Part 12- New Friends, New Allies
(The Titans all fly back to the Tower with Starfire and Beast Boy carrying the two non-flyers. Photon wraps himself and his crewmates in a bubble of light and carries them back. When they reach the spot where they left the ship, however, all they are able to see is a few wooden planks and a soggy pirate flag floating on the surface; the "Red Vengeance" has sunk.)
Echo: Me ship!
Shotman: Of course… Captain, you used the Eye to make the ship build itself and to add a few otherwise impossible attachments, such as the cloaking shield and indoor plumbing.
Echo: An' everything I made with the Eye is gone… Wait! The special bits of the ship we can't do nothin about, fine, but what about the rest? The planks an' sails an' all the other hardware, that was fer real! Where is it!?
Shotman: Hmmm… Ah. It's sunk to the bottom already. It can be retrieved.
Echo: Then do it! Aye, Mister Photon, here's good.
(Photon sets the rest of the crew down on the top of Titans Tower, then surrounds himself in a light bubble and dives into the water. There is silence, then a bright light shines from under the water and a huge pile of wood and nails and rigging is lifted out of the surf inside another bubble of light. Photon can be seen straining against such a load. Just as it looks like he will drop it, a wave of shadow magic covers half of the burden and helps him ease it to shore. Photon glances up and sees Raven hovering nearby.)
Raven: As I said before, you're probably the only person in the world with power over light itself. So do yourself a favor; quit being so pathetic!
(Photon's entire body changes color as the light his skin is emitting turns from white to dark red; he is getting very mad. In the next second, it fades to white, and he responds in a sullen sort of voice.)
Photon: Thanks for the help…
(Up on the Tower, Medic puts on an expression of amazement.)
Medic: Incredible! Any other woman who took that tone with him would be dead three times over by now! Why does he not attack this one?
Shotman: Actually… something happened back on the island.
Déjà: Ooh! Tell me!
Shotman: It seems that this one gave him a very helpful idea… one that will give him back what he lost all those years ago.
Gemini: The shadow arts!?
Shotman: His human form. As thanks for the idea, he has been trying to be a bit nicer. Hm? Oh, and he was also defending her from harm so her power did not die with her; he wants the shadow arts to be immortal, no matter who has them. (thinking) That, and he's terrified that if he makes her mad, she'll crush him like she did before…
Echo: That's me first mate all right… Has a soft spot fer the very thing he claims to hate…
Photon: Hey, what're you all mumbling about up there?
Echo: Nothin', absolutely nothin'…
(The next day, Echo and his crew are busy rebuilding their ship with the help of the Titans. By nightfall, the great Brigantine is restored to its former glory, largely owing to Cyborg's talent for building. The Titans then ask the pirates to come inside and celebrate, but Echo waves them off, saying that they have something important to take care of and they will join them the next day. The following day, Echo and his crew are inside having a huge party with the Titans. Everyone is enjoying themselves; even Photon is having trouble maintaining his usual bad mood. The soda flows freely and when a pizza is ordered, Gemini multiplies it so everyone can eat their fill.)
Déjà: Amazing! This is exquisite! In all my years of cooking, I have never created anything as delicious as this!
(The other pirates are also very impressed with the pizza and decide that Déjà must be taught to make it. Some time after, Robin and Cyborg are busy trying to listen to Echo's explanation of an important matter while Robin is being distracted by Déjà Vu pulling every bad pickup line in the book on Starfire. Raven is meditating while hovering in a cross-legged position near the window, sporting a new robe and keeping the hood pulled over her face. Gemini is sitting next to Echo, and Photon and Shotman appear to be missing.)
Echo: And so, we decided last night that it was best if we turn ourselves in.
Robin: (vein popping in forehead as he looks in Déjà's direction) Oh…really…?
Cyborg: And?
Echo: Well, we presented our case to the courts and told em what had happened on the island. They even forced some truth drug on us to be sure we weren't leadin em off course. When they took all that in, they passed sentence.
Cyborg: And you got off?
Echo: Not exactly. See, we've been sentenced to… Mister Medic, will ye keep it down!?
(Over on the other side of the room, Medic is grinning madly and twiddling his thumbs over the Gamestation controller. As Beast Boy watches in amazement, the screen lights up in declaration of a new high score.)
Beast Boy: That is too cool! This is really your first time playing!?
(Medic does not answer as he is still hypnotized by the screen. His grin stretches wider and he keeps clicking the controls. There is an extremely loud explosion from the game and Raven opens one eye, annoyed. She is about to demand that they keep it down when a door slides open and Shotman steps into the room. A new person walks in behind him and the room goes quiet, except for the video game. Starfire, Raven, and Gemini all blush.)
Starfire: (thinking) Ooh! Nice…
Raven: (thinking) Oh…wow…
Gemini: (thinking) I'm not looking, I'm with Aidan, I'm not looking, I'm with Aidan, I'm not looking, I'm with Aidan…
(The new boy has a handsome face, deep, indigo blue eyes, and thick hair of the same dark blue. The most interesting thing is his pupils, which are dark, vertical slits in his eyes, almost like a cat or… something else. He glances around the room, evidently confused by the silence.)
Shotman: I do not think they recognize you, my friend.
(There is a flash of light, and Photon is standing where the bishonen was.)
Photon: How about now?
(He then shifts back to his new appearance.)
That's Japanese for "pretty boy" in case you were wondering…- The Cap'n
Echo: Mister Photon! So, finally got that human look working, eh?
Shotman: I assisted him to get it right. This is approximately how he would look now if he had never been bound in that glowing body of his.
(Photon, meanwhile, has walked across the room to where Raven is hovering in the air.)
Photon: Can I talk to you for a second?
Raven: Uh…sure, I guess so…
(Photon leads her over to a far corner of the room, away from everyone else, while Shotman walks over and sits by Echo.)
Echo: (whispering) Ye tweaked his appearance fer the better, didn't ye?
Shotman: (grinning) Well… maybe a little…
(Over in the corner, Photon clears his throat to speak while Raven tries, unsuccessfully, to stop blushing.)
Photon: Well, first off, shadow-wi- er, Raven… (thinking) I suppose I should use her name at the very least… (aloud) …thanks for the idea. It makes me feel better to know that I can look normal now.
Raven: Um… No problem… (thinking) If that's all he had to say, why drag me over here? And why did he use my name for once? Unless… oh no. (Her blush deepens) He's not going to-!
Photon: But quite apart from that, there's something I wanted to tell you. Something that's been on my mind since we left that island. I first noticed it when we worked together to blast that door down. I really think that…
Raven: (thinking) No! We can't! We're too different; it'd never work out! But… he's so… he's such a…
Photon: …Your power simply doesn't measure up to mine. My spell alone would have been enough to break that barrier. I mention this in private only because I don't want your friends to be frightened by your inadequacy. In other words, stop being an embarrassment to the shadow arts and get some actual power behind your efforts.
(Raven stops blushing and her mouth drops open. In the next second, her eyes glow red with anger.)
Raven: (thinking) …Such a jerk!! (aloud) What are you talking about, bright-eyes!? I'm inadequate!? Who couldn't even think of a way to make himself look normal!?
(Photon drops his holographic appearance and his glowing skin once again turns dark red.)
Photon: Anyone could have missed that, shadow witch! What's more, what I have I worked for; you were just born into power!
Raven: Why you-!
(The two continue arguing, while the others watch.)
Robin: I thought you said you were sure of those two?
Echo: Yeah, well… ye know what they say about couples that fight…
Cyborg: Anyhow, you were sayin'?
Echo: Oh yeah! We've been sentenced to…
Déjà: Oh come on, cherie, give it a chance! You and I are perfect for one another!
Starfire: I am sorry, but I cannot. I am not interested. I already have a…um… I am just not interested.
Déjà: Now don't play hard to get, it is not something I enjoy. Just let me- Wah!
(There is a flash of light and Déjà Vu is encased in a block of ice. Robin slides the other two Ice Disks he'd been holding back into his belt and turns back to Echo.)
Robin: So, what was it you wanted to tell us?
Echo: Well, maybe that'll cool him off some… Anyhow, what I've been tryin to say is-
Cyborg: Hey! Why're you wearin that eye patch? I thought you had your normal eye back?
Echo: What? Oh… (Echo lifts the patch and shows his eye underneath) …I do. The patch just looks cool. I was telling Mister Shotman here just yesterday- Wait a second! We're getting of the subject! Oh, just come on outside an' I'll show all of ye! Crew, to the ship!
(Everyone walks outside. Shotman carries Déjà the human Twitsicle and thaws him on the ship. Beast Boy has to turn gorilla and drag Medic away from the Gamestation and Photon hasn't even noticed this as he is still locked in verbal warfare.)
Echo: Anyhow, as I was sayin- Hey, where's Mister Photon?
Shotman: He is still inside.
Echo: What!? Well, no worries, I'll get him…
(Shotman scans the Captain's mind and begins to look worried.)
Shotman: Er, Captain, I wouldn't-!
(Echo walks inside and spots his first mate, still in a heated argument.)
Photon: …and that's exactly why you're a weakling! You women just don't know how to do anything right! I've got half a mind to-!
Raven: You've got half a mind, period!
Photon: WHAT!?
Echo: Avast there, Mister Photon! Argue with yer girlfriend another time; we got to show our new friends somethin'!
(Photon and Raven immediately stop in mid-squabble, looks of shock clear on their faces, and the angry red glow fades from both of them. Next second, Raven's face turns almost as red as her eyes were seconds before and Photon's skin becomes a somewhat lighter shade of red then it has been. Their voices overlap on the next two lines.)
Photon: She is not my girlfriend!!
Raven: I am not his girlfriend!!
Echo: Er…right… I'll remember that… Anyway, come outside. (thinking) Even I can be mistaken, I suppose…
(The two follow Echo out front, glaring at each other, both still flushed with embarrassment. Photon and the other pirates board the ship while Echo and Gemini stand before the Titans. The great galleon currently has a white cloth hanging over the rail near the front of the hull.)
Echo: Now then, we made our case to the judges, they considered, and we've all been sentenced to community service. Indefinitely.
Robin: And?
Echo: And after I had Mister Shotman divulge a concern ye been havin, I found the perfect job fer us!
(The Captain turns to the ship and pulls on a rope. The white cloth falls away, revealing that the ship now has a new name; "Neptune's Crescendo".)
Echo: Mister Photon! Raise our new colors!
(A flag slowly rises up the mast of the ship. It then opens in the wind. The flag is light blue with a white ring in the center. Within the ring is a big letter "T".)
Robin: You mean-!?
Echo: That's right! Say hello to Titans South! We've got a location picked and everything! We're settin' sail for our new premises! Crew, get down here and say yer goodbyes!
(Shotman comes down and shakes Cyborg's hand.)
Shotman: I shall see you again, my shiny friend.
Cyborg: Count on it, big man.
Medic: Thank you for letting me play the video game, my friend.
Beast Boy: You've gotta teach me to play like that!
Medic: I shall…sometime.
Raven: (still blushing and flat-out refusing to make eye contact) So… goodbye, I guess…
Photon: (same here) Guess so…
(These two shake hands and break contact almost immediately)
Gemini: See you again, Starfire- agghhh!
(Starfire has just delivered one of her patented Big Hugs to Gemini. There is audible crunching.)
Starfire: Good luck to you, new friend!
Gemini: Can't…breathe…!
Déjà: Au revior, mon cherie! Parting is such sweet…
(Déjà stops as he is about to kiss Starfire's hand, having caught the look on Robin's face.)
Déjà: Um… bye. Hm? Perhaps you, Mademoiselle, will give me the honor of-?
(Raven emits a growl that would not sound out of place in the throat of a wild cat and her eyes gleam red. Déjà runs back onto the ship, waving a white flag.)
Robin: (shaking Echo's hand) Good to have you. Welcome to the Teen Titans, Captain.
Echo: Glad to be aboard, Robin. We'll be there for ye anytime. Good sailin' to ye, shipmate.
Robin: Likewise.
Echo: Right; weigh anchor! Spread the sails! We're off with the tide!
(The ship heads out to sea. The Titans watch it go and head back into the Tower.)
Robin: Great bunch of guys… Hope they stay out of trouble…
(Out at sea, Shotman is watching as Déjà tries to start a conversation with Photon.)
Déjà: You have all the luck Photon! You always get the cute ones!
(Photon speaks in a warning tone.)
Photon: Shut up, Déjà…
Déjà: It's a shame you didn't stay with her… she was crazy about you, you know. Shotman told me; he saw it inside her thoughts.
Shotman: Huh? Déjà, I didn't say-
Déjà: Shh! Really, she couldn't say so, but she did feel quite strongly about you.
(The light man is silent for a moment then turns towards Déjà.)
Photon: …Really?
Déjà: A-ha! Got you! I knew it! Ha ha ha ha ha!
(Photon once again glows the light shade of red, indicating embarrassment. Déjà Vu then spends the next two hours tied to the mast just below the crow's nest…upside down. He would have been there all day, but Echo finally orders Photon to let him down. After the cook is untied, Echo is able to devote some time to getting to know Gemini.)
Echo: So…exactly how long have ye…felt so strongly about me?
Gemini: (blushing) Er…well…about since our fourth or fifth training session…when you were teaching me control…
Echo: Really!? Even back then, ye were… Uh, well, if ye don't mind me sayin', ye might have been a bit clearer about hintin' it to me if nothin' else. Am I right, lads?
Déjà: Actually, I was able to tell myself. I am a master of les amour.
Medic: Indeed. I also sensed her feelings from day one.
Echo: Wha-? Mister Shotman?
Shotman: Apologies, Captain, but even if I were lacking my mental eyes in addition to my physical ones, I could have told how this young lady felt about you right away.
Echo: (voice breaking slightly) Mister Photon…?
Photon: Much as I hate admitting to having any knowledge of how the female mind works…I also had it figured out right from the start. Sorry, Captain, but it appears that the only one here who was totally oblivious to Gemini's feelings…was you.
(Echo grabs the top of his head, his mouth drops open, and his eyes shoot open wide. His background momentarily becomes all black with giant white letters spelling out "NO WAY!!!" The "O" in "NO" and the dots of the exclamation points are substituted with Echo's skull and crossbones symbol.)
Gemini: Um…it's okay…
(Echo snaps out of his momentary state of shocked disbelief.)
Echo: No, it's not! I, the captain of this ship, unaware of something this important!? Unacceptable! Come, Miss Gemi- No, Colleen! Come along and tell me of everything else I've failed to notice in all this time!
(Echo leads her off to another part of the ship. Later, as dinner time rolls around, the two show up in the galley, holding hands and smiling. Déjà Vu enters with the meal he has created for the evening. As they are about to eat, the Captain notices someone missing.)
Echo: Mister Shotman, where is our ship's doctor?
Shotman: In his quarters, drooling over the new improvements that Cyborg put in for him.
(Echo sighs, then goes and extracts the ninja from his room, which now has surround-sound speakers attached to a big screen TV and a Gamestation. After they finish eating, the new Titans finally arrive in the ports of Harbor City, where they plan to build their Tower.)
Echo: Okay! Crew…Colleen… let's start buildin'! It's time the criminals in this town learn to fear the name of the Titans South Crew!
Happy End!!
Author's Note- -Dear GOD, I love doing this! I come up with it, and if I write it, the characters are forced to do it! (laughs evilly) Manipulation is such fun! Dance, puppets, DANCE!