A/N: Sorry for not updating for over a week. Where I live the semester ends in about two weeks and I had to study a lot for tests, exams and auditings. School's areal bitch when you're in your last year of high school. So, again I apologize and I will try to write the last two chapters as fast as I can. So without further ado ...
Chapter 19 – Hear thy countries call
The celebration of Slade's defeat didn't compare to any of the titans past celebrations. Beast Boy was in charge of setting the groove and he did it the way he knew best choosing the type of music that suited all of them. They danced, ate and even drank thanks to a good half of dozen six packs that Anton hid in his closet a few months earlier when nobody was paying attention to him, thus confirming the fact that he had indeed prepared for the day of victory.
At first they thought about the fact that they were heroes and that they were supposed to set an example for others and that irresponsible drinking wasn't such a good example, but seeing how it was a moment of celebration and that they were in the tower where nobody could see them they decided do have a drink but not to push their limits. After all, discipline is the mother of victory, understanding and good will amongst people.
Beast Boy and Anton drank their beers faster then anyone else but decided to stop when they felt the alcohol kicking in. Naturally, Raven just couldn't help herself from slightly slapping BB over the head but after that embraced him seeing that he did in fact decide to stop at the right time. Cyborg didn't really like beer anyway but decided to have one with his friends just so that he wouldn't spoil the moment.
Robin and Starfire sat next to each other but didn't even have a taste of the beer that Anton brought. Robin was on his way to becoming a responsible father and told Starfire what drinking can do during her time of pregnancy and Starfire, who was also on the road to becoming a responsible mother listened to him and understood what he meant and the effects of drinking alcohol agreeing that it would be better for their baby not to be poisoned while still in the womb.
At about 4 A.M. the whole team decided to call it a night and get a few hours of well deserved sleep, all but Robin of course, who remembered he still had a few matters to attend to. As the others went to their rooms, including Starfire, Robin went over to the screen, turned the computer on, logged in and sent an email to police chief Edward Ford pointing out Slade's body exact location and promised him that he will personally hand him the files obtained.
After completing this last detail Robin initiated the lock-down for the entire tower and headed of to Starfire's room. When he arrived he noticed that his loved one was already sleeping and didn't wish to disturb her. He took of his boots, cape and shirt and settled in along side Starfire, holding her in her arms and with a small sigh fell to sleep.
"I'm sure glad that's over" Robin whispered to himself before closing his eyes.
The next morning Robin was abruptly awaken by his friends shouts.
"Yo Robin! Get up and move your lazy butt in here! There's something you need to see" yelled Cyborg from the entrance of the main room.
At first Robin still wanted to sleep but realized that he wouldn't be disturbed for something insignificant. He looked at his watch that read 11:00 A.M. and got up to his feet. He pulled on his boots and shirt and proceeded to the main room curious of what was going on. He entered the room just in time to see the TV screen and his friends watching the news. On the screen appeared a picture of Slade's body which was taken into an ambulance by medics and also a title that read "Slade commits suicide to escape the Teen Titans". At the sight of this Robin knew that he had a lot to owe to Edward Ford for covering him.
"Yesterday the super villain who called himself Slade planted three bombs in several parts of Jump City thus trying to make his presence yet again known in what seemed to be a new wave of violent criminal acts against its citizens. As hours passed by and while police officials still searched for answers that might have lead to the culprits capture, Slade faced a force that proved fatal to him" said a reporter who was at the scene of the crime just outside Slade's last base of operations "This morning police chief Edward Ford of the Jump City Police Department received a telephone call from Robin, the teenage superhero and leader of the Teen Titans, who announced that Slade had committed suicide after a fierce battle which on several occasions almost claimed their lives. Robin also declared that Slade committed suicide by shooting himself in the head after he retreated in the middle of the battle in order to avoid the Titans attack"
"Looks like Ford really knows how to whip up a good story ey guys?" said Beast Boy who was enthusiastic because of what he had heard but he was cut short by his team mates who in unison shushed him.
"At 9 o'clock this morning the police arrived at the scene and discovered Slade's body lying in a pool of blood in what appeared to be the villain's base of operations. They could only give one verdict and notice Slade's death after which they proceeded to finalize their investigation in what is now known as Jump City's longest man hunt. One hour ago Mayor Donald McGuire announced that he will publicly decorate the titans in a special award ceremony that will take place in front of the town's hall and which will also symbolize our cities relief from the violent acts of aggression that Slade had subdued it for the past two and a half years. Thank you again Teen Titans, the city owes a big debt to your countless efforts and heroism in fighting crime whenever it threatened us. This is Jane Smith for the Channel Six news, back to you Frank …"
It was official. They were now heroes and Robin wasn't accused of Slade's murder.
Cyborg turned of the TV and they all started cheering as though they weren't the ones that stopped him and just heard the news. After a couple of minutes the titans receive a phone call from Donald McGuire, the mayor of Jump City, who congratulated and thanked them for bringing Slade to justice and asked them to come in front of the Town's Hall that afternoon at 3 P.M. for the award ceremony.
At 3 P.M. in the front of the Town Hall a large crowd of people were cheering and awaited their heroes to personally thank them for bringing Slade down. The titans arrived with the T-Ship and were greeted by all of the people of Jump City, including police, justice and city officials.
When they landed they had all of the cameras pointed upon them but the crowd of people was stunned to see them. This happened not because they wore other clothes or anything like that but because they didn't know what changes went on in Titans Tower those last few months. A couple girls fainted when they saw Robin and Beast Boy holding Starfire and Raven's hands, not expecting to ever see them that way even though they did gossip about it for a long time.
"Hey BB, looks like we're real heart breakers ey buddy?" said Robin as he addressed his friend with a large smile on his face, which in turn made Beast Boy grin at the thought that he had so many fan girls that admired him.
Another curiosity was Anton's appearance. He was neatly dressed with a new black shirt which had two black collar tabs with a white cross in the center and clean green army pants tucked in his freshly shined boots, but he was also wearing his mask much to the disappointment of the citizens and the reporters. The people didn't know much about him other than that he was also part of the team and were quite curious to find out what his name was.
The titans walked to the top of the stairs of the Town Hall where Edward Ford and Donald McGuire gladly shook their hands and thanked them. As Robin shook Ford's hand he also gave him the files he found and told him to be extra careful with them as they contained important information about Slade.
"For two and a half years our city has been threatened by a mad man who almost took control of everything you see before you. On several occasions he almost won but thanks to the countless efforts of these young heroes which today stand before you, Slade has been stopped once and for all" said the mayor as the crowd of people went into a frenzy "For you endless courage and dedication we present you Teen Titans with the honorary medal of Boundless Glory" said McGuire as he proceeded decorating every titan in person.
The last one that was to be decorated was Anton, a member of the team which McGuire never had the chance to speaking to.
"I don't know you name, or where you came from or how you became a member of the Teen Titans, but by God I'm sure glad you're on our side" said the mayor addressing Anton.
"I am known by my friends as Rage, sir, and it has been pleasure to serve this city and its kind and law abiding citizens" said Anton as he saluted the mayor and received his decoration.
"Looks like you finally got what you deserved man" said Cyborg addressing his masked friend.
"Yeah, now you're officially a hero" said Beast Boy.
"It appears so" he replied smiling under his mask "Recognition is all that I have wanted"
"And now you've got it. We couldn't have done it without your help Anton" said Robin thanking and congratulating his friend after which shouted "Three cheers for Rage!" which sent the crowd into another frenzy all to Rage's surprise and pleasure.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After Slade's defeat months passed by and the titans continued their fight against evil whenever it reared its ugly head. They were still six friends with a good relationship and things appeared to be going extremely well for them.
The media was now more interested in them after they noticed those peculiar surprises at the award ceremony. The headlines of newspaper articles and magazines were full of questions about what had been going on in Titans Tower. They asked themselves about how Robin and Starfire finally admitted their feelings to one another, coming up with numerous theories and ideas; they tried to find out how Beast Boy and Raven came to be so close seeing how they didn't show any signs of attraction to one another in the past; they wondered why Cyborg never went out with a girl and if he had issues due to his 'handicap' and also tried to figure out who Anton exactly was and how he became a member of the Teen Titans.
Never the less the tabloids had a lot of question material to put up in their pages and had been quite busy but one day a news paper article caught everybody's attention after a paparazzi took a picture of Robin and Starfire out in the city in which Starfire's womb was clearly larger than before. The idea of Starfire 'putting on a couple of pounds' didn't quite seem so plausible, so the next day the front page of local newspaper read "Future seventh Titan", "Robin and Starfire, soon to be parents", "Starfire of the Teen Titans is pregnant" etc etc. The news had been heard by everybody and the reporters kept calling in until Robin made an official statement announcing that Starfire was going to give birth to their child in late May.
Weeks came and left and the Titans were now paying special attention to Starfire. If there was any trouble in the city the boys would jump into action while Starfire remained home along with Raven who had to protect her in case something happened. It was the end of February and Starfire was in her six month of pregnancy. Until now everything went fine and the doctor that Robin and Starfire went to told them that their child had been developing quite well.
It was the morning of the 27th of February and Cyborg, Beast Boy and Anton were eating breakfast as they waited for the others to awake. When Raven, Robin and Starfire came in at the same time and sat down at the table Anton whipped them up a homemade American type breakfast with waffles, eggs, bacon, toast, milk and orange juice. After they've all eaten Anton took the greasy plates, glasses and cutlery to the sink and proceeded to washing them.
"Thanks for the breakfast Anton; you still haven't lost your touch" said Raven complimenting her friend's cooking.
"Yeah, in fact you seem to be getting better and better" continued BB.
"Teach a bull to use his horns and he will eventually break the fence that holds him captive" said Anton quoting an old Serbian proverb. "I am glad that you enjoyed your meal, even though I think I exaggerated a bit with the bacon" he continued while rubbing his chin.
"No way" said Cyborg who was cleaning his teeth with a toothpick "Too much bacon means more food for me"
"Then I will continue this way" said Anton as he started washing the dishes.
"Right, so who's up for watching the tube?" said Robin as he went over to the couch along side Starfire.
"Count me in!" exclaimed BB as he jumped on the couch and grabbed the remote control which flew up in the air "This time it's my turn to pick what we watch".
As they all sat down on the couch and watched the big screen TV, Beast Boy flipped from channel to channel trying to find something interesting for them to watch. Anton was also paying attention to the screen as he now enjoyed watching TV but continued washing the dishes. As Beast Boy flipped around the channels his old habit of commenting every program kicked in and he monotonously noted what he saw.
"Great, another Monday morning and nothing good on the tube" he said with a small note of frustration in his voice "Animal program – Life on the African savanna, kiddy toons, fitness channel, tennis match, soap opera, infomercial, infomercial, news – oil prices rise on the stock market, infomercial, infomercial, infomercial, Discovery channel, CNN - new war in the Balkans …"
At the sound of Beast Boy's last words Anton dropped a plate on the floor and jumped in front of the couch as his team mates watched him, not understanding what happened.
"Beast Boy, go back to the last channel" Anton demanded quickly, surprising everyone with the tone with which he spoke.
"Huh? You mean CNN?" he asked.
"Yes! Do it right now!" he yelled as though something had gone wrong.
Beast Boy complied to his friend's request and clicked back to the news channel that he had just passed. The others wanted to ask Anton what was going on but before they could speak they notice that on the screen a war was going on and a reporter with a helmet spoke something about a new crisis in the Balkans.
" … Those were the scenes that the people of Subotica and Priština saw earlier today as Croatian and Albanians forces invaded Serbia, declaring war and soliciting the surrender of the Serbian government. This new conflict which shakes the Balkans yet again comes after only 3 years and 7 months since the beginning of the last Serbo-Croatian war which left both nations in economic instability. Last night Croatian and Albanian officials declared war on Serbia demanding war reparations and the Vojvodina region on behalf of the Croatian government and the unification of the Kosovo region with Albania on behalf of the Albanian socialist Congress. As Serbian forces are now heading for the front, Croatian and Albanian forces are destroying everything in their path and murdering civilians that hold Serbian flags outside their homes. We'll be back later with more information about this new conflict which again destabilizes the peace process between the countries of the former Yugoslav Federation and again threatens the lives of many. For CNN news, reporting from Belgrade, this is Harvey Adams, back to you Roger …"
The moment the reporter stopped his transmission Anton's eyes turned red again and with a violent shout of anger he furiously smashed his fist into the table that was situated in front of the couch, breaking it in two and scaring the Titans. After he broke the table he started shouting at the TV screen in Serbian and waved his fist while doing so. After about a minute of shouting he turned around and went to his room while continually shouting.
As he went out the sliding door the Titans felt as though a potential threat just walked out.
"Dude, what was that all about?" said Beast Boy who was in a state of shock.
"You saw what happened" Cyborg replied pointing to the TV screen "His homeland was attacked again by the Croatians and the Albanians, and if I remember right the Serbs hate both of those nations. How would you feel if you were in his situation?"
"Pretty nasty" said Raven "I haven't saw him like this ever since that battle with Slade"
"You're right Raven, this thing really upset him" said Robin who was still looking at the sliding door in amazement "Star, what did he exactly say when he was shouting like that?" he inquired as he faced her.
"I dare not to literally repeat the awful words that I have just heard" she replied with her eyes wide open and her hands wrapped together near her mouth "He used foul language to express his thoughts of anger and hate for the Croatian scum and the Albanian sqiptars"
"Sounds like he's really pissed" concluded Raven.
"Yeah, what'ya think he's doing right now?" inquired Cyborg.
"Probably punching the bag in the gym or trashing his room" replied Beast Boy who actually feared that his friend wouldn't do something more extreme.
"I don't know what he's doing but I think we should go talk to him before he flips again" said Robin.
"Are you certain that this is a good idea Robin?" Starfire asked.
"Yeah man, you know what happens when he flips his wig and somebody tries to talk to him" said Cyborg who questioned the safety of Robin's idea.
"He did it because he kept things to himself. He's different now" Robin replied as he walked towards the sliding door "Now come on, we have to see what he's doing"
The titans followed Robin to Anton's room and kept their ears pealed for any unusual sounds. Contrary to what they might have assumed at first they didn't hear any loud sounds on their way. When they arrived to his room they could hear Anton cussing in Serbian and took the risk of opening his door. When they looked inside they saw Anton packing his uniforms and the rest of his cigarettes in a bag. Even if Anton saw them he still continued packing his bags and didn't ask them what they were doing inside his room without even knocking.
"Err, Anton, what are you doing?" asked Robin trying to find out why his friend was packing.
"What does it look like I am doing?" Anton rhetorically asked back.
"Packing your stuff?" Beast Boy replied figuring out that Anton wanted to leave.
"No my friend, I am going to war!" he replied laconically.
When the titans heard Anton was going to war they realized that he wanted to go back to Serbia and fight along side his countrymen against their foreign invaders. This came as a great shock to all of them seeing how this time he could even get killed if he did what he said he would do. They protested in unison and tried to convince him not to risk his life.
"I beg off you friend Anton, do not go to war. It is a great risk and you could end up deceased" said Starfire
"Come on man, you can't go! You'll get shot, you'll get bombed, you'll get captured and tortured" continued Beast Boy
"The odds are to great Anton. You might not make it out this time" said Raven
Being assaulted with so many questions Anton placed his bag over his head and told everybody to be quiet.
"Please, please listen to me" said Anton as he stood straight in front of his friends "I completely understand your concern, and I admit that this time I might not live, but my countrymen are dying, my people are being killed, my sisters are being raped, my churches are being burned to the ground and my land is being destroyed. I can not stand and watch this happen"
"But I thought you said that you never got the recognition you deserved from your people" said Cyborg pointing out what he heard before.
"That was because of the fact that the Uber Soldat project was kept a secret. And besides, I care more about my country and my fellow Serbs than for a stupid medal or any recognition"
"But you're a wanted man" Robin pointed out "The moment they'll lay their hands on you you'll be arrested"
"Not to worry Robin" Anton replied "After interrogations I am sure that they will send me off to battle along with the most ill trained unit of all"
"Are you sure that you want to do this?" asked Robin after a seconds long pause.
"I have not been so sure of anything in my entire life" Anton replied as he clinched his fist at the thought of what happened in his fatherland.
"Then we won't stop you" Robin replied with a sigh "If this is your decision I respect it and I wont hold any grudge against you"
"Thank you for understanding my friend" said Anton as they all proceeded downstairs.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By the way, Rage/Anton is Serbian, but I'm not ... I live in Romania (Cluj-Napoca city) and I have quite a lot of Serbian friends from which I learned a lot of interesting stuff so this is also dedicated to them, their culture and their patriotic spirit.