Disclaimer: Woah, it actually DIDN'T take me 3 weeks to get this up! I wrote this chappy all in one sitting because I didn't want you guys to get bored waiting. This chappy gets very freaky... so... hold on to your hats, kiddies!

I do not own Teen Titans, unfortunately, though I DO own my characters of this story. :3

Warnings: Gore, violence, and swearing... but that's it I think...

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Nightmare Moon

Chapter 3: The Star's Blood

By Pixie Ayanami

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"Ok, ok...." Cyborg started off, rubbing his human temple with his mechanical hand, "Explain again what had happened in town today?"

Robin was reclining on the sofa with his feet propped up upon the small center table, head facing down. He was a bit tired, being that they just came from the battle two hours ago and obviously upset.

By time Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Raven arrived at the scene of the battle, the action was over, and Robin and Starfire were just staring at one spot. When the mechanical man tried to see what was wrong with the two, Robin merely stood quickly and pushed everyone out of his way, walking back to the tower. Starfire, gave a worried look and slowly flew after him.

"Man, what is with those two?! You'd think that the city was about to explode or something," Beast Boy complained, throwing his arms in the air. Raven turned to the cement body and sighed.

"With Cinderblock's attack," she said, recalling the creature's master, "You just never know what's going on."

Cyborg walked after Star and Robin. There was nothing really to say at this point.

And now he was here, putting Robin on trial for the facts. Moments before, Starfire gave a quick and rushed explanation that didn't seem complete. Cy would have to draw the whole thing out of Robin, who was being very stubborn at the moment. "C'mon man, I just want to help," he said, sitting down on the table.

Robin pouted, but after a moment or so, he pulled out an object from behind him and threw it on the table with one motion. Cy's robotic red eye analyzed the all too familiar object.

Slade's mask, the possession of someone they thought was gone for good.

"This ain't right...." Cy said immediately afterwards, standing up like it was some sort of virulent object, which it very might as well be.

"But it is," Robin spoke as he sat up. He slowly pieced fragments of information together in his mind. "It was a sign. A sign that Slade's not dead.... Just as I thought."

"You mean to tell me that you still kept that crazy superstition?" Cyborg asked, amazed. Robin nodded.

"Doesn't seem so crazy now does it?"

Cy was speechless. So Robin continued. "Don't you see? What happened last night; being called to an abandoned warehouse but finding nothing, having an unexpected meteor shower that randomly decided to aim at us, and now Cinderblock's escape from prison," he counted off from his fingers (purposely failing to mention Starfire's little vision), "it can't al be coincidence. Too uncommon, you know? And that mask I think-"

"All right, calm down, detective boy," Cy said, grabbing one of Robin's shoulders, "You know how your speculations with Slade affects you."

"Doesn't matter," Robin countered, standing up and shrugging him away. "Last night I did some research. The random meteor showers have occurred before, and the closest astronomer that recorded them is Dr. John Vants. I plan on paying him a visit later to—"

"Ooooh no you don't," Cy said again, "Don't get to worked up. You've had a long day and—"

"What you want me to just let this sit by?!" Robin asked his voice raising.

"I'm just saying that you get pretty reckless when it comes to Slade!" Cy retorted back.

"With good reason, too, otherwise you'd guys would let him take over Jump City!" Robin shouted, face immediately slipping into a regretful one. Cyborg merely looked at the boy wonder and shook his head. This was not what Robin thought at all. But if so then why did it come out? He couldn't believe what he had just said....

And neither could Raven and Beast Boy, who were eavesdropping from down the hall. Bother were speechless.

".....You do whatever the hell you want then," Cy then stated after a few moments of silence. He turned around towards the T.V. screen. "See if I care." Robin didn't move. He sighed and dropped his head so that his eyes were engulfed in shadow.

With that the boy wonder left.

Cy sighed and plopped down on the couch where Robin had previously been. After staring at the mask, he turned on the screen and flicked through the channels. Random images flashed by.

'Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi show—'

click

'The Grand Canyon is one of the—'

click click

'But Miguel I love—'

click click click click click

'Recently many renowned astronomers have been murdered—'

click click click

Wait a moment. Cyborg went backwards to that news station.

'—Authorities cannot find a reason as to why these attacks are happening, but the style has been the same in every one. Three stabs were found in every case; one in the chest, one in the throat, and the last in the cranium. The victims have been residents in all the towns relevantly close to Jump City. More details at 6......'

Cyborg's mouth laid open ajar as well as Beast Boy's from the other side of the room. Raven, who had also been watching, had her indifferent look plastered on her face. "Didn't Robin want to...." Cy began.

"Yes, he did," Raven finished for him, thinking that he wanted to say something about Robin wanting an interview with Dr. Vants. "He already left on his motorcycle."

"Well then we have to go after him!" came Beast Boy's response as he transformed into a cheetah. Raven grabbed his collar.

"We're not going anywhere yet," she then said. The two boys stared at her. "For all we know Robin's just blowing off steam right now and will be back in a bit. If he really needs us, he'll inform us on his communicator."

Cy glared and turned around. "Yeah, like he would want our help..."

Silently, Raven and Beast Boy agreed....

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Totally oblivious to these new facts, Robin drove around on his cycle well into nightfall. On the outskirts of Jump City, Robin was the only one on the roads. Hr was already heading towards the observatory where he would see Dr. Vants, guessing that as an astronomer, Vants would be more alive at nighttime than day.

As he thought, when he approached the building, a few lights were already on, signaling someone was up. Robin slowed down and parked his R-cycle to the side of the building, placing his helmet upon it, too, and headed over to the door. It was unlocked.

The first part Robin walked into was a sort of rectory, where a desk was placed and a few other chairs, almost like a sitting room. Robin passed through this and down the hall, which lead to many other rooms. But the boy wanted the large part, the dome, where Vants would most likely reside.

And once more he was correct.

A chuckle drew Robin's attention to the center of the room. "I've been expecting you to come since yesterday, young man," the old voice said, surprising Robin. Crouched in front of the ocular for the telescope was an old man with long gray hair and a curly looking beard. His eyes were a kind but tired jade, reflecting a life that was both regretful yet content.

Robin stepped closer. "So are you Dr. Vants?" he asked, eagerly wanting to go directly to the information he required. The old man didn't respond and merely continued to look through the ocular.

"Many beautiful things occur in space," the old man said, nodding his head. "Many beautiful, powerful events. Comets, meteor showers, supernovas, and more. We may think we know a lot of the universe, but we'll never know everything."

Robin didn't speak.

"I mean, it wasn't very long ago when the mere thought of aliens living side by side with humans was not accepted. My how things have changed..."

"Get to the point," Robin said, accidentally sounding a tad rude.

Vants sighed. "Ah Robin, you always were so hasty," the old man stated as he stood up, cracking the kinks out of his back. After a few breathers, Vants looked back at Robin. "I suppose you want to know about the meteor shower."

Robin didn't answer.

"It's happened time and time before, and it's not natural," the scientist explained, looking up towards the windows. It was a clear night, filled with stars. "As scientists, we can predict when any sort of event will occur. Volcanoes exploding, the clouds raining, earthquakes, anything and everything with the help of technology we know. But there are some things we can't predict, simple because it happens on impulse. If I can recall, a girl had the ability to create earthquakes and manipulate it in general...."

'My name is...'

"Terra?" Robin asked in disbelief. Even though she worked for Slade, the girl wasn't exactly famous. Vants smiled.

"Ah yes, her. I remember her well... Nice girl, she was."

"Wait... so you're meaning to tell me that someone made that the meteor shower happen?" Robin asked, bewildered. Vants nodded.

"Precisely."

"Who?"

"Little detective, I cannot say," Vants confessed, turning away and dropping his head. "All I can say is that everything is related."

'He must be thinking about the mask,' Robin thought to himself. By Vants' response, he wasn't about to tell anymore. Robin was done here.

"Thanks for your time, Doctor," Robin said, turning around and heading for the door.

"Robin," Vants called after him. Robin turned towards the doctor again. "It is impossible to know everything. If you try to you'll only end up getting hurt in the end. Remember this." Robin gave a curt nod before turning again. About five minutes after he left, Vants went back to his work. But the lights were slowly dimming.

The astronomer sighed. "I knew it would now be my turn," he said, looking up to the opening in the ceiling for which the telescope looked out of. Standing on the sill of it was a figure.

"I was told to tell you that Slade sends his highest regards to you, Doctor," the voice called down, "but you have not been and no longer are needed."

The figure blurred before Vants eyes after glowing purple. Not even a second afterwards did he feel an acute pain in the middle of his forehead, something sliding down from the spot like tears.

The last thing the doctor saw were the stars he loved so much.

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Robin didn't like it. As he mounted his R-cycle, he couldn't help but feel like something was out of place. He started the cycle. How did the doctor know so much about Slade and his actions? It didn't add up....

Turning off his motorcycle, Robin stepped off and went back inside to ask this very question. It was cold and silent, even though the same lights were still on.

With the scene still the same, Robin didn't expect to see Vants on the ground with blood seeping from his forehead, throat, and chest. He had to cover his mouth just to keep the strong smell of blood invading his head.

Something clattered from above. A small orange disk with an "S" engraved in white on it. Robin's eyes widened. Looking up, he saw a figure vanish.

Vants was right. This is Slade's doing.

To be continued....

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I scared myself while writing this. ;.; I haven't been in the best mood lately, so I think my tiny depression might have kicked in for this chapter. Sorry guys.... Though I still think this came out pretty well. So much to unravel. See if you can! X3

Raven A. Star: Hey, you're just awesome! Thanks for being so positive in your responses, it's people like you that makes me really enjoy writing!

Lady Misao: I'm really glad you liked my details. Some say that I put too much of them in. .

Please review to make Kris and I happy! :D