Teen Titans

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Chapter 4- Time's Up

Maiden- It's almost been 24 hours since Starfire had been captured and the Titans are running out of time. Can the Titan boys pull it together and save Starfire and the other girls before a 4th captive is taken? Read to find out! R&R!

The digital clock on the microwave read 9:30pm. Several hours had passed and nothing had been said between the Titan boys. They only sat on the sofa starring at the TV screen. AJ and Joy sat in the lotus position, floating a few feet from the ground as they meditated; hoping they could locate the missing Titan girls. Aaron stood close behind them, adding a few magic chants or visions of his own every few minutes. Bee had stepped out into the hallway to contact her team to tell them the current situation. Visions never stopped comming to the Jaison twins, all of which contained images of Raven, Starfire and Falcon. But to thier misfortune, they were all fuzzy and unclear.

"You guys better be studying," AJ had added before her sister and boyfriend and dragged her over to meditate," Us girls are dropping like flies and you can't loose me because I'm the only psychic besides Aaron!"
This didn't help the mood, but AJ was only telling the truth. Everyone knew the next question would be on Falcon, thus they tried thinking of every possible question and answer Slade could come up with. Bohusk sat between Robin and Beast Boy listening to his iPod. Music always calmed his nerves in times of crisis, that and horror films, but music's easier. He racked his brain for everything he knew about the Azarathian princess. Sure, she was his girlfriend and he knew alot about her, but some things had yet to be discussed.
Once the clock struck 10:00pm, Slade appeared again.
"Good evening, Titans."
Everyone jumped at the sudden introduction of sound. The boys glued their eyes to the screen in some hopeful attempt to find out where Slade was hiding.
"It's time for your 3rd question." Slade chuckled.
"We're ready." Robin said in an all too confidant voice.
"Very well...your question is...what is Falcon most afraid of?"
This was a question the Titans had already accounted for and were ready with an answer.
"Her prophecy." Bohusk answered.
"Once again, Titans, you fail." Slade replied with amusement apparent in his one visable eye. "Although her prophecy does frighten her, she fears loosing the ones she loves...due to her demon heritage."
"G*damnit!" Bohusk yelled in anger. "You prick!"
"Watch your language." Slade mocked as he waved his finger.
"Shove it up your ass!" Bohusk yelled back.

"Your amusing little temper tantrum will get you nowhere, my boy...although, it will get me one more guest." he snapped his fingers and Bee dissapeared in the same yellow flash that took Vanessa.

"Carrie!" Vic bellowed, his blood boiling in anger for the villian that took his girlfriend. He raised his fist in anger and thrust it through the TV screen, shattering it. Seconds later, the familiar beeping of Robin's Titan communicator sounded though the thick air. The Titan leader flipped the devise open to reveal Slade holding Bumble Bee by her wings with her arms bound behind her and duct tape over her mouth.

"You are running out of time, dear Titans." and the screen went black. Cyborg hit his knees, still in shock.

"She's gone." he whispered as he stared at the spot where Bee once stood.

"We'll get her back." Robin promised. "And Starfire, Raven and Falcon too. Slade WILL pay for this."

"Hold up, boy birdwalk!" AJ called from her lotus position on the sofa. Her red/brown eyes were glazed over. Her pupils were dialated and seemed fixed on something that the others couldn't see. Everyone waited with baited breath as AJ tried to see all the images flashing before her vision; Aaron hurried over, grabbing his girlfriend's hand and reading her vision as she saw it, through her thoughts. He smiled at the same time she did." Slade's in the old electric factory just outside of town!"

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15 minutes later, the 6 Titans stood outside of the building that Aaron had described. Beast Boy, Robin, Bohusk and Cyborg broke down the door without remorse. Everyone took a step inside to see a dimly lit room that was rather filty from years of neglect. Suddenly, an alarm went off. Robin lifted his communicator out of his pocket and realized that the 24 hours he had to find Starfire had just expired. Robin turned to the Jaison twins in distress, asking where to go.

"Slade is here." Joy replied with her eyes closed, trying to focus on Slade's aura. "He's in the boiler room."

"What about the girls?" Beast Boy asked, frantic to find his dark angel.

"I'm sencing another aura, probably Starfire."

With Joy's words spoken, Robin dashed into a nearby hallway, following it until it stopped before a large steel door. The boy wonder reached into his utility belt and pulled out an explosive devise. He placed it on the door and set the timer for 5 seconds. He had enough time to back away several feet before the door fell open. When the smoke cleared, Robin entered the room, seeing a fixture that looked to be a jail cell. In the middle of it laied a figure with firey auburn hair.

His pulse and breath quickened as he approached. The figure lay motionless on it's side so Robin could not see the owner's face.

He took 2 steps back and kicked the padlock off the door. Richard ran into the cell and turned the body over. His masked eyes were wide with shock and horror. He held Starfire's body close to his, tears streaming down his face. He cried into her hair, screaming for her to forgive him and don't give up. He could hear a slow heartbeat and faint breathing, so he knew she was alive. Seconds after he gathered his battered and beaten girlfriend up in his arms, the others came rushing in. They all stopped and gasped at the horrific sight. Joy and Aj were the first to respond. Joy held onto Starfire as she and her sister teleported back to the tower. Aaron followed suit.

"You head back to the tower." Cyborg said to his heartbroken little brother. "We're going after Slade. I promise, you'll get your revenge."

Robin wiped his eyes with a gloved hand and smiled weakly. He took the keys to the T-Car from Cyborg and raced back to his home, hoping he hadn't come too late.