32 Productions Presents…
A Teen Titan Fan Fiction The Teen Titans in…"Shade"
Chapter Three
Titan Tower: Hallway
Shade wandered the halls, more then a little lost. Why did they have to live in such a gigantic place? It must have been hell the first few days. He had been there for a while now, though he refused to take part in breakfast and lunch it was now around seven o'clock at night on the day following his fight with Robin.
Robin: Problem with your arms?
Shade jumped and turned. Robin was behind him, his arms crossed. How could he have missed him? It was impossible. He quickly brushed it off. He was distracted, that's all. It would never happen again. …and he really thought that too.
Robin: I didn't hurt you that bad, did I?
Shade: …I'm fine.
Robin: Then why'd you use our bandages?
Shade was starting to get annoyed.
Shade: Okay…I know I was a little rude with the spandex thing, but what the hell is your problem with me?
Robin suddenly found himself at a lost for words. What WAS his problem with him?
Robin: I don't trust you. If you've been treated as badly as you say, why do you keep trying to help people?
Shade snorted.
Shade: I don't expect someone like you to understand this, but I do it because I should. I'm not interested in getting thanked or anything. I'm not trying to get people to like me.
Robin: I figured that out after the spandex comment.
Robin scowled.
Robin: Wait, what did you mean, "someone like me"?
Shade: Someone well liked. Someone respected. When kids see you do they cower in fear or say, "Look Mommy! It's Robin! Wow!"
Robin: …
Shade: I thought so. What do you think is their reaction to me?
Robin didn't want to say. He doubted it was good.
Shade: One time I was trying to convince people that I was on their side and Krystal was the bad one. This kid, couldn't have been more then five from the size of them, assuming they grew at the rate you and I do, picked up a rock and threw it at my head. You and I are VERY different people, Robin. I'll bet people were wary of you when you first put that mask on, but I'm sure they never did ANYTHING like that.
Now Robin felt like an ass. Not the sort of feeling he was going for.
Robin: …and after all that you STILL want to help people? What do you care if they live or die?
Shade: …where's the main room? I'm totally lost.
Robin: Doesn't answer my question.
Shade: Show me the way and I'll answer it as we go.
Robin sighed and nodded. They began walking.
Shade: To be honest, I ask myself that a lot. I've never really had the chance to be a hero. What brief stints I had between chasing Krystal never really turned out well. Lost a potential pet in an explosion, got captured by Pyrons, who are a bunch of sick bastards who like to experiment on people, and that sort of thing. I don't know why. Maybe I don't. Maybe I just don't want to prove them right.
Robin: What do you mean?
Shade: When I was growing up, the general idea on my world was that I was a cursed evil child. Not sure how it started, but it persisted for as long as I can remember. They said I was an evil creature who basically wore this skin of a normal person as a disguise. Something to that effect anyway. That's why I never used my powers on people who beat me up. I'd swing back, I'd have died if I didn't defend myself a little, but I never used my powers. I didn't want to give them a single reason to think they were right. I guess I still don't.
Robin: And you think saving people will somehow prove to those people they were wrong?
Shade shrugged.
Robin: You know what I think? I think it's YOU you're trying to prove it to.
Shade: Don't try and psycho analyze me. That last person to dive into my head went nuts. It's apparently very unpleasant in there.
Robin: …so where did you learn to fight?
Shade: Taught myself. I've fought some things that don't give a damn who I am. I'm just lunch. You've got to learn, right?
Robin: Hell of a way to train.
Shade smirked.
Shade: And I still lost. Whoever taught you must be really good.
Robin: One of the best. Here it is.
Shade: Thanks.
He was about to open the door and enter it when Robin stopped him again.
Robin: One more thing.
Shade sighed.
Shade: What?
Robin looked uncomfortable.
Robin: Uh…about you and Starfire…
Shade: …yeah?
Robin: …uh…were you two…you know…
Shade folded his arms.
Shade: No I don't. Explain further, please.
Robin: You know…close?
Shade: She's my only and therefore best friend.
Robin: Just friends?
Shade: Of course, just friends! We were like…six or seven years old!
Robin: …oh. Okay then.
Shade: Why do you ask?
Robin rubbed the back of his head nervously.
Robin: Oh no reason.
Shade wasn't the brightest bulb, especially after he just woke up so he just turned and went into the room. Beast Boy and Cyborg were playing a video game. Shade sat at the table and quietly watched from there. He had nothing to say to them. Besides, the green one smelled bad and he wanted to keep away.
Cyborg: You know you can't win. Don't know why you're trying.
Beast Boy: Dude, I'm totally going kick your ass.
Shade watched the screen as the two figures beat the living crap out of each other. Shade had never seen a video game before but it was painfully obvious what the point was. Two green pairs in the upper left and right corners, shrinking with each impact… The point was to make the other's bar go down completely. It was utterly pointless. Why would any intelligent being want to do something like that? A yellow bar appeared on one side, just under a health bar.
Cyborg: Gotcha now!
Cyborg pressed a bunch of buttons and Shade's eyes widened at the dazzling finisher that appeared on the screen. That was AWESOME! What intelligent being wouldn't want to do something like that!
Beast Boy: Aww…
Cyborg: Wanna try again? Come on, maybe you'll get lucky and something will get in my eye while we're playing.
Beast Boy glared and dropped the controller, much to Cyborg's disappointment. He got up and saw Shade sitting in the chair.
Beast Boy: GAAAAH! Don't DO that! What is WRONG with you?
Shade: It's a long list. …how do you play that?
Cyborg hid back a grin. Looks like he just found himself another sucker. He held up Beast Boy's discarded controller.
Cyborg: Sit down and I'll show you, young padiwan.
Shade: …young what?
Cyborg: Just sit your white ass down on this couch.
Shade shrugged and sat down.
Beast Boy: Oh I got to see this. I haven't seen you get your ass kicked enough today.
Shade: Keep it up, just keep it up.
Raven's Room
Raven inhaled the incense as she continued to meditate. Everything was calm…peaceful. There was no good or bad, just a spot in between. Then came the knock on the door. Thankfully she was pretty much done. She lowered herself down and answered the door a crack. Starfire immediately pressed her face up to it, making Raven step back.
Starfire: Raven, may we speak?
Raven: Does it have to be me?
Starfire thought for a minute.
Starfire: Yes. I do not think a male would be able to offer the advice I seek.
Raven: …fine.
Raven stepped out of her room and leaned against the door.
Raven: What is it?
Starfire: I wish to discuss Robin's behavior with you. He has been…unusually harsh to Shade and I do not see why.
Raven shrugged.
Raven: Maybe he really likes his pants.
Starfire: Now you are just trying to make me leave.
Raven sighed.
Raven: Sorry. Maybe he just doesn't understand why you like him. He does seem to be a bit of a jerk.
Starfire: But you insult with little provocation as well and we like you.
Raven winced. She hadn't thought of that.
Raven: …I don't mean anything by it.
Starfire: Perhaps Shade does not either.
Raven: …I doubt it. Beast Boy's breath DOES smell like tofu.
Starfire: I thought Shade said it smelled like bean curds.
Raven: That's tofu.
Starfire: Oh.
Raven: Are you sure we can trust Shade? I vouched for you before, but…
Starfire: …it has been many years since I saw him. It is possible he has changed, but…
Starfire trailed off.
Raven: But?
Starfire: …but I must give him the benefit of the doubt, Raven. You do not know him. You have not seen how he was treated in his youth. For me to turn my back on him…it would be unthinkable.
Raven: How'd you meet this guy anyway?
Starfire: It was many years ago, as I said. His planet is mobile and it passed Tamaran. My sister and I took the opportunity to visit it, though it was against the rules.
Raven nodded.
Raven: Sounds like Blackfire.
Starfire: They welcomed us warmly…all but two people. Shade and his little sister. I observed their hateful glares. I watched as they spat at them. My pity was overwhelming. I had to try and make him feel better. He was very rude at first, though his sister tried her best to make amends for every comment.
Raven: If he was so rude, why'd you bother?
Starfire: He was rude because he thought I mocked him with false concern. In time he came to realize that I was sincere and apologized for his rudeness. I had to leave, but I always returned the next day. Of course, it did not last forever. The planet soon moved too far for the two of us to safely fly.
Raven: How long did it remain close enough?
Starfire did some calculations.
Starfire: Nine Earth days.
Raven: And you became that close?
Starfire: Raven, I was his only friend. Though he may be rude, he is actually a good person. That is why I believe he is not attempting to trick us. My sister was always rebellious and the type to break rules. I was not too surprised by her actions. If Shade is up to something…I shall be most depressed.
Silence.
Raven: …I'm getting hungry.
Starfire: As am I.
Shall we acquire dinner?
Raven: Why not?
Main Room
Shade smirked as Cyborg's character went down.
Shade: I win.
Cyborg shook his head.
Cyborg: Yeah, after losing about twenty times.
Shade: …that was practice.
Beast Boy: Dude, you suck!
Shade: Bite me.
The others entered.
Robin: Hey guys, you hungry?
Cyborg: Now that you mention it…
Beast Boy: I'm starving!
Shade: …
Starfire flew over to Shade and put her hand on his shoulder.
Starfire: Shade you have no eaten since you arrived. You must be hungry.
Shade: …I don't want to be a burden. Not anymore then I've already been.
Starfire: Nonsense. I know! Let us have the take in!
Robin: …take out.
Starfire: I was close.
Raven walked over to the couch and sat down. She held her head and looked rather miserable.
Shade: What's wrong?
Raven: You'll find out in a minute.
Cyborg: Let's order from "Bob's Meat Shack"! Today's Limitless Rib Thursday.
Beast Boy: DUDE! No!
Shade suddenly had a headache. It went back and forth for what seemed like an eternity. Finally Raven could take no more.
Raven: SHUT UP!
The table suddenly split in half and a light bulb shattered. There was silence around them. Raven brushed a loose strand of hair from her face and sighed.
Raven: …let's just order Chinese.
Cyborg: …Chinese is good.
Beast Boy: …yeah okay. In fact…Cy and I will pick it up.
Cyborg: And pay. Yeah.
And so they ordered Chinese. Robin ordered something at random for Shade since he had no idea what Chinese food was. He told them as long as meat was in it, he'd eat it, much to Beast Boy's disgust. Of course the vein still throbbing on Raven's forehead dissuaded him from mentioning it aloud. The pair left.
Shade: Thank you.
Raven looked confused.
Raven: For what?
Shade: Shutting them up. My ears are probably more sensitive then yours.
Raven: …don't mention it.
Shade: Splitting the table was a nice touch.
Raven was silent. Of course, she hadn't meant to do it. Shade looked confused as she seemed to be ignoring him now. He turned to the others.
Shade: …did I say something wrong?
Robin: Raven has…certain problems with her powers sometimes.
Raven: Sure, tell him all my secrets. Maybe you'd like to give him my shoe size next.
Shade: Hey, I didn't mean anything. I just…
Raven: I know, forget it.
Shade went silent. Raven picked her book up from the coffee table and began to read. Then Robin's communicator went off.
Raven: Great. They can't even pick up a simply order right.
Robin answered it. Beast Boy looked a little…messy.
Beast Boy: Uh…is Shade there?
Shade peered over Robin's shoulder.
Beast Boy: Yeah…this Krystal. Does she have blonde hair and blue eyes? Tends to wear a lot of white?
Shade: Yeah, why?
Beast Boy was hit with a beam of light and sent flying. The communicator dropped to the ground and was picked up by someone else. It was the girl from before, obviously Krystal.
Krystal: Yo! What's up my home skillets?
Honestly, I don't think ANYONE knows what that means. Shade grabbed the communicator from Robin's hands.
Shade: Krystal! Leave them alone!
Krystal shook her head.
Krystal: Nah. I'm enjoying myself too much. Got to say though, I don't think my new friends here will last much longer. Why don't you come and play too? We're at the…
Krystal turned and looked at the building she was next to.
Krystal: Uh…"Golden Dragon Temple Palace". Wow, that's long name that tells you absolutely nothing about what it sells. Better hurry.
Golden Dragon Temple Palace
Why do they name Chinese restaurants like this? It confounds me, I tell you. I mean, it just sounds so…stereotypical. It just invites that sort of thinking. Eh, maybe I'm thinking too much. Cyborg crashed into the wall of another building, his chest plate scorched. Beast Boy turned into a bear and grabbed the Krystal in a hug.
Krystal: (pained) Affectionate bugger, aren't you?
She released a bright flash, blinding him. He shifted back, covering his eyes. She turned to fire a blast at him when she was tackled by Robin. He held her down, his bo staff across her neck. She grinned widely.
Krystal: My, my! How forward of you, good sir.
He winced as she dug her nails into his arms. They were sharper then they looked, drawing blood easily. She opened her mouth wider and he could see something glowing inside. Not being an idiot, he leapt off her as the beam shot upward. The Titans regrouped.
Raven: You two okay?
Cyborg: Yeah, I'm good.
Beast Boy: (whisper) I can't see!
Shade: It ends here, Krystal!
Krystal stood up and brushed herself off.
Starfire: You shall pay for all those you have killed, especially Sara-ari.
Krystal's eyes widened then she groaned.
Krystal: You've been using THAT bit again? You're so stubborn, big brother.
Robin: What?
Starfire: But…Shade, you said that…
Krystal waved her hand dismissively.
Krystal: He does that. You see, he likes to think I'm not his sister. It makes it so much easier for him to hunt me down.
Shade: Sarah wouldn't hurt anyone!
Krystal: Blah, blah, blah. You know what it really is. You lied to them because if they knew you were related to a mass murderer, they'd trust you less. You're so afraid of being distrusted, aren't you? It happens time and again and nothing you do makes it stop. The thought of your dear friend Koridan'r telling you that she didn't believe you…oh the horror of it all!
Shade clenched his fists.
Shade: Shut up!
Robin: That's enough. You aren't going to turn us against him. You're the killer here.
Shade resisted the urge to smile at that. That was the first time in years someone stood up for him. Krystal shrugged.
Krystal: Fair enough.
Krystal raised her hands above her head, her fingers spread apart. From each finger came a beam of light that curled around and flew toward the Titans. They formed into a bigger beam as the traveled toward them. They were already scattering at this point and the blast missed them.
Robin: Titans, GO!
Raven stayed with Beast Boy. He was still blind. Starfire had to grab him when the light beam came at them all. Beast Boy clung on to her, making her blush.
Raven: Could you not grope around like that? Azarath Mentrion Zinthos!
A shield came up in time to protect them from a stray blast. Starfire took to the air and rained starbolts down on Krystal. Krystal grinned and covered herself as the blasts landed around her. When the dust cleared she was gone.
Starfire: Oh no! I disintegrated her!
Shade: No, she's bending the light around her!
Shade leapt forward and swung his fist down. Krystal reappeared as it struck her, knocking her down. She sprung to her feet, her teeth clenched.
Krystal: You hit me…you haven't hit me in three years.
Shade: I've gotten better.
Krystal: And stop giving away my secrets! How am I supposed to kill you if you tell them all my surprises?
Cyborg fired his sonic cannon on low. She was frail looking and he didn't want to kill her. Krystal cried out in shock, but not so much pain. She slid back a little but other then that she was fine. He should have used more power.
Krystal: Those blue lights on your body…what are they? I find them…interesting.
She raised her hand and it glowed. The light on Cyborg's body began to intensify. A heat warning flashed on his arm panel. He felt helpless. There was nothing he could do to stop her that wouldn't raise the level any higher. Fortunately Robin took a hint and threw a cable around her arm, yanking it away. The light faded back to normal levels. Robin yanked on the cable but to his surprise she didn't go flying. She gritted her teeth and began to pull herself. The tug of war could have continued, but Starfire grabbed the rope as well.
Krystal: …oh poopie.
With a hard yank upward she sent Krystal into the air.
Starfire: Oh dear…perhaps I pulled to hard.
To their surprise, wings of light seemed to grow from Krystal's shoulders. Her ascent stopped and she leveled out.
Shade: She has a love of theatrics.
Cyborg: You don't say.
Cyborg fired his sonic cannon again, this time stronger. She swooped out of the way.
Krystal: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's SUPER KRYSTAL!
Starfire flew up after her.
Krystal: Hmm…what works for one…
She raised her hand and Starfire's glowing eyes intensified. She stopped in mid-flight, puzzled. It didn't hurt exactly…in fact it almost felt like… Twin beams shot from Starfire's eyes. They struck Krystal, making her cry out. She fluttered to the ground, barely able to keep her wings up. Starfire landed, blinking rapidly. Her eyes burned like she had been in a staring contest.
Shade: Wow…what was that?
Starfire: I…I do not know. Krystal must have temporarily augmented my powers by mistake.
Krystal coughed and stood up, shakily.
Krystal: Mistake is right…ow…
She looked at her shirt. The once clean whiteness was burned to near black. She brushed at it and put a hole in her shirt. She glared at them, her eyes glowing.
Krystal: I liked this shirt!
Robin: Give it up. You're beat up pretty bad.
It was true. Her landing was rough. She had blood coming the side of her face where she had skid along the ground slightly. She also had a hell of a bump on her noggin.
Krystal: …damn. Guess you're right. I'm in no shape to fight any longer.
Krystal grinned and disappeared in a flash of light. She reappeared onto of a building nearby.
Krystal: But before I go, let me give you a going away present!
The lights in the area began to dim. In her weakened state she couldn't summon enough light from her own body to do what she wanted so she'd just take the light around her instead.
Raven: What is she doing?
Beast Boy: You're asking me? I can't see a thing!
Shade: …I don't…I don't know. She's never done this one before.
Robin: It can't be good. We have to stop her.
By the time they reached her she had formed a giant ball above her head. It was almost the size of a house. She turned her attention to toward and made a motion with her hand. The ball began to move toward it.
Starfire: Our home!
Krystal: Our program was brought to you by the letter "T". When this sucker hits, you're precious tower will be a pile of rubble on the ground.
Starfire's eyes light up and Cyborg pointed his cannon at it.
Krystal: I wouldn't. If you do that it'll explode where it is and far more powerful then the simple impact on your tower. You'd blow up a far portion of your city. Do it over the water, and you'll cause a tidal wave. I'll leave you to learn from your failure to stop me. Adieu.
End Chapter Three