James- Sorry we took so long, our Bloody Muse wasn't cooperating with us very well (gestures to an ethereal looking being tied to a chair, coincidentally there are two more people in chairs) Don't mind them, that's the Narrator and his attorney, they wanted to play.
Attorney- MMMPH MMMMMMMPH!
Steve- (wearing an executioner's hood and sharpening an axe) That's what they aaaaaallllll say.
James- Well, anyway, we finally got things going right, so we got the chapter up and running albeit waaay behind schedule.
Steve- So without further ado, Here's the story. (Knock at the door)
James (answers the door) What's this? Narrator's union? Lawsuit? Hmm, of course come on in here, we'll discuss it. Steve get that axe ready. And some towels, this guy looks like a gusher.
-
I/O groaned, he had barely slept at al the night before. After seeing Sketch's power, he had realized the impotence of his weapon, and that disturbed him. He had awaken sometime in the night from a restless sleep and began working.
He'd spent the first few hours designing a newer, more adaptable weapon system, and was presently in the process of building the motherboard which would control it. He'd been working hard at the console, connecting the circuitry within an airtight chamber designed to prevent contaminants. He'd been staring through the stereo microscope soldering connections remotely, for who knew how many hours now. The device he was creating was designed to be capable of many various actions, but before he could program it to do anything at all, he would have to finish creating the hardware.
He looked at his watch, 7:34 am... He had been working since before midnight. It was exhausting work, but if it did what it was designed to, well worth the effort, once it was finished that is. He had had to disassemble some of his other inventions to get the parts he needed, He always kept his old creations. There was a hall dedicated to them in his lab, and both digital and hardcopy blueprints were stored there as well, so he could always recreate one if he needed to. He regretted the loss of his treasured achievements, but this project was too important to leave for later. He knew the Titans would expect him for breakfast at eight, even though it was Sunday, no one, with the exception of Terra and Beastboy, slept in.
He stepped away from the console, deciding that he would be wise to clean up before breakfast, inventing was a rather messy business.
-
Breakfast was already set when he arrived in the dining room. It was the typical huge Sunday breakfast; there was everything from Waffles to Zorka berries.
I/O arrived to see most of the others already there. As expected Beastboy and Terra were absent, as was Jinx although that wasn't entirely unexpected either, she worked third shift at the hospital, but occasionally stayed late if she was needed. More conspicuously, Sketch and Raven were absent.
"Where's Sketch" He asked, taking his seat.
"He's still recovering" Nightwing replied. "That trick he did yesterday took a lot out of him."
"I see..." I/O said"He will be okay, won't he" he asked, genuinely concerned.
"He will be well" Starfire answered "Raven has assured us that he will be returned to his old self before we know it."
"That's good" I/O stated, honestly relieved.
The rest of the meal was finished without incident. I/O left the table, and tired from his nocturnal activities and the large meal, went to take a nap.
-
"Hey Mom" Belle shouted"I'm goin' to a friend's house. That okay"
"Alright Hun" she shouted back from another room"Be back by dinner, okay"
"Sure thing" Belle replied as she left. After what happened yesterday, Belle had been brought home by Cyborg, Her parents had been freaking out pretty bad until he explained the situation. He assured her that she had never been in any real danger. Although Belle suspected that Cyborg had misled them, she didn't really want to correct him. She didn't want her parents overact like she knew they would they were nice, but had no concept of adventure... but then it was rare for adults to.
She made her way to the bus stop and caught the one that would take her to the park. During the commotion at the park, she had forgotten the backpack she had hidden in the tree. She had to get it back and return the laptop she 'borrowed' from that I/O kid. She was relieved to find that the pack, along with its contents, was undisturbed. Slipping one of the backpack loops over her shoulder, she returned to the bus stop and awaited the one that would get her close to Titan's Tower. Starfire had told her she was welcome to visit whenever she liked; Belle wondered if she would be expected to visit so soon.
She also wondered about Sketch... She hoped he would be alright... That little twerp better be alright. She still had to kick his butt for keeping a secret like that from her for so long. She wasn't too worried tho, The woman in black had told everyone that he would be fine, and she seemed to know what she was talking about.
'He'll be fine,' she thought to herself 'until I get my hands on him.'
By this time the bus had arrived at her stop. She got off and walked the last couple blocks, until she reached the bridge that would take her across the bay to the Titan's island home. She crossed the bridge slowly, this was only the second time she had visited the tower, and the first time she was doing so alone. The tower loomed in front of her, the afternoon sun casting it's shadow onto the bridge, making the tower even more intimidating, if that was possible. She reached the door, and swallowed, trying to relieve the unexpected anxiety welling up inside her. She shook her head, dispelling most of the unease, berated herself silently, and rang the doorbell.
-
After his nap, I/O had returned to his work. He was finished with the processing unit. The design, less versatile than he would have liked, was capable of supporting four programmed modules. He had decided to put his Laptop CPU as one of these, and a solid light projector for a second. This combination would allow the device to create an interactive keyboard and display screen by manipulating laser fields. This was an important aspect because it would allow I/O to make the device smaller than even the most advanced laptops commercially available. The technology wasn't new, scientists had studied the data confiscated from Dr. Light and others and had begun innovating these advances into popular devices. Devices such as the new programs used by the police and military as training exercises, they had large buildings designed that were practically saturated with laser emitters. They could program any layout they chose, even multiple floors, the laser fields generated could hold a great deal of weight if the lasers were properly designed.
I/O had begun to design the casing for the device after finishing the processor. He had made a cast of his forearm and planned to use it as the base for the shell. His design wasn't easy... but he knew he could manage. He had done some research on metalworking and had decided to use Titanium laced with Graphite Nanotubes for the outer shell. This would make the device lightweight and nearly indestructible. I/O had programmed the machines he usually used to make custom casings for the complicated task. This method was faster and easier than the alternative of doing it manually, and left him free to design the operating systems.
I/O moved to his work desk with the processor, as well as his tool kit. All he needed to do was install the CPU and he could get to work on creating the laser array. He set the items on the desk and opened the drawer where he stored his laptop. It was then that he remembered that it had been taken by the girl.
He grumbled to himself as he removed his lab coat and tossed it onto a chair. He would have to get one of the adults to take him to the park and retrieve the valuable item.
-
"Um... are you sure this is okay" Belle asked Digi. She had been admitted with no trouble at all, in fact the blonde woman who answered the door had practically dragged her in when she asked to see I/O. She kept shouting something about never thinking he had a chance.
"Sure" Digi assured her"I go in all the time". She moved a chair in front of the access panel for the lab. and climbed onto it.
"You know the code"
"Sorta" Digi looked carefully at the panel, and then began slamming her fist into it. It opened shortly revealing a fuming I/O.
"Digi, how many times do I have to tell you not to do that"
"I dunno."
"...right. What do you want anyway"
"Miss Belle wants to talk to you." she replied gesturing to her.
I/O glared at the girl. "What do you want" he asked testily.
"I... Well I brought this back for you." She answered offering him the laptop.
"...thanks." he said as he took it and turned back into the lab, intending to allow the door to slide shut.
Digi however was too quick and hopped into the doorway before it did"I wanna show her your toys" She demanded.
"Number one, they aren't toys. Number two, they can be dangerous."
"Number four, I still wanna"
"Three comes after four, but any case; you remember what happened last time you messed around in my lab right? They had to completely remodel the lower level of the tower."
"Yeah, But Mr. Cyborg said we needed the new basement anyway..."
"It really isn't necessary" Belle began.
"We're comin' in anyway" Digi announced, pushing Belle through the doorway and past I/O.
"Fine, Whatever. Just don't. Touch. ANYTHING" I/O shouted after them pinning a threatening look at Digi's back, who didn't notice in the least.
"Come on! There's some cool toys here" Digi exclaimed as the two girls moved deeper into the lab.
I/O went back to his worktable and presses an intercom button"Cyborg, This is I/O. We have a code 2883"
Through the static, he heard Cyborg's reply "Digi's in the lab again"
"Yeah, and that other one from yesterday"
"Aight, try and keep things under control for the time being."
"Yeah... and then I could flap my arms and fly to the store, want something while I'm there"
Cyborg's laughter rang through the link before it cut off.
I/O locked down his present invention, he couldn't afford to have it damaged at this phase in development, and went off to find the others before they caused too much trouble.
-
"You are certain this is the genuine article" The tall thin figure asked the man with him, an old withered man, wearing a cloak that bulged oddly, as if it was full of pockets and mysterious items.
"Yes yes. Most assuredly." the man replied bobbing his head. "It would be beyond foolish to try and deceive a man of your means"
The tall man smiled, a grim expression that seemed as if it didn't belong in the world of the living. "Very true, Mr. Crux. Consider it settled then" He produces a small pouch and handed it to the old man.
The man tossed the bag in his palm once and grinned at the sound of coins clattering inside "Very good sir" he bobbed his head again "Use it well, that is one of the last soulshards in existence.
"Rest assured" The man stated casually as he removed the stone from it's casing, it's pale glow illuminating his gaunt face"I know exactly what to do with such a valuable item." The man then replaced the stone and stalked off through the alleyways. Behind him 'Mr. Crux' stepped deeper into the shadows and vanished.
-
"Oooh, what's this do" Digi cooed as she stared starry eyed at a red button the size of her fist with numerous warnings on the panel surrounding it.
I/O and Belle stood a little away; they had stopped chasing her after I/O turned off the labs primary power. The only systems still active were the main computer terminal and the unstable system storage lockup, the door to which was cleverly marked 'Library'.
"You really shouldn't play around with those" Belle chided Digi. I/O however seemed strangely disinterested.
Ignoring both of the older children, Digi pushed the button, a pink gas shot into her face. "Mmm, Bubblegum" Digi sighed happily as she collapsed into a heap.
"Oh no" Belle cried, running over to the unconscious girl. I/O Go get help.
"Don't worry, she's fine." he explained. "Nightwing gave me that stuff a long time ago in case she started messing around too much. Wish I could figure a better way to administer it tho, took forever for her to find the right button."
After the two had taken Digi to her bedroom, Belle followed I/O back to his lab.
"What do you want anyway" I/O asked her.
"Um... well actually I wanted to ask if you'd seen this" she replied, pulling a flier from her backpack.
I/O took the paper and glanced at it"Science fair? What's this about"
"Well... I was wondering if you were gonna enter. You're pretty good at science and stuff, so I figured..."
"I don't enter contests. They're stupid. Besides, Cyborg would never let me."
"Why wouldn't he"
I/O gestured around the room"Maybe because I have enough technology here to renovate the Pentagon"
"So what? There's got to be other things you can do to enter into the fair"
"Cyborg still wouldn't let me enter."
"I bet he would if you asked."
"I doubt it."
"Pfft, you're just scared to ask."
"Whatever."
"Just do it, you never know, maybe he might just let you enter"
I/O sighed as he decided that if he continued debating with Belle, than nothing would be achieved, save for him getting a big headache. With this in mind, he decided on a compromise.
"Tell you what, if I ask him he lets me enter, I'll put some thought into it and see what I can come up with, if not, then end of discussion. Deal?"
"Deal, now come on" replied Belle as she walked out of the lab, with a reluctant I/O following behind her.
-
Cyborg stood before Belle, his imposing form seeming an impenetrable wall to the young girl's idea. Belle meanwhile was mercilessly employing the most powerful weapon in a child's arsenal: the Cute factor. Complete with huge watery eyes and quivering lip. I/O just leaned against the wall by the door, wondering why he agreed to this. Nightwing and Starfire meanwhile sat nearby on the sofa, watching a show about funny home movies on the Television.
"I don't think it's a good idea," Cyborg explained, his discomfort visible. "I/O's got too much of an advantage, I mean, how many of the other entrants have particle fusion soldering tools?"
"Well… we can work at my house!" the girl declared. "I don't have any of that weird Batman stuff."
"That may be true, but it's still not fair. I mean have you seen this kids stuff? He's like some midget McGuyver!"
"You realize I'm still here, right?" I/O remarked dryly.
"Oh, just let the boy enter Cy," Nightwing called from across the room. "It'd be a good experience for him,"
"And he should socialize more with his fellow children," Starfire added.
"I'm still here you know," I/O reiterated.
"Fine," Cyborg grumbled. "You can do it here. But no supertech, and nothing dangerous, Capiche?"
"All but that last word," Belle replied innocently.
"Well it means… wait a minute… How did you?" Cyborg glowered at the girl as she jogged from the room.
I/O sighed.
"Are you still here?" Cyborg asked.
Whatever I did to deserve this," I/O muttered, looking at the ceiling, "I promise to never do it again." And with that he left the room. To join the excited girl for what he expected to be a week of sheer torment.
-
"The following week went peacefully, the eager Belle and the apathetic I/O working together perfectly…"
"Where's the glue gun, Belle!" I/O grumbled as he tried in vain to find the said tool.
"I thought you had it" Belle muttered as she also looked for said tool.
"How can I have the glue gun if I'm busy preparing the base model!" I/O said as they both continued to look for the glue gun, both unaware it was on the table they were looking under.
…had the idea all planned out..
"..now we can begin applying the.."
"Does that look right? " Belle commented as she inquired to the project in progress.
" Now what's wrong!" I/O grumbled for what he counted as the 12th time he was interrupted from completing the entry project.
"Well it kinda looks a little funny, you know, just doesn't look right"
"Maybe it would look better if you actually let me FINISH the blasted thing"
"Hey! Don't you yell at me! I'm just trying to make this go easier!" Belle said sharply while crossing her arms.
I/O looked at the glue gun…then at Belle's mouth….then back at the gun….then Belle…and this continued til Belle broke I/O's reverie.
"What are you looking at the glue gun for?" Belle asked quizzically
"Nothing" I/O said with a grin.
-
"Eh hem… okay, maybe not quite so peacefully…" the Narrator sighed.
"Hey! Who let you outta your cage?" James yelled as he started chasing the Narrator around with his baseball bat.
"Um… You readers continue while I get these idiots to stop screwing around," Steve suggested as he took up the chase
-
I/O yawned and stretched. The past week had been especially hard on him. Not only had he and Belle worked daily on their entry, a working electrical monorail, but he had spent a large portion of his nights working on his secret invention. The bracer-like contraption was practically a work of art. I/O had tested the computer system and solid light projector. It would create an interactive keyboard and visual display. I/O had also created a weapon system that was a vast improvement over his prior one. The weapon consisted of two small beams which would fire parallel a millimeter apart. When these connected with an object, the energy would spread out. Once these energies combined they would result in a concussive explosion similar to a sonic boom. I/O hadn't known how powerful to make the blast so he had included a force adjustor. At it's lowest setting the weapon would feel like a tap on the shoulder, at it's strongest… well he hadn't tried anything above twenty-five percent, which had left a sizable dent in the inch thick steel panel he used as a target.
I/O set the device in his most secure storage chamber, and trudged up to his room. Belle was going to arrive sometime in the morning so that they and the other children could reach the fair before the noon judging. Sketch and Digi were coming along since Blackfire decided it would be a good learning experience for the two. I/O fell into bed, determined to get at least some sleep before being forced to endure what he expected would be a boring experience on par with watching Sketch's nose whistle recital at his last school talent show.
-
The gaunt man looked across the circle of runes to the crowd of people, the terror evident on the many that recognized him. He waved his arm and a wall of blood red energy swept across the cavernous subway station he had chosen for the ritual. The energy, a tangible and impenetrable wall advanced towards the people who were now stampeding towards the exits. Those who were too slow to escape were encased in the glowing barrier, frozen in place helplessly. The barrier stopped before reaching the stairs leading to the streets above.
Through all this, the man paced the circle occasionally bending to inspect or correct one of the many symbols lining the floor. After his inspection was complete, the man moved towards the helpless citizens, his robes swishing softly along as he walked.
"I am so glad you decided to join me." The man taunted as he moved among his now captive audience. "This is truly a once in a lifetime experience. No… more than that, It's a once in a thousand lifetime experience!" the man cackled.
"You won't get away with this," One of the prisoners screamed at him.
"Oh but I believe I will, and this," the man explained brandishing a faintly glowing stone "will assure my victory." The man cast his arm towards the distant circle and the stone floated from his hand towards the magical ring, its glow brightening as it moved slowly to hover in the center its light pulsing like some crazed heartbeat.
One of the citizens gulped loudly and asked, her voice wavering slightly, "What do you want with us?"
"Isn't it obvious?" The evil sorcerer asked, his eyes locked on the stone, "My guest has been gone a long while, and is surely hungry. You are the appetizers."
"The Titans will stop you!" another captured person shrieked.
"The Titans," the villain sneered locking the protestor with a baleful glare "are the main course"
None of the citizens could find the words to argue further. Few could intimidate the populace as easily as this man. The notorious Brother Blood. As the stone pulsed, Blood laughed, his evil plan was finally coming to fruition.
None of the people in the station, so concerned with their own worries and ambitions, noticed the shadows of the subway tunnel, or the darker form moving within those shadows.
"A fool, ever a fool," muttered the stooped figure. "Surely the master will destroy that insolent creature. Would that there was another more worthy of becoming my master's avatar." The man continued stalking the shadows, his pinpoint eyes never leaving the stone. He knew not if this would finally be the time of ascension for his dark mentor, but he would wait. Forever would he wait if need be. Ever was Crux a patient man.
-
The wail of an alarm cut through I/O's sleep, ripping him from his dreams like a chainsaw through butter. I/O glared at his clock for a moment before he realized it was the tower's alert system. Something must have happened and the Titans were needed. This realization shocked him fully awake. I/O ran from his bedroom towards the living room that doubled as a briefing room. When he arrived Cyborg, Terra and Beastboy were there, the former two alert and ready for anything and the changing still snoozing where he and Terra had likely fallen asleep the prior night watching T.V. Nightwing and Starfire ran in immediately after I/O barely preceding Raven's unconventional entrance from the ceiling.
Nightwing gave I/O a nod as he entered. He made no secret of the fact that he approved of the children attending the briefings, since he felt them the most likely successors to the Tower and Title of local heroes once he and the others moved on. Thus far only I/O had shown any significant interest in the briefings, since Sketch found them dull and Digi too young to understand the proceedings.
"What's the situation?" he asked.
"It's Blood," Cyborg replied "He's got something going down at the 23rd street subway station. Reports say hostages are involved."
Nightwing nodded grimly "Fine, We better handle this, the police have no chance of stopping a psycho like Blood."
Terra looked at I/O, "Sorry bud, doesn't look like we can watch you win that trophy."
I/O shrugged it away, "Blood's more important. Just pound him a few times for me and we'll call it even."
"You got it," Terra replied flexing her arm and throwing the boy a wink.
Honestly, I/O wouldn't have minded joining the group, but he knew that even with his new invention he would only be a hindrance against an opponent as unpredictable and vicious as Blood.
As it was, I/O was left staring at the monitors as the Titans sped off towards their deadly foe.
-
Shortly after the Titans left the doorbell rang I/O answered it. He opened the door since he knew it was Belle.
She was wearing dark blue jeans and a black long sleeve casual shirt. Her glasses and pendant were as always present as well.
"Hiya!" She sang cheerfully. "How's it going? I saw the Titans leave, Nothing's wrong is it?" she finished, looking concerned.
"Nothing they can't handle," I/O replied, stepping aside so she could enter.
Belle picked up her backpack from the ground before following I/O inside and towards the kitchen where the ever busy Blackfire had taken advantage of the early wakeup call to make one of her typical huge breakfasts. Digi and Sketch were already at the table making respectable headway on the ample meal.
"Sketch! Are you okay?" Belle asked, rushing over to the boy.
"Yeah," Sketch began with a laugh, "I'm okay."
"That's good," Belle said with a sigh, before suddenly grabbing the boy by the collar and dragging him to within an inch of her face, "Because if you ever scare me like that I'll rip you into pieces small enough for Silky to eat!"
"O, Okay," Sketch stammered as she dropped him to the floor.
"Care to join us?" I/O asked, not bothering to hide his chuckle. "Miss Blackfire always makes a lot of food so there's plenty."
"I wouldn't want to impose…" Belle began
"Nonsense," Blackfire replied walking in with another platter of food "I ain't about to let you go hungry, you're here, and there's food on the table already. Now eat."
The girl didn't need any further convincing and a few minutes later she was wondering why she ever wanted to try and pass on the meal.
Once the meal was over Blackfire, with Digi and Sketch's help, set about cleaning the dining room while Belle and I/O headed to the lab to collect their entry. The two disassembled their creation swiftly, carefully packing it into two boxes for transport. Belle chattered endlessly, obviously excited. I/O snickered when she talked about last year's entry; a volcano that Sketch and she put together and unfortunately exploded when Sketch poured the wrong chemicals into it.
"You trusted Sketch with chemicals?" I/O asked. "I wouldn't trust him with a box of cracker jacks."
Belle laughed at his comment, and seemed a little less nervous for it.
Once they had the boxes packed I/O decided to take his personal invention, not as an entry of course, but with the threat of trouble nearby… well one could never be too careful.
"Where ya going?" Belle asked, jogging up beside him as he strode towards his weapon's lockup.
"Getting something," He replied.
"Oh… Should I stay here?" the girl asked.
I/O stopped and look at her for a second, "Nah, You can come."
"Okay," She replied, falling into step beside him.
The two quickly came to a door marked 'Library' and I/O started pressing a code into the security panel.
"You need a book or something?" Belle asked curiously.
"No."
The massive doors parted revealing a hall full of various inventions I/O started down this path, Belle following awe stricken behind him.
"What are all these?" She asked breathlessly.
"These are the inventions I'm most proud of, as well as some of the most dangerous things the Titans have collected over the years." I/O explained.
"Um… if you don't mind me asking… why does it say 'Library' on the door? I don't see any books." The girl asked cautiously.
"Simple," I/O replied. "When's the last time Sketch actually entered a library of his own volition?"
The simple and obvious answer shocked Belle momentarily, and then she laughed again. "I see your point," she giggled.
I/O soon stood before the shelf with his newest invention. He took it and clasped it onto his left forearm, the fit was perfect, covering from his wrist almost to his elbow, the entire thing weighed less than four pounds. He moved his arm around experimentally, the weight was notable but not so much as to cause him any unusual inconvenience.
"What's that?" Belle asked.
I/O thought for a moment before deciding it would be best if she only knew part of the story. "My new laptop," he explained. "I think it'll be harder to snatch like this."
"Eheheh… Um… Sorry again about that." Belle said sheepishly.
"Forget about it," I/O told her, "Let's go win us a contest," he said grinning at her.
"Okay!" She exclaimed.
-
"Hyaaa!" Cyborg screamed, slamming his fist into the glowing barrier, he and the greengorilla that was Beastboy had been alternately pounding the wall for minutes now. Ever since Terra's tunnel around idea proved futile.
"We haven't got time for this," Nightwing decided. "What's taking Raven so long?"
"Sorry," the dark titan replied, returning from her excursion to her personal Grimoire collection. "I had to find the right incantations."
Nightwing nodded and moved aside to make room for the local sorceress.
Raven levitated the book beside her reading as she poured a powder into her palm from a small pouch. "Everto Reproba Tutamen!" she declared casting the dust at the barrier, which vanished where the grains struck leaving a gap large enough for the Titans to enter.
"Great work, Titans go!" Nightwing yelled despite the fact that the others had already run through the opening.
The Titans entered the station and no sooner had they saw Blood, took the initiative with Cyborg and Nightwing charging at the villain, who evaded the flurry of sonic blasts boomerangs with little difficulty. Next came Starfire, eyes glowing green as she hurled her bright green starbolts at Blood, who again dodged out of the way. Just as Blood dodged the last starbolt, he was knocked down by Beast Boy, who had transformed from a ram into a gorilla. Before Beast Boy could continue, Blood swept his hand as he sent a crimson wave of energy that knocked the changeling aside.
"Titans, what a predictable surprise" Blood taunted as he got up and dusted himself off. "I'm actually quite glad you showed up, it would be such a disappointment for you miss out on something so amazing as this " Blood stated as he made a sweeping gesture towards the glowing red stone in the center of a large circle of runes.
"What the heck is that thing" Nightwing demanded, confusion clearly evident in his voice.
"A Soulshard" spoke Raven, who stared mutely at the stone. "A crystal infused with the power of stolen souls. A crime against all of existence."
"Uh huh… and what do they do? Other than make pretty colors I mean." Beastboy asked.
"Breach the veil between planes of existence." Raven replied.
"So let's stop standing here and smash that thing!" Cyborg shouted, charging his sonic cannon and rushing at the stone. He ran at the stone firing his cannon with every step, but the attacks never breached the barrier formed by the runes. Before he could reach it and attempt a more hands on approach he found himself flying backwards, courtesy of a magically enhanced punch from Blood.
"Cy's right!" Terra yelled, calling her to the stones around her and sending them at both the shielding enchantment and Blood. "Let's take this thing down!"
Taking her announcement as their cue, the Titans rushed Blood again. Raven however slipped into the shadows to inspect the summoning circle. She paced the circle, looking for a flaw in the design, some weakness she could exploit. She shook her head in disgust when she realized the ring was perfect. "Nothing is ever easy," she muttered. As she pressed her hands against the barrier and began chanting in some indecipherable language.
The stone suddenly pulsed once and sent a wave of black energy out and through the surrounding witnesses.
"And so it begins," Blood growled.
The energy pulsed again and again, slowly gaining momentum. Raven's chanting hastened as well, and she pushed through the enchanted barrier quickly. Once inside she quickly set to destroying the runes, smudging them with her feet and throwing the dust she had all around. The barrier soon collapsed with a screech like nails on a chalkboard.
"NOW! Smash it!" She yelled.
"No! You can't!" Blood shrieked "No one can stop it now!" Blood then launched into a flurry of attacks that hard pressed even the Titans.
"Oh no?" Cyborg asked sarcastically. "Watch us." He then grabbed Beastboy by the shirt and launched him into the air towards the shard which now glowed a black so deep it seemed to be a hole in the air itself.
Beastboy spun through the air flipping end over end and transforming into an ankylosaurus and he flew, slamming his club of a tail into the crystal like an enraged blacksmith hammering a glass goblet.
"You fool!" Blood screamed. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
The stone shattered releasing a wall of pure darkness which engulfed the Titans and a good portion of the city. As the darkness faded away Raven saw a movement in the shadows.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" She said casting her arms and powers toward the flicker of motion.
-
The children gathered around their chaperone as Blackfire led them through the crowd. The fair was a citywide celebration held in a field just outside of the city and had events ranging from concerts and games to the aforementioned science fair. The tower children trailed her, looking around excitedly. Even I/O was in awe of the sights and sounds. Sketch was a bit more enthusiastic about the snack booths tho.
As they meandered through the fairground a man in a sharp suit stepped before them.
"Welcome!" The man announced. "Always a pleasure to have one of the Titans here."
"Oh, I'm not a Titan," Blackfire explained to the excitable gentleman. "But my sister is."
"Regardless," the man continued. "A true honor to have you attend our fine festival. This is Samuel, he will attend to your every need."
"That's really okay," Blackfire replied. "I'm sure we can manage on our own."
"No no no, I insist." The man said with a smile as he turned and jogged off into the crowd to greet more people.
"You're just here to make sure Sketch doesn't blow something up, aren't you?" Belle asked the visibly nervous man.
"Uh huh," He replied nodding.
"Well then, You can carry this," Belle told the man handing him her box. "And if Sketch does blow anything up I'll pound him into toothpaste for ya."
"You just didn't wanna carry that box," I/O observed.
"Darn skippy," Belle answered leading the way towards their assigned booth.
The children took their booth and set up their monorail invention and settled to wait for the judges to pass by.
Digi and Sketch drew in the sandy ground while Blackfire sat back in a chair doing a crossword. Samuel meanwhile leaned against the side of the booth occasionally glaring at Sketch.
The judges worked their way from table to table taking their time and chatting with each participant.
"Marvelous, Simply marvelous!" the judge crowed "I've never seen a robot so advanced! I'm certain this has to be a corporate job. Whose entry is this?" the man asked suspiciously.
I/O curious about the commotion moved over to the unknown android and examined it from afar. It was magnificent, humanoid design, perfect balance, and it moved with such ease that he instantly knew it was an expertly crafted machine. Then it turned around.
I/O fell back stammering, the faceplate of the robot was one he knew well. "Blackfire!" he yelled turning and running back to his guardian.
Instantly alert, Blackfire threw her puzzle to the ground and looked past him to the robot, now advancing on them. She loosed her starbolts at the thing, blasting it repeatedly and would have won the duel, had a score of additional androids not chosen that moment to attack. The new attackers leapt from tents, dug up from the ground, and even flew down from the skies. Blackfire knew she had to fight them off, to protect the innocent citizens. But there were too many, and she could see more arriving by the second.
-
The being entwined in the shadowy tendrils under Raven's command, was peculiar.
The boy, if it could be called a boy, had hair of such a deep black that it seemed to absorb the light around him. The uncombed, almost wild way it was set about his head almost hid his horns, which sprouted just above his pointed ears, and curved around closely to his skull, ending in twin points on either side of his head just above his eyes.
The creature snarled and cursed at them in a language most of the team couldn't understand, but which drew an uncharacteristic flush from Raven. The creature lunged at them, fighting and pulling against the tendrils of living darkness binding his ankles and wrists, slashing with his claws and gouging ruts in the street with each taloned foot. The most impressive appendage the creature possessed though were its wings. As black as its hair, feathered, and each easily had a span as wide as the boy was tall.
All in all, the creature was impressive, despite his youth.
"Great" Raven muttered. "He let out a Winghorde. Just what we don't need."
The creature responded with another stream of curses.
"Doesn't this thing know English" Cyborg asked.
"Fuck off! You tin plated piece of..." The creature was cut off as the shadows enveloped the rest of him in a sound proof bubble.
"You had to ask" Raven glared at Cyborg.
"Wait, didn't I break the weird glowy thing? How'd it still work?" The ever confused Beastboy asked.
"When you broke the stone, it released its energy in one quick burst," Raven calmly explained. "It still tore a hole through the dimensions, just not one large enough or powerful enough for whatever Blood was summoning to get through. I assume this… thing just happened to be in the right place at the right time to get out."
"Unlucky you mean," Nightwing corrected determinedly ignoring the creature's gestures. "We've caught him and we'll find a way to send it back. But we've also got to catch Blood."
The Titans nodded their accord, well most did. Terra was too busy exchanging gestured with the prisoner to note more than the generalities of the conversation.
"Terra!" Nightwing scolded. "Do not taunt the prisoner."
"Yeah yeah," She muttered waving him away "We'll finish this later," she promised the creature, before walking away from it's continued visual assault.
"Okay, now here's how we'll do this-" Nightwing began, only to be interrupted by his communicator. "Yeah, what do you need?" He asked opening the device.
His response came from a visibly stressed and exhausted Blackfire. "It's Slade! He's got the kids! I… I tried… But…" sobbing could be heard over the link a fact that sobered even the usually irrepressible Terra.
"Raven, Get that thing to Headquarters and put it somewhere safe. The rest of us…" and he didn't bother continuing. For the second time that day he was left behind by his team's determined rush to stop a criminal.
-
James- Hey Steve, stop torturing the lawyer for a minute and get in here! Geeze did I just say to stop hurting a lawyer? I gotta lay off the Nyquil I think…
Steve- Um, I wasn't torturing that guy, the lawyer and him kinda crawled away while we were chasing the narrator.
James- Well don't that just suck. What're we gonna do now? And what about that whole (in nasally annoying voice) "Stop maiming our employees, hur hur hur"? Damn legal fat cats.
Steve- How about we hire a narrator we like?
James- Like? Narrator? You speak blasphemy!
Steve- Trust me. (Walks to the door) Meet our new Narrator.
Voice- Next time! On super dimensional Demon girl Etna!
Steve- Psst… It's called Future forward.
Etna- Well, that's a dumb name.
James- Shut up.
Etna- Well it is.
James- Did you even read the story?
Etna- Nah, summaries are more fun my way.
Steve- And your way is?
Etna- (grinning) Make it up. And if it doesn't work out, blame Laharl.
James- When can you start?
Steve- (clears his throat) Okay, now onto the reviews.
A Dragons Wings:
James- Well, as we told you via e-mail, we're planning to put your character in. But we won't spoil the surprise (or our opportunity to change the circumstances if we think up a more entertaining way by saying when or where). But soon I assure you we've already done some thought on it and like what we've come up with.
Steve- Like we said before, your character will be put into our story, just gotta wait for it, cuz when we do, we want it to be special and make it a good intro. Til then, just sit back and enjoy the nuttiness.
Raven002:
James- (Laughs) I know what ya mean, I used to work retail, and some customers I mean, some customers do the dumbest things. Well, hope work isn't too bad for ya, tho if you have time to read fanfics it can't be all bad.
Steve- Yup, I can relate to the dumb things customers do….or leave behind, back at the old job, the people would leave some of the weirdest ( and quite disgusting ) stuff behind. (shudders) Bad images, bad bad bad. Well, hope work goes back well, and take care.
James- Good to hear from you two, We appreciate all the reviews we can get. On that note we would like to get more, either in the review section or via e-mail at Tifiridrake I know there are things we could do better, so give us a line and we'll see what we can do. Also, we are considering changing the title of this story, now that it's become fairly long. The name Future forward isn't particularly sensible, so… we'd like recommendations for a new one, I can't make up titles for squat and Steve… well, he'd just as well call it "the Fic" or "Big floppy donkey dong" simply for the shock value.
Steve- (Smacks James) Even if it is true. But I wouldn't cause it'd get us banned.
James- …right, remind me again why I don't maim you?
Steve- Because I know your weakness.
James- What weakness?
Steve- (Evil glint in his eye) You can't handle… the CUTE FACTOR! (holds up a picture of Ruri Hoshino
James- You evil bastard. I cannot resist the cuteness of a 13 year old cynic, you idiot. (rushes to the TV to watch Nadesico again.)
Steve- (Laughs evilly)
Etna- My bosses are a couple of morons. Ahh well, as long as I get paid. Oh and for the disclaimer, I'm supposed to tell you I'm property of Atlus and the game Disgaea: Hour of Darkness... property my butt. No one can own this much cuteness