Seeing Red
I don't own Teen Titans.
Chapter 3: Burning Water
The factory stood at the edge of town. It had been around for twenty years, and was still standing. The name, Chemical Decomposition Plant, was pretty much the dead ringer for what its purpose was. Here, chemicals that were toxic, dangerous, or just not wanted, were sent to be dissolved into nothing. Many thought it was a joke, the old factory that continued to pew smoke from it every day, but, to the workers, it at least put money in their wallets. Now, it had been closed for the night, the machinery and vats of chemicals ready to be decomposed for the next day stood in the dark, quiet building, only the moonlight reflected off them from the skylights.
Just then, the sliding door that was large enough for the trucks to come through opened just a enough for a someone to get through. That person was Aqualad, in his blue costume, walked into the factory, stopping in the center and looking around. "Hello?" he called out, waiting for an answer, but none came. "Guys?" he continued to call out," I got a call. You needed some help. Is anyone here?" Just then, the door closed behind him. He got into a defensive stance, waiting for an oncoming attack. He knew it was worthless, since he couldn't see much in the darkness, but he would at least try to keep his senses open.
"Greetings, Aqualad." A voice called out. "Who is that?" Aqualad asked. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough." The voice replied. "What do you want?" Aqualad asked. "I want her I just want her." He replied. Just then, the lights of the factory turned on, illuminating the room. The conveyer moved and the cranes went along their paths. The tanks started to steam as vats moved over them; pouring the cleansing chemicals into the contaminated ones and then moving on to get more. Aqualad then heard the sound of someone behind him. He turned around to see a person in black clothes, a black, tattered cape, a black belt, and a mask with a white skull. The shirt he was wearing bearded the symbol of a red x on it. "I've heard of you. You're Red X.," he said. "I'm glad to know my accomplishments have reached as far as Atlantis." X said with satisfaction in his voice. "I wouldn't call the ways of a villain accomplishments." Aqualad replied. "So, what are you going to do? Take me in and be the big hero" X asked. "That's pretty much it." Aqualad replied. "Well, you'll just have to try and stop me." X said.
With that, he charged at Aqualad, delivering a roundhouse kick to his face. Aqualad blocked it and sent a punch at him. X blocked this and began a succession of kicks and punches. Aqualad blocked them and also sent out a barrage of his own, which X blocked as well. Both appeared to be evenly matched. Until X jumped back and said," Impressive." He said. "Likewise." Aqualad said. "But, I have to hurry this along. You see I have an advantage over you, my friend. You gain your abilities from the water and the sea animals, but I have lured you here, away from the sea. And, I have come prepared."
He then drew a sharpened red boomerang from his belt and threw it at him. Aqualad jumped over it as X charged at him with one drawn as a knife. Aqualad did best as he can, dodging the slashes. But, it seemed as though he would be overwhelmed. He needed an opening, which he got when X stumbled. He punched X in the face, knocking him back. Aqualad then ran at him and jumped into the air, ready to pin him down. X saw this and threw an x at him. The x expanded and wrapped around him, pinning his arms and legs. He fell to the ground, struggling to get out. X walked up to him and said, "Try to struggle, but you'll only make it worse.' He grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and dragged him along.
They eventually reached some stairs, which X went up, dragging Aqualad behind him and listening to his grunts as his head hit the stairs. The two reached a vat of chemicals as X looked down at it from the balcony from where he stood. He put Aqualad in a standing position, letting him look down at the chemicals. "I wonder," X said," how fast they can dissolve a human's flesh? I bet its faster then the time it takes to dissolve those chemicals." "Don't throw me in!" he yelled in fear. "Come on. It's just like water. Except it burns. Al lot." X said. "What have I ever done you?" Aqualad asked. "You became a threat." X said. With that, he pushed him over the edge. Aqualad screamed as he fell, but it was cut off as he hit the chemicals, sinking into it. Steam rose from it as X walked away, satisfied from his job. "That should dissolve the body to nothing," X said," well, I guess I can call it a hard days work done." He then let out a laugh as he proceeded out of the factory.
Many questions unanswered. To be continued in Chapter 4!