What's this? A double feature? Yessir, while I was away I managed to get access to a computer, just without internet. I wasn't able to upload but I was sure able to write, and I feel you guys deserve 2 chapters after that wait.
Robin was impressed.
It was early in the morning, about 8 AM. Though Jump City was just starting to "wake up", the Titans were already up and about for training. They had been given the previous day off due to recent events, but Robin wanted to make sure they were in top shape for whatever threat they may soon be facing. Cyborg was currently at a lifting machine, testing his limits as he often did. Raven was also doing strength training, though with her mind rather than her body as she mentally held a large metal block in the air. Starfire was currently at shooting practice, blasting at various fast-moving targets. Robin meanwhile was sparring.
And it was his opponent that he was impressed with.
It had been awhile since Beast Boy had caused this much trouble for Robin; his movements were much quicker than usual and tougher to react to. He had a much more focused look on his face as well.
'I guess I have Cyborg to thank for that…'
Robin threw out a punch, which Beast Boy easily avoided. He attempted to counter with a punch of his own, but Robin managed also dodged and, using his opponent's momentum, threw him to the ground.
"You've tried that too many times. You need to mix up your attack patterns." Beast Boy struggled to his feet as Robin lectured him on his fighting. "Predictability is-woah!" Robin was cut off by Beast Boy suddenly lunging at him with another punch. He barely managed to sidestep the attack, only to suddenly be knocked off his feet by a sweep kick.
"Sorry, what was that?" Beast Boy looked down at him with a smirk.
"Much better." Despite being interrupted, Robin couldn't help but smile. "I have to say I'm impressed, Beast Boy. You've improved drastically since our last session."
"Yeah well, you know. Cleared up a lot of crap up here," the green teen said as he pointed to his head. "Helps me focus."
Of course that was only half of it. Having a girlfriend had rekindled his fighting spirit; he could practically hear her cheering him on in his head.
"Glad to hear it." Robin got to his feet. "Well, that's enough for today." They had been going at it for about 30 minutes now and were both starting to tire.
"Cool. I'm gonna go make breakfast." Beast Boy had yet to eat and was quite hungry. As he left the gym, Cyborg got up from his machine and approached Robin."
"Looks like the little guy's got his head back in the game." The metallic man had been watching their fight. "Guess he really has gotten over her."
"It's not just that," Robin said, rubbing his chin. "There was something different about him today. I can't put my finger on it, but he had a sort of… Determination. Like he was fighting for something." He had learned a lot about reading opponents during fights over the years, and there was definitely something different about Beast Boy during that fight.
"You really think so? Like what?"
"Beats me. But as long as it's helping him focus on his work I'm not complaining."
"Speaking of which, you hear back about any more of the suspects?"
"Not yet. They've all been up to date so far though." Robin was of course referring to Raven's suggestion of double-checking the status of magic-users.
"Well, it was a slim chance at best. It's been a month after all." Cyborg had been about as skeptical as Robin about the idea.
"Well we should have the rest by the end of today."
"Good to know. So… You up for a few rounds?"
Robin smirked at his old friend, a fire in his eyes.
"Thought so."
As the two readied for a sparring session, Raven sighed. She had overheard their conversation, and had a pretty good idea of what was making Beast Boy act that way. But of course, she had promised not to tell.
Hopefully he'd tell them himself soon enough…
Beast Boy couldn't help but be proud of himself as he cooked up his "eggs". It was rare anyone impressed Robin, especially in a fight. Of course, he could tell Robin would have eventually gained the upper hand, but none of them could beat the Boy Wonder at hand to hand combat.
"All thanks to her," he said to himself as his meal sizzled. Again, Jinx was partially responsible for his improvement. He had to be strong for her, after all. She was like his personal mental cheerleader.
A not-so-innocent grin crept up on his face as he pictures her in a somewhat revealing cheerleader's outfit, pom-poms and all.
As the green chef poured his tofu eggs and bacon onto a plate, he pulled out his phone. He looked at it, contemplating calling her.
"…No, dude. She'll call when she's ready," he told himself, pocketing it. She was the one who suggested they take a short break, after all. He had spent the entire day yesterday "negotiating" with his more wild side, and felt more confident in his ability to keep it in check if things got all hot and steamy like they did yesterday morning. But Jinx probably needed a bit more time; this relationship was a big change for him, but an even bigger one for her.
"Hope she's doing alright…" he sighed as he took a bite of his breakfast.
The Titans weren't the only one hard at work that morning. It was about 9 when Jinx got back to her apartment, sweaty and panting. She was of course in disguise, though she was wearing a looser shirt and gym shorts. She had just returned from her morning run. She may not have been fighting crime anymore, but she was still determined to keep in shape. She had spent a lot of her life running after all.
Hopefully if things went well in the next few days, she wouldn't have to run anymore.
The tired girl stepped into her rather modest bathroom, turning on the shower. The water began to flow, though the pressure wasn't terribly high. Jinx felt it, frowning.
"Still broken…" The water was lukewarm at best, despite being turned to the hottest setting. It had been like this for a week or so. She had of course notified the landlord, but it didn't seem like he really cared. "Get what you pay for I suppose."
As she stepped into the questionable shower, she couldn't help but think of the showers at Titans Tower. She had stayed a few nights there in the past, not counting that time she, Gizmo, and Mammoth took over. They had been wonderful. The water could be set to just the right temperature, there was tons of room to stretch for a hot bath, the nozzle had all sorts of different settings… It was heaven compared to this.
"…Jesus, Jinx. You're romanticizing a damn bathroom."
She sighed, leaning against the shower wall. She had thought about the tower a lot yesterday. After considering the prospect of a long term relationship with Beast Boy, she realized just how badly she wanted to rejoin the Titans. She missed being the hero, being able to help and do good. She missed having people she could rely on, even if they didn't all fully trust her. But most of all she just wanted to finally start having a normal relationship again. Well, normal as one could be for people like her and Beast Boy anyways.
She wanted to be able to actually go OUT with him. Not just to some run-down diner. No, she wanted something more. Movies, concerts, dancing… Sure she could disguise herself, but it wasn't the same. She wanted to start living again. And maybe, just maybe, a small part of her wanted to rub in a certain someone's face.
But of course, that wasn't possible just yet.
She was ready to tell Beast Boy's team, and she was sure he was too. But until whoever was behind those robberies was caught they couldn't do it. The second that slimeball revealed his or herself…
Jinx pounded a fist in her hand, snarling.
Finishing her shower, the young soon-to-be-heroine put on her disguise again, now in normal clothes. She had decided to stay incognito even in her own room until this whole thing blew over. Better safe than sorry.
"I swear when this is over I am burning this thing," "Jess" growled, scratching her head. As she sat on the couch, a thought crossed her mind. She pulled out her phone, staring at it for several seconds. She planned to call Beast Boy today, she was certain of that. But when would be a good time? He could still be asleep, or doing important Titan stuff. Maybe he was still thinking.
After mulling it over for a few more seconds, she began to dial. What was the harm?
Beast Boy was just putting his dishes away when his phone began to buzz. He gasped, frantically reaching into his pocket to get it. He beamed when he saw who was calling.
"Hello?" He answered somewhat loudly, excitement in his voice.
"Logan?"
"Who else? What's up?"
"Oh, just came back from a run. How about you?"
"Training over here. Just taking a break for breakfast."
"Sounds fun. Hey listen, about yesterday… Remember how I said I just needed a day or two?"
"…Yeah…" Beast Boy grew a bit nervous. Was she saying she wanted to extend their break?
"Well turns out I guessed right… I'm feeling a bit more comfortable about everything now." Beast Boy's heart skipped a beat.
"Dude! I thought you were going in a completely different direction!" He cried.
"I know." He could practically feel her smirk. "But seriously… I think I've got everything I wanted to think about taken care of. How about you?"
"Me? Yeah, I'm all good." He paused. "So uh… I'm gonna be on patrol tonight starting at 6…"
"Is that so?"
"Where should I meet you?"
"Hm… How about Mick's at 6:30?"
"Sounds great!"
"See you then!" She hung up.
Beast Boy practically collapsed against the counter, overcome with joy. He hadn't expected to hear back so soon… She really did mean a day or two.
"…Who was that?"
Beast Boy nearly hit his head on the ceiling he jumped so high. Turning around, he completely froze up. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and all his hairs were now standing on end.
"…H-h-h-h-hey… Robin." He gave the meekest smile ever. "H-ho-how long have y-y-you…"
"Long enough." The leader's arms were crossed, a sterner look than usual on his face. "Now I'll ask again. Who. Was. That?"
"Uh… Ffff… Blaheug…" Beast Boy could literally not find words as he clumsily tried to think of something. "…My… GM?"
Robin's masked eyes narrowed. He pointed a finger at the couch nearby.
"Sit." The order was calm but cold. Beast Boy didn't dare protest, silently making his way to the couch and sitting. "I'll be right back. Don't. Move." He was trying his hardest to mask the anger.
Beast Boy hung his head as the caped Titan left for the gym.
Jinx was already at the mirror making sure nothing was out of place. She knew she had several hours, but she was already getting nervous again.
She felt her phone buzz. A text from Beast Boy.
"What does he…" He trailed off as she read the text. Her jaw dropped as she suddenly lost her grip on the phone. It fell to the floor, rolling off to the side a bit. The message was only 2 words long, but it was a powerful one.
"robin heard"
"…That's all of it, I swear."
Beast Boy looked at his teammates pleadingly, praying they would accept his story. Robin had returned shortly after leaving the room with the rest of the team and made him explain the mysterious phone call. Beast Boy barely had time to squeeze out a text to Jinx telling her what was happening.
He had given them the same explanation that he gave Raven, with all the vagueness and half-truths. Internally he was screaming at himself for not noticing Robin. Where were his acute senses then? Why didn't he smell or hear him in the room? Was he so distracted with the idea of continuing his relationship?
Right when he was bragging about how much she had helped him focus…
"So… Beast Boy now has a girlfriend as well?" Starfire asked innocently. "This is most wonderful news!"
"Well, um… I guess it ain't a bad thing." Cyborg was quite astonished at the revelation. "But dude, why didn't you say something?"
"I told you, I didn't want to get anyone involved until we had figured everything out-
"And have been jeopardizing the mission because of it," Robin finished for him. "You weren't looking for Jinx at all yesterday, were you?" Despite his calm composure, the Titans could practically feel the anger radiating from Robin. Beast Boy said nothing to this; he couldn't even look his leader in the eye. "I thought so." He turned, arms folded behind his back. "Well, I see no reason why you should go out tonight then."
"Wait, what?"
"Starfire will take your shift tonight. You will be staying here for the night, ,understood?"
"But I have to meet-
"Understood!?" Robin whipped around, a glare even his mentor would have admired on his face. Beast Boy seemed to shrink in its presence. The Boy Wonder took a breath, trying to relax. Cyborg reluctantly spoke up.
"Hey come on Robin, you should let him-
"And don't even think about bringing her here." It was like the others didn't exist.
"You can't be serious!" Beast Boy apparently found some of his courage and stood. "I have a right to see her!"
"You're responsibilities and duties to the team come before personal problems, Beast Boy," Robin said flatly. "I guess you're going to have to learn that."
"Robin…" He held up a hand to silence Starfire.
"This doesn't concern any of you." He didn't take his eyes of Beast Boy as he spoke.
It may have seemed like he was overreacting, but interfering with official Titans business was a sort of pet peeve of Robin's. To have one of his teammates be intentionally lying about his performance, to go behind his team's back during a mission like this, really set him off. He did feel somewhat sorry keeping the girl from him, but she would have to live with it.
"…You're just like him," Beast Boy said softly.
"What was that?" Robin was in no mood for Beast Boy's backtalk. "Just like who now?"
"Mento," Beast Boy said with a glare almost as potent as Robin's. Robin knew from meeting the man that that was not a compliment. He decided not to dignify it with a response.
"You will remain here until we have solved this case. And once it's done you will bring her here." Robin wanted to see this mysterious Jess for himself.
"Wait, this whole time!?"
"Until we need you in the field." He wasn't about to leave him here if they needed to fight someone.
"But-
Robin's communicator went off, interrupting the argument.
"…This isn't over," the leader said as he answered. "This is Robin."
"Robin? Kid Flash here. Got a few more updates for you." Robin paused, thinking for a moment. He looked at Cyborg.
"Watch him. Make sure he doesn't go anywhere," he ordered, pointing at Beast Boy. "The rest of you are dismissed." Nobody said a word as he left.
"…Jesus…" Cyborg muttered. Starfire looked at Beast Boy with sorrow. Raven was simply looking down.
"I am sorry, Beast Boy… I will go try to talk to him," Starfire said with a small smile.
"Hmph. Good luck with that." He doubted it would help. Either way, she left the room. Raven suddenly disappeared through the floor after this. It was hard to say what she was feeling.
Cyborg stood silently, staring at his teammate.
"Sorry about this, man," he said as he sat next to him.
"Hey, orders are orders," Beast Boy was slumped against the couch. "I better tell her I gotta cancel tonight…" He pulled out his phone. "At least before Robin takes this."
"…Can I ask you something?"
"You just did." Cyborg smiled at this. At least he could still joke.
"…This girl. How bad do you care about her?"
"You have no idea. She's really helped me get my life back on track after Terra." He paused. "When we were together yesterday, I just felt… God, I can't even describe it." Cyborg could see the sincerity in his small teammate's eyes. He shook his head.
"Sappy... But it sounds like she means something to you, and I ain't about to let you go back to being all gloom and doom." Beast Boy raised an eyebrow.
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying you got a girl to go see. I'll just tell Robin you overpowered me or something." He winked his human eye. It took a second for Beast Boy to realize what he just said.
"…Dude. I owe you SO much," he said, getting up.
"Don't mention it." He held out a fist, which Beast Boy pounded. "Just looking out for my little bro." The changeling bolted from the room, eager to get out before Robin returned. He left his communicator behind to avoid being tracked. Cyborg watched him leave, grinning.
"She must be something…" He stood, readying himself. He suddenly started sprinting to Robin's room, fake surprise in his voice. "Robin, we got a problem!"
Jinx was pacing her room nervously. Robin heard their conversation? Did he know it was her? What was going to happen to Beast Boy?
"Damn it…" She felt so helpless. She stopped her pacing when she felt her phone vibrate. She wasted no time answering it. "Logan!?"
"Hey, change of plans… I'm coming over right now."
"You're what? What the hell is going on?"
"I'll explain when I get there."
"Logan, tell me-
She heard him hang up, and tossed the phone onto the couch in frustration. What the hell was happening?
"…Wait, he's coming now!?"
She frantically ran to the bathroom to ready herself.
"Is everything ready?"
"Got spells prepared, floor plans memorized… I think it's time to start the show."
The two voices at the abandoned factory were speaking again.
"Good. Now remember the plan. We want to draw the Titans off the trail. According to news reports, they are aware of the missing book."
"Right, that old lady at the shop apparently shook the memory spell off a bit."
"Unfortunately."
"Well, I'll give them something else to worry about…"
"Yes, feel free to… "perform"… as you see fit."
"Music to my ears!" The man clapped. "Now then, I bid you adieu."
He bowed before suddenly disappearing in a puff of smoke.
Beast Boy didn't even get a chance to knock before Jinx opened the door.
"Jinx!"
"Logan!"
The lovebirds embraced each other and shared a quick kiss. It had felt like far more than a day for both of them. However, there was also an important matter to discuss; the second they finished, Jinx practically pulled him inside, locking the door behind them. She crossed her arms.
"Alright, start talking." She demanded. "What do you mean 'Robin heard'? Why did you come here so suddenly?" Beast Boy sighed, trying to find words.
"Well, after you called…"
"He WHAT!?"
"I couldn't stop him. He was flying out the second you all left."
"Damnit Cyborg…" Robin growled as he clenched his hand around Beast Boy's communicator. "We'll go after him in a minute… Kid Flash, where are you?"
"Heading down to his cell now." The speedy teen had apparently discovered something strange about one of the criminals they were checking up on. The guards at the prison said they had been acting a bit odd for a few weeks.
"Alright, report back when you find something," Robin spoke into his communicator before looking at his teammates. Starfire had followed him to his room to try to convince him to let Beast Boy go tonight, and Cyborg had just entered exclaiming that Beast Boy had gotten out. "Alright, we're going to get out there and find-
The 3 of them jumped in surprise as a loud alarm cut him off.
"The hell!?" Cyborg yelled over the blaring sirens. Robin was already back on his computer, typing at an almost inhuman pace.
"Someone's called in an incident at the Museum of History." He brought up the report, eyes darting back and forth as he read. "Let's see… Bright lights, energy blasts, objects suddenly appearing and disappearing…"
"You think it's our perp?"
"It sure looks like magic, so probably. But this couldn't possibly be Jinx, it sounds more like … Oh no."
"What is it?" Starfire asked. Robin ignored her as he pulled out his communicator, a worried look on his face. "Kid Flash, report! Have you found anything?" There was a brief delay on the response.
"Uh… Robin? I think we have a problem."
Just moments ago…
"Just down this hall. Last cell on the right."
Kid Flash was currently being escorted by a guard in a large prison. He had come here to double check one of the inmates. The guards said he was there, but apparently he had been acting strange for a little while.
Something smelled fishy.
"Right here." The pair stopped in front of the cell, where an old man sat reading with his back turned. A large stack of books was on the table.
"This is all you seen him do?"
"Basically. Occasionally the books change, but that's about it."
"And you didn't think to call this in?" The speedster was clearly a bit frustrated with the guard.
"Well I didn't think anything was wrong with it! He still speaks, and the food we bring him seems to be getting eaten."
"Open the cell."
"Now hold on-
"Open the cell!"
The guard silently complied, unlocking the door and sliding it open. The prisoner didn't react.
"Hey, Houdini!" Kid Flash entered the cell. Still no response. "I'm talking to you!"
"Scram, kid," the man still didn't turn. "I don't do autographs."
"Oh, you'll wish you hadn't said that…" He grabbed the man's shoulder.
As he did, the man suddenly exploded into a flock of white doves.
"Woah!" Both he and the guard ducked as the horde of birds scrambled out the cell, frantically trying to escape. "What just happened!"
"…An illusion…" Kid Flash stared at where the man had once been. "This whole time…"
"Kid Flash, report! Have you found anything?" Robin's voice suddenly rang out from his communicator. After a moment's hesitation, Wally brought the communicator to his face.
"Uh… Robin? I think we have a problem." He paused. "It's…
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
Several windows in the museum lobby exploded, some unseen force shattering them. What seemed like fireworks were going off, raining sparks down. A crowd of people was scrambling for the exit, screaming as lights also began to crack and break around them.
"Boys and girls!"
A single man was standing atop a stage that had somehow appeared in the middle of the lobby, his voice booming through an invisible speaker system over the destruction. He was very well dressed, with a caped tuxedo and top hat.
"Presenting for one day only!"
His hair was white, his eyes covered by a mask. He held a thin object in his hand, which he waved about as he continued his speech.
"The magnificent magician, the illustrious illusionist, …"
A spotlight suddenly appeared on him, showing his skin was bright blue.
"The Amazing Mumboooooo!"
…A double feature that ends in a bit of a cliffhanger. Yep, a bit evil I know. Lots of transitions in this one, so apologies if it got a bit confusing towards the end. Also sorry if this was a bit short, but I couldn't think of anything else to add before part 2. See you next time!
