"So you don't want to turn us in. You just want us to join your counter revolution?" says Kitten, sipping at some tea.
Mad Mod enjoys a prune. "Quite right old girl. It's awful lonely being by myself in this jolly business. Too much to do for little old me." and he offers some muffins to Mumbo and Control Freak (CtrlF). They scoff them with no trouble. CtrlF is busy flipping through his cartoons on the old black and white television.
"I take it you have a grudge against the Titans?"
"It's one of my main motivations!" Mod exclaims, stamping his feet. "It's because of them that I have to live in this not so groovy hovel. They left me walking three blocks in me underwear the cads!"
She gives him a queer look. "Well, cheerio chaps!" says Kitten getting up, but Mod continues…
"Where will you go then girl? Back to your daddy?"
"Is little Kit getting a little anxious?" says Mumbo, juggling some cups. "Does she have to run home to dad?"
"Fine I'll stay!" grumbles Kitten, stuffing down another scone. "But I want my own room and TV and a new wardrobe and rights to the phone!"
"Just get me a VCR and I'm set down here!" says CtrlF, making himself comfortable on the couch.
"Just a moment!" says Mod, taking away Mumbo's cups. "There is a small question of rent!" and he twirls his cane and knocks over a vase.
"Rent?" says Mumbo aghast. "But I thought we are working as a troop?"
"Quite so! But I can't keep this house running without decent moolah! I want fifty a week from each of you!" he points at each of them with meanness in his eye (Which could be because his glasses tilted lopsided.)
"And WHERE are we going to pull that sort of money?" says Kitten angrily.
"How you get the money is no concern of mine!" says Mod shrugging his shoulders and leaning on his rocking chair. Mumbo looks to CtrlF, and then to Kitten. They smile conniving. Mod falls over backwards in a clutter…
…
"Citizens of Gotham! I beseech your kind attention!" calls out the Penguin on the bullet riddled steps of his 'management' building. Many of the press were there to see what the Penguin had to say about Twoface's attack early that morning, a large amount of police stand ready for trouble. It is about noon now, and the mess cleaned away. Amongst the crowd was Batman himself. The Penguin takes particular attention to this and smiles. He is untouchable, and the Dark Knight knows it.
"Yesterday, a mad fiend murdered fifteen people in the process of a bank robbery as you well know. In that event he also killed two officers and even a few of my hired bodyguards, right where you stand here today!" and he opens his arms to survey the damage. "I know I may not have been one of the most model citizens of Gotham, but a citizen I am none the less! It is because I value the safety of our city that I speak to you today. From what you have judged me by, on my past transgressions; I might just be worried for my own hide, see it as you will; but it does not change the fact that every time a man or woman or child steps outside in our city they risk being open to such grizzly acts of violence!"
A few press raise their eyebrows, some even chuckle at the Penguin's little act of concern.
"Please; I understand why you may laugh at my gesture, so I will get to the point." and he shuffles on his podium. "For the safety of Gotham, we must consider, no doubt extremely well, the dissolution of Batman as an authoritative hero!"
There is uproar and many throw rotten vegetables at Oswald with coarse shouts and yells of Batman. Batman holds back a smile and frowns with concern; there was a tactic behind this…
Cobblepot uses a normal umbrella (To the relief of the police) to shield himself. The authorities are reluctant, but calm down the riot to secure the peace. Cobblepot continues.
"As you see, I was expecting that! But please allow me to explain." and he eyes Batman. "Was it not because of Batman that hundreds of people were recently killed in Jump City? Was it not the Joker's motif of revenge and challenge against the bat, his sole purpose of the massacre? (See 'The Joker')"
The press are silent as they slowly admit the truth in it…
"Even though Batman defeated him in the end; it was really the private vendetta between the two nemeses that caused the loss of many innocent lives those dark days!" and he restrains from smiling as the press take photos. "Yesterday night, the skies were almost stained red by the confounded signal disrupter of the Riddler! Another fiend bent on humiliating the Batman. Over seven hundred, that's seven hundred people, very almost died explosive and horrible deaths in our airspace, with many more at risk below in the streets! And today; while chasing his prey the Batman opened the very heart of our metropolis to the piercing bullets of frightened and dangerous men. I ask you! Do you not see the need for change?"
"Very nice…" says Batman to himself, seeing the plans laid bare.
"We may not need to totally disband our Dark Knight here!" says Cobblepot. "Even I see the value of his interventions against such dangers that we face. But I only ask a little more care and less recklessness to be shown. If the men have guns; do not chase them into the market! If…"
"They did that themselves Oswald." says Batman finally, addressing his pompous enemy. "I am sorry it had to come to this, but…"
"Is sorry enough Batman?" says the Penguin frowning.
"No; it isn't."
"I thought not…"
"But does it mean that I shouldn't continue to do justice in this town?"
"And just what is justice?" says The Penguin, looking down from his high perch on the stairs. "I hear that you have many a personal relationship with many criminals of the city, may it be revengeful or hateful as you did to me of past, or gothic like with Ras Al Ghul's obsession, or romantic with such guises as Catwoman. Do you not consider this a bit more than justice? A bit more of a private mania or game to you…"
Batman walks away from the Penguin's taunts. He doesn't look back. "I know you are behind this string of attacks Penguin."
"I deny such allegations! And call me by my NAME; if you please."
"As you like… crook." says Batman as the Batmobile pulls up via remote. "But you'll slip eventually."
"Running away are we?" says the Penguin with a side of amusement.
"Catching up…" he replies getting into the car, "With you!" the engine roars and he drives off into the distance; leaving the press to mass question Oswald. Flipping back her hair, Selina Kyle walked off from the scene to see what she could do to help Batman out, as well as to get all she can out of the promising feud…
…
"Well I'm stumped!" says Cyborg amazed at Beastboy's sudden spurt in height and build. "You haven't been on any medication lately?"
"Not that I'm aware of!" says Beastboy, flexing in front of a mirror. "This is so neat'o!"
"Where is friend Raven?" says Starfire. "Is she not yet awakened this morning?"
"She is, but she's acting all weird!" says Beastboy, lifting up Starfire and wheelchair with both arms up.
"Well, she better get ready." says Cyborg, checking his stats. "We've got some crime busting to do!"
"I will await your return." says Starfire pathetically as Beastboy puts her back down.
"Hey Rae! Hurry up! We're just about to leave!" calls Beastboy.
"G…go ahead! I'll just stay here!" she says nervously from upstairs.
"Suffering Circuits! Are you sure that's Raven up there?" says Cyborg, noticing the rather faint and shaky tone. "C'mon Rae! We need your help! It's going to be three to two otherwise! That's an order!" he adds with a bit of gusto.
"A… alright!" she mumbles and makes her way down. The others take note of her long dress and muffler, so that only her eyes betray that something is alive inside those clothes.
"I like your new appearance friend Raven." says Starfire.
"Thankyou…" says Raven blushing. She hides herself from everyone's faces.
"What's gotten into her?" whispers Beastboy to Starfire.
"Do humans go through transformations?" whispers Starfire.
"Right then!" says Cyborg, clapping his hands. "I'll monitor the roads, Beastboy take the east side and Raven stick to the west side. I'll be checking on you as I drive."
"Alrighty!" says Beastboy and throws himself into the air to transform into a hawk. It would have went well but for one thing… he didn't transform! Flailing his arms he crashes into the base of the window sill.
"Sorry!" says Shy Raven, though she didn't actually do anything. She just said it out of reaction without thinking.
"How… did you do that?" says Beastboy, a little annoyed.
"Sorry… I meant I… I didn't do anything." she says blushing and trying to cover up the rest of her face. "It sort of just popped out…" and she pulls her hood over her face.
"She undoubtedly seems to be going through a transformation state!" comments Starfire.
"What's up BB?" says Cyborg, helping him up. "Trying to make a larger window?"
"Something's wrong!" says Beastboy a bit stressed. He concentrates, but nothing happens. Sweat pours out as he tries and tries and tries.
"Err… You'd better tell me what your trying to do, cause it don't look so good!"
"I CAN'T TRANSFORM!" yells Beastboy with eyes wide. "Something's wrong!"
"Has this ever occurred before in the past?" asks Starfire.
"Never!" and he jumps to the ground trying to turn into a mouse. He doesn't morph, but he makes a great splat. He laughs nervously and runs to a pipe to turn into a ferret, with little more success. He starts jumping like a kangaroo, but tips over the couch and a lamp falls on him. The others are bewildered.
"Please don't hit yourself again!" says Shy, concerned.
"That's it!" says Beastboy with a flash of brilliance in his hysteria. "Blast me!"
"What?" says Shy, backing away.
"Maybe my body just needs a kick start or something! Blast me! Fling me out the window or something!"
"This is getting weird!" says Cyborg, stopping Beastboy from running himself into a wall. "I think you're just tired. Maybe it has something to do with your growth spurt!"
"I don't want to lose my powers!" says Beastboy frantically, grabbing Cyborg. "I just want to fly, to dig, to swim like I used to do! I don't care if I'm a scrawny, short and a wide faced freak (Okay, that didn't really sound the way it was meant to) I JUST WANT TO CHANGE!"
"Please don't fight guys!" says Shy shyly.
"Friend Raven is right!" says Starfire. "Please friend Beastboy, try to calm down. Everything will be fine."
"How many people died after saying those words?" says Beastboy. "Quickly blast me okay Rae! Please!"
Shy didn't like fighting or hurting people, especially if fighting meant hurting people. But she couldn't refuse either. She prepared to blast him…
…
"This is going to be good!" says Mean Raven, rubbing her hands.
"You said it Mean!" says Fighting Raven. "Give him your best Shy!"
"She just had to pick that dress didn't she!" says Vain Raven to Grumpy Raven. Grumpy just shrugs and sulks as usual.
"Tralala! What a happy day today!" says Happy Raven, bouncing amongst the lava beds.
"This is so sad!" cries Sad Raven. "She's going to hurt him and then she's going to feel terrible!" and she breaks down.
"Mmpffff!" muffles Evil Raven, behind her binds. She is laughing a deep and long laugh. The Ravens wait for the blast from Shy… Nothing!
"It didn't work!" exclaims Mean. "What a let down!"
"Come on Shy! Don't be shy! Just punch him instead!" says Fight.
"I bet you have something to do with this!" says Grumpy to the bound Evil. Evil chuckles darkly. "Figures!" sighs Grumpy.
…
"Err… any time now Rae!" says Beastboy, closing his eyes and waiting for the hit.
"I… I can't!" says Shy.
"You're fat."
Raven stares at him with tears. She runs away and hides herself in a corner in the closet. Cyborg and Starfire look at Beastboy angrily.
"What? I was only trying to give her a reason to blast me!" he says shrugging. "I didn't mean it! She said she couldn't hit me without an excuse!"
"I am not sure that is how she intended it to be interpreted." says Starfire, opening the closet. "Did you hear that friend Raven?"
"Sorry." Shy sobs a bit. "But I really can't use my powers! Something's wrong!"
"I loose my powers; she loses her powers… egad! Is there a curse or something?" says Beastboy.
"I haven't lost my powers!" says Cyborg. "Maybe it's…"
"Oh no! Starfire can't fly!"
"Hello! She's in a WHEELCHAIR!"
"Oh yeah…" Beastboy says a bit less actively. "But this is still pretty bad!"
"I'm sorry I don't have my powers!" says Shy a few dozen times before Starfire finally calms her down by closing the closet door. "Thank you."
"I think there is something terribly wrong with friend Raven." says Starfire. "I am considerably concerned."
"How am I meant to catch the bad guys when I don't even have a fully functional team?" says Cyborg annoyed. "Why does this all have to happen when Robin's away and when I'm in charge? And for pities sake; stop trying to turn into a worm and get off the floor BB!"
…
"How come we can still use our powers here?" says Fight, double checking by hitting Mean, who is busy pinching Sad, over with a blast.
"I think it has something to do with Evil being here." says Grumpy. Grumpy was the leader of the others, for her sheer dominance over the others in the real world only being matched from time to time by Evil. Therefore, she was the more experienced and smarter. "Since Evil is bound here in this realm, the powers that come from her are also limited to this realm. We wanted to get rid of the evil, so we also diminished our powers."
"That's okay! We knew that it was a risk!" smiles Happy.
"But how are we meant to stay on the team now?" The others start to see the picture. "But we were right. It is worth it…"
"I do not think so! Very unwise daughter/s!" says Trigon, sweeping them all into the air by his mere presence.
…
"I can't believe he did that!" sulks Dick Grayson, lying on the couch. He is still angry that Batman had rigged his map so he would wind up in East River, rather than join the chase. Alfred was fixing up lunch. "I could have thrashed those loonies! I knew the risks! We've worked with less than fifty-fifty success before; especially with Twoface!"
"You have to admit; he did it for your own safety." says the Butler. "He is THE master here master Dick. Don't let pride get you down."
"Sorry Alfred." says Dick, switching on the TV. "Guess I'm not used to having things not going my own way…" he thinks for a while. "Do you… do you think I'm turning into him? Over at the tower I… I think I act like a real jerk sometimes…"
"I do not think that is the right question young master. Rather I think you should ask; why are you changing?" and he moves off to the kitchen. "He should be back quite soon if you want his opinion."
Dick thinks about this for a while and looks to the television. "I have a feeling he won't be in for lunch… I think I'll have to get going too!" and he runs to get dressed.
"I'll just pack you a lunch bag for the trip." calls Alfred and throws a paper bag at Robin who speeds to the Batcave. Catching it, he makes sure he has some rope handy.
The TV reporter gives grave news. "Reports have been confirmed that Batman himself is engaged in combat in this abandoned fishing dock. Rumour is that it is the Riddler. Police are standing by, but are unable to assist the Dark Knight because of the rough sea conditions and strong winds making the small island jetty inaccessible by sea or air…"
…
"Are you sure we can use this?" says Shy nervously, putting on the utility belt.
"Why are you complaining? This is so cool!" says Beastboy, looking at his birdarangs.
"Just remember not to damage the belts themselves guys!" reminds Cyborg. "I can make more birdarangs and stuff easily. Just use them sparingly. Remember; this is just until you guys can get your powers going again."
"Right CY!" says Beastboy, and he accidentally flings a birdarang at Starfire, sticking into the wall just beside her face. She's not amused…
"I hope that was not another Joke friend Beastboy?" she says with a green glare.
"Sorry!"
"Hey? She was talking to me! Why do you keep saying that?" says Beastboy to Shy.
"Sorry!" Shy blushes.
Beastboy wasn't sure what happened to Raven, but he knew that this wasn't good. How on earth could someone change so much in one night? He may have changed physically, but Raven's change was deeper, like some deep inner conflict inside. Emotions being rattled around…
…
"You are nothing!" smiles Trigon, throwing Vain Raven to the ground. The others blast at him to hold him off. However, since they were now split up, their powers were now less effective against Trigon. Only by their combined strength could they stand a chance.
"Everyone around Evil!" says Fight, organising the fight for obvious reasons. They all get around the immobile Evil Raven and launch a combined beam just as Trigon pulls forth a massive blast of dark energy. The two forces clash at the centre, but Trigon is a fraction stronger than they, and the beam begins to waver towards them.
"Fools!" laughs Trigon. "Or should I say fool? With two parts unable to help you, how do you think you'll be able to stop me?"
"Easily!" replies fight, and she soars into the air, still blasting.
Trigon isn't put back and counter's her with his eyes, but to his anger, his lasers are not as strong as Fight's blast and they black energy is coming at his face. He prepares to move one of his hands supporting his main blast to take her out before she can reach him.
"Not so fast father!" says Grumpy.
Grumpy and Happy Raven break away from Vain, Sad and Mean, forcing Trigon to blast them with his other hand instead, saving Fight. With one against his eyes, two on one hand and three against the other; he found it difficult to concentrate. Fight finally overcomes the eye beams.
"AAARGH!" yells Trigon as the blast hits him in the face. This also causes him to lose his control of his hand beams and there is a large black explosion of electricity as the energy hits home. The red demon rolls along the ground in a dust cloud, rocks crackling away, his hair rugged and his eyes alight.
"Back off!" says Fight, and the Ravens group to form an energy ball. Trigon isn't fast enough getting up, and the ball hits him away again; again over the dark plains and onto the horizon.
"You should not have split! You are now weaker than you were! Soon you will all be the darkness! I shall never cease!" he yells, as he disappears to the distance once again.
"You might say; splitting up will be our undoing!" laughs Happy Raven. The others groan.
…
"Any questions?" mocks the Riddler upon his pedestal. The warehouse floor was opened, revealing the rough sea below it, with many wooden posts set up randomly. The only way to get to the Riddler, who was in the centre upon a great marble column, was to jump from one wooden column to another.
"I guess the posts are booby trapped?" says the Batman.
"And it s up to you to figure out the puzzle!" smiles the Riddler. The Batman leaps to a post, almost falling from the slippery moss. His spikes pop out from his boots for added grip. "Impressive! You are such a worthy opponent. A truly challenging mind to face the most cunning man on the face of the earth."
"Who would that be exactly?" says Batman, jumping to another post, it begins to sink rapidly. He jumps and clambers upon the side of another, using a grapple hook to stick to the side.
"I wonder?" taunts the Riddler. "I think it's me!" and he presses a button on his gold cane. The question mark on the top flashes. Batman fires a bat rope around another column and swings away before the post he was clinging to blows up. With a flip, he lands on top of the post.
"This riddle isn't even worth solving now Edward." says Batman, observing which columns are booby-trapped. "This is an old one."
"Too true! But it's hard to find new puzzles after so many crimes! Maybe you can help me to conjure a few gimmicks to try out?"
In a particular order, the Batman leaps from one post to the other. The Riddler knocks on his cane and the booby trapped columns blow up, sink or fly through the roof, leaving a path in the shape of a question mark, a path that the Batman used to get to him.
"I'm surprised Riddler!" says Batman. "You must be losing your touch."
"Really?" smiles the Riddler and he explodes, knocking Batman off the column. It was a droid!
With no grip on the marble, Batman pushes himself off the stone to reach one of the remaining columns. Almost slipping to the bottom, he is almost taken by a large shark that jumps up at him. He quickly uses his bat rope to climb up.
"I move in, I move out, I can drag, I roar and shout, I kill, I bring and in wounds I sting." recites the Riddler from a loud speaker, far away and safe from the Batman.
"The sea…" mutters the Dark Knight.
"Correct!" says the Riddler. "It will move in on you, it will move out with you, it will drag, roar, shout and kill you. Stinging your wounds as you die in the waves. And wherever your body washes up, the mystery of the Bat will no longer be a mystery."
"I don't see what this has to do with your plan. But this isn't the end."
"Maybe. But for now I will be optimistic. I will now leave you with one last question; one truly great mind boggler; for you to think about as you face death. Truly the greatest question of all; WHY?"
There is a sudden tremor. The whole building shakes and the columns begin falling down like dominos. Batman manages to pull out his breathing apparatus before he disappears into the waves. The walls and roof cave in with wood and metal. The foundations are destroyed. There is a massive ball of fire as the place is blown apart, forcing a huge wave.
From a floating life buoy, the Riddler observes with a hidden camera the scene. Somehow surviving, spectacularly, Batman clung to some flotsam. Suddenly, without warning, a dark fin breaks through and disappears into the water along with The Dark Knight.
The Riddler looks on, tapping his fingers on his control panel. He can't help but know that somehow, Batman was going to survive nevertheless. He always has. It would be a disappointment to his game if he didn't. He looks to a cruise ship capsizing to one side from the force of the waves. Everything was going as planned.
…
"What do you mean you're frightened?" says Cyborg aghast. Shy refused to budge.
"I can't do this! You have the wrong Raven!" Shy cries a bit. Beastboy is getting really freaked out.
"If this is because of me spilling popcorn on you; fine. You scared me! Now could you just sort of snap back to yourself?" Beastboy pleads.
"If it makes you feel any better, we'll search together; one of you on each side of the road while I drive. Ok?" says Cyborg.
"O… okay…" says Shy and she gets out of the car. But she still quivers. "I don't think I can do it!" she sighs. Beastboy overhears her.
"Hey! Cheer up Rae!" he says. Shy can't help admiring him. He always seemed to be trying to make her smile. If Beastboy had known it, she was actually smiling behind her muffler, a smile that would be otherwise rare to his sight. "Just because you can't use your powers right now, doesn't mean you still can't help. Just look at me! You're still a Teen Titan, no matter what happens, and our good friend too."
"Thankyou." Shy blushes. "You're very helpful too." Beastboy smiles back. Something strange wells up in her, something she had never felt before, something that was not meant for this emotion to feel; confidence. She nodded to Cyborg and walked off to the other side of the road. "I'll try!"
…
"She's completely exhausted!" says Vain, checking on Evil. Evil Raven is let out of her binds and she collapses to the ground, hardly moving and breathing deep and slow.
"Oh! Is she okay?" cries Sad.
"I say she gets what she deserves! Whoever is that bad deserves a good punishment once and a while!" says Mean. Fight proves her point by slapping her over the head.
"She's breathing! That's good!" smiles Happy.
"Since we can draw on Evil's powers, we don't run out of energy when we fight." says Grumpy. "We just keep sucking it out of her. That's why she's so depleted."
"Doesn't that mean we're in big trouble when Trigon comes back?" asks Vain.
"Just let him come! I'm still good!" says Fight, dancing like a butterfly and stinging like a bee.
"Evil isn't though." points out Grumpy pessimistically. "If it's any consolation; Trigon will also be weaker, since he also depends on Evil's power for his own survival. We'll still be evenly matched."
"What happened to me?" moans Evil recovering.
"Everything's going to be fine Evil!" says Happy, helping her up. Evil rams her to the side.
"Hey!" says Fight, and she lunges at her four eyed darker self. Evil dodges her punches and kicks her into Vain and Sad. She doesn't see Mean who kicks her at the back of the kneecap, sending her down.
"With someone with so many eyes, I'm shocked you didn't see that one coming!" Mean laughs, which are cut short when Evil uses her mind to throw Grumpy at her.
"Stop her!" yells Grumpy, getting up quickly to blast Evil. But evil is too swift and flies away before the others can get around. Her dark raven shape disappears into the evening mist. "Well that's just great!" groans Mean, rolling her eyes.
"B… b… but Trigon is still out there!" mopes Sad. "What if he finds her?" and she cries into Happy's arms.
"This is going to get ugly; and I hate ugly!" says Vain.
"We can still draw on her powers as long as she's free." says Grumpy. "We can only hope that she isn't captured… we can only hope… and I'm not especially good at that!"
…
"I thought I said only to bring back useful stuff?" says Kitten in her trench coat disguise. She puts down a box of Killer Moth's stuff onto the table back in Mad Mod's house.
"It may look like junk to you, but each fork, hat, dummy and stick in this trunk is a potential weapon of magic!" says Mumbo, disappearing in a cloud of purple smoke to emerge in his magician outfit once again. "It feels so good to be back!"
"It's alive! IT'S ALLIIIVE! HAHAHA" laughs Control Freak as he puts up the six foot plasma screen.
"ATTENTION!" calls out Mod suddenly in an old British Red-coat uniform, with dressings of a general. The others groan but line up. "Right then you 'orrible lot! This is no holiday! This is no fun camp! This is war! Report Captain!" he says, waving his cane.
"One extension cord as requested sir!" says Mumbo, holding back mirth at the ridiculousness of the whole act. It was best to humour the Mad man as he was key to their safety in this hideout.
"Right! Sergent!"
"An old microwave as specified o' leader!" says CtrlF, saluting. Acting was one of his favourite hobbies, so he pulled it off quite well.
"Very good! But keep doing those push-ups! I want you to be able to see your feet before long!" he says, tapping his belly with the cane.
"But I can see my… oh… I can't!"
"Report private!"
Kitten grumbles, not liking being at the bottom of the ranks. "Why do I have to be the bottom of the chain? I have more brains and punch than those two losers!" Mumbo and CtrlF frown.
"I simply categorised it by age young lady!" says Mod. "Unless you are actually twenty years older than you look, than I suggest you quit your calls of promotion. Now report!"
"One box of garlic Tea…" says Kitten, standing to attention but with depression.
"Right! Stand at ease!" says Mod, and he grabs the stuff and disappears upstairs.
"What on earth does he do up there?" says Mumbo, scratching his chin. There is a great whirring and hammering from upstairs.
"Are you sure it's on earth?" says CtrlF, who returns to the couch with a bowl of crisps.
"Why do I have to be the common soldier? I demand equal rights and opportunity!" says Kitten stamping. "I WANT TO BE THE LEADER!"
"Oh shut up!" says Mumbo carelessly, he is abruptly incarcerated by a cacoon blaster from the enraged daughter of Killer moth.
"This is not the way I planned this!" says Kitten fuming. "It was meant to be me, not some old gangly insane person. What about me? Why do we have to keep up this stupid act? This English food is so fattening and bleugh! I don't know what's stopping me from walking out!"
"Did someone say English food?" says Mod from upstairs. "I'll put in some more pastries!"
"Argh! That's it! I'm going!"
"Just hold it Moth girl!" says CtrlF. "We need our combined strength to get the Titans remember? We don't stand a chance without our team."
"Remember that we just need Mod for hiding purposes!" says Mumbo. "We can always get rid of him afterwards!" he whispers slyly.
"Alright then…" says Kitten. "But I still want some respect around here. And if that old guy does something really stupid again, like dropping his false teeth in the toaster, walking down the stairs in his sleep or giving us really disgusting food AGAIN, I'm leaving!"
"Who's hungry for spotted dick?" calls Mod.
"Argh! I AM GONE!"
"For crying out loud! Spotted Dick is just what the English call a bun with raisins!" says CtrlF, standing at the door. His face contorts as Kitten starts pummelling him. "ARGH! Help! HELP!"
"Fine I'll stay! But I just need to vent my anger out!" and she throws him UP the stairs. "Besides, I need to get ready for my new appearance!" she smiles picking up a Killer Moth Mask. "Look out Jump City, there's a new bug in town!"
"A really bugging bug too!"
"Do you know the phrase; eat your hat?" says Kitten, and she stomps over to Mumbo who begins to scream. Upstairs, Mod is busy building and typing, building and typing… it would be ready soon!
…
"Alfred packed this for you." says Robin, handing Batman the packed lunch. It was the fin of the Bat sub that appeared at the wreck, and it was the armour of the Bat sub that had saved Batman when he was in the water; appearing above him just as the blast went off to shield the shock.
"I don't like the way this is going." says Batman. "It's clear that Penguin is trying to blacken my name by using the personal hatred of Riddler and Twoface towards me to harm the people. If we are to stand a chance, we'll have to catch them as quickly as we can."
"Maybe I should have asked for one of the others to come along." says Robin, guiding the sub back to it's underground cave. "They would have been really helpful."
"They're too inexperienced with criminals like the Riddler and Twoface. Your encounter with the Joker proved that to me."
"Are you saying I'm too inexperienced?" says Robin with a bit of annoyance.
"Compared to me, in all truthfulness; yes."
"Thanks!" says Robin sarcastically.
Batman disregards this as he turns on the panel in front of him. "I'm sure they have enough troubles for themselves…" says Batman, and he reads the news of Kitten, Mumbo and CtrlF's escape on the computer. As Robin parks, he sees it too… he decides it may be time to make another phone call.
…
Starfire didn't know there was a parade on that day, but when it began to go past the mansion, she couldn't resist looking out at it. It was St. Patrick's Day. The others probably forgot because of the excitement of the escaped villains. But she had a vague idea of what it was about from some textbooks of human culture. It was some sort of festival of green from what she remembered.
She wheeled up and watched the procession outside in the crowd. She was sure that this would be okay since it was near the mansion anyway. The happy floats of leprechauns, clovers and a host of cartoon characters went by. Balloons were flying and the bands were playing. Cyborg need not worry… There is a scream.
Many people start yelling and running away as one particular float comes to view. The army float comes round, bearing a tank upon a float platform, but something was wrong to the horror of the crowd! A mass of cockroaches were pouring out from the float and onto the streets, looking for shelter anywhere they could, which included trouser legs and dresses. There was utter chaos. The soldiers of the float didn't know how to deal with such an extraordinary event, but they are soon knocked out as the tank barrel rotates to hit them over the head. An annoying laughter comes from the tank and the culprit emerges.
Dressed in a green suite that resembled an ant, the pointy nosed villain smiled at the confusion he caused. Starfire recognised him immediately. It was The Potato…
"Fresco Kafka!" she says, disappointed at the failure to reform from his evil ways. Fresco sees her and grins nastily.
"Aha! Wheelchair Girl! My arch nemesis! We meet again!" he laughs. "Yet I am no longer The Potato! Now I am MR. BUG! HAHAHAHAHAA!" he cackles aloud.
"Hey! You're just imitating the Joker!" calls someone.
"Look at that costume! He's a Killer Moth look alike!" says another.
"What? You shall pay for that!" snarls Mr Bug and he brings up a weird hose that sprays a whole lot of cockroaches on his insulters who run away disgusted. "That'll teach you to mess with the all powerful insect power!"
"You must stop these terribly evil actions! You are ruining the celebrations!" says Starfire, not being afraid of Cockroaches.
"What are you going to do to stop me Wheel chair girl?" taunts Mr. Bug, swinging the Tank turret towards her.
"I am not merely Wheel chair girl!" says Starfire. "I am Starfire! A Teen Titan!" and there is a great cheer from the crowd.
"Starfire? The Starfire?" says Mr. Bug in disbelief and he starts to tremble.
"Are you sure you still want to face me?" says Starfire, thinking that the revelation must have completely shaken the amateur villain, but Mr. Bug just smiles.
"HA! Of course I will!" he laughs. "I can't believe I have been so successful to merit the involvement of the Teen Titans themselves! Truly my genius knows no bounds! HAHA! Prepare to be blown apart Starfire! And with your demise, my reputation will sky rocket!" and he fires the tank cannon. Starfire braces herself, not suspecting the boy to be so cruel or ruthless. The shell comes out of the barrel and hits the pavement with a dull thud. "WHAT?"
"Did you think we'd load a Tank with real ammunition in a parade? Are you crazy?" says one of the soldiers recovering. The crowd laughs.
"ARGH! I am not defeated yet!" says the Bug, enraged at the mockery, and he prepares to run Starfire down. He reverses into the back of the float and sticks the vehicle up towards the sky. The soldiers quickly grab him. "You have not heard the last of me Starfire! Be sure of that!"
"Please don't be so evil Fresco Kafka. Why be so bad when you can use your imagination for good?" says Starfire.
"You don't think I'm a good enough match for you Titans then?" says Kafka, struggling. "Well think again! I will never stop! I shall never give in until I am the greatest villain of all time! Revenge will be mine! You shall fear me, and so will all those you hold dear! Your friends and family! And even for generations to come; your children and your children's children will never be safe from me! You have not heard the last of Fresco Kafka!" and he suddenly detaches the costume abdomen of the bug, revealing a gas grenade. The soldiers start coughing at the tear gas and Kafka, with a gas mask, struggles free. "HAHAHAHAHAA! We shall meet again! HAHA… ARGH!" and his foot gets caught in the gutter. Laughter brakes out in the masses.
Starfire sighs; some people really need help! She went off to leave the police to deal with the poor kid. She could hear the phone ringing in the mansion...
…
'Good Guy' Profile
Number: 2
Name: Timothy Tungsten
Alias: Hack6
Height: 5"4'
Strength: Medium/Low
Data:
Tim is Robin Victor Garfield Roth Grayson's best friend at Jump City West High. Being a bit of a nerd and computer whiz, he is often left by himself, even other nerds staying away from his extremely freaky high knowledge of technology. This is ideal for Robin as he tries to bring as little attention to himself for the sake of The Lancer as well as the identity of his father Nightwing /Richard Grayson. Tim has a crush on the new girl Blade Jenkins, and tries to impress her at every opportunity, often resulting in disaster for the three friends; mostly with Principle Kitten. He doesn't know Blade's real identity as Girl Hornet.
As his capabilities increased, Tim decided to prove his incredible ability by taking on top secret military installations and other businesses through hacking. Disguised under the name of the villain Hack6 as well as a huge wall of buffers and false trails, he meticulously plans and executes almost fool proof plans to cause chaos. He even has plans for taking on CY-Tech as well as Sigma Corp. not mentioning the Lancer, whom he regards as his number one nemesis. Tim is oblivious to the real identity of the Lancer as his best friend.
…