A/N: Standard Disclaimers Apply
Chapter Nine: Honor Thy Ancestors
Gizmo and Mammoth crossed in front of Shimmer. The wild haired behemoth charged Cyborg while Gizmo challenged Starfire in the air. The diminutive evil genius fired five mini-rockets at the willowy beauty. Starfire summoned her powers and created a shield, and the missiles crashed against it. Her eyes grew wide as a thick, viscous substance splashed over her.
Cyborg stood his ground. Mammoth reared back for a punch, but it was a feint. The giant lashed out with a terrible kick, landing squarely in Cyborg's side. The mechanical powerhouse flew across the street and landed in a parked delivery van. The vehicle rocked harshly as Cyborg pulled himself out of a pile of crushed boxes and a blizzard of Styrofoam packing peanuts. Through the wide hole, Cyborg saw Mammoth charge again. The Titan raised his hand and fired a full power sonic blast at the villain's head.
Shimmer's eyes sparked as she stepped toward Jinx. The young sorceress gave ground as spell after spell sifted through her mind. None of them was right.
"Baran had the silliest crush on you, you know," Shimmer said as a malicious grin spread across her lips. "He told me he nearly failed beginning meta-training on purpose so you could tutor him."
Jinx cautiously gave ground. She narrowed her lilac eyes, "There was no 'on purpose' about it. You know your brother isn't the brightest bulb."
"You showed so much promise. I even voted for you for Head Girl, and you threw it all away."
Starfire shook of the gelatinous goo and fired her eyebeams at Gizmo. Her blast tore his starboard wing off his harness, but the gadgeteer flipped a toggle. Spider legs appeared and punched into the concrete façade of the Gold Exchange. Gizmo looked up and sneered at the willowy beauty. Laser blasters appeared at the first joints of his mechanical legs, and Gizmo returned fire.
Jinx took a breath, "What do you want, Shimmer?"
"Not much," the redhead mused, "only two hundred kilos of gold. Now, you're in my way."
Jinx stood her ground.
"That was your chance to do the smart thing, little girl," Shimmer snarled.
Jinx cut loose with a barrage of hexes. Shimmer cartwheeled away, leaving the glass doors of the exchange to shatter violently. Selinda clapped her hands and her eyes sparked.
A deep pothole appeared under Jinx's left foot, and the young sorceress yelped as she fell. Shimmer held out her hand. Jinx put her hands down to catch herself only to have them sink into liquid tar. Her lilac eyes went wide as she struggled to pull them out of the street, but Shimmer clenched her fist, and the asphalt instantly went solid again.
"Jinx!" Cyborg shouted as he hurdled the semiconscious Mammoth. The massive Titan sprinted toward his friend.
Jinx looked up. "Vic! Stay back! I'll be okay!" she yelled in vain.
Shimmer jumped out and met Cyborg, a dangerous grin curled her lips and a lustful gleam lit her usually icy blue eyes. Cyborg skidded to a halt.
"My, aren't you the handsome one?" Shimmer said sultrily. Before Cyborg could power up his blaster, Shimmer sprang forward and threw her arms around him. She crushed her lips to his.
Jinx closed her eyes and couldn't watch.
Cyborg stumbled back. His whole body trembled terribly. Victor Stone opened his mouth and silently screamed as his mechanical body literally tore itself to pieces.
…..
Robin eased the Batplane into the secure hangar next to the royal Gulfstream. The private jet was emblazoned with the Markovian coat of arms on the wings and tail. The Teen Wonder peeled his helmet off and opened the cockpit. Beast Boy leapt out of his seat. Argent and Red Star were waiting in the hangar's office.
"Oh wow, that was so freaking cool! How fast were we going again? MACH 2?" he said as if each word melded together. "I mean, yeah, the T-Ship is all that and a burrito too, but the Batplane. Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude."
Robin nodded and grinned widely. "Yeah, it was okay," he said with feigned nonchalance and climbed down the access ladder. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he turned to meet Red Star and Argent. The pale girl waved with her fingertips and the large Russian youth reached out his hand in greeting.
"Good to see you both," Robin said.
"Indeed," Red Star agreed. "Since you told us you were coming, Prince Brion asked that we postpone our audience."
Robin pursed his lips together and nodded. He would have rather they met with Markov and debriefed him on his arrival. "All right, if that's what he wants."
Argent let out a deep mewing sigh.
"Something wrong?" Robin asked.
"Do not pay any attention," Red Star leaned over and whispered. "She has been like this since we first met the prince."
A long white limousine waited for the heroes outside the hangar. One of the dark suited Royal Police opened the door for the Titans as they got in the car. The driver checked with the police and pulled away.
"Wow, this guy really knows how to make a dude feel welcome," Beast Boy said as he looked around.
"He's…" Argent started and then looked at her all male company. She blushed and bit her finger coyly.
Robin grinned bemusedly as Beast Boy began to tease her about her latest crush.
"Can it, Gar," Robin ordered.
"Yes, sir."
Robin leaned back and looked out the window. Old and converted caravans lined the road. He could see children playing in a field beyond under the careful watch of their families. All the vehicles pointed north.
"Driver," Robin started, "when did these people arrive?"
"A few days ago, maybe a week. Markovia has always been a crossroad for Gypsy caravans. We pride ourselves for tolerance of all peoples."
"Pull over."
"Young sir, we are expected at the castle."
"Pull over, please," Robin insisted.
The car pulled to the curb and Robin got out. An old woman sat knitting between two ancient trucks. Their beds were long ago converted to makeshift mobile homes. The other Titans watched as the Teen Wonder approached and greeted the woman in a language that none of them recognized. He sat at her feet and listened intently to her story. He thanked the old woman formally, and she gave the boy a blessing.
Beast Boy checked for wax in his ear. "Dudes, I didn't know Robin spoke Gypsy."
"It's Romany," Robin corrected. "I only know the Welsh dialect, but it was close enough. This clan is moving fast. Grandmother told me that something evil is coming down out of the mountains in Zandia. She called it the Church of Blood."
