PortofSeas, a.k.a. Shigure-Sensei or Talon.
Disclaimer: Don't own the Titans any more today than I did yesterday. If I did, there would be a lot more torture episodes (of fluff episodes) on tv right now.
By the Way, sorry about the poor format on the last chapter. A friend of mine alerted me to the fact that you had to read the Robin/Cyborg conversation twice. Gomen, I'm still new at the concept of actually editing.
Special thanks to A Titan Fan for reading this and reviewing at, like, midnight last night. Just reading that review totally brightened my Independence day! Well, please enjoy the latest installment of Nightmare!
Chapter 2: The result of Nightmares
"Azarath metrion zinthos. Azarath metrion zinthos…"
Raven hovered above her bed in complete tranquility. Her bed, her door, her closet, her whole room had been enveloped by the deep atmosphere of her meditation. Behind her, a tiny comet roared past, its tail blazing before passing out of sight again. She was solitary and alone, peaceful.
Up until the alarm rang through the tower, shocking her out of her trance. It was something like an alarm clock at five in the morning, but she was used to it by now. Just a few feet away, Starfire was also at attention. They often spent time meditating together like this, rather than video gaming like the boys.
"Trouble!" The Tamaranian said enthusiastically. Raven rolled her eyes.
"No duh."
They abandoned her room and quite literally flew down the halls. When they reached the living room, Beast Boy and Cyborg were already there waiting. This was no surprise, as this was practically where they slept, given the free time. The alarm had finally died out by now.
"Where is Robin?" Starfire asked. "Is he not usually the first one ready in case of danger?"
"He never got out of bed," Cyborg replied. "Man, I'm worried about him. He's been up late on watch again lately; I caught him last night. Nightmares, too."
"I did hear him talking very loudly in his sleep last night," Starfire added. "His yells woke me up."
"I didn't hear anything," Beast Boy said, scratching behind one of his pointed green ears.
"With your snoring, I'm not surprised," Raven voiced. Beast Boy's face took on a peeved sort of expression, which didn't faze her in the least.
Robin stumbled in at that moment, dispelling any conflict Beast Boy might have ensued.
"Sorry I'm late," he announced. "I guess I slept in a bit."
"Dude, it's ten-thirty. That's more than a little late for you." Beast Boy pointed out.
"I hate to interrupt, but there's a robbery in a jewelry store downtown!" Cyborg cut in. "Isn't it kinda out job to stop them! C'mon guys!"
"Cyborg is right. We must go!" Starfire insisted. They all began to rush out the door, but Raven caught Robin's arm.
"We'll catch up," she called, not taking her eyes off him.
"What is it, Raven?" he asked in confusion.
"That's what I should be asking you," she said, looking him over in concern. Despite the unusually pale tone of his skin, his cheeks were flushed bright red. She pressed her hand against his forehead, and then quickly drew back in alarm. "Robin, you're burning up."
"Its fine," Robin assured her. "It just happens now and then."
"I think you should stay here, Robin."
"Don't worry about me. Trust me, I'll be okay."
Reluctantly, she released him and he jogged out the door to catch up with the others, who hadn't yet noticed the slow deliberate way he was moving, trying not to trip over his own feet. Well, if he wants to kill himself, that was his problem. She could only watch. Why were all boys, white, green, and mechanized all so stubborn? Maybe he'd listen to Starfire if it came to it.
"Titans, Go!" Cyborg cried. Beast Boy and Starfire charged into the jewelry store. Jinx glanced up from the two necklaces she had been examining. Dropping them, she jumped up into the air and flung several curses at them. Starfire mirrored her, neutralizing the attack with her own beam. Jinx flipped around again, casting more curses. But before she could overwhelm the Tamaranian, Beast Boy, as an elk, caught her in midair with his horns, flinging her head over heals into Cyborg. This, however, didn't appear to disturb her.
"Hey Cyborg," she said sweetly.
"Dude, get off me!" he yelled, kicking her off and crawling back to his feet. She flipped in the air and landed on her feet, grinning.
"Hey Jinx!" a new voice called. "Didn't that school of yours ever teach you to keep your hands to yourself?"
"Huh?"
Robin burst in, delivering a harsh kick, knocking the villain to the ground. Before Jinx could scramble to her feet, her arms were bound to her body by a tight bond of blackness. She didn't seem displeased, however, when Cyborg helped the police to lead her into the back of their car.
"If you don't mind my saying, that was awfully easy," he commented. Jinx grinned.
"Project's on how to escape once captured," she replied cockily. "You'll be seeing a lot more of me soon enough."
"Please no!" he shook his hands and head as the door shut and the car drove off. He headed back toward the others, who had already moved out onto the sidewalk.
"I'm really getting sick of them," Raven said dully.
"At least members of the Hive no longer surprise us, yes?" Starfire suggested.
"I dunno. It was a good thing ya'll showed up when you did. Where were you anyway, Robin?" There was no answer. "Robin?"
Robin's ears were ringing. He was bent over, leaning against the building with one hand. As black spots danced before his eyes, his breath grew heavy and labored, and sweat dripped freely from his brow, even though the day was not particularly hot. Then, without warning, he slid off the wall, tumbling toward the ground.
"Robin!"
Quickly, Raven materialized a pillow of her power, in which he landed with a thump. Starfire rushed to his side, shaking him gently.
"Robin, please, wake up!" When he didn't respond, she turned back to the others. "Why is he not waking?"
"He's sick," Raven said bluntly. "I knew I shouldn't have let him come." Cyborg came up and knelt down at Robin's side, taking readings.
"His temperature's a hundred and three," he announced, pushing down the monitor attached to his arm. "And I'm betting it didn't just pop up today."
"Dude, that's so like him to not tell us when something's wrong," Beast Boy insisted.
"Well, he wouldn't," Cyborg went on. "He probably didn't think much of simple nightmares. He should have, though. If you ask me, I'd say he's literally worried himself sick."
"Can you even do that?" Beast Boy asked in alarm.
"Lack of sleep and appetite will," Raven answered.
"Please, friends, Robin will be okay, will he not?" Starfire questioned.
"He'll be fine," Cyborg answered her. "He just needs rest."
"I told him he shouldn't have eaten Starfire's goop!" Beast Boy insisted.
"But, that cannot be it. Last night's food was a traditional Tamaranian dish served to improve health and ward off sickness," Starfire reprimanded.
"Did it?" Beast Boy asked. Starfire didn't answer. "No. So I say he should've eaten the pizza instead.
"It doesn't matter what he ate last night," Raven cut in. "He's sick now and that's all that matters."
"Well Raven, would you mind giving us a lift?" Cyborg asked.
Raven stretched out her arms, and the titans stood still, comfortably allowing her power to envelop as they rushed back to the tower.
Another chapter down. So tell me what you think. R&R please.