Passing Judgment: Playing by the Rules

by cimple

Raven knew X from the inside out, he equally knew her from dorment history to current secret. Taking advantage of the situation to complete a personal vendetta, things get messy when a child is involved ... rated for safety

3. Within the Masquerade

-Passing Judgment: Playing by the Rules-

-Within the Masquerade-

"The corner of Alley and Maine coming up on the right side, Raven, Star you see it?" Cyborg informed.

Above in the air, Starfire and Raven both spotted the Weaponry Arts Gallery, but it wasn't at all what they expected. Lights flooded the skies and from ever side of the street there was limos and fancy foreign named cars lined up waiting to be valid. All the while the rich and the glamorous made their way up the steps to the very building Red X was said to be in.

Starfire frowned in confusion, "I see it, and it seems as though there is some important activities going on within the Weaponry Gallery … I'm starting to grow under the doubt that our anonymous tip might have gotten his information wrong."

"I'm with Starfire," Raven confirmed, "there's some kind of celebration going on, but this is the place."

From belong on his R-cycle, Robin took the back-street in order to cut and get there faster in order to see for himself, and low-and-behold when he skidded to a stop across the street form the Gallery he scowled and huffed in frustration. So much for the aggressive approach … he thought with great annoyance, flipping out his T-com he inked with the rest of his team in order to give them his new order, "It's a masquerade ball … Titans, pull back, if Red X is around the area we can't afford to spook him. This is gonna have to be handled with a bit more … finesse."

Raven and Starfire hovered in mid air, following what their leader had told them to do, they stayed unseen and unnoticed, Raven contacted Robin, "Finesse … you mean undercover ops? Robin, we have 8 more minutes till the entire 15 is up, we can't afford to go back to the Tower and powder our noses."

"No …" Cyborg chuckled, "but I got a better idea, you girls come on down to the T-car and I'll introduce you to my new invention, Rob you to."

The two girls glanced at one another with uncertain point of views, but saw no harm and floated/levitated back down to come in contact with the rest of their team. Robin, being slightly stubborn and no wanting to budge from his perfect spot where he could see everything from the Gallery, revved his engine and tore back to Cyborg. Following the tracker connected to his bike he made it to Cyborg in about the same time as Raven and Starfire came down from the sky.

Beast Boy who was ridding in the T-car with Cyborg jumped out the car the same as his hybrid counterpart and the entire team ganged up on the sidewalk with Cyborg holding out four – what looked to be graduation rings. Two feminine, and the other to masculine, obviously the colors of green, red, blue, and pink being the right full colors for the rightful owners. His teammates took each ring and slipped it on their finger, Raven eyed the blue gem with a scrutinize glare, "Well … it goes with my cloak … what else does it do?"

"It's the same as my disguise rings from when I pretended to be Victor Stone at Hive Academy remember?" Cyborg smirked, "I just figured that since it worked wonders for me, why don't I make more for my team, but I programmed them all differently. They have the holographic outer disguise to fool the eye, but to make it a bit more realistic … um … sorry Rae but I sort of took some of your concealment magic in order to transform ourselves into anything one and look however we want and make it seem real to the rest of the human senses."

"Alchemy … who would have thought Cyborg …" Raven actually looked impressing, but not obviously so, she just stared at the ring in wonder and like Cyborg had suggested she would be the first to try out. Operating by will alone, she imagined what she would be wearing, what she would look like, etc … etc and then in a scan of a ring of light from the ring down to the rest of her body. Going from Teen Titan Raven the ruthless Witch to elegant and sultry evening gown clad bombshell.

There was no make-up … no jewels – not even the red stone that was upon her chakra point was present. Just her and her lovely dark blue halter neckline, criss-crossed back full-length dress that fell to her ankles and with a split at the sides going up to high-thigh. Smooth as silk with her wavy violet hair complementing her eyes that were hidden behind a simple black cloth tied to the back of her head, a long equally flowing black cape draped over her shoulders.

However instead of hiding the curvatious body she with the cape, it just added a hint of mystery to her entire apparel.

Beast Boy whistled, "Damn, is it hot in here or is it just me … lookin' good Rae!"

"No time for a fashion statement," she scoffed and nodded to the rest of her team, "this is how it works, and it's operated by will. So just think hard enough and the ring will do the rest."

"You heard her," in no time at all the rest of the Titans were going through rings and coming out looking dressed to kill even Beast Boy was looking presentable. After looking over all their outfits and masks to be sure that they were ready. Cyborg turned to his T-car and pressed a special button on his remote and within a fraction of a minute what was once a deadly armored vehicle, slimmed down to a sleek white limo.

Beast Boy lifted up his masquerade mask to whistle once more and make sure he wasn't seeing things, "Dude! Even the T-car got a disguise!"

"If we're dressed the part, might as well act the part," Cyborg grinned and hoped into the drivers side, "get in and we'll get moving!"

Piling into the back of the limo, Raven crossed her legs and crossed her arms over her chest, glaring out the window she sighed and waited as Cyborg rounded corner to come into the lit up streets in front of the Gallery. Where all the famed and glorified walked the steps and shined the red carpet … it really was a celebration, but of what became the question. Raven sat back and instead of concentrating on the mission her mind suddenly drifted …

Not to another memory relapse into Red X's memory bank, no … this time … she felt … different. Closing her eyes, her head swirled and before she knew it, her eyes opened, but she wasn't seeing the inside of the limo. She was outside … standing at the base of the steps of the Gallery, looking up and getting a sense of victory. The eyes she was seeing through looked down the street and spotted a white limo … Cyborg's limo!

Before she could even be assured that was his, she gasped and suddenly found herself back in the limo that stopped and some vale opened her side of the door. (1) Jerking herself back in mild shock when the young woman held out her hand and offered to escort her out into the street. Raven composed herself as quickly as she could to shield her sudden fright from her friends … but it was too late, they had all witnessed her odd behavior and Robin was beginning to wonder if Raven was cut out for tonight's mission.

The sorceress gulped and reached out to connect her hand to the young woman that effortlessly pulled her to her feet, politely Raven nodded her head, "Thank you."

The young woman with piercing silver-gray eyes and a very Hispanic accent tone with a lovely smile and all chuckled, "No problem chica, and might I compliment that the lady tonight is looking rather ravishing."

"Flattered," Raven put a hand to her heart and half-heartedly curtsied in thinks for the compliment, without further ado Raven looked up the steps into the entrance of Gallery and felt Robin's presences behind her also staring up the steps, "Their asking for invitations … now what?"

"Just follow my lead," Robin fixed up his new mask and with Starfire hooked to his arm lead his team – with Beast Boy hooking his arm with Raven's who surprisingly enough didn't slaughter him for the moment. Telling herself she was only allowing it to help the team look inconspicuous, however, she was pretty sure they'd turn a few heads. When the five stayed with Robin expecting him to give some clue to how they were going to enter, the lead Titan cleared his through when the guard asked for his name, and smoothly answered, "Dick Grayson and these are my friends." (2)

Beast Boy nearly gasped, but Raven made sure to slap a hand over his mouth to shut him up when the guard nodded and allowed them in. Giving Raven and Beast Boy a suspicious look, Raven offered him a sensual smile of reassurance and once they entered she shoved Beast Boy foreword and slapped a hand over the back of his head, "Idiot, were you trying to get us caught?"

"Sorry!" Beast Boy shield himself from any more of her hits and scurried away to hide beside Cyborg, "but … Dick Grayson? Isn't that Bruce Wayne's adoptive kid?"

Robin sighed and ran his hand through his fingers, "Forget about it … okay … let's get to work … why is there a party here?"

Starfire handed him a pamphlet, "Someone had given this to me on our way in … it says they are reveling some newly found treasure."

"The Wolf's Fang …" Robin whispered loud enough for the rest of his team to hear under all the chatter and music. Looking up from the pamphlet, the young detective looked around and scowled when he calculated the possibilities for anyone of the people within the room to walk away with some prized possession. It was unnerving … and frustrating to calculate if Red X was taking a direct approach, or hiding the crowd.

Among innocent civilians …

Robin had to thing of something because according to the pamphlet it said they were revealing this artifact to the public in under 3 minutes and this is what he came up with, "Alright … Red X could be anyone, and anywhere, within the crowd, the vents, or one of the workers, so this is what were going to do. We're splitting up, Starfire and I will mingle with the crowd and see what he can find, Cyborg, Beast Boy disguise yourselves as workers and see if you can find anything in the kitchen. Raven, head towards the underground basement where they'll most likely hide the authentic merchandise, if his place is smart they'll hide the real thing, Red X could be planning to pull a fast one under all these people."

"But, dude, what if he shuts off the lights … and panic … and stuff …" Beast Boy shrugged.

Robin ran his fingers through his hair and informed, "Than know where you're at and where everyone else is at all times. Keep communication lines open, see anything suspicious phone in."

Beast Boy winked and held up a thumbs up, "You got it boss!"

"Alright, Titans, split up," just as Robin and Starfire were about to leave to do their thing, Raven snatched Robin's elbow and pulled him back.

Letting him fall unto her, but balancing to keep them both from falling she whispered into his ear, mush to Starfire's shock and slight insecurity at their close proximity. Raven ignored her jealous glare and gave Robin her message, "He's most likely in the crowd … I don't know how I know, but trust me … he's up here."

Robin nodded and pulled away from Raven, rethinking his grudge he was forming after earlier in the morning, "Thanks Rae."

She scoffed and with a flick of her cape disappeared into the crowd, leaving Robin with Starfire who wrapped her arms around his and pulled him in the opposite direction in a huff. Her jerky moves didn't go unnoticed by the detective, even her stiff accusing tone was evident in her voice, "So what did friend Raven wish of you."

"She just wanted to let us know that Red X is here in the party," Robin jerked his arm away from her and fixed his suit up while Starfire crossed her arms over her chest and stood in a very sassy like pose, Robin knew it to be her jealousy pose and sighed, "Star, we're on a mission, Red X is up here somewhere and we have to find him. So let's stick to it."

Starfire threw her arms up into the air and stormed away, "It is always about the mission." (3)

"Star …" Robin huffed and shook his head; Let it go … she'll come to her senses before the night is through. He thought with a dry expression, looking around the crowd he smoothed back his hair and proceeded to look for wherever the Wolf's Fang was being shown off. He'd hoped that they'd choose the old fashion velvet curtain routine in the center of the museum so it'll be easier to protect if anything should happen.

However as he scaled the entire museum he frowned he realized that the artifact was most likely going to be posted on the wall … meaning human contact … it was going to be brought in. Raven's probably right … Red X will be up here … standing in the middle of the walk way may have not been the smartest thing he's done in the night, because before he knew it someone had accidentally bumped into him.

"Whoa … oh … pardon me." Robin apologized. The young man about a few inches taller than him shook his head, his silver-gray eyes covered by a white mask with musical notes on it with his light brown hair tamed and neat. He smiled reassuringly and shook his head.

"No, no, my fault, I shouldn't have been rushing. Sorry." Robin dismissed him and they both bowed for another apology, before the young man with the musical mask turned his back and snickered, holding up Robin's yellow utility belt muttering a silent, "Karma's a bitch. Still not fast enough …" (4) But how'd they know I'd be here? He thought with a disturbed sense of foreshadowing, holding the utility belt close he slyly maneuvered through the crowd and headed to the kitchen.

Without worry, he took off his mask and ripped off the suit to step out as one of the chiefs of the night. Slipping the belt into his uniform he walked up to one of the waiters and tapped him on the shoulder. The waiter stiffened and slowly turned around, his coactions complexion and blond hair with a gold small earring on his left ear may have fooled anyone, but not this thief. The forest green eyes of Beast Boy will always give him away, pulling out a bottle he handed it to the frightened young lad, "Here you go kid, go put it in the drinks, stir, then serve it, got it?"

"Uh … bah …" speechless, Beast Boy looked around and pointed at himself, "Me? You talking to me?"

"Yeah I'm talking to you," the disguised Red X sneered, trying to hide the amusement from smirking at the fear he struck into the Titans face, "who else isn't doing anything for this shindig? Every body got a job and yours is to serve the drinks! Get!"

"Okay, okay!" Beast Boy looked around for some kind of fancy bowl where the drinks should be located and found it on the chrome table … but there was two … and as if on cue the waiter that Cyborg disguised himself came in and shrugging at Beast Boy.

"Hey man, what are you –"

"Stone!" Beast Boy immediately played his roll and X Couldn't help to cough a slight chuckle at their scrabble to fool him, it was hilarious. "Hey, dude! Come on! You gotta help me serve the drinks as the boss man over here says so!"

Cyborg gave him an odd look, the turned to X and jerked his head back suddenly understanding the situation, "Oh … right … the drinks … I-I was just lookin' for you! Hurry up!"

"Wait we gotta put this in the drinks!" Beast Boy grabbed his arm and jerked him back to the tables where he unscrewed the bottle and poured a few drops into one bowl then handed it to Cyborg who poured without checking and then the two stirred. Looking over their shoulder to the "boss" and knew they weren't getting out of this one, after stirring they picked up the bowls and head out to the outside table.

Red X grinned in triumph, Dance puppets … dance … looking down at his watch he cursed, Damn … one more minute … quickly crossing the kitchen, trying to be discreet as can be – which wasn't hard, the kitchens of ever major event can he so hectic and chaotic it provide a natural cover for himself. Slipping to the back where he knew the circuitry wires ran down from the security room through the kitchen fridge. He opened up the large doors and walked in, making sure to crack the door in case he should have to get out fast and not to lock himself in.

The thief went to work and while shivering slightly he moved a side a few frozen objects, scoffing sarcastically, "Authentic Italian Food and you're made in the US … yeah, that's real authentic … how lame."

With that thought out of the way he moved it to the side and smirked when he saw the box of the wires, I love my job … he chuckled and from Robin's utility belt he produced a lock pick and easily opened the cable box, with a click it popped and he went for the most important wires to clip. The siren alarm … the silent police warning … the Titans calling – not that it's needed, they're already here … and finally the emergency doors … no bodies getting out tonight folks. After words he shook himself to get his blood flowing after being in the fridge for a few seconds. He slipped right back out unnoticed and while walking back out to the party he threw Robin's utility belt in the trash with a sadistic gleam in his eye.

Right back out to the party, he stayed put for a moment when he saw the announcer coming around to announce the arrival of the Wolf's Fang, from his back pocket, the thief pulled out his Red X mask and slipped it on. Lifting up the chief uniform a bit he pressed a button on the Red X utility belt and vanished from sight to suddenly reappear in the hidden hall. This is where four men dressed in tuxedos and the same white masks were getting ready to present the fake Wolf's Fang in about 50 seconds.

It was in that moment did the punch he ordered for Beast Boy and Cyborg to put out for the guests started to seep out a smoky gas that was putting everyone who sniffed it to sleep. Robin reached for his utility belt to block out the harmful gasses, but when he patted his waist it was gone! What the – to late, before he knew it he was light headed and blacked out. While Red X in the hall chuckled and backed up quietly, once he rounded the corner he took off the chief uniform to go all out in the Red X suit.

Running down the halls and never giving a care for the cameras he had already tricked he finally reached the treasure trove safe that was just another turn away. Yet before he got there he took a peek around the corner and cursed slightly when he saw a snooping Raven eyeing the safe in great displeasure, shaking her head he heard her whisper to herself, "This is pathetic … there's not even any guards around to protect the vault!"

"I guess that's why the Titans are here to begin with, eh Chickadee?" Raven straightened up, and raised a brow, casting a glare over her left should to the cheeky Red X that was leaning against the corner of the hall. She scowled and turned to face him with a hand on her hip she sneered when she felt his eyes roaming over her attire. Passive, the sorceress scoffed and rolled her eyes when the thief chuckled and pushed off the wall to stroll casually and non-aggressively towards her. "What? You're not going to phone in your friends for a little help?"

"Knowing you, you probably already took care of it … poison in the punch, or was it a simple knock out gas I wonder." Raven watched Red X like a hawk when he slid up beside her and leaned against the wall; she stayed still and kept herself in between him and the vault.

He snorted, "I guess I'm not going crazy … who's Trigon anyway? After last night I've been having weird memory relapses that I know aren't mine … half-demon."

Raven flicked her wrist in dismissal, "Name callings low for even the likes of you … but then again I guess with all your … "accomplishments" that head of yours seems to forget who you're dealing with. Two heists in a row? Not very smart."

"Stalling are you?" X laughed softly, "This is funny considering you're usually the quiet one aren't you?"

"You misunderstood me X," Raven placed a hand on Cyborg's ring and by will alone changed back into her original uniform, with her hood up she crossed her arms over her chest and sighed, "I want to know why you're doing this? You're not really planning on going after that legend are you … cause frankly I think that'd be an awfully stupid thing to do."

X grinned under the mask, "You know, if I'd known you cared so much, I wouldn't have considered doing this!"

In a flash, Raven found herself floating to the side in order to dodge a well aimed punch to her head that she was sure would have knocked her senseless. Bringing up a black barrier, she turned it into razor edged sharp point energy slices and fired them all at X to fend him away from he vault. Sending him into a flurry of flips and twirls to dodge her attack, he stopped in a crouch sent a barrage of his own flying red x's. All of which exploded on impact with another shield that Raven dropped and with a whip of black magic she immediately went after X.

Ambushing him with every lashing black tentacle that X was finding a very hard time with keeping up, because as fast as she can think it, her energy tentacles were inches away from her target. He figured he had to throw her off somehow, and there was only one way he could think of. With a jerk he redirected his course and went straight for her, dodging every black whip that reached out to grab him. He rolled under the last one then shot off the ground and flipped clean over her head. In the process he reached out a hand and slapped an adhesive over her eyes, the hit alone dropped her to the ground and the shock of being blinded only further increased her state of panic.

Franticly scrabbling to her feet, she scooted back, but bumped into Red X and before she could move away he grabbed her, hauled her off the floor and slammed her against the wall. Rendering her immobile and holding her down, she gritted her teeth and struggled to get free when she felt him lean in and whisper ever so mockingly into her ear, "Face it princess, you can't beat me."

"AZARATH! METRION! ZINTHOUS!" Raven screamed at the top of her lungs giving Red X a taste of his own medicine by throwing him off and slamming him to the opposite wall. Winding, and thus nearly knocking out the thief who slumped to the floor and coughed, trying to catch his breath and his head.

"Shit …" he cursed and shakily got to his hands and knees looking up to Raven who held out her hands and blindly tried to keep herself up on her feet after Red X had been thrown away. Taking a deep breath to calm herself down she brought her hands up to the adhesive and tried to rip it off.

"Damn you!" she shouted while the thief himself carefully got to his feet and leaned against the indented wall behind him still trying to get his head back together. Feeling dizzy and swirly, he groaned, but managed to rush Raven and take her down to slap another adhesive on her mouth to shut her up then tied her hands behind her back to keep her from moving. Mumbling obscene words and cursing the thief black and blue, X chuckled weakly and wobbly stood on his feet again to make his way towards the vault.

"I already toldja sunshine … you can't –"

"There she is! Stop her!"

A foreign voice … a suppressed memory, X leaned on the vault and shook his head, muttering something Raven could hear to be something like, "Not this again …" he growled and pushed off the vault to glare at the tied up sorceress, kneeling down to her he grabbed the edge of the adhesive on her lips and without mercy yanked it clean off.

Not prepared properly, she let out a pain filled scream, "AHH!"

"Okay, I got to know," X turned her on her side laying on her hands slightly he grunted when another wave of dizziness hit him and that same voice echoed in his head, only harsher. "Where is it!" he knew there was a bit more to the story than just that question, but since he was trying to fight it in order to keep himself in reality, he huffed and demanded, "what the hell was it you did to piss off some guy named … named … uh … oh-man, my frickin' head … um … a guy named … named … ugh, you called him Zak, but it was something else. You use to trust him … what made him turn on you?"

Raven stilled for a moment, never knowing that the name he had mentioned had struck her harder than Red X could ever do to her. In fact, she was glad that he slapped an adhesive on her eyes so he couldn't see the pain that suddenly shot her. Bowing her head she shook it slowly, "He-he … yo-you don't need to know about him …"

"You tell me about Zak … and I'll tell you why I want the Wolf's Fang … deal?"

She gritted her teeth, and gulped down a chocking sensation in her throat, taking a moment to gather her wit she hissed in a shaky breath and before she could even compose her voice to stay passive and indifferent. Raven spoke, but it came out weak, "Zak … he … he was a … a close friend of mine a long time ago that I trusted with my life … turned out that he was setting me up. He framed me for the murder of the President's Son when I wouldn't give him what he wanted … he never got it … and I disappeared from Azarath altogether."

"Azarath …" the name rang a bell, "that where you from?"

"… Yes …"

X took a deep breath and took off his mask, knowing that Raven's was hidden under the adhesive he sat back and gave her an odd look of contemplation, then shrugged and sighed, "Okay … my turn … the Cat's Eye isn't the only clue to the treasure in India … the Wolf's Fang, when put together with the Cat's Eye will lead me to the map that'll take me to the jackpot and before you go getting any ideas. Money isn't the only thing on my mind … this is a personal vendetta."

"Revenge?"

"Hardly … so … if you don't mind," Raven head him get back to his feet and dust off his costume, and put his mask back on, "I'm going to get back to work … so … yeah. No hard feelings."

Not if I can do anything about it, Raven gritted her teeth and while Red X was getting ready to pick the safe, Raven used her mind and under her breath muttered her favorite words. Making sure X couldn't hear she whispered, "Azarath … Metrion … Zinthous …"

Discreetly Raven phased her soul-self through the thick walls and into the vault, aiming of her target, the Wolf's Fang, a very impressive piece of work. Stealing it for herself and disappearing in thin air when the vault suddenly slid open. Raven on the outside laid motionless on the ground clearly taking the trip back to the only place she thought the knife would be safe. After sliding her soul-self through her sheets and hiding the knife under her pillow she called herself back when she was beginning to feel misplaced.

Never had she stayed out of her body for an entirely long period of time … it wasn't only pressing and hard to keep up … but it was dangerous. If there was anything to interrupt her travel and concentration, no doubt she would have been considered a wandering soul in purgatory. Then her mind would consider its body dead and thus die after a while, so when she felt her soul-self return to her body. She took a deep breath and relax, but tensed when she heard Red X storm out of the vault, "Shit … where the hell – " he stopped and glanced at his watch and growled, The gas is wearing off … I wasted too much time!

Seeing no choice the thief vanished, and Raven found herself sighing in release … I win this round, jerk. (5)

--

Disclaimer: Don't own he Teen Titans, but I own Zak, the Cat's Eye, and the Wolf's Fang … did I forget anything else? Oh yeah! Raven's dress! I love that thing in real life … too bad I don't have it in real life, bummer … blah forget about me already.

Info Center:

1. Confused? Let me clear it up, she saw threw Red X's eyes when he was entering the party, much like the memory vision she had in the second chapter.

2. I have no idea what the hell it is Robin really goes by without the mask, Dick or Richard, so I just decided to go with the odder of the two. If you don't like it, just tell me me.

3. Sorry for those of you not really feeling Starfire's character right now, but … I don't know … we all know she's very possessive when it comes to relationships, but acting out the jealous part in relationships … I was never really good at it. I'm just not a jealous person … plus … I was originally siding for Rob/Rae, so sorry about that! I just had to have a little Rob/Rae somewhere in the story.

4. Remember in the Episode "X" when Robin in the end somehow stole back the belt after Red X helped him save the city? Well … Red X is a thief and he pick-pocketed the belt so … yeah … "Karma's a bitch …" what goes around comes around. I just thought it was funny.

5. I … admit … I hated this ending … another one where Raven's tied down … I hate being repetitive, but it just fit! I'm so sorry about that you guys.

A/N: YAY! Thank you all so much for the reviews! I feel so dawg-gawn HAPPY! WEEEE Watch me do the victory dance (does the victory dance) love you all for loving me, and if you keep up the reviews I'll keep updating and that's a guarantee.