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
Wild Ride
It was the middle of the afternoon, 4 days after Raven had lost her temper, giving into her father's will. Starfire was wandering through the tower with a large covered platter, making her way into Raven's room. She knocked lightly, getting answered immediately.
Starfire: " Raven? May I come in"
Raven: " It's open Starfire."
She walked in and set the platter down on Raven's bed, where she was sitting, half stripped down. Raven was rewrapping the bandages over her shoulder, neck, and arms, causing Starfire to cringe at the sight of the still wounded titan.
Raven: " It'll be alright Starfire. With the medical treatment I've gotten from Cyborg and the application of my own powers, I'll recover fully in a couple more days. You should probably worry more about Clive"
Starfire: " I suppose, but he does not have the open wounds like you do. Will they leave scars"
Raven: "...Well, the one on my stomach might"
Starfire: " I am sorry to hear"
Raven: " It'll be alright. It's just a scar anyways. So...what did you bring me"
Starfire: " Oh, yes! Sherri thought you might be hungry and made you some of the scones and your favorite herbal tea"
Raven: " Thank you Starfire. Tell Sherri the same as well. If you don't mind though, I'd like to be alone for a while"
Starfire: " You will be alright"
Raven: " I'll be fine Starfire. If I need anything, I'll let you know"
Starfire: " Then I shall see you later my friend."
Starfire waved to Raven as she walked out of the room, heading upstairs immediately. She floated onto Clive's floor, searching all around for him, but discovered he was not in his bed.
Starfire: " Clive? Clive? Where are you?"
She started to check all the rooms before his room, opening and shutting every door, including the bathroom. Finally, she opened a closet door and saw Terra and Beastboy hiding out, wrapped up in each others arms.
Starfire: " Ummmm...have you seen Clive"
Terra: " Oh, uhhh...no Starfire. You were right Beastboy, Clive's closets are much bigger than the ones on your floor"
Starfire: " You were checking the closet spaces"
Beastboy: " Oh uhhh, yeah! Hey, let's go check out Robin's closets! I bet he keeps them filled with all sorts of things!"
The pair ran off quickly, leaving a partially befuddled Starfire by herself.
Starfire: " They have been acting very strange"
Clive: " AHHHHH! GOD DAMN IT!"
Starfire took flight and headed off in the direction of Clive's scream. As far as she knew, the poison in Clive's body had not fully run it's course, but it wasn't bothering him as much. Atleast, that's what he had told her.
Starfire: " Hold on Clive! I'm on my way!"
Finally, she found him in his room in the far back portion of his floor, sitting at his poker table. He flailing his arms around and screaming obcenities at the top of his lungs. Starfire grabbed him from behind and held him tightly, trying to calm him down.
Starfire: " Shhhh...it is ok Clive! I am here for you! I will help to try and ease your pain"
Clive: " Huh? Pain? Oh..."
She looked at him closely for a moment, then looked down and saw that he was playing solitaire.
Starfire: " You...were...not in pain"
Clive: " Sorry to worry you Starfire. I've just been working out this game of Solitaire for the last 14 hours, but I may be stuck. I know I can win though, I mean, if I don't, it'll be the 30th game I've lost in a row. I'm due, I know it...I just...gotta figure out how I'm gonna be able to without cheating"
Starfire: " So you were just mad then"
Clive: " Yeah, I was. Sorry Star, didn't mean to worry you."
She felt a little dumbfounded, and the two sat in ackward silence for a moment before she realized that she was still holding him so closely. She let go and pushed him away from her, putting some distance inbetween them.
Starfire: " I'm sorry Clive"
Clive: " For what Star"
Starfire: " Ummm..."
He realized that she was embarassed, so he cleared his throat and just started talking.
Clive: " So what brings ya here"
Starfire: " I wanted to see how you were doing, and wanted to know if you would do the hanging out with me at the mall today. It seems that everyone else is so busy after all"
Clive: " Yeah sure thing! Hold on, let me go change my clothes."
Clive ran into his room while Starfire waited patiently outside. He emerged a few minutes later, decked out in his summer best, a white hawaiian shirt and white shorts. The pair walked through the tower and down to the garage, hopping on Clive's bike. First off, he handed her his helmet while he pulled his goggles over his eyes. She stared at the helmet, tracing her fingers over the strange markings he had carved into it.
Starfire: " Clive...what are these symbols that you have carved into your helmet? I do not recognize them"
Clive: " Huh? Oh, it's something I did a long time ago. It says justice. I got the idea from an old show I liked to watch"
Starfire: " Oh."
He started it up and they took off towards the mainland. Once on the main roads, Clive hopped on the freeway and the two of them were well on their way there. Clive would weave in and out of traffic, breaking the speed limit and being flashy as usual.
Starfire: " Clive, isn't it wrong to violate the speed limit"
Clive: " Yeah. But it's cool Star, I wouldn't worry about it."
Clive came up on a large biker gang. As he sped up, he caught up with their leader, flashing the large man a smile and waving him off as he passed him up. The man gave Clive a nasty look, then shook his fist. Clive blew him off and gave him the finger, speeding up even more and passing the whole lot. Starfire tightened her helmet some, anticipating trouble.
Starfire: " Clive...I do not think that was a good idea. Now they are following us"
Clive: " Good, then lets play."
He looked behind him and saw that they were infact following him. He took Starfire's hands and placed them on the handle bars of the bike and smiled.
Clive: " Just hold her steady"
Starfire: " O-ok?"
Clive waved the bikers down to follow him, and they nodded in compliance. He turned around and took over the steering again from Starfire. They turned down an oncoming ramp and met up with the bikers. Starfire kept her helmet on and hid herself partially behind Clive, who had a confident smirk worn well on his face. They surrounded the pair, circling like sharks while their leader made his approach.
Leader: " Yo, what's your problem huh? You wanna piece of this"
Clive: " Please, I'd wipe the floor with you every day of the week. As for wanting a piece of this, I'd rather a piece of that."
He pointed his thumb back towards Starfire, who was too nervous to notice the improper gesture.
Leader: " You disrespectin' me"
Clive: " You betcha! So if you wanna earn that respect, how about you put up or shut up. We race. From here to Parker Street, whoever crosses first wins. Doesn't matter how you get there, just make sure you get there. Cross the street at Claxon Ave. and you win"
Leader: " Fine with me"
Clive: " Oh, but you and all your little gang bangers here can participate. So if any of them beat me, I'll concede"
Leader: " Fine. And you throw your bike in too"
Clive: " My bike huh...well if those are the stakes, better toss yours in as well. Maybe all your bikes know? My bike is actually worth something"
Leader: " What's that? I've put over fifty thousand into my engine alone! Your bike's nothing compared to mine"
Clive: " Then on your marks"
Leader: " Hey, you wanna ditch the broad? You ain't gonna be needin' no dead weight"
Starfire: " Dead weight"
Clive: " Don't worry Star, they're just trying to spook ya. You'll be staying right where you are"
Starfire: " Alright then"
Clive: " Just hang onto me and don't let go. You guys ready"
Leader: " Fine. What's the count?"
Clive reached into his pocket and threw a coin into the distance.
Clive: " When it hits the ground"
Leader: " What? Alright guys, lets go!"
All the bikers watched the coin fall in the distance. Starfire's eyes widened as it drew closer to the ground, blinking in amazement as it hit the ground. As the first sound of it touching down, engines roared and tired squealed as all the participants took off in a smokey rush. Clive immediately took the lead, giving all those behind him a big middle finger to fuel their aggression. The leader of the bikers was nipping at Clive's heels however, shouting out taunts and threats in an attempt to garner his attention.
Clive: " Keep your head down Star, I'm gonna take a short cut!"
Clive turned onto an off ramp, getting onto the city streets and cutting through back alleys. He would hop his bike on and off the sidewalks, dodging citizens and motorists of all kinds with an amazing grace.
Starfire: " How did you become so good at riding your motorcycle Clive"
Clive: " My brother taught me well I guess"
Starfire: " But isn't it risky to be using your bike as collateral"
Clive: " Yeah, but I won't lose. Me and Cyborg tricked out the old ride, so it's got all sorts of tricks. But I won't use any of those. I'll just use the basic upgrades that we worked on"
Starfire: " I understand. Let us continue and win!"
Clive cut across a parking lot, dodging pedestrians and hopping his bike over any small objects in his way. He zoomed past the police station, attracting the attention of a police officer who gave chase.
Clive: " Damn"
Starfire: " You must pull over Clive"
Clive: " No way. I'm not gonna lose my bike"
Starfire: " But now we are fugitives from the police"
Clive: " But this bike holds memories for me that mean more than my own life! I'm sorry Star, but I've gotta keep going!"
Clive turned down another alley, knocking over trash cans and any other obstacles to block the police car. The officer recklessly smashed his way through all of Clive's tricks, following him with the utmost intent to capture whomever was on the bike.
Clive: " My friggin kingdom for my damn shadow powers. Come on Black, wake up you big bastard"
Starfire: " Do you need my help"
Clive: " Well, you could pick up both me and the bike and fly us somewhere, couldn't you Star"
Starfire: " Yes I could"
Clive: " No...if Johnny saw me cheat like that he'd beat me to a pulp. Looks like I'll have to do this the hard way!"
Clive turned down another street, realizing where he was. He was only a couple of miles from his destination, so he had to get this cop off his tail.
Clive: " Ok Star, duck your head down and close your eyes, this is gonna be scary..."
Clive made one more approach towards a freeway onramp. The officer followed him as he passed the onramp and started over the bridge. He sped up and hopped the bike over the rail of the bridge, going well into the air. Starfire buried her face into Clive's back, doing her best not to be scared. Clive thrust his body weight to the left, causing the bike to go into a short mid air spin. One breathless revolution later, the pair hit the ground with both tires landing flatly, only scuffing up the bottom of the bike slightly. They sped off, leaving the police officer in their dust. Clive looked behind him to see Starfire with her eyes still shut. He gave her shoulder a friendly pat and called out to her.
Clive: " It's cool Star, we made it just fine. Now all we gotta do is get off on the Jones St. road exit and we can make a left onto Claxon and we win"
Starfire: " That is wonderful, for I am getting the riding sickness"
Clive: " You mean motion sickness"
Starfire: " My apologies, the motion sickness"
Clive: " Then lets win this race!"
Within a few minutes, Clive was turning on Claxon Ave amd speeding his way to victory. He dodged between cars and trucks, and even ran the light at Parker St. just to make sure is victory was solidified. Afterwards, he pulled off to the side of the road and parked, seeing a hot dog vendor and made his approach with Starfire.
Clive: " Well that was fun. Here, lets get some food while we wait on all of those guys."
Clive bought a dozon hotdogs from the vendor, then had them loaded up with chili and cheese. He and Starfire sat down on the curb and began to scarf them down. Before too long, another motorcyclist pulled up next to them on a large black motorcycle. Clive looked up and grinned.
Clive: " Well about time jerk. Where have you...HEY!"
The biker pulled a large pipe and smashed it into Clive's face, knocking him back a short distance. Instinctively, Starfire fired a blast at the biker and knocked him off of his bike. Clive got up and wiped off some of the hotdog he was eating, looking down at it on the ground angrily.
Clive: " Alright dirtbag...you obviously aren't the same guy that I was racing earlier. Tell me who you are and give up, and I might just beat you so bad that you'll lose the feeling in your legs"
Biker: " Well moron, why don't you just step up to find out"
Starfire: " I recognize your voice. You are the Johnny Rancid!"
The biker pulled off his helmet and threw it at Starfire, whom blocked it with her arms and shoulder. The helmet burst open and exploded with a cloud of smoke. Johnny drove into the cloud and grabbed Starfire during the commotion, driving off with her in arm. Clive cleared the smoke away with a single attack, smashing the ground underneath him and releasing a blast to shoo away the smoke. He watched Johnny ride off in the distance, hopping on his own bike immediately afterwards in chase of the pair. Johnny took a moment to look back and see if Clive was following, then strapped a collar of sorts to Starfire's neck.
Starfire: " LET ME GO"
Johnny: " And let a little hottie like you get away? Either way, I've got a job to do, and with that collar you're wearing, I'll be able to keep your powers in check"
Starfire: " X'hal! Let me go now"
Clive: " LET HER GO DICKHEAD, OR IT'S DOOMSDAY FOR YOU!"
Clive was screaming at the top of his lungs, getting his voice heard, even over the pair of roaring bikes. Johnny weaved his way through traffic with masterful grace, despite his looks. Clive followed in suit, swearing and shaking his fist as he began to think of a strategy.
Clive: (That bastard...I gotta figure out what he's up to. But first, I gotta get Starfire out of his hands, so it looks like I get to give the old bike a good workout...)
As they reached a long stretch of highway, Clive sped up to pull along side Johnny. Rancid pulled his pistol and began to fire it at Clive, causing him to back off slightly to avoid getting hit.
Clive: (Damn it...if I had my shadow powers, this wouldn't be such a damn problem.)
He thought as fast as he could, then looked down at all the different gadget options his bike had. First off, he had passed on most of the things Cyborg could have done, favoring to modify the bike to be fast and handle well. But even still, he had plenty of gadgets to work with. He licked his thumb and fell behind Rancid, keeping a strong pace with him as they crossed past the stretch of highway, using his thumb to take aim. After getting a good alignment, he pressed a small button on the motorcycle's small dash, releasing a spiked hook from a hidden compartment by his engine block. The hook smashed into Johnny's seat, just inches from his bottom, causing him to sweat while Clive cursed his aim. Afterwards, Clive applied the brakes, slowing both himself and Rancid's bike in the process. After he got them both to a stop, he jumped from his bike to Johnny's, taking him down in midair. Starfire ran over to Clive's bike during the struggle and tried to use the communicator attached to the dash.
Starfire: " Hello? Please, is anyone there? Hello? Is this working?"
There was no response from the Tower, and it was then that Starfire took notice of the darkened city. With the sun setting, the lights in the city were not coming on.
Starfire: " Perhaps there is a problem with the electricity plant! But should not the emergancy generators of the tower take effect?"
With this new dilema, Starfire almost forgot about Clive and Johnny. Almost. Rancid came crashing to the ground next to Starfire, while Clive's fists crackled with his kinetic energy. Rancid started to get up, but Clive ran up on him and kicked Rancid in the face, sending him skidding across the pavement, cementing his victory.
Clive: " Asshole. Serves you right for kidnapping a woman. Are you alright Starfire?"
He immediately turned his attentions towards Starfire, who nodded and bowed in gratitude.
Starfire: " Yes I am, but this collar is inhibiting my powers and I cannot get it off"
Clive: " Let me try."
Clive grabbed a hold of the thick, rubbery collar. There was some kind of circutry inside, however Clive could get it to rip, tear, or crush because of it's design. He snorted, finally giving up a few minutes later.
Clive: " Lets get back to the tower and get that thing off of you"
Starfire: " No, let us go to the electric plant. The power seems to be out in the city"
Clive: " I see. We should get that cleared up."
The pair nodded in agreement, tying Rancid up before getting on Clive's bike and heading off towards the powerplant. It was about a twenty minute drive before they arrived at the steps of the main generator building. Clive got off and gave Starfire some instructions.
Clive: " Stay here. If I'm not back in a half an hour, go back to the tower and get help. I'm just gonna take a look around"
Starfire: " Let me come with you Clive"
Clive: " Sorry Star, but you don't have your powers right now, and if you go with me, you could get hurt. I may not have all my powers right now, but I've still got the basic essentials."
She looked down and frowned, sighing heavily.
Starfire: " Please be careful Clive. I have the ill feelings about this."
Clive leaned over and gave her a hug while she sat on the bike. As he pulled away, he whispered something to her.
Clive: " Don't worry Angel, I'm not gonna go down for just anyone. So long as you're in my corner, alright?"
She blushed as he pulled back, his words virtually echoing through to her heart. He smiled and waved her off, before running into the building, smashing down a door and creating his enterance. He wandered around in the pitch darkness, doing his best to listen for anything.
Clive: " Damn it. If I had my shadow powers, I could see through this. Damn it all to hell..."
As Clive muttered to himself, he bumped into something. It was hard, metallic, and large, generating lots of heat and energy.
Clive: " What the hell?"
The next thing Clive knew, something came crashing right into his chest, knocking him back a dozon feet into some nearby equipment. He got up slowly, holding his chest and shaking off his dizziness.
Clive: " Who the fu.."
Again, another blow came crashing into his midsection, keeling him over and dropping him to his knees. A kick to the chest sent him into the air and crashing through an exterior wall, landing him outside where he could atleast see. Starfire saw him smash through the wall with a horrific expression on her face, in mortal fear for Clive's life.
Starfire: " Oh X'hal...CLIVE!"
She took off towards him, only to be cut off by the giant, power armor wearing Adonus. He stood over Clive, who had both a bloody nose and lip. Clive slowly stood up to face his aggressor, stumbling around a bit.
Clive: " Who the hell are you"
Adonus: " I am the perfection of humanity! In both looks and intelligence, just as my namesake"
Clive: " So...that makes you...what?"
Adonus hit Clive again, knocking him back a few yards. Thankfully, he kept on his feet, taking a moment to charge up both his fists.
Clive: " Alright pretty boy...you're gonna get it now."
Adonus swung at Clive with one of his massive armored fists, but Clive narrowly dodged it. He had taken one too many blows and he knew he was hurting, so he had to finish it up quickly. As Adonus was almost fully recoiled from his swing, Clive struck him twice, giving him a good one two punch to his face, releasing the charges in his fists on contact. The blows sent Adonus into the air, and due to his lack of maneuverability, he fell flat on his stomach. Clive jumped on top of Adonus' back and was going to lay into him with a hail of fully charged fists. As Clive landed however, Adonus activated a defensive mechanism that sent thousands of volts of electricity through Clives body, incapacitating him.
Adonus: " Sorry little guy, but it looks like I'm just getting warmed up while you're looking pretty winded. Oh well, you can't help it, you're just a weak little nobody. You should expect to be able to withstand the might of perfection!"
He picked Clive up by his head and held him high, pulling back his free hand and aligning it with Clive's face.
Adonus: " Any last words"
Clive: " Yeah...under that big ol' power suit...are you hiding a little tiny secret? Heh heh heh..."
Clive giggled like a mad man, obviously showing that he had finally either gone over the edge or was at the limits of his stamina and had taken one too many blows to the head. Adonus frowned and threw Clive up into the air, where he landed in a shallow stream nearby. Adonus walked towards Clive and grabbed him around his neck, sending more charges of electricity through him.
Adonus: " You see, I broke into the plant to super charge my suit, and now I'm invincible! Now say your sorry and I'll make it fast!"
Clive stared up at Adonus, then started to mutter something. His voice was too hoarse and weak to actually say anything, causing Adonus to lean down further until he was only a foot away.
Adonus: " Just say your sorry"
Clive: " I'm...I'm..."
Adonus listened carefully, drowning out the babbling of the stream. Clive smirked though, then pulled his head back and smashed it into Adonus' nose, sending the red giant backwards a few steps. Adonus held his face and cried out in pain as Clive laughed.
Clive: " Dummy"
Adonus: " You...look what you did to MY BEAUTIFUL FACE!"
Adonus lowered his hand and showed that his nose was crooked and bleeding. Clive broke it with his forehead and this sent Adonus into a fit of rage.
Adonus: " I'll kill you! I'LL KILL YOU!"
Adonus raised both his fists high into the air and over his head. Clive laughed the entire time, obviously unaware of the impending danger right above him. Starfire witnessed helplessly, crying out for her Goddess X'hal to aid Clive. Adonus' fists smashed down onto Clive, sending a hail of water and dirt into the air, clouding the battlefield. Starfire watched with horror, expecting the worst. There was silence, and then Starfire's eyes widened as her prayers seemed to have been answered. But not by X'hal, but by a much darker force. As the water and debris dissapated, Adonus was held in shock by none of than Black himself. The monster stood over Adonus, holding his armored arms in the air with ease. Black hissed, his tail whipping around quickly.
Black: " Foolish moral...the mistake you have made shall be your most grevious!"
Black lifted Adonus off the ground and skewered him on his harpoon like tail. Black made sure not to hit the man inside, but allowed his tail to expand and corrupt Adonus' armor from the inside out, eventually cracking it like an oyster. The skinny young man fell out of the broken down suit and tried to run, but with Black, there was no running away from this fight. As Adonus ran, his shadow jumped up and encompassed his entire body, swirling around him repeatedly and finally devouring him. Starfire ran to Black's location as soon as she could, looking up to Black like some kind of idol.
Starfire: " Black...you're alright? And Clive"
Black: " Injured. I can feel him. As I reside in his shadow, he resides in mine. He has many wounds but he'll be fine in time"
Starfire: " And...Adonus"
Black: " He'll be fine. He'll be released at the police station in due time. I'll leave him in the care of my world for his crimes against Clive"
Starfire: " I see...so what now"
Black: " We shall retire to the tower."
Black nodded to Starfire and placed one of his large black hands on her shoulder, causing them to slip into the shadows and disappear. They emerged back at the tower, where the power was still out. Beastboy, Terra, and Blackfire were there when they entered, startled by Black's presence.
Blackfire: " Starfire, your back...and Black"
Terra: " How"
Beastboy: " What's going on"
Black: " There was a black out. I...took care of the cause"
Blackfire: " Same here. It looks like someone sabotaged our emergency generator, since it went out at about the same time"
Starfire: " Where is Robin, Raven, Cyborg, and Sherri"
Beastboy: " Robin's at the prison, making sure the prisoner's behave. Raven and Sherri are in her room, isolated and protected since neither can properly defend themselves"
Terra: " And Cyborg is down in the basement trying to get the generators back online."
And as if by fate, Cyborgs voice came over the intercom.
Cyborg: " Attention all Titans, I have found the cause of OUR black out. It seems that someone laid their beach towel on the main emergency generator"
Beastboy: " I wonder who was dumb enough to do that"
Cyborg: " Well...the green hair all over the towel is a good give away. So, if you see BB...hold him down for me...I'll be on my way up once I'm done."
All the titans looked at Beastboy, who gave a sheepish grin before running for it. The other 2 Titans gave chase, leaving Starfire and Black.
Starfire: " Thank you Black for helping Clive"
Black: " It is nothing he would do for me if he could. Either way, I can't let him break his promise to you. He'd be quite upset with me if I had..."
Starfire giggled, seeing a little different side of their darkest and more powerful ally. She smiled, then placed her hands together.
Starfire: " Would you do me a favor Black?"
He perked his brow, though it was only noticed because one of his large blue eyes became larger than the other. She grinned and pointed to the collar around her neck.
Starfire: " Could you please remove this for me? I'd like to have my powers back"
Black: " Very well."
With a quick flick of his claw, Black cut the collar. She floated up into the air and grabbed Black's arm, pulling on it and trying to get him to fallow her.
Starfire: " I thank you Black. And for saving myself and Clive, as well as the city, I invite you to share in the 'Feast of Many Thanks'!"
Black was stunned by the request, unsure what to think about the sudden and forward comment. However, he didn't have much time to think as she already had him in the kitchen.
Black: (What a strange girl. She really is your type Clive...)