I must admit, I am a tad bit embarrassed…(Sighs.) To make a long story short for all your sakes: Started writing the chapter, got writer's block, sat here for a few days—panicking—then saw "Batman Begins" (AWESOME movie! You must see it! It rocked! Of course, it can't beat the old ones. Those were really good too! Hang on, I'm getting into fan geek mode. Sorry), got a lot of inspiration, then I got cut off from my computer for a couple more days, then had this issue with my stinking math, then finally got around to finishing and posting this chapter. My sincerest apologies to all the readers here.
Alexnandru: Wow. Thanks so much! Did you actually re—read it? Cool…I'd have to agree, with you; to be imprisoned and separated from all of those that you care about would be horrific, at least to me. I kinda got the idea for it from this one episode of CSI, where a main character was trapped in a coffin by this real sicko, and the other characters had to try and figure out where he was before he ran out of air, while the creep played with their minds…it was really good, but I was freaking out the entire time…
Aeris-Raven: Kill Robin? No way. He's one of my favorites…and besides, I need to keep him alive so that he can suffer and the people reading can enjoy it…we're so weird, aren't we? Yeah…Starfire? You'll have to wait and see. I'm not promising anything, although a lot of people are begging for me not to kill the Titans off…Hmm…LOL, I agree. I'm not going in a graveyard! You can't make me! I'd be so paranoid, waiting for Slade to just jump out and slam me inside a coffin…God, that would be so scary…
Slade: What makes you think I won't shut you in a coffin anyway?
Rebel: (Gulps.) Um, yes, well, that is an excellent question…(Help me!)
Sarah Shima: (Blushes.) Aw, shucks…So you think the fight really happened? Well, that's the big question, isn't it…? And your writing…well done. I'm really enjoying your story, "Oblivion."
Kazzy103: Oh, don't be ridiculous. You shouldn't be jealous; I bet if you got a profile, you'd be a kick—ass writer! You'd probably be better than me…uh oh…LOL, I'm just kidding. I'm glad that you get the feeling that you're in the story. I try really hard to make it seem that way…which is probably why the graveyard scene freaked me out so badly…And yes, poor Starfire and Cyborg! (Sniff, sniff.) Even if it is my fault that they're both hurt, I still feel bad…Well, here's your update.
Infamous One: Yeah…very freaky. I suspect I'll have to put Robin through some severe counseling to get over his experience in Chapter Fifteen. I hope you'll keep reading—some could say I practically live for reviews. D
Ranma-Tomoe: Sweet! A new reader! I'm glad you liked the part with the mausoleum. I hope you continue to keep reading!
Pickles12: Yo, Spud. 'Sup Pickles? Nice to see you two again…well, in a manner of speaking, anyway. Now, for the questions: Spud—Batman's upset because of what Robin said about his parents dying. That's a sensitive subject for Bruce, so it's because of that comment that he was so angry…poor guy. And now, Chapter Fifteen! (Maniacal laughter and dramatic music follow.) Did it ever happen? I wonder…I'm so glad that you—(Maniacal laughter cuts in.) Yes, well, as I was saying before, I'm really happy that you—(Dramatic music interrupts. Rebel grumbles under breath for a moment, before taking hammer and smashing recorder in.) Yes, well, as I was saying: I'm thrilled that both of you enjoyed the fight scene. Huzzah! Pickles—The answer to your question about Cyborg will be answered—somewhat—in the chapter actually, and there will be a mention of Starfire…though I'm afraid it's rather bad news…
Remix17: Thanks. But, even if the coffin part was kind of good…yeah, I could never live through that. It would disturb me so badly…(Shivers.)
KaliAnn: Yay! You liked it! That's good. It's always a relief to hear that people like your work…(Sighs with relief.) BTW: I liked the way that you put that; "…Robin's pain being manifested into his own personal demon…" That describes it perfectly. Well done. Here's your update!
Pirategirl189: Yeah, who needs sleep anyway! I have problems getting to sleep, which leads me to believe I might be a slight insomniac…Oy. But I'm glad you like this, and that you're going to keep reading! Hurrah!
Insanity 101: Chapter Fourteen—Yikes…where did you go camping? It's been boiling and humid where I am…though now, it's starting to die down…we've had constant gray skies here, and I'm anticipating a gigantic thunderstorm on the way. (YES!) LOL: Spineless freak…hee hee…that's a good point, on the wish thing…Hmm…I must incorporate that somehow…Thank you for the idea! You're a JD fan? No way—are you serious? That's so cool! BTW: I saw "Secret Window" with my mom a few days ago…weird… Chapter Fifteen—Oops. I didn't mean to scare you that badly…um, are you going to be okay?
Azarathangel: Hey, J! You were in North Carolina? How was it? Well, whatever. So glad you liked 15… you had an interesting idea there, actually…oh well. I hope the way I do things is still okay…BTW: I got your email. That's an idea…would you really do that? (LOL!)
Lots of reviews…that's good news.
Chapter Sixteen: Simple
Raven-
"So…what was your dream about anyway?"
Raven stopped and turned to shoot her friend a curious look.
"What?"
"Your nightmare," Beast Boy explained, trying to sound casual. "You know; you seemed pretty freaked out by it…that's all…"
The Goth girl fixed her narrow eyes on him, glaring suspiciously, and the changeling felt a slight blush creep to his cheeks.
"Err…sorry. It wasn't any of my business—I shouldn't have asked…"
"Good. You're right. Besides—" She added irritably, preparing to take up the search for Robin once again. Though she was trying to be patient, she couldn't help but be annoyed by how many times they had hesitated in the past hour to have pointless conversations like this. Every minute they wasted was another chance for Slade to get to their friend…
"—We shouldn't be too worried. After all, it was just a d—"
Raven stopped dead, dark eyes vanishing into vacant pools of black. Beast Boy noticed the change and stiffened in surprise.
"Uh, Rae? Rae! C'mon Raven, what's going on? This isn't very funny. Please, Rae, wake up?"
He kept chattering on and on, more to calm his nerves than awaken her from the sudden trance that had overtaken her…not that she could hear him anyway.
Thump, thump, thump—
Feet pounding against the sidewalk—distant thoughts whipping in and out of a frenzied mind. Eastern—section—fire—keep running—Beast Boy and Raven—safety—Slade—
"I got him!"
Beast Boy, who'd been on the verge of poking Raven in the eye screamed shrilly and jumped backwards, landing with a thud on the sidewalk; while he picked himself up, Raven drew her hood up about her face, barely containing her excitement at her discovery.
"I've found Robin! I know where he is! We can save him!"
"Really? But you just—"
Beast Boy changed his mind about what he was going to say at the last minute, partly because of his own common sense…and partly because of the sideways glare that the demoness shot him.
"How are you so sure?"
"I felt him—or his emotions, rather. We still have a chance to get to him…"
"Before?" Beast Boy wheedled. "Do you wanna…'fess…up…? You know…"
The boy's question trailed off under Raven's powerful stare, and he giggled in slight, nervous hysteria.
"Before something bad happens," She said in her gruff, cryptic manner. Raven started down the street, before she paused again, turning back towards the changeling.
"I'm sorry if I snapped at you earlier. I'm not mad at you—you know that right? I just want to find Robin and go home, where we can wait until Cyborg and Starfire get better."
Beast Boy nodded quietly, and Raven felt a stab of encouragement.
"And I swear to God that everything will end up okay, if it's the last thing I do."
She gave him another smile that he was about to return, but—
"What do you know?" Said a cold voice from behind Beast Boy. The boy gasped and turned swiftly, only to get a brutal punch in the nose. Beast Boy fell backwards into Raven, who caught him, though she was still gaping, horrified, at the familiar figure in front of them. It was the fire throwing stranger from Jump who'd taken out Starfire and Cyborg.
"I come here surprise the pair of you, and to finish off the job I started earlier, but—" The man's eyes flickered wickedly, sending a shiver up the teens' spines.
"—It looks like you're already one step ahead of me…"
Fire sprang to his palms and wave of foreboding swept over the Titans.
Cyborg-
His head was pounding like a crazed drum; the constant pain almost gave him the feeling that his skull was being split in half…he felt like he was going to be sick…After a few more minutes of blinking rapidly to stay awake though, the fog began to clear to the side and it was easier to see…he had been wondering if he was still alive for awhile there…and then common sense had taken over and he'd realized that if he was dead, he wouldn't ache so damn much…
With a groan, Cyborg struggled to sit up in bed…Wait a second—
The last time he'd been fully conscious, he'd been lying on the concrete. What was he doing here? And where was that nutter with the glowing eyes? And while he was on the subject, where the heck were his friends?
Head spinning faster than before, the half—machine, half—human was about to attempt standing when the door to his room swung open, admitting a young woman in a nurse's uniform…who immediately shrieked in shock, at seeing him awake.
"Oh my God, you're awake!" She yelled, dropping the water pitcher she had been holding. Somehow, Cyborg refrained from screaming in pain as the glass shattered against the floor. Pulling himself together, he managed to choke out:
"W—w—water…please…"
The woman blinked from where she was kneeling on the floor, scooping up the remaining fragments of the pitcher, before she gasped in horror.
"Of course! One moment…"
The nurse scurried back into the hallway. The door swung shut behind her, leaving him alone again.
Cyborg struggled to sit up, every part of skin healing from the blisters that spread across his flesh like a disease. Turning his head this way and that to work out the muscles in his sore neck, the teen caught a glimpse of his face in a mirror that hung in the adjoining bathroom. He could barely believe it; he didn't look anything like himself! His skin was somewhat darker than before, and his hands and back were bleeding from movement; his single human eye was a dull yellow, a filmy sort of mist glazing over his iris.
Now he knew why parents always told their kids never to play with fire…
"Hey…"
The woman was back with a new jar. Cyborg could have cried with relief as she poured him a cup which he instantly guzzled, feeling the relief of cool water spread through his body. The nurse, in the meantime, pulled a chair up beside his bed, watching him kindly. After his fourth glass or so, the boy found the energy to ask about his friends.
"The Titans? They left at least a day or two ago. They seemed like they had some sort of business to attend to. Do you know anything about that?"
Cyborg shook his head. He wasn't concerned too much about the absence of the others. He was sure that whatever they were doing would help the two of them in some way. But…what about—?
"Starfire? The red—headed girl? I'm afraid you can't talk to her," The woman said, giving him a tiny, regretful smile. "She's in intensive care at the moment."
"W—What? How?"
"Apparently there was something wrong with her oxygen cords; the only two possibilities are that either someone pulled the air, or one of the nurses or doctors made a mistake. But I'm sure it was the second one," she added hastily, looking disgusted at the thought of the first option. "I mean, honestly, what sort of person could kill an innocent girl?"
Cyborg had a pretty good idea who…
The nurse crossed to the windows and opened the blinds, letting the sunlight spill in.
"There, now…here's some light for you. I suggest resting a bit more, if you can. I'll be busy, but I'll come back in an hour. If there's anything you need, feel free to use the phone."
She pointed at the phone on the bedside table, and was turning to leave, when…
"Hang on a second…" Cyborg muttered, an idea suddenly hitting him.
The nurse turned back, eyebrows raised.
"Yes?"
"Do you…?" Cyborg bit his lip, wincing as his teeth dug into yet another blister. "Do you think I might be able to use a computer for a moment or two?"
The woman seemed surprised by his question.
"If you want to…may I ask why?"
"I just…I need to check out some things from the files in my Tower…"
The nurse thought about it.
Robin-
Fear was probably the only fuel that kept him going. Fear of the unknown, and the threats that Slade had woven into their discussions. Blood rushed to his head and his breathing was short and ragged, passing through lungs that burned from exhaustion, demanding for him to rest…But he'd never stop running, no matter what he did…
"This is your future, and learn it well…Ensnared in shadow, begging to be free, and yet it will never let go…I will never let you go."
If only he could get those words out of his mind…His movements seemed too sluggish for his liking. It was as if he weren't running along a street anymore, but rather though the pavement were quick sand, pulling him down, keeping him from his team mates.
No good. No good…
There was still time to get to them and make sure they got back to a safe place where Slade, or his minion Holocaust, couldn't reach them…Or was he out of time?
"Stop it," He told himself in a faint whisper between frantic inhales and exhales for air. "Don't say that…it's not true…"
Everything was fine. He'd just go back to Wayne Manor, avoid Bruce—'No matter what,' he added mentally with a touch of fury—and they'd travel back to Jump. Holocaust couldn't have moved so fast that he'd have caught up with them by now—could he? No, of course not…
It's going to be all right…
And that was when he saw the flames, stretching like crimson fingers into the sky, slender tendrils of black smoke choking the once cheerful sky.
Fires were common in plenty of cities. But to him, it was a symbol: A warning. Slade hadn't been lying…the fire demon was here…
The Boy Wonder noted that it was a warehouse for Wayne Enterprises.
He knew it was stupid, but Robin, more out of morbid interest than anything else, found himself edging along with the crowd, attempting to get a closer look. Firefighters bustled about through the clumps of people, dragging long, snaky hoses behind them. The teen quickly slipped off his mask and pulled the front of his long trench over his uniform (he'd grabbed a coat from off one of the hooks in the hallway of Bruce's house, right before he'd stormed out), as he drifted towards the outskirts, hoping that no one would notice him. Robin was a bit surprised to see Alfred standing at the podium, attempting to answer the pressing reporters that were closing in all around him. The British man seemed rather flustered, something that made the boy smile a bit. That was new…
"We don't know what happened!" Alfred spoke clearly into the microphone, hoping that if he just kept restating himself over and over again, the newscasters might leave him alone. "All we know was that nothing appears to be taken, and that the thief could possibly be a convicted pyromaniac."
One man with greasy looking hair shoved his way to the front and yelled out:
"Why isn't Wayne here to survey the damage of one of his main storehouses?"
Alfred flushed at the informal title used to address his employer.
"Mr. Wayne could not attend this horrid event; I am afraid that he had other important business to attend to, and could not afford to ignore it. Therefore, I am here on his behalf as a representative. Now, please—"
No matter what Alfred did, the reporters only grew more interested, like bees drawn to nectar. Robin, however, was taken aback. Business? What business? His father's legacy was one of the most important things in Bruce's life—what could possibly be so urgent that he'd miss a press conference regarding a situation like this?
Beast Boy-
Heat seemed to fill and coat the air, attempting to smother him as the threesome exchanged blows back and forth, taking their turns dodging and attacking.
It was the usual day…aside from the fact that Beast Boy was as mad as hell at the guy that had injured his friends so badly and he was doing all he could to impale the guy on a mammoth's tusk.
Unfortunately, this tactic wasn't working, for the fire stranger easily moved out of the way as the dangerous ivory points swung back and forth through the air like some sort of sadistic needlepoint. Then—
Beast Boy stampeded forward, getting in the way of a mailbox that Raven had tried to chuck at the villain's head; he barely felt the pain as he felt the rabid addiction of battle burn into his brain, making him slightly crazed with adrenaline. He plowed senselessly towards the criminal, giant feet tramping on the ground without accuracy, without strategy, as he hoped that he might be able to crush the murderer.
What a surprise he got when he suddenly felt his animal body lifted off from the ground. With huge, blank eyes, the changeling stared down at the fire thrower, who's own eyes had changed back to the frightening orange glare they took on, right before he performed his latest, terrible move in this "game" of wits and strength.
Beast Boy felt himself flying, transforming back into his regular self in midair…right before he fell with a crash into a nearby alley, jaw hitting the concrete roughly; the coppery taste of blood filled his mouth, making him choke and sputter.
There was—there was no way someone could be that strong. And yet…yet…
"Aw, what's the matter? Too tired to get up? Poor little boy…"
The mechanical voice was mocking him. This…this man (if he even deserved to be called a human) found the sight of blood humorous.
Beast Boy didn't know how he could move so fast, didn't know how he could be so powerful, didn't know how he could kill innocent teenagers and not even flinch.
All he knew was that there was a funny noise ringing in his ears, accompanied by a twisted, enraged sensation building in his stomach.
Raven-
"Beast Boy!"
Raven turned towards where her friend had been hurled, preparing to rush to his side.
But were things ever that simple? No. Of course not.
It took but five seconds for all of them to surround her; sinister duplicates of her enemy, each of them appearing worse than the other.
"Holograms…" Raven murmured under her breath, summoning psychic power to her hands. The multiple fire villains began to laugh, sending shivers up her spine.
"Very good!" They jeered gleefully in a single voice made of many. "But which one of us is real?"
Raven glared and lowered her hands, before sinking to her knees, creating a black shield about herself…and she began to meditate, concentrating on the single life force in the dark circle…for some reason though, there didn't seem to be one anywhere near her…
Cyborg-
The boy sighed and leaned back in the plastic chair placed before one of the office computers. The nurse who had been attending him leaned forward nervously, peering over his shoulder at the blank screen.
"Does this mean you're done?"
Cyborg twisted his body to face her, nodding tiredly.
"Yeah…I'm finished…it took awhile…"
The woman nodded firmly. It certainly had. It felt like she'd been standing beside him for nearly an hour while he typed furiously at the keyboard, breaking occasionally to groan in exasperation, or to take another sip of water. The poor kid…he must be so weak.
"Here," she said gently, offering him the crutches that he had used to move about. Cyborg accepted them with appreciation and slowly heaved himself to his feet. Then he pulled out a small, red disk and handed it to her.
"I want you to take this, but not to look at the content on here," He ordered. The nurse blinked.
"Oh? Why?"
"It's important. I need to get it to a friend of mine. He's got spiky black hair and he—"
"Shhh…" The nurse said soothingly. "Don't worry. I know who you're talking about."
Cyborg grinned.
"Sorry."
"It's all right. Now: I'll deliver this to the front desk in case the rest of your team comes back, and I'll make sure they get it, okay? You go back to your room and take a break. I'll be back in about an hour and a half to see how you're doing."
Cyborg nodded and hobbled down the hallways; the white walls, neurotically clean, were beginning to bother him a bit. He couldn't wait to get better so he could leave this place behind and go back home with his friends. Everything there was familiar and normal, and perfectly in place.
Soon…
The teen pulled open his door and, maneuvering around the suddenly inconvenient crutches, he managed to close it behind him.
It was then that he realized the hospital room—which had been bright with the sun's rays shining through the window panes—was nearly pitch black, aside from a small pool of light coming from a tiny lamp in the corner.
And then, his heart beat picked up speed as he heard the gentle purr of machinery coming to life. From out of the shadows, five Slade drones crept out, empty gaze focused directly on the Titan in front of them. Cyborg reached out for the handle, only to find it suddenly locked.
I'm going to die.
The young man straightened up as the robots stalked towards him, a grim expression on his face.
Beast Boy-
His punches and kicks were mindless, useless bursts of energy which seemed to amuse the fire thrower, even as he nimbly leapt side to side, avoiding the teen's moves with inhuman grace. Damn freak…
"Tsk, tsk," The man scolded, bending down and sweeping Beast Boy's legs out from beneath him. The changeling grunted as he fell backwards onto the ground and the stranger took the chance to stomp his heel right into Beast Boy's ribcage. The teenage boy hissed, air passing through his teeth as he tried not to yell. The man laughed right out loud, not bothering to try and contain his mirth.
"You heroes. You're all the same. Fight, no matter what. Pursue evil for your entire miserable lives. And, dear God—give in?"
The stranger bent down, increasing pressure on the changeling's chest and making him gasp as he inhaled.
"Would you…?" The man whispered.
Beast Boy let his lungs fill, before howling as loud as possible:
"NEVER! I'D RATHER DIE!"
Orange eyes glowed wickedly.
"I was hoping you'd say that…"
The criminal reached for the transformer's arm. Beast Boy struggled viciously, trying to morph into some sort of animal form, but the lack of air and one of his ribs—dangerously near to breaking point—was making it extremely hard.
"I'm going to enjoy this…"
These words were followed by the undeniable snap! as bones broke and grumbled, and a burning wave of pain blocked out all common sense.
Robin-
Innocent people were staggering in the streets, bodies aflame; he must be getting close. Robin tried to shut out the horrific screams that followed him as he kept running, but he knew that they would haunt him in nightmares later to come.
That is, if he ever got the chance to sleep again…
The Boy Wonder whipped around the nearest corner, only for a series of large, jagged pieces of metal to go flying through the air, burying themselves into the side of a building, missing his face by less than an inch.
"Goddamn—"
"Get away from me!" Raven roared, cutting him off. Robin looked towards the sound of her voice, noticing abruptly that she was engaged in a ferocious battle with…a million Holocausts attacking her all at once? He really hoped to God he wasn't seeing things again…
"Raven!" He called out, waving a green—gloved palm to get her attention.
"Robin? Robin!" Raven blasted a few more menacing duplicates (were they holograms? That was a relief) out of her way, not bothering to watch as they fizzled away into blue sparks, before running to his side.
"You're okay…" She said, and a glimmer of relief shone in her eyes, before it was replaced instantly with indifference.
Robin didn't answer. How could he? There was no time to explain his experience in the graveyard…maybe later, when the three of them were out of this and had more time to talk…hang on—?
"Where's Beast Boy?" Robin asked warily. Raven's eyes widened in shock, as if the thought had just occurred to her. She had been so wrapped up in the fight, she'd nearly forgotten about him.
"Oh my G—"
The remaining holograms disappeared, giving way to an eerier silence. And with the absence of battle sounds, the screams of agony were perfectly audible…
Beast Boy-
He was completely limp, unable to move or think. Fragments of memories passed hazily through his mind, now distant and far away, as if it had been shattered as well, along with everything else…
'I will break every bone in your body.'
It was a threat that bullies gave their victims at school, should the other kid try to confront them, or notify a teacher about the situation. Beast Boy just never knew it was possible…
Dimly, he heard soft laughter in his ear.
"So simple…pathetic, really…Oh well. Three down, one to go…"
Three down, one to…? One? But…Raven…Robin…and Slade? What? No…Not…it…wasn't…couldn't be…
"No…" He managed to groan into the street. Tears of utter defeat and frustration were drenching the ground…he was so humiliated. There was a sound of rushing air to the side of him…the man was getting away again…
No.
Batman-
"Good Lord, woman, let me see him!"
"Mr. Wayne, you may be a billionaire…and famous…and…and all that other nonsense, but I really must say no! You cannot talk to him! The poor child is so tired—"
"I don't give a sh—"
"Mr. Wayne!" The nurse practically shrieked, before trying to lower her voice a bit. The ruckus between the two of them was causing a rather large group of patients to gather around curiously.
"Please, this is a hospital, and there are many people sleeping. I would also like you to refrain from any foul language. Now, if you don't mind sitting down for another thirty minutes or so, I'm sure I can go and rouse him—"
"For God's sake, miss, I have spent nearly three hours in traffic, listening to a taxi driver talk away on his cell phone to the point where I have nearly snapped. I did not come here to wait: I want to talk with him. Now," Bruce added in a gruff undertone to make his voice more menacing. This nurse was so bloody paranoid.
Speaking of which…
The woman was drumming her nails rudely on the front desk's top, looking as if she were struggling between his orders and her better judgment.
"Well…fine!" She snapped, whisking a clipboard from where it perched on one of the numerous file cabinets stacked about the place; she scribbled a few notes on it with a pencil that had been tucked behind her ear.
"Follow me. But you can only stay for a few minutes!" She added over her shoulder as the two of them strode briskly up the hall, her heels clacking in a manner he found irritating.
"—And then you must wait until he wakes up. And only when he wants to wake up, is that understood?"
Bruce nodded, rolling his eyes when she wasn't looking. All he needed to do check up on the kids and make sure nothing had "gone wrong" as the woman had described over the telephone message. Originally, he would have wanted to talk to Starfire, since Robin seemed to trust her with more secrets than other people around him, but when he heard she was intensive care…
The Dark Knight had a sinking suspicion that this Slade guy had something to do with it. Bruce, however, wasn't about to suggest anything to these idiotic medical "professionals." They'd permitted him to visit the alien girl for a few minutes too…if the definition of visiting was getting a quick glimpse at how things were going and yelling out a ton of questions, none of which were ever answered anyway.
He supposed talking to Cyborg was a better idea anyway. Even if the red—head was available, Bruce would probably be confused by her mixed up English…at least, that was how Richard said she spoke. Maybe she'd improved…and maybe…maybe it was time for him to take more of an interest in his son's career. Especially if it meant so much to him—
The nurse pulled a key from off the chain that was dangling about her neck and, slipping it into the lock, pulled the door open…
There was a moment of silence, as Bruce and the woman took the sight in before them. Then the nurse began screaming her head off for help.
Batman closed his eyes in shock, unable to look any longer.
"Oh my God…"
To be Continued…
You know what I noticed? My chapters are getting longer. (Smiles.) Sweet. Well, that's the chapter, and once again, I'd like to apologize. I feel so bad for leaving you guys like that, and I hope my update will make it up to you all.
Mourning for BB and Cy, at the moment:
Rebel-Aquarius