AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This story hit 70,000 views! Hooray!

Like season 4's finale, this chapter's events are out of order according to the actual episode. Some events in this chapter originally take place in the next episode, "Titans Together".

Happy reading!


I stood in a dark room- I could barely see my hand as I waved it in front of my face. A harsh spotlight turned on, and I shielded my eyes.

"What a pathetic liar."

A chill rushed down my spine, and I slowly turned. Standing underneath a spotlight directly from me was... me.

"What's going on?" I said.

"'Oh, no, Jane! There's nothing wrong with me being in this show. Everything has been going down the same path, despite me being in it. You have nothing to worry about.'" Ciela said, a fist on her hip. "She was right, you know. When you stepped foot in that world, everything began to change. You're the one who's the main hero. You're the one who gets all the glory. You're the center of attention. Why? Because there was zero chance you could be that in the real world. And you can't say no- it's useless to lie to yourself."

"But you're not me. I'm me!" I said. I reached for my pistols. I shuddered as my fingers brushed against my hip- my holster belt was gone.

"Looking for these?" I looked up and saw Jane in place of my negative clone. She held my holster belt out. "Go ahead; take them."

My legs, without my consent, hurried me forward. I broke into a sprint in a second, so willing to do so after Jane's demand. I reached out to grab my belt. The ground underneath me vanished, and I fell before I could reach Jane. She watched me plummet with a smile, and she quickly disappeared from my sight.

I hit the ground, flat on my back. I gasped as the wind was knocked out of my lungs, my breathing reduced to a heavy, painful, and unsatisfying wheeze. My spotlight still shined far above me, but it was reduced to a tiny speck of light.

"Everyone knows the truth- even you. Especially you."

I rolled onto my stomach and pushed myself up to my hands and knees. Blood dripped down my chin. I gasped and followed the tiny trail of blood with my fingers- up my chin and over my cheekbone- until I found the source; a hole on the side of my face, directly on my right temple.

"Don't worry, Fattela. I'm here to make everything better. You don't belong here anyways..."

A pair of brown boots filled my vision. I looked up. My clone stood over me, her arms dangling at her side with an energy pistol in her right hand. Her gray eyes were dull and glazed, like a lifeless doll. Slowly, she lifted the pistol up, lining it perfectly between my eyes.

"I'm here to fix that."

She pulled the trigger.


My eyes popped open. I sat up straight in bed with a sharp gasp. My shoulders and chest heaved rapidly from my fast breathing. I felt something trickle down the side of my face. Panic gripped me instantaneously, and I frantically wiped my face and looked at my hands. The light of the sun leaking through my curtains reflected off the sweat on my fingers. I remained in this position, frozen as my breathing slowly returned to normal. When I had enough strength, I pulled myself out of bed and into the bathroom. I turned the faucet and repeatedly splashed cool water on my face. I rested my hands on the edge of the sink and closed my eyes. My heart pattered in my chest. I turned without glancing at my wet reflection and dried my face off.

I walked back into my room and plucked my phone from my bedside table. Turning it on, my eyes widened from the endless list of text messages. I unlocked my phone and look under the conversation between me and my three guy friends. They must have made it last night while I was away.

YOU GUYS SAW IT, RIGHT?!

WHAT A PLOT TWIST.

I CAN'T EVEN RIGHT NOW.

ROBSTAR IS DEAD. MAKE WAY FOR THE TRUE SHIP.

ROBSTAR IS DEAD.

ROBSTAR IS DEAD.

I dropped my phone on my bed, disregarding the rest of the messages. I glanced at my sleeping laptop on my desk. I walked over, sat in my chair, and powered up my laptop. My typing was significantly slower than usual- I tried to delay the inevitable for as long as I could. I clicked on "Go!" and skipped ahead. I paused and stared at the image of Starfire kissing the teenage civilian. I quickly closed the window and my laptop. I rested my elbows of my desk and my face in my hands.


I awoke to foreign mumbles. I opened my eyes, sat up, and rubbed my head. I looked up and at the many people standing over me, whispering at my curious appearance. In the distance, I saw the Eiffel Tower standing tall.

I jumped to my feet, glancing nervously at the small crowd surrounding me.

"Uh... Excusez-moi!" I called before barreling through the Parisian citizens. I ran down the street and turned into an alley. I leaned against the wall and pulled out my communicator. "Ciela to Jinx. Ciela to Jinx, come in!"

There was a moment of static. "No need to be so formal. What's up?"

"Have you been all right since we last met?" I said. "No ambushes from bad guys?"

"No. Although there was one time a week ago. Some girl tried to cut in front of me at a check-out counter. She's on my evil list."

"Do you remember what I told you?" I said. I peeked my head out of the alley and looked up at the Eiffel Tower. "I'm in Paris right now. The Brotherhood has their secret base here. It's time."

"Sweet. I'll meet you there."

"No. I need you and Kid Flash to find Beast Boy. I can't say for sure where he is, but I thought Kid could cover the distance and find him quickly. I'll find a way to you."

"No problem. We're-"

Jinx's voice cut out, followed by heavy static.

"Jinx? Jinx!" I called.

"Calling all Titans!" Robin said on the other end. "The Brotherhood of Evil has been sending villains around the world to hunt us down. As of right now, to prevent any more potential threats, I'm breaking off all further communications!"

My eyes widened. "Robin!" I cried. People from across the street glanced over curiously.

He didn't hear me, however. "Take care of yourselves. You know what to do."

My communicator emitted a high-pitched siren. Electricity crackled from it, and I threw it to the ground. My communicator hissed as a small trail of smoke curled from the cracked screen. The siren died.

I stared at my broken communicator, my hands trembling.

No. No! I screamed in my head. I ran my fingers through my hair. How could this be? How did they find everyone? No one else handed out any communicators! I protected everyone!

I stumbled out of the alley, resting my hand on the wall to steady myself. My hand on the wall slowly balled up into a fist. With a scowl, I pushed myself off and sprinted down the street.


~TPPOV~

Robin stood in a tiny, cylindrical container, his hands tightly clenched at his sides as he glared at Professor Chang and his goons while they worked at machines. The container rested on a large conveyor belt, which continued past a large, metal door.

"You won't get away with this." Robin said to Professor Chang.

Footsteps echoed from the doorway. Everyone turned to the door as a silhouette entered.

"It's a surprise you remain so optimistic, considering what awaits you." Jane said. She flicked her wrist, shooing Professor Chang and his goons out of the room. When they all filed out of the room, Jane turned to Robin with a grin. Robin scowled. "Did you even see this coming? I guess, under the new circumstances, no one would have. Despite this being in the original series, the events leading up to it were different- just like everything else that has happened. And it's all thanks to your friend."

Jane chuckled and slowly walked around Robin's container.

"Knowing that loser and this show, because you destroyed all Titan communicators, she's probably on her way right now to try and rescue you, save the day, and receive a happy ever after. Anything to keep maintaining glory." Jane said.

"You're wrong." Robin said. "Ciela doesn't do it for credit, but because it's the right thing to do. Taking you down is the right thing to do, and she won't stop until that happens. Neither will I."

Jane glanced at Robin with a smirk. "Oh, really?" Jane turned her back to him. "In my world, there was a famous English poet who lived a few hundred years ago- a man named William Shakespeare. He was wildly popular in his time, and his work has continuously been praised even long after his death. His favorite types of writings were tragedies. One of his most famous tragedies is called, "Macbeth". It's about a Scottish general who wants so desperately to become king. This insatiable craving for power drives him to do horrible things- even killing the current king so he can take his place.

"The thing about tragedies, however, is there is no such thing as a happy ending, especially for the main character. They all have that one flaw, that one tragic flaw, that ultimately leads to their downfall. In Macbeth's case, it was ambition. Now fast forward to now. Our own Macbeth is on her way to stop the Brotherhood and make everything right in her perfect world. I believe this moment is what they call 'dramatic irony'. The series is nearing its end, and her tragic flaw steps into the light. That's when the real hero of the story enters- the one who puts the main character in their place and ends them and their reign. Poor Fattela is marching straight to her doom."

"Don't call her that!" Robin cried.

Jane whirled around and stepped closer to the container, the glass keeping distance between them. Her cloak snapped from her sharp turn. "I can call her whatever I want. Face it, Boy Wonder. That sweet little gunslinger you know so well will be dead by the end of this series..." Jane said. She grinned. "But it's up to her who pulls the trigger."

Robin slammed his clenched fists against the glass, the harsh smack echoing in the room. Jane maintained her smile- she didn't even flinch.

"Over. My. Dead. Body." Robin hissed.

Jane chuckled. "Feel free to join her, if that's what you wish. You'll just remind me of another one of Shakespeare's tragedies."

Jane turned on her heel and left the room, leaving Robin all alone.


~CIELA~

I looked up at the large fortress before me. The tall, wooden doors reminded me of a medieval building, and I half-expected a moat of alligators to open up under my feet. I noticed an unusual outline in the west wall. Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, I hurried over and shoved the outline. There was a hiss, and a secret door slid open. I glanced down the dark, slide-like tube. Taking a deep breath, I jumped in.

I rocketed far below the earth. The light of the surface disappeared over my shoulder, shrouding me in complete darkness. After nearly half a minute of sliding, I saw dimmed lights shining through a grate at the end. I gasped and brought my feet in. When I reached the grate, I thrust my feet out. My feet struck the grate, and it fell with me to the ground. The clang of metal echoed in the hallway as I tumbled to the ground and landed against the wall. After a few breaths, I jumped back to my feet and hoisted the grate into my arms. I staggered over to a nearby pipe and stashed the grate behind it.

I heard footsteps coming my way. I gasped quietly and jumped behind the pipe. A few pairs of feet hurried past.

"Come on, or we'll be late!" a villain said. "I swear, if I miss the Brain freezing Robin, I'll pummel you into a pulp!"

The footsteps faded down the hallway. I stepped out from behind the pipe. I jogged down the way the villains went, careful to make my footsteps light and to avoid detection. I hid behind another pipe and watched them as they arrived at two wooden doors lined with metal. They opened, and the villains filed into the large, open room on the other side. I heard chattering from the multitudes of others inside.

When the doors closed, I ran over and turned at the corner just before the doors. I slowed to a walk. I quieted my breathing and listened. As I walked, I heard faint grunts of struggling and steady thumping, like fists beating against something. I picked up my pace. Finally, I pinpointed the sounds to the door they were behind, which was on the same wall as the large room. I pulled my pistols from their holsters and transformed them into gauntlets. I opened the door.

All noises stopped immediately. "Who's there?!" a voice called.

I perked up. "Robin?"

I ran my hand along the wall and found a light switch. I flicked it on, and the lights and machinery powered on. Robin stood on a conveyor belt, trapped inside a glass container. His eyes were wide, and they grew even bigger when he saw me.

"What are you doing here?" Robin said.

"I came to find you." I said. "I'm getting you out of here."

I circled around the container, searching for a release switch.

"You need to leave right now." Robin said.

"Just give me a minute." I said.

"No! Ciela, look at me!" I stopped and looked at Robin. He rested his hands on the glass. "If the Brotherhood catches you... if Jane catches you... she'll-!"

The scream of machinery interrupted Robin. I lost my balance, and I held onto the container as the conveyor belt below my feet started to move towards the large door at the end of the room. The door opened, and the conveyor belt brought us into another room. Shouts and cheers rumbled the floor and walls, and I looked over at the crowd of villains sitting in bleachers, watching the spectacle.

"Welcome, Ciela Brunson." I whirled around and looked up at the elevated platform several feet away, where the Brotherhood of Evil stood. "We have been expecting you. I trust you came to greet your fellow comrades."

A spotlight turned on over my shoulder, and I looked at the large shelves lining the western wall. Many Titans, including Speedy, Aqualad, Wildebeest, and Hot Spot, lined the shelves as frozen statues.

"No..." I whispered. I turned back to them. "How did you find them?! I kept you from getting a communicator!"

"Are you kidding me? You really didn't figure it out? Well, you didn't find out about me until recently, so that's typical." a voice said. Jane circled around the elevated platform, a hand on her hip. "The Brotherhood didn't need communicators. Not when they had me. Need I remind you that we both share the same knowledge of this show- perhaps one with more than the other? When you were too insistent on forbidding your friends from handing out communicators, that didn't hinder our plan at all. I just needed a world map, and I was able to point out where every Titan in this world lived." Jane grinned. "You thought you could save everyone... but you failed. The only ones to thank are you and that lovely charm around your neck."

"Now you have the distinct privilege of witnessing your leader's downfall." the Brain said.

"Ciela," Robin said, "leave. Get out of here."

I bowed my head and clenched my fists. "Not without you."

"You can still save yourself. Don't worry about me!"

I squeezed my eyes shut and covered my hands over my ears. "Stop. Stop it!"

"It's too dangerous for you! There's nothing you can do!"

I whirled around to face Robin. "Just let me be of use to you, Dad!"

Everything went silent. Robin gaped at me. My eyes widened, and I stepped back and covered my mouth with my hands. Tears pooled in my eyes.

Machinery powered on. Robin looked up at the bright, blue tip of the laser hanging over him. He looked back at me as mist filled his container.

"No!" I cried. I reeled back my fist and shoved it into the glass. I frantically beat against the container, which grew cold in an instance.

As I brought my fist up once more, the mist evacuated the container through the top. Robin stood, blue and frozen. My fist remained still in the air; all energy had left my body. Slowly, I brought my trembling hands up and pressed them against the glass, directly over his hands. A thin layer of ice covered the container.

I dropped to my knees. My hands slid off the glass and hit the ground. The ends of my gauntlets hit my knees, reverting them back to energy pistols. They clattered to the ground. Tears fell freely from my eyes, puddling between my hands as I wept. I rested my forehead against the glass; my bare skin burned from the cold. Despite this sight, the room remained unusually quiet.

Footsteps approached me and stopped at my side. Jane bent down and picked up one of my energy pistols. I heard the soft, dying hum of the pistol powering down from her touch. She twisted the pistol around in her hand, examining it leisurely.

"Hmph." she whispered. "Pathetic."

Jane dropped my pistol, and it landed at my side. She turned on her heel and walked back to the Brotherhood.

"Johnny, Mammoth, grab her and put her in line."

Heavy footsteps approached me. I looked up at Johnny Rancid and Mammoth with tear-stained cheeks while they stood over me with grins.

The blast of a trumpet drowned out the silence. Johnny Rancid and Mammoth looked to the wall with wide eyes. They stepped back. I turned my head. A portal had opened on the wall. From it, a pair of hands wrapped in gray and black gloves emerged. They grabbed me and pulled me into it. The portal closed, but before I remained in the strange, alternate dimension for long, I was pulled into another room and into Beast Boy's arms. My body weighed us down to our knees.

"Wow. It worked." Herald said.

"¿Está bien la señorita Ciela?" Más said.

"Ciela..." Beast Boy said. "It's okay. You're safe now."

I choked back a sob when I heard his voice. I buried my face into Beast Boy's shoulder and wept, my body shaking deeply each time I heaved.

"It's all my fault..." I whimpered repeatedly. "It's all my fault..."

Beast Boy, at a loss for words, held me tighter.