32 Productions Presents…
A HIVE Team StoryThe HIVE Team In…
"The Chaos Theory"
Chapter Four
Moon?
Starfire tugged at the chain again. Oh X'hal, was this some sort of punishment? Was killing all those people really so bad that she deserved to be chained to the person she detested the most? Said detested person pulled back, annoyed.
Blackfire: It didn't work the first dozen times you pulled on it, what makes you think it would break this time?
Starfire scowled.
Starfire: The chain, your arm, my arm, I do not care which snaps, as long as something does.
Blackfire rolled her eyes. They figured out they weren't really on the moon by the oxygen in the air and the fact that they hit the ceiling earlier. The moon usually didn't have a ceiling. Starfire had been freaking out since she realized they were chained together. Starbolts, eye beams, tugging, even chewing on it, nothing could make the bracelets come off or sever the chain. Starfire's teeth still tingled from when she tried chewing on the chain itself. Not one of her proudest moments. Then the aliens attacked. Obviously fake, because there's no such thing as big headed, pasty skinned, black eyed aliens. Their weapons (goofy looking ray guns) left nasty burn marks, but did little else. They creamed them…or smashed them seeing as how the little aliens were just robots.
Blackfire: Seems to me that YOU snapped.
Starfire: Oh, be silent.
The pair flew in silence for a while longer.
Blackfire: Let's pretend we've never been over this. Why do you hate me so much?
Starfire thought about it. Now that she wasn't trying to rip her head off…because she didn't want to die too…she figured she should give a real answer. Usually she just screamed something like "because you're you".
Starfire: You are stronger. You should not be. I was the healthy one. I was the one who soared in the heavens while you stared upward with jealousy.
Blackfire rolled her eyes.
Blackfire: It wasn't jealousy. It was admiration. I admired your strength, I didn't envy it. …I never wanted the throne. It looked so hard. Ruling over a people…knowing what's best for Tamaran…
Starfire laughed scornfully.
Starfire: What is best for Tamaran? Feh. When you are empress, YOU decide what is best. Let no one tell you differently.
Blackfire sighed and shook her head. Her sister smirked at her.
Starfire: Oh? Do you disagree?
Blackfire: We may be the strongest of our people, Koridan'r, but that doesn't give us the right…
Starfire: And who could stop me? …besides YOU.
Blackfire was sorely tempted to slug her sister. Her arrogance was testing the limits of her patience.
Blackfire: The people! You're strong, but do you honestly think you can hold your own against everyone!
Starfire: Yes. With the Titans at my side, of course we can.
Blackfire: Why would they help you do that when you haven't even taken over Earth yet?
Starfire was silent. Like it or not, she had a point. If she couldn't take over Earth, the Titans would NEVER go to Tamaran.
Blackfire: …if you would just change your selfish ways and leave, there would be no problem. Say I'm dead and take the throne, I don't care.
Starfire: There is no need to "change my ways". I am perfect.
Blackfire had enough.
Blackfire: You're a self-centered, self important bitch who refuses to acknowledge her flaws!
Starfire shrugged.
Starfire: Perhaps. Yet, I wonder who Mother would approve of more? I may be a cruel and manipulative "bitch", but at least I prefer the opposite gender, yes?
Blackfire winced. While not considered a big deal among the common class, for a member of the royal family to be gay…it was heavily frowned upon. Not that she cared what others thought, but her mother…that was a different story. She supposed she was always a disappointment in the eyes of her parents. The first born, so weak she couldn't even fly. Her only good quality was her heart…not physically, that was weak too, but her OTHER heart…no, not the other physical heart, the metaphorical heart. She was a kind girl, got along well with both the people and the creatures in the palace. When their pet snark got sick, she tried to help it, but was too slow. If she had been able to fly…Starfire simply shrugged and said that it wasn't her concern. The snark was a nuisance to her anyway. Blackfire cried heavily. Starfire suddenly pretended to be sympathetic…
FLASHBACK: Outside Palace
Starfire knelt next to her crying older sister. She put her arm around her. Obviously they both only spoke Tamaranian at this point.
Starfire: Shh…relax. I'll take care of it.
Blackfire wiped her eyes, confused.
Blackfire: T…take care of it?
Starfire wiped another tear from her sister's face before picking up the dead animal. She gave her a reassuring smile.
Starfire: Trust me.
Blackfire had little reason to doubt her little sister at this point in her life, so she nodded. Starfire took to the air. When she returned several hours later, she told Blackfire that it had been taken care of and she wouldn't need to worry. Several nights later when Blackfire went to bed, she found a surprise in her sheets. Apparently Starfire had kept the body of the snark and waited for it to rot. Then she put it in Blackfire's bed. She had never screamed so loud.
END FLASHBACK
Blackfire: …what did Grandan'r ever do to you, anyway?
Starfire: Who?
Blackfire: Grandi! My snark!
Starfire sweatdropped.
Starfire: You wish to discuss this NOW?
Blackfire: Yes!
A laser shot past their heads. More aliens. These ones had bigger guns.
Starfire: …do you still wish to discuss?
Blackfire: …the instant we're done with them.
Starfire rolled her eyes.
Abandoned City?
Raven and Jinx ducked into the alley, dodging the gunfire. The replica city seemed to be based on Chicago of the 1920's. The clothing, the cars, and most importantly the Tommy guns that were being aimed in their direction suggested it.
Jinx: Can't you put up a shield?
Raven: Of course I could. What good would that do? They'd still be shooting us. How long do you think I can keep something like that up, with a constant barrage hitting it? No, we need something more…direct.
Raven raised her hand and one of the cars was covered in black energy.
Jinx: What are you doing?
Raven: It should be obvious.
Raven gestured with her hand and the car flew toward their assailants.
Jinx: NO!
Jinx shot a hex at Raven. At the last second the cars severed away from the gunmen.
Raven: You idiot! What are you doing!
Raven slapped Jinx.
Raven: Wake up, simpleton! If they were human, I'd make them shoot themselves! It's more fun that way! These things have no emotions! The thought of toying with such things makes me sick.
Jinx frowned. It was possible Raven was just saying that. To Raven, getting Jinx to murder someone without using her powers of empathy would be considered an excellent sport. The guilt Jinx would feel alone would be worth it.
Jinx: Why should I believe you?
Raven clenched her teeth in rage. This girl was pissing her off.
Raven: We don't have time for this! They'll be here soon. THINK! If they were human, wouldn't they need to RELOAD by now!
Jinx: …take us up. If we do it quietly enough, we can slip past them.
Raven: You're such a…oh never mind.
Raven floated upward quietly. They landed on the roof.
Raven: Now what, genius? If we try to fly over them, we'll be spotted.
Raven wanted to smash them, but if she tried, Jinx would just counter it with another curse.
Jinx: …now I try something.
Jinx sent a hex down at one of them. At best, her hex would make a person trip and fall or something like that. The "man" exploded. Raven smirked.
Raven: Told you.
Jinx sighed.
Jinx: Have fun.
Raven: You're too kind.
With a sneer, Raven pulled the robots apart. She had to laugh. The foolish contraptions were still shooting toward the alley, even though robots around them were falling to pieces. Raven sighed contently as the last of the robots was destroyed.
Raven: There. Aggression well worked out. Now let's find an exit.
Jinx agreed and they lowered back down to the street. Raven suddenly began to feel IT. Damn it all, she should have been paying more attention. She was hungry…but not for food. Raven wanted emotions. Hate. Fear. Anything.
Raven: …when did I become such a junkie? Was it my childhood? Denied feeling emotion so now I crave to feed off it? Or perhaps it's from all the victims. Bombarded with fear and sadness every kill…maybe…if I work the Sonic angle…
Jinx tugged on the chain.
Jinx: Raven, you're dragging your feet. …are you drooling?
Raven wiped her mouth.
Raven: Sorry. I was thinking about Sonic again. My apologies. For all his mental down points, he sure is a luscious cut of meat, isn't he?
Raven bit back the urge to use her powers. It tasted so much better when she didn't force them. Jinx raised an eyebrow.
Jinx: Are you trying to get me upset?
Raven: Not at all. Consider it…girl talk. You know, talking about stuff we'd like to buy, outfits we own, boys we dated…
Jinx: You didn't DATE him. You tricked him.
Raven smirked and shrugged.
Raven: Isn't that what a date is?
Jinx: …how so?
Raven kept her smirk, but inside she was getting annoyed. The girl was showing extraordinary patience all of the sudden.
Raven: We take the boy, lure him in with our looks and promises of pleasure and slowly work to change him to our liking. Tell me, were there any annoying habits Sonic once had that he doesn't anymore thanks to you?
Jinx: …no…no, not really. I never asked him to do anything besides train for combat.
Of course, she used that was punishment for pissing her off, but that wasn't the point. Raven shook her head, sighing.
Raven: You're implying that Sonic is perfect? If he was perfect, he wouldn't have been so easily taken in by me. He also wouldn't have gone for such a flat chested girl like you.
Jinx: Sonic sees beyond my physical appearance.
Raven: Does he do the same with his porn collection?
Raven was rewarded with a flicker of anger, but not enough.
Jinx: What he does in his spare time is his own business.
Raven: What if his "spare time" is spent in the company of loose women?
Rather then get upset, Jinx smirked.
Jinx: Like you?
Raven: Yes, like me…wait, no! I'm not loose!
Jinx: Of course you are.
Raven: What makes you think that!
Jinx: Your clothes.
Raven opened her cloak and looked down at herself.
Raven: What's wrong with my clothes?
Jinx sighed. Did she really need to say?
Jinx: Well…you're wearing leather for a start. It's a two piece. You look like you're wearing a bikini with long leather boots.
Raven: I fail to see your point.
Jinx: I've seen street walkers wearing more then you.
Raven: So? I LIKE dressing this way. It's comfortable.
Jinx was actually starting to enjoy this, despite the circumstances and current company. Raven was on the defensive now, something that had never happened to her before, verbally speaking. Raven wanted to beat Jinx into a coma to stop the feeling of pride coming from her.
Jinx: Alright, clothing aside. How often do you hit on your male teammates? Check that. How often do you hit on ANYONE?
Raven bit her lip.
Raven: Er…I don't know. Maybe…two…three times a day?
Jinx smirked smugly. Raven sputtered.
Raven: But only because lust is a sweet tasting emotion!
Jinx: Excuses. Alright. How often do you make out with someone?
Raven: This is stupid.
Jinx: Come on Raven. Consider it…girl talk.
Raven's eye twitched. Damn her. When this thing was off her wrist, unholy vengeance would be hers.
Raven: …about…(mumble).
Jinx: Speak up.
Raven: Twice a day. Once in the morning. Once at night. And on occasions I'll do it in the afternoon, but that's rare.
Jinx: And you still insist you're not loose?
Raven: Yes, I still insist I'm not loose. Your definition of "loose" is obviously flawed.
Jinx rubbed her chin. Why Raven was being so truthful, she didn't know…but why waste an opportunity? Raven was wondering the same thing. Then her eyes widened. The jinx. When Jinx hexed her, something must have happened. She couldn't LIE! This was bad. This was very, very bad.
Jinx: With who?
Raven: Now that's none of your business.
Jinx sighed.
Jinx: Would it help if I confessed something?
Raven: …go ahead.
Jinx: …you promise to tell?
Raven's curiosity was peaked.
Raven: I'll tell you. Just tell me first.
Jinx: Fine. This is my real hair color.
Raven: …huh?
Jinx: A lot of people think I dye my hair. I don't. It's naturally pink. Your turn.
Raven: I loath you. …usually Shade. I've caught Changeling by surprise six times since I met him. Last time Terra tried to kill me by putting jagged rocks in my food. Actually it was dirt when it was on my food and she'd make it into jagged rocks in my mouth. Fortunately for my mouth, I noticed it. I caught Robin once. If I was anyone else, this leg would never work again. I can promote faster healing by slipping into a comatose state you see. I hate you for making me tell you this. I know I said this already, but it bears repeating.
Jinxsighed and shook her head. One more question.
Jinx: Are you a virgin?
Raven: …a boy sleeps in my room every night. What do YOU think?
Jinx: See? You're loose.
Raven: No, no, no. I'm not loose. You see, a loose person would just GIVE it away.
Jinx sweatdropped.
Jinx: I see…
Before the conversation could continue, old fashion type cars came speeding at them from down the road. Raven floated above it, taking Jinx up with her. More gunmen poured out. Raven sighed.
Raven: You're not going to complain this time, are you?
Jinx responded by casting a hex on one of the robots. Raven smirked.
Raven: Much better.
Control Room
Dr. Chaos counted aloud as she smacked the paddle ball in her hands. Her back was to the equipment.
Dr. Chaos: Almost! 996, 997, 998, 999…
Denise: This is insane!
Dr. Chaos winced at the sudden bellow in her ear and missed the last hit. She stared at the paddle in horror before dropping it like it was a decapitated head.
Dr. Chaos: No…NOOOOOOOOOOO! So close!
Dennie: One more and you'd have had it. Somebody's a spoil sport.
Denise: Aren't you going to WATCH them!
Dr. Chaos: Pfft. Of course not.
Sighing, Dr. Chaos picked up the paddle ball and started over.
Dr. Chaos: 1, 2, 3, 4…
Denise: But…what if they get away!
Dr. Chaos turned and smacked her with the paddle across her face. Dennie covered her mouth and giggled. Violence was funny.
Dr. Chaos: You just don't GET it do you! I don't WANT to know if they get away or not until the very end! It's a surprise! Random!
Robin: …chaotic.
Dr. Chaos: Exactly! …wait…oh poop.
Both the Titans and the HIVE stood at the entrance to the door. All of them were beaten up, but the anger on their faces suggested that somehow they'd find the strength to make her pay. Dr. Chaos sighed and shook her head. Man, she should have watched. She would have loved to see them get out of those messes, wouldn't you? (Heh heh heh…man, this is probably upsetting somebody.)
Dr. Chaos: And so ends our little game. I sincerely hoped one of you would kill each other. I suppose you all figured out the bomb a little too easily. Or at least you THOUGHT you did. What you failed to realize is that the read outs on your devices may SAY your names…but a closer look will show that their not yours. Starfire and Blackfire have two hearts, but your read out says otherwise. Bet you never even noticed. It's not YOUR hearts it's hooked up to…it's MINE. If you hurt me…or if I so much as WILL it to happen, you will die. The question becomes…will I do it? To answer that question…I know! I'm thinking of a number between one and twenty. Go!
The teams looked confused before Changeling spoke up.
Changeling: …six?
Dr. Chaos: Keep them coming.
Mammoth: Twelve?
Cyborg: Three?
Raven: …this is stupid. …four.
Blackfire: Seventeen.
Starfire: Eleven.
Jinx: Ten.
Robin: …fifteen.
Sonic: Twenty.
Terra: Nine.
Raven: …Shade says fourteen.
Gizmo: Eighteen.
Red X: Seven.
Everyone looked at Krystal. She rubbed her chin before snapping her fingers, a big grin on her face.
Krystal: Forty-two!
Changeling: Between one and twenty, you id…
Dr. Chaos: Damn! She got it.
Krystal made a victory sign as the others slowly turned their heads toward the pouting psychopath.
Jinx: But you said…
Dr. Chaos: I lied.
Blackfire: Baby, how'd you know?
Krystal raised a finger and spoke sagely.
Krystal: Because, my dear Black-O-Lantern, forty-two is the answer.
Starfire: …the answer to what?
Krystal shrugged, grinning.
Krystal: The question.
Gizmo: WHICH question?
Krystal: I dunno.
Dr. Chaos: Fine, I'll take the stupid things off.
Dr. Chaos put her index fingers on her temples and scrunched her face up. Two things happened. The chains on the cuffs disappeared and the bracelets fell to the floor with a clatter. At the same time a hole in the floor opened up gas shot out through the vent underneath. The teams coughed and passed out. Dr. Chaos sighed. One thing about being unpredictable was that sometimes you had to be anti-climatic. She summoned some of Gremlin's robots and had them take the teams to their respective homes. She was tempted to switch them, but decided against it.
Elsewhere
She sighed and drummed her fingers on the computer desk. Where WAS he? It had taken a lot of time and effort to find one of the HIVE online. The secrecy these guys used was ridiculous. Hell, she didn't know who it was until recently. Only one of them had red hair and was muscular. Mammoth. Getting close to him would get her close to…them. And getting close to…them…would get her close to…HIM. Not Mammoth a different "him". The one who killed her mother. Put up for adoption, it took forever to track her mother down and by that time…she was already in the ground. Denied the reunion she sought for so long, there was no way she'd let the killer get away. As she often did when she was bored, she picked up her hand mirror and examined her face. What would she look like with green eyes? Brown? How about pink? And her hair…what about long blonde hair? Pigtails?
Girl: (muttering) And now impressions…
She changed her face numerous times. Superman, Batman, Aquaman and so on. Finally the message she had been waiting for appeared. Woolyboy43 had logged on.
BBh8r2: About time. You're late, young man.
All she had to do was bide her time. Soon, Garfield Logan would pay for the murder of Laura DeMille.
THE END
