32 Productions Presents…
A Teen Titan Fan Fiction The Teen Titans in…"Shade"
Chapter Two
Titan Tower: Outside
Why Robin chose to fight outside the tower was beyond the others. Maybe he didn't trust Shade enough to let him in. They stood on the rocks, watching the fighters on the…other rocks below.
Cyborg: Twenty bucks says Robin wipes the floor with him.
Beast Boy: No way. I'm not taking that one.
Raven: …this is childish.
Robin took a defensive stance, but Shade just stood there with his arms folded in front of him.
Robin: Anytime, guys.
Cyborg: Oh yeah. GO!
Robin leapt forward, his foot out in a flying kick. Shade slid to the side without moving his legs (which looks really cool when you think about it), gliding on shadows that formed under his wide coat. Robin surmised that that was the reason he wore it. Why he didn't just wear a cape was beyond him. Capes were stylish…right? Right? Anyway, Shade grabbed his leg as it went past and slammed him to the ground, making the others wince. Robin looked stunned for a moment. Well, that wasn't supposed to happen. He gritted his teeth and swept Shade's feet out from under him. Shade swore as he hit the ground and Robin sprang to his feet. Shade stood up, scowling.
Shade: This almost seems unfair. I'm willing to bet you've got no special abilities whatsoever.
Robin: I get by.
Robin pulled out two birdarangs and flung them. Shade put up a quick wall, stopping them cold. In doing so, however, he obstructed his view, which was exactly what Robin wanted. As he lowered the wall he was met with Robin's fist to his stomach.
Beast Boy: He's totally schooling him.
Starfire: …he is making Shade angry. Shade is…difficult to like when he is angry.
Starfire sounded honestly worried. To her surprise, however, Shade simply smirked in response to the blow.
Shade: Now we're getting somewhere.
Shade formed two orbs above his hands and threw them Robin was hit by one and it was like getting hit with a baseball from a pitching machine. Fortunately it only hit his shoulder, but he dodged the other. Shade was on him in a second, grabbing him by the shoulders and headbutting him. Robin's forehead exploded in pain. Shade's head must have been made of diamond or something.
Cyborg: Yo! Can he do that?
Beast Boy was flipping through a manual.
Beast Boy: I think he can do that…
Raven: Beast Boy, that's the manual for the VCR.
Beast Boy: I know. I'm trying to figure out how to get it to stop flashing 12:00.
Raven rolled her eyes. Shade punched at Robin again and he just barely deflected the blow. This wasn't working. The next chance he got, he flipped back, drawing his staff as he did. When he landed he spun it around. Shade twirled his finger.
Shade: You got a stick. Now I'm in for it.
Shade's sarcastic attitude was ruined by the staff finding its way between his legs, tripping him. He flipped back and formed another orb. He flung it and Robin smacked it away with the staff. It flew up toward the others. Beast Boy pulled a mitt from…somewhere. You know, that place that they always pull stuff from. That weird pocket dimension. You know the one I mean.
Beast Boy: I got it! I got it!
The orb smacked him in the head. Raven sighed as he flew over, dazed.
Cyborg: …he got it.
Raven: I wasn't going to say it.
Shade scowled as he got another whack to his arm. That was really starting to hurt. Suddenly he found himself pressed against a rock. Robin smirked.
Robin: Ready to give up now?
Shade: You'd like to think that, wouldn't you?
Robin shrugged. Maybe he'd give up after he clobbered him upside his head. To his surprise, Shade sank into the wall, or more accurately, the shadow on the wall. Stupid outcropping. Above them, the others were trying to see what was going on.
Cyborg: They still fighting?
Raven: I think so. This is taking longer then I thought it would.
Starfire: I do not like watching my friends battle one another in this manner. Why does Robin distrust him so?
Beast Boy: 'cause he's a jerk?
Raven: Because he insulted him?
Cyborg: You're both wrong. It's because his hair is naturally spiky and Robin needs to use a thing of hair gel a day.
Robin: Hey! I heard that!
Shade's fist launched out from the shadows. Robin jumped back and the hand caught his staff instead, yanking it from his grasp. Shade stepped back out.
Shade: Got your stick.
Shade pressed the staff to the wall and Robin watched as it sank into the shadows.
Robin: What'd you do?
Shade: Relax. I'll give it back later.
Robin: I don't need that staff to win.
Shade: I'm starting to believe you.
Shade sprang forward. Robin prepared to fight him off but was stunned as a second Shade seemed to emerge from the shadows on the rock wall as well. He blocked the attack of the real one, but the shadow one slid around him and kicked him in the back allowing the real one to slug him in the stomach.
Shade: Then again…
Shadow Shade: …I'm prone to switching beliefs at random.
The others looked on, wincing as Robin got his butt handed to him.
Beast Boy: Uh…is it too late to take that bet?
Cyborg: You're on. Robin will pull through, just you watch.
Raven: You two are really enjoying this aren't you?
Beast Boy: So are you.
Raven: I am not.
Starfire: Then why can you not look away?
Raven: I can look away any time I want to. I just don't want to.
Robin needed an idea. Shade may be able to make shadows into solid objects, but they were still shadows. Maybe… He had an idea. After the next blow he sank to his knees, panting. Shade stood over him.
Shade: Ready to give up now?
Robin: You'd like to think that…
Robin caught him in an uppercut, knocking off his sunglasses. He quickly pulled a pellet from his belt and threw it down, cover his eyes with his over arm.
Robin: …wouldn't you?
The pellet let out a blinding flash. The shadow Shade disappeared and Shade cried out, covering his eyes. Robin tripped him and put his foot on his neck, not pressing down.
Robin: Game over.
Shade: …son of a bitch. Okay, okay.
Robin smirked and backed away. The others came down.
Cyborg: Pay up.
Beast Boy: Aw, MAN! You gotta ask right in front of him?
Starfire helped Shade up, making Robin clench his teeth again.
Starfire: Shade, are you undamaged?
Shade: Just a bruised pride…and burning retinas.
Shade still had his face covered. Raven raised her hand and his sunglasses floated upward. They bumped into him and he grabbed them, putting them on.
Shade: …thanks.
Raven: Uh huh.
Shade sighed and reached into the darkness of his coat. He pulled out Robin's staff and tossed it to him.
Shade: A deal's a deal. Just watch your back and don't say I didn't warn you. She's a lot more creative then I am.
Starfire: …where will you go now?
Shade: …I dunno. I've got no cash and I can only leave the planet if I'm following her. I use the trail she leaves to make escape velocity.
Raven: …I've been meaning to ask you. How do you know English?
Beast Boy: …you don't watch a lot of Sci-fi programs do you?
Raven just looked puzzled. Shade seemed to ignore her question anyway. Starfire turned the puppy dog eyes on Robin. Robin winced and sighed.
Robin: OKAY! He can help. Damn. You know I hate it when you do that.
Starfire smiled brightly.
Starfire: Be thankful I do not use that tactic more often. Come, Shade! I shall show you around the tower.
Starfire flew off. Shade created a disc and hopped onto it. It took him after Starfire.
Robin: …now what was that about paying up, Beast Boy?
Beast Boy smiled nervously and sweatdropped.
Beast Boy: Well…you were kind of getting your butt kicked and…uh…
Training Room
Starfire: And this is where we train for combat. Cyborg lifts those very large metal plates. Raven tries to defend herself with as little physical movement as possible. Beast Boy uses his various animal forms to overcome certain tests. Robin beats upon the wooden dummies and I destroy targets as the come out.
Shade was silent as he looked around. It was an impressive place.
Shade: …you're lucky, you know that?
Starfire: How so?
Shade: You've got a good place to live. Friends. I'm willing to bet you don't have to hunt and catch your own food.
Starfire sweatdropped.
Starfire: No, I cannot say that I do.
She led him back into the halls to take him to the room he'd be using.
Starfire: …I take it life has not improved for you.
Shade: …no.
Starfire: Your sister…where is she?
Shade stopped walking.
Shade: …she's dead.
Starfire stopped, a look of surprise and pity on her face.
Starfire: Shade…I did not know. I am sorry.
Shade: It was Krystal, Kori. She took my sister away. Sara-ari was the only person who ever treated me with any kindness besides you.
Starfire: It is no wonder you pursue Krystal the way you do. …do you wish to kill her?
They continued walking.
Shade: …no. Sarah wouldn't want that.
Starfire: Sarah?
Shade: It's easier to pronounce then Sara-ari.
Starfire: I see…then I shall call you Derek.
Shade shook his head.
Shade: I prefer Shade thanks.
Starfire: You do not always call me Kori. I should not always call you Shade.
Shade: Hmph. Do as you want. I won't be here long.
Starfire: …you do not believe we will catch her.
Shade: I didn't say that. Even if we do, I can't stay here, can I?
Starfire had no reply to that.
Starfire: This is your room.
She opened the door.
Shade: …what happened to Komand'r?
Starfire: …my sister is currently imprisoned. She attempted to frame me for theft at the Centari Moons.
Shade: Somehow, that doesn't surprise me.
Starfire sighed.
Starfire: …it did not surprise me either. Rest. You are no doubt tired.
Shade: …actually, I'd like to shower first, if you don't mind.
Starfire: This way…uh…I'm afraid we do not have a change of clothes for you.
Shade: That's okay.
Shade reached into the shadows along the wall and pulled out a bag.
Shade: I brought my own.
Starfire: I do not believe I shall ever grow tired of that.
Shade: …still need to wash the coat though.
Starfire had to agree. The coat reeked. After cleaning up, Shade got dressed, save his coat which Starfire took to wash, bless her pair of hearts. I think she has two hearts. Isn't that what Cyborg said in "Go!"? He frowned as he looked at his arms. He opened the medicine cabinet and found bandage wrapping. He wrapped his arms up so that nothing was exposed. They didn't need to see. He returned to his room and flopped onto the bed. Starfire was right about one thing, he was exhausted. Yeah…that was it. Robin only won because he was tired. He snorted. Not even he believed that. He closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Bathroom
Beast Boy stared at the amazing amount of filth that now lined the tub. He held his nose.
Beast Boy: That is just nasty.
Slums
A blonde girl dress in white and pink walked down the street, arms behind her head and whistling happily. Her white shirt had sleeves longer then her arms and holes in it so she could have her fingers free. The sleeves had pink strips along them. Her hair was done in a braid and reached just on level with her shoulders. There was a small group of hairs in front of her face with beads on it that moved back and forth as she walked. Most would find that very irritating, having the beads smacking them in the face with every step. She wore white pants with twin pink strips running from her thigh to her ankle. They were ridiculously tight, but that was common in the world of superheroes and villains. Suddenly her path was blocked by a pair of rather unsightly gentlemen. Her slightly pointed ears picked up the sound of footsteps behind her. This did absolutely nothing to her smile which showed dazzling white teeth with slightly larger then normal canines. Nothing like Shade's mind you, but not exactly normal. I'm not even going to give these guys names.
Thug: Hey. Don't you know this is a dangerous part of town?
Punk: Yeah. You could get hurt around here.
The girl scratched her chin for a moment.
Girl: You don't say. Well, thank you muchly for the advice.
Scum: Why don't you show us how grateful you are?
The others laughed. The girl tilted her head slightly.
Girl: Hmm…okay. Perhaps I should express my gratitude through song.
Not exactly what they expected to hear. She must be stupid.
Thug: Not quiet what we meant, girlie.
Girl: Dance number then?
Punk: No you stupid bitch! We're going to rob you and possibly rape you depending on whether or not we have time.
The other two looked at the punk. He shrugged.
Punk: Hey, she was taking forever to get it.
She gasped and put her hands over her face, her shoulders heaving.
Girl: Oh whatever shall I do against you three strong men?
They came toward her. Suddenly it was apparent that she wasn't crying, she was laughing. Her hand shot out and she dug two fingers into the eyes of the thug. He screamed as he began to bleed profusely from his eyes. The other two backed away, horrified and confused. This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
Girl: After all, I'm just a weak, helpless little girl.
Two beams shot out the back of the thug's head, burnt brain matter spilling out. She turned back toward the other two.
Girl: Somebody save me!
She leapt at the punk, tackling him.
Girl: Oh, you brute! Unhand me! No, don't force your lips upon me!
She pressed her mouth to his. He made a terrible high pitched noise for a moment and writhed in agony. His lips began to char and it followed down his lower jaw and into his neck. Soon he stopped. She heard the scum running away. She stood up and fixed her hair before pointing at the fleeing figure.
Girl: Fortunately for me, I'm packing heat, biatch.
A thin beam shot from her finger and pierced the back of the running scum's head. He fell with a heavy thud.
Girl: Guess I wasn't so helpless after all, eh fellas? Eh? Tsk. Fine. Don't talk to me.
To her surprise she heard clapping behind her. She turned and saw a man dressed in a surgical outfit step out of the alley. He had one of those things on strapped to his head. You know what I mean, it's a metal disc with a hole in the center. You see them on doctors for some reason. I have no idea what they're for.
Doctor: Bravo and Brava. An excellent performance.
The girl looked confused for a moment, but took a bow anyway.
Girl: Always happy to please my fans. Any reason I shouldn't do to you what I did to them?
Suddenly he wasn't in front of her anymore, he was behind her. He held up his right hand in front of her face. Bones in the shape of scalpels stuck out of his fingertips.
Girl: (higher pitch) Good reason.
Doctor: I know all about you and your past…shall we say, work? Your old friend is here.
Girl: Donnie the mutated fish?
The doctor sweatdropped.
Doctor: Er…no, the other one.
Girl: Oh, Shade! Well, I figured as much. I'll just turn the locals on him as usual.
Doctor: Won't work this time. Koridan'r is here too and her friends trust him.
The girl frowned.
Girl: Koridan'r…sorry, don't know her.
He decided that it wasn't worth pursuing. She was probably messing with him anyway.
Doctor: Right. The point is, you're not going to fool them, you'll have to kill them.
Girl: Can do.
Doctor: It'll be easier said then done. Let me tell you a little about them…
Girl: Hold on there, Doc. Who are you?
Doctor: How rude of me!
He backed away and bowed slightly.
Doctor: Dr. Blades, at your service, ma'am. Here's what I prescribe.
End Chapter Two