32 Productions Presents…

A HIVE Team Story

The HIVE Team In…

"The Chaos Theory"

Chapter Three

Artic Wasteland

Shade tugged on the chain again. Krystal was really slowing him down. Unfortunately, the reason was because she was slowly freezing to death. Krystal's body was ill-suited for such a cold place. Her tolerance to heat came at a price: A weakness to the cold. Shade was just the opposite. Krystal trudged forward in the snow, shivering and holding herself. It wasn't really snow. It was a strange white powder. The cold, however, was real. She could see her breath. She pulled against Shade for a moment Shade turned, growling in annoyance.

Krystal: (shivering) Wa…wait. Please, wait. I'm so cold…let me…let me try and warm up…

She held her hands out in front of her and tried to create ball of light. Her shivering hands couldn't pull it off. Shade titled his head, curious. She started sobbing. Obviously she didn't like the cold at all. Krystal sank to her knees.

Krystal: So cold…can't…concentrate…cold…

Shade sighed and took his coat off, draping it over the girl before squeezing her tightly. He wasn't the warmest creature on Earth, but he was warmer then the rest of that wasteland. Krystal's shivering didn't stop, but she started to regain some feeling in her arms and torso.

Krystal: Shade…do you hate me?

Shade didn't reply. No noise, no shaking his head or nodding, nothing. He just held onto her.

Krystal: …I…I didn't want you to get hurt. I never wanted that. I just…I was so scared that I…

Shade's hand clamped over her mouth. At first she thought he just didn't want to hear what she had to say. Then her own sensitive ears picked up something. It sounded like…squawking? Turning their heads, they saw…robotic penguins heading toward them. Despite how she couldn't feel her toes, Krystal had to laugh at the sight.

Krystal: Evil penguins! Whoever trapped us here is a total boob!

Shade didn't seem threatened either…until the first one tackled him, smacking him with hard metal flippers. Blood hit the white powder, staining it. Krystal blasted a hole into the faux bird before they started latching onto her. Krystal's claws were nothing like her brother's but by concentrating her power into her fingertips, she could make them slice through metal like a hot knife through butter. Problem was, that was hard to do without shooting beams out. If she did that with all those penguins on her, she might strike Shade by accident. Assuming that didn't kill him or seriously wound him, he'd probably go into a rage and attack her and then the crap would really hit the fan. In the end, she didn't need to. Quills of shadow pierced their metal bodies and expanded, destroying them. Shade hissed and rubbed his jaw. Krystal pulled the clinging metal flippers and beaks from her body.

Krystal: Thanks.

They continued trudging through the "snow". Krystal still shivered, but was feeling better.

Krystal: …so…how's life?

Shade glared at her and snarled. Krystal shrugged.

Krystal: It'll help me ignore the cold. Guess I'll stick with yes and no questions then. Alright let me rephrase. Is life going well?

Shade sighed but shook his head. Krystal nodded and folded her arms.

Krystal: That figures. I…

Words formed of shadow appeared in the air. "Don't you hate me yet? Or do I need to go back and kill Father too?" Krystal's eyes widened. Shade turned his head so she could see the twisted grin on his face.

Krystal: Does me still loving my brother bother you so much that you would do such a thing?

Shade's grin faded, turning into a scowl. "Do you think I won't? Do you think I have some fragment of sentimentality that would prevent that?"

Krystal: …you've been learning how to spell. …hmm…you know the penguins were interesting, but I would have gone with something like…

The "snow" burst in a cloud of white as large metal bears emerged.

Krystal: (slowly) …polar bears…crap.

Shade snorted. As if he cared what was thrown his way. Leaping onto one of robot bear's backs, he raised his arm and slashed. There was a clang as his nails struck…and bounced off. Before he could react, he was swatted aside by another bear. Krystal hissed as her arm was tugged in the direction Shade was forced to go. She stumbled but managed to pull back.

Krystal: You're heavier then you look…

Shade grunted, dazed. Krystal leapt to his side.

Krystal: The chain…did it get longer? He shouldn't have gone that far…

The chain WAS longer. The question was, why? The cold perhaps? Maybe it was designed to change length at random intervals for confusion. Who could say? Neither Krystal or Shade were mechanically apt. Krystal leaned down and whispered into Shade's ear.

Krystal: (whisper) Work with me on this. The light is bad here, I know your powers aren't what they could be.

Krystal formed an orb of light and sent it upward. Shade let out what could have passed for a chuckle. With the orb that high, it wouldn't impede his power, rather it would enhance it. More shadows would be created, meaning he wouldn't have to draw upon his own power. That was something he sucked at anyway, when compared to his sister. Grinning, Shade created giant sized polar bears of his own. The robots were smashed quickly.

Krystal: Great! Now…

Krystal was cut off as the polar bears turned toward her. The clamped down, grabbing her in their paws. She was lifted up into the air.

Krystal: Shade, what are you doing!

Shade dangled from the chain, grinning wildly as he swayed back and forth.

Krystal: Son of a bitch! He's crazier then I thought! He doesn't care if he dies, as long as I go with him! Think! Think! What about Raven!

Shade stopped grinning.

Krystal: What's she going to do without you? Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you her greatest weapon next to her own powers? Who do you trust to protect her as well as you do? Who on your team will sacrifice life and limb just for her?

Shade snarled and the polar bear shadows lowered them back down to the ground. Once they were safe, the shadows disappeared. Shade sneered at his sister.

Krystal: …I'm losing him. More and more, each time we meet, I lose a piece of my brother. Doesn't he care about me at all anymore? …what does that witch DO to him?

Shade snorted and started walking away, tugging on the chain.

Krystal: I'm coming! I'm coming!

The two trudged on, Krystal shivering again. Was it getting colder?

Underground Cavern?

Gizmo grumbled at his misfortune. The smallest HIVE member chained to the tallest Titan. Would it have killed their captor to put the chain around Cyborg's LEG instead of his arm? He felt like a bracelet charm, dangling like that.

Gizmo: Would you take it easy? I'm gonna be sick!

Cyborg: Man, you barf on me and I'll break your legs.

Gizmo: Well, at least slow down so I can keep working on this stupid thing.

Cyborg's running was making it difficult for Gizmo to examine the chain that bound them. Its design was fantastic. He really doubted he'd be able to unlock it…at least not without the proper tools. That and he kept being whacked against the wall. Cyborg's shoulder light was providing them with all the light they needed. Things were going fine…until the wall opened up and sprayed Cyborg in the face. Gizmo screamed as Cyborg thrashed around, clutching his eyes.

Cyborg: Damn it! I can't see!

Through the confusion, Gizmo noticed that the walls were odd. Sections of them were…different. Suddenly the different part started to quiver, causing dust to fall.

Gizmo: Trap! Move forward!

Deciding that Gizmo wouldn't be dumb enough to play games right now, Cyborg dashed forward. The different section of the wall shot forward, slamming into the other side.

Cyborg: What was that?

Gizmo: The wall's are rigged, man! They'll…ack! Keep going!

Still having no other choice, Cyborg sprinted forward. Gizmo managed to navigate him through the twists and turns. Finally the traps stopped. Gizmo's sigh of relief was cut off as Cyborg started using both hands to rub at his eye.

Cyborg: What IS this stuff! I still can't see!

Gizmo: Then take your mask off, stupid! The other half of your face was protected, remember!

Cyborg: …damn it…

Cyborg reluctantly removed the face mask that hid his human side. Indeed, he could see now that his eye was uncovered…but what was in that stuff that would ruin the vision in his robotic eye? Gizmo huffed and crossed his arms, still dangling. In this position it was impossible to properly use most of the stuff in his pack. His stun gun would still work…so would the laser blaster…other then that, his options were limited. Still…there was something he had been wondering for a long time.

Gizmo: Hey, what's the deal anyway? Why do you wear that stupid thing? It's not like you've got a secret identity.

Cyborg: Feh. That's not what it's for. I just don't like having my human side showing.

Gizmo sighed. Like he didn't know that already. That was why he also wore those things around the skin on his arms. He was hoping for something a little more detailed then that.

Gizmo: Yeah, I know, but WHY? What's so wrong about people seeing you're a human?

Cyborg: I'm NOT human. I'm better then a human.

Gizmo: Pfft. Why? There's probably hundreds of people capable of taking you down. Hell, I've done it, and I'm just really smart.

Cyborg wondered if he could smash Gizmo against the wall without killing him. Probably not. Humans were such fragile things…

Gizmo: Uh oh…

Cyborg followed Gizmo's gaze to the ceiling. …it was moving.

Mountainous Region?

Terra grumbled to herself as she pulled Sonic up. Stupid fake rocks. Her powers were doing a thing in there. Whatever these "mountains" were made of, she couldn't affect them. Sonic was dead weight to some like her. Not that it mattered. Her weight limit was near nine hundred pounds. The fact of the matter was, she just didn't like him.

Terra: Damn…if there were REAL rocks here, I could construct a shield around myself THEN kill him. The explosion would probably only take my hand…and I can make a new one…I think.

It was something she obviously never tried before, regenerating a limb. In theory, she should be able to do it. Creating a new hand were the old one was…problem was that she'd also need to develop the nerve clusters which allowed the signals from the brain to tell it to move to reach it. That was probably NOT something she could do. Then again, Terra still had no idea how her new body worked at all. She might not even HAVE a nervous system. Maybe it was all magic now.

Sonic: You're not hearing a thing I'm saying, are you?

Terra snapped back to attention. She scowled at the boy who intruded on her thoughts.

Terra: No. I was busy thinking how I could kill you and not die myself.

If this worried Sonic, he didn't show it.

Sonic: Yeah? How's that coming along?

Terra: Smug little prick. Twenty seven different ways to kill you, two ways to save myself from the explosion.

Sonic: That's a bad ratio.

Terra hauled back and swung at him. If she couldn't kill him, she could at least knock him out and drag him to wherever they were going. Unfortunately, even chained, Sonic was quicker on his feet then she was. He dodged each swing and blasted her. She sank to the ground, holding her stomach.

Terra: AH! I HATE YOU! Your powers HURT ME!

Sonic shrugged.

Sonic: You shouldn't start swinging at me then.

Terra: Stop being so blasé!

Sonic: This was always your problem. You get so vindictive toward people for the dumbest reasons. You'd probably kill all the Titans if Changeling dumped you.

Terra scowled. …she would not…would she?

Sonic: Which brings us back to the obvious question. Why'd you backstab us, Terra? Look where it got you.

Terra snorted.

Terra: I've got good friends, a boyfriend, a home, three square meals, and all sorts of cool stuff to do. Yeah, this was a real terrible decision on my part. Curse my foolishness.

Sonic shrugged again, still pretty relaxed for somebody "mountain" climbing with a killer.

Sonic: You also have nerve ending too deep in your skin for you to feel anything gentle, you weigh about five hundred pounds, and you smell like sulfur.

Terra: I do NOT smell like sulfur! You're making that part up!

Before they could argue further, Sonic was hit by…a goat? He went over the side and Terra had to pull him back up again, kicking the goat the tried to ram her. …wait…they weren't goats…they were robots! Terra's realization was interrupted when a goat robot hit her from behind. With her weight, she barely moved, but it did hurt, which meant it had hit pretty hard. As Sonic said, her nerve endings were deep in her skin. Sonic blew that goat away with the very sound of it hitting Terra's back.

Sonic: Thanks for the save. It's a long way down.

Terra: Bomb on the wrist, remember? I may be crazy, but I'm not suicidal.

Sonic blasted another goat as it leapt across the "rocky" terrain.

Sonic: You still didn't answer my question.

Terra caught one of the goats and threw it over the side.

Terra: Why did I betray you? Because it felt good. I betrayed you because I had never felt so alive then when I was taking the lives of others. All the pent up rage and aggression released with the blood and organs of my victims.

Terra smiled, dreamily and closed her eyes. Sonic wouldn't let her get hit, the chump that he was. She could go to sleep without worrying.

Terra: My favorite one was when I made a dirt cloud…people inhaled it…and I turned the dirt in their lungs into long jagged rocks.

Sonic: You're lying. That's not the real reason and you know it.

Terra opened her eyes and kicked another goat away. Was that true? …of course not. How would he know? …but if it wasn't true, why did she doubt it so much? …maybe…

Terra: …maybe it's because they were so kind to me. You weren't my friends…you threw me to the damn lions. …you didn't even know me…

That was true. Terra arrived at the tower, introduced herself, and told them what Slade had instructed her to do. Wait until the Titans started causing damaged and join in. The Titans would invite her to join (which they did) and she would be their spy. Unfortunately, Raven knew she was a traitor from the beginning and worked to convert Terra to their side for real. A mixture of emotion manipulation and her own hidden desire to take her built up hate out on those who once hurt her (every NORMAL person) made it easy to do that. Terra punched a robot goat that managed to butt her in the side and it tumbled down the "mountain".

Terra: …I never betrayed you really. You were never my friends to begin with.

Sonic: …I'm sorry you think that, Terra. I really am.

Terra: Wanted to get into my pants like you do every other girl you see, huh?

Sonic: Watch it. There are some things I won't put up with. Insulting my relationship with Jinx is one of them.

Terra smirked and was about to say something else when there was a low rumble. Looking up, they saw a huge "rock" slide heading their way.

Sonic: …cover your ears, this will be loud.

Sonic point both palms toward the oncoming "rocks".

Desert?

It was hot. It was very, very, extremely and brutally hot. Changeling glared at the thing on his arm. With it on him, turning into a four legged animal was out of the question…being chained to Mammoth and all. If it was somebody else, he'd just drag them along, but Mammoth was too strong for that. Too bad, he could use turning into a camel creature right now. Worst of all, in this heat, Mammoth was sweating like a pig and smelled twice as bad as one.

Mammoth: Hey, hurry up!

Changeling had been hanging back. He was tired and Mammoth stank something awful.

Changeling: Screw that. Slow down!

Mammoth: The longer we wander around out here, the hotter it is!

Changeling: Dude, deserts go on for MILES! We're never gonna get outta here.

Yes, the pair had yet to realize that it wasn't a REAL desert. Neither were very bright.

Changeling: Damn…this is worse then that one time in Doom Patrol.

Mammoth: Which time was that?

Changeling: …the time we crossed a desert, duh.

Mammoth should have seen that coming.

Mammoth: Why'd you quit them anyway?

Changeling: Gee, I dunno. Might have something to do with the whole, "transforming into monsters" thing.

Mammoth: So what?

Changeling: That and I went on an uncontrollable rampage and killed somebody.

Like that was new to Mammoth. Changeling always went on rampages and killed people…well, now he did. Mammoth wasn't sure about back then. It didn't really matter what he used to be like anyway.

Mammoth: Somebody on the Doom Patrol?

Changeling: Eh, sort of. She used to be a villain. Turns out she had split personalities. Sounds like an excuse to me, but hey, what do I know? Anyway, I electrocuted her to death.

Silence.

Mammoth: …it's hot.

Changeling: Yep.

END PART THREE