Chapter 2: Revolution Number 9

Writer's Note: OK, for all those who were scratching their head in confusion, look up Angelfire Dot Com and add this after the Com

/ca2/HERORPG/Lonnie.html

I would have put the web address up itself, but for some reason it disappears when posted.

BTW, since I find Anarky a good opponent but difficult to write, I am going to borrow a few lines from the comics he has appeared in. So if you read a line that sounds cool, I MAY have written it…or I might not have.

************

"The only justifiable purpose of political institutions is to ensure the unhampered development of the individual."

Albert Einstein

************

The one thing that came to Cyborg's mind as he looked at the teenager that Robin apparently knew, and had called Anarky, was "inconvenient".

Really. Robin had trained in a way to avoid having his cape mess him up, and he still occasionally had a bit of trouble with it. In comparison, Cyborg had no idea how the large amount of loose fabric that was draped over Anarky could help him without hindering him to an equal degree.

Perhaps that would make the fight easier, though Robin didn't seem to be relaxing.

"You know this guy Robin?" Cyborg asked, pointing at Anarky, who had not moved, continuing to stand there with his hands on his cane, the chip he had taken slipped somewhere in the long robes of his costume.

"A little. Haven't seen him since Batman kicked him out of Gotham though. Thought he had taken the hint and given up." Robin said.

"Given UP?" Anarky said, and sighed. "Robin, you disappoint me. Smart enough to decipher my ruse, and yet so blind. I worry that when the world finally is made right, you may not be able to find a place in it, despite you deserving one."

"What is he talking about?" Beast Boy said.

"His beliefs. He thinks the world is being destroyed by a shadow group who manipulate us all…"

"I don't BELIEVE, Robin." Anarky said. "I KNOW. It's why you're here. It's why you will try and stop me. Though I know it will be futile, I ask you to please step aside. I don't want to fight you. We are not enemies! You are being manipulated, just like the people! Let me carry out my task and open your eyes!"

"Sorry Lonnie. You have your beliefs, and we have ours. And we believe that committing acts of fraud, assault, and grand larceny is bad, and must be punished." Robin said, as the Titans spread out, preparing to attack.

"Please Robin. I don't want to fight." Anarky said, his head bowed slightly.

"Sorry man. We aren't giving you a choice." Cyborg said as he armed his sonic cannon.

"It is not your choice. But you cannot see that. A pity…" Anarky said. "I do not want to have to do this, but if you will not listen to reason…"

Robin knew Anarky: he had no metahuman talents. Hence, the speed at which he moved amazed Robin, as Anarky snapped his staff up and hurled it at the group.

And missed, as they dodged aside.

"You have to…!" Cyborg began as he aimed his cannon.

And realized, too late, that he had been tricked. For no sooner had Anarky thrown his staff that he had pulled back his cloak in a swirl of red, exposing a skintight bodysuit with several yellow tool holding devices and the same A symbol on his hat emblazoned on his chest.

And a crossbow tied to his side, a crossbow he had yanked up and aimed in less then half a second, the arrowhead in the shape of an A, as he fired at Cyborg.

And hit him in the arm, jerking his sonic cannon to the side even as the weapon fired, too late for Cyborg to stop it…

From slamming into Beast Boy, throwing him into the wall with a yell of surprise. Cyborg opened his mouth to issue his own expression of surprise, apology, and anger at the trick…

But he didn't get to, as Anarky's staff bounced off the wall at a precise angle and slammed into Cyborg's back, sending a huge electrical charge through him that scrambled all his systems, temporarily shutting them down as he fell…

And Anarky was there, grabbing up the staff, in the midst of the Titans so quickly they almost didn't realize it until he grabbed his staff up and swung. Raven only felt the impact as Anarky hit her on a precise spot on her temple, knocking her out.

Starfire flew back, Starbolts exploding into being on her hands…

And the orb exploded in her face. She had never seen him throw it, indeed, he had done it just before he had knocked out Raven, his movements switching from one form to the next so smoothly it was almost seamless. The noise caused her to gasp: indeed, it was instinctual. And planned, as she inhaled the gas that had issued into her face, and her vision immediately blurred and faded as she passed out, her Starbolts fading as she feel to the ground.

Anarky, surrounded by the fallen Titans, turned to Robin. Robin, not able to help himself, arched an eyebrow. Strangely, he wasn't mad.

"I heard you'd been practicing. Come a long way since that incident with Scarecrow and Azrael." Robin said.

"This is not improvement via training, Robin. This is what I can give to the world. The abilities the parasites brutalize out of us with their lies and indoctrination. Removed from them, I have become fully aware of what I am capable of. And you can see the results." Anarky said. "Now, do you want to join me by my side, or with your fellows on the ground?"

"I think you know the answer to that." Robin said, as he snapped out his staff.

"Sadly." Anarky replied.

Robin took two quick steps and swung out his staff, Anarky blocking it. As expected, as it was a ruse, as Robin twisted to the side and snapped his foot out, slamming it into the side of Anarky's head. The robed teenager stumbled, and Robin twirled and aimed a roundhouse slash at Anarky's head. But he ducked, the staff knocking his hat off, and thrust a leg into Robin's chest, and then followed it up with a spin kick to Robin's shoulder. Robin took the blows and leapt back, tossing a Birdarang.

Anarky knocked it out of the air with his cane. The weapon slammed into the ground, nearly hitting Raven. Anarky saw this, and turned away to check if Raven was all right. He found no wounds, and turned back to Robin.

"I suggest we take this elsewhere."

"Oh no you don't! I'm not giving you a chance to get away! I'll finish this right now!" Robin said, leaping at Anarky.

"If that is your desire, then I will emulate your intent." Anarky said, and pressed a button on his cane.

And suddenly there were seven Anarky's, leaping and jumping all over the place. Holograms.

Robin instinctively tried to adjust to all the new movement and messed up, his leap aborted as he hit the ground. But he rolled and got up. He swung a karate chop at the nearest Anarky, but his hand went through the image. He didn't stop moving, kicking at another Anarky and then throwing metal discs at two others. All proved to be false, but that only left…

The jolt slammed into him from his neck, as Anarky zapped him from the side with his taser. His innate bioelectricity went haywire, causing his muscles to malfunction and go limp. Robin fell to the ground, unable to move as his brain tried to re-wire his body.

"Again, I apologize." Anarky said.

He heard a slight noise, and turned to see Cyborg was getting up. His eyes, blank and white behind his golden mask, narrowed a bit. He couldn't keep wasting time here. But if he just left, the Titans would go hunting for him, and they could interfere with his plan. What he needed was another distraction; one with a tad bit more sustenance…

His eyes turned to Raven, who was still thoroughly knocked out. So be it. He didn't like it, but it had to be done.

Robin was almost together himself when Anarky strolled over and scooped Raven up.

"Hey! Wait!" Robin said.

"I wish I didn't have to do this Robin, but your delusion is deep. But don't worry. Soon the smoke and mirrors will vanish, and you will see the truth. And a better world." Anarky said.

And he threw another orb on the ground. It exploded, and the room quickly filled with thick smoke. By the time it cleared, Raven and Anarky were gone.

"DAMN IT!" Robin cursed as he scanned the room, expecting to find no sign of Anarky. He was right: he had left nothing behind except a memory.

"Aw man…dude…watch it next time…" Beast Boy muttered as he staggered over to Robin, holding his head.

"Sorry man. I'll make it up to you later. Right now we have to find Raven." Cyborg replied.

"Wha? Raven's gone?" Beast Boy said.

"Anarky took her." Robin said grimly.

"But…why?" Beast Boy said, suddenly looking worried.

"I don't know. Kidnapping isn't really his thing, but he must have a plan. But we can't ponder it here…" Robin said, as he headed over to Starfire. Some smelling salts quickly woke her up.

"What did he take anyway?" Cyborg asked.

"That's what I'm going to find out. Then we head back to the Tower, we're going to need our computer." Robin said.

"Robin, where is Beast Boy?" Starfire asked.

"He's right over…" Cyborg said, looking over, and then realized Starfire was accurate: Beast Boy had also disappeared. "Yikes. Gar?"

"Beast Boy, come in!" Robin said, pulling out his communicator. "Where are you?"

Silence, and then a brief answer.

"Busy. Call later." Beast Boy said, and then his voice cut out.

"What is he doing?" Cyborg said.

"I guess something he finds important. Come on guys, time's a wasting." Robin said.

*************

Beast Boy was actually on the roof of the company. In his hand was clutched the small piece of Raven's cloak that Robin's Birdarang had snipped off when Anarky had deflected it.

Beast Boy laid it down and turned into a bloodhound, sniffing it. It wasn't much of a scent, but it was better then nothing.

For a moment, Gar wondered if he should give Noel a call. Then he decided against it. He needed to move, needed to find Raven…though his motivation ultimately was not the purest. But it was pure enough: the ulterior remained just that, ulterior.

Beast Boy flew down to the ground and began sniffing around down there, as a bloodhound and then a pig. The pig's nose was the winner, catching a faint scent. Beast Boy followed after it.

**************

"So who is this boy anyway, this Anarky? What did he speak of in making the world a better place? Is he related to the Lord?" Starfire asked as Robin typed on the computer.

"Not as far as I know, though from what I DO know, they do sound similar." Robin answered.

"How much do you know then?" Cyborg asked.

"Not as much as I would like. I sent a request for information to Oracle, until it arrives…well, may as well start at the beginning." Robin said. "His name's Lonnie Machin, and he was just a normal kid until he got a pen pal named Xuasus. I don't know where Xuasus lived, exactly, but it was a bad place. Eventually, Xuasus just disappeared, after sending Lonnie several letters of the terrible poverty and repression he suffered. Lonnie wanted to help, but his father apparently told him he couldn't. 'Things were different there', I believe he said."

"I'm guessing Lonnie didn't think that." Cyborg said.

"Indeed. Lonnie tried to figure out why he couldn't help his pen pal. In the process, he did a huge amount of research about war, and in his mind, he started seeing that wars always seemed to get started by a small group of men who made a huge amount of money off the suffering of others. He was still pretty young, and I guess to his childish eyes he saw this as a great injustice that had to be stopped. And then he found a very obscure book called Universe…and that gave him an epiphany in the same vein."

"Which was?"

"Well, you heard him. Anarky believes he's seen through "the great lie" that underpins all Earthly civalizations, which, according to him, is that mankind is a brutish, warlike creature that needs to be constantly controlled and dominated by a ruling elite for its own good. It's that last part that sticks in Anarky's craw: he thinks these elites have been in power for centuries because they've put up all these control systems that brainwash people and turn them into zombies, all while claiming that this is for the best, because if society didn't have its leaders, it would degenerate into chaos."

"But wouldn't it?" Starfire suggested.

"It might Kory, but that's the thing about beliefs. You look at anyone's beliefs long enough and parts of it will start making sense. But that doesn't mean they believe the absolute truth and you are believing a lie. It could very well turn around and be the opposite, or something totally different. So maybe, yes, if we took away the governments and religions society would destroy itself, but then again, that may just be what they WANT you to think. Otherwise, they wouldn't have jobs, would they?"

"But…we live in…!" Cyborg began.

"A democracy? Lonnie would just say that's a lie as well. Who knows the system better then politicians? They certainly won't let anyone who actually has good intentions in."

"But…is the alternative really that great? He calls himself ANARCHY, for crying out loud. Does he really want all the terrible things that come with that?"

"Technically, he spells it A-N-A-R-K-Y, Vic, and technically, anarchy does not mean chaos and destruction. Not originally, anyway. Anarchy, by its technical and original definition, just means taking responsibility for your own actions, ruling yourself and just yourself. But words change meaning. Gay used to mean happy and a fag used to be a cigarette, but people won't think that now. But Lonnie fully believes in the original meaning of the word, AND in the belief that the world is ruled by a greedy elite who leech their undeserved fortune off the common man and cause so many to suffer and die. Which is what makes what he did so puzzling…why would he kidnap Raven?"

"Will he hurt her?" Starfire asked.

"I severely doubt it. Lonnie believes, in above all else, in never using initiatory force, and never cheating. No force, no fraud, as he says. I suppose the stress of his "great mission" could be causing him to break down and break his own beliefs, it wouldn't be the first time that happened to a man…but I don't think so. Like I said, he thinks we're tools of these so-called evil elites. He doesn't want to fight us, but he doesn't want us to "unknowingly" interfere in his mission…so I'm guessing Raven is a distraction. What we need to do is trace him back to his base. His REAL base, I'm sure he has a whole bunch of misdirections and dead ends to protect himself while he does whatever he's planning. Lonnie is a genius with computers."

"He fights pretty damn hard for a computer geek."

"Lonnie has prepared himself for his life with an intensity that rivals Batman, Vic. Not just physically as well. He's used virtual reality technology on his head to try and mine the full potential of his brain. It worked. His, um, what was it called…biofeedback learning enhancer has caused the two hemispheres of his brain to fuse together."

"That's good?" Cyborg asked.

"If you think the ability to think ten times faster then normal is. Lonnie can integrate facts and data at a much higher rate then a normal man. I suspect that's why he was able to beat us so easily." Robin said. He wished he'd known that beforehand, instead of a few minutes ago from an Oracle-sent printout. It would have been useful.

"So he mutated himself?"

"No, I wouldn't say so. It's possible it can happen naturally…though the way history goes, I'd say the last time it happened that way was…Leonardo Da Vinci. Though I doubt he put on a costume and tried to 'save' the world."

"This is all very interesting, but we still don't know why he wants Raven or where she is." Starfire said.

"I'm working on the latter, Star. Even with his abilities, Lonnie probably left a trace or two while he was doing his hacking. The trick is following it back. If I can do it, I think we'll find Raven…and hopefully, Anarky. I think Beast Boy was helping in his own way. Hopefully he can get something too."

"You are SURE Anarky will not hurt Raven?"

"Almost certainly. But you never know Star. Theories are much like beliefs: there's no guarantee they mesh with the truth."

**************

Raven opened her eyes and saw it.

She couldn't make it out at first, as her body was slow in fully "restarting" itself. As her vision cleared, she noted that she was sitting in a chair, and she was tied to it. And strangely, she was comfortable.

Once her eyes were completely clear, she finally saw what it was. It almost looked like a tombstone, made of polished metal. Then she saw the writing on it, and realized it was a monument. She leaned forward a bit to try and read the print.

12 MILLION DEAD-NATIVE AMERICANS

Raven blinked, and then read on.

22 MILLION DEAD-SPANISH CONQUEST OF AMERICAS

10 MILLION DEAD-WORLD WAR I

20 MILLION DEAD-HITLER IN EUROPE

20 MILLION DEAD-MAO IN CHINA

And on and on it went. There were dozens of entries, possibly hundreds.

"Doesn't really match up to the reality, does it?"

Raven turned her head as Anarky turned around from the computer he was typing at. He had removed his hat and mask. Underneath was a disquietingly normal looking teenage boy, with long red hair and green eyes. He stood and walked over to the monument.

"Stalin was a monster, but he spoke the truth. 'One death is a tragedy. A million deaths are a statistic.' Makes one wonder just what one would consider this…" Anarky said, turning away. Raven couldn't see his face, and hence could not see the anger that washed over it.

"And all so POINTLESS! What did they die for? For ideals! For politics! For religion! Because someone made them believe that their country meant more then they did, that ideas matter more then LIFE. Such terrible, destructive LIES…so many innocent dead…"

And like a switch, the anger was gone, as Anarky turned back to Raven.

"I'm sorry for this situation. Would you like some water?"

Raven's eyes arched at the sudden switch, and she shook her head.

"Ok then." Anarky said, and started back to his computer. Raven tried to turn her head, but beside the monument and the chair where Anarky worked, the room was shrouded in shadow.

"Oh yes. I would not recommend you try and use your powers. The chair is set up so that it will read the unique vibration of your voice should you try and cast a spell, as well as your brain if you attempt to use your talents, and you will be neutralized before you can even start anything. Sorry I had to resort to such methods, but I know that unless I did, you would try and stop me."

"Why…" Raven said.

"Relax. I need you for a little more misdirection. The system is thoroughly enmeshed in you and your companions, and under that they would destroy the very one who would save them. I had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but your leader, Robin, has great talent, and figured me out, as I predicted he might. He will do well when the world is a better place."

"But…you…"

"Are doing a bad thing? That's not true. That's THEM again, Raven. Yes, I know your name. And considering your unique birth and life, the fact that you believe them as well shows how corrupting they are. But that will end soon, Raven. The world will be delivered."

"What are you talking about?"

"The TRUTH, Raven." Anarky said, and much like her still searching for her companions, Raven heard an echo of a foe vanquished on the Sahara sands. Anarky turned around and got up, looking at Raven.

"Maybe you didn't know it, but humans born under "normal" circumstances, and that is not an insult, I'd catagorize your birth under "extraordinary", all did once. The world shone with golden hope. And then THEY got to work on you, on us. The politicians, the priests, the philosophers, THE PARASITES!" Anarky said. "Think. Really, block out all the external distractions and THINK. This is politics: Do what we say or we'll punish you. This is religion: suffer misery now so you can be happy after death. This is philosophy: The universe came from nothing, and will one day return to it. Do any of these doctrines stand up to rational analysis?"

"Perhaps no more so then a half demon sorceress tied to a chair." Raven replied. She expected anger for her observation, instead Anarky just looked amused.

"True. Sometimes even things exist despite having no objective reality. But while beings like you may be up in the air, the truth of this world isn't, Raven. This isn't the way it should be."

"And why is that?"

"Why? Because they LIED to us, Raven. They tell us the evolution of human consciousness was a long, slow affair that began 2 million years ago that is still doing on today. But it didn't, AND IT'S NOT. Until almost 1,000 BC, almost all human beings lived UNCONSCIOUS lives. They may have built cities, traded, even developed language and hieroglyphics, but they were little more then highly intelligent animals, guided by strong impressions, or "voices" in the right hemisphere of the brain. Instinct, basically. They weren't deceitful, they knew no guilt, and they weren't responsible for their actions. Much like animals untouched by man are. But it couldn't stay this way forever. Societies became increasingly more complex, and the system began to break down. To survive, consciousness was INVENTED. A survival tool, and nothing more. But with it, mankind no longer had to be guided by biologically programmed impressions. He could decide what to do for himself. Look at history. Look at all the brilliance that rose out of this period, from Confucius in China to Socrates in Greece. But in a few hundred years THEY came along, a greedy elite that choked out that flowering. For all it brings us, it's HARD to think, Raven. It requires EFFORT. Mankind has always been a creature that tends to take the easier path, and it missed the easy life it's lost 'voices' brought it. And in that gap arose them, the politicians, priests, and philosophers, to 'aid' their fellow man by filling it, supposedly for the good of the masses, but really only for their own desires. And you have seen what they have wrought on the common man." Anarky said, indicating his monument.

"We shouldn't have listened to them. We should have focussed on our own selves. For while we had consciousness now, it was tainted by mysticism, the desire to blindly assign things and live our lives by them rather then think them through and see them for what they are. And the elites took advantage of that. They set it up so that this was all we knew, that it was all we could be, that this was the way it would always be. Tools of them to be used and cast aside, while in truth we all have the potential to walk like a GOD."

"My god…" Raven said. "You're just like him."

"Who?" Anarky said, confused.

"The Lord of the Night. I could almost swear you…"

"I AM NOTHING LIKE THAT LUNATIC!" Anarky suddenly yelled. "He wanted to kill the human race because he was unable to accept its flaws! I want to SAVE them, show them how to get PAST their flaws, to bring their brains away from mysticism and to their highest potential. Unlike the Lord, it will not be a world built on blood and ruin but on building, change, and CONTENTMENT. Didn't you ever read Aristotle? He spoke of all this eons ago! But they made sure you never heard it. They've always won, Raven. And the common man has always lost. UNTIL NOW."

Anarky turned and went back to his computer.

"For too long, the parasites have hid amongst us, leeching on the common man. For too long, their systems have controlled and brainwashed us, systems that were once untouchable. But what made the system so absolute is about to prove its undoing, Raven. It changed with the times, and that has made it vulnerable. Its wheels are exposed. And once I am done, it will all come down. And with it will come the lies. People will finally see the truth. And all the tyrants will die off, scorned and mocked by their former victims. I have worked as hard as I can to hasten the birth of this new world, our rightful world, and now I finally can."

Anarky finished typing and pressed one final key, and then a nearby monitor started beeping.

"43 seconds early. Not bad at all." Anarky said. "Well Raven, we must part now. Once again, I am sorry I had to do this, but unless I do, you'll blindly follow their orders like you always do. Let us hope that when it is done, and the scales have fallen from your eyes, you will not regret your actions too much. Even with your birthright, you're only human."

Anarky walked over and stood next to Raven's side. She craned her neck to try and make out what he was doing, but her restraints prevented her from seeing nothing clearly. Within four seconds, he was done.

"And when it's all over…" Anarky said, as he produced his mask and put it on, and then adjusted his hat on top of it. "You'll see how great that is."

And then he was done.

Ten seconds later, the computer began beeping.

*************

"This makes no sense at all!" Cyborg said, as he looked over some printouts. "Considering what you told us, why would Anarky steal that kind of chip?"

"When I figure that out, Vic, I'll tell you. But he must have a reason. Lonnie is BIG on rationality and logic." Robin said. He was still hunting through the vast fields of cyberspace to try and trace Anarky back, while at the same time trying to figure out what Anarky was going to do with his chip.

Specifically, it was the SH-IL E24 chip. One would expect it to have been a part of a weapons system or something, but the chip was actually the latest in a series that aided with, of all things, data storage. And Lonnie always had the best equipment whenever he set something up. He surely would have thought of another way to get space if he needed it then the convoluted plan he had set up. So why…

Robin's belt began beeping, and he took one hand off the computer to answer it.

"Beast Boy?"

"You bet! Guys, I found Raven! She's holed up in an old toy factory."

"You did? How?" Robin said, as Starfire and Cyborg looked up.

"Followed her scent."

"Is Anarky around?"

"I didn't see him."

"Ok Gar, listen…" Robin began, and then the communicator suddenly cut out.

"Beast Boy! Beast Boy! Answer! Damn, something's wrong! Vic, Kory, trace his communicator! Find him! I'm going to stay here and try and trace Anarky. He must have left Raven then to distract us."

"With what?" Cyborg asked, and then Robin realized what Beast Boy may very well be walking into. He turned on his communicator and tried to raise him again.

"Beast Boy, come on! Please! There's probably a trap!"

**************

"Robin? Robin? Hello?" Beast Boy said into his communicator. All he got was static. "Son of a shoopuf!"

Beast Boy put the communicator away. He had glimpsed Raven through a window, and from what he had seen, she was tied up. This was his chance! He could save the day! And maybe…nah, that wouldn't happen, but he was sure she'd appreciate it.

Turning into a mouse, Beast Boy snuck into the warehouse.

Now, despite the way he acted, Gar Logan was not an idiot. He knew that, more likely then not, Raven was not just tied up to the chair. Once he was in the warehouse, he began looking around carefully, changing into a variety of creature with great eyes, night vision, and other senses.

And he found nothing. No barely-there trip wires. No ozone scent to indicate hidden lasers. No cameras. Nothing, except a computer workstation and the chair Raven was tied to.

Satisfied, Beast Boy dropped down in front of Raven, who had been looking at the wall. She started and looked at him as he became human again and waved.

"Hiya! Miss me!" he said, grinning.

"Beast Boy?" Raven said.

And then the alarm went off.

"WHAT? AH! WHAT DID I STEP ON! AH! YIKES!" Beast Boy yelped as he danced around. The lights suddenly flicked on as the floor around Raven slid apart, sliding several new devices up next to her.

"Devices armed." A computer voice said.

"Ah nosenuggets." Beast  Boy replied.

"Scanning system online." The voice said, and then on the nearby discarded computer, the masked face of Anarky popped up.

"Good day. If you are seeing this, you have triggered my defence. My systems have locked onto you and anyone else who may have accompanied you, and are scanning a twenty foot square area around Raven. If you attempt to leave, the device will detonate. If anyone joins you in the area, the device will detonate. Any attempt to disrupt the power will detonate the device as well. Oh yes, and in 30 minutes, the device will detonate anyway. I hope Robin is there, he might be able to disarm it. Might." Anarky said.

And in the back of her head, Raven realized that Beast Boy hadn't set the device off. She had. It hadn't been him stepping or tripping on something. The device had been programmed to arm…when she had spoken one of her teammates' names.

And on the computer screen, Anarky's face disappeared, to be replaced by a clock that said 30:00.

Not for long.

"What do I do! What do I do!" Beast Boy said, panicking.

"Gar, you have to try and disarm the device!" Raven said.

"But I don't know anything about bombs!" Beast Boy said.

"Better learn quick." Raven said tersely, as the countdown filled her eyes.

29:47…

29:46…

29:45…

To Be Continued