Bō

Warnings

Robin was now certain that New York City had no need for a Titans branch, because it had skilled mutant ninja Turtles guarding it already. (Meanwhile, Beast Boy finds a kindred spirit within this new team, and enemies team up to bring them all down...)

"Dude, that sounds like it was hilarious!"

"It was. Man, I wish you could've seen the look on Rob's face...!"

Michelangelo laughed at this, trying to imagine a very angry Robin on the receiving end of one of Beast Boy's pranks. "Well, I'm sure it's nothing compared to Raph!"

Beast Boy laughed, though the sound was grainy on Mikey's end due to the fact they were talking over communicators. "Dude, we definitely need to team up sometime and prank everyone. It would be the ultimate prank!"

Mikey laughed again. "Yes! We could call it...well, the Ultimate Prank!"

Their simultaneous laughter echoed throughout both the lair and Titans Tower. While Mikey's brothers were otherwise occupied elsewhere, Raven was glaring at the back of Beast Boy's head. When she spoke, Mikey could hear her threat loud and clear.

"Beast Boy, if you and your friend don't keep it down I will fry your communicator and then send the both of you to a dimension where you'll both slowly freeze or starve to death."

Both teens froze, though Raven couldn't see Mikey on the screen. She studied the changeling for a moment before smirking and returning to her meditation. Beast Boy, who suddenly decided he might find less threats to his well-being elsewhere, quickly retreated to his room to continue the conversation.

The sorceress rolled her eyes as her teammate hastily vacated the room. She could only imagine what life would be like if Beast Boy and his friend met in person.

"Robin? What are you doing?"

The Boy Wonder looked up at the sound of Starfire's voice. He smiled slightly upon seeing her, but frowned as he turned back to his work. "Just investigating some criminal sightings. The reports sound an awful lot like the HIVE Five, though apparently Kid Flash and Jinx are usually seen cleaning up after them. Even so, I want to confirm it so that they know for sure that they're chasing the HIVE, and not just some random criminals."

"I see." Starfire was quiet for a moment, and Robin wondered what would come next. "So...how are your friends in New York?"

Well, he hadn't quite expected that. Robin blinked a moment (though Star couldn't see it), before turning to face her as he answered. "They're good. Don - he's the one I gave the communicator to - has been keeping in touch, and Beast Boy's made friends with his younger brother Mikey. Thank goodness they don't meet in person often because then no one would be able to do anything without worrying about being pranked."

Starfire giggled at the last statement, and Robin allowed himself a small smile. As he turned back to his work he added, "I really wish you could meet them, Star. Raph and Leo don't know about the communications but if we could all meet once, just once, I have a feeling it would be so great..."

The Tamaranian's smile softened slightly, and her green eyes took on a distant look. "Robin, do you truly believe we will ever get to meet them?"

At this the leader of the Titans rose, turning to face Starfire straight on. He gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek before pulling back and smiling. "I don't doubt it for a minute."

Katarou stood on the rooftop, looking down at the strange humanoid-turtles as they easily dispatched the strange creatures in robotic bodies. He notched his bow with the arrow that had a note attached.

The ninja-assassin had not been given any specific instructions from Oroku Saki, only that he must eliminate these turtles - disciples of Splinter - before going after Splinter himself. The Shredder's logic was that if the things he cared for most were taken mercilessly, Splinter would be so devastated he would not be able to properly fight back.

That suited Katarou just fine.

The last bot had been dispatched, and the turtles were making their way toward the nearest man-hole. Katarou aimed and fired.

He didn't stay to see how they reacted, to see if any were hit, because he also did not want them to look to where he had been standing. Either way, the message was delivered.

You are being hunted by order of the Shredder. Enjoy the last few days you have alive. ~Katarou

"Robin, we just received a warning..."

"What do you mean, Donatello? What kind of warning? From who?"

It was not often that the Titans saw Robin panicked. It usually only happened when Slade or some Gotham rogue straying outside of Gotham was involved. Or when Starfire's life was on the line. But that was a different type of panic.

At that moment, they were somewhat glad Robin forgot to turn down the volume of his communicator though.

"Some guy named Katarou shot an arrow at my brothers and me, with a note warning that we were being hunted by order of the Shredder."

Robin growled. Robin growled, and to be honest Beast Boy was impressed by it. And a little intimidated, but that's not the point. "What?!"

"I just thought you might want to know... why? Do you know him?"

"I went to Japan, once," Robin mumbled, "to train with one called the True Master after I failed to defeat Katarou when he was robbing Jump City. He tried to sabotage my attempt to train with the True Master when I found her home, but I managed to defeat him that time."

"Oh. Well...what should we-?"

"We'll come to you. He's dangerous; I'm not letting you face him alone, especially if he's teamed up with your mortal enemy."

"...Oh. A-alright. Thanks, Robin."

"No problem, Don."

Robin clicked his communicator closed, then turned to his apprehensive friends. "Pack your bags, guys. We're going to NYC."