A/N Get ready to stumble! and maybe hate me I don't know. Anyway I give you all the next Chapter in this ever evolving story, much ado to you reeaders out there who've been here from the start or are just now joining the band wagon. Either way I extend all of my thanks to you all.
tsk91- Business sense can be overlooked for now, just know that BB does get the training required for such a task, or yes it would be a terrible mistake on Slades part.
dj25Staz- yeah CEO, the big badass who all brown nosers suck up too. Hope he has a scraper to get them off his ass. And as requested the next chapter awaits.
Also thanks to all who've followed, faved, and commented thus far! Keep it up and I'll keep posting, maybe even be nice (SPOILER) cause right now the end isn't looking to good for a certain character...
Anyway I'll let you get back to reading.
Remember this takes place TWO YEARS after the last chapter
Mark sat idly in the smooth black leather chair in his office on the twentieth floor, of Wilson Industries, looking out across the way to Titans Tower. It seemed to suit them, but why anyone would have an HQ in the shape of a T was beyond his comprehension. Maybe they want people to know where they live so villains can bomb them, he chuckled darkly before turning back to his computer. Typing up his weekly report the CEO sat contently once it was all finished, and now he just awaited the call. The cal that would signal the beginning of a plan two years into the making. The wait seemed to be endless. Green eyes stared blankly at the flashing lights of the office phone wondering if he should even bother. I mean it's not like its going to be Batman or one of the Titans calling me. Thirty minutes later he was up out of his seat looking out his window once more, but this time down at the hustle and bustle going on in the streets.
Resting his arm on the cool glass window the changeling sighed, he'd been awaiting this moment for two years; two years of business education, two years of advanced martial arts, weapons, and military training all for this plan. Now that it was finally the day he knew the bang would happen a smile crossed his chiseled features. This day all of his boredom would finally pay off.
The obnoxious ringing of the office phone vibrated the glass table on which it sat drawing the man's attention. It's the call, it has to be, a Cheshire grin spread across his face. Practically running to the call Mark eased himself of his excitement, calmly running two hands down his cool grey Gucci suit, before casually picking up the phone and putting it to his ear.
"Mr. Thimba, this is Nightwing of the Teen Titans," the voice on the other end spoke though Mark was really dumbfounded. I thought I was supposed to get a call from Slade or Terra. "You're in danger."
Deciding to play the role of CEO to a T Mark scoffed calmly speaking into the phone, "I'm sorry sir, but do you think if I took every threat seriously I'd be where I am today?"
Nightwing answered with silence and then a sigh, "We're on our way, don't leave the building." the line went dead and Mark put the phone down pressing his hands into the glass to steady himself, and then the phone rang again.
Taking his time picking the call up this time Mark was sure it to be the Titans again but perked up when he head her smooth voice on the other end, "Hi Mark," Terra's voice flowed coldly through his ears, "I want you to look out your window," he did as he was told looking at Titans tower, "Not that window-" she growled putting on the act just in case the hero's were listening in, "The other one." Doing as he was told the Changeling's face remained still waiting for further instruction.
"Good, now what I need you to do is stand perfectly still." the command was almost sweet in a sickly twisted way. Staring out at the city scape the businesses CEO didn't move, then a woman clad in bronze and steel colored armor floated on rock just outside.
Seeing her hang up her phone Mark followed suit but dropped the phone just shy of its holder sending it clanging to the floor. Just as he was about to back away the blonde controlling the earth raised her hands shattering the glass. In that moment time seemed to stop for the man; a few shards sharp and rigid tore his face and body before his hands were able to rise in time, and then it all stopped as a wall of black energy shot up from below him blocking the rest that would have cut him open.
Wide eyed and running with adrenaline this was it. The moment he'd been waiting for. Letting his hands slowly fall back to his sides killer green eyes settled on the woman floating before him. Her outfit was a dark violet much akin to that of which royalty would wear, her arms gloved with silk, thigh high leather boots covered her legs, and the cape of her long cloak billowed from the mystic energies she put off.
"Terra," the name escaped the empath's lips like death was calling to the geomancer himself.
Watching as his girlfriend waved to the Titan she winked in their direction, "Hey Rea how's your head?"
The woman stepped up into her fighting stance, "You won't get away with what you're planning." the comment was cut and dry.
Chuckling Mark witnessed as Terra threw more rocks their way only to be stopped by the wall of black energy Raven had encased them in, "You and what army? Or need I remind you what happened last time you faced me?" the blonde blew at her nails with a dainty breath and smile though her wicked blue eyes were concentrated on the witch.
"I will end you if I must." the threat was filled with pure anger.
Internally growling at how turned on he was Changeling looked her up and down, Damn I wonder if I can screw her before killing her. I mean Terra's hot but damn. The thought was there then gone the next as another Titan crashed through the next window rolling to her side. His black and blue suit could only mean that it was- wait Aqualad? They send him to protect me? Shit I was at least hoping for someone with some skill. Shit punk asses. Disappointed in the hero's form of protection Mark decided to let them know it.
"You owe me a new window," his tone was calmer than it should have been.
Ignoring the man behind her Raven mentally linked with Nightwing, she wanted to make sure he'd heard it too, "Did he seem a little calm to you?" her voice held none of it's usual sarcasm.
"Yeah," the boy wonder replied as he watched waiting to make his move, "But just make sure to keep him away from Terra. God only knows what she and Slade have planned."
Severing the link the empath nodded to Aqualad to make his move. Understanding it was time for action the Atlantean jumped from his crouch arms outstretched summoning all the water that flowed through the pipes to burst and drench the room in water. Raising his left hand Higher the water manipulator swirled his right hand as the geomancer was concentrated on the left. Then when least expecting it the hero shot out his right hand sending forth a hydro beam right into the blondes chest. Though she was staggered nothing had prepared wither the water boy or empath for what came next.
Terra smiled something so sinister it had their blood running cold within their veins, all except Changeling's though, for him this was just the beginning. Levitating out into the center of the street Terra's eyes burned like fire as her arms gradually came up shaking the world harder and harder the higher they went.
Inside the room Raven's eyes seemed to panic feeling the ground shift beneath her feet and the metal support structure for the building bend squealing from resistance. It was not only the building that was in danger though, all around the geomancer roads were rising jagged and steep, holes burrowed from concrete, and the screams of innocents in danger filled the air like mournful music. It was Mark or the innocents. That was the price, the life of one for the many.
Seeing the look of understanding on the empaths face Terra smiled, "That's right Rea him or the innocents choose." she laughed maniacally.
Aqualad moved closer to the woman, "Raven we can-"
"Shut up!" she screamed, "Shut up!" her mind was in overdrive. The choice was killing her. The last time it was this way Beast Boy gave his life for the many, but it was his job and- and Mark is an innocent I can't- As the havoc continued outside Raven tried to contact Nightwing but apparently he was witnessing the devastation first hand as he was helping those on the ground as were Star and Cyborg. She couldn't make this choice and Terra knew it.
Red brick coarse and rough pushed into Nightwings back as he braced the falling wall against his back giving the mother of three time to get herself and her children out of the area. Tensing all of his muscles the weight of the wall was beginning to bear down on his as his feet attempted to slip from under him due to the shaking earth. Terra had gotten better than when they'd last met, but this was big even for her. Clenching his teeth the leader watched as the woman made it out of the walls vicinity, but he was still stuck there, "Star, I need a hand if you don't mind…" he breathed into his earpiece.
"I'm on my way," she notified before going silent and showing up at the Titans location. Lifting the wall the Tamaranian princess through it down across a nearby sink hole hoping people not in immediate danger would use it to cross the streets safely.
Rolling his shoulders Nightwing nodded to the woman in thanks before she flew off. Cracking his neck the boy wonder jumped back into disaster mode looking for the nearest victim of Terra's rampage. Meanwhile Cyborg was dealing with the devastation as well.
Blasting falling debris into smaller bits of rubble the grown man shot his sonic cannon in the air in all directions, mainly focusing on the bigger pieces while also making sure what did come down as a result of his interference wouldn't injure the people further than it already had. Scanning the city streets for weak points in any structure the half man half robot's cybernetic eye picked up thermal images being crushed under what seemed like a ton of rubble.
Darting over to the area he metalman laced his hands on the underside of the stone crushing whomever was beneath. Bending his knees the part time Leaguer pulled up on the concrete riddled with metal poles just adding to the weight of the slab. There was no way the Titans could clean this mess up if Terra didn't stop, not even with help from Titans East. Dammit nobody in Rea's situation should have to choose. Pulling the stone up enough to get the person dislodged a crazed pedestrian scuffled away covered in dust and grime from the road.
Further down the road Starfire flew low looking for the people stuck in the road, sinkholes, and any other place only she could get to fast enough. The day had started off with blue sky's and sun, but when the traitorous bitch attacked the crumbling stone of the buildings rose into the sky blocking out the sun like an evil omen. It was becoming harder to breath and every now and then on the other side of the dust groups of people; children, fathers, mothers, and brothers would run out of the smoke crying covered in ash and dirt looking for each other.
Scanning the area for others to help a voice in the distance screamed bloody murder, "Somebody help me! Somebody please!" the small voice cried out.
Stopping mid flight Starfire turned swifter than some would believe possible. Following the voice she found her way in the dark ending at a collapsed building with a small child standing by the ruble crying. Tear streaks on the small girls face cascaded cutting through the grime that covered her cheeks and her blonde hair was matted with crushed concrete. Landing beside the small girl Starfire looked around for an adult of any kind, but there was none to be seen in the ever thickening cloud of despair.
Kneeling before the girl Starfire gently laid her hands atop the girls shoulders, "Where is your mother?" the question was soft and nurturing but only seemed to make the little girl cry harder. Distraught at the scene Star abandoned all coherent process bringing the child into a hug who then clung to her like a raft in the middle of a stormy ocean.
As the girls tears poured onto the redheads shoulder the eyes of the Tamaranian landed on a hand clutching to a teddybear. Following the direction of the arm crimson mixed with the dust, glass, cinders under a wall of stone, and fanned out near the arm was long lustrous hair covered in the rot.
Realising that the little girl she now held in her arms witnessed the death of her mother Starfire openly cried grabbing the stuffed bear before flying out of the smoke and back into the light. All of this destruction and death, for what? For one man? A piece of technology? The ends did not justify the means, but when it came to Slade and Terra it was completly and inevitably true.
"Stop!" Aqualad jumped in front of Mark whom she hadn't even noticed was moving towards the window, "You can't give yourself over to her she'll-"
"What?" the question came out of the young man's mouth, "Stop the torture and destruction she's causing on these people?" his hand jolted out to the scene before them, "Look down there hero," the word almost seemed to make him sick, "Down there is where you should be, both of you," he turned back to Raven, "You can't make this choice but I can."
"Why?" the one syllable escaped Raven's mouth before she realized she said it out loud.
Moving his eyes back to the scene of destruction Mark smiled, he actually smiled, "Because I'm no hero." the answer was simple. He wasn't a hero and so he didn't have to worry about saving everyone like they did.
Looking upon him with some measure of respect Raven could understand, "Very well, but we will come for you."
Laughing the Changeling never looked back, "I'm counting on it," he said with all too knowing eyes before he called out to the geomancer, "Hey blondie!"
Just as he called out the nickname he'd given to Terra the destruction and terror stopped as quickly as it had begun, "Good choice," she smirked levitating over to pick Mark up but still on guard should they try anything. Grabbing the man by his collar Mark was situated on the stone which the geomancer used to stay afloat. Smirking at Rea one last time before taking off the geomancer wanted to clarify something, "It's just business Rea you know that." However like every villain untrue to their word the blonde clenched her free fist causing the earth to move once more. Taking the distraction to her advantage the earth manipulator flew away with the man they'd spent the last two years waiting and watching for Slade and his team to strike.
A/N Damn it would seem two years went down the tubes for the titans and prevailed for Slade *Psychologist stance* And how does that make you feel?
Anyway was it hat you expected, below expectations, or completely blow your mind expectations? Let me know by commenting, favoriting, following, or any of the combination please. Lets see if we can get 5 comments in though PLEASE?!
Until next time this has been Warden Commander Oxford, signing off.