Chapter 3

Robin, Cyborg and Beastboy returned to the Tower half an hour later in low spirits. However, they didn't have time to reflect on their empty-handedness, as by the front door were three rectangular boxes with their names on in fancy, black calligraphy.
"Huh? What are those?" said Beastboy, peering round Cyborg to see better.

"I don't know, let's get them inside." said Robin, bending down and picking them up while Cyborg opened the door.

Robin spread the boxes out in a row on the table.

"They're not explosives." said Cyborg, closing his scanner.

"Let's get them open then." said Robin, laying gloved hands on either side of the box in front of him, and pulling off the lid. His first impression was of a pillow with two little bits of paper on it. Then he realized it was just something wrapped in white tissue paper. He picked up the note and started reading,

Dear Titans,

I'm sure you've realized by now that you're two members short.

If you want to see them again, come to the Jump City High Prom,

8:30, at Chateau Du Roi.

P.S. I've taken the liberty of renting you all tuxedoes,

I hope they're to your liking.

Beastboy snatched the note from Robin's hand to read it for himself, and Robin went dazed for the other piece of paper. It proved to be a prom ticket, made from thick card, it was gleaming white with gold writing and border. It confirmed everything the note said. Robin put it aside, then tore through the tissue paper to reveal a formal tux.

Robin's knees were weak, the memories of the terrible night of his first prom experience flooding back to him. His mind was trying to process that not only would he need to go through that all again if he wanted to get Starfire back, but that her kidnapper would also be there. What kind of man would he be? It didn't matter, thought Robin, if he had Starfire, his fate was already decided.

Starfire had been left alone in her room all day, only seeing her captor once, when he brought her a tray with a bottle of orange juice, some toast, and an apple on it. At first, she'd refused the food, but he'd left it in her room and eventually hunger overtook her and she ate it, reasoning that she'd need to keep her strength up. Then, as the evening began to set in, she'd suddenly gotten to her feet.

She hadn't meant to, she was sure of it. But surprisingly, she took a step forward. It felt as if a giant invisible hand had pulled her, but she'd shifted her weight accordingly in preparation. What was going on? Scared and confused, she tried to stop as her feet carried her outside through her mysteriously unlocked door, but she found she couldn't. Her own impulses were being suppressed, her mind felt as weak as a sickly kitten. She almost cried as she continued down stairs, but she couldn't because this outside influence hadn't told her to. She felt violated, defenceless. Her spirits lifted however when she saw Raven ahead of her, apparently going through the same thing. But that didn't matter, if they were together, she knew they could get themselves out of this. She relaxed a bit as she moved through a simple house and into a simple living room. Raven was already sitting on a tasteful couch facing the middle of the room, but she was accompanied by someone else, someone Starfire truly didn't expect to see there.

Jinx?

Judging from her rigid composure, and the frown showing in her eyes if not on her face, she was another victim and not an accomplice. Starfire sat down and she felt the power controlling her loosen a bit. It was still there, but only passively. Then her kidnapper stepped out from the next room, lowering his sleeve.

"Greetings, my beauties." he said, smiling, pleased with himself. "Here's the plan for tonight. You three are going to be my dates for the Prom," He began pacing back and forth in front of them. "making me the coolest guy there. Don't worry, I've already bought your dresses and tickets. Now then, I hope you'll behave yourselves," He smiled and wagged his finger at them, Raven felt like she wanted to bite that finger off. "but just in case you're planning anything, let me remind you I can control you with these." He rolled up his sleeves and showed them three chunky watches. One was a dark blue with black buttons, another was red with green buttons, and a third was black with little pink buttons. There was a fourth one, which was simply grey. It was obvious that the colours represented each girl.

"I hope I won't have to use them though, really I don't. I've already demonstrated their power, but I can also cause you great pain." He looked at them all, as if waiting for a reaction, but when none came he clasped his hands together eagerly. "Right then, dresses!" he said and disappeared for a moment into the other room. Starfire turned quickly to Raven,

"Friend Raven! Are you uninjured?" she said worriedly.

"I'm fine, Starfire." they couldn't say anymore than that as the boy returned with his arms full of silk and lace.

"Here we are!" he sang, and he passed them each a dress, saying their names as he did so. Starfire's was a daring, crimson number with a slit up the side of the skirt. Raven's was a black halter-neck, obviously tight around the waist. And Jinx's was strapless and black, with an overlay of neon pink lace. There was no denying they were beautiful dresses, but to the girls on the couch, they were as good as a pair on manacles.

"Aren't you going to thank me? They weren't cheap you know." said the boy. The heroines just glared at him with their jaws clenched. The boy scowled and raised his arm. He pressed a button on the grey watch and spoke into it, "Say "thank you"" he said, and immediately the words

"Thank you." shot from their mouths in perfect unison. The boy smiled sweetly.

"That's better." he said. "Now run along and get changed, I'll come up in fifteen minutes to see how you're doing. There are shoes in your rooms." and with that they were dismissed. They all returned to their rooms under the guiding hand of his invasive implants.

Eight o'clock found the three remaining Titans standing awkwardly in the hall, pulling and fussing with their new attire. The clothes felt constricting, though they were a perfect fit. Robin leant against the wall, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. Beastboy stood in front of the mirror, tugging at his collar, his sleeves, his buttons, until he finally snapped and ruffled his hair furiously. He regretted it instantly though, and immediately set to work restoring it in dismay. Cyborg stood twisting around to see himself from all angles, amazed at how well the suit fitted his large, irregular form.

"Can we go already?" said Robin at last, after checking his watch for the twenty-third time.

"Yeah, I suppose we should." said Cyborg, looking at his own watch. They all left and got into the T-car. Cyborg started the engine and looked ahead excitedly.

"You seem happy." said Robin darkly.

"Well, I never got to go to the Prom when I was in high school." he replied. Robin noticed his friend's eye flicker to the metal hands on the steering wheel in front of him. Robin had never thought of it like that. He didn't press the issue, and they continued the journey in silence.

They pulled up outside an expensive French restaurant, famous for its grandeur, not so much it's food. Various excited whispers went through the small crowd outside as they stepped out of the car and walked towards the entrance. Robin definitely didn't want to be there. He tried to distract himself by studying the building before him, and he was struck by how the only thing separating him from Starfire was a couple of feet of brick and cement. It was nothing.

They handed they're gilded tickets to an amazed youth whose hands shook as he tore the end off and handed them back. Inside, the tables had been cleared away and the walls had been decorated with gold streamers. A band was setting up at the far end, and a table with a punch bowl and imitation crystal goblets was laid out behind them. But Robin hardly saw any of it, he was busy scanning the room for any sign of Starfire.

"They're not here." he said steadily, hinting at the fury and suspicion building inside him.

"Relax, they'll probably be a little late, the guy'll want to make a big entrance." said Cyborg, looking around. Robin frowned, he didn't want to be here any longer than he had to. There was a pair of girls off to his right that were making eyes at him. He turned away in disdain.

Over the next twenty minutes the room steadily filled up with happy couples, but Robin never moved from his spot against the wall facing the entrance. He was about ready to shred his tuxedo and leave, when his heart stopped at the sight before him.

Starfire, Raven, and strangely enough, Jinx had just walked in on the arm of the boy from before. Robin was immediately seized with many different emotions. First, the sight of Starfire in her come-hither dress stole his breath and stopped his heart. Then came jealousy, then white hot fury at the scumbag next to her. Then anger at himself for not doing anything when he had had the chance. Then more of a protectiveness as he saw Raven in a very uncharacteristic dress, that he knew she must be suffering in. Suspicion when his eyes fell on Jinx, was she involved?

A gasp rippled through the crowd as more and more people noticed the newcomers. The boy walked steadily forward as if he hadn't noticed, but the sickeningly victorious look in his eyes gave him away. He was loving it. He was wearing a white suit with a black shirt and a red bow-tie. Robin pushed himself off his wall and marched furiously towards him, closely followed by Beastboy and Cyborg, flexing his fingers in an attempt to control his anger.

The boy stopped when he saw Robin, and immediately said loudly,

"Robin, hello!" drawing everyone's attention and making a direct attack virtually impossible. Was there a pleading look in Starfire's eyes? He was too distracted by her slender neck, revealed for the first time as her hair had been pulled back and styled prettily. And was she wearing make-up? Her eyes seemed brighter, her lips fuller. Robin tore his eyes away and glared at the boy. Behind him, Beastboy and Cyborg were staring at Raven and Jinx.

"What do you want?" he said quietly through gritted teeth.

"I just want to have a good time," he said looking at the crowd, who smiled nervously before he turned back to Robin and added, just as quietly, "With your women." Robin's bloodlust must have shown in his eyes, because the boy drew back and announced, "Come, dance with me, Starfire." Starfire cast a fleeting glance and Robin over her shoulder as she was led away. Beastboy grabbed Raven's arm.

"Raven, are you okay?" Raven didn't answer or respond in anyway. Only her eyes moved slowly to look at him. "Raven, what's wrong? Come on." said Beastboy a little frantically.

"She can't move BB" said Cyborg grimly, gesturing to the implant on the back of Jinx's neck.

"Yes, that's thanks to my little device." said the nauseating voice of the boy from behind them. It seemed Starfire's dance hadn't lasted very long, probably because the boy had realized that he couldn't enjoy one of them without leaving the other two free to outside influences.

"You see, with these four watches," he pushed up his sleeves to show them his wrists and their accompanying remotes. "I can control their every move. Now don't get any ideas, Titans, I can cause them great pain with these babies, and if I push it too far, who knows, I might even kill them. And we wouldn't want that…" he finished, eyeing Jinx lecherously.

"We're gonna get you out of here, Rae." said Beastboy to the unmoving effigy in front of him. He hoped he could see her eyes soften.

"Now, now, none of that." They turned and saw him press a button on the large, metallic watch. The two girls stepped forward and walked towards him, with a seductive sway that was never there before, but a blank stare with a hint of malice on their faces.

"I missed you, my darling." he said looking at Raven, who smiled back, though it looked more as if she'd just taken a bite out of a lemon. "I think I want a kiss." finished the boy.

A gasp rippled through the crowd, followed by some cheers from two intoxicated jocks. The boy waved to quiet them, and Robin was reminded of a film he'd once seen about Julius Caeser. He'd waved to his senate just like that before they stabbed him in the back.

40 times.

Sounded good.

Beastboy, however, was stunned and he felt a familiar tightening along his back, jaw and hands. His body wanted to shift into some carnivorous beast, with claws and fangs, and he had to breath deeply to regain control. The boy looked back at Raven expectantly, but she didn't move. He frowned slightly and pressed a button, this time on a different watch, a blue one.

"I said, I want you to kiss me, Raven. Didn't you hear?" he said, trying to sound patient and forgiving. Raven took a breath through gritted teeth,

"I….heard." she said. Her voice sounded constricted, as if she was being strangled. Suddenly the room was deathly silent. This wasn't a game anymore. A deep hatred flickered across the boys face, before vanishing below the surface. He raised his wrist and spoke directly into the blue watch.

"Kiss me!" he ordered. Raven's foot slid forward an inch or two, but apart from that she didn't move.

"No." she replied, and her voice sounded stronger, clearer. She was fighting him. The boy rolled his shoulders,

"Fine. I had hoped I wouldn't have to do this, but you leave me no choice." said the boy, and he pressed another button on his evil watch. Raven cried out in pain and surprise. Her hands went to cover her head and her eyes shut tightly.

The spectator Titans scowled, snarled and glared at the scene before them. Cyborg looked intently at Raven, willing her to overcome his control, to fight past the pain, but he also wanted the pain to stop for her, she'd been through so much. Beastboy's transformation was beginning to spread. His nails and teeth elongated, and his mind began to fill with irrational thoughts, the beast in him waking up to this act against his mate. He fought down a growl as the world shifted from the way a human sees it, to the black and white of an animal. Robin had faith in Raven, and was more concerned that justice would be served against this criminal.

The boy walked towards Raven, looking pityingly at her. He slowly extended his hand, in what he meant to be a helpful gesture. Raven just slapped his hand away, causing that hidden fury to emerge briefly once more. The boy pressed and held down the button on the watch this time, and Raven cried out again, so overcome that she sank to her knees in front of him. Her eyes were so tightly closed that diamond tears slid down her cheeks and she moaned in agony

"You know what you have to do for this to end, Raven" said the boy sweetly, once again lowering his hand to her, but Raven shook her head, despite her obvious suffering. The boy shrugged and pressed that button again, increasing Raven's torment. She slid forward onto her hands and knees, her hair falling forward to hide her face. She didn't cry out, but you could hear her ragged breathing as she fought to stay concious, which was worse somehow. It felt to her like her head was splitting.

Robin felt sick, the helplessness he had felt earlier had grown into an all consuming paralysis. He wanted to look away, but he didn't. If Raven could bear to go threw that, he could bear to witness it. Beastboy had closed his eyes, concentrating hard on repressing the beast that lived inside him, but his animalistic hearing magnified Raven's anguished gasps until the echoed through his head, sounding like the beast giving him reasons to release it. He could feel the beast now, as strongly as if it had been a physical being. He couldn't let it out, but he was being consumed, the creature's conciousness overshadowing his own. He had to do something. He didn't want to hurt the people around him. He had to sacrifice his own feelings.

"Raven! Kiss him!" he cried. Robin and Cyborg turned to stare at him, but he hardly noticed. He had opened his eyes, and now he could see Raven lying on her side in her elegant gown, her knees drawn up against her chest and her hands still clasping her head. And that bastard was standing over her, just watching her, without a shred of guilt or remorse.

Any resistance he might have had against the beast inside vanished like a whisp of smoke. Now both halves of him wanted to hurt the boy, tear him to shreds and make him pay for what he'd done to Raven. He fell to his knees, or rather, he crouched. Not because he couldn't support himself any longer, but because it would make the transformation easier. He was embracing his beast with open arms, he welcomed it.

All this created such a spectacle that no-one noticed Starfire's eyes were beginning to glow a fiery green. Her fingers curled into fists, the righteous fury she needed for her powers being too strong for the device to subdue. Her arms were able to move now, or maybe she was just overpowering the implant's control. She stood for a moment, arm raised, starbolts glowing and begging to be used.

Then she fired.

The blast hit the boy in the back, knocking him forward. He whirled around to see Starfire advancing on him, vengeance in her eyes. Raven was almost completely silent, except for tiny, little whimpers. He then looked at the Titans, and noticed Beastboy's current state for the first time. Fear rippled through him. He had lost this battle, and was about to be torn apart, if not by Beastboy, then Starfire, and the other Titans. It was time to cut his losses.

He grabbed Jinx's wrist and hauled her after him as he turned tail and ran as an enraged roar rang out behind him.