Baker X: What can I say? Thanks a lot Venus and T2...you guys make this whole thing worthwhile. So, I'm totally convinced I'm not going to give up on it...I just need to find more time to write more often...but I do get in a little here and there during the day! I hate to say it though, but it's hang on time for you guys. I need to post another chapter of my Zero Hour fic, because it's in quite a bit of demand. And perhaps I should do 2 as an apology. But don't worry, I'll get back to this one ASAP. So, let's just say we're going to take a break in mid season, eh? Well, have fun, cause this one's crammed with more than enough action! IT'S BANGIN' TIME! (shameless HoH plug...)
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'm working really hard at trying to sound smart, aren't I.
Dark Patriot
Throw Down
The two Titans at the Happy Dragon happily ate the buffet almost out of business. With amazing appitites, they would be up and down and back up again to the different tables, trying all sorts of foods, including sushi, which Starfire seemed to like especially. The pair continued their assault on the buffet, and at a distance, you'd have thought a swarm of locusts have come through.
Clive: " So, like the Chinese food now?"
Starfire: " It's wonderful! Such an array of flavors that I've never tasted or experienced. The Sushi is very good as well, though it tastes much like fish."
Clive: " That's because it is. Raw fish infact."
Starfire: " Oh...well it's very good then."
The pair laughed it up and continued to talk about all sorts of things, including some of their crime fighting and such. It wouldn't be too long before they had finally exhausted their bellies and got up, wobbling around from being stuffed. Clive left a sufficient tip, then the pair strolled outside and began down the street in the late evening. It was probably around 10pm infact, but they didn't seem to either notice or care.
Starfire: " Tonight has been a lot of fun Clive. I thank you for it."
Clive: " Well, I really ought to thank you Star. I mean, it's been a long time since I went out and had this much fun."
Starfire: " I am glad for you then. Perhaps maybe..."
Starfire stopped entirely on the sidewalk. Both in step and in sentence. Clive turned and looked at her with a wary stare.
Clive: " Star...you alright?"
Starfire: " I'm fine. I was wondering that perhaps maybe we could do this...again sometime."
Clive: " Hey, that'd be great. We'd have a blast, I KNOW it!"
Starfire: " I agree!"
The pair were laughing and wandering uptown towards the tower, until something perked Clive's attention and he stopped them both, grabbing her arm. He closed his eyes and bowed his head.
Starfire: " Clive? What is the matter..."
Clive: " The Shadows have eyes...and they see something..."
Starfire: " What?"
Clive: " Shhhhh...."
Clive pulled Starfire close to him, hugging her to him as his brow tensed up. She blushed and looked up at him, wondering what was about to happen.
Clive: (Black...I can't see it...)
Black: (It's there. Just look. If I can do it, so can you. He's near...on the building to your left, just across the street.)
Clive: (Ok...I'm seeing something...an outline...wait! It's moving...)
Black: (MOVE BOY! RETREAT TO YOUR REAR!)
Clive opened his eyes and pulled himself and Starfire against the wall. Making sure she was tightly held against him, they slipped into the wall as shadows and slithered across the building wall in a split second, taking refuge behind the corner once they had pulled back out of the shadows. Just as this was done, a large ball of fire fell out from above them, smashing into the ground and liquified the pavement. Smoke stood in the center of the chaos and smiled under his thick red scarf.
Smoke: " Very skillful Clive. I see you've been practicing since our last fight."
Clive gently pushed Starfire further into the ally, then stepped out to face his attacker.
Clive: " Get lost dirt bag and stop ruining my good time."
Smoke: " As always with the witty remarks. Atleast there's one thing you can do fairly well, but your skill as a fighter falls greatly short of that. Maybe instead of working on your insults you ought to work on your body some more."
Clive: " My body is fine, it's your dummy eyes that seem to be the problem."
Smoke: " Pathetic..."
Smoke made a quick charge after that, jumping slightly off the ground, but traveled a good distance quickly. With his right fist aflame and shoved out, Clive was forced to bow out and dodge the attack, sending Smoke into the wall behind him. Upon contact, the wall around his fist exploded in a dome of fire, knocking away all trash and other debris, as Smoke pulled his fist back and appeared unharmed. With that piece of the corner missing, Starfire was exposed from the hiding spot Clive made her take.
Smoke: " Oh my, you are still together. Some date I'd say...I wonder...what will you do once you guys get home?"
Clive: " SHUT UP!"
Clive retaliated quickly, jumping with both his force and with the help of his shadow powers. He catapulted himself into Smoke, grabbing him around his waist and colliding them both into the wall. Smoke shoved Clive off to the side and pulled himself up off the wall and held his ribs, realizing that Clive had hit his shoulder right into his side, and his now injured back didn't help either. Clive rolled to the side a but and pushed himself off the ground, shaking his head as it had smacked into the wall, leaving a large crack. Starfire steadied him briefly and then held her palm out, casting a green aura from her powers.
Starfire: " You will back off please."
Clive: " Starfire, get outta here and tell the others. I'll hold him off."
Smoke: " How noble. Makes me wanna gag. Since when were you such a goody two shoes?"
Clive narrowed his eyes at Smoke and took a swing at him. Smoke dodged backwards and laughed, slapping Clive in the face.
Smoke: " Come on...you're better than that. I KNOW you are. Those Titans are bringing you down a bit kiddo. You could have hit me if you were as good as you used to be."
Clive: " I'm the best I've ever been!"
Clive took a couple more swings, each one missing. Finally, he took another swing towards Smoke, but as it missed, Clive pulled it down to the ground intentionally. As it hit the ground, he released a kinetic blast, exploding the pavement under them and sending the pair flying. As Smoke began to land, his shadow reached up and grabbed onto him in the form of a giant fist. Smoke struggled greatly against it's strength, but was unable to free himself. Clive stood up and brushed himself off, then began approaching.
Clive: " See? I'm better than what you say. A few questions for you though..."
Smoke: " Well...I see that I may be obliged...shoot."
Clive: " Who are you?"
Smoke: " Smoke."
Clive: " And who is Smoke?"
Smoke: " Himself."
Clive: " And under the scarf?"
Smoke: " My face."
Clive: " So how about we see what you look like..."
Clive began to reach towards Smoke's scarf, and gave it a slight tug. But as he did, the shadow began to glow with orange cracks. Clive began to back off as the shadowy fist began to shake, then finally exploded, sending the shadow scattering into a million pieces. They of course sank along the ground and were not actually harmful to anything nearby. Smoke took a few steps back and regained his composure.
Smoke: " Well, that was interesting. Looks like you might have been somewhat right. Looks like I'll have to step it up a bit."
Starfire: " What do you mean?"
Smoke reached under his scarf and revealed a large thick metal collar around the base of his neck. The scarf had always covered it up, so it was a shock to the two titans. There was a pair of buttons on the side that he pressed, causing some steam to shoot out from the side. Smoke's body actually caught for for just a brief second, then the fire died and left him be.
Smoke: " Releasing the first lock. Fourty percent power control established."
Clive: " What did you just do?"
Smoke: " See this collar around my neck? Let's just say it keeps me from going kaboom. Regulates my power usage so I don't explode."
Clive: " I see. So then..."
Smoke: " I've been going easy on you. The next power lock takes me up to seventy percent power. But with both locks active, I'm stuck around the twenty marker. I shouldn't need to release the second lock."
Clive: " Grand..."
Smoke: " Yeah, that's right. You're out classed, out skilled, and out gunned."
Clive: " We'll see...take his right side Starfire!"
Starfire: " And you?"
Clive: " I'M GONNA BLITZ!"
Clive ran right for Smoke, making no moves to get to either of his flanks or to cut off a retreat. Just simply, he was going head on into the fiery villian. Smoke took a step to his rear, and slightly left of Clive. As the pair of Titans closed in on him, he thrusted his palms out towards them, creating a circle of fire around his body on the ground. Starfire saw this and pulled upwards, flying over head of Smoke, then began to turn around to make another pass at him. Clive charged right through the flames with his head tucked down and his shoulder stuck out, striking Smoke in the chest and knocking him from his protective barrier. As he fell out, Starfire began throwing starbolts all around in order to shake Smoke up and stop him from grounding himself and regrouping.
Getting back up quickly, Clive continued his assault with a right hook to Smoke's chest, a left uppercut into his stomach, and a wide arcing roundhouse kick to Smoke's face, sending him reeling back into the wall. And yet, even as his fists and feet would contact him, Smoke would remain ever steady, and only become pushed around. No sounds of pain, no signs of injury...nothing. It was like he was beating on a punching bag, he wasn't getting anywhere. Smoke stood up after that last hit to the face, tugging and rewrapping parts of his scarf to make sure they stay on. He smirked at Clive, dusting his coat off.
Smoke: " Impressive. I guess you have been working on yourself. But alas, I must admit that I have an ace up my sleeve. You see..."
Grey: (Don't Smoke...)
Smoke: (Sir?)
Grey: (You have another guest...)
Smoke: (Where?)
Grey: (Don't worry about that. He'll be out in a moment...best not to give up your secrets just yet...)
Smoke: (Who is he?)
Grey: (I can't tell...something about him...just makes it too hard to make sense of anything inside his head. He's probably one of Slade's men.)
Smoke: (I see. Then keep in touch, just incase I need some help.)
Grey: (That I will.)
The tall villian took a strange martial arts stance, allowing his fists to catch on fire. Starfire floated down and landed next to Clive, who reached into his shadow and pulled his guitar up and out of it.
Smoke: " Oh come now Clive...do you really need a weapon against me?"
Clive: " Oh come now Smoke...do you really need your powers for me?"
Smoke: " Copy cating...how pathetic."
Clive: " Pathetic this, pathetic that...can't you get some better lines?"
Smoke: " No I don't. Unlike you, I have a much meaner bite than I do a bark."
Clive: " Well barking is about all I've heard from you, clown."
Smoke: " Then come on Clive! Why don't you just take a couple more swings at me!"
He complied with Smoke's words and made a third assault. Starfire floated up and prepared to fire more Starbolts, but was afraid to hit Clive, as she knew what her powers would do to him. The pair fought, while Clive was swinging his guitar from left to right, and even up and down from time to time, Smoke would do his best to dodge the wide arcing weapon. He took a hit to the chest and was knocked for a third time into the wall. Infact, not just into it, but through it. People within the building scattered away, terrified of getting injured or killed. Starfire helped the fleeing citizens while the pair continued their battle. As Smoke got up, Clive made a fourth charge on him, trying to stay relentless and on the offensive. However, this was cut short as the pair saw a small ball fly out from the roof of the building and land in between them. Clive and Smoke both backed off with sufficient distance to keep away from the orb. It sprayed gas in all directions, but no one was within the area to be affected.
Clive: " What's this Smoke?"
Smoke: " Yours is as good as mine Clive. I was told someone would interrupt us...it was just a matter of when."
Clive: " Show your face!"
Starfire set down next to Clive as Smoke continued to back away, wanting sufficient room just in case he would need to do some fancy dodging. A figure dropped down into the cloud, inhaling some of the fumes as they began to dissapate. The man stood very tall, at almost 7 feet, with large muscles on his arms and legs. He wore a white tank top, grey pants, and a black backpack. He had thinning black hair with a very high hair line, and had probably gone almost a week without shaving. He grinned, looking around at the two titans and Smoke.
Addict: " Ahh...so I missed...too bad. Would have been a very painful experience for the three of you."
Clive: " What the hell is this? Some old guy who thinks he's still in high school? Grow up and get a real job."
Addict: " A talker...he he he. That's good...I like your kind. And what about you red...what kind of girl are you?"
Starfire: " I am not sure what you mean, but I suggest you to give yourself up!"
Smoke: " Yeah right. He's not gonna do that Starfire. You're just wasting your breath."
Starfire: " He isn't?"
Addict: " So...you know who I am?"
Smoke: " Well...I've heard of a guy like you. With that big backpack thing on...you must be Addict, right?"
Addict: " That's my name. If you want it, I've got it and more. I've tried every kind of drug there is...overdosed on them all and still I'm ticking. But I don't get a thrill anymore...oh no I don't. So I went about and used that college education I got to help me correct that problem. Thanks to Professor Crane, I was able to come up with so many different narcotics that I'll always have that thrill! What that was there was a little one I cooked up a few weeks ago. It's an inhalent that when taken in, can drive you wild. Like extasy, only that it causes you to itch, and at mere touch, that pleasure you should feel becomes an excurtiating pain. Natrually though, I'm immune to it."
Clive: " Whatever. Get outta town before I throw you out."
Smoke: " That's funny Clive...you'd be willing to fight me and this loser at the same time?"
Clive: " I don't associate with scumbags like you."
Addict: " Well, I'll change that. What's your addiction? Don't have one? Then let me find you one!"
Addict turned around, reaching into his backpack and pulled out 8 darts, throwing them in the direction of both the Titans and Smoke. Clive bat them away as Starfire took cover behind some trash cans. Smoke threw a fireball large enough to encompass the darts, melting them as they fell to the ground. He cleared the distance between himself and addict afterwards, throwing a punch into Addicts stomach and bringing him to his knees. But this was only temporary, as Addict shook off the stunning blow and knocked Smoke away. Clive came in afterwards, swinging his guitar more, but found that Addict was strong enough to block his attacks with no worries. He backed off quickly as Addict pulled another device out of his back pack, spraying some kind of gas all over the place. Clive and Starfire both cleared the area, doing their best to avoid the gas. Smoke tightened his scarf and took a deep breath, then charged through the gas with his eyes closed and using his other senses to guide his shoulder charge into Addicts gut. Addict was knocked over and Smoke rolled away from him. Clive took a defensive posture infront of Starfire, deciding that he'd just let these two villians duke it out and then he'd capitalize on the situation afterwards. Addict however, had other plans. He got up and retreated as Smoke tossed a large fireball his way. Addict pulled out another device that looked like a gun.
Addict: " This here's one of my favorites. The ammunition this gun fires is infact a small shot. This shot is filled with a potent drug I have called Magma. I usually combine this with one of my many other toxins, and it gives me a real charge...but on it's own, it's actually quite painful and very exhausting."
Smoke: " So?"
Addict: " Well, this one isn't exactly for you, but if you want to try it...you can go after Clive!"
Addict fired off a couple of rounds at Clive and Starfire. Clive stood in the way and took the shots, letting them deflect off his body, since he was using his black suit as protection. Addict retreated into an ally seeing his plan didn't work, and so began devising a new scheme. Clive followed after him, being trailed by both Smoke and Starfire. He ran right into the dark area and then realized that it was so dark that he couldn't see Addict, who strangely wasn't a hard person to miss by his size. Clive made his way in further, and as he did, Smoke and Starfire reached the opening to the ally, using their respective powers to cast away the darkness.
Smoke: " CLIVE YOU IDIOT! GET OUTTA THERE!"
Clive: " What?!"
Clive turned towards Smoke, hearing the strange sound of concern in his voice. As he did, Addict jumped out from behind a trash dumpster and pressed a small button on the top of his gun. A flare shot out and hit Clive from behind, then was followed by 3 shots of his Magma drug that he had boasted so much about. Clive fell backwards towards Starfire and Smoke, and the pair ran ahead of him to protect the slowly rising Titan.
Addict: " Got ya."
Clive: " Yeah right. All you did was just try and burn me, then shoot me. Well, my suit is fire proof and bullet proof as well...so I hate to say it, but...ugh..."
Clive fell to a knee and reached his arm around his side. He got back up to his feet, but stumbled and fell to the ground. His face was awash with concentration, feeling a sudden pain in his body to the likes he had never felt. It was like someone had lit a fire inside his body, and the sensation moved from his back to his chest, and then into his stomach and arms, eventually reaching his head. Clive wrapped his arms around himself and curled up a bit, tensing his muscles. Starfire knelt down and tried to give him some kind of care, but she was unsure as to what she was to do. He began to sweat profusely and then began screaming as the pain was too much. Addict laughed, then pointed his gun at his three targets.
Addict: " Slade told me about your weakness. So I figure that if I nailed you with a flare, that suit of yours would retract, giving me a nice free spot to shoot for. Now...I named my drug Magma because of it's primary effect. Like the blood of the earth, Magma gets into your blood stream and burns. Infact, it'll raise your body temperature and make you feel like someone has set you on fire. Your veins will itch and burn, your skin will become sensitive, and it'll feel like you're being cooked from the inside out. Pain and injury don't seem to effect you when you're on it...but that may be because you're already in pain as it is. The only relief you'll get is by cutting yourself open. As blood is drained out of you, the sensation goes away, but I've pumped more than enough in you that you'll have to drain your whole body dry...and that wouldn't be the best idea...would it..."
Smoke: " How lame. Attacking people with drugs. You know, if it wasn't for that, I know even he could kick your ass."
Addict: " Yes, but I don't have super powers...so I'll just use this to even the odds."
Smoke: " Then why don't you try me."
The drug crazed monster of a man aimed the gun at Smoke and fired repeatedly. Smoke dodged the shots with ease, closing the distance between the two swiftly, then delivered a series of blows to Addicts body and face. Though, as Addict was being rattled around by Smokes blows, he used their close quarters to his advantage, and pumped a half dozen rounds into Smokes stomach, pushing him back and halting his melee.
Addict: " And that's two down."
Smoke: " No...not really."
Addict: " WHAT?"
Smoke looked at his stomach and then pulled each of the miniture shots out of him. Yes, each one had hit, and each one had injected their drug into his body, but it didn't seem to bother him.
Addict: " Do you not feel like you're burning away into ashes? Are you immune to pain? What is going on? That should have killed you!"
Smoke: " Let me show you...'
Smoke took a small sharp piece of metal from a nearby trash can in the ally and cut his hand with it. The wound pumped blood out of his hand, which drained to the ground and sizzled slightly. He smiled widely underneath his scarf, then flicked some of his blood at Addict, who didn't try and dodge it.
Addict: " Ok...so what?"
Smoke: " So where'd you get those holes in your shirt from?"
Addict: " Huh?"
He looked down and saw that where Smokes blood had been, now only small burnt holes had been left. Addicts eyes became wide, as he slowly looked up to see his adversary missing.
Addict: " Hey...where'd you go?"
Smoke: " THIS IS WHY YOU'RE LITTLE DRUG HAD NO EFFECT ON ME!"
Smoke leapt from a set of emergency stairs onto Addicts back. He grabbed Addicts head and ran his bloody hand over the right side of Addicts face, smearing it in the crimson liquid. He let go and took a couple of steps back, admiring his work, as Addict began to scream and shake, trying to get Smokes burning blood off his face.
Smoke: " See...you can pump me full of that stuff whenever you want. Fact is, is that my blood doesn't just feel like it burns...it actually does. Maybe that's why I'm so irritable. Now then, get the hell out of here and tell Slade that if he really wants some, he can come to me and we'll settle the score whenever and wherever."
Addict: " My...MY FACE! YOU BASTARD! I'LL GET YOU! I'LL GET YOU!"
Addict made a run for it, deciding that he needed to seek some kind of care for his estranged burns. In the meantime, Smoke checked up on Starfire, who was still trying to aid Clive, but was quite unsuccessful.
Smoke: " Well Clive? This is why you're not good enough. You make mistakes that cost you...I don't."
Starfire: " Can you not see that you words will not help?"
Smoke: " I suppose you're right. He was never one to listen to good advice, but neither was I when I was his age I suppose. You'd better take him home and get him some help quickly."
Starfire: " You will not try anything?"
Smoke: " No...I won't. Just take care of the big dummy."
She watched him walk off, catching into flames and disappearing into a large plume of smoke. Starfire picked Clive up and flew high up into the air as to avoid any more enemies, then made her way back to the Tower as fast as possible. She touched down on the roof top and wandered on in, flying down flights of stairs in search of Robin and Raven for help, while holding the catatonic Clive in her arms. From time to time, he was let out a gasp or a yelp, but he centered all his focus on dealing with the immense pain he was feeling. Starfire finally found Raven in the living room, sitting down and reading a large book. She looked up and saw Starfire holding Clive as she came into the room. Raven stood up immediately and directed Starfire to the couch, where they would set Clive down.
Raven: " What's wrong with him?"
Starfire: " He has been poisoned I think. We were out having fun, then Smoke attacked, then a man named Addict attacked, and now Clive has been hurt, and I am not sure as to what we should do!"
Raven: " You need to calm down Starfire. Let me take a look at him..."
Raven held her hands over Clive and she used her powers to try and find out what was wrong. After a few moments, she turned to Starfire and shrugged.
Raven: " Well, there are some puncture wounds in his back that are closed up already, but there is nothing that I can do personally. We need Cyborg and Robin for help on this. Can you tell me what has happened?"
Starfire: " I just did Raven. Clive and I were doing the hanging out when Smoke attacked. Then a man named Addict attacked us in our fight, so we joined forces to stop him. But he was able to use some kind of drug on Clive and now, he's been hurt."
Raven: " Now I understand. I'm going to call the others down here. They had some encounter with more of those elemental beings that we've been seeing pop up."
The pair moved at a hurried through the tower, trying to make it to Cyborg's room so they could get Clive examined. In the meantime, Raven explained what had happened earlier to the others.
Raven: " See, sometime after you two left the baseball field, Cyborg, Terra, and Beastboy ended up getting attacked. One of them was named Aqua, who could create, manipulate, and control water, while the other, Jolt, had some power over lightning. I suppose things hadn't gone too well for them, but they screwed up and while Aqua was flooding the area, Jolt decided to use his powers and electricuted the both of them. Cyborg and the others were fine, so they made a break for it to check on the kids. Well, that's what they told me."
Starfire: " I see. Come, we must hurry up! I think Clive is getting worse!"
Starfire, whom was carrying Clive, shifted him around in her arms so she could take Ravens hand and fly them to Cyborg's room. Obviously, she ignored the elevator and used the stairs, and in mere moments, they were walking in. Cyborg and Robin were using the large computer in there to try and find out some kind of leads between all the other attacks. They turned around, hearing Starfire and the others burst in.
Robin: " Oh, Starfire! Hey, we tried to get a hold of you earlier and...hey! What's wrong?"
Starfire: " Something is terribly wrong with Clive!"
Cyborg: " Well, come on, lay him here and I'll run a check on his body."
Cyborg helped Starfire lay out Clive out on a large machine. It scanned his body and brought up all sorts of data on him. From all the counts of his body's enzymes to his current level of brain activity. Basically, nothing about him was excluded here, and fortunately, the toxin in his blood could be isolated and examined by this machine. After some careful reading, Cyborg announced his findings to the others.
Cyborg: " Well...I'm surprised he survived to begin with. Looks like this drug is made up of a poison found in the tails of the South Pacific Stingray. It's very potent and it has the effect of causing the body to over heat. There's other things laced into it though, which would probably be various narcotics."
Starfire: " So what can we do to help him?"
Cyborg: " Well, we can get an antivenom from the hospital. Someone needs to go pick it up. With that, he can recover faster, but it'll still be a week or two before he'll be ok."
Robin: " I'll do it then. Give them a call and have it prepared."
Robin ran out of the room while Cyborg made the phone call. Starfire and Raven stood over Clive who was shaking and sweating, letting out slight gasps and moans as he held his own against the poison. Raven shook her head, then placed a hand on his forehead.
Raven: " I'm going to try and get him to sleep. Maybe then he won't have to feel the pain so much."
Starfire: " Please do so..."
Raven closed her eyes and concentrated, going into Clive's mind. It was always unusual going into his mind, as it was always dark and clouded, which was most likely a defense that Black had set up. She wandered around inside of it, seeing all sorts of memories that belonged to him while trying not to notice. She didn't want to violate their relationship by peeking into his thoughts and feelings, but sometimes, it was impossible to avoid this. His life flashed infront of her eyes and she could tell what he was feeling in his life at the moment. Really, it made her blush a bit, but she put everything aside and tried to find his conscience. When she found it, she realized that Black was standing infront of it, almost as a guard against any intruder. He turned to her and tilted his head.
Black: " Raven...I figured you'd come."
Raven: " Black...what are you doing here?"
Black: " I protect Clive from the things he cannot defend himself."
Raven: " So why are you on guard right now?"
Black: " Because, the one known as Grey is trying to probe his mind."
Raven: " I see. Does that mean you're going to keep me out?"
Black: " I'd rather know what you plan to do..."
Raven: " I just want to get him to sleep. That might take away some of his pain..."
Black: " I see...then do what you must."
Black stepped aside from Clive's core conscience, allowing Raven to enter. There, she could actually control his body and know what was going on with him in every aspect. She decided not to stick around and put him to sleep, leaving quickly afterwards. Starfire leaned over, taking a look into Ravens glowing eyes, looking for some kind of sign of success. Finally, she heard a sigh from Clive, and noticed that he had fallen asleep. Raven returned back to herself and shook her head, removing her hands from Clive.
Raven: " There, it's done."
Starfire: " Thank you Raven."
Raven nodded, then left the room. Starfire turned to Cyborg, who was going over all of Clive's tests.
Starfire: " May I ask where my sister, Terra, and Beastboy are?"
Cyborg: " BB and Terra went after Aqua and Jolt, a pair of elementalists that attack us some time after you guys left."
Starfire: " That's right. Raven informed me about that."
Cyborg: " Well then, they've been out ever since. As for Blackfire, Robin said she was going out, and that's the last we've heard from her. She's probably found a nightclub or some party. No big deal."
Starfire: " I see."
Cyborg: " Well, as much as I like Clive, I'd rather not have him in my room...so could you help me move him and all this equipment up to his place upstairs?"
Starfire: " Indeed I can."
Grabbing a large heavy machine, Starfire carried it out of the room, followed by Cyborg who carried Clive on the examination table and took them up two flights of stairs and to Clive's floor. They set him, and his monitering equipment in his living room, repositioning everything as needed.
Cyborg: " Well, that's about all we can do. I've set up a camera to keep an eye on him, and then I've also got his moniters on a direct wireless link to me, so if something happens, I'll know instantly."
Starfire: " Perhaps I should stay and keep an eye on him?"
Cyborg: " I wouldn't do that tonight Starfire, you've been through enough. Just go get some rest, and we can all talk about this in the morning."
Starfire: " Thank you Cyborg."
Cyborg: " Hey, it's cool. He's had our backs, so now it's time we had his. I'm going to bed now Starfire, see ya in the morning."
Cyborg walked out, giving her a wave. Starfire stood over Clive as he slept and thought for a few moments, then decided that Cyborg was right. She left his room and turned out the lights, getting herself ready to retire as well.
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'm working really hard at trying to sound smart, aren't I.
Dark Patriot
Throw Down
The two Titans at the Happy Dragon happily ate the buffet almost out of business. With amazing appitites, they would be up and down and back up again to the different tables, trying all sorts of foods, including sushi, which Starfire seemed to like especially. The pair continued their assault on the buffet, and at a distance, you'd have thought a swarm of locusts have come through.
Clive: " So, like the Chinese food now?"
Starfire: " It's wonderful! Such an array of flavors that I've never tasted or experienced. The Sushi is very good as well, though it tastes much like fish."
Clive: " That's because it is. Raw fish infact."
Starfire: " Oh...well it's very good then."
The pair laughed it up and continued to talk about all sorts of things, including some of their crime fighting and such. It wouldn't be too long before they had finally exhausted their bellies and got up, wobbling around from being stuffed. Clive left a sufficient tip, then the pair strolled outside and began down the street in the late evening. It was probably around 10pm infact, but they didn't seem to either notice or care.
Starfire: " Tonight has been a lot of fun Clive. I thank you for it."
Clive: " Well, I really ought to thank you Star. I mean, it's been a long time since I went out and had this much fun."
Starfire: " I am glad for you then. Perhaps maybe..."
Starfire stopped entirely on the sidewalk. Both in step and in sentence. Clive turned and looked at her with a wary stare.
Clive: " Star...you alright?"
Starfire: " I'm fine. I was wondering that perhaps maybe we could do this...again sometime."
Clive: " Hey, that'd be great. We'd have a blast, I KNOW it!"
Starfire: " I agree!"
The pair were laughing and wandering uptown towards the tower, until something perked Clive's attention and he stopped them both, grabbing her arm. He closed his eyes and bowed his head.
Starfire: " Clive? What is the matter..."
Clive: " The Shadows have eyes...and they see something..."
Starfire: " What?"
Clive: " Shhhhh...."
Clive pulled Starfire close to him, hugging her to him as his brow tensed up. She blushed and looked up at him, wondering what was about to happen.
Clive: (Black...I can't see it...)
Black: (It's there. Just look. If I can do it, so can you. He's near...on the building to your left, just across the street.)
Clive: (Ok...I'm seeing something...an outline...wait! It's moving...)
Black: (MOVE BOY! RETREAT TO YOUR REAR!)
Clive opened his eyes and pulled himself and Starfire against the wall. Making sure she was tightly held against him, they slipped into the wall as shadows and slithered across the building wall in a split second, taking refuge behind the corner once they had pulled back out of the shadows. Just as this was done, a large ball of fire fell out from above them, smashing into the ground and liquified the pavement. Smoke stood in the center of the chaos and smiled under his thick red scarf.
Smoke: " Very skillful Clive. I see you've been practicing since our last fight."
Clive gently pushed Starfire further into the ally, then stepped out to face his attacker.
Clive: " Get lost dirt bag and stop ruining my good time."
Smoke: " As always with the witty remarks. Atleast there's one thing you can do fairly well, but your skill as a fighter falls greatly short of that. Maybe instead of working on your insults you ought to work on your body some more."
Clive: " My body is fine, it's your dummy eyes that seem to be the problem."
Smoke: " Pathetic..."
Smoke made a quick charge after that, jumping slightly off the ground, but traveled a good distance quickly. With his right fist aflame and shoved out, Clive was forced to bow out and dodge the attack, sending Smoke into the wall behind him. Upon contact, the wall around his fist exploded in a dome of fire, knocking away all trash and other debris, as Smoke pulled his fist back and appeared unharmed. With that piece of the corner missing, Starfire was exposed from the hiding spot Clive made her take.
Smoke: " Oh my, you are still together. Some date I'd say...I wonder...what will you do once you guys get home?"
Clive: " SHUT UP!"
Clive retaliated quickly, jumping with both his force and with the help of his shadow powers. He catapulted himself into Smoke, grabbing him around his waist and colliding them both into the wall. Smoke shoved Clive off to the side and pulled himself up off the wall and held his ribs, realizing that Clive had hit his shoulder right into his side, and his now injured back didn't help either. Clive rolled to the side a but and pushed himself off the ground, shaking his head as it had smacked into the wall, leaving a large crack. Starfire steadied him briefly and then held her palm out, casting a green aura from her powers.
Starfire: " You will back off please."
Clive: " Starfire, get outta here and tell the others. I'll hold him off."
Smoke: " How noble. Makes me wanna gag. Since when were you such a goody two shoes?"
Clive narrowed his eyes at Smoke and took a swing at him. Smoke dodged backwards and laughed, slapping Clive in the face.
Smoke: " Come on...you're better than that. I KNOW you are. Those Titans are bringing you down a bit kiddo. You could have hit me if you were as good as you used to be."
Clive: " I'm the best I've ever been!"
Clive took a couple more swings, each one missing. Finally, he took another swing towards Smoke, but as it missed, Clive pulled it down to the ground intentionally. As it hit the ground, he released a kinetic blast, exploding the pavement under them and sending the pair flying. As Smoke began to land, his shadow reached up and grabbed onto him in the form of a giant fist. Smoke struggled greatly against it's strength, but was unable to free himself. Clive stood up and brushed himself off, then began approaching.
Clive: " See? I'm better than what you say. A few questions for you though..."
Smoke: " Well...I see that I may be obliged...shoot."
Clive: " Who are you?"
Smoke: " Smoke."
Clive: " And who is Smoke?"
Smoke: " Himself."
Clive: " And under the scarf?"
Smoke: " My face."
Clive: " So how about we see what you look like..."
Clive began to reach towards Smoke's scarf, and gave it a slight tug. But as he did, the shadow began to glow with orange cracks. Clive began to back off as the shadowy fist began to shake, then finally exploded, sending the shadow scattering into a million pieces. They of course sank along the ground and were not actually harmful to anything nearby. Smoke took a few steps back and regained his composure.
Smoke: " Well, that was interesting. Looks like you might have been somewhat right. Looks like I'll have to step it up a bit."
Starfire: " What do you mean?"
Smoke reached under his scarf and revealed a large thick metal collar around the base of his neck. The scarf had always covered it up, so it was a shock to the two titans. There was a pair of buttons on the side that he pressed, causing some steam to shoot out from the side. Smoke's body actually caught for for just a brief second, then the fire died and left him be.
Smoke: " Releasing the first lock. Fourty percent power control established."
Clive: " What did you just do?"
Smoke: " See this collar around my neck? Let's just say it keeps me from going kaboom. Regulates my power usage so I don't explode."
Clive: " I see. So then..."
Smoke: " I've been going easy on you. The next power lock takes me up to seventy percent power. But with both locks active, I'm stuck around the twenty marker. I shouldn't need to release the second lock."
Clive: " Grand..."
Smoke: " Yeah, that's right. You're out classed, out skilled, and out gunned."
Clive: " We'll see...take his right side Starfire!"
Starfire: " And you?"
Clive: " I'M GONNA BLITZ!"
Clive ran right for Smoke, making no moves to get to either of his flanks or to cut off a retreat. Just simply, he was going head on into the fiery villian. Smoke took a step to his rear, and slightly left of Clive. As the pair of Titans closed in on him, he thrusted his palms out towards them, creating a circle of fire around his body on the ground. Starfire saw this and pulled upwards, flying over head of Smoke, then began to turn around to make another pass at him. Clive charged right through the flames with his head tucked down and his shoulder stuck out, striking Smoke in the chest and knocking him from his protective barrier. As he fell out, Starfire began throwing starbolts all around in order to shake Smoke up and stop him from grounding himself and regrouping.
Getting back up quickly, Clive continued his assault with a right hook to Smoke's chest, a left uppercut into his stomach, and a wide arcing roundhouse kick to Smoke's face, sending him reeling back into the wall. And yet, even as his fists and feet would contact him, Smoke would remain ever steady, and only become pushed around. No sounds of pain, no signs of injury...nothing. It was like he was beating on a punching bag, he wasn't getting anywhere. Smoke stood up after that last hit to the face, tugging and rewrapping parts of his scarf to make sure they stay on. He smirked at Clive, dusting his coat off.
Smoke: " Impressive. I guess you have been working on yourself. But alas, I must admit that I have an ace up my sleeve. You see..."
Grey: (Don't Smoke...)
Smoke: (Sir?)
Grey: (You have another guest...)
Smoke: (Where?)
Grey: (Don't worry about that. He'll be out in a moment...best not to give up your secrets just yet...)
Smoke: (Who is he?)
Grey: (I can't tell...something about him...just makes it too hard to make sense of anything inside his head. He's probably one of Slade's men.)
Smoke: (I see. Then keep in touch, just incase I need some help.)
Grey: (That I will.)
The tall villian took a strange martial arts stance, allowing his fists to catch on fire. Starfire floated down and landed next to Clive, who reached into his shadow and pulled his guitar up and out of it.
Smoke: " Oh come now Clive...do you really need a weapon against me?"
Clive: " Oh come now Smoke...do you really need your powers for me?"
Smoke: " Copy cating...how pathetic."
Clive: " Pathetic this, pathetic that...can't you get some better lines?"
Smoke: " No I don't. Unlike you, I have a much meaner bite than I do a bark."
Clive: " Well barking is about all I've heard from you, clown."
Smoke: " Then come on Clive! Why don't you just take a couple more swings at me!"
He complied with Smoke's words and made a third assault. Starfire floated up and prepared to fire more Starbolts, but was afraid to hit Clive, as she knew what her powers would do to him. The pair fought, while Clive was swinging his guitar from left to right, and even up and down from time to time, Smoke would do his best to dodge the wide arcing weapon. He took a hit to the chest and was knocked for a third time into the wall. Infact, not just into it, but through it. People within the building scattered away, terrified of getting injured or killed. Starfire helped the fleeing citizens while the pair continued their battle. As Smoke got up, Clive made a fourth charge on him, trying to stay relentless and on the offensive. However, this was cut short as the pair saw a small ball fly out from the roof of the building and land in between them. Clive and Smoke both backed off with sufficient distance to keep away from the orb. It sprayed gas in all directions, but no one was within the area to be affected.
Clive: " What's this Smoke?"
Smoke: " Yours is as good as mine Clive. I was told someone would interrupt us...it was just a matter of when."
Clive: " Show your face!"
Starfire set down next to Clive as Smoke continued to back away, wanting sufficient room just in case he would need to do some fancy dodging. A figure dropped down into the cloud, inhaling some of the fumes as they began to dissapate. The man stood very tall, at almost 7 feet, with large muscles on his arms and legs. He wore a white tank top, grey pants, and a black backpack. He had thinning black hair with a very high hair line, and had probably gone almost a week without shaving. He grinned, looking around at the two titans and Smoke.
Addict: " Ahh...so I missed...too bad. Would have been a very painful experience for the three of you."
Clive: " What the hell is this? Some old guy who thinks he's still in high school? Grow up and get a real job."
Addict: " A talker...he he he. That's good...I like your kind. And what about you red...what kind of girl are you?"
Starfire: " I am not sure what you mean, but I suggest you to give yourself up!"
Smoke: " Yeah right. He's not gonna do that Starfire. You're just wasting your breath."
Starfire: " He isn't?"
Addict: " So...you know who I am?"
Smoke: " Well...I've heard of a guy like you. With that big backpack thing on...you must be Addict, right?"
Addict: " That's my name. If you want it, I've got it and more. I've tried every kind of drug there is...overdosed on them all and still I'm ticking. But I don't get a thrill anymore...oh no I don't. So I went about and used that college education I got to help me correct that problem. Thanks to Professor Crane, I was able to come up with so many different narcotics that I'll always have that thrill! What that was there was a little one I cooked up a few weeks ago. It's an inhalent that when taken in, can drive you wild. Like extasy, only that it causes you to itch, and at mere touch, that pleasure you should feel becomes an excurtiating pain. Natrually though, I'm immune to it."
Clive: " Whatever. Get outta town before I throw you out."
Smoke: " That's funny Clive...you'd be willing to fight me and this loser at the same time?"
Clive: " I don't associate with scumbags like you."
Addict: " Well, I'll change that. What's your addiction? Don't have one? Then let me find you one!"
Addict turned around, reaching into his backpack and pulled out 8 darts, throwing them in the direction of both the Titans and Smoke. Clive bat them away as Starfire took cover behind some trash cans. Smoke threw a fireball large enough to encompass the darts, melting them as they fell to the ground. He cleared the distance between himself and addict afterwards, throwing a punch into Addicts stomach and bringing him to his knees. But this was only temporary, as Addict shook off the stunning blow and knocked Smoke away. Clive came in afterwards, swinging his guitar more, but found that Addict was strong enough to block his attacks with no worries. He backed off quickly as Addict pulled another device out of his back pack, spraying some kind of gas all over the place. Clive and Starfire both cleared the area, doing their best to avoid the gas. Smoke tightened his scarf and took a deep breath, then charged through the gas with his eyes closed and using his other senses to guide his shoulder charge into Addicts gut. Addict was knocked over and Smoke rolled away from him. Clive took a defensive posture infront of Starfire, deciding that he'd just let these two villians duke it out and then he'd capitalize on the situation afterwards. Addict however, had other plans. He got up and retreated as Smoke tossed a large fireball his way. Addict pulled out another device that looked like a gun.
Addict: " This here's one of my favorites. The ammunition this gun fires is infact a small shot. This shot is filled with a potent drug I have called Magma. I usually combine this with one of my many other toxins, and it gives me a real charge...but on it's own, it's actually quite painful and very exhausting."
Smoke: " So?"
Addict: " Well, this one isn't exactly for you, but if you want to try it...you can go after Clive!"
Addict fired off a couple of rounds at Clive and Starfire. Clive stood in the way and took the shots, letting them deflect off his body, since he was using his black suit as protection. Addict retreated into an ally seeing his plan didn't work, and so began devising a new scheme. Clive followed after him, being trailed by both Smoke and Starfire. He ran right into the dark area and then realized that it was so dark that he couldn't see Addict, who strangely wasn't a hard person to miss by his size. Clive made his way in further, and as he did, Smoke and Starfire reached the opening to the ally, using their respective powers to cast away the darkness.
Smoke: " CLIVE YOU IDIOT! GET OUTTA THERE!"
Clive: " What?!"
Clive turned towards Smoke, hearing the strange sound of concern in his voice. As he did, Addict jumped out from behind a trash dumpster and pressed a small button on the top of his gun. A flare shot out and hit Clive from behind, then was followed by 3 shots of his Magma drug that he had boasted so much about. Clive fell backwards towards Starfire and Smoke, and the pair ran ahead of him to protect the slowly rising Titan.
Addict: " Got ya."
Clive: " Yeah right. All you did was just try and burn me, then shoot me. Well, my suit is fire proof and bullet proof as well...so I hate to say it, but...ugh..."
Clive fell to a knee and reached his arm around his side. He got back up to his feet, but stumbled and fell to the ground. His face was awash with concentration, feeling a sudden pain in his body to the likes he had never felt. It was like someone had lit a fire inside his body, and the sensation moved from his back to his chest, and then into his stomach and arms, eventually reaching his head. Clive wrapped his arms around himself and curled up a bit, tensing his muscles. Starfire knelt down and tried to give him some kind of care, but she was unsure as to what she was to do. He began to sweat profusely and then began screaming as the pain was too much. Addict laughed, then pointed his gun at his three targets.
Addict: " Slade told me about your weakness. So I figure that if I nailed you with a flare, that suit of yours would retract, giving me a nice free spot to shoot for. Now...I named my drug Magma because of it's primary effect. Like the blood of the earth, Magma gets into your blood stream and burns. Infact, it'll raise your body temperature and make you feel like someone has set you on fire. Your veins will itch and burn, your skin will become sensitive, and it'll feel like you're being cooked from the inside out. Pain and injury don't seem to effect you when you're on it...but that may be because you're already in pain as it is. The only relief you'll get is by cutting yourself open. As blood is drained out of you, the sensation goes away, but I've pumped more than enough in you that you'll have to drain your whole body dry...and that wouldn't be the best idea...would it..."
Smoke: " How lame. Attacking people with drugs. You know, if it wasn't for that, I know even he could kick your ass."
Addict: " Yes, but I don't have super powers...so I'll just use this to even the odds."
Smoke: " Then why don't you try me."
The drug crazed monster of a man aimed the gun at Smoke and fired repeatedly. Smoke dodged the shots with ease, closing the distance between the two swiftly, then delivered a series of blows to Addicts body and face. Though, as Addict was being rattled around by Smokes blows, he used their close quarters to his advantage, and pumped a half dozen rounds into Smokes stomach, pushing him back and halting his melee.
Addict: " And that's two down."
Smoke: " No...not really."
Addict: " WHAT?"
Smoke looked at his stomach and then pulled each of the miniture shots out of him. Yes, each one had hit, and each one had injected their drug into his body, but it didn't seem to bother him.
Addict: " Do you not feel like you're burning away into ashes? Are you immune to pain? What is going on? That should have killed you!"
Smoke: " Let me show you...'
Smoke took a small sharp piece of metal from a nearby trash can in the ally and cut his hand with it. The wound pumped blood out of his hand, which drained to the ground and sizzled slightly. He smiled widely underneath his scarf, then flicked some of his blood at Addict, who didn't try and dodge it.
Addict: " Ok...so what?"
Smoke: " So where'd you get those holes in your shirt from?"
Addict: " Huh?"
He looked down and saw that where Smokes blood had been, now only small burnt holes had been left. Addicts eyes became wide, as he slowly looked up to see his adversary missing.
Addict: " Hey...where'd you go?"
Smoke: " THIS IS WHY YOU'RE LITTLE DRUG HAD NO EFFECT ON ME!"
Smoke leapt from a set of emergency stairs onto Addicts back. He grabbed Addicts head and ran his bloody hand over the right side of Addicts face, smearing it in the crimson liquid. He let go and took a couple of steps back, admiring his work, as Addict began to scream and shake, trying to get Smokes burning blood off his face.
Smoke: " See...you can pump me full of that stuff whenever you want. Fact is, is that my blood doesn't just feel like it burns...it actually does. Maybe that's why I'm so irritable. Now then, get the hell out of here and tell Slade that if he really wants some, he can come to me and we'll settle the score whenever and wherever."
Addict: " My...MY FACE! YOU BASTARD! I'LL GET YOU! I'LL GET YOU!"
Addict made a run for it, deciding that he needed to seek some kind of care for his estranged burns. In the meantime, Smoke checked up on Starfire, who was still trying to aid Clive, but was quite unsuccessful.
Smoke: " Well Clive? This is why you're not good enough. You make mistakes that cost you...I don't."
Starfire: " Can you not see that you words will not help?"
Smoke: " I suppose you're right. He was never one to listen to good advice, but neither was I when I was his age I suppose. You'd better take him home and get him some help quickly."
Starfire: " You will not try anything?"
Smoke: " No...I won't. Just take care of the big dummy."
She watched him walk off, catching into flames and disappearing into a large plume of smoke. Starfire picked Clive up and flew high up into the air as to avoid any more enemies, then made her way back to the Tower as fast as possible. She touched down on the roof top and wandered on in, flying down flights of stairs in search of Robin and Raven for help, while holding the catatonic Clive in her arms. From time to time, he was let out a gasp or a yelp, but he centered all his focus on dealing with the immense pain he was feeling. Starfire finally found Raven in the living room, sitting down and reading a large book. She looked up and saw Starfire holding Clive as she came into the room. Raven stood up immediately and directed Starfire to the couch, where they would set Clive down.
Raven: " What's wrong with him?"
Starfire: " He has been poisoned I think. We were out having fun, then Smoke attacked, then a man named Addict attacked, and now Clive has been hurt, and I am not sure as to what we should do!"
Raven: " You need to calm down Starfire. Let me take a look at him..."
Raven held her hands over Clive and she used her powers to try and find out what was wrong. After a few moments, she turned to Starfire and shrugged.
Raven: " Well, there are some puncture wounds in his back that are closed up already, but there is nothing that I can do personally. We need Cyborg and Robin for help on this. Can you tell me what has happened?"
Starfire: " I just did Raven. Clive and I were doing the hanging out when Smoke attacked. Then a man named Addict attacked us in our fight, so we joined forces to stop him. But he was able to use some kind of drug on Clive and now, he's been hurt."
Raven: " Now I understand. I'm going to call the others down here. They had some encounter with more of those elemental beings that we've been seeing pop up."
The pair moved at a hurried through the tower, trying to make it to Cyborg's room so they could get Clive examined. In the meantime, Raven explained what had happened earlier to the others.
Raven: " See, sometime after you two left the baseball field, Cyborg, Terra, and Beastboy ended up getting attacked. One of them was named Aqua, who could create, manipulate, and control water, while the other, Jolt, had some power over lightning. I suppose things hadn't gone too well for them, but they screwed up and while Aqua was flooding the area, Jolt decided to use his powers and electricuted the both of them. Cyborg and the others were fine, so they made a break for it to check on the kids. Well, that's what they told me."
Starfire: " I see. Come, we must hurry up! I think Clive is getting worse!"
Starfire, whom was carrying Clive, shifted him around in her arms so she could take Ravens hand and fly them to Cyborg's room. Obviously, she ignored the elevator and used the stairs, and in mere moments, they were walking in. Cyborg and Robin were using the large computer in there to try and find out some kind of leads between all the other attacks. They turned around, hearing Starfire and the others burst in.
Robin: " Oh, Starfire! Hey, we tried to get a hold of you earlier and...hey! What's wrong?"
Starfire: " Something is terribly wrong with Clive!"
Cyborg: " Well, come on, lay him here and I'll run a check on his body."
Cyborg helped Starfire lay out Clive out on a large machine. It scanned his body and brought up all sorts of data on him. From all the counts of his body's enzymes to his current level of brain activity. Basically, nothing about him was excluded here, and fortunately, the toxin in his blood could be isolated and examined by this machine. After some careful reading, Cyborg announced his findings to the others.
Cyborg: " Well...I'm surprised he survived to begin with. Looks like this drug is made up of a poison found in the tails of the South Pacific Stingray. It's very potent and it has the effect of causing the body to over heat. There's other things laced into it though, which would probably be various narcotics."
Starfire: " So what can we do to help him?"
Cyborg: " Well, we can get an antivenom from the hospital. Someone needs to go pick it up. With that, he can recover faster, but it'll still be a week or two before he'll be ok."
Robin: " I'll do it then. Give them a call and have it prepared."
Robin ran out of the room while Cyborg made the phone call. Starfire and Raven stood over Clive who was shaking and sweating, letting out slight gasps and moans as he held his own against the poison. Raven shook her head, then placed a hand on his forehead.
Raven: " I'm going to try and get him to sleep. Maybe then he won't have to feel the pain so much."
Starfire: " Please do so..."
Raven closed her eyes and concentrated, going into Clive's mind. It was always unusual going into his mind, as it was always dark and clouded, which was most likely a defense that Black had set up. She wandered around inside of it, seeing all sorts of memories that belonged to him while trying not to notice. She didn't want to violate their relationship by peeking into his thoughts and feelings, but sometimes, it was impossible to avoid this. His life flashed infront of her eyes and she could tell what he was feeling in his life at the moment. Really, it made her blush a bit, but she put everything aside and tried to find his conscience. When she found it, she realized that Black was standing infront of it, almost as a guard against any intruder. He turned to her and tilted his head.
Black: " Raven...I figured you'd come."
Raven: " Black...what are you doing here?"
Black: " I protect Clive from the things he cannot defend himself."
Raven: " So why are you on guard right now?"
Black: " Because, the one known as Grey is trying to probe his mind."
Raven: " I see. Does that mean you're going to keep me out?"
Black: " I'd rather know what you plan to do..."
Raven: " I just want to get him to sleep. That might take away some of his pain..."
Black: " I see...then do what you must."
Black stepped aside from Clive's core conscience, allowing Raven to enter. There, she could actually control his body and know what was going on with him in every aspect. She decided not to stick around and put him to sleep, leaving quickly afterwards. Starfire leaned over, taking a look into Ravens glowing eyes, looking for some kind of sign of success. Finally, she heard a sigh from Clive, and noticed that he had fallen asleep. Raven returned back to herself and shook her head, removing her hands from Clive.
Raven: " There, it's done."
Starfire: " Thank you Raven."
Raven nodded, then left the room. Starfire turned to Cyborg, who was going over all of Clive's tests.
Starfire: " May I ask where my sister, Terra, and Beastboy are?"
Cyborg: " BB and Terra went after Aqua and Jolt, a pair of elementalists that attack us some time after you guys left."
Starfire: " That's right. Raven informed me about that."
Cyborg: " Well then, they've been out ever since. As for Blackfire, Robin said she was going out, and that's the last we've heard from her. She's probably found a nightclub or some party. No big deal."
Starfire: " I see."
Cyborg: " Well, as much as I like Clive, I'd rather not have him in my room...so could you help me move him and all this equipment up to his place upstairs?"
Starfire: " Indeed I can."
Grabbing a large heavy machine, Starfire carried it out of the room, followed by Cyborg who carried Clive on the examination table and took them up two flights of stairs and to Clive's floor. They set him, and his monitering equipment in his living room, repositioning everything as needed.
Cyborg: " Well, that's about all we can do. I've set up a camera to keep an eye on him, and then I've also got his moniters on a direct wireless link to me, so if something happens, I'll know instantly."
Starfire: " Perhaps I should stay and keep an eye on him?"
Cyborg: " I wouldn't do that tonight Starfire, you've been through enough. Just go get some rest, and we can all talk about this in the morning."
Starfire: " Thank you Cyborg."
Cyborg: " Hey, it's cool. He's had our backs, so now it's time we had his. I'm going to bed now Starfire, see ya in the morning."
Cyborg walked out, giving her a wave. Starfire stood over Clive as he slept and thought for a few moments, then decided that Cyborg was right. She left his room and turned out the lights, getting herself ready to retire as well.