Sorry folks about the long periods between uploads
Chapter 6 is already in the works so i might beat my average time of 3 months between uploads.
I hope you enjoy chapter 5.
Reviews are always welcome.
-Heolstor
Tomorrow Comes Today
Chapter 5: Visions of Red & Newton's Law
Black
It was black.
All of it.
Everywhere I looked was black.
I stood in a dimension of blackness. Void of light, yet at the same time, I could see everything. But then again, I was the only thing to see.
I ran a hand through my red locks and let my silver eyes scan around.
I could see nothingness.
Black.
This dimension also seemed silent...
...until.
…snk …Sam! Wat-…
I look around, twisting left then twisting right. Looking for the epicenter of the sound.
The sound waves grow dimmer as the echo fades behind me.
And then it...whatever it was...began as a small tug onto my conscious, pulling me in a direction. I couldn't tell which direction it was, but whatever IT was, it kept pulling at me harder and harder till I broke into a run
Then like a strong burst of wind, the noise hit me again.
…snk …Sam! Wat-… the radio frequency sputtered out.
I crossed my arms over my face and slid back from the force of the wind. Morphing into a panther, I began dashing forward, my black form only noticeable due to my paws padding against whatever surface I was on.
"Hurry Ezekiel, I need your help." Tobias's voice flew threw the air.
I ducked down, letting the strong wind flow just above me. I quickly got back up and continued running forward, where I was being pulled.
Where are these voices coming from.
The sounds of fighting started to become noticeable to me. Roars and blasts, followed by shouts and silence. The pattern began to repeat itself.
I lifted my head up and looked around, slowly stopping my run.
…………REN- The second radio transmission flew into play.
The loud radio scream knocked into my sideway, sending me tumbling across the black landscape.
Two figures suddenly were to my side.
One looked like me only with red skin to match my red locks and silver chains encircling his nude body, keeping him modest but little else.
The other was also like me. Instead of shorts, the figure had long pants on and a bare upper body instead of a hooded sweatshirt. His long red hair was wild, almost untamed and he sported two elongated K-9's and claws on his feet and hands.
I consciously could feel the confusion and fear creep into control.
The red one dashed, almost hovered backwards, backwards towards me. I gained control of myself and hoped away, landing a few feet from red me.
The red me pulled his arms to his side before flinging them forward, two familiar black claws of energy shooting out towards the beast, who nimbly dodged energy as a Kangaroo before morphing into a Tiger and charging the red one.
The red one made two fists, put them thumb to thumb, then pulled them apart, creating a small staff of black energy.
The tiger pounced forward, teeth glistening in a lightless dimension.
The red one brought the staff up and caught the tiger in the jaw just in time. He braced himself as the Tiger put it's fore-paws onto his shoulders and tried to push down. Not clawing him as he could have, but trying to make him submit.
What the hell is going on here.
The red me slid his feet forward, chains rattling, and rolled onto his back, jamming his feet into the tiger's gut and throwing it behind him before rolling back up and facing the tiger, morphing the staff into two batons.
"What do you think is going on?" The Red one asked.
"Umm..." I said with a sarcastic flair, unfazed by the idea he seemingly read my thoughts.. "I dunno, I just happen to be trapped in a void and watching two look-a-likes duke it out. Maybe that's what's going on."
The red one opened his mouth to speak when the beast like one bounded in and slugged the red one right in the face, sending it tumbling backwards.
The beast tried to gesture to me. He pointed at himself, then at me, then held up his index finger.
"Umm..."
He repeated.
"I take it you are trying to say something."
He looked impatient then patted his chest.
"...you?"
He nodded happily and proceeded to pat my chest.
"and me..."
He held up his finger again.
"...one?" He nodded again.
A black hand shot out and backhanded the beast away.
You and me...one?
The red one came in front of me.
"What the beast was tying to say was you and he are the same person."
…snk …Sam! Wat-… The radio transmission again flew by and I reflexively braced myself. But this time, no gust of wind hit me.
The red one turned back and formed a small shield, blocking the beast as a Rhino. Chains of black energy shot out from the red one's waist, anchoring him as he held off the Rhino's charge.
"You don't ...nnngh...know much about this mental stuff. Your thoughts can not affect you in the bubble."
Realization slammed into me since the tornado size memories couldn't do it.
"Wait, you were the one that saved me against the Asing."
The red one grunted and nodded. He suddenly dissolved everything and jumped to the side slightly, grabbing the Rhino's horn and trying to pull him down rodeo style.
"Hurry Ezekiel, I need your help." Tobias's voice rushed past me again.
The Rhino flung the red one away.
The red one flipped and landed on his feet, then dashed forward, almost hovering as the beast morphed into a lion and prepared to meet his advance.
I had to end this.
By jumping in between myself...selves...er...them.
I stretched my hands out, palms facing both of them in a stopping gesture.
The red me skidded slightly but stopped right at my hand as did the beast.
"Okay, you two need to help me figure shit out." I put my hands down and looked at the red one.
"Explain." I stated, no...ordered.
The red one folded his arms arrogantly over his chest. My chest. You know what I mean.
"Feh." The Red one said. And apparently, the Beast couldn't talk.
I looked at the Red me. "So where did you come from? I get the Beast but you?"
"Do I look human kid?" The red one almost snarled out.
"Well, cept for the red skin..."
"Gah, put it together man!"
"I am trying to, Ass!" I shouted back.
"I'm demonic, kid."
"So what, you're my demon side or something."
"Or something." He smirked.
"How did you get here then. I thought my grandmother's blood barely affected me."
"It did barely affect you. Till recently."
"Recently?"
"Yeah kid, your buddy Tobias gave you the cataylist."
I rubbed my temples, feeling stress beginning to knot up my mental self. What did Tobias give me...er...hmm...oh...oh wait! That jewel. "So, that jewel created you from part of me." the red one nodded.
"Do you have a name or something?" I asked tiredly. He raised an eyebrow.
"Do I need one?"
"Feh, fine." then I blinked. "Wait, so why are you fighting?"
Red: "For Dominance."
Beast growls. "Evil..."
Red growls back. "Mindless Beast"
So apparently the Beast can talk...just simply.
"And...where am I?" I threw in.
Red and Beast circle each other as Red talks.
"You are in your mind. According to the memories I've seen, your grandmother can do something similar.."
"So...if you two are in my mind, that means you two are a part of me...correct?"
"Sort of..."
"Sort of?"
"The Beast is a part of you...I am just sorta here."
"That means I'm in control of the beast then...right?" I cautiously ask.
"Bingo kid"
Suddenly the beast howls and vanishes in tendrils of smoke. Red whips his attention to the Beast as he vanishes, ready to fight. He then turns back at me, glaring.
"Since I am in control, there is to be no fighting." I utter.
"Unfortunately for you kid, you can only prevent that while you are here, you do not have the training to keep such instincts under control."
"Unfortunately for you, if I am not in control of my powers, I could die in a fight. If I die, you die."
Red glares.
"Glad you see it my way."
Red vanishes
I looked around, completely alone.
Until.
…………REN-
My cat eyes flashed open as I stood up suddenly, smacking my head on the bird cage above me. I glared at it slightly, as if it were it's fault, before crawling out from underneath the cage and morphing into Zeke again.
I stretched my shoulders out while thinking aloud.
"That was a freakin weird dream."
I stretched my torso out.
"At least, I think it was a dream."
I looked out across the bay.
"Hey! maybe Raven can help me. It's about time I head to the Tower anyway."
I ran towards the edge of the roof, jumped off and free fell for a few stories before morphing into an owl and flapping my way towards the Tower.
Meanwhile.
Seven girls stood in a circle, each sporting a different color cloak. There was a blue, a pink one and a green one, an orange one and a gray one, and the other two were yellow and brown. The stood on a floating platform of rock in a dark space. Jagged, Rocky terrain floated on other platforms around but all staying in one general area.
"So Raven...what brings us all here." the girl in yellow asks in a subdued but firm voice.
The orange one spits. "Yeah, we're busy."
"I'm completely sure you have something important to do." The brown one verbally jabs.
The one in blue removes the hood of her cloak to show her face to the circle.
It is Raven.
"I'm sure you all felt what I felt last night." Raven droned out. Each of the girls nodded. "I need opinions..."
"The energy did feel familiar." Yellow started slowly.
"Like a good familiar!" Pink chimed.
"Are you sure?" Grey quietly questioned.
"Well, whomever it is, their power is no where near ours. Heck, even Timid could defeat this energy."
The Grey one cowered slightly as Green spoke.
"Right...like timid would ever fight..." Brown added, folding her arms over her chest.
"Still, I feel we should be cautious." Yellow added.
"That's a change of pace." Brown quipped.
"It sure isn't!" Pink giggled.
"I think..." Grey said quietly.
Orange yawns and begins checking out her nails.
"Timid would fight! She fought against anger." Green defended bravely.
"Yep yep!" Pink pumped her fist in the air.
"I think..." Grey said quietly again.
Orange scratched at her face then yawned again. "Shut up Brave"
"Wanna fight Rude?" Green grinned ferally.
"Oh! A Fight! POPCORN IS NEEDED!" Pink gleefully shouted.
"Now calm down you two." Yellow calmed.
"Er...hello?" Grey tried.
"Wow, this is productive." Brown shot out.
All the while, the girl in blue was calmly watching until she noticed Timid.
"Timid." Raven's voice cut through the squabbling as all attention was focused on the one that avoided such notice. "What do you want to say?"
"I-...I...family." She blurted out, quickly hiding behind her cloak.
"Family?" Raven questioned. "But didn't you question whether or not it felt good or not?"
Timid hugged herself under her cloak.
"Just because it feels like family, doesn't mean it's a good thing..."
Raven opened her mouth to comment when a familiar voice and noise crashed through her reality, breaking her concentration rudely.
"Raven, come on." Beast Boy almost whined out. "Robin wants us to run that stupid trial thingy."
Raven sighed, placing her feet down from her floating position and walking over to the door, clad in her usual black leotard and blue cape.
The door slid upwards to reveal a smiling Garfield, aka Beast Boy, awaiting her arrival. Beast Boy was clad in his traditional uniform, only it was modified to deal with his increasing height. He now was only a few centimeters shorter than Raven.
Raven was about to speak when Beast Boy, in a rather bold move, reached forward and grabbed her hand. He pulled her out and began to make her run.
Beast Boy looked back at her with a smile. "Come on Rae, gotta hurry."
I had recently reached down tower. So I now flapped overhead, gazing down with predator's eyes on the trial course that was about to be run. Victor and Dick were running diagnosis on the control center, checking over any bugs I'd assume. I figured now was as good a time as any to make myself known.
And Starfire was floating outside as well.
Hmm...she does look like Rena...just a bit though...
So three titan meetings all for one. I sigh.
This will be most interesting...or fatal...either or.
And I descended.
"Mornings of Goodness to you friends." She was greeting with small but warm replies. "This is a glorious morning is it not? The unpleasant atmospheric condition has ceased and brought us this glorious sunshine."
"You seem in high spirits today Star, any occasion?" Robin asked genuinely while keeping focused on his task.
"Elevated phantasms can not enjoy such a beautiful day." Starfire floated to the side of Robin, gently leaning. "I anticipate much joy-"
It was then that I decided to drop in, landing lightly on the console right next to Starfire.
"Hiya."
Sir Issac Newton once said "For every action, there is an equal and opposite re-action." Meaning if something happens, something will happen in response equal to the first happenstance. In the current situation, the first happenstance was my rather sudden appearance.. Then the reaction would be that Cyborg jumped back, Robin fell on his butt and Starfire 'eeped' and fired a reactionary starbolt in my direction.
Yup...fatal it is...
Apparently my death was the equal reaction for scaring the shit out of three titans.
But there is no way Newton could ever factor in superpowers and warrior's skill. And Newton's Law failed to account for my flexibility.
I was able to bend backwards in an almost impossible angle right as the Starbolt soared over where my face used to be.
Starfire looked over where she had just aimed in time to watch me pull myself back onto the console like a zombie that had just risen from the grave, the front of my face slightly singed as well as some of my hair.
I blew the singed hair out of my face, an annoyed look clearly plastered on my face.
Like dominos, Starfire eeked when she saw a zombie rise up attached to the console and fired another starbolt at me, forcing me to let go and duck behind the table.
"Ack! I give! I give!" I panicked and called out. Okay...that worked well. God fuck you Newton.
"Star, calm down." Robin soothed. He turned his attention to me. "Whomever you are, come out with your hands raised." He commanded, pulling a staff out of his utility belt.
Cyborg's arm changed from fist to cannon. Clik-clik-clack.
I raised both of my sleeved arms, my hands covered by the ends with the fingertips barely poking out. I slowly raised them above the counter followed by my head then my body.
So here I was. Face to face with my family when they were my age. Richard was standing firm with a staff tip pointing at me, Kori's hands glowing brightly and Victor aiming his sonic cannon at me. If it weren't for the impending violence and tension, I would feel at home.
I smiled nervously.
"Who are you?" Robin questioned.
I smiled widely. "The name is Ezekiel Faust. It is a pleasure to meet you Ri---obin." I rubbed the back of my head. Fuck me, I almost called him Richard. Gotta be careful about that.
Robin raised a brow, but said nothing on my slip.
"Where did you come from and what do you want?"
"From about 500 feet up and a place to stay." I replied cheekily.
Robin frowned. "This isn't a hotel." But he began to lower his bo-staff.
"Please Mister Ezekiel. Wh-"
"Call me Zeke." I said, interrupting Starfire.
"Alright...Zeke...Where do you hail from and what is your purpose here?"
I smiled slightly. I had not seen this side of Kori ever. She seemed so...innocent. It was weird when you grew up with the badass/mother version of the same girl.
"I actually come from the future...and to be honest, I was just kind of...deposited here. And I came to you guys cause er...I...am...a" I paused and thought briefly. "...a Tim-..en...sion...al...cop...Yeah...a Timensional Cop." I rubbed the back of my head. Yeah...real smooth Zeke. "I am currently on the trail of a...villain...and was hoping you could give me a place to stay."
"Why us?" Cyborg said, slowly lowering his Sonic Cannon as Starfire did the same.
"Because you guys are famous in my time!" I shouted happily. Well at least that part is true...
"Er, sorry we are late guys. Had to drag Rae out of her room." Beast Boy said, coming out and rubbing the back of his head nervously.
"It's okay, we have a guest B." Cyborg replied.
But I didn't hear him. And I don't think Raven did either.
Raven and I had locked eyes. She was wide eyed, as if she recognized me, or at least my aura. And I was shocked to see my grandmother look so...young.
Oh Boy...
The Titans looked at us both, slightly confused.
"Uh Raven...do you know this guy?" Robin asked.
That's when it happened. For the first time, I had heard what incited so many of the Titan's fights.
The Titan's Alarm.
"No time. Titans Go!"
Everyone scramble to their modes of transportation. As Beast Boy and Starfire took flight, I moved to morph but stopped. Maybe I shouldn't show my powers just yet...Don't want them to know I am related to Grandpa.
I turned and watched Cyborg, Raven and Robin run towards the garage, heading towards the T-car and the motorcycle Robin owned, both neatly parked outside of the garage.
I looked up and thought about morphing again but quickly decided against it. But that hesitation cost me. Cyborg and Raven were already in the car and Robin had already slipped on his helmet. With a roar of the T-car's engine rumbling the ground slightly, I rushed towards the vehicles.
Robin accelerated past the T-car, leading the way to the scene of the crime while I sprinted towards T-car.
I quickly jumped up just as the T-car began to peel out, grabbing onto the top of the car and hoisting myself onto the top of it.
Inside the T-car.
"I swear I heard something land on my car." Cyborg complained, casting a weary glance upwards.
"...would you please just drive..." Raven droned out.
Cyborg did as he was told.
And Raven cast her own weary glance upward.
As the Titan's events unfolded, somewhere in another part of town.
A feminine figure in a brown robe sat on a finely woven black rug that stretched across the entire room. The rug was woven around in snake like patterns, with strips twisting around other strips, some small and some long. The figure sat with legs crossed, staring out of one way glass to the city outside, resting it's head on two feminine fists, silver gauntlets barely showing out of the brown robe. Though it's gaze was hidden in part to the robe's hood and the dimly lit room, the figure appeared to be staring out, silently contemplating.
"Why do you do this to yourself child?" A voice tickled the edge of her mind.
"I think out of habit...not by choice." Her voice muttered out, so silent it could barely be considered a whisper.
"Where were you last night?"
She was no mystic, so she could never tell how close or how far he was. Which was why she was startled to feel his robotic hand on her shoulder. A hand which she quickly shrugged off.
"Don't act like you care...this is a business deal and nothing more."
"You are correct child. You help me rebuild my school...and I keep you hidden from those who chase you." Said the man. A faint red glow from under the similar robe he wore didn't illuminate his face, but merely pulsed lightly in tune to a heartbeat. He withdrew his metal hand into his equally brown robe. His footsteps slid quietly across the beautiful rug that stretched across the barren room.
"Do not wait too long...I wish for my students to be rescued today...see that it happens."
Lacking a suitable argument, she meekly replied.
"Whatever."
And fell back into her contemplation.
I kept myself pressed to the top of the car, letting the car's superior design cut through the air and push the resulting current over me. I could smell the bay still and the thick stench of industry tangoed with the salt water air. I couldn't hear anything due to the car's vibration and I wouldn't risk my eyesight so I had to assume we were going to some bay-side storage or industrial location.
God...this was stupid...should have tried to get in the car.
I could feel the car starting to slow down. I braved a look upwards. Starfire and Beast Boy were already landing in front of the warehouse and Robin was jumping off his bike to rush towards the warehouse doors.
This section of warehouses seemed to be unattended too. Metal crates were lying about randomly sprawled out. And the warehouses were tainted with rust along the metal corners. The ground that wasn't road was the color of dead-seaweed. I was not to curious as to how that happened
On second thought, maybe it's a good idea I didn't...
I moved into a crouch on the slowing car's roof.
This is not my business...not yet anyway...I just kinda jumped into the lives...Hell I just kinda jumped into this time period...I'll just watch for now.
Or I would have if Cyborg didn't slam on the breaks and didn't turn harshly, flinging me off the roof.
"WAAAH SHIT!" I cried out, garnering Beast Boy's, Robin's and Starfire's attention. Their eyes bulged as I came flying towards them in a descending arc. My natural reactions allowed me to palm the ground to help my landing but my velocity prevented me from controlling my fall as I ended up rolling backwards, smacking my head nastily on the pavement. I gripped the back of my head suddenly and curled in the fetal position.
"Bloody hell...that fuckin' hurt." I rolled onto my side.
"What are you doing here?" Robin asked quickly.
"Hey are you okay, dude?" Beast Boy asked.
"Were you on top of my baby?" Cyborg asked, then got more seriously. "Did you scratch my baby? Oh man, I hope she-" Cyborg started to ramble, going over to check his car.
"Hmph..." Raven muttered
"Are you uninjured?" Starfire reached down to help me up.
"I'm just gonna have a bloody wicked bump on the back of my head now."
"What kinda of officer are you!" Robin accused suddenly. "You just ruined our element of surprise!
Oh this is bad...Robin's pissed.
"Uh..." I offered up lamely. I was never really able to stand up to Richard, especially with the knowledge that I would be dating his future daughter. Have dated? Will date?...Richard just scares me.
"IT'S THE TITANS! WASTE 'EM!" All 6 of us whirled around to see 12 thugs coming out of the warehouse, all armed with submachine guns and all pointed as us.
Interesting way to start my first fight with the Titans.
"TITANS MOVE!" Robin shouted as the men opened. Beast Boy and Starfire took to the air, nimbly avoiding the bullet fire aimed at them. Robin dove out of the way and behind a metal container as did Cyborg. But Raven threw up a black shield, absorbing the brunt of the bullets.
Raven grunted in concentration, holding a hand out to force the shield to stay in place. I leapt slightly into a crouching position and looked at the men through the black shield. There was an almost visible click in my mind and in my eyes as I switched to combat mode.
Their first volley will be depleted in a few seconds. At most, small machine guns like that could hold maybe 40 bullets if modified.
It was times like this I was glad Richard and Victor made me study this stuff.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Robin line his fingers with discs and Cyborg's sonic cannon click into existence.
As soon as they move to reload...
VVRRRROOOOM!
The noise ripped through the battle, dominating all other sounds.
The deep growling rumble of a large vehicle, no, two of them, rushed at our sides. I turned my head towards the road in time to see a large vehicle, like some sort of military vehicle, barreling towards Raven and I. The other was close behind it.
"Raven look out!" I heard Beast Boy call out.
The thug's clips ran out.
Without thinking I grabbed Raven and pulled her with me as I dove towards the side, rolling with my grandmother to avoid the mad driver. I could feel the hot exhaust whip past my head and the heavy tires crushed all things under their rubber might.
"Are you alright?" I asked, jumping up instantly into a crouch. I gave her body a quick check over.
"I am fine..." Raven murmured out. "But why?"
I tilted my head to the side, almost questioning the ridiculous question The thug's boots thudded as they rushed towards the vehicles behind us. The vehicles screeched as they spun to a stop much like Cyborg's vehicle did.
"Why not?" I smiled slightly before jumping up and turning my gaze on the mood and flipping my mood back into combat mode.
As soon as my eyes locked with my target, the caring Zeke had taken a back seat to combat Zeke. I didn't even hear Robin or Starfire's battle cry as they rushed to cut off the thugs. Raven just watched as I sprinted as fast as I could towards the vehicle. The echos of the Titan's battling the thugs who were now out of ammo ricocheted off the warehouse walls. Starbolts and sonic blasts peppered the background along with the thuds of a bo-staff and the growls of an angry animal.
I ignored all of that. My focus was on the bastard who almost hit my grandmother.
"AAAAAAAAAAAH YA!" I jumped up high and flew directly towards the first vehicle. In mid air I pulled my knees up. I descended like a brick off a tall building towards the window. I then slammed my foot straight through window and into the man's chest, the force of my impact dislodging his chair as well as broke some ribs inward, but nothing fatal I hoped. I palmed the edges and stopped my momentum then pushed myself out of the car smoothly, coming back to my feet in a low crouching position.
I shot a glare at the other driver, who had been pulling out a gun to aim at me. He dropped it and put his hands up.
"I give up! I give up!" He said, coming out of the car with both hands held high.
I growled as best as I could without being in animal form. "Coward."
"We are victorious!" I heard Starfire cry out. I cast a quick glance behind me before moving towards the other crook, shooting him a deadly glare.
"If you ever try to steal or run someone over again...you'll look like your buddy. Do I make myself clear?" His brown eyes shown with fear as he nodded quickly.
I smiled a toothy grin before turning and looking at the Titans.
"Wooha!" I pumped my fist in the air energetically.
Shortly Afterwards...
"Okay." Beast Boy said, leaning over the table before he began gesturing wildly. "So let me get this straight. You're a ...Ti-men-strual Cop dude from 30 years in the future where these mouthless aliens-" Beast Boy morphed into a weird tentacle like beast with no mouth." with awesome psychic powers that came in and stomped all the heroes into submission." He moved around as if he were stomping. "Except for all of us and you some how got zapped into the past by some freaky device attached to some Asian looking dude." Beast Boy magically changed into a kung fu outfit. "And now you're back here in the past, trying to find a way back to the future." Beast Boy returned to normal.
I blinked, wondering how I heard his rambling. "Yeah Beast Boy...something like that."
Cyborg and Robin snickered.
Wait...Timenstrual?
After we had arrested the thugs, I was immediately backed into a cornered by Robin, face to face with his interrogation techniques until Starfire saved me only for me to be cornered by Cyborg for messing up his car until Raven just lifted him out of the way. Starfire suggested that since we were victorious, we should celebrate and question me later. Beast Boy quickly agreed, Cyborg agreed at the thought of food. Robin cast a weary look at me but then complied with Starfire's suggestion. I rode inside the T-car this time and that's how we ended up here. All 6 of us seated around a table without an umbrella. Nothing too random or complicated right?
"So what's the future like? Am I really bald?" I bit my lip to hold in my laughter.
"Umm...I don't think I should reveal anything...It might mess up some...thingy. And that might be bad."
"Where did you learn to fight?" Robin asked, sending a masked gaze at me.
God, he's my age and he still scares the shit out of me. I tired to speak without succumbing to his gaze. But my answer only served to pierce my defenses. "My family and my ... father taught me."
Father...
Oi...perfect time to think of something depressing...
I mean shit...
Has that even happened now?
I mean, does me coming back here totally change...
Uh oh...headache. I rubbed my temples lightly.
"Your father must have been quite the fighter..." Robin complimented carefully.
"Oh Yes." Starfire enthusiastically agreed. "You most certainly put the boot to the donkey!"
I flexed proudly under my hoodie, my arm bulging slightly and patted my biceps.
As if my thoughts never happened.
"Steel toed boots."
"Hehe, well alright." Cyborg chuckled.
"So, do you have some wicked cool badge or spaceship for being a Time Cop thing?" Beast Boy asked with enthusiasm.
"Uh..."
"Yeah, I'd love to get a look at that kind of tech." Cyborg added, almost drooling.
"Yeah...remember that...thingy...might be bad if you got to see future...stuff."
"AWW..." Beast Boy and Cyborg groaned out in stereo.
"Please friend, where do you plan on staying while visiting our time?"
I gave her a sideways glance.. "I stayed at an old bus-stop last night. It was nice enough."
"Unacceptable!" Her apparent outrage with my statement knocked me out of my seat. "We can not let our newest friend sleep in such depressing circumstances!" Starfire demanded as I got back up.
Robin and I both sweat dropped. "Umm Star...I don't think that's such a good idea." we replied in unison. We then both looked at each other before I cowered under Robin's glare.
"Yeah...I can always find a place to sleep on the street..." I whimpered out quickly.
"No way man. We had...a friend...who did that once. Not happening again.." Cyborg argued. "Plus, you need to help me fix the scratches you made." I shrunk under Cyborg's glare as well. I might as well has turned into a rat cause I couldn't get any smaller now. Think I must just stay under this table though... Just glad Grandmother wasn't glaring...she is just staring.
And I had a feeling I knew what she was thinking. Maybe Robin as well.
The titans, now adays...are way to trusting...
I don't blame them for feeling that way...I do as well.
"Yeah, you're staying with us dude, we won't take no for an answer."
"What do you say Robin?" Cyborg asked.
"Well..." Robin rubbed his chin slightly.
Wait...a friend?...oh...they...WOW. They must mean Terra. I didn't even...even consider her into their psyche...I guess I landed in a real awkward time in their lives.
"...Well Robin...it would give you a chance to interrogate him without having to chase him down." Raven droned out.
My Eyes widened and I sent Raven a pitiful look.
Traitor!
Raven smirked back every so slightly.
Robin smiled.
Oh...shit.
He turned to me, still smiling. "Welcome to our home."
Hand extended.
I took it and shook, nervously laughing.
"So...what exactly can you do...?" Cyborg questioned.
"Er..." All the titans looked at me expectantly.
Someone in the fates is having fun with me...
I mental pouted.
Then...fate smiled.
The alarm on their communicators sounded again.
"Titans Go!"
Downtown Jump City.
A violent sonic blast ripped through the store's speakers perched in the corner.
"And what the hell is this shit!"
White wild spikes and an two ear-rings in his ear. An orange jumpsuit with the sleeves cut off and fingerless gloves. And finally, a modified Gibson Nighthawk guitar on his back, held by a black strap.
This was the man who was currently violently rummaging through the 2 levels of the CD store the Titans were headed too.
"Brittany Spears? N'sync? What the hell? Where are the Ramones, Sex Pistols, the Clash and the Damned? Why don't you have them!"
A timid, brown-haired store clerk dressed in a Nirvana t-shirt and faded jeans stood up and spoke. "They are in the back of the store sir...if you'd just take a look."
"WHAT? BACK OF THE STORE?" The angry punk rocker kicked over a stand of CDs causing frightened citizens to flinch violently.
"These are the classics man! You should have them up-front!" He shouted, angrily kicking over another stand.
"Okay man, whatever, just take what you want." A red-haired female clerk shouted defiantly, standing beside the male clerk.
The punk rocker tilted his head back and laughed. "You kids don't seem to understand. I am not here to steal anything, I am here for a greater purpose! To uphold Anarchy in a society ridden with the weak and the corrupt."
Red and Brown hair turned as the clerks looked at each other, then back at the criminal with question written on their face.
He pulled his guitar forward. "I'm here to create the sound of chaos!"
His fingers moved to pluck the strings.
"The only thing you'll be creating is a warm spot in a jail cell, Punk Rocket" Robin's voice sounded out triumphantly.
The Titans and I were standing in the doorway with the sun reflecting off of us. They were all battle ready poised while I was just crouched down.
Hmm...wonder what this guy can do...
I was almost giddy. This guy looked like he was one of those bad guy people. Not like those wussy thugs we faced earlier. Like a real villain.
"Ah, the ambassadors of authority...welcome Titans." the punk rocker bowed swiftly. He straightened up and gripped his instrument. "Always gotta start the concert with a bang!" He shouted, strumming the guitar strongly.
A wide blast of sonic waves rushed towards us.
Raven threw down a black barrier, absorbing the blast.
Robin coiled his body as the rocker continued to pump energy into the blast. "Titans! Get that Guitar!" The Titans jumped into action, except for Robin because I was holding onto his cape.
"Uh...Robin?" I asked innocently.
Robin's eye twitched. "What Zeke?" He asked as I let go.
"...can I just beat 'em up?"
"Yeah...whatever." Robin said, jumping into battle with his fellow Titans.
I grinned to myself and slinked down, hugging the floor and disappearing from the battle.
Starfire meanwhile, whipped bolts of concentrated emerald energy towards the punk rocker.
The punk rocker's finger's danced across the strings. His sound waves rushed to meet the starbolts, freezing them in mid air before launching them straight back at the alien. He leapt back on top of the CD rack to anticipate the next attack.
As Starfire successfully dodged her own attack aerially, Robin hurled three discs towards the rocker, intent on dismantling his guitar but in the same fashion as with Starfire, the discs were hurled back at him. Raven's black shield protected Robin from his returned weapons.
"Come now, the mosh hasn't even started yet." The Punk Rocker grinned.
But his grinned dropped as he watched a Green Rhino flying towards him, via' Cyborg's sonic cannon.
"Booya!" Cyborg shouted, pumping his arm victoriously.
"Cyborg look out!" Robin called out as Cyborg stopped his victorious pose. The Green Rhino slammed into him, sending the duo flying back into the walls.
.The criminal laughed. Robin, Raven and Starfire shot there attention towards the Punk.
"Heh, with my new guitar, I can warp the sound waves to any frequency I want, allowing me greater manipulation over the sound of chaos! Now Sing along! This is the chorus!" He lifted his arm up high to strike the chords and all the titans braced themselves.
But suddenly, his arm couldn't move.
He tried to pull it down, but failed again.
It was then he noticed something holding his arm.
He looked up and saw the three Titans smiling.
He then turned and saw me smiling...and holding his arm.
I was holding his wrist straight up into the air and wearing a cheesy grin.
"I believe...this is where you lose."
I palm struck him in the face sharply, causing him to jolt backwards. As he jolted back, I grabbed his guitar and yanked it off of him. I looked at the instrument then shrugged and tossed it over my shoulder.
"My...My guitar!" The Punk cried out, vainly reaching out towards it.
I grinned ferally then pounced on the punk, knocking him to the ground.
From the Titan's perspective, all one could see was the flying CDs, the sounds of fists slamming into a body, and strangled cries for help, then protest...then mercy.
Each Titans visibly winced at each strike.
"Excessive force! Excessive force!" The feeble punk rocker cried out.
The titans face faulted.
"Uh...should we tell him to stop?" Raven drawled out.
It was at that moment that I snapped my head up from my opponent and stood up, waving at the Titans.
"I think I beat him!" I called out cheerfully, flashing the peace sign at the Titans.
The Titan's collectively fell over.
"...and that's how the rest of the day went. Compared to the future...some of these people and things we fight are...not that difficult to be honest. I never knew Jump City had so many banks and crackpots bent on robbing it, though. What's really weird is that they all seem to decide to do it on the same day...and almost moments after each other...quiet weird."
I was currently sprawled out peacefully on the couch in the main room, a blanket and pillow neatly folded beside me courtesy of Starfire. I was looking out the windows at the cloudy night sky, disappointed because I would not get to see the stars again tonight.
"...What's also quiet weird was how it started to become a game. In fact, at the last bank-robbery, Robin and I had a contest to see who could knock out the most thugs. He beat me by a few. We didn't have the smoothness that my team and I had but...it fit enough. It was actually a treat to fight beside Robin and not against him like when he trained me."
I paused as I stretched out my limbs as far as I could.
"In fact, it was a treat to fight beside all the Titans. Cyborg's fighting style never really changed much but he defiantly lacks the finesse he has in the future. And I can't wait to see Starfire's warrior spirit truly emerge. Raven didn't really change much either...she is just a hell of a lot more powerful in the future...But...I'll tell you what..."
I smirked to myself and cracked my back carefully.
"Grandpa still has a long way to go...When he got conked by that bag of coins, I was surprised I was able to stop laughing long enough to dodge the bullets. Thank goodness for random powers I suppose..."
My neck popped once or twice.
"Ya know, to be honest, this day went by really fast...I wonder if that is because I was having so much fun or was just because I was kept so busy."
I sigh contentedly as I crack my wrists and knuckles.
"But I think I am man enough to admit that it scares me. Hell a lot of things scare me in this time period. I caught myself almost killing a few of the thugs because I put a little too much into my attacks. I am not used to holding back a bit of my power. I am used to killing. The whole not killing thing was almost stranger than killing."
I roll and stretch my shoulders long and slowly.
"Also, it's weird to see how many things are wasted. I passed several dumpsters that had MANY things in it we would have instantly taken in the future. I actually saw meat left on some bones. I almost wanted to go Siberian Tiger on the joint after I saw that. But then I remembered the whole 'not showing my powers thing as to not freak out my grandpa and family' thing so I didn't. And the fact that this time...is vastly different."
I lay down on the couch, sprawled out lazily.
"I'll admit it, I am really scared of what's going to happen now. Back in the future, I knew what to expect. And that was death. But here..."
I gaze solemnly at the ceiling, memorizing the subtle contours above.
"...I wish Rena was here..."
I sighed, turned onto my stomach and reached up to my ear.
"That's all for now...End Log 0004"
I pinched the earring and gazed at the couch cushion in front of me.
I sighed again and closed my eyes.
And morphed into a small lynx, curling up with myself to go to sleep.
Evidence lay strewn across a square table along with various gadgets that were in the process of being built. Birdarangs, explosive discs, bits of Bo-staves next to carefully laid out diagrams, building blueprints and maps carefully marked with various points of activities, red 'S' 's littered more than not.
A yellow light dangled from above, casting it's glow down to the desk. Usually this glow was covering the front of Robin's body, but now it was privy to his cape.
Robin was currently leaning against his table, arms folded and eyes closed.
Hmm...Robin thought, staring at nothing particular in the floor. What is this guy's angle. That Timensional Cop thing was obviously a lie.
Robin's gloved hand found it's way to his chin.
But he obviously has serious fighting prowess. In the same respect, he is holding back. He has powers, he is just not showing them.
He began rubbing his chin.
It is possible he is from the future. Maybe he is doing us a favor by not telling or showing us his powers.
There was a soft knock at his door he did not hear.
And why did Raven act the way she did...does she know him?...Maybe I will have to have a talk with her.
"Robin..." A female voice broke Robin out of his thoughts. "It's me..."
"Come in Raven.." Robin replied coolly, standing off his table and moving towards the recently opened door and the person standing there.
"What's up Raven?"
"I want to discuss our newest...ally."
"Hmm...funny...I was actually thinking about him."
"Then maybe you have noticed what I have..." Raven trailed off.
Robin looked at her curiously.
"What do you mean?"
"...During our battles today...I noticed him many times, restraining himself."
"Do you mean his powers?"
"No..."
"What do you think it is then Raven?" Robin questioned.
"If you were to have given the order to use lethal force...He would not have been phased in the slightest..." Raven stated cryptically. "He has killed before and...I would bet he feels quiet comfortable in ending life...He has such a strong aura of extinguished life around him it was almost suffocating to me..."
Robin was silent as he absorbed the new information. After a moment though, he spoke.
"Tomorrow I had planned on interrogating him about his earlier lie about the time-cop thing. This just gives me more to go over. Thanks Raven." Robin turned to go back into his room.
"There is something else Robin..." Raven continued.
Robin gave her a sideways glance..
"His aura also...feels demonic...like mine..."
While the Titans discussed Zeke, the world continued to turn outside.
Slowly, a brown robe pooled to the ground, crumpling on top of itself in a slow, almost sensual fall, caressing the legs of the robes wearer. Sliver around her souls with black clinging to her legs, outlining the subtle yet hard muscle up her legs, curving slightly over her knee and ending at silver band around her thighs. The silver took it's turn in hugging her legs, before disappearing under a black mini skirt only to reappear around her stomach in bands and went up and around her arms and chest, and stopped at her neck. Just below her neck, the silver material was draped down in a circle and held black material exactly like her skirt around her chest, keeping them from moving. Right above her breasts was a black jewel, cut like a diamond.
The girl's midnight hair swirled in the midnight sky and with midnight eyes, she gazed upon her midnight mission, unwavering even as the sky began to cry onto her light, Tamaranian skin...
Blackfire stood atop a build across, watching the guards patrol and slowly calculating her first move.
The rain poured slowly, almost timidly, onto the area, as if afraid of inciting the wrath of the woman
And she waited, face calm in cold contemplation.
Suddenly she smiled.
And purple energy filled her palm.
"Well Titans...guess this means I'm back."
The End of Chapter 5