of.."
Robin grabbed the chatty lab tech under his chin a pulled back while striking the side of his head knocking him unconscious. Dropping the all too talkative scientists head on the concrete floor resonated a rather pleasing thump noise in Robins ears. As Robin stood to his feat and walked up the stairs, he mumbled to himself over the waste of breath gone into that morons little speech.
Robin: "Pitiful, pointless, arrogant...enjoy the world through a barred window."
An army of policemen stood outside the door looking directly at robin. Robin raised his arm with his thumb pointing at the door behind him, signaling the police to go ahead. As at least fifteen officers in full SWAT gear rushed in Robin saw Cyborg standing by the car with Beastboy sitting inside while pressing his face against the window with a wide grin.
Cyborg: "Hey man, you bout ready?"
Robin: "Yeah, did Star already leave?"
Cyborg: "Yeah, said she wanted to check on Raven and the guy Corry."
Robin: "I see, lets hurry up and get home. I have something i want to check on."
As Robin said this he placed his right hand over the vial holding the blood covered metal bit that he held in his belt. When Cyborg turned to enter the Car he caught a glimpse of Beastboy pressing his mug on the window. Cyborg gave a good thump on the window forcing Beastboy to inch back and grab his now sore nose.
Cyborg: "You better not have drooled on my baby."
Beastboy: "Aww c'mon Cy. Have some faith in me man."
Cyborg: "YOU DID DROOL ON HER!"
Beastboy: "Only a little, chill out. I'll clean it."
Cyborg: "YES YOU WILL!...my baby.."
Beastboys chuckles were cut off as Robin placed his helmet on firmly and started his bike.
Starfire holding the Large crate in one arm flew directly up to the fourth floor window that led to the clinic. With her free arm she gave the window a light nudge opening it completely. The only light in the dark room was a pale green glow from a heart monitor on the left end of the room. As quietly as she could she placed the crate down on the floor next to the window before flying in and closing the window. Twisting a knob on the wall to the right of her gradually raised the lighting from dark to dim. In the corner of the room, Corey lied on the clinic cot still wearing the bloody cloth sack. An I.V. had been inserted into his right arm and sensors on his chest recorded his vitals. Walking closer to the bed Starfire stepped on a loose tile causing a noise to alarm Corey.
Corry: "Raven? Is that you?"
Starfire: "No my friend Corry, I am Starfire."
Corey: "Are you a Teen.."
Starfire: "Teen TITAN?"
Corry: "Yes, that's what they were afraid of."
Starfire: "Yes I am. Uhm, who are THEY, and for what reason do they fear us if i may ask."
Corry: "The ones who did this to me, when Edison sent for your help today...the others were talking about you all. How you could 'pose a problem' to Truths plans if you showed up."
Starfire walked closer to the bed and slowly reached for the sack over his face.
Corry: "Starfire? Are you still here?"
Starfire: "..."
Starefires hand neared the cloth sack until her shadow was cast over the sack. The blocking of the dim light Corry could see through the sack caused him to swiftly reach with his left hand and grab Starfires wrist.
Starfire: "It will need to come off at some point."
Corry slowly released starfires arm and lowered his arm back to his side where he wrapped his hands in the bed sheets and clenched his fists. Starfire took in a deep breath and grabbed the stained blood crusted sack and pulled it gently off of Corrys head. Raven opened the door holding a tray of gauze and anti-bacterial cream. Behind Raven stood Robin, Beastboy, and Cyborg all trying to find out if Corry was alright.
Cyborg: "So is our new friend awake?"
Raven: "No, and keep it that way. He'll need...rest."
Cyborg, Raven and Robin all stood mouths gaping. Beastboy blocked by Cyborg had to struggle to get in through the crowded doorway.
Beastboy: "Why are we all standing still? Cy, move your butt!"
Beastboys struggles paid of as he popped out from in-between Cyborg and Robin, rolled across the floor and stood up to face Raven, Cybor, and Robin.
Beastboy: "That's more like it, but why aren't you guys moving? Hello?"
As Beastboy turned to see what everyone was staring at he saw Corry's uncovered face. Several heavy lacerations and countless bruises hidden only by the dried pools of blood. as grotesque as the swollen beaten face was, it was not what caught the Titans eyes. petruding from Corry's forehead, two black horns about two inches long each, held the attention of all the Titans. It took Robin to break the silence.
Robin: "Lets get him cleaned up and bandaged."
Cyborg: "Right."
Raven: "well need all of the bandages we have."
Beastboy: "I'll go see if i cant dig up some Band-Aids."
Starefire: "And I shall get the hot water."
Corry: "Thank you."
The sun began to set by the time the titans had Washed, disinfected, and bandaged all of corrys wounds.
Robin: "He's finally asleep."
Beastboy: "Sleep sounds good."
Cyborg: "Yeah, been a loooong day. (YAWN)"
Robin: "Alright, but one of us should watch him tonight, just to make sure he's fine. Any volunteers?"
Starfire: "I would not mind."
Raven: "Me. I'll Watch him tonight and if i get tired I'll wake up Star."
Robin: "Sounds good to me, Star?"
Starfire: "Glorious! If you require help, I shall be more than happy to assist you."
Robin: "Good, (YAWN) I'm going to bed. Good luck Raven."
Beastboy, Cyborg And Starfire all went to bed one by one. Raven closed the clinics door and sat in a chair by Corry's bed. Staring At Corry, Raven thought to herself. (One wrong move, and I will get rid of you. I have my eye on you.)
to be continued