"Helryx? Where are the Toa?"
Krakua couldn't help but be curious. He'd spent a while protecting his island fortress, and after a while the Toa of Sonics'd actually gotten bored. The one person he could trust on to brighten up his mood was the leader of the Order (just the Order now, as with Mata Nui now dormant the organization's original purpose had been fulfilled.) Lately one thing that had been bugging him was that there were no Toa to be seen protecting Matoran other than Orde, Chiara, and Zanni- and even then, their coverage had been spotty.
"That depends on which Toa team you are talking about," the old Toa replied.
Krakua beamed. "Preferably the Nuva."
"Well... I'm afraid I do not know."
"What? But you must! You know everything!"
Helryx chuckled. "There are some things that even I was not privy to." Then her gaze hardened. "And to answer your question... again, I do not know of the Nuva's whereabouts. Neither of the Mahri's, or your rogues, or for that matter..." she frowned, "not even the Hagah. Peculiar. Thank you for alerting me, Toa Krakua."
"You're welcome! But Toa- those aliens that bombed the city last week- I could've sworn Toa Lewa was involved somehow-"
"Kidnapped." She raised an eyebrow. "I was not aware I was to know of positions of the entire Nuva."
"But where are they?" Krakua asked.
"Somewhere. I am sure. Given they all shared a special bond with Lewa, I'm sure they went out looking for him. You should assist them."
"I would in a heartlight flash, although my fortress is of most importance..."
"We will cover it." The Toa stopped at a door, blocked by a high-tech handprint scanner. "At the very least, Toa Krakua, go and check on their progress. From what I understand the Gordanians have left the planet, and if Toa Tahu or Toa Kopaka come out of this search empty..."
Krakua hastily nodded. He had not met either of them himself, but from what Takua had told them he knew they weren't likeable when they were angry. "It won't be pretty. Understood, Toa Helryx. I'm on it." He gave her the Order's salute before dashing off. Helryx smiled to herself. Oh, that Krakua. He was somewhat of a cad, but he genuinely wanted to help. The Toa didn't feel guilty about making him a Toa one bit.
Jinx, leaning by a parked bus and cupping a hand to her ear, nodded sagely and tossed a hex at the vehicle to tip it over. Rolling downhill, a sudden bump triggered its blaringly loud horn, alerting the Titans to the perils of a crying baby. As Beast Boy was quick to notice, its carriage was in the middle of a nearby crosswalk, putting it in danger of being flattened.
"Titans, GO!"
The Titans rapidly sprung into action. Starfire pushed the baby's carriage out of harm's way, while Cyborg, Raven, and Windflyer worked together to stop the bus; as the witch and the Toa watched, the metallic man stood in front of the vehicle and waited for it to reach him. Then he planted his body next to the front fender and pushed as hard as he could, hoping and praying it would slow down. No use. When Windflyer's attempts with the Pakari proved just as futile, Raven stepped in and used her magic to switch the gearshift into park position, enabling Cyborg to put in a little more effort and finally bring the thing to a halt with a screeching skid. The three had completed their task with only a foot or two to spare.
Windflyer grinned madly and jumped into the open cab; after a moment or two his expression had been replaced with a confused frown. "Uh, guys? Forgive me for my lack of vehicular knowledge, but… don't buses normally have drivers?"
"And don't baby carriages normally have babies?" Robin parroted, looking into the carriage while Beast Boy and Starfire giggled at Windflyer's antics.
"Are you pit-sniffers normally this stupid?"
"Hey!" Windflyer growled. "I'm not that… uh oh."
A small brown teddy bear, which the Boy Wonder had been inspecting, suddenly turned to the curious Titans. It had a tinny speaker (perfect for mimicking) and dull green eyes which suddenly glowed, releasing laser beams which sent them screaming through the air. Raven and Cyborg, standing in front of the bus, and Windflyer, still inside it, stared for a moment but were soon shocked themselves as the decoy vehicle tipped over on its back wheels and was slammed back down on them.
BAM. No more Titans.
Mammoth was infinitely proud of himself for doing the deed, and after releasing the bus and walking through a massive dust cloud, he felt even prouder. He eagerly brushed debris off himself while Gizmo laughed nastily, Jinx smirked, and Wintergreen just looked unnerved.
"Ah, man, that was too easy! What a buncha cludge-heads." Gizmo looked to his friends. "You guys wanna get some pizza?"
"This isn't over!" Robin popped out of a nearby pile of garbage unceremoniously, accompanied by Starfire and Beast Boy (now in a trash can and sporting a banana peel on his head,) and dusted himself off.
Confused at this sudden reversal of fortune, the big lug turned to the bus. Were the others still dead? They'd have to be. A thousand tons of metal had been dropped over their skulls-
FWIP!
No, it seemed Cyborg had just jumped out of a hole created by his sonic cannon, the force of the attack blasting the vehicle off to the side. "We're just getting started!"
A bird-shaped shadow appeared behind him, releasing Raven and Windflyer to seal the deal. Raven scoffed at Mammoth and pulled her cloak over her chest.
"Who're these guys?" Beast Boy wondered curiously. "And what's a 'cludge-head'?"
"We are the HIVE!"
"Your worst nightmare!" Mammoth rumbled.
Hah, Windflyer thought. Quite likely-
"And this is…" Jinx took a moment to smile coyly here, narrowing her eyes- "Attack Pattern Alpha!"
The HIVE Trio began pollinating their evil, basically. Jinx and Mammoth scrambled, leaving Gizmo to trigger a jetpack that blasted him into the air and also shot lasers at the alleyway. Chunks of masonry were dislodged by the sheer energy, falling off in large pieces right over the backend Titans. Raven scowled and headed for Jinx, engaging her in fast-paced and very intense spell-based combat. Windflyer considered helping the witch out, but decided to help Cyborg take on the large hunk of muscle that was Mammoth instead. As the robotic teen struggled, the Toa jumped in and pushed the HIVE agent back with his Pakari, sending him a few metres away.
"Not bad," Cyborg noted. "I think you're improving."
"Can't really improve with a Kanohi. These things are pretty static."
Cyborg frowned. "If anything, at least it's gettin' easier to fight with you-"
"Hey, freaks!"
The two turned to Mammoth, who despite his setback was now grinning widely.
"Sounds important," Windflyer hissed, slinking back a bit. "Do you think we should…"
Mammoth was still grinning. "What do you call two idiots with a couple of rockets on their backs?"
"Huh?"
"Um."
Neither was aware of their surroundings enough to note Gizmo sneaking in and placing said rockets in position.
The Air Toa answered the best he could. "Rocketeers?" he said hesitantly.
"Doomed! Hahahaaa!"
Gizmo. UGH. That little piraka was going to get his just desserts sooner or later-
OHNOWE'REFLYINGAWAYCRAPCRAPCRAPPIPSQUEAKWASRIGHTFU CKSHIT
The Doctor Octopus ripoff put his control back in his backpack, stepping back and admiring his handiwork. Sweet, sweet victory.
As Cyborg and Windflyer were sent shrieking off into the distance, once again thanks to the lovable agents at HIVE, he felt obnoxious enough to give them a smug smile. "Enjoy your flight!" the inventor yelled, waving erratically.
What Gizmo didn't know is that the supposedly crushed Titans were still watching, having emerged from his rockslide. Starfire was the first to note the two flying erratically among the skyline, and the alien princess couldn't help but gasp.
"Cyborg! Windflyer!"
She sped off after them, giving Beast Boy and Robin some room to breathe, but found Gizmo's engineering wasn't quite so perfect. The rockets quickly changed direction, forcing her to swiftly follow. Right below her, Jinx and Raven continued to fight. The Chronicler did not describe it because any attempts to do so would remind one WAY too much of Harry Potter. And Chroniclers always have to be mindful of plagiarism.
Thankfully, though, the magical portion of the battle did not last long. Jinx eventually got bored and began using martial arts instead, coming at Raven with a jumping spin kick. This was ducked pretty easily, allowing Raven to get behind the hex girl, dodge a few more strikes, and counter with a backhand. Also easily avoided, this time with a block.
"You fight like a girl," Jinx said, smirking.
"And you're gonna croak like a frog!"
Gizmo came back for some more action, this time wielding four spindly spider-like legs; yet more plagiarism. He dutifully swerved the copyright challenge by shooting a plasma blast in Raven's face. It hit her right on the mark, sending her flying back straight into Robin's chest- WHAM.
Ouch.
Beast Boy was really pumped now. Those HIVE whatsits had gone way too far. Okay, the baby thing was actually kinda funny, but this? They weren't allowed to mess with his friends like that! Especially not Cyborg! Was this retribution for earlier or something?
Whatever the case, he quickly ran by the two downed Titans, grunting in the process, and turned into an elephant. Beast Boy continued on his angry stampede but was surprisingly stopped by his ancestor, who grunted as well and-
Lifted him clean off his feet.
The big lug fucking LIFTED HIM.
"Mammoth's gonna make you extinct!"
"Beast Boy!" Robin yelled, getting up and running towards the HIVE agents. "Hang on!"
Mammoth didn't give Robin much time. He threw Beast Boy straight into the air and slammed him down, giving him a jumping punch on the return trip for good measure. The Boy Wonder very quickly found himself in the path of a tumbling tusker, whose DNA was grateful enough to change him back into normal before the duo collided; sending both back to Raven.
"Is it just me," Beast Boy had to add, "or are we… getting our butts kicked?"
"It's just you."
Raven and Robin looked at each other hesitantly before Robin panted, "Listen up, team. I have a plan-"
FWIPFWIP
BOOM.
Two more plasma shots exploded by the motley group, expelling Raven and Beast Boy. Robin was quick enough to dodge- thank god for those acrobatics skills- and watched them get shot over a block away. He turned to Gizmo now very much incensed; enough was enough.
Gizmo beamed. "Gee whiz, scrum-buffer! Sure hope your fancy 'plan' involves getting fried!"
The inventor's weapon poked over his shoulder, raising itself to the Boy Wonder's level. Robin stood his ground and got into a fighting stance. He grinned darkly.
"You'll just have to find out the hard way."
Robin held out an open hand towards Gizmo and flicked back his fingers. Bring it on.
FWIP
Gizmo responded by homing in his laser gun and shooting the ground in front of him. Wait, what was THAT going to do-
CREEEAAAK.
A long, skinny crack in the asphalt made itself known. Jinx quickly noticed and backflipping straight for the Boy Wonder, landed on her knees and added a catalyst of her own- a hex. This, unfortunately, caused it to break open even wider. Finally Mammoth, yelling loudly, prepared the final blow; he jumped high into the air and came down upon the fault with a mighty CRASH. The break had now been so abused that it opened to its full width and began dislodging the road as it battled down to Robin.
Did we mention Jump City was built right on a massive fault line?
Robin tried to keep his cool for as long as he could, but this did nothing. No matter how hard he tried, he could just not stay upright. Thanks to a little coercion from Jinx, he was sent straight into the chasm.
"AAAAAAHHH!"
"Don't break your legs on the way down!"
Gizmo smiled for a bit, then frowned at his leader. "Now can we get some pizza?"
"Yes," Wintergreen admitted, coming out of his unapparent hiding place. "I do believe that would be nice. Very well done, you lot, but I'd rather talk over the kinks with you over some lunch."
Mammoth just pleaded with Jinx, eyes wide and innocent.
Jinx scoffed. "Nice try. I wish we could try out that deplorable little place, just as much as you guys, but…" she gave off a catlike grin, "there's still one little thing we have to do first…"
Raven and Beast Boy limped along the sidewalk. They'd been knocked unconscious in the blast, and it was only now that Raven suggested going after the HIVE. Not too long ago they had heard a series of blasts, a crack, and a bloodcurdling scream; Raven was anxious of having her suspicions confirmed, but Beast Boy was… less sure. He had jumped around a bit, yelling Robin's name whenever he could. The witch stopped him before he could hurt his leg any further.
The two came up to the fault line. Sure enough, a giant chasm had inconceivably appeared. Beast Boy didn't want to believe Raven for… anything, really, but looking into the murky tide of the Jump City Sewers he had to admit she was-
Right.
"Robin!"
Robyn Chau was highly, highly surprised to see UFOs by her control tower.
Keystone City International never really got those. Okay, fine, you could count the constant supervillain attacks, but those weren't anything interesting! Most of the time any unauthorized activity was just Captain Cold and Weather Wizard, blasting the runway again and again. Gee, thanks, Kid Flash. You really saved my butt out there.
But these?
These were a couple of stragglers, flying across the tarmac with a couple of rockets! No joke! Robyn wasn't sure why someone would want to put him or herself in danger like that, but she had to hand it to them for their enthusiasm.
Now if only Mister Twister could show up…
Chau chewed a pen while pondering over the possibility. That would really brighten up her day.
FWWIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH
"CAN YOU NOT CONTROL THIS THING!?"
"NO! MUCH-TRIED AS HARD AS I CAN! NOT-USE!"
Apparently Windflyer's powers were not strong enough to stop rockets; the things went too fast to even be touched. They had been trying to get off this wild ride for an hour, to no avail. Cyborg worried they would go halfway around the world before the Titans found them. The Toa wasn't so sure.
"DO YOU THINK WE'RE GOING TO DIE?" Cyborg yelled hesitantly.
"WHAT? SERIOUSLY?" Windflyer frowned. "MAAAYBE WE'LL GET BADLY INJURED OR SOMETHING, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'LL BE BAD ENOUGH TO-"
"Friends!"
"Starfire!"
No need to worry. Starfire was flying right behind them, eyes glowing in a frantic attempt to destroy Gizmo's inventions in their tracks. She was a little frazzled, but otherwise seemed all right.
"What ails you, friends? I saw the rocket carry you away, but I was not aware that- that horrible invention would cause such a problem!"
Cyborg winced, part out of exhaustion and part out of anxiety. "Yeah, well, little bald brat's got a good eye for technology."
"When I get my hands on him," Windflyer growled, smushing his palm with a fist, "that piraka won't even have the chance to apologize!"
Cyborg and Starfire stared at their friend. He laughed sheepishly. "Only kidding. Starfire, mind getting these things off us?"
Starfire smiled. "I will see what I can do."
She created two starbolts, aiming them for Cyborg and Windflyer's rockets…
And fired.
BAM!
Wow, what a light show!
Her friends were going to be SO jealous. Robyn Chau, air traffic controller at a dingy Midwestern airport, witness to rocket-bearing thrillseekers and a massive neon-green explosion- wait, were those guys okay?
They were caught in that blast, Robyn was sure. And it was a doozy. Looks like I'd better radio in, to see if they came out of this unhurt…
"Hello? KSC ATC, calling unidentified flying object number 03719… Do you copy?"
"Loud and clear, miss!"
WOAH! That was- that was- that was…
She wasn't too invested in current events (Trekkr took up a lot of time,) but Chau was pretty damn sure that was Cyborg-
CYBORG, of the new Teen Titans! Holy Toledo!
The girl was hesitant to pick up the radio again; the fact that a SUPERHERO had just returned her message made her so star-struck it wasn't even funny. It wasn't Flash, it wasn't Hawkgirl, it wasn't Wonder Girl or Black Canary or Speedy; hell- it wasn't even Deadman- but DAMN! What a score.
After a short fumble with her console and a near miss getting electrocuted, Robyn had recovered enough to continue her intrusion. "What're- what… what are YOU doing here?"
Cyborg laughed a bit. "Flew here."
"Yeah, I know," Chau couldn't deny laughing at that joke- "but I just wanted to know why? Under NAAA regulations, you're not- huhuhuh… not technically allowed to be over this airspace."
"Would it help if speak-told we didn't know-mean?"
Windflyer too? Wow, this was a rush.
"Maybe a little… still, though. I'm- um- I'm gonna have to ask you to- could you… puh-please l-land?"
"Certainly. We would not mean to discourage this NAAA's efforts." A feminine voice this time, traipsing over syllables and having especially much trouble with the lone acronym. That could only mean- Starfire!
What if the entire team was here?
Kraken's POV
Your training is going along very well.
The "Top Graduates" just left to complete their mission. Master and Fairsworth are following them way too closely. That means you've been left alone to frolic in the Academy.
There're not too many people here, though. It's summer and apparently that means people want to take a "vacation". Seriously? For THIS? On your planet, people didn't have time for frivolous things. At least you're not getting raided on or something- the halls all seem to be very peaceful.
So peaceful, in fact, that you're considering screwing Blood over and leaving this joint all together.
Thankfully, a smooth deep voice shakes you out of your reverie. Someone else is still in the building- why she'd stay when literally everyone has left or is cheering the HIVE agents on, you'll never know. Might as well go see what the girl's up to.
Robyn's POV
Well, Mr. Narrator Man, you were wrong. It wasn't quite the whole Teen Titans, just the three I encountered over radio.
But again, DAMN. If there was any one superhero team which I could quantify as being the greatest, most funnest ever, they would very much cut it!
I didn't have to wait long before Starfire carried Cyborg down while Windflyer levitated himself. How does he even do that, anyway? Some kind of secret tribal magic? Not to be racist or anything, but he does seem very… Polynesian (fuck I AM being racist.) In the armour design and the weapon and the style of speech and all. Makes me wonder if he got into trouble with them when he got here- hah, that'd be funny.
Then I had to wait a bit more while the Titans were presumably being interrogated by airport security. Goddamn Cecil. I like him, but he's slow and takes waaay too much time in doing everything. It's counterproductive for both passenger and operator.
Still, though, he does get the job done… and as such, I was eternally grateful when the elevator pinged!, signaling its arrival, and the doors swooshed open to reveal the three heroes. I don't want to say I was starstruck… but… I was starstruck.
"It's- it's nice to finally meet you," I blubbered, eyes wide with excitement.
Starfire smiled warmly. "It is nice to meet you as well!" Gesturing to Cyborg and Windflyer, she continued, "Please. Allow me to introduce my brethren, Cyborg and Windflyer."
"I kind of... already kn-know them…"
"Fine by me, little lady," Cyborg said, tipping his nonexistent hat. Windflyer smirked and said "Hola!"
The Teen Titans aren't exactly my favourite superheroes (that honour falls to the Flash family Kid Flash and Old Flash oh my god,) but they're pretty high up on the list. I mean WOW. For a group of teenagers with horrible, angsty pasts who were smushed together by fate, they handle themselves really, really well! That family dynamic and fighting prowess. What I wouldn't give to spend a day in the Tower with 'em.
Sigh… ain't gonna happen, though. Not while I'm in college and need a job. Still, a girl can dream, right?
So all I could really say was "Hola" right back.
I knew I had to get down to business, though, so I hardened my gaze and stared straight at Cyborg; as the resident tech geek of the group, he probably played a part in this. "Erm…" I scratched my hair… "So… why did you say you were here aga- WHOAH!"
Starfire was suddenly in my face. She wasn't being menacing or anything, only curious, but the fact that she showed up with out warning scared the bejeezus out of me. Giving off a hesitant smile, I prepared to ask what she wanted when the girl answered that for me.
"Please," she said, smiling really widely now, "I wish to ask if I may… be your friend."
What was I SUPPOSED to say? "Um yeah, sorry, but that's pretty creepy and could you kinda get outta my FACE first?" Jeez, I'm not that cruel. I'd never want to make Starfire cry like that. But personal space is a real issue of mine I get anxious when people get on to me like that it doesn't matter if she could blast my head off in an instant god almighty I need to KEEP IT!
Grinning cooly, I replied, "I actually already am." Simple and effective. Nice one, Chau.
Looking back I realize that was kind of mean. She was just offering her friendship and I turned it all the way around. Thankfully, though, Starfire is… more than a bit of a ditz.
"Oh, thank you, new friend… um…"
"Robyn." I crossed my arms in a "Hell fucking yes" pose. "Robyn Yin Li Chau-"
"Thank you, new friend Robyn Yin Li Chau!" Ow! I was pretty sure I couldn't feel my ribs now. Starfire had picked me up in a bone-crushing hug and while it felt nice she kind of put a bit… too much pressure on it. No harm done though, really. It wouldn't be too hard to pop down to the hospital and get it healed- or, if I was lucky, the Watchtower. In Flash's arms.
Windflyer noticed my distress call and raised a finger to object. "Uh, Starfire-sister? I think you need to be-"
"Less intrusive," Cyborg finished, slowly making his way over to me.
Starfire frowned. "You mean to say that I should not embrace all new friends I meet-"
"She's going to asphyxiate, Star."
"What?" A high-pitched gasp which was actually quite adorable. Starfire looked at me to see if her friends were right and must have gotten the message for she quickly let go and put me down. "Oh! I apologize, new friend Robyn Yin Li Chau. I did not intend to injure you so painfully."
I sighed in relief- thanks, Cyborg. "S'cool. I never get too many visitors up here in the control tower, so it's nice to get some human contact once in a while."
"New friend Robyn Yin Li Chau, do you speak of the atrocity my teammate Raven refers to as… antisockialization?"
Cyborg chortled. "That's antisocialization. And I feel bad, man. Bad but also kind of good. I mean- you have such an important job, and we ruined it with our fighting, but you're obviously very happy to see us, so… I don't know."
"Well, when you put it that way, I guess I don't mind. Care to answer my question, though?"
Windflyer rolls his eyes but is quick to answer. Do you know many say he may have had siblings? Whom he had relationships with? Certainly explains his behavior. "We were fight-battling a team which calls themselves HIVE, our worst nightmare-dream. Screw-biter here was taking on a mammoth man, and I saw it fit to go and assist-help." He sighed. "Fortunately, Starfire was right on our tails- unfortunately, it took her a while to catch up with us."
"The rockets?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "He put them on you?"
"She, I think. Much-sounded like a lady, and she kind of acted like one too…"
Cyborg was quick to laugh at him, guffawing loudly enough to shake the small room. I feel bad for Le- oops; don't tell him I said that! "Uh, Windflyer? I think that was a male."
"Really now?"
"Well, uh- no offense, Robyn, but- girls don't get into that kind of technology too often."
I glowered. "I'm not even here, am I?"
"I said no offense!" Cyborg glowered right back. Windflyer seemed king of apologetic, and Starfire was just… out there.
"Wait!" she yelled. "You are tangible and among us, yes? How can you say you are not? The only way this can be so is if you were right now kidnapped, and even I am keen enough to note that you remain standing in your-" Starfire gasped again, taking a short breath, and her eyes widened as big as dishes. "Robin!"
Windflyer palmed his mask. "Shoot! Almost forgot! I mean… we almost forgot. Sorry, Robyn Lin Yi Chau-friend-"
"You don't have to call me all that," I reddened. "Just Robyn is fine."
"Alright then, Robyn-friend. I am ever-sorry, but back-home we must go to aid him… and Raven and Beast Boy too. Believe-not I missed them out too, but quickly-will-"
"Kind of slipping back into that weird speaking habit there," Cyborg noted.
"Yeah." Windflyer blushed. "Bad habit. Before I have to reiterate myself a third time, we should better head off-"
"What happened to them? Are those… did those HIVE guys have anything to do with it?"
"Pretty much."
"They are deplorable beings," Starfire said, eyes beginning to glow. "The tiny bald-headed child abused the sanctity of a human baby to wrongfully attract us to him, and the girl with strange hair and the mammoth man attempted to kill us. We cannot let them get away with their crimes."
I smiled evilly. "Cool. Good luck. Just… make sure you clear the debris from-"
"Already covered." Cyborg motioned outside. "Starfire wrapped that up quite nicely." He headed for the elevator, calling it up to our level. "Nice meeting you, Robyn! Keep up the good work!"
"You too!"
"Uh-" Windflyer faulted- "what he said. You appear to be doing great things."
"It's just air traffic control, really," I replied, cutting him off before he could slap me on the back. With Starfire, however… I was not so lucky. She squeezed me in another hug before paling and putting me down- again, though, the girl was quick to smile. "New friend Robyn Lin Y- um, I mean… New friend Robyn, I too wish you good luck in your endeavours. But before I go, I must ask…"
I tensed, ready for a serious question like joining the Titans or the Justice League or something. Alas, that was not to be-
"I am Starfire. What is your name, what is your favourite colour, where do you come from, and do you wish to be my friend?"
"Hey, Starfire. You already asked me that first one, er… red? Gold? Fuck, I don't know. Red. I live in Keystone, and…" I took a moment on this last one. I knew Starfire already considered herself pretty chummy with me, but I kind of got the feeling I'd let her down before…
"Sure."
One last hug before she ran into the elevator that Windflyer was so desperately holding and waving madly. "Goodbye, friend Robyn! Pray you do not encounter more flying objects of the unidentified kind!"
I just had to wave back. "See ya."
Finally! It was over! Sighing in relief, I sunk back down into my chair, picked up my cuppa, and watched as Windflyer fumbled in carrying Cyborg (leading Starfire to pick him up) and the three Teen Titans flew away.
Like I said. The Titans. Fucking great superhero team.
Now look at me. Robyn Yin Li Chau, working a dead shift in a deadbeat airport, living in the middle of nowhere almost, and pining over a family of exceedingly hot speedsters. I am a wreck.
"That didn't just happen. Tell me that didn't just happen."
Beast Boy and Raven returned to the Tower, lazily shambling into the sunlit entrance hall. Beast Boy had a very obvious limp and was holding onto Raven and it was clear the witch was not holding up too well either. She helped Beast Boy into one of the hall's plush armchairs and sighed as he rubbed his sore leg.
"That didn't just happen. Tell me that didn't just happen."
Raven stared at Beast Boy while he internally panicked. She wanted to shut him up, but could not deny that he was right- they'd dun good.
"That didn't just happen. Tell me that didn't just-"
"It did happen," Raven finally said. "We cannot change the truth, no matter how much we dislike it." Sighing again, she held a hand to Beast Boy's leg and muttered her mantra. Black energy formed around it, enveloping the limb in a glow before dissipating. Beast Boy frowned a bit before smiling.
"Who knew we had a doctor in the house?" he said, now grinning. "Thanks."
"No problem." Raven narrowed her eyes. "Now," she rasped, "we need to find Robin and the others before HIVE attacks again-"
WHOOOSH.
Her plea was partially answered. The door opened, sliding out of existence to reveal three figures- Raven and Beast Boy gave each other nervous looks, before silently relaxing as they were revealed to be Cyborg, Starfire, and Windflyer; each carrying ear-to-ear smiles.
"Maybe y'all should call me Flyborg," Cyborg joked as the door closed again. "We were halfway to Gotham before Starfire zapped those things off our backs. So-" he rubbed his hands together- "what'd I miss?"
Neither of the sitting Titans could bear to answer him.
Windflyer frowned, raising a mask ridge. "Brother? Sister? Something happen?"
"Tell me how we kicked their butts. C'mon," growing increasingly desperate now, "I gotta have the play-by-play!"
"Where is Robin?"
"Um…" Beast Boy paled. "Uh, Star? We're- I mean, I'm not sure."
"Not sure? Why are you not-"
Raven picked up her frenemy's slack. "We searched everywhere. And all we found was this." She produced a small object from beneath her cloak…
Robin's utility belt.
Starfire gasped, covering her mouth. Cyborg groaned and facepalmed. Windflyer just stared blankly.
"I shoulda been there," Cyborg said. "I let that kid sneak up on us and- what were we-" He finally sighed. "It was a trap, and I- I shoulda known."
"Don't beat yourself up over it, Cy-brother. It wasn't your entire fault. All the same, though- wasn't Robin with you? Did he get lost in the crossfire or something?"
Starfire pouted. "I do not understand. How could you not FIND him?" She glared daggers at Raven. "People do not just vanish! He has to be SOMEplace, so go there and look!"
Thinking quickly for once, Beast Boy put himself in between the girls. "Easy, Star. Come on. This is Robin we're talkin' about! I'm sure he's fine. He'll probably turn up any second-"
WHOOOSH.
"Awesome timing!"
"I'll get it!" Windflyer yelled.
"Robin!"
The two flew towards the door. Once there, Windflyer walked forward to see who the visitor was- as he and Starfire went through the threshold, however, the entrance disappeared in a mighty explosion that was forceful enough to send them flying back. A massive dust cloud was thrown up; when it dissipated, the HIVE agents were revealed.
Beast Boy paled once more. "Oh, no."
"Oh, YES." Jinx smirked, Mammoth cracked his knuckles. Gizmo checked over his mechanical ripoff legs. The Titans sans Robin got into a fighting stance.
"You guys got lucky last time," Cyborg growled, "but you're in our house now!"
Gizmo advanced and held up a leg. "Yeah, nice place. We'll take it!"
Windflyer snarled, eyes glowing. "I'd like to see you try."
He would later be told to eat his words.
not too many notes here sorry I am tired :(
1. I am honestly throwing in Bionicle scenes at random. If this is a problem, tell me.
2. Is Gizmo not a Doc Ock homage because from what I understand he is?
3. As with Blood, I am unawares if it is too early to introduce Bumblebee. (OOPS SPOILERS *RIVERSONG*) Again, alert me if this disturbs canon or fanon or something.
4. Robyn Chau came out of nowhere but I am happy that I created her because she very much helps explain why Cyborg and Starfire were so happy coming back to the Tower. (we will never know why and i am greatly at fault for not making siblingfic for this unexplored moment)
5. This episode is being MUCH easier to write. Just thought I'd let you know.
My point on reviews still stands; I greatly appreciate any support I get, be it good or bad. I wonder if the problem is that I asked people to review only if they liked it? I don't know. Should I rewrite this story? To make it shorter or smoother or something like that? Or is that not the reason I'm not getting any reviews?
Read and comment!