CHAPTER ONE
Starfire was spellbound.
The gift was about a foot and a half long, metallic cylinder with a swiveling end. When she peered inside the little hole on the other end, an explosion of color awaited her, a vision of beauty that in no way could be seen without the odd device. She giggled with glee as she watch each pattern evolve into something new, each visage more exotic and beautiful than the one before.
"This is an extraordinary apparatus, my friends," the alien girl announced as she presented Robin's gift her to the rest of the Teen Titans. "When you look through this hole, it is like gazing into another dimension. I will treasure this gift forever, Robin."
The Boy Wonder's face was crimson. "It's just a kaleidoscope, Star."
"Then it is the most perfect kaleidoscope anyone has ever received." She beamed as she peered inside once more. Soon, however, her awe dwindled. She looked over to the others, confused. "What is a…kaleidoscope?"
"Uh, well…" Robin scratched his head, pondering how best to tell her how the gift worked, without confusing her further. Starfire saved him the trouble, giggling before planting a kiss on the human's cheek. "Oh." He turned crimson again, this time for a much more personal reason.
"It is a wonderful gift, Robin."
"Ooh, my turn! Open mine, Star!" Beast Boy was jumping up—he briefly took the form of a spider-monkey—openly more excited about Starfire's anniversary than even she was. The green-skinned changeling held a blue box with a pink ribbon. Starfire laughed, clapping her hands together at the sight of the gift. "I hope you like it. Picked it up last time I went downtown."
"I am sure it will be…interesting," Starfire teased as she took the box, setting it on the floor before her. She reached out, but paused, a look of concern on her face. "It will not explode like the present you gave Cyborg for Christmas, will it?"
Beast Boy shrunk back a little, taken by surprise. "No, no, of course not. I promised, no more prank gifts, remember?"
"Very well then." Starfire removed the ribbon from the box and pulled the top off. Her face twisted once more in confusion. "It is interesting," she said. She reached inside and pulled out a cube, each side containing nine multicolored squares. "But what is it?"
"A Rubik's cube." Robin was smiling as he patted Beast Boy on the back. For once, the jokester of the team had done well.
Starfire seemed even more perplexed at Robin's statement. "Why have you stolen Rubik's cube, Beast Boy?"
Robin laughed. "No, that's what it's called, Star. A Rubik's cube. It's a puzzle. You have to turn the little squares around until each face is solid."
"Really? You mean it is like a dimensional key."
"It's a child's toy," Raven said in her usual, monotone voice, though not without the glint of humor in her eye. "Sorry to say there is no dimensional portal on the other side." The others laughed. Starfire giggled.
"Well, it is also a lovely gift, Beast Boy," she said, and kissed his cheek. "I am sure I will spend hours of amusement and confusion trying to solve this delightful puzzle. Thank you, friend."
"Ah…don't embarrass me, Star."
Starfire beamed. "This has been a wonderful day, my friends. I am honored to share it with you all."
"Hey, what are friends for, if they can't come to your party," Robin said.
"All right, kiddies," Cyborg announced as he entered the living quarters. "Whose up for cake and ice-cream!"
The group congregated around the half-man, half-machine superhero, who held a tray with large, round cake covered with a thick layer of pink frosting with green lettering and a single, sparkling candle.
"Pistachio-almond-pecan surprise with strawberry frosting!" Cyborg said as he set the cake down. "Make a wish, Star."
"Oh, what a fascinating tradition!" Starfire clapped her hands together, and drew a deep breath to blow out the candle.
She never got the opportunity.
A sound like a gunshot echoed through the halls of Titans Tower. Cake was everywhere, splattered across the floor, smeared on the walls and even clinging to the ceiling. Star's scream followed the blast, ringing in the ears of everyone in the room.
It took several moments for her to collect herself enough to peer up to her metallic friend with tears welling up in her eyes.
"Cyborg, why would you do this?"
"I didn't!" he insisted, eyes wide. "Exploding cakes ain't my style."
"Cakes don't spontaneously blow up," Raven said. "I smell a rat."
"Or at least a big green monkey," Robin added.
It was Cyborg's turn to explode. "Beast Boy!"
However, the shape-shifting prankster was nowhere to be found.