The New Recruit

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans

Thanks to my faithful reviewers: robin and raven 4 ever, raex18, midnightdragoness, Confuzzle333, Haruka-Clone, Goth Jedi, Gaurdiangirl1 and Nightlark.

You guys are the best! Sorry for the long delay, school is getting in the way of my writing.

Please bear with me! –Dark Shadows 01

Chapter 6

Robin stared at the blank screen, hoping that somehow, Raven would appear on it again, telling him that she was okay but no such luck. Slowly, Robin turned to face the worried looks on his team's faces. Robin needed to be the fearless leader he was known for, not some love struck fool.

Robin cleared his throat and announced, "Alright team prepare yourselves, we're leaving in twenty minutes." He said with a voice as strong as steel but everyone knew that he was suffering a lot on the inside.

They nodded in response and quickly retreated to their rooms to prepare; before Mercury went Robin called after her, "Mercury."

"Yes Robin?" asked Mercury turning to face the masked marvel.

Robin looked her straight in the eye and said, "Slade is our most notorious villain, expect the worst."

"I will Robin," replied Mercury nodding, her eyes narrowed until they were like small slits made buy a knife.

"If you fight the way you did on the obstacle course, you'll be fine," Robin reassured her.

"Thanks Robin, for your support and everything you've done for me, it means a lot to me," answered Mercury with a small smile.

Robin laid his strong hand on Mercury's shoulder, gave it a reassuring squeeze and returned the smile, before continuing his route to his room. It was people like Mercury that made Robin do what he did best, fight for justice and all that is good in the world.

Mercury was glad that she had friends, who supported her. Here, she felt as if the team was her real family and she felt really comfortable. As if, she had known them for a very long time.

At a young age, Mercury had learned of her vampire blood and her powers. Especially with the other children, Mercury would make objects levitate without meaning to. The other children didn't dare come near her. Instead, they called Mercury a freak driving her away because she was different. Mercury was never accepted anywhere, even her own parents rejected her because they were scared of what she was.

On the street homeless and hungry, Mercury didn't want to steal for food but desperation was soon consuming her compelling her to do crimes just to survive, in such a harsh world. Until two men observed her stealing some apples from the local market.

Expertly, Mercury stealthily made it through the busy and noisy crowds. Upon reaching her goal swiping the fruit before anyone noticed her, and retreating to an ally that she now called home. The ally was narrow, dark, damp and had an unpleasant stench, right at the back was flattened out cardboard boxes and an old worn out blanket, which Mercury used as a bed.

As Mercury devoured her stolen prizes, the two men proceeded down the ally not aware of the glare they were receiving by the other unfortunate people. The men were dressed in sharp black suits, white shirts, black ties and shoes. They were both very tall; one with black neat hair, strong hazel eyes, long defined nose, and his mouth was pressed firmly into a perfect straight line. His companion had dark brown hair, soft brown eyes, small nose, and the man's mouth was pulled slightly up into a very small smile.

As they approached Mercury, she looked up at the strangers fear in her small bloodshot eyes. Mercury backed away as far as she could, wanting to avoid the strange men.

"Don't worry we aren't going hurt you," the man with brown hair spoke softly.

Mercury wasn't convinced as she still tried to get away.

"I am Luke and this is Chris," said the man with black hair referring to his brown haired companion, his voice was full of authority.

"And we are from the samurai temple in the high mountains."

"Why are you telling me this?" responded Mercury as she overcame her fear of the men.

"We have been watching you for a long time, and in that time you have shown great skills. Such as stealth, agility and you possess abnormal powers," Luke stated.

Mercury's eyes grew wide, "How did you know about my powers?"

"That is irrelevant," replied Luke.

Chris stepped forward and knelt beside Mercury and in the same calm voice said,

"Mercury come with us, we can take you somewhere where you will be accepted, we can help you control your phenomenal powers and reach your full potential."

Mercury considered her choices: samurai temple or homeless on the street.

Mercury stood up and addressed the men "I accept your offer."

"Excellent, please follow us," replied Luke.

From that point on, the samurais in the cold harsh mountains trained Mercury. Pushing her, encouraging her to do her best to control her powers. Over the years, Mercury grew stronger, faster and learned to control her amazing powers. Mercury was given a black armoured uniform for her vigorous training.

Mercury learned how to channel fear and anger into more powerful moves, Mercury had learned how to fight with the swords the samurais possessed. Watching the samurais sparring with the long sharp blades made it look quite easy. But when it was her turn to use the seemingly weightless blades, Mercury found that the swords were not light but extremely heavy. The first couples of times Mercury used them, she could barely lift the blade.

Over time, her strength increased tremendously, Mercury could finally put up a proper fight. Matching her mentor blow for blow, snow was steadily fell around them covering them in a white blanket. The extreme cold in the mountains nipped at her fingers, but Mercury had focused on one thing only, and that was to beat her mentor.

Her mentor was Luke. This brought a certain training session with her mentor. As Luke charged at Mercury on the ice, she simply jumped over him and from behind she attacked but Luke was too clever to fall for that. As he thrust his blade out to meet Mercury's with a loud clang the two battled each other. If you watched them, it would seem that they were evenly matched but that wasn't the case. Luke pushed his blade down onto Mercury's forcing her to kneel on the snow.

As she tried to force him back, an idea struck Mercury. Mercury fell on to her back, which caused Luke to smile he thought she had given up, but what happened next surprised him. Mercury kicked him square in the gut sending him flying over her head and landing on the ground with a loud thud. Luke's sword skidded out of his hand disarming him. Mercury rolled over onto her feet and quickly laid her sword on Luke's chest before he could move.

"Consider yourself beaten," rasped Mercury as she removed the blade away from Luke, the cold was making her fingers and toes numb.

In response, Luke smiled as he got up and the two fighters bowed at each other.

"Mercury you are finally ready," announced Luke.

"Ready? Ready for what?" asked Mercury confused.

"You are finally ready to go. I have taught you everything I know," Luke informed her.

Before Mercury replied Luke cut in, "Mercury I would like to present you with the sword of honour."

Luke stepped aside to reveal Chris smiling holding a deep red pillow, with a very thick black blade on top of it. Mercury stepped up took the blade gently from Chris admiring the craftwork of the handle, which was made of pure gold.

"May this blade bring you luck in your life," Chris told Mercury.

Still holding the blade with the utmost care, Mercury bowed to the two greatest men she had ever known, and started heading back to civilisation. Before going anywhere, Mercury visited a clothes shop and bought a blue jumpsuit and a black cloak, with the money Chris had given her. Her armour in a duffle bag and her sword tied around her waist.

Walking around Jump city was really weird since Mercury had been away for so long, seven years to be exact. The buildings were taller, a lot more apartments were built and it seemed the population had doubled. Across in the sea, was a giant T shaped building on a small island. Mercury remembered it to be where the Teen Titans lived. Whilst staring at the tower a piece of paper flew into her face. Mercury grabbed it before the wind could take it any further. It was a flyer from the Teen Titans and it said that they were needing another member! Maybe this was it, a place were her powers could be of some use.

Before you know it Mercury was the sixth member of the Teen Titans.

Mercury snapped back to reality when Robin walked through the living room doors.

Robin was surprised when he saw Mercury but shook it off and asked, "Are you okay?"

"Hmm? Uh yeah yeah!" replied Mercury startled by Robin's voice, "You startled me."

"Oh sorry," said Robin apologetically.

"It's okay, so are we going to kick Slade's butt now?" mocked Mercury playfully.

Just then Beast Boy, Cyborg and Starfire entered the main room.

"You know I think it is," smirked Robin as he headed to the garage.

The garage was dark and smelled like motor oil, Robin flicked a switch, which made the garage door open automatically to reveal the cold night of Jump City.

Robin retrieved his helmet and jumped on his R cycle waiting for the others.

"All right ya'll who's coming in my baby?" boomed Cyborg.

"Oh yes friend Cyborg I would like to accompany you in the riding of your baby!" affirmed Starfire as she hopped in the backseat.

"Beast Boy? Mercury?" Cyborg questioned.

"Sorry Cy I'm gonna fly this time," answered Beast Boy.

"Um if you don't mind I'd like to too," confessed Mercury.

"That's cool cya there," called Cyborg as he loaded up in his baby.

Mercury and Beast Boy quickly ran outside into the cold night and took to the air. Beast Boy, in eagle form, started to lead the way to the pier going quite fast. Mercury caught up easily and the two flew through the air, enjoying the wind in their hair and feathers.

They were closing in on the pier and saw the R cycle and the T car pull up just below them. Beast Boy started to dive towards them and Mercury followed suite, just before touch down, Beast Boy changed back into his human form and landed on his feet. Mercury landed just as easily beside him.

"This is it team, now be on guard and go in pairs," confirmed Robin, "Mercury and Beast Boy, Starfire and Cyborg."

They nodded and before they went Robin added, "Keep in touch if you find anything."

"Yes Robin," they chorused.

Mercury and Beast Boy set off to check the south side of the pier. They weaved in and out of the large crates, which were delivered during the day. The waves were crashing hard against the pier sending splashes over the side. Walking in silence, Mercury had the weird feeling that they were being watched. Looking all around making sure nothing was out of place Mercury continued to follow Beast Boy, who had walked further on.

Mercury suddenly heard a rush of wind; she looked to where Beast Boy was and saw a crate being hurtled towards him. Mercury tackled Beast Boy before the crate hit him, but was not as lucky the corner of the crate grazed her right leg. Mercury growled as the pain shot through her leg.

"Wow! Thanks," breathed Beast Boy.

"Don't thank me yet," growled Mercury as she steadied herself ignoring the pain in her right leg, and stared into the faces of the HIVE.

"Where did they come from?" asked Beast Boy in surprise.

"Doesn't matter, call Robin and the others," Mercury told Beast Boy.

Beast Boy scrambled to his feet and quickly opened his communicator and called the others.

"Well well well, what do we have here?" sneered Jinx.

"The person who's going to kick your ass, that's who!" yelled Mercury as she got into a fighting stance.

"You don't look that tough," said Mammoth as he looked Mercury over.

"Well looks can be deceiving," stated Mercury as she leaped towards Mammoth delivering a strong punch to his stomach.

Mammoth doubled over in pain and spat, "Your gonna pay for that!"

"Bring it on!" encouraged Mercury as Beast Boy returned to help her.

"ATTACK PATTERN BETA!" shouted Jinx.

Jinx jumped straight into a hand to hand battle with Mercury while Mammoth and Gizmo fought Beast Boy.

Mercury went defensive to see what attack pattern Jinx used. It was a simple pattern: punch, punch, and jump. Jinx's punches were feeble but she thought she was doing okay until Mercury started attacking. Jinx threw her right fist at Mercury's face, who caught it in her right palm and tightened her grip. Jinx struggled to get Mercury to release her hand so she punched with her left; again Mercury easily caught it in her left.

Jinx was trying with all her might to pry free of Mercury's iron grip. Mercury smiled at Jinx for being so weak, but from the corner of her eye she saw Beast Boy needed help so she twisted Jinx's wrists and kicked her in the ribs, sending her flying into a large crate. Jinx was struggling to recover from Mercury's last attack at her side. Mercury quickly ran over to the weak girl and lifted Jinx by her pig-tails and inflicted a karate chop to the back of Jinx's head rendering her unconscious.

Beast Boy was taking a serious beating from Mammoth and Gizmo, struggling to stay conscious Beast Boy heard Mercury cry, "Beast Boy jump!"

Beast Boy barley had time to react as two of the crates came crashing down onto his opponents, but made it by changing into a tiny, green hummingbird. Beast Boy flew over to Mercury and collapsed changing into human in Mercury's arms. Mercury held Beast Boy tight to her chest; his breathing was deep and long. Mercury realised Beast Boy had fallen unconscious, the rubble of crates were coming back to life so Mercury placed Beast Boy behind a crate out of sight from the HIVE.

Mercury prepared herself as Mammoth emerged from the rubble with a large bruise forming on his face where the crate had hit him.

"Your gonna pay for that!" Mammoth roared.

"I'm waiting," came the response.

"Raaa!" bellowed Mammoth as he charged towards Mercury who was patiently waiting.

Just before Mammoth collided with Mercury, Mercury flew into the air causing Mammoth to collide with the crates behind her. Mammoth grunted with pain as Mercury landed a few metres away, checking something behind a crate. Mammoth seized his chance and hit Mercury with his massive shoulder. Mercury was thrown into a stack of crates causing them all to fall on top of her. Mammoth raise an arm to protect his face from tiny splinters emitted from the fallen crates. Making sure it was safe, Mammoth let down his guard and found no movement from the pile of debris. Pleased with his work, Mammoth decided to check out the thing Mercury was looking at before he attacked her.

Mercury was coughing from inside the pile of debris, who knew crates could be so dusty? Mercury's leg was cut and blood was flowing freely, staining her wooden enclosure. Mercury knew it would be a matter of time before they found Beast Boy, with as much effort she could muster, Mercury reached out to her sword trying to take no notice of the pain that was shooting over her body.

Mercury grasped the familiar gold handle and wedged it free from the wood. Slowly and painstakingly, she started to cut free from the now blood stained crates. After a couple of minutes of slicing, a hole was made and she saw to her horror that Mammoth was getting closer to where Beast Boy lay. With an almighty heave Mercury broke free from her prison injuring herself further, it didn't matter she had to protect Beast Boy, she HAD to!

Mammoth stopped before reaching the place where Beast Boy was, he turned his head to the pile of debris that was rumbling furiously. Suddenly what looked like the tip of a sword poked through, then a hand, and then Mercury burst out of the broken crates. Mercury's cloak and jumpsuit had been torn; her legs had gaping wounds that bled none stop. Mercury's arms were scratched and bleeding, and she looked like she was going to kill.

Mammoth swallowed hard and took a couple of steps back not believing what he saw.

Mercury jumped towards the giant, kicked the side of his head tipping Mammoth off balance, and reinforced a roundhouse kick. It made Mammoth smack his head off the corner of a crate and landed with a heavy thud unconscious and out of commission.

Just then Mercury heard shouts calling for Beast Boy and herself, Mercury felt extremely light headed, she had lost too much blood and fell to the ground. Before losing consciousness, Mercury stared into a small grey eye then everything went black.

Robin was running as fast as his legs could take him, he had heard noises of a fight and Robin feared the worst. Upon reaching his destination, Robin saw broken crates and blood! As Robin scanned the area, he saw Mercury on the ground bruised and bloody, with Slade hovering above her.

"Get away from her!" screamed Robin as he dived straight into a flying kick aimed at Slade's head.

Slade looked up amused by Robin's attempts to save Mercury, Slade grabbed Robin's ankles and spun twice to build up momentum and threw Robin at wall, where Robin's body left an impressive dent. Before Robin could attack again, Slade picked up Mercury by her cloak, blood still pouring from her wounds.

"Well Robin I've got what I wanted, and I must be going," spoke Slade.

"Wait…," gasped Robin, "Where's Raven?"

Slade threw his back and laughed, "You foolish boy did you think I would return Raven?"

"Now I've got what I need," Slade gestured to Mercury lifeless body, "And you can't stop me!"

With that, Slade threw a couple of smoke bombs at Robin. Robin coughed and spluttered; when the smoke cleared, Slade was gone along with Mercury.

"No," breathed Robin helplessly. He had failed to protect another member and now he had lost two members of the team. One who he loved dearly, and another, who was still new and knowing Slade, he would use any ways to get Mercury on his side. Feeding her lies and showing her false evidence. He had to save them somehow. He punched the floor of the warehouse and he felt the pain go through his body.

Thank you Midnight Blue Raven for being a great beta!

Another cliffy! What did you think? Please leave me a review all comments are accepted. The more reviews I get the faster I update! – Dark Shadows 01