I've started a couple other ones that I wanted to put out debut chapters of before doing this... But I got bored of all the drama, so I'm taking a break and FINALLY doing chapter three.
Day after Xmas. Consider this a present. XD
Chapter 3: Return of a Foelly (1)
"I'm back, princess." Were his words before she blasted him in the face and he was thrown against the far wall with an angry green bolt. (2)
"We do not enjoy your company Red X and do not wish for your return." She was floating about a foot above the ground, eyes glowing menacingly as she spoke.
Robin sighed softly and reached up to put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about him this time, Star. He's unarmed." It was true Robin could have stopped her sooner. He'd seen the lack of the utility belt on Red X far before she'd blasted him; but when Starfire had been touched in what could have been a provocative manner and with the coquettish husk of the voice speaking to her, Robin had thought it better to let him have it.
Jealous? Of /course/ not.
She blinked a couple times, but returned to the ground as the other masked boy slowly stood up, groaning slightly. "What do you want?" Robin's eyes were narrowed as he moved to stand opposite Red X. (3)
"Would it have killed you to help me up?" Teasing. The boy was still mocking the group as he stood at their definite mercy. "Want us to help you on your way to He-"
"Beast Boy.. Calm down." It was Cyborg that silenced him as he looked suspiciously at Red X. "You heard Robin, now tell us. What do you want?"
"A meeting. With your leader... But perhaps things have shifted?" A tension was sprung upon the old warehouse, where the Titans had gone after getting an alert from the police. The owner of the dock had seen 'a hooligan in spandex' sneak into his fish-storing room. The chief, from the description, had concluded an identity and called the Tower.
"Nothing's changed. What nature would this meeting have?" Robin said quickly, hoping to banish the meaning and unspoken challenge of those words.
"An alliance." Short. Simple. Easy.
But completely ludicrous.
"What? Dude, how hard did you hit your head on that wall?" Surely Beast Boy had spoken for the whole group, but Robin shifted slightly as he inhaled.
"What kind of alliance?"
"Dude! Are you actually /considering/ this? Last time he totallytried to burnus!"
The rational words were ignored by both Robin and Red X as they watched each other's movements.
"There is something I need. You can help me get it."
"Why would /we/ help /you?" Robin's eyes were still narrowed as Starfire cleared her throat softly.
"Robin, under the circumstances, I would think that Red X is not worthy of your trust and alliance of any nature would only be-"
"Oh Princess, you hurt me. I'm not asking for trust, just help."
"Again. Why would we help you?"
Robin had now ignored not only Beast Boy, but Starfire as well. The green Titan had crossed his arms indignantly where the Tamaranian lowered her eyes.
"Because this certain item is in the possession of someone you're not too fond of. It's a dangerous object that would be much safer in my hands. I'm sure we'd both agree on this."
"Who and what are you talking about?"
Four Titans stayed quiet as Robin took his place in the lead. They'd never questioned it before . . . And they weren't about to start. Uh uh.
"A video tape." Robin hesitated. Where was this going?
"With what on it?"
"Indiscretions I'm sure you wouldn't want.. Out."
"And why would I help it into /your/ hands?"
"That isn't necessary. I'd only need it to destroy it. You'd be free to do so as well, as long as I see it happen."
"It's bad for you, too?"
"Maybe."
"What's on it?"
"I can't say. Too many ears. You understand, don't you?" Robin looked around the room. Five pairs of eyes were on him as he nodded decisively. He saw Beast Boy and Starfire frown confusedly. What could it be that they couldn't hear? And why was Robin agreeing to possibly keep things from all of them?
"Who has it?"
"An apprentice."
"Of who?"
"Slade." Stony silence and a collective drawing of air throughout the room. Slade?
"Slade's dead."
"I know that. Forgot to congratulate you on that, by the way."
"Who is it?"
"Well, you'll just have to find that out, won't you?"
"Tell me." His voice was hard and low as he glowered over at Red X.
"Say you'll help."
"Tell me!" Robin lunged at the other boy, who jumped away.
The other Titans, with the tension broken, didn't know what to do. Honestly, they felt somewhat.. Unneeded. They all shifted into stances, ready to attack if need be.
"Patience is a virtue, Boy Wonder." Red X said, perched at the top of a pile of boxes. "You know what?" He jumped backwards, towards the huge electric door. "I'm going to let you sleep on it. Contact me when you want to start working on it."
He said /when, not /if/. Bait was set. He already knew Robin would take it... As long as the other three didn't get in the way.
"How are we supposed to-"
"The Princess knows."
That was the final sentence given before a small circular object appeared in his hand and was thrown to the ground.
Smoke bomb. Predictable... But effective.
He disappeared, the smoke clearing eventually with help from a blast of empty air from one of Cyborg's canons.
"What did he mean, Starfire?" Robin's voice was cold, his eyes still narrowed towards her.
She blinked. "I do not know, Robin." She looked confused, but affectedly so. His tone resembled the one he'd used the night he snapped over Slade. It frightened her and she withdrew significantly from his curious anger.
"I think you do." He said stonily.
"Leave her alone, Robin. She said she doesn't know." Cyborg again. Pacifying. What was /with/ that guy, trying to steal Robin's thunder?
"If Red X really needs our help, he'll find us." Raven's voice cut in before Robin could protest.
He sighed and deflated somewhat, glancing over at Star. "You're right. I'm sorry." Robin.. Ever the puppy-dog. But Star's eyes stayed on the ground as she shrugged lightly. "Do not trouble yourself." Evasion. It set him on edge. Was she mad at him?
Well that was just wonderful.
"Guys... Can we like... Get out of here? It /reeks/ of dead animal!" Beast Boy was holding his nose with a very disgusted look on his face. Raven rolled her eyes and Cyborg laughed.
"Yeah. Let's go." The hybrid boy said, making his way out of the door to his rather impressive vehicle. His baby. Mhm. Beast Boy ran after him and Raven grudgingly followed, muttering something about "immaturity" darkly as she passed Robin and Starfire.
"Star I-" He cut himself off when she lifted herself from the ground and floated out after them.
He frowned. Damn. She was really mad. What did he do? He wasn't really sure. Maybe he'd ask her later. Maybe he'd ask Raven. She always seemed to know everything going on, even if those things were harbored secrets.
They all piled into the car and "enjoyed" a tense ride back.
Kind of tense. Beast Boy and Cyborg were taking part in their routine squabbles and Raven was quiet as usual. Robin, understandably, was lost in thought. There was a reason he was the leader... He dedicated himself to his work. Maybe sometimes a little too much. He was best at busts and making plans.
But his thoughts now were not only of Red X and the business with an illustrious apprentice of his deceased nemesis, but also of a red-headed alien who was looking wistfully out the window; only seldom giggling at Beast Boy's remarks instead of partaking in joke-telling of her own (that consisted of jokes that rarely made sense but were oddly hilarious anyway, if only funny in their oddity).
His obsession with Slade had been about a month ago... And though he felt he'd gotten forgivance (I'm making up words.. o.x) from the rest of the team, the situation had no doubt drawn a wedge in their relationship. There was a factor of trust he knew he was going to have to win back... But her actions after this meeting he knew he'd have to eventually consent to made him wonder how long winning her back was going to take.
Especially when feelings as alien to him as she was to the earth for her were distracting him from nearly everything these days.
END
I can't seem to write long chapters.. o.x Sorry.. I do try, but then it just does too much and yeah... -shrugs-
Did ya like it? XD
(1) Foelly: Foe/Ally. Hehe.. Just a little invention of my own. (2) "I'm back, princess." o.o Very same line from the very edgy Zelda fic I'm working on. Doesn't that just intrigue you-grins- (3) Red X, Red X, Red X... I wish I had something easier to call him. Does he have a name? Does anyone know-feels dumb- If so, please tell me so that I don't seem so dumb anymore.
Next chapter, I hope, will come sooner than this one has. I'm working on... -counts on fingers- 3 besides this, so /try/ to understand my slow-nes.. o.o;;
RR -waves-