Author's Note: Okay, so here's your chapter! I might not be able to update next week, because my mom, again, cancelled the internet :(

Chapter 14: Ready

Joey's Point Of View

"I'm criticized
But all your bullets ricochet
Shoot me down
But I get up."
-Titanium, David Guetta & Sia

Two days had passed since I last seen Kyd. I drove the car back to the garage to get him, but he was gone. All that was left of him at the garage was a small piece of his cape that must have torn off, which I picked up.

I decided that I couldn't waste my time all puzzled about my friend, seeing that the competition is tomorrow, and I need to find a way to get to Los Angeles, of course. I decide that the "being invisible" routine must stop, and I have to confront the Titans. I decide to do this because maybe I could get Raven to help me out.

After finding their tower (it's harder that it seems), I knock on the door, hopefully getting an answer. After a minute, the door opens and I'm surprised to see Jinx, who also seems surprised. She steps outside, putting her hand on the door to keep it from closing.

What are you doing here?

I need help- I need to get out of the city.

Why?

I thought you couldn't understand sign language.

I picked up a few things.

I smile at the girl, who gives me an angry look.

I'm the only Titan that would need to use sign language.

Is that my fault?

You've changed since I last seen you. Either you're up to something, or you've been hanging around the wrong people.

Just then, she gives a sudden glance to my left hand, the hand that I tied Kyd's piece of cape to. She quickly pulls it off my hand, letting the door to the tower close tightly.

Where'd you get this from?

In the time I spent here, I've been hanging around the right people.

Kyd isn't the right kind of person. You don't know what he's done, what he's been through.

You don't know what I've been through, either. Can I come in, now?

She gives me a dirty look before using her powers to open the door. She turns back to me and shoves me in harshly, and shuts the door behind her. We walk up to the main room and sit on the couch. I look around and notice that nobody's here except for us.

Where is-

They've been missing for the past week. I've been here keeping the tower in order.

I'm surprised that they let you, of all people, control their tower. Seeing that you were a villain, and all.

Well, you are sure sounding like one, even though you don't have any powers.

I pause before saying or doing anything, thinking about what I should do.

Do you trust me?

Why would I?! You've insulted me since you got here!

I look down at my feet and then continue to look at the strange girl.

It's not my fault; I just haven't been able to think straight. My life isn't the best one, okay?

And why is that?

It just hasn't been, okay? And who are you to question me? Your team is out there missing, and you don't care?

I care! I'm just not strong enough to do anything myself! I'm-

She looks at me with wide eyes and a smile.

What?

Look, I need to prove that I'm not worthless, and you need to gain the Titans' trust. Help me get to the building, and you'll get your way out of the city. Deal?

Why do you do that?

What?

First you trust me, and then you don't trust me, now you want me to go on a mission with you?! Why do you do that?!

I guess that lately, I've been hanging around the right kind of people.

She turns and smiles at me, and I just turn away.

Deal. Where are they?

She walks to the computer and turns on the map. She turns back to look at me and points to the screen.

See that block?

I see it just fine. Do I believe it? Not really.

Why?

I stand up and walk to the computer. I pull up the page of the science lab, which was tricky, but I did it.

That block you showed me was a science lab. I'm not really welcome there, but I can get in. They do tests on metahumans and children of villains.

Why aren't you welcome there?

As soon as she said that, I pull up a picture of Grant from the site.

Because my brother is there.

You're the son of a villain, then?!

Well, I'm a metahuman. Children of villains aren't the only people there. And yes, I do have powers, but barely anyone knows about them. Only, well, you, and my dad, of course.

Well, how are we supposed to get into the building, then?

I have an idea, but you probably won't like it.

I had to fight with Jinx to let her agree with the plan, but luckily she agreed with me. Since I'm not really a "pro" at using my powers, it took me some time, but eventually I got it.

Jinx was the first human I possessed ever, and frankly, I didn't really like what was going on in her head.

It took me some time, but we got to the lab, nonetheless. I made Jinx wear sunglasses, so no one would be suspicious. The people at the lab here know everything about nearly everyone, which means they would know that Jinx's eyes aren't green.

As we walked in, I had no clue where to go, but Jinx knew that the Titans had a little "meeting" with my brother, so all I needed to know is where his room was. Since I had to knock Jinx out to control her voice, I was fully able to talk. I found a not-so-smart security guard, who wouldn't even look up from his newspaper.

Excuse me, sir, but do you happen to know what Grant Wilson's room number is? I'm here to help the Titans.

The Teen Titans? They left yesterday morning.

Oh, well I'll be on my way, then.

You do that, ma'am.

After letting Jinx go, per say, she was not the happiest person.

They left?! Why didn't they tell me, why wasn't I told about this?!

Maybe they don't trust you as much as you thought.

Where could they have gone? There's nowhere where they could go.

They're looking for Slade, I'm sure. A little payback for what he's done to me.

What's he done?

Nothing, which is the problem.

Why?

I need to get to L.A. today, and Raven can send me there. Herald could too, but I haven't a clue where he is.

Herald? With the horn? I can get him here, if you'd like.

But what about our deal?

The deal was that I'd help you if you got me to here, the building. Then I'd help you get to the city.

Alright. Thanks for your help.

No problem.

The strange girl pulls out her communicator and gives Herald a call, and he is here in a matter of seconds.

Jericho, you ready to leave?

I have a car I need to get first, and all my stuff is in it. Can you give me a minute, first?

Sure.

He starts to walk towards the parking garage which is nearby, and where my car is.

Jinx, are you sure you'll be alright? What about the Titans?

I'll be fine, and I'll try to look for them. There are plenty of Titans across the globe, I'm pretty sure we can find five people.

Grant's with them. So are Terra and this other girl, Rose.

How do you...?

Their names were on a clipboard. The sign out board. It's when the company, if ever, decide that they can send people out. I guess they ruled them over. You Titans are pretty persuasive.

Jinx then takes off her necklace and grabs my hand, placing the jewelry in it and closing my hand around it.

Good luck.

Alright, so I'll open a portal to the city, and you drive through it. Simple enough, okay?

As I give him a thumbs up to show that I understand, I hear Herald's signature horn blowing towards the car. I turn the vehicle on and slowly drive it through the portal, out of Jump City and into the City of Angels.

Jinx's Point Of View

After my friend left, I venture back to the T-shaped tower and onto the roof, looking to the great view of the city. I sigh and I go back downstairs, into the living room. I look at the couch, and I see the forgotten piece of cloth of Kyd's cape. Knowing that he and Jericho were friends, I travel to the Five's house, which is not too far away. I knock on the door, and Billy answers it.

Well, isn't it our old friend. Say, Billy, isn't she a traitor?

Come to think of it, yes Billy, she is.

And we don't let traitors in here, do we?

No Billy, we-

Guys, where's Kyd? I need to talk to him.

Haven't seen him in days. Heard he's been hanging around an old place down the street.

The old abandoned house?

Yep. He's hung around there with one of you Titans.

Nice to see you, but I have to go.

I've been doing way to much walking today, but I need to know what's going on. I run to the house and up to the porch. I knock on the door, but no one answered. I found that the door wasn't locked, so I let myself in.

Hello? Is anyone here? Hello?

The house was just as old on the outside as it is on the inside. It was a clean house, but it was still old. I don't see the appeal, however, of why Kyd and Jericho hung out here.

I go upstairs, and there are a few bedrooms, one clearly was a room to a couple of kids. I hear a strange noise downstairs, so I quit my inspection of the room and retrace my steps back to the ground floor of the house, where I see an elderly man in the kitchen, who clearly sees me.

Excuse me, ma'am, but who are you?

My name is Jinx. I've heard that Kyd Wykkyd's been hanging around here, but hasn't been seen here for a couple of days. Do you know who I am speaking of?

Is he pale, red eyes, wears black?

Yes, that's him.

I only know him as Elliot, for he is a friend of the boy who used to live here.

Jericho lived here?

You're a Titan. How'd you get here? I thought that-

Why does it matter that I'm a Titan?

No one knows this house, no one except the family that lives here and Elliot. He has betrayed us.

Are you a relative of Jericho's?

I cannot say, because you spy for the children. He has betrayed us. Blown us over.

You can tell me. I promise, I will not betray you. Jericho is a friend of mine.

Of course he is. He is one of you.

Actually, no. Jericho isn't a Titan. He left, but only I know so. He trusts me, and so can you. What is your name, if you can say so?

Yes, my name is Wintergreen. So he truly trusts you?

Yes, and I him.

I cannot tell if you lie. What have you done for him?

I've helped him leave his mountain without the Titans knowing, and I've helped him get to a laboratory, which his brother used to live in-

'Used'? Does he not still?

Apparently not. He's with the Titans, so he'll be safe.

You promise not to tell of the people who live here? Of Joseph's family?

Is that Jericho's name?

Yes. Now do you?

I promise I will not tell. I will not betray a friend of Jericho's. Kyd is one of my good friends as well. You did not answer my question yet, sir, either. Is Jericho a relative of yours?

No, I work for his father.

Ah. Why is it wrong that I am a Titan?

It's not wrong, it's just not okay. The family wasn't really the best. Still isn't. Joseph's father doesn't really trust a lot of people, ma'am. I can't tell you much.

I see. Do you know where Kyd is, then?

Elliot hasn't been here lately, ma'am. If I heard where he was, I'd tell you. As I don't know, I can tell you anything. I'm sorry.

I sigh and frown as I head out the door, but Wintergreen stops me before I leave.

Don't be sad, it only lets your pretty face go to waste. Smile, be happy.

Why are you so nice to me?

Why are you so nice to Joseph?

He deserves it.

So do you.

Since I can't tell him directly, tell Jericho's father that his son is a wonderful boy. He doesn't seem to know it.

I assure you, he does.

My thoughts ponder at Wintergreen's words.

Smile.

Before I worked with the Five, I worked with a strange man in Gotham. He was delusional, so I left. Never did I know years of watching and listening could take such a toll on a young, confused girl.

I walk back to the tower and sit, again, on the roof. It's a cold, starry night. I thought it was going to be free of chaos, free of trouble. As I turned to go back inside, I thought wrong.

Buildings were burning before my eyes. It was arranged in a weird pattern, the fire. A smile.

I finally realized Wintergreen's words.

Smile. Be happy.

Everyone has a symbol. Some it's a letter, some an object, some an animal. Smiles were this man's thing.

Happy was he when he caused pain.

Happy I would be when I figured out Wintergreen's riddle.

I laughed and smiled as I realized something.

The Joker is in the wrong town.

To

Chapter 15 Preview

How are you so stupid? So ignorant? You went to his house. If you were truly one of them, you would know who Wintergreen really is. I'm sure the Titans have a full definition on who he is. With his father, a full book. A man who wants to be hidden, is bad and hated by the Titans. You figure it out yourself, Jinx, and he won't be your friend when you do.

After the man escapes from the city, I rush back to the tower, where, turning on the television, I see a horror. Destruction, crashes, fires, death. That's all the contest really was. The advantage, I do not know. Surely the "winner" gets a prize, but is it worth all of this? I see a couple of people I know in this, but not many. As I watch this devastation continue, I see a terribly crash, and as I see it, I turn off the screen and fall to my knees on the floor. I pull my hair as I scream and cry as I slowly learn that I could have stopped this. I could have told someone, did something.

If you get a chance, be sure to check out Violetinspiration's story Jericho's Emancipation, and Seyre231's story My Only Son. They are glorious!

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