Starfire looked down at Robin's sleeping body and sighed heavily. Her mind was going in many directions that she had no idea on what to feel about what had happened in the past few hours. She was utterly terrified when she saw Robin, someone she thought would never harm so much as a fly kill someone, yet alone his own daughter.
She knew that Robin needed a lot of help and right now he needed his friends more than ever. She remembered the time in Tokyo a few years back when Robin thought that he had killed someone and it had utterly destroyed him. He was so relieved when he learnt that he had just 'killed' a paper and ink monster and not a real human being, but now this time Robin had actually done it, and now he looked more 'broken' than ever.
Starfire shuddered to think about how this would affect him. Yet, almost all of her friends were going through many crises at the moment. They had only been in this future for almost two days and already almost all of her friends were going through a lot of problems. She had no idea on the state of mind of Beast Boy when he was bombarded with the fact that his older - self has been through so much suffering. She had no idea how Cyborg is dealing with the fact that he has the potential to become a supervillain.
So far, only she and maybe Raven was left 'personally untouched' by this apocalyptic future. Not yet anyway.
She stroked Robin's hair as if it was a cat as she looked around her. True to his word, Ra's Al Ghul had given them an RV, however, he had to keep the rest of the Titans in chains when Phoneix threatened to rip his skeleton out of his body as well as pointing a gun at the unconscious Robin's head to keep them in line.
The RV that they got was modest enough, even though it looked as if it was designed by a drunk, colourblind designer. It had a row of bunk beds, a few seating booths, a modest kitchen, a tiny toilet, too many wide windows and a Radio that was stuck on a classical music radio channel.
Old Man Beast Boy was on the wheel, his face is an enigma, unable to show what he is feeling. Right now they were driving in pure darkness that sends daggers of ice into your spine, the darkness was so dark that not even the strongest lightbulb in world can penetrate it. But Old Man Beast Boy was navigating through it as if the darkness was an old friend of his.
Raven and Beast Boy were confined in one booth talking to each other more with their facial expressions than through words.
Cyborg, Vic the IV and Phoenix were confined in the other booth none of them willing to break the silence that engulfed the RV.
The only sound came from Vic the IV that was repeatedly switching his shields on and off at random patterns and various intermissions.
Starfire looked down at Robin and wrapped her arms and legs around him like a rope. Robin needed his friends now more than ever, and she was trying to do whatever she can to help him and get them out of this apocalypse. But she knew all to well that this adventure isn't going to be like their other adventure's, this is going to be something that will permanently effect each one of them, whether if they want to or not.
"Don't worry Boyfriend Robin." She said in her soothing voice "...I promise that nothing bad will ever happen to you. Friend Old Man Beast Boy will protect you, and we will always be there for you. And I promise that nothing bad will happen to the rest of us."
She placed her head on top of Robins' head, letting his dark hair tickle her chin. She smiled as she saw Robin smile when she did this.
Beast Boy looked at Raven and sighed. A lot was running through his mind. He can tell that it was happening to everyone. He turned to look at Starfire comforting Robin and made a small smile. If Starfire can 'comfort' Robin, he is the one that can 'comfort' Raven the 'best', namely the Beast and Malicour incident, as well as that little journey in the multiverse that made them team up with their goofy selves for the second time, and their extremely violent selves, which they and their goofy selves both hated, even if they had to work together to stop Trigon, Darkseid and Control Freak teaming up together.
He knew that it was only a matter of time before something bad happens to them and Beast Boy was afraid on who it would be. Finally residing to break the silence between him and Raven, Beast Boy leaned in closer to Raven and muttered the first thing that he can think of "I am still recovering on what I had seen...I mean...I can't believe Robin did that...even if it were an accident…"
"Strange words for you to say." Raven said turning her head to look at Old Man Beast Boy, "Considering what your older - self has done."
"Yeah...I know…" Beast Boy said "But he has been through so much...I admit that I don't approve of his methods in combat, but...as he said...times changed now…"
"...Beast Boy…" Raven said extremely quietly so that only Beast Boy can hear it "...what about Phoenix…"
Beast Boy's eyebrows raised up when she brought their future kid up. He had thought much about him, however, Phoenix wasn't willing to 'open up' much. He then thought about their strange interaction in the shop and how he had reacted when he was about to say Trigon's name. Beast Boy told Raven about this interaction and she looked as if she had been shot in the head when Beast Boy finished.
"...this is just what I feared…" Raven said under her breath
"...what do you mean?" Beast Boy said, but he already knew the answer.
Raven looked at Beast Boy and sighed. "...Beast Boy...imagine if...if this apocalyptic future never happened, and...and we...we had a kid together…" she said, her voice rich in fear
"...yeah…" Beast Boy said slowly
"...Beast Boy...that kid would be a quarter demon...and...they are vulnerable to...to…"
"Trigon...yeah…But Rae...what...what" Beast Boy said, finishing Raven's sentence for her. However, he stalled at the question he wanted to ask.
"...Beast Boy...Imagine what he would do to him?" Raven said grimly "...He has both our powers, and he can turn into mythological creatures, something even you hasn't accomplished yet...by what you told me alone already confirmed this...Beast Boy...Trigon has done something to Phoenix...and I...I..."
Raven stuttered on her words as she tried to control herself. She looked around her as if she had forgotten the word that she wanted to say, but Beast Boy can tell just by the look on Raven's face what she wanted to say.
Raven was afraid. Afraid of what would happen to her, him and their future kids. Beast Boy made a sympathetic face and pulled raven into a hug. Raven didn't push Beast Boy away. She accepted his embrace as if it was her that did it. She was afraid, confused and lost. She just hoped that what she thought was going to happen or had happened would never happen. As long as they had each other, both of them so different and so similar at the same time, everything will be perfect.
Cyborg looked on at the two couples stone-faced, especially at Beast Boy and Raven.
Being the third wheel after Tokyo was one thing, as Robin and Starfire were acting in a 'lovey dovey' kind of way almost all the time, and he, Beast Boy and Raven was unanimous that they found it annoying or at best, cringeworthy. And now it looked like he is going to be the fifth wheel, with Beast Boy and Raven now becoming a thing. Cyborg didn't know what to think of that. He hadn't had the best luck in love.
He and Bumblebee had a thing, however Bumblebee wasn't ready, nor was she interested in starting a relationship yet. Jinx was a complicated matter, they had gone out once or twice, however that relationship fell apart very quickly, and now she was back with Kid Flash. Cyborg looked down at the baby Vic the IV that was busily doing some impressive stunts with what looked to be a shield made out of both glass and air.
"Very impressive acts isn't it?" Phoenix said who was looking over a giant blue book that he had produced out of thin air
"What?" Cyborg said turning to look at Phoenix "...I...uh...I mean...yes, he is very good!"
"The Cyborgs are made to mature as fast as possible." Phoenix said as if reading from a prepared statement "To my knowledge, our little baby here is around 6 months old, which is the age where they are programmed to be good at combat, but only defensively and not offensively. At a year they gain the ability to speak and at a year and a half they are given an 'upgrade' so that they gain offensive weaponry and at two years of age they become official members of the 'Cyborg Gang' that rules over most of the Western United States."
"How do you know all this?" Cyborg said cocking his head at Phoenix
"You told me." Phoenix said as if recalling an ugly memory "...when I was captured...by your older - self."
"Uhhh...question," Cyborg said as if he just realised something was wrong "Um...how do...do Cyborgs...breed?" he said, his face turning bright pink.
Phoenix's face turned grim as if he had just swallowed something bad "...You don't want to know Cyborg." Phoenix said grimly "Trust me, you don't want to know. All that I can say is this. That baby has 'organic metal' as his skin"
Cyborg nodded, he too didn't want to know the answer. He looked around him as if looking for another topic to talk about, he looked at Beast Boy and Raven that were frozen in their embrace and then at the sleeping Robin and Starfire on the bed.
"I don't think it is a good idea to disturb them." Phoenix said "and if Back to the Future had told me anything I don't think it would be a good idea to interfere with my parent's relationship."
"You've seen Back to the Future?" Cyborg said in a concerned tone
"Yes." Phoenix said as if laughing at a half funny joke "The house of mystery has a large library and it also includes DVD's of almost every movie known to man, and since I have lived there for almost 40 years, I tend to have a lot of free time."
"Really?" Cyborg said "What do you do in your spare time?"
"Well…" Phoenix said slowly as if choosing the next words carefully "I like to train to use my powers…"
"What exactly ARE your powers?" Cyborg asked
"Well…" Phoenix said as if trying to explain something complicated to a child "...I have a combination of both my parent's powers." He said as he shifted into a mongoose "...however I am not good at some parts of my powers…"
"Like what?" Cyborg said
"Well..." Phoenix said as if recalling an embarrassing memory as he shifted back into his normal form "Like if I teleport transporting people...it doesn't end well for them...either they merge into one person...swap bodies...or end up in many pieces..."
"...Okay…" Cyborg said "...uh...what else do you like to do?"
"Well...I like books, movies, TV, video games...And I also like music"
"Really?" Cyborg said "What kind?"
"Classical, Techno and Pop." Phoenix said. Suddenly without warning, he leaned into Cyborg's face and said in a truly demonic tone "But I hate Rock music! Okay!?"
Cyborg blinked rapidly at this sudden change of behaviour, as he watched Phoenix lean back in his seat to look at Cyborg "Sorry." Phoenix said in a sincere tone "It's just that, I had uh… a bad experience with Rock music, okay...shall we change the subject? Please?"
"...alright…" Cyborg said, trying to think of another topic to talk about "...uh...do you know who else survived the attack of the Supervillains?"
Phoenix seemed to pause at this as if what Cyborg said had placed him on a trance. Then he looked up at Cyborg and said "...Well...Excluding mom, dad, you, Robin and Constantine…" Phoenix began as if recalling a distant memory "...Thats all that is left now...There was a few green lanterns, but all of them died a long time ago...I haven't seen Lobo for a very long time...Dr Fate lost to Black Adam and god knows how many demons...And then...there was Jon Kent and Billy Batson...they died over 20 years ago in the crossfire in a fight with Darkseid and...Grandfather…"
"...So all thats left is Me...Old Man Beast Boy...Older Raven and Constantine that's it?" Cyborg said in disbelief
"What were you expecting Cyborg?" Phoenix said in an annoyed voice "The supervillains took over the world, hell they might as well have taken over the universe at this point! So yeah, that's all that is left!"
"Sorry." Cyborg said "It's just hard for us to accept...all of this…"
"I can tell" Phoenix replied as he stared out of the dark wide window.
Cyborg stared at Phoneix then back at Vic the IV that was thrusting his air-glass shield in multiple directions.
He smiled and made a soft applause which made the baby respond with a goofy smile and laugh that was impossible not to smile back at.
"You are my Grandson." Cyborg said "And I will be a better person than I was in this future. I promise."
Old Man Beast Boy looked out the window and sighed to himself. He wanted to sleep, to rest but he had done nothing to get him tired. He looked behind him to see his younger friends apparently going through their own problems and issues.
He knew what exactly was going on through most of their minds. Robin killing Ashly. He knew how much of a big deal this meant.
"You disgust me,"
Old Man Beast Boy practically jumped out of his skeleton as he saw a figure standing next to him.
It was Nightwing. The bullet wound in his head looking a fresh as ever. The only difference being that he was completely drenched in blood, an axe in one of his hands.
"What do you want Nightwing?" Old Man Beast Boy said in an annoyed, but fatigue voice.
"What have you done to me!?" Nightwing bellowed gesturing at the sleeping Robin "MY YOUNGER SELF HAS JUST KILLED SOMEONE! MY OWN DAUGHTER! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!"
"...How exactly is this my fault?" Old Man Beast Boy said in a bored voice
"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING HIM!" Nightwing screamed thrusting his hand to indicate at each of the Titans "NOW YOU HAVE TAINTED MY YOUNGER SELF! MY NUMBER 1 RULE WHEN I WAS THAT AGE WAS NEVER KILL AND YOU HAVE FAILED TO PROTECT HIM!"
"How can I stop Ashly from doing that?" Old Man Beast Boy said
"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT THEM!" Nightwing screetched "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T BE LIKE YOU! TO ME LIKE ME! MURDERS! MONSTERS! NO BETTER THAN THE VILLAINS WE FIGHT!"
"SHUT UP!" Old Man Beast Boy howled, slamming on the steering wheel as if it was a punching bag "SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!"
The moment Old Man Beat Boy started to yell the figure of Nightwing he instantly vanished into the air as if he was made out of dust. Old Man Beast Boy turned awkwardly from his seat to see that all the Titans were staring at him as if he had two heads.
"Sorry..." Old Man Beast Boy said gruffly. "...I...uh...had a hallucination…"
None of the Titans said anything so Old Man Beast Boy turned his attention back to driving, trying to soothe his thoughts down, but he might as well tried to teach a fish how to climb a tree. His thoughts were going in many directions, all of them repeating the same thing. 'You have failed to protect them', 'You have failed to protect them', 'You have failed to protect them'.
He felt tears fall from his eyes and dissolve into his face as he manoeuvred the RV deeper and deeper into darkness.
The radio suddenly fizzed as if the person in the radio station decided to switch playing a piece by Beethoven to the sound made when acid reacts to metal. Old Man Beast Boy lifted his hand to fiddle with the dial, but before his hand came into contact with the nob a voice blared from the speakers, a voice that Old Man Beast Boy hoped never to hear again.
"Well...well...well" The voice of Old Man Cyborg sneered with a laugh to rival the Joker.
The words seemed to have an effect on each, and every person on the RV. Robin immediately woke up as if arising from a nightmare, Starfire looked as if she was watching a terrifying scene in a horror movie, Raven looked as if all the air has been sucked out of her, Beast Boy looked as if his bones has been turned into stone, Phoenix looked as if he had been punched in the face, Vic the IV now resembled a scarred jelly-like metal ball and Cyborg...Cyborg looked as he had watched someone he cared about die in front of him.
"You thought that I was dead?" Old Man Cyborg gloated "Thought you have destroyed me? No. Garfield Logan. No, you have not..."
A/N: Ok, I may have lied a bit from the previous chapter saying that this is the chapter that they face off Old Man Cyborg, but I am in a wee bit of a writers' block. But I promise to you that the next chapter we get to see Old Man Cyborg fight the Titans!
Also, did you get my little hidden joke/reference to TTG and Titans (2018).
Random throw away comment: I dislike TTG, however that show is for kids, so that can get away with it. I HATE Titans (2018) as it was a giant wasted potential and it made the same mistakes DC had with their live-action movies from Man of Steel to Justice Leauge, and I find the idea of the two extremes teaming up with the OG series to be a good idea, however, I may not be the person for the job, yet.
Anyway I will be writing the next chapter ASAP, however, I have a busy week ahead and I hope to see you soon!