Fear of Scary Things and Broken Relationships
Chapter 4.
Batman took a quick glance on his surroundings, it was dark, grim and mysterious. On one wall were several shelves with enough books to call it a personal library. Many candle holders with candles and several strange items were all across the room. "You're more than an empath and a sorceress, aren't you?" It was more a statement than a question.
"What makes you think that?" Raven asked while Robin raised an eyebrow, curious about Batman's theory.
"Ever heard of Etrigan?"
"I've read about him, a demon captured inside a human person, Blood if I recall it correctly."
"Jason Blood, he's a friend of mine and so is Etrigan. When I see you, I see something familiar with them, items included."
Raven was getting suspicious. "And your point is...?"
"Because you're a demon, you don't have to be a bad person. The most important thing is to control your mind and your emotions."
Raven shot Batman an icy glare which didn't go unnoticed by Robin. "Uhm, Raven... you just got a compliment from Batman, which is very rear." Raven's glare went to him. "Trust me, I know."
She glared back at Batman. "Fine. Now, get out my room, you have been here long enough."
The three of them went out Raven's room and are heading for the nearest room of the infected teammates. Robin grabbed his communicator and pressed a few buttons. "Cyborg, we are already inside the Tower, heading for Beast Boy's room."
"O-kay, I'm on my way," Cyborg responded with a confusing look on the screen.
When the three of them stopped just before Beast Boy's room's door they didn't had to wait very long when Cyborg appeared around the corner. His human eye widened in uttermost surprise when he saw the Dark Knight himself. "Wow... Batman? Is that really you?"
"Cyborg," Batman nodded. "How are they doing?"
Cyborg had yet to overcome the great surprise of the fact that one and only Batman, the Dark Knight, the greatest detective of the world was inside the Titans Tower. It took a while when he shook his head before looking up at his soul piercing glare. He immediately regretted that and thought that his glare could be as intimidated as Raven's one when she was in a bad mood. "Well... scared... but they are... okay at the moment."
"Okay is good enough." Batman said. He then turned to Robin and Raven. "Let's get it done."
Robin and Raven exchanged looks and went to the door to knock on it and got answered by a yelp on the other side of it. "I'm sorry Beast Boy, it's just me, Robin. Raven and I want to come in. We don't want to scare you, so I want you to turn away from the door before we're coming in, is that okay with you?"
Several moments passed before the voice of Beast Boy sounded from the other side of the door. "I guess it's... okay... I won't look at you."
"Beast Boy, I want you to trust us, we won't be able to help you if you don't trust us," Robin gently said.
"I... I trust you guys. You can come in."
"Alright BB, we're coming in." Robin pressed five buttons on the keypad to open the door and saw Beast Boy sitting on the messy floor with his back towards him. He slowly stepped towards the changeling with Raven right behind him. "Hey buddy, how're feeling?"
"Awful," Beast Boy said with a tiny voice.
"Yeah, I know the feelings." Robin sat down on the slightly behind Beast Boy. "Look, I have something for you to help you with your fear." Beast Boy slightly turned a bit at the direction of Robin while Raven kneeled behind him. "Really? What's that?" "It's a medicine, an injection to make you better. It might sting a little but I want you to trust me to give it to you."
Beast Boy started to shake by fear. "An injection? I don't want- "
"I know, and I understand." Robin placed a hand on Beast Boy's shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. "But it hurts me to see you like this. Please let me help you, trust me by doing this."
Minutes passed when Beast Boy relaxed once again. Finally he let out a deep sigh. "Alright, I trust you." Robin didn't hesitate, grabbed the injection gun, put it on Beast Boy's arm and squeezed the trigger.
Shock of a stinging pain in his right arm went through Beast Boy's body as he tried to jump on his feet, only to hold on his place by Raven and Robin who got help from Batman and Cyborg. It took a minute when he started to calm down as he was instructed by Robin and Cyborg. Once he was calm again Batman retreated himself followed by Cyborg. Only Robin's left hand remained on Beast Boy's right shoulder. "I'm sorry you have to go all through this. Are you feeling better?"
Beast Boy rubbed the sore spot on his arm. "I... I don't know Rob. It's... I don't know."
"It's alright, give it some time. We're leaving you alone for now. If you need something, you only have to call."
Beast Boy nodded. "Alright." Raven and Robin got on their feet and started walking out of Beast Boy's room. Once they reached the door Beast Boy slightly turned to them. "And Robin, thanks for trying."
"Anytime BB, anytime," he smiled and left the room.
Robin started to move through the hallways, followed thy the other heroes as he let out a sigh. "That was one, now we have to deal with Star."
"Yeah, that won't be easy," Cyborg grimly said.
"I hope that the needle will penetrate her skin. If not, we're in big trouble," Robin said.
"The titanium needle is design to penetrate the skin of alligators and crocodiles with ease, it should be able to penetrate Tamaranean skin." Batman said.
Robin frowned as he turned his head a bit. "I should've known that you've checked the background of the Titans."
"And they call me a freak," Raven deadpanned. "Who's next, Superman?"
Batman slightly turned to Raven.
She raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, you know who and what he is?"
Batman remained silence.
"Wow, you're good. I mean, really, really good," Cyborg said amazed.
Robin stopped on front of another door. "Give it a rest, we're already at Starfire's room."
Robin knocked on the door and an answer came immediately from the other side of it. "Who is there?"
"Starfire, it's me Robin."
"Friend Robin? I am afraid Robin, I am so afraid, I do not know what is happening to me and why."
"I know, but I have something to help you. I need to enter your room to give you the medicine. Star, I need you to trust me on this."
"I am afraid that I cannot do that. I am afraid that when I open the door that something horrendous will enter my room."
Robin took a look at the three behind him. Batman and Raven moved away from the door followed by Cyborg, giving Robin the space he needed. Robin turned back to the closed door. "Star, there's nothing behind me, it's only me. I want you to turn your back to the door and closed your eyes. I want you to trust me but you have to follow my instructions."
"How do I know that you can help me? How do I know that you know what you are doing?"
"I know what you're going through, a while ago, I had the same fear. But there's a medicine and I want it to give it to you."
It was silence for a few moments. "I think that I can trust you Robin, you can enter my room."
Robin opened the door, entering the bright pink room and saw the back of Starfire who was sitting on her bed, her face in hands. Robin carefully approached her. "Hey, how are you feeling," Robin said softly.
"Horrendous."
"Yeah, I know the feelings," Robin said as he sat down next to her. "Listen, I have a medicine for you, it's an injection. It might hurt a bit, but it's the only way to help you."
He saw Starfire flinching and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, we both know that it have to be done. Don't be afraid, it's only for a few seconds." He didn't wait for any recalls and took the injection gun before placed against Starfire's arm. "Are you ready for this?"
Starfire was quiet for a few moments. "I... I think that I am..." He squeezed the trigger.
The titanium needle did penetrate her skin and an amount of liquid went through it in a split second. She struggled to get the pain causing device off her arm, throwing Robin into a wall with ease while the injection gun retreated the needle by itself and fall on the floor. She jumped from her bed, spotted the strange object what looked like a weapon and flew backwards as a starbolt formed in her hand palm.
"Starfire! Don't!" Starfire looked up at a colorful beast who sat of the floor with his arm extended towards her and seems to be willing to grab her. "Don't destroy it! It's all we have left!" Raven went through the door to see what was going on, followed by Cyborg and Batman.
Starfire spotted three horrific creatures in the doorway of her room. A large scary looking metal skeletal robot with glowing white and red eyes. Next to it was a smaller dark shadow which was surrounded with black tendrils, having four glowing red eyes and a devilish smirk. Behind them was a big black monster with huge demonic wings, long pointy ears, fangs and white glowing soul piercing eyes. She screamed in terror as she threw multiple starbolts at the invading group, only to be absorbed by a thick cloud of darkness which had formed in front of them.
Robin took this moment to grab the injection gun and made his way towards the door. "Everyone out!"
The three of them didn't had to told twice and they all retreated to the hallways. Raven was the last one who exited Starfire's room, she didn't lower her shield till the door was closed. Robin let out a breath. "Well, that went well."
"I'll take it you are successful," Batman said.
"Honestly... I'm not sure. It all went so fast, but I think I am."
Batman reached out a hand. "Let me see it." Robin handle Batman the injection gun and let him studying it for a moment. "Apparently you are, there are five shots left."
"How long does it take to get effect?" Cyborg asked.
Batman returned Robin the injection gun before glancing at Cyborg. "Twenty to fifty minutes, depend on the person. It will take hours before they can go out and do their job. Till then, they need some rest."
Robin nodded. "I agree."
They started to made their way to the common room when Batman glanced at his pupil. "Robin, we need to talk, in private."
He and the others turned to Batman, he had a slight idea why Batman needs to talk to him. "Fine, follow me." He then glanced at Raven and Cyborg. "We'll see you later."
"Are you sure?" Raven asked.
"Yes, I'll be fine. We see you later in the common room." Robin turned on his heels and led Batman to his room.
Both Cyborg and Raven watched Batman and Robin disappearing around the corner of the hallways. "Any idea what this is all about?" Cyborg asked.
"No, it can be anything," Raven admitted. They turned to move to the common room.