Teen Titans; Life After Death.
Chapter 3;Perplexing and Vexing
A/
Bruce had called Dick's cell a thousand times before Alfred picked up the phone by Richard's bedside table. Hello?-
"Master Bruce? No, I'm sorry...Master Dick is settling in for the night-
Seems to me like you two need to discuss further plans. What do you mean Veronica should be involved? This is between you and Master Richard! Well alright, I'll see you both when you return home...good evening indeed." With that he shut the connection off. Poor child didn't look well at all...was this from the virus from autumn months?
Alfred sighed and began to pull a blanket out from the trunk at the foot of Dick's bed. The old butler was almost like another caretaker since the young man was able to cope after losing his parents.
His concerns though deepened as he massaged his temples. The large comforter fell over young Grayson as he breathed deeply into the feather pillow; slumped onto his stomach with his arms hiding his tears. At this rate if Richard did any more things to upset his partner and friend...Bruce would aim to make things change in both their lives. Al had a bad feeling that he was sure Ronnie or Veronica and Dick could only hope to get to know one another better...could the two really learn to be better to one another from their actions? Right now Veronica was not the only worry- the wedding was weeks away!
/
"I know who's behind the sorceress's fall." Priscilla
managed with a huff. Her sandals shifted from her tiny ankles. That and she still would not release Maya at all.
~Told you I could talk her into it...now we wait.~
Kay only cleared his throat to clear the air of any suspicious behavior. Raven was sure the bed had been tilted over by an uninvited guest.
"The goddesses Light And Dark informed the council of a gruesome looking figure escaping the darkest of our holding cells. Our prisons and pits don't seem to work very much against Roku's sorcery. Someone, I am guessing a lackey escaped due to a breach in space time..."
The guardian Verra walked in with a face as blank as a sheet of paper. He was unable to take to his other form and leave this one behind. "I...he's not safe...we have to go there...I'm sorry Dick..."
He mumbled to himself, Vee had only gone to get help...yet he'd left the former boy wonder in Roku's clutches. What could he say to him now? I'm sorry? He wouldn't get the picture! He slumped into a seat by the island in the kitchen.
Veravakumu? Why aren't you and my other form with Richard? He's still in danger-
Kay slammed his hand into the table in the same room and snarled. "Why aren't you with him? Where is he!-
Vee grunted from the wound returning; from before in his lab he'd lost the sensation of stings, now... It still felt like another scar. Starfire pulled up a chair to sit by the cat fox demi god.
She asked with her hands in tiny fists."Please. Have you any luck finding Richard or Robin?" She seemed to be using the names as a way to not forget his true identity.
"He's..."
~Don't tell them! They'll blame it all on your actions for sure!~ his inner voice fell to a whisper. The teens would, but it was truth. He had no other choice here.
"I let him get away. Dick is alive in Gotham, I can only tell you that. He's safe but Roku-
He gulped with a swallow. "Roku remains on earth. He's here to ensnare the groom to be...Bruce Wayne. Robin's mentor and teacher...i-i can't tell you anymore- Her wrath will be terrifically unjust. You must befriend the groom-
"We know, Bb entered as he and Tara had gone separate ways. He needed to stay up for the celebrations of the new couple. She was in need of a good nights sleep. B went over to the computer to log into some site from Gotham Times. The picture was that of a couple with the press breathing down their necks as they left the airport...they were covered in fall attire and she wore sunglasses to hide her eyes. "Bruce Wayne is having a party in honor of the new to be Mrs .Wayne...
"And who could he be wedding?" Asked Raven suspiciously. She crossed he arms looking over to Verra again. His voice cracked a bit as he explained. "Veronica Ferguson..."he sighed.
/B
"DUDE! Dick's been sayin' he was with Wayne since we opened his memory suitcase thingy! He is the Batman? Wayne, ya know!" Beast Boy caught his breath as he gasped to a halt.
.Cy bopped his Bud on the shoulder. "We've met him before remember? He protected Robin when Slade let him go...by the way... Where is Rini?" Cy scratched his cyber tech head and frowned.
"She was with..." Raven began then stopped. She head for the door when she finally remembered whom it was that Rini had taken to.
"Will?"
She got out her comm unit and watched as it sprung to life. With a click she was face to face with Mumbo the Magician...
He squealed to her aloud"HEHEHE! Sorry, but the kids aren't in right now, could you-
"No! Where are they Mumbo? You better not hurt them or I'll- Her head spun and her teeth ached while he told her of his plan to ruin the team. Permanently.
"Thanks to my little buddy, and company i've got the power to destroy all of you! Think of the millions I'll make when the ransom goes as planned...heehaw.
Raven gaped as she noticed a line of red around him."You aren't yourself, creep. This aura-
"Aura shmaura! I'm going to be rich!" he sung as if this were a game! Raven contacted the teens by her telekinetic mind power. Hoping that she would not be late to save the children she'd sworn to watch over.
Meet me downtown. We've got a performance to crash...
/B
Bb bounced into the sofa and looked dazed as he stood back up. "Whoa! Raven was...just talking to me! I heard her...She-
Cy stood up and growled to himself "She's in trouble... " He spoke to the others "We haven't seen her since she ran out on us."
"I also heard a familiar voice inside as well." Starfire chirped as she too fired up and rushed to the car in the garage area of the base. Cy was driving, she was flying...late at night they'd show up in Gotham uninvited.
/
"Mumboooo! You bumbling idiot! We aren't the targe-
Mumbo lowered the ropes above the stage. He was mad that Mumbo, and the aura power that surged through him still looked a tad bit darker than before..."Quiet you...! You aren't just a twerp are ya' kid?" He'd already tried reasoning with the loonie. But Slade knew he'd only make things worse with a twelve year old's brain.
"Oh gosh, Will!" Rini kicked the mad one away with her Sailor magic. "What do we do now!"
"I..."As he was about to give in the terminator in him suddenly remembered something...
"Rini, In my pocket- since they were back to back; There is a blade, I'm deeply sorry but the me you see after this you cannot see again-
~WHAT?~
Rini wanted to see the tween again! They were friends now! Earlier that day they had ridden bikes and flown a kite in the park, even Rini was able to show off her magic to Mumbo when she'd tapped into her old power. The new one had given her the appearance of a goddess mini. With raiment blowing off her shoulders and short bob hair to fight without bangs in her way! Her shoes were like...slippers with hard bottoms. And lastly a dress without sleeved ends and a staff of love and honesty to go through battle with her. If only she'd won the battle that was...
"HAHAHAHAHA! You wont be be laughing, or crying...you'll be cheering just for me! Now, when I lower the rope you'll both...Disappear! And when that happens our guest in the front row...THOSE dreaded Titans!" He mocked as he said that. "Will fall to their doom in the same game you'll partake in! HAHAHA!" he laughed with tears in his eyes.
"You never doubted me for a second mama! I'm gonna be a star! Sniff."
"Not so fast Mumbo! You're act is just about finished."
Bumbling psycho brain Mumbo flashed a grin to his first partaker.
He stepped over to her to seat the sorceress Raven in a row."So...you arrived just in the nick of time, gothie? Well, enjoy the show-
"She began to spell her own magical power but Mumbo's rented funny magic was stronger! "Azarath-
"Nah ah ah! You can't use your powers here? This is a performance! Sit sit-
She did as if by some evil hex. Her arms were being held behind her seat by tendrils of dark evil energy. As she tried to struggle the things wound tighter around her arms and torso.
"I'm not letting you get away with this, you are being con- Her gasp turned to a low growl. She was mad now.
He used his flapping fingers to mouth her words with mimicry "Blah blah! Now, let the show go on!"
It was huge. A giant vortex roared over their heads as The Amazing Mumbo started to use his new power against the sorceress.
He asked over the dark presence in the air;"Ever seen a real a real live Dino? MUMBO JUMBO!" His call was louder than Raven's plea. He made the vortex spit out a shape shifter with a clown act going.
"No...no...you have to stop! At this rate your show will-
"SILENCE! Sit back enjoy the show, or else..." he did sound serious about letting his victims fly high into the spilled over time energy. But that new smirk of his scared Rae into listening. She had to save them...oh, but what if they didn't make it!
/
Hours later that night...
"I have to run away...yeah, I'll go back to the... and find someplace...start over..." His voice shook as he tossed clothing and utensils from his dresser into a large suitcase. "Then no one will ever find me or bother me..." his mouth turned to a frown as he wiped back what seemed like dozens of tears. ~I...I'm no hero! I'm just losing everything I love...~ he sniffled and continued to pack."They can't be saved because Robin won't be there when they open that door..."
He shuffled the case off the bed to the hard floor and sighed with a croak. "Was there any doubt? Where were you when she came into the picture..."
SMASH!
The book case fell from the wall as it covered over the kid's once favorite reading materials.
"Where were you when I became a monster!-
The mirror; an antique from earlier times spent in the manor shattered to the hard wooden flooring.
CRRACK..!
The window pane was smashed as well as Dick planted his fist into the lower wall underneath it.
"Well...not any more!" He heaved as a backpack was lifted over his shoulder and the suit case full of his wanted belongings was planted near the door by arms built like steel. It was time to depart- leaving Gotham, Jump California and the heroes of earth time and space long forgotten.
Taking one last look at the disheveled place that had once been his safe haven and his comfort; the lights shut off, the door slowly shut behind him as he sneaked out the back to find his new home.
Leaving the old one far from his mind's eye and constantly dowsed in the shadows.
/
Bruce had told the nice older gent of his dilemma; that Dick was as important as any person he cared for. Only best in his own special way.
Ronnie decided to tag along. Acting as if she'd lost a runaway chi-
A shocking image of rain over a hillside and a train waiting for its departure made Veronica Ferguson seem paler than the average China doll.
Though part of her was European, Roku remained king over every continent in spirit. He would know this already...the boy was going to-
"Miss, Ferguson?" The gent or, Roku helped her to regain consciousness. How befitting for a ruler of evil...
"I'm...alright, Bruce Dear. We should go back to the Manor! I think Dick is going to be close by!-
She knew telling the truth would buy her some time, but Roku would also cut her life span by a few threads. Even if she did the Billion dollar dolly would still be clueless as to what she were really after!
~Insignificant he may be, yet that would only cause Richard to be plagued by this blame. He knows who you are. You would go free. He would be left alone for how long.~
Roku had said this would come to pass. Trust was what kept the bat and company in line. What if the thread should break...then who would believe in a lying traitor who had little in this life's future.
Bruce frowned then helped his fiance out to the walk outside of the restaurant."You may be right, let's go. I'll call a cab."
They hopped in the seat and sped as quickly as the driver could go back to the Wayne Family Manor.
Meanwhile...
/
Alfred had been washing and tidying up the house right after the two had talked...barely! Here he was eating supper alone and poor Dick must have had his heart broken by this whole mess! What exactly could he be doing up there? Being in your room was OK. But speaking the truth never hurt at all one bit. Why did he seem so eager-
"Could it be?" Alfred Pennyworth climbed those steps just to see an old friend. Someone who needed him most of all was possibly brooding over his rotten luck. Miss Veronica had done nothing to show him harm! This was all just a mis-
"Master Dick, if you wouldn't mind opening the door so we could talk? I'm getting the feeling that you don't like Miss Ferguson very much...but sometimes change is needed. Do you understand?...
No one answered as if he were talking to himself in a mirror! The door was knocked on again only to find that the lock did not work. The door slowly swung open.
"Dick...? Master Ri-
Oh my!" As Alfred entered the room his eyes focused on the sight only so that it sunk in for a few brief seconds. He swept himself over to the open window and searched high and low as he peered out hoping for an answer from the fog and gray sky.
He swung back to the steps with a whoosh and his speed increased with each step.
"Master Dick! Richard! Where are you! Please, this had better not be a joke or Master Bruce will-
"Al?"
The old butler swerved around to find that they had let themselves in. He thought he would have a heart attack!
Instead he came to and faked a grin and led them to the hallway. The two to be wed soon looked over towards the back door once they had passed the kitchen.
Alfred darling! Something has happened! Richard has gone missing-
"Ooohhhhhhh whyyyyy...don't you let me take your coats! You look as if you've run a marathon-
"In a way we have." Bruce interrupted them. "Have by any chance have you seen him around Alfred.?.."
They both needed the truth. He could not search from the teenager by himself. He had to trust the couple. For Richard's sake!
"….Follow me..."he said sullenly with his head hanging down in front of them.
/
When Ronnie was sure that the prediction was true she turned to her so called beloved.
"What are-
"It's alright..." Bruce hushed."We will find him."
"I'm not so certain that-
When the lights to Dick's room flashed on they gasped in horror at the scene.
Ronnie and Alfred acted differently after the shock wave had passed.
She needed to go lay down in the living area. Really, she needed to contact great all mighty dragon breath.
And the son and cronie girl.
/
Bruce didn't look at all like he wanted to watch any more of the cracking of the window glass. Just as the last piece shattered to the ground he spoke.
"I need you to go help out Veronica." He said in a low sounding growl.
"And what will you do Master Bruce?" The old Brit asked. Questioning the man who had been left in his care all these years, he then nod.
"I'll try to see to everything while you are away sir."
"I won't be long." Bruce solemnly replied as he head for the cave. I pray you're safe, and hope I'm not too late..."
/
Run away Grayson...hmm, to be expected of the expectee. But what about Raven, the Titans and Rokou and Alice? Kay can't do this alone. Verra is in a pickle too! Find out in my next chapter;
you'll just have to stick around till then!