Author's Note 2: Ouch. Two reviews. Am I not yelling loud enough? Hopefully this chapter will encourage people to read it all the way through.
Description: The Titans decide to reassemble, with the old heroes acting as mentors for the younger heroes, but the HIVE's attacks make them wonder if their being together is best for the relatively peaceful Jump City
Heritage for the Future
By Iain R. Lewis
Characters…. Still not mine.
CHAPTER 2: Iron Man
Nobody wants him
He just stares at the world
Planning his vengeance
That he soon will unfold
The Tower had not aged well.
Time and disrepair left it in a state that could best be described as decayed. The windows had been cracked, and some of them boarded up, but most of them just felt empty, with no light in their window, save for the flickering of some electrical cords that had been broken and never fixed.
It looked worse than Cyborg remembered it as he tore open the doors with a mighty heave.
"What happened to this place?" Kid Flash asked, looking around.
"Don't remember it from your time?" Robin asked, looking around. "The Titans left it here to just… die. Isn't that right?"
"Anything of worth was recycled, the building itself was always meant to be fixed up and made into some kind of museum," Cyborg said. "A museum to futility, I suppose. Recently, the plans were scrapped, and now, it's going to be destroyed."
"Real sad," Kid Flash said, "Hey! Is this a rock 'em sock 'em robot?"
"Sure gets around," Cyborg said, "Doesn't he, BB?"
"This brings back memories," Raven muttered.
"Yeah," Beast Boy muttered. He wandered off in his own direction, as if drawn to some sort of vague memory. The others each took to their past, tugging along the safety lines to a happier time.
The younger Titans were left alone in the massive foyer.
"Amazing," Cassandra muttered, "Just, simply, amazing!" She danced around as she stared at the ceiling. "This is where it all happened!"
"You're amazed by this?" Robin muttered.
"Yes," Cassie said, sticking her nose out.
"Why?"
"Because it's so cool! These are real-life superheroes! The stories I've heard about them, all the amazing things they did, it all happened here."
"So?" he said, "We've done it too."
"Have you no sense of wonder in your body?" Cassie asked.
"No, Wonder Girl," Tim retorted, "I think you managed to suck up all the wonder that remained in the world."
"Don't be so negative," Superboy said. He floated through the air. "I think Wonder Girl's right. This is an amazing piece of history."
"You're just saying that because you like the way she wiggles her butt when she walks," Tim muttered.
Superboy hung his head. Kid Flash dashed over. "I think you're right, Wing Commander!" he said.
"Of course I am!" Tim laughed. "Stick with me, kid, and we'll make a hero out of you yet."
Cassie giggled, "I'm flattered, Superboy."
"Wait!" Tim said, "If I said your tush was cute, you'd murder me."
"That's because you're an immature little brat!"
"And what if I meant it?"
"Like that ever'll happen!"
"And why not?"
"Because you're a little twerp!" Cassie yelled, her face red with anger. Superboy and Kid Flash leaned away from the yelling and fighting. "What?" she said, turning her anger at Kid Flash.
"Nothingma'am!Didanyonetellyouyoulooklovelytodayyourgoldenhairjustsparklesinthesunlight!"
"Nice save!" Robin whispered.
"Thanks!" Kid Flash said, happily.
"Stop perverting this nice kid!" Wonder Girl yelled, hugging Kid Flash close to her. He made a noise of contentment as she squeezed him closer to her chest.
"Uh?" Superboy asked.
"You know, I'm not really sure," Robin answered.
"Best not to wonder," Superboy suggested.
"Definitely."
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"Sir!" the Headmistress said, bringing her hand up in a salute.
The mercenary called Deathstroke walked down the stairs confidently, standing in front of a spotlight that showed him three figures. A young girl was foremost to him, with her strange green outfit. It had a spider prominently on the bosom, and the way her eyes sheen, he thought perhaps he was staring at a maniac.
Next to her was a young man with the markings of a stereotype. His glasses and the pen he carried in his ear was proof enough of his intelligence. He carried a laptop by his side, but it was in a pouch along with some strange dolls. The markings on his face and his chest certainly stood out on his dark skin.
And the last was a young man in a futuristic set of armor. His mannerisms spoke of a European ancestry despite the Asian face. He seemed impatient for whatever he was waiting for to become apparent.
"Phobia! Houngen! Warp!" the Headmistress reported. "I don't believe I need to describe their abilities."
"No," Deathstroke said, "I heard about them. Though, might I add, I'm eager to see young Houngen in action. His abilities are quite ingenious."
"Thank you, sir," the boy said. A faint Caribbean accent was detectable on his voice, but it was worn down with years of hearing an American speech. "It's quite an honor to hear a man such as yourself say that."
"And, Warp was it?"
"Yes, sir," the boy said.
"I hear you're a time traveler," Deathstroke added, "When?"
"Quite some time in the future, sir," Warp said, "The world is organized under a single government."
"Most peculiar," Deathstroke muttered.
"Quite, sir."
He looked at Phobia, and just shook his head, "You, I think I know the whole story."
"Of course, sir," she said.
"How much?" Deathstroke questioned.
"The usual going price," the Headmistress read, "Is a clear ten million for this type of mission."
"Hefty," Deathstroke said. He moved his hand to the Headmistress's cheek, "Are you always so coy?"
"Sir," the Headmistress hesitated.
"Don't be so distant," he whispered. "We've worked together, played together. You can certainly cut me some slack, you and I both know it."
"O, of course sir," she whispered. "We have a deal."
"Good," Deathstroke said. The smile on his lips could be heard in his tone. "Very well. You will go and destroy the Teen Titans."
"The who?" Warp asked.
Deathstroke brought his hand up above his eye, looking quite displeased. "An organization of teenage superheroes. Perhaps you should brush up on your history."
"The Teen Titans," Phobia said, "Don't exist. Weren't they destroyed?"
"I know what I've seen," Deathstroke said. "Find the Teen Titans. Destroy them. Do you understand me?" His eye widened behind the mask, creating a frightening image to the teenage villains. "Or I will destroy you!"
Then a thought came to mind, "And if you succeed, a reward shall be given to you," he said, "But only to the one who proves themselves the most capable of them all."
"Yes sir!" they chorused, hitting a salute even without training. The spotlight faded on them.
"What reward is that?"
"Tell them that I'm seeking an apprentice. It won't matter, in the long run. They won't succeed. Especially not now."
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"Dr. Light," Raven muttered, as she saw that her room was still in some semblance of what it used to be, "That's when I first allowed someone come in here, wasn't it? Yeah, I remember that now."
Memories swept through the tattered moth-wrecked curtains. That fight, Robin had stopped her from doing something she'd have regretted later. She was at least always grateful for that one act.
They hadn't known each other well, she said, considering all they'd been through, but he could remember the day Starfire and Beast Boy had entered her mind.
Cyborg and Robin hadn't been aware of it. Robin just wanted to mind her own right to privacy.
Always a matter of respect.
"Why did you have to keep so many secrets, Robin?" she wondered. "Perhaps we would be laughing together today if you hadn't –"
Perhaps a shadow played off of the wall, but she could have sworn for a minute she saw his shadow play outside her room.
Perhaps she was imagining things again.
The darkness seeped beyond her room. The tattered curtains became ensnared around her as she sighed, longing for happier times. "Happiness is fleeting," she murmured, "I guess that's what the poets meant."
A scream tore her thoughts from her memories. "Starfire. Sometimes I forget how much you must be suffering." She looked up out of her window. She could see the Beast Boy also turning to look.
"Is she alright?' Beast Boy called over to Raven. Raven shook her head in a melancholy gesture. "Aw man."
Beast Boy retracted his head. This reminded him of something. Heck, he remembered when he and Starfire got into a huge argument that just so happened to bring them closer. He and Star always kept their distances out of quiet time. He was too busy playing with Cyborg or making fun of Cyborg, or, in fact, just really doing nothing.
"Butterflies!" Beast Boy said, loudly. "She loves Butterflies!"
Those crazy forces of nature, Thunder and Lightning, descended upon the city, and the two of them had gotten into an argument over – oh, what was it – he couldn't rightly remember now.
But they had argued, and it got into the way of their work.
They were kids! They didn't know any better!
And he'd turned into a butterfly to win her favor back. He'd never forget her smile at seeing the patterns on his wings.
"Star, smile like that, just once? I miss that smile."
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The Garage. The Old T-Car used to sit in this spot. He used to take care of it, work with Raven sometimes, just trying to make it perfect. Cyborg looked over the abandoned and sterilized room, which once stank of oil and transmission fluid, and sighed a heavy sigh, racking his body with giant loneliness.
"Hey, Mr. Cyborg?" Kid Flash said, sitting on a workbench, "What's the matter? You look upset, c'mon, tell! The guys and me we were talking can we get a new spa or a TV or something and a video game retro thing with the VR and the LAWNMOWER MAN SYNDROME and more cool stuff like in those oldie movies!"
"Whoa, hold up," Cyborg said, looking over at the kid. "You're okay, kid, you know that?"
"I am! Wait, I am?"
"Yeah, you are," Victor said, flashing the little wiry kid a huge smile. "C'mon, let's get the order. We gotta budget out our new tower."
"We really gonna do this? Very schway! I can't wait to tell the others! Woohoo!" He vanished up in a cloud of dust, then returned much the same way, "They're happy."
"You're really fast," Cyborg said, raising his eyebrow high from shock. "Like, faster than the Flash fast."
"Yeah, I get that a lot," Kid Flash said, looking a bit bashful. He traced an image into the ground with his foot, looking like a schoolgirl in love. "What? Whatcha starin' at?" He was now behind Cyborg, looking where Cyborg was looking. "I don't see anything!"
"C'mon, Speedy Gonzales."
"Si Senor!"
They entered the main room, and Cyborg took a spot against the wall, "Okay, kids. Let's get to business. We're going to need some real equipment. But," he paused, "I'm going to get you everything you want. We had our toys, you should get yours."
"Awesome!" Wonder Girl chimed.
"Okay, I heard a spa in there somewhere," he pointed at Wonder Girl, "That's your call, right?"
"Yeah," she answered, "Mine."
"The TV, though, could be either of these two," pointing at Superboy, then Robin, both of whom whistled innocently. "Or it could be both of you. I don't know."
"Well, it's probably Tim's fault," Cassie muttered.
"Thanks for that," Robin said, "It's always my fault, right?"
"Yes!"
"Why do I even try?"
"Because she's a pretty girl and you're an adolescent male," Cyborg commented. "Duh."
"Yeah, I mean she bangs when she bangs, and when she moves she moves. She's once-twice-three times a lady and I'm running out of vaguely erotic song lyrics from the past 1000 years."
"Uh, yeah," Cyborg pushed Kid Flash aside, "We're not doing that."
"It's the man! I'm being repressed!" Kid Flash yelled.
"Okay. TV, Tim. And Superboy, what do you want?"
"Dunno," Superboy grunted.
"You don't know? You don't want a new, uh, car thing?"
"Never driven one before. Are they fun?" Cyborg looked flabbergasted. "What?"
"I have found my calling," Cyborg said, vaguely, "To teach you the ways of mechanics and one day make you love the car as much as a man can possibly love a woman."
"That's vaguely disturbing coming from a guy with half his body replaced by robotic parts," Robin mentioned idly.
"You don't gotta like it, little man. Be quiet before I make you quiet."
"I'm so scared," Robin said. "I'm going to go someplace else. Where people aren't all against me." He walked off, throwing his cape back dramatically. His boots clip-clopped angrily against the floor.
"Poor kid," Cassie said, "He's so serious all the time."
"Who said I wasn't being serious?" Cyborg asked.
"You seem to have this huge thing against Robin is it something to do with how he was leader and you weren't back then? I mean if it was I can understand completely but what is it. I wanna know please tell me please please please pretty please with sugar on top and lotsa lotsa cherries?"
"I don't think anyone understood that," Cassie murmured.
"Look, Robin was a real leader, and I worked with him. I know. And he, sir, is no Robin."
"He's still learning!" Cassie commented.
"You're on his side now?"
"Sure I tease the little guy all the time," Cassie answered, "But he's a good leader and he knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He idolizes you guys as much as I do. He really does."
"So why'd he take on the Robin mantle? Doesn't he know anything about Dick?" Cyborg asked. "That was the name his mother gave him. Do you have any clue what happened to him?"
"No, uh, but Tim does, he really does," Cassie said. "He knows the responsibilities he has as Robin. And I know he can stand up shoulder to shoulder with the original, given the chance."
"Fine," Cyborg said. "I'll give him his chance to prove himself. He'd better wow me, girl, or I'll be giving you leadership roles when we get really started."
"Really started?"
"Raven'll tell you," he smirked, "We've been talking. Telepathically."
Elsewhere in the tower, Raven meanwhile had run into Robin who looked none too happy to see her. She extended her hand, her aura expanding to block his path. "Where are you going in such a huff, young man?"
"I'm going to find something to kill time."
"I'd recommend turning right around. Once Beast Boy and Starfire get down from the roof, we'll be talking about something important."
"I don't really care," Robin answered. "Now can I go?" He noticed the girl frown. She reached and held his chin in her cold hands, "Uh?"
"Allow me in, Tim Drake," she whispered, "I can tell you are troubled. Is it Cyborg again?"
"Yeah," he answered, "Thinks he knows better than me. Just 'cause he's older. He doesn't know anything about me."
Raven's groping fingers lingered in his emotion. He was indecisive, unsure of himself, and yet he buried it under the bravado. So familiar a feeling. "You remind me of a boy I knew."
"Uh?"
"He was about your age when we met. He was a sweet and kind boy, and I must admit he was my first, how to put it, 'crush'. He was just as unsure as you, but he never let it show. He was always in charge."
"Thanks, I think?"
"You're a brave child. Don't let Cyborg's anger dissuade you from your destiny."
"I have a destiny?"
"To lead the Teen Titans," she whispered, pulling away. "That is your rightful place."
"Not sure if you noticed, but I kind of screwed up the plan there."
"You were not so committed to it that it put you or your friends in danger," she retorted. "You saved Starfire."
"She kind of saved us, I recall," Robin answered.
"But could she truly survive against the alien technology amassed by Cadmus for very long? And Superboy would not be amongst our numbers now if it weren't for your bravery."
"Cyborg thinks otherwise."
"Cyborg always thought otherwise. He and Robin were best of friends, and as a matter of course, they always argued. About women, and little things, but most importantly, about who should lead. Ask him now and he'll say that Robin was the better leader, but know him as I have known him. He is truly jealous of the command that he never could muster coming from such a small and wiry child." She smiled an impish smile, "I think he is also jealous of your youth."
"Maybe, but, I still –"
"Do it to spite him, at the very least. I always loved it when Robin did something to spite Cyborg."
She made a rather creepy smile. It sent a shiver down his spine.
"Fine, uh," Tim said, "I'll, uh, I'll do that."
"Good." She turned and walked by him. He swore her cloak brushed against him like a living being. When he was, he thought, all alone, he muttered to himself.
"I thought she couldn't feel anything," said he in his muttering, "Was she really hitting on me…?"
"Dude," Beast Boy said, looking a bit perturbed, "I don't know what happened just now, but never say that again."
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"And we're all here but Starfire and Robin. Anyone else feeling some Déjà vu?" Cyborg joked. No one laughed. They looked towards the door, expectantly. "Anyway, I guess I'll start. Before the incident with Cadmus, I guess none of us thought we'd be sitting here discussing the future of the Teen Titans."
"I wasn't alive yesterday," Kid Flash added. "Or today. I'm from the future!"
"Yes, we know."
"I just wanted to keep you in the loop," Kid Flash said with a smile.
"The fact of the matter is, I don't think Jump City needs, or wants, us anymore. They've been doing fine without us. The Special Peoples Unit would probably take offense, too, and after I designed their tech, I don't wanna turn around and say, 'Hey, good job, mind if we take over?'"
"Right, so, what are you saying?" Beast Boy asked. "I've got a TV show to work on, too, remember?"
"And I still have lectures planned," Raven answered. "And Cassandra still has class."
Cyborg smirked, "Recently, there's been a rash of super-powered crimes in a city near here – Nova City."
"Nova?" Cassie said, perking up.
"That's, what, a day's drive away, right?" Beast Boy asked.
Superboy looked pensive, "Ah, yes, I see."
"You see what?"
"I see what this Television is for!" he said, looking up from the TV Guide he had found somewhere. "And I like it."
"Shut up," Raven and Cyborg chorused.
"Anyway," Cyborg continued, " Nova City's been petitioning for Special Peoples Unit assistance, and as you can imagine, the SPU is rather antsy about sending out their elite forces with this city being a favorite center of crime for many criminals. Rancid I hear's been giving them some trouble."
"That balding punk?" Raven said, brow raised.
"The very same," Cyborg said, "And furthermore – where'd everyone go?" Raven looked around, and then back to Cyborg. She shrugged.
"Well, that's just rude," Cyborg said. "Raven?"
She was gone as well.
"Okay, now I'm just getting a little freaked out," Cyborg announced to no one in particular.
"Oh no, sir," a female voice said, "But you will be, very soon."
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Kid Flash poked the ground, grass popping back up after his finger squashed it. "Wow, that was pretty gosh-darn weird. So where are we who did that and why did he do that, I mean, if they wanted to play they could have just asked and do Supervillains even exist anymore? I mean with the Justice League they're pretty rare in my future. So come on, what's all this about?"
"I don't know, Kid Flash," Robin said, looking around. "Starfire?"
"I recognize this, vaguely. I remember a human with the ability to create portals in time. Perhaps he had expanded that principle to area. Where are Wonder Girl and Superboy?"
"They will not be joining us today," remarked a young man, emerging from a hole in the ground arms crossed, blue shining on his metal suit. "My name is Warp. It is a pleasure to meet the new Teen Titans."
"Warp!" Starfire yelled, charging him down. A portal opened in front of her, and deposited her in the ground, her charge launching up into another portal and back down to the ground with a thud.
"I see you recognize me." Robin analyzed the man's Asian features.
"Oh great it's this thief guy again. Super Criminals from all over time and I mean the Global Government, they banned time travel! I mean, what is up with that?" Kid Flash said.
"If it isn't Impulse, the Allen child. President Thawne gave me a special leverage for use in his sector just for you."
"So that's why you came back in time. To defeat me once and for all."
"Not at all. I came to be taught further techniques at the HIVE Academy for Extraordinary Young People. And I jumped at the chance to work for the greatest mercenary of all time."
"Who would that be?" Robin said, eyes narrowing.
"Why, Deathstroke the Terminator, of course."
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"Raven?" Cassie announced in surprise by the sudden emergence of the Dark Titan from the sky. "It's not that we're not glad to see you, but when you land out a tree…"
"We're in a jungle," Superboy commented. "I've been out of Cadmus for a day and already I get to see the world. Rock."
"And you're already picking up the boys' bad habits," Raven answered. "I fear for the worst. We must have been lured someplace by someone. The others, they must be elsewhere. Divide and Conquer."
"Among other things, my friends," smiled Houngen, "Welcome to my Voodoo Computer Camp!"
"And now," Cassie muttered, "We've hit super bizarro."
"Oh, you don't know the half of it, Wonder Girl!" Houngen announced. "Well, then, no beating around the bush, come at me!" He put his laptop to the side – how he found a plug for it here they couldn't tell, but it certainly lingered in everyone's thoughts.
"Um," Superboy announced. "Okay?" He charged at Houngen, and as his fist reared back, he saw the Houngen move away, blurring as if he had never been there. He was tagged, then the Houngen moved at Wonder Girl, ducking under her kick and pushing her into Superboy.
"Hi," she whispered.
"Yeah, uh, hi!" Superboy countered.
"We should get back to business," she answered.
"Sure," he retorted.
Raven brought a wave of energy in front of her, which Houngen only looked at angrily. "Well, if you won't play my game, I'll just have to make due with your friends." He whipped out a blank doll and with a button press, a hologram was projected around it, resembling Superboy.
Wonder Girl's doll was created in much the same way.
"What are you going to do with those, play dress up?" Wonder Girl teased, hands on her hips.
"Ooh, that's a good one."
"Thank you!" she answered.
"Nothing quite so lewd," Houngen responded. "What you might not have noticed was the microchips I placed on your persons. Don't bother looking, they're cloaked and will feel just like the clothes on your back. I am a genius, remember."
"I see," Raven said, "So, you cannot replicate me so easily.
"I don't need to," he answered, "Deathstroke told me all about you Titans. I personally requested to deal with you because you, my friend, have the powers of a Voodoo God inside you."
She stood shocked, her powers fading. "How?"
"Now, then," Houngen said, "Let's watch your children suffer!" He laughed maniacally as he brought out his laptop again and began to type furiously with one hand. They began to jump around, itching all over.
"That's not exactly what I was expecting," Raven said, watching in confusion.
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All machine, no humanity left, Cyborg moved through the decrepit Titans Tower. His power supply was fading, he could hardly leave the Tower, but self-preservation kicked in and he watched, in sickly sadness, as his friends one by one died.
And again, rewatching the happier times, his only reprieve from the loneliness that permeated the darkness.
Phobia laughed at the clawing of Cyborg. He desperately tried to tear apart the metal, falling to his knees with laughter. "This one has been dealt with, Mr. Terminator. How is that? Suitably impressed."
"The others are taking much longer."
"Of course they are," Phobia announced, a pout, "Aren't you going to congratulate me?"
"Return to the facility, we may have need of you yet."
"You're so mean."
"I know. The women love it," he answered. That caused Phobia some pause, and then she smiled as she hung up.
"He told a joke. To me! Did you hear that bolt bucket?" Phobia announced, practically bursting with school girl glee.
Cyborg responded by thrusting his fist at her face.
"Concentrate, witch," was all he said as he stood up and threw her onto the kitchen counter. "Answers, now. Where are the others."
"Th, the facility!" Phobia screeched, surprised and in pain, "It's underground, an entrance off by the bridge."
"Show me."
"I, I, I, I!"
"Trust me, little girl, I'm not exactly a nice person when you tick me off. And congratulations," he said, eyes glowing with intensity, "I'm ticked."
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Warp had the Titans at bay. Robin's birdarangs came back at him when he threw them, and whenever Kid Flash tried to run at Warp, he'd find himself running backwards. It was becoming ridiculous, so much so, that Starfire had just decided to sit, Indian style, and cross her arms in defiance.
"So, uh," Robin said, sitting next to her.
"Yes?"
"What's wrong?"
"Warp had taken me to a future once, his suit was highly specialized, and while right now it seems that it is merely a warp hole device, this is still reminiscent of the time. I remember seeing someone, someone who saved me. But I don't remember who it was. All I know is that he was an older gentleman who had lost an eye."
"Like Slade."
"It could very well have been, but he was different. He was a gentle soul," Starfire explained. "And I somehow doubt that it was him. He would have been far too old."
"Guess so."
"What can we do against such a foe?" she asked.
"I've got a plan." He turned to Warp, "Okay, we give up. You're superior to us in every way."
"I knew you'd see it my way, for I, Warp, am destined to become the new protégé of the Terminator. I will become the greatest mercenary of this or any age. Even Thawne will tremble before me as I take the future as well as the past and my present. And—that wasn't very nice," he moaned.
A birdarang had hit the power core.
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Houngen laughed maniacally as "itch" had finally been upgraded to "pain" to, finally, "searing pain as you would experience in Dante's Inferno."
"Stop it!" Raven demanded.
"I think not," Houngen said. "I am going to succeed on this bid more famously than the others. It's merely my plan."
"Others? So you didn't warp us here," Raven deducted.
"And most importantly," Houngen said, continuing his rant, "I want to see the Loa that you are connected to. Let me see his dark magics. Come, I am ready for it."
"No, that is over now," Raven said, "I cast him away many years ago."
"Why do I doubt that very much?" Houngen said, adjusting his glasses. "Your friends will soon perish from the Cyber Voodoo I put over them. The time is ticking before I finally upgrade it to death."
"No!" Raven said, her powers rushing forward to strike Houngen. He was thrown to the wall. "I won't let you."
"So, is this the power of your Loa?"
"Begone!"
There was a crash of glass as the jungle suddenly became less temperate. The Houngen looked at what had once appeared to be thicker jungle, and was now revealed to be part of an illusion cast on a small room.
"Cyborg!" Raven said, elated. "Help the kids. They're under some kind of bio-electrical feedback."
"I thought Phobia had already dealt with you! No matter, I'll, I'll, hey, where is my laptop anyway?"
"You mean this thing?" Raven said, eyes dilated as a twisted grin appeared on her lips. "Cyborg, you do the honors."
"And wow, ten gigs dedicated to naughty pictures," Cyborg whistled. "Let's see. Now if I do this –"
"Oh thank Zeus I can move again!" Cassie exclaimed, freed from the searing pain.
"And then this –"
"What are you doing?" Houngen demanded.
"And press delete…"
"No!" Houngen screamed.
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"The Students appeared to have failed as you predicted," The Headmistress said, she bowed her head, "I apologize, sir."
"No matter. That complex was just an unwanted relic of mine. And I didn't want them to succeed. No, not yet."
"Yes, sir," the Headmistress said, bowing.
"Have some courtesy, sympathy, and some taste, Jinx," Deathstroke laughed, "Use all your well-learned politesse. This matter is far from over, and I still have use of you. Go to Cadmus, for me, and retrieve the project. I think it's finally time…"
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Phobia was soon greeted by a near-catatonic Houngen soon enough. "Where are the others?" Cyborg asked. He received shrugs from Cassie and Superboy. Raven, however, turned down a corner. "Here."
Sure enough, there was another glass chamber in there. Inside, Robin, Starfire, and Kid Flash were wandering around like idiots, trying to find a way out. They appeared to be walking in circles.
"Oh for the love of…" Raven said, tiredly. "Let's get them out of there before the inevitable…"
"This complex will self-destruct in five minutes. Thank you, and have a nice day."
"That is the politest self-destruct system I've ever heard," Cassie said.
"How often do you hear self-destruct systems?" Superboy countered. "I mean, on a yearly basis." He received glances from Raven and Cyborg.
"Okay, that was telling," Superboy whispered.
Cyborg blasted the glass, shattering the illusion of a plain. "Come on, you idiots," he said, "We've got five minutes."
"Who are you calling an idiot?" Starfire asked, indignantly.
"Trust me, Starfire, you would have said the same thing if you saw what we saw," Raven commented wryly. Robin was dragging Warp along with them. "Can we finally get out of here?"
"Wherever "here" is," Robin said.
"It's a cave under the bridge," Cyborg commented idly.
Raven looked at him.
"What?"
"You're saying that we were that close?"
"Yes," Cyborg said.
"I feel like an imbecile."
"Hooray!" Kid Flash said, "We're all idiots together!"
"Except Cyborg," Robin said. "And… hey, where is Beast Boy?"
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Flush.
"Man did that feel good," Garfield Logan announced as he exited the bathroom. "Okay, what did I miss?"
Silence.
"Guys?"
Crickets.
"… ditched again."
End chapter
Next: Meet HARM! And a new Titan joins the cast… just as soon as we figure out who!