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
Family Matters
In the room, there was nothing. Or atleast, that's how it appeared, but in reality, there was a lone man in a room filled with all sorts of equipment and training arrays. From just outside, a loud clattering of some manner and the sound of tearing metal were easily heard. Before too long, the noise ceased, only to give way to a heavy panting.
Clive: " Raise difficulty to level 9 now. Use high speed training disks and adjust settings to medium voltage on weapons. Preset visual sensors for black out settings."
A loud whirling and the sound of interchanging parts was heard next. Clive listened in the darkness to everything around him, hearing the hover disks wizz by him. He grunted as he channeled his shadow powers, using his ability to see in and through shadows.
Clive: " Black...I'm having a hard time with this new one"
Black: " That's because you're still injured you fool. Do you not remember two days ago? All your injuries? Broken ribs, fractures all over your body? Cuts, bruises, and other abbraisions?You should be resting, as you are a simple mortal. "
Clive: " Doesn't that make you and me the same"
Black: " Do you want me to continue to help"
Clive: " Sorry...I'm just getting impatient and this burning in my chest is bothering me"
Black: " Then go and rest. If you would take proper care of yourself, you wouldn't have such a problem doing this"
Clive: " But this could happen to me at anytime. What'll I do if I get hurt while fighting? I won't know how to use my skills"
Black: " Being injured has nothing to do with learning or using these skills. Learning them while you're injured won't do you any good either way. And why did you raise the difficulty? You took four hits to the back, two to your left arm, three directly in your ribs, and one to the rear of your right knee. That last one missed you bottom and had I not taken care of that one personally, it wouldn't have missed"
Clive: " Look, I'm not dead ok? They're just little scratches and bruises, nothing more"
Black: " Your body hasn't healed. It's only been two days! You're ribs are barely attached at this point"
Clive: " Ok, you know what? Just shut up Black, I don't need this right now!"
Clive lifted the shadow he had cast over the room. The lights from the ceiling hurt his eyes since he had been in the dark for over 2 hours. Sweat poured from Clive and he was partially hunched over, trying to protect his body from any more blows. He watched 7 disks fly by him, as with the darkness lifted. He turned towards the disks when they made a second pass at him, this time just brushing him, thanks to his quick acting. He grit his teeth as small spines formed along his forearms and elbow, protruding enough to be used as weapons. He spun around quickly, flinging them off his arms and sending them through the air at his predestined targets. 4 misses and 3 hits. The three that were hit went winging off course and exploded, smashing their reminants into the floor and scattering them around. The other 4 disks came back around and formed a circle around Clive. He recognized this formation and took refuge on the ground. He kneeled and covered himself inside a bubble of shadows, warding off a few electrical discharges.
When he felt his shield dying down, he morphed it with his own will and parted it into 3 arms. They grew long, clawlike fingers, swinging around violently, taking out all but one of the disks. As for that last disk, it was knocked away by one of the black appendages coming out of the ground, smashing itself into Clive's ribcage again, sending him sprawling onto the floor.
Clive: " End...program, NOW!"
The training programs ended and the doors unlocked. Clive drug himself along the ground to a nearby wall, propping himself up against it.
Clive: " Sorry Black...I just...I need to be stronger. Seems like...everyone is kicking my ass...nowadays"
Black: " It's not like it was three years ago"
Clive: " Yeah...back then, he...kept us safe and taught me everything. Yeah...those were...the days"
Black: " Clive? Clive, awaken!"
He laid there against the wall, out like a light. Black spread himself across the ground, taking a full shadow form. He slithered along the ground and through the tower, detaching from Clive and finding Cyborg and Beastboy first. The two titans didn't even notice Black along the ground, too entranced with their game to see him.
Black: " Curse my inability to communicate with these creatures..."
Black made all sorts of motions on the ground and even spread his shadowy form over their own bodies, but to no avail.
Black: " Damn these fools. I must act."
Black began to spread his body across the room, until he encompassed the room as a whole. He blocked out the windows with his shadows and eventually encased the room in darkness. With this act, he finally achieved the desired effect.
Cyborg: " Yo BB...did you"
Beastboy: " NO! I didn't leave my towel on the generator again"
Cyborg: " Then what just happenend"
Beastboy: " I don't know!"
Black let up and pulled his form back together, casting himself on the ground in front of the two. He pointed to where Clive was and motioned for them to follow. He took off, being followed by the pair, until they discovered Clive in the training facility.
Cyborg: " CLIVE! Awww man, what're ya doin' to yourself? Grab him BB, and be careful. My sensors indicate that he's broken some bones again. I'll put out a call to the hospital, you just get him to the car"
Beastboy: " You got it!"
Beastboy changed into a gorilla and used his huge hands to carefully pick up Clive. He carried him all the way to the T-car, setting him into the back seat gently. The pair of Titans got into the car and Cyborg drove them to the hospital. He gave a signal out to all the other Titans, sending them messages to meet him there. Within minutes, Cyborg and Beastboy arrived with Clive and had him admitted, and it was only a couple minutes later that most of the other Titans showed up. Before too long, Clive was laid out on a hospital bed surrounded by Titans.
Starfire: " I do not understand...how is it that he is here"
Cyborg: " He worked himself too hard and didn't give his wounds much time to heal. When he got in that training room, he was practicing on levels that he couldn't normally physically compete with. Because of that, he's taken some terrible blows"
Starfire: " Oh, I see"
Robin: " Raven, is there anything you can do"
Raven: " Not really, but I can relieve some of his pains and reset his bones, but that's about it. If it were wounds or abraisions, I could do more"
Robin: " Well, I suppose that will do well enough."
Raven stood over Clive, using her powers on his abdomin. As she began to finish up, the doctor came in to check up on Clive.
Doctor: " Oh my. It sure did get crowded in here. Well, it appears that he's suffering from broken ribs and slight burns. Not to mention he's running a fever and he's picked up a virus. I would ask how he recieved these injuries, but I'm afraid to find out. No offense, but I don't like the idea of you kids and your past times"
Cyborg: " Look, sometimes we're the only ones who can do what we can do. But he did push himself too hard here, and since he took a beating a few days ago, he really shouldn't be training"
Doctor: " Well that's obvious. Anyhow, I suppose it won't do us much good to talk about it now. We'll get a cast on him and maybe keep him a couple of days to recover"
Robin: " Thanks a lot"
Doctor: " Well, I just don't wanna find you in here next, understand me?"
The titans nodded and most of them parted to go back to their normal duties. Starfire however, stayed behind to watch over Clive. The room emptied, and left her all alone.
Starfire: " Clive...I do not understand why you must hurt yourself so much. I only wish that you would be more careful and take better care of yourself."
There was no response from Clive, as Starfire had expected. She sighed and began to head for the door, until a more than familiar figure walked in, bumping into her. With Smoke now standing in front of her, she retreated by Clive's bed, standing defiantly in defense of Clive.
Starfire: " Smoke! What are you doing here"
Smoke: " I heard that idiot hurt himself again. Thought I'd see what happened"
Starfire: " Why are you so interested in him"
Smoke: " Cause I think he's a hottie AND I'm the leader of his fan club."
She perked her brows at the remark and was unsure of what to think.
Starfire: " You...are joking"
Smoke: " Yes, of course I'm joking. Look, my interest in him is no one's business but my own. I just want to see him, that's all."
He walked over to Starfire and stood a foot or two from her. She felt the temperature change with him nearby and she remembered how terrifing he could be.
Smoke: " Look at him. Completely unaware of you or me. A comet could hit the planet and he wouldn't wake up, but I gurantee that if you brought in a plate of bacon, he'd be up in a minute."
Starfire found the strength to laugh at the joke. She knew Clive very well. Perhaps better than most people, and knew that Smoke was right. It dawned on her afterwards that Smoke knew a great deal about Clive...and perhaps even more than her. She decided to find out why.
Starfire: " How are you aquainted with Clive, Smoke"
Smoke: " I was roomates with his brother's, second uncle's, third cousin twice removed from the family"
Starfire: " You are lying to me"
Smoke: " Yep"
Starfire: " What is the real reason"
Smoke: " I'll give you points for being direct. I thought about just waiting till someone honestly asked me why, since no one has without swinging a punch. But now that you have, I think I'll just keep that to myself"
Starfire: " That is not fair"
Smoke: " This world never is."
His tone changed in that short line, following a sigh. It was obvious and she knew it. He knew she could tell as well, so he cleared his throat.
Smoke: " Anyways, all past discretions aside, how are you"
Starfire: " What happened to you? What caused you to become who you are today?"
Her questions were very direct. He played with the idea of filling her head with nonsense, but instead, rewarded her bravery and dropped her some bits and pieces.
Smoke: " My father was a dick head and my life literally caught fire and burned away. I suppose that's good enough."
She turned towards him and looked into his sunglasses. She could not see his eyes and the scarf around his neck masked his face. He turned back towards her and met her gaze with his own. His story was depressing her and he could tell she was worried sick over Clive. He smiled under his guise and shook his head, turning away.
Smoke: " You're a good person Starfire. One of a kind...so don't change. Take care of the big guy for me, will ya? He needs someone like you to keep him in check"
Starfire: " O-ok"
Smoke: " Well, I'll leave him with you. I've heard that Adonus escaped the prison. You may want to be on alert"
Starfire: " How do you know so much? And how did he already escape prison"
Smoke: " My boss is a hell of a psychic, and for the latter...I don't know. Well, I'm out, see ya Red"
Starfire: " Red?"
With that last line, he walked out the door, stopping for a moment to wave her goodbye, though he didn't really turn to face her. It could be called more of a cool pose. She turned her attention back on Clive and sat down next to his bed.
Starfire: (If Adonus is truly on the loose, then he may come for Clive. I had best tell the others.)
She broke out her communicator and started to make some calls, but Clive stirred himself awake, which caused her to focus her attentions elsewhere.
Starfire: " Clive! You are awake"
Clive: " Yep. Not dead yet"
Starfire: " You shouldn't talk like that Clive! I could be very unlucky"
Clive: " Well, it'll take more than some chump in a power suit to stop me."
Clive tried to sit up to get a better view of Starfire, but she was quick to lay him back down.
Starfire: " You need to rest Clive. You're still injured and your wounds have not gotten a chance to heal"
Clive: " I'll be fine Starfire...I just need to get some fresh air or something. Maybe a cup of coffee and a few dozen breakfast sandwich's and I'll be fine"
Starfire: " NO!"
She interrupted him in mid sentence. It was a sudden outburst that Clive had never seen from her. But now that he thought about it, it was probably expected. She gently pushed Clive back down into his bed again, as tears began to form in her eyes and she let loose on some of her feelings.
Starfire: " I admire you a lot Clive. You try so hard to protect everyone, even at the cost of your own well being. That is a trait that few have, even among heroes. But right now, there is no need to protect anyone. It hurts me to see you in so much pain, so I will ask you to promise me something"
Clive: " Oh...ok"
Starfire: " Please, unless it's necessary, promise me that you will not do anything to put yourself in harms way! I...cannot bear to see you in pain."
Clive fell silent and looked up at the cieling for a moment, realizing that he had been too selfish in his feverish wants to be better.
Clive: " I'm sorry Starfire. It's just that...the last month or so, it just seems like everyone is getting the best of me. That Adonus guy half way takes me out, Black got his ass handed to him by Raven, and no matter how hard I try, Smoke always gets the best of me. And not to mention Addict and"
Starfire: " Please Clive, promise me"
Clive: " Alright Starfire. I promise. But if I feel I'm needed, then I will do what I have to do"
Starfire: " I thank you Clive. Now please get some rest. I'll be nearby if you need anything. Just give me a call on the communicator"
Clive: " I'll do that. Thanks Star, I mean it."
Starfire smiled to Clive and began to float up into the air, bowing to him and taking her leave. Clive laid there in thought, then decided to try and get some sleep, hoping to take his mind off this whole thing entirely. She made her way off the floor and was just about to leave, before she bumped into Sherri, who was walking in.
Sherri: " Oh, Starfire. Did you see my brother"
Starfire: " Yes I did infact"
Sherri: " Will he be alright"
Starfire: " I do believe so. Black told me the other day that Clive would be fine, so long as he takes care of himself"
Sherri: " That's not good. Clive's so dumb...he's no good at that at all"
Starfire: " Do not say such mean things Sherri! He does mean well after all"
Sherri: " I know...it's just...hey, I gotta go see Clive. Wait here for me and I'll make it fast, then maybe we can go hang out and talk about these things, ok"
Starfire: " Very well. I shall wait for you down here."
Starfire found a bench and sat down, patiently awaiting while Sherri attended her business with her brother. The room she sat in was actually quite silent, and she felt a little uncomfortable all by herself in that loney enterance. Before too long however, her ears picked up the sound of a loud conversation that started with a loud slapping sound.
Sherri: " YOU BIG DUMB ASS RETARD! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU TO TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOURSELF! I MEAN, YOU THINK THAT FOR ATLEAST MY SAKE, YOU'D TRY AND NOT DIE! GUESS THAT MEANS I'M JUST AS RETARDED FOR BELIEVING IN YOUR STUPID ASS"
Clive: " HEY! SHUT UP! AND WHY'D YOU SLAP ME? I'M THE ONE IN THE HOSPITAL DAMN IT! DID YOU EVEN GET ME A CARD? WHAT KIND OF SISTER DOESN'T GET THEIR DEAR OLD AND EVER PROTECTING BROTHER A THANK YOU OR EVEN A SYMPATHY CARD? YEAH, SURE I DID DO SOMETHING STUPID! LIKE YOU HAVEN'T BEFORE?"
Another slap could be heard. Starfire was getting worried.
Sherri: " WHAT WAS THAT? AT LEAST I CAME TO VISIT! NOT LIKE YOU DESERVE IT ANYWAYS"
Clive: " HEY, I GOT FRIENDS! WHY STARFIRE WAS JUST HERE! SHE CARES ENOUGH NOT TO SLAP ME! SURE, SHE HAD SOME WORDS WITH ME, BUT ATLEAST SHE WASN'T A BITCH ABOUT IT!"
And finally, one last earth shattering slam could be heard. Starfire got up to go investigate, but before too long, Sherri appeared before her from a nearby elevator with a tired look on her face.
Starfire: " Sherri, is everything alright? How is Clive? What happened"
Sherri: " Oh, we were just chit chatting, and next thing you know, Clive got tired and his head hit the pillow and he fell asleep"
Starfire: " Are you sure that's what really happened"
Sherri: " It's truth enough, I wouldn't worry too much about it."
Starfire looked and saw that Sherri's hands were all red, like they had hit something pretty hard. Sherri grabbed Starfire by the arm and gently tugged her on out of the hospital.
Sherri: " Enough of that though. Clive will be just fine I'm sure. Now then, would you come with me on some errands"
Starfire: " I would be honored."
The pair made their way down the street, talking lively and sharing stories. Before too long, they came across a large cemetary, where Sherri began to walk into.
Starfire: " We are to hang out at the grounds of the buried deceased"
Sherri: " If you mean graveyard Starfire, then yeah, sorta"
Starfire: " If it is not too much to ask, may I inquire as to why"
Sherri: " I just wanna see Mom and Johnny. I do this every week around this time. Hey, I can introduce you to them"
Starfire: " Johnny...your brother? And your Mother? But I was under the impression that..."
Sherri looked at her with an estranged expression on her face. Starfire was heavily embarassed, turning a deep shade of red, unsure of how to express what she wanted to say without being rude or offensive. Sherri smiled brightly and just pulled Starfire along with her as they entered the site. They began to weave in and out of graves, as Sherri expertly navigated the cemetary with ease. Finally, they came to a pair of small, unassuming tomestone that stood about 2 feet tall and was about as wide. Starfire knelt down next to them and read the writing on the stones.
Starfire: " Johnathon Arthur Vulcan. A good man taken long before his time."
She looked to the other one.
Starfire: " Catherine Jillian Denise-Vulcan. A tender and loving mother of 3 wonderful children."
She kept staring between the two graves while Sherri knelt down and began to pray. Starfire watched her, studying and trying to understand the ritual. Once Sherri stood up, Starfire broke the silence.
Starfire: " Excuse me Sherri...but if it's not too rude to ask...what are you doing"
Sherri: " Huh? Oh I'm just saying a little prayer for Mom and Johnny"
Starfire: " I prayer? Like to X'hal"
Sherri: " Uhhh...sorta I guess. It's something you do for the deceased"
Starfire: " Oh. We have similar customs on my planet"
Sherri: " Well...enough with that. Well Mom, Johnny? Whatcha think?"
Starfire looked around again, confused as to whom Sherri was talking to.
Sherri: " This is my friend Starfire, the one I told you about last time. She's one of the Teen Titans, just like Clive is. We're just hanging out together and I thought I'd bring her to meet you guys. Who knows, maybe one day, she could be part of the family, ya know? Could be lookin' at another sister Johnny!"
Sherri was laughing and giggling as she spoke, leaving Starfire feeling a bit uncomfortable. After a few more moments, Sherri realized that Starfire was feeling out of place, so Sherri pulled the taller girl over to her location.
Sherri: " Come on Starfire, say hello"
Starfire: " Umm...ok. Greetings Clive and Sherri's mother and brother. My name is Starfire, from the planet Tameran, I am pleased to meet you both."
She felt a little uncomfortable, knowing she wasn't talking to anything really...but she decided to try and understand the custom.
Sherri: " Well, it was good to see you guys. Clive's laid up in the hospital, but he'll be fine. Head like a rock, like you always said Johnny. I'll bring him by to visit you guys again next week, alright?"
She said another short prayer, and Starfire followed in suit, mimicing Sherri's movements and kneeling besides her. Afterwards, Sherri helped Starfire up off the ground and the pair walked out of the Cemetary.
Starfire: " Sherri...what did you mean by me becoming part of Clive and your's family"
Sherri: " Well, you're a good friend, which makes you like family...and besides"
Starfire: " Besides what"
Sherri: " You and Clive...you guys are a cute couple"
Starfire: " A cute couple? What do you mean"
Sherri: " Come on...you and Clive are always hanging out and doing things. You watch TV together, you go out and run around town all the time, you patrol together a lot, you go to all of his bands shows, you both share that god awful Garlic Bacon Pinapple Anchovie Pork Sausage pizza that no one likes, he eats anything you make"
Starfire: " Well...he is a good friend. He's very humble and kind. Why...he's the only one who would try the food from my planet"
Sherri: " Do you know why"
Starfire: " Because he is a good person?"
Sherri scratched her head and sighed, then grabbed Starfire and pulled her down the street.
Sherri: " Looks like I gotta sit you down and force this outta you. Come on, there's a good little burger place just down the street I always go to"
Starfire: " Ok?"
The pair made their way down the street a few blocks, until a small burger shop came into view. Sherri led Starfire in and shut the door behind them, hearing a bell hearld their enterance. A large man in Baking White's appeared behind the counter.
Man: " Hello ladies. And what can I get for ya"
Sherri: " I'll have a double bacon ranch burger with a side of fries and a coke"
Man: " Alrighty...and how about you pretty missy"
Starfire: " Well..."
Her eyes scanned over the vast menu board, until they found the one sandwich she truly wished to try.
Starfire: " How about the Three Cheese Double Steak Cajun Burger with an extra side of the greasy bulbous ground fungus"
Man: " Greasy bulbous ground fungus"
Sherri: " You mean Deep fried mushrooms Star"
Starfire: " Er...yes, the mushrooms, my apologies"
Man: " Anything to drink with that"
Starfire: " I too shall have a soda. Make it the coke variety!"
She smiled as the man rang up their orders. Afterwards, Starfire gave him a credit card that she kept in her belt. After paying, they sat down and waited patiently.
Starfire: " Now, I am not understanding Sherri, but why don't you believe that your brother and I are good friends"
Sherri: " I believe you two are friends. That's easy enough. I wanna know how you feel about him"
Starfire: " I'm not sure I know what you mean...I"
Sherri: " Ok then Starfire, I'll be blunt. Do you have feelings for my brother? Like when a guy loves a girl, and vice versa"
Starfire: " Wha? Sh-Sherri...I...I"
Sherri: " Uh huh? What's that Starfire"
Starfire: " That is very personal Sherri...I do not think that I could just say it outright"
Sherri: " Come on Starfire. If it helps any, I think Robin's pretty hot. See? It was that easy"
Starfire: " B-but that is quite different. I could easily say that I think Clive is attractive...however I"
Sherri: " Ok, so Robin's a great guy and I do have some feelings for him and I definitely wouldn't mind dating him!"
Sherri leaned in and smiled, coaxing Starfire with her gaze and pleasent voice.
Sherri: " Come on Starfire...it's ok! I won't tell anyone...I promise"
Starfire: " Well...I...I..."
The alarm on Starfire's communicator went off, interrupting them both. She opened it and saw Robin's face.
Robin: " Starfire, we've just got a report of Adonus at the hospital! Looks like he got himself out of prison and is looking for revenge"
Starfire: " I'm not far from the hospital, so I'll be there shortly. Can you have someone pick Sherri up and take her to safety"
Robin: " I'll do that. Just try and keep Adonus busy until Cyborg and the others arrive! You're looking a little red Starfire, are you feeling alright"
Starfire: " Yes! I'm fine! I'll do my best Robin."
She put her communicator away and turned to Sherri.
Starfire: " I'm sorry, but I have to help Clive. Please wait here for Robin"
Sherri: " Just don't over do it Star. I don't wanna lose either you or Clive"
Starfire: " I promise."
Starfire took off out of the restaraunt and headed for the hospital. At her top speed, it was only about a 30 second trip or so, meaning she was definitely the first Titan there. Sure enough, Adonus was just entering, and judging on how smashed up the doors were, he was quite angry.
Adonus: " Where's that bastard who scratched up my face! WHERE IS HE?"
His shouts and swears were only answered by a starbolt to his back. After the smoke cleared, Adonus turned back to see his sudden assailant.
Adonus: " Hey, you came back to me! Well I'll give you all you want honey!"
He reached into the wall and ripped out a large steel beam, then used it to swat Starfire. The shot sent her reeling outside of the hospital, where she was on the verge of blacking out.
Starfire: " No...I must be strong! If no one is there to protect Clive...then...then I'll..."
She got up after a few more moments, not really giving the world a moment to stop spinning. She shot straight into the hospital and began to follow the path of destruction left in Adonus' wake. He was well motivated, as he was on the fourth floor already. Starfire tackled him from behind and began laying her powerful fists into the rear portion of his armor. She got up off of him to see if he was going to stay down, but soon found herself on the recieving end of a surprise haymaker, shooting her back and down a flight of stairs. Starfire sat up slowly, and pulled herself to her feet, feeling her bones crack and ache more than ever. She realized that Adonus had done some modifications to his suit, since she's never been hit so hard by anyone in her life. She finally flew up after him, but was surprised by his single minded determinedness and speed. He was on Clive's floor, and before too long, it was only a small wooden door that stood in his way. She knew she had to try something desperate.
Starfire: " Stop right now"
Adonus: " Never! Not for what he did! And what would you do about it? I'm bigger and stronger than ever! You couldn't take me even if there were a hundred of you"
Starfire: " That doesn't matter! I will defeat you!"
She charged him and began battering him around with a flurry of fist and kick attacks. He didn't evade them, but was able to block the majority of them, only taking light amounts of damage. She started to pant and breath heavily, almost reaching her limits. After all the hits she took earlier, she was about to give out, and Adonus could tell.
Adonus: " What's wrong hot stuff? Lost your touch? Cause I sure haven't!"
Adonus head butted her, which sent her packing through Clive's door at the hospital. She half landed on him in his bed, stirring him awake.
Clive: " Wha? Star? Wow, I was just dreaming about yo...hey...Star? Are you alright? STAR?"
She was unconsious on top of him and was breathing erradically. Clive grit his teeth and saw the crimson armored man approach.
Adonus: " I've come for some payback shrimp"
Clive: " What did you do to her?"
Clive's shadow whipped up and tried to strike Adonus, but he was fast enough to block the blow and he approached again.
Adonus: " No one does this to my face! YOU SCRATCHED MY BEAUTIFUL AND PERFECT PHYSIQUE! I'LL MAKE YOU PAY!"
Adonus reached over and grabbed a table, smashing it down on Clive. He rolled over on top of Starfire to shield her from the damage, but was knocked unconsious from the sudden attack. Between his former injuries and his exhausting hospital stay, he wasn't in any condition to actually defend himself. Adonus smiled, then pointed his fist at the couple. A large cannon of sorts popped out of the top and fired a bright blue beam that hit both Starfire and Clive. It was a modified sonic cannon, and it hit them with enough force to knock them through the hospital wall and out of the building. Starfire woke up in the free fall in time to gather Clive and prevent any injury from falling. Adonus jumped from the hospital to the ground, landing just feet from Clive with a sick and twisted smile. He stood over Clive and picked him up, holding Clive over his head as he rose his knee.
Adonus: " You'll pay Clive! YOU'LL PAY FOR THE INSULT YOU HAVE CAUSED ME TO BEAR! NOW DIE!"
Before he could break Clive over his knee, a beam of emerald energy shot forth and struck Adonus, causing him to drop Clive. Starfire exhaled heavily, only to be approached by Adonus.
Adonus: " YOU DAMN WOMAN! YOU'LL PAY TOO!"
He reached out and grabbed her around her neck with one of his powerful arms. He began to squeeze and she lost her breath. She made gagging and choaking sounds, desperately attempting to inhale any kind of oxygen, but to no avail. She looked around, her eyes starting to fade. Everything was getting dark, and before long, her gaze fell on Clive, whom was laying on the ground, still knocked out.
Starfire: (Clive...I'm sorry...I'm so...sorry...I didn't get to...)
Before her final breath could be squeezed out, an explosion erupted from underneath Adonus. He let go of Starfire instinctually as his body was thrust into the air. When he landed, he noticed the scorch marks on his suit.
Adonus: " Who?"
From the shadows stepped a tall man in his overcoat. The black sunglasses, the fedora, and of course, the red scarf. Starfire recognized Smoke instantly. He walked over to her and knelt down, seeing to her wounds and whispering to her.
Smoke: " Well Red, thanks for protecting the big dumb ass. You let me handle everything from here. Just rest now, I'll finish up for you"
Starfire: " O...ok..."
She would remain consious for only another few moments. But in her last thoughts, she wondered more about Smoke.
Starfire: (His words...they were so gentle and tender. Like he actually cared, or was happy. I wonder...)
After her head dropped and she fainted, Smoke laid her down gently, turning to Adonus.
Smoke: " You're causing trouble in this city. My city. So, as a representative of my organization, I will put you down. Scum like you won't be tolerated under my watch jack ass, so you better be ready to go down at any and all times"
Adonus: " What? You might be big and bad, but twice both of those!"
Adonus sprinted his way towards Smoke, who made no attempt to get out of the way. Once Adonus was on his target, he swung one of his large fists and hit Smoke in his midsection. As his fist made contact, Smoke disappeared, and left only a huge cloud of thick black smoke in his absence. Adonus started to swing and thrash around violently, fighting and invisable opponent blindly. Smoke wasn't even in the cloud at this time. He reappeared 20 feet away, standing alone while smoking a cigarette.
Adonus: " I'll kill you! Wait till I find you"
Smoke: " What a loser...I guess I should finish this"
After finishing up his cigarette and tossing it away, Smoke didn't hesitate to clear the distance between the two of them, and before long, his fist had been planted right into Adonus' stomach. Even with all of that armor, he still keeled over, giving Smoke the opportunity to round house kick Adonus to the side of the head, sending him sprawling on his rear. Smoke laughed and shook his head.
Smoke: " Pathetic"
Adonus: " You're pretty good...but"
Smoke: " Stop right there."
Smoke walked over and knelt down on Adonus' chest and back handed him.
Smoke: " You...are pretty good. But me? I'm not pretty good. That's not a league for me. I'm fuckin' awesome and don't you ever forget it"
Adonus: " What's that?"
Smoke shoved his hand right into the chest compartment of the suit, using his power over heat to melt it without a problem. He ripped out wires and destroyed the suit's power core, shutting down the entire thing. Adonus now laid helpless inside the suit.
Adonus: " Damn it"
Smoke: " And just so you know, I don't like violence against women. You see, the only reason to strick a woman is if you're in danger from them. But I could preach this to you all day and not one ounce will get through that thick skull of yours...so I'll make this one of those life lessons."
Smoke raised his hand and it caught fire. Smoke billowed off of it and his voice became harsh and quite violent. He grabbed Adonus by his forehead, pressing his palm into Adonus' face and nose while his fingers gripped tightly to his scalp. The smell of burning flesh and the sound of searing filled the air, next to Adonus' screaming.
Smoke: " Do it again pretty boy and it'll be your last!"
With that said, he released his grip on Adonus, who had finally passed over his pain threshold and fainted as well. Smoke got up and surveyed the damage, shaking his head as he saw the Titans in the distance.
Smoke: " Well, I guess that's my que."
He looked to Clive and Starfire, whom were laying next to each other on the ground, totally unconcious.
Smoke: " Heh. You take care of her Clive, she's a keeper. And you make sure he doesn't kill himself doing it Red..."
He walked off afterwards, getting out another cigarette as his form disappeared into a cloud of smoke.