Part 71: The Black Clown

The "Black Clown" game shop was quite modern, but the architecture was all modeled after that of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Great pillars rose up around them, supporting the shop's roof and the floors gleamed like polished glass. Above the name of the shop was the logo: the face of a clown. The face was kinda creepy, actually.

The Titans were in civilian clothing (I'll let you decide what they should wear if I don't say so) to blend in and looked at both the building and the crowd with awe. It seemed that a lot of people have been looking forward to the shop's opening and were waiting in front of the door. This included Draco, of course, who was running around like a kid in a candy shop.

A clown was passing out balloons to the people and made his way to the Titans.

"Would you kiddies like a balloon?" the clown said. Beast Boy nearly jumped out of his skin in surprise when the clown snuck up behind him. He jumped into Shadowcobra's arms (you know, Scooby Doo style), much to the snake knight's dislike before being dropped on his ass.

"Yes, I would like a pink balloon Mr. Clown!" Starfire said happily, taking the balloon from the creepy clown. The rest of the Titans declined his offer, so Starfire took some more balloons, for the team of course.

Soon the doors opened and the crowd rushed in. The Titans of course were being dragged in by the sea of people but were able to stay close to each other.

When inside, they huddled around Robin.

"Okay, Team," Robin started, "We should meet back here when we're done. Take anything you want and when we're done we can go home. Deal?"

"Yes, friend Robin. We have a deal."-Starfire

"Ya got it Rob!"-Cyborg

"I wonder what games are here?"-Pluto

"This is a big fat waste of time."-Shadowcobra and Raven

"I'll go check out the TCG section!"-Draco

"I'll go with you."-Jinx

"I wonder if any new games are here?"-Beast Boy

"I'll go look for them with you BB."-Terra

They all went to look for anything they'd like.

Cyborg, Terra, Pluto and Beast Boy went to look for the video game section.

Starfire stayed as close to Robin as possible.

Jinx went with Draco to the TCG section.

Shadowcobra of course followed the last group from behind, since he also wanted to see the TCG section (Shadowcobra was also a duelist) and Raven walked with him.

Cyborg and Beast Boy stood in front of the large video game section. When I mean large, I mean LARGE. There were games stacked up on the shelves, even ones that haven't come out in the market and some old favorites. There were also strategy guides sold with each game. It was platter, no, a buffet, not even close, a whole banquet for video game fans alike. Both Beast Boy and Cyborg drooled at the selection of games they could get their hands on while Terra just smiled and rolled her eyes. Pluto wasn't paying much attention to the two (since he was also drooling, like a dog)

"Pinch me, I'm dreaming," said Pluto.

"Cy," said Beast Boy, looking wide-eyed at the video game section, drooling

"Yeah BB?" Cyborg said, also drooling.

"This…Is…Heaven."

"You could say that again."

"This…Is…Heaven."

Terra rolled her eyes but chuckled at Beast Boy's antics. She then hooked her arm around his. "Let's just get the game or all the games you want Beast Boy so that we can go home sooner and then…" she leaned closer to the changeling's pointy ear and whispered in something. Beast Boy's face changed from green to tomato red in less then a second. (Hm…wonder what she said to him?) Pluto went and packed his basket with various racing and fighting games as Beast Boy and Cyborg followed suit.

Starfire dragged Robin to the TCG section. She was following Draco and the others because she wanted to learn how to play Duel Monsters and since Draco offered to teach her.

"Alright, Star, before you learn how to play, you have to have the cards first. So, let's get you a starter pack," Draco said.

"Glorious! I will be really happy to accept a pack of starting and learn the game of dueling monsters," said Starfire happily as Draco smiled.

"You sure she can learn it, Draco?" Robin asked.

Draco turned his head to the boy wonder. "Robin, Star is a lot smarter than she acts or looks," he said the word 'looks' a little softer so as not to upset Starfire, "She's just real curious about the stuff here on Earth. If we were on her planet, we'll be just like her."

"I know. I've been there."

When they reached the TCG section, Draco's eyes widened when he saw Duel Monster booster packs and starter packs on the shelves. There were even glass cases with rare cards on display and for sale. Of course they were pretty expensive. There were other trading card games like Magic the Gathering, but Draco's attention was on the Duel Monster sets. Even Shadowcobra was impressed with the huge display.

Both Draco and Starfire pressed their faces on the huge glass display. Draco had never ever seen so many rare cards in one place before and Starfire was entranced by the many cards and pictures. Shadowcobra was restraining himself, but as a duelist, even he couldn't resist from looking at the rare selection of Spellcaster and Fiend monsters. Draco had a thing for Dragons and well, Starfire was admiring cards she thought looked cute like the Shining Friendship or the Marshmallon.

"There are just so many cards here," Draco said.

"Very impressive," Shadowcobra said, obviously impressed.

"Pretty nice," agreed Raven.

"They are all so pretty!" said Starfire, happily.

"I never knew there were so many cards," said Jinx.

"Jinx, these are just a few of the rare cards out there. I just gotta have them!" said Draco as he pulled out his wallet.

"Have you checked the price, Draco?" Said Shadowcobra as he pointed at the price displayed on the cards.

Draco's eyes widened at how expensive each card was. Some were either 15 bucks or 100 bucks a card.

Robin moved closer to Starfire. She blushed. "So Star," Robin started, "Which cards do you like?" Starfire pointed at two cards in particular. One was a green ball with two blue dots for eyes, a smiling face, stubbed feet and hands, angel wings and a halo (Shining Friendship) and another card depicting a similar creature, but red with a heart on its head (Happy Lover). Starfire smiled at him as he got the message.

Suddenly, two familiar figures stepped into the TCG section. They were Gizmo and Mammoth. They didn't see the Titans, but they did see Jinx and Draco.

"Hey Jinx!" Gizmo yelled out, causing the pink haired sorceress to turn her head. She smiled at her short friend. Draco of course smiled as well. But the rest of the Titans turned around in surprise and stood battle ready in front of the two HIVE members.

"What are you two doing here?" Robin asked angrily.

"What's it to you?" Gizmo retorted as Mammoth cracked his fist.

Draco ran in between the two groups as not to cause any property damage (or for any of them to be kicked out before they got anything).

"Geez Robin! Relax!" He turned towards the Hive members. "Hi Giz! Hi Big guy!"

"Hello Draco," greeted Mammoth.

"Good to see you too Dragon-breath," Gizmo said.

Robin pointed an accusing finger at Draco. But he gave up without saying anything and walked back towards Starfire.

"So what are you two doing here?" asked Jinx.

"Just came to see if they're anything good here," replied the midget genius.

"You should check the video games section, it's huge," suggested the dragon knight.

"We did, but Cyborg tried to blast us," Mammoth said, smiling sheepishly.

"He would," Draco and Jinx said in unison.

Meanwhile, Shadowcobra went to a shelf and picked out something. It was a box, which had the words DDM: Dungeon Dice Monsters written on it. He smiled as he looked at the box before he placed his arm around Raven's waist. Raven blushed, and surprisingly, nothing bad happened.

"Well, see you two later," Draco said.

"Yeah!"

"See you next time, Jinx."

"Will do, Mammoth."

After the two had left, Draco was confronted by an angry and suspicious Robin. Green eyes met masked blue ones as they stared each other down.

"Do you even want to know, Robin?" Draco said.

"With your record, guess not," he sighed as he walked toward Starfire and helped her choose a starter pack and some booster packs. Draco helped out as well, since he was more experienced at the game.

Raven looked at the box Shadowcobra was holding. "What is that?"

"DDM: Dungeon Dice Monsters. It's from the creators of Duel Monsters, but it's a board game. Like a cross between Snake and Ladders with Chess," Shadowcobra answered.

After getting Starfire a starter pack and some booster packs. The group decided to meet the others in front to pay for their stuff. Pluto, Beast Boy and Cyborg carried out their bounty with glee as well as Starfire, who was looking at her newly acquired Duel Monster cards. When they left the building, the same guy was still watching them from his office as he closed the blinds.

"Soon my duckies…We will play."

To be continued…

Author's notes: You probably know whom that is, right? Anyway, the next chapter will focus on Draco's attempt to teach the Tamaranian princess the fine art of dueling (playing Duel Monsters). This will be a starting point to the arc before they face the Gamemasters and Mad mod.

For anyone who is curious: No, the Zodiac Knights are not from any TV show or cartoon. They are my own creation. Actually, they are based on Kamen Rider Ryuki. If you don't know what it is, look it up on the Net

Please Read and Review and tell me what you want to have Draco's experience with teaching Starfire to be like