Let me first start off by apologizing to those who have been waiting for an update on this story. It took this long because I was struck with such a sudden rush of inspiration for a completely new story back in July, that I just had to put it on paper. And thus Death Korps of Justice was born.
More people have been drawn to that story than any of my other three, so much of my attention will be focused on that one. But rest assured that I'm not done with this story, not by a long shot. Updates will just be more sporadic and far between than they used to.
But either way, I'm back with yet another chapter, and this one is dedicated to the best holiday ever; Christmas. But before you read this chapter, let me point out that this will be a stand-alone chapter, meaning it is not connected to the main storyline and events taking place in this chapter will have no influence or relevance in future chapters.
But enough of my blabbering, let's get on with the chapter!
Chapter 20: Christmas Special
Christmas was upon Jump City. Snow covered the streets as people hurried this way and that. Spirits were high in every part of the city with children having snowball fights, Santas patrolling the streets in search of donations for less fortunate people, and even a choir singing Christmas songs at the mall.
Yep, all was good and well in the city during this joyous holiday. Too bad this tranquility was promptly shattered by a certain gun crazy chick currently racing down the street like a madwoman, cackling in joy all the way. Hot on her heels was Robin on his R-cycle, determined to catch this this girl once and for all.
"What's the matter, bird boy? Am I too fast for you?" Raven shouted mockingly over the roar of their engines. Robin gritted his teeth as he hit full throttle, slowly gaining on her.
"Pull over and hand over the money you stole!" he shouted back. Raven merely smiled cockily at him, instantly setting him on edge. He knew that look, and it always brought along trouble.
"You want it?" she questioned while patting the bag of money slung over her shoulders, "Then come and get it!" without warning, she swerved left and raced right into incoming traffic.
"Dammit!" Robin cursed as he was forced to follow. A dangerous game erupted as they both kept swerving back and forth to avoid the dozens of cars coming right at them. But while Robin was cursing Raven in very creative ways (for the sake of this story's T rating, they will not be mentioned), the girl herself was grinning like a lunatic as adrenaline pumped through her like a drug.
This was what she lived for, the thrill of the chase. It did not matter who was chasing who, the feeling of racing down the street was so invigorating to her it bordered on obsession. Raven truly was a thrill junkie.
But all good things must come to an end, as Raven suddenly changed course and disappeared down an alley. Robin was barely able to keep up with her sudden change in direction. They exploded out on a less crowded street and continued on.
But ahead of them, a Santa was jingling a bell while selling dolls to passersby, merrily calling out "Merry Christmas!". Had he been standing just a few feet further out on the sidewalk, he would have been flattened by Raven as she shot passed like a bullet. As it was, he only fell back in shock while letting out an undignified squeak.
But without warning, Raven came to a sudden stop before racing back the way she came. Robin was completely caught by surprise and could only stare stupefied while Raven went right past him.
"What the…" the asked in befuddlement before he regained his wits and turned around as well. Meanwhile, the Santa had just gotten back on his feet, brushing off the snow from his pants while muttering something about "crazy kids".
But he was soon given the second shock of the day as Raven raced right passed him again, this time snatching the doll he was currently holding in his hand along the way. Landing on his butt again, he could do nothing else but stare in bewilderment at first his empty hand, then to where Raven went, then back to his hand and so forth.
A second later however, a wad of money landed in his still open hand. If he had looked confused before, the look on his face now was simply beyond words' description. The chase continued, with Robin now even more confused than before.
"What the hell are you trying to pull, Raven?" he shouted once he got close enough to be heard. A cheeky grin was what he received in answer.
"Now that would be telling, bird boy," she shot back playfully as she tried putting some distance between them. Robin gritted his teeth and moved closer. Seeing his scrunched up face, Raven pouted at him.
"Don't look so freaking moody, bird boy. It's Christmas, for crying out loud! Loosen up a bit!" she reprimanded him. The chase led them into the more suburban areas of the city, where Raven was struck by a devious idea. She slowed down a bit until Robin was able to catch up and drive side by side with her.
"Hey bird boy! Ever had a snowball fight?" she asked with a wicked grin on her face, something that made Robin more than a bit nervous. That smile just screamed 'Doom'.
"No," he answered cautiously. Raven's smile only grew wider and more sinister, if such a thing was even possible.
"Well then, I guess this will just have to qualify as one for you," she commented a bit too sweetly, just before she brought up a leg and gave him a sudden shove that sent him careening off course. Robin screamed like a little girl as his motorcycle hit a fire hydrant and sent him flying through the air while flapping his arms as if they were wings.
His impromptu flying lesson was brought to an abrupt end as he flew like a missile straight into a mound of snow headfirst, buried so only his legs were sticking out. Raven came to a stop next to the mound, cackling evilly at his predicament.
"I give you a 10 for the aerial acrobatics, but a 5 for the landing," she said between fits of laughter as Robin's legs uselessly kicked the air. Eventually he managed to free himself. And as his head popped out of the snow, he looked ready to murder someone. A certain annoying violet haired girl with a love of guns being his preferred choice.
"Okay, bird boy, I gotta go. It's been fun, alright. Looking forward to doing this again in the future," Raven announced as she revved up her motorcycle a speeded down the road, leaving Robin behind in the snow.
Half an hour later, Robin dragged his freezing butt back inside Titans Tower, having spent the whole trip home fantasizing about the numerous ways he could get back at Raven. The damn girl was always bad news, stirring up trouble even during Christmas of all times.
As he entered the living room, sagged together like a sack of potatoes, he found the rest of his team in the business of preparing Christmas. Cyborg was standing in the kitchen cooking, Starfire and Argent were using their powers of flight to hang up decorations on the walls and roof and Beast Boy was setting up the table.
Catching sight of their leader, Cyborg let a huge grin split his face.
"Rob, there you are! You're just in time too, we're about to start any second now," he announced cheerfully, bringing a small smile to Robin's face.
"You guys will have to start without me, I've got some work to do," he said apologetically. The looks of disappointments that spread across his team's face were not a reassuring sight.
"Nu uh. This is Christmas, Robin. Whatever work you have to do, it will have to wait 'til tomorrow," Cyborg stated fiercely. Robin gave a tired sigh at that.
"Listen, I'm really sorry, but this just can't wait. I promise I'll be…" his protests were halted when Starfire flew right up in his face, the most adorable puppy dog eye in place on her face.
"But Robin, Christmas is supposed to be a joyous Earth celebration where you spend time with your friends and family," she desperately pleaded with him, hands clapped together and big watery eyes staring imploringly at him. He was almost about to crack from her look alone when he heard giggling coming from the other three members of his team.
"What's so funny?" he asked suspiciously while giving them the stink eye. They did not give a verbal answer, too busy keeping their mirth inside. Instead Beast Boy pointed his finger upwards. When Robin looked towards the ceiling, his face turned beat red as he found that he and Starfire were standing under a mistletoe.
A mistletoe held above their heads by an eerily familiar crimson energy.
"Come on now, gotta keep traditions," Cyborg urged them on teasingly. But while Robin looked as embarrassed as he could get, Starfire was completely clueless as to what was going on.
"I do not understand. Why is Robin red, why are you all smiling, and why is there a plant hanging over our heads?" she asked in confusion. Argent was more than happy to fill the poor girl in.
"It's a mistletoe, Star. And whenever a boy and a girl stands underneath one, they have to kiss each other," she explained, still sporting a huge grin of her own. Now it was Starfire's turn to look embarrassed as well, though she also had a small smile on her face.
Slowly, she turned to face Robin, who was nervously tugging on his cape. After a few moments of embarrassing moments, they began leaning towards each other. But just as their lips met, a flash of light made them jump apart as if they had been burned.
"Too slow, lovebirds," Cyborg mocked as he waved a camera at them.
"Give it here!" Robin shouted as he lunged after it, but Cyborg just held it out of his reach.
"Hold on, Rob. Here's the deal; I give you the camera tomorrow, and in return you drop whatever work you were planning on doing and celebrate Christmas with us," Cyborg said, still grinning in amusement. Seeing no other alternative, Robin relented.
"Fine, you win," he said. Starfire squealed in joy while the rest grinned victoriously at him.
"Good, then take a seat at the table and I'll bring the food," Cyborg announced, starting a mad dash for the table among the rest of the team.
"You better have made some tofu for me," Beast Boy stated from where he was seated, receiving a disgruntled look from Cyborg.
"It's Christmas, you can't possibly celebrate it without loads of meat," he answered as he brought the food over.
"Dude! I've been most of those animals! There's gotta be something vegetarian friendly here!" he countered.
"Your loss, grass stain," Cyborg quipped back. As they continued their usual bickering, Robin felt a smile of contentment spread across his face. If he had to be honest, he was glad that they had forced him to participate. There was nothing else he would rather do than spend time with his friends on Christmas, though he was never going to admit it out loud.
But he could not help but worry about Raven. She was still out there on the loose. Who knew what nefarious plot and villainous scheme she was planning right now?
While Jump City was one of the most well faring cities in the United States, with poverty and unemployment being fairly low considering its large population, there were still those that lived below the line of a comfortable modern life.
One such place was the Light's Hope orphanage on the East side of the city. Calling this place a filthy dump would have been a far too strong a word. It did get by, and the children had beds, clean clothes and food on the table.
But unfortunately, they had not enough funding to provide the children with a true Christmas, they had to be content with a bowl of porridge in the morning and maybe if they were lucky a simple Christmas tree.
However, they were in for a shock this day, as when they entered the orphanage after a day of walking the street and asking for donations, they found Christmas decorations all over the place, a huge tree decorated tree with piles of presents stacked up beneath it and loads of Christmas food.
"I don't believe this!" one of the employees said in astonishment.
"It's a bloody miracle!" someone else added. But while everyone else scattered all over the orphanage to marvel at these gifts, a ten year old girl on the third floor had noticed that a single window was slightly open.
So she slowly approached it and pushed it open all the way and peered out.
"Ho, ho, ho. Are there any nice children here?" someone suddenly asked, making a poor imitation of a Santa voice. The girl just smiled as she looked at the fire escape ladder, where Raven sat perched with a grin on her face.
"I just knew it was you behind it, Raven," she said confidently. Raven just shrugged her shoulders.
"What can I say, I'm that awesome," she said humorously, causing the girl to let out a small giggle before a thoughtful look overtook her face.
"But how did you afford all of these things?" she asked curiously, and with a small tone of accusation behind it. Raven grinned cheekily at her.
"Let's just say I took out a long-term loan from the nearest bank," she said evasively. The girl narrowed her eyes at Raven.
"You stole it, didn't you?" she deadpanned. Raven held up her hands as a surrendering gesture.
"You don't have to sound so harsh about it. I myself prefer the term 'borrowing without permission' much more," she defended herself. 'Getting reprimanded by a ten year old. I must be losing my touch,' Raven thought to herself.
"Oh, and that reminds me," Raven suddenly added as she reached inside her cloak and brought out the doll she nabbed earlier, "Got this for you," she announced as she handed it over to the girl. The girl took the gift with a big smile on her face. That alone was enough justification for her earlier robbery in Raven's opinion.
"Thank you," the girl said gratefully as she hugged her new toy, "Why don't you come in, Raven? You can celebrate Christmas with the rest of us," the offer caught Raven off guard, as she had not expected to be invited just like that.
It was tempting, Raven had to admit, but in the end she declined.
"Nah, sorry kid. I don't think the grown-ups will be happy of having a wanted criminal in the house," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. Besides, this was the season of joy, and seeing all the children so happy was a reward enough for Raven.
Let it be known far and wide that the bitchy mercenary Raven, with a reputation scary enough to send the police running for the hills, had a soft spot for children. That she also got to mess around with Robin a bit was an added bonus as well.
"Well, gotta go. I have a turkey and a warm fire back home with my name on it," Raven suddenly announced as she turned around, "Merry Christmas!" she called out before she leaped off the ladder and disappearing into the city.
As a final word, I would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas!