Teen Titans Fan Fiction

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans, its Production Company, affiliates, and sponsors. Everything is fictional and any similiarities between the characters and any living person are purely coincidental.

A/N: Dragontwin: Thank you. You are the first reviewer to read and review it since I started working on it once more. Your kind words have rejuvinated me. I can write a lot since I have a lot of free time on my hands at the moment. As promised, I have updated. The next few chapters I dedicate to you. I hope you enjoy it!

Legend -

Normal Font: Basic read and insight.

Bold: Change of location or time.

Italics: Individual thoughts and recollections.

SACRIFICE

As the Titans prepare to enter a battle of epic proportions, Beast Boy tries to convince an old friend to help. Raven, Cyborg and Starfire are forced into battle against Slade's minions in order to save Robin and the city from one impending threat. Can Beast Boy save the city from the other?

Chapter 13 - Opening Round

It's a late afternoon in Jump City. The sun was already into its descent into the mountains of the east. Another couple of hours and it would be sunset, at which point the parade would start. Two lights come into focus, a blue, white and gray vehicle comes screeching to a halt on a wooden deck. Large, warehouse shaped buildings stood watch all across and could be seen as far as the eye would allow. Up in the sky, homoculus clouds slowly drifted across the sky. Another storm was coming, the fight to save the city was about to start. The lights in the vehicle shut off as the engine was cut. The driver's side door opened. A metallic boot stepped out, as Cyborg got out of the T-Car.

Above him, Raven and Starfire were flying. They both landed next to him, as they all started observing the area. Cyborg held up his left forearm, a screen showing readings in the atmosphere blipped on. "I'm not sure which one to start at, this is could just take a while to find the right one." Cyborg announced to the others as he put his forearm down.

How are we supposed to fight Slade's minions, if we can't even find them? Cyborg was asking himself. He started walking but Starfire was covering her mouth, reminding him that they could find where they were supposed to go.

"Ahhh...ahhh...ACHOOOO!!" Starfire had sneezed loudly. Starfire's sneezes were legendary, even amongst the Titans. When she did, she couldn't control a release of energy, and it left a large area of the ground scorched. Raven had grabbed Cyborg and pulled him behind Starfire as she sneezed.

"Please excuse me." Starfire was wiping her nose as she spoke. Cyborg smiled. Yes, that's right, Starfire's allergic to the core of a cronaton detanator. We can find exactly where they are.

Starfire had a puzzled look on her face as she saw Cyborg smiling. "Friend Cyborg, why do you wear the look of amusement on your face?" She sort of found it a bit cold that he could find joy in light of their current situation. She wasn't entirely wrong. Robin had been captured after their last encounter with Slade, Joker was about to release Joker gas on the people of the city, and to make matters worse, Slade had a cronaton detonator as insurance that they would not interfere. Things were far from being joyous indeed.

Raven had seemed to catch onto what Cyborg was thinking. "Starfire, your allergic to metallic chromium. Up until a few minutes ago, we had no way of finding the cronaton detonator. When you sneezed, Cyborg realized you could track it. Just like the last time, that is why he's smiling." She pointed her finger at Cyborg as she finished speaking. Cyborg rubbed his head and his smile extended further.

Starfire became embarrased when she realized that she had taken out some of her frustration on Cyborg. Her cheeks turned pink and looked down at the floor. She couldn't hold her embarrasment for long as she started to sneeze once more. "Ah...ACHOO!!!" Sne sneezed once more and sniffed the air. Walking towards where the scent was it's most deafening, she motioned for the others to follow her. Raven and Cyborg both smiled as the time to fight was now. Hold on, Robin, the calvary's almost there.

Starfire stopped only a few feet from where she started, in front of her was a door that led into a warehouse. Finally, a lucky break. Cyborg didn't even hesitate, his armed transformed into his sonic cannon and fired. The door burst backwards as the three Titans ran into the dimly lit warehouse. It was empty. There wasn't anything or anybody around. No crates, no boxes, not even a rat could be seen anywhere. The warehouse rooms were fairly large, the Titans had found in several before. It allowed freedom of movement, where you could fight as you desired. Dozens of red lights turned on, small cameras were placed everywhere, their lights showing each individual location. A voice echoed to where they all stood. "Excellent, you've arrived. Who knew you Titans were so punctual?" Slade's familiar voice rang through as each Titan prepared for battle.

"Don't forget the rules, now. One on one battles. You remember the pairings, don't you?" Slade's voice continued to echo, but none of them could tell where it was coming from. About 30 feet in front of them, the ground began to crumble. Cracks in the ground became larger, as Cinderblock burst through the ground and onto the main scene, facing the Titans. Raven stepped forward and put on her blue hood. "Good, I do so hate repeating myself. Oh, I seemed to have forgot to mention a few details..." Slade's voice trailed off as their entrance was suddenly cut off. A steel cage like door came from below it, trapping them all inside.

"Once an opponent is defeated, the location for your next opponent will be revealed to you. It will only reveal itself if you play by the rules. What are the rules? They're simple. Each Titan faces an opponent I decide. Win and move on and save your precious city. Fail, and let's just say we'll all need new homes. Only one Titan may enter battle, and you all must continue onward. No one may leave after fighting and seeing as how Raven remembered the pairing's. Let us begin..." Another batch of red lights illuminated the area, this one wasn't related to a camera though. It showed 30:00.

"One more thing, you each have 30 minutes to win or you can kiss Robin goodbye. I won't detonate the detonator, but Robin's safety will depend on you."

Great...a 30 minute fight against a raging bull... or is it blockhead? ... Nevertheless, 30 minutes is more than enough time to take you down, Cinderblock. Raven then took a defensive posture, ready to fight.

A buzzer went off, Cinderblock charged towards Raven, the box then showed 29:59.

Twenty minutes earlier, outside of Murakami High School...

Beast Boy was running, trying to catch up to Terra. He had found her at the school, but Cyborg's communication relay had stopped him, and he lost sight of her. Retracing his steps when he followed her earlier months before, he continued to run. He passed by several people, nearly bumping into each one that was walking the opposite way. A middle aged woman gasped as she saw the green Titan burst past her and shrieked. Two small children pointed at him while tugging at their mother to look at the 'green' monster. He finally saw Terra, she was alone, across the street, carrying books and walking just past the Titans' favorite pizza parlor.

"Terra!!!" Beast Boy shouted as he thought he was in range where she could hear him. Terra did not turn around, she just kept walking. Beast Boy shouted her name as he continued to get closer, but she still continued to walk as if she had heard nothing. Beast Boy finally caught up to her. He put his hand on her shoulder so she would turn around, but all she did was stop. Her head dropped down for a bit, she was looking down at her feet.

"Terra..." Beast Boy removed his hand from her shoulder as he watched. Regaining his composure he asked, "It was you who sent the message, wasn't it? You told us that Joker was planning to attack the city at the parade, didn't you?" Beast Boy pointed his finger slowly, it was shaking. He had thought out what he was going to say to her a hundred thousand times, but it was still hard to speak. He was sweating, she still made him feel nervous.

"Beast Boy... I..." Terra lifted her head up and turned around to face him. She was holding onto her school books, as well as several notebooks. Wearing the school's uniform, she continued to address him, "I ran into the Joker by accident the other day. He was about to do something to me, but I managed to get away. One of his goons said that Slade was transporting someone and I thought you guys would want to know. That's it." She finished speaking, but Beast Boy still looked at her as seriously as he ever did. It reminded her of the last time they spoke.

"Terra..." Beast Boy's voice echoed concern. He held out his hand, but withdrew it quickly. Shaking his head, he remembered what it was he needed to say.

"Robin's been captured. Slade and Joker are working together. They both have a seperate way to destroy our city. The other Titans were forced into a duel with Slade's minions. I've been left to deal with the Joker, alone. I can't do this alone, Terra. I need your help, please!" Beast Boy's eyes also grew with concern, he was alone to face the fate of the entire city and the pressure was starting to get to him.

Terra shook her head. "I'm not a hero, Beast Boy. I'm just another girl with a lot of homework that I haven't started on, yet." She turned around again, not wanting to face him. Beast Boy could not see why she wouldn't help him. He needed her help, they were the only two who could stop thousands of people from becoming the Joker's next victims.

"Even if it's only this one time, Terra, Joker's not planning on affecting only a few people like almost all of the villains we've faced. He's gonna hurt a lot of people. Some of them could be your friends, Terra!!" Beast Boy exclaimed as he waved his arm to the side, further making his point.

Terra took a second to absorb everything he told her. She sighed heavily and turned around to face Beast Boy once more. "I'm sorry, Beast Boy, but it's just not who I am. You're a Teen Titan for a reason, and you've got to have more faith in yourself. I know you have what it takes to beat Joker ... and save our city." Terra almost smiled at him. After all, you did save me. Beast Boy's heart almost skipped a beat. "You can do it, Beast Boy, I know you can." Terra turned around and ran the opposite way. Beast Boy froze as he saw her run off. He put his hand out to her, but could not find the words. Terra, I still have so much more to tell you. Beast Boy quietly stood there, he put his head down for a moment. Fighting back tears, he turned into a raven and it flew up into the sky.

Back at the duel between Raven and Cinderblock...

The clock showed 25:35 as the clock continued to count down. Raven had managed to dodge every one of Cinderblock's attacks, but any attempt of a counter attack was utterly useless. Her dark powers could not penetrate Cinderblock's body. To make matters worse, there weren't any objects she could possess and hurl at him. If that wasn't enough, Cinderblock's body was as hard as stone, and it was magically protected, so she couldn't cut him. He roared and pounded the ground, sending a shock wave over to Raven. Raven barely had time to put up a protective shield, but the shock wave burst through and sent her flying into a metallic beam that held the foundation together.

Starfire, noticing that Raven had taken a hit, shouted "Raven!!!" and started to fly upward, but Cyborg grabbed her wrist and shook his head. They weren't allowed to interfere. All of their actions were being monitored by dozens of cameras everywhere. Any attempt to help her and Slade would end the fight for everyone in Jump City. Starfire caught onto what Cyborg was doing and set back onto the floor, she put both hands together as concern grew for her friend's predicament.

Raven had managed to get on all four's, shaking her head, she regained her composure and looked over at Cinderblock. He was charging again, shouting out things that only Cinderblock understood. "Ok, fine, if that's the way you wanna play it..." Cinderblock jumped up into the air, and laid his body out horizontally. He was planning on crushing Raven with his entire body. I need to think of something, fast! Raven vanished by using her dark powers to go into the ground, escaping being crushed, and re-emerged behind Cinderblock.

"Let's see you stop this!" Raven hovered up into the air and pointed both hands at Cinderblock, "Azerath, Metrion, Zinthos!!!" With those words, dark light came shooting out of her hands and encompassed Cinderblock's body as he was lying face first in the ground. The dark energy soon covered Cinderblock's entire body and rose upward as Raven lifted both arms. She swung both arms down simultaneously, causing Cinderblock to slam into the ground face first, his arms were by his side and unable to protect himself. She raised them up again, then down once more. Up and down Cinderblock went in unison with Raven's arms. Panting slightly, Raven lifted her arms up above her head and with one loud, "Herrr...aaaa!!!" swung her arms down quickly. Cinderblock had risen up to the ceiling, then came crashing down into the ground. He tried to get up, but fell back into the ground.

Raven set down, she was breathing hard, it had taken a great deal of concentration and energy to pull off what she just did. Behind her, Starfire and Cyborg came running up to her, each with smiling faces.

"Joyous occasions are in order, friend Raven, you are victorious!!!!!" Starfire exclaimed as she gave Raven another legendary Starfire bear hug. She set her down and Raven looked over to Cyborg, he winked and gave her a thumbs up. Raven almost smiled as she reflected on her victory. It was short lived as Cinderblock began to move once more.

Starfire gasped, and Cyborg's statement of "No way..." was only the beginning of their problems. Cinderblock wasn't beaten, and the time on the counter read 10:00. He had bricks for brains but was strong as an ox. He stood up and charged at Raven once more. Cyborg grabbed Starfire by the arm as they both retreated back. Raven prepared herself as Cinderblock threw another punch at her. She had managed to put up a barrier, but the force behind it was stronger than she had anticipated and it sent her flying backwards. She bounced once and landed hard. Owww, that one's gonna leave a mark. She stood up once more. What does it take for this guy to stay down? I don't know if I can even beat him now... She avoided a left punch and then a straight right thrown by Cinderblock. Bricks for brains was an accurate statement, he only charged forward. Raven flew upward as Cinderblock came down with a double fist, causing the ground to crack beneath him.

Raven continued to fly up and over Cinderblock, then took off and flew behind him and kept going. She noticed the spot where Cinderblock had come in. He came in through the ground. What would Robin do in this situation? Cinderblock turned around and roared. He pounded his chest several times like Donkey Kong, the big ape. Robin would use his surroundings to his advantage. Raven looked around at her own surroundings. There was nothing around that she could use. The warehouse was empty. It had several beams, but she couldn't use those as it held the structure up. She couldn't use the ceiling, Cinderblock was stronger than that. She couldn't use the floor because she wasn't strong enough to break it on her own. Wait a second, the floor!!! That's it!!! I CAN win..

Cinderblock charged her once more. Raven avoided it once more but this time, she said something, "Nice punch, Cinderblock, that is, if you were aiming for me that is." Cinderblock roared again and pounded both hands to the ground, causing it to crack. That's it... "What's the matter, Cinderblock? It must be frustrating to be you, all that strength and not even the brain the size of a peanut. Even Beast Boy has a bigger brain than that..." Cinderblock jumped up and down, then pounded the ground towards where Raven was standing. She flew around, then behind him. Cracks were forming all around where he stood. Good, one more should be all I need... Raven spoke up once more, "Hey Cinderblock!!! Over here!! Even if you went to the Wizard of Oz, you still couldn't have the brains to hit me!!"

Cinderblock punched downward with both hands at Raven. She flew backwards, then upward and looked straight at him. Now's my chance!!!! She chanted, "Azerath, Metrion, Zinthos!!!" her voice rising as she completed the phrase. The ground beneath Cinderblock was covered in black light. Cinderblock looked down as his feet, the entire area around him was shaking with the rubble he created. He looked up at Raven, she swung both arms away from each other as the ground suddenly vanished from underneath his feet. Gravity took over as Cinderblock fell down into the blackness of the abyss. With her powers, she used the ground she still had in control and let it fall into the hole where he once stood. Winner: Raven!!!

"Excellent work, Raven." Slade's voice came over them once more. Raven looked up at the clock, it had stopped just under 5 minutes still remaining.

"The bridge in 30 minutes." Slade's voice trailed off once more. Several small explosions took place at certain beams holding the structure together. The place was coming down.

Cyborg shouted out to the girls, "Titans, move!!!" as he ran towards the locked gate. He pulled at it hard, nothing happened. Starfire soon joined him and with a combined effort, they were able to pull it off. Tossing it aside, all three Titans retreated back to where Cyborg's T-Car stood. They watched as the empty warehouse crumbled, causing massive amounts of dust to fly into the air. All three Titans looked at each other and nodded. The time to fight is now, and fate had not decided it was time for them to die just yet.

All three hoped into Cyborg's T-car, the bridge was less than a 5 minute car ride.

Meanwhile, preparations are being made downtown...

Floats are all being set up for the big parade taking place. It was an annual tradition, to celebrate another year of prosperity in Jump City. A man in a purple suit walked down the street, passing several floats along the way. There was a float to celebrate the crowning of Miss Jump City, a large paper mache sculpture was having it's final touches put on. Another float had pizza logos all over it, they were campaigning their new meaty meat pizza, as well as their newest dessert pizza. He passed by another float showing off a balcony, with two actors dressed as Robin and Starfire. On the front, he read "Couple of the Year". His teeth grinded together, but snickered after remembering something humorous. He came to a stop. He had reached his float. On the side, he read "Joker's Pub: Come for the drinks, but stay for the laughs!!!" How right you are, daddy-o!! Hehehehe.

Several people dressed up as the Joker were conversing with each other. Apparantly, they were reviewing a song and dance selection that had been prepared just for the Parade. The real Joker hoped up onto the set and went behind the bar. He started laughing out loud, as the two big men reached into a tool bag, pulled out several wrenches and screw-drivers, then scooted underneath the float. Get ready, Jump City...If you wanna be a big city, then we're going to treat you to the life of a big city...hahahahaha!!!!! The Joker continued to laugh harder and harder. He was pressing his hands to his waist. Almost crying, he chuckled as he finished. Ladies and gentlemen...It'ssssssssssssssssss showtime!!!!

A parade organizer started walking down the street announcing, "Two hours until showtime, people! I repeat, two hours until we start!!"

Several people started running, some had forgotten something or another, others were behind schedule and tried to make up the time.

Several miles up the street in the downtown district...

People were starting to gather along the sidewalks and streets. Mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters were all setting up chairs, folding out blankets, and moving ice-chests over to where their families were. Sideshow vendors were advertising all sorts of trinkets. Some were advertising balloons, some were handing out buttons with the words "Jump City" on them, while others were walking selling food from hot dogs to ice cream. Above them all, a green bird soared quietly and un-noticed by the patrons below.

Beast Boy, as a green raven, looked below as he saw happy families setting up. He saw a young girl point to a balloon, while her mother reached into her purse and handed the vendor some money. He smiled and gave the little one the prize she wanted. She smiled and said, "Thank you, Mommy. I love you so much!!!" The little girl hugged her mother's leg. She smiled as well. The green raven flapped it's wings several times to gain speed. I will not let you crush these people's future...no matter what! Watch out, Joker, I'm coming for you!!! The green raven flew past another balloon vendor, causing several to fly upward and out of the reach of the vendor.

Above a tall building on the rooftop, blue eyes followed the green bird as it soared deeper, towards where the parade was being set up. As the wind blew, streaking blonde hair brushed past them, a butterfly comb in the right side.

Raven successfully defeats Cinderblock. The next round is about to start. Beast Boy has arrived on the scene, with blue eyes watching over him. Will these eyes help or stall his goal to saving the city?

Next Time: Chapter 14 - Bridge Battle

As time is almost up, Joker makes his public appearance to everyone in Jump City. Cyborg battles Plasmus on the bridge, as Robin and Starfire's hearts call for each other. You won't wanna miss it!