Chapter Six: Clear Conscious
The next thing Cyborg knew was a light shining in his face. He was confused for a moment.
"Am I dead?" he asked.
"No." said a voice. "You're in Ohio."
He chuckled at the joke. "Nice one Raven." he replied. "Now, what happened?"
He managed to sit up and look around.
"You defeated HARDAC." she explained. "Then you passed out. Your power cell failed. But we got you recharged and put back together. See?"
She pointed to his chest. Not only was repaired, but also given a nice finish.
"You did this?" he asked her.
She nodded.
"Thanks, girl!" he said, reaching to hug her.
She returned the embrace. When they let go, he noticed they weren't alone.
"Robin, good to see you!" he said.
He noticed someone else, a middle aged man, possibly in his forties.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Karl Rossum." he said. "I managed a quick flight here after I heard about HARDAC. Looks like you took of everything. I must say, I'm mighty proud of you!"
He reached to shake his hand.
Cyborg did so.
"If you don't mind too much, I also triple checked your systems to make sure HARDAC is really gone." Rossum said.
"Oh, well, I don't mind too much. Thanks."
"Glad to hear it. Anyway, you're clean. And so are the other computer systems in the tower."
"Thanks for the effort." Cyborg then got off the table and stretched. He then realized something. "Say! Aren't you the guy that also helped develop my technology?"
"I got the ball rolling on it, so yeah, you could say that."
"Wow! You're like…well, I'm not sure what you're like to me!"
"How about a friend?"
"That works. Say, do you like cars?"
"Yeah, I do."
"And meat pizza?"
"Oh yes!"
Cyborg smiled. "Mr. Rossum, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship!"
"I'll take you up on it! Now, I hear you have a Gamestation."
"What teen doesn't?"
"I'll meet you in the lounge, okay? I gotta freshen up!" Rossum left the room.
"You sure are the social butterfly!" Raven said.
"Thanks!" Cyborg replied. Then, he thought of something. "Wait! What about Star and Beast Boy?"
"We're fine!" came the reply.
The two Titans walked over from the next room. They both had bruises on their faces, as well as a well bandages. Starfire's wrists were wrapped in casts. Cyborg felt sick.
"Oh man! I'm sorry what I did to you guys." He looked at Robin and Raven.
"And you too." Tears welled up in his real eye. "To all of you."
Starfire laid a hand on his shoulder. "Cyborg, we know it was not really you in control. It was that computer villain."
"Yeah," added Beast Boy. "You weren't the real you. You were something else! It wasn't your fault!"
"But, HARDAC offered me things, like fame and glory and attention! And I took it!"
"All he was doing was giving you hyponotic suggestions," said Robin. "Sort of like Brother Blood, except HARDAC knew where to get you."
Cyborg scoffed. "Blood could get everyone else, except me, yet I was the only one HARDAC could get!" He shook his head. "Kind of ironic, isn't it?"
Robin patted his friend on the back. "That's why we're a team! So that no one enemy can take us out!"
Cyborg's expression brightened. "Yeah. That's what it's all about! No just one guy saving the day, but the whole team!" He looked at his friends. "You guys are the best, you know that? We're the best!"
Starfire had tears in her eyes.
"Group hug!" she yelled, managing to gather everyone in a hug, despite her disabled hands.
"Star!" Beast Boy blurted out. "You're crushing my chest! And it still hurts from earlier!"
She immediately let everyone go, smiling.
"Hey, BB?" Cyborg said. "Up for a game? Mr. Rossum is waiting for us."
"Cool!" he replied. "Let's see if two Titans can handle a computer wizard!"
The two of them left the room.
"Are you going to be okay, Star?" Robin asked her.
She nodded. "As long as I am with good friends, I am always okay." The two of them left for the lounge.
Raven put various pieces of medical equipment away, into their proper places. When she finished, she looked out the window, a bit troubled. She picked up a sensastion after she escaped Cyborg's mind. A feeling of a hidden secret by HARDAC. But what? Rossum already tripled checked the Titan's computers?. So what else was there? She didn't know exactly what it was, but she felt that the battle with HARDAC wasn't quite over just yet.
"I'll be watching for you." she hissed. With that, she joined her friends.
The End