Okay, here now for you is a gift for not updating for six months and for giving you a super short chapter. This is a super long chapter and I hope you like it. Enjoy!

Chapter Thirteen

The point of Origin

From a rooftop not far from the hotel Meric lowered a set of binoculars and handed to the man on his right. He then took out a small camera and began taking snap shots of all the street signs and ally ways adjacent to the hotel. He looked to his right and watched his partner putting together his signiture sniper rifle.

"Ich hole unseren alten Mitschüler und seinen Damefreund zurück. Sie konzentrieren sich auf das Herausnehmen die anderen vier." ('I will retrieve our old classmate and his lady friend. You concentrate on taking out the other four.') The man nodded while looking through the scope and lining it up properly.

"Fein." ('Fine'). Meric then popped a couple of pills in his mouth and crushed them to bits.

"Und Elan... there hatte, besser keine Fehler zu sein dieses mal. Es gibt eine Zeit, als Sie nicht durch Ihren Titel geschützt werden, da Sie gut bewußt füehlen." ('And Elan...there had better be no mistakes this time. There will be a time when you will not be protected by your title, as you are well aware.') Elan looked up to respond but saw that Meric was gone and knew that there would be no sign of him. He took a look through his binoulars and spotted his three targets in the window of thier hotel room. Cyborg and Beast Boy sat playing the in-room video games while Raven attempted to convince them that this was hardly the time for thier immiturity to show. Lee merely sat on his bed and did dare give Raven the 'I told you so' look. Elan set his binoculars down and cocked his rifle.

"Sehr gut." ('Very well.')

Robin and Starfire burst on in through the room door and Robin immediately began stuffing various things into a small bag. Cyborg and Beast Boy looked away from the TV screen, Raven from her book and Lee from his own form of meditation. He sat up and approached his leader.

"Are you going somewhere Robin-San?"

"We all are," he replied enthusiastically. E moved to the bathroom and began scoping up a couple of essentials.

"Wait a sec," said Beast Boy. "Where have you two been for the past two hours?" He finished the question by glancing over at Starfire, who began blushing madly. Cyborg then grinned.

"Yeah I mean, what can two people do when their alone?"

"Alright! That's enough," said Robin. The two silenced by still held their sly smiles.

"Sooo, why are we leaving again," asked Raven. Robin zipped up his bag and seemed to take no head of Raven until a few seconds later.

"It was actually Starfire who gave me the idea. She deserves most of the credit."

"All I did Robin was attempt to motivate you," replied the timid Starfire.

"Apparently you have a knack for motivational speaking," commented Lee with a raised brow. Robin finally dropped his stuff and turned to his friends.

"Listen guys, I know where the next marker is." They all exchanged curious glances.

"Do tell," said Raven. Robin seemed only too happy to.

"Okay, Starfire said that the riddle went something like 'The point of origin lies where from the Spanish three sailed to find a world anew' right?"

"Yes, we got as far as translating it but fell short of figuring out its meaning," reported Cyborg with a slight grumble.

"When Starfire was talking to me she mentioned that when she came to earth a whole new world opened up to her, 'a new world' or better put 'The new world'. Slowly they began to understand. "In fourteen ninety-two Christopher Columbus sailed with three ships from Spain in search of 'the new world'." Raven then pulled out a small world map and looked at a certain point.

"So what your saying is-"

"That's right," finished Robin. "The second marker is somewhere in Spain." It took a moment for it to register. In the next second Starfire clapped her hands together and then embraced him tightly.

"Wonderful Robin! Now we may progress even further." Cyborg however put up his hand.

"Hold up, I'm not sure if any of yall noticed but Spain isn't exactly a small ball park. Do we now 'where' in Spain it is?" Robin and Starfire separated with looks of thoughtful disappointment.

"Maybe they have some kind of tribute," said Beast Boy. Robin sent him a bemused look.

"Come again?"

"You know like a monument to sort of honor Columbus' trip across the ocean or something."

"I can't believe I'm saying this but, I think Beast Boy may be on to something," said Raven.

"Now Raven we all know that's a fine line to walk," said Cyborg with a small chuckle. Beast Boy sent him a small glare.

"Where in Spain would there be such a commemoration," asked Starfire.

"Madrid," blurted out Lee. When he received a few confused looks he continued. "Typically a large contribution to the country is celebrated in its capital, in this case Madrid I believe is our destination." Robin gave a definitive nod and began walking towards the door.

"Then I think we should leave as soon as possible. The Order has probably known we were here a long time ago."

"We can use the forest nearby to slip out of the city unnoticed," suggested Cyborg. Robin looked through the small peep hole in their door and noticed the same man had passed by their room more than half a dozen times. He locked the door completely then closed the shades.

"I agree, but something tells me we shouldn't take the front door. Raven…"

"I'm way ahead of you," said the pale Titan. They all gathered around her and Raven encased them all in her power and they sank beneath the floor.

The six Titans reappeared in the hotel's wine cellar, some eleven floors from their previous position. As they fanned out making sure the room was secure Lee spotted a small bottle and picked it up. He put on his glasses and read the label.

"Hmm, 1985 vintage White Zinfandel. This is particularly hard to come by around here."

"Lee this is hardly the time," said Raven. He put the bottle back and shrugged.

"I was just interested." Robin rolled his eyes and approached the bulk head that lead outside. Very slowly he opened it up and poked his head up from the cellar. In the nighttime fog he could see very little ahead of him. Robin squinted his eyes trying to see a good path for them to follow. He finally deduced that the only way to find the best road was to start walking. He climbed out of the bulk head and each of his teammates soon followed. Cyborg quietly closed the bulk head on his way out and switched on his shoulder light.

"So, where to?" Robin thought for a moment. He had considered asking Starfire and Raven to scan a few hundred feet off the ground, but decided against it. For it indeed they were being followed the fog provided their only means of cover at the moment.

"We start walking," he said plainly. He took a step forward and at that moment felt a sudden jolt graze his arm. They all gasped out loud and took cover. Robin crouched behind a set of stone steps leading up to a small pub. He pulled his hand away from his arm and saw a small bloody scratch. He then glanced up at where the shot had come from on one of the roof tops. Robin pulled out his comm. link and took a deep breath. "Is everyone alright?"

"I am uninjured for the moment," came Lee's voice.

"I'm okay dude," said Beast Boy.

"Dido," replied Raven.

"I'm good," said Cyborg.

"I am also undamaged," whispered Starfire. She had also begun looking for their unseen attacker. "Who is firing upon us?" Robin darted his eyes around at each roof top then closed them in dread.

"Its Élan, he found us. He's somewhere up above."

"Where," asked Beast Boy. Robin hung his head with an aggravated grunt.

"I don't know Beast Boy, I can't see through all this fog." He silenced when a staggering man popped out of the door just above him. He swayed to and fro trying to keep himself balanced. As he walked a small red dot appeared on his back. Robin's eyes widened at the small targeting laser. It soon vanished as the drunk was not its target. Robin glanced up at the roof above him. Robin looked about and saw that his friends were still in their own hiding places. He clicked his communicator and looked over at Cyborg who had hidden himself behind a small wall of post boxes. "Cyborg?"

"Yeah man I'm here, what's up?"

"Can you see me?" Cyborg glanced around his barricade ever so carefully. Once he spotted the top of Robin's head he pulled back.

"Yes."

"Okay, Starfire what about you?" She turned her head and made out Robin's face in the moonlight.

"I see you," she replied awaiting orders.

"Okay guys, once Cyborg and Starfire do their part we're all going to book it down the alley Raven and Beast Boy are currently sitting in. Got that?" They all replied in the affirmative. "Alright, Élan's on the roof just above me. Cyborg, Starfire, this is what I want you to do…"

Élan peered through the scope of his rifle trying to find his targets and complete his mission once and for all. He thought he had seen either Cyborg or Starfire's head pop up once or twice. Back on the ground Robin took one more readying glance up at the roof.

"Are you ready," he asked his teammates. Both Starfire and Cyborg answered that they were and Robin nodded. "Okay here we go in three…two…one!" Cyborg's shoulder light and Starfire's charged fist suddenly sent a wave of blinding light up through Élan's scope. The man shut his eyes and tried to shield himself from it. In the next instant they had all filed on down the alley while Robin threw a quick bird-a-rang up at the pub rooftop. The spinning weapon cut across Élan's hand and he let out a painful grunt. When he finally regained is position the Titans has disappeared. With an ever growing furious glare he stood up and walked back down to the street. The Titans meanwhile made their way into the forest and began their long walk to the nearest train station. As Robin strode on ahead he sighed in discontent. Starfire came up behind him and cast a concerned look his way.

"Are you okay Robin? Are you injured from our previous encounter?" Robin smiled and shook his head.

"Not really, but Raven if you could give me a hand with this that'd be great." Raven walked next to him and began healing the small scratch on his arm. "What's really bothering me is how well Élan has been able to stay on our trail. He's obviously gotten better since the last time I saw him."

"Yeah he had us pinned down back there pretty good," remarked Cyborg.

"Pretty well," said Lee. Cyborg mouthed 'whatever'. "And we did manage to escape from his trap did we not?"

"Yeah we did but I'm beginning to wonder if we'll be so lucky the next time," said Robin. "He's become a major problem. And I don't see how we can carry on with him still right behind us."

"What do you propose we do," asked Starfire. Robin bit his lip but resolved that it was the only option left open to them.

"We have to take him out." They all stared at him disbelievingly. Even Raven looked up from her procedure. Robin continued on with little notice that his Titan colleagues seemed to question his decision. Starfire held her arm and cast a nervous stare at the ground as she walked. Already forming his plan Robin nonchalantly popped a small mint in his mouth and dropped the wrapper behind him.

--------

As Élan swiftly made his way through the dense forest after his targets he skipped along the rough terrain trying to avoid tripping over his own feet. He stopped when he spotted something on the ground. Looking around he slowly sank to his knee and picked up Robin's tossed mint wrapped. Knowing that his prey had grown careless he confidently continued on through the thicket of trees and bushes. Just past a small pond Élan suddenly came to a halt when his eyes spotted Robin dead ahead. He seemed to be just standing around and looking aimlessly up into the trees. Élan crouched down behind the large roots of giant oak tree and took aim. He put the crosshair right on the back of Robin's head but paused; something just didn't feel right. Knowing that he had little time and allowance to act on a hunch Élan took careful aim once more and pulled the trigger. Robin's head flew back from the force and he plopped to the ground. Élan looked past his scope and reloaded his weapon. Where were the other Titans? He remained in that position for little over an hour before he was satisfied that there were no others around. He slowly got to his feet and using nearby trees as checkpoints he promptly made his way over to Robin's apparently lifeless body. He was but a mere twenty feet from his kill when he stopped dead in his tracks. With a wide eyed comprehension he finally noted what he saw out of the corner of his sight. He turned his head and saw Robin stepping out from behind a tree. Cyborg then emerged and disengaged his hologram of Robin being shot in the head. Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy, and Lee then made themselves known. Each readying their signature forms of attack. Élan found himself completely surrounded.

"Put it down Élan," ordered Robin. Élan closed his eyes and straightened himself up, knowing good and well there was no way out for him. "Put it down now." Élan took a deep breath as fast as he could spun around to aim at his victor when he was suddenly hit in the shoulder by a green ball of energy. He fell forward and upon reaching his rifle attempted to get up and fire only to receive another hit in the exact same spot. They all gathered around him and Robin couched down beside him and threw his rifle to the side.

"Alright Élan how many are with you, huh? How many followed you?" Élan swallowed hard while cradling his shoulder.

"I work alone, like you did." He voice sounded remarkably British for a Russian. "I can't have other people slowing me down."

"I am afraid we can take you for your honesty," said Starfire. He smirked and lit a cigarette.

"Oh I understand completely. However you can be sure that other then Meric, there's no one else on your tail." Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy, and Lee all stared down at him curiously.

"Who's Meric," asked Beast Boy. Élan held his cigarette then took a puff with a surprised look.

"You mean they don't know, Dick you really need to bring them up to speed."

"Meric was responsible for re-educating me," said Starfire with her hands curled up. "All I Remember from my encounter with him was f-i-our four bright lights. He would insist that there were five lights. And each time I would believe him a little more." Élan blew two streams of smoke out of his nose.

"Yes he's quite talented at convincing others of a variety of things." Robin suddenly took hold of Élan's shirt and pulled him up close.

"Now you listen to me Boris, Meric comes within two inches of Starfire I won't hesitate to-"

"Do what Dick? I remember you from secret agent school; you would sooner sacrifice yourself then mortally harm another human being. But then again you are all gambling with your very lives."

"Its what we do," said Cyborg.

"Oh yes of course, the heroes, the rescuers of the innocent and defenseless. But tell me in the likely event that you fail, who will be there to rescue you. I certainly won't, I will be dead long before you even leave this forest."

"What are you talking about," asked Raven shortly.

"I failed them one time too many."

"Your failure has not even passed out of the forest," said Lee. Élan let out a small chuckle and took a puff from his half consumed cigarette.

"Sure, whatever." He looked around at each of them then settled back to Robin. "You really have not the time to wait around for me to do whatever it is you want of me, Meric is on his way. He's coming for you; and you," he said gesturing to Starfire. Her mouth parted slightly.

"M-me, why?" Élan shrugged.

"Who knows, not I. I am but a humble assassin."

"There's a contradiction in terms," said Cyborg. Élan finished his cigarette and moved on to a new one.

"You know Dick and I used to be the best of friends, isn't that right Dick?" They all looked over at Robin. Not taking his eyes off the defeated man before him Robin nodded.

"Yes, we were." Élan nodded.

"Then in that case, I have a small favor to ask of you." He pulled out a small side arm and instantly each Titan was in a ready stance, Lee's sword at his throat. "You can all relax, it's not for you." Robin gave Lee a small nod and Lee slowly pulled his sword away and sheathed it. Élan then began cocking the pistol over and over again, each time expelling an unused bullet. Robin quickly caught on to his new plan.

"Élan don't! There's another way." The Russian looked up at him. "You can fight them, you can come with us." Élan let out a serious of small chuckles.

Dick, You know as well as I do that the only safe place from the Order is the pearly white gates of Heaven itself." Robin gulped. "I once heard a story about this one zealot of theirs, failed of course, they took him out somewhere; pulled two slender trees down to ground level and tied each of his legs to those trees. After listening to him beg for his life for fifteen minuets they let the trees up." Starfire looked away into Robin's shoulder. "I don't know about you, but I'd much rather prefer a simple old fashioned bullet through one ear and out the other." He held the gun up for Robin to take and waited. They all stared at him wondering what he was going to choose. Hesitantly Robin took hold of the weapon and held it tightly. Starfire gazed at him anxiously. Élan closed his eyes and cocked his head toward the sky. "Anytime your ready, I really haven't got all day." After he had not been shot for quite some time Élan opened his eyes to see Robin just staring down at him.

"Do you even know why I liked you more then the other two?" Élan shrugged his shoulders. "Decker was nothing but a spoiled brat who got in because of his father. Meric was nuts, he still is if not even more so. You were the only other sane and quiet person there besides me. At the time I thought you were a good person." He threw the pistol down next to him. "I guess I was wrong." He then glanced around at each of his teammates. "Come on, we're going."

"We can't just leave him like this," said Beast Boy.

"Why sure you can," laughed Élan. "I am a bad guy remember? Besides, it was dastidania for me long ago. You better hurry along. You know Dick you and your friends are either unbelievably courageous or incredibly stupid." Robin smirked.

"When am I not?" He then turned and began walking away. The Titans darted their gaze back and forth between Robin and Élan then promptly ran to catch up with their leader. Élan watched them leave and as Robin's words repeated themselves in his mind he let out a shaking chortle. He then glanced to his side and saw the pistol with one remaining bullet ready in the chamber. He took a good long puff of his cigarette then flicked it away. He reached down and grasped it in his hand. He switched off the safety and closed his eyes.

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Some half mile from where they last saw Élan the Titans strode on ahead single file along the slightly uneven terrain. Starfire was about to inquire as to what will be done about their fallen enemy when a single resounding shot echoed throughout the forest and stopped them where they walked. Starfire took of Robin's arm and Beast Boy set his hand on Raven's shoulder.

"R-Robin, he has…"

"Taken his own life," finished Lee. "He following what many of my brethren would call a most appropriate procedure."

"How can you say that Lee," asked Raven.

"A samurai cannot stand the shame of defeat. It is common for the defeated samurai to take his own life while the victor assisted him by taking his head."

"Lee, have I ever told you you come from a bizarre culture," asked Cyborg. Lee thought for a moment then nodded.

"Yes, several times in fact." Wanting more then anything to change the subject at hand Robin began walking again.

"Let's just keep moving." The remainder of the trek was not surprisingly carried out in complete silence.

FOUR AND HALF DAYS LATER…………….

The Titans disembarked from their last train ride and finally arrived in the city of Madrid Spain. They had been on a non-stop one way trip across France all the way into Spain, and fortunately had not run into any of the Order throughout their journey. They stopped a small distance from the customs security point and Robin pulled them all aside.

"Alright, they won't let us through without ID. So I have these passports for all of you, I made tem a while back just in case." They all stared at him disbelievingly.

"You made these," asked Raven. Robin looked at her as though she had asked an obvious question.

"Yeah what's the problem, is something wrong with it?"

"No it's just that, I've never really used a fake ID before."

"Well welcome to the world of espionage. Check your names and familiarize yourself with..well..yourselves." Cyborg read his name and sent Robin and bewildered look.

"Khary Paton? What kind of a name is that?"

"It's a good name," said Robin with a smirk.

"I'm not sure I can deal with the name Terra," said Raven. The name on her passport read 'Terra Strong'. All were familiar enough with Raven's history with the name.

"Dude, Greg Cipes. Come on we're in Spain. You should call me something like; Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna." Raven rolled her eyes.

"Or we could call you El moron." Lee read over his passport and arched an eyebrow.

"Robin-San why have you given me the name 'Kotsumoto Mifune'? I do not even look Japanese, Cyborg-San and BB-San continually jest me about it." Robin put up his hand.

"I know Lee just bear with it for now please. Your all just gonna have to suck it up until we can get the second marker and then get the hell out of here." Starfire read over her name with a small smile.

"I rather like my imposturous name; 'Hayden Walch'. It is pretty." Robin smiled back at her.

"Then it fits you." He heard Cyborg and Beast Boy snickering in the background and sent them death glares.

"Now what," asked Raven.

"Now we go off and try out best at finding this thing as quickly as possible. Cyborg and Lee; you two start by searching the city's most renown museums. Raven and Beast Boy; look around in the any of the libraries and historical buildings you can find. Starfire; you and I will take that monument that we heard about. Oh that reminds me, how's your Spanish?"

"Fine," said Lee.

"I can translate through a communications satellite," said Cyborg proudly. Beast Boy scratched the back of his head.

"Uhh, no hable espainole."

"Don't worry yourself, I can adapt to their language fairly quickly," assured Raven. Robin nodded and checked his watch.

"Okay, there's a large fountain in the town square. We'll all check back there in eight hours." They all agreed to their assignments and broke apart in their various directions. As they walked on Starfire took Robin's hand.

"It is fortunate that you and I have been partnered together," she said a little slyly. Robin smiled and shrugged timidly.

"Well, maybe I stacked the decks just a little." Starfire giggled and took in the sights as they walked on.

"This is a beautiful place; do you know where this monument is?"
"Not off the top of my head, no. But I figured we could just wonder around for a while until we find it." She smiled up at him and leant against him as they strode on down the road.

EIGHT HOURS LATER…………….

Within minuets of each other the Titans soon began to gather along the large fountain of which Robin had spoken of. The last to arrive were Raven and Beast Boy. Once they were all present and accounted for Robin stood up and rubbed his hands together.

"So! What did you guys come up with?"

"You first," said Raven. He looked back at Starfire.

"Okay, we found the monument but it didn't really have or say anything." Lee crossed his arms.

"Such as?"

"It had the three ships; Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria but nothing else. No secret door or compartment, nothing. Did you find out exactly what this thing is?"

"Well as a matter of fact-"

"We did!" Blurted in Beast Boy. "It's an arrow." They all seemed mildly perplexed.

"Arrow head to be more specific," said Raven. "It's a jeweled arrow head presented to Columbus from one of the Native American tribes. Though it is very sharp the arrow head was never meant to be used as a weapon; the gold metal its made from is too light for it to travel in a straight line. It instead however was said to help whoever owned find their way; hence it became known as 'the point of origin'." It was needless to say that everyone around them looked thoroughly impressed.

"Great, where is it?" Robin looked between them. They glanced at each other nervously.

"We had to book it on out of there before we could get that far," said Beast Boy.

"Why?"

"Zealots, they were snooping around the library for us. They've probably known we were here a long time ago."

"Meric, he must've found Élan's body."

"What are we to do," asked Starfire.

"We go to a party," said Cyborg. Everyone put on a face that screamed 'what is the matter with you?' "I'm serious, look, Lee and I found out where the thing is. It used to be in the Spanish museum. But these days it's in the hands of a private collector, name; Fredrico Enrique Vadalez. One of the richest guys in Spain, he is without a doubt Spain's Bill Gates.

"Unfortunately Fredrico is nothing like his father, Santiago." Said Lee. "Therefore the option to negotiate for the item is out of the question."

"Why is that," asked Robin.

"Because, Fredrico is also the head of Spain's biggest crime syndicate. And the arrow head is one of the things he has stolen as of late." Robin ran a hand through his hair.

"Well that's just fine. It's bad enough we have a heathenistic cult after us, now we have the Spanish mob to worry about." Starfire set a hand on his shoulder.

"Do not be deterred Robin. Friends Cyborg and Lee have said they have a solution, yes?" She directed her last word particularly to them.

"Yeah just like I said. Fredrico is throwing a huge fiesta for no reason what so ever. When your as rich and powerful as he is you can do that from time to time. Anyway here's the plan…" They all gathered around in a huddle. "Rob; You, Star, Rae, and BB go to that party and try to keep an eye on him. Lee and I will just move into his other little villa and make off with the arrow head before anyone can shout EL-BOOYA!" They all considered it carefully before deciding on whether they actually wanted to go through with it.

"Uhh, what kind of party did you say this was," asked Beast Boy.

"The kind were you dance and have the time of your lives," said Cyborg with a smile. They still seemed to have their reservations about the situation.

"It is our only chance," said Lee. Robin finally sighed and nodded.

"Alright, I don't like the idea of stealing but like you said it's our only shot. So we'll make sure he doesn't walk in on you, and you do your best to get it and get on out of there."

"You got it Rob," said Cyborg. Lee gave him a bow of the head. They then began to get ready for what they hoped would not turn out to be something they would regret later. Unbeknownst to any of them Robin, Starfire, Beast Boy, and even Raven (sort of) were almost looking forward to their job. Indeed it was rare that they were able to enjoy themselves, or each other, while on active duty.

There, I hope I have reconciled myself with yall for not updating for so long. You have my word that I will continue this story until it is done. Hope you still like it. Laters!