Ah... my faithful readers. Well, maybe not so faithful, but close to it. It's two in the morning here in surprisingly warm Michigan. I have to leave for school in five hours. Why am I awake you ask? Because I don't sleep dammit! When I do sleep, it is on accident, pure and simple. I'm getting my online privelages destroyed pretty much. I'll be able to write, and update. My livejournal will get updated as well. But I won't be able to talk to be online every day like I used to be able to. Not for a little bit at least. I hope this all blows over soon. I'll go insane is I can't talk to people like Tawreh, Absolutely pointless, and Krazy4Robin. And I'm just naming a few. I can name plenty other of people I'm gonna miss. So... just read and review please. It would make me feel way better if I got a tons of reviews. Thanks for reviewing this much so far. Read on. Time to cross off a big suspect.

I do not own Teen Titans...

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Chapter 8: Falling Star

The Killer's View

The killer was cloaked, and they walked around the tower silently. Aqualad had come close to actually defeating them. They never expected that he could move that fast. If the killer wasn't ready for it, Aqualad might have been the savior for the Titans. Instead he was just another dead hero. 'And he would not be the last' The murderer thought as they walked up the stairs.

They hadn't bothered to take out any of the main Titans. It would happen sooner or later. Surely one of them had something to do with it as well. It just wouldn't make sense if they didn't. No... more than one of them was in on it, the killer was sure of that much. But what if they were wrong? They didn't like to think of it. That would mean that they had made a horrible mistake. 'No time for regret, only murder' The Killer thought.

It would all come to an end soon, it truly would. There weren't many left. They had almost been caught, and had almost been defeated by several Titans. But it was time to take the others down. They had gone through too much to fail now. Only one Titan would be spared, and for good reason. Unless they got in the way, that one Titan would be very vital to the killer's survival. If they died... things could get tricky. But it wouldn't happen. The Titan knew better than to get in trouble, at least with the killer. They wouldn't be a problem.

Suddenly they jumped to the side. Someone was rushing down the stairs in their direction. The killer saw Speedy turn the corner, running down the stairs quickly. Where was he going? Perhaps he had a lead of some sort. The killer watched him for a moment before following him, jumping down steps. Speedy cast a glance over his shoulder as the killer landed, and he froze. The murderer didn't move, afraid that Speedy would see them. They looked down at the belt on the Red X suit... if it gave out now, Speedy would have to die. But the archer turned around, bounding down the stairs and into the main room.

"Aqualad!" He yelled. The killer reached the botoom and stared at Speedy, who was yelling for his friend. He was not going to be happy when he- "Oh no..." Speedy suddnely said. The killer smiled. Looks like he had found the lifeless corpse of the brave teen hero. Speedy bent over him, checking for a pulse. Nothing, the killer knew that much. Speedy got up sadly, obviously wiping a tear away at his best friend on the ground. The killer turned quietly, and saw Raven come down the stairs.

"He's dead, like I told you, correct?" She asked. Speedy turned towards her, sadly nodding slowly. The killer watched in surprise as Raven walked forward, and Speedy collapsed into her arms, crying. They wanted to laugh, wanted to ridicule him. He was crying? Perhaps the killer was wrong about this. Maybe Speedy wasn't in on it. 'No... he is. Even they have to cry over losing one of their own. They were friends, after all...' The killer thought, still smirking at the "great" Speedy weeping. Suddenly, Raven turned around sharply, and stared right at them.

"The killer. Whoever it is... they are inside this room with us. And they're very happy," She said. The murderer stared at her blankly. It was like she was reading their mind! 'Raven... developing her powers still. Damn her...' The killer thought. They took a cautious step back, ready to run if she tried anything tricky. "Where is he?" Speedy asked angrily. He sounded hungry for murder as well. "I'm not so sure it's a he," Raven said. The killer smiled again, then uncloaked.

"You!" Speedy yelled. They nodded slowly, then raised a hand. Raven did the same. "Don't even try it," She said. The killer smiled widely before raising their other hand and firing two x's out. Speedy rolled out of the way, just in case. But Raven blasted the one to pieces, the other going low and wrapping around her legs. Then the killer took off and ran. "Go!" Raven yelled. Then they heard Speedy run, and he wasn't far behind the killer. No, not at all.

The tried to cloak. It wouldn't work. They silently cursed, smashing the belt and trying to make it function properly. Speedy wasn't far behind. They managed to keep up their pace, chancing a glance and seeing Speedy readying an arrow. They looked back, and found Raven suddenly in front of them. The killer reacted quickly grabbing onto the goth girl and throwing her back into Speedy. Thenthere wasan oof of surprise, and they smiled, turning around. Both heroes laid on the ground. They quickly jumped into the air, hitting the belt one more time and cloaking. It was about damn time that thing worked when they wanted it to.

Cyborg's View

He was depressed, very depressed. It had all happened so fast. Why hadn't he done anything to stop it? Red X had come up from behind her, throwing the knives quickly and accurately. If Cyborg hadn't been so interested in going a little further with Bumblebee, she might still be alive. But he wasn't focused, and that had cost his love interest her life. This is why he wasn't a good hero. This is why he always debated leaving the Titans. But it didn't matter now. It didn't look as if the Titans would make it through this one, even if not a single Titan on his team had died...

Cyborg was sitting alone in a storage room. There was a box of weapons on the floor. Several items were missing, that much was obvious. Perhaps this was the room the killer had raided for his or her weaponry. Red X... it wasn't him. He was only out for himself. He wouldn't go this far just for a belt. This was a Titan, Cyborg knew it. Someone that had gone over the edge. Raven? Robin? BB? They all seemed to be on the edge at times. Raven with her emotions. Robin with his paranoid Slade obsession. And Beast Boy... he had just been acting strange lately. But could any of his friends really do something this horrible? Cyborg liked to think not.

How he wished this party never got started. How he wished he hadn't sent out those invitations. And oh how he wished this storm had gotten violent earlier. No one would have been here, they all wouldn't have died. Cyborg had a feeling that the killer was waiting for this party to do it. He had a feeling that they wanted everyone there. Cyborg was no Boy Wonder, but he could do his detective work just fine. If only he was charged...

He didn't bother to recharge his batteries after Bumblebee died. He had smashed the old pack to bits after they had found the body. And then he completely forgot about it. Now he just didn't care. The killer could walk in right now and finish Cyborg off, and he wouldn't even care. What was the point of caring if everyone that you care about is read? Bumblebee was gone... and this killer wasn't going to stop at her. They were going to kill everyone, and Cyborg knew it.

He picked up something from the floor... a weapon he didn't know they even had a hold of. An actual gun. There were guns that emitted painful lasers, the ones that Slade's robots carried. They could stun you real good. Sure, they hurt like hell, but it was nothing compared to what this gun could do. It was loaded, one bullet. Cyborg stared at it, wondering what to do. He didn't want to live. He didn't want to die. But if he lived, what would it be for? Nothing, that's what. And if he was going to die anyways, it mine as well be a suicide, not a murder.

Cyborg brought the gun up, opening his mouth and putting it in just a little. He sat there for several moments, not sure if he should go through with it or not. Maybe this was the right decision, maybe not. But he knew that it was what he wanted, what he craved. He put very little pressure on the trigger, closing his eyes roughly. It was now or never, he knew that much. His heart beating strong, Cyborg prepared to kill himself. "Don't," Someone in front of him said.

Cyborg opened his eyes slowly, and saw Raven watching him. She looked frightened by the position Cyborg was in. He took the gun out of his mouth slowly, then crushed it in his hand. What he was doing was stupid, that much suddenly seemed clear to him. But it still seemed stupid to stick around and wait for a killer to finish him off. He looked up at Raven, smiling. "I wasn't gonna," He said, making his fake smile go wider. Raven reached forward, touching his arm where skin was.

"You're hurt," She said sadly. Cyborg looked at her, very confused. He hadn't been touched, at least not to a point where he felt pain. "What are you talking about? I'm fine," He said. Raven shook her head slowly, her hand slowly retracting. "No... I mean on the inside. You're sad," She stated. He stared at her blankly. Her powers were developing, and much faster than he could have ever imagined. Cyborg didn't mention it, but instead nodded. She was one hundred percent right.

"I know, but I'll live," He told her. Cyborg could tell that Raven wanted to try and help him, that she wanted to reach out. But he knew that it clashed with her reputation of being cold and selfish. "I know. You're strong, you'll be fine," She said instead. Cyborg smiled, for real this time. "Anything new?" He asked, hoping to hear the best. Raven's head drooped, and she put up her hood slowly, then stood up. Cyborg got up as well.

"Aqualad is dead. X got him on the first floor," Raven said. Cyborg laughed. "As if X is really doing this," He said. Raven shook her head. "I know he isn't, and I'm going to find out who is," She said. Cyborg sighed. "Anything else happen?" He asked her. Raven shrugged. "We almost caught the killer. Speedy had them on the run, and I managed to get in front of them as well, but they escaped. We're getting closer I think. If I could have just touched them somehow, on the skin, I could have gotten a read," Raven said. Cyborg shrugged. "Maybe next time," He replied with hope in his voice.

"I say we get out of here. We need you Cyborg, you're valuable in our effort to catch the murderer," Raven said. Cyborg smiled. That really made him feel good inside. "Thanks Rae," He said, a fearful look coming on his face as he realized that he had called her Rae. "You get away with it, this time..." Raven said with a smile. Cyborg chuckled, walking out of the room with her. He took one last look at the crushed grun on the ground as he left, regretting ever debating what he had...

Speedy's View

God, he had gotten so close. He had gotten so fucking close. The killer thought they were so crafty, getting away like that. They had gotten lucky, it was as simple as that. Speedy was not in the mood to mess around. Perhaps he was taking the situation too lightly earlier. Now he was pissed though, much more than before. His best friend was dead, and for what? Probably just because some psycho wanted to get a kick out of the Titans suffering. But Speedy was going to find out who this psycho was, even if he had to die trying.

Raven and him had exchanged a few angry words with one another after X had tossed her into him. She had gotten in the way. Speedy was doing just fine without her. "Stupid bitch, get in my way next time and I'll kill you myself," He said angrily. Speedy stopped, then smacked himself in the face. He was acting like a moron. Raven was helping him, simple as that. She might have gotten in the way, but it didn't matter. This killer was gonna die, sooner or later. They had only delayed the inevitable.

Speedy was nearing the top floor, and he was tired. There were a lotta stairs in Titans Tower, he knew that. But this many? Damn, it was making him exhausted. If the killer came by right now, he would have no chance to stop them. Speedy leaned against the wall for support panting heavily. Creak...! A loud creak went off nearby, and his head snapped around the corner. Someone was coming. He readied his bow, the real arrow loaded and ready. He pointed it directly in front of him, ready to get the bastard once and for all. They turned the corner and...

"Oh!" A surprised voice sqeauked. Speedy's eyes widened for a moment. No, it was not Red X. Not even close. Speedy lowered his bow slowly, then removed the arrow and put it away. He let out a deep breath as he cracked his knuckles and stared into the scared face of the "killer." Then he smiled at her widely, trying to ease her tension. She looked scared half to death. Speedy sat down on a stair, and motioned for the girl to sit down with him. She did so, but slowly.

"Starfire... I almost killed you, I hope you know that," Speedy said. The tamaranian girl smiled nervously, chuckling as she looked at him. "I am sorry. I was just trying to go up a few floors, and I am afraid I did not have the energy to fly anymore. I did not mean to get in your way," She said apologetically. Speedy laughed. The way she talked, so proper and what not, was very amusing to him. "That's just fine," He told her sincerely. He stood up, and offered his hand. She took it hesitantly, but then got up and walked with him.

"I'd better not regret letting you live Starfire, because if you're the killer, this could come back to bite me in the ass," He said. The alien girl looked at him dumbfounded. "It would bite you in your butt? How could it do such a thing?" Starfire asked. Speedy burst out laughing. This girl was a riot. "Nevermind Starfire, it's just a way of words..." He said. She frowned. "I am sorry, Earth beings ways of speaking are still a foreign concept to me at times," Starfire said. Speedy placed a hand on hs shoulder. "You'll learn, don't worry," He told her.

They soon reached the main room, their walk to it in occuring silence. Speedy saw Wildebeest's body in the corner, frowing. He tore his eyes away from the first victim long enough to notice the couch near the window. He took a seat on it, getting comfortable quickly. It felt great to relax. This was really putting a lot of stress on his body. Speedy look up surprised as Starfire took a seat right next to him. Perhaps she was just as interested in him as he was in her. 'A man can dream' He thought to himself. Then he smiled at her.

"You know Starfire, I really like you. I mean... do you know what I mean?" He asked her hopefully. Starfire did not answer. She seemed to be thinking over what he had just said to her. "I like you as well. You are a good friend, and a very nice person," She said. Speedy relaxed considerably, then leaned towards her. "Then I don't suppose you would mind a kiss?" He said softly. Starfire bit her lip, then closed her eyes. Speedy did too, and leaned closer. "Argh!" Speedy let out a growl as he fell to the floor, his head throbbing.

"Damn girl, where did you learn to kiss?" He yelled at her. Speedy look up to find Starfire not even looking at him, but at the black clad figure in front of her, who was looking at Speedy. Red X stood there, clearly ready to kill. There was no weapon on either of the killer's hands. Speedy fumbled to get his bow and arrow out, but the killer took one large step forward and kicked Speedy. The archer flew back several feet, but managed to lift his head. The murderer was going for the kill.

"No, do not!" Starfire yelled. She rushed forward, angrily throwing a punch that the killer barely dodged. They turned, grabbing her by the throat and lifting her up. Then they tossed her down, the alien girl smashing through a glass table. Then the killer turned to focus on Speedy, but he was ready. "Eat this dirtbag," He said queitly. Speedy had gotten out his bow and armed it with the first arrow he could grab... a simple exploding one. He fired the shot high, and it hit the ceiling, which then exploded into several heavy pieces and came crashing down. But Speedy didn't see what happened to the killer. The flash and the smoke blinding him. He coughed, and began to crawl around.

"Starfire?" He called out to her. Speedy heard her moan quietly. Sounded mroe like a painful moan. He found her soon, grabbing onto her and leading her towards the glass, where it was clear. "Are you alright?" He whispered. Starfire didn't answer. She looked too out of it. He helped her stand, then turned to walk away. "No..." She said weakly. He wasn't sure why at first. But suddenly he felt her hands pushed him to the ground, and he ehard the glass break. A scream, a loud one. It was Starfire's. Speedy looked up, and saw the killer. They were looking over the edge of the tower, where the glass had broken. She... she had fallen down.

The killer stared down for a few moments, then turned to Speedy. He qucikly got hs real arrow out, but the killer split, running to the stairs and taking off down them quickly. Speedy put his bow down, and slid over to the edge, looking over carefully. He could barely see her, but Starfire was down there. She hadn't been able to fly away. Speedy let out another deep breath. She was dead, and he knew it. "Thank you," he said quietly. She had saved his life, and now he was going to get the son of a bitch that had ended hers...

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This chapter kind of seemed darker than the others. Something about Speedy crying, Cyborg's near suicide, and the death of the happiest person ever, seemed unusually dark. Maybe it's because I'm not in a good mood. I liked this chapter much better than the last. It wasn't rushed, and I think it was just written much better. Let's hope the next three are just like it. Oh yeah, by the way, three more chapters for sure. You'll see who lives, who dies, and who the killer is. And hell, you're going to get a huge shock in the final chapter, but we'll talk about that later. Thanks for reading, take care.

Next Chapter: Speedy finally sees the identity of the true killer, but before he can do a thing about it, he's on the run for his life. Can Speedy escape and tell someone before it's too late?

"I know something that you don't know..."

-SinFire