Chap. 11

South

"Friend Whimpernel, why are we headed towards the trendy nightclub?" asked Starfire, as they flew towards Club 172, an expensive nightclub near the heart of the city. "I figure, Slade would never suspect we'd think of it. And besides, places like that usually have underground tunnels or something." replied Whimpernel. "Where did you hear about that?" "Comic books." "Oh I see..... can you tell me again how you can fly?" Sighing, he answered, "Star, for the last time, it's an antigravity belt!" "Yes but how can a belt.. oh look, there it is!" Starfire quickly began to land, while Whimpernel muttered, "Thank God!" and followed her.

The two landed outside of the club and quickly walked up to the bouncer. "Hello sir, I am Starfire of the Teen Titans. My friend and I require access to your large place of blinding lights and loud music." The bouncer, a large and burly man, looked down at the two of them and asked, "Are you on the list?" "What list?" asked Starfire, genuinely confused. At that point, Whimpernel stepped in. "Sir we believe that a madman has hidden underneath your club with a magic gemstone, and if we don't find him, he will use that stone to transform himself into an all powerful being and destroy the city!" The bouncer stared for a second, then shook his head and said, "Boy, if I had a nickel for every time I heard that one.." "Is there any way you'll let us in there?" asked Whimpernel. "Well, let me think... no." he replied. "Now get out of line, there are other people who want in."

Starfire began to leave, but Whimpernel didn't move. "That's a very strange pimple on your neck sir." He said. "What the hell are you talking about?" snapped the bouncer, clearly growing impatient. But Whimpernel continued to stare at it. "You know, I read in a medial magazine that a pimple like that can lead to acerolis." "Huh?" went the bouncer, albeit with a touch of concern in his voice. "Horrible disease. First, it starts to bubble pus all over your neck. Then, you begin to under go a rise of temperature. After that, there's a series of painful muscle spasms, followed by uncontrollable flatulence. Finally, the entire digestive system collapses, with the victim experiencing massive drooling. Finally, the poor bastard is reduced to quivering mass of jelly." Whimpernel finished his speech, then looked up at the bouncer. This time, he was clearly frightened. "W-What should I do?" he trembled. "Well, if memory serves, go home and cover the pimple in calamine lotion. Then, once it's been an hour, heat up a pin, and pop it." Nodding, the bouncer yelled, "Jimmy! Cover for me! And let these two in!" Turning back to the two heroes, he said, "Thanks." and began to run off.

"Well, that went well didn't it?" said Whimpernel. "Yes, we achieved entry and you helped save a man from a horrible disease." agreed Starfire. "Yeah, about that. He wasn't actually sick." "What?" said Starfire. "Then acerolis.." "Oh it's a real disease, but it's caused by food poisoning." "You lied to that man! We most go and make amends." "Starfire hold on! Look, we had to get in somehow and if this worked let's roll with it. We have bigger problems right now." Sighing, the young alien said "You are right, but we will solve this afterwards." Whimpernel nodded. Suddenly, another bouncer appeared saying, "Ok, in you go." As the two of them walked in, Starfire asked, "Where did you hear about that thing anyway?" "With all the medications I take, I learned a lot about disease. Sometimes, it comes in handy."

The two heroes walked into the club, trying to move among the masses of moving bodies. "One side, superheroes coming through.. OWWW! Watch it buddy!" "Excuse me please, I am attempting to save you." Finally, the two of them managed to reach a slightly less crowded part of the club. "So where are the tunnels we are to descend to?" asked Starfire. "I'm still working that out." yelled Whimerpnel, straining to be heard over the pounding music. Suddenly, the beat changed, and the song morphed into an all too familiar disco anthem. "Oh no, you do not play THAT KISS song!" cried Whimpernel, as he marched towards the dj. "Hey buddy, look, we need access to the secret tunnels..." but then Whimpernel stopped dead in his tracks. The dj was in horrible shape, he appeared to melting through his skin. "You all right?" asked Whimpernel, leaning over to get a better look. But suddenly, he was covered in a foul-smelling goo and hurled across the room.

Starfire saw the goo-covered projectile fly across the room. Quickly, she flew over and helped Whimpernel dig himself out. "What in the name of God was that?" sputtered Whimpernel, as he tired to get every inch of the slime off him. Suddenly, there was a scream of horror, followed by an all-encompassing shape rising from the turntables. "Plasmus!" cried Starfire. "Oh he's one of yours?" asked Whimpernel, getting to his feet. "Not for long." She answered, her hands beginning to glow. Still roaring, the slime covered villain oozed his way across the floor. Starfire let loose with a barrage of starbolts. Almost immediately, Plasmus's body became ridden with holes. But as they watched, his body healed them. Undeterred, Starfire flew, firing his bolts at closer and closer ranges. Scarlet Whimpernel followed suit, sending out waves of high intensity sound. Both had immediate effects, but Plasmus recovered quickly. "This is not working!" yelled Starfire, as she zoomed around for another shot. But before she knew, Plasmus had wrapped a tentacle around her and had drawn her inside him. As Whimpernel watched in horror, Plasmus' body bulged with Star's struggles. But then, slowly but surely, they died down. Plasmus gave a sickly grin and turned towards Whimpernel.

"NOO!" the younger hero yelled, as he leapt off the ground and right at Plasmus. But the monster simply opened up and swallowed him whole. Plasmus grinned as he felt the boy stop struggling almost immediately. But then, it's eyes became dilated. Plasmus seemed to shrink, his body loose it's gooiness and became solid. The monter fell to the ground, and as he did Whimpernel and Starfire popped out of what had been his chest. As the two heroes watched, he slowly became human again, sleeping soundly. "What did you do to him?" asked Starfire, as she strained to get the goo out of her hair. "I sent a high intensity signal through his nervous system, knocking him out." Replied Whimpernel, as he too attempted to clean himself. "Were you sure that would've worked?" "No, but hey it did didn't it?" "Hmm. I do not believe Slade is here. Perhaps we should search elsewhere." "Good idea, but first, we've gotta find a dry cleaners."