Murakami Industries, 3:30 PM

Deep within the recesses of the bustling tech conglomerate known as Murakami Industries was the office/laboratory of one Michael Konietzko, better known as Mikey Neitz. Although those around the office had a different name for him…

"And what do we have here, Control Freak?"

Mikey jumped at the sound of the stern voice of his employer coming from behind him.

Desperately trying to clear the snacks and clutter off his workbench, the slightly obese redhead scrambled to his feet to attempt to look presentable for his boss. "Mr. Murakami, W-what can I do for you, sir?" He stammered.

The stern Japanese man crossed his arms as he arched his eyebrow. "You can give me results on the project you promised to have functional by end of day today. And you can also turn off that crap."

Mikey sheepishly rubbed his neck as he turned to what his employer was referring to. His phone was currently live streaming a video from Beast Boy of the Teen Titans.

"'Sup, dudes and dudettes out there! Beast Boy here." The boy panned the camera away from his face to show a group of thugs being arrested by the JCPD. "So me and my team just busted up a bank robbery. Every hostage is safe, btw." Panning the camera again, he shifted to a group of civilians. "Say hi, hostages!" The flock of grateful people chuckled and waved back as the boy came back into the shot. "And that was just after stopping a kidnapping in its tracks and halting an out-of-control car." The Titan adjusted the camera until his uncomfortable-looking teammates were in the background with him. "I think I speak for all of us when I say to whatever jerkwad wants to start trouble in our city: Don't try it. The Teen Titans are unstoppable. But if you don't believe me, I'm throwing down the gauntlet. You vs us. Good luck."

On that note, the feed cut off, the last image being a smug shapeshifter and his bewildered teammates.

Challenge Accepted, Mikey thought.

"As admittedly entertaining as that was, it's still not a valid excuse for you slacking off on my time, Konietzko." Mr. Murakami barked. "Do you have a demonstration or not?"

A wicked idea came to Mikey as he turned back to the screen and grinned. "Soon, boss. Soon. And I know just the guinea pigs to help me."

Titans Tower, OPS Room, 4:45 PM

"What were you thinking?!" Robin shouted, clearly agitated as he paced back and forth. We're already obvious enough! Did you really need to paint a bigger target on our backs?"

"So maybe I went a little too far?" Garfield shrugged from his place on the couch. "But do you really think there's anybody out there who can take us? We've been killing it lately, Robin. If anything, I did us a favor. If the HIVE decides to come after us, then we've finally drawn them out of hiding, right?"

"And do you honestly think we're prepared for that?"

"Well, you're the leader. So if we're not, isn't that kinda your fault?"

Cyborg decided to cut in before Robin strangled their green friend. "Okay, look. Let's all acknowledge that B made a bonehead mistake and move on, alright?"

"Thanks, Cy." Garfield sighed gratefully. "I guess…"

"Fine." Robin grunted. "All I'm saying is that this stuff will eventually come back to bite us. We don't do this for fame and glory. So next time, try not to make such a big show about it."

"Whatever." The changeling muttered under his breath as his leader stalked away.

Flopping on the couch while the others dispersed, he murmured, "Who'd be dumb enough to challenge us anyway?"

….

"Mikey! Dinner's ready!"

"In a minute, Ma!"

Contrary to the cliché, Mikey Neitz's mother needed him a lot more than he needed her. Ever since his old man had stepped out years ago, his mother had clung to him as a lifeline.

Thankfully for the both of them, his years of pop culture absorption had paid off. His experience as a nerd had inspired him to pursue science and had landed him his cushy job at Murakami Industries.

Now he had a new source of inspiration. He'd been captivated by the rise of real-life superheroes from the second he'd seen Superman splashed across the front page of the Daily Planet. Batman's appearance had only ratcheted up the excitement. Not to mention Wonder Woman was quite the looker.

But the Teen Titans were something else altogether. For one, they were local. They were teenagers. Except for Robin, none of them were sidekicks. The only real knock against them was that they were a remake. And those were never as good as the original. Still, though, they had thrown out a challenge.

And the "Control Freak" could never resist a good challenge.

Deciding to test it out, Mikey let out his best evil laugh. At first, it felt a little awkward but the longer he let it go, the more natural it felt. Soon, he was howling with wild and reckless abandon.

"MIKEY! Pipe down and get your food before it gets cold!"

Mikey's expression darkened as he growled at the interruption of his first evil laugh. "Coming, Ma."

The next day, Pier across from Titans Tower

Eyeing the T-shaped structure across the water, the newly-christened Control Freak decided to do one last check, narrating to himself all the while.

"And so the Control Freak set out on his daring mission. Badass jacket? Check. Pouches? Check. World-changing device? Check."

Mikey felt rather proud of himself, decked out in his new outfit comprised of a dark trenchcoat, fingerless gloves, and the coup de grace, a sash of unnecessary pouches.

Naturally, his little device was pocketed by his side. He'd shaped it like a remote, figuring he should have a gimmick.

"Now I just need a way in." As he eyed the pier, his attention was grabbed by a vehicle pulling over. A man in a hat stepped out and pulled out a delicious-smelling bag.

A pizza guy.

As the man walked in the direction of the barge the city provided to reach Titans Tower, the idea came to him.

"Aha!"

Inside Titans Tower

"I ask you, humble viewers, how can we leave our city in the hands of these reckless delinquents? Chief among them, the one known as Beast Boy…"

"But, Bethany, surely you can acknowledge the good the Teen Titans have done?"

"As tourist attractions? Sure, Carter. But as 'superheroes'? I'd entrust our safety to the JCPD over a bunch of juveniles any day."

"Well, that's all the time we have for today. What do you think, Jump City? Are the Teen Titans necessary? Or are they interfering with the work of the real heroes? You decide. This is Bethany Snow, signing off."

"Wow." Garfield muttered as he changed the channel. "Nice to know the people are grateful."

"The opinion of two morons doesn't mean the entire city feels that way." Raven interjected as she floated past the couch.

"Yeah, well, those two morons are the most influential broadcasters in the city." Victor chimed in as he finished setting the table. "They've been on the air for as long as I can remember."

"I do not understand why the people cannot see that we are here to protect them." Starfire put in. "We have done nothing but good. I thought your Justice League's approval was supposed to protect us from this scrutiny."

"Unfortunately, people aren't too trusting these days, Star." Robin sighed as he crossed his arms.

The five teens stewed in silence for a moment before the proximity alert went off.

"Great! It's the pizza guy!" Garfield cried as he leapt off the couch to allow their visitor access.

"Woo! Great timing! I'm starving!" Victor rubbed his hands together eagerly.

As the elevator opened, the redheaded chubby guy looked around awestruck. Once his gaze settled on the five teens in the living room, his eyes took on a manic glow. "Wow. The Teen Titans…"

In the wake of the strange pause that followed, Garfield stepped forward. "Uh, yeah that's us. And you're the pizza guy…" He said with the same dramatic flair.

Laughing in response, the pizza guy removed his hat and set his bag on the floor. "Man, you're as hilarious in-person at you are on PicChat."

Garfield instantly brightened. "Thanks, dude!"

Without warning, the guy let out a high-pitched squeal as he eyed the DVD rack. "Is that the entire Duke of the Sphere trilogy complete with elf ears?!"

"Yes it is." Gar puffed out his chest with pride. "I told Cy the elf ears were a nice touch."

Turning to the cybernetic man, the redhead asked, "This place is state-of-the-art. I'm guessing you're the resident genius to thank for that?"

Mollified, Victor merely shrugged. "Well, I do my best. Although it can be rough being a misunderstood genius."

"Believe me, dude, I know the feeling."

Victor arched an eyebrow. "You a tech-head?"

"I dabble. Speaking of misunderstood, I can't help but notice that's some heavy duty reading you've doing there, Raven."

Surprised at being acknowledged, Raven lifted the novel she'd set on the table. "It's not such a big deal."

"I'd say reading a 600 page epic is a big deal. That's the Absolution of Nightfall, right?"

"It is." Raven acknowledged, pleasantly surprised someone cared what she was reading.

Turning his attention to the leader, the pizza man had a question. "So, Robin, what's it like leading a whole new team of Titans?"

The other's heads whipped towards the suddenly self-conscious Boy Wonder. "Same old, same old. I don't really like to talk about it."

"There were other Titans?" Starfire questioned, intrigued.

"Um, yeah. Me and my friends were really young. That's why the press stuck us with Teen Titans. It was better than some of the other names they came up with."

"Ah, the Tween Titans?" The delivery nodded in acknowledgment.

Robin blushed. "How do you know all this?"

"I do my homework." Slicking his hair back, his gaze was trained on the Tamaranean princess. "And you must be the lovely Starfire. Love your work."

"What did you say your name was?" Robin asked, stepping between them.

"Mikey."

"Well, Mikey, could we get our pizza?"

"But of course. Let me get that for you."

Moving towards the living room table, he reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like a…television remote?

Quick as a whip, the man turned around and clicked a button, encasing the Titans in rays of energy.

The world went sideways before the teammates found themselves side-by-side in a formless void.

Just when Robin was about to speak, he was cut off by a booming voice as the 'pizza man's' face exploded to life above their heads.

"GREETINGS, TITANS!" The five took an involuntary step back in shock and horror. "You said you were unbeatable? CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! By…THE CONTROL FREAK!"

Glancing to the resident changeling, the empath growled. "You just had to open your mouth."

"So here's the deal, kiddies." The villain continued. "As a self-professed couch potato nerd, I can't deny I've been curious to see you all in action. Anywho, I have a pitch for each of you. How does Raven the Vampire Hunter sound?"

"No deal, psycho." Robin stepped forward, defiantly slicing his hand through the air. "Let us out of here, now. I'll only ask once."

"Patience, Boy Blunder. You'll have your turn as Robin: Junior Birdman!" Thoughtfully tapping his double chin, Mikey seemed to ponder something. "Now let's see…we'll round out our spring lineup with Cybercop, Starfire: Warrior Princess, and Beast Boy: King of the Jungle!"

"Uh, dude, while that last bit admittedly sounds cool, can't we just settle this like real men? Over a broadband connection?" Garfield coaxed.

"Ehhh…nope! This is way more fun!" Control Freak shouted with gleeful abandon as the blank world around them shifted.

.

Once the world stopped spinning, Raven was able to get her bearings. She eyed the fog and the eerie full moon above her and sighed at the cliché. If she didn't know any better, she would have sworn she was in a scene of "The Absolution of Nightfall." The only thing missing was…

A hissing sound interrupted her thoughts.

Vampires, she finished as she tensed up for a battle.

On cue, a quartet of pasty-faced bloodsuckers emerged from the shadows.

Note to self: When this is over, kill Beast Boy.

.

Robin blinked awake and rubbed his temples. He was leaning against the wall of an alleyway, a warm body pressed to his side. The redheaded girl was looking at him expectantly.

"Well, what's our next move? Are you helping me find my parents or not?"

"I'm sorry, who are you again?"

The girl rolled her eyes. "Greatest detective, my butt."

Mildly irritated, he prompted. "Just tell me about the case again."

1 hour later

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Dick laughed, brushing water out of his hair.

"If you call busting a drug cabal and almost sleeping with the fishes not so bad, then yeah." His companion replied, doing the same. "At least we found Mom and Dad before the deadline. Thank you." She smiled brightly at him.

Blushing, he couldn't help but return the smile.

Oddly enough, the longer Dick stayed in this fictional reality, the less bothered he was by it. He couldn't deny the appeal of handling things on his own. He vaguely remembered some others who'd been with him but he deemed that unimportant right now.

The redhead by his side that he couldn't name at the moment reminded him of someone he knew. She had red hair and green eyes, and he recalled having a thing for girls who looked like that.

In a way, this was what he had always dreamed about. The thrill of saving the day, rescuing the damsel, and being in charge. It almost seemed too good to be true.

And for some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that it really was…

"I just wanted a pizza, maaaan." Victor groused as he ran across the rooftops, a squadron in hot pursuit.

The second he'd been dropped into this futuristic city, the locals hadn't been too friendly. They'd fired on sight, deciding to ask questions later. He figured the gigantic gun strapped to him didn't do anything to make him look less threatening. His accidentally firing it probably didn't do him any favors, either.

The cybernetic man yelped as a plasma ray narrowly missed his temple. From his wrist, he fired a grenade in kind, pouring on the speed as he tried to get some distance from his pursuers.

He just hoped the others were doing better than he was.

..

"I don't suppose we could talk this over? I could introduce you to tofu?"

The jungle cat's roar in response was an emphatic no.

As it lunged at him, he squeaked and turned into a monkey, leaping into the trees above as it pursued him.

He panicked momentarily when his tail was grabbed before he morphed into a kangaroo and launched a firm dropkick in the predator's direction, sending it reeling before it snarled and raced back for more.

I really screwed this one up, Garfield thought. I wish I had some help. Starfire could end this in no time flat.

..

"CHARGE!"

Commander Koriand'r flew ahead of her army, sword brandished in front of her.

Her space suit covered more than her typical garb these days but was no less comfortable.

If pressed for an answer, Koriand'r truly couldn't provide the answers to how or why she was leading this army and fighting this battle. All she knew was that her warrior blood was calling to her.

With a shout, the princess began running enemies through left and right, finally being able to cut loose.

No holding back, no pulling her punches. It had been far too long since she'd fought without any reservations. She'd almost forgotten the feeling.

Although, she thought as she gutted a vile creature, it was quickly coming back to her.

…..

Safe in his own personal void, Control Freak watched the chaos with interest, eyeing five screens at once while chowing down on the pizza he'd 'borrowed' from the real pizza guy tossing out his thoughts and opinions aloud.

"Where are the vampire powers? Is she holding back? I at least wanna see some fangs!"

"Y'know, I thought this would be a little more exciting. Maybe a little blood. Peeing on a tree to assert dominance. I don't know why he would go for such wimpy animals?"

"Is it just me or is Robin a little too into this?"

"At least I can count on Cyborg for a little entertainment!"

"I spoke a little too soon. I've never been so terrified yet turned on in my entire life."

Okay, this whole thing is getting ridiculous, Garfield thought as he perched in a tree in sloth form while a stampede of T-rexes ran by. I've got to find the others.

Suddenly, he got an idea. Maybe I can get the others to come to me.

"Hey, dude!" He shouted to the heavens. "U-uh, CONTROL FREAK!"

The simulation halted as Neitz's terrifying freckle-faced visage dominated the skyline. "Yeah, what?"

"This can't be much fun having us all alone. Since you're so powerful and all that, why not fight us all together? Gladiator fight, Winner-take-all. In fact, I'm throwing out a challenge: You can't beat the Teen Titans all together, can you?"

"W-what? Of course I can! This is my world, kid! And I'll PROVE IT!"

With a click of his remote, the world was suddenly shifted and the Titans found themselves standing on a platform in an ancient Colosseum. To their horror, the stands were filled with identical copies of Control Freak while the genuine article sat on a dais in a horribly-revealing toga.

"Y'know, you're right, kid! Watching you guys by yourselves was pretty dull. I mean, c'mon, Raven! No fangs, no hissing, no bloodsucking?"

"I'm not a vampire, you moron!"

"Oh. Really? I mean, with the complexion and all that, I just thought…never mind. And BB, where were all the cool animals? I was hoping to see a predator or somethin'."

"It's kind of a work in-progress."

"Oy, you guys are the worst superheroes ever! At least the rest of you provided some mild entertainment."

"Glad to know me almost getting blown to kingdom come amused you." Victor groused sarcastically.

"If you had played along and joined the Resistance, you'd have been fine. At least Robin and Starfire got into their roles. Maybe a little too much, but I digress." Jumping off his makeshift throne, Control Freak shifted his outfit to a dark jacket with pouches and spikes galore. Lifting his hands, he materialized twin lightsabers and cockily brandished them. "Come at me, kiddies!"

"Titans, go!" Robin called, charging in first.

Before Control Freak could even react, he found himself flat on his back, holding his bleeding mouth as Robin twirled his bo-staff in hand, prepared for him to strike back.

"Agh, you jerk! That really hurt! Y'know what, screw this crap!" Turning upward to his doppelgangers in the stands, he shouted, "Minions! ATTACK!"

A redheaded sea descended into the arena like a tubby cloud of death as the Titans prepared for battle.

"Get ready." Robin called to his teammates.

Waiting for their foes to come to them, the Teen Titans stood their ground, unafraid.

Robin began flattening doppelgangers left and right with fast strikes, disabling pressure points.

To his right, Starfire started clearing the battlefield with her strength and starbolts, realizing with delight that she didn't have to restrain her abilities for these doppelgangers.

Cyborg flattened enemies left and right, using stone pillars as twin implements of destruction.

Raven tossed foes away left and right, not really trying to hurt as much as incapacitate.

Meanwhile, Beast Boy had morphed into a giant Panda Bear, mowing down any unfortunate soul that came across his path.

Despite initially holding their own, the Titans' endeavor quickly proved fruitless as no matter how many enemies they knocked down, more would take their place.

"Titans, retreat!" Robin ordered, dropping a few explosive discs.

Once he had the others' attention, he gestured for them to follow him behind a fallen pillar to take temporary shelter.

Once they did so, the Boy Wonder pounded his hand into his fist.

"We have to get that remote!" Robin insisted. "It's the only way to shut this guy down. Starfire, can you…?"

"He'll see it coming." Beast Boy interrupted.

"How do you mean?"

"Think about it. Control Freak's had googly eyes for Starfire since the moment he laid eyes on her. And no offense, but she's not exactly subtle. It has to be me."

"This coming from the kid who becomes bright green animals." Cyborg put in skeptically.

"I'm being serious!" Beast Boy insisted. "Cy, you're a big hulk of artillery. Raven's the not-vampire and Robin's the leader. I'm just the goofy kid who can't even morph into predators. I can turn into something small and sneak up on him."

Robin pondered this for a moment. "Maybe." Turning to the others, he asked, "Raven, can't you just teleport and snatch it from him?"

"I'd have to concentrate and fully emerge from the portal. By that time, he'll be prepared for me."

Begrudgingly, Robin acknowledged the merits of Garfield's plan but was still reluctant as he turned back to him.

"Look, Gar, you can't just…" Robin trailed off, confused to find Beast Boy gone.

"Told ya!" The changeling shouted, already on the move. "Just keep him busy!"

"Man, he wasn't kidding." Cyborg whistled. "We really do ignore him, don't we?"

"He doesn't make it easy." Raven muttered.

"I, for one, agree with Garfield's plan. We must keep the Control Freak busy!" Starfire announced, charging back into the fray, hurling starbolts at whatever crossed her path.

"You heard her." Robin shrugged, digging some explosive discs out of his belt as he followed after her.

Garfield smiled in fox form as he watched his friends keep the army of nerds occupied while the genuine article barked commands from his throne.

Just keep it up a little longer, guys.

"That's it, kiddies! Go for the eyes, break his jaw! Right hook, left jab!" Neitz let out an evil laugh of delight as he watched the chaos unfold before him, rapidly pressing commands into his remote. "Let's make this more interesting!"

Before everyone's eyes, The doppelgangers changed into aliens, gladiators, vampires, and mobsters who broke out in various groups to attack the four Titans out on the battlefield.

"Any time now, Grass Stain." Victor whispered as he tossed a lunging alien away.

"NOBODY CAN STOP ME NOW!" Control Freak screeched, brandishing his remote high above his head.

In a flash of feathers, the remote was snatched from the villain's hands and he whipped around to find Garfield morphing back into human form with a toothy smirk at the ready.

"Challenge accepted, dude." Savoring the look of shocked outrage for a moment longer, the boy cried, "Cy, catch!"

The robot-man reached out a hand and fumbled with the remote for a moment before securing it and putting some distance between himself and his enemies.

"Ok, let's see what we got here!" Victor said as he inspected the device.

"Hey! Hands off, cyber-tool!" Control Freak shouted before Beast Boy morphed into an ape and stomped him underfoot.

Victor panickily scanned the remote, eyeing the aliens coming towards him as well as his friends. The pandemonium around him was making it hard to focus.

"Cyborg, hurry up!" Robin shouted.

"You wanna work it, Robin?! Be my guest!"

"Just hit something!"

"Fine! The heck with it." He shouted frustratedly as he pressed the home button.

A vortex exploded into life above their heads as the figments faded away.

"Uh, guys?" Victor called out as the void began to pull him upward. "You might wanna hitch a ride, this thing's pulling me in!"

"Don't have to tell me twice!" Gar shouted back as he morphed into a sparrow and entered the portal.

Raven summoned a disc of dark energy and hopped on, swooping over Control Freak's head as he cried, "Hey, hang on a minute! You can't just leave me here!"

The sorceress paid no heed as she followed Beast Boy through the entrance to the real world.

Starfire floated over to Robin, grasping his arm before ascending upward.

"Star, grab Control Freak first!" Robin called out.

"Why?" She responded in annoyed bewilderment, hardly slowing down. "It is his fault we are in this predicament in the first place!"

Grunting in frustration, Robin reached into his belt and fired a grappling hook in Neitz's direction.

"Grab on!" The Boy Wonder shouted.

Flailing desperately, the villain grabbed hold, crying out as his arms were nearly yanked out of their sockets by Starfire's speed.

Robin sighed in relief as he watched the vortex finally pull in Cyborg while groaning with the strain of holding Control Freak's weight with one arm.

And he wasn't the only one.

With a jolt, he recognized the telltale sounds of his line snapping.

Judging by his sounds of panic, Control Freak recognized it, too.

The two locked eyes for a moment before the inevitable happened.

SNAP!

"No!" Robin shouted.

"AAAAAHHHHHH!"

The last thing the Titans' leader saw before being swallowed by darkness was his new nemesis flipping end over end, shattered line still in hand.

….

Thankfully, the Titans had been safely returned to their living room almost as if nothing had happened. Nevertheless, the experience had been so jarring that the five of them had spent the past few minutes staring at nothing, trying to process what had happened.

"Well, that was weird." Beast Boy spoke up. "Same time next week?"

The others didn't look nearly as amused.

"Yeah, I didn't think so." The others gasped apprehensively as Garfield gingerly lifted Control Freak's implement of chaos. "Can I keep this in my room?"

Lunging over to snatch it from the changeling, Victor vigorously shook his head no. "I think I've got a better spot for it."

….

Once Victor had led the others to the intended destination, he gingerly opened the door to a rather non-descript and dimly-lit room with shelves and cases littered around.

"This place is supposed to be a storage room. Might as well start a collection." Cyborg shrugged as he placed the Remote Control on a shelf.

Robin glanced around the space, hands on his hips. "Dank, dark, and creepy. All this place is missing now is a giant penny."

"What?" Raven asked.

"Nothing."

"Are giant forms of currency common household items on your planet?" Starfire piped up, confusedly.

"If they are, no one told me." Cyborg frowned.

"Forget I said anything." Robin laughed.

As the five exited the room, Beast Boy couldn't help but gloat. "See, I told you guys we could handle whatever came our way. We took down our first supervillain and we weren't even prepared! Before you know it, that room's gonna be chock-full of bad guy loot. In fact, I think you guys owe me for our dramatic rescue."

The others stopped and stared in disgust while Victor wore a blank expression. "Y'know, Grass Stain, you're right."

WHAP!

"Ow! What was that for, Cy?" Gar exclaimed, rubbing the back of his head.

"You ever throw out another dumbass challenge like that again and I'm throwing you into the bay." His expression relaxing, he continued, "But seriously, Gar. Good thinking back there."

"Indeed." Kory agreed. "You were quite the hero today, Garfield."

Blushing, Garfield accepted the compliment. "Hey, it's what we do, right?"

"Well, I hope you all enjoyed yourselves." A new voice broke in as they re-entered the living room.

"Because playtime's over, kids."

Garfield stopped in his tracks as he couldn't believe who was standing before him in the living room. A bronze-colored metallic giant. A mummified man. The loving face of the woman who raised him. And the stern face of the man who'd started him on his superhero career. It was the Doom Patrol led by…

"Mento?"

A/N: First and foremost, I apologize for the horribly long wait! I appreciate those of you who have still been reading. I also want to apologize for this chapter not being of the highest quality. Particularly, Robin and Starfire's portions. I was trying to indicate that their scenarios fed into their desires of cutting loose and being on their own but I understand if it didn't translate all that well. Beginnings are always awkward but I promise the story will be a lot better from here. I will do my best to update more frequently as I have much more time on my hands. Also, thank you guys so much for getting this story to over 3,000 clicks. I never dreamed this entire story would have that many, much less within the first 10 chapters. As I've said, we're just getting started. Finally, everybody stay safe in the midst of COVID-19 and God Bless!

Next Up: The Doom Patrol vs the Teen Titans!