Solidarity?

Chapter Two

December 23, 2004

- - -

Victor Stone poked his head out from underneath the car he was working on and looked around, eyes narrowing at every shadow and secluded corner. Something sparked his interest suddenly, and not in a good way. What was that strange noise? It sounded like someone was walking around the shop, ducking behind cars… or something.

'That's odd…' He thought, rolling himself out into the center of the garage. 'I thought I was the only one here…' Standing up, he grabbed a rag and wiped his hands off, and continued to look around for anything suspicious.

"Hey, Frank! Frank, are you here?" He called out, stepping into the office and looking around. It appeared empty, except for a shadow that had just slithered behind the counter. Victor slowly approached the Formica surface, looking very strangely at the wall behind it. "Frank-?" He asked tentatively.

Scuffle

"Frank?"

Without another word, the shadow jumped over the counter and attacked Victor, forcing him to the ground. The image of his dark, muscular body shimmered and wavered, until giving away to an image of a handsome, dark man clad in an armor of glowing blue technical pieces, whatchamacallits, and do-dads. He reached back and punched the dark shadow, sending him flying into the far wall of the office.

"What in hell are you!?" Cyborg cried, stepping back and readying himself for a fight. The shadow made the sound of a boiling kettle, then slithered into the garage, apparently trying to escape the fury of the superhero it had irritated.

"Get your ass back here!!" Cyborg yelled, chasing after it, "I'm not done with you!" He reached out to grab the shadow, but it slipped through his fingers like sand, and passed down into a drain on the floor.

Cyborg just stood there, staring at the small, slotted disk with blinking eyes, and shook his head. "What… was that?" He whispered in shock. That thing had just come and gone, without ever really attacking Cyborg. Was it here to spy on him? Was it here for him? Or was it just his imagination?

"I really hope that I was hallucinating from too many fumes…" Tapping a few buttons on his arm, the mask of a normal, attractive, buff teenager replaced the glowing mass of technology.

'That was like nothing I had ever seen before…' Victor shook her head and ran his hand over his spotless head. 'I don't like it, but I don't want to jump to conclusions either…' He looked at the drain again and shifted his weight on his feet.

'I really don't want to do this, but…' Victor pulled out his cell-phone and looked at a number listed 'Jump City Metropolitan Hospital – Gynecology Department', "maybe I should tell Bruce…"

- - -

"So… what was the rush all about, Bruce?" Richard flopped down in a chair across from a middle-aged man with dark hair and eyes, and lines beginning to form around the corners of his eyes and mouth. He looked tired, and pushed the mountainous stacks of paper to the side of his desk, looking at them as if he wished they'd fall off.

"I just received a call-"

"When the phone rings you usually pick it up, and say 'hello' into the receiver."

This comment resulted in a large bump beginning to form on the top of Richard's head. Grumbling angrily, he rubbed his sore spot and listened attentively to what Bruce said next.

"I just received a call from Victor Stone," Bruce said softly, leaning back into his chair and motioning Alfred to shut the curtains.

"Cyborg? From the North end? What'd he call you about?" Richard interjected again, every muscle in his body suddenly tightening up, as if readying himself for battle. No one ever called Bruce Wayne unless is was of utmost importance, especially Cyborg. He had a reputation of a 'do it yourself' hero, and absolutely refused to let anyone help him with anything.

"He was just in a 'fight' with a strange 'creature'," Bruce paused for a moment and took a deep breath, as if debating internally with himself. "He came out unscathed, but wasn't happy about what he saw and did battle with. Apparently it was some kind of 'sand-like shadow'. Victor said he had a feeling it knew why it was there, he wanted to alert me, in case anything came up." The older man shook his head and sighed. "Sometimes I wish you would have just accepted my offer as my replacement."

Richard smiled slightly, and got up to give his surrogate father a hug. "I'm not Batman, Bruce. I'm Robin, and always will be."

Bruce smiled up at him, and ruffled his hair. "You're a good kid, Dick."

"Besides," Richard said as he moved to sit down again, "I'm not powerful enough to be your replacement. It'll be a cold day in hell when you find someone as good as you to be Batman, Bruce."

Bruce laughed lightly, feeling a slight weight being eased off his shoulders at the reaction. "I always knew there was a reason I liked you, Dick."

"Ahem, Sirs."

The two laughing men looked up at the elderly butler, who was standing next to Bruce's desk. He appeared very serious and raised an eyebrow at their jovial interlude.

"What is it, Al?" Richard asked, sitting up straight in his chair; Alfred hated it when he swung his legs over the arm.

"I'm afraid Master Bruce has some 'business' to attend to," Alfred said sorely, wishing that his friend and employer had more time to himself, and his 'son'. They were always running off to save the day, and very rarely got together for rest and relaxation.

At this moment, Richard's own 'Bat-Signal' decided to go off. He winced and stood up, smiling sadly at Bruce and wishing he didn't have to go just yet. Pulling out his communicator, he nodded slowly at the screen. "Duty calls in Jump City."

"As it does in Gotham," Bruce looked even more tired, and shook his head as they headed for the door. "I love what I do, but sometimes I think I get too much of it."

"I wish I could say I knew the feeling, but with that new heroine in my neck of the woods, I've been getting less and less work. It's a good thing I don't get paid for this, otherwise I'd being going on strike." Richard laughed lightly, but Bruce didn't appear to find this humorous.

"I know about her, Dick. I've been keeping a close watch on this 'Raven' woman since she appeared, and her powers are very strange. I'd say, if anything, she bears more of a resemblance to the Starfire, than Beast Boy or Cyborg. She doesn't appear human." Bruce looked very sternly at his 'son' and raised an eyebrow in question. "I know you as well, Dick. And, I know how you fare with the ladies."

"Hey!" Richard protested instantly, looking up at Bruce angrily. "It's not like I asked for sex appeal, it kind of came with the body! Besides, I've never acted on any of my feelings, so have some faith in me."

"Just the same, Dick, be careful. If I don't keep a good eye on you, you could end up posing nude for Cosmo, or something." Bruce replied gruffly, as the two of them trotted down the stairs.

"I can see the title now," Alfred piped up behind them, "Rambunctious Robin Bares All." The two older men laughed as Richard's face turned a vibrant shade of pink.

"Actually," Bruce teased, "that's pretty catchy, Al."

"Alright!" Richard said suddenly, turning at the foot of the stairs. "I'm tired of being teased by my own guardians. And I'm going now." He started for the front door, but Alfred grabbed his shoulder.

"Master Richard," he said in his tired but jovial voice, "if you wait for a moment, I have a gift for you, which Master Bruce and I finished last week."

"Ah, yes," Bruce turned at the entrance to the silver closet and smiled. "I was going to save it until your nineteenth birthday, but since you're here, you might as well take it." He reached into his pocket and tossed a set of keys to the younger male. "Enjoy." With that he walked into the silver closet, and never was heard from again.

Richard looked at the keys and then at Alfred, and raised an eyebrow. "What is it?" He asked tentatively, in case Bruce had decided it would be extraordinarily funny to give him a beat-up jalopy.

"That," Alfred replied with a sly smile, "you will have to see for yourself."

"I am frightened," Richard said, as he followed the older man through the maze of corridors that lead to the 'Wayne Car Museum'. Alfred opened the door, and pointed to a bright red motorcycle, sitting in the center of the garage.

"Happy Birthday, Master Dick."

Richard's mouth fell open and he stared at the piece of machinery, not saying anything, but making strange sputtering noises in utter shock. After a few moments he jumped up and nearly squeezed the older man to death, as if he were a young boy on Christmas morning. "I TAKE BACK ANYTHING MEAN I'VE EVER SAID TO YOU!! AL, YOU ROCK!!"

"That's nice," Alfred said, laughing and pushing the kid off him. "But you have an appointment to make, Master Dick."

"Oh… right." Richard ran over to the R-Cycle and hopped on, feeling as if his childhood dreams were coming true. He had one hell of a machine sitting proudly under him, and he was ready to ride off into the sunset on his noble and valiant steed.

Alfred chuckled and shook his head incredulously. "Go save your city, Master Dick, before you're too late."

"Thank you, Al!" Richard cried as he revved the engine to life.

"You're welcome! Be safe, and remember to steer clear of anyone from Cosmo!" Alfred called out as the young man sped out of the garage on his new toy. He laughed lightly as he watched the dust settle back on the dry road. Yes, taking care of superheroes could be a bit trying at time, but it was so rewarding.

- - -

Robin jumped off his brand new R-cycle and ran into the mall, rolling his eyes as he did so. What fools decided it would be fun to try and rob a whole mall? Because, as any self-respecting human being with half a brain cell could tell you, no one would ever figure it out.

Idiots.

As he entered the building, the high-pitched whine of police sirens followed him. Turning for a moment, Robin made a face of confusion and looked at the officers spilling from the cars and into the mall. They wasted no time and immediately went to work against the 'Masked Morons'.

'Huh…,' the masked teen thought, slipping into an alley and watching the police to their job efficiently. 'Who alerted the police?' The police never showed up until after a superhero had done his or her job, and it was their time to relay the letter of the law. That was how it was always done. So, the real question was, who was it that captured the robbers, and made it aware to the police?

As he contemplated this thought, a slight shadow overhead obstructed the light. He thought it was an old street lamp flickering in and out, as they often did. But then it hit him...

"Raven," He whispered, eyes lighting up. He knew who had alerted the police and 'rounded up the bag guys'. It had to be her; no other superhero would have dared to set foot on his territory, and Beast Boy had long since left the theater.

Grinning broadly, Robin reached on his utility belt and grabbed a grappling birdrang. This girl was not going to escape him, he was absolutely determined to track her down and force her to reveal who she was. Robin was well aware of all the other superheroes, including Starfire, but this new girl was a complete mystery to him.

As the boy wonder swung to the roof, he saw the back of her shadow resting on a building just a few yards away. 'Perfect,' He thought, a slow smile spreading across his lips, 'I can catch her by surprise.' With that thought, he sped across the rooftops with silent ease, then walked slowly towards her, watching the dark woman's cloak float in the cool wind that rushed by.

"If you take another step towards me, Sir, I will be forced to exert myself in an unpleasant fashion," A flat, monotone voice said, originating from the shadow in front of Robin. He made a face, then shot out of 'stealth mode' and raised an eyebrow.

"Who are you?" He asked automatically. What else was he supposed to say? After all, she was the stranger.

The woman made a noise of discontent, and turned to face the boy wonder. Robin tried to gaze upon her face, to see whether it was friend or foe, but he was only met with a shadowy mask. The only exposed part of her face was her lips; perfectly shaped and trembling slightly in the cold, they were truly what attracted his attention.

"The papers call me Raven," she spat the name like venom and made a hissing noise. "I suppose you can call me that."

Robin raised an eyebrow at her utter disdain for the title. "I'm guessing you don't like the name."

"It's cliché, and I'm anything but a sheep," She said curtly. There was a long pause and Robin felt her invisible eyes prod him relentlessly with silent questions. After a moment, she spoke again. "You're Robin."

"Yes." Robin stared firmly back at the girl, hoping he looked strong and intimidating. He wanted to make sure that this girl knew that the West End was his territory, and no one else's… as well as appear somewhat handsome to her; He was a sex symbol.

"Puffing your chest out like that makes you look like a pompous buffoon," she stated conversationally.

Robin's shoulders fell instantly and he glared at the girl. Forget about it, he didn't like her at all. She was a total snot to him, and didn't even apologize when she spoke so rudely. And if it wasn't for her beautiful lips, he was pretty sure that he could loath her.

"Look, Raven," He said, accenting her unwanted name to irritate her, which it did quite successfully. "I'm fully willing to share my territory with you, but I need to at least know who you truly are."

"Good luck, Robin," She snapped back, radiating a thick anger towards him. "I will tell you nothing."

Robin lost it. That was the last straw. He had tried to be reasonable, tried to be sensible, but she was driving him over the edge with her rude sarcasm and ill manners. "Okay!" Robin stepped forward, and didn't even flinch when she raised her hands in a motion of attack. "I just want us to get along, Raven. We can both be superheroes here, and we don't need to be in each others hair. But I can't cooperate with you if you don't cooperate with me." He was now only two feet from the strange, dark girl who had lowered her hands and watched him with an air of interest.

"I will not tell you my name, Robin. But, I am willing to coexist with you… I mean, you're trying to be nice and all." She sighed deeply, then reached up and, in a symbolic act of acceptance to Robin, pulled off her hood. Long (Yes, long! There is a reason for this!), dark, amethyst hair tumbled from underneath the fabric, and swayed in wind. Her eyes, however, were still covered by a blue mask that shielded her identity from the curious male in front of her.

"I'm sorry you will not reveal your self to me, but I'm glad we can work together," Robin said after a moment of stunned silence. Even with the mask on, she still appeared to have the most beautiful face he had ever seen. It was shaped so exquisitely, and embellished by the tantalizing lips he had seen before.

"Sure…" Raven stared at him for a moment, then looked around in a strange silence. "So… now what?"

"Um…" Robin looked around, suddenly feeling very awkward. "I guess we can leave now."

"Good." With that, the dark superheroine jumped off the side of the roof and disappeared into the blackness of the alley below.

"Damn," Robin muttered under his breath. "That girl is hot… even if she is a total bitch."

- - -

Richard climbed the last few steps to his own floor, glancing at his watch in the process, and groaning in frustration.

'Eleven thirty, and I still have a stupid lab report to do!' He thought as his feet stepped firmly on the landing. He took out his keys and paused, glancing towards the door next to his own, and noticing no light came from the crack near the floor.

'Beatrice must be sleeping… I guess I'll talk to her tomorrow…' He smiled as he thought of the dark girl, she really was something else. And Richard really wanted to explore more of that 'something else' if he could.

As he opened the door, he felt himself trip over something in his doorway. Holding back a yelp of anger, Richard reached up and turned on the lights. He hissed with frustration as he untangled his legs, then saw what he had tripped over.

It was a six-pack of bottled water and a note.

Smiling suddenly, he picked up the note and read it carefully:

Thanks for helping me today. These are for you, just in case your water looks and tastes like mine. I hope we see more of each other. Thanks again.

Bea

A grin spread across Richard's handsome face. Oh yes, his new neighbor was so cool.

- - -

HE HE!! Sorry it took so long to get out, I hope you liked it and all!

Actually, I have ART that goes with this story!! YESSERIE! This is what happens when Xaph has absolutely nothing to do over Christmas break. She draws like a crazy fanatic… which she is… and is also speaking in the third person. Crap, I'm tired.

ANYWAY! Here are some ramblings!

1 – There is a reason for the long hair for Raven. It will be revealed in later chapters, but I'm not giving anything away now. You're just gonna have to wait and find out.

2 – I just played the 'Teen Titans Battle Blitz' game for the first time the other day, and don't you find it very odd that Raven can call in Robin? Coincidence? I THINK NOT!

3 – I was watching the crazy episode where Beast Boy turns into a… beasty thing, and I noticed how protective Robin was over Raven. Coincidence? I THINK NOT!

4 – I'm plugging my website one more time: I HAVE ART THAT GOES WITH MY STORIES!!! SO VISIT MY WEBSITE!

5 – PLEASE REVIEW! If you're lucky I might get another chapter out before the New Year (Actually, that's highly probable, so I wouldn't worry about the wait too much. But just the same… I like to hear from you!)

Lots of Love: Xaph!

PS: Happy Festivus! Festivus for the Rest of Us!