Baker X: Ok, well it's been a while, and I think I'm due up for a much needed update. And no, I didn't update my other story. I've just beem really really busy with life in general. Hopefully I'll be able to get part 2 out shortly. Until then, 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. Oh, and Bon Jovi rocks, but I don't own anything by him either.
I'm working really hard at trying to sound smart, aren't I.
Dark Patriot
Duel of Grudges, part 1
The Titans awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of screams. For the past week, this was the normal, as Clive was still suffering from the toxin that Addict had injected him with. Sherri was the first person to Clive's room this time, not bothering to knock or ask permission to come inside. She simply just ran in and tended to her brother. Clive had rolled out of the bed onto the floor, and was holding his shoulders, doing his best to resist the pain going through his body. As the other Titans would gather, grim expressions would spread across their faces as they saw Clive had dug and scratched his nails across his arms and shoulders as he attempted to find a way to relieve his pain. Starfire and Blackfire lifted him back onto the bed and held him still while Sherri bandaged him up and Cyborg gave him an injection of his medicine. Cyborg shook his head after he pulled the needle out of Clive's arm.
Cyborg: " I hate seeing you like this man. But the doctors said it'll be another week before the poison runs it's course. Even with the antivenom..."
Starfire: " There is nothing we can do?"
Cyborg: " Sorry Star...he's just gotta deal with it. Only thing we can do is keep him comfy."
Starfire: "..."
Sherri: " If you guys don't mind...I'm gonna stay in his room with him, just in case."
Starfire: " I shall too! Just incase I am needed!"
Blackfire: " Well, if that's the case..."
Robin: " Sorry Titans, but Sherri is the only one who'll be doing that. I know you all want to help him...but we need to keep ourselves well rested, just in case we're needed. If Sherri needs help, she'll call for you. Is that alright with you Sherri?"
Sherri: " Yes Robin. Thank you very much for your help."
Robin: " It's nothing. Now come on guys, let's go to bed..."
The Titans dispersed, whispering to each other their concerns and worries, while Sherri pulled a chair up to Clive's bed and watched over him. He looked to her with a pair of very lazy and tired eyes, tilting his head up a bit to see her.
Clive: " Hey Sis..."
Sherri: " You probably shouldn't be talking."
Clive: " on...I'm not...a baby..."
Sherri: " You're also not invincible."
Clive: " Yes I am...shut the hell up..."
Sherri: " How are you feeling?"
Clive: " I...I'm not sure...kinda hot. Can you get...some of these covers off?"
Sherri: " Yes brother...hang on..."
She pulled the covers off him, folding them neatly and laying them next to his bed. Clive struggled a bit and had his shirt halfway off, realizing that he was still uncomfortable. Sherri helped him with that as well, and winced at the sight of him. The veins in his body had become inflammed, rising out and expanding a bit, making them more noticable. The toxin made them turn a bright red and highly noticable. She examined them a bit, then looked up to him.
Sherri: " I can't stand seeing you like this..."
Clive: " Yeah...it makes me...look like crap..."
Sherri: " Come on! Can't you be serious for once?"
Clive: " ...Lay off Sherri...it's not like...it's killing me...or anything."
Sherri: " How would you feel if you saw me like this?"
Clive: " I don't...know...and I don't...want to."
An ackward silence filled the room for a few moments, until a small bouquet of flowers were thrown from the enterance of the room to Clive's bed. Sherri was the first to look over and see the coated figure with a long red scarf wrapped around his neck and face. Smoke watched as Clive sat up fully, gritting his teeth and holding back the pain in his body at the sudden motion. The shadows began to swirl and distort as Clive prepared for a fight. Smoke laughed and shook his head, upsetting the dark titan.
Clive: " What do you want?"
Smoke: " Don't act so big and bad. You're a wreck right now, and it wouldn't be any fun to pound on you now. But here, take these...a gift from my organization for your efforts to help the citizens."
Sherri: " Clive? Who is this?"
Clive: " Get back Sherri...this is Smoke..."
Sherri: " You mean that one guy?"
Smoke: " You have nothing to fear from me Sherri...infact, I saved your life a while back. But I guess that's just old news."
Sherri: " So what are you really doing here?"
Smoke: " I've just wanted to see how that idiot was doing...that's all."
Sherri: " Well, he's doing fine. Thank you for helping him back there against that man Addict, but your presence is quite unsettling. Please, leave us peacefully."
Smoke looked at Sherri for a long moment, then turned away shrugging.
Smoke: " Alright then. Well, you kids have fun, I guess I'm off. And Clive?"
Clive: " What?"
Smoke: " You get better now, we've still got a score to settle."
Clive: " Yeah...whatever."
He exited out of the room, not to be detected by any of the other titans in the building as he left. Sherri sighed as Clive let go of his powers and allowed the shadows around them to rest and return to their previous locations. She looked around, a little creeped out by what he could do.
Sherri: " You know...I don't think I've ever seen you use them like that."
Clive: " It's easy...just takes practice..."
Sherri: " Well, maybe you could show them off to me some time. Anyways, I'll be in the next room if you need anything. Get some sleep."
Clive: " Yeah yeah...goodnight sis."
She left him and headed into the livingroom just a dozen feet away. She slept on the couch while he slowly sank into slumber, finally feeling the medication Cyborg gave him kick in and relax his body and numb the pain.
The next day, the Titans awoke groggily at different hours as usual. Cyborg and Raven were up the earliest, followed by Robin and Blackfire an hour later. Sherri was up afterwards, coming down from Clive's floor and preparing breakfast for all the Titans that were awake. Those whom slept in, being Beastboy, Terra, and Starfire still slept in late as usual missing breakfast. As for Clive...well, Clive was sleeping well into the afternoon. The titans conversed lightly over the large breakfast Sherri made.
Robin: " Thanks again Sherri for the breakfast."
Sherri: " Well...you guys are out saving the city...so I should atleast try and make sure you do it on a full stomach."
Cyborg: " Man, I've got to learn the recipe for these pancakes! They're dynamite!"
Blackfire: " Makes being a Titan even more enjoyable."
Raven: " They are very good Sherri. Thank you very much."
Sherri: " Well, it's easy. If you guys want, I could teach you some things!"
Cyborg: " Maybe later today. But now, I'm gonna go out for some training if you guys don't mind, unless you want to come?"
Robin: " I'd like to. Give me a couple minutes here to finish up."
Cyborg: " Alright...and you Raven?"
Raven: " I need to catch up on some reading. Perhaps tomorrow."
Robin: " How about you Blackfire?"
Blackfire: " Naaa...I think I'm gonna go do some lounging today. Maybe later or something."
Robin: " Alright, but make sure you do some practicing, because you haven't trained in a while, and I don't want you to rust."
Blackfire: " Don't worry, I won't rust. I'm probably better than most of you guys..."
Cyborg: " Care to put your money where your mouth is little lady?"
Blackfire: " Oh, maybe another time. I do have some plans for tonight anyways."
Robin: " Are you going out again? This is like the fifth time in the last couple weeks now."
Blackfire: " Well, I like to party. Sorry guys but with Clive out and off his feet, this place gets kinda boring."
Cyborg: " And what about the weeks before that?"
Blackfire: " Hey, I heard they were gonna be good. And no lies at that!"
The Titans finished their breakfasts and went their seperate ways. Sherri cleaned the table and kitchen of the food, finally finishing around 11am. Beastboy and Terra wandered down the stairs and into the kitchen, greeting her with yawns. She fixed them bowls of their favorite cereals that they had sitting around. Sherri served them at the table, then wandered into the laundry room to start that up. She would hum to herself while she worked, and though it was true that the other Titans didn't do much around the Tower anymore since Sherri had began living there, she didn't mind. If they were out saving the city and world, why should they spend their time doing all the house chores that she could easily do (and do ten times better.
Starfire awoke shortly after Beastboy and Terra finished their breakfast. She had stayed up a while after the Titans dispersed from Clive's room, worring about his health. It was through some independant meditation that she was able to calm herself enough to fall asleep. Her first order of business before she would clean up and whatnot was to check on Clive. Starfire wandered upstairs and onto his floor, then knocked on his door to see if he was awake. She recieved no answer, and after a couple more tries, sat down next to his door to take a moment to think. She looked at a small stand that was across the room from her and saw a couple of pictures on it. One with Clive and his family, one of just Sherri and their mother, and one of a good looking young man with medium length blond hair, much like Sherri's. He wore black sun glasses and had a sly smile stretched across his face.
Starfire: " I wonder if this was his brother. He talks about him from time to time..."
She got up and inspected the pictures for a moment, then sighed and returned to her seat by the door.
Starfire: (I wish I could check on him...but would it not be an invasion of privacy if I were to just walk into his room without permission?)
As thoughts ran through her mind, both clean and slightly smudged, she heard a rustle from within and was very quick to just jump up and enter, worried he was in some kind of trouble. Entering the room, she saw that he had fallen back on the floor again, and was doing his best to slowly get up. She helped the stumbling Titan up off the ground and repositioned him on the bed. Clive sat up and turned to her, dangling his feet from the bed side.
Clive: " Thanks, Starfire."
Starfire: " Are you alright?"
Clive: " Yeah, I'm fine. I just kinda rolled out of bed."
Starfire: " I must apologize for entering your room without permission too. I should have waited for you to let me in..."
Clive: " Oh, you can come in my room anytime. Just...watch out, my cats get jealous of anyone who spends more time in there...than they do."
Starfire: " I am relieved you can be so jovial even in your condition."
Clive: " Sometimes that's the only thing that keeps us humans going Star."
Starfire: " So...do you need anything right now? Perhaps your medications?"
Taking a moment, Clive let his mind wander on that note. Though he was in some pain, no amount of pain could halt his imagination, or that dirty little man he kept inside his head.
(Enter Clive's Wild Imaginations)
Starfire: " Perhaps you need some of your medications?"
Clive: " Baby, what I need is some Bad Medicine!"
Starfire sat down on the bed as Clive leaned back into a laying position. She herself leaned over him and pressed her lips to his, sharing together a very passionate, hot, and heavy kiss.
Music kicked in...drums started up...guitars entered playing a very familiar song from the late 80's. Suddenly, Bon Jovi himself burst into the room with his microphone, singing his heart out as loud as he could, but the two titans didn't seem to notice.
Bon Jovi: " Your love, is like BAD MEDICINE! BAD MEDICINE IS WHAT I NEED! Shake it up, just like BAD MEDICINE! THERE AIN'T NO DOCTOR THAT CAN CURE MY DISEASE!"
The pair on the bed continued their business without paying any mind to the rock and roll icon that was watching and singing.
Bon Jovi: " I need a resperator cause I'm running outta breath! You're an all night generator wrapped in stockings and a dress! When you find you medicine, you take what you can get! Cause if there's something better baby, well they haven't found it yet!"
Enraptured with each other, the love birds were oblivious to everything around them, without a care as to what was happening or who was there. Thankfully, this was only Bon Jovi.
(Exit Clive's Wild Imaginations)
Starfire stared at Clive, awaiting an answer to her question. He had a wide grin on his face and seemed to be wrapped up in some kind of thought. She leaned closer to him and called his name repeatedly, until he came out of it.
Starfire: " Clive? Clive! Are you alright?"
Clive: " Huh? Oh, sorry Starfire...just uhhh...thought of something..."
Starfire: " Do you need your medicine?"
Clive: " No...not really. I just want to get up and out of here..."
Clive did his best to stand up, which didn't go to well. Once he was fully erect, the injured Titan stumbled once again, not quite having his sea legs yet and almost fell. Thankfully, Starfire was quick enough to catch him and support him on his feet. The pair shifted around so that he had his arm around her, leaning on her shoulder for support. They began walking slowly at a pace he could settle with. Before they left his room, she looked to the bed and saw the flowers sitting at the foot of it.
Starfire: " Clive...where did those flowers come from?"
Clive: " Heh...Smoke, actually."
Starfire: " He was here? Did he hurt you? How did he get in?"
Clive: " I don't know...it's not big deal. He's gone now."
Starfire: " Perhaps he wishes a truce then. That would be very nice after all."
Clive: " Yeah...that'd be nice."
They continued out of his room and she helped him towards the elevator, where they entered and rode down to the first floor slowly. She stared at him for a moment, looking at his bare arms and chest, taking in the painful sight of the veins in his body that were still pumping the venom through him.
Starfire: " So how are you feeling? Are you sure you should be out like this?"
Clive: " Well, I'm not gonna die...and I'm really freakin hungry. Plus...the exercise would be good...since I haven't been out of my room for most of the last week or so..."
Starfire: " Perhaps that is true. So, are you in pain now?"
Clive: " Kinda...I mean...I sure as hell aren't comfortable...but it's not too bad right now...I just feel a little too warm."
Starfire: " Excuse me for saying...it is hard to bear your appearance while you are sick..."
There was a brief moment of ackward silence between the two, before Starfire apologized.
Starfire: " I am very sorry...I did not mean to sound offensive..."
Clive: " No...it's alright. I shouldn't walk around like this...but wearing anything more and it feels too warm."
Starfire: " I wish I could help you endure this..."
Clive: " No Star...it's alright. I wouldn't want this on you..."
The elevator came to a stop and the doors popped open. Starfire helped Clive out and they continued into the kitchen.
Clive: " Either way...nothing a little home cooking won't fix..."
Starfire helped Clive to the refrigerator, and the pair started to dig out some left overs that had been made during the course of the week. Sherri popped into the kitchen shortly after the duo had gathered all sorts of food onto plates and set them down on the table.
Sherri: " Clive? What are you doing down here? You should be in bed!"
Clive: " You know...I'm sick of laying around Sherri. Just let me enjoy this..."
Sherri: " But you're health is..."
Clive: " Please! Ugh...I'll be alright...it's only food. Never lost a battle with a fork before..."
Starfire: " I must apologize Sherri...it was I who brought him down here."
Clive: " Only because I asked her to."
Sherri: " Well, I suppose it couldn't be avoided. Your hunger overrides your will to live, your survival instincts, and your common sense. Still, should have told me you were gonna be down here looking for something to eat. I'd have made something for the two of you."
Clive: " Heh, we'll be alright Sherri. Just heat up some left overs and I'll be just fine..."
Sherri: " Whatever..."
As she began reheating the left overs, the Titans conversed lightly with each other over their meal. But today would be rather eventful for the Titans, as both Slade and Grey know of Clive's problem. In the dark room where Grey traditionally sat, gathered six individuals. From left to right, Wendy, Glacie, Smoke, Jolt, Aqua, and a new member. He was short, like Beastboy, and was a strange green color. His hair was long and black, but his clothing was a solid grey suit, similar to Wendy's but different in color.
Grey: " Good to see you gathered. And I see you've decided to join us Thorne?"
Thorne: " Indeed Mr. Grey...I have made my decision."
Grey: " Good to hear that."
Glacie: " Hey, when am I gonna meet whatsherface?"
Grey: " How many times do I need to remind Glacie...she'll be along soon enough. Until then, just deal with it."
Glacie: " Oy jeez..."
Smoke: " Sir, is there any reason you've gathered us together today? Was it to meet Thorne, then I think my time's been wasted."
Thorne: " Oh, now don't be that way Smoke...I'm sure we'll be the best of friends!"
Thorne smiled to Smoke, then flicked a small seed upon his chest. Smoke watched as it blossomed into a pretty white rose in seconds. He shook his head, scoffing at the act, using his powers to dry out the rose until it began to wilt away to nothing.
Smoke: " Did you have something to request of us?"
Grey: " Well...yes I did. Thorne, Smoke...I want you two to go on a mission for me."
Thorne: " A mission? What do you want us to do?"
Grey: " Very simple...fact is, the Titans are weak right now. They're trump card Clive is out off his feet, making them easy pickings. I'd just send Thorne, but I'm going to send Smoke just in case they're too much. It's not that I don't doubt your abilities Thorne...but it never hurts to have too much help, get my drift?"
Thorne: " Oh, of course!"
Smoke: " The Titans are just kids compared to me Grey. You know that...and so does everyone else. Don't make me pick on a bunch of kids..."
Grey: " Then why did you join up with Slade? Because you didn't know what else to do? Because he gave you everything you needed to get better, stronger, faster, and smarter? That's what he was aiming to do you know...so why did you leave him for us? While we may not have the same plans, myself and Slade, we do have similar courses of action. You know, if you want some action, you should have joined the Titans. They could use a guy like you, know?"
Smoke: " I'm not a goody two shoes like the rest of them. I don't do the crime fighting thing...that's way to trivial. I want some real action, and if you keep your promise, that's what I'll get."
Grey: " I did say that, didn't I...But you don't mind doing some illegal activities then?"
Smoke: " I do what I want, when I want, however I want."
Grey: " And that's what I like about you Smoke...always getting your job done."
Thorne: " So...shall we go?"
Grey: " Hang on Thorne...here, get a mask so that no one can see your face. After all, we're going to be terrorizing the populace...so for our plans to succeed, we don't want the citizens knowing who we are and what we look like. After all, that's going to be very important later, right Smoke?"
Smoke: " Yeah yeah. I'm going ahead. Just make sure you're there to help with the Titans Thorne..."
Thorne: " Right O."
The day passed on as the Titans went about some of their chores. Beastboy, Terra, and Robin were out patrolling the city and doing some investigating, while the remaining Titans were back inside enjoying their semi-normal super hero lives. All except for Clive, who was still reeling from the venom in his body. He was sitting on the couch with large ice packs on his back and neck, watching television between his sister and Starfire, while Cyborg began rooting through the movies for them to enjoy. Raven was busy meditating as usual, and Blackfire was actually out doing a little exercising and training. Cyborg finally popped up from the movie vault with a few DvD's.
Cyborg: " Ok, I have Nuclear Cyborg Ninja Demolishion from Planet X, Chainsaw Maniac Showdown 4, aaaaaannnnd....Gone With the Wind. So which is it guys?"
Sherri: " Oh come on..."
Cyborg: " What? That's what we haven't watched in a while!"
Starfire: " Perhaps we should go to the place of the movie rentals?"
Clive: " Ninja's...let's go with that..."
Cyborg: " Ya know, I think I'm with my buddy Clive over there."
Sherri: " Well then, I say we watch Gone With the Wind...what do you think Starfire?"
Starfire: " Well...I think that..."
Before Starfire could even finish her sentence, all the Titan's communicators started beeping. She was the first to answer, seeing Robin's face on the screen.
Robin: " Titans, trouble! There's some guy toting a large cannon shooting down anything that comes close in central square. Get Raven and Blackfire, then get over here now!"
Starfire: " Right."
She got up and started to head out with Cyborg. Clive sat up slowly and started to make his way towards the exit. Sherri ran over to him and stood in his way, blocking the doorway.
Sherri: " What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Clive: " My job."
Sherri: " Not in your condition! You need to get better first!"
Clive: " But..."
Sherri: " No buts!"
Clive: " Damn it Sherri..."
Starfire: " Clive, you must stay here."
Sherri looked over her shoulder to see Starfire standing with Raven near the enterance to the tower.
Starfire: " You are in no condition to fight Clive...and I feel more at ease if you were instead resting up and getting better, instead of possibly getting hurt once again."
Clive: " Star..."
Raven: " Look Clive, if we really need you, we'll give you a call...but I doubt that'll have to come around, alright?"
He sighed heavily and sat back down onto the couch, snagging the remote from the table with his powers.
Clive: " Alright...but call me if you need me!"
The Titans nodded amongst each other, then took off towards the action, where Beastboy, Terra, and Robin had gathered. Thorne stood on the clocktower in central square with a large weapon in his hands, firing it off at the Titans as they tried to close in. Robin was forcefully grounded as Thorne was a good show with the weapon. He was able to cut the Grappling Cable wherever it had been fired. Terra would try to shake Thorne off, or knock him off with the use of her powers over earth, but he remained strangely grounded to the building, exploding her boulders with the powerful shells of his gun. And Beastboy? He couldn't get close for a very particular reason, but one he couldn't outright identify.
Robin: " Alright you! Give it up!"
Thorne: " Why? Looks like I'm winning buddy! Shouldn't you give it up?"
Robin: " Hardly!"
And with that, a blast from below hit the platform Thorne was standing on, knocking him off into a free fall towards the ground. Before he hit, a large black claw rose up and caught him, throwing him into the ground with a decent amount of force, but it wouldn't have been fatal in the least. Thorne got up to be struck by a Starbolt and knocked a good ways down the street, where another, indigo colored starbolt clocked him in the back, sending him sliding along the concrete. Thorne got up once again and brushed himself off, as if nothing had happened, to see the 7 Titans gather in a tight formation.
Robin: " Ready to give up?"
Thorne: " Hardly. Now to lead you out of town!"
Robin: " Lead us out?"
Thorne: " Yeah. And if you all don't follow me, I'll destroy everything in my path!"
He took off running, shooting cars and windows as he ran, being followed by all 7 Titans. He ran with an unnatural stamina. He didn't stop until he and the Titans were in a deserted and rocky region, similar to the one they found Terra in. He stopped on top of a plateu, looking down with a wiley grin.
Thorne: " Titans! I invite you to my jungle! Here, I am unstoppable!"
Robin: " Jungle?"
Thorne: " Yes...but you don't see it...do you?"
The ground began to quake about and split as plantation of all sorts grew from within it. Trees and bushes sprout up and began to close the Titans in together. Within a few moments, the area had become alive with vegetation, as a jungle had popped up out of no where. Robin glanced around a bit and checked on the others.
Robin: " Everybody alright?"
The general consensus was that everyone was ok.
Raven: " So...what now?"
Robin: " We find this guy and put a stop to him."
Thorne: " But how? Here I am a god! No one can stop me!"
Robin: " Really? Starfire, Blackfire, start blasting! Level the area now!"
Doing as asked, the Tameranian sisters began to throw starbolts and shoot beams from their eyes, knock down trees and blasting apart the ground itself. With such destruction came a huge plume of smoke and dust, covering over the Titans and blocking their view of the damage. Once it had cleared, a horrified expression befell the super hero team as the jungle grew back quickly, and within mere moments, it was as if nothing had happened.
Robin: " No!"
Blackfire: " Impossible!"
Starfire: " This cannot be!"
Thorne: " But it is!"
Large vines shot up from the ground and out of the trees, wrapping up the Titans, binding and squeezing them as they were lifted off the ground and stretched out. Thorne stepped out from behind a tree, followed by a large leafy plant that had vines writhing about. He smiled, being lifted up by a small tree from the ground and examined his now restrained prey. Thorns grew all over the vines and began to make their way up to the Titans, poking them sharply if they tried to do anything. Even Cyborg couldn't do anything without getting hurt.
Thorne: " Oh, and what I catch I have. Now behind me is my favorite plant of all...the Giant Venus Man Trap. You won't find it anywhere...it's my own creation...lovely isn't it?"
Robin: " W...what do you want?"
Thorne: " To destroy you. What else could I want?"
Starfire: " But why?"
Thorne: " I don't know honestly...but hey, ours is not to reason why..."
Cyborg: " You won't get away with this!"
Thorne: " What are you going to do about it? You look all tied up to me..."
Beastboy: " Wait'll I get outta here..."
Thorne: " My my...you know, you kind of remind myself of me...only a little dumber looking. It'd be a shame to see you die, but that's life buddy. And, since you're so much like me, I bet my Venus Man Trap will love you!"
The vines holding Beastboy brought him over top the large hungry plant. It's giant maw had opened and was more than large enough to engulf the green titan and then some. Terra gasped and her eyes began to glow, as her powers were being activated. But before she could do something, the thornes on all the Titans bindings grew in more, causing even more pain and discomfort, thus keeping the Titans from using their powers.
Thorne: " Any last words, Beastbrat?"
Beastboy: " LET ME GO!"
Raven: " Don't you dare!"
The dark growl and murderous threat drew Thornes attention. The vines pulled Beastboy back and brought Raven up to him instead. He eyed her for a moment, giving her a leer that made her skin crawl. After checking her out for a moment, Thorne smiled.
Thorne: " Now what have we here? A pretty young woman who wants a little attention?"
Raven: " If you dare harm any of my friends...I'll make you regret it!"
Thorne: " So...if I let them all go...what do I get?"
Raven: " I'll make sure to let you live..."
Thorne: " Oh, I'm scared now! You can't do anything...you're helpless!"
Thorne began to lean in and placed a hand on her lower back, pulling her towards him. She turned her face away as he brought his in towards her, making an attempt to kiss her. Before he could though, black tendrils ripped out from beneath her cloak, pushing them apart and began tearing away at the vines. Her form grew longer and longer as a second set of eyes opened on her forehead. Ravens eyes began to glow red and her voice was terribly harsh, as she watched Thorne retreat behind his large Man Trap.
Raven: " What's wrong? Don't want a goodnight kiss?"
Thorne: " What...what's wrong with you? Smoke! Smoke? Help me! Smoke! Where are you?"
Raven: " No one's going to help you! Now where were we?"
The other Titans watched helplessly as Raven's powers suddenly engulfed the monsterous plant, tearing it to pieces and splattering it's green chloroplast all over the jungle area.
And back at the tower, while this was occuring?
Sherri: " So Clive...what do ya want to watch now?"
Clive: " Anything! Gone With the Wind suc...?"
Clive was suddenly disturbed by Black, who's form spread across the floor. Sherri took a few steps back in terror at the sudden appearance of Black. Clive stood up slowly and looked down at his gigantic shadow, which seemed to be whispering something to him. Clive nodded, looking up to his younger sister.
Clive: " Sherri...you're best to leave now. You don't want to see this..."
Thorne began making a run for it, followed quickly by the enraged Raven. Thorne did his best to slow her down by causing trees and such grow and appear in her way, but this was to little avail as she would just knock them down and tear them apart. Finally though, Thorne ran out of room to run in and was dead ended by a large chasm.
Thorne: " Please! Please let me go!
Raven: " Any last words?"
Thorne: " LET ME GO!"
The dark laughter filled the area and echoed throughout the chasm, sending chills up the Titans who could hear it. Raven's long dark glowing tendrils latched onto the helpless Thorne and began to squeeze him to death. Before long, the jungle he created withered away and the Titans were freed. But what could they do now that Raven was in such a frenzy.
Blackfire: " What's going on with her?"
Robin: " No time to explain!"
Starfire: " But what should we do?"
Thorne slipped and fell off the cliffside, only saving himself by catching onto the edge of the chasm. Raven stood over him with a devilish smile, getting rid to knock him off. Before she could though, her shadow virtually leapt up and knocked her away, distancing Raven from Thorne. The shadow leapt back and took form. Standing almost 13 feet tall with long legs and arms and the unmistakable and undefinable dreadlocks that hung down it's back and sides was Black. His light blue eyes opened widely to meet Raven's four red ones, then assumed a defensive stance.
Raven: " What? You...you are..."
Black: " Let...her...go..."
Raven laughed even more as her darker side came out even more. Her cloak changed from blue to red, reflecting her nature even more.
Raven: " What fun! To find you here like this!"
Black: " RELEASE THE GIRL!"
Raven: " Take her from me! AH HA HA HA HA HA HA!"
From a deep and terrifying growl that escalated into cry of hatred, Black leapt into the air towards the possessed Raven, taking the initiative and making the first strike...
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. Oh, and Bon Jovi rocks, but I don't own anything by him either.
I'm working really hard at trying to sound smart, aren't I.
Dark Patriot
Duel of Grudges, part 1
The Titans awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of screams. For the past week, this was the normal, as Clive was still suffering from the toxin that Addict had injected him with. Sherri was the first person to Clive's room this time, not bothering to knock or ask permission to come inside. She simply just ran in and tended to her brother. Clive had rolled out of the bed onto the floor, and was holding his shoulders, doing his best to resist the pain going through his body. As the other Titans would gather, grim expressions would spread across their faces as they saw Clive had dug and scratched his nails across his arms and shoulders as he attempted to find a way to relieve his pain. Starfire and Blackfire lifted him back onto the bed and held him still while Sherri bandaged him up and Cyborg gave him an injection of his medicine. Cyborg shook his head after he pulled the needle out of Clive's arm.
Cyborg: " I hate seeing you like this man. But the doctors said it'll be another week before the poison runs it's course. Even with the antivenom..."
Starfire: " There is nothing we can do?"
Cyborg: " Sorry Star...he's just gotta deal with it. Only thing we can do is keep him comfy."
Starfire: "..."
Sherri: " If you guys don't mind...I'm gonna stay in his room with him, just in case."
Starfire: " I shall too! Just incase I am needed!"
Blackfire: " Well, if that's the case..."
Robin: " Sorry Titans, but Sherri is the only one who'll be doing that. I know you all want to help him...but we need to keep ourselves well rested, just in case we're needed. If Sherri needs help, she'll call for you. Is that alright with you Sherri?"
Sherri: " Yes Robin. Thank you very much for your help."
Robin: " It's nothing. Now come on guys, let's go to bed..."
The Titans dispersed, whispering to each other their concerns and worries, while Sherri pulled a chair up to Clive's bed and watched over him. He looked to her with a pair of very lazy and tired eyes, tilting his head up a bit to see her.
Clive: " Hey Sis..."
Sherri: " You probably shouldn't be talking."
Clive: " on...I'm not...a baby..."
Sherri: " You're also not invincible."
Clive: " Yes I am...shut the hell up..."
Sherri: " How are you feeling?"
Clive: " I...I'm not sure...kinda hot. Can you get...some of these covers off?"
Sherri: " Yes brother...hang on..."
She pulled the covers off him, folding them neatly and laying them next to his bed. Clive struggled a bit and had his shirt halfway off, realizing that he was still uncomfortable. Sherri helped him with that as well, and winced at the sight of him. The veins in his body had become inflammed, rising out and expanding a bit, making them more noticable. The toxin made them turn a bright red and highly noticable. She examined them a bit, then looked up to him.
Sherri: " I can't stand seeing you like this..."
Clive: " Yeah...it makes me...look like crap..."
Sherri: " Come on! Can't you be serious for once?"
Clive: " ...Lay off Sherri...it's not like...it's killing me...or anything."
Sherri: " How would you feel if you saw me like this?"
Clive: " I don't...know...and I don't...want to."
An ackward silence filled the room for a few moments, until a small bouquet of flowers were thrown from the enterance of the room to Clive's bed. Sherri was the first to look over and see the coated figure with a long red scarf wrapped around his neck and face. Smoke watched as Clive sat up fully, gritting his teeth and holding back the pain in his body at the sudden motion. The shadows began to swirl and distort as Clive prepared for a fight. Smoke laughed and shook his head, upsetting the dark titan.
Clive: " What do you want?"
Smoke: " Don't act so big and bad. You're a wreck right now, and it wouldn't be any fun to pound on you now. But here, take these...a gift from my organization for your efforts to help the citizens."
Sherri: " Clive? Who is this?"
Clive: " Get back Sherri...this is Smoke..."
Sherri: " You mean that one guy?"
Smoke: " You have nothing to fear from me Sherri...infact, I saved your life a while back. But I guess that's just old news."
Sherri: " So what are you really doing here?"
Smoke: " I've just wanted to see how that idiot was doing...that's all."
Sherri: " Well, he's doing fine. Thank you for helping him back there against that man Addict, but your presence is quite unsettling. Please, leave us peacefully."
Smoke looked at Sherri for a long moment, then turned away shrugging.
Smoke: " Alright then. Well, you kids have fun, I guess I'm off. And Clive?"
Clive: " What?"
Smoke: " You get better now, we've still got a score to settle."
Clive: " Yeah...whatever."
He exited out of the room, not to be detected by any of the other titans in the building as he left. Sherri sighed as Clive let go of his powers and allowed the shadows around them to rest and return to their previous locations. She looked around, a little creeped out by what he could do.
Sherri: " You know...I don't think I've ever seen you use them like that."
Clive: " It's easy...just takes practice..."
Sherri: " Well, maybe you could show them off to me some time. Anyways, I'll be in the next room if you need anything. Get some sleep."
Clive: " Yeah yeah...goodnight sis."
She left him and headed into the livingroom just a dozen feet away. She slept on the couch while he slowly sank into slumber, finally feeling the medication Cyborg gave him kick in and relax his body and numb the pain.
The next day, the Titans awoke groggily at different hours as usual. Cyborg and Raven were up the earliest, followed by Robin and Blackfire an hour later. Sherri was up afterwards, coming down from Clive's floor and preparing breakfast for all the Titans that were awake. Those whom slept in, being Beastboy, Terra, and Starfire still slept in late as usual missing breakfast. As for Clive...well, Clive was sleeping well into the afternoon. The titans conversed lightly over the large breakfast Sherri made.
Robin: " Thanks again Sherri for the breakfast."
Sherri: " Well...you guys are out saving the city...so I should atleast try and make sure you do it on a full stomach."
Cyborg: " Man, I've got to learn the recipe for these pancakes! They're dynamite!"
Blackfire: " Makes being a Titan even more enjoyable."
Raven: " They are very good Sherri. Thank you very much."
Sherri: " Well, it's easy. If you guys want, I could teach you some things!"
Cyborg: " Maybe later today. But now, I'm gonna go out for some training if you guys don't mind, unless you want to come?"
Robin: " I'd like to. Give me a couple minutes here to finish up."
Cyborg: " Alright...and you Raven?"
Raven: " I need to catch up on some reading. Perhaps tomorrow."
Robin: " How about you Blackfire?"
Blackfire: " Naaa...I think I'm gonna go do some lounging today. Maybe later or something."
Robin: " Alright, but make sure you do some practicing, because you haven't trained in a while, and I don't want you to rust."
Blackfire: " Don't worry, I won't rust. I'm probably better than most of you guys..."
Cyborg: " Care to put your money where your mouth is little lady?"
Blackfire: " Oh, maybe another time. I do have some plans for tonight anyways."
Robin: " Are you going out again? This is like the fifth time in the last couple weeks now."
Blackfire: " Well, I like to party. Sorry guys but with Clive out and off his feet, this place gets kinda boring."
Cyborg: " And what about the weeks before that?"
Blackfire: " Hey, I heard they were gonna be good. And no lies at that!"
The Titans finished their breakfasts and went their seperate ways. Sherri cleaned the table and kitchen of the food, finally finishing around 11am. Beastboy and Terra wandered down the stairs and into the kitchen, greeting her with yawns. She fixed them bowls of their favorite cereals that they had sitting around. Sherri served them at the table, then wandered into the laundry room to start that up. She would hum to herself while she worked, and though it was true that the other Titans didn't do much around the Tower anymore since Sherri had began living there, she didn't mind. If they were out saving the city and world, why should they spend their time doing all the house chores that she could easily do (and do ten times better.
Starfire awoke shortly after Beastboy and Terra finished their breakfast. She had stayed up a while after the Titans dispersed from Clive's room, worring about his health. It was through some independant meditation that she was able to calm herself enough to fall asleep. Her first order of business before she would clean up and whatnot was to check on Clive. Starfire wandered upstairs and onto his floor, then knocked on his door to see if he was awake. She recieved no answer, and after a couple more tries, sat down next to his door to take a moment to think. She looked at a small stand that was across the room from her and saw a couple of pictures on it. One with Clive and his family, one of just Sherri and their mother, and one of a good looking young man with medium length blond hair, much like Sherri's. He wore black sun glasses and had a sly smile stretched across his face.
Starfire: " I wonder if this was his brother. He talks about him from time to time..."
She got up and inspected the pictures for a moment, then sighed and returned to her seat by the door.
Starfire: (I wish I could check on him...but would it not be an invasion of privacy if I were to just walk into his room without permission?)
As thoughts ran through her mind, both clean and slightly smudged, she heard a rustle from within and was very quick to just jump up and enter, worried he was in some kind of trouble. Entering the room, she saw that he had fallen back on the floor again, and was doing his best to slowly get up. She helped the stumbling Titan up off the ground and repositioned him on the bed. Clive sat up and turned to her, dangling his feet from the bed side.
Clive: " Thanks, Starfire."
Starfire: " Are you alright?"
Clive: " Yeah, I'm fine. I just kinda rolled out of bed."
Starfire: " I must apologize for entering your room without permission too. I should have waited for you to let me in..."
Clive: " Oh, you can come in my room anytime. Just...watch out, my cats get jealous of anyone who spends more time in there...than they do."
Starfire: " I am relieved you can be so jovial even in your condition."
Clive: " Sometimes that's the only thing that keeps us humans going Star."
Starfire: " So...do you need anything right now? Perhaps your medications?"
Taking a moment, Clive let his mind wander on that note. Though he was in some pain, no amount of pain could halt his imagination, or that dirty little man he kept inside his head.
(Enter Clive's Wild Imaginations)
Starfire: " Perhaps you need some of your medications?"
Clive: " Baby, what I need is some Bad Medicine!"
Starfire sat down on the bed as Clive leaned back into a laying position. She herself leaned over him and pressed her lips to his, sharing together a very passionate, hot, and heavy kiss.
Music kicked in...drums started up...guitars entered playing a very familiar song from the late 80's. Suddenly, Bon Jovi himself burst into the room with his microphone, singing his heart out as loud as he could, but the two titans didn't seem to notice.
Bon Jovi: " Your love, is like BAD MEDICINE! BAD MEDICINE IS WHAT I NEED! Shake it up, just like BAD MEDICINE! THERE AIN'T NO DOCTOR THAT CAN CURE MY DISEASE!"
The pair on the bed continued their business without paying any mind to the rock and roll icon that was watching and singing.
Bon Jovi: " I need a resperator cause I'm running outta breath! You're an all night generator wrapped in stockings and a dress! When you find you medicine, you take what you can get! Cause if there's something better baby, well they haven't found it yet!"
Enraptured with each other, the love birds were oblivious to everything around them, without a care as to what was happening or who was there. Thankfully, this was only Bon Jovi.
(Exit Clive's Wild Imaginations)
Starfire stared at Clive, awaiting an answer to her question. He had a wide grin on his face and seemed to be wrapped up in some kind of thought. She leaned closer to him and called his name repeatedly, until he came out of it.
Starfire: " Clive? Clive! Are you alright?"
Clive: " Huh? Oh, sorry Starfire...just uhhh...thought of something..."
Starfire: " Do you need your medicine?"
Clive: " No...not really. I just want to get up and out of here..."
Clive did his best to stand up, which didn't go to well. Once he was fully erect, the injured Titan stumbled once again, not quite having his sea legs yet and almost fell. Thankfully, Starfire was quick enough to catch him and support him on his feet. The pair shifted around so that he had his arm around her, leaning on her shoulder for support. They began walking slowly at a pace he could settle with. Before they left his room, she looked to the bed and saw the flowers sitting at the foot of it.
Starfire: " Clive...where did those flowers come from?"
Clive: " Heh...Smoke, actually."
Starfire: " He was here? Did he hurt you? How did he get in?"
Clive: " I don't know...it's not big deal. He's gone now."
Starfire: " Perhaps he wishes a truce then. That would be very nice after all."
Clive: " Yeah...that'd be nice."
They continued out of his room and she helped him towards the elevator, where they entered and rode down to the first floor slowly. She stared at him for a moment, looking at his bare arms and chest, taking in the painful sight of the veins in his body that were still pumping the venom through him.
Starfire: " So how are you feeling? Are you sure you should be out like this?"
Clive: " Well, I'm not gonna die...and I'm really freakin hungry. Plus...the exercise would be good...since I haven't been out of my room for most of the last week or so..."
Starfire: " Perhaps that is true. So, are you in pain now?"
Clive: " Kinda...I mean...I sure as hell aren't comfortable...but it's not too bad right now...I just feel a little too warm."
Starfire: " Excuse me for saying...it is hard to bear your appearance while you are sick..."
There was a brief moment of ackward silence between the two, before Starfire apologized.
Starfire: " I am very sorry...I did not mean to sound offensive..."
Clive: " No...it's alright. I shouldn't walk around like this...but wearing anything more and it feels too warm."
Starfire: " I wish I could help you endure this..."
Clive: " No Star...it's alright. I wouldn't want this on you..."
The elevator came to a stop and the doors popped open. Starfire helped Clive out and they continued into the kitchen.
Clive: " Either way...nothing a little home cooking won't fix..."
Starfire helped Clive to the refrigerator, and the pair started to dig out some left overs that had been made during the course of the week. Sherri popped into the kitchen shortly after the duo had gathered all sorts of food onto plates and set them down on the table.
Sherri: " Clive? What are you doing down here? You should be in bed!"
Clive: " You know...I'm sick of laying around Sherri. Just let me enjoy this..."
Sherri: " But you're health is..."
Clive: " Please! Ugh...I'll be alright...it's only food. Never lost a battle with a fork before..."
Starfire: " I must apologize Sherri...it was I who brought him down here."
Clive: " Only because I asked her to."
Sherri: " Well, I suppose it couldn't be avoided. Your hunger overrides your will to live, your survival instincts, and your common sense. Still, should have told me you were gonna be down here looking for something to eat. I'd have made something for the two of you."
Clive: " Heh, we'll be alright Sherri. Just heat up some left overs and I'll be just fine..."
Sherri: " Whatever..."
As she began reheating the left overs, the Titans conversed lightly with each other over their meal. But today would be rather eventful for the Titans, as both Slade and Grey know of Clive's problem. In the dark room where Grey traditionally sat, gathered six individuals. From left to right, Wendy, Glacie, Smoke, Jolt, Aqua, and a new member. He was short, like Beastboy, and was a strange green color. His hair was long and black, but his clothing was a solid grey suit, similar to Wendy's but different in color.
Grey: " Good to see you gathered. And I see you've decided to join us Thorne?"
Thorne: " Indeed Mr. Grey...I have made my decision."
Grey: " Good to hear that."
Glacie: " Hey, when am I gonna meet whatsherface?"
Grey: " How many times do I need to remind Glacie...she'll be along soon enough. Until then, just deal with it."
Glacie: " Oy jeez..."
Smoke: " Sir, is there any reason you've gathered us together today? Was it to meet Thorne, then I think my time's been wasted."
Thorne: " Oh, now don't be that way Smoke...I'm sure we'll be the best of friends!"
Thorne smiled to Smoke, then flicked a small seed upon his chest. Smoke watched as it blossomed into a pretty white rose in seconds. He shook his head, scoffing at the act, using his powers to dry out the rose until it began to wilt away to nothing.
Smoke: " Did you have something to request of us?"
Grey: " Well...yes I did. Thorne, Smoke...I want you two to go on a mission for me."
Thorne: " A mission? What do you want us to do?"
Grey: " Very simple...fact is, the Titans are weak right now. They're trump card Clive is out off his feet, making them easy pickings. I'd just send Thorne, but I'm going to send Smoke just in case they're too much. It's not that I don't doubt your abilities Thorne...but it never hurts to have too much help, get my drift?"
Thorne: " Oh, of course!"
Smoke: " The Titans are just kids compared to me Grey. You know that...and so does everyone else. Don't make me pick on a bunch of kids..."
Grey: " Then why did you join up with Slade? Because you didn't know what else to do? Because he gave you everything you needed to get better, stronger, faster, and smarter? That's what he was aiming to do you know...so why did you leave him for us? While we may not have the same plans, myself and Slade, we do have similar courses of action. You know, if you want some action, you should have joined the Titans. They could use a guy like you, know?"
Smoke: " I'm not a goody two shoes like the rest of them. I don't do the crime fighting thing...that's way to trivial. I want some real action, and if you keep your promise, that's what I'll get."
Grey: " I did say that, didn't I...But you don't mind doing some illegal activities then?"
Smoke: " I do what I want, when I want, however I want."
Grey: " And that's what I like about you Smoke...always getting your job done."
Thorne: " So...shall we go?"
Grey: " Hang on Thorne...here, get a mask so that no one can see your face. After all, we're going to be terrorizing the populace...so for our plans to succeed, we don't want the citizens knowing who we are and what we look like. After all, that's going to be very important later, right Smoke?"
Smoke: " Yeah yeah. I'm going ahead. Just make sure you're there to help with the Titans Thorne..."
Thorne: " Right O."
The day passed on as the Titans went about some of their chores. Beastboy, Terra, and Robin were out patrolling the city and doing some investigating, while the remaining Titans were back inside enjoying their semi-normal super hero lives. All except for Clive, who was still reeling from the venom in his body. He was sitting on the couch with large ice packs on his back and neck, watching television between his sister and Starfire, while Cyborg began rooting through the movies for them to enjoy. Raven was busy meditating as usual, and Blackfire was actually out doing a little exercising and training. Cyborg finally popped up from the movie vault with a few DvD's.
Cyborg: " Ok, I have Nuclear Cyborg Ninja Demolishion from Planet X, Chainsaw Maniac Showdown 4, aaaaaannnnd....Gone With the Wind. So which is it guys?"
Sherri: " Oh come on..."
Cyborg: " What? That's what we haven't watched in a while!"
Starfire: " Perhaps we should go to the place of the movie rentals?"
Clive: " Ninja's...let's go with that..."
Cyborg: " Ya know, I think I'm with my buddy Clive over there."
Sherri: " Well then, I say we watch Gone With the Wind...what do you think Starfire?"
Starfire: " Well...I think that..."
Before Starfire could even finish her sentence, all the Titan's communicators started beeping. She was the first to answer, seeing Robin's face on the screen.
Robin: " Titans, trouble! There's some guy toting a large cannon shooting down anything that comes close in central square. Get Raven and Blackfire, then get over here now!"
Starfire: " Right."
She got up and started to head out with Cyborg. Clive sat up slowly and started to make his way towards the exit. Sherri ran over to him and stood in his way, blocking the doorway.
Sherri: " What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Clive: " My job."
Sherri: " Not in your condition! You need to get better first!"
Clive: " But..."
Sherri: " No buts!"
Clive: " Damn it Sherri..."
Starfire: " Clive, you must stay here."
Sherri looked over her shoulder to see Starfire standing with Raven near the enterance to the tower.
Starfire: " You are in no condition to fight Clive...and I feel more at ease if you were instead resting up and getting better, instead of possibly getting hurt once again."
Clive: " Star..."
Raven: " Look Clive, if we really need you, we'll give you a call...but I doubt that'll have to come around, alright?"
He sighed heavily and sat back down onto the couch, snagging the remote from the table with his powers.
Clive: " Alright...but call me if you need me!"
The Titans nodded amongst each other, then took off towards the action, where Beastboy, Terra, and Robin had gathered. Thorne stood on the clocktower in central square with a large weapon in his hands, firing it off at the Titans as they tried to close in. Robin was forcefully grounded as Thorne was a good show with the weapon. He was able to cut the Grappling Cable wherever it had been fired. Terra would try to shake Thorne off, or knock him off with the use of her powers over earth, but he remained strangely grounded to the building, exploding her boulders with the powerful shells of his gun. And Beastboy? He couldn't get close for a very particular reason, but one he couldn't outright identify.
Robin: " Alright you! Give it up!"
Thorne: " Why? Looks like I'm winning buddy! Shouldn't you give it up?"
Robin: " Hardly!"
And with that, a blast from below hit the platform Thorne was standing on, knocking him off into a free fall towards the ground. Before he hit, a large black claw rose up and caught him, throwing him into the ground with a decent amount of force, but it wouldn't have been fatal in the least. Thorne got up to be struck by a Starbolt and knocked a good ways down the street, where another, indigo colored starbolt clocked him in the back, sending him sliding along the concrete. Thorne got up once again and brushed himself off, as if nothing had happened, to see the 7 Titans gather in a tight formation.
Robin: " Ready to give up?"
Thorne: " Hardly. Now to lead you out of town!"
Robin: " Lead us out?"
Thorne: " Yeah. And if you all don't follow me, I'll destroy everything in my path!"
He took off running, shooting cars and windows as he ran, being followed by all 7 Titans. He ran with an unnatural stamina. He didn't stop until he and the Titans were in a deserted and rocky region, similar to the one they found Terra in. He stopped on top of a plateu, looking down with a wiley grin.
Thorne: " Titans! I invite you to my jungle! Here, I am unstoppable!"
Robin: " Jungle?"
Thorne: " Yes...but you don't see it...do you?"
The ground began to quake about and split as plantation of all sorts grew from within it. Trees and bushes sprout up and began to close the Titans in together. Within a few moments, the area had become alive with vegetation, as a jungle had popped up out of no where. Robin glanced around a bit and checked on the others.
Robin: " Everybody alright?"
The general consensus was that everyone was ok.
Raven: " So...what now?"
Robin: " We find this guy and put a stop to him."
Thorne: " But how? Here I am a god! No one can stop me!"
Robin: " Really? Starfire, Blackfire, start blasting! Level the area now!"
Doing as asked, the Tameranian sisters began to throw starbolts and shoot beams from their eyes, knock down trees and blasting apart the ground itself. With such destruction came a huge plume of smoke and dust, covering over the Titans and blocking their view of the damage. Once it had cleared, a horrified expression befell the super hero team as the jungle grew back quickly, and within mere moments, it was as if nothing had happened.
Robin: " No!"
Blackfire: " Impossible!"
Starfire: " This cannot be!"
Thorne: " But it is!"
Large vines shot up from the ground and out of the trees, wrapping up the Titans, binding and squeezing them as they were lifted off the ground and stretched out. Thorne stepped out from behind a tree, followed by a large leafy plant that had vines writhing about. He smiled, being lifted up by a small tree from the ground and examined his now restrained prey. Thorns grew all over the vines and began to make their way up to the Titans, poking them sharply if they tried to do anything. Even Cyborg couldn't do anything without getting hurt.
Thorne: " Oh, and what I catch I have. Now behind me is my favorite plant of all...the Giant Venus Man Trap. You won't find it anywhere...it's my own creation...lovely isn't it?"
Robin: " W...what do you want?"
Thorne: " To destroy you. What else could I want?"
Starfire: " But why?"
Thorne: " I don't know honestly...but hey, ours is not to reason why..."
Cyborg: " You won't get away with this!"
Thorne: " What are you going to do about it? You look all tied up to me..."
Beastboy: " Wait'll I get outta here..."
Thorne: " My my...you know, you kind of remind myself of me...only a little dumber looking. It'd be a shame to see you die, but that's life buddy. And, since you're so much like me, I bet my Venus Man Trap will love you!"
The vines holding Beastboy brought him over top the large hungry plant. It's giant maw had opened and was more than large enough to engulf the green titan and then some. Terra gasped and her eyes began to glow, as her powers were being activated. But before she could do something, the thornes on all the Titans bindings grew in more, causing even more pain and discomfort, thus keeping the Titans from using their powers.
Thorne: " Any last words, Beastbrat?"
Beastboy: " LET ME GO!"
Raven: " Don't you dare!"
The dark growl and murderous threat drew Thornes attention. The vines pulled Beastboy back and brought Raven up to him instead. He eyed her for a moment, giving her a leer that made her skin crawl. After checking her out for a moment, Thorne smiled.
Thorne: " Now what have we here? A pretty young woman who wants a little attention?"
Raven: " If you dare harm any of my friends...I'll make you regret it!"
Thorne: " So...if I let them all go...what do I get?"
Raven: " I'll make sure to let you live..."
Thorne: " Oh, I'm scared now! You can't do anything...you're helpless!"
Thorne began to lean in and placed a hand on her lower back, pulling her towards him. She turned her face away as he brought his in towards her, making an attempt to kiss her. Before he could though, black tendrils ripped out from beneath her cloak, pushing them apart and began tearing away at the vines. Her form grew longer and longer as a second set of eyes opened on her forehead. Ravens eyes began to glow red and her voice was terribly harsh, as she watched Thorne retreat behind his large Man Trap.
Raven: " What's wrong? Don't want a goodnight kiss?"
Thorne: " What...what's wrong with you? Smoke! Smoke? Help me! Smoke! Where are you?"
Raven: " No one's going to help you! Now where were we?"
The other Titans watched helplessly as Raven's powers suddenly engulfed the monsterous plant, tearing it to pieces and splattering it's green chloroplast all over the jungle area.
And back at the tower, while this was occuring?
Sherri: " So Clive...what do ya want to watch now?"
Clive: " Anything! Gone With the Wind suc...?"
Clive was suddenly disturbed by Black, who's form spread across the floor. Sherri took a few steps back in terror at the sudden appearance of Black. Clive stood up slowly and looked down at his gigantic shadow, which seemed to be whispering something to him. Clive nodded, looking up to his younger sister.
Clive: " Sherri...you're best to leave now. You don't want to see this..."
Thorne began making a run for it, followed quickly by the enraged Raven. Thorne did his best to slow her down by causing trees and such grow and appear in her way, but this was to little avail as she would just knock them down and tear them apart. Finally though, Thorne ran out of room to run in and was dead ended by a large chasm.
Thorne: " Please! Please let me go!
Raven: " Any last words?"
Thorne: " LET ME GO!"
The dark laughter filled the area and echoed throughout the chasm, sending chills up the Titans who could hear it. Raven's long dark glowing tendrils latched onto the helpless Thorne and began to squeeze him to death. Before long, the jungle he created withered away and the Titans were freed. But what could they do now that Raven was in such a frenzy.
Blackfire: " What's going on with her?"
Robin: " No time to explain!"
Starfire: " But what should we do?"
Thorne slipped and fell off the cliffside, only saving himself by catching onto the edge of the chasm. Raven stood over him with a devilish smile, getting rid to knock him off. Before she could though, her shadow virtually leapt up and knocked her away, distancing Raven from Thorne. The shadow leapt back and took form. Standing almost 13 feet tall with long legs and arms and the unmistakable and undefinable dreadlocks that hung down it's back and sides was Black. His light blue eyes opened widely to meet Raven's four red ones, then assumed a defensive stance.
Raven: " What? You...you are..."
Black: " Let...her...go..."
Raven laughed even more as her darker side came out even more. Her cloak changed from blue to red, reflecting her nature even more.
Raven: " What fun! To find you here like this!"
Black: " RELEASE THE GIRL!"
Raven: " Take her from me! AH HA HA HA HA HA HA!"
From a deep and terrifying growl that escalated into cry of hatred, Black leapt into the air towards the possessed Raven, taking the initiative and making the first strike...