Insaneiac: So, I'm sitting on my butt, writing this story, and I go to sleep. So I save it and leave. Next day, my computer has gone F'in Pacman on me, eating all my word documents file by file. Ask me how pissed I was. It's all better now though… so don't cry for me. After a successful finale to a great opening story, that had some weak points and some strong points, I'll fill you in. Yes, it is a trilogy, and yes, the sequel will be soon. No, I am not going to take a long break past this story, but yes I will be taking a small break. Trust me though, if you loved this one, you'll just adore the sequel.
Reviews:
Asilla: I hoped you liked it… Thanks for the pre-read review though.
Insanity 101: -Whistle- That marks the longest review I've ever received… whoa. Lets see here, thank you for the standing ovation, I must admit I feel real good about finally finishing an actual story, even if there are sequels to be written. No need to correct you, I really did love writing that. I always intended for Robin to come around, like all he needed was a good slap to the face, and originally it was suppose to be Starfire in Beast Boy's position, though not nearly as angry (can she even get angry? I've seen her depressed but angry?) But in the end, and probably for the better, it turned out to be Beast Boy. I almost wanted to have him kill Robin, really wanted too, but I just couldn't. –Very evil grin- I have much worst in store for the Boy Wonder. And yes, I figured I needed to fit that famous Aussie word in there. You know what was really funny. When I first penciled out my design for Blink, I wanted him to be a real throw away character. I really ended up becoming a dedicated fan of him myself in the end. And yes, I always figured BB never got any training in the field of kissing. I know how you felt about Terra going evil, and on my end of the stick I flipped out on my brother when it happened. Poor guy never saw it coming… but I didn't beat him up too bad. Okay this is really getting long, so I am going to end it before this outdoes the epilogue. Hopefully, this will leave you anticipating for a great sequel, which I wholly plan on delivering. Again, expect something a whole world darker coming.
Tasermon's Partner: I designed Blink to be a bit of an ass to be frank, but I always had two things I wanted him to be. A very protective and careful older brother and a good friend. Looks like I managed it. As for your questions… read on my friend.
Infamous One: I know what you mean about Slade, and Blink had better watch out. Then again… this is Blink we are talking about… He might be in trouble.
Alexnandru Van Gordon: He's back! Yes I do know that Slade is immortal, or something very close to that, and on that my speech ends. Yes it ends happy, but the first story or movie in a trilogy always ends that way. Again, expect the world of Blink and friends to get much, much darker in the next two.
Rebel Aquarius: YES! You're writing a BB fic, and I get to edit it! Hurry Hurry and send me the first chapter! I am super anxious. I am glad you enjoyed the fic so far, and that the ending met your standards. Hope the epilogue works for you.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans, I do own Blink.
Third Time's a Charm
Epilogue
"In what is being called the Zenith Event by people everywhere, Jump City has once again been saved by the mighty Teen Titans…"
Click
"Many people owe their lives to the Titans, and many more owe a debt of atonement towards Titan leader, Robin."
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"It's no surprise the Robin, leader of the Teen Titans, once again saved the citizens of Jump City, going beyond what anyone could believe to save our precious city."
Click
"Mr. Mayor, what are your comments towards the statements you made against Robin prior to the Zenith Event?"
"I had said some things towards the Titans, and specifically about Robin, that I doubly regret. So…" The Mayor posed for a minute, not overcome by emotions, but simply to make him look more sincere, more photogenic. It wasn't anything more than a greedy politician looking to make the damage control profitable. "On behalf of the entire city, I want to sincerely apologize to Robin and the Teen Titans. Hopefully, they can find it in their hearts to forgive us, in all our foolishness."
Blink yawned mightily, as he continued to surf the channels on the Titan's TV. It had been just two days since the Zenith Event had happened, and already the entire city was considering Robin the hero. Not a month since Titan's East went up in smoke, and Bumble Bee had died, the entire country it seemed had gone from cursing Robin's name to the deepest and darkest depths of Hell, to praising him like an angel from Heaven. In many ways, it warmed Blink's heart. In many more ways, it made him physically ill.
Lifting the remote, Blink turned off the TV, and sighed. He didn't want to stay another day in the Tower. He didn't want to stay a day in the tower to begin with, but Beast Boy needed to be checked out, and Terra wouldn't leave until he was all better or at the very least checked out physically.
This meant staying near the one person in the world that couldn't have hated him more, Robin. It was Blink's fault that the city blacklisted him, that Slade recaptured him, that the entire city was turned into a floating death trap. Slade may have been the mastermind behind the entire fiasco, but Blink himself had been the muscle and motion of the entire event.
To put it rather basically, it was all Blink's fault.
"Ahem…" A voice came from behind. Blink turned slowly, meeting eyes with the cloaked one…the one he had shot. She was better now, partly because she had innate healing abilities, partly because he helped with the process slightly. Whatever the case, Blink could only begin to imagine the layers and levels of hell that Raven was about to loose on him.
"Lemme guess mate." Blink began, before Raven interrupted.
"Thank you."
That was a shocker. Blink's eyes opened rather wide, revealing his rather innocent green eyes completely to the Titan, who look as though she had just been dropkicked. 'It must have been hell for you to say that one…'
"For what mate? Causing all kinds and colors of destruction. Crikey, I nearly killed you. What in the blinking hell do you have to thank me for mate?" Needless to say Blink was more confused than angry, and his voice accurate in portraying that.
"You also helped save the world, and according to what the others have said, killed Slade."
Ahh yes, his crowning achievement and proudest moment. Kill the demon of hell known as Slade. "What can I say, he had it coming."
"No… you've finally given Robin a rest. He's always been obsessed with Slade, since day one. Who knows, it might be possible to survive a lava flow, but I sincerely doubt he could have survived a fall like that."
"So, I am a hero for killing off that masked two timing bastard mate?" Blink said, completely unkempt over his words. "Listen doll, all that I did was exact revenge on a bad business partner, who had a dirt nap coming for a long time mate."
He may not have wanted to be dead, but he wanted to be a hero even less. Heroes are morons, fools, and self righteous people that always end up dead. He may not want to die, but he sure as hell wanted to be a hero even less. Being a hero, meant eventually being dead.
"Robin is… never going to be the same again." A tinge of sadness echoed in her voice, as Blink slowly looked at the ground. "He's suffering psychological injuries that I can't even begin to comprehend."
To call it anything less of a shocker would be an understatement of the understated. Blink could have said something, anything, but even he knew to keep his Aussie mouth shut. Seeing as how it had been collectively his fault that Robin was kidnapped in the first place didn't make him look any better in this instance.
"He's paranoid of the dark… horrified really. Last night I heard him sputtering levels of nonsense in his dreams, but it wasn't that which left me worried. It was the fact that he was sleeping with every light available on."
"So Hero has adopted a fear of the shadows. Why should I care?" Blink retorted, cringing inwardly. 'Why did I have to be such an ass…?'
"Common decency may…"
"Raven… leave." Robin muttered from behind her. There was nothing but silence for a few moments, just long enough for Raven to formulate a response. She opened her mouth, only to be cut off. "Now."
Blink sighed, and watched almost depressed as Raven left the room. He preferred to be stuck with anyone, even Slade, over Robin right now.
"Lemme guess…"
"Shut up Blink." Robin replied, interrupting Blink.
"Alright mate. Will do." Blink replied, wholly determined on getting on Robin's nerves. 'Hey, I'm still the bad guy here… might as well remind the leader why that is.'
"Listen. First thing's first, I'd thank you, but this is all your fault to begin with."
"No arguing there Hero."
"I said shut it." Robin growled. For a while, no one did anything. Blink just stared away, not willing to look at Robin, while Robin continued to glare at the blue haired trouble causing nuisance sitting on the couch in front of him. "Listen. I do owe you an apology though."
And Blink's mouth fell open. It took two hands to shut it again, and one hand to hold it shut. This was Robin, captain courageous, the incredible Boy Wonder. What the hell was he doing apologizing?
"I gotta say mate, this is a bit of a stretch for you isn't it?"
"I almost killed your sister. I almost killed you. I'm sorry for that much.
Silence again. Calm, cool silence. It was then that Blink locked eyes with Robin, and saw something mind numbingly disturbing within them. There was no mask on. Robin was completely and utterly mask-less, and standing not 10 feet from Blink. Where Robin's glare, whilst behind his mask, would have left the impression of strength and power, all that was left now was a broken stare, filled with confusion and torture. Blink could feel his heart cannonball into his stomach, and even his eyes slightly water. More than anything, Blink could see his suffering hidden behind all the other
And for every damned moral and life lesson in Blink's body, he couldn't say anything disrespectful, anything insulting, to those eyes. "Listen mate. I don't deserve a thank you, and I don't deserve an apology. I turned an entire city against you, and ruined your life. The fact that both myself and Terra are alive…well mate, I don't deserve it." Blink finished, breaking the eye contact.
"Blink, you take damn good care of him…"
Slowly, Blink found his eyes locked back with Robin's, this time his arrogant coolness replaced with confusion. He tried to find the words, to wind together a catchy phrase or a witty response, but could only find the ability to utter a single word.
"Huh?"
------ Beast Boy ------
"You're what!" Raven exclaimed, as Beast Boy threw another couple of items into a backpack.
"I am leaving Raven. I'm going off with Terra and Blink." Beast Boy muttered, almost unaware of Raven's presence. He was much too busy loading his pack to bother himself with Raven at the moment. Most likely she would either guilt trip him into staying, or attempt to encourage him into changing his mind. But Beast Boy would not be deterred. He had already changed out of his Titan's costume, and into something a little more street worthy. To be precise, a pair of black pants, a gray T-shirt and a rather plain black vest.
Raven had to admit, even if she didn't want to, but he looked good in that getup. "But why?"
"Obvious reasons aside… I need a change of pace Raven. I don't hate it here, I just want something different."
"Is there anything I could possibly say?"
"Nothing short of 'have a good life.'" Beast Boy finished, before zipping up his bag, and throwing it over his shoulder. "Raven, face it. I'm just a joke to the Titans. At least Blink and Terra take me seriously."
"But we're your friends."
"And so are they." Beast Boy replied, on instinct. Raven couldn't even begin to understand just how much this took for him to do. It was like picking fame over fortune. Both were tantalizing and attractive, but you could only have one. And for Beast Boy, the choice was made long ago, and the he was dealing with the hard part.
"Beast Boy, is this about the things I said?"
"No Raven. You were right back then." Beast Boy muttered, squeezing by her and walking out the door. He still needed to catch up with Blink and Terra before they left.
Which surprised him all the more when he bumped, at a fairly good pace, into an unaware Blink. The two stumbled backwards, and to Beast Boy's chagrin, he could not prevent the bag from beaning Raven square between the eyes. Blink hit the ground, Beast Boy landed on his butt, and Raven went completely prone, her vision skewered and her world spinning.
"Jeez mate, can't you look where you're going!" Blink moaned, rubbing his back.
"Dude! You weren't looking either!"
A long, drawn out groan drained the hall of the noise from Beast Boy and Blink, as Raven slowly sat up. "Ow." The two slowly stood to their feet, before both helping Raven up off the floor, leaning her up against the wall.
"Mate, she's going to be right pissed when she clears her head. Crikey, she'll kill us." Blink joked, flicking the side of her head.
"Oh yeah Blink, swatting a bee's nest with a baseball bat." Beast Boy replied sarcastically, before turning towards the central room.
"BB, you sure bout this mate? If you leave with me and Tara… We're not necessarily going to remain on the nice side of the law."
Beast Boy stopped for a moment, just outside the door to the center room. He knew that was going to come up, and he knew what he had decided. Like it or not, if Beast Boy was going to travel with his friends, one thing he'd have to get used to is the idea of fighting the Titans, or even some of the other heroes. He knew a few really good ones that would give them a hell of a time…
"I'm sure." Beast Boy replied, walking out. Blink just shrugged, and turned towards Raven, slowly recollecting her senses as she leaned against the wall. "You heard the man." Blink joked, following his friend.
Inside the central room, Robin was talking to Beast Boy. Obviously, Robin had put his mask back on, wanting to address Beast Boy looking as strong as humanly possible. That was one thing he could not forget, or even push aside. Robin had not only apologized to him, but he did it without the cover of his mask. He didn't know if it was a sign of respect, or a sign of sincerity, or maybe just Robin trying to address Blink without the cover of his mask, but needless to point out, he had done it.
Blink watched Beast Boy say his goodbye to Robin, telling him to say goodbye to Cyborg and Starfire. 'Great, BB isn't good with goodbyes… I'll work on that one.' And Blink watched Beast Boy place his communicator and the table beside him. Cyborg would be po'ed to miss Beast Boy, but that is what happens when you decide to repair the city. He, Starfire, Speedy, Aqualad, and the twins had gone to do what they could in repairing the destroyed city.
"Well then, mate, I think it's time we leave." Blink opened, looking at Robin. Robin nodded at Blink in recognition, and Beast Boy made his way towards his friend. Together, the two promptly left the Tower, Beast Boy desperately trying to hide the obvious tears as a result from leaving. Blink threw his arm around him, catching him in a headlock, and stealing his attention from leaving to getting out of the head lock.
After a bit of struggling, the two caught up with Terra, who was sitting on a floating rock. "Ready to go?"
"Quite." Blink replied, tossing Beast Boy onto the rock, and stepping on himself. "Oh, and we're kidnapping him. Boy Blunder says we have a few days head start." Blink cracked, still smiling as he saw Terra's eyes light up with happiness. She hugged her brother, and then delivered a rather unseen punch to his stomach, before embracing Beast Boy, who was just now sitting up.
"That's for putting him in a headlock Damian!"
"Blink, despite the pain, slowly looked up at Beast Boy, and grinned. "You have to hide behind your girlfriend…" He joked, before realizing something. Just as a rock lifted off the ground, Blink finally clued into it.
"HEY! I just realized. I don't know your actual name! You know mine, so it's only fair… spill mate." Blink yelled, still rubbing his stomach. Beast Boy struggled with the words, afraid to tell Blink his real name, still afraid he might just crack up and laugh at it instead. Blink was the tactless one of the bunch; he'd be the person that would laugh at himself for having a name like that. Good person, a little off when it comes to the tactful moments in life.
"His name is Gar." Terra replied, pulling her friends rear end out of the flames.
"Gar… I like that name… It's got a neat sound to it." Blink finished, Beast Boy smiling, as the three sped off towards no where in particular, leaving behind a fallen city struggling to pull itself from the ground. One of the three was leaving behind a former home, another was leaving behind a grave, and the final was leaving behind a monster, a completely and totally evil person.
An evil person buried beneath an entire city. A crushed and mangled body that was beyond saving, and a mask, with a broken eye socket, and a pair of colliding colors was all the remained of one of the most dangerous men in the world, and one of the most cunning Villains to ever exist. And underneath that city, free from the citizens putting it back together, that broken mast laid, buried. No face behind it, not face around it, just buried all alone.
And where its eye socket had once been, where it would have had been before Blink destroyed it, glowed.
The End...
A/N: And that, my dedicated reviewers and friends, is the end of Third Time's a Charm. And don't worry, there will be a sequel. How could I not follow this up? So not only does Blink leave after saving the day, but Beast Boy goes with him, off towards adventure and whatever awaits them. Well, enjoy the small break until I can get the new chapter, and new story, up and running.