Chapter 6: The Mall of Shopping
"Hey man, this is kinda boring." Beast Boy sidled up to Jericho. "What you say a bunch of us go into town for a while? I know you and Killowat haven't seen Jump before, maybe you want the grand tour?"
"Oh yes, friend, and perhaps we can venture into the Mall of Shopping? I have not visited for quite some time."
That could be nice.
"Yeah, I'm in. Just clear it with the Boss men first."
"No worries, Killowat." Beast Boy grinned and turned to his leader. "Hey, Robin!"
"Yes, Beast Boy?" Robin turned his head from the plans he and Herald were poring over.
"What you say me an' Star give Jericho and Killowat a tour of Jump? I mean, we're all pretty bored just watching you talk."
Robin smiled; glad to have an excuse to get such a distraction out of his hair. "Sure, I don't see why not."
"Awesome! Let's go, guys!" The four leapt up, suddenly infused with the energy that they had been missing for the last few hours.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"…And this shop is an emporium for footwear, of which I am especially fond, and in this one I found a wonderful birthday present for Robin, and…"
Jericho sighed, and looked over at his fellow sufferers. Killowat looked ready to collapse under the weight of Starfire's verbal battery, but Beast Boy looked completely fine. Jericho supposed that he was used to such things by now.
"...and this one is a delightful shop full of musical instruments."
Wait, what?
"A music shop, Jeri."
Could we have a look for a minute?
"But of course, friend." Starfire grabbed his hand and physically dragged him in. He wondered why she did that. It wasn't like he didn't want to go. But she seemed intent on making sure that her guests did not slip away, a habit that must have been born from years of going to the Mall with a highly reluctant companion.
He allowed his eyes to rove in their sockets as he stepped into the shop. He rarely had the chance to visit a music shop, and he was going to make the most of it. All the Titans darted off to different corners of the shop. Starfire flew began pestering the hapless attendant for some esoteric Tameranean instrument, Beast Boy, to Jericho's surprise, headed towards the sheet music, while Killowat hung around the entrance, unsure what to do with himself. Music wasn't really his thing.
Jericho, however, knew exactly where he was going: the acoustic guitar section.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Tell me Beast Boy, where is friend Jericho?"
"I think he's still by the guitars, Star."
"He has been a very long time. Do you think he is alright?"
"What's the worst that could happen?"
"Well, he could-"
Whatever far-fetched idea Killowat had was fated to remain unrevealed, as Jericho took that moment to emerge, unscathed.
"Tell me, friend, what have you elected to purchase?"
Jericho grinned and held up a small object between finger and thumb.
"A plectrum? That's it?"
Yes. What did you get?
Beast Boy held up his book proudly. "Film Themes Classic and Modern- Scored for Tuba." Jericho gave him a blank look. "What? The tuba's a great instrument!"
Jericho merely rolled his eyes.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robin staggered back, landing a lucky blow on one of his assailants as he did so, knocking the man to his knees. Several attackers lay comatose at his feet, a testament to his ferocious skill. But it wasn't enough. He had been at this for ten minutes now, ever since the mysterious enemies had burst through the door of the Tower. In those ten minutes, he had gone from confidently seeing off whichever nutcases had dared to attack the Titans, to fighting a desperate rearguard battle in the hallway leading to the roof, where Cyborg was desperately trying to raise their missing teammates.
Robin cursed under his breath. Whoever these guys were, it was clear they had done their homework from the way they had shut the Titans down with ruthless efficiency, knocking out Herald and Raven as soon as they broke in, negating any chance of escape. Bringing his staff down on another goon's head, he accounted for the Titans in is head. Herald. Brought down with a tranquiliser dart to the neck. Raven. Hopefully alive, Robin had last seen her going down, knocked out by a gun butt to the head. Hot Spot. Fighting by Robin's side. Argent. Unconscious at Robin's feet, he and Hot Spot guarding her as best they could. Cyborg. On the roof, because the signal was clearer there, trying to reach their friends. Beast Boy. Killowat. Jericho. Starfire. All safe, out in the city. At least Starfire was safe. Maybe she could-
Hot Spot saw, out of the corner of his eye, Robin go down to the tranquiliser darts. Shit. What was he going to do now? He couldn't use his powers properly; he'd burn the Tower to the ground, and his friends along with it. He frowned. Time for something a little unorthodox. He raised his right hand, palm flat towards his enemies, and made a sweeping motion from left to right. Immediately, a searing wall of flame appeared, blocking the corridor from his attackers. Making full use of the diversion, he slung Argent over his shoulder, but had to resort to dragging Robin by his cape. Never had Hot Spot been so thankful that Wildebeest had declined the offer to join the team. Now, if he could just get to the roof…
