Two days later…
"This task of searching is becoming very tedious Robin."
Starfire blasted a stonewall with her eyes, but behind that was more rocks.
"I told you not to do that, Starfire," said Red X. "We don't to be more trapped than we already are."
Robin inspected a portion of the ground carefully despite already having done so yesterday.
"Your parents really should enter a hide and seek contest, Maximus. They're shoe in to win," Robin joked frustratingly.
After hurrying down the abyss, Robin's group found themselves lost. Similar to how they couldn't see the floor from above, they now couldn't see an opening when they looked up. Starfire couldn't fly up without getting lost, and their communicators are low in signal. Since then they had spent effort looking for an alternate exit, but all they could find were stones and rocks and boulders.
Starfire then squealed upon seeing Brian's mutated face in stone form on the wall she had been examining.
"Jericho! Brian!" Red X sounded expectant. "You guys took what, five hours? Did you mange to find anything?"
Jericho, who has taken control over Brian's body, looked straight into Starfire's eyes. Before the transfer, he spoke with Brian through their minds.
Are you sure you're okay with the name Brian? he thought. I can tell them your real name.
Yes, the names don't matter to me, thought Brian. I have a bad history with my birthname and nicknames. Brian is the first that's grown on me.
Before they could mentally converse any longer, the transfer had been made, and Jericho found himself in Starfire's body, her emerald eyes replaced by his turquoise.
"We have found a laboratory setting," Starfire's voice echoed in the underground cave. "But took a really long time to get there and we do not know how to get there through an entrance."
"This is frustrating," Robin expressed bitterly. He wondered if Batman could find a way. "Think…"
Red X had an idea.
"Think!" he declared.
Everyone stared at him.
"Yes, think," Robin repeated.
"I think I finally understand how my parents conduct these secret operations," explained Red X. If he was right, it would be their way around the underground labyrinth. It would help discover the core intentions of the Markovs' doings. It would explain the unclear mind his sister have had all these years and why their parents never took it as seriously as genuine parents should.
"What are you proposing?" Starfire, in her true mind, with Jericho now physically beside her, inquired.
"I want all of us to think like villains," Red X proposed. "Think like my parents. Think of creating the Arbitraries for some illusionistic greater good. Think of the lab Jericho and Brian had seen, and think of all the experiments they could have already conducted. Just think!"
"But they are such drastic, evil thoughts," Starfire said.
Jericho placed his hand on her shoulder reassuringly, expressing that it was only going to be a short while and that it would not change them.
Starfire glanced at Robin, and Robin's expression suggested that they ought to give it a try.
"It might be the best way to protect the innocent Markovians," he said.
With a breath, Starfire shut her eyes and began thinking sinisterly. Everyone did.
Suddenly, they heard a tiny piece of rock drop to the ground. They all looked up, expecting the cave to collapse and crush them. But nothing else happened.
"We are not, the flat?" asked Starfire.
Jericho then pointed at something. They all followed his finger, and saw a tiny but glaring reflection from supposedly where the tiny rock had originally been.
Starfire flew up to inspect it. She touched it, and all of a sudden their surroundings rumbled until they saw a narrow opening.
Red X passed through the gap. "We're so close."
You're in my arms, and all the world is calm
The music playing on for only two
So close, together
And when I'm with you
So close, to feeling alive
"My dear, you look elegant!"
Mrs Markov watched Terra with much adoration. Terra stared at her reflection - lilac dress with her sentimental hairclip. Her hair had been tied back, so her face was completely exposed. She thought the woman in the mirror was stunning, but she didn't feel like it was her.
"Grateful decency, mom," she murmured.
"Now," Mrs Markov got up and opened the door. "We shall see how dashing your Partner is."
Terra stifled a snort. Beast Boy is far from dashing. Yet, I'm far from elegant.
Terra and her mother walked down the marble staircase, leading them to the foyer. What was once spacious was now in the setup process, with grey, metallic food carts and trays going from one place to another until they stopped on their carefully planned spot.
The buffet was set up at the circumfetence of the foyer area. In the center was where all the people would be, and sitting on one of the throne-looking sofas sat Terra's father and Beast Boy - in handsome suits.
Beast Boy was donning a dark purple tailcoat and his collar had been fluffed up like a prince. Terra had to admit, purple, especially dark purple, is the best match for him.
When Beast Boy saw Terra, a blush escaped his cheeks. She looked stunningly beautiful. And she was wearing purple too. Watching her go foen the stairs, he couldn't compare Promenade Terra to Titan Terra.
"Dude…"
"Excuse me, we don't use the term 'Dude' here," Mr Markov reminded Beast Boy. "Ah, Tara my little love, you look beautiful as always."
Terra accepted the invite from her father to hug him. When they let go, Mr Markov turned to Beast Boy.
"Well what are you waiting for, Markovia Emancipation Day?"
Beast Boy got up stiffly and walked to Terra. From what he had learnt so far in the social manners and banquet etiquette lessons he received, he made sure there was minimal shaking and sweating and that his posture was right. He took Terra by the hand.
"Nice ballgown, Terra."
"Now we commence rehearsing the pinnacle of the Promenade - the dance," Mrs Markov announced. "Tara, please guide him through."
Before the dance, the males had to officially invite their female partner by going around her once and then place his hands on her hips. If she declines, she would take a step back. If she accepts, she would sway to the right and place her hands on his shoulders three seconds after.
Beast Boy did as such seamlessly, but when it came to slow dancing, he was no party animal.
Terra placed her hands on his shoulders tentatively and whispered, "Sorry if I step on your feet. I haven't danced ever since my last Promenade when I was ten."
"I think I'll step on you first," replied Beast Boy. Terra snorted at the joke. She still enjoyed them.
"Concentrate, youngins," her father said.
Beast Boy kept up with Terra's surprisingly graceful movements. But when the music kept going, he started wondering how long the dance actually was.
After one hour and eleven minutes, the music ended, leaving Beast Boy's numbing legs to tremble.
The Markov parents applauded.
"Very well done, my boy," said Mr Markov. "After the dance, you will hear the Markovian gong and you will, without moving your body, arms or legs, will kiss her for eleven seconds."
Beast Boy gulped. Eleven seconds?!
He looked at Terra, who looked just as unenthusiastic.
"Good job, uh, Beast?" erred Mrs Markov. "Don't you have a proper, more formal name?"
"Garfield," answered Beast Boy. Terra giggled.
"Seriously? Garfield!"
Beast Boy frowned. "Not my choice."
Oh wow, even his name sounds like a joke! Terra thought. "Why don't we give you a better name derived from Garfield? Gar?"
Beast Boy froze. It would be awkward if Terra of all people called him Gar. He only let Raven call him for the sake of their mission, he agreed.
A life goes by,
Romantic dreams will stop
So I bid my goodbye
And never knew
So close, was waiting,
Waiting here with you
And now, forever, I know
All that I wanted
To hold you so close.
Cyborg sat on the cell floor,.playing a sad tune on the harmonica. When he had woken up the day before, he found himself in a tiny Markovian prison. He ad examined the block, and was certain he could break out. But he didn't want to stir the pot too long and risk him and his friends to be caught redhanded. So whenever the guards weren't payin attention, he worked on building a clone.
"Stop that music already!" bellowed one of the guards. "Morris, tell him to shut it!"
"Shut it, C-3PO!"
Cyborg paused. "Jeez if you're gonna give me a robot nickname make it one that is not so outdated."
"Hey Morris, who you bringing to the Promenade tonight?"
"I'm taking the Queen's daughter," Morris said proudly. Cyborg felt sick thinking that a gruffy sounding man was to dace with Terra.
"You mea Terra?" he asked.
"It's Tara, bot brain, not Terra!" shouted Morris.
"Same diff. So you men will be out for the night?"
"Yeah, we got dates. Too bad you're arrested!"
"You guys aren't the ones who caught me, are you?"
Morris shook his head. "Those are the King's guards. They guard the Castle. We are the prison wardens. We need to promote."
"I see… Well then have fun."
So close to reaching
That famous happy end
Almost believing
This was not pretend.
And now you're beside me,
And look how far we've come
So far we are so close...
Meanwhile, Raven, Slade and Phobia were in a situation of their own. After the entrance closed before them, they could not reopen it, with magic, force or mind, as if it was meant to be a one-way trip.
The pit lead them to an underground tunnel. At the end of it, they found part of what they hoped they would find, locked up and menacing. They had spent the next two days figurin out how to get out, and finding out how to free all of them. They found the Arbitraries.
It was a cruel site, everyone locked up and could not find a way to escape, left to fend for themselves, and many did not make it and their lifeless bodies had no choice but to be left behind at the back.
Most of them could not speak, like Brian and Jericho, but for the ones that could, they were brought forward to talk with Slade, Raven and Phobia.
One of them, Leila, was a woman in her forties with mutated super upper body, so powerful she had to walk with her hands and hold with her feet, and Raven had to crouch when they were discussing. Another, Yano, was barely a teenager who had the ability to stretch out his tongue and function it like an arm and hand, as if he had three. Lastly, Wednesday, a young adult a few years older than Raven who could change the complexion of her skin. That was it.
None of them had crucial information, leaving the three of them to find it themselves.
"This is becoming pointless!" Phobia scowled in her nightmarish attitude.
"Do you want to get out or be stuck here forever?" retorted Raven.
Amidst their searching, Slade heard a small but possibly significant sound. He went over to a calculated spot where the sound was, and spotted a little rock that seemed out of place.
Then, a gap appeared before them until it was wide enough for Robin, Starfire, Red.X, Jericho and Brian to walk in.
"Friend Raven!" Starfire wasted no moment going to Raven and giving her a high-pressure hug. "It is nice to see you again!"
Robin, upon eyeing Slade, was instantly on guard. Slade eyed him back.
"Look, Slade, your son," said Phobia nonchalantly. Slade's eyes refocused to the back of Robin, and recognized an older version of the curly blond boy he raised.
Slade took a step forward, and Jericho did not know what to do.
"My son…" Jericho just stared at his father. It might have been easier if Slade had his mask off.
Out of instinct and sheer desire, they both ran to hug the other.
"My son…" Slade said again. Everyone, even the Arbitraries, paused to watch. "I promise I'll never lose you again."
After they finished hugging, Robin went on to get things straight.
"Slade, you have to decide whether you're with us or by yourself. Jericho's an Honorary Titan, and has developed his own merits."
"An ultimatum," said Slade. He walked to Robin.
And hugged him.
Robin gasped out a huff of air at the surprise.
"Thank you," thanked Slade. "You do realize this is not going to change the competitive drive ignited between us, but it is going to bring my feet back up, right?"
"Uh..."
"I guess that's a yes," said Raven, a little smile forming on her lips at the sight of Robin, Jericho and Slade. Robin regained his bearings, cleared his throat, and assumed commanding position.
"Okay, Titans - and others - we have to find a way to free the Arbitraries, and free ourselves -"
"Wait a minute! What about me?" Everyone looked at Phobia. "I don't have a child to turn over a new leaf for! What's in it for me?!"
"What's in it for you," said Slade, "is that you have no other choice but to side with the heroes now."
To Phobia, the eyes looking at her all around the room were pressuring and pressuring her, wanting her to conform to them and help them on their giant quest to oust two people.
"Fine."
Starfire clapped her hands together. "Joy! We shall commence!"
Oh how could I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now?
Night seemed to be fast approaching, and Beast Boy found himself relying on drinking tubs of water to drain the nervousness out of him.
Calm down, dude, it'll only be a night. Your friends will be alright - wherever they are. If I'm lucky, they'll rescue me before the Promenade starts -
His thoughts were interrupted by the opening of his staying guestroom door.
"Mr... Field?" said a butler. The butler was brown-toned with even browner eyes.
"Garfield," Beast Boy sneered, following the butler out the door.
"The Promenade will begin shortly. You and Miss Markov must prepare."
Beast Boy suddenly found his tuxedo tighter. They walked on the corridor Beast Boy couldn't remember being at because the Castle was so big.
"Are you a Markovian?" asked Beast Boy. "Markovians are supposed to be blonds with blue eyes. But you are bald with black eyes?
"Man, call me bald again and I'll stuff meat down your tofu-ingested throat," the butler said. Beast Boy widened his eyes.
"Cyborg?"
"Shh!" Cyborg shushed Beast Boy, pushing him to a cornered wall in silence. "I got out of jail when the wardens went out for the Promenade. They won't fail to recognize me for long, but I'll be watching in secret. I can't contact the others. No signal, but it's not because their communicators were destroyed. That would have given me a different message. They're somewhere the satellite can't get to them, and since this baby's built to be able to reach contact in a long range, they must be way underground."
"Ohhhh 'kay..." Beast Boy said. "Didn't really understand what you were saying but I'm guessing you want me to still go to the Promenade while you keep an eye out?"
"Pretty much. Now go get 'em, tiger."
Beast Boy made an unwilling face, and made his way, the best that he could, to the foyer.
"Hello, my boy," said Mr Markov. "People are soon to be arriving for the big event. Please, help yourself to a couple of canapes to ease your nerves. You seem rather... tense."
Beast Boy just grinned, walking to Terra.
"Hey, Terra."
"Hey," she replied, but she wasn't paying attention to him. Her eyes were swiveling around attentively at the piling-in guests, looking for Gerard. "Gonna be a long night, huh?"
"Yep." The Promenade had begun.
We're so close to reaching
That famous happy end,
And almost believing,
This was not pretend
"I really can't recall my memory that vividly, I apologize for that."
Red X was asking Leila questions while Starfire was trying to get shy Yano to talk, with Phobia watching with much boredom.
"Can I just enter his nightmare?" she had suggested thoughtfully, only to be instantly rejected by basically everyone.
Robin explained, "You may be helping us, but that doesn't mean we authorize you to do anything. Jericho, you think you can do it instead?"
Jericho nodded. He gave his father one quick look before focusing on Yano's eyes, and soon he had control over his body. Jericho used this method in almost every Arbitrary in order to get a more objective 'memory pool'.
"I don't know how to free the Arbitraries yet, but I think I know the way out," said Jericho through Wednesday's voice. "Follow."
Let's go on dreaming
for we know we are...
So close...
Mr Markov hit his champagne glass with a spoon, making a sharp tang sound that caught everybody's attention.
"We welcome you today to this fine night of celebration. We have reached the vital hour, where in history dating back..."
Beast Boy did not exert effort understanding Mr Markov's speech. Instead, he had been worried sick about the situation his friends were in, and also where Cyborg was hiding at that moment.
A nudge interrupted him from his thoughts. He saw Terra urging him to do something. He looked around. Apparently, the dance had already started. Hastily, he did the invitation routine of encircling his Partner.
The two had positioned themselves for the dance and swayed.
"So have you found the person you're looking for?" asked Beast Boy. Terra didn't realize that he had realized that she was looking for Gerard, but she answered anyway with a dejected head shake.
"There are too many people here," her voice was solemn, but she quickly recovered. "But at least we're not loners at this dance."
Beast Boy smiled. He wished he was dancing with Raven, though.
And just on cue, the romancing slow-dance song started playing on the acoustically accurate radio speakers.
"I love this song," Terra commented. She sang along when the music played. "You're in my arms and all the world is calm..."
"The music playing on for only two..."
"You know this song?" Terra looked at Beast Boy quizzically. "I never knew you knew that much romance."
"There's a lot of stuff you don't know about me." Beast Boy meant to say that with seriousness, but somehow it came across as something else, because Terra was stifling a little giggle.
The song continued, and Terra caught a glimpse of her parents watching her. She recalled all the steps that had to do.
"Don't forget the kiss," she told Beast Boy.
"Why are you in a rush?"
"I want my parents to see it."
"Why?"
"Because I want to prove my worth with them. This is the first step."
Beast Boy raised an eyebrow. "Terra, are you okay?"
"I have to continue their legacy and find out how to get the experiments right."
"Terra? Tara?"
Terra shook her head. "Ugh. Sorry, headache. Hurts worse each day."
Beast Boy looked genuinely worried. "You wanna rest?"
"No," she refused adamantly. "Keep dancing, we're almost to the end."
The end? thought Beast Boy. He would have to kiss her soon.
Then, his animal instincts caught a sniff of herbal tea, then of metal, then of Tamaranean dishes and Slade. Robin's group, Slade's group, and Raven, reunited with Cyborg, are nearing him. Oh, how he wanted to just join them. Even Slade. He would rather fight Slade than kiss someone he didn't want to kiss.
So close...
"Beast Boy..." Raven saw Beast Boy and her heart was beating. But he was dancing with Terra. "What's going on?"
"Uh..." Cyborg realized too late how awkward it was about to get.
And still so far...
The clock stroke, and the men leaned forward toward the ladies and brought them lips to lips, kissing each other affectionately.
A/N: Hi! I hope you like this! Everyone's together finally! Happy family! Or is it?
I am sorry if this seems a bit rushed. That's because it is. I sort of wanted to slow it down because the song is a slow dance song, but then the emotions rushing through it is that feeling of desire and how it is just out of reach but you're not there yet. Adrenaline-filled emotions for a slow song.
Again, thanks for reading! If you really want to keep up with the story, especially since it is close to the end (Yay!), follow or favorite it, or both! Also I would love it if you drop in a review!