A/N: Has it been four years yet? No? Good, I didn't keep hitting snooze this time.

Just a quick note about this chapter: I recommend you read Titanic Sourpuss and Jinxed! (in that order) if you want to understand some things in this chapter. This chapter contains an OC whom I introduced in those stories. They may not be that good now, but feel free to take a look.

Chapter 6: Knighty Knight!

Kevin was right about the Imitator, Raven thought as she blasted the robot with her energy bolts. That thing IS strong.

It has been about a minute of fighting with the Imitator, but they might as well had done nothing. Even her powers had proven nearly useless when she attacked it.

But come to think of it, there's more to that machine than meets the eye. I mean, how can it resist my powers so well…?

"Raven, look out!"

Beast Boy's warning had come just in time, right before a sonic blast was fired. It whizzed through the area where she had been a moment earlier.

"Your abilities are useless against me," it told them. "You ought to surrender now if you want to remain unhurt."

Just then, Beast Boy looked past it and reacted to something. Then he pointed and shouted, "Hey, who's that behind you?"

Everyone looked at him, shocked. The Imitator didn't turn around.

"That trick was used once on me, but I will not be tricked again."

Beast Boy grinned at it, as if he had just done something really clever.

"As you humans say, 'Fool me once, shame on you,'" it continued. "'Fool me twice—'"

"—shame on YOU, bit-brain!" interrupted a voice.

From behind the Imitator.

It turned around to look. Then it went flying across the room, a fist-shaped dent on its face.

"Booyah."

"All right!" shouted Robin. "Great to see ya up again, Cyborg!"

"Yeah," Cyborg replied. "The spinnin' and the crashin' really messed up my systems for a little bit there. But they're all stable now."

Then he looked down at Beast Boy with a rather angry expression and bared his teeth. Raven raised her hands, just in case. The others got the signal before…

"WHA'D'YA THINK YOU WAS DOIN'?!" Cyborg bellowed at the top of his lungs. "WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON, ANYWAY?!"

Had a feeling…

Beast Boy grinned nervously.

"Heh heh. Well, uh…y'see, uh…I was trying to focus it on me so you could—"

"And how's directin' attention to me helpin' me?"

"Dude, Ben did the 'behind you' trick once. I was trying to make it not expect that by making it—"

"C'n we hold on this conversation?" Kevin asked.

The Imitator had recovered. It turned into a motorcycle yet again and revved its engine.

"Titans! Get ready!"

Robin's order was obeyed promptly. Kevin dropped down to absorb stone from the floor.

The Imitator was started towards them.

"Wait for it…" Robin said.

A little closer.

"Wait for it…"

It was almost upon them.

"GO!"

Ben took off and blasted several starbolts directly at the motorcycle, which swerved and retransformed. It prepared its sonic cannon once again.

"Oh no you don't!"

Kevin clobbered it hard in the face. Then a green rhinoceros began charging at it.

Just as long as it doesn't—

The robot had fully recovered before Beast Boy had reached it and proceeded to turn into a tiger. The hero panicked for a moment, turning back into himself.

"Let's see how YOU like it!"

Cyborg unleashed his sonic cannon on the robot, knocking it sideways. Robin invited two exploding disks to the party. The resulting boom put up a thick curtain of smoke, so the Imitator was invisible.

"Careful!" Kevin shouted. "It may still be—"

Before he could say "up", a sonic blast, which barely missed all the heroes, confirmed his statement. The machine marched out of the smoke with its blaster arm forward.

"I got it!" Ben shouted, fists glowing.

He swooped down from the air and blasted it with starbolts, but to no avail. One sonic blast later, he fell like the Ninja had in the hallway, down and backwards.

The Imitator then knocked down three heroes in one blast. Robin and Raven, however, dodged its subsequent attacks.

Robin then drew his bo and ran at the Imitator with a growl that became a karate yell. He took a swing at the Imitator, knocking it backwards a couple steps. He hit it again. And again! And—

CLANG!

His bo landed right in its right hand, which snapped shut around it. Then it lifted the bo into the air—with a wide-eyed Robin attached! Before either he or Raven could react, it started to spin him around over its head. Then it gave the bo a mighty swing, sending him tumbling near the opposite wall. Finally, after the hero had landed, it simply squeezed the metal weapon around the middle with one hand, breaking it in two.

It's just you and me now, robot, Raven thought, staring it down.

They paused for about a minute. Raven made the first move.

"Azarath…" she said, feeling the power build in her hands.

It transformed into some cat-like form.

"Metrion..."

She spun around to concentrate her power. The Imitator prepared to pounce.

Raven leaned her head back…and stopped cold. Something had caught her attention.

Up in the shadows of the room, she spotted two little lights. Lights which looked suspiciously like eyes. And around them was a shadow that looked a little darker than the rest. Suddenly, the lights and the shadow seemed to disappear…or did it turn into a dark streak that zoomed behind her. It almost looked like the power of super speed…

Oh, no...don't tell me HE was involved—

"RAVEN! IMITATOR!" Beast Boy called out.

"Huh?"

This time, however, his warning had come too late. She had only been distracted for a moment, but that's all it took. Before she knew it, the Imitator had pinned her to the ground.

For some reason, Raven didn't struggle. The Imitator turned back into its humanoid form and stared her right in the eyes.

"Get offa her, ya pile a'junk!"

Beast Boy got on his feet and charged. The Imitator simply lifted its right arm and turned it into a sonic blaster, which it aimed at him.

"Do not interfere." The Imitator fired at him.

Beast Boy flew back towards the other stunned heroes. The Imitator looked back down at Raven, converting the blaster back into an arm.

"Do not resist. This will not be painful unless necessary."

Well, that's nice to know.

It reached for her mouth and pried it open, coating its fingers in her siliva. At the same time, it opened a slot on its face, which looked a lot like a mouth itself.

And here comes the gross part…

Raven looked away as it sampled her DNA. It stood up and got off her, allowing her to levitate to the others, who were all getting up. For some reason, she seemed rather calm.

"What's goin' on—?" Kevin started to ask.

Then he spotted the Imitator. Its eyes had pulled back into its head, and it was shaking.

"NO! SOMEBODY STOP IT—!"

Raven held up her hand.

"Just wait," she said calmly.

"But it's got your DNA! And—"

"It'll get my powers?" She turned around and smiled. "Don't be so sure."

Kevin looked confused for a second but then he became alert. The Imitator had stopped shaking, and its eyes were out. After a long second, it spoke.

"Abilities not found." The robotic voice sounded confused. "Peculiar. I must analyze again."

Once again, its eyes retracted and closed. It started to shake again and make its noises. And again, after a few seconds, it stopped and opened its eyes.

"Abilities not found," it repeated. "Peculiar. I must analyze again."

Most of the guys stared at the Imitator, puzzled by this turn of events. Kevin looked completely lost.

"Um…" said Ben. "What's that all about?"

"Don't ask me!" said Kevin. "I've never heard of one actin' like this before!"

Suddenly, realization dawned on the faces of the three male Titans.

"Waaaaaait a sec…" said Cyborg. "Your powers ain't genetic, right, Rae?"

Raven gave a solemn nod.

"Wha—they're actually magic?" Ben asked, looking quite puzzled. "I mean, I thought there was no such thing—"

"What did you think it was? Some kind of alien power?"

"Well…yeah, sorta like Gwen. I mean, it looks like magic, but it isn't. Bu—but yours is real?"

Raven nodded again as the Imitator attempted to analyze her DNA once again.

"Oh, yeah!" Beast Boy shouted. "You gave us your powers once! Remember? At the end of the world?"

Ben and Kevin gawked at him.

"THE END OF THE WORLD?!" they said at the same time.

"Long story," said Raven with a "don't ask" tone.

Ben and Kevin got the hint. Then they all looked over at the Imitator, which had apparently disregarded them.

"So how long's it gonna be stuck on that loop?" Cyborg asked Kevin.

"I dunno. First time I've heard of an Imitator gettin' stuck like this. But I'd bet it's smart enough to stop before it fries itself."

"Then how do we scrap it?" Robin asked. "It's self-repairing. Any damage we do won't mean a thing!"

"Unless…we destroy a specific part," said Kevin. "The central intelligence unit in its head. But that's the most armored part in this version."

Everyone turned to look at him with strangely similar shocked expression.

"Why did you say so sooner?!" Ben demanded.

"I didn't know it was a Level 12, Tennyson," Kevin snapped back. "And we tend to forget things when we're—"

"That doesn't matter right now," Cyborg interrupted. "So wha'do we do?"

"Right now, we need a plan," replied Robin. "Huddle up, everyone."

Everyone did so, including a reluctant Raven.

I just hope that shadow wasn't who I thought it was…

Up in the shadows, he growled as he listened. He had felt quite gleeful when the Imitator was fighting them, but now…

This cannot happen! They must be stopped! I must pounce down and—

Um, isn't that against the treaty? a voice similar to his said in his head.

He covered his left eye with a paw, giving a small grunt.

Silence, you! I do not need your counsel!

Juuuust wait a sec. Their little plan may just fail.

The last time you said that, it did not!

And didn't she see you? You don't wanna confirm her suspicions now…do you?

Again, he growled. The voice brought up a good point. He didn't want to reveal himself to the Titans or their new friends.

Very well. I shall remain.

The voice didn't answer. He continued to growl as he pulled out a small communication device from his cloak. His tail never stopped twitching.

For perhaps the twentieth time in a row, the Imitator opened its eyes.

"Abilities not found. Peculiar. I must analyze a—"

"Yo, can-head!" came a voice from in front of it.

A sonic blast caused it to stumble backwards.

"Analysis suspended. Re-entering combat mode."

It raised a sonic blaster to retaliate against Cyborg. But before it could do anything, it got blindsided by a green rhino. It turned back into Beast Boy, who quickly got out of the way.

"Okay, Ben! Let 'er rip!" Robin shouted.

The Imitator turned around just in time to get pelted by a flurry of starbolts. After a few seconds, it tried to shoot him down. It failed because Kevin, having just gotten a new stone coat, struck down its arm before it could fire. Then he tore into its chest armor, opening a large hole. Then he, Cyborg, and Beast Boy ran behind Raven; Ben flew behind her.

Robin then charged at the Imitator, several objects in hand. He threw them in the hole in the Imitator's torso as it sealed up. Then he, too, ran behind Raven.

The Imitator turned to look at them.

"What did you throw inside me?" it asked.

Robin ignored the question at first.

"Raven?"

She nodded and raised a shield around them all. Then Robin took something off his belt and smiled at the Imitator.

He then pressed the button on the detonator. The Imitator beeped.

"Curses," it said in its emotionless voice.

KABOOM!

Red-hot robot pieces went flying, with several, including an arm, bouncing off the shield. The Imitator's head rolled in front of them. When everything settled, Raven lowered the shield.

"Quick, Tennyson! Get the brain!" shouted Kevin.

Ben flew to the head and picked it up. Using his Tamaranian strength, he tore it open and pulled out a block with two of its eyes attached.

"Do not think this a victory," said the block. "I can still repair myself from damage even this extensive."

"That sounds like a long process," Ben replied with a smile as the others gathered round. "But will it work without your brain?"

The Imitator's brain said nothing. Then its eyes looked at each other, as if it had gone cross-eyed. Ben dropped it on the ground.

"I hate you all," it informed them.

Ben closed his eyes and concentrated.

I've gotta get mad. REALLY mad. And I've got just the memory!

In this memory, he and Kevin were just checking on Gwen and her date. When they got there, Gwen was shriveled up like a prune, but her date was starting to glow gold with godlike power…

What?! I trusted you! So it was you all along…

He opened his eyes with a yell and expressed his fury with an intense, constant starbolt. When he was done, all that remained of the robot's brain was a red-hot puddle.

A green flash enveloped Ben, and he was human once again.

"I was wonderin' when you'd change back," mumbled Kevin.

"You and me both," Ben replied, looking at the Omnitrix, once again on his wrist.

Suddenly, the floor was alight with loud crackles and pops, making everyone jump.

"O-okay, wh-who brought the firecrackers?" stammered Beast Boy.

"Self-destructing nanobots…" Kevin sounded impressed. "That's how it kept repairing itself."

They all paused to look at the room, littered with robot parts and unconscious Knights. Ben gave a sigh of relief.

"Oh, man, I gotta thank Starfire for—"

He stopped and gasped. Everyone turned to him.

"Oh, no, Gwen and Starfire! They went after Albedo, and we forgot about them!"

Robin quickly pulled out his T-Phone.

"Hold up, I can find—huh?"

Beast Boy, Raven, and Cyborg pulled out their T-Phones as well.

"She's close," said Cyborg. "An' comin' this way!"

"How soon will she—?" Ben started to ask.

A female grunt and a sliding sound interrupted him. The hidden door Albedo and the girls had run through was opening! And lifting it up was Starfire!

When she saw them, she smiled broadly.

"Friends! We have returned, and we have been victorious!"

A pair of pink pillars appeared on either side of the door, allowing Star to let it go and enter. Behind her was Gwen, hauling out a very miserable Albedo by the collar. Albedo's hands were behind his back, held together by pink energy.

"So, how're things here?" she asked, nonchalantly.

"Eh…" said Kevin. "Nothin' much, just scrapped the Imitator, that's all."

Gwen and Starfire smiled. Albedo scowled and mumbled something. It wasn't in English, and Ben suspected it wasn't that polite…

"So…we are all victorious!"

"Thanks in part to you, Star," Ben told her. "My form of you really came in handy! Thanks for adding him in!"

She flew up to him and gave him a very firm hug.

"Oh, you are very welcome!"

"Star…" Ben's voice was strained. "…can't…breathe…"

She let him go. He took a deep breath as Albedo quietly chuckled. Gwen glared at the latter.

"You stay out of this—" she started to say.

Suddenly, a sound came from something in Albedo's coat pocket. It was followed by a voice:

"Forever Knights! The Imitator has been destroyed, and its builder is being captured. The Titans now are escaping. If you wish to keep them and your treaty with me, converge on this location immediately! At least secure the primary target!"

The voice died out.

"Sounds like our exit cue," stated Robin with a sly smile. "Let's get—"

Then he saw Raven's expression, a mix of anger, realization, and even a little fear. The others picked on this as well.

"Raven? What's rong?" Beast Boy asked.

"I was afraid of that…" she muttered. "Sounds like HE was involved!"

The others looked at her, not sure what she was saying. She walked to Albedo and looked him right in the eyes, causing him to shudder.

"Tell me, Albedo…" she demanded. "Have you met a certain black cat who acts like a human and wears a black cloak?"

At that description, the Titans understood; Ben, Gwen, and Kevin only looked more lost. Albedo just looked around nervously for a moment before he answered.

"Alright, yes! He is the one who suggested you as samples for the Imitator! He was in it since the beginning, and—"

He was interrupted by a sudden influx of Knights. Albedo gave a nasty smile.

"And it appears you waited too long…"

"Shaddup," Kevin growled at him.

Up in the shadows, his sense of glee returned.

She may have realized my involvement, but she will still be mine…

There were about thirty Knights in the room in front of the Titans and Plumbers. Every single one was armed with alien laser weapons, similar to the ones they were using at the Tower.

"You're surrounded," announced one of them in the front, most likely the group's leader. "Hand over your prisoner and surrender immediately."

Robin raised a Birdarang.

"Fat chance," he snarled at them.

They all readied their weapons and aimed them at the heroes.

"Hold your fire!" said the leader. "They still have their prisoner."

"Are you all so stupid?" Albedo mocked his captors. "I would listen if I were you."

"Actually…" said Raven with the tiniest mischievous smile, "I've got a better idea…"

The others looked at her, confused. But then the Titans seemed to understand.

"Go on, Raven," Robin told her.

She nodded once and slowly walked forward. Several Knights approached her slowly, weapons still raised.

Beast Boy turned to Ben, Gwen, and Kevin.

"Y'might wanna look away, dudes. It's gonna be a little freaky."

They looked at him, just as confused as before.

"The primary target!" the leader shouted. "Secure her immediately!"

Raven stopped and looked at the approaching Knights.

"Don't come any closer," she warned them in a threatening tone.

The Knights all stopped. Then one of them started to laugh.

"Or what?" he mocked.

"You don't want to know…"

"Well, you'll just have to show us then, because…"

With that, the idiot Knight picked up his right foot in an exaggerated motion and took a step with a very loud clank.

Without warning, Raven rose up several feet, her cape growing to conceal her from behind. Black tentacles crept out from under it. Thirty weapons fell to the floor.

Although it shocked him at first, her transformation reminded Ben of a certain fight he had had with an evil clown, five years prior.

Freaky, Beast Boy said, he thought. More like Ghostfreaky!

"Um, Forever Knights…" said the leader. "New plan…RUN AWAY!"

The Knights didn't need to be told twice.

That new plan…he thought as his tail puffed up. I highly agree with it.

And with that, Jinx the Wizardcat fled the chamber as fast as his super speed could take him.

A/N: Well, only one more chapter to go. And, yes, I've decided on a name for Ben's Tamaranean form (to be revealed next chapter. Please let me know what you think in a review, even if you think I messed up. Kudos to guest reviewer "noone" whose criticism actually gave me the idea to confuse Imitator!

Now, about my next fanfic: it'll be an Adventure and Hurt/Comfort fic with some humor and some dark elements. Because of the dark elements, it'll be rated T. Ironically, the source is meant for a younger audience than those of my older fics (including this one). More details to come (including on my profile page). Thanks for reading!

Vivas diu fortunesque. \\/