The Teen Titans sped towards Wayne Industries. Alarms were going off all over the building, evidence of either a massive break-in, or an extremely clumsy thief. All the security cameras were down, and smoke poured from several holes in the building as they approached.
"This looks ugly," Cyborg commented.
"Titans, GO!" Robin shouted as they landed, and they rushed into the building. Several steel gray robots stood in the front lobby. Others were going in and out of rooms, carrying out components, smashing holes in the walls as often as not. The ones in the lobby marched towards the Titans, holding metal claws ready. Robin flung his birdarang, but it bounced off harmlessly. Likewise, Starfire's starbolts glanced off the armored foes. Beast Boy morphed into a rhino and charged them. One robot stepped out and grabbed his horn, lifting him above the ground and slamming him down painfully. Cyborg had better luck with his arm cannon, blasting one's arm off.
"Man, what are these things made of?" Beast Boy groaned as he picked himself up, then changed into a bat to dodge its swipes.
"Hyah!" Robin threw several explosives at nearby robots. These seemed to work a bit better, blasting chunks out of them, exposing the circuitry underneath. Starfire dived into them, smashing robots left and right with her tremendous strength. Raven telekinetically grabbed pieces of building and threw them at the adversaries, knocking them flat and disabling some of them. So far, only a few robots were down, and the Titans were getting bruised and bloody.
"We have to stop them from getting whatever they're after!" Robin yelled as he saw more robots still carrying things off.
"How, when we can barely put a dent in them?" Cyborg responded. Robin gritted his teeth.
Just then, something swooped through the lobby, smashing out the other side.
"What was that?" Starfire gasped.
"It looked like a flying robot stingray," Beast Boy replied.
Raven flew after it. "I'll check it out."
It had landed in the courtyard behind the building. The robots were tramping into it with their stolen goods. "Azerath metrion ZINTHOS!" Raven created a barrier of darkness, cutting off the robots from entering their ship. They turned toward her in unison, the horizontal slits on their heads glowing dangerously. Raven slammed a shield in front of herself as they opened fire with a barrage of lasers. Intent on her defense, she failed to notice one approach behind her. It seized her in a powerful claw, the shield fading. Raven felt her ribs creak and her vision blur as it squeezed her powerfully. She struggled to get free, to use her powers, anything. She felt herself losing consciousness. No, don't pass out...get free...
Something crashed into the robot from behind, causing it to drop Raven to the ground. Her head smacked the pavement. Dazed, she was vaguely aware of something pink flashing back and forth through the robots. Robots fell to the ground as it passed them. A voice rang out as she was hauled to her feet. "You okay? Looks like you hit your head."
"Wha..."
"Raven!" Starfire came floating out of the building, followed by the other Titans. "Are you alright?"
"What happened?" Raven asked, still held up by her rescuer. She tried to shake off the ringing in her ears.
"The robots nearly had us, but your friend there came in at the last minute and started zapping them." Robin explained.
Cyborg added, "It looks like her powers caused terminal malfunctions in the robots--stuff that should only happen one time in a billion." He shook his head. "At least with robots this advanced."
Raven turned her head and stared at Jinx's broad grin. She was still dressed in the same outfit as earlier. "Hi again," she said.
Raven smiled in relief. "Guess I owe you one."
"Hey, remember what you told me earlier?"
Debts ruin friendships, Raven thought. Cyborg approached them. "So, Jinx, how exactly did you take out the robots? EMP?"
"I don't know what that is, but that's not it." She shrugged. "My abilities screw with chance, so stuff that has a really small chance of happening...happens."
"We really appreciate your help, Jinx." Robin said, extending a hand towards her. "I don't think we would have come out of that all in one piece if you hadn't shown up."
"Uhh...thanks." Jinx cautiously shook Robin's hand.
Beast Boy frowned, staring into the sky. "In case anyone hasn't noticed, the ship got away. They got whatever they came here for."
Starfire lifted one of the deactivated robots above her head, plunking it down in a sitting position. "This emblem on the robots is unfamiliar to me. Perhaps it is a clue to their origin?"
The emblem in question was etched on the chest of each robot--a skull in a circle, with wings on each side. Cyborg knelt down to examine it. "I think we should take some of these back for analysis. Raven, are you okay to help carry some?"
Raven pushed away from Jinx, standing slightly wobbly. Jinx hovered protectively nearby. "Yeah, I can grab a few."
"Alright. Raven, Starfire, you two carry some back to the tower," Robin said. "The rest of us will stay here and talk to the police. Not to mention figure out what they stole." Raven nodded, and swept two robots up with her powers, flying unsteadily with them trailing behind her. Starfire grabbed another and lifted it onto her back. Robin got her attention before she could go. "Star, keep an eye on Raven. I think she might have a concussion."
"I shall ensure her safety." Starfire flew after Raven.
Cyborg vanished into the building, searching for some clue as to what the robots had taken. Jinx simply stood there, staring in the direction Raven had gone.
"Jinx." She jumped as Robin tapped her. "Why did you come here?"
She gave him a lopsided grin. "Guess I have a nose for trouble. Call it bad luck, but I always seem to wind up in the middle of the heavy shit."
"Well, like I said, thanks." Robin looked up at where Raven and Starfire had gone. "If you don't mind my asking, what's going on between you and Raven?" Across the square, Beast Boy's ears perked up.
"She's my new bestest buddy. Why so interested?"
Robin turned back to her. "I'm just a little skeptical that you'd decide to just be friends with her without some kind of...angle."
"Angle?" Jinx affected a courtly air. "Good sir, thou do'est me too little credit. I assureth thee, mine intentions be as pure as new fallen snow." She finished with an elegant bow.
"Eh, right." Robin said disconcertedly. "I believe you."
"Well, I don't." Beast Boy snapped. "I'm watching you, bitch. Do anything to hurt her, and--"
"Beast Boy!" Robin cut him off. "Why don't you go help Cyborg." The green titan stalked off angrily.
Jinx shifted uncomfortably. "I think I better get out of here. I don't need an ass-kicking tonight."
"Yeah," Robin agreed. "He's been really on edge lately. I'm not so sure he wouldn't do it." Jinx turned to go. "For what it's worth, I support you and Raven."
She looked back at him. "Why?"
"It looks like you make her happier than she's been in a long time. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want that for her."
Jinx smiled slightly before jogging off.
---
"Friend Raven, are you sure you are well?" Starfire asked for what seemed like the hundredth time.
"Yes, I'm fine." Raven replied patiently. She was trying to concentrate on her book, but Starfire kept hovering over her, asking her if she was alright, asking if she could get anything. It was getting a little tiring after so many repetitions. Thankfully, the doorbell rang, preventing Starfire from listing things Raven might possibly want that she could go get.
"Do not move, Raven! I'll get it!" The redheaded alien flew down the stairs.
If I tried, I'd probably have to wrestle you for it, she thought. The other three weren't back yet--Robin had called to tell them they were helping the police sort through the wreckage. It was just as well, Raven thought. My head hurts a bit, and those three would probably make so much noise it'd get worse.
Starfire slid open the door to find a bedraggled-looking Jinx standing there. It had started raining rather heavily since she and Raven had returned to the tower. Not to mention the choppy waves that had flipped Jinx's inflatable raft. "Hello!" Starfire greeted her with a wide smile.
"Hi...um, I just wanted to see how Raven was doing."
"Of course. You are welcome to come in." Not really giving her a choice, Starfire excitedly pulled her inside. "I wish to offer you my warmest thanks for your assistance in the battle."
"I...it was nothing really."
Starfire half-dragged Jinx into the living room. "Raven, the jinxed one is here to see you."
Raven leaped up from the couch, causing her head to swim. Something of her unsteadiness must have shown, because Jinx and Starfire both rushed to her side. "I'm fine," she said, waving off their offers of help. "I'm not made of glass, you know," she growled.
Jinx gave Raven a hug anyways. "I was concerned about you, okay?"
Chills went up the psion's spine as Jinx pressed her wet body against her. "Is it raining outside, or did you swim here?"
Stepping back, Jinx replied, "A little from column A, a little from column B."
The exchange was lost on Starfire. "Is it not true that earthlings get 'the chills' whenever they are cold and wet?"
"Yeah. You should change out of those wet clothes," said Raven. "Come on." Raven led Jinx back to her room, pulling out a spare set of pajamas for her. "You should probably crash here."
"Are you sure you aren't just trying to get me into bed?" Jinx asked mischeviously. Raven kissed her quickly as a response, then led her out of the room.
"Shower's down the hall," she said, giving Jinx a little push. The pink-haired girl winked at her, then skipped into the bathroom. Raven went into the kitchen and started boiling water for tea. "Kori, what do you think of Jinx?"
Starfire smiled at the nickname Raven used when they talked. "Rae, she seems to care deeply for you." She gave Raven a brief hug from behind. "I am very happy that you have made friends with her. Perhaps she will not do battle with us?"
"She wants to change, Kori. She told me so." Raven turned to face her. "She just doesn't know how." She hesitated, then added, "I asked her if she wanted to join the Titans."
"This is wonderful news!" Starfire bounced excitedly. "I am sure she will be a welcome teammate."
Raven stared into space. "I'm worried about what Beast Boy will do. I doubt he's going to want her here."
Starfire's brows furrowed. "Beast Boy is upset, but I am sure he will reconsider his words. We are his friends, surely he will trust our word that Jinx desires to do good."
I hope so, Raven thought as Jinx padded into the room. She looked much happier fresh out of the shower. "Want something to drink?" Raven asked, smiling.
"You have hot chocolate and marshmallows, right?" Raven nodded. "Cool cool!" Jinx started making her drink, pouring around a dozen spoonfuls of sugar into her mug, then dumping almost half the bag of marshmallows on top of it. Scooping up the ones that fell on the counter, she hopped onto the couch, miraculously not spilling her drink.
Raven raised an eyebrow. "Do you want a little hot chocolate with your sugar and marshmallows?" She brought her own mug of tea over and sat next to Jinx.
"I like sugar," Jinx replied. "I think they put crack in it, that's why I can't stop eating it."
Starfire suppressed a jaw-cracking yawn. "I think I am going to go to sleep now. Goodnight, friend Raven and friend Jinx." She floated off to her room.
Raven watched Jinx devour her marshmallows and start guzzling the sludgy drink. "So, did you think about what I asked you earlier?"
"What, about joining?" Jinx swallowed some of the sugar at the bottom of her mug. "I didn't have a lot of time to, but I talked to Robin after you left, and I got the impression he'd be okay with it."
"Starfire said she'd be fine with it, too."
"Really, now." Jinx emptied her mug and started tossing it up and catching it. "But I'm pretty sure Beast Boy hates me."
"He's jealous of you." Raven sighed. "He's always thought there was more between us than there actually is. I think he'll get over it in a few days."
"Sounds like I may get in after all," Jinx said. Grinning, she flipped upside-down on the couch. "I feel pretty good about this. Making new friends, having people tell me they accept me...I'm not really used to it, is all."
"I know what you mean."
Hmm, that sugar's starting to kick in. Gotta find a way to burn off all this energy...Heh heh. Smiling devilishly, Jinx jumped up, placing her face inches from Raven's. "Ravy...are you ticklish, by any chance?"
---