DISCLAIMER: I have no possession over the Titans
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Chapter 8
Trust: Part One
The sunset partly illuminated the roof at Titans Tower. Robin sat on the edge of the roof, looking at the sun get lost in the sea.
-"It is beautiful"-Starfire said
Robin turned back to face Starfire standing behind him, with her bright eyes and her warm smile.
-"I thought you were playing with Silky"-Robin said
-"I was, but I was only getting him ready for nap time"-Starfire said
-"That worm gets more attention than I do, you know?"-Robin asked
-"Are you jealous, Robin?"-Starfire asked
-"No, I'm not. Why don't you come here sit with me?"-Robin answered
Robin patted the left side of where he was sitting and Starfire flew and sat there.
-"You know I would not miss our custom of watching the sun disappear"-Starfire said
-"I wouldn't miss it either"-Robin said
Robin's arm went around Starfire's waist and her arm went around his. He loved the way the sun reflected on her face; he did not know if the sun made her look more beautiful or if it was her who made the sun look wondrous. Robin's face got closer to her face until he could feel her breathe. He looked at her bright green eyes and then at her small nose and finally he looked at her lips.
Starfire could not tell what he was looking at but she enjoyed the closeness. Starfire's hand traveled along Robin's arm until it reached his shoulder and stayed there. Robin lifted Starfire's chin and teased her lips with quick peeks until Starfire held his neck and pushed his mouth on hers. The hand she had on his neck went up to comb the hair of the back part of his head while Robin's arms pressed Starfire against him. They stayed like this for a while until they had to break the kiss in the need for air.
Robin's forehead rested on hers and they both looked at the other on the eye.
-"Did you know that I love you?"-Robin asked
-"As much as you now I love you"-Starfire answered
Robin hugged Starfire and swung her to the sides in a rocking motion. There was nothing else to be said. He closed his eyes and Starfire did too. They kept moving around, enjoying the other's company and embrace.
-"Open you eyes"-Starfire said
Robin opened his eyes.
-"Open you eyes, Robin. You must wake up"-Starfire said
-"What?"-Robin asked
-"See the truth, Robin. You must see the truth"-Starfire answered
-"What truth?"-Robin asked
-"The truth is right in front of you, you must open you eyes"-Starfire answered
Robin's face looked perplexed. He had no idea why Starfire was making such comments to him. Did he do something wrong?
-"Starfire, what are you talking about?"-Robin asked
-"Trust your friends and only you friends should earn your trust"-Starfire answered
-"I have no idea what you are talking about"-Robin said
-"Trust me"-Starfire said
-"I do…"-Robin said
Starfire stood up and jumped from the roof, without falling. Robin tried to jump after her but his body would not respond. He could only cry Starfire's name and see her plummet to her death.
"Death"-Robin thought
Robin closed his eyes and everything went black. He then heard some noises that echoed in his mind.
-"Wake up, come wake up"-
Robin tried to see something else that the pitch black emptiness that surrounded him but he could not.
-"Come on, get up"-
Robin felt a cold breeze surrounding him and he shivered. Something was taking over him. Somebody was pulling him down. Robin shook his head and opened his eyes. He was on a different room now. He was not at the roof anymore. He never was.
-"When were you planning to wake up?"-Red X asked
-"Where am I? What happened?"-Robin asked
-"You've been asleep for two days"-Red X answered
-"Two days?"-Robin asked
-"Yes, two days"-Red X answered
-"Why didn't you wake me up?"-Robin asked
-"We've trying to but you had a grin your face. It didn't seem you wanted to wake up"-Red X answered
Robin sat up and realized he was sitting on the couch at the living room in Titans Tower. He rubbed the back part of his neck.
-"My neck sores. Why did you kick me?"-Robin asked
-"What makes you think I kicked you?"-Red X asked
-"Who else would want to hurt me?"-Robin asked
-"Whatever"-Red X answered
Robin stood up from the couch and saw many flowers around the living room. Some of them were white, others were red and some were yellow. He wondered who had brought so many flowers to the Tower and especially, he wondered the reason why they were there.
-"What's with the flowers?"-Robin asked
-"That is not the question to ask"-Red X answered
-"Why? I want to know what the hell is going on at my house"-Robin said
-"Don't try to play dumb with me"-Red X said
-"I'm not, as a matter of fact, you play dumb yourself rather easily"-Robin said
-'He doesn't remember'-Red X thought
Raven walked in the living room. She looked like she had not slept in days.
-"How are you feeling?"-Raven asked
-"Numb…and confused"-Robin answered
-"He says he doesn't remember anything"-Red X said
-"The doctor said that the tranquilizer was pretty strong and that it may cause temporal amnesia"-Raven said
-"What doctor?"-Robin asked
-"The one that 'kicked' you on your neck"-Red X answered
Robin made a frown, trying to understand what the flowers had to do with the doctor and the fact that Raven looked like she was a walking zombie.
-"Will somebody explain what is going on?"-Robin asked
-"I just came for a cup of tea"-Raven answered
Raven flew to the kitchen and got herself a cup of tea. She then walked back to the door and made her way out. Robin looked at Red X.
-"I don't want to be the one to explain things"-Red X said
-"Then who will?'-Robin asked
-"See those flowers behind you?"-Red X asked
Robin turned back and saw a big flower pot with yellow daises, Starfire's favorites.
-"Yeah"-Robin answered
-"Look at the card"-Red X said
Robin turned his body to completely to the where the flowers were and began looking for the card. Red X crossed his arms, preparing psychologically for what was about to happen again and sighed. Robin finally found the card and saw the recipient's name. It said: "For the Titans". Robin opened the car and read the note.
"Jump City's Police Department joins you in your sorrow and offers its help to assist you to cope with your loss. We shall never forget her"
-'Loss, cope with our loss?'-Robin thought
Robin stood up from the couch and ran around the living room reading the notes in each one of the flowers that surrounded the main room.
"She will remain in our hearts forever"
"She will never be forgotten"
"Her memory will stay in our soul"
"We join you in your sorrow"
"The city feels the unfortunate lost of an exemplary citizen"
"May her joy stay in your hearts"
"…For her strength and will shall never be erased from our minds"
"…and for all eternity"
"We shall miss you, Miss Starfire"
And then it hit Robin.
-"The doctor had to calm you. You wouldn't stop"-Red X said
-"Where is she?"-Robin asked
-"She's dead. She died at the hospital, remember?"-Red X answered
-"It's not true"-Robin said
-"As I much as we all dislike it here, it is true. She's gone"-Red X said
-"You are lying"-Robin said
-"I'm not. Why would I lie about something like that?"-Red X said
Robin began throwing the flower pots to the floor and Red X did not even try to stop him. As similar as the both were, they did have different ways to deal with their sorrow.
-'She can't be dead, she can't be dead, she can't be dead'-Robin thought
Red X clenched his fists and closed his eyes. This was not supposed to happen. She was supposed to stay alive. How could he have been so stupid? She tricked him and she tricked him bad. Maybe he should have asked for help from the Titans. He should have listened to her and she would have been here with them, still alive. However, this did not stop Red X. He knew Slade was the one to blame for Starfire's death. Red X would make sure that Red X paid for taking away the one he loved. He did not even have the opportunity to say goodbye to her.
Raven, Cyborg and BB enter the main room running. They heard the shattering glass and the screaming and thought Red X and Robin were fighting again. At least they knew that Robin's memory was back. The Titans tried to calm him down.
-"Robin, there was nothing to do. She's in peace now"-Raven said
-"No, she's not"-Robin said
-"Man, you ain't the only one suffering. She was our friend too"-Cyborg said
-"But you didn't see her. I had her in my arms, I left her alone even when she pleaded that I didn't. I failed her. I let her die"-Robin said
-"None of us could have done anything. She was too weak when we got to the hospital"-Raven said
-"The doctors, they didn't try enough. She only was there for 30 minutes and with that they decided there was nothing to be done?"-Robin asked
-"We don't know how much time she had been fighting Slade"-BB answered
-"Slade"-Robin whispered
Slade was responsible for everything. Robin would not stop until Slade's fate was the same as Starfire's. He would kill Slade. No matter how wrong it seemed and how out of his morals killing someone was, Slade deserved it, and he was going to get it.
-"Where is she?"-Robin asked
-"How many times do you want us to repeat that she's gone?"-Red X asked
-"I know that. I mean where is she now? When are we going to b-b-bury her"-Robin asked
The word buried and Starfire did not seem to match in Robin's head.
-"We already did"-BB said
-"What? When?"-Robin asked
-"That same night, after the hospital"-Raven answered
-"Why so soon?"-Robin asked
-"The doctor said that her body would not last much, that she needed to buried as soon as possible"-Cyborg answered
-"So I missed my only chance to say goodbye?"-Robin asked
None of them had the guts to answer Robin's question. He had been the one who held her in his arms the last moments of her life but he knew she had to get better, she just had to. She did not. She only got worse and Robin did not comfort her. He did nothing at all for her to make her enjoy her last moments on Earth.
-"Where's she buried?"-Robin asked
-"At the City's Cemetery"-Cyborg answered
-'At least she at a pretty park now'-Robin thought
Robin turned around and headed for the elevator. He had to see her, or at least talk to her, even if she would not answer back.
-"I don't think it's good for you to go see her just now"-Cyborg said
-"I don't care what you think"-Robin said
-"Dude, what if Slade tries something while you are there?"-BB asked
That name again. His stomach hurt whenever he heard that name. Cyborg followed Robin to stop him but Raven put her hand on his shoulder to tell him that they should let him go. Robin walked next to Red X and glared at him before opening the elevator door and leaving the room. Red X walked to the opposite direction and left the living room. He went to the roof and locked the door. He did not need anyone bothering him at the moment.
Red X looked at the city from the roof. The view was truly amazing. For the second time his plans had changed. At least Robin hated him and that was what he wanted. But Starfire was not with him anymore. That was definitely not part of the plan. What was he supposed to do without her? Why did he even bother to keep fighting? There was nothing to fight for now. She was gone and she would never be coming back. He knew that, at least, he was also dying.
Red X remembered talking about his health with Cyborg after they made sure that Robin was alright. Cyborg used his machines to check on Red X's health and it was not what he wanted it to be. Red X had asked Cyborg how many months were left. Cyborg shook his head and Red X took this a sign that Cyborg had no way of knowing the time remaining. His reading was wrong. What Cyborg meant to say was the Red X did not have "months" to live but only a few more days. What to fight for then? She was gone and in a few days he would be gone too.
Red X sighed and stared at the sky above him. He did not know what to do now. Robin was also going to die as soon as he died. Did Slade win? Was it all lost, just like that? Starfire dies, he dies, Robin dies and it is done? Did they all go thru all that trouble for nothing? Was Starfire's death in vain? He could not allow that to be true. He was not going to believe this was true.
-'It wasn't supposed to be this way'-Red X thought
Red X sat down and began thinking what he could do as a last effort to make Starfire's death worth the sacrifice. She went there to not see him die and to save Robin's life.
-'Life isn't easy even when you are dieing'-Red X thought
The question in Red X's mind was the same question in Robin's head. Was there anything left to do now that she was dead? Furthermore, did they really want to do something? Robin knew he was going to die also. He was going to join her shortly and so was Red X. What to do? Where to go? Who to blame?
-'I have to take a decision. The last one'-Red X thought
Red X spent a few more minutes, thinking what he should do or not do for that matter. It was a hard decision to make. Meanwhile, Robin had arrived at the cemetery, and stood in front of Starfire's grave.
"Here Lies Starfire: The Light that Bighted Our Lives and Our Hearts"
-'And my days and my nights'-Robin thought
Robin sat on the grass and looked at the many flowers that adorned Starfire's grave. Even now that she was dead, the grave seemed to radiate the same light that Starfire had when she lived.
-"I'm sorry I didn't bring you flowers"-Robin said
Robin sighed.
-"I'm sorry I left you alone. You asked me stay with you and I didn't. You have no idea how much I regret it now"-Robin said
The wind moved the flowers that surrounded Starfire's headstone. Robin felt the newly laid grass that covered the ground.
-"It was all too fast, so unexpected. I thought I knew exactly what to do; now I don't know. What do you think I should do?"-Robin asked
Robin looked at the sky and saw the sun. The sky was clear and the birds were singing. He could not believe that such a beautiful day could be such a sorrowful one for him. Robin heard footsteps on the ground, someone was approaching him. Was it Slade? He did not care who it was, he was not in the mood to talk to anyone that was not Starfire.
-"She wasn't supposed to die, you know?"-Red X asked
-'Great, the last person I wanted to hear from'-Robin thought
-"No, she wasn't"-Robin answered
-"No, I mean, her death was not part of my contract"-Red X said
Robin made a frown and clenched his fist. Did he hear correctly? Did he just say contract?
-"What contract?"-Robin asked
-"My arrangement with Slade"-Red X answered
-"What arrangement with Slade?"-Robin asked
-"He was supposed to get his revenge but I was supposed to keep Starfire for myself"-Red X answered
Robin's fists clenched against his will.
-"You bastard! You sold her out! You sold all of us out!"-Robin said
-"Well, yeah, but Starfire was not going to leave you if I hadn't done it"-Red X said
Robin stood up and faced Red X. He had changed clothes; he was now wearing the uniform he was using the first day he went back to Titans Tower. At least he did not look like Robin anymore. The looked different, they acted different; they did not even wear the same mask anymore.
-"I can't believe you have the nerve to come here and tell me this"-Robin said
-"Robin, you should know me. I have the nerve to do this and many other things. I never give up and I never lose"-Red X said
-"As much as you hate to admit it, you did lose this time. You lost her"-Robin said
-"I did, but at least I'm not gonna stay here and do nothing about it"-Red X said
-"Are you gonna kill me too?"-Robin asked
-"That wouldn't help much, you know. It's not like you are going to the same place she is, you've been a bad, bad person"-Red X answered
-"You have no chance against Slade. You are only gonna get us both killed"-Robin said
-"I have nothing to lose, and neither do you"-Red X said
Robin did not want to fight in such a sacred place and not in front of Starfire's gravestone. He did not even feel like fighting anymore.
-"Do whatever you want. It's your deal"-Robin said
-"I always do what I want"-Red X said
-"I hope I don't end up in the same place as you"-Robin said
-"No, I'll end up where Starfire is"-Red X said
Robin frowned and growled. Red X said goodbye to Robin and walked back to where his bike was. He hopped on it and put his helmet on. Red X turned his motorcycle on and looked at Robin one last time before he turned around and left the place. The noises that the bike did got lost as he left. Robin was glad that the traitor was gone. Robin turned to see Starfire's grave and walked to touch her engraved name on the tombstone.
-"I know what to do now. Thanks"-Robin said
Robin kissed his own hand and then placed the "kiss" on Starfire's tombstone, and ran backwards a couple of feet away from Starfire's grave, making sure he said goodbye with his eyes. He then turned and got on his bike and left the cemetery. He drove as fast as he could to Titans Tower. He was not going to watch Red X take all the credit. Besides, Robin was the superhero, was he not?
At Titans Tower, Raven, Cyborg and BB had just finished cleaning the mess that Robin had made when he broke the pots a few hours ago.
-"When do you think he's coming back?"-BB asked
-"Whenever he wants. He needs time to accept the truth"-Raven said
-"How about X?'-Cyborg asked
-"He left, I don't think he is coming back"-Raven said
-"He's got three days left, tops"-Cyborg said
-"How do you know?"-BB asked
-"My scanners showed general massive internal tissue damage, I'm surprised he's still walking"-Cyborg answered
-"So, Robin has three days left"-Raven asked
"If we don't do something, he does"-BB answered
The elevator door opened and revealed their leader coming inside the room. The Titans stared at him not knowing what to say or not knowing if they even had to say anything. Robin looked around himself and realized that the room had been cleaned. The Titans always cleaned up after his rage messes. Robin stopped in front of the Titans and looked at them.
-"We've got work to do"-Robin said
-"Right on"-Cyborg said
-"What are we gonna do?"-BB asked
-"We're going to stop Slade and Red X"-Robin said
-"Why Red X?"-Raven asked
-"He sold us out"-Robin answered
Robin explained to them what Red X had told him. They could not believe they had fallen twice for the same act and understood Robin's anger. Red X had used Starfire, he had taken advantage of her good and caring heart and he now was the enemy in their eyes. He had been added to Robin's death list.
Robin assigned positions and the Titans began doing what their leader had told them to do. It was really going to happen. They were going to find Slade, attack him in his own place and stop him. They would finish the job Starfire had begun and they would make sure they finished it in their favor. One of their members was already gone; they were not going to allow Slade to take their leader as well.
On the other side of the city, Slade was preparing for his own attack. Now that the Titans had lost a member and Robin had lost his love, the Titans were at the lowest of their lowest and now was the perfect time to strike back. Slade knew that the Titans would come to find him; he just needed to wait a couple of more days. Question was if Red X was going to join them in their quest or was he going to come alone. Either way, Slade had to prepare for any or both events. Nothing would stand in his way to finish his plans. The girl was gone and the traitor and the leader had to die too.
In the very first room of Slade's lair, Slade's allies discussed their part in Slade's plan. They were getting tired of following Slade's orders and be afraid that he would take the decision to end their lives whenever he pleased. Some of them preferred to have stayed in jail. Why did they have to listen to Slade?
-"I'm sick of this. I want to get out of here"-Jinx said
-"You think you're the only one? Think again"-Gizmo said
-"I would do anything to get out here. The food stinks"-Mammoth said
-"We can't get out of here. At least no alive"-Rancid said
The allies looked at the floor, believing that their destiny was to end up the same way that atlas, Dr Light and Mumbo did. There was no way out. At that moment, Control Freak came in.
-"What are you freaks talking about?"-Control Freak asked
-"Same thing we've talkin' since we've got here"-Rancid answered
-"Oh, so you don't know the good news"-Control Freak said
-"What good news?"-Jinx asked
-"I have found the way to get our asses out of here"-Control Freak answered
-"What are you waiting for? Speak up, loser"-Gizmo said
-"Shut up, midget"-Control Freak said
Control Freak led the meeting that would tell the allies how to escape from Slade. They had to act quickly before Slade found out that he was about to be double-crossed.
The Titans were ready to depart from their Tower. They all knew what each one of them had to do and they were not going to stand back. The Titans were now at their garage. Cyborg had started the T-Car up and Raven was waiting inside the passenger's seat. BB was going to fly behind them and all of them would follow Robin. Robin finally arrived at the garage and got on his bike.
-"Titans, ready?"-Robin asked
-"We're with ya man"-Cyborg said
-"Let's go"-Raven said
-"See ya there, dudes"-BB said
BB turned into an eagle and waited for Cyborg to go inside the T-Car. Robin put his helmet on and revved his bike. Cyborg got inside the T-Car and turned the lights on. They were going to strike back during the night. They knew Slade was prepared to receive them at whatever time but they also knew that they were ready for anything. The old Teen Titans were back.
Robin began to drive his bike to the forest. BB flew next to him and Cyborg and Raven followed them on the T-Car. Robin's mind was filled with memories of Starfire. While he drove he remembered moments he had spent with her. All the times he had comforted her, all the times she had saved him and all the times she had fought for him. Robin was now going to fight for her.
-'Nothing to lose, Star. I've got nothing to lose'-Robin thought
Robin accelerated his bike more and got lost in his thoughts. Just two days ago she had been in his arms. Just two days ago he had the chance to make it better for her and he had not. This was the last chance, his last chance to make it better. He was not going to blow this off.
-"You know, one of us may not come back after this"-Raven said
-"Raven, we're all coming back or none of us is coming back"-Cyborg said
Raven smiled and Cyborg accelerated a little bit more. Robin was leaving them behind. BB also took up some speed. Both of them had left him behind.
-'People, my arms hurt'-BB thought
BB's suffering did not last long for they had arrived at the forest. Robin stopped his bike and waited for the rest of the Titans to arrive. The T-Car was not far behind Robin and as soon as it arrived, the lights were turned off. Cyborg and Raven got out of the car and walked to Robin that had already gotten out of his R-Cycle and was taking his helmet off.
-"Where's Beast Boy?"-Robin asked
-"He was right behind us"-Cyborg said
-"There he is"-Raven said
Raven pointed at a green eagle that was hardly making its way to them. Robin, Raven and Cyborg saw when BB made an erroneous landing and his peak touched the ground first rather than his feet. BB morphed back into human form and deeply panted.
-"Do you guys…have…any idea of how hard…it is…to keep up…with you?"-BB asked
-"Weren't you the one who said 'See ya there, dudes'?"-Cyborg asked
BB sighed and fell to floor growling.
-"You guys go, I'll catch up later"-BB said
-"Nah, ya don't"-Cyborg said
Cyborg walked to BB's direction and grabbed him by the back of his shirt. He then pulled him the rest of the way to Slade's lair. Robin felt that his stomach was turning into a knot. He had been here before; he had fought Slade before, and not too long ago. This was turning into a living nightmare.
Red X had arrived at Slade's lair seconds before the Titans did. He had hid his bike inside a nearby cave and was now arriving to the lair's entrance.
-'If they aren't gonna do something about, I will'-Red X thought
Red X felt the pain on his chest grew stronger. It was not only the physical pain that stopped him but the emotional pain as well. Starfire had done the same thing he was about to do. She had been courageous enough to face the enemy by herself. She had done what none of them had dared to do. Red X stood in front of the big tree. He had finally arrived at the scene of the crime; the place where she was taken away from him.
-"Stop right there"-Robin said
Red X turned back and saw the Titans behind him. He was not expecting this surprise.
-"What the heck are you doing here. Trying to ruin my plans again, Robin?"-Red X asked
-"Actually, you are ruining mine. You're the one who's on the way, my way"-Robin answered
-"What are you gonna do now, Robin? Go crying back home?"-Red X asked
-"If I'm not gonna get out of here alive, neither will you"-Robin answered
-"Robin, did you forget what we are here for?"-Raven asked
-"No, but we have to adapt to the situation"-Robin answered
-"What do you suggest we do?"-Cyborg asked
-"We'll have to change the plans"-Robin said
-"What Robin? Doubting yourself again?"-Red X asked
-"You guys go inside Slade's lair and stop him, I'll take on Red X"-Robin answered
-"Are you sure about this?"-Raven asked
-"Positive. Now go, you're wasting time"-Robin answered
-"Ok"-Cyborg said
Raven, Cyborg and BB ran towards Red X and he prepared to attack them but they jumped and kept running towards the door. Once they were there, Raven turned back to see Robin and he gave her a thumbs up. He had chosen his fate and he was going to go on with it.
-'Good luck, Robin'-Raven thought
The Titans jumped inside the door and they locked it from the inside. Nobody was going to follow them; they had a job to do.
-"So, it's just you and me"-Red X said
-"Yes, just us"-Robin said
-'Perfect'-Red X thought
The last phase of Red X's plan was about to begin. Inside the lair, Cyborg, Raven and BB walked down the stair that would take them to the first floor of Slade's lair. If Red X had told them the truth, they would have to look for Slade in all six levels. There was no telling what they would have to deal with.
-"Are we there yet?"-BB asked
-"No"-Raven answered
-"How about now?'-BB asked
-"Not the time to joke, man"-Cyborg answered
-"Ok"-BB said
The Titans walked for a couple of more minutes and found themselves at the end of the tunnel. They stopped at the entrance of the room to make sure they were not falling into a bigger trap that they expected.
-"Cyborg, scan the place"-Raven whispered
-"On it"-Cyborg said
Cyborg turned his scanner and night vision on. He searched the place and there was no one there. The only objects that were around the first floor were the remaining debris of the explosion. It seemed that no one cared enough to clean up the place, or maybe they just did not have the time.
-"Found anything?"-BB asked
-"There's nobody here but us"-Cyborg said
-"Are you sure? This isn't normal"-Raven said
-"I'm sure. Nothing about our lives is normal"-Cyborg said
-"Are you sure it is safe enough to go out. There are only three of us, you know?"-BB asked
-"I know. Maybe the party begins at the second basement"-Cyborg answered
-"Maybe it does"-Raven said
-"Let's get on it"-Cyborg said
-"Right behind you"-BB said
Cyborg led the way, Raven followed and BB followed her. They kept their guard up, waiting for something or somebody to hit them from behind, or from the sides, or from above. Walking through the room could not be that easy, but it was. The Titans looked at the place where they had almost died a couple of days ago. They could feel the still tensed atmosphere and could almost inhale the morbid smell. This was a place of death.
-"Keep walking, we are almost there"-Cyborg said
-"Could we hurry up? This place gives me the creeps"-BB said
-"It isn't unpleasant only for you"-Raven said
The Titans arrived at the door at the end of the room. They were surprised that nothing had happened in the path between one door and the other.
-"You all think the best is waiting for us behind door number 2?"-Cyborg asked
-"Maybe the rest of the basements are as quiet as this"-BB answered
-"I doubt it, they are just teasing us"-Raven said
-"Dude, couldn't you just lie and say 'Yes, Beast Boy, this will turn out to be easier than we thought'? Uhm?"-BB asked
-"I don't like to lie"-Raven answered
-"Shut up, you guys. Ready to see what's behind the door?"-Cyborg asked
-"Yes"-Raven answered
-"No"-BB answered
Cyborg slowly turned the doorknob and the door shrieked when it was opened. The three Titans peaked inside the small portion of open door and expected to see an army of Slade's henchmen waiting for them. The only thing waiting for them was another long and declining wooden stair.
-"Aw, man!"-BB said
-"Come on"-Cyborg said
Again, Cyborg led the way down the stairs. This was getting pretty old, pretty soon. Outside Slade's lair, the rain had begun to fall and the thunder and lighting accompanied the two superheroes outside.
-"Why did you betray us?"-Robin asked
-"I already told you. I wanted to keep Starfire for myself"-Red X answered
-"She didn't want to be with you"-Robin said
-"The only reason she didn't want to be with me was because you exist"-Red X said
-"Your answers aren't helping much"-Robin said
-"Not helping what?'-Red X asked
-"We could deal with our differences later. I'm giving you one last chance to redeem yourself"-Robin answered
-"You are giving me a chance? You've gotta be kidding me"-Red X said
-"We should not waste our energies fighting against each other. We both want the same thing, at least right now"-Robin said
-"What makes you think you know what I want?"-Red X asked
-"You wouldn't be here if you didn't want to stop Slade"-Robin answered
-"You're wrong, I came here to renew my contract with him and make sure you disappear"-Red X said
-"I never liked you"-Robin said
-"I couldn't care less"-Red X said
-"What would you offer Slade, if you kill me you kill yourself"-Robin said
-"Again, you are wrong. I have found a cure for our pathetic bonding. I came to get it from Slade"-Red X said
-"Why are you so sure that Slade will give it to you?"-Robin asked
-"Because we are partners in crime and he owes me my girl"-Red X answered
-"You betrayed him, do you really think he will just give the cure to you?"-Red X asked
-"And I also betrayed you and still you are giving me a 'last chance'"-Red X answered
-"You're just sick, you know that?"-Robin asked
-"So I was told"-Red X answered
-"Are you gonna fight against me? Or fight with me?"-Robin asked
Red X used his powers and cloaked himself. He then reappeared behind Robin and kicked him on his back. Robin flew away from Red X and ended up on mud. Robin cleaned his face with his cape and then turned to see Red X, standing behind him, arms crossed.
-"Do I still need to answer you question?"-Red X asked
Robin stood up and pushed his cape behind him.
-"Not anymore"-Robin answered
Robin and Red X's fight began. Meanwhile, Raven, Cyborg and BB had reached the end of the second stair and stood in front of the door that would take them to the second basement.
-"Your turn B"-Cyborg said
-"Why me?"-BB asked
-"Because Raven won't listen to me if I order her to open the door"-Cyborg answered
-"What makes you think I will listen?"-BB asked
-"Just open the door"-Raven answered
-"Ok, ok, you don't need to yell, geez"-BB said
BB's hand reached the doorknob and when he was about to open it he stopped and faced Raven.
-"Do I really have to open this door? I would rather stay outside and help Robin"-BB said
-"Now!"-Raven said
-"Ok"-BB said
BB opened the door and it revealed another big room. This one was not empty; it had screens on every inch of the wall.
-"What is this place?"-Cyborg asked
-"How am I supposed to know?"-BB answered
-"Quiet! I hear something"-Raven said
-"You are always hearing things Raven, have you thought about maybe going to the doctor sometime…this could be a serious case of hearing pro…."-BB said
Raven covered BB's mouth and BB waved his hands up and down. He hated when Raven did that to him.
-'There she goes again'-BB thought
BB crossed his arms and looked at Cyborg pleadingly, asking for help. Cyborg shrugged and Raven moved her head from side to side.
-"Did it stop?"-Raven asked
-"My sensors aren't picking up anything"-Cyborg answered
-"Are you sure because I am sure that I…"-Raven said
-"Wait! I see something"-Cyborg said
-"Where at?"-Raven asked
Cyborg pointed at the darkness of the room and yelled.
-"There"-Cyborg said
Laughter was heard in the entire room and suddenly, the room was illuminated by hundreds of TV screens that displayed a white background.
-"We finally meet again"-Control Freak said
-"Where are you?"-Raven said
-"I'm right here. Welcome to my paradise, my arch foes"-Control Freak said
Control Freak walked to the center of the room and with a touch of a button all the screens displayed him.
-"This ain't your paradise, this is Slade's lair"-Cyborg said
-"Whatever, the point is that you are in my territory and will not escape from your doom!"-Control Freak said
BB pushed Raven's hand away from his mouth and looked at them.
-"This is why you slapped my mouth. Because this dude was hiding and making noises? You've got to be kidding me, Rae"-BB said
-"Are you saying that I am unworthy of your quietness?"-Control Freak asked
-"I can't believe Slade hired you…you suck!"-BB answered
-"How dare you come to my temple and make f…"-Control Freak said
-"Dude, it's not your temple…this is Slade's place"-BB said
-"You shall perish!"-Control Freak said
The Titans got into fighting mode and waited for Cyborg's signal to attack. Control Freak raised his arm, showing his all-powerful remote while he gave his evil speech.
-"You shall tremble when you hear my name, Control Freak, the greatest enemy of the Teen Titans, the undefeated master of technology…the father of all electronic evil…the…"Control Freak said
Control Freak kept doing his speech and the Titans began to get tired of it, especially BB.
-"Hey, Raven. Why don't you go slap your hand on his mouth?"-BB asked
Raven glared at BB who was obviously upset for being shut up. BB was not a hateful person but Raven could just get in his nerves sometimes.
-"…I shall rule the world and people will bow to me…"-Control Freak said
Control Freak continued babbling.
-"Rae, I'm also getting tired of this guy"-Cyborg said
-"We are waiting for you to lead us! Robin's not here remember?"-Raven asked
-"Let me handle this"-BB said
Raven and Cyborg looked at each other and then looked at BB who was walking to where Control Freak was standing. Control Freak was so into his speech that did not notice BB approaching him.
-"What is he doing?"-Raven asked
-"I have no idea"-Cyborg answered
BB stood in front of Control Freak and put his hands on his hips while he tapped one foot on the floor.
-'You are just boring, little man'-BB thought
BB jumped and grabbed Control Freak's remote from his hand. He then threw it to the floor and stepped on it until the remote was broken. The TV's turned off and lights went on in the big room.
-"Done! Now get out of the way"-BB said
-"What have you done? It was brand new…it's broken…you broke it"-Control Freak said
BB looked at Cyborg and Raven's questioning looks and whistled at them.
-"Let's go"-BB said
Raven and Cyborg ran towards BB and made their way to the next door. Raven opened the door and saw another stair that had to be climbed down. Control Freak was still yelling in the background. Cyborg and Raven went in and BB stayed behind. He was about to close the door when he heard Control Freak's words.
-"You shall pay for your misbehavior and I, Control Freak shall make sure that you…"-Control Freak said
-"Ah, shut up!"-BB said
Control Freak closed his mouth and nodded. BB sighed and closed the door. Control Freak reached for his pocket and got a two-way radio out.
-"This is Control Freak. My job is done. They are heading your way. I'm out"-Control Freak said
The Titans ran down the stairs, they felt they had wasted their time with the first two levels. They were now heading to the third level. They were almost halfway their goal. They finally reached the door and it was Raven's turn to open it and she did. The room was filled with mechanical tools and spare parts. Oil stains were on the floor and empty cans of beer were scattered all around. BB covered his nose.
-"This place stinks"-BB said
-"How do you live in your room, again?"-Raven asked
-"What is that supposed to mean?"-BB asked
-"BB, you room smells worse than this place"-Cyborg answered
-"No, it doesn't"-BB said
-"Yeah it does"-Cyborg said
-"How come I don't smell it?"-BB asked
-"'Cause you are used it…you don't even smell yourself"-Cyborg answered
BB made a face and Cyborg smiled.
-"Well, the first room was dark and creepy. Raven why didn't you stay there?"-BB asked
-"So nice of you to finally drop by, I was getting bored"-Rancid said
Johnny Rancid walked to the middle of the room and kicked and empty can to the Titans.
-"Aren't you kids supposed to be asleep, it's way pass you bedtime"-Rancid said
-"We don't have a bedtime"-BB said
-"Great comeback, Beast Boy"-Raven said
Rancid laughed and got remote control out of his pocket. He showed it at the Titans who did not know what to expect.
-"I think the guy spent too much time with Control Freak"-Cyborg said
-"Let me show you my new toy"-Rancid said
-"Not another dog!"-BB said
-"No, it's something better than that…meet Stripe"-Rancid said
-"Stripe, I don't like the sound of that"-Cyborg said
-"What animals have stripes? Zebras have stripes, it's probably a zebra right?"-BB asked
-"I don't think so"-Raven answered
Rancid used his remote and a door was opened. He pressed another button and a red light was turned on inside the little garage.
-"Stripe, come out and play"-Rancid said
Stripe was definitely not a zebra. Stripe was a mechanical tiger. Stripe ran and stood before the Titans. This was going to take long.
-"I can't believe you were expecting a zebra"-Raven said
-"Run"-BB yelled
BB morphed into an eagle and headed for Rancid. He needed to get that remote from him. BB knew it was not going to be as easy as taking 'a remote from a Control Freak'. Stripe ran towards Raven but Cyborg shot it with his cannon.
-"Thanks"-Raven said
-"Why don't you tear this thing apart?"-Cyborg asked
-"Good idea"-Raven answered
Cyborg aimed his cannon to give Raven sometime to gather enough strength to break Rancid's new toy. Stripe jumped around the room, trying to reach either Cyborg or Raven but Cyborg kept shooting at him. BB flew around Rancid's head, trying to get him to throw the remote but he was not able to.
-"You're messing with the wrong adult, kid"-Rancid said
Rancid grabbed BB by his neck and threw him to the garage. Rancid then pressed the remote and the garage door closed. BB was trapped.
-"Told you"-Rancid said
Rancid saw when Raven had gathered all her powers and Stripe began to be lifted on the air and was surrounded by Raven's magic. Rancid tried to attack Raven but Cyborg shot him with his cannon. Raven finally took control over the robot and began to try crunching him. It did not work.
-"It's not working"-Raven yelled
-"Try harder"-Cyborg said
-"I am"-Raven said
Raven pressed the robot with all her strength but it did not seem to work. What was wrong with her?"
-'I can't, it's too strong'-Raven thought
BB regained consciousness and stood up. He realized he was trapped inside the garage and walked to the door. He heard Raven screaming as she was trying to destroy Rancid's robot. He also heard that it was not working. BB punched the door, trying to get Cyborg's attention to get him out of there. He had to save Raven.
-"Raven, stop…you're gonna hurt yourself"-BB yelled
Rancid laughed at Raven's effort and then saw Cyborg approaching him with his cannon aimed at him.
-"Make it stop!"-Cyborg said
-"You better tell that to your friend. My robot is absorbing her energy"-Rancid said
-"Raven, stop"-Cyborg yelled
-"Please, Raven, stop"-BB yelled
BB morphed into a gorilla and began punching the door. He had to get out, he just had to. Raven stopped using her powers. She fell on the floor breathing heavily. Stripe shook himself and prepared to return Raven's attack to her. Cyborg saw this and prepared his cannon to shoot at Rancid.
-"If I were you I wouldn't do something like that"-Rancid said
-"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't"-Cyborg said
-"Just watch"-Rancid said
Rancid pressed another button of his remote and the place began to tremble. BB stopped banging the door and Cyborg and Raven looked at each other. Rancid had another toy. A box with wheels approached Rancid and it stopped right next to him. Rancid smiled and patted the box.
-"What is that?"-Cyborg asked
-'He has the strangest toys'-Raven thought
Cyborg did not waste any more time and his cannon began charging.
-"I also have one of those"-Rancid said
The box opened and showed its content. Rancid had built a replica of Cyborg's cannon but this one was then times bigger then his. Rancid aimed the cannon at Cyborg and laughed.
-"Oh, boy"-Cyborg said
Red X used his powers against Robin. He was not able to fly anymore but he would use the gadgets that Robin had built in his favor. Robin flew backwards and ended up glued to a tree. Robin used his birdarang and cut the "X" that Red X had thrown to him. He then jumped down and threw three birdarangs at Red X who dodged them easily and responded with an electric disc.
Robin tried to dodge it but given that the rain was pouring badly, the disc fell down on a puddle and Robin got slightly shocked by it. Robin threw his roped and caught Red X before he could throw another electric disc at him and forced him to fall to the ground. Robin ran towards Red X and placed one of his feet on Red X chest.
-"It doesn't have to be this way, X"-Robin said
-"Yes, it does. If I couldn't have her, you couldn't have her either but now that none of us can have her...well…what the heck, right?"-Red X asked
-"Killing us both won't solve anything"-Robin answered
-"What, are you afraid of dieing?"-Red X asked
-"No, but I think you are the one who is afraid…of living"-Robin answered
-"Don't you understand? I have nothing left to live for? Do you?"-Red X asked
-"I still have my friends"-Robin answered
-"I don't, I'm by myself"-Red X said
-"You have us"-Robin said
-"I had her…but she's gone…because of you"-Red X said
Red X kicked Robin's legs and he fell backwards. Red X freed himself from Robin's rope and used it against Robin. He put the rope around Robin's neck and began chocking him. Robin coughed and began getting dizzy. Red X was winning. He was not supposed to win.
-"You had it all easy and you blew it"-Red X said
-"Let me go"-Robin said
-"You had her and you let her die"-Red X said
-"No, I didn't"-Robin said
-"Yes, you did. You did it on purpose"-Red X said
-"No, I did not!"-Robin said
Robin kicked Red X on the stomach and got the air knocked out of him. Robin fell to floor touching his neck, gasping for air. Red X touched his stomach and coughed.
-"That hurt"-Red X said
Robin stood up and breathed heavily. He hoped his friends were having more luck than he was. Red X was starting to get on his nerves.
BB heard when Rancid shot at Cyborg and then when Stripe returned Raven her attack. He had tried every powerful animal that he could think of but the door did not seem to budge in.
-'They need my help'-BB thought
Cyborg flew backwards and ended up on top of Raven who was still trying to recover from Stripe's attack.
-"Get…off…me!"-Raven mumbled
-"I would if I could"-Cyborg said
Raven pushed Cyborg to the side and stood up. She then handed Cyborg a hand and he stood up as well. Rave and Cyborg turned back to see what Rancid was doing and they saw when Rancid ordered the tiger to follow them around the room and he pushed the cannon behind the tiger.
-"Raven"-Cyborg said
-"Yeah?"-Raven asked
-"Run"-Cyborg said
Raven's eyes widened when she saw Rancid and his robot running towards them.
-"Can't we take a break"-Raven said
Cyborg began running and pulled Raven with him. Cyborg and Raven ran around the room while the dodged Rancid's cannon attack and the attacks from Raven's powers that were still saved inside Stripe.
-"How much energy did you give to that thing?"-Cyborg said
-"I didn't give it anything. He stole it from me"-Raven said
BB was tired of banging the door and not being able to get out. He sat on the floor and saw a light coming from a small hole in the door; a way out.
-"Where's that light coming from?"-BB asked
BB crawled his way to the hole and tried to measure it with his fingers.
-"It's too small…if I were a rat…"-BB said
BB slapped himself mentally and morphed into a rat, making his way out of the garage thru the hole. He was finally free.
-"Sweet, guys I don't need you rescuing I'm out"-BB said
Raven and Cyborg were approaching BB who was still unaware of the situation.
-"Didn't you hear me? I'm out, stop running"-BB said
Raven and Cyborg were a couple of feet away from BB now. He was still lost in his own deal.
-"What's the big deal?"-BB asked
-"That's the big deal"-Raven answered
Raven pointed at Rancid and his machines. BB gulped.
-"Run, man"-Cyborg said
Cyborg and Raven ran passed BB and he then began running behind them.
-"This is ridiculous we have to do something"-Raven said
-"What do we do?"-Cyborg asked
-"I have an idea"-Raven answered
-"What is it?"-BB asked
-"We have to stop running"-Raven answered
-"Ok, no, bad idea…"-BB said
-"We have to stop, you guys make sure Rancid shoots his own tiger and I'll take care of the rest"-Raven said
BB and Cyborg nodded. Raven hid in the shadows, waiting for her part of the plan to come.
-"How are we gonna make Rancid hit his own toy?"-BB asked
-"He's shooting at us, let's just make little Stripe here get on our way"-Cyborg answered
-"You do it, I'll watch your back"-BB said
-"Come, on"-Cyborg said
Cyborg and BB stopped running and Stripe caught on with them very soon.
-"Hi, kitty"-BB said
BB morphed into a tiger himself and both Stripe and BB circled around Cyborg.
-"B, this is not part of the plan, NOT part of the plan!"-Cyborg said
Cyborg watched BB and then looked at Stripe. He did not know who was going to attack first but he did know that he was going to end up in the middle. BB stayed in front of Cyborg and Stripe faced BB. Cyborg prepared his cannon and aimed at Stripe. Rancid saw Cyborg and aimed the cannon at BB.
-"You blast my kitty and I blast yours"-Rancid said
Then it all happened in seconds. Cyborg shot his cannon to BB and Rancid, thinking the other tiger was the enemy shot his own tiger. In the confusion, Cyborg ran towards BB who had received the impact and carried him up.
-"Sorry, B"-Cyborg said
-"You tricked me!"-Rancid said
Cyborg saw Rancid charging his cannon at maximum strength; Raven saw her cue and appeared from the floor.
-"Stay there"-Raven said
-"You crazy witch!"-Rancid said
Rancid's cannon was ready. Cyborg covered BB and then covered his head. Raven's eyes lit and her cape began to fly.
-"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos"-Raven chanted
-"You can't stop me"-Rancid said
Rancid shot his cannon and the full blast made its way to Raven. She waited for the blast to be close enough so she could use her powers against it. Once she saw the blast getting close, Raven made a barrier big enough to cover the impact range of the blast. She was not going to stop it; she was going to reflect it.
-"Hang on!"-Raven yelled
Raven held her magical barrier and the blast was reflected. It went back to Rancid and destroyed his cannon. Rancid flew backwards, hit the wall and then hit the floor. Rancid was defeated.
-"Way to go, Raven"-Cyborg said
-"Let's get out of here, now"-Raven said
Cyborg carried BB who had received the blast but Cyborg had not used all his powers, just enough to push BB out of the way. The Titans walked to the next door and opened. They slowly climbed down the stairs; they had two more basements to go until they could reach Slade. Rancid reached for his pocket. He had to let the others now what had happened and that his part of the deal was done.
-"I just got my ass kicked. Over"-Rancid said
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Last chapter next!