Ok, so I know Cody needs more introducing and stuff, but I promise you'll learn a lot about him in the chapter after this. For now, just pretend you know him, lol.
Earlier that night...
"Well, I had better go. I need to find a place to stay," Cody said as the clock ticked it's way to midnight.
"I still don't get why you can't stay with us," Steve said, annoyed.
"I refuse to share a tiny apartment above a restaurant with two still very... active parents, and sleep on the floor NEXT to the bed. I need somewhere... not there," Cody said, laughter coming from the tiny group.
"Thanks for the image, dude," Beastboy said, his expression that of disgust.
"Hey! We aren't exactly old and gross! We just aren't young and sexy anymore," Kat said.
"Anyways," Cody said, shuddering, "I'll just get a hotel, it's cool."
"In this city? Pfft, good luck! The cheapest hotel I've seen is 100 a night, and you'll be here until Monday!" Steve said, trying to reason with his son.
Raven and Beastboy chatted very quietly for a bit as Cody and Steve argued, Kat just laughing at the two silly men.
"If you're so against staying here or at a hotel, there's always Titan's Tower," Beastboy said.
"Aw, dude, I couldn't," Cody said.
"C'mon! I get along with you as well, if not more, than the other Titans! And you know, if you prove yourself, you might even be an honorary Titan someday! Maybe after some radioactive waste contaminates you, and you can breathe fire or something, but it could happen!" Beastboy joked.
"I couldn't, really. I mean, you guys rock and all, but I'd feel way too intrusive."
"Cody, stop refusing," Raven laughed, "just come to the tower. It'll only be a few days, and I'm sure the team would really like you. And, his joking aside, Beastboy has a point. If you prove yourself you could even be a Titan, like you want. You're probably even a match for Robin," Raven said.
Cody had made it clear several times how much he really envied the Titans over the course of the night, and they had a point. If he displayed an ability to hold his own and help in battles, they would make him a Titan. But that was a far off chance, considering Terra.
"You really think that'd be ok? I mean, it wouldn't be permanent, since I gotta get home, but I'd love staying with the Titans for a while."
"Yes, it's fine! Dude, just accept the offer so we can leave! I'm sooo tired," Beastboy said, pretending to fall asleep, then jolting and pretending to wake up, shocked.
"Alright, I'll grab my suitcase," Cody said, ecstatic.
When they arrived, Cody had driven his car, the Titans passengers, guiding him. They gave him the mini-tour, said their goodnights, and the entire tower fell into a temporarily peaceful sleep.
A few hours later, 2:47 AM...
The tower's blaring alarm system awoke every Titan, and Cody. Beastboy got up, and on his way to the main room, he stopped at Cody's.
Cody opened the door just as Beastboy arrived.
"Hey. Don't worry about the alarm, dude, we'll deactivate it and let you sleep. You don't need to get involved," Beastboy told him.
"Alright. Good luck," Cody said, shutting the door. Within a few moments, the alarm was off and the Titans were on their way to the area of the explosion. They found Red-X inside the store he robbed earlier... returning the stolen property.
"What the...," Beastboy said quietly.
"Hey, kids," Red-X said. Robin lashed out, aiming a roundhouse kick at his head. Red-X caught it, and elbowed Robin in the stomach, shaking the hand he caught the kick in. Even though the kick itself would have hurt tons worse, Robin was very strong, and it had hurt Red-X's hand. Sprinting to the back door, he threw the rest of the stolen items behind the counter.
They refused to let him escape this time. Raven stopped him with a forcefield, and the battle commenced. Minutes passed, and neither side showed any signs of breaking.
"Why did you return what you stole?" Robin asked mid-combat.
"I figured it'd be easier to just get the cash, rather than spend all that time trying to sell all that stuff," the villain explained. The fight continued.
Eventually, Red-X used a small box next to a counter as a stair-like springboard. He flew over Robin, Beastboy, and Raven, Cyborg and Starfire firing their projectiles at him. Raven used her powers to entrap is legs, and he swung forward, his head about to hit the ground. Using his newly added grappling hook, he shot above a small doorway, and swung through it towards his destination. He had installed a remote detaching mechanism, and he pushed it, the hook finding it's place on his wrist.
Another explosion was heard as a vault in the bank next door was blasted off of it's hinges. Red-X ran in, and grabbed several bags filled with money, and turned to see the Titans waiting for him.
"Isn't it past your bed time?" Red-X said.
"Dude! Why do you act like we're way younger than you? You're a teenager too, aren't you?!" Beastboy asked him, annoyed.
Red-X ignored the question, and shot three explosive X's at the team. All but Starfire dodged them. She was too busy making sure Robin was ok. The explosive attached itself to her waist, and a timer of thirty seconds appeared. Throwing several smoke bombs, covering the distance between himself and the Titans, he sprinted through, towards the exit. All of the Titans were blind, and two of which were dealing with a bomb, so nobody could stop him. Finally, with plenty of time to spare, Robin detached and threw the bomb into the alleyway. Though they chased him, he was faster, and had gotten a bit of a head start.
Running across the street, he aimed his grappling hook at the roof of a nearby building.
He had reached the top by the time the Titans were out of the smokescreen.
Beastboy and Raven noted a single, familiar looking car, and a man running into the strip-mall Red-X had climbed to the roof of. Refocusing, Beastboy, Raven, and the other Titans hurried even faster this time, and also reached the roof. After about fifteen seconds of looking around for any sign of him, hope already drained, the Titans heard a crash from behind the door on the roof and ran towards it. Robin flung the door open, and saw Red-X fighting a teenage boy, who looked startled by Red-X's speed and power. There was a hole in the wall next to the boy's head, which caused the loud noise, and the boy turned to offense mode. Quickly jabbing the villain in the neck, the tall boy watched as Red-X fell down. The boy's breathing was heavy, and he looked shocked, worried, and proud all at the same time.
They all spoke simultaneously.
Raven grinned.
"Dude!" Beastboy shouted, instantly recognizing Cody.
"Woah!" Cyborg shouted, shocked.
"Most impressive," Starfire said.
"Unreal," Robin said quietly, approaching the boy as he was hitting Red-X in the back to regulate his heartbeat. Cody hit him in the head again, knocking him out.
Cody looked up at the Titans, breathing heavily from running up the stairs, and fighting Red-X.
Looking, at Beastboy, Cody spoke. "How'd I do?" he asked, grinning.
8:30 AM...
Cody awoke, startled, by knocking on the door. Getting up from his bed, he stumbled his way to the door, and opened it. Beastboy stood, grinning.
"Morning, dude! How'd you sleep?" he asked.
"Great, actually. What about you?" Cody asked.
"Good, good. Rae's still sleeping, so I figured I'd get up and show you around the tower, you know?" Beastboy said.
"Sounds sick. Lemme change real quick," Cody said, closing the door. Slipping on a pair of black jeans, and a red muscle tee, he blinked the drowsiness away. After he had defeated Red-X, the Titans were very impressed. After Red-X was arrested, the Titans returned to the tower, and said they'd talk about it all in the morning.
Opening the door, he fist-bumped Beastboy, and off they went. Beastboy showed him the main room, which Cody couldn't get over, the game room, the outdoor training facility, and the pool Cyborg was working on adding to the basement. He had showed Cody just about everything else. When they got to the exercise room, Beastboy had to go to the bathroom.
"You can check it out, I'll be right back," Beastboy told him.
Cody entered the large workout room, and saw a traffic-light colored uniform working on tearing a punching bag from it's spot in the ceiling.
"Hey, Robin," Cody said, stepping towards Robin. "How's-"
He didn't finish, as Robin spun around, startled, and threw a roundhouse kick at the unfamiliar voice. He had been very on edge since the scare with Starfire.
Cody quickly caught the kick, and Robin's expression softened. Cody shook his hand from the force of the kick.
"Oh, hey, uh, Cody. Sorry, I'm just a little jumpy," Robin said.
"That's alright. I shouldn't have snuck up on you like that," Cody responded. They shook hands.
"Good to see you. Last night was really impressive, you took him out pretty easily," Robin addressed the events of only a few hours ago.
"Well, I'm sure surprise had something to do with it," Cody said. "So are you always up this early? Beastboy told me how Raven is usually up around seven, and the rest of you guys get up around nine," Cody said.
"Usually. Today's training day, though, so Cyborg is setting up the courses and stuff downstairs. I like to get a good workout in to start the day," Robin explained.
"They say you train a lot?" Cody said.
Robin laughed. "Not as much as I used to. It was pretty much my life until... well, it's a long story."
Cody nodded. "I'd love to hear it some time. I'm sure you guys have hundreds of great stories."
"More than I'd like," Robin laughed.
Cody laughed. "Yeah, I'll bet."
"So how long are you in town for?"
"Well, I'm supposed to stay 'till Monday, but I figure I'll leave Saturday morning, get home."
Robin nodded. "Ok. You just visiting family?"
"Kinda. Family friend's funeral," Cody said, shrugging.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Robin said quietly.
"The biggest part of life is death," Cody said, smiling slightly. Not happily, but just showing he would be ok.
Robin nodded, and Beastboy entered the room.
"Dudes! What's up?" he said, grinning.
"Hey, Beastboy," Robin greeted his long-time teammate.
"What's up?" Cody knuckle-bumped him.
"Gettin' ready to set to set up the Gamestation, play some Ninja Battle 6," Beastboy said, grinning from ear to ear, holding up the case.
"Did you forget, Beastboy? We've got training today," Robin said, being his buzz-killing self.
"Aw, man! Training is so BORING!" Beastboy said.
"Too bad. Cody, you want to come give it a shot? I'd like to see what you can really do," Robin said, smiling.
"Is that an offer to join the team?" Cody asked, shocked.
"Maybe, if you do well, and the others like you," Robin said.
"Well, me and Raven do. And, all things considered, you do too. I'd say you've got some pretty good chances, dude," Beastboy told Cody.
"I'd love to give it a shot. I'd have to think about joining the team and everything, since I've got a home hundreds of miles west of here," Cody said.
"Sweet, it won't be totally boring," Beastboy said, excited.
"Excuse me?" a voice said behind them. Beastboy turned to see Raven approaching.
"Um. I mean, it'll be even more fun! Cause you and Cody are there, and... Please don't hurt me," the green changeling said.
Raven smiled, and kissed him.
"Hey, Raven," Cody and Robin said simultaneously.
"Hello," she said.
Hearing a blast from outside, they knew Starfire and Cyborg had already started. For some reason, they loved training.
As the four teens made their way down to the training area, Cyborg finished his run by blasting his way through a rock wall.
"Booyah! Another record!" the massive, robotic teenager said.
"Excellent work, friend," Starfire said. "Friends Raven, Beastboy, and new friend, Cody! Greetings!" she said as she floated over to Robin, planting a kiss on his lips. As usual, he became putty in her hands. "And a glorious morning to you, boyfriend Robin."
"Morning, Star," Robin said, now happier and filled with energy again.
"What's up, y'all?" Cyborg called, walking over.
"Hey Cy," Beastboy said, high-fiving his best friend.
"Good morning, Cyborg," Raven said.
"Hey, Cyborg," Cody said, a little intimidated by him.
"Hey new guy!" Cyborg said. They also shook hands.
"New guy?" Cody said, looking to Robin.
"Not for sure yet. I talked to Cyborg, and he likes the idea of you joining the team too. But, before anything, we have to learn about you. That's why we're goin' out for pizza later-" a cheer from Beastboy interrupted him, "-and having an extra long practice today." This received groans from everyone, and Cody just nodded.
"So who's up?" Cyborg asked the group.
"I vote Cody!" Beastboy said quickly.
"I second," Robin said, though he was actually interested in seeing him, he wasn't just trying to annoy Cody.
Cyborg shrugged. "Alright, Cody starts," Cyborg said, grinning.
"What? That's just cruel! I'm new!" the 'new guy' complained.
"Starting line is over there," Cyborg said, laughing.
"Jerks," Cody said, smiling. He walked over to the starting line, and Cyborg set it to Robin's program. "Do I get a ranged weapon? I don't think hand-to-hand will do me any good against those lasers I saw," Cody said.
"How's a bo-staff sound? It deflects the lasers," Robin said.
"Perfect," Cody said, catching Robin's staff.
The timer counted down from 5, and Cody was off. Walls, turrets, traps, and flames all got in his way as he managed his way through the course.
"Dude! He can free-run!" Beatsboy exclaimed as Cody used nearly every technique he had seen on Ultimate Parkour Challenge. The others looked very confused, and Beastboy explained, still watching.
Cody spun the staff expertly, deflecting and dodging many blasts from the turrets. Several blew up from well-timed blocks, and he used it to pole-vault over a massive gap. When he finished, he had nearly beaten Cyborg's record.
Breathing heavily, we walked back to the team, who congratulated and applauded him.
"Very impressive, Cody," Robin said.
"Yeah dude, I didn't know you were a free-runner!" Beastboy said, filled with joy. Raven, holding his hand, merely sighed, smiling, at her goofy boyfriend. Resting her head on his shoulder, he looked down at her, and smiled. They kissed briefly, and he turned back to Cody, to find all eyes on them.
"You saw nothing," he said. "Anyway, now all you have to do is pass the personality test!"
"Actually, after we all finish our time trials, I want to spar with him, see just how good he is," Robin said.
Cody nodded. "Sounds cool," he said.
"Me too," Beastboy said. "I want to duel Robin too."
"Alright, after you finish your trial," Robin said, smirking and nodding to the course.
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Raven, Cyborg, Starfire, and Cody watched carefully.
Beastboy and Robin were fighting intensely. Cody had already fought Beastboy, and just barely prevailed due to a quick decision to lash out at the only foot Beastboy had planted on the ground during a roundhouse kick. This caused Beastboy to fall, and Cody stood over him, fingertips pointed at Beastboy's chest. Victorious, he helped Beastboy up, who proceeded to fight Robin.
Robin launched a fist at Beastboy's chest, who side-stepped it. Tripping Robin, Beastboy went to knee his leader in the stomach. Before he could, Robin place a hand on Beastboy's knee, and pushed down, sending himself up. Landing next to Beastboy, he struck the green teen in the side with a hook-kick, and followed up with a leg sweep. As he hit the ground, Beastboy rolled back, got to his feet, and crouched. Robin, anticipating a tackle, braced himself seconds before Beastboy jumped. The changeling leaped above Robin, grabbed his shoulders, and pulled him to the ground. Kicking up, Robin caught Beastboy in the chest, and they both lay on the ground, panting. Standing, Robin rolled forward, and kicked off the ground for an epic uppercut. Beastboy just barely dodged, and grabbed Robin's waist, flinging him to the ground. As Beastboy aimed to finish with a pin, Robin rolled sideways, stood, and tackled the surprised changeling. His fist inches from Beastboy's face, Robin had won.
This marked Cody's turn, and he stepped forward. Once Robin caught his breath, the fight began. It played out very quickly, every single move dodged or blocked, much like an action scene from a kung-fu movie. After minutes of this, Robin connected with a blow to the stomach, and a kick to the chest. Cody flew back, did a back handspring, and landed on his feet. The fight continued, and Cody struck Robin several times in the chest, before being caught in a sort of sleeper hold. He flipped Robin over him, who landed on his feet. Lightning quick, Robin spun around, and stopped his foot inches away from Cody's face.
"I... win...," Robin said, breathing heavily.
"Even though... you worked a hell of a lot... harder than I did... on the course," Cody replied through breaths.
Bruised and tired, three of the four males in the 6-person group yawned, and desired sleep.
"Ohh no, you ain't goin' to bed, we're goin' to the pizza parlor for some oh-so-delicious meat lover's pizza," Cyborg said on the way to the T-Car. It was decided Robin would take the R-Cycle with Starfire to allow for room.
"Dude, we are NOT having this discussion again! Veggie pizza!" Beastboy said.
The argument continued until they entered the T-Car, as Cody took shotgun, and Raven and Beastboy cuddled in the back.
Shutting the newly installed, soundproof barrier, like those in limousines, they began to chat.
"How are you?" Beastboy asked her, running his fingers through her hair.
She looked into his emerald eyes with her amethyst ones, and instantly they felt the connection they had, really, always had. "I'm fine," Raven said. Beastboy knew this meant great.
"Sweet," he said, holding her close to him. "I really do love you, Raven." He pulled away, his hands on her shoulders. "I think I always have. I just didn't realize it."
She smiled warmly, and kissed him passionately. "I... I love you too Gar. And you know I mean it, I would never say something that binding to someone I didn't truly love with all of my heart."
He blushed, and looked away. Raven rested her head on his chest, eyes closed.
She's so beautiful... Beastboy thought. He couldn't get over how lucky he had gotten, and how much he thought he didn't deserve her. "Rae?"
She looked up. "Yes, Gar?"
"I just wanted to tell you... You're beautiful. You really, really are," he said, a bit embarrassed by his new, charming nature towards her. It was nowhere near constant, but it showed up every once in a while to make them both blush.
She blushed, and closed her eyes, smiling shyly. "Thank you," she said quietly. He gently used his hand to make her face him, and he kissed her again.
As the kiss remained intimate, neither made it into a fierce tongue war that displayed lust. Instead, they just kissed in the back of the T-Car, as Cody and Cyborg chatted, unheard, in front.
They felt the car stop, and heard a knock on both windows. Pulling apart, they looked to see Cyborg at one window, and Cody at the other. Blushing like mad, they exited the car, and the four of them entered the pizza parlor.
Yay! I'm proud of this chapter, because I feel like it's... plausible among the Titans. I'm especially proud I could fit some BBxRae fluff in it too! ^^ As I said before, Cody will be completely introduced and explained all next chapter, and the chapter following will be all BBxRae. Hope you enjoyed the update!! They're getting long :O