-- Welcome, one and all, to (fanfare played by a monkey) CHAPTER TWO!!! Now, as it will be easier for me, updates shall hence forth be on Thursdays, because I have no classes to worry about on those days! Yay! Welcome back to my two favorite reviewers, Texas Silver and the x-Core Writer; looking forward to your comments this time around! Ouch! Grr...okay, I'm gonna start the chapter now, lest Kenshin-Sama proceed to have his stabby way with me. Pain... - The Cap'n --
Part 2- Introductions and Explanations
(Shortly after, the scene opens on the pizza parlor in Jump City. As the snow is still falling at a fantastic pace, the Titans must go inside to place their order. They get three different pizzas, one with everything, one with mushrooms and pepperoni, one vegetarian, and round out the order with one pitcher of cola. While the restaurant employees aren't looking, Gemini multiplies everything once over. Nobody thinks anything of Beast Boy and Medic eating most of the veggie pizza themselves, but everyone is mildly surprised when Frost reveals that she is also a vegetarian. Once she has eaten a bit, Frost begins her explanation.)
Frost: I am daughter of leader of Fubuki Village in Northern Japan. Ever since I very small, I love Akira-kun from bottom of heart!
(Frost smiles brightly at Medic, who shivers.)
Frost: When Akira-kun leave village, I keep constant…constant…?
(She trails off, uncertain of the right word.)
Echo: Oh, enough of this! Here…
(The pirate points a finger at Frost. A field of light blue surrounds her form for a moment, then dissipates.)
Echo: There we are. Now, continue in yer native language and we'll understand.
Frost: If you are certain.
(Frost's eyes widen in surprise when she hears English coming from her mouth, and she touches a hand to her throat. Deciding it is nothing to worry about, she continues.)
Frost: Ever since Akira-kun left the village, I kept him under constant surveillance. As the village leader's daughter, I could afford to hire the most talented trackers there were. After I received word that he had left his position as an apprentice physician in Okinawa nearly three years ago, I set out to find him myself.
Medic: I see…And where do these three enter into this story?
(He indicates Frost's traveling companions.)
Frost: I was just coming to that. Now, Akira-kun, you already know this, but I believe this explanation will go more smoothly if your friends know about the complications I have with my powers.
Medic: Agreed. Go right ahead, Yukiko-san.
Frost: Call me Yuki-chan! My special power is a hereditary trait that is passed down through my mother's side of the family. I can lower the temperature of the air around me to create ice and snow. This gift is very powerful, true, but if I use it too often without a rest, there is a temperature exchange.
(Beast Boy and Echo become surrounded by question marks. Medic sighs, the pulls a diagram screen down from nowhere. On it is a picture of Frost with wavy, light blue lines moving away from her body, and jagged red lines moving towards it. Medic pulls out a wooden pointer and points to the necessary parts as he speaks.)
Medic: Yukiko-san's power lets her freeze the water molecules in the air to make ice, or create extreme cold within her body to create ice manually. When she releases these cold temperatures, heat must enter her body, keeping with the natural equivalence laws. If she releases a great deal of cold, excess heat begins to build up within her body. If this continues unchecked, it results in high and potentially dangerous fevers, such as the way you found her. Proper medical attention or a quick touch of my healing can cure this, but if there is no help nearby, the dangers of overuse can easily become life-threatening.
(The diagram rolls upward out of the scene and vanishes.)
Frost: I was in such a state about two years ago. I would now like to introduce my very best friend. She found me unconscious when I had overexerted myself, and it is thanks to her efforts that I am still alive! This is-
(The copper-haired girl in the silver outfit puts up a hand for silence.)
Penny: Please, Frost, allow me. My name is Penny Cauldwell; I'm simply delighted to make your acquaintance. You may just call me Penny, or "Lucky Penny" if you like that. That nickname does seem to be getting rather stuck on me…But then, as I gave Frost her nickname, I suppose I was bound to get landed with one of my own eventually.
Terra: Why "Lucky" Penny?
Penny: Well, it relates to this talent I have but…it's kind of difficult to explain it…Hey, you there! Yes, you, the big fellow!
Cyborg: The name's Cyborg, little lady. How can I help you?
Penny: Cyborg, then; hit me.
Cyborg: Say what?
Penny: I want you to strike me. Go on, hard as you can! Make sure it'll sting clear into next month!
Cyborg: Oh, no! Sorry, but I could never do a thing like that. Not to a lady.
Penny: (giggles) Such a perfect gentleman! But, please, don't be concerned for my safety; all will become clear in a moment.
Cyborg: Well…alright…
(Cyborg stands and walks over to Penny. Looking a bit unsure, he pulls back one fist and swings it lightly. Before it can connect, however, Starfire gives an excited squeal and lunges at his feet, knocking him over.)
Cyborg: Hey!
(Starfire grins and holds up the cause of her excitement; a quarter.)
Penny: Try again, old chap!
Cyborg: It just doesn't seem right, hitting a girl…I can't do this…
Beast Boy: Got you covered!
(The changeling snickers mischievously, then runs over and whispers in Penny's ear.)
Penny: I beg your pardon…? Tell him what…? Right, then; I should probably tell you, Cyborg, that I accidentally spilled some tea in the back of your car on the way here. Dreadfully hot it was, and with all of that cream and sugar…I dare to even imagine what it's going to do to that interior…
(Cyborg goes dead quiet, then his face slowly starts to redden from the bottom up, like a rapidly heating thermometer. Flames spring up in his eyes, bionic and organic, and thick clouds of steam begin gushing from his ears.)
Cyborg: What were you thinking, havin' a tea party in my baby!?
(The meat-lover pulls back his fist again, this time swinging full-force at Penny's head. Right at that moment, a waitress carrying a tray laden with glasses of ice water stumbles right behind him. The water glasses fly up, overturn, and come down on Cyborg's head, obscuring his vision with a spray of water. The ice scatters around his feet, and as he brushes the water out of his eyes, he slips and lands hard on his back.)
Penny: That will do. And…I haven't really done anything to your car.
Cyborg: (dazed) Glad to hear it…
Robin: Okay…did something just happen?
Raven: Yes. Both times, right as Cyborg struck, I sensed something.
Photon: Magic. A type that stems from good fortune. From what I could see, in addition to allowing Penny the most incredible luck in everyday situations, it also protects her from harm by averting or eliminating altogether any threats to her, while the whole time seeming to be nothing more than coincidence. More remarkable is that it seems to activate independent of her will, protecting her whenever she needs it too. If she chooses to, it looks as though she can also spread its influence to those in her immediate vicinity. Does that about cover it?
(Penny is visibly impressed.)
Penny: That's incredible! I have never heard such a spot-on description of my talent in such a short time! How is it that you saw it for what it was right away?
Raven: If magic is involved, there's almost nothing his eyes can't see.
Penny: You don't say…
(The British teen is giving the eyes in question a thorough examination, unknowingly turning redder and redder as she does. The blue-haired girl glances up from her pizza and, catching the look on Penny's face, she follows her gaze. Now noticing Photon for the first time, she puts on an open-mouthed smile as her eyes take the form of pink hearts. Frost is momentarily seen in the background; she is staring at Medic and sighing, not caring one jot about Photon.)
Penny: You know, we've only just met, so…how about we get together later for tea and biscuits and we get to know one another better?
Breezy: No fair! I wanted to make friends with him first!
(The other Titans shoot nervous glances at Raven, but she seems unconcerned. Her relaxed attitude is apparently right on the money as Photon proceeds to handle the situation without turning a hair.)
Photon: No, thank you. I actually prefer coffee myself. Furthermore, it is only right that you know that my appearance is not what it initially seems. This is merely a hologram; nothing to get excited over. My true form is…well…
(Photon releases his hologram; both girls jerk back at the sight. In his natural body, Photon's head is completely bald and his skin is glowing with a white light all over. The main focus is his eyes, which are likewise filled with white light, but on a much brighter scale. In the next second, however, the hologram is back in place, looking so realistic that nobody would ever begin to suspect the strange reality underneath.)
Penny: Er…
(She suddenly becomes aware of the less-than-flattering expression she had gotten upon seeing Photon's true form.)
Penny: Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to-!
Photon: That's quite alright. I'm used to it. Besides…
(He smiles as he reaches under the table and clasps Raven's hand.)
Photon: As long as one person in particular isn't afraid…I can deal with anything.
(Raven blushes with a small smile. However, the moment is slightly spoiled by a loud gulping noise coming from one section of the table. Everyone glances over to see the blue-haired girl with the ponytail, already having eaten one of the entire pizzas on her own, now tearing into another slice. She continues munching, oblivious to the stares. Everyone sweatdrops. Finally, Beast Boy breaks the silence as he turns to Frost.)
Beast Boy: So…this bottomless pit another friend of yours?
Frost: Yes. Breezy-chan, please introduce yourself.
(The girl glances up with a tremendous swallow and grins. She jumps to her feet, positively radiating cheeriness.)
Breezy: Yay! My turn! My name's Gail Avis, but you can all call me Breezy!
(She hurries over to the nearest person, who happens to be Beast Boy, and seizes him in a very tight embrace.)
Breezy: And we're going to be the very best of friends-- starting right now!
(Terra raises an eyebrow at Beast Boy, who is only able to grin nervously in response, but the situation becomes less tense as Breezy releases Beast Boy and latches on to Terra next. She then begins to proceed around the table, big-hugging everybody.)
Penny: Here it goes again…we apologize if she hugs you too hard.
Gemini: Oh, don't worry; after Starfire, this is nothing.
Echo: So…er…um…are ye usually this…ah…friendly?
Breezy: Oh yes! Whenever I think about the friendship I share with these three, and the ever-present possibility of making new friends, it brings me such joy that I can't even begin to contain it!
Cyborg: (whispering) Sounds like a refugee from some pre-schooler's TV show…
Terra: (whispering) Or a clone of Starfire…
(Breezy has her arms around Robin by this point, and he has just decided he's had enough. He lifts his arms to pull the energetic girl off of him and is surprised when he easily lifts her off the ground.)
Robin: Whoa…you're light!
Breezy: (giggles) I know! It's part of my power. See…
(She makes a motion with both hands towards her feet. A cool updraft of air suddenly springs up, and Breezy rises about five feet, floating on the cushion of air.)
Breezy: I control the air currents! I can whip up whirlwinds, change the wind direction…and, since my skeleton is totally hollow, this is the kind of thing I can accomplish! Flying is so cool! And don't even think about underestimating my fighting ability; I'm tough!
(She rises a little higher off the ground.)
Echo: So, she can live up to these boasts, then?
Frost: Er…yes, but…
(At that moment, Breezy rises a bit too high and crashes into the ceiling. She falls, snags the edge of the tablecloth on her foot on the way down, and brings the rest of the pizza she was eating as well as five cups of cola crashing down with her. The end result is Breezy lying in a tangled heap under the tablecloth and the spilled food.)
Frost: …Well…she's a bit…clumsy…
Penny: Putting it lightly…
Raven: Is it usually this bad?
Penny: Oh, no. When I'm not around, she usually lands herself in loads more trouble…
(Everyone sweatdrops again. One of Breezy's hands sticks up from under the tablecloth.)
Breezy: I am okay!
(The wind wielder wiggles free and does her best to wipe the mess off her uniform.)
Beast Boy: Wait a minute…that uniform…the pattern…I knew it looked familiar! You're with the Forces of Nature, aren't you!?
(At this, Breezy's grin suddenly fades and her expression turns to one of crushing sadness. Tears well up in her eyes and she turns away from everyone, towards the nearest wall. Beast Boy looks confused.)
Beast Boy: Huh? Hey, what's the matter? All I said was-mmph!
(Lucky Penny has just hurried over and clamped a hand over Beast Boy's mouth.)
Penny: Please don't mention that again.
Robin: What's the problem? And who are the Forces of Nature anyway?
(Beast Boy pulls free from Penny.)
Beast Boy: Only one of the coolest teams of crime-fighters on the planet! I had the pleasure of working with them once while I was with the Doom Patrol. They're a group of superheroes who all have powers based on the elements! Why should that upset her?
Penny: Breezy was with them until three years ago. That was when it happened.
Starfire: What?
Frost: The Forces were in a great battle with the fate of the entire world on the line. Breezy-chan was a child of twelve years at the time, and so was not allowed to participate. In the end, their powers over nature led the Forces to a great victory. However…in the process, over half of them were killed. The list of casualties contains the names of Breezy-chan's very best friends.
Terra: Whoa…
Echo: I deeply sympathize. All of me original crew was lost too…
Frost: That is part of the reason Breezy-chan is always so desperate to make friends.
Penny: After that happened, all of the surviving members disbanded. Poor Breezy was left without a home. When we befriended her last year, she begged us to bring her with and well…after a story like that, what would you have done?
Robin: Most likely, the same thing you guys did.
Beast Boy: Hey, no sweat! I'll cheer her up!
(Beast Boy walks over and places a hand on Breezy's shoulder. She does not respond.)
Beast Boy: It's okay; don't cry. Listen, if it'll make you feel better, I'll introduce you to a friend of mine. His powers work with the elements, just like yours! Maybe you'll find some common ground…
(Breezy turns, and brushes a tear out of her eye.)
Breezy: Really? What can he do?
Beast Boy: He's great! He can control water, and he talks to fish! I always thought I was the only one who could-whoa!
(Beast Boy cuts off as Breezy suddenly pins him to the wall, her expression suggesting that Christmas has come early.)
Breezy: You know Aqualad!? Where is he!? Tell me, tell me, pleeeeeease!?
Beast Boy: Uh…you've heard of him?
Breezy: Heard of him!? I met him once, five years ago! He's an absolute dream! We thought he would make a good addition to the Forces, but he said he worked alone…
Beast Boy: Not anymore he doesn't. I promise; first opportunity I get, I'll arrange for you to see him.
Breezy: Thank you!
(The wind wielder returns to her seat, once again beaming happily. Tiny heart shapes begin bubbling up around her form as she closes her eyes, likely daydreaming about her promised meeting.)
Terra: Nice one, Beast Boy.
(The younger boy with the fingerless gloves scoffs.)
Snap: Making bloody fools of yourselves in public…barking, howling mad, the whole lot of you.
Penny: Well, if you don't like it, you could always, say…go home!
Snap: What do I have to do to prove I can take care of myself!? Hm? Er…
(Snap has just glanced up to see Starfire hovering over him with a glittery-eyed smile.)
Starfire: A young human!
(The Tameranean seizes the boy in a hug. Snap's eyes expand to the size of saucers, and a slight red tinge appears on his cheeks.)
Starfire: He is cuter than a gorbanian fozmarp!
Terra: And that is…? Huh? Ahhhh…
(Terra comes over for a closer look at Snap, and her eyes take the same expression as Starfire's.)
Terra: Wow, you're right! He's adorable! Move over, I wanna hug him!
(Snap's entire face is now bright red, and he is shaking slightly.)
Robin: What's the matter with him?
(His question goes unanswered as Frost is busy staring at Medic, Breezy is still daydreaming with a contented smile, and Penny is on the floor, almost choking to death for all her laughter, apparently at Snap's expense. Gemini steps over next and she likewise goes starry-eyed.)
Gemini: Aidan, look! Isn't he just precious!?
Echo: Er…Aye?
(Snap has now somehow managed to turn even redder and a strangled gurgling noise is coming from his throat.)
-- Right, before you all get really confused…have you ever seen a group of women with a newborn child? Same concept. –The Cap'n --
(Raven steps over and tugs the boy away from the other girls.)
Raven: Alright, enough. Can't you see that you're scaring him?
(Snap glances back at her, looking grateful.)
Snap: Thanks for the save. I really- urk…
(As he suddenly notices who his rescuer is, the British boy goes dry-mouthed again.)
Raven: Hey, are you okay?
(Snap does not respond. Becoming concerned, Raven shuts her eyes and tunes her mind into the boy's thoughts.)
Snap: (thinking) Girl…I'm talking…to a girl…!
Raven: I think this is going to take some clarification. What exactly is his problem?
(Penny gets up from the floor, struggling to cease laughing, and wipes away a few tears.)
Penny: Sorry, I'll- ha ha ha ha ha! -I'll introduce you. This is my little brother, Alastor-
(Snap comes out of his coma at this and becomes angry.)
Snap: I told you, don't call me that! The name's Snap!
Penny: …Who prefers to be known by that ridiculous nickname only. As to his behavior, I'm afraid he becomes extremely nervous if he tries to talk to girls. I believe he's worried that he might say something stupid and ruin his chances with them…
Snap: (blushing) Oh, shut up! (in undertone) Stupid lucky guesses…
(Echo bursts into loud laughter, finding the whole situation hilarious.)
Echo: Ye needn't be worried about that here, lad! These lovely lasses are spoken for; all of 'em!
(As if to prove the point, Echo steps over to Gemini and kisses her. Not expecting it, she turns bright red, then goes weak in the knees and must sit down.)
Penny: Anyway, ever since I left my home to assist Frost, he has been following us in order to-
Snap: Alright, enough! I'll handle my own introductions, thank you very much!
Cyborg: Cool. So, out of all the things to have for a nickname, why "Snap"?
(The boy grins and raises one partially gloved hand to eye level. He then snaps his fingers loudly and disappears. Within an instant, he reappears at Cyborg's side.)
Snap: Glad you asked!
Cyborg: Whoa!
Beast Boy: How'd you do that!?
Snap: I've been doing that…
(Snap clicks his fingers again and appears in front of Beast Boy.)
Snap: …my whole life…
(He clicks again and he is at Robin's left side.)
Snap: …since I learned to snap my fingers…
(Again, and he is leaning against Medic's back.)
Snap: …and I've been practicing every day since to perfect it.
Photon: How is something like that possible?
Snap: My powers are related to Penny's. See, we come from a long line of famous escape artists. Through the generations, everyone in our family seemed to have a natural flair for slipping out of any tight spot. With Penny and I, that inborn talent is just a bit more…exaggerated, you might say.
Beast Boy: Cool…So, does that let you go anywhere you can see?
Snap: Better than that. I can go anywhere I want! Anywhere I can imagine!
Robin: Anyplace in the world, huh?
Snap: Well, no. My range seems to be limited to within a mile and a half…beyond that, I can't seem to manage a smooth transition…
Cyborg: What about teleporting other people?
Snap: Now that I can do! I have to be touching them, mind you, but that's hardly a great drawback.
Penny: Maybe so, but that doesn't change facts; you're still only twelve years old.
Cyborg: Say what? Twelve!?
(He turns to Snap)
Cyborg: You're still just a k-
(Snap's head expands about five sizes, his teeth turn jagged, and about twelve cross marks pop up all over his face.)
Snap: Don't call me a kid! Or a child! Or a baby! I'm plenty old enough, and I can be a hero if I want to! I'll be thirteen in just a few weeks anyway!
(His head shrinks back to it's proper size while Cyborg's head vibrates like a gong owing to the volume at which he was shouted at.)
Cyborg: Ow. Gotcha. Not a kid. Okay.
Beast Boy: Cool threads, by the way.
(The twelve-year-old glances at his orange and black uniform.)
Snap: What, this? Yeah, I like the color scheme. And the gloves make me feel tough! A leftover from some of Breezy's former teammates. That's where Penny's came from, too.
(Medic clears his throat significantly.)
Medic: If we are quite finished with the introductions…I believe you had an important message for me, Yukiko-san?
Frost: Yes. Um, forgive me, honorable captain, but I wish to relay this message privately, in my own native language. So, if you would remove your field…?
Echo: Of course. Happy to oblige, lass.
(Echo gestures at her, and the blue glow reappears, then fades. Frost turns to Medic, and proceeds to speak in Japanese.)
Frost: "Akira-kun, while I am very happy to see you again, I regret that one month ago, my search for you became much more urgent. Fubuki Village is under siege; we need your help!"
Medic: "Me? I'm a drop-out. I never completed my training. What could I possibly be of help against?"
(Frost's expression loses any hint that this matter is not completely serious before she speaks again.)
Frost: "The Zodiac Clan has been restored."
(This news has immediate impact; all the color drains out of Medic face, and his breathing becomes slightly shorter. The other Titans do not understand what is being said, but they note the expression of fear that crosses Medic's face. Frost's companions likewise look bewildered.)
Medic: "That…that is impossible…they were completely wiped out fifty years ago!"
Frost: "They have somehow returned. Unless the promise of fifty years ago can be met, our village will likely give up hope…"
Medic: "…Which is why you specifically need me…very well. We leave tomorrow."
Echo: An' I'll be goin' with ye!
Medic: That is right, you will- huh!?
(The ninja turns to his captain, surprised. Echo grins, and points to his ears. Just inside them, a thin field of blue light can be seen; he had been listening the whole time by translating the sound waves. He quickly relays to everyone what he has heard.)
Penny: Frost, you never told us about any of this!
Frost: I no want to worry my friends…
Echo: Well, I'm not worried. Bring on this Clan!
Medic: Captain, no! This is my responsibility! I could never ask you to put yourself in such danger!
Echo: Don't even try, lad; yer responsibility or no, I'm still yer Captain. What concerns a mate of mine concerns me too. I'll not be lettin' ye go off to face some clan of killers, or whatever these "Zodiac" are without me!
Gemini: If Aidan goes, I go.
(Medic starts to protest, but cuts off at a look from Gemini, knowing full well that, timid though she may be, when Gemini has made up her mind, nothing can dissuade her.)
Beast Boy: I'm going, too!
Medic: No! Absolutely not! Beast Boy, you are my best friend! I could not live with it if you were to be killed!
Beast Boy: Well, if I'm really your friend, how can I stay away? Besides, who's gonna keep me from going? You? I kicked your butt once, Medic, and if I have to, I'll do it again.
Terra: Beast Boy goes nowhere without me, even if I have to put a leash on him!
Robin: Medic, I don't understand exactly what's going on, but I don't think this is something we can just ignore; we're all coming with you and helping you through this. We can't let you go off and face this alone.
Frost: He not alone! He have me!
Penny: And me.
Frost: Penny-chan, this not your fight. I no can ask you-
Penny: Pardon me, Frost, but as I recall, you made me an honorary kunoichi for rescuing you, ergo it is entirely my fight as well.
Breezy: Me too! I wanna play too!
Snap: And me! I'm going as well!
Penny: No you're not! Following us around all this time was one thing, but I can't let you join us on this matter, Alastor! You could actually be killed!
Snap: Who said you get to decide!?
Echo: Enough! Save yer squabbles; I've a way to settle this. It'll have to wait till we're back at the Tower, though…
Photon: Sounds like this is going to be quite a spectacle. It will be a shame to miss it…but someone has to stay and protect Harbor City. I'll inform the others of your and Gemini's temporary leave, Captain.
Raven: Um…Gabriel, wait a second…
Photon: Yes?
Raven: Uh…you should come too!
Photon: Me? To what point and purpose?
Raven: Well…these guys are a Zodiac-themed group, right? So, one of them must represent the dragon! Your Dragon's Bane will be perfect!
Photon: What? I thought you understood, Raven. The Dragon's Bane only allows me to look through magic. The name only comes from it's primary target for the past few millennia.
Raven: Even so, your skills might come in handy!
Photon: But, I have to stay and protect…
(Raven hovers up so they are eye-level and her eyes begin to shimmer as if she is about to begin crying.)
Raven: Please? It would mean a lot to me…
(Photon stops talking and is silent for nearly thirty seconds. Then…)
Photon: Have I mentioned I've always wanted to visit Japan?
(At the sight of this display, Echo doubles over, looking as if his ribs are cracking from trying not to laugh, while Gemini looks incredibly freaked out.)
-- Raven…acting cute!? Okay, I didn't think much of it at first, but this is even starting to creep me out now! – The Cap'n --
(At this moment, a boy stops by the table to clear the dishes. Robin glances at him, then does a double-take and his face becomes angry.)
Robin: You!
(The boy glances at Robin and grins, displaying large canine teeth that come to an unusually sharp point. He has dark hair and eyes, and a pale complexion. He is garbed in the red and white uniform of the pizza parlor's employees.)
Damien: Hey. How's it going?
Robin: Don't give me that! What are you doing here, Damien!?
Damien: Uh…I work here…
Robin: Since when!?
Damien: Since I had to find a way to make money to replace my special flask that you went and broke! Do you have any idea how much good pewter costs these days!?
Robin: You were trying to kill us!
Damien: Aw, stop living in the past…
Robin: More importantly, why aren't you in jail!?
Damien: Community service. And a little time off for good behavior. Figured I'd play it straight for a while because, while fighting you guys is fun and all, losing and going to jail every time is kind of annoying. I could break out, of course, but what a waste of time! I can seriously think of a whole list of things I'd rather be doing…
(He momentarily glances at Starfire, and his grin becomes dark.)
Damien: I haven't forgotten you, girlie…or the nectar that courses in your veins…yum…
(He runs his tongue over his sharp teeth as he says this. Robin growls and starts to get up. Damien steps back and puts up a hand.)
Damien: Whoa, relax! I won't touch her. I told you, I'm on the up-and-up for now.
(Breezy suddenly leaps out of her seat and crushes Damien in a hug.)
Breezy: Yay! Another new friend!
(Damien is momentarily surprised, then, from his current position, he turns his head to stare at Breezy's neck with a wicked smile. He slowly draws back his upper lip, exposing his canines. Robin cracks his knuckles threateningly.)
Robin: Go on. Just try it. Give me an excuse. I dare you…
Damien: Well…maybe just one sip…
(Robin tenses up, ready to fight. Just then, from the back, in the kitchens, comes a loud, angry bellow.)
Manager: Damien, quit slacking off! Stop flirting with the customers and get back to work!
(A cross-mark pops up on Damien's head as he pushes Breezy off.)
Damien: Alright, alright, keep your shirt on, you old greaseball!
Manager: That's coming out of your paycheck, wise guy!
Damien: Yeah, yeah…
(He turns back to Robin.)
Damien: Another time, Bird Boy. Oh, by the way…
(He drops the check on the table.)
Damien: That'll be $35.82. I saw your friend here pull that little replication trick; you didn't think you'd get out of paying twice the price for that, did you?
(Damien gathers up the rest of the dishes and walks off, snickering to himself. Robin clenches a fist as he watches him leave.)
Robin: Thinks he's so smart…I am not leaving him a tip!
(Everyone pools some money together to pay for their dinner, then return to Titans Tower. After they arrive, Echo leads the way to the combat training room. Once inside, he pulls Snap out onto the sparring mats.)
Echo: Okay! It is my understandin' that ye…Snap was it? Aye. Ye wish to accompany us on what is likely to be an extremely dangerous mission fraught with peril, threats, hazards, an' otherwise all manner of risks an' so prove yerself worthy of the highly coveted title of "hero", is that correct?
Snap: You bet I do! Just give me that chance!
Echo: Ye shall have it…on the condition that ye are able to best me in combat. Do that, an' I shall personally make ye an honorary member of me crew!
Snap: Excellent! Right then, come on! Have at you!
(The pirate captain raises a hand for silence.)
Echo: However…if ye cannot, then ye will do like yer big sister tells ye an' go straight home.
Snap: Well…okay, then.
Penny: Now, really-!
(Echo points a finger at her and the other Titans, emitting a message of sound waves that only they can hear.)
Echo: Don't be frightened fer yer brother, lass. I promise not to hurt him. I'll just win real careful-like, an' he'll go home. Simple as that.
Snap: Come on! Let's get going! I want to win fast!
(Echo resumes speaking so all can hear.)
Echo: Alright. Here be the rules; ye will fight me in any manner ye choose, and I will fight usin' just me sword. This is just to make it fair, as I am not aimin' to hurt ye, an' I can tell ye me sound waves would do just that! Now, if I knock ye out, ye lose. Ye land so much as a punch on me, I'll admit defeat. Ready, lad?
Snap: I've been ready for ages! Let's go!
Echo: Okay then. Robin, at yer signal…
(Robin taps a button on the wall, and there is the sound of a boxing ring bell. Echo rushes forward, drawing his trademark cutlass on the fly, and swinging it in an overhead arc. Snap reacts much quicker than expected, bringing up his foot in a high kick, catching the blade on the sole of his shoe and stopping it cold. Faster than a blink, he drops that leg, kicks off hard from the ground, and jumps up high, spinning his body rapidly in a series of flips, then extending out his leg as he drops. Echo jumps aside, barely evading the kick, and quickly brings his blade up into a guarding stance. His looks momentarily rattled.)
Echo: Whoa…Looks like I sold ye short, lad…alright, now it's fer real! Brace yerself!
(The pirate begins fighting more and more fiercely as the match goes on. Snap continues to counter with a very complicated-looking series of martial-arts techniques. Medic watches the boy, intrigued.)
Medic: That fighting-style…
Frost: Yes. Is Hyoga no Ken style of Fubuki Village. Penny-chan want to be of help to me. So, I have been teach her to fight.
Penny: True enough…but how does Alastor know it? Moreover, how is he doing some techniques I have never seen!? Even my training with you is nowhere near this advanced!
Frost: He must have been spy on our training sessions…and figure out the the rest on his own!
Medic: (thinking) What…? The "Fist of the Glacier" is a unique style that is taught only to the elite of our village. To be able to teach it to himself, and progress it on his own, just from watching a few training sessions…and at such a young age! If this boy's true potential could be drawn out, he could become quite fearsome!
(The match continues on for several minutes until Snap comes up with another high kick that Echo sees coming and quickly jumps back. Not having expected to miss, Snap is momentarily thrown off balance.)
Echo: An openin'!
(Echo lunges forward and swings his sword up, bringing the backside of the blade into contact with the back of Snap's raised leg, and sending him spinning into the air.)
Echo: Sorry, mate, but this ends now!
(Echo runs towards the spot where Snap will touch down, drawing back his sword for a finishing swing. Just then, Snap clicks his fingers, vanishes, and reappears right in front of Echo with one fist held out. Caught off-guard by the sudden transition, Echo is unable to slow down and catches the closed fist straight in the nose. There is a pause, then Echo's sword clatters to the ground, and he falls flat on his back, knocked out cold by the unexpected attack. His uncovered right eye forms into a swirl, and a few music notes and a treble clef shape begin orbiting his head. The bell dings again; the match is over.)
Snap: I win.
Gemini: Aidan!
Photon: No way…Echo lost…
(Snap is grinning like a lunatic over his victory. However, Echo wakes up and stands shortly after with a thick nosebleed. He touches two fingers to his upper lip, glances at the red stain, then a dark glare jumps to his eyes. Snap's smile fades and he begins to look scared.)
Snap: Er…sorry about that…I didn't mean to…I-I-I was j-just trying to…
(Echo suddenly cuts him off as his glare turns to a grin and he roars with laughter.)
Echo: Nice work, lad! I didn't even see it comin'! Ye got the makin's of a great pirate in ye, boy!
Snap: Uh…thanks…
Echo: Alright, a bargain's a bargain; from now on, ye'll be part of me crew as our new Cabin Boy! Photon, yer the Quartermaster; brief this new swabbie on his duties!
Photon: Aye, Cap'n.
(Lucky Penny clutches her temples as if she has a headache.)
Penny: Smashing…how do I explain this to Mum? Bloody pirates…
-- Ha! Something you should learn, Echo; never challenge a teleporter to land just one hit on you! Some disappointment; Breezy is supposed to have little hearts at certain points in her speech, but for some reason, they won't show up here...May a muted annonymous curse be on the ones responsible. Anyhow, look forward to some fun with the next update; this mysterious Zodiac Clan is explained in more detail, Photon invents a new training regimen, and Beast Boy learns a new trick! As always, reviews are appreciated, and if you can, convince friends to read and review as well! If you'd like to talk to me personally, send your e-mail to Please send directly from your own email address, as I don't know how to respond to the fanfiction bot. Til' next time, me loyal mates! - The Cap'n --