Another chapter in, I'm surprised you guys are this interested. In all reality I'm writing this only for Dracul, why? Because he's in my head, and I feel the internet is a far better place for him to roam. Anyway, this chapter takes the focus away from Jinx and Kid Flash, and puts it on the Core Titans. This is when the Mint is robbed and the Titans meet Dracul (somewhat). It's somewhat short, but I think that it's good enough for now. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, if I did I'd screw everything up and you'd all be after my sorry hind.

A Haunting Memory Returns

Chapter Seven: A Change in Focus

It was getting tiring going after the same villains over again, and Robin was sick of the Hive Five. They gave him a black eye and were now up to something else. Some nerve. Keeping a level head was impossible with these guys constantly running around, and he's had more than his fair share of snapping at people this past day alone. Everyone's been a little uneasy around him and he hated it, it made him feel like some sort of monster. Even Starfire seemed afraid of him, which brought both guilt and shame.

As the alarms sounded Robin approached the screen he saw the Hive Five robbing the Mint. Would they ever give it a rest? Ever since Gizmo took leadership of the Five they've been pulling off a string of crimes all across the city. Some of them made no sense whatsoever.

"What's the status?" Cyborg asked cautiously.

He was tough enough to knock out Robin with one hit, why was he scared?

"Four hostages, maybe more. Who's that?"

Starfire floated gracefully to the screen and examined the unfamiliar figure holding a clipboard.

Her orange face lit up for a second, before becoming dumbfounded again.

Raven was the next to reach the room, and stared at the screen with an annoyed look.

"They interrupted my meditation…" was all she said.

Beast Boy was the last one to get into the room. He ran in and everyone looked at him as he panted.

"It's okay guys! I'm here." he wheezed.

Robin turned back to the screen and took in every detail of the figure. Did the Hive Five recruit a new member? No, not possible. The figure didn't help in the crime; he just sat there watching as all the members scrambled for the money. He occasionally scribbled something down on the clipboard and continued to observe the members. It was funny; it was almost like the Five were trying to impress him.

"Another member of the Five?" Starfire asked curiously.

"No, look at him. He seems, older… Not someone who'd run around with petty villains like them…" Robin's voice trailed off.

He felt so confused, like when he first heard of Slade. This guy reminded Robin a lot of Slade. He just couldn't put his gloved finger on it. Everyone continued to gaze at the screen and the figure's head turned to face them, as if he knew they were there. He just stared, with those lifeless glass eyes, and Robin turned to see everyone as surprised as he was. Beast Boy was the one to break the silence.

"Hey, he looks kinda familiar."

"How? I don't remember kicking that guy's butt." Cyborg said.

"I don't know, all I just feel like, we've met." Beast Boy replied.

Robin didn't know what to think of the creature standing on the screen, who just continued to stare, as if he could see them. A cold voice spoke through the TV speakers, it had a bit of static wrapped up in it.

"Well, well, it appears that we aren't going to receive any company. Too bad, I wanted to meet your dear friends." the man said disappointingly.

"Friends? Those toenail crunchers are anything but our friends!" Gizmo growled.

"And I was so looking forward to meeting with that little green fellow. Far too long."

"You know him?" See-More asked, a question mark appearing on his eye.

"Of course, the Doom Patrol and whatnot."

Beast Boy's face immediately lit up at the statement.

"He was there!" he exclaimed as if he cured cancer.

"Uh… where?" Robin asked.

"He was one of the Brotherhood of Evil's members. I remember when we had to raid their base. He was there!"

"You're saying that Mento regularly had you raid their bases? Most would consider that dangerous." Raven interrupted.

"I remember it like it was yesterday…" Beast Boy closed his eyes, as if remembering a fond memory, something that none of the Titans understood.

"I think Beast Boy may have taken a couple spoonfuls of the Pudding of Happiness without telling anyone." Starfire suggested.

The flashback played through in Beast Boy's head, as Mento ordered them into the base.

"We'll get the Brain this time." he said determinedly.

"You always say that." Negative Man said.

"Cheer up Negative Man, I'm sure we'll get them, hopefully we won't receive any surprises." Elasti-Girl encouraged.

They all walked in, and were met by several of Immortus' robot soldiers. Robot Man made quick work of them, and they continued to walk forward.

"I'm sure he's here somewhere." Mento mused.

Beast Boy didn't feel so comfortable about breaking into the base of the most evil people currently living.

"They'd rather you not touch anything, but help yourself." a voice called out from the dark.

"Who's there?" Mento asked calmly.

A man walked forward into the light. Black boots, dark trousers, an overcoat, weird garments traveling from the stomach to the head, top hat, and a mask. Beast Boy was highly intimidated by the figure, but then again, he was afraid of everyone back then.

"Me." he answered.

"And who would that be?" Robot Man asked skeptically.

"I'm the new recruit. And you my fine polished friend are trespassing."

"Answer the question punk." Robot Man snarled.

"My name is Dr. Dracul. You can simply call me Dracul; my title isn't very well respected in the business." Dracul replied.

"Get out of the way. We're prepared to fight you if you don't comply." Mento said.

"With pleasure, take what you want, I was just leaving." Dracul gestured to a shadow in the dark.

"Is he lying Mento?" Elasti-Girl asked.

Mento concentrated on the figure, and tried to read his mind, but there was nothing but blankness.

"Don't waste your time, this old mind can never be read by children of the present." Dracul explained.

"Children of the present?!" Mento growled, "Do I look like a child to you?!"

"Viros et mulieres veniunt et transeunt, et vidi tot Antecedite me. Sum humanae, et ergo sum iniquum. Sperare memento non seni significat. Denique omnes in hoc ipsum mihi tu." Dracul lightly said.

He paced to the left, his hands crossed behind his back, keeping everyone's attention.

"Animas milia, non valet a libellam dedisset. Quidam populus vocant excors ad aliquid sic inaestimabile 'ut mere purgamentum. Re, ut 'omnes nos ambulantes saccos nugas. Nos sunt non valet, et scala moles vivit requiritur ad luctum crevit. Quid, simpliciter quia pondus in aurum minuatur." he continued, before pacing back to his original position.

"Now if you don't mind, I'm rather sick of the Brotherhood and their blather of world domination." Dracul finished as he walked past them straight outside.

Everyone was surprised, even Mento, who was never surprised. But time began to slowly move again, and the lights turned on, revealing the Brotherhood of Evil in all of their glory. It looked like they didn't even notice Dracul and his musings.

Beast Boy was dragged out of the flashback by Robin, who said that they needed to get to the Mint immediately. Beast Boy now had a sudden curiosity of what Dracul's words meant. They raced to the Mint, where the Hive Five were just beginning to pile out with large bags hung over their shoulders.

"Sorry Hive Five, but green just isn't your color, you should try a dark purple." Robin said pointing to his black eye.

"Put him in a body bag." Gizmo ordered Mammoth.

"Titans go!"

And with that Robin now had a giant after him. One who currently wanted to pummel his face into a pancake. Cyborg came to his rescue however by using his sonic cannon, which blasted Mammoth back into See-More. The figure took note of this on the clipboard.

"Tsk tsk."

Gizmo sent several miniature missiles that Raven redirected.

"Ah!" Gizmo screamed as he flew away from his own technology.

"Just stay home for once." Raven said with a lack of interest in her voice.

The figure continued to write on the clipboard. Billy Numerous multiplied his number, which Beast Boy combated by turning into a T-Rex and swinging his tail at them. Four down, one to go.

Kyd Wykkyd simply face palmed at the scene before him and held his hands up, a one on five fight would be impossible.

Dracul walked over and grabbed Gizmo as he flew by and allowed the missiles to pass.

"Well Gizmo, would you like to know how your team did?

"No…"

"D+, I'm giving you a grade of D+ for this." Dracul stated coldly as he dropped Gizmo on the ground.

"Did we pass?" See-More groaned as he just managed to get out from under Mammoth.

"For now, we're leaving; I'll decide what I'll do with you later." Dracul growled.

"You don't expect us to just let you go, do you?" Cyborg asked a smirk on his face.

"You don't expect me to just go quietly, do you?" Dracul retorted, before pulling a dust like substance from his overcoat.

"Buon giorno, parassiti." (Good day, pests.) Dracul scoffed, before throwing the dust into their eyes.

"Ow! I can't see!" each of the Titans yelled.

As soon as they regained their vision, the Hive Five and Dracul were gone, along with all the money.

End of chapter…

And that's another chapter done. I added in another message since it seems that you like to decode them. This one is in Latin. Tell me what you think of the chapter, and the story itself. And do let me know if you actually like Dracul as a villain or if I should just kill him off and bring someone else in. I honestly would like to keep him, because I have everything thought out for him, but I want to make sure that you find him interesting. (I don't want to bore you.) All reviews accepted. Good day.