Dark-Flame: Sorry its taken so long to get this up. I just moved and I haven't gotten completely situated just yet. For gods sake I'm typing this on my Ipod. And it sucks.
Chapter 10: Every Dark Corner
Darkside was the first to touch down in the abandoned carnival. He cast a critical look at his surroundings, the merry go round had started tipping to the left, giving it a lopsided appearance. The ferris wheel, judging by the rotting wood, was about to collapse under its own weight, while the empty contest booths had a cold, unfriendly atmosphere. This was once a place of laughter and enjoyment for the citizens of Jump City. Now it sat; a wound that was left to fester and decay. The company that ran the fair didn't even bother to clean up.
Darkside shook his head sadly. Just that moment; Terra's rock platform touched down a few feet away. She dusted herself off and joined Ryan's side, staring contemplatively at the ruins. Not a word was spoken between the pair until the steadily increasing crescendo of Robin's motorcycle startled them out of their musings. Sure enough, a few seconds later, headlights bathed them in light as the vehicle rumbled to a stop. In one swift motion Robin hopped off his motorcycle and removed his helmet.
"I just got off the link with Cyborg and from what I've been told the others have reached their targets and have evacuated the civilians. With any luck soon the bombs will be disarmed and they'll join us here soon." Robin explained tersely. He looked exhausted and they hadn't even started yet.
"Then we should focus on finding Slade's base before they get here." Terra replied.
In response, Ryan opened his communicator and inputted a few commands. Suddenly a steady stream of beeps came from the device. "This way." he said simply and began walking.
Robin jogged to his side. "Are you scanning for Chronas?" he asked.
Ryan nodded absently. " Yeah. Chronas molecules are irradiated and tend to stick around for a while." The beeps started getting louder. "We're getting close..." Ryan murmured. Then the communicator began letting out high pitched whistles. Darkside stopped in his tracks. "The base is directly below us." he announced. However Terra and Robin's attention was focused on the building in front of them. The sign had fallen long ago but it was still legible: HOUSE OF MIRRORS.
Ryan noticed their expressions. "Did I miss something?" he asked. Robin looked like he wanted to talk but he stopped himself and looked at Terra questioningly.
"It's fine Robin." Terra assured. "This was where I betrayed the Titans and joined Slade. Leave it to him to drag us back here." she said quietly. Due to his face being covered, Ryan's expression was impossible to discern. However he spoke his next words rather gently; "I think the entrance to Slade's base is inside. Do you want to go in?"
Terra didn't hesitate: "Of course."
x.o.x.o.x.o.
Robin, Terra, and Darkside found themselves in a circular room surrounded by mirrors and immediately could tell something was off. "All of these mirrors were destroyed by Beast Boy when he fought Slade." Terra remarked. "So where did these new ones come from?"
"The carnival must have replaced them before it shut down." Robin answered.
Darkside spoke up: "I don't think so." he said, stopping in front of one of said mirrors. "Look at my reflection."
Robin glanced up. "You look normal to me." he said simply.
"Exactly my point Robin. If the carnival had replaced the mirrors; why isn't my reflection distorted? These are normal mirrors, not funhouse mirrors. Meaning someone apart from carnival staff put these up and under the circumstances I think we know who that someone is."
"Slade." Robin stated. Then he jumped up, as if hit with a sudden inspiration. He went to the outermost mirror in the circle and rapped his knuckles sharply on the glass. When nothing happened he moved to next mirror in line. He continued around the room in this fashion until...
His knock echoed behind the glass. Robin attached a time bomb to the pane and retreated some distance back. The small bomb exploded sending pieces of glass scattering down the secret tunnel the mirror had hidden. Robin flipped open his communicator: "Titans, we've found Slade's base. The house of mirrors, fifth mirror from the left. We're going in."
"Roger." Raven's voice responded.
Shutting his communicator Robin turned to Terra and Darkside. "Alright guys let's catch us a psychopath." Returning his attention to the tunnel Robin pulled a small flashlight from his belt. He clicked it on and led the way into the narrow passage. The tunnel steeply descended into total darkness.
After walking for a time the trio came, to Robin's great dismay,to a fork in the path. "Looks like we have to split up. I'll take the path on the left, Terra and Darkside you guys take the path on the right." Robin took two more flashlights from his belt and handed them to his friends. "Stay in touch guys, good luck." With that the Boy Wonder turned and walked briskly down the path he had chosen for himself.
Terra and Darkside went to the opposite path and began heading down it. Both of them clicked on their flashlight as they went. The tunnel went deeper into the bowels of the earth. Ryan finally spoke after a long while. "We must be miles under the city by now. No wonder Slade wasn't worried about the bombs. At this depth they probably wouldn't get near him."
Terra squinted down into the darkness. "Can you see anything?" she asked her companion.
"Rock. Lots and lots of rock." Ryan answered dryly.
Terra giggled and punched him playfully in the shoulder. "That's cute." she teased. You know if being a superhero doesn't work out you could always find work as comedian. Then again I'm not sure the crowd could put up with you!"
Ryan dramatically clutched his chest. "Ah Terra. You wound me!" he said with as much sarcasm as he could muster( which was really quite a lot). The two teens laughed until Darkside promptly collided with something hard with a resounding thud. His flashlight clattered to the ground and went out.
"Oww. Damnit!" Ryan cursed. Rubbing his face, he looked up sourly at the obstruction at which Terra had turned her light. As it turned out Ryan had run into a pair of large steel doors at least twelve feet tall. Terra and Ryan stared at the door for about ten seconds before Terra pulled out her communicator and dialed Robin's frequency.
"Robin here. Status report." Robin's voice cut briskly through the silence.
"This is Terra. Ryan and I found the main entrance to Slade's base. We're headed in."
"Understood. I'm going to backtrack to try and catch up to you. Be careful guys." With that Robin ended the transmission.
Ryan had gotten to his feet and was now examining the door carefully. "This is strong steel but I think I can break it down." he muttered.
"We're just barging in?" Terra asked.
"I don't know about you but I think that Slade already knows we're here. That being the case I also think that the time for subtlety is long past. Our intentions are clear enough and sneaking around would do very little for us at this point." Ryan replied.
Terra nodded in understanding. "I'd help you bust this door down but I'm afraid that I'll bring the tunnel down around us."
Darkside shrugged. " No worries. Stand back." he said. Terra did so as Darkside faced the doors. After a moments silence, the two upper tendrils on his back thickened to the size of medium sized tree trunks. He began smashing them into the doors like giant whips. Each time they created an earsplitting crash as matter and steel collided. It was slow work, the thick doors offered a great deal of resistance; but eventually the strain began to show as the impressions left behind grew and grew. Finally the doors began to cave in. Seizing his opportunity, Ryan leaped into the air and landed on the damaged doors; clinging to them like an insect. With a yell, Ryan laced his fingers together and brought his hands down on the doors like a hammer. The injured doors finally gave way; and collapsed inward with a screeching groan, sending a cloud of smoke into the air that obscured Ryan's figure.
Terra was far enough back so that the smoke didn't quite reach her. Her blue eyes scanned the smoke, looking for Darkside. Her patience was rewarded when she saw his black form moving towards her, coughing and waving his hands.
"Ugh." Ryan groaned indignantly." Doesn't Slade ever dust around here?" asked brushing the residue off his body disdainfully.
Terra chuckled. "I don't think that housekeeping is very high on Slade's priority list. Come on we should keep moving."
The duo continued down the tunnel past the doors with Ryan still grumbling quietly.
x.o.x.o.x.o.x.o.
The tunnel continued to descend into darkness. The sound if Ryan's communicator cut through the gloom. He flipped it open to reveal Robin's face. "The others have contacted me and reported that all the bombs have been disarmed. They're on their way to rendezvous with us now. What is your guy's status?"
"We've got to be getting close now. We just broke through a pair of doors so they have to go somewhere." Ryan answer
"I'm still a ways back from you guys so keep pressing forward. Slade's down here somewhere." Robin ordered.
Ryan nodded. "Got it. Over and out."
Ryan looked around. There wasn't much to see as Terra's flashlight had become the only source of light they had. Ryan could see a small light further down they way. They hurried towards it, but as they reached it Ryan's heart sank. Another fork in the path.
"Spectacular." Ryan muttered, his eyes scanning both ways. Suddenly he caught a flash of movement down the left tunnel. Just like that it was gone, disappeared into the darkness. "I saw something down this way." Ryan said pointing down the offending tunnel.
Terra nodded swiftly. "Let's check it out."
The tunnel was remarkably short, at least compared to the other tunnels in this labyrinth, and when it came out both Terra and Darkside gasped. They had emerged into a kind of pyramid shaped cavern. Very high above them was a opening that moonlight filtered through, letting a single beam reach the floor.
Ryan's quiet voice suddenly sounded out. "Terra, head back and take the other path. I can handle this. I'll catch up with you shortly."
Terra glanced at him. "Are you sure?"
Ryan nodded. "Oh yes."
Terra put a hand on his shoulder. "Be careful." she whispered. Then she turned and headed back down the tunnel.
Darkside waited for her to be gone before he raised his voice again. "Just you and me now Tarvis. I recognized you as soon as as I saw you in the tunnel."
In response a figure removed itself from the shadows and stood on the other side of the moonbeam, not quite stepping into the light. Ryan could tell that Tarvis had changed very little since the last time they had stood face to face. A tall and imposing African American man, with a scar over his left eye. He wore a set of silver armor that covered his burly chest but left his muscular arms exposed. Tarvis's face twisted into a smirk.
"Well well... The little Vanders boy all grown up" Tarvis said mockingly. "I'd hoped that I would get you all to myself. Get some payback for this." he said, gesturing to his eye.
Darkside snorted derisively. "Your lucky that's all I did. I thought your boss kept his running pet on a short leash?"
Tarvis's smirk widened. "I'm here on a special assignment. Making sure this alliance works smoothly."
"You guys cut a deal with Slade!? Your dumber than I thought. There's no way he'll keep this up. Once Slade has what he wants he'll turn on you!" Ryan exclaimed.
"Oh we are perfectly aware of that. However the fringe benefits are quite enjoyable. I can finally complete the Vanders family set." Tarvis said with relish. As he said this he reached into his belt and drew out a seven inch combat knife. "Well lookie here. This little thing brings back some fond memories don't it?" Ryan's fist clenched but he didn't respond. Tarvis noticed the reaction and continued nonchalantly. "Your father really liked it as I recall. As a matter of fact he got a big smile from it. Ear. To. Ear. And your moms? Well she thought it was just to die for. Of course that was after I found out she was a real stone fox if you get my drift."
With that last comment Tarvis had found Ryan's breaking point. With a raw yell he charge the man, bent on tearing him limb from worthless limb. Aiming a punch at Tarvis's face, Ryan was shocked when he sidestepped his punch effortlessly. Tarvis grabbed Ryan's outstretched arm and sank his own massive fist into the boy's gut. Ryan gasped out in pain and fell to his knees. Ryan felt a massive hand lift him by the neck and suddenly he found Tarvis's face inches from his own.
"Time to have some fun." Tarvis said simply. Then his giant fist headed straight for Ryan's face.
x.o.x.o.x.o.x.o.
Terra had just gotten back to the fork when, alarmingly, there was a loud scream from where she had just come from. "Ryan!" she shouted. And without a seconds hesitation ran back down the tunnel. As she reemerged into the cavern her heart nearly stopped. Ryan lay on the ground obviously beaten and completely alone. She rushed to his side and turned him on his back. "Ryan!" she shook him urgently. He groaned in response and look blearily up at her.
"You...have to leave." Ryan whispered. "He'll kill you too..."
Terra was confused. "Who'll kill me? We're alone here Ryan."
Darkside was about to answer when he focused on some point over her left shoulder. "Stay away from her!" he shouted suddenly, startling Terra. "Stay back Tarvis or so help me god I'll take take your eye instead of just giving you a scar." Terra turned to see that Ryan was shouting at a stalagmite.
Terra was starting to become concerned. "Ryan there's nobody here." she said gently trying to calm him down.
And Ryan was having none of it. "Like hell! He's right there!" pointing wildly at the cave wall. Terra's communicator sounded off at that precise moment.
"This is Robin have you guys found Slade yet?"
Terra flipped open her communicator. "Not yet. We have a bit of a problem." Terra cast a glance at Ryan who at this stage was in complete hysterics. Shouting and ranting at the top of his lungs.
"What kind of problem?" Robin asked.
"It's Darkside." Terra said urgently. "He's completely flipped out. Seeing things that aren't there and shouting nonsense. He's been acting strangely ever since we broke down that door."
Robin eyed her carefully. "Did anything happen when you broke down the door?"
"No! Well Ryan got covered in dust from the door." Terra added with a touch of desperation. Over the communicator Terra saw Robin visibly pale.
"Oh no..." Robin muttered. "Alright Terra listen because there isn't much time and the hallucinations are only going to get worse." Terra nodded and Robin continued. "Ryan's been poisoned. That "dust" from the door was a highly advanced chemical reagent. It causes paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. The hallucinations are so vivid and real that your body perceives injury when you fight them. Now stopping it is the hard part. In order for the hallucinations to stop you have to convince Ryan that what he's seeing isn't real. Once he accepts that, his mind will dispel the illusion. But because of the paranoia the toxin induces that won't be easy. The only advice I can give you is that the hallucinations only attack in the dark. So I would advise lighting the room. Turn on your locator beacon and I'll be there soon. Good luck Terra. Robin out."
Terra realized that she had a very tall order ahead of her. But one of her friends was in danger and, frankly, even if Robin had told her the only cure was to do handstands across the roof while wearing a hot dog suit she would have done it without hesitation. It was only then Terra realized that Ryan was gone. He hadn't slipped by her so there must have been another way out. Sure enough, as she looked around, she spied a small passageway and headed down it. As she walked she lightly pressed the center of the butterfly clip in her hair which began flashing red.
Terra emerged onto a small ledge and noticed that she was in a cavern similar to the last one except for the fact that the cavern she was in now was filled with crystals. Hundreds of them lined the walls. Looking over the edge she saw that the floor was about ten feet below her. And on the floor, slumped up against a crystal formation, was Ryan. He was waving his arm weakly in front of him as if to ward of his invisible tormentor.
Seeing him like this tore Terra apart. "Ryan!" she shouted down to him. He slowly turned his head up to her. "You have to trust me. What your seeing isn't real."
"How can it not be real?!" he cried back. "I can feel my body in pain from his hits... I think I'm going to die here. He won't stop until I'm dead..."
Ryan's voice gave Terra pause. She had never seen him afraid before much less terrified. But here he was and she could hear the fear in his voice. The poor guy was scared out of his mind. "Listen Ryan. You've been poisoned. That dust from the door was a trap by Slade. You can beat it if you just realize that it's all an illusion."
"I...I... I can't!" Ryan screamed.
"Yes you can Ryan! Just trust me!"
There were several seconds if silence following this. Then; "I... trust you" Ryan murmured.
He turned his attention back in front of him. "Terra's right! Your not real Tarvis! Get out of my head!" Ryan shouted with a touch of his old forcefulness. Suddenly Robin's words echoed in her mind and Terra got an idea.
Pulling out Robin's flashlight she called out. "Ryan! The illusions vanish in light. Use the crystals!" Terra tossed the flashlight down to Ryan who seemed to understand immediately. He jammed the light into the formation he was up against and clicked it on. The gem began absorbing the light and refracting it all over the entire cavern. The hundreds of crystals began absorbing these light rays and soon the entire cave was filled with a luminous and multicolored light. In Ryan's view the image of Tarvis phased out and disappeared. He was gone.
Ryan gave out a cry of thanks and collapsed on the ground, his costume receding into his back. Terra dropped to the floor and hurried to his side. He didn't look to good. His arms and face were all covered in bruises. His breath came out in heaving gasps. Ryan looked up at Terra and smiled weakly. "Thanks." he muttered and began to pull himself to his feet.
Terra helped him up. "Are you alright?" she asked with concern lacing her voice. It was then she noticed Ryan's eyes were puffy and red, like he had been crying. Wether from emotional or physical pain she couldn't say. But she felt for him.
Ryan grimaced at her question. "I'll live." he replied with a groan.
"Guys!"
Both Terra and Ryan looked up to see Robin drop in from the same ledge they had come from. He looked fairly close to panic, which was highly unusual for the Boy Wonder. "Are you guys okay?!" Robin asked immediately.
Ryan nodded. "We're fine now. Close call though."
Robin nodded his head gravely. "I've been gassed by that stuff before. I know that its no fun at all."
Ryan seemed to be getting his bearings back. "I think I've wasted enough time. Let's go find Slade."
Before Terra or Robin could agree a cold voice sounded above them. "My dear boy I believe it's far to late for that." As one the trio looked up to se none other than Slade himself standing on the ledge. "For you see... I've already found you.
x.o.x.o.x.o.x.o.x.o.
Dark-Flame: A cliffhanger again. I feel like such a jerk. Oh well. REVIEW FOR THE LOVE OF CHEESE.