CHAPTER 3
They sat in silence on the couch, Robin facing the rest of them as he paced the length of the room. Occasionally, he would stop and open his mouth, only to let out a growl and resume his pacing.
Apart from the constant heads-up display in his left eye showing him the time and other data, Cyborg's technology came with another curse: every idle curiosity he had was answered almost instantaneously by his computerized brain, the loyal servant that never managed to understand that he preferred being able to wonder.
Hence, he knew it had been two minutes and ten seconds and Robin had made forty-three trips across the room before the masked young man stopped, looked at the floor and began to speak.
"I'm not supposed to know any of this," he said, barely above a whisper. "The only reason I do know is because Batman called to warn me. The Justice League are keeping this as quiet as they possibly can; only the absolute core members know at the moment." Robin's face tightened. "I'm breaking trust with Batman to tell you because this affects all of us, and we have a better chance of surviving if we're all on our guard."
Beast Boy's gulp was audible. "Surviving?"
Batman's protege nodded, expression grim. "There are rumblings high up in the criminal underworld about some sort of superweapon being developed, something that will be able to destroy the whole Justice League... maybe all at once. The only reason we heard anything about it is that..." Robin's face twitched, as if resisting a sneer. "One of Batman's... associates... in the Rogues' Gallery is uncomfortable with the idea of exterminating every superhero, and warned him."
"Why doesn't the JLA put some pressure on a few key people and see what comes up, then?" Cyborg asked.
"They don't know who to push, and if they make a mistake, they risk driving whoever's behind it underground. The Justice League is trying very, very hard to make sure the weapon's developer thinks they don't suspect anything."
"So," Raven said, tapping her fingers on the couch, "The Justice League is in danger, and Batman warns you about it? Something's not adding up here."
"Please, Robin, is there something more you wish to tell us of this threat?" Starfire asked.
Robin sighed and sat atop the coffee table facing them, raking gloved fingers through his hair. "The reason Batman called to warn me was a snippet of information he managed to bribe out of the Riddler. He said the younger generation would be the key to bringing down the old guard. No idea what it means, other than that we're not safe either."
"Lovely," Beast Boy and Raven said in unison. Immediately, their heads snapped around to stare at each other.
"I believe I understand now," said Starfire. "You were very much bothered by the fact that you could not tell us, your friends, of something that affected us. This is what was affecting your leadership, yes?"
A flicker of something passed over Robin's mask, and he nodded. "Yeah," he said, a bit too quickly for Cyborg's liking.
"Good," Victor said, unable to keep a hard edge completely out of his voice. "Then we'll be back to normal now."
Another nod from Robin. "In the meantime, all we can really do is try to enjoy our vacation and stay on guard. As uncomfortable as it makes me knowing that they're out there, we don't even know if the three criminals we fought are involved in what I just told you."
Beast Boy grinned, pulling his Lonesome Globe guide out from between the couch cushions. "Enjoy our vacation?" he exclaimed. "Gotcha covered, guys."
—
"I am afraid I do not understand, Robin," Starfire said as they walked away from yet another helpful stranger. "Why would friend Beast Boy merely give us a piece of paper with several addresses and nothing more?"
Robin smiled at her, giving her a not-unpleasant fluttering sensation in her stomachs. "It's a sort of scavenger hunt, Starfire," he said.
An ancient and primal thrill shot through her. "It has been a very long time since I last hunted," she purred. "Tell me, are these carrion-eating creatures that we will be hunting dangerous?"
The handsome boy's face contorted in confusion for a moment before realization struck him. "Uh, a scavenger hunt just means you go looking for a list of things, Star. There's no hunting animals involved."
"Oh." She attempted to keep the disappointment from her voice, but was unsuccessful. "It is often considered a courtship ritual for a male and a female to hunt deadly prey together on Tamaran." A thought occurred to her, and she brightened. "Is this 'scavenger hunt' a method of courtship here on Earth?"
Robin's eyes widened, and he turned a color not unlike Starfire's hair. "No, no, just a friend thing! I mean, it can be done by couples, but... uhh... we..."
Hurt welled up in Starfire's chest, and she began walking ahead to hide her face from him. "I understand, Robin."
Just as she passed by, a gloved hand took hold of hers, and her heart began racing. "Starfire, I..." As she turned back to look at him, a struggle was etched on his face. "I can't... but... if I could... it would be you."
A bittersweet mixture of emotions rose up inside Tamaran's daughter. "I do not believe that you cannot, Robin, but I will try to be content with what you feel that you can give."
They walked in silence for quite some time, something floating in between them that was equal parts melancholy, frustration, and excitement. It was not altogether unwelcome, but it wrought havoc with her nerves.
When they finally arrived at their destination, Starfire could not restrain a squeal of delight, nor could she help floating several inches in the air. "It is truly glorious, Robin!"
Lush greenery and striking architecture melded together and stretched out in a grandiose display. Sculpted fountains sprayed geysers into the air as ducks and children frolicked in the afternoon sun. A nearby sign displayed a helpful map, as well as a name: Parc de la Ciutadella.
She turned to find Robin with a hand over half his face, muttering about a "nosy green matchmaker". Giggling, she took his hand and dragged him into the park.
—
Thanks to the GPS in his head, Cyborg didn't have to worry about asking directions as he navigated the streets of an area that was apparently called La Ribera. With no more than a simple command, he could summon a myriad of information on the address Beast Boy had handed him, but his best friend had specifically asked him to disable that function and let it be a surprise.
"If this sends me to a toaster factory, I'm gonna splat the grass stain," he muttered as his feet carried him closer to the dot on the map.
The area was quite scenic, not that Cyborg was all that into such things. Tall buildings in striking colors towered over the crowds that walked the narrow streets, umbrella-shaded tables from neighboring cafés punctuating the sidewalks.
As he turned the corner to see his final destination, Victor froze, a look of awe on his face. Standing out like a sore thumb among all the dignified European scenery was a bright green booth with a red banner in Spanish. Cyborg's automatic translation software kicked in: "All-You-Can-Eat Pinchos All Day". The booth had attracted quite a crowd of young people, who were walking away with smiles and orange wristbands.
The half-mechanical teen stood patiently in line, trying to be inconspicuous as he wiped at the trail of drool making its way down the human half of his face. When he reached the cashier, he produced a credit card from a compartment on his arm, then held out his wrist to receive his reward. Undoubtedly noting that he was from out of town, the young woman distributing the wristbands also handed him a map with several locations circled— the participating restaurants.
Unable to contain himself, Cyborg lifted the map in his orange-clad hand and let out a massive, "Booyah!"
When he looked around, the line behind him had retreated several feet, and the cashier was peeking out from under the table top.
With a nervous grin, the young man gave a tiny wave, and attempted a mangled, "Gracias," before wandering off to the nearest location on the map.
—
AN: Here's the beginning of the actual plot, which will tie into Titans and Justice League lore in the future. Also, I'm certain I'm screwing up all sorts of things about Barcelona here. If anyone's been there, please feel free to correct any discrepancies you see... other than the all-you-can-eat pinchos. I know they aren't real, but I want them to exist so very badly.
