I have an excuse for not updating sooner. Really I do, its good. I'm riding an elevator like normal people in elevators do and all of sudden I'm zapped into the future. O.o I can tell you guys aren't buying it so how about a few snow days kept me from school, the only place where I have internet access. Sucks I know but that's how it is. But here it is! Now for your reading amusement. Enjoy! Teen Freak, Sklyer-A-Teloiv, Linzheart92, Samanthe2121, Guardian of Azarath, Realfanficts
Cyborg stared up at the wall clock, the second hand moved steadily around in its never ending path. He sighed worrisomely and twiddled his thumbs. Raven glanced over her book as his unease was noticed for the tenth time in the same hour.
"How about now?"
"Why are you so worried about them?" asked Raven. Not taking her eyes from the page.
"Because it's been like three hours since Rob said they'd be back." Beast Boy chuckled with his eyes glued to the TV.
"Yeah they're not back from their first date, what a big terrible shock." Cyborg glared at him.
"You know what I mean man; I know they're probably having a good time and all but it just doesn't seem like him." Raven finally lowered her book and marked her place within the page.
"Fine, for whatever strange reason you are so concerned right now, if it'll make you feel better we'll call him up…." She glanced at the clock. "…A quarter after."
"Cool," replied Cyborg. It wasn't so strange for Cyborg to be concerned. He considered the boy wonder to be his brother, and Starfire was like a little sister to him. Cyborg had fought the urge during the conversation to point out the amount of times Raven herself had sent anxious looks toward the clock. Beast Boy let out a breath denoting boredom and just as he held up the remote to channel surf the screen changed to a familiar face. Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy all jumped to their feet at the sight of Red X.
"Hello Teen Titans," he said waving at them.
"Red X?" said Cyborg. "What do you want?"
"Nothing really, just called to see if you'd like to know where Robin and Starfire are." Raven and Beast Boy exchanged looks. With a growing frown Cyborg walked closer to the enlarged thief. "Let me save you trouble." He stepped aside and their mouths dropped at the sight of Robin and Starfire tightly bound back to back.
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When there's trouble you know who to call
Teen Titans!
From their tower, they can see it all
Teen Titans!
When there's evil on the attack
You can rest knowing they got your back
Cuz when the world needs heroes on patrol
Teen Titans GO!
With their superpowers they unite
Teen Titans!
Never met a villain that they liked
Teen Titans!
They've got the bad guys on the run
They never stop 'till the job gets done
Cuz when the world is losin' all control
Teen Titans GO!
1,2,3,4 GO!
Teen Titans
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24
EIGHT HOURS EARLIER………….
Robin strutted down the hall engrossed in the chipper tune that he was currently whistling. To any onlooker it would seem odd that the boy wonder would strut or whistle, or stranger yet, do them both at the same time. However, what said onlooker wouldn't know is that Robin has a perfectly good reason for acting so weird and hokey. And to be reasonable and fair it has been a long time since Robin has had anything to be happy about, so why not let him enjoy it? As he passed a control panel on the wall he backpedaled and looking into the panel's reflection checked his hair. He tried several attempts to fix a certain part he wasn't quite happy with but in the end gave up with an irked waving of his hand. He mumbled inanely about it then continued onward. He came to a halt outside another Titan's room, the door to which was labeled Starfire. He moved to knock but paused to go over a few last second details which he was determined not to mess up. Unbeknownst to him, that directly on the other side of the door, the Tamaranian princess herself paced about fretting over similar thoughts. She begged to wonder how something everyone on earth dealt with each day could be so mentally trying. At long last both decided to throw away the rehearsals and just wing it. They did so in exact accordance with each other that as Robin moved to knock Starfire walked out and as a result;
"Ow!" The two bumped each other square in the head and staggered backward. Robin rubbed his forehead as did Starfire.
"Starfire."
"Robin."
"I-I-I'm sorry Star I…I hit you….on the head."
"Oh no I am sorry, I suppose I did not expect you to be directly outside my dwelling." Still rubbing his head Robin nodded with a lame chuckle.
"Hee hee yeah, my bad." She began to join him in the hall when something clicked and she stopped.
"OH X'hal! Forgive me Robin but I must prepare further still, I shall you join you shortly." Robin nodded as he eyes took precedence over his verbal abilities. From Robin's perspective her movements slowed somewhat as he subconsciously yearned to just watch and adore. She walked back in and it was several seconds before Robin's brain registered that her door was closed and that he was basically staring at nothing. He shook his head free of the delirium and walked away while muttering;
"Psychotic villains, giant oozing monsters, and robot commandos….."
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Robin walked about in the common room whilst Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy indulged in their own activities. The boy wonder leant against the couch then glanced down at the channel surfing Cyborg.
"So you guys need anything while we're out?" Beast Boy quietly snickered. "What? It's just a question?" Cyborg leant his head back toward Robin.
"Yes Robin, while you are out on your date please pick up a number of things for us that we could not possibly get ourselves on our own time." Robin stared back at Cyborg with a semi-glare.
"I could've sworn you were being sarcastic."
"Oh for crying out loud Rob it's a date, just go out and have a good time."
"No kidding," added Beast Boy. "You must be the only person on earth who needs to be forced to enjoy himself." Robin folded his arms irritably. Raven decided not to continue his small amount of torture. She walked up to him and began examining his person from head to toe. With a pensive finger under her lower lip she centered her attention to a spot on his forehead.
"Hmm, hold still." Robin squinted his eyes as she rubbed the spot she'd found. After a few seconds Raven was still at it and Robin shoed her hand away.
"Ah! Raven! What're you my friend or my mom?" The pale Titan placed her hands at her hips.
"Well you should've told me your forehead is where you liked to keep your spare lint." She leaned closer. "Plus it looks like you recently took some kind of a hit or something," said Raven as squinted her eyes at Robin's small bump. She waved her hand superficially. "Oh well, you look fine." Robin darted his eyes up and down in passive agreement. "Oh! And because of the ridiculous amount of time it took you two to do this I think I speak for everyone when I say….please don't screw this up." Robin stared at her with an offhand look.
"Well thank you Raven. I guess as long as I'm getting lectures on enjoying myself and not messing up you all won't mind if I leave this behind." He produced his Titan communicator and laid it down on the table in front of the couch. "No calls, alerts, no missions…..just me and Star." Beast Boy jumped up and wound an arm around his shoulder.
"See Rob, THAT is what I'm talking about. Our fearless leader is becoming a real person!" he chuckled with celebratory happiness.
Robin looked down at Beast Boy hand on his shoulder. "Beast Boy."
"Yeah?"
"Take your arm off me."
"Sorry," he said quickly pulling away. Robin then looked as though he immediately regretted his decision.
"On second thought, maybe I shouldn't." Beast Boy hung his head.
"Aww come on, you were on a roll." Robin shook his head and pulled his communicator back. At that moment Starfire entered the common room humming away her jubilant excitement. As neither Titan wanted to draw attention they were dressed in normal civilian clothing.
"I am ready now Robin!" she exclaimed as she walked up to him. "Shall we depart?"
"Yup, see ya guys later." They waved them goodbye and stared after the two in silence. It was several moments before anyone uttered so much as a peep. When they did it was Cyborg who finally spoke;
"Ten bucks says come back in separate vehicles.'
"I'll take that bet," said Beast Boy. "You in Raven?"
"No." She gathered up her book and a set of papers then walked out of the common room. Beast Boy waited for Cyborg to become enraptured in the TV then quietly followed Raven into the hall.
"Hey Raven!" She turned to see him jogging to catch up with her. "What's up?" She shifted her eyes about unusually.
"Nnnnothing, why what's…up with you?" Beast Boy could tell he was doing nothing but freaking her out. Her powers homed in on his panicking thoughts and she allowed a smile to calm him. "Did you want to talk about something?" His eyes fell on the papers she was holding.
"What'cha got there?" he asked trying to find some common ground.
"Oh these are plots and coordinates for the Azarathian temple in Arizona."
"You think its still there?"
"Well thinking fourth dimensionally, we buried it just the way we found it then came back to our time. Unless I've overlooked something it should still be there. That temple is the only bit of their technology and architecture that remains today, at some point I intend to take a closer look at it. Of course I have no idea when I could go." He nodded.
"Cool, let me know when you do." She regarded him a bit strangely.
"You want to come with me to look at tens of thousands of year old artifacts?" Beast Boy kept a stock-still gaze on her. "Doesn't really sound like your cup of soy milk," she said continuing on her way. He followed her with a disheartened growl.
"Well you don't really want to go all alone do you?"
"I do a lot of things alone."
"You know what I mean Raven, I can bring a lunch with me," he added rather quickly. She stopped and faced him with that same odd look. He shifted his weight a bit uneasily. "That would just happen to be stuffed in a wicker basket." Raven finally understood and she let out an amused chuckle. She looked up at him with a grin.
"Okay then, it's a date." She then left a rather shocked Beast Boy in her wake.
"G-G-Great! So when?"
She called back as she walked, "Don't know."
"Okay then, I'll mark that on the calendar."
JUMP CITY MALL………………..
Starfire looked at the various items of clothing in one of the more major shops within the mall. It was strange but not long after they arrived Robin asked he could separate for just a while then meet up with her again. When she asked why Robin only smiled and walked away. As she thought about it further she realized it was the kind of look when Robin has something he wished to keep hidden until an unknown time. A surprise maybe? She squealed at the idea and her thoughts became interrupted by her cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey Star," came Robin's voice.
"Oh Robin, are you nearly finished?" In another store marked by dozens of shining gems on display Robin pointed to a certain object that the clerk retrieved.
"Yes almost done-no she's a size smaller than that-"
"I am sorry?"
"Nothing! That was nothing…" But Starfire smiled while narrowing her eyes. "Listen how about I meet you in the food court in about five minuets." She nodded smiled mischievously up at the ceiling.
"Okay. Robin? What are you doing?" The boy wonder and the jeweler exchanged looks. He leant on the glass counter and grinned back into his phone.
"I-can't-tell you." Starfire put on her best pouting face. "Besides which do you really like better, pumping it out of me or finally finding out later?" She laughed and turned in place. Her smile quickly faded when she caught sight of someone just outside the store. It was amazing that no one else took notice of him. Robin noted her prolonged silence. "Starfire?"
"Robin…." Her tone was completely different.
"What is it Star?" A group of passersby blocked her vision and when they moved on he was gone. She still hadn't answered. "What's wrong?" She swallowed.
"I just saw Red X-"
"Stay there!" Robin clamped his phone shut and began sprinting off in Starfire's direction. Back in the shop Starfire backed away as Red X made his entry and walked closer to her. The girl behind the counter took one look at him and promptly headed for parts unknown. X rested his hand on a nearby rack.
"Hey cutie, long time no see." Starfire didn't answer back. "Well he should be here soon enough right?"
"I-I do not know who you mean?" X snickered.
"Sure you don't."
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Robin ran past several crowds of people in a desperate attempt to reach Starfire before X did. Many times he bumped past people earning him as many disgruntled and irritated looks. As the clothing store Starfire said she'd be at came into sight Robin spotted her standing just within the store's entrance. She looked very much frightened and Robin wasted no time in running up to her.
"Star!" But as soon as he moved to pull her into an embrace his hands moved though nothing but air. "What the-ACK!" A sharp electrical pain surged from the back of his neck and he fell to the floor. From his perspective he saw the device emitting the holographic image of Starfire shut off. The last thing he saw before blacking out were steel-toe boots walking toward him.
THE PRESENT…………
"…Nothing really, just called to see if you'd like find out where Robin and Starfire are." Raven and Beast Boy exchanged looks. With a growing frown Cyborg walked closer to the enlarged thief. "Let me save you trouble." He stepped aside and their mouths dropped at the sight of Robin and Starfire tightly bound back to back.
"Let em go X," growled Cyborg.
"Mmmmm, no. I had something else in mind, for getting them back I mean." Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy found themselves backed into a corner. Raven crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes up at him.
"What do you want?" she asked. X looked only too happy to elaborate. They saw him work over a touch screen.
"Okay, here's what's going to happen. I'm sending you a sort of…grocery list." Just after he said it their attention was drawn to a beeping from another console. Beast Boy answered it and found they'd received a text message. "You get me everything that's on that list, no more no less, and Robin and Starfire walk no harm done."
"How do we know you won't hurt them once we give you what you want?" asked Raven.
"You don't I guess, but you really don't have anything to worry about. I'm just your friendly neighborhood thief, not really out for revenge or anything. It's not a big list, I'm sure you can handle it." He stepped closer however when he became serious. "But I'll be keeping a watch, don't try to find us. By the time you finish tracking this signal we'll be long gone. And no friends or allies, I know you have dozens of them all over the world."
"And if we refuse," said Cyborg defiantly.
"Don't."
"So that's it then," said Beast Boy. "You just want us to do this and you'll let them go?" X nodded.
"You bet, it's that simple. Although I have a feeling it could get a little boring so I decided to make it more interesting." Raven unfolded her arms. "You will have only twenty-fours to get it all done, starting…now."
"Say WHAT?!"
"Dude!"
"Are you insane?!" Red X chuckled lightly and shook his head.
"No, just in need of a few things. Twenty-four hours, send word when you have all my stuff, or Robin and Starfire are hasta la bye-bye. Is any of that in anyway unclear?" Cyborg looked down toward the floor.
"No."
"Good." Following his short answer he cut the signal leaving the three remaining Titans in a disgruntled silence. Beast Boy plopped down on the couch and let out a ragged sigh.
"Jerk."
ELSEWHERE………………….
The screen Red X had been using switched off and lowered down into a larger console. He heard a groan off to the side and saw Robin was coming back to consciousness. The boy wonder picked his head up and stared about with blurred vision.
"St-Star?" He mumbled. "Starfire?"
"Wouldn't bother," said X. He grabbed a chair and sat down before Robin. "She hasn't woken up yet. I gave her a little more sedative than you, I couldn't resist; I just love watching her sleep." Robin's eyes at last refocused on the thief in front of him. "Hey kid."
"X," croaked Robin. X nodded then looked past him at the sleeping red head.
"I gotta admit, I'm feeling pretty jealous of you right now." Robin worked against his bindings. "Well, not about the fix you're in. I must say it sure took you two long enough. I was on the verge of ask'n her out myself." Robin pulled and tugged but it was no use.
"X, what is this?"
"Nothing much," replied X with a shrug. "You two are my guests until your other friends are done running a few errands for me. Then I let you go, we shake hands, no harm done. And I wouldn't give escaping a second thought; I got Star's bindings from a special dealer and you…" He held up five lock picks. "Well let's just say I've already thought of you." Robin appeared disgruntled. "I have to say for someone who's having a night out you sure do come prepared." The boy wonder shrugged.
"Well I usually carry six, but I had a date tonight." Red X chuckled and pocketed the small instruments. "Let her go."
"No I don't think so. There are things I need and I don't have the time or resources to get them."
"And by that you mean you're too afraid," retorted Robin.
"Call it what you want, you're tied up and I'm not. The last thing you should be thinking about is how you can ridicule. I'm no psychopathic criminal, I can see things perfectly rationally and so far I think I've done just that."
"Fine, you can do what you want with me just please let Starfire go." X sighed and shook his head.
"Two Titans are better than one. I wouldn't fret over it; Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy aren't soon to just forget about you two. Though if I were you I'd keep a close watch on that clock." Robin's eyes followed X's pointing finger to a clock on the wall. "They've got twenty-three hours and forty-five minuets left; let's hope they use it wisely."
TITANS TOWER, 18 hours remaining………………
Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy each took a copy of the list and looked it over from top to bottom. Beat Boy sat cross-legged on the floor with a pensive yet confused expression.
"This is weird list," said Cyborg.
"I know," agreed Beast Boy. "There's not a single food item on here at all." Raven and Cyborg both slowly looked at him with estranged faces. It went completely unnoticed to the changeling as he spotted something and pointed to it with a chuckle. "Oh wait, Ramen noodles." Raven rolled her eyes and returned her attention to the list.
"Well, here's something we should've expected all along: Xenothium." Cyborg and Beast Boy nodded agreeably. "I think that's going to be a problem, ever since Robin and X went through that complex they've cleaned it out completely. There's no Xenothium there anymore."
"So how do we find it?" posed Beast Boy.
"The hard way I guess, we look for it."
"Oh fun." Cyborg's mouth dropped when he found something else that seemed lofty.
"Well we can't steal this," he said looking at the item. Raven and Beast Boy sent questioning looks. "He has here liquefied MgH3; the only known amount is locked up tight at the Wayne building." Beast Boy's face housed incomprehension. "You know, that really tall and impregnable skyscraper."
"Aside from that what's so bad about it? Is it dangerous?"
"Oh no," replied Cyborg with a particularly high pitched voice. "It's just that if you were to mix it with a couple of household cleaning products it could conceivably vaporize about eight city blocks."
Raven nodded thoughtfully, "Well considering what we know about Red X I doubt he's planning to set it off anywhere. He's probably going to sell it, along with just about everything else on this list."
"Great," said Beast Boy. "So we're supplying an arms dealer."
"At the moment we don't have much of a choice," said Raven. "There's no way we can get all of this in the time we have left-Cyborg how long?" He glanced at his arm.
"A little over seventeen hours." Cyborg lowered his arm and as the designated second in command set to conceiving a plan of action. "We'll split up, Beast Boy you track down the Xenothium and see if you can stall for more time. I'll take this MgH3 and the processors he has here."
"And me?" asked Raven.
"You're gonna stay here and try to telepathically find Robin and Star." Raven arched a brow.
"It's a big city."
"Well you better get started," replied Cyborg in a no nonsense tone. Raven didn't argue and hovered cross-legged in midair. "Let's go." Beast Boy followed Cyborg out but poked his head back in.
"Hey Raven umm-" His voice trailed away as he saw her eyes were shut and she was no longer able to hear him. With a disheartened sigh he walked out of the common room.
BACK WITH ROBIN AND STAR………………
Starfire's head moved about and Robin soon heard a groggy moan coming from behind him. He raised his head and looked over his shoulder as far as his neck would allow.
"Starfire?"
"Mmmm…Robin?"
"Yes, I'm here." She raised her head up and looked around, frequently blinking her eyes in order to refocus them. "Are you okay?"
"I am, where are we?"
"X's place, he's holding us for ransom unless Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy can steal some stuff for him." Starfire tugged and pulled but her arms wouldn't come free from behind the chair. She craned her neck to try to look at him.
"I cannot break free."
"Me either," he replied in a low tone. "I hate to say it but it looks like all we can do is hope for the others to come bail us out." Starfire still fidgeted with her bindings.
"What are these items you spoke of?"
"I don't know, but he's put a time limit on it so whatever they are they must be pretty important. Now that I think about it I'm pretty sure Xenothium would be mixed in there somewhere." Starfire's face grew anxious.
"Robin, when you say he has 'put a time limit'…how long exactly do you mean?" Robin hated to worry or scare her but lying was just as bad if not worse. He stole a glance at the clock and then wished he hadn't.
"Not long."
"And when the time has expired…."
"Don't worry Star, they won't let us down."
"But we also cannot allow the Red X to acquire what he demands," said Starfire. Robin grinned as if seeing the future.
"He won't." Starfire's eyes dropped back down to the floor. "Starfire?" They raised back up.
"Yes?" He bobbed his head about in a dissatisfied manner.
"I'm sorry things didn't turn out so good today." She smiled delicately.
"Oh it is okay, we are still spending time with one another." They sat back to back with their arms and legs tied tightly to their chairs. "Would you not agree?" He grinned up toward the ceiling.
"We sure are, though he couldn't have picked a worse time to kidnap us. I was right in the middle of getting the right size when you told me and-"
"The right size?" Robin slammed his eyes shut in sudden realization. In his hasty rant he'd let it slip out. Starfire quickly put two and two together and she just as quickly twisted her head around trying to see him. "You were buying something for me?" Robin shifted his eyes about stiffly.
"No I wasn't."
"Robin you needn't have done such a thing, I did not even think of getting you anything," she said as she suddenly thought of how inconsiderate she must've been.
"You know Star its okay-"
"I beg to differ," she interrupted. "When we are free of this captivity we must return to the mall of shopping so I may find something for you."
"Maybe this isn't the best time to talk about it Star," said Robin looking in vain for a method of escape; escape from both their captor and the present conversation. She let out a huff of aggravation.
"Very well."
JOINING BEAST BOY……………
The changeling stood on a roof top with his communicator out and attempting to make contact with a certain honorary Titan. Moments after he'd put the call through Argent's sleepy and tired face appeared.
"Heyyy Argent, how ya doing?" She rubbed her left eye and stared at him with malcontent.
"Beast Boy….do you happen to know what time it is?" He checked his clock.
"Sure, it's seven thirty."
"Not over here it isn't." Beast Boy ground his teeth nervously.
"Oh right, there's that whole time difference thing-look I'm sorry to wake you and everything but Robin and Starfire got themselves kidnapped by Red X and I need to know where to find Xenothium pronto." Argent ran a hand through her bedridden ruffled hair.
"Wouldn't Red Star be a more reliable source?" Beast Boy shook his head.
"I tried him, he's busy. Can you help me or not?"
"Just a moment," she said through a yawn. As Beast Boy waited for her answer he tapped his foot impatiently. He looked around trying to pass the time that apparently it was taking her.
"Argent do you think you could move a little faster?"
"Of course Beast Boy how inconsiderate of me, I completely forgot about the bits of Xenothium I keep in shoeboxes for just emergencies."
"Har har do you have anything?"
"Will you give me just a minuet!" she replied hoarsely. He backed from his comm. link somewhat.
"Whoa, you know you're really tough when you're grouchy." She nodded sarcastically as she typed looking for information.
"Oh yes, in fact tomorrow I shall change my superhero name to Grouchy-Tough Girl. And you can also change you name to 'silly green creature who wakes people up in middle of the restful sleep'."
"Are you actually going to help or you just going to make fun of me all night?"
"While I would most certainly enjoy the latter, Robin and Starfire's lives are at stake so…"
"What've you got?"
"Apparently the last known cache of Xenothium to see daylight was at a terrorist arms bazaar in the badlands of Uzbekistan. It would also seem it, along with a substance known as MgH3, are the hot flavors of the month, every sort of international villain is pining to get there hands on them." Beast Boy nodded thoughtfully.
"Then X is probably going to sell them to the highest bidder."
"Looking out for number one is he?"
"Looks that way. Well thank you Argent, and I'm sorry for waking you up." She closed her laptop and nodded sleepily.
"I'll ask Kid Flash to see if he can find it bring it to you. I'm guessing you guys can't go anywhere near Robin and Starfire without X going crazy, we'll send someone to take care of them. In the mean time I'm afraid I won't be able to accept your apology." Beast Boy furrowed his brow with a grin.
"Even after I said it so nicely?" She shrugged.
"Well..at least not until I've had some bit of coffee." The screen went blank and Beast Boy set to reporting to Cyborg of his progress.
WAYNE BUIDLING, 12 hours remaining…………….
Cyborg stood within the darkness of an alley looking mournfully up at the tall and intimidating structure before him. His eyes moved down to his arm where the screen displayed a three dimensional cross-section of the building. His face gradually worsened as the details of security became further known to him.
"I swear I have to chaperone those two," he mumbled under his breath. Using the privileges his Titan credentials brought him Cyborg quickly gained access to the security personnel files. He found one employee almost close to his size and better yet off duty tonight, although it was hardly possible he would be an exact match. Cyborg downloaded the man's picture into the memory of the holographic rings. As soon as the download was finished he slipped on the rings and his person was changed to that of the off duty guard. He didn't take two steps when his comm. link alerted him. He jumped back into the alley and answered it.
"What!" Beast Boy gaped at him in shock.
"Who are you and what're you doing with Cyborg's arm!?"
"Yo green boy it's me!" He returned his head to normal.
"Oh, I'm wait'n on Kid Flash for the Xenothium and Raven's still working on finding Robin and Star. How're you?"
"I'm ready to move, when you get the Xenothium don't just hand it over stall for more time?"
"How?" asked Beast Boy looking confused.
"I don't care: do a dance, tell a story, it doesn't matter just give them a few more minuets." He denied Beast Boy the ability to respond but abruptly cutting the signal. Walking briskly Cyborg noted the number of cameras covering each and every angle of the building, inside and out. He walked into the lobby, he and the guard at the front desk exchanged nods. It was difficult not to look up at the never ending stare of the cameras; like a portrait whose eyes followed the onlooker everywhere. Once he was sure he was no longer in danger of being seen he removed the disguise from his left arm. His little screen projected a layout of the building and where Cyborg needed to go next. Unfortunately his next step required a key card, something only his real security counterpart would have. With unease he trotted back up to the front desk.
"Hey uhhh…" The guard turned in place while Cyborg thought of a good excuse. "The tech guys downstairs need another look at item WE-M3," said Cyborg as he pulled the designation from memory. The guard raised a brow.
"I didn't know they were currently researching that item." Cyborg shrugged.
"It's not my job." The guard narrowed his eyes in wonder.
"Aren't you off tonight?" It took the Titan off guard. He smiled and shook his head while avoiding the guard's eyes.
"Kids were getting too rowdy, plus I needed the overtime. Anyway I know this is really stupid and all but I left my card at home…" The guard sighed dejectedly and roughly held out his own.
"Fine, just bring it right back when you're done." Cyborg nodded with another smile and walked away. As he put more distance between them the guard looked back up in doubt. "Larry has kids?"
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The lock beside a secured door blinked green and seconds later Cyborg pushed on through it. With wary looks from side to side he continued on. As Cyborg had said earlier the only bit of MgH3 was locked up tight within a high security vault five stories beneath the ground floor. The card Cyborg now carried seemed to be the universal key that allowed him complete freedom throughout the complex. As he neared the vault door however he noticed very troubling; two cards were required. The laboratory on the other side seemed to be closed at the moment as the guard stationed outside was not present. Cyborg removed the holographic disguise. He lightly ground his teeth together in thought. 'I could insert one card then try to hack the rest of the way'. Then the actually creator as well as owner of the building he was in dawned on him.
"Riggghhhht. Well Rob can talk to him later, we're in a bind." So saying he stuck his only card in one of the slots then ejected one of similar size and attached to an electrical ribbon from his arm. He paused before pressing the last button needed to initiate the keys. He pinched his eyes shut in anxiety and pressed it. Instead of unlocking the door however the lights went out and were replaced by a red tint. He swiftly turned in place as the doors behind him closed and were covered with thick metal shields. "Fantastic."
TITANS TOWER, 7 hours remaining……………………..
Since Cyborg had given her the order Raven hadn't moved from her spot in the middle of the common room. Beneath her lids Raven's eyes darted about in all directions. Her powers reached out far and wide then began to randomly search in specific locations. Mostly she heard passing conversations between civilian families. At long last however Raven heard a faint whisper, she might have missed it if a passing crowd of tourists hadn't suddenly silenced. Her head turned slightly. With more concentration she homed in on the thoughts she heard and found they belonged to Starfire. Raven's eyes slowly opened.
"Bingo."
Beast Boy closed his communicator after talking with Raven. He paced about nervously, realizing it may have took some time to get the message out but he was Kid Flash after all. Surely he could move faster than this. With a quickly glance at his comm. link he saw there was only a few hours left before time was out. He felt a quick breeze to his left. He looked twisted his neck to see Kid Flash standing there with a smirk.
"Hey."
"Hi I don't want to sound rude but did you get it or not?" With a chuckle Kid Flash disappeared then just as quickly returned with large canister.
"Natch I got it, do you happen to know where our two buddies are?"
"Raven says they're at the old video store, you know the one that got closed down." Kid Flash nodded.
"Alright, Jinx is closer so I'll tell her to get to it."
Beast Boy nodded while walking away. "Okay I'll-" He stopped and almost tripped over his own feet. "Wait….who?"
X'S HIDEOUT, 1 hour remains………………………
Despite the futility of trying to free herself Starfire kept trying nonetheless. Robin stayed peculiarly quiet since she'd first awoken. Starfire gave up for the eighth time that day and looked as far as she could behind her.
"Robin may I ask you something?" He paused before answering.
"Of course." She bit her lip.
"Have I…..caused you anger?" He looked around strangely.
"Why would you think that Star?"
"You have not spoken in so long."
"Well there's not much to talk about right now Star, we're stuck and there's nothing we can do until Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy comes to help us." She felt relieved and somewhat troubled. On the one hand it was nice to see Robin admitting that even he needed help sometimes, although it would be nicer to see him at least trying to escape. "Believe me Star I've looked all over the place," he said sensing her thoughts. "Red X apparently planned this well in advance because there's nothing in reaching distance, and our hands and feet are bound."
"I understand Robin." But he detected a somber note in her voice.
"Starfire what is the matter? I know we're in a tight spot but you've been chipper in worse situations. What's going on?" She sighed.
"I do not have anything to give to you, and I am afraid that you are disappointed because of that. I am sorry." She dropped her gaze despondently.
"Starfire I already told you not to worry about it……okay I'll admit it, I was picking something out for you." She smiled as a deep blush flooded her cheeks. "But Star you don't need to buy me anything, all I want….all I need is you." With her lips pursed into a smile a singular tear ran down her face. The next thing Robin knew he felt Starfire resting the back of her head against his.
"You my friend…" They both snapped back to reality as Red X entered. "…Should write greeting cards or something." The two Titans watched him with hard looks. He pulled the clock down off the wall. He sat down before them and held it out for them to see. "Time's tick'n away, you know cutie this could be a good opportunity to choose a better significant other."
"I assume you are being humorous."
"No joke, it doesn't look like I'm going to get my goodies on time so this place is about to get rather toasty. It would only be so logical to come with me rather than stay with him and be burnt to a crisp." Robin clenched and loosened his fists numerous times. Starfire took in a deep breath and held her head erect.
"Then I shall be burnt to the crisp." Red X only stared at her curiously from behind his mask. Like Slade it was often difficult to tell what kind of a face he might be making under that shroud. The silence was broken by the sound of something ringing. X walked over to his screen whereupon Beast Boy's face appeared.
"I've got your Xenothium"
"That's great leave it there and I'll find it later, but it's not all I wanted. Where's the rest of my stuff?" Beast Boy scratched his head.
"You know a funny thing happened on the way to the stolen goods store-"
"Is this your idea of a joke?"
"We need more time," said Beast Boy dropping the humor.
"Sorry, but time's up!" X kicked the screen into a shattered and ruined mess. After which he revealed a hidden switch on the wall and turned it. "Keep warm; I've got some Xenothium to pick up." His eyes fell back on Starfire. "Last chance sweetie pie, Him and die or me and live."
Starfire turned her head away from him with a sharp, "Hmp!" He shrugged and began walking out.
"Girls; weird species. Catch ya later." Red X ran through the backdoor locking it from the outside as he went. Back inside Robin gazed at the device on the wall, it was slowly building up a charge and was also linked by a set of pipes to several canisters with the word Ether printed on the side. Now desperate to not get blown up Robin looked around one last time for anything that could help them escape.
"Uhhh Star!"
"Yes?"
"Look around in front of you; what do you see?" She darted her eyes about taking in every object she could see.
"I see several barrels, pieces of cut timber, a mirror, and many sand bags." Robin let the list play through his head over and over again. His mind finally stopped on third item she mentioned.
"Alight Star, here's what we're gonna do: try to focus your eyebeams on that mirror and take out your leg bindings."
"And then?"
"Then…we'll go from there."
"I will try." Robin nodded and took a look back at the charge on the wall.
"No pressure Star but try quickly." The mirror was a bit of a distance away but Starfire did her best to take careful aim and reflect her powers back in her direction. Once she was sure her aim was true she let a short burst escape her eyes. The energy did reflect off the mirror but instead freeing her legs it punctured the pipes connected to the charge. Robin winced slightly as a large pool of the highly flammable liquid began collecting and drawing closer to them.
"Oops."
"Yeah, okay just a second…." At once the charge went off and large bursts of flame erupted around them. The front door was now blocked by burning debris.
"There are no more seconds Robin!" Shouted Starfire. She squeaked as a burning piece of water nearly fell upon her. Robin scanned the room completely until at long last he found something: an axe hanging on a wall rack. He turned his head to meet hers.
"Star!" He noticed her head facing a different direction so he changed his.
"What?" She tried to meet his voice but he'd turned his head the other way.
"Star!"
"What?" Each time one tried to meet the other they turned in the opposite direction.
"Star!"
What?"
"STARRR!"
"WHAT!" They finally found each other.
"Head for that wall over there!" Using their combined momentum the two Titans hopped their way across the room and over to where the axe was hanging. Robin roughly beat himself against the wall causing it to become unstable. With another hit the axe came free and luckily fell down upon the cuffs holding Robin. He tore his hands free then did the same with his feet. By now a thick cloud of smoke had filled the room.
"R-Robin! I cannot breathe!" Starfire coughed and choked as did Robin. He tugged and pulled but her technologically superior bindings wouldn't budge. His teeth barred and his muscles on fire Robin pulled as hard as he could, but still no luck. His grip slipped from the bindings so suddenly that he fell backwards and hit his head against the hard floor. Starfire's eyes began to droop as asphyxiation began to take her. Just as consciousness was lost she felt her bindings somehow come free against her skin, then she felt herself being lifted off the chair and carried out.
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A short time later Robin and Starfire sat outside in the open backdoor of an ambulance, breathing deeply from oxygen tanks provided for them. The EMT standing beside them held a stethoscope to their backs and instructed them to keep breathing deeply.
"Once in awhile even the heroes need rescuing eh?" he said with a smile. "I tell you what, you two are pretty lucky somebody up there must really like you."
"I-Indeed," mumbled Starfire. "We thank you most graciously for helping us." The doctor paused for a moment.
"We didn't pull you out of that building." Robin took in another breath of life.
"What're talking about? If you didn't then who did?"
"That would be me." Robin and Starfire turned their heads as their savior pulled the ambulance door open further to reveal her presence. Robin slowly lowered his oxygen mask. Jinx stood before them with her arms crossed and a smile across her face. "Like the man said you are two of the luckiest pair I have ever seen." Starfire took a firm grip of Robin's arm. Jinx, their deceased comrade, now stood before them just as though she hadn't even sustained a scratch. Although the only difference was her hair; it was now kept in a pony tail with two bangs that hung gently on either side of her face.
"Jinx?" She nodded as though two plus two had just been proclaimed to equal four.
"Well yeah, and didn't Raven tell you not to screw this up? Well I suppose its not entirely your fault-"
"You're dead," blurted out Robin. Jinx blinked her eyes several times.
"Okay you lost me there for a second; did you just say I was dead?"
"He did," concurred Starfire.
"Well I think you're wrong. I'm pretty sure when I got up this morning that I took my body with me." Robin and Starfire continued to Star at her with awe and wonder. Jinx waved her hand dismissively. "Ahh, it's probably all the smoke you sucked in. You'll be fine in no time-they'll fine right?" she asked the EMT. He nodded.
"Their friends are coming to get them as we speak." Jinx nodded.
"Good, I guess I'll get back home. I left Wally all alone so there's no telling what sort of state it's in." She finished with a chuckle. "I'll see you guys later." Totally unaware of the confusion and befuddlement that she'd left behind Jinx left the scene.
STAR CITY……………..
Jinx entered a smaller version of Titans Tower, one that would better suit a partnership rather than an entire team. The door swished shut behind her and she called out;
"Wally." Apparently he didn't hear her for as she rounded the corner she found him hunched over something. "Wally?" He jumped suddenly and a few tiny wrappings sprayed in all directions. He stuffed something away out of sight.
"Hey there, Robin and Star okay."
"Yes they're just fine but what are you doing?" she asked while walking closer. She bent down to retrieve one of the fallen wrappers. It was obvious it used to be the housing for some form of sweet. With a narrowed glare she held it up. "Have you been eating these?"
"What? Me?" He blew out a snort innocence. "Of course not." Jinx tightened her grip on the tissue paper. "You believe me don't ya?" Her face melted into a smile and she nodded.
"Sure I believe you, oh here..you've got something around your mouth." She picked up a napkin and wiped the spot clean.
"So you really do believe me then?"
"Oh sure, it's completely coincidental that you've got chocolate all over your face!" He dropped his shoulders in defeat. "They were a Christmas present…to me! You're so fast you go get your own."
"You know that old saying, share what you get." Jinx smirked sarcastically then shook her head.
"I much prefer that old Cheesits saying; "Get your own box". Besides You want sharing then you should've given them to Starfire, she'd be more than happy to share. But not me." With a snicker he nodded and fell back down to the couch.
"Alright I get it, no more."
"No more," repeated Jinx. "Anyway, the weirdest thing happened after Robin and Starfire were better. They thought I was dead." Kid Flash furrowed his brow in the same manner of confusion.
"Why would they think that?" That had better not have been a sick joke, not funny.
"Beats me, I think it was the smoke," said she looking into the box Kid Flash had stole his way into. "Wait a minuet, there were three wrappers on the floor but there are four empty spaces here."
"Really." Said Kid Flash trying to sound mystified. With a dark glare she turned her eyes back to him.
"Where is it?"
While laughing at his own genius he stated, "I've laid out clues all around the tower; you have to follow them if you want to-"
"GIVE IT BACK!" With a lunge she Jinx threw herself on Kid Flash and the battle for her lost chocolate began.
TITANS TOWER…………………
Shortly after coming back home they had to leave again in order to get Cyborg out of the lockdown he was trapped in and explain the situation to avoid a larger problem. Just as they had expected Robin and Starfire were met with remarks of disbelief and denial when they told them who came to their rescue.
"Jinx is dead man," said Cyborg. Robin felt like beating his head against the wall.
"Cyborg I'm telling you it was her, in the flesh." The half teen half machine felt at odds with his rationality to believe it.
"I don't know man, how could she be alive?"
"We did help Kid Flash bury her," added Beast Boy. Raven, who'd been thinking quietly finally arrived at the only conclusion.
"We did it." It earned her four quizzical stares. "When we went back in time to stop Slade something we did somehow altered history to where Jinx never died in that fight. For that matter the battle itself may never have taken place."
"What did we do?" asked Starfire.
"I don't know, we'll probably never know. And there's no telling what else has changed." After the initial shock of seeing Jinx again was over they found it to be quite relieving, a good friend and comrade that they thought to be lost was back again. What could possibly be bad about that? The Titans filed out of the common room one by one, Robin hung back to check their mail and grinned as a package he'd already arranged with the store to have sent finally arrived. The time in the store just before Starfire called was merely to finish last minuet details.
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In the same mood that he was in the morning before Robin entered his room and began thinking about how he could present his gift to Starfire. It wasn't until after he paced around a few times when became aware of a presence with him. With a sigh he let the parcel fall to his bed.
"What're you doing here?" Red X stepped away from the open window.
"Just came to make sure you guys got out okay."
"Well as you can see we're fine, now maybe you should go." X stayed where he stood regardless. He nodded his head at the small box.
"That for her?"
"None of your business. Did you get your Xenothium?"
"I got my Xenothium."
"Good now get your thieving self out here." Red X chuckled lightly and began moving back toward the window.
"I'm really not such a bad guy, just resourceful."
"So am I," replied Robin darkly. X saluted him and held onto the window frame.
"I'll be seeing you." The thief leapt down form the window and was gone from the tower soon after that. Robin dwelled on the fact that he allowed a criminal, however mild mannered, to just walk away. His eyes then fell on the gift wrapped box and he decided dwelling was for another day; right now….he had a package to deliver.
The End
That was probably the longest eppy I've ever written, and I don't think its even my best. I'll leave that up to you. Hope you enjoyed it muy much! XD Laters!