Too Much Red: New Nemesis

By: Pakkrat

Chapter 7: It could be Worse, Right?

"Good morning or afternoon… maybe night?" Jimmy didn't know where to place this moment of day, he's usually bad at understanding let alone the fact his need to be serious really was high now. Even if that were the case Jimmy wouldn't act it. He wasn't an actor, he was a moron, a jokester, and yes to his mind the ultimate lover, but sadly he was not an actor.

Jimmy wore a burgundy kind of prom suit, as also did Vince who couldn't help but laugh every time his friend out broke with some new joke, Rasco wore a black suit with red vest underneath it looked very nice with his stare. The stare caused the two the cool off, soon the girls walked out into the yard as it seemed they were all gathering to something. First, Nova had her mother's old prom dress, the purple one she called 'Destiny', next Sabre was wearing her mother's dress and both began talking about the story of the time their parents fought. Last, Roth came out in a black dress with a light purple shawl over her shoulders. She even put her hair back in a bun letting two bangs furl into little curly fries, or Jimmy said they looked like curly fries obviously hungry.

Snappy little dressers they were, it didn't match their two chaperones, Raven and Robert. Robert previously had something of a breakdown but now he was composed, and engrossed with the outfit his wife ordered him. It was a sharp black suit, with ivory buttons and a gray vest underneath with red Xs encrusting the collar. He let the shirt open and sure enough he put his hands in his pockets, asking, "Do I look good," he struts past the teens before making a fashionable turn around, "or do I look good?"

"Oh, yes! You look very refined Mr. Xavier, sir!"

"Gee…" Robert gave a less thrilled look to Nova, "thanks for the hype."

Everyone got a laugh especially Raven. She wore a black dress that was strapless, a nice fitting thing that slightly shimmered while she walked. The divide up her one leg in the dress also moved nicely with the separating of her legs, and glossed lips along with nails accented the dress with black color. Her eyeliner, a purple close to her eyes but the hair let hang giving all proportion to this face of divine devilish beauty. In movement, apparel, and attitude Raven took all awards. It was hot, so said Jimmy before being punched in the shoulder by Rasco who took automatic insult. Robert growled seductively as he wrapped his arms around the slender vixen, "This makes me wish I was keeping you home, like last night when we…"

"Dad!" Both their kids seemed to scream in unison, the other kids giggled and smirked as the two finally gave up and ready to drive everyone to the destination. Getting into a van, Rasco drove and began setting the regiment, "Okay, we go on in and look around figuring out what's going on. After that, move out and try to not get in trouble."

The teens nod, than the bantering began so Raven put her hand in Robert's lap, her mind projects 'I hate that we're doing this to them.'

'You can't baby them so much. At least we're going to be there, right?'

Raven lowered her head and smiled to mask her fear, 'I'm just worried about them, and I love my children as much as I love… you.'

'Aw,' Robert got himself a little flustered, now turning red he gave her that smile she always needed, 'I'll keep the kids safe I promise.'

'That makes me feel much better.' She leaned over to kiss his cheek, to which they heard the teens gagging or making 'ooh' sounds, 'Thank you, honey.'

The museum was this majestic looking building. With large swirling pillars holding the roof over the doors, and several rows of steps up from the pavement, each teen sat in the car with awe as this was their first time checking the place out. Three statues were situated in three dividing walls within the steps, statues of lions. When the van stopped and the group jumped out, Raven and Robert close the doors saying "We'll pull around and park. You can go in, but, don't go and be stupid!

"That leaves you out Jimmy." Everyone laughed with Roth's humor, except him.

"Okay, see you in a few kids!" The van pulls off and the teens run off. Robert had to smile, but when he parked he glared to the spot. Raven also saw the figure who was there, but disappeared a second after the light hit them. Robert opened the door and walked over to where that thing was standing, she wearily followed asking "Was it him?"

"No…" Robert held up the strange blackened smoke on the ground, "I don't know what's going on but like I said earlier. We have to be ready for anything."

Raven gave her little smirk, "I thought I said that."

"What?" He blinked, and slyly turning he stood up growling "You are a real pain in the backside, you know that?"

While the two were laughing, on the roof of the museum a woman in all black narrowed her green reptilian eyes. Maleficent held her staff and the green orb began to swirl, "The man is nothing more than an over-indulged mortal. He's a poor sample, but the female is magically endowed to such extremes as well her demon aura can not be underestimated. I may actually enjoy the chance to challenge her on my own accord."

"Really?" The papers swarm about, and like a tornado they made Malchior. He walked to the edge and viewed the two still in the parking lot, but now they walked towards the entrance on the other side. "I know the girl will be fun for you, but I really hope you're wrong about her lover. I would hate to think I was passed over for some lower model."

Maleficent now smirked, "Perhaps he will be fun for you, great grandfather."

"Than let us go and wait for the time to strike."

Inside the museum, Rasco couldn't help but levitate towards the swords of rural Japan, "Sharpies…"

"Rasco!" Roth grabbed his ear and tugged him away from those types of displays, "We can't get distracted! If we do… then…" She began to levitate towards the mystical mysteries of the world, "Shinies…"

Sabre got that vibe; you know the one when everything seems to be starting off bad. "I think we really found ourselves a problem."

Jimmy nods, "We sure did, just look at this gift shop! It has no videogames, or even a game boy! How can they expect me to be in this boring place without some kind of means of escaping reality?"

Sabre gave a look, and he kind of cringed with that. Vince didn't know how to save his friend so he just points, "Whoa, the exhibit is right ahead! We better go and get the whole check-it thing going!"

Sabre who had unsheathed her claws gave a slight growl, flicking the nose of Jim she walked to the exhibit. "Oh man, that was the perfect save."

"You owe me." Jimmy shrugs and walks on ahead "I owe a lot of things…"

Nova, with a slight smirk wrapped an arm around Rasco's elbow "May we go? I do so appreciate the company of my friends," She pulled him along, "several more than others!"

"Aw man…" His eyes plead to his sister, but Roth gave a dark grin as she mentioned "Remember the bathroom? I still owe you, but I think this makes us even."

The exhibits that Raven and Robert went too have high priced artifacts, Raven does let herself wonder and Robert got curious on the kids, "I'm going to see if their all okay!" She turned and nods "See you later hon!"

Raven went back to looking at some crystal egg, the prisms of its form caused colors to project to the wall behind it and she smiled with their calming auras. Her smile was a warm calm; even the man in black jeans and T with a black leather jacket admits she was calm. The man was wearing shades, and he had his hair flat this time, but still it was gelled with the shine of no normal hair. When he took the nerve to walk over she sensed him and turned with a smile. How many times did he want to be the one she smiled for? What number of times were his dreams only to know she could laugh, grin, and shine for his presence? However, it wasn't that presence she smiles for it is her husband… the lucky bastard. "Hey, Raven."

"Rob-er, I mean Dick. It's nice to see you here." Even now they try to not blow their covers. Robin does a nod while she made a little bow, after that they close in and smile. "You came with any of the others?"

"No, they couldn't come tonight. I think they wanted to try and cover the city instead if something weird happened."

"Truth be told, that's the best idea we all had during this mess. With all the paranoia we've had in the mess I guess the best decisions are done in the moment."

Robin got a little chuckle out of that, inappropriate as it was she too gave a smile. "We can't just do everything. I know the kids have had the chance to back down but repeatedly they wanted to do this. I often wonder why, but in the end we raised them like we would have wanted to be risen, and with our morals. I guess we have ourselves to blame."

Not smart, Raven now saddened from that idea lowered her head. Robin rubbed the back of his head and sort of cringed, "Raven… I didn't…"

"Oh, don't worry." Raven raised her head back up and he knew it was a fake smile, "I wasn't too upset just…"

"I know we all know Raven. That thing said he's coming for your kids… we all are scared for them." Robin raised a brow "Did you ever tell them he was going to attack them?"

Raven shied her eyes away, "No, I didn't." Robin got his look of concern "I was going to tell them but I figured best to not worry them. Besides, I wonder sometimes if maybe there was more to this than them." She turned now to the egg, "Any word from Starfire?"

"No…" Robin gave a look to the floor, "Raven, we broke up." Raven was turned like someone slapped her hard enough to spin her, "The divorce has been in the works a while now. We didn't tell Nova, but we plan to do it after all the problems here are settled."

"Robin, oh I'm so sorry." She walked over and hugged him, it was just a hug to her but Robin… he felt so at peace then. He laid his hands on her back and pulled her tight. With the comfort of her body and warmth over him, he smiled, but soon the scream, "Dick! You made it!"

Robin turned, slightly flustered as Raven peeled away with a smile to her beloved Robert. "You saw the kids?"

"Mostly, I found Rasco, Roth, Sabre, and Nova but not the others, their in the exhibit but those kids won't stay still. They really do follow their fathers too much."

The two give little chuckles, Robin sneered in this but when they look at him he's walking along to the displays, "You coming to the display?"

"Nope, I'm just going to stick it out here." The two walk off and Robin frowns, "Raven, why did you have to choose him and not me?" Robin looked at the tapestry showing mount Olympus, and the Olympians walking mystic halls and rooms.

A man walked through the white halls of Olympus; he wore black armor and a sash with the emblems of flames. Over his head was a helmet that separated for the space where two burning eyes glow. The helmet also had two horns that rise off the head and curve in at the end for some decorative means. As the strange being walked, he offered the scent of smoke with his feet burning the floor on each step. His wandering stopped as he found another being, one who wore red armor with spikes on his shoulders. The hair was let hang from the sides down and flat, slightly above the shoulders but rather long. His pale visage narrows cold eyes on the newcomer. The man in the helmet walks quickly as the man with the red armor tried to get away, "Ares, calm your pace! How long it has been since we spoke, as brothers."

"I am not a brother to you Hades. I admit it is good to see you in that form over the wretched blue creature you take in so many worlds."

"We were gifted with the ability to alter form and shape, in aspect to the balance of realities of men. If not for that than where would we be?" Ares glares as Hades has passed him and now halts his escape, Hades narrowed his eyes knowing his brother was not trying to pay him mind so playing the business man he began to barter to the attention of his audience.

"Hades, move out from my sight."

"I understand, after all you still have such problems with Kratos." Ares had not made but two steps before stopping, "If any you still have great distain in the eyes of the others. Trying to mimic the Soul-edge with those silly swords, you know what kind of problems that would make."

"Oh, and here we are with your mistakes! Hades, traitor who tried to delve the kingdom of Olympus with the Titans of Old many times! You are a black sheep as much as I!"

"Exactly!" Hades raised a finger burning in flame, emphasizing his exclaimed point. "We are both hated by our own brothers and sisters. Yet, we work together so very well. War is the best means for my business, and your wars would not be so memorable without the loss of life. In order for one to exist the other needs to compliment them. To allow War to be strong, so must Dearth, and in vice-versa."

Ares gave no real interest, but he did not walk off this time "Is there some point to your banter?"

"Ares, have you wondered over the actions of the three? The signs are evident the next big war shall come to be. However, you can just ignore these things. As have our brothers and sisters ignored the obvious signs of the up and coming problems. In the end we are supposed to choose sides with them, but I found another option, one which is destined to victory. Tell me, have you not been one to hold the underdogs and surprise combatants as victors?"

"You know my records," Ares had now gained a smirk "If you found this other team perhaps you can tell me why they are so worthy?"

"I could, but if I did would you keep it with you or proclaim it to the ones who underestimate you?" Ares now gave a glare to the doors ahead, they were supposed to meet for something, "Ares just take my word, and whatever this meeting is try to drag it out as long as possible with me. If you do, I promise you a choice seat in our new collective."

"It is so important keeping the attention of the Olympians here?"

"Yes. As long as the three concentrate on their own matters, the only others who will see our plan before the day it bares fruit would be the Olympians. We must pull out a slightly divertive technique for so long as we can achieve something special. Afterwards we will be free to allow them their sense of blind security, while the plot begins to strengthen again."

Ares looked once more to the doors, and to Hades he glared a vicious smile, "I expect this matter to improve my problems with Kratos."

"Indeed. Now, shall we go?"

Rasco kind of awed when standing in front of the display labeled, 'Slade Remains' "Wow, he's actually here."

"What?" Roth got herself into the display with a rebuilt mask, "Those old bones? This mask was the same one used by Heretic with a few added repairs and pieces."

"A reconstruction? Why does that interest you?"

"I don't really know." Roth and Rasco walk off not noticing their shadows caused the red serpents on the mask to shine brighter, "I guess I like masks is all."

The two walk over to Sabre, while Nova was pointing out her mother's old outfit, "Does it not seem most gorgeous?"

"It's a little bland actually." Nova looked at Sabre who was admiring the shattered goggles in a large display, "Almost as bland as wearing goggles. Who decided that was a fashion statement?"

Vince finally popped up with some sort of map in his hands, "It says here those were the goggles Bata-Boom wore. When he was killed, those were the only things that were left afterwards. Roth, Rasco, wasn't it your father that had the biggest problems with Bata-Boom?"

The two didn't really know so much. Their father didn't talk about Bata-Boom, almost like he hated the idea of the villain. "Not really sure, but dad has been one to keep to himself with the past. The only thing he talks about is meeting mom."

"Aw!" The girls squeal as the boys groan, "Ah…"

Jimmy looked over to some displays with pictures. Everyone one shows the events of what their parents went through, even the ones where the titans were in battles. "You know guys, I often wonder about the whole good guy thing. Doesn't it bug all of you how dangerous this thing could get?"

The teens all have the feeling of dread, but Sabre was able to make less agitation with hers, "Well, well, it makes sense Jimmy will not play hero. After all, we all know who his father is."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing really." Sabre walked up on Jimmy and he sort of sunk, "The only thing I'm trying to say is where the others were Teen Titans, your dad was a Teen Twit."

Jimmy got the nerve to glare her in the eyes, pushing off with his nose the two were forehead to forehead, "You know what at least my parents were titans! Yours were both criminals and not the best ones either! If you were a titan you'd be more like that Terra girl!"

"Oh? Well I know one place where I and Terra were different! She had a thing for the spazzy troll; where as me I won't let some scrawny punk like you get any of this, ever!"

As the two got into it, Nova and Vince tried to break them up. Rasco grabbed his head asking "Where does the team work begin?"

"It could be worse, right?" Roth's words seemed like a blast, causing the roof to explode in and soon many criminals in tattered clothes and whatever dropped out of the hole. The teens run back to back as the criminals were starting to chase out all the other people inside. Rasco didn't know what to do, but somewhere in all the old movies and crap he read about their parents words did form, "Titans, GO!"

The men had some sort of stun weapons and rods; firing at random they began tearing the museum apart. Rasco turned into his fiery demonic form, with his suit changing his form he ran in and launched thugs with fists of flame. Three goons began to run behind him trying to fire but they had their guns shatter to pieces. Looking in the air Roth had her smirk as she now picked them up in blackness, now launching them straight into some other morons. Several goons flew into the air not sure what hit them, Sabre soon de-cloaked to show her red armor skin outfit, "Thanks to your dad for the new suit!"

Vince leapt over her in the armored drone outfit, even his head is fitted with the helmet. He raised the visor to show his smiling face, "Hey, no problems! I'm just glad he could get it ready."

Vince turned to find some goons charging, he merely flung hexes that made the floor to melt and solidify with them in the ground. "I love this outfit! I makes my hexes so strong!"

Jimmy gave a look to Vince who cringed, "My dad's still working on it Jimmy… really."

Rasco snaps on them all "Use your codenames! We can't have people trying to hurt our families!" Jimmy flipped in the air turning into a large insect like mantis, "Chimera, do something about those guys on the roof!"

Chimera looked over and nodded, flying through the hole he began to slash and bash the criminals. Rasco looked over to Sabre, "You, Sabrefang! Go up there and help him!"

"What?" Sabre gave a snarl but his grizzly ethereal skull only bared more of a scold, "Oh, I hate the fact the leader is the cute one!" She leapt off to one display, than she vaults out the hole to the roof.

"The cute one?" Roth smirked as Rasco began to twitch, "She totally has a thing for you."

"Shut up! Man, if you weren't my sister…"

Outside the exhibit, Raven, Robert, and Robin had gone through changing into their outfits. Raven had her old outfit, and Robin now had the Nightwing outfit. Robert, he had a newer version of the old Red X outfit. It was similar to the old one but now it had no covering under the skull mask. He leapt over several goons and created the red X blades, his new blades were charged in electricity and they shocked the men when they hit. "Guys, they sure came in numbers!"

Raven was in the air and grabbed several men in her powers before wrapping them with some sculpture art that looked like some weird mix of bizarre rocks. She lands and Robin leapt behind her thrashing two goons with his staff, "Be careful! You guys may have been hiding out but some of us remember how it is to be in a fight!"

Raven gave a glare, and her eyes flicker tossing a goon off from Robin, "I didn't forget, Robin."

He shied his eyes, "I didn't…"

A whistle, the two looked to Red while he shocked a group of men, "We can first beat the bad guys, right?"

The roof blew up and they join shoulder to shoulder, the smoke covered the area under the hole and one figure dropped leaving his silhouette show. He stood, and as the smoke cleared two goggles shined, causing Red to lower his arms and jaw slightly tightens. The brown trench and hat hid the man but as his goggles glow it's obvious to Red who was there. "You…"

"Hello, son. So, how's the family life treating you? Make father of the year yet? Like, your old dad?"

Red screamed in pure hate, firing his two arms off the tazer blades. The man in brown shook his head and merely tapped away the weapons with his hands, "The serum… you forgot already?"

"No!" The blades turned back around and began to explode. The smoke covers their sight and only when it clears did they see the holes in the brown coat and hat now torn. The man chuckles, no… he laughs. He laughs in the way that turned Red's stomach so harshly. Next, he tore off the coat and showed his white lab coat and round belly underneath. Even after all this time he has hardly changed, hair still a black patch over the back and the top with some gelled tail. The face is covered with the buttoned over collar and his eyes are still hidden in green goggles, "Son, you know that was very nice! Why, it was…" The goggles flashed as he tossed some explosive bears, "Bata-Boom worthy!"

Raven created a shield to block the explosions, Robin now ran to the side and tossed some disks but they were missing the target that already ran in towards the kids. "No, he's after the kids!" They were going to attack but from the hole now dropped a large stone monster, Cinderblock landed in a slight kneel to look up at Raven slowly, "I told you… soon."

Robin had a twitch in his eye, "Well, it's not going to get any worse is it?"

Looking through the hole was Malchior and Maleficent, "Should we attack now?"

"Not until the demon shows up, and after we have the item of ritual." Malchior turned to the third figure walking towards them, "Besides, we made the deal of a lifetime with Hades for this one. We can't let them go to waste."

Note: Thanks to all you lovely people still reading. Sorry it took so long. Still, I hope to end this story soon I just have a lot of things to do. So far both my sequels seem not so popular, maybe sequels don't have the same effect as originals? Well, till the next time please keep reading!