DARKNESS RETURNS
Chapter 8
RE: WHAT DO I DO?
From: KTendo .jp
To: Ironchef
Victor,
So you defeated a giant robot in an online game, he took it poorly, demanded a real fight, kidnapped your friends and then defeated you, refusing to release Nabiki and the others and you don't know what to do.
What you will do is go back, defeat this Atlas and rescue your friends. This arrogant machine may be the better robot, but I know you are the better warrior and the better man. I have heard stories of how Ranma has defeated foes stronger than himself and I know you have the same fighting spirit.
When you have time, please write to me of your victory. I am sure it will be very interesting.
-Kasumi
-DR-
The gentle hum of electronics filled the dimly lit room as the large figure snapped a cable into a receiving port in its chest. Cyborg looked up as there was a knock at his door. "Come in." Ranma stuck her head in.
"Hey Victor, I wanted to see how you were. Nabs thought you were a little down which was strange after a victory, you know?"
"Hey Ranma. Not depressed, just puzzled. I'm not sure how I beat Atlas. How did I exceed my design capacity? It shouldn't be possible, no matter how much I wanted or needed it." The redhead shrugged.
"How do normal humans do it, Victor? I've seen house wives summon fighting auras and you have a very strong spirit. I think you channeled your Ki."
"But that's for living people, how did that affect my robot side?"
"I know at least half a dozen martial artists who channel their Ki through stuff. You're just number seven. It's not really my thing, but I know some exercises and meditations that would help. Come on, I mean Tatewaki Kuno can use a wooden stick to cut trees and walls and you're twice the man he is." The older teen looked thoughtful.
"Thanks Red, just having an explanation, even if I don't entirely get it, helps a lot, Besides, I've seen what you can do."
"No charge," the pigtailed girl replied, using her best Nabiki imitation.
-DR-
It was late afternoon when the four Titans spilled out of the computer lab in the time honored tradition of students finishing a long school day. As usual, Robin was the last one out and the only one in uniform, but all four, even Garfield, acknowledged this was a much better way to take classes. Ranma was still a little bewildered. He had never remotely enjoyed academics before joining the Titans, but the tailored, computer-presented curriculum was drawing him in bit by bit. As interesting as the programs were, he was still glad to finish.
"Hey, what do you guys say to a run down to the Pizza Emporium for dinner?" the pigtailed boy suggested as Cyborg and Starfire met them in the hallway. Nabiki nodded happily, but the other four looked at each other slyly.
"Robin, no I mean Richard, you said today you were going to teach me the rolling of the skates?" Starfire 'reminded' the Titan team leader who smacked a fist into his palm.
"That's right!" he exclaimed. "A promise is a promise, why don't you guys go without us?"
"Well, I really need to pull some maintenance on the T-car and check to see if Kasumi has written me," Cyborg informed them. "Can't have our primary land transport down, so I'll just get something quick from the fridge. Maybe you could bring me back a large?"
"Huh, okay, looks like its just the three of us," Garfield crowed happily, "I know you two don't mind-" The green Titan went silent as Robin, Starfire and Cyborg glared at him. Ranma looked at them in bewilderment and with a little hurt, while Nabiki's neutral expression was a work of art. "Oh. Oh yeah! I mean I have to help, I mean I need to clean roller, um, um, I'm not hungry! Yeah, that's it. Why don't you two have a nice date? I mean dinner date! I mean dinner!" Nabiki started laughing.
"You guys are too much. Come on handsome, we're going on a little date."
"We are?" Ranma asked cluelessly, before smiling. "Um okay, Nabs. Should I stay a boy?" The four Titans out of Nabiki's line of sight were nodding vigorously. Garfield was doing a strange little pantomime that nearly cracked the pigtailed boy up.
Without turning around, Nabiki told her teammates, "You can stop trying to coach him. Go as a boy Ranma, you could use the break." Turning to face her still gesticulating teammates, Nabiki's expression would have made Superman take a step backward.
"Um, we were only t- trying…" Garfield stuttered, the only one brave and foolish enough to say anything. The grin spreading on the middle Tendo's face was like the sun rising over a storm wracked sea.
"You guys are too easy. Thank you," she whispered. There was the dull thud of an explosion below them. In unison the Titans yelled, "Shampoo!"
-DR-
As Typhoon arrived, he could hear Cyborg and Starfire yelling at the purple-haired Amazon, who stood there with an innocent expression and a large carryout case. Behind her the smashed door bore silent testament to Shampoo's skill. The pigtailed Titan shook his head as he spotted the Amazon's bicycle leaning against a rock.
"I am sick and tired of you smashing in the door, Shampoo! Are you that impatient or that stupid?!" Cyborg bellowed, not impressing the Chinese girl.
"Shampoo knock, it no Shampoo fault you no answers," she chirped.
"I have been on your planet only a little more then one solar revolution and even I know how to use a bell for the door," Starfire said firmly. The Amazon was not listening.
"Airen! Shampoo bring too too good Ramen! We go on date soon?" the perky girl asked, trying to bounce past Starfire and Cyborg.
"Don't try to pull the cute act!" Cyborg ordered. "Are you really that stupid-"
"No she's not, Cyborg," Raven told him evenly as the pale girl phased through the ceiling. "She plays at the perky bimbo, but Shampoo is actually fairly smart. She knows perfectly well about doors and doorbells, but it's a tactic to weaken and irritate her foes. It won't work Shampoo. I've been billing Cologne for all of your damages. We'll see how long she let's you get away with this." The purple haired-girl looked away.
"Shampoo no understand what you mean."
"Shampoo, I know you did this at the Tendos to try and get me kicked out, but if you don't stop destroying the door to MY home, no dates. None. Do you understand that?" Shampoo looked bitter, but nodded.
"Shampoo understand." The tense scene was interrupted by beeps from four communicators. Robin's urgent voice erupted from the devices.
"There's a major alert at the downtown Blockbuster Video. Let's move out Titans!"
"Wait, Shampoo help!" the purple-haired girl called. Cyborg ignored her as he raced down to the garage. Starfire grimaced as she flew through the destroyed door.
"Typhoon, get down to the T-Car, I'll handle this," Raven ordered. Nodding, the pigtailed boy raced after Cyborg. "Look Shampoo, you're not trained for this, you'd only get in the way."
"Demon Girl just scared that Shampoo be better," she mocked arrogantly. Raven closed her eyes for a second.
"I don't have time for this. Listen Shampoo, the people we fight are not like the martial artists in Nerima and your curse is a major weakness. One splash and you're a kitten, a perfect hostage or victim. Imagine if Ranma had decided to end his Amazon troubles the easy way." A crack of thunder reinforced the indigo-haired girl's words. "Go home Shampoo."
-DR-
The fat boy looked to be in his late teens and was dressed in a conglomeration of styles from various science fiction films, including Star Wars, Blade Runner and Dune. It did not suit him. His long, greasy hair was already showing signs of a receding hairline. He was ranting at the terrified clerk while stroking what appeared to be a TV remote. "Okay, either you admit that the Star Trek movies, which reunited the original cast from the classic TV show, deserve to be on your favorite rentals list, or…" With a press of a button, the large screen television animated with a demonic face on the screen and menacing cables.
"Please, I don't decide what's on the list, our customers do. I don't even like Star Trek!" the ponytailed girl protested, crawling backwards.
"And that my little tribble, is why you must be destroyed," the boy gloated, activating his remote and sending the transformed television into attack mode. The clerk screamed, jumping behind the counter as a blue energy beam smashed the possessed electronics. The boy winced and then smirked as he looked towards the front of the store. Showing commendable agility for one of his girth, the fat boy nimbly jumped from display shelving to display shelving. "Well, well, if it isn't my old nemesis... isis, the Teen Titans."
"Um, yeah," Beast Boy drawled before whispering to Cyborg, "Who is this guy?"
Evidently overhearing the question, the boy turned his remote on the bank of screens behind him. The boy's image appeared on all the screens as they chanted in unison.
"I am the master of monsters. I am your darkest nightmares come to life ("He doesn't smell much like Akane's cooking," Typhoon muttered sotto voce.). I am Control Freak!" The images began clapping.
"An otaku?" Typhoon asked Raven.
"An otaku with a supped up remote," responded the pale girl. "I'm petrified."
"Wait, you guys are Japanese?" Control Freak squeaked excitedly. Typhoon and Raven nodded. "That is so cool! Anyway, not terrified? You will be, you will be." With a flick of his remote, the large super villain cause the return box next to Raven to begin growing and morphing, becoming more monstrous.
"Whoa, not bad," the cloaked girl muttered, backing up. Cyborg jumped past her, knocking the animated box over.
"Don't worry, Raven, I can drop the drop box!"
"Titans, get his remote!" Robin ordered as the Starfire and Beast Boy charged. Control Freak backed up, grinning nastily.
"The shows not over, Titans. And if you thought part one was-" A small, black gloved hand chopped the fat boy's wrist, knocking the remote out of his hand. "Wha-"
"You talk too much," the short girl behind him commented, scooping up the remote with a grin. "You got anything else, Otaku Boy?"
"Wa-, wait, wait a minute, weren't you a guy?" Control Freak protested. Typhoon shrugged, shaking the water out of her hair. "My remote!" he shrieked. "I can't live without it!
"I guess that's a no," the redhead remarked, grabbing the fat boy's wrist and twisting his arm into a submission hold. Going to his knees, Control Freak continued shouting.
"This isn't over, do you hear me, this isn't over!" he bellowed,
"I don't know," Raven smirked. "It looks pretty over to me."
"Are you a guy or a girl? I have to know which my nemesis is," Control Freak ranted. "And who are you, I don't remember seeing you in the Titans before."
"The dainty girl who took you out with one punch is Typhoon," Raven told him. Typhoon struck a pose.
"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful," the redhead told the blustering villain, surreptitiously pressing a button on her belt that released a jet of warm water on her now his neck. "Or handsome." The fat boy lost it.
"What kind of power is that?" he demanded. "I'll be back, and when I am you'll be sorry!" Control Freak shouted as he was led out. As the large boy passed Raven, he whispered, "Is she seeing anyone?" The pale girl groaned.
"Great job Typhoon," Robin said smiling. "I knew the team could use a speedster. Well that was easier than I thought it would be. We should head back and see if Shampoo has caused any more damage."
"Yeah, I have to repair the main door. Again!" Cyborg complained. "Stupid purple ditz."
In the meantime, Beast Boy had been perusing the store. His eyes widened with glee as he studied the standee. His squeal caught everyone's attention. "Dudes! Wicked Scary is out on DVD. Cool!" Grabbing a box, the green Titan brought it up to the counter. "Check it out, movie night!" Beast Boy began patting himself down. "I know I have my rental card somewhere…"
"Here, take it with store's compliments," the ponytailed clerk told him, her eyes glistening with admiration. Beast Boy smoothed his hair back and grinned, before he realized the clerk was looking past him, at Typhoon. "Is he seeing anyone?" she whispered.
Beast Boy's pout was a work of art.
-DR-
Robin put the captured remote on the pedestal and looked around the softly lit trophy room. His eyes were drawn to the small annex Cyborg had recently built. Unlike the main room, the annex was filled with kind memories. A handbill for a small circus was displayed above a most valuable player trophy. A Medal of Freedom engraved with Logan shone in the mellow lighting next to a humble teaching certificate hand inked in Japanese. Three photos of slightly different girls all with a pageboy haircut clustered around a worn photo of a man and two women, one of them a vibrant redhead in a skin tunic holding a boy of kindergarten age. Dick Grayson smiled as he traced the frame of a photo showing two adolescents, a dark haired boy and a red-haired girl, mugging for the camera.
"Robin, emergency! Get up here now!" Beast Boy's order startled the Boy Wonder out of his reverie. Sprinting for the elevator, the Titan leader quickly made his way up to the Top Room.
"Report. What's the problem?"
"The problem is it's show time, and you're not in your seat," Beast Boy chided the spiky-haired boy. Robin's irritation was obvious.
"Gar…" Ranma said, covering his eyes.
"Garfield, have you ever heard of the Boy Who Cried Wolf? Anyway, I believe you're up to owing me your next seven movies?" Nabiki slyly asked from next to Ranma. The two were almost cuddling. Beast Boy proved that he was adept as any girl with a puppy dog eyes attack.
"Come on Nabiki, this is the best movie ever and it just came out," the green Titan pleaded. The middle Tendo smirked.
"All right, but it will cost you an extra movie for eight total and no exceptions, okay?" Beast Boy nodded happily.
"I warned you," Ranma said pleasantly.
"All right, thanks Nabiki!" Beast Boy grinned, the grin becoming evil. "Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for the scariest night of your lives. This movie is going to freak. You. Out," the youngest Titan intoned enthusiastically, finishing next to a blasé Ranma.
"You've never been thrown into a pit of starving cats, have you?" the pigtailed boy asked conversationally. Beast Boy's chagrin was plain.
"Whatever," Robin shrugged. "It can't be any creepier than the documentary on hotdogs that Starfire made us watch."
"It was fascinating," the alien girl enthused. "I had no idea that Earth people ate so many pigs. And insects!"
"You really need to get out more Star," Nabiki observed.
"Yeah, yeah, bugs in hotdogs, big deal," Beast Boy dismissed scornfully. "This movie is supposed to be cursed. When people watch it, strange things happen. Evil things."
"So we're watching this because we don't get enough evil in our lives?" Nabiki complained.
"Just start the movie, Gar," Ranma ordered, bored. At least as irritated as Robin had been by the false emergency call, the green Titan clicked the remote over his shoulder and sat down. The teens settled down in anticipation of a terrifying time.
The movie did not disappoint.
-DR-
As the last horrified scream's echoes faded, the end credits began rolling. Beast Boy peeked out from behind the sofa. "Is it over?" Starfire clutched Robin's cape, her eyes clenched shut.
"I dare not open my eyes to find out!"
"That was scarier than a market crash," whimpered Nabiki.
"Wow, I mean, wow," Cyborg muttered dazedly.
"I've fought psychotic villains, robot commandos and giant oozing monsters, but that is scariest thing I've ever seen," Robin said. Ranma leaned back with a slightly bored expression. The other five Titans exchanged horrified looks before breaking out in raucous laughter.
"Did I tell you, or did I tell?" Beast Boy proudly proclaimed.
"Thrilling, Beast Boy! It was wonderfully horrible," Starfire rhapsodized. Nabiki chuckled weakly.
"You know Ranma and I have encountered actual ghosts in real life than were less frightening than that movie." The pale girl commented. "I think we need to see how Japanese horror movies stack up. Have you guys ever heard of Ringu?" As the other Titans shook their heads, the middle Tendo's smile became wolfish.
"So, come on Ranma admit it, even you were totally scared," Beast Boy asserted. The pigtailed boy grinned confidently.
"Ranma Saotome ain't afraid of nothing," he proudly proclaimed. In the dim light, only Robin noticed the shimmer of red go through the pigtailed boy's hair. Still talking about the movie, the Titans headed off to bed.
-DR-
The early summer thunderstorm continued to rage outside the quiet confines of Titan Tower and Nabiki Tendo was having a hard time getting to sleep. The old Raven probably would have slept through Wicked Scary, but Nabiki was blessed or cursed with a vivid imagination. Sitting up, she looked about her room. "Maybe I should redecorate," she murmured. "Times like this I wish Ranma and I were still sharing a room." The pale girl sighed and then jumped as a horrific yowl echoed through the building.
Raven was the last one to reach the Top Room. "What the heck was that?" she demanded.
"It sounded like a cat, like someone torturing a cat," Robin mused. Typhoon shuddered. "Could it have been something from the movie? Did we leave the TV on?"
"I do not remember anything like that from the movie and the television is not operating," Starfire said shakily. Abruptly, the lights and other electronics went out.
"Now that's creepy," Cyborg said, activating a small but powerful flashlight in his shoulder. He panned it across the room.
"The storm," Robin said "Probably just tripped a circuit breaker." A low hiss filled the room. Four of the five Titans facing Robin looked past him, alarm on their faces. Typhoon looked terrified. The Boy Wonder slowly turned, looking into the darkened service passage. A pair of red eyes looked back at him and the Titan leader felt a trickle of helpless fear run down his spine. A black house cat the size of a Labrador slowly oozed out of the shadows. All six Titans took a step backwards. The enormous cat slunk to the main door, looking over its shoulder before it disappeared.
"Wha- wha- what the heck was that?" Cyborg stuttered.
"Maybe it was the movie?" Beast Boy offered. "You know, it summoned a monster or something?"
"There was nothing like that in the movie," Robin answered firmly. "It was just a big cat." The Titan leader peered in the doorway. "I don't know why it was so frightening."
"Cat! Perhaps it is the Purple One playing a trick?" Starfire asked hopefully. Robin shook his head.
"I know Shampoo turns into a cat, but I don't see how that could have been her."
Raven glided over to Typhoon who was frozen. Putting an arm around the redhead's shoulders, she muttered. "It's okay Ranma, don't be scared." This seemed to snap the shorter girl out of her trance.
"I ain't scared of nothing, Rae," Typhoon growled. Robin looked at her.
"When did you get wet, Ty?"
The pigtailed heroine shook her head. "I- I don't remember."
"So if that was not Shampoo-cat, then what was it?" Starfire asked.
"It probably WAS the movie," Beast Boy declared. "It's just doing something different to freak us out!"
"Or," Cyborg began calmly.
"Control Freak escaped and broke in to get his remote back and take his revenge on Typhoon. She is afraid of cats."
"Hey, I told you, I ain't afraid of nothing," Typhoon protested.
"But how would Control Freak know about the Cat Fist? And really, Typhoon and I have been working on it. The fear is a lot better," Raven said.
"I don't know," Robin said slowly, then stopped. "What is that smell?" Typhoon trembled.
"Whoa, dude, it's nasty," Beast Boy declared. He looked around. "Do you hear that?" Somewhere in the building a high pitched voice was crying while a faint cacophony of hisses and yowls hovered on the edge of perception.
"Okay, first let's check out the trophy room, see if Control Freak's been by, then we'll search the rest of the building," Robin decided. The other Titans nodded and the group moved out. As they walked down the dark corridors the smell and sound grew more distinct.
"I swear I know this smell," Beast Boy said in frustration. "I-" He was interrupted by a low hiss. The large black cat sat in front them, its tail slowly lashing. It sprang at Beast Boy, who fell to the floor, which opened up into a roughly circular pit. Screaming, the green boy fell downwards. From the hole the hissing and yowling blasted forth and a young voice called for help. As the cat landed on the other side of the hole, it faded from view and the hole closed as if it had never been.
"Gar!" Typhoon screamed. She jumped to where the Titan had disappeared, beating her fists on the floor. As she looked up at her teammates, they were shocked to see the tears streaming down the redhead's cheeks. "He's gone." Robin slammed a fist into his hand.
"I think I know what's going on. Let's get to the trophy room."
"What do you expect to find there?" Starfire asked fearfully.
"If I'm right, nothing," The Titan leader replied. Raven helped a desolate Typhoon along, murmuring reassurances as the team made their way to the Evidence/Trophy room. Opening the door, Cyborg played his light across the room.
"Well, does this qualify as nothing?" the big man asked.
"Give me some light in the corner," Robin ordered. "Just as I thought, Control Freak's remote, right where I left it. I don't think this is Shampoo's or Control Freak's doing."
"Then what is happening?" Starfire asked. The reek intensified and shadowy creatures began pacing around them. The Titans huddled together as Cyborg tried to catch a figure in the beam of his light. A demonic cat stared at them for a second before bounding out of the light.
"I think I know what's happening," Robin began. "This is Typhoon's breakthrough."
"What?" The three Titans yelled, while Typhoon just stared at him with huge eyes.
"We don't have any time. Raven, you have to help Typhoon to complete the mastery of her powers. That's the only way we can end this," Robin said urgently. The nauseating stench of cat urine, blood, rancid fish and fear was getting stronger.
"I can be of assistance," Starfire assured them. "I have meditated with Nabiki and Ranma many times." At Robin's nod, the three girls folded themselves into the lotus position and began chanting. Almost immediately Raven began glowing as did Typhoon. The small gem in the pale girl's forehead shot a black ray, striking the redhead in the reciprocal area.
As Cyborg and Robin tried to watch their teammates and the circling cat, the latter faded away. After a moment, the lights blinked on. The three female Titans continued meditating for another fifteen minutes before coming out of their trance. Robin helped Typhoon to her feet. "How do you feel?"
"I- it's hard to describe. I guess the closest I can come is like a weight has been lifted from my head, you know? Something I didn't want is gone. Oh and female. I feel female, but not girly."
"Assuming Beast Boy's returned from wherever he went, maybe you should give him a call," Raven suggest as she gave the redhead a hug.
"Good idea," Robin agreed, pulling out his communicator. "Beast Boy?" The racket that was clearly audible from the tiny speaker informed everyone that the green shape changer was all right. A few seconds later, Beast Boy burst through the doors.
"Dudes! Is everyone all right?"
"We're fine, Gar, are you okay?" Typhoon asked.
"Yeah, sure. When I fell down the hole I think I was knocked out. So what happened?"
"Yeah, we'd like to know that too," Cyborg said pointedly.
"Beast Boy said that Rana, Ranma has to make the last push to control her powers, she has to fully accept herself as a girl, but I think the last barrier hasn't been gender, it's been the trauma of the Cat Fist," Robin explained as the teens returned to the Top Room. "Ranma had to accept himself as a person."
"So this was all about when Genma threw him in the pit?" Raven exclaimed. "But how was she doing all this?"
"You, through you Raven. You have a link to Typhoon, you feel her power and she feels yours. On some level, you two were subconsciously using your powers to do all that. I just don't know why this was tied up into Typhoon's self image."
"That was when it started," the redhead told them tonelessly.
"When what started?" Cyborg asked.
"When Pops starting calling me a weak girl," the redhead said in the same monotone. "When I became a girl. I just got the body later." Both Starfire and Raven hugged the shorter girl, who hugged back. "It's okay now."
"Somehow the movie all brought it to a head. Typhoon really isn't afraid of very much, but I think one of your fears was going girl or going cat, of losing yourself." Robin continued. Typhoon grimaced but shrugged in acknowledgment. "Typhoon was frightened by the movie, but when he wouldn't admit it, it brought the whole girl-cat problem to the surface."
"But Ranma's come to terms with being a girl," Raven protested. "And what do my powers have to do with it?"
"This is guesswork, but I think it's more that Typhoon was worried about not being accepted. As for your powers, I believe that's how he affects the magic of Jusenkyo." The Titans silently contemplated Robin's theories. Cyborg said out loud what everyone, even Raven, was thinking.
"And people wonder why we made the smart normal guy the leader."
"So anyway, after all that, did it work?" Beast Boy wondered. Typhoon concentrated and shot up five inches, turning male. "Dude, you did it!" The two boys grinned goofily as they attempted a complicated handshake.
"Okay, Ranma can change at will, but here's the real test." Raven said, filling up a glass with cold water. Typhoon stared at the glass and then his fiancée and nodded. The pale girl passed him the glass and he slowly poured it over his head. Nothing happened. Ranma rubbed his hand along his cheek, feeling the cool water, then stared at Raven. A single tear crept down the pigtailed boy's face.
The Titans watched as Typhoon concentrated and became a girl. She walked to the sink and filled a glass with steaming water. Upending the glass over her scarlet mane, Typhoon took in a deep breath as she remained female. Taking in another deep breath, the redhead spread her arms wide towards her friends. "Free at last," she whispered as the group hug began.
-DR-
Ryoga stood amidships of the Ako Maru, savoring the salt air. Since the confrontation at the Tendos, he been thinking about his behavior and not entirely liking what he had seen. Having his curse revealed to Akane had been painful, terribly painful, but liberating as well. Akane had proven once again in his eyes what a great woman she was. That was nothing new, but the surprise had been Ranma. Well, Ranma and Nabiki. The agony in Ranma's voice when he related his dilemma of honor. The Lost Boy shook his head, thinking he had fulfilled his vow to ruin Ranma's happiness. He hadn't wanted to, not really. And Nabiki, a super hero. Well, as Nabiki liked to say, 'Welcome to Nerima', he thought with a grin.
Whatever, he wished them well. Even someone as thick as himself in matters of romance could see those two were attracted to one another. Ryoga shrugged, as for his own prospects, at best he hoped to someday be friends with Akane, but his feelings were that neither he nor Ranma were really good enough for her. A shout came from behind him.
"Hey, Hibiki! We'll be in port in a few hours. Go below and help prep the cargo for unloading."
"Aye aye Captain," Ryoga said cheerfully. This was the first time in a long time he hadn't wandered aboard a ship by accident. Since his soul searching and forgiving Ranma, his directional curse had improved a lot. The Lost Boy sometimes wondered if he hadn't been his own worse enemy. Plenty of time to think about that later. For now he had to help shift the cargo as they came into Jump City.
-DR-
Shampoo adjusted the collar of her dress nervously as she approached the Titan call station by the bridge. Tapping in the call sign, she waited until a voice sounded from the speaker. "Hey Shampoo, I'll be right out, you're a little early."
"Shampoo sorry," she replied nervously. Pacing, she watched Titan Tower and grimaced as she saw who was bringing her date. Raven floated above them as Ranma settled to the ground.
"Have a good time," the indigo-haired girl told them evenly. "Don't do anything I would." Ranma snorted.
"Thanks Rae, that actually eliminates a fair bit." Chuckling, the cloaked Titan rose in the air and headed toward the Tower.
"You think Demon Girl follow us?" Shampoo asked fiercely.
"I doubt it, she has better things to do with her time."
"Demon Girl too too confident," the purple haired girl muttered darkly. "So what we do today?"
"I figure a nice lunch and then roller skating in the park. It's fun and we can talk." Shampoo shifted, still nervous.
"Shampoo not know how."
"I'm no expert myself, Nabs taught me the basics a few weeks ago," Ranma laughed. "I figure you'll be a natural."
The rest of the walk to the restaurant was spent talking martial arts. It seems Cologne had recently begun training Shampoo intensively again, something Shampoo welcomed and was very excited about. Ranma ignored the unspoken subtext that the training was to prepare Shampoo for Raven.
When they arrived at their luncheon spot, Shampoo's mood was further lifted by the sight of a trendy outdoor bistro, specializing in seafood, instead of the seedy takeout stand she half expected. A native of the mountains, the Amazon girl had acquired a taste for fresh seafood from her time in Nerima. As they were seated, Shampoo commented, "This very popular style for restaurants. Maybe we do for Cat Café in big building."
"Yeah maybe, but I think in a mall, getting away from the hustle and bustle is good, especially considering how good the food is at your place." Shampoo beamed with pride, then looked around at the fancy fixtures.
"This place expensive, when airen get money?"
"Well, all theTitans get an allowance every week, you know, spending money. Ga- Beast Boy wants to buy a moped but he can't help buying the latest video games. I don't spend a lot, so I can afford this place."
"It very nice."
They were interrupted by the waiter with menus. To Ranma's surprise, Shampoo turned out to be at least as fluent in written English as himself. After the waiter took their orders, the pigtailed boy commented, "I'm surprised you can read English." The Amazon warrior grimaced.
"Shampoo no stupid, good at understanding languages, just no think of words fast enough to talk good."
"I sometimes thought you were talking that way deliberately, to be underestimated. It's a good ploy," Ranma chuckled. "Kind of cute too."
"No, Shampoo really talk like this," she sighed. "Make Shampoo mad. Kitchen Destroyer look down on Shampoo, think she better since she talks Japanese better. Shampoo no see how well Kitchen Destroyer do with Mandarin."
"Good point," Ranma conceded. "Of course Akane wasn't going to China to try to steal a boy there." Shampoo's annoyed grunt may have been one of agreement. "Anyway, I want to show you something. I ain't going to hide it." He grabbed his glass of ice water, something Shampoo had prudently refused, and carefully poured if over his arm. Shampoo's eyes widened.
"Airen is cured," she whispered. "You show Shampoo? Please?" Ranma made a production of drying his arm, checking the flagstones which were already drying in the warm summer sun. A moment of concentration and a beautiful redhead answered the purple-haired girl's plea.
"I ain't cured, Shamps, I just got control over the abilities Jusenkyo gave me. Remember what me and the old ghoul talked about the night you guys came to the Tower? I accepted my change all the way." The redhead's voice sank to a whisper. "I- I even like…"
"Yes, yes, what airen like?" Shampoo asked in horrified fascination.
"Shopping a little bit," Ranma finished shamefacedly. Shampoo nearly hit her head on the table.
"Airen no do that to Shampoo." She commanded firmly, then bit her lip. "Maybe Shampoo gets control too? Shampoo no mind cat too much, help sometimes." Ranma shook her head.
"Back in Nerima we all used our change to gain an advantage, especially me. I mean look at Pops and his 'I'm just a cute panda' routine. I know you used to spy on the Tendos." Shampoo blushed. "But it's not about not minding the change, it's about accepting it, even liking it."
"Shampoo could learn!"
I don't think that would be a good idea Sham-chan. You have to fully accept the change. I am a girl. I think like a girl, I feel like a girl. It goes all the way. For you, you would have to-"
"Become a cat," Shampoo whispered, shuddering.
"Yeah. I don't think this technique would work for any of the animal based curses. You'd have to become an animal. Nabiki said the cure would be worse than the problem. Talking it over with her made me realize just how lucky I've been. I stay human, I stay me and I'm attractive, which inclines people to accept the change." Looking over Shampoo's shoulder, the pigtailed girl became male. "Don't want to confuse our waiter," he whispered.
After being served, the two teens' talk once again drifted over to martial arts and then to the city. Ranma was much more conversant with Jump City and regaled Shampoo with stories of the city he had come to love.
After Ranma had paid for the meal, he continued to point out cool stores or landmarks as they made their way to the skate rental at the Bay Bridge Park. Shampoo tried to swallow the lump in her throat at Ranma's friendly smile. Neither martial artist noticed the green sparrow following them.
After renting skates, Ranma led his date to a quiet path, where the pigtailed boy showed Shampoo how to put on her skates. Once he demonstrated the basics of starting, stopping and changing directions, the Amazon shakily began skating next to her beloved. Very quickly, as per Ranma's prediction, Shampoo took to skating like a cat to cream and the two teens were soon zipping along the paths. Out of the corner of his eye, Ranma saw a green falcon smash a glasses-wearing duck out of the sky, but elected to hold his tongue.
Shampoo noticed nothing but the blue of her beloved's eyes that matched the hue of the sky overhead. As they raced along, learning tricks from other skaters and showing off, the young warrior could honestly say she could not remember when she had felt so happy. Their gyrating journey culminated in a very fast weave that ended with the two of them clasping hands, doing three quick revolutions and landing in the grass beside the skate path.
As they lay there laughing, Shampoo hugged Ranma's arm and leaned over for a kiss. The joy went out of both teens as Ranma did not return the kiss. Sitting up, the pigtailed boy told her, "Shamps, we need to talk."
The park was studded with benches in bowers that afforded some privacy. The two teens quickly found one and sat down facing each other. "What Shampoo do wrong?" the purple-haired warrior asked tearfully. Ranma sighed.
"Nothing, Shamps, at least nothing today." The Amazon's red eyes interrogated him. "When you kiss me, all I can see is the Kiss of Death and a homicidal sore loser coming after me. Like Nabs says, it really messes up a relationship." It was Shampoo's turn to sigh.
"Wish Airen spoke Mandarin. Not have all the words Shampoo need. Big question. When Shampoo was hunting girl Ranma, why Airen no kill? Could have, easy. Why no?"
"I don't know Shampoo, a lot of reasons I guess. I don't want to kill anybody and I guess I still believed my Pops a bit about women being weak. Mostly, though, I think it was a stupid reason to kill someone over. Yeah, we ate your prize and that was wrong, but you agreed to the terms of the duel and said nothing about your laws. You just saw an easy win and a panda skin rug. Now I have a question, why did you chase me so hard to marry me? Don't tell you loved me, because I don't believe it. Nobody human turns love and hate off like flicking a switch."
"Because you get rid nightmare for Shampoo. Not have to marry outsider but heir expected to, make tribe strong. Great grandmother did, grandmother did, mother did. But Shampoo has same problem as great grandmother. Too too good fighter."
"So you're a good fighter, that's a good thing right?"
"Most time, yes," Shampoo replied sadly. "Not when getting outsider Airen. Shampoo thought get someone like Happosai or panda-man. Old, good, ugly warrior. Instead get Ranma. Handsome. Young. Too too great fighter. Shampoo so happy, might as well be love."
"And now there's the thing with the Council." Shampoo shook her head.
"Not just that. Now Shampoo love, at least a little. Not about Laws anymore."
"I'm sorry Shamps."
"No, no sorry. Just give Shampoo chance. Shampoo know she make lot of mistakes, know Airen love Demon Girl." Ranma blushed mightily but made no denial. "But Airen and Demon Girl busy, no marry, Shampoo have second chance with Airen because Airen too too kind."
"I don't know Shampoo," the pigtailed boy said, rubbing the back of his head. "I don't want you to waste too much time hoping for something that probably won't happen." The Amazon warrior shrugged.
"Is no waste. Shampoo have nearly two years before senior warrior and face Council for failure. Old Chinese story. King hear of man that can make animal talk. King think it too too funny to hear what he horse think about court so call man. King ask if man can make animal talk. Man very afraid, say yes but it take year. King say all right, man make horse talk, man be rich. Horse not talk, man be sorry born. Man left King and talked to friend. Friend very afraid for man, but man no scared. Man say, much happen in year. King may die. Man may die. Or horse may talk."
The purple-haired girl gently held Ranma's hand. "Shampoo hope horse learn to talk."
-DR-
Dick Grayson was a teenager, but his unusual upbringing made him somewhat more contemplative than most. While he liked many normal teenage activities, he also indulged his more intellectual pursuits. So it was no surprise when he began meeting Cologne in her apartment once a week for chess.
Both Elder and Titan leader viewed it as a way to get to know a potential adversary. To their mutual surprise, they had come to enjoy the matches and had developed an ungrudging respect for the other. Cologne's experience and devious ploys were matched by Robin's intensity and penetrating insight. The Amazon Elder still made it clear that she considered Robin, and Ranma for that matter, superior specimens of a weak and decadent culture. For his part, the Boy Wonder made no secret of his contempt for Amazonian laws. Within that framework, there was a tense and fragile friendship.
Cologne was playing white and had taken a more aggressive opening than usual. Robin found himself in a tricky midgame that put a premium on looking several moves ahead. As the spiky-haired boy pondered his next move, Cologne patiently puffed on her pipe. Since she had long since learned that Robin could carry on a conversation with no detriment to his concentration, she started their mental chess game.
"My great granddaughter came home from her date with Son-in-Law in quite a state."
"Mmmm. Rana told me about it," Robin replied, plotting out an exchange around his king's bishop. "Your outsider laws really bit Shampoo on the ass, didn't they?"
"Nothing is ever perfect," Cologne riposted serenely. "As it was, her pursuit of girl Ranma was a personal tragedy, but alerted the tribe to a strong outsider, which in turn led us to discover more strong outsiders in the Titans."
"A newspaper could have done that," rejoined the Boy Wonder, pondering a knight move into danger.
"As you say my young friend. I fully agree with you and Raven that we have been too insular. Of course, with our outsider laws, too much contact could have repercussions as well."
"So change them," Robin suggested, advancing his knight to threaten Cologne's queen's bishop. The old woman smirked and moved to take the unsupported piece, but paused, her lips moving. It was her turn to stare at the board.
"It's not as easy as that, as you know. Even if I agreed with you, for which I make no such concession, changing an ancient law is almost impossible." Robin shrugged disdainfully.
"Then add to it. Create more categories than the two you have, Amazon and outsider. Friends, allies, workers. Add more categories with different rules." Cologne's raspy chuckle sounded like pebbles thrown in a wood chipper.
"That's not a bad idea, sonny boy, and much more doable." The Amazon Elder advanced a pawn away from Robin's knight. They settled into silence once more as several moves were exchanged.
"So how go things with Slade?" Cologne asked, after a flurry of piece taking that left the Elder a pawn up but had improved Robin's position.
"He's been quiet, which is a sign he's got a scheme in the works." The spiky-haired slammed a fist into his palm. "I just wish I could figure out what it was!"
"Calmly, sonny boy, you're as hot headed as Son-in-Law. To figure out what Slade is doing, you need to know what he wants. Opponents like Slade are like onions. You have to keep peeling back his apparent motivations to find the true one." Robin nodded.
"You're right of course Elder. It helps to talk to another strategist about him. I get too emotional about him." The old woman tapped her pipe against her knee, thinking.
"I have never met Slade, but it seems he is quite concerned about his legacy. He went to great lengths to try to corrupt you. Of course, that could be misdirection." Cologne seemed to come to a decision. "For indulging an old woman, I will teach you a meditation technique used by Amazon leaders. It's not especially Ki intensive and allows one to keep a cool head. I think it would help you greatly in dealing with Slade."
"Thank you Cologne," Robin said sincerely. He looked down at the board. "I think you have this one, but let's play it out. You never know."
"No, you never do."
-DR-
Ranma looked with amazed satisfaction at the scaled down open-air soccer arena Cyborg had thrown together in a day. The pigtailed girl was fascinated and envious of her teammate's ability to create, to bring wonderful things into the world. It was these feelings that motivated her in her school work. But now was not the time to worry about such matters. There was a soccer game to win. She grinned as Nabiki and Starfire stepped up beside her.
"Okay, this is girls versus boys in soccer. The goalies can use their hands around the goals, but other than that, it's feet, head and chests only," Ranma explained, flipping her red braid behind her. "You can use powers, but not to move the ball, so no magic balls, Nabs and no sonic cannon propelled shots, Vic. Anything else goes, including causing nose bleeds." All three girls posed in their shorts and tight t-shirts. Robin smirked, very glad of the Leader's Litany Cologne had taught him.
Cyborg and Ranma met in the middle of the field to formally shake hands as the opposing goalies and the game was on. As one would guess, it was soccer on steroids. Either goalie was a threat to score from their respective goals and they were well matched in abilities, Ranma's reflexes and flexibility versus Cyborg's size and machine-enhanced speed. The game quickly became three dimensional, with three flyers involved. Robin almost scored a surprise goal when he elevated using his grappling gun wrapped around Beast Boy's leg. It was decided that equipment use was legal but could not be used on opposing players.
The game was raucous, frenetic and more fun than serious superheroes should be allowed to have. It was also great training. With the score tied one all, Beast Boy morphed from pterodactyl to kangaroo in midair and launched a tremendous kick on goal that Ranma blocked, but the force of the shot carried it beyond the arena walls and over the edge of the building. The six teens looked at each other in dismay before Beast Boy shrugged.
"Hey, no big, I'll get it." A green spider monkey hopped up to the top of the wall and jumped to the edge. Beast Boy resumed human form as the specially reinforced soccer ball flew onto the roof and came to a stop by his feet. "Huh?"
The other Titans watched as a figure silhouetted by the setting sun rose into view until it eclipsed the sunset. A grinning Terra looked at them. "So which team am I on?"
"Terra!" Starfire and Beast Boy yelled simultaneously, rushing towards the blonde while trying to delay the other. Starfire won the contest and was the first to hug the earth kinetic. There were audible cracks as the exuberant alien girl embraced her friend.
"Oh hello long-lost friend! You remember me, yes?"
"Of course Starfire, I still have bruises from the last time you hugged me," Terra gasped theatrically. The alien girl grinned sheepishly.
"Terra, you're, I mean how's it… what's up?" Beast Boy babbled. The blonde heroine hugged him and gave him a playful pinch on the cheek.
"How've you been Terra?" Cyborg asked quietly while Robin offered his hand.
"I'm glad you came back, Terra," the Titan leader said. "I know we didn't part on the best of terms."
"Hey, it's okay, I just over-reacted," the earth kinetic assured them, making placating motions with her hands. "You guys were absolutely in the right to keep tabs on someone new. No hard feelings, you know?"
"Fair enough," Nabiki said with a smirk. "So are you here for a visit or…"
"No, I want to take you up on your offer. I want to be a Teen Titan!" The five Titans all looked at their leader. Robin smiled and extended a hand.
"As long as you're willing to train to control your powers, we'll gladly accept you Terra. We could use the fire power." Beast Boy began capering about while Starfire glowed. Cyborg grinned from ear to ear and held out his hand.
"Glad to hear it, it'll be good having my favorite little rock and roller on the team."
Robin met Nabiki's gaze and nodded slightly. The pale girl smiled a little and clapped Terra on the shoulder. "As long as you're willing to let bygones be bygones, I'm okay with it." Nabiki's eyes flashed white for a split second and she staggered.
"Whoa, you okay there girl friend?" asked a concerned Terra as the blonde caught her.
"Fine, I think I just need to meditate, too much excitement today," Nabiki told her.
"Anyway, Typhoon said I needed practice, so that's what I've been doing. Practicing!" Terra told them with a big smile. "Check it out." The blonde leaped onto her transport boulder as four more boulders zoomed into the sky. Terra began zooming about the Tower in a dazzling acrobatic display, culminating in a move worthy of the Blue Angels. The four boulders whizzed towards the assembled Titans from the four compass points, arcing upwards at the last second, detonating in a cloud of dust at a safe distance.
The Titans were impressed, although Ranma's smile looked a bit fake. "You see?" Terra crowed. "I've got everything under control." The earthquake hit with embarrassing precision. The six teens looked at Terra, who flushed. "It wasn't me!" she protested, waving her hands. The seven heroes raced to the Top Room, Ranma, Nabiki and Starfire detouring to change into their uniforms.
"Earthquakes," Cyborg reported, fiddling with the giant screen to show a schematic of the city. "Small ones, but they're happening all over the city."
"Too many to be natural," Terra opined.
"That's because they're not earthquakes, they're a trail," Robin declared. "Something is moving around underneath the city and we need to find out what. Titans go!" As the team sprinted out the door, Robin turned to Terra. "Are you coming or not?" Typhoon and Raven stopped beside the spiky haired leader.
"Does this mean I'm on the team?" Terra asked hopefully.
"It means we could use your help," Robin replied. The blonde smiled and nodded as she took off. The three Titans watched her go. "Well?" Robin asked softly. "Anything wrong?"
"I'm not sure," Raven replied. "I saw something, something… dangerous. I just can't tell you what."
"Typhoon?" The pigtailed heroine shrugged,
"She's gotten a power up, that's for sure. That wasn't just training out there. Her moves are different, it's like she went from a white belt to a black and nobody does that, not even me. It's a matter of experience, not training."
"Okay, we'll keep an eye on her, but everybody deserves a second chance. Let's go."
Typhoon easily caught up with the other Titans and Terra and elected to run alongside the blonde. Terra glanced over. "Make a deal with you Red. I don't lose control and you don't use any ninja tricks on me, okay?"
"Deal," the redhead replied, smiling.
"So, have you made any headway on controlling your powers," the earth kinetic asked casually. Typhoon morphed between strides, becoming male without stumbling.
"You could say that," the pigtailed boy said grinning. Terra stopped dead and stared.
"Dude," the blonde said, shocked.
"Yes, he can be, but now's not the time to be impressed. The city is in trouble," Robin told her as he ran by. With a shake of her head, Terra resumed running.
-DR-
The early evening streets were bustling despite the tremors. This was California after all. Some citizens may have started to rethink their blasé attitude when the pavement erupted and a giant worm emerged. The drill bit at the end retracted and a head took its place, complete with a toothy maw.
Most of the people scattered, but the metro bus that had unluckily been right at the edge of the sinkhole had no such recourse. Hung up on its undercarriage and front wheels spinning in space, the bus was well and truly stuck. The driver didn't panic, but nothing he tried seemed to be able to get his vehicle any traction.
As the metallic worm reared up to strike at the stranded vehicle, the bus glowed black and was smoothly lifted away. "You missed the bus," Robin began.
"Looks like you'll just have to take a cab," Cyborg finished, lifting a taxi above his head and flinging it at the monster. It exploded in the creature's face, doing no discernable damage. The worm again reared and Raven began chanting to erect a shield. She was pushed out of the way by Terra.
"I got it!" she cried, as a large wall of stone intercepted the creature's strike, knocking it backwards.
"I don't how much I can do to this thing," Typhoon spat out. "But I'm going after the eyes, Boss." The pigtailed hero sprinted off at his full speed towards the worm's head. In the meantime, Beast Boy had maneuvered around to the same target and a green mammoth slammed into the monster's upper end. It struck a wall in a cloud of brick dust.
The dust glowed red and an energy beam struck the mammoth, sending Beast Boy flying back in human form. "Beast Boy!" Terra and Typhoon yelled in chorus. The earth kinetic leapt to the green Titan's side and levitated a boulder to get them out of the line of fire as the pigtailed hero made a prodigious jump onto the worm's head. Once Typhoon secured his perch, he began attacking one of the small eyes alongside the energy blaster, while Starfire gave him covering fire.
As Terra and Beast Boy landed, Cyborg joined Star in covering Typhoon's assault. "Good job, Terra," Robin said. "Now help me get in this thing's face!" The earth kinetic concentrated and a series of boulders formed a rough stair towards the monster. As Robin began ascending, there was a cry of triumph, as Typhoon managed to destroy one of creature's eyes. The worm's flailing finally threw the pigtailed boy off, only to have Raven catch him. Typhoon shifted to girl and Raven sped up.
In the meantime, Robin had tossed half a dozen bomblet's down the worm's throat, causing the plates around the head to distort from the force of the explosions. Starfire caught the Titan leader as he began to fall, curving around towards the building next to the monster. As Beast Boy and Cyborg teamed up to assault the lower body, Raven with Typhoon joined Starfire and Robin skimming along the building roof. With a look at each other, the two flying girls released their passengers.
The two acrobatic Titans landed running and jumped off the edge simultaneously. Robin fired his grappling gun, grabbing the now dainty Typhoon. The two looped around the worm, landing on the back of its head. Robin tried to pry up one of the beast's armor plates with his bo staff, while Typhoon shifted back to male. "I'm going for it Boss!" the pigtailed hero yelled as Robin's staff snapped.
With a cry of "Chestnut fist!", Typhoon began slamming hundreds of punches into the enormous crystal the worm used to fire its energy blasts. Cracks appeared immediately and Typhoon increased the ferocity of his assault. As the spider web of cracks spread all along the crystal, the worm's movements dislodged the two boys, who were alertly caught by Starfire and Raven.
The metallic worm reared and tried to fire an energy blast at the departing Titans, but the badly damaged crystal shattered, sending the monster flying back. With a roar, the creature retracted its head and deployed the drill, diving into the street and quickly tunneling away.
As Robin and Typhoon landed, the former ordered, "Come on, it's getting away!" Giving Typhoon a smile, he added, "Great work Typhoon." As the seven teen heroes reached the tunnel entrance, the creature was already gone from sight. Robin's communicator beeped. Pulling it out, the Boy Wonder growled, "Slade," as he stared at the criminal mastermind's image. Robin's expression cleared as he muttered something.
"Robin," the armored mastermind began affably. "Good to see you again. I do hope I haven't called at a bad time. You have made some impressive additions to your team."
"The worm, what are you planning?" Robin demanded calmly.
"Well now Robin, if you're so very curious, why don't you come down here and find out?" Slade ended the transmission. The spiky-haired boy looked thoughtful. He turned to his team.
"I think Slade is running one of his plans within a plan. We'll spring it, so keep alert. Cyborg, you take point. Typhoon, watch our backs. Let's go," Robin ordered.
The seven teens made their way down the tunnel in relative silence. Starfire was the first to speak. "That evil worm has left a very long trail. This tunnel continues for at least two more plinthorgs."
"And we're more than three hundred meters below sea level," Cyborg added without turning around. "What's it doing down here?"
"That's a great question," Robin remarked. "Why did Slade want to lure us down here? Why did the worm surface? It didn't accomplish anything except to give us information. Don't accept anything at face value, Slade is trying to be sneaky again."
"Good thing we have our own expert on sneaky, ain't it Rae?" Typhoon said dryly. "The Ice Queen versus old one eye." The pale girl snorted but hid a smile. Terra dropped back to the red-and-black clad Titan.
"So you can turn into a boy? Can you change into any other forms?"
"Actually, I was born a boy," Typhoon answered mildly. "An encounter with a cursed pool had me changing back and forth, so it's just my guy form and my girl form. Rae and BB taught me how to control it."
"So you're really a boy?" Terra asked. The pigtailed Titan shook his head.
"Something Beast Boy taught me. You have to accept the shape you're in. When I'm a guy, I'm all guy and when I'm a girl, I'm all girl." The two walked in silence for a stretch.
"Um no offence, but that doesn't seem like much of a super-power," Terra remarked tentatively. Typhoon chuckled.
"I guess it wouldn't be if it weren't for my training. I'm a master level martial artist, but the physical training my stupid panda of a father put me through gave me ridiculously high levels of speed, strength and toughness. My form change kind of lets me change gears, strength and toughness as a guy, speed and flexibility as a girl." Terra looked a little dubious.
"You seemed plenty tough and strong as a girl," she observed. Typhoon gave her a cocky grin.
"And I'm really fast and flexible as guy. Just different emphasis." Ranma scratched the back of his head. "And lately, I've been getting stupid fast in both forms." Beast Boy had drifted back to join them.
"Yeah, when I first met her, I knew Ty as Rimi the Jungle Girl. You wouldn't believe some of the things she could do," the green Titan interjected excitedly.
"Like what?" Terra wondered.
"She could run through the jungle, bouncing off trees and over bushes almost as fast as I can in cheetah form. When she left our camp she would jump thirty feet into the air," Beast Boy proclaimed chuckling. "She once juggled four fifty pound sacks of flour to cheer me up," he finished, motioning like he was juggling balls.
"That's pretty cool."
"Yeah, I'm proud of what I can do," the pigtailed Titan said quietly. "Sometimes I wonder if it was worth it, though."
-DR-
The Titans looked around the hemi-spherical rock chamber they had come to, "Dead end," Raven remarked.
"Not necessarily," Robin told her, holding out his communicator. "I'm picking up a signal from deep inside the rock."
"Way deep," Cyborg agreed, checking his sensors. "Electronics… and a heartbeat."
"Slade, probably," Robin muttered.
"What do you say we-" Terra began when Typhoon yelped.
"Something's coming, something big," he warned. The chamber shook and three of the metallic worms erupted into the cavern, their drill bit heads whining in the clear air. The seven heroes moved into a defensive formation.
"Titans, ready," Robin barked as the worms loomed over them. The giant mechanical annelids slid past them, burrowing into the strata around them. Beast Boy walked over to the tunnel they had left, waving his arms.
"He-looOoo, the good guys are over here." The green Titan turned to his teammates. "Dudes, we got snubbed."
"That is because we are not their target," Starfire announced.
"Three of those worms could wreck anything in the city!" Cyborg said grimly.
"We have to go after them!" Terra exclaimed.
"Do we?" Raven wondered. "Cyborg's right, those worms could take out anything in the city. So why haven't they? Slade's just been playing around with us."
"A distraction?" Robin wondered. "That would make a lot of sense, but we can't ignore the worms. We're going to have to split up. Good thing the team got bigger. Cyborg, take Starfire and Beast Boy and go after the worms. Stay in contact."
"Right," Cyborg acknowledged. "Star, BB let's go!" The three Titans ran into the tunnel.
"Raven, Terra, Typhoon, we're going after Slade."
"I can make a tunnel on my own, shouldn't Raven and Typhoon go after-" Terra protested.
"No. Raven is almost as good at moving earth as you are. That gives us backup. And Typhoon and Raven work really well as a team. We may need that against Slade."
"Gosh, Boss, you're only saying that because it's true," Typhoon said in mock embarrassment.
"Good thing you're so strong Ty-baby, or carrying that ego around would wear you out," Raven deadpanned. Typhoon flashed her a cocky grin.
"We're digging through solid rock, I'll need you both." The Titan leader looked at his communicator. "I've got a fix on the signal. Forty degrees down and six hundred meters away."
"Got it," a confident Terra said. Yellow energy poured from her hands as the rock melted away. Raven followed at a more sedate pace, reinforcing the walls behind the earth kinetic.
"Careful, this area is unstable, take it a little slow…" Robin counseled, trailing off as he saw Terra almost out of sight.
"Do you think she feels she has something to prove?" Typhoon jibed. "Come on Boss, we better keep her in sight.
As the three Titans followed Terra, Cyborg gave brief updates on how his team was handling the worms. So far it their efforts had seemed less then satisfactory. Cyborg had just signed off when Terra broke through to the signal Cyborg and Robin had detected. All four heroes stood in amazement. In spite of its size, the cavern was dominated by a gleaming platform with what seemed a control area in the center. Above the platform orbited a metal ring, held aloft by powerful jets. Studying them closely, Robin yelled out in alarm, "Those are three worms linked together!" Taking out his communicator, the Boy Wonder contacted Cyborg. "Cyborg, any luck with those worms?" There were a series of grunts before the metal-clad teen responded.
"Not, uk, so far. Ptoo."
"Cyborg?"
"Just a little setback, Robin. The worms are getting close to the surface. Whatever they're going after, they're about to hit it with everything they got. How are you doing?"
"Not much better," Robin reported. "It looks like we found Slade's base, but there are three more worms and they can fly. They're hooked up in a ring just flying around right now. I'll call you if we find anything, or call me when the worms break the surface."
"Roger."
As Robin and his team reached the computer on the platform, his communicator beeped again. "Robin!" Cyborg yelled. "It's the Tower! They're attacking Titan Tower!" Robin studied the hologram being projected by the computer before replying.
"It's not just under attack," he said unhappily. "It's about to be underground. The worms are drilling upwards from here as well. Do what you can to stop them up there, we'll try here. Robin out." Dodging debris from the worm's efforts, Robin threw several birdarangs at them. While Raven added black energy bolts, Terra was tearing boulders out the cavern walls and hurling them at the worms.
"Not even a scratch," Robin assessed their efforts. He sprinted back to the computer. "If we can't destroy the drill, hacking this computer is our only shot at shutting it down!" Robin began typing furiously.
With a yell, Slade charged them from the shadows, aiming a flying kick at Robin. Typhoon intercepted the armored warrior, grabbing his ankle and throwing Slade along one of the supporting causeways. "I got old One Eye, Boss. You and the girls stop those drills. I have all my weights in the Tower!" Nodding, Robin returned to his hacking.
"Terra, deflect any rocks heading our way, Raven-"
"I'm not bad with computers myself, especially passwords," Raven informed him drolly. "Hacking accounts yields so much blackmail material, you know?" Terra looked shocked, but Robin just nodded.
Slade gave a growl of frustration as he tried to get past Typhoon and attack Robin. The two masters exchanged blows, with Typhoon knocking the one-eyed warrior into a freight elevator. The pigtailed Titan followed up quickly, hitting the up button. Slade collected himself.
"Very good," Slade remarked calmly. "You are perhaps not quite as polished as Robin, but your speed and strength are impressive. You are the new Titan?"
"Typhoon, at your service, Master Slade," he said bowing with a smirk, never taking his eyes off the man. Slade chuckled.
"An apt name." Slade took a balanced stance and began to rain kicks and punchs at the pigtailed boy. "You are Japanese?" he asked between attacks. Typhoon frowned as he was forced to block many of the attacks. Now that the mastermind was devoting his attention fully to him, Typhoon found Slade giving him all he could handle in the cramped quarters.
"That ain't no great deduction," the pigtailed Titan snorted as they continued to exchange blows. Typhoon decided he had a slight advantage in strength, but the one-eyed warrior was faster with excellent technique. For a brief moment, he knew how Ryoga felt. Then he smiled.
"I know it's horribly cliché, but I'll go along with it to honor a strong fighter," Slade chuckled. "You're losing, so why are you smiling Typhoon?"
"Because I know something you don't," Typhoon replied, giving the expected answer. Slade nodded.
"What's that?"
"I'm not always a boy," The pigtailed Titan said as she shrank six inches and acquired a killer figure. Slade gaped in genuine surprise, allowing Typhoon to land a clean spin kick. Now the pigtailed heroine was considerably faster than her opponent, striking him at will and evading his attacks. Unfortunately, Slade seemed to be at least as tough as Ryoga and absorbed all of the damage. Her Ki still depleted from her attack on the worm, Typhoon didn't think she could execute another Chestnut fist strong enough to defeat Slade.
"Now it's my turn to know something you don't," a panting Slade told her. Typhoon glanced upwards.
"No I think I know that too, the elevator is about to crash." The two foes leaped out of the doomed elevator from opposite sides. As Typhoon landed on a girder the worms' energy flickered and died. With a whoop of triumph, the redhead jumped down and raced to the central platform. She gave Raven and Robin a hug and a fist bump to Terra. "Way to go, guys!"
"Thanks for holding off Slade," Robin replied. "Cyborg, Star and Beast Boy took out the above ground worms, so it looks like once we take out this underground base, the Tower should be safe."
"So let's blow this pop stand," Terra said firmly.
"In more ways than one," Raven remarked, her hand glowing with black energy.
-DR-
"So what did you mean about blackmail down there? Was that a joke?" Terra interrogated her companion as they walked down the softly lit corridor.
"It's… complicated. Essentially due to a run in with a criminal with time powers, I lived a second life. I was a different person and I wasn't very nice. I was into blackmail, betting pools and a little soft porn to make money and amuse myself," Raven explained. The blonde stared at her. "I got better."
"I so want to hear the whole story," Terra said. Raven grinned and opened the door. "So where are we?"
"Your room," the pale girl answered, flipping a light switch, to reveal the other five Titans.
"Wow, I don't believe this," Terra gasped, eyes shining. "You guys did all this for me?"
"We offered you a place on the team and we meant it," Robin said. "Besides, I'm not sure we could have saved the Tower without your help. So we figure you deserve it and this." The spiky haired leader held out a communicator. Starfire, Cyborg and Beast Boy crowded around the new Titan, congratulating her. Raven cleared her throat.
"There's one last thing we should do. We should introduce ourselves to you." Terra looked bewildered.
"Huh?"
"When I'm a little less spooky, I go by Nabiki Tendo," Raven said smiling. "Just remember only my fiancé can call me Nabs," she finished, gesturing at Typhoon, who took off his mask.
"Ranma Saotome of the Saotome school of Anything Goes Martial Arts." His hair went vivid red. "I go by the same name as a girl. Good to have you on the team Goldilocks. Now we're even, three and a half guys to three and a half girls."
"Wow, you guys are revealing your secret identities to me? And you two are engaged!?"
"Yes to both questions," Raven said coolly.
"My name translates to Starfire in your language. It has served me well and I wish for no other."
"I wanted to forget my past, but a couple of friends have talked me into at least remembering a little," Cyborg grumbled with a smile, draping an arm around Typhoon and Raven. "You can call me Vic or Victor around the Tower."
"How about you, Beast Boy?" Terra asked brightly. The green Titan mumbled something. "What was that?"
"Garfield Logan," muttered up the embarrassed boy.
"Garfield?" Terra repeated incredulously.
"I call him Gar," Typhoon told her. "Suits him better. Always did." The Titans turned to look at their leader.
"Sorry," Robin explained. "I have to clear this sort of stuff with my boss, since my identity could lead right back to him."
"Sure, I understand," Terra said cheerfully. "I'm Tara, Tara Markov." The blonde flushed. "I took the hero name I did so I wouldn't forget it, since it sounds like my real name." After some good natured laughter, Cyborg took over the conversation.
"There's only one way to celebrate such a momentous occasion. Waffles!" With various statements of agreement, the Titans began filing out of Terra's room. Beast Boy turned to her.
"Aren't you coming?"
"Sure, I'll catch up." As the door closed, the blonde muttered, "I don't believe it, they trust me."
-DR-
Robin looked at the two Japanese Titans as they watched video of Terra's demonstration earlier that day. "What do you two think now?"
"Awfully convenient that we have an earth-based crisis just in time to make a new recruit look good," Nabiki remarked. Ranma grunted in agreement.
"Yes, I have to agree. Slade all but told us where to go and how to stop him. He was the only one guarding his base. It doesn't feel right. On the other hand, I'm not going to accuse Terra without hard proof. Just keep an eye her okay?
"Sure," Ranma smiled cockily. "I haven't had a friend try to kill me in months. It'll feel like old times."
