A/N: Okay, cool, this is the third episode... things are about to get interesting... and a tad bit more romantic!! Bwahaha!! BWAHAHAHA!! Ahem! Sooo, here goes nothing!!
Behind the Mask
Episode 3.
The Titans gathered in the living room, dressed and ready for battle. "Where's Beast Boy?" Robin asked the other Titans.
"I have not seen him since last night!" Replied Starfire.
"That's because he's the one who called us!" No sooner did Raven utter those words, the changeling's voice was heard from the Titan's walkie-talkie's. "Guys! Trouble downtown! Slade's robot's are attacking the city again!"
"TITANS!" Robin said, his attention averting from Beast boy to his teammates. "GO!"
Meanwhile Beast Boy was fighting off nearly fifty robots on his own. He transformed into a tyrannosaurus and swatted five robots with his tail. One robot stayed holding on to his tail. The green prehistoric beast grabbed the android with its sharp teeth and bit off his head (A/N: A little morbid, I know, but I just found out one of my friends and my crush hooked up and now I want a t-rex to bite off their heads!! Grr!!). He morphed back into a human and made a face. "Ugh!! And you think tofu tastes bad!!" In the distance, heard the sound of a motorcycle. It was Robin zooming past traffic on his motorcycle while the other Titans trailed behind him. The robots that were attacking Beast Boy turned their mechanical heads and went after the other Titans.
Robin made his way to the fight scene when a robot stood in the middle of the street waiting. Robin smirked as he sped up. He was planning on running head on into the black and orange robot. He collided with the robot, and surprisingly, the robot didn't go down so easily. The android held on to the cycle's front and pushed it, slowing down the motorcycle. Robin sped up, increasing speed, the metal bottoms of the robot's shoes now creating sparks, until finally the android pushed so hard, he tilted the motorcycle's front to the street. Robin jumped off the bike before he could fall, grabbed hold of the robot's neck, and then flipped as he held on to the android, catapulting him to a telephone pole as the Boy Wonder landing gracefully on his feet.
Cyborg blasted Slade's robots with his cannon for a right arm. Suddenly, about ten robot's swarmed the humanoid. It seemed almost as though he was lost in the mass of metal until he violently pushed them off. One robot hurled himself at Cyborg, but the half-man half-human caught the android in midair and flung it at another robot.
Raven and Starfire double-teamed and threw both green and black orbs at the robots, destroying them at an instant. Starfire saw a robot come from behind Raven. "Raven! You are in danger!"
Raven turned around, but before the robot could attack, a giant rock was thrown from the back of his head, decapitating it (A/N: yes... YES!! I hope you DIE!! You were never my friends, you BACKSTABBERS!!... Oh yea... and back to the story). Raven looked at Starfire and said uncertainly, "Uh, Starfire, you didn't have to throw a rock..."
"I did not throw a rock!" The Tamaranian objected.
Raven eyed the area suspiciously. "Then who...?"
"Raven! Starfire! Behind you!!" Shouted a familiar voice. Raven and Starfire whirled around and threw beams and orbs at the robots, destroying them.
"That sounded like—" Starfire began.
"Up here!" The voice shouted. The girls looked up and saw a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl in a tight turtleneck with a bright yellow "T" on her shirt and goggles over her eyes as she stood on a levitated rock.
Robin, Beast Boy, and Cyborg immediately stopped fighting to look at the old Titan. "Terra?"
"I saw the attack from my father's office!" She said as she pointed at the large building on her left. "I thought you could use the help."
"Thanks, but I think we can handle it..." Raven growled. Terra's eyes went bright yellow. The ground beneath the Titans shook slightly. "AHHH!" Terra raised her arms above her head in a swift motion, and the ground was now a circular wall that formed around the Titans and the robots. "Now the robots can't escape and attack the city!" Terra explained her actions to the Titans.
"We can't escape either!" Raven hissed. "Unless that was your intention."
Terra frowned, jumped off the levitating rock and landed inside the circular arena next to the Titans. "I told you already! I've changed!"
"We can have this conversation later!" Robin interrupted. "We deal with them now!" He said referring to the androids. "Titans—!"
"And Terra... " Raven muttered.
"GO!" Robin ordered. The Titans attacked the robots until there was one remaining robot. Cyborg's right arm turned into a cannon once again. "I got this one!" And he aimed and blasted at the robot, but somehow missed. Instead, there was a large hole in the rock wall and the robot escaped through it. "Follow it!" Robin ordered. Terra's hands were above her head, and when she thrust them down, the large circular wall went back down to the earth. The Titans chased after the robot, following it into a large building...
Terra gasped. "This is where my dad works!" The Titans followed the robot to the fourteenth floor. An old secretary, who was reading a magazine, said nasally without looking at them "Mr. Isle is expecting you." The robot opened the door to a surprised Isle. "What the hell?"
"Dad!!" Terra said from behind the robot. "Get down!!" Isle did as he was told and got under his desk. Starfire shot at the robot's head with her eyebeams and destroyed the robot. Isle got out from underneath his desk shaking. "Terra, do you mind explaining why I have a robot in my office??"
"Do you mind explaining why Slade's robot came to your office in the first place?" Robin inquired as he and the other Titans entered the office. Isle was about to reply when a tall Hispanic man and the nasal secretary were standing outside Isle's office in shock. "Adam? Are you okay?" The man asked.
Isle exhaled and nodded to his two co-workers. "I'm fine, Fuentes. You two can go back to your offices. I have something to settle with my young clients." The nasal secretary complied, and the man he called Fuentes looked at the teen heroes standing next to him. "Oh wow!! The Teen Titans!!" He grabbed a paper and pen. "Can I have your autographs??" Beast Boy snatched the pen from him and grinned. "I like this dude! So who should I make this bad boy out to?"
"James!" Isle snapped as he snatched the pen from Beast Boy. "If you don't mind!" James nodded, and as he left the room, gave one last glance to the Titans and grinned. "Well, it was nice meeting you kids!" And he shut the door behind him. Isle fixed his glasses. "I'm not exactly sure why the robot came to my office, but if I were you, I wouldn't be too concerned." Isle grabbed some paperwork off his desk and stacked it neatly with the other papers. He looked at his daughter standing behind the Titans. "Terra, escort the Teen Titans out. I have things I need to finish up in here." And Isle sat down at his desk. Terra opened the door and waited for all five Titans to exit. When the Titans left, he got up, approached the file cabinet, opened the second drawer, and took out Beast Boy's videotape...
"I'm sorry about my dad's behavior, but you shouldn't give him the third degree like that." Terra explained. "Or me! We are not involved with Slade!"
"Then why would one of Slade's robots go to your father's office?" Robin asked.
Terra frowned. "For God's sake, Robin, the robot could have gone to China and you'd still try and link me and Adam to Slade!"
Beast Boy raised a brow and asked seriously. "Then why didn't the robot go to China instead?"
Silence.
"My advice to you:" Cyborg whispered in Beast Boy's ear. "Don't talk."
Robin replied. "Terra, it's not that we want you or your father to be associated with Slade. It's just the evidence makes it seem that way!"
Terra and the Titans had finally made their way to the bottom floor. "We're not working with or for Slade. You'll just have to find someone else to blame." She opened the front door and the Titans exited the building.
"I don't buy any of it." Raven frowned as they entered their headquarters.
"Neither do I." Robin agreed as he leaned against the wall. "Isle adopts a super villain, Slade's robot finds his way to Isle's office."
"There's obviously a connection!" Cyborg said as he plopped on the couch.
"But what could it be?" Beast Boy asked. No one spoke for a few minutes and just thought of what the connection could possibly be. Starfire thought aloud. "Suppose Mr. Isle has something of value that Slade desires to possess."
"Like what?" Cyborg asked.
"Like Terra!" Robin and Raven replied in unison.
Starfire shook her head. "That is one theory, but perhaps something else: something of greater value." Beast Boy scratched his head as he thought. "But what could it be?" Starfire shrugged. "This I am uncertain."
"We can think about all that later." Robin changed the subject. "So who wants lunch?" The four Titans stared at their leader in awe. It was unusual for Robin to not focus on the problem at hand. "So you're not gonna lock yourself in your room for weeks over this?" Raven asked.
"Why should I?"
Everyone's jaws dropped. Beast Boy's eyes glazed over. "What alternate universe have I stepped into?"
Robin smiled while glancing at Starfire and blushing slightly. "I realize there are more important things." Starfire bowed her head and giggled slightly. "Well, let's go, I'm hungry!!" Cyborg said, rubbing his mechanical stomach. Raven noticed as they all left the headquarters, Robin and Starfire were holding hands. 'I wish that were me and Beast Boy.' She glanced at the changeling, who was now filming the two Titans. Robin growled, putting his hand over the camera. "Stop filming Beast Boy!!"
"Discontinue your recording or you will no longer have a camera to record with!" Starfire said, eyes glowing bright green, neon-green orbs glowing in her free hand. Beast Boy retreated and laughed nervously. Raven eyed Beast Boy suspiciously. "So why were you even downtown so early this morning?"
Beast Boy's eyes darted from left to right. He couldn't possibly tell Raven he gave Isle the film with Robin and Starfire's rooftop confession. So he lied. "Uh... morning walk, you know?" Raven didn't buy that either.
The next couple of weeks went by. Cyborg had a new high score beating Robin's, but Robin seemed a bit preoccupied, seeing as he spent every hour of the day with Starfire. Beast Boy would so desperately try to catch them on film, and there were only a few times he had been successful. Beast Boy sent the tapes in every week to Mr. Isle, and he got to see more of Terra by doing so, which didn't make Raven feel too comfortable.
"Hey Raven." Cyborg greeted monotonously when she walked inside the living room, not looking away from the video game.
"Cyborg," Raven replied, sitting on the couch opening up the book she'd been reading for nearly a week. She had one more page to go before she finished. Her eyes darted across the last page of the novel.
Melissa sat at her windowsill, daydreaming of her love at war, fighting for his country, his freedom... for her. She remembered the day when he left for the war and how he promised he'd write to her every day. It had been weeks since his last letter, and Melissa was worried. 'Suppose he's been wounded in battle, or worse... he could be...' Tears began to fill her eyes as she thought of her love never returning to her.
"Lissa!" A deep voice called from behind her. Melissa dried her eyes, realizing that there was only one person who ever addressed her that way. She whirled around and smiled. A familiar blonde-haired, blue-eyed man stood in her bedroom doorway. "Evan!" Melissa cried, tears now rolling down her delicate cheeks. She embraced him, and Evan kissed her temple."Oh Evan, why didn't you tell me you were coming home? You had me worried out of my mind!" Melissa asked. "I love you so much!"
"And I love you! Marry me, Melissa!" Evan said, taking her hand, getting down on his knee and presenting her a gorgeous diamond ring. "Make me the happiest man alive!!" Melissa kneeled down before him and smiled. "You've already made me the happiest woman!" And with that, they kissed passionately.
Raven closed her book, and realized someone was hovering over her shoulder. "Cyborg, don't you have a high score to beat?" She asked, going red. Cyborg shrugged. "It's no fun trying to beat your own high score." He grinned. "Didn't know you were into romance novels!" Raven growled. "Shut it!" He leapt from behind the couch to the front and sat down beside the goth. "So, I see you and BB are at a temporary standstill."
"'BB' and I weren't going anywhere to begin with." Sighed Raven. "He's so wrapped up in Terra. He says he doesn't have feelings for her, so why does he keep running back to her?" Her anger overwhelmed her, and the romance novel she had finished reading quickly caught on fire and turned to ash. Cyborg chuckled. "I guess it's a good thing you finished that book."
Raven looked down. "And besides, it would never work between me and Beast Boy. My emotions would constantly get in the way. I don't think Beast Boy has that kind of patience."
"Who knows," Cyborg smirked. "Maybe he does." At that moment, Beast Boy walked in. "Hey guys!"
"Where've you been all morning?" Cyborg questioned.
"I went to an all-you-can-eat tofu restaurant with Terra!" Beast Boy replied.
Raven crossed her arms and huffed. "I didn't know Terra liked tofu!"
"Uh, she doesn't. She came to assist, then threw up watching me eat it." Beast Boy laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "So, uh, where's our dynamic duo of a couple?" Beast Boy asked, now grabbing his video camera. "I don't think it's safe of you to be recording them the way you do." Raven warned him.
"Oh yea? And why's that?"
"Because their in the gym right now!" Cyborg answered.
"And if they caught you recording them, I don't think you'd stand a chance alone with them!" Raven smirked.
Beast Boy sat between Raven and Cyborg and put his thin arms around their necks. "That's why I've got my friends backing me up! Right?" Cyborg and Raven exchanged looks, then got up and left Beast Boy sitting on the couch alone. "Aww, come on, guys!"
"AHH!!" Robin jumped in the air and swung his bo-staff at the Tamaranian. Fortunately, she dodged the swing and threw two starbolts at the Boy Wonder, but blocked them when he twirled his bo-staff like a propeller.
"You holding back?" Robin asked.
Starfire smirked. "Perhaps a little."
"Don't!" And Robin tripped the Tamaranian. She would have fallen on her back when she levitated her body. She picked herself back up, Robin grinned mischievously. Starfire flew at light speed towards him, tackling him and knocking him down on the mats. She was now on top of him. "I believe I am victorious!" The alien giggled. Robin smiled, pushing her hair away from her eyes. They both leaned in a kissed each other softly. Robin broke away and said, "You're not a bad sparring partner." Starfire kissed him again. "I could get used to this." Robin said once more before passionately kissing Starfire. Robin was surprised to find Starfire's hands sliding up his shirt, but he wasn't the only one surprised: Beast Boy was recording their steamy kiss on camera from outside the gym. Suddenly, a black aura surrounded the video camera and it shot out of Beast Boy's hand. The changeling turned to see Raven with his video camera.
"Raven, stop getting into my business!" Beast Boy growled.
Raven snapped. "Stop getting into theirs!" Beast Boy approached Raven angrily. "Gimme my camera or else..."
"'Or else' what? You'll morph into a large animal and crush my bones?" Raven mocked. "You know better than anyone else I can destroy your film with the snap of my fingers before you even begin to take shape!" Beast Boy went red. "Raven, c'mon!"
"I'm not letting you get away with it this time!" Raven declared. "I know how you didn't edit Star and Robin's conversation on the rooftop and how you sent it in to Mr. Isle's office the next morning even after I warned you not to."
"Just leave me alone, Raven! This is my documentary, and I don't need you telling me what to do!!"
"Be grateful someone cares enough about you and what you're doing!" Raven barked. Beast Boy shook his head. "If you really care about me, Raven, then back off!" He grabbed his video camera that was suspended in the air and stomped to his room. Raven looked down and thought about what Cyborg had told her earlier. 'You were wrong. Beast Boy will never have any patience with me.'
Suddenly, the alarm went off all over the headquarters. "What's happening?" Robin asked, rushing inside the living area with Starfire. Cyborg had just gotten off the phone. "That was Mr. Isle. He says he's been robbed."
"What was stolen?" Asked Raven, who had now entered the room, not once looking at Beast Boy.
"Beast Boy's videotapes." Cyborg responded.
Beast Boy's eyes watered and he whimpered like a dog. Dramatically, he looked up at the ceiling, his arms extended above his head. "NOOOOOO!!" He crumbled to the floor. "Who would do that? Why? How?" Raven rolled her eyes as Starfire went to comfort him. "Fear not, friend, for we will find the thief who has stolen your tapes."
It was about 1:30 PM when the Titans arrived at Mr. Isle's office. "Thank you all for coming." Isle said from his office chair to the Teen Titans as they stood before him. Robin cleared his throat. "Mr. Isle, I understand Beast Boy's videotapes have been stolen?"
"Yes," Isle nodded. "I'm very sorry, Beast Boy. I know you went through a lot of hard work to get all of that footage." Beast Boy sniffled. "Thank you for your condolences."
"Oh brother!" Raven muttered.
"Do you have any idea who would steal from you?" Cyborg asked. Isle shook his head. "I have no clue! This was supposed to premiere a week from now! Why would they want to ruin me?"
Something registered in Robin's head. "Starfire! Remember when you said the morning Slade's robots attacked downtown? That Slade was after something of Isle's?" Starfire gasped. "Slade was after Beast Boy's tapes!"
"But why?" Beast Boy asked. "My tapes had nothing about our weaknesses or our identities. What was the point in taking them?"
In that same cave outside of Jump City, the dark figure sat down on a computer chair and inserted a tape into a VCR. He grabbed a remote control and pressed play. On the huge computer screen were Robin and Starfire on the rooftop the night of Mayor Moore's party.
"Starfire, I won't endanger you or the others. You and the Titans mean a lot to me!" Robin clutched Starfire's arms on the screen. Starfire then broke down crying when she replied, "And you mean the world to me!"
The figure rewound the tape, then pressed play again.
"You and the Titans mean a lot to me!"
"And you mean the world to me!"
The figure rewound it once more.
"And you mean the world to me!"
Pleased, the figure paused the screen and chuckled evilly. "Excellent. This is Robin's most interesting weakness of all."
Back at Mr. Isle's office, the Titans were still trying to find out who stole Beast Boy's tapes. "It could have been one of those robots!" Isle exclaimed. Robin shook his head. "There is a possibility, but we can't assume anything at this point. Everyone in the building is a suspect. Your secretary didn't see anyone come in?" Isle shook his head. "She called in sick, and Mr. Fuentes left before I did."
"Shouldn't you guys have cameras?" Robin asked. Isle smiled. "Yes! I have one outside my door!"
"Great!" Beast Boy exclaimed. "All we have to do is go into the monitoring room and see who went into your office this morning!"
They all ventured to the monitoring room and found the camera that was outside of Isle's office. "Press the play-back button!" Robin instructed. Raven did just that. It was 9 PM and Isle had just entered his office. "What time did you leave the office, Mr. Isle?" Cyborg asked. "I left at around 11:45 for my lunch break." Raven fast-forwarded the footage to around 11:45 and pressed play. Isle had just left his office and he locked the door. Raven pressed the fast-forward button and the Titans waited until they saw someone approach the door. "Raven! Play the tape! Someone's at the door!" Raven pressed play, but the person had already made their way inside the office. Now the six had to wait to see who would come out of the office...
A/N: I'm stopping right there! One third of the episode is complete! YAY!! Sorry if I haven't updated in a while... school sucks... so yea, don't hate me for leaving your guys on a cliffhanger! I'll update as fast as I can, I promise!! In the meantime, please review...
flame = constructive criticism!!
-kiki
PS, in the reviews, please don't try and predict what will happen in the story!! Just sit back and R&R!