Chapter 4: Pursuit

Cyborg's light pierced the darkness as Robin led the remaining Titans through the caverns. "Ok, what are we looking for again?" Cyborg asked.

"Unusual power signals. The entrance to the underworld is somewhere in this cavern according to legend," Robin replied. His voice echoed slightly.

Cyborg glanced down at his scanner and frowned. "I hope you're right on this one Robin. My scanners aren't picking up anything."

"Robin, is this the unusual you are seeking?" Starfire suddenly called out from the darkness.

The others walked over to where Starfire stood. Against the wall was a large star warp pattern.

"Well what do you think?' Robin asked the others.

"What have we got to loose?" Cyborg replied. One by one they walked through the doorway into the underworld.

All four emerged into a large dimly lit cavern. In front of them a hulking beast was chewing contentedly on a large trash truck. The beast glanced up then stood and emitted a low growl.

Beast Boy froze in horror; in front of him stood a large three-headed dog that was very angry. Its body was the size of an elephant with black matted fur. Each of the beast's heads was deformed. The left head had sickly yellow eyes that glowed dully in the gloom. The middle had a deranged look; its pupil off focus and out of proportion. White froth oozed from its mouth and dripped down onto the cavern floor. The right head had piercing red eyes and jagged spiky teeth that jutted out at odd angles from its mouth.

"I hope you guys have all had your shots," Beast Boy dully announced.

"Come on team, the bigger they are the harder they fall!" Robin cried. He pulled out his bow staff and charged the beast. Beast Boy transformed into T-rex and followed Robin.

Cyborg fired his sonic cannon at the middle head. The beast shook his head as if a fly had landed on it. "How come I knew that was going to happen," Cyborg stated then watched as Robin and Beast Boy attacked.

The beast's right head clamped down hard on Robin's bow staff as he tried to swing around the side of the beast. Robin held on tightly as his momentum swung him to the side. The beast then swung his head forward jolting Robin back towards his original direction. He lost his grip and flew helplessly in the air past a startled Beast Boy. Robin skidded to a stop on the ground in front of Cyborg then sat up. His chewed up bow staff landed by his feet shortly afterwards. "That's two in one day," Robin said dejectedly.

Beast Boy skidded to halt at the front of the beast. Seeing no backup he quickly beat a hasty retreat to his teammates.

Beast Boy morphed back into himself as he returned to the group. Robin remained seated with his two hands propping up his head.

"Well, the full frontal assault didn't work," Cyborg said dejectedly. "Anyone else have any bright ideas?"

Robin looked up at the snarling beast. "We just have to find the right spot to hit it," he replied.

An idea flashed through Starfire's mind. "That's it Robin!" she cried then flew off towards the beast. Cerberus lunged at her, but Starfire easily avoided the snapping jaws and disappeared from view. The beast froze and its snarling and barking came to a sudden halt. Its eyes were suddenly filled with ecstasy and groans of pleasure soon erupted as the beast fell on its side.

Robin stood up puzzled at the turn of events. He and the others walked around their fallen opponent to see what had become of their friend. They found her scratching the side of the great beast vigorously with both hands. The hind quarters of the animal where jostling in rhythm with Starfire's hands.

"Good work Starfire," Robin said with a slight smirk when he realized what she had done.

"Girl, what is it with you and strange animals?" Cyborg stated as he shook his head in disbelief. Cyborg turned to Beast Boy. "Now why didn't you think of that?"

"Umm, I would have, eventually," Beast Boy meekly replied.

"Yea right, in a million years maybe," Cyborg countered.

"Come on let's go," Robin called as he disappeared further down the passage. Cyborg and Beast Boy quickly followed.

Starfire stopped scratching the beast and followed her friends. Cerberus slowly stood up and turned around and whimpered in protest. Starfire halted briefly. The creature eyes grew soft and more whimpering ensued. Starfire started back drawn by the creature's pathetic cries.

Robin came back and grasped Starfire's arm dragging her back. "Come on Star, there's no time for this!"

Cerberus reluctantly lay down resting his heads on his front paws and sighed as he watched Robin and Starfire disappear into the caverns beyond.