Jump City was silent. Most of the buildings in the industrial sector had gone dark. The nighttime traffic had long since dissipated.
It was now, during the quietest, most peaceful time of night that a lone thief leapt from one roof to the next, his black cape fluttering and flowing gently in the cool night breeze. The thief made one final leap to a lower rooftop before landing beside a door that hosted a numeric keypad with three letters on each button.
The thief stopped, listened, and heard nothing. Too easy.
The thief grabbed a Xenothium gadget from his belt and placed it on the door, which instantly began to hack into the keypad as various buttons lit up.
The thief simply folded his arms and leaned up against the door, paying little attention to the voids that littered the sky. Let the 'heroes' figure them out. Meanwhile, I'm going to help myself to whatever I want.
The hacking device chimed, and the thief glanced at the panel.
05S-65E-55C-7FE
The thief opened the door, pressed a button on his belt, and vanished. Although, a little challenge would be nice every once in a while.
Still invisible, the thief walked down the stairs and into a room stacked with boxes and crates.
The Wayne Enterprises storage facility. So much money, so little security. The thief stopped. There was nothing moving in the large room and odder yet… No security at all…
There was a whirring sound to the thief's left. The thief stepped back in time to dodge two red bird-shaped blades. A third, however, grazed the middle of the thief's belt, disabling both the cloaking device and his ability to teleport.
The thief grunted and casually leaned up against two stacked crates. "I'm surprised it took you this long to come after me," he said through his mask. "I was starting to think you were forgetting about the little people, what with the holes in the sky."
"Red X," Robin said, walking out of the shadows. "I think it's time that—"
"I went to jail?" Red X completed, unfolding his arms and walking to the center of the room. "We've been through this before, kid."
Robin took a step forward as well and stood across from Red X. "It's different this time," the Titan said.
"Is that right?" Red X asked.
"I've never lied to you before," Robin reminded the thief. "We knew you would need to fill up on Xenothium soon. We also knew that you would jump at a challenge."
"Brings you back, doesn't it?" Red X replied.
"We just want to talk," Robin said calmly. "But if you want a fight, we'll give you one."
"Now that does sound like a challenge," Red X said.
Robin folded his arms. "What's it gonna be, X?"
Red X held out his gloved hands. "It's Red X."
Robin grabbed his staff and extended it, holding the weapon at his side.
Red X readied himself as the two X-shaped blades appeared on either wrist and began to spin. "Like you said, I'm always up for a challenge."
Red X and Robin leapt at the same time, their weapons flashing. Red X sliced horizontally. Robin leaned back to dodge the spinning blade. Red X followed up with an uppercut from with other hand. Robin blocked the slice with one side of his blade and spun away, striking with the other side.
Red X brought up a hand to block the strike and struck down with the other hand, knocking the staff from Robin's grasp. Robin ducked beneath another blow and spun into a kick that hit Red X in the chest and sent him flying into a stack of crates.
Red X flipped in midair, planted his feet on the crates, and propelled himself back toward Robin, lashing out with a kick. Robin crossed his arms into an 'X' and blocked the blow. With a grunt, Robin pushed Red X's leg back. Red X, still in midair, gracefully backflipped and landed atop a stack of crates.
"Getting bored yet?" Red X asked.
"Titans!" Robin called. "Go!"
Red X looked down as the crate he was standing on turned black. He quickly jumped and landed on the floor as the crate flew outward and hit the back wall.
Red X turned just in time to see a crate on the floor explode as a green triceratops charged toward him. As Red X rolled to dodge, Robin jumped again.
Red X quickly shot four Xenothium adhesive ropes into the walls on either side. The red ropes glowed a bright blue as they created a strong magnetic field that tore metal from concrete, sending multiple projectiles in Robin's direction.
Robin crouched, turned, and wrapped his cape around him, using its high-density polymerized titanium to deflect away the nearest of the projectiles before using his grapple gun to hook onto an overhead lamplight and quickly change direction to dodge the remaining projectiles.
Red X turned again as Raven appeared overhead and started throwing crates in his direction with her magic. Red X sidestepped the crates in time to see Beast Boy, still in his triceratops form, charge again.
Red X quickly changed the Xenothium blades on his wrist into solid buffers that took the brunt of Beast Boy's right horn. As Red X stepped sideways, he quickly threw an electrified X-shuriken at the dinosaur.
Beast Boy ran to the side and the X-shuriken hit the metal control console behind him which sparked and buzzed with electricity before exploding.
Seeing a small chance to regroup, Red X did a few backflips, stopping as the three Titans formed a 'V' in front of him.
For a few seconds, nobody moved.
Red X glanced around again before returning his gaze to the Titans and counting. "One. Two. Three. But your metal friend is gone," the thief observed. He tipped his head slightly. "And where's the cutie?"
Suddenly, the floor in front of Red X pulsated with pink energy as a water pipe exploded under the thief, briefly separating him from the Titans, turning them into dark silhouettes through the spraying water.
Then, a new silhouette appeared followed by a purple and black boot that burst through the water.
Red X barely had enough to time throw up his arms in an 'X' before taking a kick that pushed him back a few steps.
"There's a cutie right here," his attacker said as the water finally fell and the young woman in front of him did a few graceful backward twirls, stopping beside the Titans. "And the name is Jinx."
Red X remained where he was. "That name sounds somewhat familiar to me," he said with a very small hint of admiration. "You must have done something right."
"Unfortunately for you," Jinx continued, stroking a lightning bolt necklace that hung around her neck. "This cutie is taken."
Red X didn't answer. He quickly threw two separate X-shurikens in an ark. When the X-shurikens impacted, they created an explosive smoke bomb that blinded the Titans. Red X quickly charged into the group, unleashing a double, spinning kick at Robin and Beast Boy, which made caused them to retreat a few feet, two punches at Raven, which were blocked, and a punch at Jinx.
Jinx dodged the punch with a graceful backward bend and lashed out with a magic-infused punch. Red X blocked the blow aside at the wrist and sent the magic careening toward Raven who put up a shield. Red X quickly spun and threw out another electrified X-shuriken that would have painfully combined the powers and subdued their owners.
Raven, seeming to know what was coming, released her shield and took Jinx's hex at its full effect, allowing the empty crate that the energy struck to fall on top of her.
Robin jumped and unleashed another kick as Beast Boy turned into a sabretooth tiger but stayed where he was. Red X ducked under Robin's kick and the Titan landed beside Jinx. Meanwhile, Raven used her magic to throw aside the crate that had fallen on her.
The Titans now surrounded Red X on all sides.
"You could have kept the shield up," a confused Jinx said to Raven.
"Your power is a lesser of two evils," Raven explained, glaring at Red X. "Trust me."
"Well, I'd love to stay and chat about evil and trust, kids," Red X interrupted as Beast Boy crouched low. "But I think I've had my fill of fun for the evening."
As the Titans charged, Red X quickly knelt, placing his gloves against the ground. The ground became transparent and split open, allowing Red X to fall through the floor and onto his lean, pointed black and red X-Cycle that he had stashed on-site hours before.
Red X started up the bike and drove through a glass window, landing on the street and speeding away. After a few seconds, the facility disappeared behind him with no sign of pursuit.
Red X grunted. "These kids never learn. I always have an escape pla—"
Suddenly, there was a loud vroom as Robin sped up from behind, using a nearby hill as a ramp to jump his yellow and red R-Cycle into the air. Robin activated his lower thrusters at the last second and landed smoothly next to Red X's bike.
Red X glanced at Robin.
Robin glanced back.
Red X shook his head and hit a button on his bike, speeding away from the Titan. Red X then held out his right arm. A wrist-mounted blade reappeared and began to spin. Once the blade had reached its full speed, Red X used it to slice through a series of passing streetlights.
Robin reacted quickly, turning his bike sharply and going around the falling obstacles.
Red X hit the throttle on his bike again and sped away only to have Robin catch up a few seconds later. After exchanging another couple of glances, Red X sped up again and threw a few Xenothium explosives. The bombs detonated on impact, covering the road in sticky, red adhesive.
Robin was forced to peel off and drove up a nearby ramp to the overpass above.
Red X looked up to see the rest of the Titans in pursuit. Beast Boy was in the form of a pteranodon while Jinx was standing on a circular platform of magic created by Raven.
Raven glanced at Jinx who nodded.
As Red X neared the overpass, Raven started to chant. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!"
The sidewalks and buildings on either side of Red X were suddenly surrounded by black magic.
Jinx backflipped off the platform and curled herself into a ball as her hands pulsated with pink energy. A second later, Jinx spread her arms and legs, unleashing the energy and demolishing the road in front of Red X. The buildings and sidewalks were left unharmed, protected by Raven's magic.
Red X, seeing his escape route obliterated with no chance of changing direction, jumped off his bike. He held out his gloved hands and shot a Xenothium adhesive rope at the underside of the overpass.
Red X used his momentum to flip himself up and over the debris before landing safely on top of the overpass. He looked up and saw Beast Boy, still in the form of a pteranodon, grab a freefalling Jinx in his talons and fly off.
Red X heard a grappling hook wrap itself around a nearby streetlight and turned to the sound of a determined grunt. The thief was rewarded with the sight of Robin's boot less than an inch from his face.
The boot hit its mark, knocking Red X unconscious.
…
There's new trouble. We know who to call…
TEEN TITANS!
The old Titans, they can't stop it all…
TEEN TITANS!
With all the evil on the attack,
they won't rest until they got your back.
The world will need more heroes on patrol…
TEEN TITANS DAWN!
Now a new team must come to the light…
TEEN TITANS!
Our world will surly perish if they don't unite…
TEEN TITANS!
There's a path must be run.
A path that leads straight to the dawn.
'Cause without Titans, evil gains control…
TEEN TITANS DAWN!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
DAWN!
TEEN TITANS!
…
"I thought you didn't like to play the Hero."
"Doesn't mean I don't know how."
– Robin and Red X. Season 3: Episode 2 "X."
…
"Red X"
Red X slowly returned to consciousness. He knew instantly that he was still wearing his mask. However, he was also tied tightly to a wooden chair.
Red X looked around and it seemed that he was located in the main living room of Titans Tower. Red X flicked his wrist in order to use the Xenothium in his gloves to cut himself free before shaking his head, finding that there was no Xenothium left in his gloves and that his belt was gone.
Red X let out an annoyed sigh and looked up as Robin, Beast Boy, and Jinx walked into the room behind him. They were conversing casually, almost completely ignoring Red X as they moved to the main computer.
"The H-E-R-O Amulet?" Robin was asking.
"I sent it to the Doom Patrol," Beast Boy answered, glancing nervously at Red X. "He can't take our powers."
"Like I would want powers," Red X retorted. "Especially yours."
Beast Boy glared at Red X and took a step forward.
Robin silently raised a hand.
Beast Boy let a bull-like snort through his nose and turned away.
"What about the rest of the villain artifacts?" Jinx asked.
"Raven has sent them to Herald," Robin replied. "He'll find a place to keep them safe."
"How about we have Herald send him someplace safe," Beast Boy suggested, motioning to Red X.
"You really want me where you can't see me?" Red X asked.
Jinx, who was now leaning against the computer, smiled somewhat.
"No," Robin answered. "That's why you're here."
Beast Boy shook his head and spoke loudly. "Okay, I know it feels like the hundredth time that I'm saying this—"
"More like four-hundredth," Jinx interjected.
"But this is not a good idea," Beast Boy completed.
"But it's what we got," Robin said. "And with me leaving tonight to join the League… the team needs all the help and smarts in can get."
Beast Boy shook his head again as the computer behind Jinx chimed.
Jinx turned and examined the device for a moment. "We got a tip on Warp's location," she announced.
"Is he going after the vortex regulator?" Robin asked.
Jinx raised an eyebrow, seemingly confused by the question.
Raven looked at the computer. "No, he's in the wrong sector."
The computer chimed again. "Thunder and Lightning said they'll handle it," Jinx said.
"I'll go too," Beast Boy said grumpily. "I need some air."
Beast Boy turned into a green lion and roared at Red X.
Red X didn't even flinch.
Beast Boy took off.
Robin looked at Jinx and nodded.
Jinx walked behind Red X's chair, flicking her wrist. The ropes around Red X's wrists unraveled and fell to the floor.
Red X rubbed his wrists but made no attempt to stand. "Why am I not in jail?" he asked.
"Because we just want to talk," Robin said.
"But thanks for the workout," Jinx added cheerfully. "It was fun."
Red X glanced at Jinx before speaking to Robin again. "Why didn't you take off the mask?"
"Because who you are doesn't matter," Robin replied. His voice turned somewhat harsh. "The way I see it, you're either an orphan who's trying to prove he's better than the rest of the world, or you're a rich kid who's bored. Either way, I don't have time for it. I care about one thing; the safety and security of this city and Earth."
"And your way of protecting the city and Earth is to not put a master thief in jail?" Red X asked snidely.
"We like you right where you are," Jinx answered. She hit a button on the computer and a small map of Jump City appeared. There was a yellow 'X' icon residing in Titans Tower. "And the nanoscopic tracker we put on your mask will make sure we always know where you are."
"And what's to stop me from taking off this mask and disappearing?" Red X countered. "After all, you don't know who I really am. If you did, you'd tell me."
"Because without the mask, you're a man at best," Robin answered. "At worst you're nothing more than a thief. You need the mask or you're nothing."
"Personally, I would reverse your assessment of best and worst," Red X said, leaning back comfortably in his chair. "So, it's obvious that you want something from me. You don't want me in jail or I'd be there."
Raven moved to stand beside Jinx.
"You want me under your watch," Red X continued, ignoring them. "But not so badly that you would keep me tied to a chair. Your green pet seems to have an issue with me being here and you're getting rid of all the toys you've taken from your enemies. Which means…"
Raven folded her arms as Jinx smiled slyly.
Red X looked at the Titans standing before him. "You've got to be joking."
"I think this is going to be fun," Jinx said.
"I'm afraid this isn't a joke," Robin said. "You may not care about the what's going on with the portals in the sky, but I know you keep your ear low to the ground. You've been watching, and I'm sure you understand why we're recruiting. You also know the city's criminals even if you refuse to work with them."
Red X shook his head. "True thieves work alone," he said. "No splitting the take. No betrayals. Just the next job."
"Most importantly," Robin continued, stepping forward. "You know how to be a hero and, whether any of us like it or not, the world is in short supply of heroes right now."
There was a brief silence.
"What do you think about this?" Red X asked Raven, taunting her somewhat. "I thought your team and your magic could handle anything."
Raven stepped forward, lowering her hood. "The team is doing everything it can," she said firmly. "And my magic can handle anything. It's a question of whether or not I can handle the magic."
Red X tapped his knee. "Why do you think I'd agree to working for you?" he asked Robin.
"Not for," Robin corrected.
"With," Jinx said with a small smile.
"With the team," Robin completed.
"Not interested," Red X said firmly. "I'd think you'd have known my answer before even asking me."
Jinx glanced at Robin.
Robin nodded.
Jinx stepped forward. "Pop quiz, X."
"Red X," the thief grunted.
"Okay, Red X," Jinx said sarcastically. "Let me ask you this. What does extortion, blackmail, and negotiation all have in common?"
"Leverage," Red X answered immediately.
Robin knelt next to the table by the couch and emerged a vial of Xenothium as well as Red X's belt.
Red X leaned forward.
Robin placed both objects on the table containing the central monitor. He pressed a few buttons and multiple images of the city appeared on screen. Some were skyscrapers. Others, single-story buildings. All were shot from the ground up and displayed at least one portal.
"You know where these are?" Robin asked.
"I should hope so," Red X said, finally standing. He walked up to the computer monitor, attempting to ignore his belt and the Xenothium. "I've been to every one of them. Not for very long though."
"Yeah," Jinx said, stepping forward. "I particularly liked your handling of the Merlyn Job."
Robin turned to Jinx with a raised eyebrow.
Jinx held up her hands. "I wasn't a Titan yet," she reminded him.
Red X ignored her and pointed to an image. "Except the Comic Con. That wasn't me."
"Control Freak's androids," Raven said with a smirk.
"Knockoffs," Red X spat. He turned to Robin. "So what is it you think I'm supposed to see or care about here?"
"Your playground," Robin answered.
Red X folded his arms but didn't reply.
Robin nodded at Raven, who started typing on the computer. A second image appeared containing a three-dimensional overhead view of the city followed by hundreds of red dots.
Robin turned back to Red X. "These dots mark all the areas effected or destroyed because of the portals," the Titan said.
An image of the villain known only to Red X as 'Slade' appeared on the screen over the map.
Robin motioned to the image. "This man is behind it."
"You did a good job capturing him," Red X grunted.
"He's not finished," Robin continued. "He's got a plan and we need to stop him. And you should want to help."
Raven hit a button and the image of Slade disappeared, leaving only the map of the city.
"The amount of fun you can have in this city is shrinking fast," Robin said to Red X. "So, you have three choices."
Jinx moved to stand behind Robin as Raven shut down the computer.
"Choice 'one'," Robin said. "You say 'no' and go to jail."
"In which case, I just get to catch you again," Jinx added.
"Choice 'two'," Robin continued, folding his arms again. "You take off the mask and run. But we both know you're not the type. And choice three…"
"Leverage," Red X said, eyeing his belt as Jinx walked over to the vial of Xenothium and casually flipped the volatile substance in her hand.
"Leverage," Robin confirmed. He walked over and grabbed Red X's belt. "You join us, and you get to continue playing with your dangerous toys."
Jinx stopped flipping the vial before slowly and carefully placing it on the counter.
Robin stepped forward. "If you're going to play, you're playing by my rules, not yours. Your rules earn you a one-way ticket to jail."
Red X looked Robin in the eye, taking one step closer as well, standing only a few feet from the Titan.
Raven's hand glowed with magic.
Jinx stood still.
"Let's say that I agree to do this," Red X said quietly. "I help you save your city. Afterwards, what happens to me?"
"Time will tell," Robin answered, holding out the belt. "The Titans have some good pull with the Mayor. Maybe there's more we can do for you."
Red X thought for a moment before grabbing his empty belt. "You do this for you and your city," he said, latching the belt around his hip. "I'm going to do this for me."
"I figured you'd come around," Jinx said, picking up the vial and tossing it to Red X.
The Titans' Communicators chimed. "Dudes, I'm almost back," Beast Boy said through the devices. "Is he ready to go to jail?"
Raven set the conversation to private and stepped away as Jinx updated the computer.
"I will find a way out of this," Red X promised Robin, placing the Xenothium vial in his belt.
"Tell that to your ego and the chip in your mask," Robin replied.
"What?" Beast Boy practically shouted though Raven's Communicator.
Robin moved to help Raven console an obviously unhappy Beast Boy.
Jinx moved to Red X. "So, what do you know about this Slade guy?" she asked as the image of Slade reappeared on the screen.
"Enough to respect him," Red X said with a hint of admiration as he gazed at the image. "I understand he knows how to get the job done."
…
"If I write a ten page essay on why this is a bad idea, will you let me take him to jail?" Beast Boy asked, standing outside Titans Tower. "I'll even make multiple drafts."
"No," Robin said firmly through the Communicator. "He stays."
"And I thought Red X would be the hardest to convince," Raven chimed in.
…
"Not much without the Xenothium," Jinx teased. "Are you?"
"You don't know a thing about me," Red X said as he refilled and primed his gloves with the red substance.
"Something tells me there's more to you than just this," Jinx said, hitting a few buttons on the computer that brought up an almost barren file on Red X.
"You guys are missing about half the jobs I've done," Red X commented, ignoring Jinx's prod.
"Well, you can feel free to update the file," Jinx said leaning back against the screen. "I'm sure they'll give you limited access to the mainframe soon. But for now, you can just borrow my clearance"
"What are you doing?" Beast Boy asked Jinx sharply, finally having rejoined them in the living room.
"Trusting more than she should," Red X said, glancing at Jinx.
"Just trying to help," Jinx said simply with a shrug. She looked at Beast Boy. "He's all yours."
Beast Boy chested up to Red X. "I don't agree with this," the young Titan said bravely.
"That makes two of us, kid," Red X said, folding his arms. "And I wouldn't trust me either. It's funny, I never thought of you as the smartest guy in the room."
Beast Boy opened his mouth and closed it several times as if he were trying to decide how to take the double-sided comment.
"I'll let you get back to me on that," Red X said, walking away from a fuming Beast Boy. He walked up to Robin and Raven who were quietly talking behind the counter on the side of the room. Red X sighed. "What kind of gear do I get?"
Robin reached under the counter before placing some X-shurikens on the table and taking a step back. "We reprogramed your belt and gloves too," he said. "You can use adhesive, but your wrist-mounted blades are locked to 'still'. No more falling streetlights. No more cutting your way out of trouble."
"That's it?" Red X asked calmly.
"No explosives," Raven informed him. "No surface manipulators and no bike."
Red X was silent for a moment. He reached out with his glove and shot out adhesive, using it to draw the X-shurikens to his hand. After securing the weapons in his belt and activating and deactivating his wrist-mounted blades, he finally spoke. "Do you have any idea what I could do with only these three items?"
"Try it," Beast Boy urged.
"Beast Boy," Robin warned.
Red X took a step toward Beast Boy. "You want a fight, I'm game," he told the Titan. "I don't need to escape to make my point."
Beast Boy's eye slowly started to shift into that of a tiger's before Raven placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't," she said quietly and comfortingly. "Anger is pointless. He's just trying to get a rise out of you."
Beast Boy let out a sigh and his eye resumed its human form. "This is a bad idea," he said again.
Red X didn't move.
"Desperate times," Robin said to Beast Boy without judgment.
"We're not this desperate," Beast Boy grumbled.
"Um… guys," Jinx called from next to the computer. "Are we expecting anyone?"
Robin walked between Red X and Beast Boy to get to the computer and stood aside as Raven pressed a few buttons. A new image popped up. It was security footage of the Titans' front door.
Red X recognized the form of Slade's robotic commando from his own research. The commando walked to the front door, bent over, and seemingly deactivated itself.
"Huh," Jinx said, looking over Red X's shoulder. "So… a trap?"
"Maybe Slade's sent it to offer his surrender," Beast Boy offered sheepishly.
Robin and Raven turned with raised eyebrows.
"Maybe not," Beast Boy said.
Red X turned away from the computer and walked toward the window as it slid open. He was joined by Robin a moment later and they jumped together.
Using Xenothium adhesive and a grapple gun respectfully, Red X and Robin simultaneously landed ten feet from the Commando. Beast Boy landed beside Robin, turning from a hawk back to his human form. Raven and Jinx appeared, hopping down from a floating platform made of magic.
"What if it's a bomb?" Beast Boy asked as Robin stepped forward.
"Seems too simple for Slade," Robin replied. He turned to Raven.
Raven shook her head. "I can't get a reading on its purpose. It's a robot."
"So, what should we do?" Jinx asked. "Maybe we should—"
Red X shook his head in annoyance and threw a X-shuriken through the commando's chest, causing a series of sparks, but no explosions.
"Not a bomb," Red X grunted.
Jinx let out a small chuckle.
Robin, Beast Boy, and Raven just stared at Red X.
Red X ignored them and moved forward for an up-close examination.
"That was risky," Robin said to Red X with a lowered voice as he joined the thief in examining the robot.
Red X grunted. "I do things my own way. You guys take yourselves too seriously and you work way too slow," he stated. "You want me, this is how you get me."
"Why would Slade send us a defunct commando?" Jinx asked.
"Dude, don't even try to understand Slade," Beast Boy advised. "It can't be done."
"Slade never does anything without a motive," Raven said. She thought for a moment. "This thing is meant to give us a message."
Beast Boy took a cautious step forward. "So… where do we star— ahh!"
Beast Boy stepped back as the commando jerked forward, spinning its left arm.
Red X removed his hand from the wires that caused the movement and glanced at Beast Boy before taking a step back and folding his arms.
"Raven," Robin said. "Can you take this thing apart using your magic?"
Raven's hand began to glow.
Red X stepped around the front of the commando. "There's no point in taking it apart," the thief stated as Raven lowered her hand. "If this thing has a message, it's going to be in a spot that's hard to hit."
Jinx slowly stepped forward and gently grabbed the commando's mask, taking it off and dropping it to the ground. Beneath the mask was a small viewscreen with a hooked in slot for a memory chip.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos," Raven chanted softly.
The card slot slowly started to glow. As Raven moved her hand back, a memory chip slowly slipped out of the robot and glided into Robin's hand.
"Let's go," Robin said, turning away to reenter the Tower.
Raven turned and followed, leaving Beast Boy, Red X, and Jinx alone.
Beast Boy turned into a polar bear and backhanded the commando to the ground in a shower of sparks. He let out a soft growl at Red X before following Robin and Raven.
"BB'll warm up to you," Jinx promised. "Just let him see you stop a few bad guys."
"He can watch all he wants," Red X said. He took one last look at the commando before sending an X-shuriken through its view screen. "At least he does it openly."
Jinx glanced at the cracked viewscreen and saw a destroyed hidden camera. She suppressed a smile.
Red X noted the look and turned away, moving toward the Tower.
"How'd you know that was there?" Jinx asked as she joined him.
"Same way you did," Red X grunted. "I've studied my potential rivals."
By the time they reached the living room again, Raven had already inserted the chip into the central monitor and downloaded its contents.
"That's it?" Jinx asked, seeing the data.
"I hate it when Slade does this," Beast Boy grumbled.
There were three images on the monitor. The first was a clearing surrounded by burnt and broken trees. The second image was the picture of an old, abandoned cruise ship. The third contained a moonlit body of water residing next to a brown dock with trash littered across it.
"That's… vague," Raven said.
"It's a clue," Robin added.
"Do you think all three images are from the same place?" Jinx asked.
"I doubt it," Red X said. "Your computer's high tech enough that it would have compiled the images and given us a location instantly if they were close to each other."
"So, what do we do?" Beast Boy asked Robin.
Red X turned to the Titans. "Give me a Communicator," he said.
"No way," Beast Boy said, shaking his head. "Uh-uh. Not happening."
"It's going to happen sooner or later," Raven said.
"Make it sooner," Red X demanded, holding out his hand. "Or do you want to sit and wait for Slade to finish his plans?"
Jinx looked at Robin, who nodded. "What are you going to do?" Jinx asked as she handed Red X her own Communicator.
Red X pressed a button on the computer's keyboard and a hidden panel popped open, revealing a long cord. "I know somebody who can half-help with this," he said as he plugged in the Communicator to download the images.
"Half-help?" Raven asked.
"He has his own fun with quizzes and riddles," Red X explained. "But if I figure out his puzzles, the locations he gives me are always legit. And in the end, I've always profited."
"Quizzes and riddles," Raven said thoughtfully.
"He's my lead," Red X said firmly. "I go alone."
"Who are we talking about?" Jinx asked.
"Kwiz Kid is an escaped criminal from before Slade created these portals," Robin reminded Red X.
"I know he's an escaped criminal," Red X said simply. "I broke him out."
"Now can we take him to jail?" Beast Boy begged, waving a hand in Red X's direction.
"Kwiz Kid can help us," Red X promised. "And I always honor my agreements. If he gives me the information, he stays out of jail. And he knows this city inside-out. So, unless you have a better suggestion—"
"How about a compromise?" Jinx suggested. She stood between Red X and the Titans. "If X talks to Kwiz Kid and this all pans out, we just keep an eye on him. No jail."
"Risky," Raven said unjudgmentally.
"What do you call this?" Beast Boy said, pointing at Red X.
"Agreed," Robin finally said. "Kwiz Kid helps, he stays out of jail and under watch."
"You can borrow my Communicator until you get back," Jinx offered.
"No need," Robin said. He reached into his belt and offered Red X a spare Titans Communicator, eliciting a grunt of annoyance from Beast Boy. Robin ignored him. "It's connected to this team's Communicators only. All the same data, including the images you downloaded onto Jinx's Communicator are there as well."
Red X grabbed the Titans Communicator and held it in his hand. "Give a potential enemy a Communicator," he grumbled. "How'd that work out for you with the Brotherhood of Evil?"
"It doesn't work that way anymore," Raven said, stepping forward and giving Beast Boy a look of warning. "The Communicators can't connect to or locate the other Titans without an authorization code on our end and an acceptance code from theirs. They can't be used as tracking devices again."
"But they're interconnected among the team," Red X argued. "Even if you can't hack between the devices, they can still be manipulated."
"So you say," Beast Boy said.
"I say cut out the middle man and work solo," Red X said, glancing at Beast Boy. He looked at Robin. "No connections and no trust mean fewer liabilities and even fewer betrayals."
"That's not how a team works," Robin said.
"That's how I work," Red X retorted.
"Not anymore," Robin said.
"Now you work our way," Jinx reminded Red X.
Red X locked eyes with her before speaking. "For now," he said, finally placing the Communicator on his belt.
"Where is Kwiz Kid?" Robin asked.
…
Red X slipped through the window of an abandoned building and dropped gracefully to the ground. He walked down an empty hallway toward a room shining with light. When he reached the doorway, he saw a young man at a computer.
The young man had light brown hair, wore a green and black outfit with a golden question mark on the chest, and a black and white mask that hid his eyes.
The young man didn't even turn as he spoke to Red X. "What is that which is quintessentially created to be perfect, but can never be perfectly created?"
"Your security system," Red X answered, looking at the cameras feeds on the monitor in front of Kwiz Kid. None of the images covered Red X's entry point.
"I knew I should have electrified the windows," Kwiz Kid grumbled, glancing at Red X. "A late-night visit's nothing new for you, but the device strapped to your hip… that's unexpected."
"A temporary partnership," Red X said, unstrapping the Communicator and placing it on the desk.
"And our own partnership?" Kwiz Kid asked.
"If it was over, the Titans would already be here."
Kwiz Kid smiled and grabbed the Communicator, plugging it into his small computer. "Three new images uploaded," he said as the monitor flickered a few times. "You know my price."
"As always, I ask for a location and you get to ask your riddles," Red X said. "Go."
Kwiz Kid smiled and clicked on the image that depicted the forest. "Ahh…" he said. "I love history. Okay…"
Kwiz Kid started to chant.
"In this place, two came for senseless fun.
However, the conduit of fun hid a plan for one.
The two soon found that they needed friends.
Upon this battlefield, they became loose ends."
Red X listened but said nothing.
Kwiz Kid moved to the picture of the abandoned cruise ship. A small amount of anger entered his voice as he spoke.
"Upon this ship stood a boy who was not worthy.
And the amusing beauty who came with him was quite wordy.
Luckily, the boy's date with destiny wasn't fate…
Argh! Thinking of that night and that boy fills my heart with hate!"
Red X shook his head in annoyance as Kwiz Kid started a rant about a destined love repeatedly lost.
Eventually, Kwiz Kid stopped his tirade and moved on to the final image that depicted the moonlit water and dock. He now spoke calmly and in a matter-of-fact tone.
"To a child, this place can be as beautiful as a pearl.
This destination has brought fun and amusement to many a boy and girl.
For those in love, this location could be the next stage.
This place of joy cannot be defined by age."
Red X contemplated this for a moment before grabbing the Communicator and walking out the door without a word.
After walking a few blocks from the warehouse, Red X turned down an alley. "I'm assuming you heard," he called, slowing to a stop.
The Titans emerged from the shadows. "We heard," Jinx said.
"But, what we heard it still up for debate," Raven said.
"All of these riddles mean something," Robin said, holding his chin. "Kwiz Kid knew we were listening in, otherwise he wouldn't have given clues that only we would find relevant."
"I'm lost," Beast Boy admitted.
"The first riddle mentioned 'the one'," Red X said, leaning up against the alley wall. "Obviously Slade. The second riddle mentioned a 'date with destiny' and 'a beauty'. The third, 'love'. I don't have time for nor interest in any of that."
"Wow," Jinx said under her breath. "Our newest recruit has no life."
Red X turned and glared at her though the mask before looking down again as he spoke. "These riddles are for you. I got you the info. You get to figure it out," he said as he glanced at Jinx. "It's not like you have a date to get to or anything."
Jinx folded her arms and raised an eyebrow, tapping her Titans Communicator.
"Date," Robin said suddenly with realization in his voice. "The second riddle. A 'Date with destiny', a cruise ship, a 'beauty who was quite wordy', the boy was not worthy'… And Kwiz Kid said thinking about it fills his heart with hate."
"You know who the 'beauty' is?" Jinx asked.
"And the 'boy'," Robin said. He turned away, speaking in a low grumble. "It's me."
"What?" Beast Boy asked.
"Oh, boy," Raven said, looking down and nodding in recognition.
"I know where to go," Robin said quickly. "It's close. I'll call you guys when I get there."
Robin shot a glance at Red X before pulling out his grapple gun and jumping up to a nearby rooftop.
"One down," Jinx said.
"Red X was right about the forest riddle," Raven admitted. "The 'one' with a plan has to be Slade."
"Slade's not important," Red X interjected.
"Ummm…" Beast Boy said, pointing straight up at the portals that littered the sky above.
"You shouldn't be focusing on Slade if that's the obvious part of the riddle," Red X said. "If I figured it out that quickly, Kwiz Kid would've expected you to as well."
"Slade's the constant," Jinx said. "The riddle said that 'two came for senseless fun' but it 'hid a plan for one'."
"The plan obviously failed," Raven said thoughtfully. "But only because 'the two became loose ends'.
"Who are the 'two'?" Red X asked. "Two of you guys?"
"Senseless fun…" Beast Boy said quietly to himself.
Red X looked at him, getting the feeling that the Titan was onto something.
Beast Boy jumped up and down with excitement. "I know this one! I know this one!"
"And?" Raven said impatiently.
"The 'Beast Boy Insta-Lube 9000'," Beast Boy said proudly.
There was an awkward silence.
"I don't even want to know," Jinx said, turning to face the alley wall.
"It was senseless fun," Beast Boy said with a broad smile. His face contorted into an embarrassed look of guilt as he spoke quickly "And a bit of a payback ploy. But that's not the point."
"Get to the point, then," Red X urged.
"I wasn't the only one having 'senseless fun' that night," Beast Boy continued. He looked at Raven. "There were also two others. They totally thought they were having fun, but—"
"Slade was manipulating them," Raven completed. She nodded. "And then they stopped him. 'Unintended loose ends'."
"Why are you two still here?" Red X asked as Jinx turned forward again.
Beast Boy glared at Red X before turning to Jinx. "Make sure you keep an eye on him," the green Titan warned.
"You got it," Jinx said.
Raven grabbed Beast Boy's shoulder as a black eagle made of magic engulfed them, leaving and Jinx and Red X alone in the alley.
"Any idea what the last riddle is about?" Jinx asked.
"No," Red X said. "None of the clues have any relevance to me. Love, fun, amusement, joy; all pointless."
"You only consider them pointless because the Titans' definition of 'fun' and 'amusement' are different than yours," Jinx argued.
Red X intended to reply, but stopped, looking down in sudden contemplation.
"Glad you're submitting yourself to replace Raven as 'the grumpy one' eventually," Jinx grumbled. She shook her head. "Okay… 'to a child' and a 'place of joy' that can't be 'defined by age'."
Red X looked up and tapped his still folded arms but remained silent.
"So, it's a place that's fun for everyone," Jinx guessed. "Not that it limits the options all that much."
"Wherever it is, its not my territory," Red X said.
"Alright…" Jinx said. She looked down the alley for a moment before returning her gaze to Red X. "Tell me something. If you had to take someone on a date to a place that isn't 'defined by age', where would go?"
"If it doesn't hold anything profitable, I wouldn't bother knowing about it," Red X said. He tipped his head slightly. "And since it's outside, profit value would be limited."
Jinx nodded. "Outside. Don't forget there was also water in the picture," she said, starting to pace. Red X unfolded his arms as Jinx stopped and spoke to him again. "So, keeping in mind that the picture was taken outside and near the water, where would you least likely to go to steal something?"
"The amusement park," Red X answered.
Jinx raised an eyebrow. "See?" she said, placing a hand on her hip. "You know what fun is. How else would you know what an—"
"There was a riddle in the riddle," Red X interrupted as he led the way out of the alley. "Kwiz Kid put 'fun' and 'amusement' in the same line. Fun and amusement mean the same thing, which means that one of the two was a noun not an adjective."
Jinx shook her head, talking under her breath. "He may not have a life, but at least he's educated."
Red X looked around. "How exactly are we supposed to get to the edge of the city? The amusement park isn't exactly close. And without my bike…"
Jinx smiled and grabbed her Communicator. "A little help getting to the amusement park?" she asked into the device. "And be somewhat gentle with the newbie. He's cool… for now.
Red X tipped his head in confusion.
There was a sudden rush of wind.
Red X turned toward the source and quickly shot adhesive rope onto the side of a building and ran up its surface, barely avoiding a fastmoving blur of yellow and red. Red X dropped safely to the ground and saw that Jinx was gone.
Red X looked left and right. "What the—"
Suddenly, Red X found himself on the ground, but he was no longer in the alley. There was an empty Ferris Wheel towering overhead.
"Nice landing," Jinx said, standing over him and offering a hand.
Red X ignored the hand, rose to his feet without a word, and shook out his cape.
Jinx pocketed a rose she was now holding and straightened out her lightning bolt necklace.
Red X looked around. All the rides were cleaned and polished, indicating that the amusement park was merely closed for the night. A few stray bits of trash littered the ground around him.
"Where's the dock?" Red X asked.
…
Raven and Beast Boy materialized at the edge of the city and started to make their way up a hill full of burnt trees.
"You need to control your emotions," Raven said to Beast Boy.
"You guys need to open your eyes," Beast Boy replied, looking straight ahead. "We can't trust him."
"Probably not," Raven admitted throwing aside a fallen tree with her magic. "But we can trust Robin. And Robin is choosing to bring in Red X."
"Whatever," Beast Boy said darkly. "At least I'll be ready when he betrays us."
Raven turned and stood in front of Beast Boy, stopping him in his tracks. "You gave Thunder and Lightning their chance," she reminded him. "We gave them a chance."
"That was different," Beast Boy said.
"How?"
"They were willing to listen," Beast Boy argued.
"Before or after fighting them twice?" Raven asked sarcastically. "You gave them a chance and they saved the city. Red X may not be any different."
"Fine," Beast Boy groaned, turning around and walking away. "But if you're wrong, you have to admit that I was right."
"Just like you're right going downhill when we're supposed to be going uphill?" Raven asked dryly, folding her arms.
Beast Boy put on the brakes and turned around, marching past Raven with an audible 'humph' and no small amount of embarrassment on his face.
Raven shook her head and groaned, continuing up the hill behind Beast Boy.
…
Robin finally landed on a dark and immobile cruise ship. He looked around. "How Kwiz Kid ever liked Kitten is beyond…"
Robin stopped speaking as he looked at the center of the lower deck, remembering the only dance he'd ever engaged in willingly. "I miss you, Starfire…"
Robin looked down at the deck, noticing that most of the moonlight was blocked. He turned and saw the large machine that was towering on top deck of the cruise ship.
…
Red X and Jinx walked side by side as the dock came into sight.
Jinx looked over. "So, tell me something, X."
"That's not my name," Red X said.
"Then give me your real name," Jinx replied.
Red X remained silent.
Jinx shrugged. "So… X, you ever thought that with your skill set you should have joined up with someone. The Titans, H.I.V.E., Brotherhood of Evil, anything like that?"
"No," Red X said.
"Why not?"
"I've clashed with all of them and was unimpressed."
"We beat you earlier," Jinx said. "What exactly does it take to impress you?"
"Perseverance. Perspective. Profit."
"The 'Three P's" Jinx said, remembering back to her teachings at H.I.V.E.
"The Titans persevere," Red X said. "I give them that. But they lack perceptive and I see no real profit in joining them."
"The Titans have perspective," Jinx argued. "Good is better than bad. Giant holes in the sky are, mostly, bad. Titans dealing with the holes in the sky and the man who put them there is good. Seems pretty simple to me. As for profit… do you take no pride in the fact that you're helping people who are incapable of helping themselves?"
Red X didn't answer right away. He sighed. "For someone who's changed sides herself, you're pretty naïve, kid."
Jinx raised an eyebrow.
Red X continued. "Good and evil is all perspective and no perspective is right or wrong. So good and evil doesn't exist. Perspective is knowing where you need to go and how to get in and out successfully. Other than that, there's only profit. Taking what you can and giving nothing back. Everything else evens itself out on its own."
"You saved Robin during that race a while back," Jinx pointed out. "Sounds 'good' to me."
"He helped me, I helped him," Red X said. "We're even. Just like we'll be even after we deal with Slade and these portals."
Jinx nodded then looked at him again. "If you weren't part of H.I.V.E., how did you know about 'The Three P's'?"
"I'm educated."
Red X and Jinx walked along the dock and found what they were looking for. There was a giant machine standing in front of them. It was shaped like an ordinary telescope. The machine was long, cylindrical, and covered in metal plating. It was vibrating with power but was otherwise inactive.
"It's made from Xenothium," Red X said. "Enough to power my suit for a long—"
"Don't get any ide—" Jinx stopped, looking across the water. "That can't be good."
…
"Titans," Robin said, flipping out his Communicator. "I found what Slade left for us on this end."
"Let me guess," Jinx said. "Large, metal, brimming with Xenothium, and pointed in a very uncomfortable direction?"
Robin turned and followed the machine's gaze.
…
"Geeze," Beast Boy said, looking at the machine that was pointed straight at Titans Tower. "What is it with Slade and always trying to destroy the Tower. I mean, we only destroyed his hideout, like, twice."
"Titans Tower is not exactly easy to miss," Raven said, looking at the burnt trees all around them. Her gaze fell upon a still standing tree that had a slightly curved hole in its middle and a small burn mark. The tree was otherwise unharmed. Raven shook her head and walked across the clearing to join Beast Boy. "Why is Slade telling us where they are?"
"That's not what concerns me," Robin said. "My question is why does Slade have three modified Chronoton Detonators pointed at our tower."
…
"Chronoton Detonators," Red X said thoughtfully.
"Yeah," Beast Boy said, sounding confident. "You may not know what they are, but I've done my studying, and what they do is—"
"They permanently freeze time within the blast radius of a specific device," Red X replied as Jinx smiled at Beast Boy's face on the Communicator. Red X continued. "In this case; Titans Tower."
"But why hasn't he fired them?" Raven asked.
"Maybe he tried and they're duds like the last ones," Beast Boy offered. He hesitated. "I am so not getting probed again."
"I doubt they're fake," Robin said.
"If they're made of Xenothium, it's likely that they're legit," Raven agreed.
"Well, we can't be the targets," Jinx said. "We're out here."
"This is bigger," Red X said. He looked at Jinx. "What do you remember about my Merlyn Job?"
"You started by jamming ingoing and outgoing calls before making your move on the artifact," Jinx said. She thought for a moment before looking at Titans Tower. "You don't think…"
"He's right," Robin said. "If Slade were to use these on the Tower, he would stop the constant flow of data that's being uploaded to both the League and the other Towers. Our computers automatically update and upload new data. If we don't keep everything up to date, the world could be put in much greater danger."
"Great…" Jinx said.
"At least we would have the other Tower's," Beast Boy said. "They've been doing the same thing we have. We wouldn't lose everything."
"Not necessarily," Red X grunted.
"Chronoton technology is unstable and unpredictable," Raven agreed. "Theoretically, if it were to interrupt and freeze the flow of data, the effects would travel to the flow's endpoint."
"Immobilizing our entire defense network," Jinx said.
"I don't think I have to tell you guys what damage could be done with just a few seconds of no security," Red X said as he moved to examine the machine further. Upon further inspection he noticed a circular slot for a missing piece. "It doesn't matter. Slade doesn't have what he needs… yet."
Jinx walked forward and traced the slot with her finger.
"What's missing?" Robin asked. "I don't see anything on this machine."
"Not on ours, either," Beast Boy said.
"This must be the primary," Jinx said. She looked around at the empty dock. "Think we should destroy it?"
"If you want to risk blowing us up or permanently freezing your hook-up spot in time, be my guest," Red X said, folding his arms. "Personally, I'd be more concerned about what the Xenothium would do if it goes."
"You? Scared?" Jinx teased.
"Concerned."
"What does Slade still need?" Robin asked.
"A conduit," Raven answered after a few seconds. "He needs something for the power to go through in order to calibrate the machines and aim with precision."
"Anybody know where we can find something that can aim time?" Beast Boy asked dramatically.
"Actually…" Robin said slowly. "We do."
"Warp's vortex regulator," Red X said.
"That makes sense," Raven agreed.
"And where is that?" Beast Boy asked.
"I sent it to a group of trustable tech scientists in the south district," Robin said. A few seconds later, everyone's Communicators lit up with GPS coordinates for the tech center as Robin continued. "I'm only a mile away. I'll meet you there. If we can get to this thing before Slade, we can stop him."
"On our way," Beast Boy said.
Red X placed the Communicator on his hip. He sighed. "We need another quick lift."
Jinx smiled as she looked at her Communicator. "Tech Center. South Sector, please."
Jinx's Communicator beeped and the screen lit up.
"He's in Antarctica," Jinx said. "He'll be a second."
Red X braced himself.
"So… vortex regulator," Jinx said to Red X. "I might have missed that class."
"It's what Warp has used to travel through time on his heists," Red X explained. "It basically aims and fires Warp to a certain place in time. If Slade gets it…"
"He can trap the Tower," Jinx said. She sighed. "Time travel would be useful right about now. Kinda, you know, cheating, but useful."
"Perspective gets erased, profit is too easy, and nobody would learn to persevere," Red X said. He shook his head. "Time travel just shouldn't exist."
Jinx chuckled. "With everything you seem to know about stuff that you 'don't care about'… it makes me relived that you're with us."
Red X looked south and spoke as Jinx's Communicator beeped twice. "I'm not with you."
Suddenly, they were in front of the tech center. A second later, Robin landed in front of them while Beast Boy and Raven materialized from a black raven made of magic.
"What happened to you?" Raven asked Red X, who was still standing, but breathing heavily.
"I hate lightspeed," Red X said, standing up straight.
"Well, don't expect to be riding on my back anytime soon," Beast Boy grunted.
There was an explosion on the side of the building. Seconds later, ten commandos appeared.
Raven!" Robin called. "Check on the scientists! The rest of us, stop those commandos!"
The Titans charged as the commandos started running down the empty street.
Red X hesitated for just a moment before following, grabbing a small device from his belt and placing it on an X-shuriken.
Robin used his grapple gun to rope up to a rooftop.
Beast Boy turned into a bull and ran forward, impaling three of the commando's and knocking a fourth to the ground.
Jinx hopped onto Beast Boy's back and jumped off, cartwheeling through the air as she sent out a pink ray of energy. A nearby fire hydrant exploded and shot two more commandos off their feet.
Robin landed in front of the last four commandos. He quickly jumped and kicked, knocking aside one of the commando's blasters. The shot went wide, striking a nearby car that started to leak gas. Robin ducked and rolled with a follow-up punch, sending one commando to the ground with an uppercut and kicking another into the car.
Robin kicked backward, sending the first commando to the ground before grabbing the last commando's arm, jumping, and kicking the robot off its feet. Robin turned as the vortex regulator slid across the ground, where it was picked up by the commando who'd been thrown into the car.
The commando took off into an alley.
Robin was about to follow when two X-shurikens flew past him. The first hit the commando on the hip and lodged itself into the android's armor. The second X-shuriken hit the ground next to the car that was still leaking gas. With one spark, the car blew into the air before landing in front of the alley, preventing any chance of pursuit.
"What was that?" Robin snapped at Red X who slowly walked up to the car.
"That was me blocking your path," Red X said, stopping as the flames rose above them.
"He missed on purpose!" Beast Boy snarled.
"Like I said," Red X grunted.
Jinx rejoined them but remained silent.
"You want to get Slade, this is how we do it," Red X argued. "We give him the vortex regulator, he reveals his location."
"Track the regulator to his lair," Jinx said.
"This is crazy!" Beast Boy said as Raven returned. Beast Boy looked behind her at the scientists she'd rescued from the facility before returning his gaze to Robin. "Next thing you know, he'll be offering a trade for a partnership."
"And how'd that work out last time?" Red X asked, looking directly at Robin.
Robin looked Red X in the eye.
"Take me or leave me," Red X said, folding his arms.
Robin looked at Beast Boy, who shook his head, Raven, who remained silent, and Jinx, who simply shrugged.
Robin let out a breath. "We do it X's way."
"Red X."
"Whatever," Robin said. "We do it your way. But if you mess this up, you're going to jail."
"You say I'm with the Titans," Red X said. "Letting someone escape with stolen property is technically illegal. If this goes wrong, are we going to share a cell?"
"How are we going to track the commando?" Raven asked.
"The same way he tracks what he wants to steal back to storage," Jinx answered.
Red X glanced at her.
Jinx gave him a small smile. "Don't tell me you didn't put a tracker on that X-shuriken before you threw it."
Red X hesitated before grabbing another X-shuriken from his belt. He removed a small red chip, placed it into his Communicator, and typed in a code that linked the device to the tracker he had indeed placed on the weapon that was now lodged in the escaped commando's hip.
After a minute of watching, the dot representing the commando with the regulator stopped.
"A newspaper manufacturer," Raven said.
Red X looked at Raven and turned east. "Use your magic and let's go," he said.
The Titans grouped together.
Jinx moved to stand beside Red X.
Red X looked at her, speaking quietly. "You should've gone solo after you left H.I.V.E."
Jinx shrugged. "I'm too good for the criminal life," she said.
"That's why you'd be good at it," Red X said as a raven made of magic closed its wings around them.
…
Slade stood in the dark basement of the newspaper manufacturing plant, surrounded by moving pistons, conveyer belts, and pallets of newspaper.
Slade strapped the vortex regulator to his belt and heard a small explosion through the walls above him. He turned. That was quicker than expected.
A wall near the upper walkway exploded in a burst of smoke.
Slade nodded and his commandos shot through the smoke with their blasters only to have black magic wrap around the blasts and send them sailing back toward their sources, rendering the weapon's useless.
…
Red X stepped back as Robin moved forward.
"Titans!" Robin called. "Go!"
Beast Boy, in the form of a small, green monkey, jumped through the smoke with a screech and grabbed onto a commando's shoulder. He used his momentum to spin the commando around, simultaneously throwing the android to the ground before beginning to leap from commando to commando, systematically eliminating them.
As Raven flew around the upper walkway, kicking and throwing commandos to the floor, Jinx jumped on a slanted conveyer belt and slid down. She crossed her arms and waved outward, snapping the ropes on a pallet full of paper at the bottom of the conveyer belt and scattering paper everywhere.
Red X and Robin materialized through the storm of newspapers, each unleashing a punch that threw sent two more commandos soaring toward Slade. Slade casually stepped aside as the commandos flew past on either side and hit the wall behind him.
"Slade," Robin said as he and Red X completed their move with a roll and rose simultaneously.
"Robin," Slade said casually with a nod, keeping his gaze focused on Red X.
"You were expecting us," Red X guessed.
"As a matter of fact," Slade said.
The walls all around him exploded, the shrapnel piercing the pistons and sending steam and smoke everywhere. More commandos ran through the smoke and toward the Titans.
"I was," Slade completed.
"It won't matter," Robin warned.
"Won't it?" Slade taunted.
"Robin!" Beast Boy called.
Red X and Robin turned and saw that the other Titans were slowly being pushed back into a corner by the almost overwhelming force of commandos.
Red X turned back to Slade, speaking to Robin. "Go help your team. I can take him."
"Not alone," Robin argued.
"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven grabbed two large machines and placed them between the Titans and the commandos.
The robots charged forward, using their rocket-boots to jump over the machines and land in front of the Titans.
"Go," Red X said.
"Don't underestimate him!" Robin warned as he ran toward the Titans.
Red X turned to Slade.
"It's time to talk," Slade said. He grabbed the X-shuriken that Red X planted on his commando from his belt and threw it to the ground. Slade casually stepped on the X-shuriken, breaking it in half before motioning around him. "After all, this entire night… has been for you."
"I know," Red X said.
"You know why you're here," Slade assumed.
"Same reason any two highly intelligent people meet face to face for the first time," Red X said as the two became surrounded by smoke and steam. "To start a partnership or to leave as rivals."
"I see you 're open to options," Slade said. "That is good. That means you're resourceful."
Red X jumped and attempted a downward punch.
…
Robin leapt over the machines as the commandos bared down on his team.
Still in midair, Robin took two birdarangs from his belt and combined them, creating a sword. Robin landed, slashing left at one commando, then right at another before spinning and beheading a third commando.
As one of the commandos grabbed Robin's arms, the Boy Wonder separated the birdarangs into two and hacked through the commando's arm. Robin stabbed the commando through the chest and spun with the two birdarangs, taking out two more commandos and giving his team a chance to regroup.
…
Red X rolled to his feet as Slade threw him to the ground.
"Tell me, young man," Slade said, taking a step back. "When did you know I was testing you?"
"Pretty quick," Red X answered. He unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks that Slade merely sidestepped or dodged, keeping his hands behind his back. Red X jumped and kicked, was blocked, and landed a few steps back from Slade. "You knew I'd pay attention to anything Xenothium."
"Indeed," Slade said. "But when did you know I wanted to talk to you?"
"You wanted to be found," Red X said, activating his wrist-mounted blades. "If you didn't want us to find you, you would've cloaked the Chronoton Detonators like you have the portal generators."
"Hmm," Slade said, stepping forward. "It seems I have less to teach you then I thought. Impressive."
"I'm solo," Red X said. "I'm not interested in a teacher. I don't need one."
"Then why haven't you hit me?" Slade asked.
Red X charged again.
…
Robin threw three explosive discs and the air.
As the weapons exploded, Raven grabbed the explosion with her magic and used the black energy to drive the carnage straight down onto a group of ten commandos.
Across the room, on an upper catwalk, another wall blew open as more commandos came pouring in.
Jinx slid past Beast Boy, flicking her wrist. A ray of pink energy flew into a nearby conveyer belt. With a burst of electricity, the machine overloaded, and the conveyer belt sped up, shooting batches of newspaper out like cannons.
Beast Boy turned into a tall, furry sasquatch and grabbed the conveyer belt, wrenching it off its base and lifting it above his head, firing the newspapers directly at the incoming commandos.
…
Red X slashed horizontally with his right blade and reached out with his left hand, attempting to snatch the vortex regulator from Slade's belt.
Slade ducked and spun around behind Red X before blocking a follow-up blow with one hand still behind his back. Slade kicked Red X in the back and sent the thief rolling across the floor.
Red X stood, breathing somewhat heavily.
"It seems you are distracted," Slade said. "That last blow seemed… hesitant. Previous apprentices only did so when they questioned my methods… or their own."
"I'm assuming you sent the Titans the tip on Warp so he wouldn't go after the regulator until you were ready," Red X said, breathing normally now. "Tell me; if this was all for me, are the Chronoton Detonators even real?"
"Of course they are," Slade said simply. He turned his back to Red X and gazed at the Titans, who were slowly beginning to push back the army of commandos. "Should you have failed to find me, the Chronoton Detonators would have done their jobs and locked Titans Tower in time, crippling their defense network. However, the fact that you found me makes little difference. The Titans failed the moment I opened the portals."
Red X lunged forward again with his right arm. Slade ducked under the blow and spun, grabbing the thief's arm and driving it into a nearby piece of machinery. Slade chopped sideways broke the weapon off at the base of Red X's wrist.
"Are you still having fun," Slade asked calmly, taking three steps back.
"Always," Red X answered.
Red X swung around, throwing two X-shurikens at once. Slade deflected the weapons using his armored wrists and leaned back to dodge a slice from Red X's left wrist-blade. Slade sidestepped the blow and grabbed Red X's arm, throwing him to the ground.
Slade stepped on Red X's arm and punched the wrist-mounted blade, shattering the weapon on impact. Slade released the thief and stepped back again as Red X rose to his feet.
"I'm glad you're still having fun," Slade said, folding his arms. "I, however, find little amusement in fighting you. If this is what you call fighting."
"Fun…" Red X said thoughtfully. "Fun and amusement. Kwiz Kid's riddles. Those were meant for me too."
A burnt forest…
In this place, two came for senseless fun.
An abandoned cruise ship…
And the amusing beauty who came with him was quite wordy.
A moonlit dock…
This destination has brought fun and amusement to many a boy and girl.
"Yes," Slade confirmed.
"Kwiz Kid doesn't have poker face," Red X said. He adjusted his gloves. "If you'd contacted him, I'd have known."
"And?" Slade pressed.
"How did you know his clues would relate to me if you two never met?"
Slade didn't answer.
Red X folded his arms. "Not that I'm interested, but… why me? You just freed hundreds of criminals. And while you'd have difficulty finding individuals with my talents, I'm just a thief. So why me?"
Slade put his hands behind his back again. "You have now asked me three questions that you don't know the answer to. Were the Chronoton Detonators real? How did I know that Kwiz Kid would give riddles that would lead you here? And why you? Tell me, my young thief. Do you still believe there is nothing you can learn from me?"
Using both gloves, Red X quickly reached out and shot adhesive rope in Slade's direction. Slade stepped to the right and stood between the ropes as they shot past him, latching on to two tall machines.
Slade glanced behind him and turned back to see Red X moving as far back as he could with the rope, stretching adhesive to its maximum length. As Red X slingshot himself across the room, Slade ducked, narrowly avoiding an incoming kick.
As Red X neared the machines that the adhesive was attached too, he released his grip on the substance, kicked off the machines on impact, and used the momentum to backflip over Slade.
Slade turned again as Red X aimed a downward kick at Slade. Slade backed up to avoid the blow but received a follow-up punch to the face that brought him to a knee.
"Looks like I hit you," Red X commented, standing over Slade.
Slade slowly looked up at him. "Can you hit me again?" he asked quietly.
Red X unleashed a kick with his left leg. Slade grabbed the discarded adhesive off the ground and them grabbed Red X's leg, pulling it under his arm. The commando blocked another punch before tying the adhesive around the thief's leg.
Red X couldn't move as Slade tugged him forward, elbowed him in the stomach, and threw him backward to the ground with a hand on the thief's mask.
…
Robin threw another commando to the ground and looked up as Slade stood with a boot on Red X's chest.
Nearby, Raven used her magic to wrap a conveyer belt around a group of commandos, crushing them in seconds.
Robin ran forward to assist the fallen thief as Slade stepped back.
Slade glanced at Robin for a moment and as Red X cut himself free of the adhesive.
A few of the machines surrounding Slade and Red X exploded. The resulting debris blocked Robin's ability to reach the two figures who were once again surrounded by smoke and steam.
…
Red X looked at the commando standing over him.
"You know why I keep letting you get back up," Slade assumed.
"You're… testing me," Red X answered, somewhat out of breath as he laid on the ground.
"I'm giving you the chance to test yourself with something greater than petty robberies," Slade corrected. "In time, one way or another, your greatest test will be me. Your apprenticeship will guarantee you eventual success. All you need to do, is accept."
…
Jinx ducked under a punch and placed a hand that pulsated with energy against a commando's chest, causing a short-circuit that sent the robot to the ground. She looked through the smoke to see Slade's silhouette offer Red X's a hand.
…
Beast Boy, in the form of a mammoth, charged through ten commandos at once. He returned to human form as he saw Red X take Slade's offered hand and rise to his feet.
Slade reached into his belt as smoke separated the pair sight.
…
Red X stepped back and nodded at Slade.
Slade nodded as well and turned, running through the smoke and out of sight.
…
Beast Boy ran up to Red X as the smoke cleared.
Red X turned to him, one hand behind his back.
"I saw you," Beast Boy said accusingly as Jinx moved to stand beside him. "I saw you and Slade."
"You don't know what you saw," Red X said.
Jinx looked between them but didn't offer an opinion.
"Slade's gone," Raven said, landing behind Red X.
"What about the vortex regulator," Robin asked, standing beside Raven.
"He let him get away with it," Beast Boy growled, pointing at Red X.
Robin folded his arms, staring at the thief.
Red X extended the hand from behind his back and held up the vortex regulator. "Why do you think I let Slade help me up?" the thief asked Beast Boy.
Jinx gave a Red X a small smile as Beast Boy's mouth dropped open.
Raven folded her arms, her expression guarded.
Robin held out a hand for the regulator.
Red X ignored Robin, turned, and offered the regulator to Beast Boy.
Beast Boy raised an eyebrow and slowly took the regulator. Beast Boy took a small step back and nodded at Red X reluctantly.
…
Back at the Tower, the Titans and Red X gathered in the living room as Raven returned from entrusting Herald with the regulator and overseeing the safe dismantling of the Chronoton Detonators.
"It's done," Raven said to Robin with a nod.
Robin nodded back.
They all turned to the central monitor as it lit up and the symbol of a bat appeared.
"It's time," Robin said calmly.
"Already?" Jinx asked with quietly with regret.
"They wanted me two days ago," Robin said. He looked at Red X. "I had something to finish first."
Red X folded his arms but didn't say a word.
Jinx walked up to Robin and held out a hand. "It's been an honor," she said. "Whether I was with H.I.V.E. or the Titans, it's always been an honor."
Robin grasped the hand. "As a Titan, the honor has been mine."
Raven turned away as Beast Boy looked down.
Robin slowly walked around Raven. "We both knew it would come to this eventually," he said gently.
"We've experienced so much together," Raven said softly as a tear rolled down her face. "Even after I became the portal and caused… you we're always there."
"The Titans were always there," Robin corrected. He looked around the room, taking a deep breath. "The Titans will always be here. You'll never be alone."
Raven slowly nodded as she wiped away the tear.
Robin turned away.
"Robin," Raven said quickly. She opened her mouth to speak before letting out a breath. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Robin said, sparing Raven the need to reveal her true emotions.
Robin looked at Red X as Beast Boy looked at Raven and gave her a gentle nod.
"I expect you to behave," Robin said to Red X.
"Good luck with that," Red X replied. "You know I'm only here until this is done."
Robin gave him satisfied half smile. "Until then… you keep our world safe."
"Your world," Red X corrected. "My playground."
Robin grunted. He finally turned to Beast Boy as Red X moved to a nearby control panel.
Beast Boy slowly raised a hand in salute.
Robin chuckled. "We're way beyond that," he said. He looked around the living room. "The team is yours now."
Beast Boy looked down. "I don't want another leader," he said softly. "And I don't like to the play the leader either. Not unless I have to."
"Being the leader doesn't have to be the same as team being yours," Robin said.
Beast Boy looked over Robin's shoulder at Red X.
"He may be smart, he may be a strategist, and he may take the lead," Robin said to Beast Boy. "But he will never be the heart of this team."
Beast Boy thought for a moment then stood proudly.
"You were the first to join me," Robin said, placing a hand on Beast Boy's shoulder. "Promise me that Red X won't be the last to join you."
"He won't," Beast Boy promised.
Robin lowered his arm.
Beast Boy lowered his voice. "I still don't trust him."
"He won't take off the mask," Robin promised. "He'll cooperate."
"I'll still be watching," Beast Boy said.
"We'll be watching," Raven said, moving to stand next to Beast Boy.
Robin nodded and walked to the open window. He turned one last time and looked around the room, exchanging nods with every member of the team and with Red X.
Robin looked down, nodding to himself and speaking quietly. "Titans, go."
Robin fell backwards out of the window, activated his red and yellow winged glider, and flew out of sight.
…
Red X finished filing the briefing on the night's events as Beast Boy and Raven walked to the open window.
"So," Jinx said from behind Red X. "Slade beat you."
"Not yet," Red X promised. He looked at the Titans Communicator on his belt.
"Just for the record," Jinx said, leaning up against the control panel. "I trust you."
Red X glanced at her. "I don't care," he replied.
Jinx shrugged. "Whatever, X."
"The name is 'Red X'."
"Yeah…" Jinx said with yawn as she walked away. "I don't care."
Red X shook his head as a larva slid up next to him and nudged his leg. The thief raised an eyebrow. "What are you?"
"His name's Silkie," Beast Boy said, moving to Red X. "He's kind of our mascot. You'll get used to him."
Red X slowly nodded.
Beast Boy nodded as well.
Red X turned back to the computer and opened files on all Honorary Titans.
"What are you doing?" Jinx asked casually, returning with a cup of water.
"Looking for a tech," Red X answered.
"Good luck," Beast Boy said. "Most of them have already gone through the portals."
"Isolate your assets," Red X grunted sarcastically. "Great strategy."
Beast Boy folded his arms. "Well, there is one tech that's still here," he said. "He just tends keep himself buried in the junkyard."
Red X turned to Beast Boy.
Alarms began to sound around the Tower.
"Trouble," Raven said.
Red X nodded as Jinx and Beast Boy ran toward the door.
Red X glanced at the Communicator on his belt again and looked up to see Raven staring at him.
…
Slade sat down at his desk and looked at the Communicator in his hand. After a few seconds, he opened it and hit two buttons. There was series of beeps before a live image of the living room in Titans Tower appeared.
Slade thought about the trade that'd he'd made with the young thief.
Red X's Communicator was now in his possession.
The Communicator that the young thief now held was a tool provided by Slade's previous apprentice.
Slade leaned back. The asset is in place.
