Red X (cont…)

"Oh, this is soooo stupid! Why do I need to prove myself to that dumb idiot, anyway? I already did! Oh, jeez…how am I ever going to be good enough?"

Deep in concentration.

"Hey—"

Face twists in confusion as movement from top to top of buildings slows.

"I said hey—"

"Uh…ho?" I try.

"Ho?"

"Hey ho!" I explain.

"…no…"

"Sorry." Looks around desperately. Scratches mask.

"Don't you know who I am?"

"…no…who?" Continues to look around. Squints eyes.

"Raven."

"Show yourself!"

As Raven appears, my eyes widen and my smile expands. "Hey," she says again. "Follow me."

I do.

Raven jumps off the top of the building we're standing on and I scream out, "No!" I run to her, grab her by the waist, disappear, then appear again on the top of the next building over.

"That was close!" I sigh relieved, but still a bit unnerved. "What the hell did you do that for?"

"To see why you really want to join us."

I put Raven down on the building, safe and sound.

As Raven's hood falls off her head, her white face becomes uncovered and her sparkling eyes shine bright purple. "So…why do you want to be a part of the Titans?" she asks.

"I—I don't know. I just woke up one day, and wanted to. You know that feeling? When you just really want something so badly, and you feel like nothing's going to stop you from getting it?" I explain.

"No, not really. I've never wanted something badly." Raven reaches her hand up to her short purple hair and puts it behind her ear.

My stomach does a belly-flop and then drops. Breaths heavily. "Um…well, I really want to be a part of the Titans so I can stop evil-doers. I was once a villain—I changed—but I still saw how it was, felt it, even. And it's not a nice life. I want to stop that life! I want to bring villains out of society and do anything it takes to keep earth safe!"

"Why just earth?" Raven's eyes twinkle. She puts her hood back on, conceiling her face and her eyes turn black.

"It doesn't have to just be earth, I was only beginning my explanation…"

"Well, you might want to finish up and get going, because Robin's almost at Titans Tower, and you have to beat him," Raven says.

"Beat him! I'm already behind! How can I possibly the little snob? I mean, the little…leader…" Holds breath.

"Hey, it's okay. He is a snob." Raven winks.

"And a brat," I add.

"And a twerp." We both laugh. "But come on, this chitter-chatter is not helping you any. Get going, X!" she pushes me.

"For you," I say coolly, "I'm anything."

"Red X," she sighs. "Move it!" Raven levitates herself and "falls" off the building. She makes her way to the street, then flies directly above it, making her way to Titans Tower.

Uses swiftness and invisibility skills.

XXX

"Red X!" Robin calls. "Red X, looks like you won't be joining us today—"

"Hey Robin, I've been wondering when you were going to get here," I slyly say. "Thank god I didn't have to wait too long. Oh wait…I did."

"Wha—what are you doing here? So fast? Before…me." Robin stares at me, baffled. His eyes twitch and a vein pumps in his forehead.

"Better get a doc to look at that. It don't look that good."

Robin stares blankly at me.

"Look, Red X, here's how we do it, 'round here—"

"Cy, I don't need your explanation. I think I'll find out how "we do it 'round here" just fine by myself. Since I proved myself to your little kid, over there." Looks around. Sees Raven appearing beside Starfire. Smiles and raises eyebrows.

Raven snorts and turns away.

"Yes…yes you did prove yourself to me, but that doesn't mean I'm letting you join my team." Robin gradually gets his composure back.

"What? But Robin, dude, you said if I proved myself…Robin you can't just go back on your word. That's not very hero like!" I whine.

"Robin, whoever said you're allowed to make all of our decisions? Did you ever hear an "I" in "Teen Titans?" I didn't! Now, let X join. He's proved himself in one of your dumb little ways, just let him. We've already seen him save you. Don't be an idiot!" Raven outbursts.

Gapes at Raven, jaw drops.

Robin's mouth quivers.

Cy stares wide-eyed at Raven.

BB looks perplexed.

Starfire screams out, "Let the X join!"

"Don't be stupid, Robin…you'd have to be crazy to let X join," Cy declares, glaring at me.

"Uh…as long as he's veggie, I say why not." BB turns to me and questions, "Are you a veggie?"

"Well, no, I'm not a vegetable…" I glance at Raven. "But…yes…I'm a vegetarian."

"Robin, I say yes." BB nods approvingly at me.

Raven glares at Robin. "If you don't let him join, it's like questioning my loyalty. I'm loyal to you and my friends…but I'm also a friend of X's. If you can't accept that, then you're not a true friend of mine."

"Alright," Robin sighs after careful thought. "I just have one more test that he needs to pass."

"If I pass this test, can I really join the Titans?" I ask, squealing with pure delight.

"No…" Robin corrects. "If you survive."

Will Red X survive the task Robin has in mind for him? What exactly is this crazy test Robin has planned? Will Red X ever join the Titans? Will Raven stop acting two-faced? Will Cy and Red X battle? All these questions, and more, will be answered. Just keep reading, and you'll find out everything.