This is it, this is the last one before the season finale. This one turned out much longer than all the others, I'm not sure why but that's how it happened. I've been looking for more stories to read myself and if there are any out there with the same premise as this episode I apologize, I didn't mean to copy anyone's work. Okay! I say thanks to all kind reviewers; Teen Freak, Rose Red2.0, Gaurdian of Azerath, Seed of Chucky, I Collect Bannanas, Crazy Girl Person, StoryTeller6518, Realfanficts, Teenxheartsxbeatingxfaster, TTHPFan. Thanks good friends of mine. And so begins the episdoe. Enjoy:P
Uploaded and Personal
In the dark and dungeon like basement of an abandoned house a sort pudgy figure worked over a table illuminated by a work light.
"The Titans think they can push me around huh? Well that's about to end." He adjusted the light and the face of Control Freak was brightened. "Ahh! That's too bright!" He accidentally blinded himself with the light and knocked it away. However as he did that he backed into a pile of crates and fell to the floor with a crash. After letting anything else that might fall over do just that the failed villain pulled an empty box off his head and stood up. "Present track record not withstanding I mean." He put the finishing touches on his invention and smiled triumphantly. "They won't know what hit em', they'll be way too busy having the best time of their lives!" With that he filled the room with loud maniacal laughter. That is until his throat dried out and he went running for a glass of water.
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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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Raven walked out sickbay carrying a spiral notebook in her arm. She scribbled a few last minuet notes then set it in a space on the wall beside the observation window. Robin and Starfire happened to be walking by and stopped at the sight of her.
"Hey Raven, how's she doing?" The three of them looked inside at Blackfire. The dark haired Tamaranian was still recovering from her captivity in Nivleham.
"She's been drifting in and out but I don't see any reason why she can't leave y the end of today," reported Raven. She noticed Starfire gazing somewhat longingly through the glass. "You okay Star?" The timid alien glanced at her with a smile then looked back into the room.
"Oh yes friend Raven, thank you. I was just wondering how this experience might change her; if she might help us to combat the Etens." Robin nodded and patted her shoulder.
"We'll see Star." As they began walking away Robin checked his watch and rolled his eyes. "You send two video game junkies to stop a mall robbery and you don't see them again for over five hours." Raven concurred with a few offhand nods.
"I am certain Cyborg and Beast Boy have a perfectly reasonable excuse for their tardiness."
"Yeah sure," said Robin skeptically. "I mean you've seen them Star, give those two a single minuet in the video store and they just go completely-"
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"CRAZY! OH MY GOD CYBORG THIS SO CRAZY!" Beast Boy shouted over at his friend from across the room in the video store at the mall. Cyborg finished telling the store manager the few punks that tried to rob them earlier wouldn't be showing up again for next week's by one get one free deal. He hurried over to the changeling where upon he shoved Call of Duty 2, Big Red One in his face. Cyborg took one look at it then ripped it out of Beast Boy's grasp.
"Are you telling me what I think you're telling me?"
"Dude it just dropped ten solid bucks, now Robin can't possibly rag on us for buying it on a complete whim!"
"Ha ha ha," chuckled Cyborg triumphantly. Beast Boy joined in the celebration then his eyes spotted something; something that was without a doubt brought down from Heaven itself. Cyborg noted his dulled and glassy eyes and followed their gaze. His mouth dropped when he saw a display for the new release of Soul Calibur Four (no such thing; but oh how I wish). He almost dropped Call of Duty in his daze. In a flash that would rival the Flash himself Cyborg and Beast Boy stood by the display. Beast Boy finally met Cyborg's eyes with fervor. "No," he said shaking his head. Beast Boy's smile only grew wider. "No no no no, sorry man but your barking down the wrong alley."
"Cyborg these are new releases that have barely seen the light of day, if we wait too long they'll all be gone by tomorrow."
"Yeah and its fifty-two dinero," said Cyborg in Spanglish. "We get back with that and we'll never hear the end of it. We won't even be able to play it in peace because all we'll hear is 'I can't believe you guys spent so much money on a video game'," said Cyborg mimicking Robin's voice. "Or, 'why do you spend excessive amounts of money on pointless items like this'." In a voice that was clearly a facsimile Raven's. Beast Boy sighed and nodded.
"Maybe, but in the name of ultimate gaming that's a risk I'm willing to take. Now can I count of on you buddy?" He said holding his fist out. Cyborg stared at him for a moment then burst into a smile.
"Yeah you bet." They hit their fists together brotherly and began walking toward the register.
"Excuse me!" They stopped as someone shouted at them from over by the back. They turned to see a young man wearing glasses coming out of the back room. "I don't believe this-this-this such a treat!" Cyborg and Beast Boy eyed each other oddly. "You're Teen Titans aren't you?" Beast Boy smirked.
"No, but I played one on TV." Cyborg glanced off with a smile. Beast Boy noted the boy's silence then nodded. "Yes, Teen Titans are we." Their admirer almost squealed with delight.
"You guys have to see this, follow me." He began walking back toward the room marked 'employees only'. Beast Boy looked back at Cyborg who merely shrugged in indecision. They followed in the boy's wake until they caught up with him in the back room. He stood behind a desk which held up something covered by a curtain. "Now I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself a second ago but here I go…I'm Stanley Dee. The software company I work for has just developed something that I think would sell very well if the Titans were avid fans of it."
"Wait, you want us to endorse your product?" asked Cyborg cynically. "I don't know about this."
"Yeah it just seems a little weird," agreed Beast Boy. "Don't get us wrong we're flattered you offered us this but I don't think we'll be able to." Stanley nodded with slight disappointment but held up his index finger.
"Well before you finalize that decision would like to actually see the product in question?" The two consulted and agreed they'd do so just to make him feel better; they were turning him down after all. He pulled the tarp off to reveal five very sleek sun glasses; at least they looked like sun glasses. Cyborg bent closer to them with a wondering brow.
"Are these Oakleys?"
"They're the next generation in gaming technology." He picked one up and tapped a tiny button on the side. The lenses slid out of their frames into a ready mode. "You simply slip them on like so…" He demonstrated then took them off. "And at once the player is immersed in a three dimensional world that sounds, looks, and feels just as real…" He touched the wall beside him. "…As reality itself." Cyborg nodded interested down at the devices.
"Well, maybe we could give em a try. You know, see how it goes for a week or so." Stanley nodded with a smile.
"That's sounds fine to me, only we will need all of the modules back if you decide not to accept our offer. The contract, I might add, not only includes modules for your whole team but also a very lucrative arrangement." Cyborg and Beast Boy looked at each other then both nodded shaking his hand.
"We'll given 'em a try."
"Thanks," said Beast Boy. They gathered their things and left the store. Stanley watched them leave then walked back into the store room with a smug grin.
"That was almost too easy." He tapped his belt and his image immediately changed back into Control Freak. "Oh man I so can't wait to see how fast this works, and when they're all finally mine I'll have Starfire to myself….that didn't come out right." He scolded his own thoughts then left before he was discovered.
BACK AT THE TOWER………………..
"Absolutely not," said Robin with definite finality in his voice. He considered the matter closed but Cyborg and Beast Boy wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.
"Robin we haven't even tried it yet," said Beast Boy. "For all we know if could turn out to be something that we might come close to possibly enjoying." Robin turned to look at him strangely.
"Why did that sentence take you so long to say?" he shook his head and began walking onward. "I'm sorry guys but as much as I'd like to be paid to play video games all day we already have a full time gig, its actually overtime now that I think about it."
"Can we at least try 'em out?" asked Cyborg. "We can give the games a two or three day test and tell them what we think." Robin considered it for a long moment. Starfire and Raven watched him as he thought about every single little thing that might go with it. Finally he caved.
"Alright three days, then we take them back no questions asked."
"You got it Rob," said Beast Boy. He then held up the box for all to see. "So! Who wants to go on a test run with us?"
"Got reports to work on," said Robin.
"Patients to look after," said Raven. "Plus if you two don't know by now then you both deserve a dope slap….I-don't-do-video-games." Starfire's eyes moved to the box Beast Boy held.
"I will you join you friends, I have no pressing matters at this time."
"That's the spirit Star!" Commended Beast Boy.
"Yeah, break free from the work-aholics and the party-poopers," said Cyborg with pride. The three of them adjourned the common room to Beast Boy's quarters. They entered the changeling's room, which looked as though a tornado blew through it then Beast Boy tore it up again just for kicks. Starfire was walking forward when she suddenly halted her step with a frightened squeal as though she were inches from stepping on a land mine.
"Are you okay Star?" asked Cyborg. She picked up a paper plate with a moldy piece of pizza stuck to it.
"This is just my theory, but I believe this is no longer edible." Beast Boy took it from her with a sheepish chuckle and threw it out of sight. Cyborg set the box down on the bottom bunk of Beast Boy's bed and removed three pairs of glasses. He handed Starfire one where upon she began to examine it closely.
"How does this device work?" Beast Boy shrugged.
"He said all we have to do is put them on." He pushed the button on the side making the lenses slide out of their frames. He then set them before his eyes and pushed the button again. The lenses slid back into place and he saw a flash like that of a camera. When Beast Boy opened his eyes he saw he was in a forest setting. He walked up to the nearest tree and touched it, it looked and felt just as real as the ones outside the tower. "Whoa," was all he could say.
"What do you see?" asked Cyborg. Beast Boy slowly sat down, though in the game he was still standing.
"Guys, I'm not sure if you can hear me but you have to try this thing."
"It is that enjoyable," asked Starfire hopefully looking at her glasses. Beast Boy smiled.
"Oh yeah…its…awesome," his voice trailed off. They studied him a little more then suddenly he gasped lightly. Starfire took his shoulder.
"Beast Boy are you okay?"
"I'm fine." He turned it off and removed the glasses from his head. He then let out a breath like he'd just been through a tremendous rollercoaster. "Wow, I'm serious dudes I've never seen anything like it."
"You kinda had us scared for a second though," said Cyborg.
"Why," he asked looking up at him.
"You gasped or something, you didn't get hurt did you?" Beast Boy thought his words through then waved his hand dismissively.
"Naaa no, I started fighting this guy in there and when I beat him I felt this rush." He tried to emphasize it with hand movements. "It was like a wave suddenly moving all throughout me."
"It was pleasurable?" asked a curious Starfire. Beast Boy smiled dreamily and nodded.
"It felt great." That was enough to convince the two Titans. Beast Boy guided them through the beginning and within moments all three of them sat silently on the floor or in Starfire's case laying sprawled on the carpet. Inside the game they walked through the forest side by side.
"Where is this enemy of which you spoke of?" inquired Starfire.
Beast Boy cast a perplexed look about the area. "I dunno, he should've been right around here." They walked into a clearing to find that the path they were on disappeared. "This never happened before." Just as Beast Boy spoke a rumbling caught their attention. The ground shook with a steady pace until the cause of the rumbling finally emerged from the trees. A giant form of Atlas knocked away the trees blocking his path and stood before them. Starfire glided upwards as Cyborg and Beast Boy prepared themselves. The enormous sized villain said nothing but merely engaged them in combat. He swung in the air at Starfire but she dodged it by performing a fluid back flip. Upon righting herself she let loose the fury of her eye beams then a volley of starbolts.
"I've got you covered Star!" Shouted Cyborg from below. He and Beast Boy took to ramming Atlas' two large legs head on. They managed to offset his balance slightly but his massive size prevented them from knocking him down flat out. "Star gimmie a lift!" She flew about like a fly avoiding his swings and punches. She swooped down, picked up Cyborg by the shoulders, and hoisted him up into the air. They coordinated their efforts with Beast Boy in a synchronized attack from both the air and the ground. Starfire gained a bit more altitude before Cyborg gave her the signal. She spun about in mid air and on the last turn threw him down at their enemy. The three of them timed it just right and Atlas was hit by a wave of starbolts, a charging rhino, and two sonic blasts at his mid section. The combined attacks in various spots drove more than enough force into Atlas and fell backwards like a tall tree.
"TIMMMMBER!" Shouted Beast Boy. The world around them shook from the behemoth hitting the ground. Cyborg trotted up beside Beast Boy with Starfire landing on the other side of him.
"We are victorious!" She exclaimed happily. "I assume we proceed further into the game yes?" Cyborg opened his mouth to answer but stopped and pointed to something behind them. They turned to see a tree forming into a doorway.
"Guess we see what's behind door number one." Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Starfire then made their way through the door and on toward the next level. Back in reality a light gasp escaped each one of them at different times. Starfire let out a short breath as her body shivered from the reward the game granted her.
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Robin yawned as he sat at the dinner table working over his recent mission reports. He glanced at the clock and decided enough was enough for one night. He got up just in time to see Starfire, Cyborg, and Beast Boy enter the common room.
"Hey guys," greeted Robin sleepily.
"Hello Robin," replied Starfire as though she'd just woke up.
"Must be a good game," said Robin. "If you three have been at it this long." Beast Boy and Cyborg looked at each other then back at Robin strangely.
"What're you talking about Rob? We only played around with it for a few minuets." Robin shook his head with a chuckle.
"Guys, you've been playing that game for either hours nonstop." Starfire's expression grew quizzical. "You don't believe me look outside." They did and for the first time noticed that had it not been for the moonlight it would have been pitch black. "Its eleven thirty at night."
"Wow," said Beast Boy. "I'm wired."
"I too do not feel fatigued," said Starfire although her voice was a little more pensive then amused.
"I didn't know we were playing it for so long," said Cyborg. "As far as I know we beat the first, second, and third level. They did seem to get harder and harder but I felt like we just started." Robin nodded.
"Yeah well-" The shrill beeping of the Titan alert cut him off. He moved to the monitor with an aggravated groan. Raven promptly glided into the common room. "I'm glad you guys aren't tired because Cinderblock is tearing apart half a city block. Who's coming?"
"Actually Rob I was wondering if I could just sit this one out, just for tonight." Robin gazed back at Beast Boy peculiarly.
"What?"
"Yeah do you think I could stay home too?" asked Cyborg. Robin just didn't know what to make of this.
"Are you two serious?" asked Raven. "You want to skip a mission so you can play a game?" They shrugged sheepishly then Robin and Raven looked at Starfire. "What about you Star?" She would be lying if she said she didn't feel an overwhelming urge to join Cyborg and Beast Boy.
"I-I-I will go with you and Robin."
"Aww come on Star," whined Cyborg. "Robin and Raven can take care of Cinderblock just fine. Why don't you stay with us?"
"Yeah," said Beast Boy. "You know you want toooo," said Beast Boy temptingly. Robin narrowed his eyes.
"She said she's going." He quickly guided her away by her shoulders. They left Cyborg and Beast Boy behind and soon as the elevator doors closed Robin turned to her. "What's the matter with you guys?"
"Us?"
"Yes, usually it doesn't matter what game they're playing; when its business time Cyborg and Beast Boy are just as dedicated as the rest of us. I know you like to do things with everyone but I never though you that avid a video game player." Starfire hung her shoulders and Robin signaled Raven to stop the elevator. She did so halting their decent. He drew closer to her. "Starfire, I know you think something's wrong." She looked up at him. "You can tell me…you can us what it is." She cast a look at Raven whose nod told her the same thing.
"Cyborg and Beast Boy's new game is very very entertaining. Each time we overcame one of the game's obstacles we felt a pleasurable sensation flow through us, and oh how it is so real-"
"Wait," interrupted Raven. "You're saying the game induces a physical stimulus?" Starfire nodded.
"Yes," a dreamy smile crept across her face. "It was soooo wonderful, Robin you should experience it with me."
"O-kay we're heading back," said Robin. "Raven give the closest Titan or Titans a call and ask them to deal with Cinderblock. If I'm right, we might be dealing with some kind of Trojan horse here." The doors to the elevator opened allowing them entry into the common room. "Cyborg?" he called out. Cyborg rose from the couch with his game glasses on.
"Yeah?"
"Could we see one of those for a second?" Cyborg took his off with a smile and gladly retrieved one for Robin.
"Man I'm glad you decided to join in, you're gonna have so much fun."
"I'm playing this thing just yet," said Robin looking it over suspiciously. "I'll see what I can find out about these things, Starfire you come with me Raven…keep them busy." He and Starfire left before Raven could protest.
"Thanks a lot," she said under her breath. She walked up behind the couch where Cyborg and Beast Boy sat slouched in their game playing mode. "Uhhh, you guys wanna play cards or something?"
"No," they answered in unison.
"We could read, there are tons of poems I haven't read from that book you two gave me last Christmas-"
"Shut up Raven," grunted Beast Boy. She sweat dropped then grew irritated. Raven fast walked around the couch and yanked the glasses off of them. "AHHH!" They both yelled out and fell to the floor. Raven jumped juggling the glasses in her hands.
"Are you guys alright?"
"Yeah fine thanks!" snapped Cyborg. "Don't ever do that again, oh man I've got a killer head ache now!"
"DUDE! Why did you have to do that?" Asked Beast Boy rubbing his temples. "I feel like I'm gonna puke." He hurried off to the trash can. Amidst Cyborg's pained wails and Beast Boy's vomiting Raven calmly sat down on the couch and set the glasses aside. She looked down at them and considered making a circle of salt around them.
"You are evil," she said to the glasses. She inched away from them a foot after hearing Beast Boy begin another round.
Robin hooked the module Cyborg gave him to a computer in his room while Starfire sat cross-legged on his bed.
"What do you expect to find Robin?"
"You guys are loving that game just a little too much for my comfort. Something's up here and I'm going to find out what it is." He displayed the results of a scan he performed on the glasses technology and read aloud. "So far it looks like your simple virtual reality set up. In order to achieve total emersion the game connects to the users brain and transmits everything that is seen, heard, and felt inside the game to their subconscious." As he spoke Starfire gradually ignored him and began moving her hand toward the glasses. As he read more and more his suspicions grew confirmed and leant back in his seat. "I think its safe to say whoever gave them these things didn't have their best interests at heart. What do you think Star? Starfire?" He turned his head and saw her finger inches away from pressing the button on the side. "NO!" At once he jumped on her and took the glasses away before she could activate them.
"Robin what is the matter with you?"
"Haven't you been listening Star? These games are dangerous, you can't play it anymore."
"Why?"
"Because they're addictive, literally, the more you play the more hooked you become." Starfire opened her mouth to protest. "AH! No playing. The sun glasses game is now off limits." He folded them up and carried them back to his desk.
"Robin…" He looked at her and found her staring up at him and fiddling with her hands. "Robin, if you have a single amount of generosity within you….please let me play."
"No."
"Ten minuets?"
"I don't think so Star."
"Five minuets-just a single moment," she added desperately.
"You see Star; this thing has you begging on your knees to play it. I'm sorry but you're done and you're going to stay done. This is for your own good." He turned away from her and her expression morphed from hopeful to hard.
"GIVE IT TO ME!" He swiveled around just in time to catch Starfire as she dove after him. They wrestled about on the floor rolling right to left and left to right. Starfire expertly found his hold on the glasses. "Let me have it Robin!" He regretted having to resort to such means but was forced to kick her off him and as soon a she was clear threw a thin disk. It stuck on her chest and shocked her unconscious.
"Electric disks…my anti-drug," said Robin with a smile. He picked up Starfire bridal style and lay her down on his bed. The boy wonder padded her cheeks gently. "Starfire…Starfire wake up." She moaned coming out of her stupor. Her eyes peeked open to see Robin sitting over her. "Are you okay?" She put a hand to her fore head and groaned.
"Robin, I hope you will forgive my irrational behavior."
"Don't worry about it Star, you just need to learn to say 'no'." She stared up at him perplexed. "Never mind, just lie here for minuet." Raven suddenly came through his door and with her powers snapped it shut behind him. "Raven? What's wrong with you?"
"It's them," she breathed. "They're beyond edgy, they're angry, irrational, they're all twitchy, and they absolutely can't sit still at all unless they're playing that game. It's like…I don't know like-"
"Like someone who's going through withdrawal," finished Robin. He looked back at Starfire who had begun sitting up. She gazed back at him as though allowing him to examine him to confirm his hypothesis. "Here take a look." He motioned for both girls to sit gather around behind him to see his findings. Raven read over the charts with a furrowed brow.
"Well these look like brain waves."
"Exactly," said Robin. "In order to fully take them inside the game world it connects directly to the user's synapse. The technology is unstable though and has an obvious narcotic effect; the pleasant sensation that the game gives the user only serves to seal the addiction."
"That explains my insatiable need for it," said Starfire. "I am ashamed to say I would have resorted to any means to extract the game from you Robin."
"Well no hard feelings Star, and unless I've the results wrong the finger prints on the glasses match Control Freak's. He either didn't expect us to find them or he's just incredibly dumb. All we have to do now is make sure Cyborg and Beast Boy don't keep playing it." A dead silence fell over all of them and the looked at each other fearfully. At once they scrambled out of Robin's room and made a made dash down the hall. The door to the common room was in sight and getting closer. They burst through it and Raven shouted out;
"Cyborg! Beast Boy! You have to stop-" Her voice trialed away from the sight of Cyborg and Beast Boy on the floor with the glasses firmly in place on before their eyes. "…Playing it," she finished grimly. Robin picked up Beast Boy while Starfire took Cyborg in her arms. They sat them on the couch and backed away. Robin snapped his fingers before them and sighed.
"It's worse than I thought they're completely unresponsive."
"What of your eclectic disk Robin," suggested Starfire. "I am reasonably certain it is what freed me from my dependence." Robin considered the idea with a nod.
"It's worth a try, but first we have to get these things off." He took hold of the one on Beast Boy's face but Raven clamped her hand over his.
"No don't take them off! I just tried that a second ago and they got really sick, I'm afraid now that they're so immersed in it removing the glasses forcefully would do a lot more damage."
"So the only way for us to take them off is for them to win?" Raven bobbed her head.
"Probably so, of course they're most likely just poking around because by now all they want is to feel good. Someone is going to have to join them inside the game and direct them out."
"But anyone who begins the game will soon become just as addicted to it as Cyborg and Beast Boy," said Starfire warily. "Is there no other way?" Robin crossed his arms and then nodded with resolve. He handed Starfire three disks.
"I'll go."
"No Robin, allow me I have the experience-"
"You can monitor our progress here." He connected a cable to each module and those to a monitor. "Don't let us stray off the path okay?" Starfire was reluctant but nodded obediently. "Raven, you go find Control Freak. If all else fails bring that guy back here and don't let him leave until he fixes this." Raven nodded, opened a section of the large window, and flew out into the nighttime sky. Robin walked around the couch and sat down. "Okay, what should I expect?"
"There will be a blinding flash, followed by the sensation of falling several hundred kilometers, then a hard crash against the earth." Robin looked up at her and she giggled. "Do not fear Robin, my words were in jest."
"Good one Star," he replied with a grin. She watched him with apprehension and nervously tapped him on the shoulder. When he looked back up at her she smiled down at him.
"Please, be careful Robin and bring our friends home."
"I intend to." With that he pushed the button the side and was taken into the virtual world his friends were now trapped inside. Starfire watched his body go limp then focused her attention on the monitor. She saw him appear and that he wasn't far from where Cyborg and Beast Boy were. Inside the game world Robin looked about the landscape and at his hand. He was standing in a barren desert with no one and nothing in sight. He bent down and picked up a handful of sand. He let it pour out of his closed hand in complete awe of how real it felt.
"Well now that is impressive." He squinted his eyes as he spotted two figures way ahead of him. They appeared to be fighting some sort of creature. He peered through a pair of binoculars to see that the two combatants turned out to be Cyborg and Beast Boy. They were fighting some sort of sand monster with eight to ten tentacles. The game must've extrapolated how sandy wind must've felt because the sand under his metallic shoes and the dust in the air made it extremely difficult to travel a long way. He finally reached shouting distance and cupped his hands around his mouth.
"CYYYBORRRG!" Cyborg looked away from their foe over at Robin.
"Robin? OHMF!" His zoning out cost him dearly, a tentacle flew out of nowhere and sent him flying backwards. Robin took out his staff and joined the battle.
OVER THE CITY……………
Raven took to the skies over Jump City, that being the best way for a more complete mental sweep. She floated above the buildings, houses, streets, and moving cars; just waiting and feeling. It didn't take her long to find vibes that matched Control Freak's; he really was one geek in a million. She homed in where the feelings and emotions were strongest and flew through the air at breakneck speed. She touched down outside a house on a country road. She saw flickering light from the basement windows and phased through the foundation into the basement. She looked about the room picking up loose pieces of equipment. Her eyes then fell on a space concealed by a curtain. She took hold of the edge and pulled it away.
"Whoa." Control Freak sat in a chair with a pair of glasses on similar to the ones he handed to Cyborg and Beast Boy. It became obvious though that his were different as various screens showed the battle Robin, Cyborg, and Beast Boy were currently involved in. She blindly reached for her communicator. "Starfire? Can you please pick up?" Within seconds her face appeared on the small screen.
"Raven, are you in need of assistance?"
"Nooo, per say, but I don't think Control Freak is in any shape to help us." Raven stepped up to him and tugged at his clothes. "Yeah his body is here but nobody's home."
"Very well, bring him back to the tower anyway. If he should awaken before our friends he should not be allowed to escape custody."
"Okay," she replied as though Starfire was making a big mistake.
REJOINING ROBIN, CYBORG, AND BEAST BOY………….
Robin stuck his staff in the ground beside the beast signaling they had overcome their foe. Cyborg dusted off his hands and stood beside the creature proudly.
"Alright whose got the camera?"
"Listen Cyborg we really don't have time to play around, we need to beat the game as soon as possible and stop playing it."
"What for?"
"The game is addictive and the longer we spend playing the harder it will be to break away from it."
"Are you sure about this dude, I feel fine."
"You probably feel different here, I can see you're a lot more rational inside the game but outside you guys were going nuts because Raven wouldn't let you play." Beast Boy nodded crossing his arms.
"Yeah, it was very rude."
"Can we just finish this so we can send Control Freak back to jail…again."
"Hold up, you're saying this whole thing was made by him?" Robin nodded. "Yeah I'm done let's get the hey out of here." They didn't take two steps however before the forest was melted away before their eyes and replaced by a warehouse setting. "Now that's the first time that's ever happened."
"Welcome Titans, to the end!" The voice was rang throughout the air and they all hung their heads.
"Ohh I wonder who that could be," said Beast Boy. Control Freak suddenly appeared in a whirl of light. He stood in a robotic exoskeleton armed to the teeth with many a rockets and plasma cannons.
"You're the last boss?" asked Cyborg.
"That's right; here the final stand will be made, here the showdown of the century will take place, here we will see whose king-"
"Here I'm gonna die of being bored out of my skull unless we start this up," shouted Beast Boy. Robin grinned then disconnected his staff into two smaller ones.
"Fine then Titans, prepare to be destroyed!" As soon as the words escaped his mouth they heard a climatic musical score play throughout the arena. Cyborg gazed around disbelievingly then leaned down next to Robin.
"Look at this guy; he has his own boss music." Robin, Cyborg, and Beast Boy lined up and waited for Control Freak to make the first move. He yelled out horribly then charged forward unleashing his arsenal.
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Raven set Control Freak down in the common room then linked his hands together with hand cuffs.
"There, he's not going on anywhere. How're they doing?" She asked walking up behind Starfire.
"They have only just now engaged the Control Freak in a final battle." As Raven watched the battle she leaned in closer trying to hear something.
"Is that…is that boss music?" Starfire shrugged and they simply went back to watching the fight.
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As the music played in the background the three of them geared up for a three person combo. Beast Boy became an armadillo and jumped into Cyborg's hands. The half machine teen then threw him with all his force with Robin closely following behind. As he flew through the air Beast Boy morphed into a rhino and rammed Control Freak dead on. He stumbled back a few feet and caught Robin mid air. Disallowing Robin time to make any decision he threw him back across the room and into a wall. Cyborg took out both his sonic cannons and growled furiously.
"Yo Tank Boy!" He zig zaged about firing his blue waves of energy and avoiding Control Freak's attacks as well. The villain's chest plate opened to reveal the muzzle of a cannon. It shot shell after shell at Cyborg, each one narrowly missing by a hair. Beast Boy rounded back as a velociraptor taking a few bites at his arms and legs.
"Is that the best you've all got!" Taunted Control Freak. He charged up his chest cannon and fired a continuous beam catching Beast Boy in its powerful stream. He could do nothing to move away and his health was completely drained.
Raven's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my Go-Beast Boy!"
"Do not fear Raven, Beast Boy was awarded an extra life in a previous level," reassured Starfire. Raven shifted her eyes about nervously.
"Oh, well…I knew that." They saw Beast Boy reappear in the corner with a smile. Cyborg had also apparently lost a life for he too appeared beside him. They both smirked over at Control Freak.
"Hey yall!"
"Miss us?" asked Beast Boy pointing to himself. Robin however couldn't afford to loose a life since he just joined the game and extra lives a luxury he hadn't acquired. The two of quickly rejoined the battle which they hoped would soon come to a close. Robin saw him beginning to charge his chest cannon again and ran forward. He threw a handful of explosive disks and clogged the muzzle full of them.
"Oh no," muttered the scruffy villain. Unable to stop the charge his cannon soon overloaded and that weapon was lost to him. He was not without his backups however. His right hand became electrified and he slammed his fist down to the ground. Instantly Robin, Cyborg, and Beast Boy felt the charges surge through them. Back in the common room Starfire and Raven snapped their heads back at them at the sound of them twisting and grunting in pain. As soon as the attack was over Robin readied a freeze disk and aimed it for his electric arm. Cyborg gave him a short boost into the air and Robin pitched the single disk at their opponent. It hit dead on encasing his arm in a solid layer of ice.
"HEEYAAAA!" Cyborg promptly ran up and karate chopped the frozen robotic limb into pieces.
"NO!" Screamed Control Freak. Robin and Cyborg parted the way as T-Rex Beast Boy came thundering directly for their defeated foe. He lowered his head, crashed right into his chest, and pushed him all the way across the room and into the wall. Once the dust subsided and music stopped they gathered around Control Freak as he left an imprint of himself in the wall. Cyborg blew some smoke off his cannon then turned it back into his hand.
"This game is over."
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The glasses simultaneously deactivated on all three of them. Starfire and Raven gently took them off and set them aside. Robin sat up rubbing his head and feeling Starfire sitting beside him.
"How are you feeling?"
"If by that you mean am I dieing to start playing again; the answer is defiantly not."
"I'm good," said Cyborg.
"Same here," added Beast Boy stretching out his arms and legs. Starfire and Raven looked at each other mildly surprised that the boys remained unaffected by the game's narcotic effects.
"The electrical attack by Control Freak must've been enough to cancel the game's side effect," theorized Raven.
"Speaking of which, where is that tuby?" asked Cyborg looking around.
"We have handed him over to the authorities," informed Starfire. "He regained consciousness before you did and was not very pleased with the outcome of your battle." Robin stood up and chuckled.
"Well he should be, its not we spend all day playing video games or something." A few them sputtered a few chortles and began going their separate ways for the night. Cyborg and Beast Boy made their way to the kitchen area.
"Man I am starving-" The changeling began to say before the loud smack of a book on the counter interrupted him. Raven stood behind it with two more in her arms. "Yes Raven?"
"Cyborg, Beast Boy; I am proud to introduce to you a magical device that actually improves intelligence……it's called 'a book'." She pushed it toward them and they only looked back up at her with raised eyebrows. "You read it."
"I'm still not following you Raven."
"This is gonna be harder than I thought," moaned the pale Titan. And though Cyborg and Beast Boy were just giving her a hard time, a battle began; to read or not to read.
LATE IN THE AFTERNOON, THE NEXT DAY………
Starfire sat on her bed reading through some material she and Robin had discovered in their research about the Etens. She was so consumed with what she was taking in that she didn't notice someone entering her room and standing beside her dresser. She tapped the hard wood a few times.
"Keeping busy I see." Starfire looked up and her eyes widened at the sight of Blackfire.
"Sister, what are you still doing here?"
"Hi Star it's good to see you're doing well too," said Blackfire sarcastically. Starfire immediately jumped off her bed.
"Forgive me sister I was simply surprised to see you, I thought Raven cleared you this morning."
"Yes she did, but I asked for some breakfast before I was on my way." A silence passed between the sisters that before now had fought viciously.
"Blackfire…"
"I know what you're going to say Starfire, and I'm sorry but I can't stay here."
"But we need you; we need anyone who can fight. Do not see sister that the day is almost upon us? The Etens will mercilessly strike down any who do not bow to them. We cannot allow them to succeed."
"I warned our planet I've done my part and I've paid dearly for it." Starfire shifted uneasily. "You'll excuse me for wanting to stay out of this but my little trip to the Eten underworld has taught me a few things."
"That their evil is without bounds? That they will not hesitate to destroy even the most innocent of children? That they simply will not stop until only those who revere them as hallowed remain, a world without freedom replaced by servitude and suffering." Blackfire unfortunately remained resolute with her neutrality.
"Look I don't want to fight you anymore, I don't want to fight your friends, or take over Tamaran or do anything for that matter. All I want now is to be left alone. This is your war Starfire; please…please leave me out of it." With that Blackfire sent her a look that harbored no ill will, turned on her heel, and left. She left without saying another word.
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The day was strange one; they rid themselves of a dangerous game and Blackfire officially declared she was on nobody's side. Starfire sat on the roof with her legs hanging off the edge.
"Starfire?" She didn't turn; it was clear who'd spoken her name.
"Yes Robin?"
"Are you okay? It's getting kinda late." He walked up beside her and gazed down at her.
"I was just thinking, about my sister." He knew she had feelings to vent and sat down beside her. "I was so hopeful Robin, hopeful she would join us. I know Blackfire has done bad things to us in the past, but she is my sister…..and I love her."
"She wouldn't help us huh?"
"She is afraid, and I cannot blame her. She has experienced a trauma no one should ever have to bare."
"Even so Star we still have each other, all of us have always been here. And we always will be." Starfire looked at him with a watery smile and leaned on his shoulder. "I promise nothing will happen to anyone." She closed her eyes at Robin's promise, thoughtful and caring as it was she knew it was something he could never keep.
"It is a terrible fact though Robin that we are war; in a war there are casualties." Robin wound an arm around her tightly. "I fear in this struggle, we may loose someone dear to us."
"Stay hopeful Starfire; remember how hopeful Raven was when we were up against Trigon? You don't worry about any of us, just have hope and everything will be fine."
She sighed. "Robin…how I long for confidence like your own." He strengthened his hold around her.
"The Etens have no idea what they're up against." Starfire smiled once again and held her comfortable position against him.
"No they do not."
The End
And that's it……….for now. If any of you are really big fans of this story you shouldn't miss the finale, I think you'll like it A LOT. But that is my humble opinion. I just like to write so you guys can read, and vice versa sometimes. Laters!