Chapter 5: Planning
Hours after the news announcement appointing The Beast as Jump City police captain, Titans East arrived. Both halves of the Titans said their greetings to each other before gathering around the tower supercomputer. They all knew what had happened and that it had to be stopped. Robin began the brainstorm.
"Alright. We know that he's probably heavily guarded and living in a government building. That means, he has 24/7 security, if we attack him we're attacking the government, and even if we manage to deal with those two problems, he's considerably stronger than we previously thought." Robin started.
"Meaning...our knowledge of Beast Boy's abilities won't help us defeat him." Cyborg added.
"That means we have to try a different approach than simply walking in there and fighting him. Considering The Beast isn't demonic, I know he won't be immune to me. We were thinking I could try to put him to sleep with a spell if I'm able to get close enough." Raven said, looking at Titan's East.
"It is possible for myself, Cyborg, and Robin to distract the security because we are friends with most of the officers in the city." Starfire added.
"Alright, then what do we do?" Bee asked.
"I was thinking Aqualad and Jinx could be backup for us incase the security attacks us and Mas, Menos, and you can be ready to step in and stall The Beast if Raven's plan doesn't work." Robin said. "But we haven't quite worked out all the details just yet. We still aren't sure how to get Raven in, or how many guards he has." He added.
"Alright. I can fly by the capital and figure out where he is and how many guards he has while you guys figure out how to get Raven in." Bee said. Robin nodded and Cyborg went with Bee to walk her out. Robin and Raven shared a knowing glance.
"Okay Titans, that still leaves us with figuring out how to get Raven in, undetected. Any ideas?" Robin said, turning to the remaining members of the team.
"Could you and Jinx try to portal in?" Aqualad asked Raven.
"We could try but if we don't get the location perfectly, it won't really help us." Raven replied.
"Right. And since neither of us have ever been there before, it'll be even harder to make a portal in the right place." Jinx added.
"Alright. I'm back. Maybe I'm wrong here but couldn't Mas and Menos just run Raven in really quick? I know I can barely see them when they run, and I have a computer up here." Cyborg said, tapping his head.
"Si, lo podermos hacer." Mas and Menos spoke in unison.
"They can do it." Aqualad translated.
"I know. I understand four languages." Robin said, smiling.
"Fifteen." Raven said, slightly smirking underneath her hood.
"Whatever." Robin replied as Cyborg punched his shoulder playfully. The Titans laughed as Robin pouted slightly and Starfire put her hand on his shoulder, comfortingly. Robin turned a slight red and cleared his throat. "Alright. Alright. Let's focus. If we do this right, we save Jump City from a threat, and have the ability to get a friend back in the process." Robin said, returning to his serious tone. Everyone agreed in unison and went of in various directions to get ready for the night.
Moments after the team finished brainstorming, Bee returned.
"Okay. I found him. He's in a government provided penthouse right in between the capital and the precinct." Bee started, slightly panting. "I saw about 10 guards through the windows of the building but I'd guess there are about 20 to 25 in that building. Not to mention an entire precinct right next to it." Bee finished.
"Good news is we'll be there late tonight which means there will be a lot less officers and even fewer on standby if it all goes south." Robin said. "I know it's odd having to be against the police for once, but they don't know how big of a threat they've just allowed to control them. You all saw the carnage caused by The Beast on the Jump City bridge a few days ago. Regardless of how he portrays himself now, he's not here to help Jump." Robin added, turning to the rest of the Titans.
"Agreed. I think Rob, Star, and I should enter the building a little after midnight and distract the guards downstairs. We could talk to them about some recent updates on some crimes and stuff like that. Then Mas and Menos zip Raven up to the penthouse when no one's looking and zip back down. Bee could then fly up there, undetected, and meet those three. Meanwhile Jinx and Aqualad can camp out in the T-Car and jump in if anything goes south." Cyborg said, looking at Robin who nodded.
"I think it sounds good." Bee said, smiling at Cyborg.
"I'm good with it." Jinx said, smirking at Aqualad who smiled back, blushing.
"No es problema en absoluto." Mas and Menos spoke in unison.
"If my spell works, it should be fine." Raven said.
"It's a good plan, Friend Cyborg." Starfire chimed in.
"Alright. Get ready. We leave at midnight." Robin said. The team cheered and got back to work getting ready for the night.
(Meanwhile in The Beast's penthouse...)
The Beast sat with his eyes closed on the edge of the bed in the nice penthouse he had been given. He smiled as he thought about how well his plan had come together so far.
He thought back to the night after his showdown on the bridge with the Titans.
He realized, watching other failed criminals, that brute force wouldn't allow him to rule over the city. The best way to get power was to have the city give it over, willingly. Or...seemingly willingly.
After grudgingly sparing Starfire's life due to how innocent she was compared to the others and how nice she was to Beast Boy, The Beast came up with a plan to take the city while hiding out in the sewers. Although, in true predator fashion, fear from those around him made him stronger, smashing the city wasn't going to work. He may be stronger than the Titans but he knew they'd acquire help. Fighting against his old team was one thing, but fighting against the entire police force, Titan's East, and his previous team was something he was wary of. His plan involved a more indirect route to power.
Later that evening, after planning everything thoroughly, The Beast paid the mayor of Jump City a visit. He had since transformed into his lion-like appearance and happened to arrive just as the mayor was being held at gunpoint in an alleyway near his house. The mayor's security had both stayed home that night for...medical reasons.
Leaping to action, The Beast knocked the gun out of the robber's hand and kicked him hard in the chest, sending him careening backwards into the dark alley where he came from. The Beast then escorted the mayor home and was invited into his home.
"Thank you Mr. Mayor. I appreciate your hospitality." The Beast boomed, warmly.
"Don't mention it. You saved my life, after-all." The mayor responded, smiling.
"Just doing my duty." The Beast said.
"Might I ask what brought you to Jump City? I haven't seen you around here before." The mayor asked.
"Yes. I imagine a mutant showing up in your city is cause for alarm." The Beast joked.
"Not at all. I'm not sure if you know, but our city's best defenders are young individuals with super-abilities. Although, they have been weakened by the absence of one of their members, recently." The mayor replied.
"I see. Yes I have heard of them. I was recently with the Justice League and briefly met the Titans at an event." The Beast smiled. "Anyway, I'm here because I heard Jump City was struggling with corruption and an increased crime-rate. I figured I could help." He added.
"That's wonderful. I'd be delighted if you would help us. What did you have in mind? Other than saving mayors in alleyways, of course." The mayor chuckled. The Beast let out a hearty laugh.
"Well. I suppose I could join the police force if that would help. Although I would probably be more helpful against dire threats." The Beast said.
"How would you feel about police captain? It may seem sudden, but our current police captain is getting on in years and hasn't been very active lately. Being a former member of the Justice League, you'd be perfect for the role. It might also give people hope to see someone with super-abilities willing to take a political office." The mayor said.
"I...I'd be honored." The Beast said in mock-surprise.
"Excellent. We'll get the ball rolling tomorrow. If you don't already have a place to stay, talk to my driver downstairs and he'll get you squared away. Now if you'll excuse me, I should get some sleep." The mayor said, as he and The Beast got up. He escorted The Beast to the door and smiled back as The Beast walked away, smiling. After leaving the mayor's house, The Beast rounded a corner into the same alley he'd kicked the robber into and grabbed the robber by the neck.
"If you ever tell anyone what happened today, you won't live to regret it." The Beast said, eyes turning red and claws lengthening as his hand tightened around the robber's neck. The robber's face turned white and he nodded franticly. The Beast's eyes then revert to bright green, he handed the robber a stack of cash, and smiled warmly before leaving the alleyway. He vowed to stick to bank robbing and shoplifting instead of trying to kill the mayor and food poisoning his security from now on as he walked away, shaking in fear as The Beast took a deep breath, from around the corner, smiling.