Chapter 5 Training Titans. Dedicated to Lost Inside.
"Well now that we've done the opening ritual its time to lay out the Challenge." Slade told them
"All regulations are in effect. Additional rules include no projectile weapons like lasers or guns. All criminals once defeated are instantly transported to jail." Raven began. Since she issued the Challenge she was the spokesperson.
"Except for my wife and I. We accepted the Challenge so we will see it to the end." Slade countered.
"Agreed. Since both teams need time to train how about a two week training period?" Raven suggested.
"Two weeks?! What are you thinking Rae?" Starfire asked anxiously.
Raven turned the sound off. Lowering her hood. She spoke quickly. "Look according to the rules a training period is required. The shortest time period for training required is two weeks. There's nothing I can do about it." Raven said sadly.
"Raven's right. I hate the thought of leaving Robin with Slade any longer than nessacery but we have no choice." Batman said heavily.
Sighing they turned the sound back on. "I agree to your training period terms. But there must be no interference from our allies. They may watch and heal the injured, but no more." Slade commanded
"We want at least two referees to monitor the match." Raven told him. She was afraid but she wasn't going to let it control. Not this time.
"We have chosen one referee. We select Wonder Women." Batman put in.
"A women as a referee? How amusing. For my referee I select my old friend Brother Blood." Slade responded.
Jinx gasped and Terra held her hand. Terra was unfamiliar with this foe. But who ever he was they stop him. That was a promise.
"Now that we have that settled I'll choose our battlefield. I'll transmit the coordinates at 11 in two weeks. Our battle starts at noon." Slade informed them. He reached towards the panel to cut the transmission when Starfire wailed.
"Stop! We agree to the terms. But we wish to see Robin." Starfire demanded.
Sighing heavily he flipped a switch. The view changed to show a lab. Robin was strapped to a table. Julian was filling a syringe with a dark purple liquid. She injected him with it and he screamed.
The group gasped outloud. Robin was struggling but he was strapped to tightly to the table. He watched helplessly as the purple liquid entered his body and made its way to his brain.
"Robin! Slade I vow to take you down." Starfire said quietly.
"As you little brats can see Robin is in good health. You have nothing to worry about. See you in two weeks." Julian told them before using her powers to shut off the transmission.
Starfire clenched her fists in anger. "Can we trace it?" She asked
"No, I've tried and I can't. Now what do we do?" Raven asked tiredly.
"We start training. Were all not use to working as a team. We have better training facilities up in the Watchtower." Batman informed them
"Hold it right there Batboy. I don't know about the rest of you but this Challenge sounds like we need to train almost all the time." Jinx stated
"She's right you know." Terra said agreeing with her.
"Your point being?" Beast Boy asked clueless as usual.
"We don't have time to train and protect the city. Someone else is going to have to do it." Cyborg informed them
"Yeah but who are you going to get on such short notice?" Jinx wondered.
"How about us?" A voice said from the doorway. There standing in the door was Supergirl, Hawk, Dove, Green Arrow, and Captain Atom.
"Hi Bats. G.L. & Johnn informed us on what's going on. They thought we could take care of Jump City while you and the kids train." Green Arrow informed the teens.
"Thanks for the help we could definitely use it." Terra said.
"The Tower is yours. Just stay out of our rooms and don't break anything." Raven threatened.
"Understood. Good Luck." Captain Atom said saluting them as they disappeared in the transporter beam.
After the Titans had been given temporary quarters Superman got down to business.
"Wonder Women go over the rules till you've got them memorized. Flash I need you to watch the Titans when they're not training. Sorry but you guys need a baby sitter. G.L. will be in charge of your training while Johnn and I do research on your old friends. Will be back." Supes said before heading out the door with the Martian.
"Lets get started shall we?" The others filed out of the room ready for anything.
"The first thing we need is a demonstration of your powers. So each of you will run the coarse alone. After that well see about group effort." Green Lantern instructed them.
One by one the Titans took their turn in the training room. Batman and Green Lantern watched them intensely.
"There good, but they could be better" G.L. commented.
Batman nodded. He could see that Jinx wasn't use to working with the Titans and Terra was a little rough. He wasn't sure if he could learn to listen to teenagers. But they had to learn to fight as a team for Robin's sake.
"I'm going in there. Start program Alpha after I have a chance to talk to them."
The Titans glanced up as the door opened. "What are we in trouble? Jinx asked
"No. Although we have to fight one on one we might have to double team during the Challenge. In order to be ready we have to fight together." Batman said.
"How do we do that? Were not use to working with you, Jinx, or Terra." Beast Boy asked
"We learn to trust each other." Starfire told him.
"Remember we have the crystals to assist us. Not all there powers just force fields and healing but still it helps a little." Cyborg reminded them.
"Lets try this again. Working together like Batman said. We may fight alone but we will probably double team at some point." Raven said.
"Alright I'm game." Jinx interjected. Terra nodded her head. "Lets do it."
"John start the program A15. Now everybody watch each others back." Batman ordered as the training facilities holographic generators kicked in changing their surroundings to a forest.
A buzzer sounded and immediately bunch of Zeta bots jumped out and began to attack them.
"Jinx! Cover Cyborg. Terra, Beast Boy, Raven go left. Starfire your with me. Will take them on the right." Batman yelled.
Cyborg charged ahead for a full frontal assault. Jinx flipped again and again avoiding being hit. She let loose a handful of hexes.
Terra flew on her rock above the attack. Focusing hard she chucked a boulder at the left flank. "Beast Boy! Raven! Now their vulnerable."
Beast Boy changed into a rhino and took down five robots. Raven waved her hands and chanted. Using her powers she took care of the rest.
Starfire fired starbolts from both her eyes and hands taking out a handful of robots. Glancing behind her she saw Batman was surrounded.
Without hesitation she flew over and rammed into the Zetas. Picking up one she threw it hard destroying the rest.
"That wasn't so hard. Oww!" Starfire cried out in pain. Lasers were being fired and she got one in the back.
"Get down and stay down." Batman whispered to her as he shoved her to the earth. Launching a cable he swung around knocking the lasers out.
Terra was still in the air watching the battle. Her eyes were on BB. Suddenly a bunch of spikes popped up. Using her powers she buried them. "Thanks Terra."
Jinx and Cy were back into a corner. A hideous alien monster was about to eat them. "Get away from us you disgusting monster!" Jinx shouted. Firing a hex along with Cyborg's sonic cannon blast they blew the creature to smithereens.
Suddenly they all heard a beep. The holograms disappeared and the room returned too normal. "Not bad. You all did an excellent job. Take a half hour break." John told them over the P.A. system.
The Titans left heading for the cafeteria. All except for Starfire who headed towards the observation deck. Looking out the window she gazed down at Earth. She sighed heavily and clutched her crystal for comfort. Her eyes were full of tears. She looked down at her hand. On her ring finger was Robin's engagement ring.
"Oh Robin I fear for you. Why must Slade always interfere with our happiness? How dare he have a mate. Evil being who no nothing of love shouldn't be happy." Starfire cried.
"Starfire?" Raven asked softly. "What are you doing here?"
"Friend Raven, may I ask a personal question? You don't have to answer if you don't want to." Starfire asked turning to face Raven who nodded.
"Your father is a evil demon. Did he love your mother? I only ask because of what we witnessed with Slade and his wife." Starfire asked
Removing her hood Rave looked at the Earth then at Starfire. "As you know my home is Azerath. Another plane that exist along side this one. Things are different there. No Star my father didn't love my mother, but that doesn't mean evil can't love. Demons love power and destruction. Slade seems to genuine love that woman. I know you only ask because you love Robin so much."
"Star I know you're worried, but we mustn't give up hope. We are Crystal Carriers and we have powerful allies. I'm sure that we will win." Raven told her friend. Starfire only sighed and looked back at the Earth.
Meanwhile in the cafeteria Jinx was talking to Cyborg. "After you and I last met it got me thinking. I mean the HIVE is a great school and all but I wanted to be free and with you." Jinx told him sipping her smoothie.
"So you just left? I'm impressed. But why still be a criminal? You could've come to Titans Tower" Cy told her
She smiled and laughed. "Me? At the Tower and not in trouble? Give me a break. I'm happy to be helping you but I don't know about forever."
"I really miss you. Stay please." Cyborg confessed. He placed his hand on hers to emphasis his point.
Beast Boy glanced at Terra. She was eating like the first time they met. BB was confused. He had loved Terra, but now he was involved with Raven How was he going to tell her?
"I still can't believe Slade survived my attack. It's impossible. Still I'm alive after being turned to stone so anything is possible." Terra said through a full mouth.
"Terra, how are you feeling? I mean it's been awhile." Beast Boy asked her nervously.
"I'm fine BB. So after we kick Slade's butt and save Robin do you want to go out?"
"Terra I.." Beast Boy never finished his sentence. Batman came in telling them break was over.
"John has developed some new individual programs for us to try out. Terra your first because you've been out of commission." The Dark Knight informed her.
"Alright. Come on Beast Boy. We can talk later." Terra said as she ran to the holographic chamber.
The Dark Knight glanced at the changeling. He seemed depressed. "Don't worry so much. I know it's hard, but she'll understand if you tell her," he said kindly.
Glancing up he smiled and replied, "I hope your right."