Becoming X
Disclaimer: We don't own the Teen Titans. Marv and George would have us drawn and quartered if we did.
Dark Weezing's notes: First off, this has an interesting experience to say the very least. I should explain how this came to be shouldn't I? When I first met Iain, he was trying do a Robin/Jinx story and I gave him some story ideas to help him out. He was intrigued and he suggested collaboration and here we are.
To crazedcharka: I can see why you think that. Usually the both of us do one shots. Long one shots but this isn't the case here. Hope we keep you intrigued.
Timeline: For future clarification, this takes place a month after the events of Apprentice.
Nothing left to say except check out Iain's pieces. If you like murder, mystery, mayhem, and the occasional Queen reference, he's got it all.
Kakyoin's notes: No plugging my fics, dammit.
Dark Weezing's counter: You'll be fine. Just returning the favor. Nyeah.
Kakyoin's final note no questions asked: /muttleymutter/ Fine. Anyway....
To The Darigan Cat: Pink is a very cute and ironic color on Jinx's head. It's why she's my favorite despite being in only two episodes. She's got more personality in her left pigtail than the rest of the cast does in their whole bodies.
To Dr. Evans: I recommend finding the one with bells on.
To crazedchakra: I'm doing my first collaboration. We're starting off slow and then getting bigger. This chapter's bigger than the last one.
Ready Go!
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CHAPTER TWO: MIGHT BE IN LOVE
Three whole seats to myself.
I'll lie down and stretch out
But I know that I won't sleep at all
You're all I see when I close my eyes.
Raven stirred from her slumber. Time to start another pointless day. Another day to suppress...everything.
She inwardly sighed. She wished for a moment she was like the alien princess, Starfire and be able to feel...something. Anything. But no, Destiny needed her punching bag.
And on further thought she takes back the wish about being like Starfire.
'Be like having a lobotomy.'
But now, she focused on the alien princess' love interest, the Masked Titan Robin. Raven was surprised that he actually went out of his way to talk to her. Since the team was formed, they hardly spoke of anything, with the exception of shop. She wanted to talk to him...but her shyness plus Beast Boy's annoying flirting and Starfire's affections for Robin kept her paralyzed. So she said nothing.
So then why did she say something...positive to him yesterday?
It was quite...perfunctory for her to act like that. She didn't care about everything or everybody. That was the image she always maintained. She loathed being this way but life gave her no other choice. It was the only way to keep her father from taking over.
So again...why did she act like that or better question is...why did she feel like that?
'There has to be a reason. I hardly gave a damn about him before. What has changed?' She thought.
Perhaps for one thing, it was because he was the only one who gave her privacy and went out of his way to do so. She loathed telling Star the truth about herself and certainly loathed having the idiots in her mind but...it did have the bonus of being closer to them and be able to live them.
Except for Robin but then he had his own crap to deal with...with Slade.
She didn't understand the cat and mouse game the two nor did she care. When innocent lives are in the balance, the obsessions become meaningless.
So do secrets as Raven has begun to find out.
Perhaps it was time to let Robin finally in on it.
'Too bad everyone else already beat you to it.' Raven smirked briefly.
At least unlike the others she'll be in control. There won't be stupid emotions like curiosity or misunderstanding getting in her way.
'Who knows? Maybe I'll get to see what's behind that damn mask of his. Am I that lucky?' Raven mused and thought for a minute.
'Oh right. Of course not.' She inner deadpanned as she entered her bathroom.
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Raven went into the living room twenty minutes after. She noticed the clock.
'6:30. Well. Best make use of the serenity.' She noted.
She brought out the tea kettle from one of the lower cabinets and filled it with water. Raven was thinking on how to approach him.
'So, Robin, how's Batman? Made a new Bat gadget lately? No.'
'So, Robin, I heard Gotham City has that odd red sky effect. How does that work? No.'
'So, Robin, what kind of hair gel do you use to keep those lovely spikes skyborn? Ugh. Why is this so hard?' Raven growled, unaware of the tea kettle blowing steam.
"Raven?" A male voice was heard, Raven ignored it.
'Maybe if I use my powers, I create a wind and blow off that mask of his. Be a good icebreaker.' Raven ruminated, still unaware of the steam.
"Raven!" The voice shouted.
Raven broke out of her trance. She turned to see it was the object of her thoughts: Robin.
"Your kettle." Robin pointed out.
"R...Right." She desperately tried to hide her blush. She wished she had the foresight to leave her hood on beforehand. If Robin kept on his mask all the time, why shouldn't she keep on her hood?
'Probably has it on while he sleeps.' The dark empath barbed as she turned off the oven.
"Why are you up so early?" Raven asked, hoping to digress the conversation from her and her blushing.
"I could ask you the same but since you ask, I was in the lab analyzing that red X. I'm trying to figure who it could be." Robin lied.
"I'm sure it's not you. I know you have more common sense than to pull such a stupid stunt again. At least I'm hoping." Raven reassured.
"You don't have to worry about me. One secret identity is enough." Robin smirked.
"Very true. I don't know how you do it. All the time. Doesn't that get threadbare after a while?" Raven asked innocently as she leaned on the opposite counter.
'Yes, focus on the mask. If I have to share, you're going to hear it too.'
"Actually...yeah it does. But I can't take the risk. Like you and your emotions. I want too but...I can't." Robin whispered in emotion as he joined her.
"Nice to know I actually have someone else understand the game of risk. I've noticed something." Raven observed.
"I'm sure you have. You're quite observant." Robin said with a crack of a smile on his lips.
"Thank you." Raven nearly blushed and loathed herself for it. "I've noticed...that the others have an advantage over us. It's getting more obvious."
"What do you mean by advantage? I don't understand." Robin asked confused.
"Besides the fact they can feel, which...you know...is a problem, I've noticed that they can be open about themselves and they don't care and they're happy with that. What you see is what you get. The lack of pretense. As opposed to us. I hide behind my moodiness and my meditations and you hide behind your mask...and your obsessions." Raven almost whispered the last part.
"I've never noticed that before. Just used to codename and formalities from my training. Never took the time to get personal or...had the chance." Robin said hesitantly.
"I take it Batman wasn't Mr. Congeniality." Raven observed.
Robin sucked in a breath. "No." He said firmly.
"I'm sorry." Raven said meekly. She loathed backing down from anyone but she couldn't let her standoffishness ruin what looks like a miracle. For her and him. She'd doubt she'd act this way again.
Robin must have read her mind. "Not your fault. It's a...touchy subject. I'm sorry for acting like that."
"Don't be sorry. It's my fault. I should have known better." Raven apologized in a quiet tone.
"Actually it's both our faults. We never talked about anything beyond shop so how would you know?" Robin shrugged.
"True." Raven offered no other counter.
"Feels like an impasse." Robin said after a few minutes of silence.
"No, just awkwardness." Raven observed.
"We upgrading?" Robin asked nonchalant.
"Maybe." Raven countered his tone.
"Better than what we had, which was nothing." Robin said with shades of lament.
"True. But as you said, not our faults. Just been too busy to do the getting to know you's properly." Raven said in her monotone.
"With Slade and all, yeah. Feel like doing it now?" Robin glanced at her.
"If we had time right now and were alone perhaps. But one day we will." Raven looked away with a whisper of encouragement.
"You actually said something positive. You running a fever?" Robin smirked.
"Oh God, you're right, listen to me. Since when do I speak in platitudes?" She sighed.
"Since about a second ago?" Robin chimed.
"Hmm. What will happen to my image when this breaks out?" She said in her deadpan.
"Get a new one. Might I suggest clown with big shoes?" A smile began to arise from the corner of his mouth.
"Bite your tongue. Being a clown is Beast Boy's job." Raven quipped.
"And he does it exceptionally well." Robin observed.
"That he does." Raven said simply.
"Is it me or are we enjoying ourselves?" Robin asked bemused.
"It's just you." Raven smirked.
"Right." Robin said dubiously.
"You don't believe me, you don't believe me. That's your fault." Raven turned the corner of her mouth into a smile.
"Was that a smile?" Robin said incredulously.
"No, more of a facial tic." Raven said in an immediate glower.
"No, it was a smile." Robin said in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone.
"It was not." Raven said with nonchalance.
"Man, I can't wait to eat my tofu bean surprise." Beast Boy's voice echoed from the hall.
"And while you do that, we'll eat real food." Cyborg's voice countered.
"It is real food!" Beast Boy yelled back.
"Either way, it's a frown again." Raven barbed.
"I know. Blast. I was starting to have fun too." Robin said defeatedly.
'He was?' "You were?" Raven asked quizzically.
"Yeah, oddly enough I did. Frightening isn't it?" Robin gave a small smirk.
"Positively bone-chilling." Raven deadpanned, while analyzing the depth in her quip.
"It does. We have to do this again." Robin said encouragingly.
"Right. A year from now." Raven said in her trademark monotone.
"I was thinking today or tonight actually." Robin smiled.
'Really?' Raven thought confused.
"Well, I..." She was about to say when interrupted by the arguing duo and Starfire's harmonious voice. She seemed to have lost her voice.
And wasn't too thrilled on getting it back. Or was she?
'I don't know.'
During breakfast, Robin gave her small knowing glances which she responded in kind. She was surprised that an act of righteous timing actually paid off for once. Maybe if Robin was alone she could try again, could being the operative word being that Starfire clung to him all the time. The boys finished their argument and their repast and headed to the Gamestation. Starfire said she was going to cook the Pudding of Happiness.
Which meant Robin would be alone again. Perfect.
Until...the alarm bell ran off.
"Don't bad guys ever take time off for breakfast?" Beast Boy grumbled.
'For once Beast Boy, I wish that were true.'
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"What is with these prison cells? I thought by this time we'd be undergoing treatment for our 'violent urges'," Gizmo muttered.
"That's wot I said, me ducky, but they still locked me up in this bloomin' cage."
"Shut up! I wasn't talking to you."
"But I agree wif ya, boy. Was jus' tryin' to make you feel at home here."
"When they break me out of here, you're so going to be left behind," Gizmo said, "Little snot-munching old fogey."
"I 'eard that!"
"Good!"
"I guess the future just isn't what it used to be," Mammoth said, playing with a little rat that had snuck into the cell. "Gizmo, tell me about the rabbits?"
"We're not getting rabbits, Mammoth!"
"But Gizmo, you said--!"
"I didn't say anything!" Gizmo yelled. In a more sotto voice he continued to mutter various curses at a third grade level.
"I was going to love them and hold them and pet them and squeeze them," Mammoth muttered, talking to a now very regretful rat who was praying for his spawn's best survival to the rat god. He vaguely heard, distinctly, a reverberating SQUEAK somewhere in the cage.
"No you weren't. Come on, Hive, come on!" Gizmo muttered. "I've gotta go to the bathroom!"
"We've got a toilet!" Mammoth said.
Gizmo looked at it, "No. No we don't."
"But –"
"I've heard denial is a great way to keep a positive outlook," he said, looking positively ill. The other inmates quietly agreed with him. Except, of course, Mad Mod, who was too busy continuing on his rant about Stanley Kubrick stealing his ideas to comment.
And Mammoth just kept going on about some damn rabbits.
The utter destruction of the south wall was of course a welcome change. It brought hope into the room. And the Hive Drones that followed were even greater. They destroyed the cells one by one, releasing each and every one of the criminals held within.
Except Mad Mod, who just plain didn't notice his cell being blown clear open.
Gizmo whined, "What took you?"
"I had a breakfast break," Jinx said, "And you know how important my beauty sleep is." She emerged from behind one of the drones.
"What are you doing here?" Mammoth asked. "Don't you sleep in on Saturdays?""Usually," Jinx said, "But I've got a special reason."
"I hope that reason is five to ten in the slammer," Robin called. The dynamic opening was spoiled only by one of the Hive drones attacking. Robin ducked and dodged around the attack while Cyborg tackled it heads on. "Titans, go!"
Raven began smashing heads immediately, taking drones and throwing them to slow down the escaping criminals.
"Why do they have to do this so early?" Beast Boy asked, "I didn't even get to eat breakfast."
The Titans in earshot chorused, "We know." Cyborg tossed a drone to the side and met Mammoth hand to hand. "Pretty tough, ain'tcha."
"We're breaking out of this join and there's nothing you can do to stop it!"
"And I tell you, Burgess is a hack, boy. A complete and total failure. Y'wanna know what the Dregs were sayin'? They were sayin' Russian gibberish! Ha! Thought the Russians were gonna take over 'e did. Well, we showed 'im when we took Botswana for Jolly Old England!"
"So, does he ever shut up?" Cyborg asked, candidly.
"Nope. Never."
"My God, his brain, it's full of trivia!" Beast Boy said, having taken Gizmo down. Jinx kicked him off.
"Hurry up, let's go!" Jinx said. They ran for the broken down south wall, only to find it blocked by Starfire and Raven, who levitated above the ground, looking dangerous.
"We will not let you pass!" Starfire said. Mammoth's attempts to break them aside led to Starfire easily overpowering him and sending him crashing into the ground in a ball. "Do not attempt to overpower me. I am stronger than I seem," she warned. Raven just rolled her eyes.
Jinx was ready to take her try when red Xs rained from the sky. Standing on the highest balcony was the black form of Red X. "Who is that?" Raven asked. She levitated upwards, dodging between the Xs and landed next to him.
The lithe form moved backwards to allow her space. "Raven."
"Where did you get this costume?"
"Here and there." He smirked, "Am I so important to you that you let your friends deal with a jailbreak?" Raven sent an object flying at Red X.
He didn't dodge. The object merely flew right through him. A trap.
She looked below. Robin and Cyborg were the only two left standing, and they weren't faring so well against so many criminals. Only Mad Mod stayed in his cell, babbling on about monkey suits. Raven knew that Red X hadn't just set that hologram there to distract her.
Whoever it was learned from Robin's mistakes. Perhaps he was one of the criminals escaping. Her eyes just followed Robin around. He had been down there the whole time. Impossible. She just couldn't bring herself to trust him about this one issue, and she hadn't the slightest clue why.
Again, that horrible death's head appeared again. Below! Raven descended to try and intercept the thief, but it was too late. Robin had already been blind-sided by the thief and forced into a wall. Robin slumped over. Red X turned around, eying the Hive Students. Cyborg already had turned to attack, and the thief just blocked the blow with startling calmness. A red X was placed on Cyborg's arm and an electrical feedback shorted his circuits out.
He was laughing at them, Raven realized, and swooped down to stop him. "Not yet, birdie," Red X laughed, a red X flying to seal her powers. She weaved around it, only to find a second hit her. He had definitely learned from Robin's mistakes. He had predicted which way she would dodge, without even blinking.
"Now, for you." He moved over to Jinx and the Hive students. "Why did you try and steal those chips."
"Chips? Chips?" Jinx feigned innocence, "But Mr. X, we weren't near any Supermarket!"
A razor sharp X appeared in Red X's hand, "Reconsider that answer."
"That's for me to know and you to find out," Jinx laughed. There was a sound like thunder descending, and a strange bee-like vehicle descended from the clouds, a ladder being thrown out for the escapees. "Ta ta, Red, we'll talk later."
The super thief leapt ran up to try and catch them. However, they were already gone. "This doesn't make me happy," he said. He returned to the jailhouse. There were unconscious escapees and the disabled Titans lying around, and he was strangely satisfied with that.
"I suppose that's my cue to leave," Red X said. He leapt up to the upper floor of the house. "See you." It was then he vanished into the shadows. "You?" he said, hearing the sounds of a scuffle in the dark, Raven looked to where Robin had once laid. All that was left where he had dropped was a small, shattered X weapon.
Robin descended from the upper floor looking a bit nervous. In his hand was a tear of X's cape. "He got away," he answered, sadly. "But I tried." He helped the others remove the objects as best he could.
"Thanks man. You did good," Cy said.
"Thanks," Robin answered.
"I guess we kinda jumped the gun," Cyborg he answered, a bit bashful. Raven had gone to examining the broken equipment, rubbing her sore lips while she did so.
Why she couldn't let the past go, she didn't know. "What's this?"
"I've never seen an X like that," Robin answered. "I didn't design them for anything but incapacitating people without hurting them."
"You don't say," Raven said with a careful deadpan.
"Hey, guys? Can we go? I was making breakfast and I think I may have left the oven on," Beast Boy said, bashfully.
"The oven is still on?" Starfire asked, "Then the Tower of Titans may in fact be in grave danger! Hurry friends! Hurry!"
Mad Mod was left alone, in his broken open cell, as the guards took to moving the others around. He laughed, "Oh, yes, think I'm the stupid one, me ducky? Watch as you become a fugitive while I get me sentence reduced f'r good be'aviour. Right, I'm the stupid one 'ere."
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The machine sliced through the air at a brisk pace, the three Stooges were taking their seats, talking amongst themselves.
"Who was that Skull Man looking crud sniffer?" Gizmo quipped.
"Said his name was Red X. Actually he's rather dreamy...in a rotting cemetery sort of way." Jinx nearly blushed.
"You and the black. It's always you and the snot smearing black. I thought you weren't going to date another guy in black since that showtune loving, crud eating geek." Gizmo chided.
"That coward isn't Red X." Jinx countered.
"Jinx has a boyfriend? Again?" Mammoth observed in a confused tone.
"I think she does. She's trying not to blush. Ha, ha, you're in love, you snot brained..." Gizmo began to taunt.
"That is enough classroom chatter. I suggest you save it for class." Another voice interrupted as a figure emerged from the cockpit.
The trio turned their attention to the figure.
"Sorry, Bursar Blood." They apologized.
He was an older gentleman with a long gaunt face. He wore ivory robes with a saffron jackal's head illustration embroidered on the front. He was Sebastian Blood, the Academy's newly appointed Bursar. Or better known by the student body as 'Bottom Line Blood'.
It wasn't hard to guess how he got that nickname.
"It's quite alright children. I understand the need for gossip as well as anyone. Although students of the H.I.V.E. Academy of Extraordinary Young People should know than to delve into such petty civilian customs," Blood reprimanded in a compassionate tone.
"Yes, sir." The trio murmured.
Blood didn't see the need to manipulate the little children. No, they seem...placated enough.
"That's good children. We shall reach the base shortly. Although..." Blood's tone suddenly dropped. "I'm afraid you must go back out and retrieve the disks. Mr. Wilson is quite insistent. He expects an answer as to what happened. Fortunately I've stalled him but it will not work forever. You must go and succeed." Blood pleaded.
"Yeah, but if we do, the shrub licking Titans will show up and ruin it all over again." Gizmo warned.
"Yes, that will be a problem. But if we..." Blood began to say when interrupted by a voice from the cockpit.
"Sir, we're almost at the base. We have a transmission from the Headmistress." One of the pilots spoke through an intercom.
Blood's face immediately soured.
'Now, what does she want?' He grumbled as he left the room to enter the cockpit. The pilot handed him a headset.
"Patching through." The co-pilot stated as he flipped a few knobs on the console by his right.
"Bursar Blood, what is the meaning of this!?" The Headmistress screamed at him in the headphones. Blood noted that the Headmistress was about to have kittens sounding like that.
"The meaning of what, Headmistress?" Blood purred innocently.
"I mean, appropriating a H.I.V.E. helicopter and several low class drones to go on a rescue mission for a trio of failures. All without having my permission." The Headmistress wasn't known to mince words.
"I was merely snatching the poor dears from the soup so to speak. They are a great asset to us, do you not agree?" Blood reasoned. A pity his abilities didn't work with machines. Not that it would matter now. It was time to dust off Blood's cajoling skills.
"They were already sent back after graduating. They just failed a high profile mission. Mr. Slade, a rich client is demanding an explanation as to the delay. Delay caused by you I hear. I'm preparing to cut my losses." The Headmistress warned.
'I have my work cut out for me.' Blood mused.
"Wise Headmistress, allow me to explain. You first see them as failures but I can see them as a future investment. Think of the cost of training new recruits versus the cost of a quick re-education of former students. You can see the difference. Two, both the helicopter and the Drones were obsolete and about to be scraped. So why not make use of them one last time and have the Titans do what we were going to do for free? And lastly I stalled Mr. Slade only to allow the students more time. I was under the delusion that at the H.I.V.E. the students come first or was I wrong?" Blood was proud and disgusted at himself of his transformation as a sycophant.
"You may have noble intentions but you need to re-evaluate your priorities Bursar Blood." The Headmistress replied after a minute of dead air.
"Indeed. But perhaps you should do the same and prioritize what's the best for the school as well." Blood countered.
"Perhaps." 'The "what's best for the school" line works on her every time.' He smirked.
"Are we allowed to come on board?" Blood asked.
"Permission granted, but Mr. Slade wants to speak to you the first opportunity he has." She replied.
'Wonderful.' The Headmistress was easy to manipulate, but Slade wouldn't be. Blood knew of Slade's...crazy or better word would be psychotic mannerisms. It would be quite a challenge and the ultimate testament of Blood's abilities.
"Understood. Blood out." Blood ended the conversation.
Blood removed the headgear and returned to the students.
"So, what was all that about, anyway?" Jinx asked, a perplexed look on her face.
"Well, children, the Headmistress wasn't pleased." Blood began to say, the students faces turned to worry.
"Relax. I talk her down so you're safe." Blood smiled. The students gave a collective sigh of relief.
"What magic words did you say to calm down the old crone?" Jinx smirked.
"You have no idea, Ms Jinx. I have to speak to Slade himself." Gizmo gave a shudder.
"Good luck, that snot killer is crazy hard." He quipped.
"I agree. But while I do my best to calm him down, one of you goes to retrieve the chip you failed to acquire last night." Blood instructed.
"What about the other two chips?" Mammoth growled in a rare flash of insight.
"The other two will be better guarded. A battle strategy beforehand is in order. Ms. Jinx, you will go by yourself and procure it. You have the subtlety needed for such an assignment." Blood ordered.
"Why don't you give me something difficult to do? Like washing Mammoth's hair?" Jinx quipped.
"Hey! I resemble that!" Mammoth retorted.
"Haha! It's funny 'cause you used the wrong word!" Gizmo said, pointing and laughing uncontrollably.
"Stop it! You have a job to finish, so I suggest you tend to it." Blood's cool demeanor was beginning to heaten.
If the guy didn't save Jinx's life just now she would tell him to piss off. But no, for now it would be best for her to become...Teacher's Pet.
"Yes, Bursar." Jinx said in a monotone. She wished she was killed instead.
Blood gave a sly smile as the helicopter reached its destination.
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The ride home was a mix of Cyborg and Beast Boy raving about the newest Gamestation game "Death Blow".
"Death Blow: When someone blows you up. Not because of you are or what you've done..." Cyborg said an announcer voice.
"But for different reasons altogether!" Beast Boy joined in.
And the occasional glare of Robin by Raven.
'She still doesn't believe that I'm not X. Either she's really smart...'
Robin gave a quick glance at her.
'Or just plain mistrusting. Either way I have to relieve her of that before she ruins everything.'
Robin spent the rest of the ride home scheming.
Cyborg parked the T-Car 2.0 in the hangar and everyone disembarked from the vehicle.
"Okay, y'all, since it may be a long wait for the Three Stooges to make their move, we might as well get some down time done. We're playing "Death Blow." " Cyborg suggested.
"I shall first inspect the appliances, and then utilize the blue furry food and make the muffins of eternal camaraderie!" Starfire declared.
The others subtly panicked.
"You do that." Raven deadpanned.
Robin saw an opportunity in disguise. If he can talk to Raven, not only would he be able to maybe lower her barriers just a little but best of all, not arouse her suspicions about him being X.
'You sure you prefer the latter more than the former?' His conscience asked.
Robin said nothing and pressed on.
"Raven?"
"Yes?" She returned in her monotone.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Why Cyborg and Beast Boy can't read a book instead of frying their brains on that idiotic device or the fact your girlfriend can't read a simple cookbook properly, I have no idea." Raven monotoned.
"First off, she's not my girlfriend, two, I have no idea and three, all I wanted to say was since we have some free time, do you want chat some more? That's all." Robin was surprised how quick he was to say that Starfire wasn't his girlfriend first, but pressed on.
"Oh." Raven wasn't sure which was more surprising: His admission of the status of the relationship with Starfire or the fact he wanted to continue the conversation.
"If you don't want to, I understand. It's okay." Robin subtly stared her down. The question now was who is going to blink first?
Raven mused for a minute. It would be a good opportunity to see if he was X or not plus, perhaps to get to know him better. A small meager bonus.
'Just keep telling yourself that.' Her conscience deadpanned.
Raven mentally rolled her eyes and said.
"Actually, that might be somewhat tolerable." Raven said with whispers of emotions.
"Shall we go?" Robin hinted to go upstairs.
"Actually I'd prefer not, unless hearing pointless rants about useless gaming maneuvers and eating "blue" muffins appeals to you." Raven countered in her trademark monotone.
Robin shuddered and remembered the last time he ate those muffins. The bathroom was his new home for three straight days.
"No, No! Here's fine. Should I start?" Robin asked.
"It's your conversation." Raven shrugged.
Robin inwardly sighed. "Okay, umm, thinking..." Robin ruminated.
"Don't strain yourself too much." Raven quipped.
Robin nearly growled. "Ok, Cyborg says you helped him rebuild the T-Car?" Robin hoped that would be enough.
Raven saw what he was doing and decided to play at last. Shooting him down wouldn't get her anywhere.
"Actually yes. We talked about the car and how much he put of himself in the car, just...like I do with my powers." Robin tried to suppress his envy.
"That you do. I've noticed. What kind of a detective would I be if I didn't?" Robin observed.
Raven tried to suppress the blush. Fortunately her hood prevented Robin from seeing her slip.
"Not a very good one as of late." Robin's expression quickly saddened. "But...thank you for noticing. You're the first to do that." Raven added to perk up the Boy Wonder.
"Seems like I'm observant with everyone but myself it seems." Robin mused.
"If you mean Slade, it's over and done with. Hopefully now you will keep us in the loop. We don't need another surprise." Raven warned.
"You already said this. I've learned my lesson." Robin apologized, trying to suppress his anger.
"Just making sure it's reinforced. Dealing with Red X was not the most pleasant time of my life, nor when you were Slade's...Apprentice." Raven spat out the word.
Robin glared at her, trying to think of a proper counter.
"There's a lot I can do with that statement. First, I agree. Although you're being generous when you say "not the most pleasant". It was a nightmare. For all of us." Robin reflected firmly.
"But you still went through with it. Were you happy being his Apprentice?" Raven asked with suspicion.
"Of course not. Why would even you ask that?" Robin scoffed.
"Your obsession or maybe crush aside, I thought you would be thrilled playing with the dark side." Raven observed.
"If we're not talking about The Force then...maybe a little. I've...never thought about it. Why you would say that?" Robin asked.
"I've noticed you seem to possess...a darkness that would mesh well with that and I know how powerful the lure of playing in the darkness can be. I've lived that all my life." Raven answered unemotionally.
Robin reflected for a moment. Nobody has ever noticed that about him before.
"Yeah. And yes, it certainly was a change of pace for me. But it didn't mean I enjoyed it as much as you may think I have." Robin countered.
"I wouldn't know, now would I?" Raven said sourly.
"I know. You know...you're maybe the second person to observe that about me. My... darker side. But I think thrilled may be over-reaching it." Robin somberly observed.
"Looked like you had the time of your life when you playing his errand boy. I...I felt it." Raven chided.
"That was different. It was more my body loving it but yeah. Slade pointed that out too. You two rather think alike." Robin observed.
"I doubt that. If anything, you're like him. I can see why he wanted you so much." Raven tried to suppress her rising gorge with her disdain for the Boy Wonder. She was surprised herself that it was working.
Robin took a deep breath. "Yeah. I guess you could say that. And you're also right about me being dark. But I prefer controlling it, if I were going to do that." Robin said with tinges of regret and suspicion.
"Like with Red X?" Raven asked suspiciously.
"Don't you have a one track mind?" Robin glared.
"I do. I don't like surprise, or betrayal." Raven rivaled his glare.
"Is that why you won't let it go? Because I betrayed you? Or was it I didn't trust you?" Robin asked with surprise.
"First, what trust? We barely spoke, so why take into consideration something that didn't exist? And second, as you can obviously tell, I don't trust easily and when I'm betrayed, I never forget it." She warned. "But...you can factor the lack of dialogue into my suspicions as well." She added for his benefit or hers, she wasn't sure.
"We can say rage too. It's quite obvious." Robin suppressed the urge to grit his teeth. This was a mistake.
"Yes. We can." Raven's eyes bore straight through him.
"But riddle me this: if I betrayed you then how is it we're talking now? What happened, happened. I can't change that. Nor can I change our past relationship. But...what I can change is our relationship now. I want to start over. Actually I'd rather just start. If that's alright with you." Robin offered the olive branch but was suspicious of Raven's next move.
Raven scanned her options. She could say no and ruin her chance at discovering the truth.
'Don't make this all about X and the past.' Her conscience warned.
'What do you mean?'
'You feel his regret. Not just with X but with your relationship with him. He wants to try and start again. Is his company so unpleasant?'
'I suppose not.' She shrugged.
'It would be nice to have a friend who didn't try to annoy or crush you now wouldn't it?' Her conscience chimed.
'It...it would be nice, actually.' Raven then lowered her hood.
"I would find that acceptable. Providing there is no catch." She said with a whiff of emotion.
"Great, I'll have my lawyer draw up a contract." He smirked.
Raven merely nodded. Robin saw his chance to continue.
"If we're going to do this properly, we should be honest with each other. In that...we only tell what we wish to tell. I'm not forcing you to tell me why you meditate or your past or anything incriminating. I'll never pull that on you. You tell me what you think is fitting to tell me." Robin loathed giving guidelines but given Raven's...secretive nature, he had to.
"What if I wish to tell you nothing?" Raven smirked.
"That's your right but...doesn't that get threadbare after a while?"
"You keep your face hidden, you tell me." Raven countered.
"What if I promise to show you what's hidden behind it?" Robin said reluctantly.
Raven was shocked. "Y...You're serious. You'd do that?"
"I will. Call it a show of good faith. But we have to get you stop hating me first." Robin stipulated.
"I don't hate you. I hate the way you act...at times." Raven glowered.
"Like X or the Apprentice?" Robin noted, getting to the meat of the argument.
"It was...the Apprentice but when X returned, I shifted focus." Raven said honestly.
"I don't blame you and I never explained to you that...X was a means to an end. Stupid? Yes. I won't deny that." Robin said in regret.
"Of that we can agree." Raven glared.
"Part of starting over or just starting is letting go of that. Are you going to or have we been wasting our breath here?" Robin sighed.
"Since we're being honest, no, I won't. Not until I'm sure you're not him again." The dark empath stated firmly.
"And what do I have to do to prove that?" Robin stated, not backing down.
"Actually, I'm not sure, short of scanning your mind but I won't do that to you." Raven said coolly.
"You won't? Why? You usually do whatever you feel like, why be considerate now?" The Boy Wonder said in confusion.
Raven said nothing for thirty seconds. "Because you never invaded my privacy. So, I thought I'd return the favor and if I were going to do it, I would have done it already." She said simply.
"True. But...thank you." Robin said sincerely. Raven merely nodded.
"Since you won't do that, how will you know?" Robin asked.
"Like I said, I don't know. Just watch you like a hawk I suppose." Raven shrugged.
"That's lovely. You know that cuts both ways. And what about your secrets? I'm bound to pick one or two of them if you keep me under a microscope." Robin warned.
Raven was slightly taken aback by the consideration. "I'm not worried. I have control of myself." She wasn't falling for this charade of concern.
"I'm just giving you the chance to back out if you want it. Like I said, I'm not forcing anything." Robin said sincerely.
Raven felt his feelings. 'Perhaps there may be something to this. I certainly have nothing to lose with him.'
"I...I believe you, strangely enough. But I will still keep my suspicions until I know either way. Fair enough?" Raven tepidly agreed.
"Fair enough." Robin didn't want to breach the agreement, it was razor thin as is.
"Think they're worried about us?" Robin said after a minute, digressing the topic.
"Between the boys and their golden calf and Starfire and her culinary nightmares I don't think so." Raven intoned flatly. "Why? You have somewhere to go?" Raven asked, shielding what was...disappointment.
"Well, the fire alarms aren't going off, so I'm thinking they're okay." Robin smirked.
"I wouldn't put anything past them." Raven remarked.
"Yeah, but I wouldn't be able to turn back without them. Or you." Robin said with pride.
"I wouldn't think so after all those hard kicks. You didn't pull back on me." Raven glowered.
"I am sorry about that. I'm not sure why I did that. I guess...I was angry at myself for with you or...your standoffishness, it really got to me at times." Robin said remorsefully.
Raven felt his remorse. "Well, it's a moot point now." She shrugged.
"Yeah." Robin said simply.
"I think we finally got rid of the awkwardness we were talking about before. May have replaced it with sheer mistrust but it's a step in some kind of direction. What say you?" Robin asked.
"I wasn't thinking about it before but...yes, I think we may have." Raven said with whispers of emotions.
"And it didn't take a year now did it?" Robin continued with his smirk.
"No, no it didn't." Raven observed in a small surprised tone.
"I suppose you want to meditate now don't you?" Robin asked.
"Why do you say that?" The dark empath wondered.
"You usually meditate at this time." He observed.
"And how would you know that? Spying on me behind my back?" Raven's smirk began to take shape.
"No, just being observant. Wouldn't be a good detective if I wasn't now would I?" Robin repeated himself.
"I think you overestimate yourself." Raven's smirk began to rise.
"You're probably right." Robin smirked in self deprecation.
"But seriously...are you going to go?" Robin was surprised himself by his reaction. The plan succeeded.
Maybe a little too well.
Raven was surprised his reaction as well. Her plan succeeded as well. It was her move now.
'Why not?'
"I thought we had sheer mistrust, yet you still want my company?" Raven again said in a monotone.
"I'm a masochist." Robin said coolly.
"Your programming, not mine." Raven shrugged.
"But...to answer your question, I wasn't thinking about it and I'm good for a while so I have some time." She commented in her monotone.
"In that case, do you feel like sitting down? Because I think I'm going to collapse after that fight." Robin laughed in exasperation.
"You're such a wimp. I think there are some stools over there. Here." Raven used her powers to levitate them to the two Titans.
"That's a timesaver." Robin remarked.
"You would think so." Raven said in her monotone.
"You seem dubious. Would this be a secret? Just giving you that out." Robin observed.
Raven was touched by his continuing concern.
"Perhaps." She said nonchalant.
"You don't have to tell me." Robin reinforced.
Raven said nothing and stared straight through him. Her eyes boring into him. Robin felt a chill up his spine.
"Let's just say....I wouldn't wish my "gift" on anyone." She reflected as she sat down.
Robin repositioned his chair to face her and sat down.
"Really? Most of the others say their powers are gifts."
"For them, yes but not without undue price." Raven observed.
"True. Some more than others."
"Is that pity?" Raven glowered.
"No..."
"Because if it is, then not only is this conversation is over, I will..."
"It's not. It's not." Robin tried to calm her down.
"I was making an observation. That's all. Y...You don't need to get defensive." Robin defused. Raven felt nothing but sincerity from him. "It's just...I've seen my share of metahumans, and I know at a price. Okay? You don't need to bite my head off."
Raven gave an inquisitive look.
"I didn't know your powers were such a...touchy subject." Robin searched for the proper adjective.
"Now you know." Raven gave in her monotone. Robin felt ashamed for some reason.
"I would think you would be sensitive about that. Considering you have no powers at all." Raven glared.
"Yeah." Robin suddenly felt two inches tall.
Raven felt that, she shrugged it off. "But...you compensate rather well for it."
"Yeah?" Robin looked up in hope.
"I refer to your roundhouse kick. You certainly showed me." Raven said in...self deprecation.
"Again, I'm sorry. I didn't have a..."
"It's a moot point now. If you wanted to be with him, you would have stayed." Raven said in finality.
"Does this mean you're finally letting go of that?" Robin asked with a whisper of hope. He knew better.
"Either when my wounds heal or when X is unmasked. Whichever." Raven shrugged.
"Which one? Column A or Column B?" Robin saw a smirk in the horizon.
"All of the above." Raven deadpanned.
Robin gave a breathless laugh. "Fair enough. Well...at least you gave me a kinda, sorta answer instead of never."
"The only answer I can give in this case." Raven shrugged.
"Better than nothing." He countered.
"True." And they could think of nothing more to say. They lingered in silence for a few minutes, one waiting for the other to make their move. The duo stared at the time. "You threw away Red X," Raven said, quietly. "Why?"
"Because, because," he sought an answer, "Because of what it did to you. I didn't want to keep a memento of a time I'm not proud of. I don't want that mask constantly mocking me."
Raven could barely sense something in that statement. It was veiled, "Is that so?" She couldn't think of anything more to say. "Is that so?"
"Yes," Robin answered, "Why do you keep asking?" He was now defensive. If she pushed, he'd push back and that wouldn't end well. It was a touchy subject. Why another X would appear, it was still much to her confusion.
"Because I don't want this incident mocking us again." Their eyes didn't move from the clock. "And I know you wouldn't either." Robin hesitated.
"Then let's hope you prove me wrong then." Raven chided.
"I hope I do too." He said, not backing down.
She countered by giving him a subtle probing gaze. He then glanced at the clock, he wanted to end this.
It was almost 6 o'clock.
"Tempus fugit, no?" Robin weakly smiled. Sounded like someone he knew, he idly thought.
"Apparently." Raven noted. She saw his pathetic attempt at ending the conversation but she decided to let it go. Any more and her precious control would slip away and her powers would run amuck. What is it about the Boy Wonder that frustrates her so much?
"Must be dinner time, wonder if the "blue" muffins will be ready?" Robin smirked, trying to change the topic.
"Perhaps I should do a Gandhi and go on a hunger strike until we get better food." Raven deadpanned.
Robin laughed. "Might not be a bad idea." They stood up.
"Time to face our punishment. You coming?" Raven asked, as they walked to the elevator.
"Actually, I'm going to do some closed room training and build up an appetite. Hopefully that will do the trick." Robin gave a lop-sided grin.
"Hopefully being the operative word here." Raven deadpanned again.
"Yeah. Today wasn't so bad. Despite the mistrust and all. You?" Robin asked her.
Raven thought for a minute. "Actually it went well, all things considering."
"I'll take that as a yes. Think you'd be up for it tomorrow?" Robin asked encouragingly.
Raven arched an eyebrow. 'He really is a masochist isn't he? Interesting.'
"Maybe." She said nothing more as they reached their floor.
"I'll tell them you'll be at the gym." Raven said, actually offering an alibi.
Robin smiled mentally. "Might be an extra long session, I have to practice for when I met Jinx again. So it may be good night."
"Very well, don't pull on a muscle. In that case, good night Robin." And with that she walked away from him.
"Good night Raye." Robin slipped out, Raven stopped for a minute. "Thought I'd try it out." Robin said nervously. "Hm." Was the only thing she said and kept walking.
Robin actually smiled. He actually made it halfway cross the Rubicon.
'Wow. How about that?' He smirked.
But now he had to focus to other matters.
It was time to get to work.
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Blood and the two of the Stooges arrived in the Headmistress' chambers.
"Where is Student Jinx?" Headmistress asked.
"She's currently delayed. She'll be here." Blood lied.
"Very well. I wish the best of luck explaining yourself to Mr. Slade." The Headmistress sneered at him.
Blood ignored the crone and psyched himself for Slade. It would be the ultimate test.
Slade's countenance appeared on the massive monitor. His eye narrowed on the sight of Blood.
"Greetings, Bursar Blood. Now that as I explained to the Headmistress, I called you last night, asking what was the current status of the operation I have ordered. You told me that the students were in transit with one of the disks. Since I've heard nothing from your fine school further that night, I called again this morning and you kept informing me that they would were returning with disk on hand and then you kept putting me on hold." Slade's rage was quickly building. Blood said nothing.
"The Headmistress has informed me that you are a new employee to the Academy. You see, part of the arrangement is that when I set a task, I expect accurate progress reports. That is how it has been before you and I'll make sure it will be long after you." Slade threatened.
"Sir, if that may be perceived as a threat." Blood tried to hide his smirk.
"That is because it is. If the H.I.V.E. Academy wants my continued business, I suggest you go through a business management class and know how to deal with clients better." The Headmistress was trying to hide her smile.
"Sir, the problem isn't with me. If I may be frank, it is your attitude. You are most...unpredictable, some would say crazy. Because of that, people fear you and fear to give you negative news. So I thought the best course of action was to allow the students more time and breathing room by stalling you. The last thing they needed was you breathing down their necks over progress reports and not to mention threatening to break necks. We need to let our students work at their pace to assure the desired effect."
Everyone else dropped their jaws. He did not call Slade crazy.
"And furthermore you need the H.I.V.E. Academy as I've seen your latest order for a squadron of Mecha Drones. We are here to serve but please do not take more than the Academy is able to give." Blood stared right at him. Who would blink first?
Slade sucked in a deep breath. "Most amusing. You're the first one to offer me such candor in a long time. That should be rewarded. As such, I shall grant an extension and wait until I hear from you, regardless of success. Headmistress, I suggest you promote this man. Post haste." That was the closest Slade would ever sound..."pleased". Blood felt like he wanted to faint.
"Y...Yes sir." The Headmistress was at a loss. Gizmo climbed on Mammoth and whispered.
"He actually called Slade crazy and made him back down! Wow..."
"I know, what a man." Mammoth returned.
"No, he's The Man." Gizmo smiled.
"If you excuse me, I have other endeavors to tend to. I shall look forward to hear from you again, Bursar Blood." Slade said as he was ending the conversation.
"Yes, sir. And I you. You shall receive your Drones immediately as compensation for the waiting and while we spoke, I've sent Ms. Jinx out into the field to retrieve the first disk. Hopefully we shall receive some answers soon." Blood reported. The Headmistress was surprised that Blood deceived her like that.
"That would explain her absence. Killing two birds with one stone. Good business skills. I hope she succeeds. Good night Bursar. Headmistress." He addressed the old woman with an icy tone. He hung up afterwards.
Blood visibly relaxed. The Headmistress was ready to scream. "You are dismissed." He addressed to the midget and the giant.
"Yes, sir, Bursar Blood." Gizmo saluted. They quickly left. Hopefully they will spread the word.
'Excellent.'
"I don't know what to do with you. You broke so many protocols..." She growled.
"You could fire me. But then you'd lose Wilson's business, and you know you can't risk that. He is one of our top clients." Blood taunted.
"You will make a mistake, Sebastian and once you do, nothing will save you. Certainly not your forked tongue." She threatened.
"Interesting metaphor...for a bureaucrat. Now if you excuse me, I shall prepare my final financial report and clean out my office as I wait for my new appointment. Good night Madame." He bowed to her and exited the room and left her stewing in her rage.
'Everything is going according to plan. Excellent.' Blood mused as he entered his office for the last time.
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Red X leapt into the night sky. The adrenaline rushed through his veins. No one knew who he was behind the mask, and no one dared stop him. Twisting and turning in the air, he landed on a rooftop and ran to the ledge.
Without a pause, he again took the sky. A perfect landing.The mask made him feel euphorically happy. No more the squeaky clean image, now only the super-thief, Red X. He could do anything, fight anyone, he was invincible.
He had a hunch, so he descended again at the facility where Jinx and the Mighty and the Midget tried to steal that chip. If he could just figure out why, if he could just figure out who, he would be able to put together the rest.
He landed and it was quiet. It was quiet for hours after that, hiding in the shadows being a boring thing the time seemed even longer. He was tempted to whip out his communicator and try and talk with someone. However, knowing all too well that would be more dangerous than helpful; he pushed the thought away from his mind.
It wasn't long after that thought. Someone was approaching.
"Slip in, slip out," Jinx said, "Sounds more than a little like a euphemism." She laughed. It was just outside the facility, and it certainly looked easy enough. The repairs should still be taking place, so the alarms wouldn't be hard to by-pass, and with Gizmo's gadget she shouldn't be noticed.
Still, there was something not right here; something about the shadows.
"Here goes nothing."
She ran up to the facility, only to find herself running into a well-muscled male form. Well, there were many worse things she could encounter when she stopped to think about it. Still, her fall was steadied by his hands, and she stood looking at the mysterious masked thief. "We meet again."
"You."
"Seems we're running into each other everywhere," Red X said. "Trying to steal the chip again?"
"Well, I don't know," Jinx said, "I may just come here to take a look at the night sky underneath the smog." Red X chuckled beneath the mask. The voice modulator made it sound menacing. "Why are you here?"
"For the same reason," Red X answered, not missing a beat. "Why are you taking those chips?"
"You think I'd tell you even if I did know?" Jinx answered.
"Maybe," Red X answered. "Maybe you wouldn't.""Admit it. You're just here to see me."
"No," Red X answered, stoically.
"Yes," Jinx answered, emphatically. "And while I'm flattered by such an amorous admirer, I simply don't have the time for a new pet boy. Now if you don't mind."
"You won't succeed."
"With the damage I did, they'd be lucky to spot me."
"The Titans are monitoring it carefully. Robin is paranoid. I know. I've seen him. I know his weakness." Red X stopped her, "However, if we agree to a truce, then maybe I can offer you a sign of my trust." Jinx eyed him carefully. His hand extended, awaiting her agreement.
"All right then," Jinx answered, her voice more than a little confused. "We'll do it you way for now." She took his hand. "But I want that sign of trust between us now."
"Impatient," Red X answered. "What do I have to do?" This was beginning to get awfully familiar. A bad feeling crept down Red X's spine.
"Steal the chip," she answered. "Pretty please with sugar on top?" The pout was a bit much, he thought. "Or aren't you man enough to keep up with me?"
"I'm man enough," Red X answered indignantly. "I'm more than enough for this job."
"Good," Jinx said, "Now prove it." That playful smile to a teenaged mind was deadly. She was hardly a woman, Red X should have noticed, but she was more than enough to be confused for one. Red X vanished from her sight, and descended upon the building like a phantom.
The alarms, simple enough to deactivate if you understood the mechanics behind it, were left useless, the guards were left clueless, and the chip was left defenseless. Red X reappeared to take the disc. He could just as easily vanish out of the building as he came in, but that wouldn't be any challenge.
He readied his gauntlet and ran past a guard. The guard had barely enough time to talk before the red X wrapped around his mouth. A second stopped him dead in his tracks. Red X could barely contain his laughter as a second guard was neutralized his short order.
The rest were even quicker.
And as he was finished he looked at one, helpless guard and said, "Tell them Red X was here."
----------------------------------------------
Jinx had begun to get bored when the figure emerged again from the shadows. "Easy." He took the chip form his cloak, showing it to her. "Don't underestimate me again, Jinx."
Jinx smiled, and she certainly smiled pretty when she wanted to, Red X thought. "Oh, I won't," she said. "Give it to me."
He placed the chip gingerly in her hands. "Done as promised."
"Maybe next time we should try something a bit more casual," Jinx said. "Business work is so tedious, don't you think? And now, for your reward." She reached to take off the mask, but Red X stopped her.
"No," he said. She scoffed and removed the mask, only bringing it above his nose.
"You are handsome," she said as she reached up to kiss him. Red X's resistance failed as he felt himself responding in kind. As she pulled away, she put the mask back down.
"Why did you --?"
"Well, Red," Jinx said, "I've got to fly. We should do this again sometime."
"Sure," Red X said, vacantly. He was too lost in thought. All he could think of was how the morality he had built himself on felt like a distant ship's smoke on the horizon. He felt numb to it. Comfortably numb. All he could do was take to the night's sky again, a flutter in his heart and a spring in his step for reasons even he didn't understand.