Part 8- The Gateways to Power
Robin: Well, I suppose we can't just pretend this isn't here. Let's investigate.
(As everyone walks through the door, the Blind Shotman gives a loud shout; everyone turns, searching for the threat.)
Shotman: I can see! My Inner Eye has opened again!
(Upon hearing this news, everyone else tries out their own abilities; none work.)
Shotman: Hmm… It appears that we were robbed of our weapons and powers by some strange being and left to die here. I cannot see what the creature is; he is shielding himself from my Eye. However… deeper within this cave lies the path to regaining our power.
(Everyone takes a moment to take all this in.)
Medic: Well, this is certainly interesting…
Shotman: And… Captain, over there!
(Shotman points to a rocky shelf inside the cave, upon which is…)
Photon: Our stuff! Our weapons, they're all here!
(The pirates all gather up their respective weapons while Robin fills his utility belt. It is at this moment that an awful thought strikes him.)
Robin: So… I suppose you're going to finish us now.
Echo: How's that?
Robin: Beast Boy's leg is still injured. Star and Raven are powerless. With all of you having your weapons back, I imagine you're going to let your pirate nature take over and finish us all now.
Gemini: Oh, we wouldn't do that! Er… right Captain?
Echo: Hmmm… I suppose we could do that, now that ye mention it…
(The Titans tense up to fight.)
Echo: …But, then again, the majority of me crew is still powerless, so there's no assurance we'd win. Secondly, we still need to find out what lies within this cave and who our mystery enemy that trapped us here is. And thirdly, what sort of gratitude would that be to all of ye? We may be pirates, but we repay kindness when it is shown.
(The Titans breathe a sigh of relief, then Robin steps forward and puts out a hand.)
Robin: Truce?
(Echo grips Robin's hand and shakes it.)
Echo: Aye. At least until we have a way outta this mess. Got that crew? The Fiend's Eye Pirates and the Teen Titans are officially under a temporary ceasefire! Any who object will deal with me! Go on now, shake hands!
(The others are all happy to comply. (Well, most of them. Photon and Raven shoot each other dirty looks before irritably slapping palms with each other.) Echo then turns to Shotman for more news.)
Shotman: In the center of this mountain is the device that is suppressing our powers. Mine have reactivated because we have moved to the inside of its' range, like moving into its' shadow. As we get closer, our abilities will reactivate. Only by destroying the device can we leave this island.
Robin: But…?
Shotman: As you may have already guessed, the path there will be difficult. There are a number of locks that are designed to keep us away.
Echo: Well, standin around won't fix things; let's go!
(They all walk deeper into the cave and find themselves in a maze of mirrors.)
Shotman: Here there are many traps for those who get lost. But I can see a safe way through. Everyone, form a chain, and follow me.
(Everyone takes someone else's hand and Shotman begins leading them through the many twists and turns of the mirror maze. The three girls bring up the rear and Echo connects them to everyone else as Photon wants to be as far away from them as possible and the girls want to be as far from Déjà as possible. Gemini feels as if she is floating rather then walking with the opportunity to hold hands with Echo. Photon attempts to glare darkly at the girls and has to settle for a bright glare because of the light created by his eyes. Echo turns to reassure Starfire and Raven.)
Echo: Now, please don't think too badly of me first mate; he's just had a bad past experience with women is all-
Raven: I know. He told me already.
Echo+Gemini: What!?
Raven: What's the problem?
Echo: Well… it's just… he's never told anyone about that! 'Cept fer me, of course…
Gemini: I'm jealous! Tell me! I've always wanted to know why he's such a jerk to me!
Photon: I can hear you, you know! Breathe one word shadow-witch, and I'll kill you right now!
Echo: Ye'll do nothin of the sort! We're under a truce, ye scurvy bilgerat!
Photon: But Captain-!
Echo: BELAY THAT!!
Photon: Aye Cap'n…
Déjà: I am happy for this truce! I can now be friendly with the cute one as freely as I wish!
(Robin growls while Starfire sweatdrops)
Echo: Uh… don't think badly of him either… he's just got some… issues we need to work on…
Shotman: We have reached the first door. This door will take a great deal of physical strength to get through.
Cyborg: No problem.
Shotman: Let me assist you.
(The two wind up and smash their fists against the metal door with everything they have. It flies off its hinges and the next room is revealed.)
Cyborg: Boo-ya!
(Everyone steps across the threshold. Medic gives a shout of joy as a few minor scratches on his legs heal. Déjà makes a similar noise as he feels his power flowing back. Medic heals Beast Boy's leg and it is confirmed that Beast Boy's powers are also functioning.)
Shotman: The next door is right across the room. But it will be no simple task…
(Shotman taps the button on his shoulder and fires a cannonball. Within seconds, the ball is incinerated by hundreds of lasers that fire from the walls and ceiling.)
Shotman: Motion activated. There is a narrow space in the very center, but it is impossible for any of us to fit through such a small and inconveniently placed opening. And the deactivation button is on the other side.
Medic: Let me go through.
Shotman: No! Your entire body would be incinerated! Even you would never recover from that.
Medic: Very well… Beast Boy, I need your help. Become something extremely tiny if you would. Something with a strong grip.
(Beast Boy becomes a spider; Gemini shudders. Medic picks him up and throws a shuriken into the room. While the lasers are firing on that, he slips Beast Boy into the handle of a kunai knife and throws this down the center where the lasers don't reach. Beast Boy turns human on the other side and throws a switch. The lasers turn off and the door opens.)
Robin: Nice work Beast Boy!
Beast Boy: Eh, nothin much. Don't crowd folks, you'll all get your autographs later.
Cyborg: Some other time B.B. Let's get going.
(The next room holds no traps, but the door has a strange bluish light coming from it. Robin reaches a hand towards it.)
Shotman: Stop! That is a barrier of magic! Only some other type of magic can counter it.
(Raven holds up a hand that is enveloped in shadows.)
Raven: I'm on it.
Shotman: It won't be enough. We'd need more power to break through this shield spell.
Déjà: For the good of our mission I will do it! (Stretches a hand towards Raven) Now hold still for one moment and let me- Ouch!
(Photon has just punched him in the back of the head.)
Photon: Keep your hands off her, you imbecile!
(Everyone stares at him with amazement)
Photon: (thinking) Idiot! Doesn't he know what'll happen if he tries to use the shadow arts with his level of control!? (aloud) Anyway, I can handle this one. (Removes his sunglasses and his eyes shine even brighter.) My power has returned to me.
Shotman: Er… yes, that should work.
Raven: You sure you're okay working with a girl, bright-eyes?
Photon: Just focus on the spell, shadow-witch.
(Both rise into the air and turn sideways. They move in back to back with each other and both put out one hand.)
Raven: Azarath Metrion Zinthos!!
Photon: Luminos Necrodin Xendrenel!!
(Shadow magic springs from Raven's palm as Photon emits a blast of light energy. The attacks spiral around one another and strike the glowing barrier as one. There is a bright flash and the barrier dissolves.)
Beast Boy: Sweet! You guys rock!
Cyborg: Very nice.
Photon: Good to see that the shadow arts remain strong as ever. At least you are doing justice to their strength.
Raven: You're pretty impressive yourself. I don't think anyone else in the world can control light itself. Now let's go.
(As everyone moves to the next room, everyone is questioning Photon's earlier outburst and his repeated unusual behavior in their minds.)
Medic: (thinking) Photon defended this one from Déjà's advances… Then again he is always annoyed when Déjà behaves that way…
Shotman: (thinking) Did he just pass her a compliment? Hmm… (performs a mind scan) Oh… so that's it… okay, never mind.
Echo: (thinking) Me first mate actually spoke of his origins! And to a woman, no less! Perhaps Mister Déjà wasn't far off the mark after all…
(In the next room, Starfire feels a warmth through her body that indicates the return of her power. Gemini gets a similar feeling and knows that she has also regained her abilities.)
Shotman: This next door will be tricky. It can only be broken through with heat; a lot of it.
Starfire: I think I shall handle this obstacle.
Déjà: Oh! Please, please let me help! I'll be good, I promise!
Starfire: (Sighs) Very well. I suppose it will not be painful, as they say on this planet.
Robin: That's "I suppose it can't hurt.", Star.
(Déjà touches one finger to Starfire's palm and takes her form.)
Starfire: Now take all of your frustration, all of your anger, and focus it into your eyes. Ready? One…two…three!
(Both let out their Optic Blasts. The door heats up, but does not seem to be breaking.)
Shotman: Give it more power, or you'll never do it!
Starfire: I am giving all I have!
Déjà: My limit has also been reached!
Gemini: (thinking) No… This has to work… We have to get out of here… Please… let them be strong enough… I can't die… not before I tell him…
(Miraculously, the door becomes even hotter and finally melts away.)
Shotman: You did it! Excellent work! Now one chamber remains…
(Everyone steps through the door and into a vast chamber. The walls are covered with mirrors of many different shapes. In the center of the room, hovering ten feet above the ground, is a giant, diamond-shaped prism that seems entirely constructed of mirrors.)
Robin: Is that…?
Shotman: Yes. That is what suppresses our power. Destroy it, and we are free to go.
Echo: Me sound power is mine again; look's like we're up mate.
Robin: What should we do?
Echo: Ye still have those energy disks?
Robin: Yeah.
Echo: Throw one.
(Robin complies. Echo fires a burst of sound at it. The disk explodes and cracks the prism. Echo focuses the sound into the crack and increases the pitch. The prism cracks further, then explodes. Everyone cheers. Starfire pulls Robin into another tight hug.)
Starfire: We are victorious!
(Gemini hugs Déjà)
Gemini: We did it, we did it, we- What am I doing? Get away from me.
(Gemini shoves Déjà Vu away and hugs Echo.)
Robin: Great work, guys! Now let's all go home.
Reflection: I'm afraid you won't be leaving. You will all die here.
Beast Boy: Who said that!?
(A dark shape appears in one of the mirrors on the wall, then steps out and floats down to the ground on a panel of mirrored glass. It is a huge, jagged form, whose entire body is made of black glass.)
Reflection: Welcome to my little island get-away. Thank you so much for acting as I predicted. Now all I have to do is kill all of you, and the city will be mine for the torturing.