Teen Titans © DC Comics

Brothers

Once the news hit Starfire's ears, her trembling hand covered her mouth. Her emerald gems became murky with budding tears, threatening to come loose at the word of her brother's capture. Head rocketing towards the ground, her other hand went in a beeline to her eyes, wiping them, but failed in holding back the sobs.

As Beast Boy went to comfort her, Robin's emotion was very different. The fact that Slade had returned was enough to fuel his rage, but he was capturing the Titans! It was like the Brotherhood of Evil all over again, but this time with a much smarter criminal mastermind. His pointed glare observed the remaining Titans South members, all hanging their heads in shame at letting Slade, now referred to as Deathstroke, escape.

"Why didn't y'all give us a call? We would've been there and might have saved Kid Flash and Jinx," Cyborg snapped, crossing his arms.

"We told you that we're sorry and should've kept a closer eye on Kid Flash and Jinx," Argent stated, arms behind her back somberly. Feeling Thunder's sympathetic hand on her shoulder, she gently gripped it and added, "Deathstroke may have won two battles, but this war isn't over."

"Losing two battles is still a harsh blow!" Robin bellowed, shocking Argent as he stormed up to her. However, Thunder stomped in front of her, snatching Robin's shoulder and kept him at arms-length. "You guys should've been there!"

"We have tried!" Lightning barked, throwing his arms out as the storm diminished, ending with a light drizzle. "Deathstroke was simply too powerful for us!"

"You should've tried harder!" Robin snarled.

"Robin, enough," Starfire quietly stated, getting up.

Surprisingly enough, Robin obeyed, attracting their attention to the alien princess. While his mind was still ravaged with rage, he still had enough sense to listen to sensible people. In the past, he was consumed in finding Deathstroke; the obsession was so poignant that he went as far as deceiving and battling his friends. To the very extent, Robin wanted to control himself and not be used by Deathstroke again, hoping that small details such as this would help clear his head.

"Starfire's right. We can't waste time pointing fingers and blaming each other," Raven interjected, standing up from the couch. "What we need to do now is alert the other Titans to watch out for Deathstroke. If we don't, it could be too late."

Robin turned to glare at the withdrawn Titans South. He sighed in disgust, lowering his head and immediately turned to Cyborg, telling him to get communications up on their computer. Robin, Cyborg, and Raven took to their computer screens, immediately dialing each Titan to warn them of Deathstroke's treachery.

"Lightning, Kole, may I tell you two a quick word?" The two jerked over to find Starfire grinning warmly at them. She wiped her eyes once again, nodding solemnly. "Please, do not despair over my brother's napping of kid. We will save Ryand'r. Also, you are not to blame over Kid Flash and Jinx's capture. Deathstroke is a powerful threat, but together, we will stop his cruel crimes."

"I think you mean kidnapping, Starfire," Kole replied, grinning as Lightning offered a sorrowful smile.

As the morning sun began rising over the horizon, Argent was still awake. She hardly had any sleep the previous night, holding Jinx' hair accessory tightly as she continued to lie on her bed. She was dressed in a simple black nightgown with black shorts underneath as her sleeping attire. Her violet and ebony blanket covered her completely as she smirked to herself as someone knocked tentatively on her door.

"Come in, blue boy," she called as Thunder quietly entered the room.

"Something else troubles you besides the 'drama' as people refer to it as?" Thunder questioned, bringing a chair over and sat by her bed.

Argent smirked, pulling the covers off her head slightly. Revealing Jinx' hair band to her surprised boyfriend, she replied, "Guess I'm just tired by everything. I'm worried, really, about what happened to Jinx and the boys."

"The old one is not going to get away with this," Thunder vowed, clenching his fist.

She chuckled lightly, always amused at the way Thunder spoke. It was so old-fashioned, but still humble and delicate. Many people discerned the blue elemental as a monster based solely on his appearance. Sometimes, she would hear people conversing in low tones about his "abnormal" figure and attire, sometimes actually hurting Thunder. Even though she was the leader of Titans South, Argent could not stand by idly and listen to the people they protected mock him. Just to set them straight, she would trap the secret tormenter, be it a bratty teenager or snooty woman, in her plasma hands and hang them in a high tree. Of course, Thunder would scold her for such demeaning acts, but she knew he appreciated her efforts in making others see the better side of him, the inner part of his kind soul.

"You know, it's only six in the morning. I'm surprised you're still awake, blue boy," Argent stated, sitting up with the blanket cover her chest.

"I could not sleep. My brother is sound asleep, but I am rather afraid," Thunder admitted, crossing his arms. He glanced around her room with her punk band CDs and make-up strewn all over the room. "Dear, when was the last time you cleaned your room?"

"Never," she sheepishly admitted. At Thunder's eye roll, she scoffed playfully. "Oh, like you clean your room."

Thunder paused, staring at Argent blankly before collecting her in his arms. At her blush and squeal, Thunder smirked deviously before exiting her dark room and walked down the hall to his. Setting her down, he opened the door, revealing his perfectly neat and orderly room.

"Well, you…shut up," Argent grumbled, crossing her arms as he laughed lightly. She entered, noticing Lightning curled up in his bed with a small book in his hand. Curiosity took control as she gently removed the novel from his limp hand, realizing it was a notebook.

"Oh, my scrapbook," Thunder stated in surprise as Argent flipped a few pages in.

"You're making a scrapbook?" she questioned as he nodded, sitting down onto his bed with him.

"I desired to share it with you all when I completed it, but since the old one struck, I do not have the chance to complete it," he explained as she gazed over the pictures.

"Huh…oh, blue boy, this is interesting…" She sent him a sly smirk as he paled considerably at the page she was looking at. It two full pages of just her in a variety of poses, including the one of Wildfire tackling her in a goodbye hug. Argent sniggered wickedly, nudging him in the side. "This is sweet, honey, all these photos, but didn't I tell you that I wanted that one destroyed?"

Thunder rubbed the back of his head, blushing immediately as Argent turned the page. "W-well, it-it was just to see y-you in different…emotions…um, dear?"

"Yeah?"

"May I keep that photo? Please?" He pulled off his best begging face, stiffing up his lower lip and slanted his eyebrows for a saddened effect. Leaning closer to his perturbed girlfriend, he actually whined like a depressed puppy.

"Oh, you, fine," Argent reluctantly muttered, but smirked at Thunder's elevated face, "on a condition."

Blast, he thought miserably. "Which would be what?"

"You are now obligated to…take me to the mall and let me buy whatever I want, even those 'boy love' graphic novels I buy, which you will carry. No exceptions."

Thunder's eyes widened in horror, mouth a large gape. His left eye twitched, recollecting the last time he read one of her 'boy love' Japanese comics by mistake and promptly found himself hiding in the bathroom from her for the rest of the evening. While he tried to evade her when she was on the move for some 'boy love' as she referred to as instead of the Japanese titles, Argent always managed to clamp him in her plasma hands and drag him to the mall. Thunder sighed, nodding reluctantly and just prayed to Hsuan that he would be far away from her when the time came for her to buy more of her naughty novels.

Argent smirked, leaning into him as she turned the page and paused once again. Thunder could not help but grin at her stunned expression, knowing it was a genuine surprise. It was a collection of photographs of them, extending a few pages in. Some were humorous with funny faces, others more soft and genuine like one of Thunder carrying her on his shoulders. She remembered Kid Flash had taken the picture when they were off-duty in the park. The angle was somewhat awkward since he was still in his wheelchair during that time, but Argent loved it all the same. Others revealed a few of them kissing, but when she flipped the page, both of them were confused. A single sentence was scrawled rather messily, covering the entire blank page.

"LIGHTNING DOES NOT APPROVE."

Thunder and Argent stared at each other before looking up to the yellow elemental and winced. His eyes were like sharp daggers, glaring death into the horrified couple. The only part of Lightning's face that could be seen was from his eyes and up, giving him the appearance of a sadistic killer. Unfortunately for him, Argent shrieked suddenly and smashed her foot into his face. Lightning yelped, falling off the bed and cradled his nose, rolling around on the floor in pain.

"You creep!" she squealed furiously, held back by a worried Thunder. "You looked so freaky like that! Why didn't you tell us you were awake?"

Lightning groaned, pinching his nose and snapped it back into back with a sickening cracking sound. "Because Lightning deemed it rude to interject on your merry-making. Anyway, I still do not approve. If you two are to go about on your 'lovefest,' continue it in your room, silver wretch."

"Will you stop referring to her as that, brother?" Thunder questioned in exasperation.

Lightning stared at him for a few moments as Thunder helped him up. Sitting back onto his bed, he replied, "No."

Argent rolled her eyes, having known Lightning would not submit to her dating his brother. They were fiercely protective of each other, but Thunder was happy that Lightning was with Kole, so why couldn't he allow him to date her? The question aggravated her to no end, finally coming out with it in a harsh bellow.

Lightning jerked his head over to her, surprised at her outburst. He blinked, arms crossed obstinately as her ruby gems clashed with his pale ones. In all honestly, he had never thought of an exact reason except for the fact that she teased him everyday, even though he started banters. Argent was also a brother-stealing harlot, but that was not a plausible reason. Lightning thought of Argent was a confident, strong woman, but her craftiness and slyness bothered the yellow elemental. However, Thunder seemed perfectly fine with it, so he simply shrugged.

"That's not a legitimate response, lightning rod. Why don't you like me with blue boy?" Argent questioned almost sadly.

Thunder shot his brother an annoyed look, clearly getting as intensified in anger as Argent. "Come, brother, do not be rude. She has asked you a question, meaning you should answer it truthfully."

"Fine! I despise that she…um…" Lightning paused again, finger in the air before bringing it to his lips. At their stares, he reddened slightly and sighed. "I do not have a reason. At first, I simply hated her because I thought she was taking you away from me, but as time goes on, I realize that she is…all right at best."

Argent's forehead landed in her hand, knowing that was the best they were going to get out of Lightning. "Well, lightning rod, it's cool, I guess. You aren't good at talking, are you?"

Lightning frowned, leaning in close to glare at her. "That is what I hate about you, silver wretch. That crass complexity of yours mystifies me."

"Hey, you said something that you don't like about me! We're getting somewhere!" Argent jeered, clapping her hands.

Lightning glanced over to his brother who continued to glower at him. "How do you stand this foolishness?"

Thunder snatched the scrapbook and hit him over the head with it. "As Thunder said before, do not be so rude!"

"Excuse my interruption, but could the noise level be any higher?"

The trio found their gazes directed at the door, but immediately winced at the arrival of Raven. A dark aura flared up her hair, clearly irked at their loudness with balled fists at her sides. Argent quickly apologized for being so loud, raising her hands defensively. The empath nodded, sighing before glancing over to Lightning.

"Look, Lightning, you're still saddened over their capture," she interposed, striking the yellow elemental with surprise.

"I am not! I am perfectly fine!" Lightning stubbornly hissed.

Raven rolled her amethyst eyes, shaking her head. "I can sense emotions, and if you think that by hiding under the covers will do anything to help you, it won't. I tried to hide my family problems, and look where the ended up. The entire world was almost destroyed, and you guys were turned to stone. If Robin and the others hadn't helped me, we wouldn't be having this conversation." She turned to leave, calling over her shoulder. "Open up, Lightning. It'll do you some good."

Lightning was prepared to zap her as she left, but knew that as dishonorable and merely grumbled to himself. "I am sorry for writing such a horrid statement in your scrapbook, brother. I suppose I am still depressed over my failure. Deathstroke…the old one has gotten much stronger indeed. I fear we are no match for him."

"Your defeatist attitude is not like you, Lightning. What happened to the guy that charges into battle without listening to me and somehow saves the day a few times?" Argent scolded, shocking Lightning that it was her, not an equally-surprised Thunder, lecturing him. Without warning, she snatched him by his armor, dragging him close to her fist and hissed, "Say we're gonna win."

"Wh-what? Argent, you are frightening me," Lightning murmured, desperately trying to find an exit.

"Not until you say we're gonna kick Deathstroke's metal ass! Now, say it!"

"W-we are going to kick Deathstroke's metal ass?"

"With vigor!"

"We are going to kick Deathstroke's metal ass!" Thunder proclaimed joyously, pumping his fist into the air.

"That's the spirit, blue boy! Now you, Lightning!" Argent ordered.

"We…we…we are going to kick Deathstroke's-!"

"What did I say about keeping the volume down in her? I'm trying to meditate!" Raven roared, head lurching into the room before scuffling away.

Quietly, Lightning lowered his excited fist and meekly muttered, "We are going to kick Deathstroke's metal ass."

"Exactly," Argent cooed, lightly patting his cheek. Raising her fist, she bumped it gently against Lightning's and winked. "So, c'mon, don't be a downer. Get happy-go-crazy again like you used to be."

Lightning stared at her before smiling gently and nodding. "Perhaps I have been looking at you the wrong way, Argent. You are actually a delight."

"Wow, that only took more than a year for you to see," Argent sneered.

Thunder sighed in relief, having expected a brawl to throw down and for him to choose sides. Crumpling up the page with Lightning's crude statement on it, he offered, "Since our situation has currently been settled why not we go back to sleep? It is still early in the morn-"

"Argent," Raven stated, hurrying back into the room, "it's Hot Spot. We can't find him."

Deathstroke dropped an unconscious, powered-down Hot Spot into the cell Kid Flash was previously kept in. Fighting the Moroccan was not even a challenge as he was so temperamental and hotheaded that he fell for every trap in the book, even petty name-calling. He sighed, leaning back into the airplane and gazed out at the darkened sky. Sometimes, he wondered why he got into the mercenary business, how it stole the life of his first-born, scarred his second-born, and made his wife shoot and divorce him. It was a cruel, agonizing trade, but there were moments when Deathstroke reveled in it. To see his prey writhe on the floor, beg for mercy. It greatly amused him in some cases such as when he forced Robin to be his apprentice.

As for the whole "apprentice" fiasco, Deathstroke genuinely wanted an apprentice to make up for what he lacked as a father. He wanted to raise and mold someone, a confused youth to be picky, into an image fabricated like his own. He had grant success with Terra until the Titans freed her mind, and Robin was a story he really liked to tell. Having an apprentice made up for the mistakes he made as a father to his sons and daughter. However, even that grew tiresome as they all got away like mice emerging victorious in a worn-out maze.

"Did the boy trouble you?" Miraset wondered, flying the sleek jet over to America.

"No, your highness. It wasn't an even match," Deathstroke replied, adjusting his belt tighter around his waist.

"That makes four down." Miraset smirked wickedly, lips curving upwards in a demonic smirk. "Your next target-"

"Risk, I know. The boy with five times human traits."

"Well, you've done your research."

Deathstroke sighed in minor annoyance. "A good assassin always does research before setting out or he's a dead man. How's Wildfire? Is he done?"

"Yes, he is indeed. Wildfire, step forth!"

Deathstroke glanced over his shoulder, lone eye widening in mildly amused surprise. Instead of his Tamaranian garbs, Wildfire wore full-body, white armor with black triangles around the arms. His eyes, once filled with life and light, were bleak, dreary emeralds that lost their luster. Instead of a ponytail, Wildfire now had curved, short hair that reached the middle of his neck.

"What can I do for you, my lady?" he asked monotonously, getting one knee.

"Introduce yourself to my associate," Miraset ordered.

"I am Corporal Wildfire, a member of Queen Miraset's new H'san Natall army. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Deathstroke." Wildfire stood, bowing, and Deathstroke noted the black gloves he wore that seemed to charge with emerald light.

"Is he hiding his power?" Deathstroke wondered.

"He is keeping his power on at all time in case of an attack. That way, he won't need to charge like his sisters," Miraset informed.

"Clever." Deathstroke turned, glancing down over the sandy city that Hot Spot once called home. "Corporal, was it? That's a bit strong for a child."

"'Child?'" Wildfire barked, storming up to him. "I am no child! I am a warrior, a creation made for fighting!"

"Wildfire, cease your babbling. Return and oversee the rest of Jinx' reconfiguration," Miraset commanded. "When that is through, set Kid Flash up."

"Yes, my lady." Wildfire bowed quickly before shooting a dirty glance to Deathstroke. Stalking back into the shadows, they were both alerted to his dismissal with the sound of a door slamming shut.

Wildfire gone baaad~

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