32 Productions Presents…
A Teen Titan Fan Fiction The Teen Titans in…"Out With the Old, In with the New"
Chapter One
Titan's Tower: Raven's Room
Raven rubbed her eyes and yawned. A glance at the clock informed her that she was insane to be up so late. It was her own fault, really. How did she let herself get caught up in that stupid dancing video game?
Raven: (muttering) Curse peer pressure…
It was also her fault they actually HAD the game. Beast Boy was switching games from the Gamestation and had placed the one he was going to play on the table. Not seeing it due to having her nose in a book, Raven put her tea on it, thinking it was a coaster. The sudden cry of alarm from Beast Boy startled Raven, making her spill all over the game. It was ruined. While it WAS just a video game, it was something Beast Boy enjoyed doing. Besides, if he messed up one of her books, she'd be upset and he'd feel terrible, even if he didn't see the attraction of reading books like she did. Realizing this, Raven decided there was only one thing to do. She had to make it up to him. So out she went, to purchase a replacement. What she got seemed to delight everyone. Raven came home with a dance pad and dancing game. After managing to pry everyone that came to hug her off, she sat back and watched her friends enjoy the game, satisfied that she had done the right thing. The next thing she knew, they were asking her to step up and try. After refusing over and over, she finally conceded. It was the biggest mistake she had made…that day. There were others, believe me. It was addictive…and worst of all, she had no rhythm. It was embarrassing, but she couldn't stop.
Raven: (muttering) Must be something hypnotic in the flashes on the screen. Damn the video game industry.
She shook her head and got back to work. Once a week she took inventory on her mystical artifacts. Some of them were useless, like the stone that changes your hair color, but others were extremely dangerous. Her experience with Malichor taught her something. If SHE could do something so reckless, someone with no occult knowledge could do something much worse. Since then, she became determined to never let her possessions be used for evil. She failed once with Gremlin and the Sphere of Baal. Thank Azar that he didn't take anything else. She picked up her check list and continued looking through her trunk and shelves.
Raven: Iblis's Bottle…check. Jar filled with the Northern Winds…check. Medallion of Atlas…check. …and…finally…the Demon of the Soil's prison…check.
With a satisfied nod, Raven closed the trunk and yawned again. Finally she could sleep. …maybe one more round of…NO! Shaking her head, she got ready to go to sleep. In her tired state, she completely forgot the relock the trunk…
::CUE THEME::
New Room
Robin hit the lights and Starfire squealed with joy, kissing him before jumping up and down. Cyborg rolled his eye. Personally, he couldn't see the big deal.
Starfire: Thank you so much, Friend Cyborg! Your hard work is much appreciated!
She hugged him tight before turning back to the room. It was basically a very advanced green house. Starfire had some seeds in her room from back home, but nothing to plant them in. The environment of Earth and Tamaranian was different and there were certain…control issues that needed to be addressed. The temperature, the soil content, how much blood they were given…I'm not kidding…all of that needed to be controlled for the plants to bloom on Earth. With this new green house, Starfire could control these things. She could have the garden she really wanted. Thanking them both again, she flew down the hall to get her seeds.
Cyborg: Didn't know she was into botany.
Robin: It's more then that, Cyborg. She's bringing a piece of home to Earth. She likes it on Earth, but that doesn't mean she doesn't think about Tamaran.
It made sense to Cyborg. Still, it took him by surprise, the whole request. Of all the things to remind you of home, planting stuff was what she came up with? Then again, Starfire wasn't known for using Earthly logic. Cyborg shrugged.
Cyborg: You'd think she'd get something simpler…like a picture.
Robin: Cy, I LOOOOOOONG stopped trying to understand her thought process outside of things that will get me in trouble. It saves you from headaches.
Cyborg: And gets you la…
Starfire: I have returned, thus ending any possible chance to say things of inappropriate nature that would only be said in my absence!
With that rather odd sentence, Starfire swooped back into the room, carrying the single biggest bag of seeds they had ever seen. Their jaws dropped as she opened it and took out a hand full of seeds.
Robin: Uh…Star? Are those all different plant seeds?
Starfire: Of course, Robin. I would be confused as to what is what if there were duplicate seeds inside.
Cyborg: I really don't think that's all gonna fit in here…
Shrugging, Starfire began planting the seeds and adjusting the doodads what controlled the temperatures and stuff.
Starfire: I shall squeeze in what I can.
Mall
Terra felt a little self conscious hanging out with Tara Smith. Tara was the original Terra before being turned into a statue. Terra was actually a statue brought to life by magic. Being next to what she always wanted to be was a little unnerving. Hell, it wasn't that long ago that she found out she WASN'T Terra in the first place. Tara was a nice enough girl, but it perplexed Terra how she didn't want to be a super hero. Oh well. She didn't come out to debate that.
Tara: Okay, Terra…brutally honest.
Tara held up a mini skirt.
Tara: Think my grandma can pull this off?
The girls laughed. It was obviously a joke. Anyone who thought that was a serious question, please leave the room now. Shaking her head, Tara went on.
Tara: Seriously, what do you think?
Terra: Eh…looks a bit…much. You know what I mean?
Tara: Aw, c'mon! I got great legs and this will totally show them off.
Terra: …Tara, you're legs are like toothpicks, just like mine.
Tara: Hey, if Kate Moss made it as a super model, then my legs would look fine in this.
Well, she had Terra there. A shout got their attention. Tara winced as she recognized her friends from school, Molly and Polly (and it always struck her as odd that their names rhymed and they weren't even related) coming over. She kind of neglected to mention her friendship with Terra. In fact, she neglected to mention a lot of things. Polly and Molly had a severe dislike of metahumans. Tara used to play along, though she never saw anything wrong with them. Now that she knew she was one, Tara found it harder to fake it.
Molly: Tara! What are you doing here?
Polly: And why are you with her?
Taken aback by the distain in their voices, Terra turned to Tara with a questioning look. They hadn't acted this bad back when they first met. Tara held up the mini-skirt.
Tara: I'm shopping, duh.
Molly: But why with HER?
Tara: What's wrong with her? I mean c'mon!
Tara put her arm around Terra's neck.
Tara: We're like sisters or something!
Terra: Yeah…or something.
Polly: Tara, she's…uh…
Polly trailed off. Was there a way to put this that wouldn't make the stone girl pound her? She knew metahumans were a threat…there was no way around that. But she had to be brave.
Polly: She's a freak!
Terra: …yeah…well…you've got two chins.
Polly lifted the collar of her shirt to cover up her ever so slight second chin. So she had put on a few pounds…big deal. The freak didn't need to point it out. Tara bit back a laugh. Polly had that coming. Molly scowled.
Molly: Tara, she's making fun of your friends! Are you just going to let her do that?
Tara: …should I send her to her room without supper?
Molly: Tara, I don't know what's gotten into you, but you have a choice. Her or us.
Tara winced. She was hoping light hearted humor would defuse the situation. Guess not. Sighing, Tara grabbed Terra's arm.
Tara: …c'mon. I need something high in sugar and fat to help me out here. I think I'm going to be depressed for a while.
Terra: Uh…okay.
Polly and Molly watched in shock as Tara and Terra left them behind.
Molly: I can't believe her! Why would she…? That freak loving…
Polly: It's not really that noticeable is it?
Molly: It's freaking huge, Polly! Now don't interrupt while I'm talking!
Polly ran off sobbing. Rolling her eyes, Molly followed.
Molly: Polly! Polly, come back! I meant it in a good way!
Titan Tower: Green House
To say that Beast Boy was startled was an understatement. Now, he knew the green house was being built. He even knew that Starfire was planting stuff there. What he didn't understand was how the hell THERE WAS A FULL GROWN PLANT IN THE ROOM! He could sweat Star planted them today…oh well. Alien plants. Sighing, he got to work doing what Starfire asked. She was out walking Silkie, so he was going to water the plants for her. Cyborg could have automated it, but Starfire refused. She wanted to be able to tend to her plants, not just watch them grow. He started watering the plants. When he turned toward the one that was growing already, he realized it was gone. There was just a hole in the dirt. He grabbed his head.
Beast Boy: Dude! It freaking DIED! Oh man, Star is going to kill me!
He considered digging frantically into the soil, but that might destroy the other seeds. The problem had him so preoccupied that he didn't see the brown and gray plant slither out the door. It had sensed something…something that it needed to do. It had no idea what, nor could it begin to guess. It lacked the brain power to do much of anything. Just barely aware of its own existence, it was given the ability to move so that it could search out water sources in the more barren areas of Tamaran. Yet somehow, something had called to it. With no will of its own to speak of, it had no choice but to obey the call.
Raven's Room
Raven groaned as she sat up. Her alarm on her communicator (why not, my phone has an alarm clock) was going off. Scowling, she searched her tired brain as she tried to recall why she bothered to set it, especially after having such a rough night. She never set the alarm unless there was a good reason. Slapping the snooze button, she rubbed her eyes and thought. Suddenly it hit her and Raven hung her head. It was Shade's doctor's appointment. He needed a physical done, a standard practice in the tower to make sure everything was okay. Unfortunately, Shade HATED doctors. He had no trouble with being patched up in med-lab, but DOCTORS, he hated. So saying, it was a chore to get him to go to one. Fortunately, that was a rarity, as the med-lab was equipped to handle most problems. Then again…most of the Titans didn't go to a vet. Yes, Shade went to the vet's office. In some regards he was even more an animal then Beast Boy was, his immune system being one of them. Sighing, Raven got dressed in her costume. She didn't bother to do her hair, as it would be a mess in a few minutes anyway. To date, nobody had ever managed to get Shade to go to the vet without some sort of fight. Taking a deep breath, Raven exited her room and flew toward Shade's. She knocked on the door.
Shade: What?
Raven: Time to go to the vet, Shade.
Shade: Please don't call it that…it only makes it sound worse.
Raven: Well, either way, let's go.
Shade: Gimme a minute to get ready.
Rolling her eyes, Raven waited patiently outside his door. After a few minutes, she frowned.
Raven: Okay, you've been in there long enough. Let's go.
Silence.
Raven: Shade. Let's go already.
Shade: You don't have to yell.
Raven: I'm not yelling, Shade.
Shade: Oh, and now the name calling starts.
A puzzled expression came over Raven before realization hit her. Swearing, she opened the door and saw what she expected to see. A recording device playing on the bed.
Tape Recording: If you're going to be like that…
Turning it off, Raven sighed and massaged her temples. It was WAAAAY too early for this crap. She closed her eyes and concentrated.
Raven: Shade! Shade, get your ass back here now!
She didn't get a response, but she knew he heard her. Raven could feel his emotions changing, conflicting.
Raven: Shade! Damnation, what do I have to do to get you back here?
Shade: Is that a serious question?
Wincing, Raven groaned. Why did she have to ask something like that? Sighing, Raven pinched the bridge of her nose.
Raven: Yes. I don't feel like chasing you all over creation this morning. Come back and come with me peacefully…and I'll owe you.
Shade: …well…okay.
Shade appeared in front of her.
Shade: You owe me a massage then.
Clenching her teeth, Raven nodded. Let it go...she had to let it go. She offered, why should she be surprised? Sighing, Shade headed for the door.
Shade: Well, let's go then. …better not try to give me a biscuit this time.
Raven: You ate it last time.
Shade: Yeah, but I did it begrudgingly.
Raven stared at him for a moment before smacking him upside his head.
Raven: You idiot.
Shade: You want the price to be more then a massage?
Raven put her hands behind her back. It wasn't often that she was backed into a corner, but she wasn't going to risk it.
Raven: No.
They departed. …she wondered if she should tell him he's getting tested for worms today…nah. That'll teach him to back her into a corner.
Mall
Terra sweatdropped as she watched Tara put away another brownie. The girl downed food as fast as…well…herself. She sniffled and wiped her eyes.
Tara: You know, I really thought they were my friends…
Terra: I know the feeling.
Know it? She CAUSED it. …wait, not she didn't that was the other Terra. She hated getting confused like that. Tara shoved a brownie toward her.
Tara: C'mon eat one, damn it. It'll make me feel better. Besides, they're good.
Terra bit into it and indeed, it was good. Very good. After a while she began to feel kind of weird. Her head was spinning.
Tara: Nnngh…hey, Terra…I don't feel so good.
Terra: Me neither…I think we should call it a day, you know?
Tara: Yeah…
The pair made it out the door before the dizziness became too much. The next thing they knew, everything went black.
Junkyard Lair
Terra woke up to a sharp smell. Her eyes shot open and she shook her head rapidly. She tried to move her hand to her head, but found it was strapped down. Looking up, her eyes locked with a set of green ones.
Terra: (dazed) Starfire?
G-9: Not even close.
Realization struck and she narrowed her eyes. She had to look tough right then. She knew she was at a serious disadvantage. Terra was strapped down, staring down somebody capable of punching through her abdomen, and had no idea where Tara was.
Terra: You drugged the food.
G-9: Did who with the what now?
Terra: The brownies. You drugged them.
Gremlin: No, she didn't. That store just makes bad brownies. I'm surprised the other one isn't dead. Then again, she does have YOUR stomach.
Gremlin stepped into the room in that pseudo Slade fashion that pissed both herself and Robin off. Snorting, Terra decided to tempt fate.
Terra: Let me ask you something. When Slade made you, did he say, "I will call him Mini-Me"?
Gremlin: I dunno, I wasn't awake at that point. You're probably wondering why you're here and where your other self is.
Terra: Actually, I was thinking about the décor. You could use a few more lights, maybe a plant to…of course I was wondering why I'm here!
Gremlin leaned in close, making Terra gulp. With his technology, finding ways to cause pain was very easy for him.
Gremlin: I'm going to make you the offer of a life time.
Terra: And I'm going to tell you which hole you can shove that offer.
Gremlin: Oh? Even if I were to tell you I can make you human?
Terra: If you said that, I'd say you were full of crap.
Gremlin shrugged.
Gremlin: Well, it's not like you have a choice anyway. The thing is, I kind of owe your other self a favor. I asked her what she'd want and she said nothing. I asked her to think of SOMETHING and she said she wanted me to make you human. Obviously she didn't expect me to say yes, but as it so happens, I'm working on a project that can do just that.
Terra regarded Gremlin with suspicion, but she couldn't deny that she was building hope inside her. Sighing, Gremlin continued.
Gremlin: As you well know, I'm rather deformed under this mask. In fact, it's so bad that I can't breathe without a respirator. As one might suspect, this is rather inconvenient. I tried everything to fix my body, when I was suddenly hit with inspiration. If I can't FIX this body, I'll scrap it in favor of a new one.
Terra: Who wha who wha?
Gremlin: I'm going to clone my body, correct the genetic flaws while it's in the vat, and grow it to proper age. Once that's done, I'll transfer my mind into that body. I'll have a body that can FINALLY walk the streets without needing to hide behind a mask.
In a moment of insight, Terra suddenly realized the truth.
Terra: You need somebody to test it on.
Gremlin: Bingo. The cloning thing is simple, it's the brain transfer that can cause a problem. So I'm going to test it on your brain.
Terra: Unfortunately chief, I don't have one. I'm a statue. There's nothing up there. Nothing anywhere.
Gremlin: True, but you DO have thought waves…for some asinine reason. Regardless of why, it's those waves I need, not an actual brain. Trust me, I know what I'm doing to a very limited degree.
Sweatdropping, Terra tilted her head.
Terra: That makes no sense at all.
Gremlin: Just shut up and go with it. If you don't, I'll kill the other one.
Terra: You're an asshole.
Gremlin: Whine, whine, whine. Call your friends and tell them what's going on. Also tell them that if any of them come here, I'll waste you both.
Terra sighed and nodded. She couldn't risk making a move…yet. But she'd wait. Her time would come. Gremlin released her and she climbed off the table, reaching for her communicator. Robin was NOT going to be a happy boy.
END PART ONE
