Baker X: Here's another, hot off the presses. Enjoy ladies and gents. A bit of a date if you will. Didn't exactly plan the occasion this early, but it's fitting in well. And I promise, the next one is gonna have some mega action. Infact, the title of the next chapter Throw Down. Enjoy.

The Legal Information: All characters present in the Teen Titans outside of Smoke, Clive, Sherri, and all others that are not seen in the show or comic book belong to me. All other characters, such as Starfire, Raven, and Slade, belong to their respective copyright holders. In other words, I do not own the Teen Titans, so anything that I say or have them do in this fanfiction does not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the creators of the Show/Comic or any of it's affiliates. I don't own Troy or anything related to it either.

I'm working really hard at trying to sound smart, aren't I.

Dark Patriot

Paint the Town Red

Clive: " SMOKE! GET BACK HERE YOU COWARD!"

The dark Titan was running down the street in chase of Smoke, who was yards ahead of him. Starfire continued to follow behind Clive, helping anyone who Smoke threw down in order to clear his path. The trio ran down and into an ally way, where Clive had thought he had Smoke cornered. However, instead, all he had was just a small fire and no sign of his foe.

Clive: " DAMN IT! I LOST HIM!"

Clive kicked a trash can and knocked it over, sending it's contents flying across the ground. He stormed out of the ally, meeting up with Starfire, who saw the mess.

Starfire: " I take it that you could not catch him?"

Clive: "...Yeah..."

Starfire: " Please do not be disheartened. He is very powerful, and very tricky. You will catch him some time! Perhaps if you were to do some more training."

Clive: " I have though! I've done plenty of it. But...no matter what...it just seems that I can never catch him. If I could get him to just meet up with me in a fight, I KNOW I could take him."

Starfire: " I have the utmost faith in you."

Clive: " Thanks Star. That means a lot."

Clive sighed and brushed his hand through his hair, getting himself fully composed. The black suit he wore for his super heroics faded away revealing him in a pair of denim shorts and a grey Metallica T-shirt.

Starfire: " Well...since there is not much else to do...shall we go and do the hanging out? There is no one else available right now..."

Clive: " Hey, yeah sure. Let's go have some fun Starfire! We can go paint the town red!"

Starfire: " But if we did that, would we not get in trouble? I was under the impression that graffiti was illegal."

Clive: " Oh, it's an expression. It means that we're gonna go have a lot of fun."

Starfire: " That sounds wonderful! What shall we do first?"

Clive: " Well now, let's see..."

He pulled out his communicator for the time. Seeing that it was around 2pm, he smiled and put it back into his pocket.

Clive: " Hey, the theaters nearby...how about we catch a movie? I hear that Troy's pretty cool."

Starfire: " What is that about?"

Clive: " It's about a war that happened over 2000 years ago revolving around a great warrior. It makes for a good story, and it stars a couple of pretty big name actors."

Starfire: " Then we shall see it!"

Clive: " Great! Then let's go!"

Clive and Starfire walked to the movie theater which was a good distance away. It took them a good half an hour or so just to get there, but they decided it would probably more fun to walk and just talk about things, than to use their powers and fly or teleport there. Once they had reached their destination, Clive bought a pair of tickets and they wandered on in. With the few minutes to spare before the showing, they also picked up a giant bucket of popcorn and a couple of drinks. Taking seats towards the middle of the movie theater, the pair stood out strangely, as anyone who recognized Starfire whispered to one another regarding the unknown male friend she had with her.

The movie was very long, but was quite well enjoyed by the two Titans watching it. Starfire would lean over and whisper questions from time to time, confused at ancient history. Clive would explain them as best he could without trying to confuse her. Some of it was even confusing to Clive, but that's kind of what happens when you don't have a full highschool education. Still, he was fairly well versed in Greek Mythology. Once the movie had ended, the pair filed out of the theater and hung near the arcade machines to chit chat about the movie.

Starfire: " How exciting! The movie was enthralling and did the butt kicking as well!"

Clive: " Yeah. I was impressed."

Starfire: " Is that how war and combat was performed that long ago?"

Clive: " Probably. We don't have too many records from those days, mostly just artifacts and old stories."

Starfire: " Still, I loved that movie. We should take the others and show it to them too!"

Clive: " That's a good idea. We'll do that some time."

Starfire: " So what shall we do next?"

Clive looked over and saw a couple of arcade machines that looked pretty fun. One particular was a snow boarding machine. He wandered over to it and hopped on, putting a quarter in the machine. Upon the selection screen, he picked a character that looked quite a lot like him, which Starfire giggled at because there was a remarkable resemblance. He picked the hardest difficulty, being a self proclaimed gaming master of sorts.

Clive: " Mind if I do a little showing off?"

Starfire: " Not at all! Please do all you want!"

Clive: " Cool..."

The game started up and Clive kept a careful eye on the screen. He would lean left and right on the snow board to slide left and right, then stomp on the back end when he needed to make a jump. As he progressed through the course, obstacles and traps were more frequent, causing Clive to preform more stunts. As he continued, he would actually jump off the board at times and pull a real stunt, drawing a slight crowd (outside the one already drawn because of Starfire's presence). Clive finished almost flawlessly, and had scored the high score on the machine to boot. He stepped off and Starfire clapped for him, prompting him to take a dramatic bow.

Clive: " Thank you folks, but anyone can do it."

Starfire: " Then I would like to try."

She stepped up to the board and took an ackward stance. Clive stepped behind her slightly, so he could still see the screen. He gave her an easy difficulty and he let her pick a character of her own. Afterwards, the game started. Clive gave her directions on how to operate the board and she complied well. After about a minute on her own, she bumped into a couple of trees. Clive watched closely as she was about to collide with another and ruin her chances at making the check point, so he gave the board a good push to help her avoid the tree. He did this for her a few more times. She was about to miss a jump when he gave the rear side of the board a good stomp, which did help her over a canyon, but it brought his meddling to her attention. She finished and was able to put her name on the high scorer list. He helped her off and she gave him a slight smirk.

Starfire: " Isn't that cheating?"

Clive: " Cheating?"

Starfire: " Am I not supposed to do that on my own?"

Clive: " Think of it as team work."

Starfire: " Ah. Well then, thank you for your help!"

Clive gave her a wide grin, then led her out of the small arcade and back out to the street. It was still pretty bright outside, so the pair began to walk on down the street.

Clive: " What should we do next? There's still plenty of day left!"

Starfire: " Well, I think we ought to visit Cyborg and Sarah. They're playing the baseball!"

Clive: " Yes...I think you're right! Well...let's not waste time then! Hang on!"

Using his powers over the shadows, Clive teleported himself and Starfire to the baseball diamond, and he was slightly off, as he ended up in the path of a Terra thrown baseball. Clive took a shot to the forehead and fell over almost as soon as he got there, not having any time to duck.

Starfire: " CLIVE!"

Terra: " WHOA! SORRY DUDE!"

Cyborg: " TIME OUT!"

Clive sat up slowly and looked around with double vision. Cyborg held up his hand and had two fingers up.

Cyborg: " Hey man, how many fingers am I holding up?"

Clive: " On which hand? The left one? The right one? Or the middle one?"

Starfire: " Are you alright Clive?"

After a few more moments, Clive came to and stood up shaking his head.

Clive: " Ow...that was only horribly painful. And here I thought it would only be just painful..."

Starfire: " Are you alright?"

Terra: " I'm so sorry..."

Clive: " Naaa, it's cool. I'd rather it have been me than Starfire."

Cyborg: " Well, that's a relief."

Sarah: " HEY! IS EVERYTHING OK OUT THERE?"

Clive looked over and saw an older blond out in the field. He guessed her around the age of Cyborg and the rest of the Titans, so he figured that was probably Sarah.

Clive: " YEAH! I'M COOL!"

He turned to Cyborg after getting a look at all the kids they were playing with. They all had fake hands, legs, arms, and such, so it kind of touched him how Cyborg would play with them.

Clive: " Now I see how it is. Cute...so who's team are we on?"

Cyborg: " Well, BB and Terra have half the kids, while Sarah and I are on this team. I'd rather be umping, and if you want, you can take Sarah's team and even it out some more."

Clive: " Then so be it! Come on Starfire, time to show BB and Terra who's boss!"

Clive and Starfire put on helmets, and it was widely decided that positions should be changed. Clive came up to bat, so Beastboy took the pitchers mound. He changed into a gorilla while Clive taunted him.

Clive: " WE WANT A PITCHER! NOT A BIG STINKIN' GORILLA!"

Beastboy: " OH YEAH? WELL TAKE MY GORILLA FASTBALL SPECIAL!"

Beastboy threw a tremendously fast pitch that Clive was a little worried that their catcher may not be able to catch. Clive dropped his bat in favor of his guitar and hit the ball a mile. He took off running while Sarah ran to go catch it. It was going to fly out of the park, so Terra used her powers to create a wall of rocks to stop the ball. It fell to the ground and Sarah recovered it, throwing off to Terra, who threw it to Beastboy on home plate. Clive was rounding third and realized that he had to get past the gargantuan gorilla. Clive placed his hands on his head and made horns using his fingers.

Clive: " RAMMING SPEED!"

Beastboy stood with the ball and just before Clive came in contact with him, he slipped into his own shadow and glided along the ground, then popped up once he reached home plate.

Cyborg: " SAFE!"

Clive headed back for the bench and was cheered for by his team. They would play for a while longer, until Starfire felt her stomach growl. She talked with Clive while they sat on the bench awaiting their turns at bat.

Clive: " Sounds like you're hungry Star..."

Starfire: " Yes actually, I am. But I don't want to leave, for I am having too much fun!"

Clive: " Tell you what, we'll cut outta here and get something to eat, and we'll do this again next week."

Starfire: " I would like that a lot."

Clive: " Me too!"

Clive got up and gave Cyborg the situation, and he thought it was a good idea. That, and with 5 Titans playing baseball, things have been getting out of hand. Sudden rises in the terrain, baseballs hit WAY outta the park and into the city, craters in the ground and sneaky shadow tricks were a little unfair for the kids with the false limbs. A good show, but not very fair at all. So, now excused, Starfire and Clive left back into the city to find someplace to eat. There was a little chinese restaurant that they bumped into that Clive had been dying to try.

Clive: " Here! Chinese is the best!"

Starfire: " Chinese?"

Clive: " Come on, let's try it! There's a buffet too!"

Starfire: " Sounds like fun!"

The pair walked inside and took seats. Clive got up and lead Starfire around the tables, showing her what was what and how it tastes. They both piled probably half the food onto a pair of plates and headed back for their table. They began to chow down, and it was apparent that Starfire truly enjoyed Chinese food.

Meanwhile, in Grey's mansion...

Wendy: " My gods...why did Grey have to summon us here at this time of night? I prefer to get my sleep at 8...or does he not care?"

Aqua: " Oh, be quite for once and stop complaining. Would you rather it be in the early morning?"

Wendy: " Well no...but still...it's inconsiderate."

Glacie: " Anyways, where is everyone? I mean, you were the last one to get here Aqua, so everyone ought to be here."

Smoke: " I've been here."

Aqua: " WHAT THE?! God damn you. Sneaking up on us like that. Anyone tell you how freakin creepy you are?"

Smoke: " Why don't you tell me about it?"

Aqua: " I just did you weirdo. Just don't touch me."

Smoke: " I touch whomever I want. Don't forget, I'm next in line after Grey."

Aqua: " Yeah yeah yeah...so where's everyone else?"

Jolt: " Hey! Hey I'm coming, hold on! Wait up guys! I'm almost there...just...give me a moment..."

A blond boy came running into the room. Smoke shook his head and sighed in disgust.

Smoke: " You're late."

Jolt: " Hey! I'm not the only one! Where's whatsherface?"

Smoke: " She's on a mission. She'll be back soon enough. You should worry more about yourself anyways. We weren't late."

Jolt: " Oh come on, I was in the bathroom..."

Smoke: " When Grey calls, everything else needs to be put aside. You should know that."

Jolt: " Whatever, I'm not here to listen to your lectures...let's just get this over with."

Grey: " Now kids...don't be so tempermental. I'm just gathering you here so we can all have a little discussion."

Smoke: " So Grey? What is it?"

Grey: " Well...we've got some problems right now. First off...he's been putting some pressures on us."

Smoke: " You mean..."

Grey: " Yes...Slade. He's been putting some pressure on myself and my plans. Looks like he doesn't want us to come through with our plans."

Slade: " That's very astute of you Grey."

Everyone turned around and saw the lone Slade standing there in their room. Jolt was made the first move and lunged at the villian. Slade countered his attack with a swift kick to the stomach and knocked Jolt to the ground.

Slade: " So sad...you've got a bunch of inexperienced kids here Grey. Are you certain you want to continue to steal my apprentices?"

Grey: " It's not exactly my fault you can't seem to keep them. But that's an issue for another time. May I ask why you're here? Not for a fight are you? I don't really want to see you flattened into my walls or stain my carpet with your blood..."

Slade: " My my...how confident. Perhaps another time. I'm here because I want to send you a warning."

Grey: " And that is?"

Slade: " Your a mind reader...why don't you give it a try?"

Grey: " Why don't you tell us instead. Not all of us can read minds..."

Slade: " This city is mine and the Titans belong to me. Don't you dare change that."

Grey: " Well...as you can see...we're more than willing to try. And if defying the great Deathstroke the Terminator is what we must do...then we'll take our chances."

Slade: " Then by all means, I do invite you to try. Why, right now, Clive and Starfire are at the Happy Dragon. I'd start there..."

Grey: " Anything else before you leave Slade?"

Slade: " Yes...Smoke?"

Smoke: " Yeah?"

Slade: " I think you should go and entertain them. Do it as a favor to me, since you jumped ship to Grey's crew. You do owe me for bringing you back..."

Smoke: " Fine. Mr. Grey, I'm heading out."

Grey: " Do have fun Smoke, and Mr. Slade...have a pleasant evening. I think it's about time to send a message to the Titans...Aqua, wake jolt up and head out to the park. You'll find some Titans to play with."

Smoke: " And you sir? When do you plan to make yourself known?"

Grey: " Soon enough."

With the final orders given, Smoke, Aqua, and Jolt all disappeared and headed out, in search of the Titans.