Titans on the Run!
Chapter 4: Tickets and Take-out
Song of the Chapter: "Mary, Star of the Sea" By Zwan
"A chicken sandwich...."
"RAE!!!"
"Uhh...yeah, like I said, chicken sandwich..."
[Sigh] "Alright. Star, what about you?"
"Hmm...a hot dog. Yes, that sounds delicious."
"Ketchup or...."
"No just mustard. I'm not that thirsty, thank you."
"Okay.... and Cyborg. Let me guess, a whole, living, breathing cow?
"No thanks, I had one for breakfast. How about some kung-pow chicken?"
"Alright. See ya."
Jump City flew past in a blur, as Robin gunned the engine on this cycle. Street lights whizzed by, creating a sort of perpetual yellow glow, as the last rays of the sun were fading away. In the form of a lemur, Beast Boy held fast to the Boy Wonder's cape. When he secured his grip, the green creature took some time to watch the city from his perch on Robin's helmet.
"Could you sit still for just a second?" Robin asked, a little distracted.
Beast Boy ignored him. It wasn't like he could answer him in lemur form anyway.
The city seemed to exhale as the streets retained heat from the day, while the night air cooled the area greatly. This made for the perfect climate, the primate reasoned, as there were still children playing in the streets, despite the hour. Adults were walking and holding conversations in the street. Altogether, there was a sort of comfortable feeling surrounding the city.
[Like a summertime blanket.] "Wha..."
Jarred out of his thoughts, Beast Boy returned to normal as Robin arrived at the first stop of their food run.
"Hey BB, why don't you fly to King Panda and get Cyborg's order, so we can save some time?"
"Sure, sure boss man! Squawk" He replied, taking to the air as a parrot.
Robin parked his cycle, and entered the restaurant. He'd been to this particular place before, so he knew he had to wait a little. As he sat in the little waiting area, he began to think about a letter he'd gotten the other day.
(Flashback)
"Robin, you've got a letter here!" Boomed Cyborg from the front door.
"Fan mail?" He asked, not looking up from the Gamestation screen.
"Nope. No hearts, or perfume." He joked. "Besides, there's no return address."
Gaining his full attention, Robin paused the game and opened the letter.
"Dude! Read your love letters another time! I know you're just stalling!" jeered Beast Boy.
"Alright." Robin resumed play, and quickly (and a little embarrassingly) defeated Beast Boy's character.
With the younger teen's jaw on the floor, Robin returned to the letter.
Dick,
My sources, say that Slade will do something big, bigger than the Titans. I know what you have learned about him and the work you've done. That's why I've arranged for you and your team to take a sabbatical during the summer months. All of you can stay active, or some of you can go. It's up to you. Some members of the League will be stopping by. I myself will make a trip to the tower. Stay alert.
P.S. I'll also work on your security system.
Robin looked puzzled by the last part until he saw a tiny plastic bag within the envelope.
In it were four strands of hair, dark-purple, red, black and green in color, and a metallic washer.
[Sigh] "Alright, Old Man. I get your point." He said to no one in particular.
"I hope you'll get my point, Bird Boy! Rematch!"
(End Flashback)
[It's not like him to send word about anything. Ever.] He mused to himself. [It's not like I've been keeping track either.]
In any case, he would take this seriously. And a break seemed like a good thing after...what happened with Terra. Between that and usual Titan duties, he saw a little strain on everyone. Including his usually jubilant Starfire.
COUGH!!!
[Cool it.] , A voice in his head warned. He reddened slightly at the thought.
[Besides, if the Old Man could have gotten so close, what could Slade do?!]
"Hmm...."
[Again, cool it.]
He had been trying (As much as possible.) to ease up on things as far as Slade was concerned. It took a sobering talk with Starfire to get him to realize that he couldn't prevent anything from happening by obsessing like that. He was trying to find a balance, and it was easier with everyone's help. He might not show it much, but he needed to show everyone that he really appreciates their help and company; Even if he couldn't see it himself sometimes. Something...
"Order's up, Rob." The hostess called, breaking his train of thought.
"Thanks. Did you put in the...?"
"Oh yeah. All the mustard in the house."
Whistling to himself, Beast Boy walked down the sidewalk to King Panda. As he caught sight if the neon sign, his ears picked up a slight noise from the alley across the street. Deciding he needed better reconnaissance, he turned into a Doberman. He could smell sweat and gun powder. Hearing a familiar metallic click, Beast Boy quickly put the pieces together.
[Mugging, Two dudes on one, gun and knife.] Before he sprang, he cocked his canine head, and looked as thoughtful as a dog could.
[Dude....... I sound like Robin.]
On his way to his rendezvous point with Beast Boy, Robin passed a nightclub. Feeling a foreign urge possessing him, Robin revived an old skill. He darted into an alley, and emerged, sans mask, as a normal-looking teenager. Walking in, no one noticed him. The bouncer himself barely acknowledged him. Dancing and socializing youngsters covered all available space in the building. As he waded though the sea of teenagers, he could feel the floor shift ever so slightly as every bass note was sounded from the blaring dance music. Standing in the middle, he remembered feeling like this once before, but nothing compared to this. Before, he was Robin, Boy Wonder, and protégé of the Batman, leader of the Teen Titans.
Now he was... well he wasn't anybody.
He was just a guy. Kinda scrawny, about medium height, but normal.
Slowly, he realized that he was free.
Free from fighting, from pain, from patrols, from training, from Slade, from H.I.V.E,
...from watching friends die...
...from everything.
Now he just wanted to dance...
He just wanted to forget Slade, Bruce, and crime fighting all together....
He could just continue to dance...
He could never put the mask back on...
[No.]
In that instant, Robin felt exceedingly guilty and ashamed.
[What about the others could they just 'give it up'?]
"But..."
[And if they could, would they?]
Beast Boy couldn't give it up; his gifts and situation were obvious.
Raven cannot yet master her emotions; so she fights evil to show she isn't.
Cyborg could try to lead a normal life; but he turns his limitations into his strengths.
And Starfire...
Starfire could....
She could return home; but instead she left her home to fight against the unknown.
He couldn't stop, at least for their sake, and for the sake of the city.
But now he realized that he needed a break, as much as anyone.
Especially since he has just had an argument with himself.
"Aaaaarrgh!"
"Ahhhhh!!!"
"Somebody help!!!" "Gorilla!!!"
[I think they've had enough.] Beast Boy mused.
"Let's get out of here!!!" One of the attackers shrieked.
Watching them escape leaving smoke trails, Beast Boy resumed his normal form and held a hand out to the man on the ground.
"Heeeyyy. I get it now! You're one o' those Titans aren't ya."
"Bull's eye. I'm Beast Boy. Are you alright dude?"
"Sure, I'm fine. Thanks!" He studied the green teen for a moment. "Hey, I bet you're Mr. Popularity here in Jump City, huh?"
"Gotta keep 'em off with a stick, you know?" He lied.
"Well I've got something to make up for saving my skin back there. I know you could have been doing something else..." He said rummaging through his pockets.
[You don't know the half of it.] He thought as he remembered Cy's kung-pow.
"Here. Tickets to the big, battle of the bands next month in Dakota. They're choice seats!" He said pressing them into his palm.
Beast Boy looked at him quizzically.
"Why do you have these?"
"Hey now!" He cried defensively. "I'm no scalper! I'm a promoter for a record company in Metropolis!"
"Alright, I believe you dude!"
[And I think we will go.] He thought.
On the freeway again, with Beast Boy in Parrot Form on his lap, Robin speed through the windings and curving of Jump city's interstate.
"What's eating you fearless leader?" Beast Boy asked in a squeaky parrot voice.
"Hmm.... nothing BB. But I think were going to be eaten alive if we take any longer with this food."
"Definite possibility, dude. Oh hey, check what I scored." Beast Boy said, jumping to the back, transforming, and looking in his pockets.
"What?" Robin queried, keeping a portion of his mind on the road ahead. Beast Boy shoved the tickets into Robin's field of vision.
"...Oh...Hmm... What would you like to do in Dakota?" He asked, half-expecting the answer.
"You know, take in the sights, kick back... totally rule the Battle of The Bands!"
"Beast Boy, we only have five songs. If you can even call them songs." Robin reasoned.
"Come on..." Beast Boy pleaded.
"And we need more practice."
"That's no prob, Rob. We can practice on our way up there."
"Beast Boy..." Robin said, slightly exasperated.
"Don't make me use 'the face'..." he threatened.
Robin looked at him.
"I'm not Star, I'm immune."
Beast Boy looked crestfallen.
"You'll need you energy to pack anyway..."
As the night wore on threats were made, food was shared, and everyone in the tower settled into a comfortable state of laziness, as Cyborg,(Who begrudgingly forgave Beast Boy for forgetting his food.) Beast Boy, and amazingly Raven slept off the food on the couch, as it was very early in the morning. Raven slept lightly and inwardly debated whether to wake her snoring teammates up, or go upstairs herself. Deciding that she was comfortable enough, she just mumbled and flipped her male companions on their backs. Hearing Beast Boy whimper, she levitated him a few feet off the couch, moved the remote control from under him, and replaced his lightly stirring form.
Starfire, from her usual sleeping position on the couch, opened one eye and noticed that they were short one member.
[I hope he isn't... no. No, he promised me.]
Sitting up she scanned the living room, and found he wasn't around. Floating, as to not wake the others, she giggled when she noticed Raven had shifted so her head was on Beast Boy's shoulder. She startled slightly, when she saw a pen and a piece of paper levitate towards her, in a black aura. The pen hastily scribbled on the paper in mid-air. Blinking, and taking the paper, she read:
"Not a word."
Starfire smiled sleepily and left to find Robin. Getting a little worried, Starfire had run out of places to look.
[He has to be on the roof. I even looked in that unpleasant basement.]
Opening the door to the roof, she saw Robin, sitting with this feet dangling off the edge.
"I am certain that, that's an excellent way to lose one's footwear." She joked.
"Well I could always try one of your boots, you know?" He relied, turning with a half-smile.
Starfire looked incredulous, but excited. "Truly? We can visit the Mall of Shopping if you prefer?"
Robin's expression was a mix of horror, and amusement at her reaction. "Nah..." He said, patting the area next to him. "...Besides, I doubt they'd have my size."
"So Robin, what's consuming you this morning?" She asked, tripping over the saying.
He sighed, and looked at her. He went to speak, but the words died in his throat. Instead, he just looked at early morning Jump City.
"It's so nice when nothings going on, huh?" He said, thinking out loud.
"Yes, it is..." She sighed. "...but the situation of the city seems to be last thing on your mind."
He looked in her eyes. She stared back, unblinking.
[Sometimes she's too wise for me.] He thought, laughing.
She joined in. "Is my appearance humorous, Robin?" She chided playfully, with an air of mock indifference.
She couldn't hold the facade for to long, as she too succumbed to the Boy Wonder's laughs. Their laughter echoed all around Jump City's bay area.
He stopped and got serious. "I'm... I'm tired Star." He confessed. "With Slade, and...and Terra, and...well everything."
She stopped and noted his tone. She had talked to Beast Boy herself after Terra death. It hung like a ghost over everyone's thoughts. She too felt like a weight has been applied to her soul, since the incident earlier in the year.
"Well, let's take a... a break? Yes, a break from our duty for a wile." She suggested. "Crime has decline noticeably in theses summer months. Perhaps criminals are as ... 'burned out' as you are?"
He nodded, smirking inwardly at her improvement in English since he's been helping her. "That sounds good Star. Besides, I think I know where we're going." He said.
Glad that he took her advice, she mimicked a gesture from earthen television as she ruffled his hair, relishing its feel.
Getting up to leave she called over her shoulder, "Don't forget. Beast Boy requested that we have a period of practice tomorrow morning!"
"I won't." He replied, red from the alien's action. Turning to the city again, he laughed silently.
[I was going to leave her, why?]
AN: Whoa, whoa, whoa. What a last couple of days! First and foremost, Ridiculous thanks to all who read and all who reviewed! That really made my day. Seriously:
Dana1313: As for now, Raven won't sing. (No mater how much Star and BB beg.) And Cy can't get himself out of the garage for some reason... But that can all change. So stay tuned...
Sage of the Story: (Author lets out a squeal) Thanks for reviewing, and especially for you criticism! I love your stories. I will comb through my posts. Give me more criticism, please!
Black Moon: That was for "I'm At a Loss for Words", but thanks for reading anyway!
So far this chapter has been the most fun to write. I find Robin to be a very interesting character. They are hitting the road next chapter, promise! I'm debating with myself whether or not to have a small Static Shock crossover. I'll see what comes about. Also, if you've got any good names for the band, let me know!
Later!