Chapter Two

Robin stood on the roof of Titans Tower, admiring the morning as he usually did.

The sun's rays filtered through the remains of a dense fog that was spread throughout the bay, resulting in a sort of surreal effect. It was times like this that Robin felt most at peace.

He inhaled through his nose, smelling the tinge of salty air that was most evident in the morning. Feeling relaxed, he went inside the tower to rejoin his friends.

In the lounge, Beast Boy was already finishing off his own breakfast. He quickly put his dishes in the sink and rinsed them off. Returning to the lounge, he clicked on the TV.

Starfire was also there, enjoying some tea. She decided to try some in lieu of Raven's infatuation for the drink. The beverage seemed to agree with the Tamaranian's tastes.

Both Raven and Cyborg were in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the rest of the Titans. The bionic hero took it upon himself to teach the mystic the proper way to cook. It was something he had planned to do after being treated to Raven's first attempt so long ago.

When Robin had returned, the meal was ready.

"Hey Robin!" Cyborg said. "You're in for a treat today! We've got specials here from both myself, and our newly trained Raven!"

"So it's not something that's crunchy and gooey at the same time?" Robin asked.

"Very funny." Raven deadpanned. "No, this is the real deal. Too bad Beast Boy won't enjoy it."

"Well, if you knew how to cook tofu dishes, I'd be happy to try it!" the changeling said.

"Please, no more delays!" Starfire exclaimed. "I am famished!"

Agreeing, the Titans, save for Beast Boy, sat down to breakfast.

The quality of the food surpassed even Cyborg's standards. Apparently, Raven was a fast learner.

When they finished, Beast Boy set to work on washing the dishes. It was his turn that day. The other Titans rested in the lounge.

"Did you know we lost power last night?" Cyborg asked Robin.

"No, I didn't." he replied. "What caused it?"

"It looked like the entire city was in a blackout. It took about 15 minutes for everything to come back on."

"How did you realize the power went out?"

"I was recharging at the time. So, when we lost power, I sensed it."

"Well, at least no one took advantage of it and tried to break in here."

The others agreed.

On the TV, Robin switched the program to the local news. Surprisingly, they also were speaking of the blackout.

"Weird!" he remarked. "Turns out, it effected the entire west coast!"

"That is strange." Raven said. "Must have been a solar storm or something. I heard they can knock out power like that."

"A similar thing can happen on my planet." said Starfire. "Our star can be active at times."

"Well, no need to worry about it now." Robin said. "Looks like the weather's going to be nice, so I think we'll go out today."

"Glorious!" the Tamaranian exclaimed.

"What do you have in mind?" Raven asked.

Robin began to explain his plans for the day. But no sooner had he started did the alarm go off.

"Great!" Cyborg growled. "Just when it seemed like a nice day!"

He went to the computer and checked the situation monitor. "Trouble in downtown!" he said.

"Titans, go!" Robin commanded.

The team sprung into action, making for the T-car. Once they were all in, Cyborg activated it, and sped out of the garage. The thing cruised over the water, thanks to the special hydroplaning system. It arrived on the mainland in a few minutes.

Several minutes after that, the Titans came to the site of the commotion. Many buildings were damaged, and several people were lying on the ground. The Titans got out of the car to investigate.

"What has done this?" asked Starfire.

A young woman came out, screaming. "It's attacking! It shot them all!"

"Calm down!" Raven told her. "Now, what did this?"

"Something...something like a tank! Only it wasn't! It's a robot or something!"

"You all got that?" the mystic asked of her colleagues.

"Yeah." Robin said grimly, looking over the destruction, and then at the people.

"Something went around and just killed them!" Cyborg noted. "The only sign of an attack is a burn mark. What might have done this?"

"I don't know." Robin said, determinedly. "But we've got to stop it!"

The Titans followed ran down the street, following the trail of damage and destruction. Everywhere, it was the same; the buildings were scorched and damaged, cars were on fire, and people were dead on the ground.

At last, when they rounded a corner, they spotted their quarry.

"Freeze!" Robin told it.

The thing stopped in it's tracks, allowing the Titans to get a good look at it.

"It can't be!" Beast Boy exclaimed. "It looks like...The Brain!"

"Hold it there, Brain!" Cyborg yelled.

The thing turned to face the Titans.

"That's not Brain." Raven noted. "Who are you? What are you?"

It regarded them.

"You register as enemy!" it said. "You will be exterminated!"

The thing shot it's weapon. The Titans took cover.

"It means business!" Cyborg said.

"So do I!" exclaimed Starfire as she stood up. She then flung several starbolts at the machine. To her surprise, none had any effect on the creature.

"You can not harm me!" it told her. "I am superior! You all will know the power of the Daleks!"

It fired again.

Robin threw several disks at it, which created a smoke screen when they exploded. The Titans then took cover in an alley.

"You ever hear of something like that, Starfire?" Robin asked. "A Dalek?"

"No, I have not." she replied.

"Whatever it is, it's protected by a shield or something!" said Cyborg.

"Well, we still got to take it out!" Beast Boy exclaimed. "We need a plan!"

"Okay then," Robin began. "Here's what we do."

He outlined the plan of attack. Basically, the goal was to surround the creature, then attack it all at once. It was hoped that it would weaken it's shield enough to damage it.

"Are we all clear on this?" he asked. The team nodded.

"Good! Let's go!"

On the street, the Dalek continued it rampage, obeying it's instincts. Then, it noticed movement on the rooftops ahead of it. It stopped to take aim, but hesitated. It sensed a trap.

Sure enough, behind it there was more movement. And then, it noticed activity to either side of it. It was surrounded.

"Your plan will not work!" it exclaimed.

"Titans, go!" Robin commanded.

Each of the Titans let loose a barraged of their weapons and powers at the Dalek. Raven and Starfire pelted it with energy bolts. Cyborg fired his sonic cannon, Robin flung explosives, while Beast Boy was in the form of a gorilla and threw wrecked cars at it.

The assault lasted a few minutes before they let up. They closed in on it.

"Did we win?" Starfire asked. "Are we victorious?"

As if in response, the pile of burnt debris moved. From beneath it, the Dalek emerged, unscathed.

"It's not even dented!" Cyborg exclaimed.

"I am superior!" it yelled. "The Teen Titans will be destroyed!"

"How do you know us when we don't even know you?" Raven asked.

The Dalek stopped. "I...I do not know. I must have...absorbed memories. Yes! From the being known as Slade!"

"Slade!" Robin repeated. "What role does he have in this?"

"He found me." the Dalek explained. "He intended to use me to help him. But I tricked him. I obtained his DNA and used it to regenerate myself. I then absorbed power from your electrical grid to repair myself. I then exterminated Slade! And now, I am superior! And with the memories of your greatest foe combined with my superior intellect, I am more lethal than you can imagine!"

"Not to mention flamboyant." Raven deadpanned.

The Dalek faced her. "I remember you. You caused the end of the Earth."

Raven growled in annoyance. "You know nothing about me!"

"I know enough!" the Dalek exclaimed. "And you should know this; you will be exterminated!"