32 Productions Presents…
A Teen Titan Action Fan Fiction The Teen Titans in…"Just When you Think you Got Away"
Titan Tower: Training Room
Shade grunted as he pulled himself up on the bar. He was never much for flat-out exercising. He preferred to train against opponents and hone his battle skills. It was just…more practical that way. Maybe he was just getting self-conscious. He was always afraid he was too scrawny. Sure, he packed a mean punch, but he didn't look it. He glanced at the mirror. Seeing himself shirtless with those toothpick arms didn't help. Starfire entered the room, surprised at the lack of noise. Usually when Shade was training there was a lot of crashing and shouting. Shade noticed her.
Shade: Nngh…hey Star.
Starfire: Shade, why are you doing the pull ups? Usually you prefer to kick the butt of our robotic sparring partners.
Shade: Yeah…but…nngh…with Cyborg gone, I figured…nngh…it would be a bad idea to just…nngh…give him a pile of robots to…nngh…fix when he got home.
Starfire: Yes…especially after what you did to the garage.
Shade winced and dropped down. He had forgotten about that. In fact, he was TRYING to forget about it.
Shade: (annoyed) Did you want something?
Starfire: Yes. I wished to ask you about the making out.
Shade's eyes widened under his sunglasses and he held up his hands.
Shade: Whoa, whoa, whoa! I like you Star, but not like that…besides, Robin would strangle the life out of me.
Starfire resisted the urge to whack him upside the head.
Starfire: (blushing) Not with you!
Shade: (sigh of relief) Thank god…Raven would break me in half too.
Starfire: I have questions concerning the act of making out.
Shade nodded his understanding, still looking uncomfortable with the topic.
Shade: So whaddya wanna know?
Starfire: How often do you and Raven do the making out?
Shade starting mumbling and counting on his fingers. Starfire regarded this with slight confusion.
Shade: Actually it really all depends on how the day went. If Raven had a REALLY bad day, then she's just not for it. A slightly bad day means I can try to cheer her up that way. Sometimes she's just not in the mood and on good days she's the one who starts it.
Starfire: So it is the female that starts the "making-out"?
Shade: No, but it's generally the female who decided whether or not it actually takes place. If Raven doesn't want to, she'll let me know. To be honest, I can't imagine a guy NOT wanting to so I guess if the female starts, it's pretty much guaranteed to take off.
Starfire rubbed her chin in thought.
Starfire: So…and I speak hypothetically…if I were to enter Robin's room and begin to kiss him and perform the "heavy petting" he wouldn't mind?
Shade: …well I'm sure he'd be kind of confused. You can't just wander in and start smooching. The mood has to be set, you know? You'll know when it's a good time to start. It's like an instinct.
Starfire raised one of her tiny eyebrows. Come on…don't tell me you don't think they're tiny.
Starfire: An instinct…?
Shade: Yeah. That's how it worked for me…then again, I do a lot of things from instinct.
Starfire: Thank you for your help, Shade.
Starfire turned to leave. She got to the door when she stopped and turned back.
Starfire: And you should not be concerned. On my planet, being toned is a lot more important then being largely muscular.
Shade coughed and crossed his arms…his scrawny twig like arms.
Shade: (blushing) I wasn't concerned.
Starfire: And it is clear that Raven likes you for who you are. Who knows? Perhaps the muscles turn her off?
Starfire left. Shade looked in the mirror again. Maybe Starfire was right…still…a little extra mass wouldn't hurt, right?
Outside Large Building
Why were these sorts of things always in CANADA? I mean there was that Weapon X facility down the road and now this?
Sureshot: There it is.
Cyborg pressed some stuff on his arm.
Cyborg: Security is pretty tight…
Sureshot: I know. It shouldn't be a problem. I know this place in and out. This way.
Sureshot started forward. Cyborg followed.
Sureshot: Oh, and watch the…
SPRONG. A metal cage erupted from the ground, incasing them.
Sureshot: …tripwire.
Cyborg: Oops…
Sureshot: …yes…oops.
Gas shot out of the bars, knocking them out. Cyborg woke up, imprisoned. Sureshot was no where to be seen. In front of him was…Knife-play.
Knife-play: HI! How you doing?
Cyborg: You! Didn't you get arrested!
Knife-play: Yep. Then I picked the handcuffs, cut open the screen, and killed the two cops driving. …we crashed and I spent the next few minutes putting my guts back in. You should always wear your seatbelt.
Cyborg: Where's Sureshot?
Knife-play: Tsk, tsk. Do I look like I'm here to alleviate your curiosity?
Cyborg: Tell me or I'll…
Cyborg rushed forward and was stopped by a field of energy.
Knife-play: Ask me again? It's about all you can do.
Cyborg converted his arm into the sonic cannon and fired. It slammed into the field and dissipated.
Knife-play: Try the rockets in your shoe.
Cyborg growled and began pounding on the field. Knife-play yawned.
Knife-play: You might as well give it up. Since I've got you caught here…how about a story? I got tons of them. This one time, I was hired by a drug baron to…
Cyborg: Somebody kill me…
Elsewhere in the building
Sureshot opened her eyes slowly, adjusting to the light.
: Welcome my dear.
Sureshot looked around. She was surrounded by armed guards. She had seen the uniform before.
Sureshot: HIVE.
Brother Blood clapped his metal hands.
Blood: (sarcastic) Bravo. What gave it away? The bug-like helmets?
Sureshot: Brother Blood…what's going on? What happened to the Corporation?
Blood: Consider it a merger of sorts. The HIVE needs more then soldiers and meta-human goons. We need highly trained assassins.
Sureshot: Maybe you haven't heard, but I've given up the assassin job.
Blood: I know…but that will change.
His human eye glowed red. Sureshot felt her mind being invaded. She struggled against it.
Blood: You can't resist.
Sureshot: Can't…re…NO! No, I can…have to…
Sureshot was a highly trained assassin, but her mind had been made weak to brainwashing after Raven repaired the damage her initial brainwashing had caused. Sort of like how it becomes easier to hypnotize someone after each session. Sureshot's eyes glowed.
Blood: Now then…who are you?
Hit: I am the assassin for hire, Hit.
Blood: And who am
I?
Hit: My employer…the sole individual to whom I perform jobs
free of charge.
Blood: Very good. Let's get you equipped with a more…lethal array of weaponry.
Hit was released from the table she was strapped to. She was confused as to why she had been strapped down to begin with, but that wasn't important. She followed Brother Blood out of the room.
Titan Tower: Roof
Terra leaned against Beast Boy as they watched the sunset.
Terra: Why are we doing this again?
Beast Boy: I dunno. Seemed like a romantic type idea.
Terra: …I'm bored.
Beast Boy: Me too.
Starfire: HELLO!
Terra and Beast Boy jumped. Starfire smiled as she floated there, her head between the two of them.
Terra: Sweet Georgia Brown, don't do that!
Starfire: I am sorry, am I interrupting something?
Beast Boy: …not really.
Starfire: Glorious! I wish to ask you both a question.
Terra and Beast Boy looked at each other, expressions of doubt and disbelief on their faces.
Terra: You want to ask…
Beast Boy: US? Are you sure?
Starfire nodded enthusiastically.
Starfire: Oh, most sure. I have been asking the others and have received some information, but I wish to know more. It occurred to me that the best way might be through observation.
Beast Boy: …what she say?
Terra: I think she wants to watch something.
Starfire: Yes, exactly!
Beast Boy shrugged.
Beast Boy: Okay, what?
Starfire: I wish to watch you perform the "making out".
They stared at her.
Terra: …I'm sorry, I must not have heard you right.
Beast Boy: …kinky…
Terra elbowed him.
Starfire: (louder) I wish to watch you perform the "making out".
Terra: …yeah, I heard her right the first time.
Terra rubbed her chin in thought.
Terra: Why would you
want to watch us make out?
Starfire: So that I may learn how.
Terra: …er…Beast Boy, wait here, would you?
Beast Boy shrugged and nodded.
Terra: Starfire, come with me.
Starfire followed Terra inside.
Starfire: Where are we going?
Terra: My room. I have…a video you should see. It'll show you what you want to know.
Terra went into her room and Starfire followed. Terra turned on the small TV she had in there and pressed play on the VCR. Their eyes widened at what was on the screen. Terra grabbed the remote and stopped it.
Terra: Heh…too far…
Starfire: …what was all the produce for? Is this why we no longer have the straw buried?
Terra: I was hungry…and it's strawberries. Here we are.
The screen showed Terra backing away from the camera.
Terra: (TV) There. Are you sure about this?
Beast Boy: (TV) Sure. Why not?
Terra joined Beast Boy on the bed.
Starfire: …what are those strange garments you two are wearing?
Terra: Er…nothing…
Starfire tilted her head.
Starfire: It seems close to that, yes.
I won't go into detail about what the movie showed. Terra cut it off.
Starfire: Aw…it was getting interesting.
Terra: Some things are private.
Starfire: Oh…
Terra: Did that answer your question?
Starfire: In a way…but is such a uniform required?
Terra: Uh…no…any sort of clothing is fine…or optional for that matter.
Starfire: …I see…hmm…
Building: Cyborg's Cell
Cyborg was tempted to turn his sonic cannon on himself. Knife-play had been talking to him ever since he woke up…and he was beginning to suspect he had been talking to himself before that.
Knife-play: Naturally, I was slightly upset about the whole thing so I took a knife and gutted him like a trout. Then there was the time…
The door opened and Brother Blood entered. Brother Blood gave Knife-play a look of disdain. His bizarre speaking habits steamed from his bizarre thinking habits. His thoughts were so rapid and jumbled that Brother Blood couldn't control him…and that made him mad. Brother Blood hated what he couldn't control.
Cyborg: Blood! What are you doing here?
Knife-play: And why am I still here? I didn't catch or kill them, so should I just LEAVE? What do you want me around for?
Blood: For this…
His eyes glowed and an axe flew into the room, imbedding itself in Knife-play's face. He keeled over. Hit entered the room.
Hit: …his voice irritated me.
Cyborg: It can't be…
Blood: It can and is, Cyborg.
Hit: Is he my target?
Cyborg: What have you done to her?
Blood's eyes glowed again.
Blood: I've erased her memories of you. That and add a few of me and her new arrangement with the HIVE.
His eyes stopped glowing. He was blocking the words from registering in her mind, so that it appeared that the exchange between Cyborg and him never took place.
Blood: Yes he is.
Hit: …if I may, what is the point? You already have him imprisoned. Can't you kill him yourself?
Blood: Are you questioning my orders?
Hit: Yes, but I'll follow them regardless.
Cyborg: Mel, you can't do this. You gotta fight him.
Hit frowned. How did this boy know her name? Suddenly the field dropped and Blood found a blood stained axe in his metal side. Knife-play's mask had a blood covered gash in it, revealing a scar where the axe had hit. It probably wasn't going to be there for very long.
Knife-play: OW! That really frickin' hurt!
Blood growled and pulled the axe out.
Blood: What does it take to shut you up!
Knife-play blew a raspberry and dodged Hit's assault.
Knife-play: Hey, Tin-man! Little help here? Help me out and I won't kill your girlfriend! …note to self…wash mask. Either that or don't do anything that involves sticking your tongue out while wearing it.
Cyborg fired his sonic cannon at Brother Blood. It hit him and sent him flying out of the room. Cyborg went after him.
Knife-play: Okay, time to snap out of it. You kind of swore not to kill, remember?
Hit swung her sword at him. He blocked with two of his knives.
Hit: Why would I do that?
Knife-play: Let me ask you something…what did you do three hours ago?
Hit: …I don't…
Knife-play: What did you have for dinner last night?
Hit: I can't…
Yes, remember kids. When facing someone whose memory has been altered, ask them LITTLE questions. Not big ones. This also applies to when you're dealing with an imposter. It's easy to get the facts on someone, but knowing what they ate for breakfast that morning is different. Meanwhile, Cyborg and Brother Blood faced off. Blood weaved around Cyborg's blows and attempted to shove his fingers through his chest plate again. To his shock, they didn't go through.
Cyborg: Decided it was high time to improve the armor, you know?
Blood: Feces…
Hit was on the ground, clutching her head.
Hit: Why! Why can't I remember? Where have I been!
Knife-play: Ol' Brother Blood messed with your brain. He does that. That guy out there? He's your boyfriend. You gave up the assassin gig for him. Went all "superhero" on the world.
Hit: …the pain…it isn't coming…I'm supposed to feel pain if I so much as consider quitting…
Knife-play: Well there you go. You see? You've been freed and he tried to drag you back.
Hit's eyes opened wide.
Hit: Free? …I can't go back to that…not again…
Knife-play leaned down and whispered something into her ear. He then drew a knife from his seemingly limitless supply and handed it to her. She nodded and stalked toward the battle outside. Knife-play snuck out himself, leaving the three behind. Hit came up behind Blood and jammed the knife into a spot on his back. It sunk in easier then expected. The knife beeped and released a pulse of energy into his body. He fell over, smoking.
Cyborg: What'd you do!
Hit: I killed him…he was trying to take me back…take me back to that horrible pain. I couldn't let that happen.
Cyborg stared at her. Her eyes had regained the coldness they had lost when the brainwashing had been removed. She lowered her hood and removed the paint on her face with the back of her hand.
Melissa: …I'm told that we know each other…but I can't recall your name. Who are you?
Cyborg: …Cyborg…but you call me Vic.
Melissa: …Vic…that name is familiar…
Cyborg: We need to get you back to the tower. They can repair your mind there.
Melissa: …very well. I trust you.
Titan Tower: Main Room
Shade leaned against the wall as Raven worked on fixing Melissa's mind. He hated it when Raven had to enter other people's minds. It made him nervous. The bond he and she shared was supposed to be special…what if she started bonding with all these other jokers? Raven opened her eyes.
Raven: Melissa?
Melissa: …I killed someone again…
Raven saw this coming. She put her hand on Melissa's shoulder.
Raven: Mel, it wasn't you. Not the real you.
Shade: Killing someone on accident isn't THAT big of a deal.
Raven glowered at Shade.
Shade: Right, not helping. Sorry.
Raven: Go find Cyborg. He's a lot better at comforting people then I am.
Melissa nodded and left the room. Shade snorted and turned back to Raven.
Shade: So now it's okay to just pass them along to someone else?
Raven shrugged and walked over to him. She grabbed his arm and put it around her waist.
Raven: You're just mad that you never thought of it.
Shade: …so?
Raven: …I'm tired. I'm going to bed.
Shade kissed her good night and she left.
Shade: …wait a second…I did TOO think of it be…
Raven: (from the hall) Drop it.
Shade sighed, his shoulders slumping.
Robin's Room
Starfire was at the door way. Something about her posture made Robin very nervous.
Robin: Uh…Starfire? Is something…wrong?
Robin was sure nothing was wrong but he didn't know how else to word it. Starfire walked over and sat down next to him on his bed. She was wearing a pink nightgown and bunny slippers…'cause bunnies are one of the cutest animals on Earth, in her opinion. She had to stop Raven from cutting the heads off them for some reason. Apparently she didn't take becoming a rabbit very well.
Starfire: Robin, I have been doing much research today on a topic that you might find very interesting.
Robin: (still nervous) Uh…yeah?
Starfire: Yes, and I am not certain I have learned much, thus I feel it is appropriate to put my knowledge to the test.
Starfire was giving him a look that was making him sweat. He gulped.
Robin: Uh…how are you going to…MMPH!
Starfire let him have it, kissing him hard on the mouth.
Raven: (spooky echo voice in head) When the time comes, Star, you'll do it instinctively…
Shade: (ditto) If the female starts, it's pretty much guaranteed to take off…
Mayor: PIE DAY!
Lenny: Dental plan!
Marge: Lisa needs braces!
…what? I thought it was a funny reference. Needless to say, her lessons seemed to have paid off. They lay together on the bed, tired from their…activity. …and no, they didn't DO IT. And some people say, I'M perverted.
Robin: Starfire…
Starfire: Yes, beloved?
Robin: …I think you passed.
Starfire smiled.
Starfire: Thank you, Robin. I try.
Underground Lair
Ravager: So…what happened to your face?
Knife-play: Oh you won't believe it. That crazy bitch flung an axe at me.
Knife-play and Ravager where chatting as they waited for Slade to show up. He had yet to change his mess up mask. Knife-play was surprised that this girl was actually holding a conversation with him. Most people just got annoyed as he ranted on and on. Little did he know that she too was mentally disturbed and there was someone on the other line, so to speak..
Thorn: Interesting…he survived an axe to his face? How?
Ravager: How'd you survive that?
Knife-play: You know, I'm not sure. I seem to survive anything. I got in a car crash on the way to the building and was nearly split in half at the mid-section. Sometimes I think I'm immortal…other times I just know I'm immoral.
Ravager giggled. It wasn't particularly funny, but for some reason the way he said it made her laugh.
Slade: Apprentice.
Ravager snapped to attention.
Ravager: Yes, sir.
Slade: Wait in the other room.
Ravager: As you wish.
Ravager was tempted to wave, but felt it wouldn't be professional.
Ravager: Until we met again, I suppose…
Ravager left.
Slade: …is it done?
Knife-play: Hey, would I be here if it wasn't? Blood is now laced with your little doo-dads.
Slade: Excellent. By the time he recovers from the pulse that ravaged his systems, he'll be my puppet.
Knife-play: Yeah, that's grand. About my payment?
Slade: Of course. The money as been transferred.
Knife-play: Groovy. I don't need to tell you what happens if you're lying, so I'll just be off. You got my number, blah, blah, blah…
With that Knife-play turned and left. He passed Ravager on his way out.
Knife-play: See ya some other time, uh…whatever your name was.
Ravager: Ravager…
Knife-play: Ravager. Got it. Bye.
Knife-play left, muttering to himself about nothing in particular.
Thorn: …he's insane.
Ravager: He sounds cute.
Thorn: I wouldn't know. They all sound alike to me. Muffled by their ridiculous masks. And doesn't he ever shut up?
Ravager: Maybe he hears people too.
Thorn: …I doubt it…and if he does, I'm sure they're of his own mind's fabrication.
Ravager: Then what are you?
Thorn: I'm me. That's really all that matters, isn't it?
Ravager shrugged and went back to her room. Thorn began thinking of ways to use this boy. Perhaps with the right methods he could be persuaded to aid her. If nothing else the attempts would further corrupt Rose and make her stronger.
THE END
