Drifting
By: Flying Star
Disclaimer: Ooh, what's this, a transcript for Teen Titans in my desk. Could it be? Looks at the signature. Drat, there's someone else's name here. In other words, I don't own.
Ah, the fourth part. We're reaching the end here people. Three Titans down, possibly two to go. I'm glad that people enjoyed Beastboy's part, it took a turn that I wasn't going to do. This part is more of a strange dark, semi- angsty, but with another strange twist. Wanna know what the twist is, then read to find out.
Starfire, Raven, and Beastboy have had their turn, now it's time for Cyborg...
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Chapter 4: Not Invincible
-------
Idiots.......
That's what we were. Always thinking there was nothing or no one that we couldn't take.
Fools......
Believing that nothing could harm us.
Lies.......
Robin knew, he always knew that none of us were infallible. But the rest of us were blind, unable to see the truth.
Fallen......
I can't change what happened to Robin, no one can. He was the best, always encouraging the team, and me. He never shied away from me or taunted me like the other people on the street. He treated me as an equal, a friend. I wonder, though, if my current appearance would frighten him if he was still alive?
Hurts.......
It's not supposed to hurt, I shouldn't be able feel it. Only humans can feel, and I'm not human, not anymore. A result of being blind to the consequences of my actions.
Weak......
I try to be strong, but both physically and emotionally, I'm as drained as my former battery.
Wondering.....
Had I been there, had any of us been there, would the outcome been different? Maybe, maybe not.
Damning.....
I remember the day as if it was yesterday, the news of Robin's death sending Starfire into a frenzy as Beastboy shivered uncontrollably. Pleading with her to stay, I wasn't surprised when she ignored us and flew off. But what did suprise me was the look on Beastboy's face, utter agony, before he morphed into an eagle and flew off, where I didn't know.
Fearing......
First Starfire's bloody rage, and then Beastboy's depression. I should've seen it coming, but I didn't. Arriving at the warehouse, I noticed a speck of green. Out of the corner of my eye I watched as Beastboy landed next to me, he looked terrible. He kept shivering, and even his green skin looked pale as his eyes stayed locked to the warehouse entrance. Whatever he had seen had shaken him badly.
Horror....
When I saw Raven emerge with the man's bloody body and Starfire's unconscious body, I felt...scared. Especially after noticing the blood staining Starfire's delicate hands. It just seemed wrong, she couldn't...no she wouldn't do it, not Starfire. She would rather die than harm another, but I knew it was true. Even the most forgiving of people will eventually snap, it was only a matter of when.
Madness.....
Beastboy and I tried to play Gamestation, just to have something to take our minds off of what happened. But the green changling kept shivering and crying out whenever his car crashed. I don't even think he knew I was still there.
Defining.....
The sudden entrance of Starfire had surprised me. She didn't even look like herself as she yelled at us, her eyes kept flickering, while tears ran unnoticed by her, down her cheeks. For a brief instant, I'd wondered if she would lose it again and start unleashing her starbolts on us. But the moment never came as she left the room, knocking over a vase.
Taunt......
I could just feel the tension in the room as Raven silently discarded the broken shards into the trash. Even she looked rattled by Starfire's actions, but maybe I'm just imagining things. Raven is Raven after all, she'll never let us know if something is bothering her, even the death of a friend. And Beastboy, I know something's wrong with him. He doesn't try to joke or goof around, instead he's constantly staring over his shoulder, and snaps at anyone and anything that spooks him. I really think he's been losing it ever since Robin passed on.
Together....
Robin's funeral occured the next day. I didn't feel surprised to see the massive amount of people there. Even the appearance of Slade was something I had expected, why, you may ask? Well strange as it may sound, I guess he always seemed to think of Robin more as a son, than an enemy, and I think it hit him just as hard as the rest of us that Robin was dead. Countless people paid their respects, and then it was time for us. I'll never forget the look on Starfire's face as she kissed Robin's cheek, she really did love him. Raven, not surprisingly, stayed back. And then it was time for me to go up.
Hard....
I thought it would be easy to say my goodbyes to Robin. But as I looked down at his lifeless corpse, I couldn't help it. I started crying right then, my tears landing on his face as I tried to compose myself. But I couldn't, I felt the weight of Robin's death, pushing down on me, taunting me. Why hadn't I been there?!
Insane.....
I could barely see the ground as I returned to the crowd, muttering an apology here and there as I tried to co-mingle, it didn't work. Drained, I slumped down in a chair, watching my last comrade approach Robin's coffin, Beastboy. If anything he looked on the verge of collapsing, I wonder when he last slept? His hair was a messy tangle, eyes wide and bloodshot as he muttered something to Robin. Before my eyes I watched as he suddenly jumped back, looking around feverently before running off. What had he seen?
Split......
The team didn't stay together for long, maybe a couple of weeks. I think I was the only one who wanted us to stay together. It didn't feel right to just go our seperate ways. Raven seemed indifferent to the breakup, Starfire stayed silent, and Beastboy....he was so eager to leave that he slipped out later that night without saying goodbye.
Familiarity....
I stayed though, the Tower was my home. I had built most of it's systems with my own two hands, I felt like I had to stay. But I made a mistake, a life-altering mistake.
Watching......
Adjusting the cameras, I sigh. The decision to jack myself into the Tower had been a bad idea, one I still regret. But I made my choice after Robin's funeral, and now I can't turn back.
Lost....
It happened about a year after the funeral. I had kept the Tower well maintained, though I never ventured into the other titans rooms, especially Robin's. It just felt wrong, even though they were no longer there. I made sure that all of the Tower's connections were still in place on my person, optical sensors linked effortlessly with the city's public cameras, swinging around to monitor the city's streets and alleyways.
Vengence.......
I knew it was wrong, but I continued to monitor my friends as they went about their everyday lives. With the exception of Raven, I've been able to keep a close eye on the others. I sighed as I watched Beastboy chase down another drunk, his swift cheetah form easily outrunning the scared civillian. It was times like this that I wished I could switch the views, but with my optics wired in I had no choice. Backed into an alleyway corner, the cornered drunk lunged out with his empty beer bottle. Bad idea, in an instant Beastboy had morphed, becoming a towering gorilla easily four times the man's strength and size. I know what's coming, I've seen it happen before, and every time I never make it to the scene fast enough, so now I only watch. The drunk's eyes grew wide as Beastboy's massive fist wrapped around his hand, crushing the glass, and his hand to a pulp. Screaming in agony, the drunk collapsed to the ground, clutching his hand to his chest as Beastboy morphed into a hawk and flew away, his harsh caws sounding like hysterical laughter. Again this was just another confirmation the BB's sanity is slowly eroding. He's been prowling the alleys and side streets for law breakers, dealing out his own brand of justice. Sighing again, I finished my call to the authorities via the police radio band. They never want to be there at the same time as BB, probably because they fear him.
Shock.........
And then there's Starfire, even though life had handed her a rough deal, she continued to help people out, though not with the same kind of enthusiasm. Until that day, the man who took Robin's life had been found guilty of vehicular homicide and was serving a manditory life sentence, but that day, he and two other men had escaped from prison. Considering that his injuries from Starfire had confined him to a wheelchair, I had no clue how he could've gotten out without being spotted. I mean, a wheelchair isn't exactly inconspicuous. It was just his unlucky fortune to come face to face with her as she roamed the streets. Her eyes lit up as she recognized him, her face contorting into one of fierce anger. Instantly I was on my feet, trying to remove the wires that kept me in tune with the city. I wasn't sure if I could get there in time, but this was a more serious issue, I had to try.
Draining.....
I felt it as soon as the last plug left my back, the feeling of power loss as my systems scream at me, POWER SYSTEM LEVELS AT CRITICAL! REESTABLISH CONNECTION! Acting on instinct, I quickly plugged myself back in, then ran a diagnostic check. I stared in disbelief as my systems said I was at maximum power. Fear ran through my mind as I pulled the power cord from my back, instantly my power levels dropped down to critical again. " Oh god, no." I muttered as I reconnected the cable again, just as I expected my systems went back to normal.
Connected....
System intergration. My prolonged connections to the Tower had actually tricked my sensors into believing that I was one with the Tower. No longer a seperate being, but a machine helping the Tower run. It was something that I'd considered, but dismissed after the first few months showed no ill effects.
Realization......
But now it hit me. I could no longer leave the Tower. No, it couldn't be true! I grabbed a portable battery pack, knocking over various objects in a panick as I shoved the power cords into my back, then again ran a diagnostic check. POWER LEVEL 25%. I felt the fear hit me, a minor reprieve, that's all it was.
Invitation.....
The front doorbell rang, and I went to answer it, walking slowly, mechanically, cautiously as I opened the door. No one was there, but a slight bit of movement caught my eye. A piece of paper was lying on the front walk. Scanning it's contents, I crumpled the note and threw it to the ground. How could I meet Star, when I couldn't even stay functional? A warning beep drew my attention, 10% POWER LEVEL DANGER!
Decisions.....
What to do? I thought as I walked back up to the communications room. Yanking out the battery cord and replacing it with the main cable, I felt at a loss. My mind ran through a variety of scenaros, use another battery pack and risk powering down, try to intergrate enough parts from the Tower to maintain function, or stay here in the Tower and hope that she forgave me for not seeing her. The first was possible if I used more than one pack, but still....I wasn't even sure if the second scenaro was possible, and the third...Aw, who cared, Starfire's my friend, I can't let something like a little power problem stop me.
Regrets....
Or so I thought. I used two battery packs, carefully monitoring the temporary power supply. It was a huge risk, with the levels fluctuating as they did, I could suffer a system shutdown before I even made it to the cemetary. But I had promised myself that I'd go through with it, one last time to be with my friends, before I commited myself to living the rest of my life isolated.
Goodbyes....
I made it to the cemetary in time to see the others gathered. Raven wouldn't look anyone in the eye, while Beastboy looked ready to bolt at any moment. And Star....I remembered the earlier transmission with her facing Robin's killer, and shivered as I saw her turn to face us. Unless you really looked you couldn't really see any change in her, until you looked at her eyes. Where there had been joy was now an emptiness, a void that threatened to suck you in if you looked too deeply. Again I shivered as she addressed us, her voice full of regret, angst, fear, and exhaustion as she told us she was leaving. It shouldn't have surprised me, and to a degree it didn't, but I still tried to stop her. She didn't listen and instead said her goodbyes and walked away, leaving us to mingle.
Leave....
But we didn't mingle. Beastboy was gone before I could even turn around, and Raven left without saying a word. That left me as I stared at Starfire's retreating form. My power levels were again decreasing rapidly. There was nothing left to do, but go home.
Prison.....
But it doesn't feel like home anymore, I'm forever imprisioned inside the Tower, keeping connected just to stay alive. If you can call it living. It's been ten years since that day, ten long years without friends, family, a living being to talk to. Sure there's been the occasional police chatter as I again guide them to another person breaking the law, or Beastboy's handiwork.
Trapped....
I'm just a machine now, my body no longer functions, the flesh has long since rotted off, the remains buried by the city. Only my mind remains, living inside the Titans main computer, relaying information to the city's officials.
Alone.....
I have no one, no one wants to talk to me. My friends don't visit, Starfire never returned, Beastboy's mentally gone, and Raven vanished to parts unknown. No one believes that my conscious still lives inside the Tower, monitoring, watching, observing the people walking by, but unable to communicate with them. Police believe that the information sent to them is by an automatic system, a phantom presence.
Invincible.......
No, the Titans were never invincible. I know that now, even though it's too late for me. Even now I can't keep the Tower maintained any more. I can feel my systems shutting down, taking me to sweet oblivion, finally. But a final thought runs through my mind as the darkness sinks in.
Where......
Where does a machine go when it dies?
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Ah, finally done! This was by far, the hardest chapter to write. I decided to extend Cyborg's part farther into the future, just to show what happened to him. I'm sure you're asking, how did his body die? Well, it's because he was permanently connected to the tower, and his real body died from neglect because he could no longer care for himself. How his mind got trapped in the computer, well even he doesn't know how. I'm doing Robin's part next, and I feel certain that it'll be him watching from heaven, observing his friends. Well, if you read this far, please review. I feel this chapter was certainly not as angsty as Beastboy's, but just as damning because Cyborg couldn't do anything to help his friends, and it tore at him to see how they changed.
By: Flying Star
Disclaimer: Ooh, what's this, a transcript for Teen Titans in my desk. Could it be? Looks at the signature. Drat, there's someone else's name here. In other words, I don't own.
Ah, the fourth part. We're reaching the end here people. Three Titans down, possibly two to go. I'm glad that people enjoyed Beastboy's part, it took a turn that I wasn't going to do. This part is more of a strange dark, semi- angsty, but with another strange twist. Wanna know what the twist is, then read to find out.
Starfire, Raven, and Beastboy have had their turn, now it's time for Cyborg...
-------------------------------------------------
Chapter 4: Not Invincible
-------
Idiots.......
That's what we were. Always thinking there was nothing or no one that we couldn't take.
Fools......
Believing that nothing could harm us.
Lies.......
Robin knew, he always knew that none of us were infallible. But the rest of us were blind, unable to see the truth.
Fallen......
I can't change what happened to Robin, no one can. He was the best, always encouraging the team, and me. He never shied away from me or taunted me like the other people on the street. He treated me as an equal, a friend. I wonder, though, if my current appearance would frighten him if he was still alive?
Hurts.......
It's not supposed to hurt, I shouldn't be able feel it. Only humans can feel, and I'm not human, not anymore. A result of being blind to the consequences of my actions.
Weak......
I try to be strong, but both physically and emotionally, I'm as drained as my former battery.
Wondering.....
Had I been there, had any of us been there, would the outcome been different? Maybe, maybe not.
Damning.....
I remember the day as if it was yesterday, the news of Robin's death sending Starfire into a frenzy as Beastboy shivered uncontrollably. Pleading with her to stay, I wasn't surprised when she ignored us and flew off. But what did suprise me was the look on Beastboy's face, utter agony, before he morphed into an eagle and flew off, where I didn't know.
Fearing......
First Starfire's bloody rage, and then Beastboy's depression. I should've seen it coming, but I didn't. Arriving at the warehouse, I noticed a speck of green. Out of the corner of my eye I watched as Beastboy landed next to me, he looked terrible. He kept shivering, and even his green skin looked pale as his eyes stayed locked to the warehouse entrance. Whatever he had seen had shaken him badly.
Horror....
When I saw Raven emerge with the man's bloody body and Starfire's unconscious body, I felt...scared. Especially after noticing the blood staining Starfire's delicate hands. It just seemed wrong, she couldn't...no she wouldn't do it, not Starfire. She would rather die than harm another, but I knew it was true. Even the most forgiving of people will eventually snap, it was only a matter of when.
Madness.....
Beastboy and I tried to play Gamestation, just to have something to take our minds off of what happened. But the green changling kept shivering and crying out whenever his car crashed. I don't even think he knew I was still there.
Defining.....
The sudden entrance of Starfire had surprised me. She didn't even look like herself as she yelled at us, her eyes kept flickering, while tears ran unnoticed by her, down her cheeks. For a brief instant, I'd wondered if she would lose it again and start unleashing her starbolts on us. But the moment never came as she left the room, knocking over a vase.
Taunt......
I could just feel the tension in the room as Raven silently discarded the broken shards into the trash. Even she looked rattled by Starfire's actions, but maybe I'm just imagining things. Raven is Raven after all, she'll never let us know if something is bothering her, even the death of a friend. And Beastboy, I know something's wrong with him. He doesn't try to joke or goof around, instead he's constantly staring over his shoulder, and snaps at anyone and anything that spooks him. I really think he's been losing it ever since Robin passed on.
Together....
Robin's funeral occured the next day. I didn't feel surprised to see the massive amount of people there. Even the appearance of Slade was something I had expected, why, you may ask? Well strange as it may sound, I guess he always seemed to think of Robin more as a son, than an enemy, and I think it hit him just as hard as the rest of us that Robin was dead. Countless people paid their respects, and then it was time for us. I'll never forget the look on Starfire's face as she kissed Robin's cheek, she really did love him. Raven, not surprisingly, stayed back. And then it was time for me to go up.
Hard....
I thought it would be easy to say my goodbyes to Robin. But as I looked down at his lifeless corpse, I couldn't help it. I started crying right then, my tears landing on his face as I tried to compose myself. But I couldn't, I felt the weight of Robin's death, pushing down on me, taunting me. Why hadn't I been there?!
Insane.....
I could barely see the ground as I returned to the crowd, muttering an apology here and there as I tried to co-mingle, it didn't work. Drained, I slumped down in a chair, watching my last comrade approach Robin's coffin, Beastboy. If anything he looked on the verge of collapsing, I wonder when he last slept? His hair was a messy tangle, eyes wide and bloodshot as he muttered something to Robin. Before my eyes I watched as he suddenly jumped back, looking around feverently before running off. What had he seen?
Split......
The team didn't stay together for long, maybe a couple of weeks. I think I was the only one who wanted us to stay together. It didn't feel right to just go our seperate ways. Raven seemed indifferent to the breakup, Starfire stayed silent, and Beastboy....he was so eager to leave that he slipped out later that night without saying goodbye.
Familiarity....
I stayed though, the Tower was my home. I had built most of it's systems with my own two hands, I felt like I had to stay. But I made a mistake, a life-altering mistake.
Watching......
Adjusting the cameras, I sigh. The decision to jack myself into the Tower had been a bad idea, one I still regret. But I made my choice after Robin's funeral, and now I can't turn back.
Lost....
It happened about a year after the funeral. I had kept the Tower well maintained, though I never ventured into the other titans rooms, especially Robin's. It just felt wrong, even though they were no longer there. I made sure that all of the Tower's connections were still in place on my person, optical sensors linked effortlessly with the city's public cameras, swinging around to monitor the city's streets and alleyways.
Vengence.......
I knew it was wrong, but I continued to monitor my friends as they went about their everyday lives. With the exception of Raven, I've been able to keep a close eye on the others. I sighed as I watched Beastboy chase down another drunk, his swift cheetah form easily outrunning the scared civillian. It was times like this that I wished I could switch the views, but with my optics wired in I had no choice. Backed into an alleyway corner, the cornered drunk lunged out with his empty beer bottle. Bad idea, in an instant Beastboy had morphed, becoming a towering gorilla easily four times the man's strength and size. I know what's coming, I've seen it happen before, and every time I never make it to the scene fast enough, so now I only watch. The drunk's eyes grew wide as Beastboy's massive fist wrapped around his hand, crushing the glass, and his hand to a pulp. Screaming in agony, the drunk collapsed to the ground, clutching his hand to his chest as Beastboy morphed into a hawk and flew away, his harsh caws sounding like hysterical laughter. Again this was just another confirmation the BB's sanity is slowly eroding. He's been prowling the alleys and side streets for law breakers, dealing out his own brand of justice. Sighing again, I finished my call to the authorities via the police radio band. They never want to be there at the same time as BB, probably because they fear him.
Shock.........
And then there's Starfire, even though life had handed her a rough deal, she continued to help people out, though not with the same kind of enthusiasm. Until that day, the man who took Robin's life had been found guilty of vehicular homicide and was serving a manditory life sentence, but that day, he and two other men had escaped from prison. Considering that his injuries from Starfire had confined him to a wheelchair, I had no clue how he could've gotten out without being spotted. I mean, a wheelchair isn't exactly inconspicuous. It was just his unlucky fortune to come face to face with her as she roamed the streets. Her eyes lit up as she recognized him, her face contorting into one of fierce anger. Instantly I was on my feet, trying to remove the wires that kept me in tune with the city. I wasn't sure if I could get there in time, but this was a more serious issue, I had to try.
Draining.....
I felt it as soon as the last plug left my back, the feeling of power loss as my systems scream at me, POWER SYSTEM LEVELS AT CRITICAL! REESTABLISH CONNECTION! Acting on instinct, I quickly plugged myself back in, then ran a diagnostic check. I stared in disbelief as my systems said I was at maximum power. Fear ran through my mind as I pulled the power cord from my back, instantly my power levels dropped down to critical again. " Oh god, no." I muttered as I reconnected the cable again, just as I expected my systems went back to normal.
Connected....
System intergration. My prolonged connections to the Tower had actually tricked my sensors into believing that I was one with the Tower. No longer a seperate being, but a machine helping the Tower run. It was something that I'd considered, but dismissed after the first few months showed no ill effects.
Realization......
But now it hit me. I could no longer leave the Tower. No, it couldn't be true! I grabbed a portable battery pack, knocking over various objects in a panick as I shoved the power cords into my back, then again ran a diagnostic check. POWER LEVEL 25%. I felt the fear hit me, a minor reprieve, that's all it was.
Invitation.....
The front doorbell rang, and I went to answer it, walking slowly, mechanically, cautiously as I opened the door. No one was there, but a slight bit of movement caught my eye. A piece of paper was lying on the front walk. Scanning it's contents, I crumpled the note and threw it to the ground. How could I meet Star, when I couldn't even stay functional? A warning beep drew my attention, 10% POWER LEVEL DANGER!
Decisions.....
What to do? I thought as I walked back up to the communications room. Yanking out the battery cord and replacing it with the main cable, I felt at a loss. My mind ran through a variety of scenaros, use another battery pack and risk powering down, try to intergrate enough parts from the Tower to maintain function, or stay here in the Tower and hope that she forgave me for not seeing her. The first was possible if I used more than one pack, but still....I wasn't even sure if the second scenaro was possible, and the third...Aw, who cared, Starfire's my friend, I can't let something like a little power problem stop me.
Regrets....
Or so I thought. I used two battery packs, carefully monitoring the temporary power supply. It was a huge risk, with the levels fluctuating as they did, I could suffer a system shutdown before I even made it to the cemetary. But I had promised myself that I'd go through with it, one last time to be with my friends, before I commited myself to living the rest of my life isolated.
Goodbyes....
I made it to the cemetary in time to see the others gathered. Raven wouldn't look anyone in the eye, while Beastboy looked ready to bolt at any moment. And Star....I remembered the earlier transmission with her facing Robin's killer, and shivered as I saw her turn to face us. Unless you really looked you couldn't really see any change in her, until you looked at her eyes. Where there had been joy was now an emptiness, a void that threatened to suck you in if you looked too deeply. Again I shivered as she addressed us, her voice full of regret, angst, fear, and exhaustion as she told us she was leaving. It shouldn't have surprised me, and to a degree it didn't, but I still tried to stop her. She didn't listen and instead said her goodbyes and walked away, leaving us to mingle.
Leave....
But we didn't mingle. Beastboy was gone before I could even turn around, and Raven left without saying a word. That left me as I stared at Starfire's retreating form. My power levels were again decreasing rapidly. There was nothing left to do, but go home.
Prison.....
But it doesn't feel like home anymore, I'm forever imprisioned inside the Tower, keeping connected just to stay alive. If you can call it living. It's been ten years since that day, ten long years without friends, family, a living being to talk to. Sure there's been the occasional police chatter as I again guide them to another person breaking the law, or Beastboy's handiwork.
Trapped....
I'm just a machine now, my body no longer functions, the flesh has long since rotted off, the remains buried by the city. Only my mind remains, living inside the Titans main computer, relaying information to the city's officials.
Alone.....
I have no one, no one wants to talk to me. My friends don't visit, Starfire never returned, Beastboy's mentally gone, and Raven vanished to parts unknown. No one believes that my conscious still lives inside the Tower, monitoring, watching, observing the people walking by, but unable to communicate with them. Police believe that the information sent to them is by an automatic system, a phantom presence.
Invincible.......
No, the Titans were never invincible. I know that now, even though it's too late for me. Even now I can't keep the Tower maintained any more. I can feel my systems shutting down, taking me to sweet oblivion, finally. But a final thought runs through my mind as the darkness sinks in.
Where......
Where does a machine go when it dies?
--------------------------------------------------------------
Ah, finally done! This was by far, the hardest chapter to write. I decided to extend Cyborg's part farther into the future, just to show what happened to him. I'm sure you're asking, how did his body die? Well, it's because he was permanently connected to the tower, and his real body died from neglect because he could no longer care for himself. How his mind got trapped in the computer, well even he doesn't know how. I'm doing Robin's part next, and I feel certain that it'll be him watching from heaven, observing his friends. Well, if you read this far, please review. I feel this chapter was certainly not as angsty as Beastboy's, but just as damning because Cyborg couldn't do anything to help his friends, and it tore at him to see how they changed.