Cyborg was standing in his room, unsure of how to proceed. Ever since he had saved Jinx from being crushed by Raven's spells, Jinx had been very nice to him. But during the two weeks he had been at the Hive, he had grown close to her, and he eventually came to realize that he liked her, liked her more than any other girl he had ever met. And finally this after noon they had kissed for the first time. Hell, it was first time Cyborg had ever kissed a girl. And then, only moments later, Jinx had kissed him in front of the whole Hive, saying that she wanted all the other girls in the Hive to know that he already had a girlfriend. I have a girlfriend! The thought still stunned him.
He had later talked to Jinx and the two had made plans to spend the night in Jinx's room, alone. Even though it was just to be together, it still felt like a date to Cyborg. Which is why he now stood in his room, unsure of what to do. Should I try and dress nice, or just dress like I always do? As he stood there, puzzling over what he should do and say, his hidden arm communicator beeped, and he heard Robin's voice. "Cyborg, come in. Pick up, dammit!" Cyborg growled to himself at Robins terrible timing. Sighing to himself, he locked his door and turned on his communicator. "Robin, this had better be VERY important, or the next time I see you, I swear I'm gonna punch you in the face." Robins face came into view, and he didn't look the least unnerved by Cyborg's threat.
"We haven't heard from you in almost two weeks. TWO WEEKS! I don't care how mad you are, I had to check in and made sure the Hive hadn't done anything to you. Are you all right, why haven't you contacted us. Beast Boy, Star and Raven have been worried sick." As Robin spoke, Cyborg felt his anger at Robin disappear, slowly being replaced with guilt, although not a lot truth be told. Cyborg sighed and shook his head. "Look, I'm sorry I haven't contacted you guys, but I've been really busy. I've learned a lot about the Hive and how they work." At this Robin perked up and looked very interested. "Really? That's good news. How many are there? How strong are they, and what's their over all goal?" Cyborg paused and quickly filled Robin in on everything he knew about the Hive and Brother Blood. But as he spoke about the Hive, he felt guilty for telling Robin about his new friends, he knew that he was hear to help the Titans learn more about the Hive, but he still felt like a traitor for telling Robin about them. So as he spoke he kept the details vague and general, not using any names or key information. When he finished, Robin looked troubled.
"Cyborg, you've done great so far, but I need you to do something for me. I need you to sneak in to Brother Blood's office and see if you can't find out what he has planned for the Hive. Promise to do that tonight and call me back and I'll leave you alone for as long as you like, I promise." Cyborg glanced at the clock and new that Jinx would be waiting for him by now. I guess I could sneak by his office and take a peek. I could just look around for Robin, then call him tomorrow and tell him what I found. As Cyborg thought the plan over, he decided that it would most likely work. "Alright, I'll do it. But only if I can call you tomorrow night instead of tonight." Robin thought for a second and then nodded. "Deal. I'll expect a call from you tomorrow night. And Cyborg? If I don't receive a call from you, I'm going to assume you were caught, and the Titans and I will come looking for you." With that Robin terminated their call, and Cyborg was left staring at a blank screen, still feeling guilty for telling him about the Hive.
Shaking off his guilt and reminding himself that this is what he had joined the Hive for, he headed for Brother Blood's office. Minutes later he reached the office, and crept up to the door and put his ear next to it. After a few seconds he could hear that nobody was inside, and he backed up and gently grabbed the door handle, and was surprised to find out it was unlocked. He opened the door and crept in, shutting the door behind him. The large office was dimly lit, and he crept towards the large desk quietly. As he reached the desk and began rifling around, looking for anything important, he heard a voice behind him say.
"I wonder what you are doing here Stone." Cyborg Whipped around only to see Brother Blood walk out of the shadows and stand before him. Before Cyborg could think up an excuse Brother Blood smiled and asked softly. "Or, should I say Cyborg?" Cyborg blanched, stunned by the nonchalant way Brother Blood had just said his secret identity. "How did you know who I am? And how long have you known?" He tried to sound cool and in control, but the truth was that he was shaken to his core. He was inside the Hive Headquarters, surrounded by a small army of teenagers with super powers, all of whom hated the Teen Titans. Even though he considered many of them his friends, if they ever found out who he really was, well, Cyborg didn't want to think about the possibilities.
" I have known ever since I laid eyes on you. I am more powerful than you or any of the Titans ever imagined. I saw through your disguise instantly." Brother Blood continued to make no moves. He just stood there and starred at Cyborg.
Is he for real? Did he really know? Cyborg thoughts were racing,trying to find a way out of this that didn't wind up with him battling his way through a horde of kids as powerful as him. He felt afraid, truly afraid for the first time in years. If Brother Blood gave the order, the collected power of the Hive would be mobilized in seconds. Even if he called for help, the other Teen Titans would never make it in time. But even as he realized this, he began to wonder. If he has known about me from the beginning, why didn't he attack me already? Why didn't he reveal who I really am and have the Hive destroy me? What is playing at? Finally he asked what he was thinking, unsure what Blood would say. "Then why did you let me in? Why did you let me learn all about you and the Hive and how it works?"
Cyborg expected some response about savoring the moment, or about setting a trap for the other Teen Titans, or one of the many other many reasons that criminals always used. But what Blood said was the last thing he expected. " Because I like you and I want you to join the Hive, and one day replace me as the leader of the Hive."
"You want me to do WHAT!?" He's got to be kidding. Cyborg looked around quickly, just in case Blood was just trying to distract him so that some one could sneak up behind him. But he soon realized they were alone. He's alone. He came here alone to confront me, knowing that I may have attacked him. As he thought about it, Cyborg finally came to a conclusion. He's telling the truth. Cyborg looked Blood in the eyes and said with all the courage and power he could muster and said threateningly. "Why should I join you? Give me one reason why I shouldn't just take care of you here and now?" As he finished speaking, he deactivated one of the rings and raised a cybernetic hand, transforming it into a cannon and pointing it at Brother Blood.
Blood laughed, he actually LAUGHED, and said simply. "Because the Hive and I can give you what no one else can give you. I can give you back your old body. And the Hive can give you a family." His statement took Cyborg by surprise, but he automatically said. "The Titans are my family."
Blood raised an eye brow. "Really? If they were your family, why do they treat you no more than just another superhero, some one to do the heavy lifting. Why didn't Robin give you those rings when he first made them." Blood paused for a moment, a sad look on his face. " Six months ago." Six months, six MONTHS! Robins had these for SIX MONTHS! Why didn't he give them to me before? Why would he, wait, how does Blood know when Robin made them? Why di-wait! Cyborg looked at him and smiled. "Nice try, but that won't work."
Blood merely gestured to the communicator on Cyborgs wrist and said calmly. "If you don't believe me, ask Robin yourself. I'll stay right here." He's bluffing. There is no way Robin would do that. I've known him longer than all the others. He knew me back when I was a regular kid. He knows how much I want to be human again. He would never hold something like this back from me. Right? But a small part of him wondered about that. Cyborg knew form experience that Robin was a good ally, but he wasn't exactly a great friend, but he was VERY good at keeping secrets and doing what he thought was necessary, regardless if it was right or wrong, or how it would affect others. Finally Cyborg need to know won out and he activated his communicator. "Robin, come in Robin." Seconds later Robins face appeared. "Cyborg, what is it? Are you alright, do you need back up?" Cyborg just shook his head. "No, I'm fine." He paused, and drew in his breath. When he spoke again, his voice was cold and hard. " Robin, I need to ask you something, and I need the truth. If you consider me a friend or an ally or anything else in any way, answer me honestly. How long have you had these rings? How long have you had a pair of rings that could make me human again?"
Robin face didn't change, but Cyborg knew something was wrong. To any one else, he would look like he always does, but Cyborg had known Robin long enough to tell when he was uncomfortable or nervous. Right now he was both. "Cyborg, about that. I, I don't see the importance of the question. You have them now, and they will let you complete your mission. There fore-" Cyborg cut him off in mid sentence, not believing what he was hearing. "You don't see the IMPORTANCE!" He yelled at Robin. "You know damn well how badly I want to be human again, and you don't think it's important to tell me when you invented a ring that could turn me HUMAN AGAIN!" Cyborg wanted to scream at the top of his lungs, to get a car and drive back to Titan Tower and strangle Robin. Instead he breathed deeply and asked in a quite voice. "Answer me this Robin, and don't bull shit me. How long Robin? How long have you had these?"
Robin was pale, and Cyborg could see he was sweating slightly. He never gets this nervous. Blood was right, he has had these for a long time. When Robin still answer him, he yelled, "ANSWER ME!"
Robin gulped and said quietly. "Six months, at least." Cyborg turned and looked at Blood, who stood there, starring at him, his eyes were clearly saying sadly. I told you so.
Robin tried to speak, but Cyborg turned of his communicator and disconnected before falling to his knees, starring at his human hands. " Six months, at least he said. I could have been human for six months." Cyborg shook his head, at a loss for words. Why Robin? WHY!? What did you think you would do? Build something like this and never use it. Why didn't you tell me. He finally looked up at Blood and said softly, almost to himself. " You were right. You were right about him, and you don't even know him. I have been his friend and teammate for years, and would never believed it if you hadn't told me. What else don't I know. What else is he holding out. What else are the others holding out." He closed his eyes and slammed his fist into the ground, relishing in the pain his flesh felt.
Finally he rose to his feet and starred at Blood. For the first time, he looked at him not as an enemy, but as, well, not a friend, not yet any way. But now, now he looked at Blood like some one he could trust, some one who had proven he could be trusted. The man had earned that much for showing him the truth. He thought back to Bloods offer and asked quietly. "What did you mean, you can give me back my old body? What exactly did you mean by that?"
Blood smiled softly and waved a hand at Cyborg and spoke softly. "I can do what those rings can't. I can permanently restore your old body. Not only that, I can transfer the strength, endurance and stamina of your cybernetic parts and weapons to your body, just like the rings do. I can literally turn you into Stone, turn you into the boy, no, the man you claimed to be. You will become the man that the entire Hive respects, admires and cares about. You will become the man Jinx has come to treasure." His statement rocked Cyborg to the core. I could become Stone, permanently! I would never need these rings again. I would never again be called Cyborg. Never again would I have to listen to tin can jokes or have people stare at me in fear and hate.
Cyborg starred at Blood in astonishment. Can he really do that. Could he really give me back my old body? As he wondered, he realized he had nothing to loose and everything to gain. I'm already a walking pile of metal disguised as a human by a pair of rings. If the rings break one day, I'll just go back to being Cyborg. Without them I'm more machine than flesh. Hell, whats the worst that could happen, he destroys my body? I can build a new one. But if he is telling the truth, this may be my only chance. But what does he get out of this? What does he want?
"Alright, I'll do it. But first, answer me this. Why would you do this? What do you get out of this?"
Cyborg observed Blood carefully, watching his body language carefully. If Robin could deceive him, so could Blood. "I have already told you what I want. I want you to join the Hive, to really join the Hive. Your skills and knowledge alone would make you a valuable ally. But more importantly, your skills and abilities to work with others and to lead, yes, LEAD, is what makes me want you the most. In your short time you have been hear, you have befriended every member of the Hive, earned their respect and admiration, and forged your own four man team with your three closest friends. The fact that you did all of that in only a matter of days makes it all the more impressive. There fore I give you a choice. You can return to the Titans as Cyborg, an outcast among outcasts, forever exiled from society. Or you could join my Hive and BECOME Stone, the powerful and charismatic leader of the Hive, respected, admired, idolized and liked by all the Hive. And loved by a certain female peer I might add." Blood said the last part with a small smile, making Cyborg think of Jinx and causing him to blush slightly.
But after a moment, Bloods smile vanished, and he became serious once more. "So what will it be. Or, should I say, WHO will it be? Will you be Cyborg, the brute muscle of a group of teenagers who don't appreciate you, lead by a boy who you have known for years and still deceives you. Or will you become Stone, and take your place among a society of teenagers who respect, admire and love you. The choice is yours." Blood stopped speaking and starred at him intently, awaiting his response.
Cyborg looked at him, his calm cybernetic face not revealing his emotions or racing thoughts. I could be human again. HUMAN! I could be normal. I could live a normal life. I could go out in public and not feel like I'm out of place. And every where I go people won't stare at me and avoid me like I'm a contagious disease. But as he thought about this, another voice in his head spoke up. But what about the Titans, your FRIENDS! They need you, they count on you. Robin may have deceived you, but the others didn't, right?
And so his thoughts and emotions battled back and forth, each option calling to him. But he couldn't decide. It was impossible to decide! On one hand, he liked his friends and teammates, minus Robin. But if he stayed loyal to them, he would be doomed to remain a cyborg forever, his body slowly be replaced with more and more metal, until the day when he was killed, or all his body parts were replaced with metal, and he was just a robot. On top of that, he would have to tun his back on the Hive and betray all of them to their most hated enemies, the Teen Titans. But if he chose to take up Blood's offer, he could live a normal life. Hell, he could HAVE a life, and he could remain in the Hive, surrounded by his new friends, all of whom respected and accepted him for who he was. He could grow like a normal boy, have a family when he grew older, HE COULD BE HUMAN! But that would mean betraying the Titans. HOW COULD HE CHOOSE!
Finally he looked back at Blood and spoke carefully, not letting his voice reveal his mind was in turmoil. "I'm sorry. I just can't decide, right now that is. This, this is just too big to decide right off the bat. Each choice will affect me and how I live for the rest of my life. I'm sorry, I just need more time to think. Please, just give me one day. Tomorrow, at noon, I'll have your answer. And I promise that no matter what I choose, I will come to you to decide it, and even if I choose the Titans, I won't contact them at all until after I talk to you. So please, just tell anyone about who I really am, at least until tomorrow." Cyborg held his breath, hoping Blood would understand.
Apparently he did, for he nodded his head and said. " Of course. I will await your answer. Until then, you may remain as Stone, free to move about the Hive as you want. Go anywhere you want, talk to anyone, and decide for your self. I will await for your answer tomorrow at noon. I will be awaiting you here." And with that, Blood turned around and strode calmly out of the room, leaving Cyborg by himself. He remained there for a long time, his mind working in over drive, trying to comprehend the impossible decision he had been given.
Finally he shook his head and walked out of the room and walked down the halls aimlessly, not paying attention to where he was going. He wandered for along time, unable to decide what he was the right thing to do. Finally he stopped worry about what was the right choice, or what others would think of his choice, and started thinking about what HE wanted. It wasn't that he didn't care what others thought, far from it. But this decision, regardless of what he chose, would affect or change his life forever, therefor he had to choose for himself. As he drifted down the halls, he eventually wound up, to his surprise, out side Jinx's door.
He sighed and knocked on her door, doing his best to hide his turmoil and confusion. Seconds later Jinx opened the door and smiled when she saw it was him. "Come on in, Stone." He strode in and sat down on her bed. Jinx shut the door and sat down behind him. As they sat their, Cyborg felt he needed advice, and who better in the whole Hive to ask than Jinx. "Hey Jinx, I, need to ask you something. I know it may need seem weird and all, but I need your advice on something." Jinx seemed to sense his seriousness, so she stopped smiling and focused on him. "What is it Stone?"
Cyborg just sat there, uncertain what to ask. Finally he decided to be honest. "I just had a, a meeting, with Brother Blood. A meeting about my past, before I joined the Hive. He found out something about my past, something I'm not proud of, and he offered me a choice on how to deal with it." As he spoke to her, he felt relieved to be able to talk to someone about the delema he was facing. Even though he wasn't being completely honest, he felt he should be as honest with her as possible. "On one side is a commitment to some old acquaintances, ones who I once considered friends. But I'm not so sure if they are my friends anymore. The more I think about them, the more I realize that they were only using me. On the other hand I can remain in the Hive." As he said this, Jinx's body went tense, and she asked quietly.
"Your thinking about leaving the Hive?" Cyborg looked at her and said softly. "No, I don't ever want to leave the Hive, that's the problem." This seemed to relieve Jinx, because she relaxed and let out a sigh. Cyborg continued with his thoughts. "I like the Hive. In fact, I love it hear. Outside of the Hive, I'm an outcast. I have no friends, no life, no chance of being normal, doing normal things. Sure, the Hive is filled with kids with super powers, but even so, you guys don't consider yourselves superheros or villains, you just consider yourselves normal people. So what do I do? Do I honor my previous commitment to a group who were my friends, despite the fact that they didn't appreciate me? Or do I choose what is best for me and join the Hive? I just don't know what to do."
Jinx starred at him for a long time before speaking thoughtfully. "I don't know what this is exactly about, but I think I have an answer that can satisfy you, but bear with me first, okay?" Cyborg nodded and waited for her to continue. "You say that your old acquaintances were your friends, yet they don't appreciate you. You say that thought they claim to be your friends, they don't teat you like one, just using you. If they're just using you and not really your friends, then you don't owe them anything. But if they really are your friends, then they should understand, shouldn't they. They be glad for you, glad that you found some place to call home, friends to call your family. If they can't respect or at least understand your decision, then perhaps they aren't your friends after all." When Jinx finished speaking, Cyborg thought over what she had said, thinking back to all his years as a Titan and all the things he and his friends had done. All the laughs they had shared and all the sweat and blood they had shed. The more he thought about it, the more Cyborg came to realize he had already made up his mind. He had chosen, and he would live with his choice.
He looked at Jinx a smiled. "Thanks Jinx, your the greatest. I feel a lot better now." Cyborg leaned forward and kissed Jinx lightly on the cheek. "I've made my choice." Jinx looked at him, concerned, wondering what his choice was. When he didn't speak for some time, she finally decided it wasn't important. She had faith in him. "Good. Now that the drama's all done, what do you say we have some real fun." She snapped her fingers and the lights dimmed and music turned on. "Now how bout that date you promised me?" Cyborg smiled and leaned forward and kissed her passionately on the lips. All thoughts of Brother Blood, the Titans, and the life changing decision he would have to make tomorrow vanished. He would deal with that tomorrow. Right now, he was alone in a room with a girl who liked and cared about him as much as he liked and cared about her. He would put all thoughts of everything else aside and enjoy himself tonight.
PLEASE REVIEW! Sorry it took me long so long to review!