Robin and Guardian play some poker this chapter, and Robin makes the same mistake his father made, however it isn't really that serious, I actually found it funny when I read it over.
I have decided to answer all questions, but not directly, indirectly
Special thanks to all those who read and reviewed the last chapter, I was so happy with the responses to the last chapter
Even special thanks to all those who reviewed:
GreenMartian777
BlackGothFaerie (really? That is funny)
Kirara-so-cute
Overactive Mind
Dark Wolf 021
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StickLad
AnimationWickedRaven
In regards to which Robin, that will be answered in upcoming chapters so stay patient and steady. Hopefully my grammer is better for this chapter, I double checked this chapter, if anyone notices anything don't be shy to tell me, I don't take anything personally. Guardian's powers are related to his emotion, except he controls it completely, it doesnt control him. Meaning when the storm started it was because Guardian was angry and wanted a storm, not a result of his anger, don't know if it makes sense. But he is different from Raven in controling his powers, he is more like Starfire.Oh yeah, the Titans will kick ass soon enough. Thanks for to those who give those analysis reviews, I really appreciate the effort and I love it so much. Someone asked about the tape (have to read the series to understand the importance of that, but don't worry, I will explain the tape in upcoming chapters) the tape will be mentioned in the chapter after this.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans or anything else in this story
TITAN'S TOWER
WAR COUNCIL
"Guardian, did you find us allies?" Robin asked after the first Titans War Council was put in session. The members were of course the four Titans and they sat in the small round table in the main room.
"Possible allies in the North Side, but we can'tgo to them as Titans, we have to get them as spies and sources," Guardian said.
"Why not as Titans?" Darkness asked.
"They are an anti-Hartwell group, but they usually just give funds and information. However, if they get something juicy like the Titans, then they will sell us out to Hartwell for a hefty price. Then that money would be spent on the small stuff they fund to bring down Hartwell. At the rate their going Jump City should be liberated in five hundred years," Guardian explained.
"So they are rich, lazy,greedy, freedom fighters?" Robin asked.
"Yeah, and they are all fifteen years old or at most seventeen," Guardian said.
"That explains why they can be bought and why they have no plan," Darkness put in.
Guardian nodded and then turned to see Robin's reaction to the idea of getting involved with the group.
"Let's do this then, they are our best shot for information," Robin said, not sure if he was making the right decision.
"Just to let you know they aren't saints or morally strong people," Guardian warned.
"What does that mean?" Robin asked.
"To make money, they are known to run some prostitutes and have been known to sell drugs, also, they are said to be heavy drinkers and smokers when they have their weekly "meeting" which is a poker game. They meet the client during the game and after the game is done then they can see if they can do business," Guardian explained.
"It is Jump City," Robin said, "We must do this, we would be blind to how the underground works without them. I am sure we can enlighten them to the modern world of morals and justice after they see us mop up Isaac," Robin said.
"How do you meet them if they aren't supposed to know your Titans?" Darkness asked.
"Undercover," Guardian said, he removed his mask and everyone saw his face and gasped.
"Wow, he is hotter without his mask than with it on," Fireteen thought as she stared.
"Wow, that's a good disguise I don't even recognize you!" Robin said with glee, Guardian didn't look a thing like he usually did. "You can do that to me too, change my face like that," Robin asked.
"Yeah, it's easy and risk free, thank modern medicine," Guardian said with a small smile.
"What will my and Fireteen's disguises be?" Darkness asked.
Guardian began chuckling and Fireteen began laughing. "You're kidding right?" Fireteen asked as she wiped away some tears she got from laughing so hard.
"No?" Darkness responded watching Guardian and Fireteen with suspicion, Robin also looked confused.
"Why can't the girls come?" he asked.
"Don't you know how the North Side slums work? If you go for a meeting and you bring girls for a business deal, it means your offering them as a peace offering. I am sure we don't want to offer Darkness and Fireteen as peace offering to those rich sons of bitches who are pretty much perverts," Guardian explained.
"How come you know this?" Darkness asked suspiciously.
"Jeez Darkness, everyone in Jump City knows how business is done, even kids in the North Side do deals like this," Fireteen said.
"It's sick," Robin responded.
"I actually wouldn't mind killing those bastards, not play poker with them, but we need them," Guardian said.
"Alright, that was productive, lets call it a night and tomorrow me and Guardian will prepare for our mission," Robin said as he meeting ended.
"Then what should me and Fireteen do?" Darkness asked.
"Don't worry I know what we will do to get some information," Fireteen said with a smile on her face.
"What?" Robin asked.
"Just trust me," Fireteen responded. Guardian and Darkness didn't like the way she said that.
THE NEXT NIGHT
Guardian had normally sandy brown hair, but he dyed it black, he hadn't shaved in a while and had a fuzz across his face. He wore a nice blue collard shirt and nice white dress pants. His sleeves were rolled up and he jelled his hair pretty well. He wore black dress shoes; he pretty much looked very sharp. He had put a fake scar across his cheek, put on two rings on each hand; one of them had a hologram in it. The hologram changed Guardian's lightly tanned skin and turned it very pale. It made his fake scar look a lot more realistic, and changed his eye color.
Robin also had to change his skin color, his normal skin color was a golden color, when he was in regular clothes he looked like he had a golden aura around him all the time but it was the sun reflecting his beautiful skin. His hair was black, like his father's but he had it changed to blonde for the mission. Instead of wearing bright colors like Guardian was, he was wearing a grey, turtleneck shirt, and very nice looking black dress pants. He was wearing brown dress shoes and had his hair grow longer using some more miracle technology in the Tower.
They left their rooms at the same time and met each other halfway to the main room, Robin saw Guardian and smiled, "Damn Guardian, I can't even recognize you," Robin said.
"That's good because I am on some wanted lists," Guardian responded with a small smile of his own.
"Lets go and tell the girls were off to get those "freedom fighters," Robin said the last part sarcastically.
"Fireteen said they will be out too looking for a target for us to get," Guardian responded as they entered the main room. The girls were all ready for their mission.
Darkness looked really uncomfortable, she was wearing a black skirt and black tank top, her hair was made wavy and her very unique skin color, with some makeup made her look simply stunning. Darkness wanted to wear pants, not a skirt, she didn't like showing skin and boys looking at her, "At least my hair color wasn't removed," she thought to herself. Her natural hair color was a very unique purple but Darkness wanted to fit in and get lost in the crowd when she ran away so she changed to black.
Fireteen wore the same thing except her dominant color was pink and blue, she looked very happy and stared when Robin and Guardian entered. "Who is who?" she asked having no idea which was which.
"Guess who," Guardian said quietly as he walked to sit down in the main room.
"Okay, that was Guardian, and that means this hot man must be Robin," Fireteen said as she winked at Robin.
Robin blushed and then pulled himself together as he said, "Alright, keep your eyes and ears open, remember all the training we went to, don't use your powers unless you must, use all that hand to hand combat we have been practicing if you get into trouble. We should be communicating with an update by twelve. I will have this cell phone and Darkness will have the second one, remember Darkness call me at twelve," Robin explained.
"Let's go!" Fireteen said as she led Darkness to the Titans garage. It was the T-Car except all the paint was gone and it was converted into pretty much a normal car, Darkness and Fireteen had spent the entire afternoon getting the ride together. "Thank God Uncle Cyborg babysat me all those times," was all Darkness thought while she fixed up the car.
There were two black, slick motorcycles, also repainted by Guardian and Robin, and they would be their ride to the place.
With a simple nod the four Titans went their separate ways.
SECRET HIDE OUT
YOUTH ANTI-HARTWELL LEAGUE
The Youth Anti-Hartwell League met in a small apartment in the North Side, no security when Robin and Guardian walked in. Just a cute girl in the front desk of what seemed to be a hotel, a hotel with only four rooms. "What can I do for you gentlemen today?" the clerk said with an inviting smile.
"Well baby, we are here to play with the big boys," Guardian sweet talked the girl. Robin looked at Guardian a little surprised. "Jeez, he is good at changing characters," Robin thought, trying not to show his surprise.
"Only if you got the buy in," the clerk said with a blush at the man sweet talking her.
Guardian pulled out two wads of money and gave each to her, "For me and my buddy Michael over there," Guardian said pointing to Robin whose codename was Michael.
"Alright handsome, just follow me," she said as she led the two Titans to the second story. She opened the door and they walked in. Inside were three other guys, all around fifteen years old, cigarettes in their mouths and intensely looking at their cards.
"Jim, two boys ready for the game," the clerk said to one of the men.
The guy looked up, smiled at her and said, "Thanks sis, you boys ready to play with the big boys?" he asked as his sister left the room.
"And do some business," Robin spoke with a smile. The three men also smiled. Jim smiled with the other two guys, Ray and Phil.
"Pull up some chairs, and let's get going," Jim said, after Guardian and Robin introduced themselves as Johnny and Michael the game began.
Guardian had taught himself to play poker, having never played the game; Robin had experience on the Watchtower, but never for real money.
Jim's sister came in the room with a round of drinks for the players before the game began. It was in a small cup and was filled with a clear liquid, most likely water.
Guardian said no, and Robin took one glass. He however didn't ask if it was water, because it was disrespect when making a deal and asking what he was being fed This was a sign that he didn't trust the people he was negotiating with and was a huge insult which could destroy the negotiations. Guardian had explained to Robin, he said that you either say no, or take it, but never ask what it is.
The other three guys took the drinks and took some sips from it all mumbling thanks. Robin took a big switch and almost dropped his cards. It was very strong and made his eyes burn a little, he shook his head a little and said, "Damn that's strong," to his hosts.
"The best vodka we could get," Ray said with a smile as he took another sip.
"Good, good," Robin said as he took another sip.
Guardian wanted to slap it from Robin's hands or talk to him and knock some sense in him but that would be a weakness and show they were good guys and they wouldn't get anything from the scum bags they were negotiating with.
"Let's play," Jim said as he put the bet on the table.
Robin threw down a twenty dollar bet, the man to his left, Ray folded down, Johnny (Guardian) doubled his earnings with a royal flush, Robin just had three jacks and a pair of nines. He lost a lot that game. Another round of drinks, Robin asked for the bottle, which was given to him because the three men realized they could get more money if Robin got drunk. Guardian watched in shock.
"Who's up for game two?" Robin said as Jim dealt the cards out.
The cards were dealt and Jim put a huge bet, everyone folded except Robin who looked at his cards, the same as last time, "The odds of that," he thought. "My chips are getting thin and so is my wallet so I gotta just throw it down," as he put all in. He lost that hand and saw all his money go away.
"Wow, you lost fast," Johnny said as he stared at Robin's eyes.
"Who's up for game three?" Robin said with a grin.
Phil was laughing and the other players started chuckling.
"What's so funny?" Robin said.
"Its funny cause you don't got no money!" Jim told the almost drunk Robin who took a swig from the bottle of beer, luckily not vodka.
"Damn it Robin, what the hell are you doing?" Johnny thought when Robin pulled out some big bills and put himself back in the game.
"I am back to never fold again," Robin said as the chips were given to him.
The game progressed, with Robin playing a little smarter, he actually won two hands, then Robin, turned to Guardian and said, "Johnny what are ya doing tonight?"
Guardian looked at Robin with a face full of fright, not knowing what he would say and said, "What?"
"How about a Revolution!" Robin screamed loudly.
"Yeah, sounds good," Guardian said with a smile. Now he looked at the three men and said, "We want to make a relationship with you guys so we can work together in destroying Hartwell and driving him from the North Side.
"What do you propose?" Jim said with interest.
"You tell us all of his operations in the North Side and our leaders leak it to the Justice League who then leak it to the Teen Titans and then they drive Hartwell out.
"What do we gain from this?" Jim asked.
"Not only Hartwell out of here and your own neighborhood and section, but also a lot of cash," Guardian said as he pulled out ten grand in bills.
"DEAL!" Jim said with a huge grin as he hungrily stared at the bill.
"You will get a lot of money but first you got to give us our information," Guardian said as he took back the bills.
"SIS!" he yelled as his cute sister came back in the room.
"Yeah Jim?" she asked.
"Get all those plans and shit in my room with the Hartwell stuff on it, and bring it for our partners Johnny and Michael. While we wait, let's continue the game," Jim said as he took the cards.
"Maybe you should sit this one out," Phil said to Robin, feeling pity for the drunk who continued to blow his money. Where Robin was failing, Guardian was winning; he was having beginners luck as he held the most chips.
Robin glared at Phil and said, "I am not going to quit and not going to stop this game. I don't give a shit because I have the drop this time. Johnny has two eyes just like mine and I am feeling fine, feeling funky tonight," Robin responded as he put in a modest bet, halfway through his speech he got his cards. Jim tossed Robin a bottle of whisky after taking some swigs himself. Robin tried chugging the whisky but then put in down next to him as he studied his hand. He noticed Ray had no chin but didn't say anything not wanting to make a scene. After the next hand Phil looked real mad and Robin felt a little bad. Robin had taken most of his money last hand but now he was just struggling as his winnings fell to Guardian and Jim. Not knowing what to do, Robin thought, "What the hell," and went all in; he lost all his money to Guardian.
Half an hour, sitting on the side, looking enviously at Guardian while he just watched the intense game go on, taking swigs every once and a while. Suddenly his phone rang and he answered, "Hello?"
"Michael, its Christine, I am with Beth and we got what we needed," Darkness answered on the other end. Fireteen's codename was Beth and Darkness's was Christine.
"Good work baby, you can go home but leave the lights on, me and Johnny will be coming home soon baby," Robin responded.
"Why does he have a slur? And why is he calling me baby?" Darkness thought with a frown. She said, "Alright, see you soon," then she hung up.
"Bye baby," Robin said with a slur as he put the phone down.
"Was that Christine?" Guardian asked from across the table, it was just him and Jim now and it was intense.
"Yeah, she got what she needed so she will see us at home," Robin responded. Guardian just nodded.
Phil leaned over and whispered with a smile as he held his share of the twenty grand, "This Christine your bitch you rich bastard," and then he laughed.
Robin reacted in a drunken rage and smacked Phil in the face and said, "Don't you dare call her that again you son of a bitch!" he was going to keep on beating Phil but "Johnny" got up and grabbed him.
"Calm down Michael, calm down," Guardian said as he held Robin back.
Phil got up slowly and said, "Sorry man, didn't know you took it so personally, sorry," Phil was very surprised from the outburst, usually other guys laughed it off after making a huge deal like this.
"Alright, I will let it slide, but make sure it never happens again!" Robin yelled as he sat down.
"Alright," Phil responded.
The game ended with Guardian winning, as they left the apartment Robin went to Jim's sister. "Well baby, hope to see you again," he said with a very sly smile.
"Same here," she replied with a very inviting smile to Robin. The drunk felt like melting when he saw the smile.
"Let's go Michael," Guardian said harshly, getting sick of the drunk doing stupid things. They got outside and Robin jumped on his motorcycle. "I don't think so," Guardian said as he walked to the bike. He pushed several buttons and then the bike went. He had turned on the auto-drive system so Robin wouldn't be driving while being drunk. Guardian jumped on his bike and followed him home. When he reached the huge Tower he heard Robin yelling and then thought while shaking his head, "This is going to be a long night."
THE NEXT MORNING
TITANS WAR COUNCIL
"I would like to apologize again for my behavior last night, I didn't mean to get drunk, if I knew the drink was alcohol I never would have drank it, believe me," Robin said. He felt really guilty; his father had warned him so many times to stay away from alcohol saying it ruined his life.
"Good, now just tell us our first mission," Fireteen said, she actually enjoyed Robin's show last night. Robin had come inside yelling and singing about the game and began hitting on Fireteen. Fireteen found it very entertaining and was now feeling she liked Robin a lot more when he expressed his emotions.
"So, what do we do tonight?" Darkness asked.
"Well, from the information we got, and thanks to Guardian who put your information with what those boys gave us, we are going to hit Isaac's illegal club," Robin explained.
"Bringing down a night club isn't that much," Fireteen observed, "Might get some people upset," she added.
"But it isn't just a club, there is illegal gambling in the back and the Anti-Hartwell League information says there is forced prostitution too," Robin said to the group.
Darkness was visibly disgusted from that news, Fireteen nodded, and although no one saw Guardian's face they saw his hands clench in fists.
"So here is the game plan, Guardian will override the power, shutting off all the lights inside, Darkness will lock all the doors, and if someone still gets out they wont get far because Fireteen, your going to make a ring of fire around the whole building, while I go inside with my night vision mask and pick up the right people. Also Darkness, call your reporter friend and tell him to bring some of his boys and gals at one in the morning so they can publish what happen and force the mayor to arrest the people at the club," Robin explained.
"Who will be at the club?" Darkness asked.
"From the information, the League gave us, Isaac's top men and gangsters are there every Saturday night, along with twenty three of the highest ranking and most corrupt police officers in the city, as well as some of the corrupt Attorney General's men and three of Hartwell's judges who get his boys out," Robin explained.
"Wow, this should devastate Hartwell and more specifically Isaac, because people will want more information and then there goes Isaac," Fireteen observed.
"Good," Guardian said. As the Titans left the room, Robin ran up to Guardian and took him to the side.
"Thanks for giving me my money back, you didn't have to considering how much of a jerk I was last night," Robin told Guardian.
"You know its against my religion to gamble? Or make a profit from it? So I just gave your money back, took the money I put in, not a cent more than the buy in was, and I donated the rest to Jump City Children's Hospital. They need the money far more than I do," Guardian explained.
"I am glad we have a man like you on our team," Robin said as he shook hands with Guardian.
NEXT CHAPTER: RAVEN and BEASTBOY Celebrate there 20th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY, while the NEW TEEN TITANS launch their first TEAM MISSION, also more on DARKNESS and ROBIN discussing what happened to the LEOTARD, don't want to miss this chapter, so:
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