32 Productions Presents…
A HIVE StoryThe HIVE Team In…
"Failed Second Chance"
Chapter Two
Raven's Soul
Shade shuddered. It was so weird inside. Blackness everywhere with land floating about. Most of which had dead trees growing out of it. He started forward, having no idea where he was going. He came across an odd sight. Raven was sitting on one of the rocks, reading. What was weird was that she was wearing yellow and reading glasses. She looked up at him, blinking her four eyes in mild surprise. She sighed and removed her glasses, cleaning them on her cloak.
Yellow: Goodness. So you figured out how to help her. I'm impressed.
Shade made a tremendous effort. He opened his mouth. His throat ached as he began to form words.
Shade: W…what…is…wr…wrong?
Shade coughed and hacked from talking. His voice box wasn't very capable these days. Yellow put her glasses back on and clapped.
Yellow: Very good. Well, as far as I can tell, her soul self has been damaged.
Shade: H…h…ow… ca…can I…h…h…
Yellow held up her hand. She saw no reason for the boy to cause himself pain just to speak a sentence she already figured out.
Yellow: How can you help? Hmm…I'm not sure. Her soul-self is located deep inside here. To get to it, you'll have to go through every section of her mind. For the most part, that shouldn't be a problem…but there are some aspects of her that you must be careful of. I myself am her rationality and intellect. Pleased to meet you.
Yellow held out her hand, which Shade took gently.
Yellow: You're probably wondering why I'm so polite and Raven…well…isn't.
He nodded.
Yellow: Rudeness is illogical. It gets you nowhere in life. Henceforth, it is not a part of me. Come, I'll lead you to the next area.
Yellow lead him to a door. On the other side was…a field of flowers?
Yellow: This is Raven's… "happy place". Pink lives within it. As you might expect, she's Raven's happiness…though she has become warped over the years. Go on through, and good luck.
Shade entered the flowers field, snorting. He hated it. It was so bright and cheery…until he got to the field with the rabbit heads on sticks. That disturbed even him. Suddenly he was tackled. A Raven in pink giggled playfully as she pinned him down.
Pink: Tag! Oh, it's you! Hi! I'm Pink.
Pink helped him up, grinning madly. She embraced him in a joyful hug.
Pink: It's so nice to see you! Now we can play games, bite the heads off of pigeons, sing songs, and dance in the flowers!
Shade liked the second one best. He shook his head though. Her smile faltered only for a moment.
Pink: Oh that's right! We're dying, aren't we?
Shade's eyes widened.
Pink: Oh yeah! We'll go brain dead if we're not repaired soon. When that happens, all of us in here will die. Bummer, huh? Welp, come on. Let's go. Door's this way.
Pink led Shade to the next door, skipping as she went. He was happy to see that it didn't contain flowers of any kind. It looked more like the previous area.
Pink: Go on through, and don't let the door hit ya where the dog should have bit'cha! Bye!
Pink lightly kicked him in the butt and waved before skipping off, humming the funeral march.
HIVE Tower: Main Room
Slade: I see. You should have consulted me first, Jinx.
They had called Slade the instant they got home to report what had happened. Terra was a serious threat, especially now that she had increased strength. Jinx hung her head. She had made a terrible mistake.
Jinx: I know, sir.
Slade: Fortunately, I have sent something to help already.
The HIVE looked surprised.
Gizmo: Already? But we just called.
Slade: I was going to send it anyway.
The doorbell rang.
Slade: And I'm sure that's it now. Good day, HIVE.
Slade cut the transmission and the HIVE answered the door. Instead of a package or anything like that there was a costumed figure at the door. He wore black with a red X on it. The mask had a white section made to look like a skull.
Red X: I'm Red X. I'll be joining your team.
Sonic: …that's super service.
Red X tilted his head slightly. His voice was hollow and emotionless, mostly due to the obvious voice changer installed in his mask.
Red X: …may I enter?
Jinx: Uh…yeah, of course.
Red X grabbed the suit case behind him and started wheeling it in.
Mammoth: Uh…we got an extra room this way.
Mammoth led Red X to an empty room.
Blackfire: …a new member? That's what he was going to give us?
Jinx: I guess so. I wonder if he's any good.
Sonic: Guess we'll find out during training.
Gizmo: Well, he better not hold us back.
The HIVE shut the door. Krystal rubbed her chin in thought. Something about the smell of that person was familiar. Oh well. Maybe it was the suit.
Raven's Soul: Maze
Shade frowned. He had come across yet another wall. He was completely lost. He formed a platform. To hell with it, he'd go OVER the maze. To his amazement, as he tried to go over the maze, the wall went up with him. He couldn't do it. He landed with a sigh.
Gray: Excuse me…
The voice was soft and timid. He turned and the girl behind him backed away, nervously. It was another Raven, this one clad in gray.
Gray: You…you look lost.
Shade nodded.
Gray: I…can show you the way out…but you won't like it.
Shade had no idea what that meant, but he had to keep moving. Again, he nodded.
Gray: Please…follow me. …Shade…?
Shade grunted to show that he heard her.
Gray: Do you remember the time you gave us that Valentine's Day card and we shoved you? You hit your head on the table and bled.
Again, Shade grunted.
Gray: I'm so sorry about that. We were just startled. Also, do you remember when we startled you in the tree? You fell out. We never even bothered to catch you. I'm so sorry. Raven is just…well, Raven. And when we smacked you around afterward? Sorry about that too.
Shade groaned as she kept going. Finally they reached the end of the maze. Twin statues waited at the end. They came to life and attacked.
Gray: See? I'm sorry…
She disappeared. Shade snorted as the statues came at him with their swords drawn. He dodged them and attacked the first statue, splitting it down the middle.
Green: Sweet moves! Dis one's mine!
Another Raven showed up, attacking the second statue. She wore green and spoke with a slight Boston accent. She busted the statue up quickly. She pumped her fist in victory.
Green: Damn right! You see dat?
Shade nodded, a bit confused. Green lowered her hood and ruffled his hair.
Green: You're awesome, you know dat? You rush right in and kick some serious ass. Dat's why you're my favorite.
Shade tilted his head. He was Raven's favorite…or just this aspect's favorite?
Green: Da next door is dis way. Watch out though. Dat's where Brown and Orange live. Brown is Raven's lust and Orange is Raven's disgusting aspect. Dey're both horny bitches, seriously. Don't let 'em slow you up, 'kay?
Shade nodded, not really sure if he COULD resist. He had to try though. He went through the door. The other side was…disturbing. It was more like a giant hallway then anything else. Pictures of the Titans, celebrities, and even the HIVE members lined the walls, all of them performing less then appropriate acts on each other and themselves. Shade had to focus on what was in front of him so he wouldn't get distra…was that Jinx and Mammoth in a bowl of chocolate sauce! He shook his head and kept going. Suddenly a sultry, yet familiar voice purred into his ear.
Brown: Mmm…look, Orange. Fresh meat.
Orange: But is it enough for the both of us, Brown?
Shade gulped. He had to remain focused. He shouldn't look. He kept walking, but he heard them floating right behind him.
Brown: Aww…he's playing hard to get, Orange.
Orange: Maybe he's scared of us, Brown.
There was a loud belch behind him. His nose wrinkled as he smelled her breath. It must have been Orange.
Brown: With that breath, I'm not surprised.
Orange: Tsk. Whatever.
He suddenly felt a light weight press against him and in the corner of his eye he saw a flash of brown. Brown spoke again, her breath hot on his neck.
Brown: Come on, big guy. Don't be in such a rush to leave.
Orange: We won't bite.
Shade shivered as he felt the wetness of a tongue run along his cheek.
Brown: Unless you want us to.
Shade: I... c…an't. N…o ti…me.
Orange: …he's right. There's not much time.
Brown: Well f. You realize if you skip out on this, you may never get another chance.
Shade nodded.
Brown: …that's very touching. I'm sure Raven will be very proud of you…or disappointed. She's been wanting to lay you since she got you.
Shade's eyes widened. He shook his head. It must be another ploy.
Orange: (snort, spit) It's true. She's very lonely.
Brown: Let's get you out of here. Next stop, the romance center.
Raven had a romantic side!
HIVE Tower: Training Room
Red X stood before a group of training robots.
Jinx: Sorry about this, but we have to gage your abilities before we really accept you, Slade's orders or not.
Krystal: Yeah, this is an EXCLUSIVE club.
Red X waved his hand.
Red X: Of course. I understand. Whenever you're ready.
Gizmo snorted. Cocky monkey. He started the training program. The robots attacked Red X and he flipped back. As soon as he landed, he rushed forward, holding out his hands. In the next instant he was on the other side of the robots, in his hands were two large X-blades. The robots fell apart. Gizmo's jaw hit the floor.
Sonic: Ooo…ninja style.
Jinx: Very impressive.
Jinx stepped forward, stretching.
Jinx: Now you fight me.
Red X: …are you sure?
Jinx: Positive.
She popped her neck and made a "bring it" gesture.
Jinx: (smirking) Whenever you're ready.
END PART TWO