Robin was alarmed the minute the Titan Com-Link dissapeared from the screen.
"Don't freak out." Cyborg dismissed, returning to his PS2. Robin wasn't so sure.
"C'mon, Rob! Dude, she was problably just mad you called her so early into her vacation. Maybe she dropped it. She woulda sent out a signal of some kind to tell us she was in danger." Cyborg argued. Robin had to agree. Knowing Raven, she would have been steamed at such a quick call. Sighing, he snatched the other game consule out of Beast Boy's hands and flopped down on the couch beside Cy. Beast Boy objected and reached over Cy, who yelled and tried to ram his elbow in BB's face, while Robin kept a death grip on the PS2 controller and laughed. Starfire heard the boys fighting from the kitchen and quickly came to play peacemaker.
"Please, let us not fight. Perhaps we can share the game and play together, yes?" She said quickly. The boys ignored her, BB crawling over Cyborg trying to get to the controls.
"Stop, please!" Star begged a little louder. She grabbed the collar of Beast Boy's uniform and Robin's cape, hauling them upward.
"STOP!" she shouted. She then lifted the two boys off the couch and off Cyborg, who managed to stay in control of his car on the screen.
"Now please, let us get along as the friends we are." she said, her smile back in place. There was a sudden jolt and an explosion. The television exploded and the wall crumbled in flames. The boys all yelled and ducked.
"Titans, into formation!" Robin shouted. He had completely forgotten Raven wasn't there and still expected that cover. "Raven, I want a sheild up now!" When nothing happened Robin turned to chew her out but then remembered too late she wasn't there. He suddenly heard Beast Boy yelp, and turned to see him unmorph. Beast Boy looked rather confused. So did Robin and the rest of the crew. Star kept an eye on hole, floating just above it.
"What happened, Beast Boy?" Robin asked. Beast Boy looked sick as he drew a dart from his skin.
"I-I don't know." He choked. He concentrated and ground his teeth, trying to morph into an animal. All he got was a very bad headache.
Robin noticed the sweat beading up on his forehead.
"Are you alright?" Cyborg asked. Beast Boy rubbed his arm where the needle had come out.
"Heya, I got some bad news. I...Don't think I can morph anymore." he said quietly. Robin, Cyborg and Star exchanged glances. Gar looked serious. There was no laughter in his eyes.
"Hello ladies." Beast Boy looked up and choked back a panicked scream as Red X came flying toward him. The masked man plowed right into Beast Boy. Beast Boy shoved Red X off him and scrambled to get away. He failed miserably as X put some kind of cuff around his wrist and yanked him off his feet.
"NO!" Robin bellowed, throwing a batrang and slicing the chain off the other cuff. Beast Boy got to his feet and ran in the other direction.
"Save me!" He whimpered, hiding behind Star. Cyborg and Robin attacked Red X simultaneously, dodging his left punch downward and splitting Robin and Cyborg up. Red then leapt forward at Robin, throwing a left haymaker, jamming his right boot forward. Robin hit his arm, pushing it down as it came at him and swerved to the side just as X's foot came forward. Robin threw an angry punch into the X mask and knocked his nemesis back. He did a handspring and landed on one knee. A splash of red had come from his beneath his mask. X looked in Robin's direction, sending a chill down Robin's spine as he dissapeared. A sheet of paper was left were he had been kneeling. Robin picked it up, joined by the now defenseless Beast Boy, Cyborg and Starfire. It was a note from Red X himself.
Hey, Titans
Just thought I would drop in and give you a little news. Raven has decided to join me for the week, so if you don't hear from her for a while, just know she in my hands for the time being. And proof? sure, I'll provide proof. Thanks for the assistant, Bird Brain.
X
The proof?
The note was written and signed by Rave in fresh red ink, but after inspection found it was blood. Unidentifiable blood. Robin slammed his fist against the lab counter.
"I should've known!" he said to himself. "If I would've just FOLLOWED my FREAKIN HUNCH, Raven wouldn't BE in this mess!"
A gentle hand set itself on his shoulder.
"You did not know, Robin." Star's soft voice soothed. "You could not do anything about it."
"But I should have!" he yelled, turning.
"Robin, please do not be distressed. Raven is fine, I am sure." Starfire said. Robin knew when she was lying, and let the tension out of his body.
"We have to find her." He said quietly.
"Heeellooooooo! Yoo hoo! What about poor shape-shifterless Beast Boy here!" BB reminded them. Cyborg smacked the back of his head.
"Dude, you are so self-centered." he growled. Robin's opaque eyes suddenly widened with a revelation.
"No, wait. Beast Boy is the answer!" Robin said, excitement fresh in his voice. Starfire blinked at his sudden change of attitude.
"What?" she asked, still confused about Robin's quick answer yet mainly curious about his mood-swing. Robin walked over to BB, who was sitting on the white lab table. He grabbed a needle and carefully pushed it under Beast Boy's skin, taking a quick blood sample. He tossed it to Cyborg.
"I want an analyses of that blood by the time I get back. You'll look after BB, Star and I will scour the city for any weird activity." Robin motioned for Star to follow him.
"Hey, what about me?" Beast Boy called after him. Robin, turned, looking thoughtful.
"Just sit tight. Once we find out what X put into you, maybe we can find a cure." He answered. Garfield paled.
"And what if this thing is... uh... uncureable?" he asked hesitantly. Robin looked away, not wanting to see his friend's face. After a few moments of haunting silence, Robin looked up and tried to smile confidently.
"I'm sure we'll find a cure." he assured BB before turning and sliding the lab's glass door shut.
Beast Boy watched them go, feeling in need of a very large hug. He looked at Cyborg with watery puppy eyes and Cy laughed, sheilding his face.
"Ah, not the puppy pout!" he chuckled, lowering his hands. "Dude, you don't even have to be a dog to have that one down."
Cy carefully began tests on him. He gave BB a pat on the back as he turned to leave the machines to do their work.
"I'm gonna go post some questions for a few friends. Don't worry BB, I promise, we'll do everything in our power to help you." Cyborg promised as he put a foot out the door.
"Cy..." Garfield said quietly. "What if there isn't a cure?"
Cyborg couldn't look at BB's face, and he didn't want to affirm his worst fears. So instead of answering Beast Boy, who sat on the table looking pathetic and helpless, Cyborg simply turned and went to the Communications room. Beast Boy looked frightened as the beeps of machines filled the quiet clean room. It was so quiet. Something didn't feel right about the silence. It was almost planned, like someone was there, watching and waiting, calculating their next move. Unnerving. Yeah, thats the word for it. His uneasiness didn't pass, but only grew. He cleared his throat in the silence. To his feigned surprise, someone answered.
"Lets go, shall we?" the gravelly voice muttered.
Beast Boy turned his pale face in the direction of the voice, finding Red X hidden in the darkest shadows of the room. He casually flicked a razor sharp X wing at the tubes and machinery inserted in BB skin, then another into the lights sending a shower of sparks overhead. Beast Boy let out a terrified scream as something sharp hit his neck when he jumped down from the examining counter. Whatever it was made him very drowsy, and he stumbled and fell just before reaching the door. The last thing Beast Boy saw before a medley of dancing lights and darkness was Red X's raised fist.
A/N: THANK YOU MUTILATED BLISS! I just now noticed the moderater of the C2 Our Fandom Is Only Visible In The Dark.. And I am VERY honored to recieve that kinda thing, so this new chappie goes out to Mutilated Bliss! Thanks again, hope you like, PS, I need just a LITTLE bit of help with a new chappie, so If You could PM me and request being a beta reader/co-writer, that would be FANTASTIC!
Godsspiker!