Ardent fans of 'Law and Order' please go easy on me on this one, I'm not a close student of the law or anything and I'm sure I got some things wrong. Anyway…ENJOY!
And thanks for the reviews; Realfanficts, D-I-WaRiA, StoryTell6518, General Rage, Starfire I, Beast Boy&Anikan Skywalker, Rose Red2.0, Samanthe2121, TTHPFan, I Collect Bananas.
Smoke and Mirrors
The T-Car and R-Cycle raced down the highway, followed closely by Raven and Starfire. The Titans had been on the road for hours and hours across a few state lines chasing the last four people they wanted to see that day. Johnny Rancid and the last few Hive students speeded ahead of them. As the criminals road along they destroyed various forms of public property; stop signs, do not litter signs, and bus stops (with people on them). Johnny glanced in his mirror and then did a double take when he saw the Titans gaining on them. With an angry growl he yelled up at Gizmo who was flying overhead.
"HEY! I HIRED YOU DWEEBS CAUSE YOU SAID YOU COULD DO THINGS RIGHT!"
"YEAH WELL, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR SNOT HEAD," retorted Gizmo. Mammoth, Privet Hive, and Seamore were currently riding along side Johnny in a stolen Corvette. Trying to find a way to lose the teen heroes Johnny scanned the landscape. He then laid eyes on a dirt road that strayed off the highway. He motioned toward the road and made the turn. From hundreds of feet behind them Starfire spotted Johnny's change of direction and put her hand up to her earpiece.
"Robin, the Johnny Rancid has made a course change up ahead!" Robin glanced down at the small screen on his bike and zoomed in on their enemy.
"Good eye Star I see them. Cyborg you get that?"
"Yeah I'm on em'," responded Cyborg. He pushed the gas pedal farther down and picked up speed. The Titans quickly followed Rancid and the Hive down the dirt road and off the highway. The road was extremely bumpy shaking the T-Car and R-Cycle tremendously. As they continued down the winding bumpy road Cyborg shot a few worried glances at his mirror making sure his car wasn't getting scratched up or dinged too much. The dirt road suddenly turned into a dark tunnel that seemed to go on for miles and miles on end. Only the car lights and Starfire's fists lit the way. When they finally emerged they were in a completely different area. There was a single road with nothing but fields and farmland on either side. They got closer and closer to the four villains and prepared to launch their attack. Starfire flew upward and brightened her fists.
"YAAAA!" She fired off a barrage of starbolts down on Johnny making him swerve from left to right. She traced her eye beams ahead of him making a small trench for him to fall into. He came to a screeching halt just before hitting the trench and spun around in a complete circle. He whipped out a laser pistol and shot Starfire in the leg. She yelped in pain and fell in the tall grass off to the side. With a smile of victory Johnny revved of his bike and moved around the trench.
"STARFIRE," shouted Robin when he saw fall. He pulled off the side of the road and jumped down to help her. Raven and the T-Car continued on with the chase. Raven spotted a pair of guardrails ahead and got an idea.
"Azerath Metrion ZINTHOS!" She pulled the guardrails out of the ground and after binding them together stuck them in the middle of the highway to make a roadblock. Gizmo zoomed over and fired a cloud of rockets at the guardrails and blew them apart. Private Hive stuck his head out the window and sent some buck shots Cyborg's way. The fast flying pellets popped his tires and sent him veering off the side of the road. Raven looked back at her friends and when she turned back to the road saw a small device coming her way. Before she could do anything Raven was incased in a force field and sailed to the ground. Johnny Rancid and the Hive students let out a series of laughter and sped off down the road.
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When there's trouble you know who to call
Teen Titans!
From their tower, they can see it all
Teen Titans!
When there's evil on the attack
You can rest knowing they got your back
Cuz when the world needs heroes on patrol
Teen Titans GO!
With their superpowers they unite
Teen Titans!
Never met a villain that they liked
Teen Titans!
They've got the bad guys on the run
They never stop 'till the job gets done
Cuz when the world is losin' all control
Teen Titans GO!
1,2,3,4 GO!
Teen Titans
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Cyborg blasted the force field emitter to pieces and Raven came free. She looked around and found Beast Boy scrambling out of the T-Car.
"How bad," she asked.
"Well he doesn't seem to have any cuts or abrasions though I think he's a little rattled-"
"I meant the car," said Raven shifting her eyes. Cyborg sweat dropped.
"Yeah thanks Raven I'll be fine," muttered Beast Boy. They walked back over to the T-Car and Cyborg lifted the hood.
"The tires I can fix right here, but the carburetor and hydraulic manifold are trashed. Plus the radiator is leaking coolant."
"What about Robin and Star," asked Beast Boy leaning against the passenger door. Raven looked up and then pointed down the road. Robin was slowly approaching with Starfire riding with him. He stopped next to the T-Car and removed his helmet.
"Everyone alright?"
"We're fine but the T-Car's out for the count," reported Cyborg sadly. Robin hopped off of his bike and helped Starfire down.
"You okay Star?" asked Cyborg.
"Thank you friend Cyborg I am undamaged," she almost tripped from her hurt leg but clung to Robin for support. "Mostly undamaged." Raven floated over and examined Starfire's leg. It had amediuem sizedcut across her thigh, most likely from the fall rather than the shot.
"I can fix that but it will take time," she said checking her and everyone else for further injuries.
"How much time?" asked Robin looking down the road.
"A night at most."
"Are you saying we should just camp out her on the open road," blurted out Beast Boy with his arms waving up and down.
"You see a town anywhere?" she asked sarcastically. Robin looked around and concurred with Raven. There wasn't anything for miles and miles around; they were literally in the middle of nowhere. Cyborg came over and tapped Robin on the shoulder.
"Yo Robin check this out," he pointed off to the side of the road at a lone wooden sign with a small lantern connected to it. It made a creaking sound as it swung back and forth in the wind. On the sign read: Population 432. Raising an eyebrow Robin wasn't sure how he hadn't noticed it before.
"I don't know Cyborg; we don't know a thing about this area or who lives here."
"Well we have to get the T-Car fixed somehow, maybe they have a Holiday Inn or something.
"But it doesn't even have the name of the town written on it, just how many people live there," remarked Raven. Robin thought about it for a few minuets then turned back to his friends.
"I don't think we have much of a choice; Starfire needs time to heal, the T-Car needs to be fixed, and we could all use some rest. I know it doesn't look all that reputable but it's all we've got right now." Raven shook her head in disapproval and did her best to levitate the T-Car down the small road that lead past the sign. They followed Raven toward thin road; Robin had Starfire's arm over his shoulder to help her walk.
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It seemed like they were walking down that road for miles and miles on end. The whole thing seemed to stretch continually with no particular destination. Robin was hoping they would come across something soon, Starfire was beginning to get slower by the hour. Robin was also unsure of how long Raven could continue levitating the T-Car. They appeared over a hill and a small town could be seen below. They scanned it for a moment and took in the town's surroundings. It was basically made into a circle surrounded by a tall wooden fence. The tallest building was the town's clock, which stood about four to five stories high. The Titans looked at each other hoping they knew what they were doing; with one last look behind them they slowly made their way down the hill and into the town.
As they walked through the small town and towards what they hoped to be city hall, they looked around uneasily. People would look out at them from various windows and cracks in the buildings. Those that were outside doing things stopped and watched the Titans go by with stony faces. Beast Boy glanced around their surroundings.
"Sheesh, and I thought Raven's room was creepy," Raven sweat dropped. Starfire stayed close to her one and only source of comfort in an uncomfortable environment, she stayed close to Robin. Not that she really had a choice since she needed him for support form her injury. They approached a building with a statue in front of it and came to halt when a small group of people came out and walked up to them. A short man in a brown suit walked up to Robin and held out his hand. Uncertain of what to expect Robin took it and they shook.
"Name's Mayor Phil Kent and this is my daughter Sarah," he said hoarsely. His daughter shook each of their hands. Robin glanced back at his friends.
"I'm Robin; this is Starfire, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy," Robin pointed to each of his friends. "We were wondering just what the name of your 'village' is." Mayor Phil shot a look to his associates and shrugged his shoulders.
"Well we like our privacy, and we feel that a village with no name is less likely to be bothered. But if you wouldn't mind enlightening us somewhat, just why are you here?"
"We were chasing some known criminals and our car was damaged in the chase, plus Starfire was injured." Mayor Phil looked between the T-Car and Starfire. "Cyborg needs only one night to fix the T-Car and Starfire will be fine by then. All we're asking is one night of shelter and we're out of here." Mayor Phil then got into a huddle with a few other people and some low whispering could be heard. He finally broke away from the huddle and stood before Robin.
"Very well, you may stay one night. Sarah can show you to your rooms but our space is limited and at the risk of sounding inhospitable I'm afraid you cannot stay any longer."
"That's fine," said Robin.
"We will also repair your car for you."
"I don't know," said Cyborg. "The T-Car might be a little advanced for you."
"Not to worry, my own son-in-law is an accomplished mechanic. I am sure he'll be able to manage."
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After allowing the T-Car to be taken into the town's body shop the Titans were settled into three vacant rooms; one for the girls, one for Cyborg and Beast Boy, and one for Robin.
"Alright I figure Jonny and the Hive couldn't have gone far, so get some rest and we'll get out of here as soon as possible." They all nodded and retired to their various rooms. Robin looked back and noticed Cyborg walking outside. "Where're you going?"
"Just going for a short walk, I've been sitting down for like six hours."
"Well…don't stay out too long," said Robin closing his door. Cyborg snickered while shaking his head.
"Yes mom."
THE NEXT MORNING…………….
Raven poured herself a cup of hot tea and a few cups of coffee for the others. When one has to be up early or work late coffee tastes great. Robin walked in rubbing some lingering fatigue out of his eyes.
"Morning Raven."
"Morning."
"How's Starfire?"
"Fine," she stated plainly. Robin continued to look at her with a beckoning expression. "I healed her leg fully and a good night's sleep did the rest, she's fine." Robin nodded taking his cup.
"Good." The other three Titans soon filed in with equal auras of tiredness.
"Ohhh the best part of wakin' up," said Cyborg taking his cup.
"So when do we leave?" asked Raven.
"As soon as we've had a bite to eat and they release the T-Car back to us." Cyborg bit his lip after sipping his coffee.
"I still have a bad feeling about them just jumping inside my baby without any training or briefing on my tech."
"Surely if something went wrong they would have notified you," said Starfire.
"Well maybe, and don't call me 'Surely'." She regarded with utter confusion and he gradually broke into a fit of giggles. "Sorry Star you just set me up for that one." He allowed the joke to pass over her and sat down at the table. Before Beast Boy could ask about breakfast the door was burst open and the town's law enforcement barged in.
"What's going on!" Demanded Robin.
"Quiet," said the lead detective. He focused his eyes on Cyborg. "Cyborg of the Teen Titans, I'm placing you under arrest for the murder Sarah Kent." Their mouths hit the floor.
"SSAY WHAT!"
"Don't struggle and this will go as easily as possible." Cyborg suddenly felt one man that he recognized as their mechanic tinkering in his back compartment.
"Yo what're you doing? How are you doing it?"
"You made the mistake of designing your car just like you," replied the mechanic.
"Where are you taking him?"
"That is none of your concern." Now only able to walk Cyborg was ushered out of the motel and taken away. The other four Titans stood utterly in shock. Starfire walked up behind Robin.
"Robin what is going on?"
"I don't know Starfire, but we're gonna find out." Starfire, Raven, and Beast Boy followed Robin to what could only be the Mayor's office. His temper already peaking by the sudden arrest of his friend, Robin paid no heed to the secretary and burst on through the double doors. Mayor Kent was so startled he dropped the phone he was talking into and nearly fell out of his chair.
"Just who do you think you are?" asked Robin hoarsely. The others entered behind him. Kent picked up his phone off the floor.
"I call you back." He hung it up with a click and folded his hands on his desk. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"You can tell me why your chief of police just wantonly barged in and arrested a member of my team."
"At this point I'm not sure 'wanton' is the proper term to describe it." Robin looked back at his friends as asking if they understood what this man was saying.
"He came in and didn't read him his rights, didn't show a warrant…he didn't do ANYTHING!"
"I'll have to ask you to keep your voice down in my office young man." Robin calmed slightly with the feeling of Starfire's warning hand on his shoulder. "Now I assure you Cyborg is being afforded every right that is entitled to him, despite the atrocity he has committed against my family."
"You know where we come from its 'innocent until proven guilty'," said Raven tactfully. Kent rose from his desk.
"There will be a hearing, there will be evidence, and I promise you there will be justice. Now I'm afraid this conversation is over and you'll all have to leave now." Robin made no return comment but moved past his friends out the door.
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"This is unbelievable," said Robin pacing around outside. "Alright, is there anyone here who has the slightest inkling that Cyborg is guilty?"
"No."
"No way."
"Certainly not." They all answered in turn.
"Right, I don't buy it for a second." He put his index finger to his chin entering deep thought. "Let's go to the scene of the crime." Being the small town that it was it wasn't long before they found a house surrounded by yellow tape and police officers. They moved alongside the house hearing various offers asking if the coroner had been by yet.
"Hey!" They stopped as an office walked up behind them. "What are you doing here?"
"Just house hunting," said Beast Boy.
"Well you can't be here, this a crime scene so move it." He waited until they were gone then went back to work. Robin also waited until he was gone.
"We don't have time for this, Raven…" She nodded, wrapped them up in a dark shroud, and sank beneath the ground. Moments later they reemerged from the floor and crouched low to avoid being seen from the windows. Apparently the job had been done upstairs as it was completely vacant. They looked about the room they were in. Some pieces of furniture were covered and some had been removed. A digital clock sat on a table. The read out was blinking and read ten thirty. Starfire returned from looking in the various rooms and shook her head.
"There is nothing here." Robin began to nod when they saw someone ascending the stairs. They scrambled away just as the man passed by their original spot and sulked into what was his room. He sat down on his bed and only noticed Robin in the room with him when the boy wonder sat down in a chair.
"Who are you?" he asked a little frantically.
"Easy," said Robin. "We're just traveling through." The man nodded.
"Oh yeah I remember you, your those people."
"Yes we're those people," replied Raven dryly. "How did you know Sarah?" asked the dark haired Titan. He gulped and looked away from her.
"She was my wife." Starfire and Robin glanced at each other. "My name is Stewart, we'd only been married three months but we've known each other for years."
"Can you tell us what happened last night?" asked Robin.
"I don't remember much of last night, I was asleep mostly. I remember waking up and getting a snack and then we lost power for about twenty or thirty seconds, around midnight I think."
"You're sure it was midnight?"
"Yeah, now that I think about it, I'm positive it was midnight." Robin nodded and rose from is seat.
"If you think of anything else let us know."
"Aren't you leaving today?" Robin shook his head.
"We're not going anywhere."
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As they walked along the sidewalk they periodically received suspicious glares as though the people thought another crime would be committed at that vary second. Robin scratched the top of his head.
"Okay guys, what do you think?"
"I think we're wasting our time here dude," said Beast Boy.
"What do you mean?"
"Well we're still in the middle of chasing a handful of criminals who could be anywhere by now, not to mention the Eten clerics are still running around out there. I say we quietly ask for the T-Car back, bust Cyborg out of jail and put some road behind us pronto."
"I disagree Beast Boy," said Starfire. "While you are correct that there are much larger things at stake we cannot simply raid Cyborg form their confinement. Otherwise we risk loosing what good ground we still have."
"She's right," said Robin. "If we're going to get Cyborg out we're going to have to prove he's innocent. Starfire, Raven you guys go back to Kent's office look under some rocks, see if you can find anything. We'll go see Cyborg." The girls nodded and they four Titans separated.
Starfire and Raven approached the secretary's desk. Raven allowed Starfire to politely ask for an audience with the Mayor and after kept waiting for an hour they were let in. They took two steps into his office and he cast an angered look to them.
"You people are beginning to wear out your welcome; I just received a call informing me that you attempted to trespass on a crime scene."
"We are simply trying to reach the bottom of this investigation," said Starfire calmly.
"Well this isn't the West coast you are obviously way out of your jurisdiction and have no authority here."
"There are Titans spread all over the world, we represent their authority as a whole you can't just keep us out like this."
"I most certainly can, and I would ask you to inform your leader of such things as he continually seems to disregard our laws."
"Well let's recap; you wrongfully arrested our friend, you won't let us participate in the investigation, and you wouldn't tell us where he was going. I really don't think he's just going to let this one go." Kent shook his head.
"Please, can we not just speak with him?"
"I'm sorry, but that's not possible at the moment." Starfire and Raven looked at each other hopelessly. The phone rang again and Kent's face looked troubled. "Yes, thank you."
"Problem?" asked Raven.
"Well as fate would have it our one and only defense attorney has become too ill to appear in court anytime soon." Raven and Starfire cast disbelieving looks at one another.
"Only one? How small is this town?"
"We only wish for this matter to be dealt with as soon as possible so if one of you wouldn't mind volunteering…" They were slightly taken aback at the offer. "Which ever one of you is more fluent in the law." Raven looked over at Starfire and saw her backing away slightly.
"I guess that's me," said Raven. Kent nodded and began signing some papers.
"Very well, the hearing is to take place this evening at seven." Raven nodded and she and Starfire took their leave. "Oh one more thing…" Raven stopped but did not turn. "Take care in preparing your strategy, our penalty for such a crime is death." Starfire covered her mouth and shot a look at Raven.
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"Raven are you truly prepared with a formidable defense for Cyborg?" Raven bit her lip anxiously.
"Well to be perfectly honest Starfire I've never actually done anything like this before." Starfire regarded her with serious concern. "But I'm confident," said Raven quickly. Starfire nodded somewhat agreeably. As they walked out a girl began following them. Already irritated Raven wheeled around and forced a startled squeal out of her.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Sarah's sister Tessa." The two Titans glanced at each other.
THE TOWN PRISON………….
Cyborg hopelessly moved his finger back and forth between the bars of his cell. He heard someone come in and ran up to the front when he saw Robin and Beast Boy.
"Guys!"
"How ya doing dude?"
"What kind of a question is that?" asked Cyborg curtly. Beast Boy sweat dropped and rubbed the back of his neck.
"They treating you okay?" asked Robin.
"Well they found a way to decrease my arm and leg strength to ten percent their full capacity and my cannon is deactivated so I'm not bust'n out of here. I also haven't heard them shout 'off with his head' yet so I guess I'm doing so-so."
Beast Boy crossed his arms. "Can't you just fix those things?"
"They've taken out several key components; I'm surprised I'm still able to walk around."
"Cyborg what happened last night when you went out on that walk?" asked Robin.
"I went by the body shop just to see if they were still working on the T-Car. When I didn't see anyone I figured they were either done or just calling it a day. And that's about it." Robin nodded. "Wait…" Robin focused back on Cyborg. "There was one weird thing; I blacked out for a second."
"And how long is a second?"
"When I woke back up diagnostics reported a short power surge triggered a shut down which lasted about one minuet, and there was something else but I can't seem to recall what it is. It's happened to me before at least once or twice so I didn't really think anything of it. I just went back to the motel and hit the sack."
"Okay, just sit tight we'll get you out of here." They turned to leave.
"Robin…" He and Beast Boy looked back.
"I didn't do this…I swear I didn't."
"We know dude," replied Beast Boy.
REJOINING RAVEN AND STARFIRE……………
"Go away."
"But I can help you."
"Help us do what?"
"Solve the mystery duh," said Tessa as if Raven had asked what color the sky was. "I'm a really big follower of you guys and I don't believe Cyborg did this either. I want to help." Raven stopped and rubbed her head.
"What can you do?"
"Well I can…uh…I like this kind of stuff. I love mystery novels."
"That's wonderful," said Raven sarcastically. "Now let us do our job."
"Raven wait a moment," said Starfire in a hushed tone. "Perhaps we should consider this." Raven sighed thoroughly annoyed.
"No no Starfire we're not here to start up a fan club."
"She could possibly have access to material the Mayor Kent would not divulge to us." Raven looked about as though trying to find a way to make her case. "Robin instructed us to 'look under the rocks' yes?"
"Well…"
"We will simply be looking with greater accuracy." It was hard to argue with such logic so Raven caved.
"Fine, but I think you two are going to have to do it alone. I need to get over to the courthouse and get ready for the hearing."
"Got it," said Tessa. Raven half smirked and walked away. Starfire and Tessa stared at one another for a moment.
"We should go this way," said Starfire. Tessa nodded and they walked toward the victim's house.
THE TOWN'S COURTHOUSE………..
Robin and Beast Boy sat just behind the defense's desk waiting for to enter. To their surprise Raven entered with a couple of folders in arm. She sat down and felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Hey Raven."
"What?"
"Are you gonna-"
"Yes."
"But what about-"
"He's sick." Robin nodded his head at the folders.
"What's all that?"
"Everything connected to the case." Robin and Beast Boy looked at each other surprised.
"Where's Starfire?"
"She and an overly zealous sister are trying to find out what they can before the worst happens."
"Well they better hurry it up," said Beast Boy. "Cause if you can't convince these weirdoes then Cyborg is gonna be one dead battery."
AT SARAH'S HOUSE……………
"This is breaking and entering yes?" asked Starfire as Tessa asked Starfire to force the door open.
"Actually it's my sister's house, its okay go ahead."
"Very well." Starfire gripped the door handle and easily pulled the oak rectangle out of its frame. They made their way inside and to their relief found no one home. "Why do you suppose we will find any clues here?"
"I never did like that Stewart guy my sister married."
"You are suggesting he has done this?"
"He's my first suspect." Starfire nodded. "Let's check their room." The two moved into the master bedroom and began looking around in the drawers and closets. Starfire sighed dejectedly when she continued to find nothing. She began walking toward a dresser when she felt her found sink in the carpet somewhat.
"Tessa." The young girl abandoned her search of bathroom. Starfire felt around the slightly indented carpet and pulled open a hidden door to reveal a floor safe. Tessa immediately knelt down beside her.
"Great, but how are we-" Starfire reached down and yanked the heavy door off its hinges. "Right, silly me." They emptied the safe completely and looked through the stacks of papers.
"He has opened a number of bank accounts, all under completely different names. Could he be involved in something he did not wish Sarah to discover?"
"Possibly, he sometimes has some strange people over to visit. I know they're dangerous to because he worked out this plan with Sarah in case the house was ever broken into." Starfire stood up and walked about in a pensive manner. Her eyes once again fell on the clock with the blinking read out. She tilted her head at it.
"Not long ago he told us they lost power at midnight." Tessa looked at the clock and checked her watch.
"But…that's impossible, that would mean-" They both speed walked over to the window and looked down the side of the house. "I think we should go outside for a second." The sky grew darker and darker as evening drew near. Starfire sighed once again knowing very well Cyborg's fate was currently being debated. They reached the side of the house with the window they looked out. Tessa reached up and shook her head.
"No I can't reach, I don't think anyone could've gotten in through here." Starfire moved her eyes off to the side and retrieved a wicker chair next to the fence.
"Perhaps if one was to use this…" She propped it up against the wall and put her first foot up on it. Tessa spotted something and held Starfire back.
"Careful Star, it's got a hole in it." She stepped down and it was as if realization had hit them like a wrecking ball. They both slowly looked at each other with growing smiles.
THE COURTHOUSE………………..
"Is it possible that you were unable to control yourself during the time you were offline?" asked the prosecuting attorney.
"No," said Cyborg. "If anything, other than what happened, occurred it would have shown up on my diagnostics list."
"A list which I am sure you are able to edit according to your agenda."
"Objection," said Raven standing up.
"Sustained," replied the judge. The attorney walked closer to him.
"Are you able to make such changes?" Cyborg mouthed wordlessly and looked at Raven. She shook her head.
"Y-Yes."
"No further questions." Cyborg sat back down next to Raven and Sarah's husband Steward was called to the stand by Raven. She walked out into the middle of the room.
"You don't mind if I call you Stewart do you?" He shook his head stiffly. "To begin with what possible motive could Cyborg have to commit this act against Sarah?"
"Beat's me; I guess he couldn't wait to find his own wife." Cyborg looked down at the floor.
"Can you tell us what happened last night?"
"Last night I was up around midnight and our power went out. I began looking around the outside of the house and found the main switch had been turned off. When I got back inside saw him running out the back door and my wife on the floor." Raven swallowed as if was becoming increasingly difficult to prove the case otherwise. Yet just as she was about to pose another question the doors at the rear of the hall burst open. All heads turned to see Starfire and Tessa running up the middle of the isle.
"What is the meaning of this?" asked the judge. Starfire bowed her head.
"Forgive us, but we have new evidence to introduce."
"Your honor that can't be allowed," said the prosecutor. The room began erupting into various shouts of agreement. The judge threw up his hands to silence the crowd.
"Councilors approach the bench." He and Raven walked up to the Judge's desk. "What's going on here?" Raven shrugged.
"Apparently they have something to add." He seemed hesitant about it. "You can't bang the gavel on Cyborg if there's a chance you'd be condemning an innocent man." The Judge ground his teeth together thoughtfully.
"Very well, but we'll do this properly." The prosecutor walked away looking disappointed and Raven entered a huddle with her friends.
"Girl please tell me you've got something," pleaded a desperate Cyborg.
"You can be certain we do," said Starfire. She and Tessa informed Raven of the development and Raven shared their reaction.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive," said Tessa. Raven nodded and returned to the middle of the room.
"Stewart, I think its only fair that we cut to the chase and inform everyone here today that you've been lying through your teeth." There were some scattered whispers about the room. Steward shifted in his seat.
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that Cyborg is innocent and you framed him for the crime you committed."
"That's absurd! You can't prove it."
"Actually I think we can, here's what happened; you opened several bank accounts with a number of banks under false names so you were obviously involved in something illegal. Whatever it was you didn't want Sarah to find out about it, but she did didn't she?" Steward moved his jaw about. "She must've threatened to go to the police with what she knew it's the only reason why she's dead now isn't that right?"
"Objection!"
"Withdrawn. Whatever happened between you and her is irrelevant at this point, the only way for you to make your problem go away was to get rid of her. When we talked to you this morning you said you lost power at midnight, you were very clear on that. But you forgot to fix one of the digital clocks in the bedroom and it read ten thirty, while it was really eight in the morning. That means that the power had actually gone off at ten pm." Robin leaned closer to better hear her words.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"It means you turned off the power at ten o'clock. You and Sarah had a plan worked out in case anyone tried to break in. When the power went off you must've made some noise and scared her into thinking someone was trying to break in. She did was she was supposed to and waited in the bedroom. While she was waiting she sneaked up through the window and I think we know the rest."
"How does all this connect to the defendant?" asked the Judge.
"With a good place with the mayor it was unlikely he would be on suspicion for very long, it was worked out quite perfectly." She returned her gaze to Stewart. "But you didn't count one thing, you didn't count on Cyborg. Who just happened to be walking by and saw you sneak in and scuffle around in the room. You had been working on his car so it must've been easy for you to think of the best way to incapacitate him and remove what he saw from his short term memory."
"Your honor all of this is mainly just speculation," said the prosecutor. Raven put up her index finger.
"Wait just a sec." She motioned to Tessa who brought forward a wicker chair. Stewart's eyes locked on it and he backed up slightly. "The window into your room is too high for someone to just climb into, so you used this chair to give yourself a small boost. But the chair was weak so you fell through and I'm guessing this red discoloration can only be the blood from the scrap on your leg." Cyborg's wide eyes snapped back to Stewart. The man, now sweating bullets, could only swallow and stutter. "I think once we have this analyzed we'll see that is in fact your blood." Stewart quickly jumped out of the witness box and grabbed Tessa around the neck. Everyone stood up and he stuck a stuck a pistol to her head.
"Nobody follow me." She chocked as she was dragged outside at his side. Robin leaped out into the isle.
"Titans GO!" Outside Steward began looking for a suitable getaway car. Tessa breathed in what air she could and stomped her heel on his foot. He yelled out when she hit him hard on the nose and ran off. He fired a few blind shots but disregarded her for a means of escape. He hadn't gone far when Starfire and Raven glided down in front of him. He began to point his weapon at them but Starfire shot it out of his hand.
"YOW!" He dropped it and while cradling his hand turned in the opposite direction. He skidded to a halt when a green tiger growled at him. A whistling through the air caught his attention and bird grapple wound tightly around him. He fell to the ground and struggled uselessly as the Titans stood over him.
THE NEXT MORNING………….
Cyborg just finished reinstalling the missing hardware the police had taken out of him. He heard a knock on the door.
"It's open." Tessa entered. "Hey, Starfire and Raven told me you helped us out. I wanted to thank you." She glowed and tried to hide her face.
"W-Well…it..it was nothing. I'm just glad now my sister can rest in piece knowing we found the one who really did this to her." He nodded with a grateful smile.
"Yeah."
"Listen um…" She walked closer. "I've been following your guy's exploits recently."
"Nothing but good things I hope." Tessa chuckled.
"We're so out in the middle of nowhere I've only become aware of the Titans last year. Anyway, a town not far from us received a visitor recently." Cyborg looked her in the eyes.
"What kind of a visitor?"
"He called himself a Cleric." Cyborg sighed and hung his head. "I just wanted you to know…that I'm a non-believer, and I'd be behind you any day any time." Cyborg smiled and took her shoulder.
"Thanks."
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Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy finally returned to the highway and looked down the long road. Beast Boy held his hand to his forehead like a visor.
"Man they're probably a thousand miles away by now."
"Sooo, another long drive ahead of us?" asked Raven. Robin snickered somewhat.
"I think we'll manage."
"As friends Raven and Beast Boy plainly stated though, the drive will be indeed long.
Robin shrugged. "Well I guess we could always stop somewhere-"
"NO!" They shouted in unison. He smirked and put on his motorcycle helmet.
"I rest my case."
The End
Well if you didn't like this one for any reason I promise the next ones will be great. At least, I hope they will be. Hope you liked it. XD