A Prickly Problem

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Teen Titans. If I did, you would be reading this in a proper comic book and I would have a bit more money in my bank. You aren't and I don't. Do the math.

Chapter One:

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In the early morning hours, most people in the city are asleep, save for those such as DJ's, toll booth workers, 7-11 stores, and police officers.

And, of course, the crooks and thieves.

One such thief was carefully worming his way out of the back window of a pawn shop located in the far corners of the city, tucked away with other such buildings the better parts would like to forget about. And that is why this thief targeted this shop. If he tried to knock off a large bank or fancy jewelry store, he'd get caught and tossed in the slammer straight away but for this? Who cared if a small shop missed a few pieces of jewelry? It would take a long time at this rate to get rich but it would all add up in the long run. And he'd be safe, away from the eyes of the law.

He froze when a piece of the window broke off and fell to the ground of the alleyway. It didn't make much of a noise but it was enough to echo about and start a few dogs barking in the distance. For a while he just stood there, perfectly still except for breathing, clutching his loot and just listening. Finally he relaxed enough to slowly make his way out of the alley and out to the street where his car was waiting. The further he got from the location of his crime, the more his confidence grew until he was almost striding casually along. All he had to do now was turn this corner….

And he ran straight into a solid wall.

No, it wasn't a wall, but it felt like one! He fell back, landing square on his rear and rubbed his head. When his eyes focused again, he noted two metallic legs planted right in front of him. Slowly he looked up and stared right into the angry eyes of Cyborg.

"Where d'you think you're goin', turkey?" the youth demanded.

The thief's eyes widened as he scrambled to his feet. "Aunnh. Ah! Auh!"

Cyborg gave a flat chuckle. "Wrong answer!"

The crook chose the next alley to try an escape, and discovered another figure standing there, holding what appeared to be a staff at the ready. "Hey. Don't you read the sign with the opening hours on it? Pretty plain to me." Again the thief backed away and ran off.

Another alley, and another figure. Cloaked and silent, just hovering there. On some ways more frightening than the other two.

The thief was running out of options now. No more alleys to go through, but perhaps the sewer? The nearby grate had been broken and was wide enough for a small man such as he to dive into. Not the best route but as long as it was an escape he'd take it. He made a quick scramble for it.

And found his way was once more blocked, and by all things, a green porcupine! It snorted and shook its quills in a menancing manner as it stood square in front of his last escape. This was the last straw. He just had to escape, so he reached into his pocket for the only weapon he could manage to aquire. He pulled it out and aimed it at Beast Boy. It was a small taiser gun, but maybe it would scare this thing off.

"No! Do not shoot Beast Boy!" came a voice from above. Starfire swooped in and pointed glowing hands at the thief. "Put down your weapon and surrender!"

Now the thief was completely rattled. He swung the gun first at Star then back at Beast Boy then at Star again.

"Put down your weapon!" Star commanded again. Beast Boy growled and stepped forward. The crook once more aimed his gun at the porcupine. Steps behind him told him the others were coming up as well. "S-stay back!" he stammered. "Stay back or…or I'll shoot the….the…rat…thing….here."

Beast Boy sat up. 'Rat'? Didn't this joker know a porcupine when he saw one? Talk about lasps in education! He grunted in exasperation.

"I mean it! Move closer and it gets it! I'll sh-shoot, so help me!" Sweat was dripping down the thief's face as he tried to retain the upper hand. His hand quivered He moved his other over to steady it, and Starfire thought he was pulling the trigger.

"NO!" she shouted, and bright blasts leapt from her hands onto the crook. He cried out and in reflex his hands tightened against the trigger grip, sending out the barbs, wire and power into Beast Boy's body. Anguished squeals merged with the thief's moans as they both slumped to the ground.

"Oh no!" Star cried. She hurriedly landed and the others rushed up to help. She carefully lifted up the porcupine's head, avoiding as much of the quills as she could. "Is he….undamaged?"

"Let me see," Robin knelt down and after yanking out the wires from the gun, carefully felt Beast Boy's chest. "He's still breathing and his heart rate's strong. That gun just shoots enough electricity for a short stun, after all."

Star clasped her hands and uttered a sigh of relief. "Oh! I was worried! Ah, I see he is awakening already!"

Sure enough, Beast Boy's small black eyes blinked open and he stared out into space. Robin shook him carefully.

"C'mon, pal. Get up and walk it off. You'll be all right."

"Which is more than what I can say for this guy." Cyborg had picked up the thief, who dangled from his clench like a puppet. "He's still out cold. Quite a blast you gave him, Star."

"It was just a tiny burst. I did not want him to hurt Beast Boy." Star said worriedly. "Is he also undamaged?"

"Yeah. I think he'll just have a nice big headache soon, that's all. Lessee what we got here." The metal teen reached down and retrieved the bag of stolen goods and hefted it. "Not much here. He's a lightweight."

"Great." Robin snorted. "We get called out in the middle of the night and for what? Some small potatoes."

The statement confused Starfire. "But he is not potatoes, he is a man."

"'Small potatoes' means he's not worth bothering about," Raven explained.

"Yeah," Robin answered, still miffed. "We should've had bigger fish to fry!"

"But we were not frying fish," Star did her best to understand. "I was sleeping, and Cyborg and Beast Boy were playing video games and….."

"Ah…never mind." Robin looked down at the porcupine which had gotten to his feet and had staggered forward a few steps. "Everybody ok now? Then let's head back." Here an impish grin crossed his face. "First one back to the Tower chooses tonight's movie!" And off he dashed.

Instantly Cyborg rose to the challenge. "Hey! No way are we gonna watch 'Matrix' again! C'mon, BB! Let's get movin'!"

Star laughed as she took to the skies, while Raven's only response was a slight rolling of the eyes.

It was a few moments before Star stopped everyone. "Wait! Beast Boy has not joined us!" They looked around and saw that she was right. Backtracking, they found their missing companion right where they had left him, standing groggily and staring straight ahead.

Cyborg folded his arms and called out "Hey BB! Come on! Or do you enjoy standing there being a bristlebutt?"

Beast Boy's response was to gaze up silently. Robin frowned.

"Hey, what's the matter? Change back. Let's go!"

Beast Boy quivered for a moment, then fell silent once more. The others gathered around, concerned now.

"Beast Boy? What is wrong? Why do you not change?" Star knelt beside him and carefully laid her hand on his head. Beast Boy slumped to the ground again in a pathetic heap. "Oh! He is hurt!"

"How can he be hurt? It was just an electric shock." Cyborg picked up the discarded gun and stretched the wires between his hands. "Unless it scrambled up what passes for BB's brains."

Beast Boy uttered an angry grumble at that.

"BB, can't you change back?" Robin asked directly. "Can you?"

Beast Boy looked at him and shook his head. Then he managed a shrug. "I think he can't change back, for some reason." Raven surmised. "He's stuck as he is." Star looked stricken.

"Oh we must get him back, quickly! Something is very wrong! He is so weak! Look at him!"

Beast Boy was completely sprawled, looking on the verge of passing out again and breathing in low moans.

As usual, Robin took quick charge. "Ok guys. Back to the Tower so we can figure this out. Cyborg, carry Beast Boy to the car. We'll go on ahead."

"Wait a minute! Why do –I- have to carry this?" Cyborg demanded.

Robin looked back over his shoulder. "Because you're the only one who can." He answered. "Think about it."

"Yeah. Sure." Cyborg watched the others leave with a sour expression on his face. "Go ahead, take advantage of my metal might! Well, come on. Let's go."

As he reached down to grasp Beast Boy by the scruff of his neck, the porcupine sighed, shook back his quills, and waddled off in the direction of Cyborg's car. Cy stared after him in confusion.

"Why, you miserable little faker!" he growled.