I guess I owe you guys a chapter like this, huh? Eh, maybe, maybe not. I must apologize if I scarred anyone last chapter. But there was a reason why I chose to turn to that type of emotion. Think about it. You guys may be a little mad at me, frustrated or just plain confused. That's exactly how I want you to feel, that is what my characters feel and by feeling what they do-I hope it enhances the reading just by a bit! There is a reason behind everything, I don't kill off anything just for the heck of it, I'm not that crazy yet! :p
This chapter is a little shorter and I apologize. But I feel like adding in a different perspective will help out a lot. Or add in the confusion XD
As for the reviews, like always, thank you! :D I wish I could talk to each of the guests separately, but all of you made me smile. As for the question of being a total nerd; there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! Stand out, be different; because that is what's great. There is only one you :) (Eh-heh; yeah, you're going to hate this chapter though since it is quite short! My bad :p)
Like always I own nothing but the characters I make up!
Puppy Love 11
The dark shadows loomed overhead making anyone close enough to squint their eyes at the little light that shined from above. A few chairs were scattered in the dim room; there was a desk, and in front of it sat three large monitors flickering images of people in various cities across the globe. The farthest monitor showed black and white photos with various numbers splattered on the sides of the screen, while the remaining two were colorful and bright, showing off the beautiful day today.
There was a shuffling of feet as a man entered the room, long coat and greasy hair, it was as if he hadn't showered in days. On his shoulder was a bag, heavy enough to strain a modern man. In his hand he held a platter of food and as he made his way across the room he found himself in the darkest shadows of the corner. There is where he lay the tray, two eyes looked up as he set it down.
"The darkness compliments you sir, but pray tell, does it not strain your eyes while you work?"
The man in the darkness looked up to the words and smiled, "of course, turn on the lights if you will Mark."
The man named Mark nodded and shifting the bag on his shoulder he waltzed over to the light switch on the wall and flicked them on, revealing a small work area for study. On the far side lay various microscopes and chemicals that Mark could never guess. Near the monitors lay scattered papers and on the desk were various trinkets and tools that were recently thrown on top. Many boxes lay scattered on the floor, most of the stuff still lay inside.
"I see you have already began to unpack." Mark observed.
The man in the shadows smiled and scooted forward, revealing his scruffy brown hair and beard. "Yes-but the blasted heater won't stay on; that's what we get for such a sudden move."
Mark nodded and the man continued, "Pish posh on Wallace-he should have known better than to let her roam outside. Fresh air-bah. I've never heard anything crazier. Science needs no fresh air."
There was a squeak as the man stood up from his chair and ignored the plate of food; instead he walked over toward the monitors. He stood in front of them watching the pictures light up from one to another.
"The security cameras are still working as planned at least." Mark offered from behind.
There was a bit of silence as he laughed, "Yes-there is still that. Not even Wallace know the secrets I hold here." There was a short pause before he continued, "Blast it all-these darn things…"
Mark watched the farthest monitor flicker for a few seconds to his left then fall still on another black and white photo of a couple standing on a beach looking across the water. The man flicked a few buttons nearby, pushing boxes out of his way to sit down on a wooden chair, and he stared at the pictures that passed by on screen. Finally it rested on the Titans Tower back in Jump City. He eyed the building for a moment as the silence eclipsed the two men. Finally he spoke, quiet and questioning.
"Do you know how to make a man crazy?"
Mark was taken aback from the question and shook his head, feeling the answer slip between his thoughts.
"No sir."
The man smiled, he flicked on a photo from inside the titans tower showing the ravaged hallway where the fire took the tower. There both Starfire's and Beast Boy's rooms stained black, the wind tearing at them from the outside where windows were pulled open.
"You take him out of his comfort zone. Put him somewhere he's not used to…" There was a pause as he flicked a picture of the airport, security tape was marked off with bright yellow colors. "…Stack the odds against him."
Mark was silent, watching the man stare at the picture for another few seconds before switching to another back to Jump City. This time it was of the Jump City Animal Shelter. They both sat there watching a vehicle pull in with a bundle of dogs in cages who escaped earlier that day.
"Hm. Surprises lurk in every corner…every corner Mark. Who knew the kid had it in him."
"Sir?"
The man smiled toward the screen and flicked it to a still picture of Beast Boy-it was an older picture of him in the Jump City airport. He studied the titan for a moment before letting his eyes flick over toward Mark.
"Death my boy, the kid killed. Takes a lot to push a man to kill, don't you agree?"
Mark stared at the darkness that creviced his eyes, the madness that swarmed in his pupils. It was known he was a mad genius, full of wonderful…horrid things. Of course it was all in the name of science or so he proclaims. Hearing his dark words, Mark had nothing to express to his old friend and instead just nodded.
"Yes."
The man hummed with a smile and turned back to the monitor, he flicked his wrist and Mark watched him slide his fingers down the keys. Looking up he saw a silent video of Beast Boy standing in the plane. He saw the shot of the gun and the girl that fell to the floor and flinched, looking away from the monitor, feeling uncertain. The man snickered and continued quietly as the clip sputtered and continued.
"Fascinating… he managed to kill my assassin. Granted he was only an apprentice, just started training… never liked him much anyway." he cleared his throat, "But still…the green kid has potential, don't you agree?"
"Yes."
He could see the screen flicker as Beast Boy leaped in for the kill and he watched with strained eyes until he looked away.
"I'm sensing that our little friend here could be of more use to us alive than dead."
"Sir?"
The clip stopped, he could see the teen titan standing over the suffering man, a look of anger plastered on his young face. Of all his life watching the teen titans, he was the last one he would have bet on to kill. He was the youngest and the most lighthearted of them all. It was amazing what something like death and feeling trapped in a corner can push someone to do. Mark shook off the uneasy feeling as his friend continued to speak again, his tone full of awe.
"Did you see him morph? It was as if it was natural. Fascinating really. I must know more." There was a pause as he lifted his hand to his chin in thought. "You know what Mark? Cancel the other quests, let him come. Let him see our little secret."
"But sir, won't he ruin..?"
The man waved his hand nonchalantly with a smile. "Nonsense my good boy. When you turn a man crazy, there is no going back."
"Crazy sir?"
His friend gave a hearty laugh, pushing back in his chair and glanced over toward Mark with tinted eyes.
"Have you ever seen a sane killer? No?"
The man shook his head, "No sir."
"Of course not!" His friend shouted, clapping his hands together, making Mark jump in the process. "You must drive a man to his edge-scare him. With just enough fear you can control a man who is afraid."
Mark shook off the surprise and a thought came over him, "You think you can control a titan sir?"
The man was silent contemplating the accusation, "do you deny my words old friend?"
"No, only adding onto the possibilities."
"Yes. Well…" he paused in thought. "One titan is no challenge…two titans; now that will be a pain."
Mark nodded, "What shall we do sir?"
The friend smiled and turned back to the monitors, his dark hair tossed in his eyes as he stared at the screens in front of him. His eyes flicked over a few images before settling back on the titan tower, the wind barreling into the building as a storm was brewing in from the distance. He watched the clip for a moment before speaking.
"Send two of my best to both Titans Tower and Titans East. Keep them distracted. I want nothing to do with them."
"Of course." Mark replied with a curt nod and he was about to turn away when the man spoke again, staring at the monitors. He looked up to see a picture of the Jump City Titans leader standing just outside the tower, next to Starfire. Both seemed to have a serious look on their faces as they spoke words too low to catch on screen.
"Hm, Robin look at you-always pretending to know everything. Sometimes I think you forget you are only human." He laughed and his eyes shifted to the woman next to him, "Oh of course the beautiful Starfire, how can anyone forget you? You are the shining light of innocence." He hummed a small tune as he flicked his pictures around the tower, he came across Cyborg to which he smirked and moved on throughout the rest of the rooms. His eyes knit in confusion as Mark watched him flip through the cameras again.
"But where is the sorceress? That is peculiar. Unless..."
Mark watched his old friend slide his hand over a few buttons until he showed a photo of Beast Boy and a gray dog inside the airport. The man zoomed in the photo and leaned back in his seat in thought and suddenly a smile broadened his features.
"Oh, how could have that slipped my mind, of course, the dog, it all makes sense now!"
"The dog sir?" Mark asked nearby and his friend turned around, excitement filling the air around him.
"Don't you see Mark? The dog is Raven, oh how our little pup has succeeded in more ways than one!" He pointed to the monitor where Mark noticed distinct violet eyes and felt a wave of surprise hit him-it was very possible that accusation could be true. He watched the photo come to life as the man turned around back toward the screens. He saw the dog race around the airport as if she knew where she was headed, Mark caught himself staring then a thought dawned on him, remembering the true reason behind the little pup and Project IT.
"But sir wasn't she supposed to be in research for…"
His friend stood up from his seat, cutting him off mid-sentence, "Enough I know what the pup is used for-but I can use her for other means as well. Forced transformation is a peculiar thing, I've seen it in mice but never a human, oh ho!"
He laughed and Mark watched from a distance before hearing a soft barking to his right. Mark raised an eyebrow, a pile of boxes lay in the corner along with a cage covered with a dark green cloth. The cage rattled for a moment before the cloth slipped down, revealing the little brown pup inside. She stood, blue eyes wild and fur fluffed.
The man glanced over toward Elsa with little interest then crinkled his eyes toward her, "Don't worry little one, you'll see them again, I'm certain of it."
Mark watched the pup lean down as the man strode toward the cage, he could hear whining as he stood nearby. He glanced at the caged dog and watched her stand, letting off a low growl. The man smirked, hitting the cage and sending it toppling to the ground. Elsa fell to her side as it crashed to the floor with a "bang". Mark watched the pup stand up in the cage, now tipped sideways and lowered her ears as the man towered above her.
"Yes, they will come. Let them find us, I'll be waiting."
Cry I dare you. Lawl, just joking I know it was short-I warned ya. Anyway I was going to actually take a break from this story last chapter, but I felt so bad leaving for a bit after that last crazy chapter 0.o and I really wanted to add something in to reassure you guys. I will be going back to my other very neglected stories, lol. I surprisingly have been getting reviews for them too-which is odd since I haven't updated them in awhile. I guess I'm doing something right with this story to attract others to my two other fan fics :3
Anyway you guys stay awesome and try not to hate me too much! I'll update later down the road, I promise! :)
Mai