-- Day late with this update; stupid server was down yesterday. The Internet's fault, not mine! Well, nevermind. Here is the long-awaited slugfest in a monster-size chapter. Make time to read this in its entirity. Get yourself a sandwich. Maybe some cookies. And a Pepsi, the amazing taste sensation! What? Don't look at me like that! What do you mean "sold myself out"!? Lies! Hey, look, a chapter! - The Cap'n --
Part 8- Showdown
(Cyborg and Bumblebee head down the passage they've taken, with Cyborg keeping an eye on his arm to spot the nearest door. As they walk, Bumblebee strikes up a conversation.)
Bumblebee: So, after we're done down here, what happens?
Cyborg: I dunno. Probably go pick up Silkie from the park. Good thing Star trained him to stay…although he probably ate half the playground by this point.
Bumblebee: Then we'll probably celebrate our win, and we'll all go back home…
Cyborg: Probably.
Bumblebee: And…?
Cyborg: And what?
Bumblebee: And that's it?
Cyborg: Probably. Why?
Bumblebee: Well… I don't know, maybe spending some more time together might not be such a bad idea.
(Cyborg gives a cynical laugh.)
Cyborg: Believe me, Photon won't be interested; ten to one, once he kicks that virus, he'll go back to being the same jerk he always is.
Bumblebee: What? Why are you bringing him into this?
Cyborg: That's what this is about, right? I mean, seeing as how he has such great looks, which, I might point out, aren't real, just a hologram, and seeing as how you want nothing to do with "someone like me"!
Bumblebee: Hey, I only meant-!
Cyborg: What is it that's wrong with me? Is it because I'm part machine? You think just because I'm mostly metal, I'm incapable of feeling? Well, maybe you're right! But you didn't have to point it out to everybody!
Bumblebee: Say what!? Okay, that's it! Just forget it! I got nothing more to say to you!
Cyborg: Then let's just get this mission over with and get outta here!
Bumblebee: Don't tell me what to do, Sparky!
(They probably would have gone on fighting, but they have now reached the door they were seeking.)
Cyborg: Okay, give me a second with the lock and-
(Bumblebee fires a Stinger, toasting the electronic lock panel on the wall. The metal door creaks open.)
Cyborg: Always gotta act on impulse, don't ya?
Bumblebee: Let's just do this.
(They enter the room, which is very dark. Cyborg checks his arm.)
Cyborg: I'm not picking up any readings of machinery in here…
Bumblebee: Besides you? That seems to be what you consider yourself…
Cyborg: Alright you-!
(His arm begins beeping rapidly. Hundreds of red dots begin to appear on the panel.)
Cyborg: Whoa! For that kind of life-form readout, we'd have to be in-
(The room is suddenly filled with light. Cyborg and Bumblebee glance around at the walls in open-mouthed horror; there are hundreds, possibly thousands of the mechanical mantis creatures clinging to the walls. A panel in the ceiling opens and Killer Moth appears, hovering overhead with the aid of his wings.)
Killer Moth: Congratulations! You've found your way to my insect nest. But now that you're here…
(Several of the bugs drop down and block the entrance, which also appears to be the only exit.)
Killer Moth: You can't be allowed to leave. (Points a finger at the two Titans) Rip 'em apart!
(The insects begin to close in.)
Cyborg: Truce?
Bumblebee: Works for me. Let's take 'em!
(Elsewhere…)
Déjà: Why am I teamed with you two? Why couldn't I go with Mademoiselle Starfire?
Mas: Don't you think it's about time you gave up on her?
Déjà: Why?
Menos: Isn't it obvious? Did you not see what happened with her and Robin? Haven't you figured it out yet?
Déjà: It does not mean I have to accept it.
Twins: You're hopeless!
(They find the door, and are amazed to find it unlocked. They enter, and discover a room full of piping and valves.)
Menos: Must be the boiler room.
Déjà: No satellites here. Let's go back and-
Mammoth: Going somewhere!?
(The ape-like teen has appeared in the doorway. Déjà Vu and the twins shrink back. Mammoth grins and steps into the room, cracking his knuckles.)
Mammoth: You're bright-eyed pal gave me a real headache back there. I think I'll take it out on you!
Déjà: (thinking) So…Photon has not betrayed us after all.
Mas: Back off!
Menos: Or we'll let you have it good!
Mammoth: Is that so? (steps closer) Alright. Try it.
(Mas and Menos try to touch hands, but remain repelled by the electrical interference.)
Mas: Whoops…
Menos: We forgot…
Mammoth: (laughs) I'm hungry… Hmm…
(Mammoth smashes a hand into some nearby pipes, and a rush of hot water sprays the twins and Déjà back.)
Mammoth: I think I'll have boiled shrimp!
(The water starts to drain away through a vent, still gushing in a fast stream from the pipes. Mammoth gives a laugh and is starting to walk towards the terrified twins when a black axe goes flying right past his ear and the blade sinks into the wall. He gives a surprised glance at Déjà Vu, who is crouching on the ground with one arm still raised from throwing the axe. He is gazing down at his other hand which seems to be holding several small pieces of paper. He suddenly glances up, and his eyes have flames springing up in them. Multiple cross marks begin covering his head as he speaks.)
Déjà: (furious tones) That tears it! This Frenchman is fighting mad now! Look at what you have done!
(Déjà holds up the papers, which can now be clearly seen; pictures of Starfire, completely soaked through. He tosses them down onto the water-covered floor and leaps to his feet.)
Déjà: You have ruined my precious photos! I will sauté you in garlic butter for this! And you don't boil shrimp! You fry them!
(The enraged cook rushes Mammoth and jabs at him. Mammoth takes the hit on the face and returns the favor, punching Déjà back where he started.)
Mammoth: You can't beat me that way, wimp!
(Déjà gets shakily to his feet, grinning. Mammoth raises an eyebrow, then gasps as Déjà's body is surrounded by a white glare. The light fades, and Mammoth is facing a mirror-image of himself, speaking in his voice.)
Déjà: Too bad for you…we touched. Now we'll see who the wimp is!
(Raven has successfully led Photon to a big door that seems unguarded. She starts to put forth a hand to open it, then hesitates.)
Raven: This isn't right…I can sense it. Hmm…
(She glances back at Photon, then steps behind him.)
Raven: I'm going to take off your blindfold for a second. Don't look at me, just keep your eyes pointed straight ahead.
Photon: You are the very last thing I want to see at present. And you can quote me on that.
Raven: I don't want to hear it. Just have a look at this door.
(Raven pulls the white band away and Photon glances at the door. He gives a small, impressed whistle.)
Photon: Iris is a bit more adept with her power than I originally gave her credit for; this door is layered in hexes. You were right not to touch it. I wonder if Gemini is okay… aggh! To have this cured a second sooner… Anyway- and I can't believe I'm suggesting this- we shall have to work together to get in, as getting past all of these curses at once will be aggravatingly slow if just one of us attempts it. I trust you know what I have in mind.
Raven: That one again, huh?
(The two stand back to back, then each points an arm at the door.)
Raven: Azarath Metrion Zinthos!!
Photon: Luminos Necrodin Xendrenel!!
(A burst of their respective magics fires from each of them, and the spells spiral around one another before hitting the door. A barrier of pink light becomes visible as the blast hits, then shatters and the door gives way to the burst of magic. Photon steps inside, careful not to look at Raven, and spots what he is looking for; a computer panel that is displaying his vitals with a highlighted readout of the activities in his lungs. He steps up to the keyboard, and begins typing furiously. Raven stands nearby, waiting for him to finish.)
Raven: Don't forget to make a backup copy so we can research a vaccine.
Photon: (irritated) I know…
Raven: Then it might be best to see if we can spot the satellite on the surveillance cameras…
Photon: I know!
Raven: Try to hurry it up; the others probably need our help!
(Fed up, Photon swivels his head to glare at her.)
Photon: I know, all right!?
(Before she can respond, Photon is struck with a burst of pink light which sends him flying right through the computer screen. More and more bursts continue to rain on the spot where he crashed through. Photon can just be seen among the wreckage, getting cut into by each attack. The blasts finally cease and Raven sees Jinx standing in the broken doorway, eyes filled with pink light, her mouth twisted into an angry snarl.)
Jinx: Too bad about that computer… Moth's virus was working so well, it seemed a shame to shut it down that way. But I owed you that, you slime! And that was just for openers!
(Jinx steps into the room, ready to begin hurling hexes again. Raven glances at Photon, who is apparently passed out; definitely in no condition to fight. She steps between him and Jinx.)
Jinx: Out of my way! I'll deal with you in a second; it's him I want!
Raven: Normally, I'd let you go right ahead. It's about time a girl gave this creep what was coming to him. But if he can't even defend himself, then it's a different story. You want him… (eyes glow with white light) …you have to get past me.
Jinx: Fine! You're both going down!
(Jinx hurls two hexes aimed at Raven's head. Raven waves a hand, tracing a spot-barrier of shadows in the air in front of herself to block the attack, then rises into the air. Jinx raises her arms upwards.)
Jinx: You can't win! After I've beaten you two, I'll launch the satellite myself and turn your cities to dust!
Raven: Not going to happen. Azarath Metrion Zinthos!!
(Some pieces of the broken computer rise up, shrouded in shadows, and launch themselves at Jinx. She nimbly dodges each one, then fires more hexes at Raven. Raven flies up higher, barely evading in time.)
Raven: (thinking) Hmm… Might be tougher than I thought…Her hexes seem a bit stronger than normal… Maybe she has some emotional connection to her power too…
-- Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned… - The Cap'n --
(Echo and Gemini have just entered a huge metal room that is filled with broken robots and shattered bulls-eye targets.)
Echo: Well, what have we here?
Gemini: A gym?
(From behind them, Private Hive and Billy Numerous come walking in.)
Hive: Actually, it's our combat-training facility.
Billy: Sure never expected to get any hands-on practice in here, though!
Gemini: Who you calling "practice"!?
Echo: Easy, Colleen. (to Hive) Avast there, me lad! We'd prefer if ye'd spare us all this fuss an' just turn yerselves in quietly.
Hive: And suppose we don't agree to that?
(Echo grins and draws his cutlass, pointing the blade at Private Hive.)
Echo: Ye drop.
(Private Hive pulls out his shield.)
Hive: No, you drop…and give me twenty!
(The military-minded villain throws his shield, which spins through the air at Echo. The pirate rushes forward, dodges sideways, then brings up the cutlass for an overhead strike. The shield circles back into Hive's waiting hand and clangs loudly as the sword crashes against it. Hive growls and tries to push the blade back. Echo grins wider and doesn't budge an inch.)
Hive: That dull knife of yours will never touch me, civilian.
Echo: Sword against shield, is it? This could be interestin'… Colleen, I'll handle him. Ye take care of his mate there.
Billy: That's all yer gonna pitch at me? Just yer girlfriend?
Gemini: If you try to take me on…
(Gemini multiplies by five, and she and her clones all pull out their tonfa.)
Gemini x5: You'll be beaten down in more ways than you can count!
Billy: Well, well! Someone else who knows my trick! Alright then, my little prairie flower…
(Billy mimics her and splits into five.)
Billy x5: Let's dance!
(Medic is a little nervous to be off by himself, but determined to do his best. He enters a room, and is bathed in darkness. Looking ahead, he sees that the only light in the room is a single spotlight that is shining down on a small pedestal. He steps closer and sees that the pedestal has a red button on it which reads, "Emergency only! Satellite program shutdown." He reaches out to press the button, when the pedestal sinks into the ground. He then hears laughter all around him.)
See-More: Ha! Are you really that gullible!? Oh well, now you're right where I want you!
Medic: You would be wise not to underestimate me. Just because I am alone, it does not mean I will fall easily.
See-More: Yeah?
(See-More can be seen in the shadows as his Omni-Eye gives off a red glow and fires an eyeball-shaped blast that scores on the side of Medic's head, leaving a burn. In that moment of illumination, Medic throws a volley of shuriken at See-More. Two connect, while the others give off a noise that indicates they have stuck into the wall rather than bouncing off. The walls of this room are apparently made of aluminum, or some type of softer metal. See-More winces as he pulls the spiny projectiles out of his leg.)
See-More: Yeow! That stings! Heh…but I got you too!
Medic: Really?
(See-More notices the burn has already vanished from Medic's face.)
See-More: So that's your power… All right, let's try this then!
(The evil teen resets his visor, then fires another blast. Medic does not move, knowing he can't be hurt. However, the blast is aimed high and knocks away his glasses. Medic stands in horror, his eyes (visible for the first time ever with the angular Asian shape and a hazel color) wide in fear. Without his glasses, he can't even see to the tip of his nose.)
See-More: Judging by that look, I'd say I guessed right; you're not much without those coke-bottle lenses of yours, are you?
(Medic jumps out of the beam of light and stands in the darkness, hoping to lower his enemy's accuracy.)
See-More: That won't help you! I can see you no matter where you are!
(Robin and Starfire continue down the passage they took. Starfire looks a bit troubled about something, and finally turns to Robin.)
Starfire: Robin…
Robin: Hm? Yeah, what is it?
Starfire: I bring you apology for what happened before. I had not intended to…um…
(She is turning redder with each word as she says this. Robin decides he had better get this settled before it interferes with the mission.)
Robin: Hey, relax, okay? You don't have to apologize. It was an accident; it didn't mean anything.
(Starfire stands behind for a second, these words echoing in her mind. She then follows with a slightly hurt look.)
Starfire: No…it did not.
(Robin catches the tone of her voice as he opens the door in front of him, but what he sees inside stops his prepared question. The satellite they have been searching for is inside the room.)
Robin: There it is!
Starfire: Glorious! Now we can inform our friends that we are victorious and return home for the celebrating!
Robin: Not quite yet. First we have to…
(He stops as the room is filled with laughter; disturbingly hysterical laughter that is growing louder and louder. Robin glances around, then spots Damien under the satellite. The dhampir is standing upside-down with the soles of his shoes adhering to the underside of the satellite. He is still laughing uproariously.)
Robin: What's so funny!?
(Damien opens his eyes and forces himself to cease laughing so he can speak.)
Damien: Heh heh heh… You two wouldn't - ha ha ha! – wouldn't be Teen Titans, would you?
Robin: Yeah. Who are you?
(Damien grins, showing off his overlarge canines.)
Damien: The name's Damien. I'm a wanderer, mostly, but these guys offered me a sweet deal; I work for them and, in return, all I can drink! Though I don't think they understood exactly what I had in mind when I said "drink"… Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
(Robin ponders what this could mean, and finally it hits him.)
Robin: So it's you… you're this "dhampir" thing we were told about.
Damien: Yep.
Starfire: (angrily) Then it was also you who put that horrible curse on our friend!
Damien: Hm? Oh, the green guy! Yeah, that was hilarious! You should have seen the look on his face! Ha ha ha! Tell me… did his mind break yet!?
(Starfire's eyes glow green as she charges up her hands with thermal energy.)
Damien: Looks like I've upset you… Well, that's fine. My orders are to eliminate any Teen Titans who enter this room anyway. So…
(Damien drops down to the floor and lands on his feet without making a sound.)
Damien: Let's get started.
Robin: What, both of us against you? Don't you think this is a bit one-sided?
Damien: Hmm… I suppose you're right. Go and get the rest of your teammates to make it fair.
(Robin stands, stunned, then growls at the put-down. He also notices, with some apprehension, that these words were spoken with the cold confidence of someone who has already won and knows it. However, he chooses to put it out of his mind, refusing to be psyched out.)
Robin: Alright, enough with the jokes. We're taking out that satellite, even if we have to go through you to do it! So surrender, or we're gonna have to hurt you!
Damien: That so?
(Damien grins and pulls out his flask. He holds it above his head and pours some of the liquid into his mouth, giving Robin and Starfire a good look at the deep red hue of it. He then sticks the flask back in his pocket. He stares at Robin and his dark eyes slowly brighten to a burning red.)
Damien: In that case…
(Damien suddenly vanishes. One second he is standing under the satellite, then, faster than a blink, he simply isn't there. Robin is seen with a look of confusion, not noticing that Damien is standing right behind him.)
Damien: …Let the fun begin!
(Robin turns with a look of shock, then gets nailed in the midsection with several blows in the span of a second. As Damien's fist moves, it leaves shadowy images of itself where it has been, giving the illusion of multiple hands. Robin goes flying into the other corner of the room, and hits the wall hard enough to leave an imprint.)
Robin: (thinking) Oww… How did he get behind me!? Was that all just speed? And those blows… this guy's strength isn't human!
(Photon's previous words suddenly come back to Robin.)
Photon: (voiceover) A dhampir is a monster in human form. This one in particular seems to have a passion for killing. If I were you, I would avoid fighting him if at all possible.
Robin: (thinking) A bit late for that… Now what do we do?
(Aqualad's path has taken him deep underground. He enters the only door at the end of the long hallway and comes to a perfectly spherical room. Looking around, he sees that the walls are covered with various types of restraining devices; shackles, chains, iron manacles, and many others.)
Aqualad: What is this? Some kind of prison?
(As he wonders this, he notices a shadow falling over him. It has four spindly legs leading up to a small, human shape. He spins around and jumps back to avoid a swipe from one of the spidery legs of Gizmo's four-limbed backpack.)
Gizmo: That's exactly what it is, fish-face! We were gonna stick you and your loser friends down here after we trapped you, but that crud-munching pretty boy had to go and gunk up the works! If they'd just listened to me when I said we couldn't trust him, it wouldn't be like this! So now I'm just gonna have to make fish stew out of you!
Aqualad: You say some big things for a guppy!
(Gizmo clicks the GameStation controller in his hand and his backpack sprouts a gun-shaped device that blasts a flame at Aqualad. The Atlantean rolls to the side and reaches towards the walls, trying to find some water to manipulate.)
Gizmo: I've seen that trick before. It won't work down here, seaweed-breath! The water pipes don't extend down this far!
Aqualad: Too bad; you could really use a bath!
(Gizmo growls at the joke and clicks the controls again. This time, his backpack extends twin missile launchers which fire dozens of tiny rockets at once. Aqualad's eyes shoot open as he ducks behind something that resembles a metal version of the rack torture. The missiles explode as they strike the metal bed.)
Aqualad: If I could just find a water source, I could make short work of this small fry… What am I supposed to do?
(Gizmo's backpack legs slice through the top of the rack bed, narrowly missing Aqualad's head. The top section of the rack falls away, revealing Aqualad to a madly grinning Gizmo.)
Gizmo: Peek-a-boo, I see you, squid-brain!
(Cyborg and Bumblebee are fighting hard, holding their own against the bug army, but even so, they are running out of breath and vastly outnumbered.)
Cyborg: Man…Didn't think it'd end like this. Me goin' out as bug food.
Bumblebee: What are you talkin' about, Sparky!? We haven't lost yet!
(As soon as she says this, one of the bugs catches her across the back with both claws, knocking her out of the air with a shallow cut on her back, just above the wings.)
Cyborg: Bee!
(Cyborg knocks away the bugs that are surrounding her, then positions himself so that Bumblebee can't be attacked unless the attacker deals with him first. He fires several rounds from his Sonic Cannon, but the number of enemies is far too great.)
Killer Moth: Excellent! Now, my children, finish them off!
Bumblebee: Hey, Sparky.
Cyborg: What is it?
Bumblebee: If we don't get out of this alive…I want you to know that-
(Before she can complete her statement, the bug nearest to Cyborg is stomped on by a green elephant's foot just as it raises it's claws. Terra jumps down from the pachyderm's back in front of the other approaching insects and raises her hands as they glow with yellow light. The metal floor bursts open and giant needle-shapes formed of earth launch out from the floor and pin the bugs to the wall.)
Terra: Kinda reminds me of my old butterfly collection…
(Beast Boy returns to human form.)
Beast Boy: Cyborg! Dude, are you okay!?
Cyborg: Better than I was a minute ago. Thanks for the save, little buddy. (turns to Bumblebee) So… what were you about to tell me there? Sounded important.
(She goes wide-eyed, clearly having not planned to deliver her message under these conditions.)
Bumblebee: Who cares about that!? We can win this now! The cavalry has arrived!
Beast Boy: No, that's okay! You two take a breather. Terra and I can handle this one!
Cyborg: BB, don't get cocky! There's still too many of em'!
Beast Boy: Then I'll just get serious right now!
(With a deep-throated growl, Beast Boy changes into something resembling a genetic splice between a gorilla and a wolf; his Man-Beast form.)
Terra: Whoa… Never seen that one…
(Beast Boy leaps into a crowd of insects, growling and snapping. His clawed hands swing out and rip into several of the creatures, cutting right into the weak points in their armor. However, the others are quickly getting over their initial shock at the attack and are starting to defend themselves. Two of Beast Boy's claws crack as they try to cut into one of the metal carapaces. He howls with pain and backs away, using his animal agility to avoid the return slashes.)
Terra: Beast Boy!
Cyborg: I knew it. He can't last against that many. That armor gives 'em too much protection!
(A light bulb flashes over Terra's head.)
Terra: What if he had some armor of his own?
(Terra's eyes fill with yellow light as she gestures at the hole in the ground. Some loose dirt rises out of the pit and flies over to Beast Boy. It covers him from head to toe, leaving an opening for his face.)
Terra: That'll protect you! Kick butt!
(Beast Boy smiles a many-fanged smile and returns to the fray. His earthen body-shield moves with him, allowing him to strike with his full power and take no recoil damage. Terra keeps her focus on the shield to hold it together with one hand while she attacks the insects with her other hand. Bumblebee stands up and raises her Stingers, then turns to Cyborg.)
Bumblebee: Hey, I've got an idea! Plug into these!
Cyborg: Say what?
Bumblebee: Hook my Stingers up to your power cell!
(Cyborg extends cords from two of his fingers and attaches these to the Stingers. The electrical blasters crackle with the fresh power.)
Bumblebee: Oh yeah, now that's what I'm talking about! And now…
(She points the pistols, which are now positively glowing with power at the nearest crowd of insects and fires. The Stingers let out huge charges of electricity and flatten entire groups of the bugs with each blast. Through this method, most of the bugs are destroyed, and Beast Boy is making short work of the stragglers. Seeing this, Killer Moth tries to make a break for it through the entrance in the ceiling. Terra raises a barrier of stone to block his escape.)
Terra: Going somewhere?
Cyborg: Not today, he's not! Bee, take him down!
(Bumblebee raises the Stingers and fires one more time. Killer Moth lights up with electricity, then falls to the ground, his wings toasted beyond the capability for flight.)
Cyborg: Boo-ya! Chalk up one for the good guys, y'all, 'cause we just got one heck of a win!
(His arm panel suddenly begins beeping.)
Cyborg: Hm? Uh-oh… I was afraid of that… Looks like all that blasting wore out my power cell. I got about an hour of auxiliary power to run on, but any longer and I won't be walkin' outta here. I gotta get a recharge soon…
Terra: But the others might need help!
Bumblebee: You guys go and find the others. I'll tie up the moth man, then I'll see what I can do for Sparky.
(Beast Boy changes back to human form as Terra releases the earth armor.)
Beast Boy: Okay. Come on, Terra. Let's see if we can find that creep who hypnotized me. I owe him…
(Back in the boiler room, Mas and Menos are watching as Mammoth and Déjà Vu brawl fiercely, each hammering every inch of the other they can reach. However, Mammoth has the advantage of experience with his own body, which gives him just the edge he needs. He succeeds in breaking Déjà's guard, then lifts up his double and chucks him across the room. Déjà ends up entangled in pipes that have broken free and sent even more hot water splashing onto the floor. To escape the pipes, Déjà relinquishes Mammoth's form and runs for it as the brutish teen comes pounding closer. He grabs the twins and ducks behind another group of pipes.)
Déjà: Huff Puff It is no use! He is simply too strong! What am I to do!?
Mas: If we weren't kept from touching, we could show that overgrown monkey a thing or two…
Menos: Maybe we won't be anymore.
Mas: Hm?
Menos: Look at this!
(The negative twin points to a panel on the wall reading "Danger; High Voltage!!")
Menos: There's water everywhere! If we repeat what happened before, that might do it!
Mas: Or we could get killed! Do you realize how dangerous that idea is!?
Déjà: You two can think it over. I will buy you some time.
Twins: How?
(Déjà Vu reaches out his hands and touches each of them on the forehead at the same time. His body glows, then shrinks down. When the light fades, he perfectly resembles both of them, looking like their triplet. His suit, however, bears an equal sign on the chest.)
Déjà: Now let's test out this speed of yours!
(Déjà takes off and zips around the room, actually running on the surface of the water that is flooding the floor. The water is flowing so quickly from the pipes that the only reason the entire room is not submerged is the fact that it is all flowing just as quickly into the vent near the wall. Déjà runs straight at Mammoth and begins striking him again and again. Mammoth tries, but cannot land a single blow on the white blur. Mas and Menos watch this, then turn to each other and nod. They each stretch a hand towards the panel and both are briefly illuminated as a huge charge sends them flying back into the piping. Mas awakens from the shock first and shakes his brother awake.)
Mas: Menos! Menos, wake up! Are you okay?
Menos: Yeah, I thi- Mas! We're touching! It worked!
(The brothers hug one another, then grin wickedly and lock hands.)
Mas: Time for some payback!
Menos: Got that right!
Together: Mas and Menos! Yes we can!
(They cringe)
Mas: Man, that sounds so dumb in English…
Menos: First thing after this, we make Echo take this sound field off.
(The two take off in a flash of white and begin assisting Déjà. Mammoth is getting battered but, after about a minute, he has stopped resisting. He is simply taking the abuse and grinning horribly. Déjà Vu finally pauses for a breath, winded. He is definitely not used to this type of movement. Seeing his opportunity, Mammoth seizes him. Déjà Vu shifts back to his regular form, squirming to get free as Mammoth holds him up by the throat. Mas and Menos stop moving for a second and both try to pry Mammoth's hand away. Mammoth quickly grabs Menos in his free hand, then shakes Mas to the floor and steps on him.)
Mammoth: Ha ha! I knew it! You small fry might be fast, but you're still weak! I figured if I just waited it out, you'd get tired. Now all I have to do is keep squeezing! Ha ha- ouch!
(Mammoth has just been sent flying into a wall after there was an explosion from behind him and something hit him hard in the back. The Blind Shotman steps into the room and smoke is seen coming from the barrel of his cannon.)
Shotman: As they say in this country… "Pick on someone your own size!" Leave my little friends alone!
(Mammoth turns around as the iron ball falls away from his back. He lets out an angry roar and leaps at Shotman. The two lock hands and begin grappling fiercely. Both press their faces in close and growl at the other. While this is going on, Speedy steps in and pulls Déjà and the twins out of harm's way.)
Speedy: You did good, you guys. Now sit back and relax. We'll handle this.
(Speedy pulls out an arrow and nocks it in his bow. He keeps his eyes on the struggle between the two giants, waiting for an opening. At one moment, Mammoth gives a hard shove and Shotman's head smashes into a valve wheel behind him. The Russian's legs buckle, and Mammoth sneers as he pulls back a hand to deliver the final blow. Speedy's eyes widen, then he releases the arrow. It flies straight at Mammoth, then the tip expands into a boxing glove. Mammoth has enough time to turn with a look of surprise before the leather gauntlet fills his vision and he drops to the ground. His eyes form into little swirls and tiny images of Mas and Menos run in a circle above his head. Shotman stands, rubbing the back of his head.)
Shotman: Many thanks, my sharp-eyed friend. If I had kept my Inner Eye on his thoughts, I would have seen that he was going to shove me back; it is clear now that your eyes are better after all.
Speedy: I already knew that. But, thanks.
Déjà: Shotman! I have never been so glad to see you!
Shotman: I am happy to find you unharmed as well, my clueless little friend. Now come, we must hurry! The others are surely in need of our help!
(The focus stays on the room as the five of them leave, and moves in closer to the vent where all the water is draining out of the room. The scene darkens for a moment, then pulls back from a different vent, one that is set in a high point of the circular room where Gizmo is chasing Aqualad. The midget cue-ball has switched from his spider legs to a winged jet-pack and is flying around the room, pelting Aqualad with laser bullets.)
Gizmo: What's the matter!? Feelin' like a fish outta water already!?
(The dwarf cackles at his bad pun, then feels a drop of water hit his nose. He freezes in midair and glances up.)
Gizmo: Huh? Wah!!!
(The overhanging vent grating has been pushed off by a torrent of water that is now raining down into the room. Gizmo quickly taps some buttons on his controller, then visibility drops to zero for a moment as the whole room is flooded to the ceiling. Aqualad swims onto the scene, moving swiftly through the water without any effort at all. A light blinks on ahead of him, and he shields his eyes so he can look properly. Gizmo is safe inside a robotic suit that has a bright headlight gleaming through the water. Aqualad grins, then begins swimming at top speed. He pounds the side of the suit several times, and Gizmo cannot get the metal body to move quickly enough to respond. Angered, Gizmo hits a button, and twin torpedoes fire from the suit, and begin following Aqualad everywhere. The Atlantean tries several fancy maneuvers, but cannot shake the torpedoes. Then, he gets an idea. He turns sharply, and the torpedoes follow. He kicks up his speed to outstrip the missiles, then swims behind Gizmo, and holds him tightly. Gizmo struggles desperately, but is then thrown right at the incoming torpedoes. There is an explosion, then Gizmo feels himself being pulled upward. His backpack is torn away and dropped. His head breaks the surface, and he sees a smiling Aqualad holding him up in one hand.)
Aqualad: You lose. Now hold on and shut up.
(Aqualad focuses on the water, and he and his captive go shooting up the vent and into the boiler room. Once they come out, Gizmo falls to his knees and retches, having been made somewhat ill by the quick ride up the vent. Aqualad then stuffs a wide section of pipe over Gizmo's body, binding the midget's arms to his sides.)
Gizmo: Hey!
Aqualad: Tough luck, fish bait. Now…
(He picks Gizmo up and hangs the pipe on an overhanging hook.)
Aqualad: Hang out here until I get back. I have to deal with some friends of yours.
(Raven is having no luck at all in her match with Jinx. The pink-haired girl is absolutely seething with fury and is flaying about, chucking hexes at anything she sees. Raven keeps dodging, but can't seem to find an opening to strike. At one point, Jinx stops for a moment to catch her breath. Raven dives down, then lifts up the entirety of the broken computer console with her powers and hurls it. Jinx is hit and crushed beneath the attack. Raven is about to try waking Photon up when the computer parts explode in a flash of pink and Jinx gets back up.)
Jinx: Okay, no more Miss Nice Guy! You've had it!!
(Jinx fires the biggest wave of power she has ever summoned. Raven surrounds several of the metal floor panels in her magic and raises them up as a barrier, but the enormous hex breaks right through and Raven is hit. She lands on her back several feet away. As she starts to get up, she sees Jinx standing over her, eyes glowing pink.)
Jinx: Now it ends! Die!
(Jinx raises her hands to deliver a fatal curse, but never gets the attack off. Before she can complete the motion, she is blasted from the side by a huge burst of green light and sent sprawling across the floor. Raven turns and sees Photon back on his feet, moving towards her.)
Raven: Uh…thanks, I guess. Huh? Hey, are you alright?
(She has just noticed that Photon is trembling from head to toe and is clutching his forehead in one hand. He speaks haltingly, as if every word is an effort.)
Photon: Run…Get…away from here…!
Raven: What? Hey, what's the matter?
Photon: It's happening again… I can't control it…Run, now! You have to…get away!
Raven: Why?
Photon: Now! Go, quickly, or…you'll die!
Raven: Hey, I'm not going anywhere until you tell me-ahh!
(At that moment, a ring of pink light had appeared around a small section of the ceiling, reacting to an earlier hex from Jinx. The square of metal fell, and Raven was completely crushed under the debris before she could react. Photon's gaze rests on the piece of metal for a second, then he begins trembling more violently and gripping his head with both hands. The shivering becomes faster and faster, until finally his body goes rigid and he speaks in a low, strangled voice.)
Photon: Corpus Hecate Dominatio…
(His hologram fades, and he stands completely still with his mouth hanging open. Then, starting at his mouth and spreading outward to the rest of his body, the white light being given off by his skin begins to grow dimmer and dimmer until his skin has faded to pitch black; his body is absorbing it. His skin is still emitting light, but it is being sucked inward just as fast. This results in a thin layer of white light surrounding the black. The lights overhead also begin to flicker out. As this continues, Jinx is getting to her feet. She sees Photon standing and her rage returns.)
Jinx: There you are! Now I'm really gonna make you pay! Take this!
(She hurls three hexes at once. Photon isn't even watching, as his head is hanging, and his eyes are shut. Then, just as the curses are about to hit, he looks up and his eyes open wide. His eyes have gone totally white, except for the thin black pupil of the Dragon's Bane, clearly visible against the blankness. The second those dragon-like eyes snap open, the hexes fizzle and vanish without even touching him. He then points his head at the ceiling and lets out a scream; a chilling shriek that only sounds vaguely human. As he does this, Jinx feels something immense wash over her, some huge feeling of power that presses in on her from all sides, and seems to be increasing with every passing second. Photon's eyes then point right at her, and she feels the majority of the power snap it's focus onto her.)
Jinx: What the-!? (thinking) He…he's a monster!
(Medic is in serious trouble. After See-More knocked away his glasses, he remained under constant siege from laser blasts. Although it only hurts him for a second, he is unable to fight back, or escape from the room.)
See-More: You should just give up!
(Medic throws a handful of shuriken at the sound of See-More's voice, but the following laugh lets him know he has missed.)
See-More: You can't beat me! You can't fight what you can't see!
Medic: I do not need to see you. I shall warn you this once; give up, or I shall have no choice but to put you through a great deal of pain.
See-More: And how will you do that if you can't find me? Go ahead! This, I would love to see!
(Medic sighs, then grips the corners of his white jacket. He flings it open, revealing his blue uniform with a fishnet collar underneath. The jacket itself is lined all over the inside with pockets. Poking out from each pocket is a small stack of shuriken; approximately fifty stars in each pocket. Medic reaches for several of them, then begins throwing whole stacks at a time, flinging them to every corner of the room. He hears the resounding 'chink' that lets him know they are sticking into the wall. Finally, however, he has run out of things to throw, and See-More's laughter indicates that he has not scored once. Apparently not discouraged, he walks forward and stands in the pillar of light.)
See-More: What's this? You giving up?
(Medic does not respond. Grinning, See-More appears behind him, charging up his eye to deliver a blast.)
See-More: Oh well; you're outta weapons anyway!
(See-More seizes Medic under the arms and holds him as his eye glows brighter.)
See-More: Game over, hero!
Medic: I do not agree.
(Medic makes a motion with his hand as if tugging on something. Curious, See-More zooms his vision in on that hand and sees something he missed; thin, near-invisible thread, extending from Medic's fist to every corner of the room. He looks up, and sees hundreds of shuriken flying towards the both of them from every direction.)
See-More: Are you nuts!? You'll get hit too!
Medic: Wrong again.
(There is a puff of smoke, then Medic is gone and See-More finds himself gripping a log. Attached to it with a kunai knife is a piece of paper, upon which is written, "Sucker!" Following the word is a cartoonish face that is pulling down it's lower eyelid and sticking out it's tongue. See-More starts to reach for his visor to adjust it for a shield, but is a hair too late. In the next instant, metal stars puncture him from nearly every angle at once. Before the shock makes him pass out, he hears one last thing.)
Medic: Aoi-sensei was right all along; "Be careful when using your shuriken; you could put out someone's eye."
--And there's the blatent pun we all knew was coming! -The Cap'n --
(Medic crawls across the ground, sweeping his hand in every direction, and finally finds his glasses. Setting them back on his nose, he approaches his downed enemy and begins plucking out the shuriken. After they are all removed, he heals up some, but not all of See-More's wounds, leaving just enough so he won't wake up soon.)
Medic: I would not let you die, even if you are my foe. After all, I am a doctor.
(Echo has so far been unable to get around Private Hive's shield; the militaristic villain definitely knows what he is doing. However, Hive has not scored on Echo either. The South leader's sword skill has improved a bit since he last fought with Robin, making him just as dangerous to his opponent. All around these two, there are one hundred of Billy Numerous and at least eight hundred of Gemini. However, while Gemini has the advantage of being able to multiply further, Billy seems to be gaining the upper hand. The reason for this is that while Gemini can keep replicating without limit, she loses more and more energy with every clone, while Billy has no such limitation.)
Gemini: (thinking) Add to that the fact that if I keep duplicating myself, I'm gonna lose track of the real me… Only one thing for it.
(Gemini banishes all of her doppelgangers, and stands alone, surrounded by her red-suited enemy.)
Billy x100: Whatsa matter? Had enough, cutie?
Gemini: First, call me that again, and I'll break all one hundred of your necks! Second, I'm going to end this right now! (thinking) This takes more energy then multiplying my body, really, but I only need a minute or two.
(Gemini shuts her eyes and sets to multiplying her speed, strength, and accuracy. She opens her eyes, raises her tonfa, then, before half of the Billy's can blink, she vanishes and twenty of the red-suited men drop to the ground, out cold.)
Billy x80: What!?
Gemini: Don't you know this trick?
(She vanishes and ten more Billy's fall.)
Gemini: This is another aspect of multiplication.
(Another ten.)
Gemini: You're duplication powers don't look so great anymore, do they!?
(She drops ten more, then notices that Echo is in trouble. While she has been dealing with Billy Numerous, Private Hive has pulled a surprise maneuver out of his hat. By placing his shield over his chest, the metal has surrounded his body as a suit of yellow and black armor. He has been tackling Echo again and again with no fear of return strikes.)
Echo: Ow… Well, this is certainly a twist in the rudder… I've got to think of somethin' or- Agghh!
(Hive has just rushed him again. Echo slams into the wall and sinks to the ground, a trickle of blood forming at the corner of his mouth.)
Gemini: Aidan!
(In the satellite room, Starfire has gone ballistic. After watching Damien strike down Robin with his first punch, she began raining Star Bolts on the dhampir. Damien moved out of the way, a bit surprised, but unscathed. He glances up at her, then he disappears again. Starfire pauses, then her head snaps back as Damien appears upside-down on the ceiling and kicks her square in the face. She moves to strike back, but he disappears again, reappearing on the floor below.)
No, he can't teleport, he's just that fast. –The Cap'n
Damien: (grinning) Nice try…
(Starfire growls and charges up her hands again.)
Damien: Try it once, try it twice… Perhaps another lesson in pain?
(He vanishes and pops up on the ceiling again. This time, however, Starfire is ready for him. He aims a punch at her, then gasps in surprise as she stops the blow cold by seizing his wrist. She squeezes, and there is a loud, sickening crunch from her fist.)
Damien: What-!?
(Starfire pulls back her free hand and wallops Damien straight in the gut with every drop of her Tameranean strength behind the strike. Damien careens downward like a meteorite and is driven about five feet into the metal floor. Starfire lands and lifts Robin to his feet.)
Starfire: Robin, are you alright?
Robin: Fine… just a little surprised… I didn't expect that.
Damien: Neither did I! Wow!
(Robin looks up, and sees the dhampir pulling himself out of the hole in the floor with his good hand. His left wrist is a twisted red pulp after what Starfire did to it. However, Damien is still smiling eerily.)
Damien: That was really something! You're the first person who's ever landed a hit on me, girlie! I actually felt that! And you broke my wrist! You can't be human; you're something very different! But…
(Damien pulls out the flask again, rattling the chain attached to it as he does so. He unscrews the lid with one hand and takes another long drink. His eyes flare brighter, then, with a stomach-turning crackling noise, his wrist inflates back to it's proper shape.)
Damien: You can't win that easily! Round two!
Robin: Hmm… Star, that flask of his. That's where he's getting his power. If we can get it from him, we should be able to win.
Starfire: What should we do?
Robin: You get up higher. Leave the rest to me…
(Robin rushes at his enemy, aiming a kick. Damien vanishes, and Robin gasps as his foot is jerked upwards. Damien reappears, holding Robin upside-down by his ankle. The older boy chuckles, then releases Robin, dropping the Boy Wonder on his head.)
Damien: Way too easy… Ha ha! And you're supposed to be the leader!? I've faced kittens with more bite than you.
(Damien turns away and begins walking towards Starfire. Robin growls and lunges at his opponent. Damien spins around and grabs Robin by the throat, lifting him into the air while squeezing the breath out of him.)
Damien: In the back, Robin? Now that's not very heroic… Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
(Robin is beginning to see spots from the lack of air, but he manages to force his body into action. Bringing up his foot, he kicks hard at Damien's pocket, and knocks the flask free. He then throws a single Throwing Bird, which rips through the chain. Damien is so surprised that he lets Robin go as he turns to grab it. Robin grabs him by the leg, then performs a martial arts throw that flips Damien over and plants his face in the ground.)
Robin: Star, now!
(The flask is still flying upward after the initial kick, and Starfire orients on it. She charges up her eyes, then releases her Optic Blast. The green beam strikes the flask, and the pewter bottle explodes, spattering it's remaining contents in a small circle.)
Robin: It's over, tough guy. Give it up.
(Damien flips over and jumps, landing ten feet from Robin, by the remains of his flask. He wipes a hand across the spilled fluid and gets as much of it as he can into his mouth. Then, he looks up, and his grin has faded. He does not seem mad. Rather, he has a very calm expression.)
Damien: Sigh Now why did you have to go and do that? I liked that flask. It kept whatever I put in nice and warm for weeks… Oh well. (grins) Guess I have to do it the traditional way!
(Damien vanishes. Robin wonders what he is talking about. Starfire scans the room from above, watching for the dhampir, when she feels a tap on her shoulder. She turns… and looks straight into Damien's glowing red eyes. She stiffens, then slowly drifts to the ground, eyes glazed. Damien jumps down from the ceiling, landing in front of the Tameranean, and smiles widely. His already oversized canine teeth suddenly lengthen, forming into large, curved fangs. Robin turns at this point and sees what is happening.)
Robin: No! Damien, stop!
(Damien ignores him, then seizes Starfire and sinks his fangs into her neck. Starfire does not resist; the hypnotism has put her in a deep trance. There is a very quiet slurping sound, then Damien pulls back, with a look of delight. His teeth are stained with something bluish. Something of a similar shade is flowing from two punctures in Starfire's throat.)
-- Blue blood? Well, she is a princess… - The Cap'n --
Damien: Delicious! Human blood tastes nothing like this delectable! You're a rare candy, girlie, whatever you are! I must have some more…
(Damien sinks his fangs back in and resumes feeding. Robin is standing in shock, unable to believe what is happening. In the next moment, a spark starts somewhere deep in Robin's mind, and grows until it is a towering flame. His left hand balls into a fist, then that fist begins to tremble. After a moment, Robin clenches his hand so tightly that his fingers cut a gash into his palm, even through the gloves. Before he realizes he is moving, Robin has run straight at Damien and punched him into a wall. Quicker than the dhampir can react, Robin is all over him, striking at everything he can lay hands on. After he finally lets up, he turns around and lifts up Starfire's head in his hand.)
Robin: Starfire! Starfire, wake up! Say something! Please!
(Starfire's eyelids flutter and she looks up at Robin.)
Starfire: (weakly) Robin…
(Starfire suddenly goes limp, and her eyes shut again. Robin can feel her pulse, so he knows she has not died, but it is certain that she needs medical attention immediately. Behind him, Damien is back on his feet.)
Damien: You interrupted my snack; that is inexcusably rude. But… ha ha! That wasn't bad at all! I didn't even see it coming! But, this girlie's blood gave me all the recovery I needed, my friend. And now that she's out of the fight, you haven't got a prayer. So, do the smart thing and get out of my way. I'm not quite done with her.
(Robin stands slowly and turns around. When he speaks, the tone of his voice is low and dangerous.)
Robin: Keep away from her! If you touch her one more time… I'll rip you apart, piece by piece, starting with those outsized teeth!
(A rock would be shivering from the look Robin is now giving Damien. The dhampir simply smiles wickedly and his irises gleam their brightest red yet.)
Damien: Have it your way. I'll deal with you first, then I'll drain both of you 'til there's nothing left!
(Robin has had enough. Screaming with rage, he lunges at Damien. Damien smirks and vanishes, but this time, Robin turns and deflects the attack from behind, then turns the momentum of the block into a high kick, catching Damien in the chin. He follows with a volley of punches to the midsection, then jumps, clasps his hands, and smashes the dhampir into the ground. Damien is still for a moment, then climbs to his feet and grins widely. He does not appear the slightest bit hurt.)
Damien: You finished? That was pitiful, next to your last strike. It was fast enough, sure, but those blows had no power. Now pay attention; this is how you strike to kill.
(Damien is in front of Robin before the hero can twitch. He strikes with an open hand, displaying fingernails that, like his teeth, come to a very sharp point. He swings his hands and slashes at Robin viciously, around twenty-three times in two seconds. Within the first few strikes, the front of Robin's uniform is in tatters, and bloody lines are drawn across his skin.)
Damien: Now we finish it!
(Damien slashes especially hard, then pulls back to deliver a palm strike. His intention is to run his bare hand straight through Robin's chest cavity. However, after his last slash, something catches his eye; a spatter of Robin's blood flies off to the left, and splashes on the ground. Damien's red eyes widen, and he jumps at the spatter, using his fingers to get as much as he can into his mouth.)
Damien: Ummm… Not bad at all! That girlie's was much richer, but this has some real body to it! You're the type with a strong heart, Robin; the taste of your blood says that much! It's almost a shame to have to kill you…almost! Ha ha ha ha ha!
(Robin clutches his lacerated chest, staring in confusion at his distracted foe.)
Robin: (thinking) One more hit like that, and it's over! Wait… he could have destroyed me, but he went after that blood spurt… And before, when we broke his flask… Could he be-!? Gotta try it! It's all I've got left! (aloud) Hey, bloodsucker!
(Damien turns to look, and Robin pulls out a Throwing Bird.)
Damien: I wouldn't do that. You'll never hit me with it.
Robin: Yeah?
(Robin raises the weapon, then brings it down and plunges it's sharp edge into his arm. Damien's eyes widen.)
Damien: What-!? Are you crazy!?
Robin: Let's find out.
(Robin flings the bloodied Throwing Bird off to the side. Damien's form flickers, then he appears in front of the weapon. He grabs it out of mid-air, then licks the blood off the edge.)
Damien: Excellent! Thanks for the treat, but you're still gonna die!
Robin: (thinking) Just as I thought; he can't resist the sight of fresh blood! That's his weakness! Now…
(Robin reaches into his belt, and pulls out a new type of disc; this one is colored red. He lets some of his blood dribble onto the device, then throws it upward. Damien disappears, and is suddenly standing on the ceiling. He opens, and catches the disc in his mouth, like a dog catching a Frisbee. He chuckles wickedly, then feels the disc growing warm between his teeth. The disc flashes white, and Damien is swallowed by an explosion. Robin watches as the dhampir's unconscious form drops out of the smoke and he draws his staff.)
Robin: This one's for Starfire…
(Damien snaps awake, growling like a wild beast, and controls his fall so he is aimed face-first at Robin. Robin spins to get the right momentum, then smashes Damien across the face with the staff, putting all the power he has into the blow. Damien's vector changes immediately, sending him careening into the wall. He stays frozen against the wall for a moment, then he gasps as he feels cracks running through his fangs. A second later, the curved teeth shatter, along with half of his normal teeth. Damien screams with mixed rage and agony as he clutches his ruined fangs, then he runs right at Robin, swinging wildly. Robin easily ducks under the clumsy blows, then smashes the end of his staff into Damien's gut. The dhampir gives a final gasp of pain, then his eyes white out and he collapses to the ground.)
Robin: That should teach you to watch what you eat… Now for the real target…
(Robin runs over to Starfire and lifts her onto his back. He then runs over to the satellite, chucks something at the bottom of it, then seizes his unconscious opponent and runs for the door. As he leaves, the device that he threw, which has stuck itself to the underside of the satellite, blinks a green light on. The light flashes twice, then shifts to red with a loud beep. In the next second, the satellite explodes with a deafening roar.)
Robin: That takes care of that. Hm…
(He glances at the out-cold dhampir, then releases him.)
Robin: I'll be back for you once I find the others. If you wake up and escape first…fine. But if you ever come near Starfire again, I won't stop at breaking your teeth!
(After Private Hive's last strike, Gemini left the fifty Billy clones alone to help her boyfriend, smashing Hive backwards with her multiplied strength. She then released the multiplication, reverting to her usual state as she went to comfort Echo.)
Gemini: Aidan, are you okay!?
(Echo shakily gets to his feet and puts on his trademarked pirate grin.)
Echo: Looks like there's no choice… Colleen, we're usin' that technique!
Gemini: Aidan… are you sure!? We've only practiced it once!
Echo: No better time fer a trial run! Ye feelin' up to it, lass?
Gemini: All right. I'll try my best!
Echo: That's the spirit! Now then; Three Step Endgame Blow: Melody, Harmony, Rhythm! In short… The Desperation Dirge!
(Echo leaps forward and begins the technique.)
Echo: Step One: Melody!
(Echo begins whistling sharply. The sound waves become visible as concentretic rings of bright blue light and wash over Private Hive. The armored teen keeps barreling forward, unaffected.)
Gemini: Step Two: Harmony!
(Gemini waves a hand, and Echo divides into one hundred, all whistling out sound waves at Private Hive. Hive staggers, the sound beginning to overwhelm him. The real Echo grins, then he and Gemini start the concluding step.)
Together: Step Three: Rhythm!
(The Echo clones and the real one all use slightly different pitches. This results in Hive getting pummeled with blast after blast as the sound waves create the tune of "A Pirate's Life for Me". He screams and brings up his hands to cover his ears. Gemini multiplies her strength and speed, and dashes forward quickly, striking with her tonfa in time to the music as she runs past Hive. She turns around in an instant and delivers another strike, then continues to repeat this maneuver as the Echoes keep whistling. Private Hive groans as the force of each blow hits him. Then, after Gemini's tenth pass, he gives a gasp as his armor shatters. The Echo clones vanish, then the real one rushes forward and the scene is filled with the image of a whirling blade. The next thing that can be seen is Echo sheathing his cutlass and Hive falling to the ground.)
Hive: (weakly) That's not fair…you had help…in a one-on-one battle…
Echo: Fair!? Who do ye think yer talkin' to!? Yer not dealin' with a saint, landlubber!
Hive: But you're…a hero…they don't play dirty…
Echo: (grins) Didn't anyone tell ye, mate? I might be a hero, but I'm also the greatest pirate captain to ever sail the seas; and we pirates don't play by the rules!
(Hive passes out, succumbing to his wounds.)
Echo: Don't worry, lad; I used the back of the blade. I don't kill anymore…
Billy x50: Well, I got no problem with it!
(The fifty Billy Numerous somehow avoided the Desperation Dirge, and all are jumping at Echo. Before they touch him, fifty of Gemini intervene, and they begin battling with Billy. Billy still seems to have the advantage, and after thirty seconds, forty-nine of the Gemini's have collapsed. The last one standing looks badly hurt, but refuses to let Billy Numerous get to Echo. She lifts her tonfa into a defensive pose, her arms shivering violently with the effort)
Gemini: I w-won't let you…
Billy x50: Man, yer irritatin'!
(Robin enters the room at this point.)
Robin: Hey!
Billy x50: Huh? Oof!
(As the Billy's turn in surprise to Robin, all fifty of them get struck with a scythe of blue light. As they all fall, unconscious, Echo is seen with a blue glow fading from his sword, the last Gemini on the ground at his feet, his gaze downcast, shrouding his expression. Robin steps towards him nervously.)
Robin: Now, Echo, take it easy. You've beaten him, so you can stop now. You don't have to kill him; Gemini will be okay.
(Echo looks up, and his face is now visible; he looks confused.)
Echo: What ye mean, lad? Colleen's fine.
(Echo turns and grins at one of the Gemini's on the ground.)
Echo: Nice work, Colleen! Not quite how we thought he'd be distracted, but it worked. Ye can get up now.
(The other Gemini's vanish, and the one he has addressed stands, looking a little scuffed up, but otherwise okay.)
Robin: What…?
Gemini: I sent one of my clones forward, posing as me. While that one dealt with the moron, I was going to surprise him from behind, then Aidan would have finished him off. But, you showing up like you did worked too!
Robin: Okay, but… How'd you know which one was her?
Echo: What, couldn't ye tell?
(Gemini giggles)
Gemini: Don't feel too bad; Aidan is the only one who can tell me and my clones apart; even Shotman has some trouble with it.
Echo: It's easy; she's the prettiest!
(Gemini blushes, then she suddenly slumps forward, passing out. Echo catches her.)
Echo: Ye've burned yerself out again… That's fine, Colleen. Have a nice rest. Ye've earned it.
(Robin looks thoughtful.)
Robin: So… if you're not this so-called "monster" who's been attacking these criminals… then who-?
(The conversation is cut off by a loud, inhuman shriek, then both Robin and Echo feel a pulse of some strong energy wash over their bodies like a heat wave. At the same time, the lights in the room begin to flicker and die in an outward circle pattern.)
Robin: What… What was that!? It felt…otherworldly!
(Echo has gone pale, with a scared expression.)
Echo: Oh no… Not again…
Robin: What's going on?
Echo: It's happened, as I feared it might… he's transformed again…
Robin: I think you have some explaining to do.
Echo: Agreed. Come on, I'll tell ye on the way!
(They step outside the room, Echo carrying Gemini, and Robin stops to pick up Starfire; he'd left her outside the room to keep her safe from the battle. Echo casts a quizzical glance at her.)
Echo: Hey, lad, what's happened to Star? An'…Swash me buckles, yer bleedin', mate!
Robin: I'll be fine. We had a run in with the joker who hypnotized Beast Boy.
Echo: The dhampir!? An' ye beat him!?
Robin: Never mind that, what's going on!?
Echo: Er, right… Well… Photon has… a bit of a problem…
Robin: Go on…
Echo: He may not admit to it, but there's somethin' that he's afraid of…
Robin: And that is?
Echo: Loneliness. He's scared to death of bein' left alone, scared that everyone's gonna abandon him. An'…every time that fear seems like it might become his reality… His mind shuts itself off, an' his powers take total control of his body!
Robin: What!?
Echo: He can't control when it happens. We know it's startin' when the incantation pops outta his mouth by itself. Since his powers can only act with direction, they take the last command or suggestion that crosses his mind before it turns off, an' they do whatever it takes to fulfill it…an' destroy anythin' that gets in the way.
Robin: Okay… so why can I feel his power from all the way over here?
Echo: To keep itself goin', his magic absorbs all the light in the surroundin' area, an' adds that to his power. Normal magicians from his family used this as a fightin' technique, havin' their bodies be controlled by their last thought before willingly shuttin' off their minds. "Intention Combat", they called the style. But… they used the shadows, which had a limit. Since he uses light, an' his body never stops emittin' it, his power just keeps becomin' greater!
Robin: When will he stop?
Echo: When the objective is fulfilled. But… this technique always leaves him so worn out… I'm worried. Sigh It's a shame, really… This technique makes him into a monster with a single-track mind. Me own best mate, who's philosophy is careful strategy, changed into a mindless machine that doesn't know anythin' but force…
Robin: (angrily) And you didn't tell us this earlier, because…?
Echo: I thought ye wouldn't want us as part of yer team anymore! I didn't want to have to leave the Teen Titans!
Robin: You wouldn't have had to! Just tell us these things so we can help! Right now, we have to stop him before he really kills someone! Hey…he's so smart, why didn't he tell us!?
Echo: He didn't know exactly what he'd done. He just knew that his mind was shuttin' down on missions, an' when he woke up, everythin' around him was destroyed.
(In the control room, Photon is beginning his advance towards Jinx. (His earlier described transformation took place at around the time Echo's battle was ending.) She feels the ever-growing sphere of his magic washing over her and begins to feel scared.)
Jinx: Stay away! Don't come near me!
(She throws another hex, but it simply fizzles out without connecting, like the others. He raises his hand and fires a response; concentretic rings of blue light. This looks remarkably similar to Echo's signature blast. Jinx is hit, and embedded in the wall by the force of the blast. When she opens her eyes, Photon is nowhere in sight. Just as she breathes a sigh of relief, she is wrenched out of the wall by something she can't see, and tossed into the air. An invisible force hits her again in midair, then another, then another. As this continues at an incredible speed, Jinx is looking more and more like a pinball being tossed in a new direction every split-second. When this finally stops, she has been driven into the floor and is somehow still awake, but in quite a lot of pain. As she tries to get up, she feels herself rise into the air; a bubble of white light surrounds her. When it sets her on her feet and releases her, she discovers that even trying to move is painful. Photon reappears a few feet away, brings his hands up, and speaks for the first time since transforming. His voice is more like a vicious growl than his usual cold-but-even tones.)
Photon: Quinque Caelestis Defigo Signo!!
(Out in the halls, Robin and Echo have nearly reached the control room.)
Robin: So why do you just let him-!?
Echo: We tried, lad! The last time this happened, we tried to stop him!
Robin: And?
Echo: All the rest of us together couldn't even hold him down… Even Colleen burned up all her energy before she could multiply her strength far enough to just restrain him… In that form, he's a livin' engine of destruction!
(From behind them, Medic, Aqualad, Beast Boy, Terra, Speedy, Shotman, Déjà Vu, and Mas y Menos all come running down the hallway.)
Medic: Captain! We could not locate the satellite!
Echo: Not to worry lad; Robin took care of it. Hey, could ye help Colleen? She's in need of a little energy…
Medic: Certainly.
(Medic heals Gemini, and turns to Robin. After closing the cuts on Robin's chest and arm, he tries to heal Starfire, but his power does nothing but close the punctures on her neck. The ninja does a quick examination, then looks up, horrified.)
Medic: Robin, she has lost a lot of blood! How is this possible!?
Robin: It's all my fault… I should have known better than to provoke him…
Echo: Another time! We have to stop Photon!
Gemini: He's transformed again!? Hm… Yeah… I feel it now…
Terra: That bright-skinned guy!? He's doing that!? What is he?
Medic: Only human… And because of that, he is in terrible danger!
Echo: How's that!?
Medic: The human body can only take so much strain, Captain. If his power does not stop increasing, his body will not be able to withstand trying to contain such power!
Speedy: Then let's hurry!
(In the control room, Photon has started drawing the pentagram seals in the air. Once there are five, he hits them one at a time. Jinx still cannot get herself to move, and her wrists are caught by two seals and pulled out to the side. Her ankles are caught by another two, forcing her legs a shoulder width apart. The fifth seal wraps around her throat and constricts a bit, making her gag. Photon brings his right hand down and holds the index and middle finger against his left wrist. This is usually the point where his target explodes. However, this time, a giant pentagram seal forms in the air in front of him, formed of white light. A line of white forms and starts tracing out a matching giant pentagram as it travels from one of Jinx's seals to the next. Photon suddenly breaks the hand sign, and puts both palms forward. A rush of white light beams out of the pentagram in front of him and engulfs Jinx. The seals hold her in place, so she is not sent flying, but her expression indicates that the experience is excruciatingly painful. The beam dies down, and the seals fade. Jinx collapses, her eyes blanked out. Photon lowers his hands, then his body begins to brighten again. His eyes refill with white light, overshadowing the Dragon's Bane. He turns around and glances at the piece of metal that fell on Raven, then lifts it up with his magic, tossing it aside. Apparently, it was just forming a tent over her body after knocking her out, not crushing her. She awakens, rubbing her head as she stands up.)
Raven: Ow. Next time, a warning might be- Whoa. What did you do!?
Photon: I'm not certain myself. Are you all ri… Ah. Ow… Ow! Aggggghhhh!
(Photon suddenly drops to his knees, wrapping his arms around himself and shivering violently, almost like he's having a seizure.)
Raven: What is it!? What's wrong!?
(At that moment, the doors swing open and Robin and the others enter.)
Echo: Photon! Lad, what is it!?
Photon: (agonized) C-Captain…everything…hurts…!
(He suddenly bends over and retches. A small puddle of blood pools on the ground in front of him. He shivers a bit more, then collapses.)
Echo: Photon! Shotman, what's happened!?
Shotman: Hmm… Oh…no…! Captain, it seems that his power was allowed to rise too high this time…
Echo: (nervously) And…?
Shotman: His body is beginning to break down on itself; he's dying.
-- Wow. Such a morbid turn. Will Starfire and Photon survive? The answer should be obvious, but come back next week anyway. I order it! You don't wanna upset me and make my cannon-lighting finger itchy, do you? -The Cap'n --