Well, it was a long time comming, but its finally here. Thanks for waiting so paitiently. Enjoy D


P.S. Good news is my bro is finally married. Now i gots 4 wonderful sisters in law. What a shocker O.o

RAVEN
The room was dark, its only light source a shanty ceiling fixture that dangled precariously form a single cord. And as she sat in the stiff wooden chair that hurt her back and wobbled to and fro from its uneven legs, she could only help but to the think that things would be better had the light not been there at all. Ignoring her discomfort, she looked across the desk to the man who put her in such a distasteful position. His gaze was intense. Had she been a lesser person perhaps she would have looked away. Resigning herself not to surrender the silent warfare of wills she steadied her nerves. He would not win.

He shifted a little in his seat, cracking his unsettled lower vertebrae into submission. Raven couldn't help but smirk, taking pleasure in the fact he wasn't much more comfortable than she; a small victory. Seemingly taking her gesture as a signal, he decided to speak.

"Raven Roth: 16 years of age. Height: 5'3". Weight: 118 lbs-,"a frown found its way to her face, "- Abilities: Telekinesis, Empathy, Mind Reading, and the ability to go intangible, among other things. 2nd member to join the Titans."

He paused, scratching his chin, his eyes void of pupils bore deeply into her violet orbs. She sighed, crossing her ashen legs over one another with a slight roll of the eyes. The air grew thick once more; the only sound the hum of the bulb which glowed vigorously to fend off the darkness. Raven eyes wondered over the padded walls apathetically, vaguely wondering how the others were fending.

"It's just me and you, Raven."

Elastically her head snapped towards her adversary, eyes radiating with bewilderment. He wore a cool smirk on his face. Brushing her surprise away, she refocused her energy back into the distaste she held for the man. It had to simply be a coincidence. She was the mind reader around here. She settled back into the comfortable void of her emotions and regarded the man carefully. He intertwined his fingers, constructing a bed for his broad chin. It was obvious to her he wanted her to speak.

"Batman, the Dark Knight. Height: Unknown. Weight: Unknown. Abilities: Including but not limited to stalking, ridicules intimidation tactics, and a master of annoyance."

If there was any falter in his poise, Raven didn't see it.

"Cute." He leaned forward out of the shadow, the light revealing the small stubble that sprinkled his jaw. As if a trick of the light, his shoulders appeared to Raven as to have grown.

"You know why you're here."

"Do I? That's news to me."

His steely gaze grew even more oppressive.

"Don't waste my time Raven."

"Well you know what they say," She began with a sigh, "'do unto others as you want done unto you.'"

She looked over and saw his jaw clenched tightly in an attempt to rain in his temper. She was starting to get to him, she was enjoying it.

With short words and clenched teeth he seethed out, "You'll find I don't have much patience for children."

Her attention shifted away from him, she pretended to find a much more interesting subject pasted on the wall.

"Maybe if I was one of the purse-grabbing thugs you so like to hunt down, I'd be a little intimidated."

A pulse of surprise coursed through her veins by the dubious smirk that crawled onto his face. She was expecting a much more heated response.

"Little girl, if you think I'm trying to be intimidating right now, you're in for a very, very pleasant surprise."

She refused to show it. Not a blink of an eye, not a missed breath, not a twitch of the fingers. But as he stood, his face devoured by the darkness, his white eyes lancing straight through her, as the light reflected off his broad chest, highlighting the symbol his name suggests, even though she refused to demonstrate it, even if by the most minute amount, she was frightened.

CYBORG


"I don't see what the problem here is. These kinds of things just…happen, y'know?"

"No, these kinds of things don't happen, "y'know?"

His red mechanical eye glowed with his frustration. He checked his bio stats. Heart rate was up to 160 bps and blood pressure exceeding normal. His vital signs confirmed it. He was getting pissed. He trained his human eye to the face of his interrogator. Red met green as the two clashed for dominancy.

"This isn't grade school kid, when you mess up, people die. Homes are lost, lives ruined; and why? Because you're in a funk? A slump? Wake up."

Cyborg looked at him long and hard. His voice reminded him of an old pick-up he saw not too long ago, a fixer upper; deep and guttural, laced with age and experience. Every word and syllable was a head turner, demanding attention and direct obedience. Cyborg laughed inwardly at the irony of the moment. Any other day and he would be drooling and asking for an autograph. He smirked as he remembered how excited he was even up to the point of being locked into the room with him. But right now he would give anything to lay him out flat.

"I'm not perfect, we're not perfect. You can't expect perfection, not even from yourself."

"Oh?"

A manila folder slammed onto the desk, its contents spewing from their container. Suddenly, an ethereal green aura surrounded three distinct photos, suspending them in midair. Without a thought his robotic eye magnified the images made apparent to him.

A scene riddled with chaos. The sun was high, reflecting off the windows as fire danced without inhibition and rubble decorated the streets. Cyborg winced as the day played out in his mind with unfortunate detail.

"Tuesday May 18. Hour: 1450. Scenario: Cardiac on a rampage, motives unknown," His steely green eyes caught Cyborg's own. "Do you remember that day?"

Remember? He could tell him how many clouds were in the sky. Everything was recorded and stored away. There were times when he hated what he was, detesting his form vehemently. But as he diverted his eyes, he could hardly think of a time he wished to be anyone one else more passionately than now.

"Yeah. We lost."

"No you didn't just lose. In this business you don't just lose, kid."

His temper flared. He reined it in; now was not the time for vanity.

"What are you saying?"

"Let me spell it out to you: $35,000 in property damage, 23 injured and 1 fatality. 15 insurance claims for homes with damages incurred that are beyond repair. 13 insurance claims granted reimbursement. 1 family of 6 left homeless and 1 retired war vet admitted to a retirement home."

He felt nauseas. A sledge hammer slammed into his stomach and reality surged his being. Cyborg reeled as thoughts flooded through him. How could he be so blind? So naive? How did it not translate until just now? Throughout his epiphany, the cold, searing gaze continued to peer right into him.

"Understand now?"

Silence was his response.

"Alright then, let's continue." He pulled out another file.

"Monday, June 13. Hour: 1944. Scenario: X caught in the act of robbing a museum. Ring a bell?"

He shook his head. He filtered his torrent of emotions into flow. He needed to stay calm, no matter how bad it got, he needed to stay calm.

"We got him."

"Did you?"

He flinched.

"Okay, he got away, but he didn't take anything, we made sure of that."

"You're right. He didn't take anything. But you guys sure didn't win."

"You're not making any sense."

A venomous glare met his and he froze in place, vaguely wondering if there was any difference in this man and medusa. His eyes bore the glint of a predator veiled in ebony, glowing green orbs set distinctly onto him; waiting, wondering how he was going to devour him.

"Then let me clarify. A museum report stating eight items lost in the preceding confrontation: Four emperor Ming vases shattered beyond repair. Ancient Viking Ship mast fragments scorched to oblivion. Medieval tapestry torn with what is assumed to be lion claws. And finally two ancient Egyptian pots report melted with an energy whose resonance is reported not native to earth. Reported loss: an estimated nine million two hundred thousand dollars." The Green Lantern looked up from the report. "Does that sound like a 'win' to you?"

His hand twitched, itching to hit this man. An ache in his back throbbed as his eyes searched for an exit in through the darkness. This man was touching all the wrong buttons and he knew it wasn't before long his restraints faltered. He felt a chill at the icy glare broadcast to him as he brought his focus back to his once idol. Suddenly, he was hit with a revelation. It wasn't the Lantern's fault all this happened; it was his. It was his villains that got away, his own two fists that caused the damage. There was no one to blame, but himself. These were consequences of his carelessness. He remembered those days in the Tower, the celebrations they'd have after a hard day's win. He felt queasy. How many people suffered on his behalf as he ate waffles? All those stray shots, all those thrown punches. He reeled; what has he been doing? The Green Lantern husky words would say with him forever.

"Pay attention, boy. This isn't recess. This is reality. Face up to it."

BEAST BOY

"Do you…like your team?"

"Yeah, you could say that."

"Do you think you work together well?"

"We get things done, so yeah, why not?"

"Do you think you've worked well as of late?"

"We could do better."

Superman's eyebrows furrowed. There was something about this kid he just couldn't peg. He could tell he wasn't lying, he didn't hear his heart rate fluctuate. Oddly though, even though he could physically tell he wasn't lying, a sense of honesty seemed missing from his reply. He looked him over. His forest green eyes gave off an unconcerned, almost bored, glean. He was slouching in his chair, his arm draped over the back. Everything about him shouted that he just wasn't interested in what was happening.

"You know why you're here, right?"

"I can guess."

Superman shot him a glare.

"You're evaluating us."

"So then, you know what's at stake."

"Yeah."

"Despite that, you seemed relaxed."

"I'm just a relaxed kind of guy. Easy Breezy," he said with a smirk.

"Easy Breezy?"

"My motto."

He crossed his arms.

"Not a very good motto, for a person of your occupation."

It was odd, for some reason he took some satisfaction from the frown the green boy's face. The kid was a harder nut to crack then he thought. His records showed that he was very adamant to others about how he felt; a billboard of emotions. But now, he thought he was almost as hard to read as Batman. For some reason he reminded him of a magician he once saw with his maw and paw. Glitter and sparks would dance across the stage, the audience enamored as he put on an extravagant show. Wild expressions and gestures pasted to his figure, he would go about one illusion after another. He was young back then and would clap and wonder, 'how did he do it?' But now he knew. Every time a special effect would dazzle the crowd, every glitter and every piece of confetti, every distracting hand gesture, the magician would secretly go about his plan. Hiding behind wonder and amusement, he would flawlessly execute his schemes, no one the wiser. Everyone would laugh, and everyone would clap, but when the show ended, not one of them knew the tricks of the magician, and the magician would put on another show where everyone watched, but no one understands.

"Your teammates follow that mantra too?"

"Not exactly."

"That must cause some problems then; differences in opinion maybe?"

"From time to time. It happens; we're all very different people. It must be the same for you."

He smirked. The kid's a little too young to try and flip the script.

"Maybe, but this isn't about me, it's about you."

Beast Boy shrugged. "I guess it is."

He wasn't making any headway. Directly asking the boy didn't seem to be the best course of action. Recouping, he tried a more personal approach.

"Robin doesn't really fit the bill, now that I think about it. He's about as easy breezy as a rock."

A small chuckle escaped Beast Boy's lips. Perfect.

"I wonder what the rest of them think," he watched him closely, "…about that outlook of yours." He noticed his face steel. He could see the determination in his eyes. He was trying not to let anything show. Superman knew it was going to take a little more prodding.

"Starfire…Cyborg…" Beast Boy smirked, and it looked to him he was revisiting fond memories, "…Raven?" There it was… an almost indistinguishable twitch. Where once a relaxed smirk was, now lay a forced one. He knew had he not been so intently focused, he would have missed it entirely. How often did this boy hide his emotions? He was far too good at it.

Enlarging, Superman continued. "She's a bit different, isn't she?"

"That's one way of putting it."

"You two must butt heads quite a bit."

"It's a give-in"

"How often would you say it happens?"

"I couldn't tell you."

"Hard time remembering?"Superman asked a little confused.

"No, hard time counting that high." Superman hid his shocked expression. He chose to glare instead. It was time to show him he wasn't playing.

"Disagreements or not, petty squabbles always take a back seat to duty. You leave the drama out of the workplace. Is that understood?" He had to admit, the boy had a pretty fierce scowl on his face.

"Are you saying you think I don't take my job seriously?"

"Records don't lie."

"Screw what the freaking records say! I do my job no matter what! And a piece of paper isn't going to tell me otherwise!"

"Doing your job and doing your job well are two very different things, young man. And you cannot do your job well, if your team isn't working well together. So I suggest whatever spat you and Raven are having end as soon as possible."

"Who says Raven and I are having a problem?"

"I can tell by the way your acting. Look how defensive you're getting."

"Even if we are having a problem, we wouldn't let it interfere with our duties. Give us some credit."

"So, there is a problem between you two." Beast Boy flinched. A slip of the tongue brought on by being caught up in the moment. He collected himself and his expression hardened. He was on guard now. "What exactly would it be, this problem of yours?"

He was met with stony silence, it was almost oppressive. The seconds passed by with pause and Beast Boy hadn't budged an inch. He wasn't even looking at him, refusing eye contact. Superman was beginning to lose his patience with the boy. He was a hero, not a baby-sitter.

"I asked you a question." He said with an edge. "I expect an answer…now."

Still not looking at him Beast Boy responded, "This isn't something you need to know. It's not your problem."

"I'm here aren't I? I'm sitting right here, with you, wasting precious amounts of my time. Do you think, if it didn't concern me, I'd be here bothering to sooth your ego? Do you think I enjoy having to sit here and baby you; wiping your little nose and powdering you little butt? Right now, it is my problem. Now answer the question." If there was any change in his expression, Superman didn't see it.

"This isn't some little argument you know. I didn't take her favorite CD, she didn't eat my last ice pop, if that's what you were thinking. This is definitely not that trivial." He sighed. "Either way, we're both too professional to let it hinder our work."

Superman was starting to get really perturbed. Trying to control his temper he further spoke. "Maybe you think you're both professionals. Maybe you think you're both handling your situation in a professional way, but on another level, subconsciously, there are things you can't control; an invisible force that you aren't actively giving attention to, but it's still there, a dampener on you work. And it will stay there. It will stay there and fester and grow until you and her resolve things."

"And how exactly can you prove that's true?" He said with a dull voice.

That was it. He had had it. In his vexation he pounded his legendary fist into the make shift fold-out table. The cheap metal screeched as it crumbled in a pathetic heap. Beast Boy was shocked, he could see it in his eyes, but his body didn't move an inch. Superman voice boomed.

"Prove? You seem to be confused. Idon't have to prove anything! You're the one with something to prove! And if you can't prove to us that your team is still able to function properly, than you can consider the Teen Titans a page in the history books."

The silence that followed was suffocating. He had to give Beast Boy credit. He expected him to go off the handle, to be shocked, anything. But all that Beast Boy did was blink, he was good, he'd admit that; but whether he was good or he wasn't didn't matter. All that mattered was what he did now.

In a strained cool voice, Beast Boy asked, "And how exactly do we do that?" Just then a muffled buzzer sounded. Superman squinted, to him it sounded like a gunshot went off. He looked over at Beast Boy. He was squinting too.

Superman smirked. "Looks like you're about to find out."

(X.x)(O.o)(n.n)

The Tower was huge. Its corridors we like a labyrinth and had he not been escorted he would have easily been lost. It had a sterile look and he thought it resembled a mix between a hospital and factory. The walls were liberal with their windows. They were large panels that gave the view justice. The Earth had a blue halo cresting just along the edges as it hovers in the foreground of stars innumerable and its preciousness manifest to the universe. He was glad he could see it; the perspective was a reminder of what he protected. A nameless woman almost bumped into him, mumbling an apology as she went about her way, effectively disrupting his musings. As he became more aware of his surroundings he noticed the halls were littered with people going about some business or another.

He hadn't known there were other people in the tower besides Super heroes. But as he looked he saw everyday men and women in uniforms doing anything from rewiring to sweeping floors. He figured the commute muse be insane. It made sense though. It must be kind of hard to save the world and maintain things at the same time. Maybe when he got back he'd ask Robin to hire a janitor for they're tower.

Beast Boy looked up over his head. There was another whole mass of people flying around, tending to one thing or another, a cluster of spandex and flamboyant clothing. Suddenly he didn't feel so bad about wearing purple. He noticed despite the volume of people there was no pause or stutter in the tide. It looked to him like there was some unspoken set of traffic rules. There was a pattern to the flow. An unknown felling washed over him as he was slightly overwhelmed to be surrounded by so many powerful people at one time. Somewhere down the line he forgot there was more out there than just his team. He noticed he didn't see anyone he recognized in the shroud of people. He figured all the head- liners were out taking down some bad guy or something.

"I can't believe this."

Beast Boy was startled out of his thoughts. He'd forgotten he wasn't by himself in all his musings. His escort was holding her silence and looked a little disgruntled so he entertained himself otherwise. Living with Raven for so long, he could tell when someone wanted to be alone.

"I can-not be-lieve this! Why do I have to do this?!"

Beast Boy watched as the girl waved her staff in frustration. This was the first time he gave a good look at her. She looked a little older than him. Her platinum blonde hair waved frantically in her ranting as she gestured in her Star Spangled costume.

"They wouldn't make Supergirl do this kind of thing! I'm a hero! Not a Maid!"

"Are you talking to me…or yourself? Cause otherwise I can leave you to your conversation." They halted they're march as she turned a stern baby blue eye on him, her hair flitting sharply.

"Hey toddler. Mind just following and keeping your mouth shut?"

An amused grin formed on his lips. "Toddler? What are you, like 9 months older than me or something?"

"And?"

"So, how do you think you can get away with calling me a toddler, toddler?"

Her eyes narrowed. Beast Boy was enjoying this. "Listen Green Boy-"

"- Beast Boy."

"Whatever. I'm playing in the big leagues, ok? So taking sandlot heroes like you is more than a little beneath me. Understand?"

"Aren't you like always teamed up with your Dad too?" He added, like he hadn't even heard what she said. Her eyes took a dangerous glint as she about-faced with surprising speed. She marched on without warning and Beast Boy jogged lest he be left behind. He guessed the conversation was over.

After a very brisk walk he found himself in front of a very normal looking door.

"Door.Button.Open.Bye." That was all she said as she hastily exited. He supposed she didn't want anything further to do with them. It's a shame too; he was just starting to like her. Following her "detailed" instructions, he pressed the button.

(O.o)(X.x)(n.n)

She was worn out. It was hard to believe, but she was utterly worn out. She may have the stamina to fly to her home planet or lift a few hundred buses, but she was absolutely worn out. She couldn't even muster the will to fly. She had faced countless villains and over come near death situations more times than she'd like to remember, but she gladly relive all of it if just to skip this day altogether.

She rubbed her sagging eye. She had been excited to arrive to the Tower she had so hoped to visit one day. She had been so determined to makes friends of all of her idols. But the situation was made depressingly clear to her. She could lose all her friends. For good. With that realization came the weight. It anchored her feet and her hopes. The arches of her feet throbbed, but she ignored them. She hadn't known her boots were so uncomfortable; she hardly ever actually walked in them. The trip to the cell had been tough on her, physically and emotionally, she was in torment, and she was a wreck. Despite the circumstances, she tried to remain optimistic.

She thought maybe things would be better once she was reunited with her friends. Surely they would lighten her mood. Surely being with her friends would makes things better, less hopeless. That's what friends were for. So it was with high hopes she pressed the button to the room where her friends were waiting. Besides herself she plastered a smile to her features. But it evaporated as a flood of despair devoured every part of her. There were no smiling faces, no straight shoulders or puckered upper lips. Only anguish. They spared a fleeting glance at her.

"Hey Star."

Robin was the only one to speak; the others couldn't even be bothered. They were engrossed in their own dejected thoughts. Despite things, Starfire was still grateful for his kindness. So it was now, as she sits beside Robin with her friends, she tried her best to maintain. She couldn't be happy or even pretend, not even for their sakes, and she felt bad for it. But at least she could maintain. Even that wouldn't be possible were it simply for herself. It was for her friends, and if that got to be insufficient, than she did it for Robin. Out of everybody, she knew he was taking it the hardest. It's the leader that gets the blame when a team fails. It was the leader that was responsible. And ultimately it was the leader that gets punished. She looked at the crease that seemed drawn on his forehead. Gently she laid her soft hand on his. Stiffly his eyes focused on hers. But she knew that wasn't the reason he was so distressed. Robin wasn't selfish. He was worried for everyone else. He would take all the blame, if only to save his team. Her eyes softened and she began to tear up. He gripped her hand gingerly.

"It shall be okay." Her voice was soft and weathered.

A bittersweet smile curled up not only his face, but the face of her friends as well. And one found its way on hers as well as tears slipped down her cheeks. And suddenly the 8X9 room with only a long uncomfortable metallic bench and dim fluorescent lights didn't seem so small, so glum. Suddenly it felt like she was surrounded by family, and she was warm. It was then the door opened for its final time, revealing to her the last member of her family.

(O.o)(X.x)(n.n)

He strolled in the room. His hands were in his pockets as he plopped down next to her in a huff. He was on her cloak; it was tugging slightly on her neck. She decided to let it slide.

"Yo." It was all he said.

With another sigh he rested his head backwards against the wall with a small 'clang'. He seemed so at ease. Like their world wasn't being ripped at the seams. She figured it was another ruse. Regardless of how he acted, some of the seriousness of the situation must have reciprocated unto him.

"Friend, you seem well." Starfire voiced. She noticed everyone crane their ear. It seems it was on all their minds.

"As well as possible. A guy can only do so much." He managed a half-hearted grin. It was a wonder he could pull that off.

"Man, something's gotta be wrong with you." Cyborg said clutching at his temples. His shoulders were slumped. Stress screamed off of him.

"Don't you get what's going on?" She decided to add.

He didn't look at her as she addressed her.

"How couldn't I? People have been asking me that all day today."

She didn't know why, but she suddenly felt hot. She had always had a quick temper; it was just something she did. But he barely spoke three sentences and already she could feel her shoulders get tight. The room filled with a tapping. The mood dropped severely from the warmth that dominated it before. The tapping became louder as she tried to focus herself. Her foot had become a medium for her frustration. She redirected her sights from Beast Boy, and fell upon Star Fire. She was looking at her beseechingly. The tapping slowed and her shoulders slacked, even if by a slight proportion.

"Then why aren't you taking this serious?" Was her response.

He still hadn't removed his head from the wall, but now his eyes were closed. She noticed him taking a deep breath through his nose before he spoke. Was he trying to stay calm too?

"Who says I'm not? I'm dead serious."

"It sure doesn't show." Robin said.

"What? You want me to be all depressed and nervous?"

"No friend. It is just odd to us that you do not share the same gloom we share. Why is that?"

"What good does it do to be nervous? To be depressed?"

The rest were silent. They wanted to hear what he had to say. And she had to admit, she wanted to hear it too. He took the silence as his cue to continue.

"When you're nervous, what happens? You constantly second guess yourself, you hesitate and you make mistakes you wouldn't normally. Depression is nothing but a lack of self confidence and negative thinking. Negative thinking leads to nothing but negative results. So why bother with either of them? In moments like these, where uncertainty is laced into every corner, all you can do is react, respond and hope for the best. We're all friends' right? We have each other's backs, what one of us misses the other catches. And as long as we have that, what can stop us?"

All eyes were on him. His words were strong and its strength still echoed through the cramp room. Where was once gloom was now passion. He had given them passion, and even she was moved. However, she couldn't help but notice, he had made eye contact to everyone in the room, everyone but her. She lost a little bit of her vigor.

Before any other words could be exchanged a voice lacking any type of emotion cackled over the intercom.

"Titans, report to Hangar 35C in exactly 15 minutes. Directions will be provided upon exit of holding cell. Martian Manhunter out."

And as she and her friends stood to face what lay outside, she felt a pleasant warmth course through her that she hadn't felt in some time. She had to admit; recently she had been taking for granted the people she at some point in time cared so deeply for. Robin punched the button and the drab metallic door slid upwards. Turning his head he addressed his team.

"Let's Go."

And, for the first time in some weeks, she and the rest of her team moved as one mind.

So it was one at a time they filed out of the small room. She took her place behind Beast Boy. It was like stepping into an oven. On the outside he looked composed, an unnatural ease about his movements. But she could feel his anger, his frustration and dread. The heat of his emotions kissed at her skin. She knew most of it was directed to her, she didn't need to be told. Normally he walked with a slouch, one she had commented on more than once. But now he was upright, it made him seem taller, more mature. She wondered if it was such because of courage, determination, or if his back was just tense with passive hate.

She clutched her cloak around her body. An odd feeling crept through her. She felt guilty for what she had done, sure. But at the same time, it wasn't all her fault, right? He's to blame too. He could have gone about it in a different way, just like she could have. She was sure of it.

Cyborg crouched slightly to fit his large frame through the door, with no small effort. Now it was just her, Beast Boy, and the buzzing fluorescent lights. Her heart raced. She didn't know why, but her heart was racing like mad. She was conflicted. She wanted to talk to him, she knew they had a lot to talk about, but, she didn't even know where to start. He took his first step.

"Beas-"

"- Later…Raven."

That was the end of it. Without even a glance she had been dismissed. He was already gone. The heat of his spite left with him, leaving her unusually cold. The light to the room flickered, before finally shutting off. She sighed. She didn't want to keep the others waiting.

(O.o)(X.x)(n.n)

On the floor were lines of neon that stretched far off into the distance. He figured they must be the directions they were supposed to be given.

"This way."

His voice was even, commanding. It was such a lie. His insides felt like a bushel of maggots. He'd thought he'd puke sometime ago. But he couldn't. If he wasn't strong, then his team wouldn't be strong. So, even though he would have gladly liked to run away, hide and leave everything behind, he didn't. He marched the line with his team in tow, with no knowledge of where he was leading them. No knowledge of what lay ahead of them, and what consequences there would be.

A fragrance captured his senses. Starfire had moved up to walk to his side. Her odor had a calming effect on him. She didn't say anything; she wasn't even looking at him. It was like she knew just being there was what he needed, and he was grateful.

They rounded the corner and faced a large hangar door.

"It would appear we have arrived."

"Yeah, but how exactly do we-"

Abruptly the hangar doors slid open. It revealed nothing but complete darkness. He exchanged looks with his team. He steeled his nerve and took his first steps into the void. His team wordlessly followed him. Once all inside, the doors closed with a bang, far faster than they had opened.

His vision was consumed with black. But before he could adjust, a spotlight sliced through the shade, glorifying him and his team. They stood at the defensive, ready for anything. His eyes scanned every angle, every possible direction of attack. His team followed the same; he could feel their backs on his. They would not be caught off guard. However, regardless of their tenacity, silence was all that was met.

It was as he was considering his options another spotlight broke through the darkness, the Flash standing boisterously inside.

"Hello, boys and girls…" Before any questions could be asked, a blinding light filled the room. Robin squeezed his eyes shut and spots were dancing across his eyelids. A few moments pause and he was back to normal. His eyes widened at what he saw next; an obstacle course that put their own to shame.

Trap doors and drones of every variety adorned the floor. Sliding and collapsible walls, booby traps laid in copious amounts. He brought his attention back to his host. On his face was a smile that was as goofy as it was malicious. It made Robin nervous. He was taken aback at the overly dramatic bow the Flash directed to them and he was once again greeted by that mischievous grin.

"Welcome to the Rodeo."