Yippers! A new chapie!

Chapter Twenty-six: The Big Apple

You are now entering

Metropolis

The tour bus drove down the road as Dick, Kori, Gar, Terra, and Rach pressed their faces against the window of the bus. They were passing by a huge building with the name LUTHOR CORP on the front. Then, they passed by The Daily Planet, Metropolis U, the Metropolis Sharks' football stadium, and many, many news stands. (A/N I know Metropolis a lot better then I do Gotham).

"Cool," said Gar, as he fogged up the window.

"Dick," said Kori.

"Yeah?" replied Dick

"What's 'Luthor Corp.'?"

"It's an industry started by this guy named Lionel Luthor. Now his son, Lex, owns it. I met him once; Bruce took me to some rich-guy's dinner. He's not too friendly."

"Awesome!" said Terra. "The Sharks are in town!"

"Violent ground acquisition sports are krypto-facious metaphors for Nuclear War," said Rach.

"I'm sorry, I don't speak nerd," said Terra.

"We're here, ya'll!" said Vic, parking next to the Community Theater.

------

Robin, Starfire, Beastboy, Raven, Cyborg and Terra walked into the large Community Theater, carrying their instruments. Many people were hurrying this way and that, trying to get everything ready for the final showdown only two days away.

"Are you the Teen Titans?" asked a rushing stage hand.

"Yeah," Robin started. "I'm – "

"Good. Put your instruments over there." He pointed to a general place. "And hurry, because the reporters have waited all day."

"Reporters?" said Beastboy, curiously.

"Of course," replied the stage hand. "The Battle of the Bands is a huge event and is traditionally reported each year. Now hurry, will you?"

Then, he rushed off.

The Titans walked over to a place marked TEEN TITANS, like it had in the previous tournament. They set their instruments down and turned to see a man waiting for them.

He was about 6'4"(though he hunched over), with black hair and blue eyes, of which he hid under round, black rimmed spectacles. In his hand was a note pad and pen. Robin shook his free hand.

"Hello, son," he said, good naturedly. "I'm Clark Kent of the Daily Planet. You kids must be the Teen Titans."

The band looked at each other. Son? Kids?

"So, gee, you kids must be so proud of how far you've gotten. And I think it's swell how much time and effort you have put into practice to get here."

They tried as hard as they could not to laugh.

"So, champ, why don't you tell me who's who, hm?"

"Well," said Robin, trying to keep a straight face, "I'm Robin, and this is Raven, Beastboy, Starfire, Cyborg and Terra."

So, after a few minutes of answering questions and stifling giggles every time Kent said "swell", he finally put away his notepad and said, "Well, that's super, kids. Thanks for your time."

"Clark!" said a voice from behind him.

A woman with dark hair and a similar note pad walked up to them. She was about 6' and had a busy air about her.

"Are you finished, yet?" she asked. "White wants us back by 3:00."

"Well, sorry, Lois," he said, sincerely, "but these swell kids were a little bit late."

"Clark, how many times have I told you not to say that word?"

"What word?"

"'Swell'"

"Oh, sorry, Lois, it just feels kind of natural."

Lois shook her head and they left. As soon as they were out of ear-shot, Beastboy burst out laughing.

"Hey," Terra said. "I'll be right back." And she left.

"Well," said a sly voice from behind them, "I guess it's just you and us."

The Titans turned around and saw the HIVE standing behind them.

"I guess so," said Robin. "So, are you ready to loose?"

"Cute," said Jinx. "Look, we were having a little party tomorrow night, and we were wondering if you could come." She handed him a slip of paper with an address on it. "But only you. It's a privet affair."

"Thanks but no thanks," he said. And he attempted to hand it back, but she didn't take it.

"Keep it," she said. "You might change your mind." And they left. Robin impulsively put the slip in his pocket.

"You're not really going to go, are you?" said Starfire.

"Of course not"

"Good, because –"

"Excuse me," said a deep, gravely voice behind them.

A tall man who looked about 30 stood behind them. He wore a black suit with and orange tie, and had grey, lifeless eyes.

"Is this the Teen Titans?"

"Yes?" said Robin, suspiciously. He held out his hand.

"Slade Wilson of Death Stroke Music Industries" he said. Robin shook it, although against his will. Something about him seemed foreboding…

"Tell me," he continued, "which one of you is Starfire?"

"Me," Star said a bit nervously.

"Do you mind if I talk to you for a bit, dear?"

Starfire looked at Robin, who gave her a reassuring nod. She walked over with him to a place where they couldn't be seen or heard. As she was gone, Terra came back.

"Where'd you go?" asked Raven, suspiciously.

"Just to the bathroom," Terra answered, slyly. She then gave her a sly smile.

Moments later, Star came back, apparently lost in thought.

"Star?" said Robin. "Something wrong?"

"Huh?" she said. "Oh, nothing. Nothing…" She went back to her thoughts.

"So, what did that Slade guy want?" asked Robin.

"Oh, he just wanted to – to talk…"

I'll tell him about it latter, she decided. There's no need to trouble him now…

------

"Well, said Dick, "here it is!"

He opened the door to hotel room 304. Inside was a white room with a huge plasma TV, with a white bear rug and salmon-colored couches. On the sides of the room were three doors.

"Ok," said Dick, as he and his friends walked into the room. "Girls sleep in that room," he pointed to one of the doors, "boy sleep in that room," he pointed to another door, "and that's the bathroom," he pointed to the last door. "So," he turned to them, "any questions?"

"Yeah," said Vic, "when's dinner?"

So they all went down to the free buffet and stuffed themselves silly.

Ok, now that they're in Metropolis, things are going to get very interesting…

Tprinces