The Roles we Play
Repercussions
Thank you to all who have read, reviewed, favorited, or followed my story.
***I still don't own any of the Teen Titans or make money off them. ***
"All that is gold does not glitter. Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien
***TRwP***
It had been four days since the Titans had last seen anything of their missing friend.
Cyborg had barely slept, choosing to change out his batteries instead to keep searching for any clues to his missing friend's whereabouts.
Robin had stayed up for the first thirty hours, until Starfire had dragged him to his room and forced him to rest.
Starfire in the meantime had cried for the first several hours. After she had run out of tears she had followed the others around, helping with anything that she could whether it be searching physically or going through camera feeds with Cyborg.
Raven had given up attempting to locate either Beast Boy or his kidnapper after the first twelve hours and then had resorted to searching nearby towns for any sign of the green teenager.
***TRwP***
"I want to know who the mole is in your department!" Robin growled at the men assembled in front of him.
The Chief of Police from Jump city, the Mayor, and the FBI field commander all sat in the small office, with the Boy Wonder and Starfire glaring down on them.
"I have no idea what you are talking about, and watch your tone of voice with us boy." The FBI leader replied, earning himself the complete attention of the teenager in question.
"Oh really, then how is it one of my teammates was captured under your watch. Normally this would have been a different problem but considering the man slipped by all of your agents, and was fully prepared to capture either myself or Beast Boy it appears as though whoever the hell he is received inside information on our little operation. So besides my team who else was aware of our involvement?"
"The three people in this room along with two of my senior agents, no one else was aware until they actually met your team. If anyone was involved with leaking information I think it would be the inexperienced teen…."
Suddenly the man found himself pushed up against a wall, being held off the ground by his throat, a pair of glowing, rage filled, green eyes staring back at him.
"It would be wise of you to consider your next words carefully. We have spent two days looking for Beast Boy and none of us are in what you would refer to as a 'good mood'." The tameranean threatened fiercely.
The man gulped before hastily nodding in agreement, his eyes widening in fear.
"Starfire that's enough put him down, I am sure he was not blaming the team that he seemed to deliberately put in danger. Otherwise we might have to make a far more thorough investigation into him and his command."
"As you wish Robin." The girl replied, before dropping the man onto the ground, while he gasped for air.
"The number of police officers that would have had any advanced knowledge of this operation is limited to only a few. I have already put them in isolation for now, they completely understand and are more than willing to help in any way possible, including volunteering for questioning and a lie detector test." The Police Chief spoke, trying to divert any more wrath towards the Federal officer.
"I appreciate it, right now though our attention is focused on finding Beast Boy. Have you been able to find any missing vehicles from the area that would allow them to escape the area?" Robin asked, having suggested that the perpetrator would not have risked using a vehicle that he owned should it be spotted.
"Unfortunately no, even with the traffic cameras and the location nothing has shown up as being stolen yet."
Next it had been the mayor's turn to speak, but the cowardly man seemed to have been unable to look the boy in the eyes, much less have an actual conversation with him.
"We will be having this conversation again, once Beast Boy is found. Count on it."
With that the two Titans left, leaving the office in a tense silence.
***TRwP***
'I have to find him. I let him down and now he's gone. That bastard must have left a clue though. Somewhere a camera took a picture of him, someone saw something. All I have to do is keep looking.' The cybernetic teen droned on, as the entire computer system of the tower was focused into sweeping the vast amounts of information.
Cyborg had stopped relying on battery change outs after the first two days, and was now plugged directly into the tower's grid. He knew that after this was over he would need a major overhaul of his systems. His core system would need repaired due to taking in so much energy at a constant rate.
But right now he didn't care in the least. All that was on his mind was finding the small boy who he secretly called his brother when no one else was around.
His best friend in the world, the first to truly accept him and not care what he was or looked like was out there with some psychopath and he would be damned if he just let it happen.
He had already gone through Terabytes of information and still nothing had shown up, but that didn't matter right now. All that mattered was finding his friend, there was nothing else.
Vaguely he had been aware that Jinx had come to the tower the day following the incident. She had heard about what had happened and immediately volunteered to help in any way possible.
Not only was she currently dating the robotic teen but she had also taken a liking to the young changeling after her short lived relationship with Kid Flash. She had found the youngest Titan rather amusing and a welcome change to the overbearing seriousness of Robin, the stoic Raven, and the absurdly emotional Starfire.
It hadn't hurt any that Beast Boy had taken a few of Cyborg's patrol shifts to give the two teenagers some extra alone time either.
"Vic, have you found anything?" The pink haired girl asked gently, not wanting to disturb his almost trance like work.
"Not yet, but I will. I am going to find that monster and bring BB back."
"I know you will could you take a break though?"
"No time, must find Beast Boy."
"Vic… he wouldn't want you killing yourself over this. You are strapped to so many wires that it almost looks like you are in a hospital."
"More efficient this way, must find…"
Suddenly the pink eyes appeared in front of him, eyes almost brimming with tears.
"I want to find him too, but pushing yourself to the point of losing who you are is not helping. You need to get some rest Vic. No matter what anyone thinks or says you are a human being and you can't just keep going like this."
Her plea seemed to knock something loose though and Cyborg shook out of his obsession.
"Yeah you're right sorry Jinx. Let me just put this thing on auto and unplug from this mess."
The girl nodded, happy to have her boyfriend back to acting somewhat normal.
***TRwP***
Raven had taken to physically searching nearby towns once Cyborg had begun utilizing all of the computing resources himself. Although she generally despised going into heavily populated areas, with all the emotions running amok in them, it was the only thing she could think of at the time to actually be of use.
Her emotions had been running far too wild for any sort of scrying spells and her empathy had turned up nothing even with enhanced range.
Speaking of emotions…
"We shouldn't have left him! What if we never see him again? What if the others hate us for it? What if Starfire's future happens because Beast Boy is gone? What if…" Timid rambled on, becoming more and more depressed with each question.
"We will find him eventually. Logically one cannot hide from the law and all observational technology forever, and even if Beast Boy is not spotted his kidnapped will be brought to justice." Knowledge called out, trying to ease the rest of the emoticlones.
"As long as we are the ones 'bringing him to justice' then I don't care. I am going to give that freak a piece of my mind and my fists!" the emerald cloaked clone replied, cracking her knuckles in emphasis.
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT JUSTICE I WANT REVENGE! NO ONE HURTS ONE OF OUR FAMILY AND GET'S AWAY WITH IT. I WILL RIP HIM TO FREAKING PIECES!" Rage shouted.
"ENOUGH ALL OF YOU! My Goddess you are giving me a headache which is, yet again, counterproductive." The real Raven interrupted, trying to focus on the task at hand was hard enough without multiple conversations going on in your head.
"Hey who is that?" One of the clones called out, though Raven hadn't had time to identify which.
Glancing up Raven noticed a small diner, but what truly startled her was that sitting in one of the booths was a blonde haired boy who looked just like Beast Boy did when he had worn his Holoring.
Upon entering the building the empath immediately walked to same table and sat across from the young man.
The teenager across from her glanced up, a curious look in his eyes, "Can I help you?".
The accent threw her off. Beast Boy did not have a French accent.
"What are you doing here?"
"Uh… I'm eating some pie, what are you doing here?" The boy replied, in a confused tone.
"Looking for you of course! Where have you been?"
"I think you might be confused lady, I have never seen you before."
"Of course you have, and drop the stupid accent Beast Boy!"
"Acting like what? And my name is not Beast Boy, its Luke."
Suddenly the girl stopped herself, was she just imagining this boy as her lost teammate? After all he did look slightly different, along with the accent, and the fact that she could actually sense confusion in him. Plus the personality was completely off. This boy was calm and composed, if slightly frustrated, while the actual Beast Boy was hyperactive and annoying.
"Um my mistake, I have been under a lot of stress lately sorry about the confusion sir."
"Quite alright, anything you want to talk about, since we are already talking?"
Again the empath was startled, she had spent days traveling and searching the nearby towns and hadn't stumbled upon so much as one lead, along with the fact that she also hadn't eaten in close to thirty six hours.
"Actually that sounds nice thank you. My friends and I have been looking for someone for a few days and you resemble him."
"Ah that explains the exhausted look you have." The boy proceeded to wave down a nearby waitress and practically demanded the grey skinned teen to order some food, insisting on paying for it as well.
"So what brings you here Luke?"
"Just passing through when I saw this diner, it reminded me of one I visited a few years ago and it has been nice to reminisce."
"If you don't mind me asking where are you headed?"
"Nowhere in particular, after all 'to wander is to be alive'."
"It must be nice, being able to just go where you want, no responsibilities, no worries, nothing to hold you back."
"It is you should try just letting go sometime. You look far too tense for your own good."
"Unfortunately I do not have that luxury, letting go for me is… dangerous."
"Are you trying to convince me, or yourself?"
"Your eyes hide great wisdom Luke. Where did you ever learn to become like this?"
"I was forced to grow up very early on in life and so I never had much time to be a child."
"Is that why you are eating pie for lunch?"
"No, I just really enjoy pie."
The two laughed, as if they had been friends forever rather than just meeting.
After devouring her food the two teens left the restaurant and wandered around the town for a few hours before darkness began settling in and Luke began heading back to his hotel room.
"Do you need a place to stay tonight?"
The girl briefly considered accepting his offer, it was getting dark and she was still tired from the days of searching.
There was also the option of spending some more time with her new friend, perhaps even…
"Thank you for the offer but I must decline I'm afraid, my friends will be worried about me and I haven't been in contact with them yet today. I would call but our communication lines are being used to help search."
"Ah I see, well in case we do not meet again I wish you the best in life Raven. If I somehow encounter your lost companion I will be sure to inform him of your quest."
Suddenly the empath's mind snapped back to reality, she had lost an entire day of searching just because she had chosen to spend time with this boy. Guilt washed over her, how could she call herself Beast Boy's friend, or even teammate, if she had completely forgotten about him so easily?
"I appreciate it thank you Luke, until we meet again."
With that the girl disappeared in a flash of black energy.
***TRwP***
A day later the Titans had assembled, as per Robin's request, in the command room to go over their progress and plan the next move.
"Alright Titans does anyone have anything substantial to report?"
"Nothing Robin, so far not a single camera connected to any network has caught sight of Beast Boy or any clues to his whereabouts."
"Jinx and I have also been unsuccessful in finding any clues with the local enforcers of law."
"Still nothing no reading with empathy, also I haven't been able to find anyone who has noticed anything more suspicious than local gang activity in the nearby towns."
"Maybe that's a clue by itself then?" Robin mused, earning strange looks from the other heroes. "Well if Cyborg says there is no digital footprint and no one seems to have physically seen them we can eliminate certain areas and scenarios. We can probably say that they are no longer in Jump City since it would just be too dangerous, also that they aren't in any heavily populated areas since it would risk too many witnesses. Doubtful that it would be warehouses or factories due to security systems, at least anything new and recently used…"
Suddenly an alarm went off, though not the one the Titans had grown accustomed to.
"Cyborg?" the Boy Wonder called out, as the mechanical teen tapped some nearby controls on a console.
"Someone's in the tower, they just used the main door on ground level, appears to only be one intruder."
"How did they get in? What about the security systems?"
"They didn't trigger most of them, it only showed up since we simplified everything for the search and now all entries are shown as intruders for security reasons."
"Where are they now?"
"Main elevator, they will reach us in two minutes unless we act."
"Let them come to us then, Titans prepare defensive positions!"
As the heroes got into various positions the doors slid open a moment later, to reveal Beast Boy, wearing dirt worn out clothing.
Before Robin could even give the order to stand down Cyborg had rushed forward and enveloped the small boy in a fierce hug.
"BEAST BOY YOU'RE BACK!" He shouted happily, immediately resolving the tension in the room.
"OH MOST JOYFUL I SHALL PREPARE 'THE PUDDING OF A WELCOMED FRIENDS RETURN'!"
'There is no way that is a thing…' Jinx thought as she also walked forward to greet the small boy.
"Uh hey guys, what's goin on?"
"What do you mean 'what's goin on' we have been looking for you. What happened, where were you, why didn't you call, how did you get back, what took you so long…." Raven began ranting, while the changeling tried to keep up.
"Whoa whoa one thing at a time. Uh I was kidnapped, no idea, I tried, I walked most of it, and because walking takes a long time."
"What do you mean you walked? Why didn't you just shapeshift and fly back?" Robin questioned.
The green teen merely pointed to the painful looking collar device strapped to his neck. "It shocks me anytime I try to change."
Cyborg immediately ripped the offending device from his friend's neck with a swift motion, before putting the remains into a sealed container for later analysis.
"Well that's one question thoroughly answered, before we go over anything else in detail though we are going to have to schedule a meeting with the FBI lead, police chief, and Mayor. Since this involved a civilian case they are going to want to be informed and I would rather Beast Boy only have to talk about it once."
"Yeah I know whenever you want Rob. Can I at least change my clothes and take a shower first?"
"Yeah we won't be doing it today Beast Boy, I would like to plan for tomorrow since it will be fresh in your mind though if you are able. Just relax for now."
The changeling nodded before heading off to get changed, promising to be back shortly.
***TRwP***
"We will try and make this as fast as possible Beast Boy." The lead FBI agent explained.
The teenage hero sat at a table with the other Titans, while several FBI agents sat opposite. Behind the agents was a large wall length mirror, behind which were the Mayor, Police Chief, and several more lead FBI agents.
"Let's start from the beginning of this incident, what do you remember from the night of the operation?"
"Well everything was pretty dull up until when the explosion occurred, and then the others went to investigate while I stayed behind just in case it had been a distraction and the killer was still in the area."
The others winced slightly at this, knowing that they had been so easily manipulated away from their friend.
"Then after a while I felt a sharp jolt and passed out. I woke up chained to the ceiling in that really boring room that you probably saw on the internet. By the way what is it with blank white rooms anyway? I mean the killer had one, you guys had one, is there like a rule that all super serious adults have to use at least one completely boring empty room?"
"This is just a conference room Beast Boy, nothing to be nervous about."
"Weird, then why do you have an observation room attached to it?" The boy responded pointing to the mirror located behind the agent, who just tried to ignore it.
"Moving along, how did you manage to escape from those chains?"
"Sorry I can't tell you."
The man blinked in confusion, before narrowing his eyes slightly.
"What do you mean you can't tell us?"
This time it was Cyborg's turn to narrow his eyes, if they were accusing his friend of something then there were going to be problems.
"It's a secret, you know hero stuff."
"Young man this isn't the time for…"
"If BB says it's a hero secret then leave it alone, we didn't come here for you to bully him." the cybernetic teen responded, earning the attention of the agents.
"Perhaps it would be better if you and your team waited outside or in the observation room, to make this process a bit easier on everyone."
Robin gritted his teeth a bit before nodding reluctantly, motioning for the others to follow.
They did so, but not before sending either a glare of warning towards the agents or a comforting smile to their friend.
"Now then we know what happened after you reached the door to escape, but why didn't you just leave then?"
"Because of what he said, the guy was a killer and I wouldn't be much of a hero if I just let him go without even trying to stop him."
"Well your hero status is being called into question but we will get to that later."
Despite the Agent's attempt at shocking, or even angering, the boy he just shrugged before continuing his story.
"Either way I went back inside and walked towards the jerk. After disabling the computer…"
"Yes why did you do that again?"
"I figured it probably helped him control my collar, along with the fact I was going to beat the guy up and children could be watching the video. What kind of hero would I be if I knowingly let them see such violence?"
***TRwP***
Jinx snickered behind the one way mirror. Beast Boy was, if nothing else, entertaining.
Meanwhile her boyfriend was attempting to resist the urge to break the glass and strangle the man who was practically interrogating his younger brother at this point. Glancing over he noticed that Starfire was having the same reaction.
Robin, however, was noticing something that raised different questions in his mind. Beast Boy seemed to be joking around but he was getting more information out of the FBI than they were of him. This was certainly not a skill that Robin had ever taught him which raised the question, 'was beast boy as dumb as he looked and acted?'
***TRwP***
"And after that?" one of the, so far silent, agents gritted out, apparently becoming more and more irritated by the teenager's answers.
"Alright so there I was, face to face with the psychopath who had claimed so many victims. We stared into each other's eyes, each measuring up the other with a ferocity unmatched even by the greatest of warriors. I knew that even the slightest mistake would end this titanic battle of strength and will. So crouching down I tensed my muscles…"
At this point even the observers were leaning forward, anticipation filled the room.
"Then he pushed a button and I blanked out from electrical shocks again."
The FBI stared at the boy, who smiled back.
Jinx tried to contain her giggling at the young man's antics, even Cyborg was finding it humorous considering the situation.
Robin developed an eye twitch.
"And then…." A different agent asked, trying to finish this day and go home… and drink heavily.
"I woke up. Weird thing was I was outside in the middle of a forest. So I started wandering around for a day or so until I found a road and followed it to a nearby town. At that point I tried to call the Tower but for some reason it wouldn't go through."
***TRwP***
Robin glanced over at Cyborg, who was busy smashing his head against a wall.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid… of course he couldn't reach us we were using all outgoing and incoming lines to speed up the connection for the search."
***TRwP***
"What about your communicator you Titans carry at all times?"
"I was told not to have it on me so that there was less that would give me away as a Titan. I think you guys were the ones who told me to do that."
***TRwP***
Robin glared at the agents in the observation room, who had the decency to look embarrassed.
"I am starting to wonder how the FBI came this close to actually catching the killer with all the wisdom they have shown so far." The empath spoke out, her voice laced with sarcasm.
***TRwP***
"I assume that the tracking device you had was short circuited when you were shocked?"
"Uh sure? I don't really know what that means but it doesn't turn on anymore so I guess that's why."
Again the boy just gave a cheerful grin, further angering the agents who were trying to take the situation seriously even if he was not.
"Is there anything you can tell us that might help catch this man?"
"Um not really but I was never really much of the investigator. I'm sure Rob probably would have better advice than I would right now."
"Listen you little brat we know you are holding out information on us and if you think you can just take over this operation because your friends are so called 'heroes' then…"
He was interrupted from his rant when the door slammed open and Robin walked in.
"Beast Boy we are leaving."
"Okay Rob"
"Now wait just a minute our conversation is not…."
"Your interrogation is very much done. Beast Boy has done nothing wrong and you have no evidence saying otherwise. You will not attempt to contact any member of my team again unless you speak with me first." The Boy Wonder replied, his voice cold as ice as he motioned for the other to leave.
"Good luck catching the bad guy, I had a lot of fun hanging out with you guys." Beast Boy shouted, while Cyborg practically dragged him down the hall.
***TRwP***
Back at the Tower the Titans had enjoyed eating dinner together before Robin reminded everyone that the scheduled nightly patrols would be starting up again.
It was Cyborg's turn, which lead Starfire, Robin, and Raven to leave, acting as though they intended to go to bed early and rest.
Beast Boy knew otherwise and let out a silent sigh in annoyance.
Meanwhile Cyborg just sent Jinx, who would be at the tower for a few days, an apologetic smile before checking over his systems.
"Hey Cy I can take patrol tonight."
"No way man, get some rest you've earned it after everything that has happened."
"It's cool dude I have been feeling a bit pent up not being able to stretch my wings in so long. Plus I got enough sleep last night to last me a week." The changeling replied before walking closer and whispering just softly enough that Jinx couldn't hear. "Plus I am sure that a certain pink haired girl would like some 'quality alone time' with her boyfriend." He finished, his innuendo being far from subtle.
Cyborg just blushed at the accusation before rubbing the back of his head nervously.
"Alright BB but I'll make it up to you one of these days."
"Yeah, yeah I'll just put it on your tab." The boy replied with a grin, seeing the young girl brighten instantly when told the news and receiving a kiss on the cheek for his efforts.
After the two left Beast Boy dropped the thousand watt smile he had been forcing for the evening.
He truly did love seeing his friends happy. It would just be nice if he could have some of the happiness that came with a relationship as well.
Letting out a sigh the green skinned boy resigned himself to another boring nightly patrol, letting out a chuckle at the wasted hours that the FBI would be putting into trying to find a man who was no longer among the living.
***TRwP***
At an undisclosed location, though not far from Jump City a meeting was taking place between two shadowed individuals.
"Name your price, I want those little brat's heads on a platter." The first man seethed out, obviously enraged.
"I am glad you see things my way. I warned you that the Titans were not to be trifled with, they are a danger to the system you have spent so long building. They ignore the rules of power that have been established in this world." The opposite man replied in a calm voice.
"If they think they can just kill my son and get away with acting above the natural order they have another thing coming. Whatever it takes I will pay it."
"Very well, I have just the associate in mind, efficient, brutal, and quite messy in his delivery."
"Perfect." The business suit wearing gave a sickening grin at the image of the Titans, bloody and defeated on the ground.
***A/N***
Credit to Luke's quote goes to Roman Payne.
Again Beast Boy is more than he seems. For reference I sort of made Beast Boy based on Tony Dinozzo's from NCIS while being interrogated.
I haven't decided whether I will post the actual 'fight' scene from Beast Boy vs the killer or not. Doing so will probably up the rating so I am a bit hesitant. But if I get enough requests I might do it as a flashback later.
As always I hope everyone enjoyed reading as much as I did writing.
