"Do you think we'll ever get home?" Yuu asked Mato after another quiet day.
Mato shook her head.
"I don't know, we've been here for months and we're just as far away as we were when we arrived." The pigtailed teen said. "Robin and Cyborg have been trying to find a way of locating certain dimensions and Raven has been using her magic to find our world as well."
Yuu sighed and leant against a wall.
"It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack of needles the size of the universe, it might take us the rest of our lives." She banged the back of her head against the wall in frustration.
"Speaking of." Mato said. "Black Rock Shooter and Strength didn't age did they? In our world or the Otherworld."
"No they stayed the same." Yuu confirmed.
"So then what does that mean for us? Are we the same now that we've merged?" Mato asked.
"Wouldn't have thought so, as far as I can tell we're still fully human." Yuu said shaking her head.
"That's what I thought but I cut my hand when I was making lunch today, look at it now." Mato said, showing Yuu.
A faint pale scar ran across the fleshy webbing between her thumb and index finger.
"That's from today?" Yuu asked in surprise.
"Yeah, what if the merging changed us more than just being able to understand different languages? What if it changed our bodies as well?" Mato suggested.
Yuu suddenly looked worried.
"What is it?" Mato asked.
"What if it hasn't stopped? What if we're still changing?" Yuu said.
"Into what?" Mato wondered.
"Otherselves." Yuu said. "Our Otherselves, we might stop being us."
"Oh shit." Mato said quietly. "We need to find Cyborg, he might be able to check us."
"How?" Yuu asked.
"DNA, I'm betting they have one of those machines that check it." Mato said.
"We don't know if Otherselves have DNA, or it could be exactly the same as ours." Yuu argued.
"Yuu, Strength bleeds black and white, that's not possible, biologically speaking, so it can't be a match" Mato countered. "Something weird should show up either way."
"Alright, lets find him." Yuu agreed. "As if we don't have enough to worry about already." She sighed.
Mato could only nod.
"Alright ladies, that's it." Cyborg said in the infirmary. "It'll take about a week for the results to show."
"Why so long?" Mato asked, rubbing her arm where Cyborgs needle had taken some blood.
"Do you know how long DNA is girl?" Cyborg cried. "There's about three billion base pairs, that's six billion individual nucleotides that the computer has to scan and sequence to confirm whether you are fully human or not."
"That's a lot." Yuu admitted.
"Hell yeah it's a lot!" Cyborg said.
"But there are machines that can do it in less than a day though." Mato countered.
"They don't do the entire genome, they only focus on the specific sections that make us human." Cyborg explained.
"Why aren't you doing that?" Mato replied.
"Because if there are any changes it might be in another part, don't worry, we've had practice at this with metahumans." Cyborg said.
"Metahumans?" Yuu asked.
"People who have abilities." Cyborg stated.
"Ohhh." Yuu and Mato said together. "Like Beast Boy." Added Yuu.
"Yeah, Beast Boy and Raven." Cyborg confirmed. "Although generally anyone with abilities would be classed as 'metahuman', even me."
"So how did you become a cyborg, Cyborg?" Yuu grinned.
"I'd rather not talk about it." Cyborg muttered, his artificial eye dimmed slightly. "Bad memories."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it." Yuu replied sadly.
"No harm, you didn't know." Cyborg reassured her, patting her head with a large metal hand.
A small giggle came from Mato's direction, Cyborg and Yuu looked over at her.
"You two are so cute together!" She cried gleefully.
The pair turned red and turned away from each other after Cyborg rapidly withdrew his hand.
"She was right!" Mato squealed. "You do like each other!"
"Shut up!" Yuu growled, turning redder.
"Wait." Cyborg said. "She?" he asked.
"Huh?" Mato said, slowly edging towards the door. "What?"
"Mato, who said this to you?" Yuu glared, stepping forwards.
"I don't know what you mean, it's just something I've seen during our time here." Mato said, nearly at the door.
"Uh-uh, you definitely said 'she'." Cyborg said, joining Yuu. "I can replay the conversation again if you'd like."
Mato cleared her throat.
"You know, it's a lovely day outside, how about I get you guys some ice-cream? I think we could all do with ice-cream because it's such a lovely day." She suggested.
"Mato, we don't want ice-cream…" Cyborg started.
"Are you sure? I was only playing matchmaker, it's obvious you two are into each other and ice-cream would help soothe the embarrassment." Mato rambled.
"Mato, stop digging." Yuu said, coming closer. "Who told you?"
"I've known you for years Yuu, you don't think I wouldn't pick up something like this? You're one of my closest friends." Mato said.
Yuu thought about this then shook her head. "You're an amazing friend, you were always the strongest of us when it came to being there for us and we knew we could always rely on you." She said.
"But you're as useless as a fish flying a plane when it comes to relationships, you'd only notice if something was going on if somebody slapped you with the fish!"
"I am not a fish!" Mato argued weakly.
"You're a dead fish if you don't tell me who said this!" Yuu growled.
Mato was finally at the door.
"Umm, bye." She said quickly running away.
"What was all that about?" Cyborg asked.
"Mato being Mato, she was trying to help." Yuu sighed.
"Help with what?" Cyborg said, scratching his head.
Yuu turned to him.
"I like you, okay? You're smart, funny, really, really hot. You're an amazing cook, you care about everyone, kick ass at games. I like you, like you." She explained.
"Oh." Cyborg said. "Ohhh." He said again as he finally realised what she was talking about.
"Yeah." Yuu blushed.
"Shit." Cyborg muttered, he rubbed the back of his head and started to sweat.
Yuu's face dropped.
"I like you too, Yuu. But I'm eighteen, and I know you're older but technically you're physically only fifteen. You're a minor Yuu. I can't." Cyborg said quietly.
"B-but I confessed." Yuu said tearing up. "I confessed to you!"
"Look if I was younger or you were older it wouldn't matter, but an eighteen year old dating a fifteen year old? Even in your world that had to raise some red flags." Cyborg said gently, he went to hold Yuu but was shrugged off.
"Goddamn fucking hormones! I went through enough of this shit the first time!" Yuu screamed. "It's not pissing fair!"
She looked up at him through the tears.
"I'm sorry Cyborg, I'm sorry I put you in this position." Yuu cried.
"Hey, if things were different I'd be right where you are now." Cyborg smiled. "You going to be okay?"
"I will be, I just need to find Mato." Yuu stated, forcing herself into calm.
"Why?" Cyborg asked.
"Because I'm going to kick her ass." Yuu scowled.
She's going to kick my ass. Mato thought.
Why? Rock asked.
Because I've humiliated her, I didn't mean to. But Cyborg is an adult and he told me Yuu is physically fifteen. That's illegal.
Why did you tell them then?
'Cause I've only just realised, I'm an idiot, she's going to be so hurt. I need to apologise. She thought.
As she turned around, the wall next to her exploded, slamming her across the corridor and knocking her unconscious.
Sirens blared throughout the tower, plummeting everything into gloomy red light. The Titans raced into the main room.
"What's going on?" Beast Boy asked yawning.
"We've been attacked, some kind of explosive in the lower levels." Robin said.
He turned to the large screen and started pressing buttons on the remote control, various images of the tower appeared and he flicked through them until he found the correct one.
Thick smoke shrouded the corridor, but they could faintly make out the prone form of a teenaged girl.
"Mato!" Yuu cried. "Where is that?"
"First floor, east hallway." Robin replied. "Wait!" He cried as she ran off, he was about to follow her when Raven spoke.
"There's someone else there."
The five Titans watched in disbelief as the smoke suddenly cleared and stood over Mato was a tall, muscular man wearing a black bodysuit, grey armour and facemask that had half of it painted orange.
"Slade!" Robin growled.
"What the hell!" Raven gasped.
"What is he doing here?" Starfire asked.
"We have to save Mato!" Beast Boy said.
"Titans go!" Robin yelled.
Strength skidded to a halt in front of Slade, surprised by the appearance the strange figure who had Mato slung over his shoulder.
"Let her go!" Strength demanded.
"I don't think so my dear, this one is going to be very useful to me." Slade answered coolly. He threw something onto the floor and Strength was blinded by the bright flash of light, she blinked her eyes a few times only to see the pair had disappeared.
"Strength!" A voice called behind her. She looked around to see the rest of the Titans running towards her.
"What happened?" Robin asked.
After Strength had relayed the brief encounter he shook his head.
"What is he thinking of?"
"Perhaps he is wishing to turn her, like he did Terra?" Starfire suggested.
"Would that work?" Robin asked.
"Doubt it, shit like manipulation doesn't work on us, to strong-willed." Strength replied. "We have to find her though."
"Err, guys?" Beast Boy said, looking through the large hole. "We have a problem."
Outside was an army of figures, clad in the same armour as Slade. Among them the two huge figures of Cinderblock and Plasmus.
"Aww man, what the hell is this?" Cyborg cried.
"I dunno, but it looks like an army. I can see the Hive and Killer Moth as well." Raven muttered.
"How did no one notice an army marching throught the city?" Strength asked. "What is wrong with this world?"
The Titans just shrugged.
Strength growled.
"We need to find Mato, any idea where Slade would have taken her?"
"It's possible he could be using his old lair, but he's smart, that could be a trap." Robin said.
"It's better than nothing." Strength snapped.
"Hey we all want to find Mato, but you need to calm down." Robin said calmly. "We have an army on our doorstep we'll get overwhelmed."
Strength grabbed a chunk of masonry and crushed it in her fist.
"Fine, you be calm, find Mato, if he's smart he'll sedate her. Make sure Black Rock Shooter can't take over." She said.
Another explosion from beneath them shook the building.
"I think that was the garages and the dock, we're not getting out that way." Cyborg said.
"Slade's forcing us to confront his army, he's wanting us out of the way." Robin surmised.
"What are we gonna do?" Beast Boy asked.
"Can't you fly over?" Strength asked.
"Too risky." Robin stated. "All those commandos have blasters, we'd be shot out of the sky by sheer mass of fire."
"How the hell did you guys ever do anything without us?" Strength sighed in annoyance. Before Robin could reply, she said. "Follow me, I'll deal with these idiots and give you an opening to escape."
"It's too risky Strength, we need to stick together." Cyborg said.
"Yes, we cannot leave you by yourself with all of these bad guys." Added Starfire.
"Yeah we're a team!" Cried Beast Boy. "We work together."
Strength turned to look at Raven.
"Nothing to say?" She asked the grey-skinned teen.
"You fought Black Rock Shooter?" Raven asked.
"Yes." Strength answered.
"You survived." Raven stated.
Strength nodded.
"We follow her plan, I'm sure she'll catch up with us." The teen said simply.
Strength nodded her thanks.
"Raven, we can't just leave her here!" Robin argued.
"I've been inside Black Rock Shooter's mind, I've seen what she can do. Strength fought her and survived, she's just as tough." Raven stated.
"Raven..." Robin started.
"Enough!" Strength shouted. "I'm going out there and I'm going to make every single person stupid enough to join with Slade sorry, if you want to take advantage of that to find Mato that's your choice." She glared at them, fury in her eyes.
"But if something has happened to her while we all sit around arguing then I'm going to hunt all of you down."
Without another word she stepped out and charged.
Mato awoke shivering, she tried to move only to find herself strapped down. She looked at her arms and legs and saw several thick metal restraints holding them in place. She felt a metal collar around her neck, preventing her from moving her head much.
Do not speak, let me take over. Rock said.
Where am I? Mato asked.
I do not know, we are still in the city I believe. Rock replied.
Why didn't you take control earlier?
I cannot if you are unconscious as a human, some part of your brain needs to be active to allow the switch.
Right, okay. Do it.
With a silent exhale, Mato and Rock swapped places, Rock felt more at ease knowing that Mato was more protected from harm due to her Otherself physiology.
"Well well well, I was wondering how long it would take for you to show." Slade said, appearing at the top of her vision.
Rock took the opportunity to look around, she could faintly make out machinery in the darkness but otherwise the room she was in was completely black. The only illumination was the spotlight shining on her from above.
"I require your help, but first I must know your opinion of the Titans." Slade asked.
Rock stayed silent.
"You must have noticed." Slade continued, as if she had answered him. "That they are rather ineffective, crimes in this city grow daily and the police are becoming more and more ill-capable of handling them."
Where's he going with this? Mato wondered.
He is going to try and convince us that the Titans are the cause and they need to be removed. Rock explained. He will want us to help him and claim that it is for the greater good.
But that's insane. Mato thought. He has to convince both of us.
I do not think he knows of our connection, perhaps he thinks by getting me to join his cause that I will stop you from emerging and interfering.
"Which is why I need your help." Slade was saying, oblivious to the internal conversation Mato and Rock were having. "Together we can stop the Titans and bring an end to this arms race."
Slade stood over Rock, waiting for an answer.
Wave your hand, as much as you can. Mato told Rock.
Why?
Just do it, we're going to answer him.
Rock did as she was asked.
"Hmm? What's this?" Slade asked, looking down.
Now clench your fist and extend your middle finger.
She did this.
"I see." Slade snarled. "I didn't expect this coercion method to work anyway, I know too little about you."
He disappeared out of view, when he came back, he was wheeling a very large piece of machinery over. From the side, a thick rubberised tube extended out. Slade manipulated this tube so that the end, which was tipped with a conical, metal device with a lens at its centre, was pointed over the offending hand.
"This is more barbaric than I would prefer my dear, but time is against us." Slade said, almost comfortingly.
He flipped a switch on the machine and a brilliant blue laser emerged from the lens.
Straight through Rock's hand.