Part 6- Revival and Betrayal
(Cyborg leads his group down another direction, glancing at the navigational device in his arm every so often.)
Mas: Where are we going?
Menos: It's dark down here…
Déjà: What's wrong, scared of the dark?
Together: (knees knocking) Not a chance!
Cyborg: Relax.
(An instrument folds out from his shoulder and a light blinks on.)
Mas: Thanks, Cyborg!
Menos: You've got a gadget for everything!
Déjà: You're like some kind of super-robot!
Cyborg: Uh…thanks… (thinking) That's right. I'm just a machine, aren't I? That must be what Bee was talking about… "Not someone like him" huh? Maybe she'd rather have Photon; he's so full of himself, he's practically two men in one! So her type is the stuck-up people who are too selfish to care about anyone but themselves… Never would have pegged her for that… Why am I obsessing over this anyway? It's not like I care…
Beast Boy: Terra!!
(Cyborg is shaken out of his tangled thoughts by the sudden shout. He shoots a pained look at Beast Boy, wishing his friend weren't in such mental agony.)
Medic: I am sorry I could not help, Cyborg. I wish my power could extend that far. The same to Photon…
(Medic snickers a bit here. Shotman told him of Photon's condition, and told him that he would not be able to cure it. They had this conversation in private and seemed to be laughing about something…)
Cyborg: Don't worry about it. We'll go and show him Terra, and if that doesn't work (cracks his knuckles) we'll find this "dhampir" whatever-he-is and beat the cure out of him!
(The dhampir in question has just returned to the main control center.)
Damien: That was mildly entertaining…
(He grins at the others, who shudder and shrink back. Damien returns to his shadowed corner and opens his flask again, taking a long drink.)
See-More: Why in the world did we hire this guy?
Billy: He's creepier'n a rattlesnake in yer boots!
Jinx: Because he's powerful, and he agreed to join. What more reason do we need?
Gizmo: We don't know anything about that creepazoid! Like that flask of his; what's he drinking all the time!?
Mammoth: You want to know, you ask him!
Gizmo: Uh… it's not that important…
Hive: You yellow-bellied cadet! I'll settle this!
(Private Hive walks over to Damien, who looks up with half-interested expression.)
Damien: What's up? Need me to patrol again?
Hive: Sir, no sir! I was just wondering if you wouldn't mind telling me what exactly is it you are drinking from that flask of yours, sir!?
Damien: Is that all? Well, if you really want to know…
(The others who are hanging back lean in to listen.)
Damien: It's the very sweetest type of juice.
(The others all fall over with looks of shock.)
Hive: Juice, sir?
Damien: Yep. In my very favorite flavor; type A-positive!
(The others all turn white, and back away, shivering. Apparently not noticing, Damien takes another sip, then offers the flask to Private Hive.)
Damien: (eyes gleaming red) Care for a taste?
Hive: Uh… n-no thank y-y-you, sir! That's quite a-alright, s-s-sir!
(Hive hurries away with the others.)
Jinx: Okay, so maybe he is creepy…
Billy: He drinks blood! Creepy don't half cover it!
Jinx: True, but he's still strong… Don't forget, he took on all six of us at once, and didn't get a scratch…He's proving to be an excellent addition to the team…
Gizmo: We're not his team, we're his diet! How can you be okay with that!?
(Damien can actually hear everything they have been saying with his superhuman senses; he simply doesn't care. Their whispering comes to an abrupt end when a television screen suddenly blinks on. It shows the group Raven is leading walking down a passage.)
Gizmo: Those snot-brained Titans are heading right for us!
Mammoth: Just four of them… What do you think?
Jinx: Just the five of us should be enough. Billy, you stay here and um… watch him.
Billy: I don't like it… but, yer the boss, Boss.
Jinx: Okay! Hive Five, let's move out!
(The scene focuses on the TV screen, then shifts to Raven and her team.)
Aqualad: Think Beast Boy will be okay? He looked pretty bad…
Raven: Don't worry; he'll be fine. (thinking) I hope…
(Speedy glances over at Photon. His hologram has been dissolved, and his skin is giving off a dark blue light.)
Speedy: You're being pretty quiet for once. What's up?
Photon: Echo… he struck me. He's never struck at me before.
Aqualad: What did you expect? You tried to attack his girlfriend!
Photon: But…we promised…
(Photon is now pointing his blindfolded eyes at his right palm, completely absorbed in his own thoughts.)
Aqualad: So he hit you one time; what's the big deal?
Photon: He's my friend…
Speedy: You say that like he was your only friend.
(Photon is silent.)
Speedy: Oh.
Raven: What do you expect? You don't let anyone get close to you because you're always such a jerk!
Photon: So what? I don't need any other friends! I'm better off without 'em!
Aqualad: Are you serious? Don't you ever get lonely?
(Photon does not answer right away, but his skin darkens to purple.)
Photon: ………Of course not. Never happens.
(His skin now brightens to full white.)
Raven: You don't sound too sure of yourself…
Photon: You clearly enjoy contradicting me. It's lucky for you that you're cute, or I would- (pause) Why did I say that!?
Speedy: The virus. Shotman said it would start to take effect even if you weren't looking at anybody.
Raven: Yeah… the virus…
(Judging from the look on her face, she had evidently been very shocked for a second, thinking Photon was serious. Photon himself is shivering with revulsion.)
Photon: Well, with that being the case, let's hurry; the sooner I'm rid of this virus, the better.
(At this point, Shotman is leading Robin, Starfire, Echo, and Bumblebee down the widest passage yet.)
Shotman: The satellite is still out of my vision range, Robin. That means it is either very far away, or cloaked to be immune to my Inner Eye. What makes you so certain that this is the right path?
Robin: Remember how big that satellite looked? What other passage could they fit it down?
Echo: Good thinkin', lad! Ye must be very proud of him, Star! Hey, how long have ye two been-
Robin: Let's just stay focused on the task at hand, alright?
(Bumblebee decides to distract Echo, as she can see that this is not an issue Robin or Starfire want pressed at the time.)
Bumblebee: What about that friend of yours? He looked pretty upset when you hit him.
Echo: Oh, he'll be alright. We're still best mates, he knows that. But I can't allow anybody to threaten Colleen like that. She's… a bit more than a friend… Kind of like ye an' Cyborg.
Bumblebee: What!? Whoa, hold up! Get this straight, pirate boy; there is nothing between Sparky and me! Not one thing!
Echo: Really? The way ye two act, I coulda sworn… Ah well, ye say so…
Bumblebee: What do you mean, "the way we act"?
Echo: Well, the way ye like playin' at getting' on each others nerves. The way ye seem to know each other's mannerisms perfectly. It reminds me of how I'll make Colleen go red every now an' then. One, it's easy when ye know what does it. Two, it's entertainin' to no end! (chuckles) Sigh An' three, she's really cute when she does it…
(Bumblebee is not sure how to respond to this. Echo doesn't know it, but he has actually made a point that is forcing some real thought. Similar thoughts are being had by a six-foot tall half-robot, until Gemini snaps him out of it.)
Gemini: Cyborg! For the third time, which way!?
Cyborg: Oh! Sorry about that… Turn right up ahead.
(His party has taken a detour by burning through one of the outer walls of the base and back into the catacombs of the city sewers. They turn, and come to a rocky cavern that is filled with scrap metal, sprockets and gears of assorted sizes, and piping that is strewn everywhere; the former haunt of Slade.)
Cyborg: A little further now… There. That's her.
(He stops, and the group looks upon the statue of a young teenage girl with long hair and a look of pain in her hollow, stone eyes. A small plaque at the statue's feet reads, "Terra. A true friend. A Teen Titan.")
Gemini: So this is Terra…
Déjà: She's cute, non? Ow!
(Gemini has just kicked him in the back of his leg.)
Gemini: Do you ever think before you open that mouth of yours!?
Cyborg: Quit it. Alright, BB, have a look!
(Cyborg spins Beast Boy to face the statue. His gaze rests on it for a moment, and he calms down. Then, just as the others are feeling a sense of hope…)
Beast Boy: Terra, look out! Terra!!!
(He sinks to the ground, once again screaming hysterically. Cyborg punches a rock protruding from the wall in frustration.)
Cyborg: Okay, Plan B; we find the joker who did this to him, and we pound him 'til there's nothin' left!!
(Everyone turns, and is about to leave when Gemini stops them.)
Gemini: Um… hold on.
Mas: What is it?
Menos: You've got an idea?
Gemini: Kind of. It's either a brilliant idea, or a really stupid one, but I think we should try it.
Medic: What do you have in mind?
Gemini: Well… alright. Just do exactly what I say, and don't ask questions; we're short on time as it is. Medic, focus your powers on that statue!
Medic: But, I cannot-!
Gemini: No questions! Just do it!
(Medic starts up a golden energy glow in his hands and focuses the energy on the statue with no effect.)
Gemini: Good, keep it going! Déjà, take his powers and join him!
Déjà: I don't think…
Gemini: You rarely do!
Déjà: Now you've insulted me; I won't help.
(Gemini sighs in frustration, then grins seductively and leans into his ear.)
Gemini: (whispers in sultry tones) Do it, and I'll give you a kiss…
(Déjà runs over, taps a finger to Medic's temple, and shape-shifts. Two nearsighted teens are now beaming healing power into the statue. There is still no effect.)
Gemini: Now my part…
(Gemini shuts her eyes, and her brow furrows in concentration. The golden glow coming from each of the boys becomes steadily brighter. There still doesn't seem to be any effect. Gemini concentrates harder, intensifying the glow. Cyborg notices her knees beginning to waver.)
Cyborg: Gemini, you're using too much energy! Better call it quits!
Gemini: (struggling) No… Just a…little more! Almost…there…!
(Beast Boy suddenly jumps up and bolts from the room.)
Beast Boy: Terra!
Cyborg: Yo! Come on, we'd better go catch him!
(Mas and Menos nod, then try to join hands. They are repelled from each other as before, and twin streams of tears fall from their eyes.)
Together: It's not fair…
(Cyborg and the twins run off after Beast Boy. Gemini is beginning to look like she is in pain, but she concentrates even harder. The golden energy becomes so bright, it is nearly white. Gemini glances up, and is not sure if she is imagining it or not, but the statue's hair looks as if it is starting to loosen and soften. Filled with fresh determination, she pumps even more of her power into the boys and the glow becomes so bright that it is blinding. However, Gemini has now stepped over her limits, and the room begins to spin. She passes out before even noticing she is on the ground.)
(Meanwhile, Cyborg has managed to catch Beast Boy and is dragging him back towards the room with the aid of Mas and Menos. As they head towards it, they notice the sudden flash and break into a run. They enter the room, then stop and gape; Terra is now fully animated flesh and blood and is casting quizzical glances at the three unconscious teens at her feet.)
Cyborg: T-Terra…?
(The blonde girl glances up, also with a look of disbelief.)
Terra: Cyborg!? What… What are you doing down here!?
Cyborg: You're alive… I don't believe it, you're alive!
Terra: Looks that way… Hm? Beast Boy?
(Terra hurries over and crouches over the green changeling, who is still deep under the affects of his hallucinations.)
Beast Boy: No…No… Not Terra…
Terra: What's he talking about? Beast Boy, I'm right here!
Beast Boy: No- Ter…Terra? Terra, you're… okay…?
(Beast Boy has raised his head, and after looking into Terra's blue eyes, the glazed look has started to fade from his. He suddenly jumps to his feet, full of energy.)
Beast Boy: Terra!!
(Beast Boy grabs her in a tight hug, and then, caught in the moment of his own joy, he kisses her. Terra looks a bit shocked, but does not resist. The kiss lasts for about forty-three seconds, then Beast Boy finally seems to figure out that there are people watching, and pulls back, blushing. Terra has a slight red tinge to her cheeks as well.)
Beast Boy: Uh, I mean… what's up?
Terra: Nice to see you too…
-- Remember how Beast Boy did on the "cherry-stem test"? Heh heh… - The Cap'n --
(Medic awakens, his healing finally working on his own body; the fact that the exertion knocked out him of all people is a mark of how much energy was required for this resurrection.)
Medic: (groans) There is a first time for everything…
(Medic sets about healing up his two fallen friends.)
Gemini: Wow… that was interesting…let's never do it again.
Medic: Agreed. I do not enjoy passing out from exhaustion and pain; I am not used to it.
Déjà: But look! We are successful! She lives!
(Déjà zips over to the newly awakened Terra.)
Déjà: Come! A kiss for your rescuer, mon cherie!
(Déjà Vu puckers and makes a few kissing noises, then finds himself eye-to-snout with a green Tyrannosaurus. The great lizard exhales steam from it's nostrils into the face of the petrified Frenchman.)
Gemini: Go ahead. Kiss all you want.
Déjà: N-Non, non, that is fine. But wait! You still owe me one kiss yourself, mademoiselle! You did not think I would forget?
Gemini: Um… no of course not…
(Gemini steps over with a look of total revulsion. Déjà puckers up again, but Gemini turns his head to the side, and kisses him on the cheek.)
Déjà: Hey-!
Gemini: That's all! If you want anything more, you can take it up with Aidan and see how he feels!
(Déjà thinks that over and falls silent; even he isn't dumb enough to pull that with Echo.)
Terra: Um… who are you people?
Gemini: Oh! Sorry… My name's Colleen. You can just call me Gemini.
Medic: I am called Medic.
Déjà: You can call me whatever you want, you lovely-!
(Déjà notices the looks he is getting from several people and he begins to sweat.)
Déjà: Um… I'm Déjà Vu…
Gemini: We're members of the Teen Titans South division.
Terra: There's a southern team now? How long have I been-?
Cyborg: Forget it. You're here now, and a good thing; we can sure use the help. Come on! We gotta go meet Robin and the others!
Terra: Okay, count me in- Ah!
Beast Boy: Terra!
Medic: What is wrong? Are you in pain?
Terra: No, it's just… it's just a bit hard to move in this…
(She indicates the silver uniform she is wearing with a look of deep loathing.)
Gemini: You want to change? I could replicate my outfit for you…
Terra: I… I can't. This suit is bonded to my skin…
Gemini: What!?
(Terra describes her previous teaming with Slade, and the consequences that followed.)
Gemini: Sick… This guy is sick…
Medic: Do not be concerned. I have a way to help you, Terra, but for now it must wait. Our companions await our return!
Terra: Alright. So… what exactly are we up against here?
Cyborg: Let's move, and I'll fill you in on the details.
(Back inside the enemy stronghold, Photon is once again arguing with Speedy. He had mentioned something about Speedy's seeming obsession with reflective surfaces. Speedy had responded by questioning why Photon had given himself the hologram he had if he was so against what it brought upon him.)
Photon: If you'd listened earlier, you would know that I didn't choose that appearance! Shotman defined my looks for me!
Raven: Well, if you don't like girls chasing you, why don't you just shift to a less… conspicuous form?
(Photon is silent, trying to figure out how to answer this one.)
Photon: I… haven't had the time to define a new hologram…
Speedy: Yeah, right. I think it's more like, on some level, you enjoy having all those girls crazy for you! It takes your mind off how little companionship you really have!
(Photon flinches as if he'd been stabbed.)
Photon: That's… that's not true! I can't stand women! They ruined my whole life!
Speedy: So you say…
Photon: I'm warning you…
Speedy: Thanks for the warning.
(Speedy sticks out his bow across Photon's ankles. Being blindfolded, Photon never sees it coming, and trips, landing flat on his face. His gets back up, seething with fury.)
Photon: Okay, now you've had it!
(Becoming extremely irritated with all the yelling and arguing, Raven does all she can think of to stop it; she reaches out and tears the blindfold from Photon's head. His gaze falls on her, and the effect is immediate. The light from his skin turns a cheerful shade of green, then he enters his holographic form and gives his eyes the gentle expression.)
Photon: Ah… Raven, I… I'm sorry if I've… upset you…
Raven: Forget about it. Let's keep moving.
Photon: If that is what you desire.
Raven: (thinking) Well, this might be a little embarrassing, but at least he'll quit fighting for now…
Photon: You know, you shouldn't hide behind that hood. You have too pretty of a face to be covering it like that.
(Raven blushes a tiny bit, but stays composed.)
Raven: You don't mean that. You just think so because that's what the virus is telling your brain.
Photon: No… That's not how it is… Even before… before I always did think that…
Raven: (thinking) What? Is he going to say what I think he's…?
Photon: I always thought that…that…
(He suddenly gets a pained expression and his eyes clench shut, seemingly against their will. His hologram dissolves and his skin gives off yellow light.)
Photon: Shut up! Shut up! Stop putting words in my mouth! I can't take it anymore!
(He sprints ahead and rounds a corner, his eyes still tightly shut.)
Raven: So he was resisting the virus… I guess that's a relief…
(She says this, but looks the slightest bit disappointed.)
Aqualad: Should we go catch up with him?
Raven: No. He's stopped. I can sense it. He's not too far ahead. We'll stop here for a second and rest our feet.
Speedy: Sounds good.
(Up ahead, Photon is panting and cursing the virus in his veins for what it was about to make him say.)
Photon: But at least I was able to throw it off… that's something at least.
(He hears a shuffling ahead of him and glances up. Rounding the corner is the Hive Five, and leading them is Jinx.)
Gizmo: Hey, there's one! Let's get him!
(The Hive Five start to rush forward. Photon suddenly vanishes and appears right in front of Jinx, in his hologram.)
Photon: Has anyone ever told you just how lovely you are? Just out of curiosity, I mean?
Jinx: Wha-?
(She orders the others to halt, then responds.)
Jinx: You… do know who we are, right?
Photon: Just let me get to know you, and I'll be satisfied for eternity.
Jinx: R-Really!?
(Gizmo catches on.)
Gizmo: I get it! This poor sap is the one that got himself infected with that cludge-headed Moth's virus!
Jinx: See-More?
(See-More adjusts his Omni-Eye too a new setting, giving it a blue appearance.)
See-More: Yep, it's in there. He's infected all right.
Jinx: Really? (grins) Hm… Hey, what's your name?
Photon: You do not remember me? Well, I guess it has been quite some time, hasn't it now…Iris?
-- Anyone have any clues to what Jinx's real name actually is? I just picked a random one. - The Cap'n --
(Jinx gasps and takes a step back.)
Jinx: How do you know-?
Photon: You really have forgotten me haven't you? Think back. Years ago. Dark cave in a mountainside, blocked off by a boulder. You rolled the rock aside and interrupted my meditation. Coming back to you yet?
Jinx: No way… That was you? Those eyes… I remember… You're-!
Photon: No! Don't speak it! I don't go by that name anymore. Just call me Photon.
Gizmo: "Photon"? What kind of scrum-buffing name is that!?
(Photon ignores the bald gnome and keeps his gaze on Jinx.)
Photon: It appears that when the light flowed into the cave and caused my… transformation… some of my magic also flowed out. That would explain how you, who were born without any magical blood, possess the ability to cast bad luck magic…
Jinx: Full of insight as ever, I see. And you look a lot different since then…
(She is now looking him up and down with the same silly expression most girls give him. Meanwhile, Speedy has gone on ahead to search for Photon, and is just about to round the corner, when he hears the voices. He flattens against the wall and listens.)
Jinx: Well…Photon…how would you like to do little me a favor?
Photon: Such as?
Jinx: How about you join up with us and take out those Teen Titan nuisances?
(Photon puts a hand to his head and shuts his eyes.)
Photon: …I…I can't…I won't…
(As his eyes re-open, Jinx gives him a wide-eyed look full of tiny sparkles)
Jinx: Please?
Photon: Well… for you… I guess so.
See-More: You'd betray your friends that easily?
Photon: When did I count any of the Titans as my friends?
Jinx: Yay! (thinking) Way to go on the virus, Moth! You might have a use after all…
Gizmo: Hold it! I don't buy this!
Mammoth: He's right. Remember "Stone"? How do we know this guy's on the level?
Photon: You don't trust me, huh? Well now…
(Photon pulls out his Titans communicator and tosses it upward. As it comes down, he points his finger like a gun, and blasts a red beam of light right through the device. It clatters to the ground, sparks crackling from the new hole in the center.)
Hive: I salute you, sir!
(He does so.)
See-More: Welcome to the team man!
(Behind the wall, Speedy looks horrified.)
Speedy: (thinking) Oh no! This is bad… I gotta tell the others…
Gizmo: I still don't trust him! When have we ever been better off after trusting some new guy?
Photon: You're pretty tough to please, midget.
Gizmo: Hey!
Photon: But, if you still require proof of my loyalty, why don't I just…
(His eyes glance behind him at the corner where Speedy is hiding.)
Photon: …take care of the little mouse who is listening in back there?
(Speedy gasps, and then, before he can move, Photon has appeared right in front of him. He reaches for an arrow, but Photon swings his staff and knocks the bow away. He points both index fingers and begins firing one laser blast after another. Speedy gasps with pain as holes begin appearing all over his uniform, and red burns form on his skin. Photon then stops firing and presses the end of his staff to Speedy's chest.)
Photon: Nothing personal. Luminos Necrodin Xendrenel!!
(A huge burst of white light fires from the staff and blasts Speedy clear through the wall.)
Photon: Satisfied?
Gizmo: I guess he'll do…
Jinx: Great! Now come on! Let's come up with something to take care of the rest of those pests. Are you still good with strategies?
Photon: I think I can help you out…
-- Reviews! NOW!! Don't hesitate! Click the review button! Stop making me want to kill all of you! I'll even take flames, just give me something! - The Cap'n --