Chapter 6: Paying the Ferryman
The other Titan's stood on the rickety dock as a dilapidated boat slowly made its way towards them. "Ok, what's going on now?" Beast Boy asked.
"We're on the river Styx. We have to cross over it to enter the underworld," Robin calmly answered.
"And you have to pay me to cross," the croaky voice of Charon interrupted. The boat pulled up to the dock.
"Ok, Titans what do we got?" Robin addressed the others.
Cyborg returned and exasperated look. "Does this suit look like it has pockets?"
"I have one tremississ," Starfire extracted an odd-shaped green coin and held it up for Charon to inspect.
Charon's face grimaced in disapproval. "Sorry, no foreign currency."
"What!" Starfire angrily protested. "This coin would buy a small castle on my world!"
"How about you Beast Boy?" Robin asked hopefully.
Beast Boy started digging into his one pocket. "Let's see," Beast Boy pulled his hand from his pocket. It held a rubber band, a couple of paper clips and a wadded up piece of paper."
"What's in the paper?" Cyborg inquired.
"A piece of double strip gum, a hero never knows when he'll need minty-fresh breath."
Cyborg slapped his face in disgust. "Try your other pocket," Robin requested.
"If you knew about this, why didn't you plan for it?" Beast Boy said in minor protest. "I think I have a couple of quarters," he extracted his hand and produced a card. "Nothing." Beast Boy looked up at Charon who stood on his boat awaiting payment. "Tough luck cheapskate, looks like we'll have to swim for it."
Beat Boy prepared to dive into the river when Robin jolted him back. "You can't do that." Robin scolded. "If you touch that water you'll forget everything."
"Go ahead Beast Boy, you've got nothing to loose," Cyborg said dryly. Beast Boy shot him an angry glare.
"Well it looks like your little adventure has come to an end doesn't it," Charon chided. "Now be off with you!"
"Beast Boy what's that card you've got," Robin inquired.
Beast Boy's face suddenly flushed with pride. "Oh it's my duel-king ultimate card; a third-level storm dragon demi-master. It took me almost one hundred packs to find it!" His eyes glazed over in ecstasy.
"What was that?" Charon inquired with sudden interest.
"Huh, no way! You're not getting this!" Beast Boy quickly countered. He jerked the card behind him cradling it with both hands.
Cyborg snuck up behind Beast Boy and quickly swiped it from Beast Boy's grasp. "Here you go Robin, one ticket to paradise." Cyborg handed the card to Robin, his other hand quickly clasped Beast Boy's head as he frantically flailed his hands in a vain attempt to recover his card.
Robin briefly inspected the card then handed it to Charon. "Ok, why do you want this?" he asked the ferryman who quickly snatched it from his hand. A wide smile washed over the elderly boatman's face as he confirmed Beast Boy's claim.
"Oh we duel every Friday night," a cackling laughter ensued. "I'll finally be able to beat them all!' He exclaimed as he made his way to the back of the boat. "One moment please, I need to tidy up." He reached the back of the boat and opened a secret latch. Upon pushing it the boat instantaneously transferred into a fine white yacht.
Charon emerged in front of them and lowered the gang plank. "Welcome aboard heroes!" He was now dressed in a tidy white captain's uniform. The Titans made their way onto the boat. "Welcome aboard, please sit." Charon directed them to a row of seats in the front of the boat. One by one the Titans took their seats. Beast boy folded his arms and glared disapprovingly.
"May I offer you a light snack or drink? No strings attached of course." Charon produced two trays one with drinks and another with finger foods. Robin, Cyborg and Starfire helped themselves. Beast Boy continued to glare ahead angrily.
"Come on Beast Boy lighten up will ya," Cyborg demanded. Beast Boy held his stance, shifted his eyes to Cyborg then quickly turned away. "Suit yourself, more for the rest of us to enjoy."
"Is everyone settled?" Charon shouted from behind the wheel. The others nodded. "Ok, hold on." Charon gunned the engine as the horn sounded Chopin's funeral march as the boat sped away from the dock.