AUTHOR'S NOTE: Since it takes effort to invent names for versions of every popular movie, TV show, and gameI'm just using normal titles. Bite me.
The other Teen Titans fanfiction I attempted was a failure. There was a fundamental problem and, sorry, it miscarried. This one is better, faster, stronger, less silly, and has fewer crossovers. That and I have a better idea of how their world works now.
Prologue That is Not Dead Which Can Eternal Lie
With great power comes great responsibility. Ah, wait, that's the wrong comic, isn't it? Spider-Man, I believe, which is published by Marvel, no less. You might think that since Teen Titans and everything related to it are owned by D.C., I would refrain from making references to their rival, but no. Their petty differences mean nothing to me.
Nevertheless, it is a good mantra, good to keep in mind, especially—as well we know—power corrupts. For every noble-hearted Superman or Hellboy or Sailormoon who vows to use their supernormal abilities to further the cause of good, there are dozens of crazed, black-hearted villains who may once have been paragons of all that is just and true, but who were pushed to giddy madness at the thought of the powers they had gained. And once one is corrupted by power, it becomes addictive, and there is simply no way you can resist reaching out for more.
When the H.I.V.E.—the Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination—began, it was only a powerful scientist with autocratic ambitions and seven criminal masterminds, all of whom worked together to manipulate events of the world in more or less subtle ways. This was easily controllable by the H.I.V.E. Master. When members of the H.I.V.E. discovered an alien force in Asia, the H.I.V.E. Master realised that this, too, could be kept under his thumb by the proper techniques. When the seven mad scientists began to experiment with genetic alteration, the H.I.V.E. Master kept tabs on their operations by reading every file, observing every test case. But when members of the organisation—some without the knowledge, let alone consent, of the H.I.V.E. Master—began to discover and test eldritch powers, some of which may never have been meant to be known to humanity, who oversaw that?
changed forever on one fateful day in Serbia. The twenty-eighth of July, 1914, is the day said to bear the shot heard around the world', although this is a misnomer in my personal opinion, as the young Serb Gavrilo Princip fired two shots—hitting the Archduke as well as his wife, Sophie, who—only away from their home country—was allowed to ride in the same car as her husband, since her non-royal blood proscribed such a display in Aust— The teacher's droning voice was—to the joy of most of his students—suddenly cut off by a rumbling of the ground. The windows rattled in their frames, pens rolled off desks, and yelps were heard from other classrooms and the hall. The shaking was hardly intense, and lasted no more than ten seconds, but all the students in the H.I.V.E. Academy classroom found themselves shocked into silence even after all was still again. More cries were heard from the rest of the building, and car horns honked outside as the wail of sirens rose up. Selinda muttered something under her breath and started to stand up, but the professor spread his hands. Now, now, students, there's no cause for alarm. Just a minor earthquake.We're in New York City, Selinda pointed out, her Australian accent particularly thick as it always was under stress, nowhere near a fault line! How do you explain that?Miss Flinders, he said, glaring at her over the tops of his glasses, I am a history professor. Feel free to seek out Professor Fujita in the geology department after this class is dismissed.Calm down, Selinda, Jinx whispered. I know as well as you do that something's not normal, but hang on until we get out of class.
There was a knock at the doorframe, and the students looked up to see nothing less than the Headmistress of the H.I.V.E. Academy for Exceptional Young Persons standing there. Miss Doe? Miss Flinders? she asked, looking at Jinx and Selinda in turn. Come with me, please.
As the two young woman silently gathered their things and walked to the door, a snicker was heard from one of the less-savoury students of the class, the heavily-pierced Sam Lee. They're in deep shit now, he chuckled to a friend, and with a slight gesture, Selinda turned all the silver and steel in his head to osmium as she walked by. He cried out as the sudden increase in weight cut into his flesh, and Selinda suppressed a smug grin.
What's the occasion? Jinx asked quietly as soon as they were out of earshot of the classroom.
The circumstances will be explained to you in due time, the Headmistress replied coolly. You will be briefed when all those concerned have been assembled.This doesn't have anything to do with that temblor, does it? Selinda wondered.
No, Miss Flinders, the two occurrences are purely coincidental.
The three women walked on in silence until they reached Room 415, where the Headmistress summoned Mikron O'Jeneus, alias Gizmo, from his advanced physics course, and to a dingy basement classroom, where Selinda's brother Baran—better known among the students as Mammoth—was sitting through a geography lesson.
Now, if you'll all please follow me to my office, the Headmistress instructed them, there is someone here who wishes to speak to all of you.
The siblings exchanged glances. The last time the two of them had been summoned to the Headmistress' office together, it had been to be grilled by a dark and brooding man who wanted to know the location of their parents, and had refused to accept the fact that neither of them knew until the Headmistress and some of the security staff had had to escort him from the building. But if that was the case again, why were Gizmo and Jinx coming as well?
Their worries were put to rest when they entered the spacious office and were greeted by the sight of a tall and muscular man, standing before the window with his back to them, hands clasped behind him. He seemed to be covered from head to foot in copper, steel, and leather, right to the ominous-looking full-face mask that was tied beneath his silver ponytail. He turned to glance over his shoulder as they entered.
Here they are, Mr. Wilson, the Headmistress said quietly, closing and locking the door.
Deathstroke, if you please, he said, turning to survey them. There was only one eye-hole in his mask, and the way he held himself and his physique made the four students wonder if it was possible he could give Mammoth, widely known as the best brawler in the school, a run for his money. These are your top students? I had expected more from such a prestigious academy. His voice was cool, very calm, and hinted at either evil or arrogance—maybe both.
The Headmistress cleared her throat. My apologies, Mr. W—Deathstroke. We had seven top students, but one of them was killed in an unfortunate accident, and the other two are missing, presumed dead.One of those missing' wouldn't happen to be Akiko Momozaki, would it? he inquired calmly. The Headmistress seemed surprised for a moment, then nodded. Ah, then never fear. I believe I've tracked down Miss Momozaki through other resources I possess.
Now, then— He walked around the desk and stood before the four students, surveying them impassively, his one eye unreadable in expression— what are your names?Selinda Flinders, sir, Selinda began, but Deathstroke held up a hand.
No, no. Your real names. What powers do each of you possess? How old are you?
She straightened her shoulders and regarded him. I am called Shimmer. I am eighteen and a transmuter of matter.Ah, yes. Psionic, are you? A quantakinetic. Shimmer gasped, pleased—she often referred to herself as a quantakinetic, a term she had learned from a role-playing game, but very few others ever seemed to know its meaning. How very interesting. And you, young man? Mikron said, attempting to sound as intimidating as possible. His four-and-a-half-foot height made this difficult, however. I don't actually have any superpowers of my own except for my intelligence, but I can build machines or program computers to do absolutely anything.And your age? Deathstroke asked, trying not to seem too patronising.
I'm fourteen fucking years old, Gizmo snapped. Deathstroke raised his hands calmly.
Of course. I meant no slight. Mikron's size had always been a sensitive matter to him, and he had a tendency to send killbots after anyone who called him by his full first name instead of Mike' or his alias. You, sir? Deathstroke was able to look Mammoth (who was over six feet tall) in the eye, a rare occurrence.
Baran Flinders—I mean, Mammoth, he mumbled, scratching the back of his neck. I'm seventeen. My powers are super-strength and super-stamina.
Deathstroke nodded. I take it Shimmer is your sister? Without waiting for an answer, he went on, I get the feeling you are frustrated by the fact that most of your peers assume your intellect is in inverse proportion to your size, am I right?
Baran blinked, then nodded. Y—yeah. Blimey, even the teachers don't believe I'm not a bloody idiot. How'd you know?Well, Mammoth— Deathstroke said, possibly smiling slightly, though it was impossible to tell through the mask— I have a knack for judging people. Turning to Jinx, the last, he said, And that leaves you, young lady.I don't have a history, she said quietly, though the slightest touch of anger was noticeable in her voice. I don't know my age or my real name. My alias is Jinx, and I control the elements themselves.I see. Do you mean the elements as in tempest, or elements as in earth and wind and the like?The second, she responded.
Deathstroke nodded and took a step back, glancing at the Headmistress. I have asked to meet you, he explained, clasping his hands behind his back again, because I understand the H.I.V.E. Academy for Exceptional Young People has a reputation for producing fine mercenaries. The Headmistress gave a nod, looking pleased. I have a contract I wish you to undertake for me. I have already spoken with your instructors, and they agree that the field training you will gain from this mission will make up for the class time you will miss.I nominate myself as the leader, Gizmo announced, taking a step forward. Mammoth hauled him back. Deathstroke seemed to ignore this.
Your mission he began.
should we choose to accept it Jinx murmured, smiling slightly.
Deathstroke laughed quietly. No, you have no choice at this point. The mission I am sending you onis to destroy the Teen Titans.