A/N: Standard Disclaimers Apply

Chapter Four: Tricks

"So, um, you like show tunes?" Changeling asked the teenaged girl.

"Sure do," the girl, whose only adherence to a costume was a pointed hat while she wore everyday clothes, announced. "Are you really Changeling?"

"Sure am." And to prove the point, he took a breath and transformed into a tiny, wide-eyed, green kitten.

"Awwwwwww," came a chorus of voices. The children the teen was escorting returned and Garfield found himself mobbed by a dozen or so little hands. He showed off a little, turning into fantastic, but mostly non-threatening, animals: a zebra, a camel, a large fluffy dog, and even a baby triceratops.

Changeling morphed back to his human form and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Okay, kids, I won't keep you from your candy."

The girl smiled broadly and ushered them on their way. "Thanks, Changeling, you've really made their night."

"It was my pleasure," Gar said slyly as the girl guided them to the next house. "So, um, like can I call you sometime?"

The girl smiled and gave the teen superhero her phone number, and then vanished in the crowd of kids. Garfield Logan was flying on the inside. He felt like baying at the moon, doing a backflip, anything. Nothing could bring him down, not even babysitting Melvin and her gang.

"Okay, kids," he told absolutely no one. "Um, kids?"

Changeling looked around quickly, his green eyes widening with panic realizing he was alone. "Melvin? Teether? Timmy? Aw, man, Nightwing is gonna …" Suddenly his jaw dropped and a painfully frightened expression contorted his face.

"Oh crap, Raven… is… gonna… kill… me!"

…..

"I say, let's take him!" Timmy announced.

Melvin looked to Timmy and Teether. "We don't know if he's done anything, yet," she said in a hushed whisper.

"He's Doctor Light, doofus. Of course he's done something!"

Teether nervously picked up a scrap of metal and gnawed on it, only to have it snatched from him by Melvin with a "You don't know where that's been!"

"We should call the other Titans," Melvin said reasonably.

Timmy made a sour face, "No, this is our collar."

"You've been watching too many police shows, Timmy."

"It's better than watching any more of your girlie cartoons!"

Melvin and Timmy Tantrum stuck their tongues out at each other and turned back to back. Teether looked around and tried to get their attention. He pointed toward the stairs several times, but Melvin and Timmy seemed locked in their arguments. At last he threw his hands up in defeat and crawled under the staircase as fast as he could.

"What charming little mice," an uncostumed Dr. Light said. "I thought I told you to leave me alone."

Both Melvin and Timmy gasped, "Eeep!"

"We know who you are!" Timmy yelled from behind Melvin's cape. "You're Dr. Light!"

Light was out of costume, this time wearing a pair of khaki pants and a plain shirt, but around his left wrist, he wore one of his power gauntlets. He furrowed his brow and down turned his lips. He powered up his gauntlet and yellow energy crackled in his hand. "And I guess you're supposed to be Teen Titans," he commented arrogantly.

"Yes, we are!" Timmy shouted, his sonic powers activating. The room shook, dust fell from the rafters and several light bulbs exploded.

Light flew back and fell against the floor. His eyes widened with surprise and horror. These brats truly had powers! Light touched a button on his glove and several marbles fell into his palm. He closed his eyes and threw them into the air. The phosphorescent flares popped randomly, blinding the kids. He stood slowly and slid one of his light traps across the floor. Doctor Light activated the force field, surrounding both Timmy and Melvin.

"I was going to use this version on that annoying pair of Titans, Beast Boy and Cyborg," Dr. Light said darkly. "So, it's actually a good thing you children came by. I did so need to test it."

"Celene!" Melvin called, "Celene, help!"

"What was that, my dear?" Light asked with a dark grin. "Like I said, I designed this for Cyborg, so I needed a way to cancel not only his strength, but also his sonic cannon. The field cancels out any outgoing sound waves. Shout all you want! No one will hear you!"

As Doctor Light laughed in triumph, a tiny form climbed up on a stack of crates. Teether jumped on the adult, knocking the thin man over. The kindergartener chomped through the gauntlet and tore it off the villain. Doctor Light's surprise gave way to anger, and he picked up the flailing boy, stuffing him under his arm.

Melvin looked on in shock, and Timmy pounded helplessly on the force field. A little thought formed in Melvin's mind and she opened her mouth, calling out a name she hadn't spoken since the second grade.

"Bobby! We need you!"