Chapter 5: Let's Get Freaky

The six heroes of the Titans East stood ready to attack as bystanders streamed past them towards the exit of the Clash of the Planets themed land of Wizneyland. Balloons streamed up into the air as vendors and park employees scrambled to hide in kiosks and various shops, heads peeking in windows to watch the action that was about to unfold. Children screeched in the background as many dropped ice cones scattered the pavement.

"Oh, god, not this guy again."

The group of heroes collectively groaned as they saw what, or rather who, was causing the commotion that was unfolding around them.

"It is I, your arch-nemesis Control Freak!" the unkept nerd proclaimed. He was wearing a pair of rodent ears as well as a Clash of the Planets popcorn bucket, the remnants of the snack stuck in his greasy hair. In his hands he wielded his familiar remote and a double-pronged space sword.

"Give it up, freak! We know all your tricks and the nerdy crap you're into. We've beaten you before and will do it again," affirmed Bee, stingers at the ready.

"Oh, you think so? Since I have upgraded to a 13th level Space Samurai, I am unstoppable! With this power, I will control the universe!" he declared.

"So dramatic, as always," Speedy drawled as he pulled for an arrow and expertly aimed for the villain. Control Freak, with his enhanced abilities, easily cut the arrow in half, spinning as he did so and the explosive tip exploded behind him.

"You'll pay for that!" Punching the buttons in his device, the nerd then began a barrage of remote zapping, hitting mascots, plushies, ice cream bars, corn dogs, prop robots and spaceships. They all sprung to life and turned towards the Titans East in a menacing fashion.

"Attack pattern Beta! Get that remote!" Bee commanded as she began to duck the onslaught of lasers and projectiles that started to come forth. She and Starfire immediately sprang into action and took to the air, barraging Control Freak with starbolts and energy blasts that he easily danced around. Speedy started to take out the androids one by one, hitting his targets with precision as they short-circuited and fell while Aqualad found a nearby water fountain to pull from. Finally, the twins made themselves useful by picking up random civilians and workers that lagged behind and carried them to the exit.

Starfire dodged laser beam after laser beam as she flew through the air. An expert at airborne maneuvering, it was easy for her to navigate the airspace around the battle scene, but it did not help that she could not gain ground.

Bee, having similar issues, shrunk in size to change her plan of attack. Skirting around the projectiles in the air and while Control Freak was preoccupied with Aqualad who was whipping water at him, she flew up to Control Freak's belt. Easing the device out of its holder, she started to fly towards the group when an invisible force stopped her in her tracks.

Turning, she saw Control Freak's outstretched hand. Shaking in power, the remote traveled to his open hand even as she pulled in the opposite direction with all her might. The controller reached his hand and he shook it, sending Bee flying and transforming into her normal size, throwing her into a popcorn cart.

Meanwhile, Speedy watched as the droids increased in number, them marching out of one of the merch stores in single file. Slinging arrows as fast as he could, he was starting to realize that he would soon be overpowered with his current strategy. Quickly he ran to one of the vendors named Space Outpost and climbed on top to gain higher ground. Crouching, he now slung high-powered explosive tipped arrows, taking several out at a time.

Mas y Menos, finished with clearing the battlefield of civilians, worked in tandem with Aqualad by creating waterspouts that they hurled towards Control Freak. He twirled and cartwheeled out of the way only to come face to face with Starfire, finally navigated the perilous airspace around the themed area.

"Enough of the games. Please, surrender and I will do no damage," Starfire said. She floated ahead of him, eyes and hands aglow, energy seeming to billow and crackle around her as her hair flowed around her.

"Aw, the newest member of Titans East and the alluring alien powerhouse finally graces me with her presence. I knew you were too good for Robin. I knew he never appreciated you," Control Freak stated as if talking to a studio audience while also swinging his sword in what he hoped was a threatening manner. "That's why you left the original Titans, is it not?"

Starfire only gritted her teeth, growling at his insinuation. "That is none of your concern."

"With him out of the way, together we can rule, you a space princess worthy enough for a space king!"

Instead of gifting him with a reply, Starfire rushed him. Hopeful that her speed would be enough to catch him off guard, he instead swiftly sliced at her almost as if she was a ball and his sword the bat. Too much momentum to stop, she made her hands glow as bright as she could muster, closing her eyes as energy from her hands and from Control Freak's sword collided.

A mini flash of light encased the theme park land momentarily as the explosion from the collision blinded and paused the actions of the heroes and minions momentarily. Starfire skidded across the pavement like a stone across a lake, finally resting in front of the Space Outpost kiosk while Control Freak was thrown most conveniently into one of the moving ride vehicles of Baron Ryang's Revenge, boots up in the air.

"Hey, you alright?" Speedy shouted over as he jumped from where he was perched, bow strung and ready to aim as he came to rest on one knee next to her. She winced, one hand to her head and assessing her injuries as she sat up properly.

"I believe so," she said, craning her neck back and forth to lessen any soreness. Spotting the scratching on her unexposed upper thighs, she placed a few fingers on it only for them to come back slightly red.

"Here, let me look," Speedy said, interrupting her inspection. She grudgingly agreed, removing her hand so he could scrutinize her legs, back, shoulders, and arms.

"You've got scratches everywhere that you're not covered. Some are deeper than others," he mused, remaining calm.

"I just have the 'rug burn' as you call it. I will be fine."

She quickly got up, expecting to be reprimanded or have some sort of protest from him, but he just looked at her, unsure.

"Ok," he finally conceded. "You know yourself better than anyone. I trust you."

No fighting. No indecision. Just confidence in her judgment.

"Now what are we going to do about that remote?" He gestured to Control Freak, now standing up on the ride, laughing hysterically as he fought off the Titans East's attacks easily.

"The last time we faced him in this world, Beast Boy knew a chant to trap him, but he has since upgraded. Maybe he would know another way to defeat him."

"It's worth a try."

They ducked as they ran back behind the outpost once more, a ship zooming past as it shot off laser after laser. Starfire had her communicator out, the screen in call mode as the words BEAST BOY marched across the screen.

"Yellow?" he answered on the second ring. The angle of the camera showed the bottom of his face as if the communicator was sitting in his lap. The tell-tale noise of a video game controller clicking away indicating that was indeed the case.

"Beast Boy! We require your assistance," Starfire said in a rush as Speedy scrambled back up to his post. The droids and theme park confections had regained their ground, threatening to overtake their hiding spot as Starfire hastily explained their predicament.

Beast Boy, having now paused his game and looking directly in the camera, exclaimed, "13th level Space Samurai? That's awesome!"

Starfire gave him a pointed look as he sheepishly backtracked. "I mean, it's unheard of. I don't even think the Hak Joon chant will even work on that type of sorcery." Beast Boy put a hand to his chin, as if in deep thought. "I got it! There's this mystic crystal that has only been talked about in myths within the Clash of the Planets universe. It has the potential power to defeat any Samurai that goes in the way of the dark side. It just needs to be placed in a space sword and used against Control Freak."

"That's great and everything," Speedy yelled over his shoulder, slinging the last few arrows that he had, "but how do we get one of those?"

"Gift shop, duh," Beast Boy states as if it is the most logical thing ever. "I've seen videos online. It'll be in a capsule behind one of the cashiers. It might take a few tries, but you should be able to find a white one. Once you do, place it in one of the sabers and ta-da, you got yourself a bona fide mystic space sword."

"Thank you, friend Beast Boy. I am indebted to you!"

"No prob, Star. Let me know how it goes."

And with that, he was gone, the screen turning black as it winked out.

They put their plan into motion immediately. Speedy whistled, calling for Mas y Menos as they left their post helping Aqualad. Talking to them in Spanish, they zoomed off after getting their directions, heading straight to the Starlight Cargo Bay and jumping over the counter to retrieve said capsules. One by one, the teens zipped down the aisle, popping the containers open. Red, green, purple, and blue. The boys were getting every color imaginable except for the evasive white.

"¡Esto es imposible!" both Mas y Menos exclaimed in tandem, having exhausted every option except for one last pod. Literally crossing their fingers, they lifted the lid, peering over the edge. Pulling it out, the crystal glistened a milky white.

"¡Más y Menos, sí podemos!" they yelled out, actual tears springing to the corner of their eyes as they beheld its beauty and high-fived one another. Crystal in hand, they then moved to look behind the counter, taking the first hilt of a space sword they could find. Shaking off the stuffed animals that attacked and attached themselves to their person in the process, the boys raced back to where Starfire, Aqualad, and Speedy had reconvened and were now stationed out in the open. Bee continued to do close combat with Control Freak as he rode around on the ride, them poking in and out of visibility as they rode in and out of the ride building.

Speedy turned and took the crystal from the speedsters and opened the side of the handle, popping it into place. The sword blade sprang to life.

"Wow," said Aqualad. The blade shown bright, almost blinding them.

"I'll take on Control Freak," said Speed, positioning his bow at his back. "I'm not just good at slinging arrows, you know." He showed off, throwing the blade between his hands then pressed the button so the blade retracted.

"Doesn't surprise me that you would be versed in sword slinging," Aqualad quipped.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny," Speedy deadpanned, clipping the hilt onto his belt. Starfire, though having a confused look on her face, did not ask any further questions. Sometimes, she had learned, it was better to leave things unasked. "Star, can I get a lift?"

Speedy reached out his hand and Starfire automatically took it, swinging him up into the air. Gripping onto her forearm, Speedy readied himself as she closed the distance between them and Control Freak quickly as they passed the mess created on the ground: droids rolling around with broken wheels, half-eaten cotton candy strewn about, and airships smoking as they crash-landed into shops and walkways.

Once in sight, Starfire spun, building momentum as she flung Speedy, the sword becoming alight as he yelled in effort. Control Freak barely managed to flip out of the way, both perilously close to each other on the moving tram.

"So, you have found my weakness, mere mortal," Control Freak said, swinging his saber above his head, blocking as Bee continued to throw energy from above.

"You have wayyy too much fun with this, my dude," Speedy replied, whirling his blade in kind around him, even doing a spin behind his back to his other hand. "You're just a wannabe villain. Just go back to your mom's basement and call it a day."

Control Freak sputtered, taking several moments to reply. "Well, well.. you're just a Robin wannabe!" he feebly replied. "You have the same mask and everything! At least I have some originality."

"Says the dude who is trying to become the villain in the most popular franchise ever!"

"Speedy," Bee bellowed down to him. "Cut the crap and end this!"

Refocusing on the task at hand, Speedy steadied the saber in front of him as Control Freak did the same. They clashed together at the same moment, the familiar zing and zap of the colliding lasers echoing across the park as they clashed again and then came apart. Poising the blade above his head and other arm stretched out as a guide, Speedy twirled and whipped the sword backhandedly, Control Freak barely glancing the strike off. Speedy continued his pursuit, relentless in his attacks with blow after blow landing and moving the nerd to the utmost tip of the ride vehicle. Finally, with the saber raised directly above his head and with the strongest swing he could muster, he chopped down. Control Freak blocked and they struggled momentarily, a sort of tug-of-war ensuing as they set to out muscle each other. But Control Freak was no challenge for Speedy's stamina, his wrists bending at an odd angle until they gave out, the double-pronged sword flung off the side of the ride.

"I yield," Control Freak conceded, his hands raised in defeat as Speedy trained the weapon at his neck, sweat slipping off his brow. Bee swooped in at that moment to grab the remote, Starfire, Aqualad, and Mas y Menos following quickly behind.

Control Freak was cuffed and removed from the ride as Bee pressed the remote, the objects around them falling and becoming inanimate once more.

The twins quickly found and picked up Control Freak's discarded space sword, "oohing" and "ahhing" as the laser appeared when they pressed the button.

"Careful with that. You'll poke an eye out," Aqualad said scolding, taking it from their grasp as they pouted.

Starfire and Speedy stood off to the side and watched as Control Freak was hauled off by Bee towards the police car that had arrived at the scene, ranting and raving about being foiled by those 'meddling kids' and that he would avenge his honor.

"You sure you're alright?" he asked her as he scuffed his boot on the ground, looking in her direction.

As she inspected herself, she saw that most of the wounds on her exposed skin had started to close and heal but others bled sluggishly. "I will require some attention when we get back, but I will endure." She smiled at him, him returning one back.

Changing the subject, she said, "You are quite the swordsman. I did not know you were so knowledgeable in other weaponry."

"Yeah, well, when you have no powers, you have to be versatile," he said, shrugging.

She nodded in agreement. "I find it, with or without powers, that it is useful to be familiar with different techniques. That is something that has been ingrained in me since becoming a part of the Titans."

"Well, if you want to, I could teach you about archery, or sword fighting for that matter. And maybe you can show me some of your fighting techniques. Or just help me weight train. You can show me a thing or two on the bench press," he joked, trying to stifle his eagerness at the same time.

"It is the deal," Starfire said, happy that a friendship was beginning to form while watching as Bee made their way toward them.

"Ok, team. Good job. Now let's head out."

Following their leader's orders, the twins sped to the Tower while Aqualad was picked up by Bee under his arms. They flew off while Starfire picked up Speedy in kind, a stupid grin on his face all the way home.