I so apologize for all the time in between my posts, and unfortunately I can't promise it will get any better. Between trying to graduate college and planning my wedding and spending time with my fiancé, I've got a lot on my plate. But, I have been working on this in the little spare time that I have, so chapters may take awhile, but they will eventually get posted.
Special thanks to Kry for helping me with some editing in like, the next five chapters. I had some trouble with certain parts and she had some very good suggestions. Thank you Kry!
A lot happens in this chapter. I said it gets a little darker, but don't worry, I'm not like mean like Kry, there won't be any character death!
Kay, on with the story.
"The bastard had completely slipped off the radar. You should've had a security network down there," Batman admonished.
"We do… I've been monitoring there this entire time," Robin said, confused.
Cyborg looked thoughtful for a moment, before crossing to the computer and bringing up the system's signal information. He typed away for a moment, before leaning back, slamming his fist on the panel and swearing.
"Shit. Those sneaky fuckers," he muttered.
"What is it?" Robin demanded.
Cyborg turned around. "They hacked our system!"
Robin's jaw dropped. "What?!" he sputtered. "But, the Titan network is as secure as possible! How could we not notice a hacker?!"
Batman rubbed his chin in thought.
"Apparently Scarecrow has been surrounding himself with brawn and brain," Alfred offered.
"Apparently," Robin said scathingly. "How could you miss that, Cyborg?!"
Cyborg became defensive. "Hey, don't blame this on me, man! You were the one monitoring the lines, not me! The hacker figured out how to disable our Titan alerts for that area and our security breech alarm, there was nothing I could do."
"Well then why did it go off now?" Robin asked skeptically.
"For some reason, they turned one back on," Cyborg said, confused, rubbing a hand over his head.
"Is there a trace of the hacker?" Batman interjected.
Cyborg frowned. He dove back into the computer again, clicking away at the panel keys.
"Hurry, we don't have much time," he urged.
"Shit…" Cyborg muttered. He flicked his computer screen up onto the projector. Everyone gasped as Batman rolled his eyes and emitted a frustrated sigh. Robin's frown turned into a grin a mile wide on his face.
A cat head symbol blinked on screen.
"There's your reason," Batman muttered.
"Looks like somebody missed you," Robin snorted.
Batman ignored him. "Alfred, stay here and monitor communications. Titans, let's go. Scarecrow's planning something and it looks like he's brought along a friend."
"Only a friend?" Robin said mildly.
"Robin," Batman said warningly.
"This'll be interesting," Robin snickered as they dashed down to the garage.
--
"I call shotgun in the Batmobile!" Beast Boy whooped, bursting into the garage. He skidded to a halt in front of the Batmobile, completely filled with awe.
His eyes watered and he clutched his hands in front of him, his mouth wavering, as he stared at the Batmobile in all its shiny sleek black finned goodness. Cyborg was also filled with awe, and a whole lot of jealousy. He shuffled his way over to the T-Car, muttering about fancy automobiles and compensating for "other" things.
Batman swooped over to the Batmobile and swung inside. Beast Boy followed him and hopped up and down in front of the driver's side door.
"Can I ride with you?!" he asked excitedly. Batman stared stoically at Beast Boy's bobbing form, his hands on the steering wheel. "I called shotgun…"
"Traitor," Robin muttered under his breath, slinging his leg over the R-Cycle.
The smiled drooped from Beast Boy's face as Batman continued to just stare at him. He shuffled dejectedly over to the T-Car and sat next to Starfire.
"Dude… I totally called shotgun; how can he ignore the rules of shotgun?" Beast Boy whined.
Robin rolled his eyes and glared at Beast Boy through the T-Car window.
"Can we go now?" he asked sarcastically.
Beast Boy pouted as the two cars and motorcycle revved their engines and jetted over the bay.
--
Jump City's old airport was on the outskirts of the metropolis. It was once the main airfield, but after the city began growing they moved to a different location and built a bigger and better complex for commercial airlines. The small abandoned field had been used by privately owned planes until declared condemned several years ago.
Batman engaged stealth mode on the Batmobile when he neared the abandoned hangars. Cyborg followed suit, assuming Batman had a reason for wanting to sneak up on their targets. Sneaking wasn't usually the Titans' style. Robin more had a "get in, clean house, get out" kind of plan.
Batman parked farther away from the hangars. Cyborg and Robin pulled up next to him.
Batman emerged from his vehicle as the Titans clamored out of theirs.
Four Titans then stood awkwardly aside as Batman and Robin promptly got into a fight over the best way to take Scarecrow down. They winced at the heated language.
"I don't care! This is my team and I'll take them in the way I think is best!" Robin hissed.
"You haven't dealt with Scarecrow in years. I know what he's probably planning, and the best way to attack him," Batman insisted.
"Uh… guys?" Beast Boy spoke up timidly.
Robin and Batman turned to him with matching glares.
Beast Boy began perspiring, but held up his finger as he spoke, "How about we do both plans?"
"What do you mean?" Robin asked, crossing his arms.
"Batman goes in stealth, and we take the front," Beast Boy answered. "So if we do get into trouble, Scarecrow doesn't know Batman's here."
Robin's face drained into a blank stare. "Did… did Beast Boy just come up with a good plan?" he asked incredulously. "One that doesn't involve ninja trained monkeys, banana cream pies, undead zombies, robot space pirates, or a legion of commando hamsters?"
The rest of the Titans were also amazed, and Batman was confused.
"Dude," Beast Boy said, crossing his arms, offended. "Those other plans would've worked too."
Robin rolled his eyes.
"Look. There's dim lighting coming from that middle hangar. We go in, we confront Scarecrow and his goons…" Robin grinned, "and anybody else who decided to show up, kick some ass, go home." He smirked suggestively at Batman. Batman narrowed his eyes.
"Right." Robin turned away from him. "Here's the brief: we're going to go in through the hangar door. Scarecrow usually has a couple of thugs, so we need to be on our guard. Be aware of his fear gas, which he carries in spray paint cans on his person. It will render you completely useless, not to mention give you frightening visions. He has little hand to hand combat skills, so we should easily be able to take him down, provided we avoid getting sprayed."
Robin stopped his lecture and looked at Batman. "Anything you want to add?" he asked sarcastically.
Batman remained completely stoic.
"Whatever," Robin said, continuing his lecture. "Catwoman: She's stealthy and wickedly cunning. She plays for her own team, so there's something in it for her, whatever Scarecrow's planning. She is extremely versed in martial arts and will hand your ass to you. Be aware of her claws, and her whip." Beast Boy's eyebrows rose.
"Kinky, I know," Robin grinned. Starfire immediately frowned menacingly. Robin cringed. He shouldn't have said that. She huffed. Raven too was glaring at Beast Boy, who was holding his hands out defensively with a sheepish grin.
"Well," Robin cleared his throat, nervous under Starfire's penetrating gaze. "Let's move out."
"Um… where is the Batman?" Starfire asked. He was gone.
Robin rolled his eyes. "Probably snuck off to find his girlfriend," he muttered viciously.
"Batman is doing the dating?" Starfire squealed excitedly.
"Gah!" Robin threw his hands up in exasperation. "Let's just go, take down Scarecrow, and get out of here." He led the group quickly towards the hangar.
The girls and Beast Boy flew as Robin and Cyborg ran.
Robin halted them as the approached the yawning opening of the hangar. It was very dimly lit inside.
Robin proceeded cautiously, peering into the room. Two thugs leapt out and began to attack.
"Titans, go!" Robin shouted.
Robin engaged one, who was toting a metal baseball bat. He whipped out his bo staff and there was a resounding clang as the two weapons collided. He flipped his stave around, effectively twisting his opponent's weapon away. He butted the man in the stomach, and after one good kick to the head his target was incapacitated.
Cyborg tackled the other one, the thug's dagger clinking off his armor. Cyborg grabbed the man's hand and clenched it painfully. He dropped his weapon. The cybernetic boy hit the man on the back of the neck, effectively knocking the thug unconscious.
Robin tied them up with cable.
"Right. Let's go in."
He cautiously advanced into the huge expansive room. He glanced around curiously, his eyes and mind sharp on the lookout for more attacks and clues.
There were several planes lined up in the hangar. Robin's eyes narrowed. All equipment and aircraft were supposed to have been removed from the premises years ago.
He walked up and inspected a plane.
"It just looks like a little crop duster," he mused, noting the spray system on its wings.
A figure slipped from around the plane, just catching Robin's peripheral vision. He immediately sprung for a birdarang.
"Shit," he said, clutching his chest. "Don't do that," he scowled. "You almost got a birdarang to the face."
Batman stared at him mildly. "There are about four planes in here. None of them are licensed, no sign of owner identification anywhere."
"Find anybody interesting yet?" Robin continued.
"Neither."
"Huh. Got any clue as to what little old Crane is planning?"
"What do you think he's got up his sleeve?" Batman asked.
Robin smirked. Always testing him. "I think he wants to try his hand at something large scale. Petty little assassinations are getting too old for him. Obviously these planes are part of it. Where he got them from, I don't know…"
"There have been reports of crop dusters going missing in several prominent agricultural areas. Some of these planes fit the descriptions of the missing aircrafts."
"Hmm… but then what is he going to use them for?"
"Not sure yet."
"Well… obviously no one's in here right now. Where do you think they're hiding?" Robin said.
"My guess would be the old control tower," Batman answered.
The group headed out and walked over the tarmac to the control tower.
--
Robin opened the door to the tower and peered inside. He signaled the coast clear, and headed up the stairs.
Suddenly a man appeared in his path and had a gun pointed, aimed. Robin's eyes widened.
"Raven shield!" he bellowed.
Raven instantly spread her energy across the stair well, unable to see past Robin and Batman just what the danger was exactly. Her eyes widened as several shots rang out. The bullets bounced harmlessly off her shield and imbedded into the walls, several actually ricocheting back at the man himself.
The thug ducked and looked rather comically stupefied before turning on his heel and scampering up the stairs. Raven's shield turned into a hand that plucked the thug into mid air. His face went pale and he struggled in Raven's inky grasp. Batman leapt up and kicked the gun out of the man's hand. He grabbed the man's shirt and pulled him close.
"Scarecrow and Catwoman. Where are they?" he bit out severely, intimidating the man.
The man whimpered. "Up in da tower, in da control room." He pointed up.
"What are they planning?" Batman asked, giving the man a shake.
"I dunno! I don', honest! I was jus' told ta stand watch and shoot anyone that comes up da stairs!"
Batman let go of the man and Raven dropped him to the floor. In an instant Batman cuffed him to the banister and plastered tape over his mouth so he couldn't yell.
"Let's move," he said, sweeping up the steps. When they reached the door to the control room, Batman held the Titans back with an arm.
"Listen."
There was no sound from within. Batman grunted under his breath. If anyone was in the control room, they must've heard the noise below. He walked up and kicked the door in. He entered the room cautiously, his eyes darting around. The Titans entered just after him, filtering in.
Starfire looked up. She shrieked as a figure in black dropped from the ceiling and landed on Batman, who "caught" the figure and immediately started to spar.
Robin held his hand out, signaling the Titans to wait.
For a moment the two danced around each other, punching and spinning, before they broke apart.
Catwoman rubbed her cheek, where Batman had landed a pulled blow.
"Nice to see you again, handsome," she purred.
Batman stood straight as Catwoman also lost her defensive stance.
"What are you doing here?" Batman asked sternly.
"Oh come now darling, I can't tell you that," she laughed. Her eyes landed on Robin. "Oh!" she gasped. "Is this little Robin?! What a…" she sauntered over to him, "big boy you've become," she purred, flicking out a finger and tilting his chin towards her face.
Robin backed away, and was dimly aware of a growl and a flash of green behind him.
"Nice to see you too," he said, his voice cracking.
Catwoman came a little closer. "You sure grew up, didn't you? Definitely not the gangly little kid that left Gotham five years ago," she said seductively. "Look at the muscles you've got now!" She fingered his arm as she inspected. He seemed to puff out his chest a little more.
Robin was suddenly shoved aside and an irate Starfire with eyes and hands glowing stood up to the devious villainess.
"You will leave him alone," she growled, throwing a couple of starbolts at the feline inclined.
Catwoman's eyes went wide as she dodged one bolt and cart wheeled away from the other. Several male pairs of eyes followed the graceful curve of her body.
"Star," Robin protested, attempting to move her.
Catwoman brushed her shoulder off as she stood, eyeing the furious Tamaranian, whose eyes and hands were still glowing threateningly. Finally she scoffed.
"Oh don't get your panties in a bunch sweetie," Catwoman waved her off. "He's too young for my tastes."
Beast Boy looked thoughtful, then a very devious look crossed his face. A green cat sat where his human form had just been.
Catwoman's eyes lit up.
"You can turn into a kitty! How… fascinating..." She scooped him up. Beast Boy's ears drooped and his body slumped in her hands, a rather love sick expression on his face. He purred.
"Oh, aren't you just adorable!" Catwoman said, nuzzling his nose.
An inky cloud snatched him from her hands. Raven's eyes were glowing white.
"This one's mine. Keep your paws off," she said menacingly. She dropped kitty Beast Boy to the floor on his face. Beast Boy changed back in a daze. He rubbed his head and looked at Raven sheepishly while she glared.
Catwoman huffed. She looked at Cyborg.
"Has anyone claimed you, metal man? My, you sure look strong," she said, coming up and examining his armor. Cyborg immediately began drooling.
"Nope! No one's here to speak for me!" he said eagerly.
"I'm sure Bumblebee will be happy to hear about it, however," Beast Boy said, still sitting on the floor and pouting, arms crossed. Raven cuffed him on the back of the head.
"Look, Catwoman, none of us are interested," she said, moving herself between the villainess and Cyborg.
"Oh lighten up, honey. I'm only here for one thing, and your little boys aren't it," she said, turning away, disinterested. She walked hips swaying towards the door, her whip stuck in the back of her pants swishing.
Starfire remained angry, the room glowing green with her powers.
"Star," Robin said again, in an attempt to calm her down.
"I do not like her," she said immediately, pouting.
Batman had gone out to the balcony, looking down at the row of hangars below.
He walked back into the control room.
"Mm, now there's a man," Catwoman purred under her breath.
"Robin. I need you and the Titans to get down to the hangars. Scarecrow's pulling something down there. It sounded like the planes were starting up."
"What about you?" he asked skeptically.
Batman looked at Catwoman, who gave him a grin.
He sighed. "I'll deal with her."
Robin snorted. "Sure you will."
"Robin," Batman said, aggravated. "Just get yourselves down there, now."
Robin uncrossed his arms and began directing.
"All right Titans, let's go." They filed out of the room.
Batman's frown twisted a little more as he heard Robin's voice floating up from the stairwell.
"Cause Batman wants to get some."
Catwoman laughed behind her hand.
"Um, please… Batman wants to get what?"
Batman closed his eyes and sighed.
Catwoman sauntered over to him again.
"So, it's been awhile. You've been gone for two weeks, I was getting lonely," she said.
"Sure you have," Batman muttered. "Honestly Selina, why are you here?"
"Can't tell you," she grinned secretively.
"Other than purposely being a distraction right now."
"Ooh, I like that. I'm a distraction? And in what way do I 'distract' you?"
"If you won't tell me what you're up to then what is Scarecrow doing?"
"So many questions, can't tell you the answers," she laughed.
"Look, if you won't spill, I'll have to fight it out of you," he said.
"Oh, Bats, please, can't we all just get along?" she crooned, pushing up against him. She grinned sneakily as she traced circles over his chest with her index finger. "You know, like that other night when you let me into the Batmobile's backseat?"
Batman's cheeks went the faintest pink.
His hand flicked out from his cape and tossed Catwoman away. She lithely landed on all fours and stood up.
"Oh all right. Let's spar and get this over with, so it looks real, shall we?" she winked.
"I'm not playing around, Selina. Innocent people's lives are at stake. Scarecrow is a dangerous psychopath."
"You think I don't know that?" she asked mildly.
"It concerns me that you don't care," he answered back.
"I do care… enough. But there's something else that I care even more about," she said, her eyes sparkling.
"Let me guess: it's something shiny?" Batman smirked.
"Oh however did you know?" Catwoman said, grinning.
Batman suddenly swooped in, pressing Catwoman against the door to the balcony.
"You won't get away with it, not if I have anything to say about it," he murmured.
Catwoman leaned up close to his lips. "That's why I have to silence you," she said, dipping in for a kiss. She shifted her hips against his, causing him to suck in a breath. In that second the door gave way and they tumbled out to the balcony. Batman regained his balance and grabbed Catwoman before she fell onto her back. Catwoman pulled herself up and kicked Batman in the stomach, propelling him into the control room. She jumped up onto the railing and then leaped to the eve hanging over the balcony. Batman raced back out and looked up on the roof. Catwoman was scampering her way up towards the peak.
Batman jumped up to the roof himself and ran after her.
The incline was flat enough to walk on, but still very difficult. Fighting on this slant would be hard.
Catwoman grabbed onto the multitude of antennae on top of the roof and waited for the Dark Knight to come and get her.
He flung a batarang out and Catwoman dodged. She flitted away from him, and he pursued her around the top of the building.
"Quit running away," he said between breaths.
"Where's the fun without the chase?" she giggled back.
He flicked out a grappling hook and caught her by surprise. The hook slipped around her and Batman yanked her in. But before he could do or say anything she sliced though her bonds with her sharp claws and pushed him down the roof. Batman quickly flung out another grappling hook as he slid dangerously down the slope and fell over the edge. His cable pulled taught and he lowered himself onto the balcony with a sigh of relief. Catwoman dropped in front of him and immediately sent a fist flying for his face.
Batman ducked and threw a punch out of his own, hitting her in the stomach. Catwoman fell back and regrouped quickly, sending a stiletto heel towards his midsection. Batman dodged and blocked her repeated strikes, sending his own back. She was grinning all the while, knowing he was pulling his punches, missing his kicks. She in turn was also not fighting with all she had.
He could see the mischief in her eyes. She was having fun. Suddenly she ran towards him and jumped onto him, wrapping her legs around his waist. Batman thumped against the wall, completely taken aback when Catwoman kissed him hard. Her hands slipped into his cape.
But he was too busy to notice what she was doing. Her legs slid down his body, slipping her tongue into his mouth, pushing him against the railing, caressing her hands over him…
Suddenly he heard two clicks.
She pulled away and he noticed his hands were cuffed to the railing.
"Oh damn it," he muttered.
She giggled and ran a teasing finger along his jaw, down over his chest.
"It seems I have caught myself a flying mammal in my claws," she crooned. "I always did think bats were cute… like little mice with wings…"
Batman did his best to ignore her teasing, shifting himself around and pulling at the cuffs restraining him to the railing. His motions were stalled however when Catwoman slipped her hands back inside his cape, and this time she wasn't sneaking out the handcuffs.
She grinned naughtily as she kissed his chin and jaw line.
"Mmm, that should teach you, handsome. Now, I'll be off," she murmured seductively, pulling away from him as he grunted. She swayed into the control room.
Batman worked the finger in his glove, and a small skeleton key popped out of his index finger. He immediately began to pick the lock on his own set of cuffs.
A minute passed and Catwoman peeked out the door one more time.
"Oh I just can't resist you," she purred. "You're restrained, and since," she scowled at this, "that idiot Scarecrow hasn't gotten himself moving yet, I thought I'd play for a little bit more." She pushed up against him, unaware that he had already unlocked himself.
She slid her hands into his cape again. Batman sucked in a breath. She grinned, her eyes gleaming, knowing the effect she had on him. Another kiss, deeper this time and Catwoman couldn't help but lose herself in it, too…
Warm hands rested on her hips, slid up her slick leather clad body, down over her shapely rump, up over her arms…
Click
Click
Her eyes widened as a smug smirk curved Batman's lips.
Catwoman tugged, but her hands were cuffed to the railing. Batman distracted himself and slid his hands over her hips one more time before ducking out from under her.
"Wait," she said frantically, pulling at the cuffs. "Don't just leave me here! Batman, please!"
"Don't worry Selina; I'll come back for you. I just have to deal with Scarecrow first. Don't go anywhere now," he said as he glanced at the hangar where the Titans had gone. He frowned. There seemed to be a strange light coming from within it. His bout with Catwoman slipped from his mind as he hurried down and out of the control tower.
--
"Soooo wait. Why does he get to stay behind with Catwoman?" Beast Boy asked, scratching his head as they walked down the stairs.
"Cause Batman wants to get some," Robin said viciously.
Starfire looked confused. "Um, please… Batman wants to get what?" she asked.
The boys' faces went blank.
"Dude, I'm not explaining it to her," Beast Boy said quickly.
The four Titans hurried back across the tarmac as Starfire flew behind them, calling "Please! What is this 'some' of which Batman wishes to 'get'?"
She was ignored as they approached the hangar Batman spoke of, a strange mist curling out from the door and a humming sound from within.
Robin examined the mist. "Cyborg, run a check on this fog."
Cyborg held his arm down into the haze to get a sample.
"It's just water vapor, man."
"Good," Robin said, leading them through the door.
It was dark and murky. The humming noise stopped and it became eerily quiet. The hangar was creepy with the mist curling and shifting around the Titans, and Starfire huddled close to Robin, a slight whimper in her throat. Her starbolts did nothing to illuminate their way, only made a green impenetrable wall of fog as her light bounced off the tiny water particles. She winked out her energy and darted her eyes around the misting darkness.
Robin walked as confidently as possible, considering he could trip and fall on a hidden object at any moment. He glanced around the room, attempting to see beyond the mist.
"Oof!"
Robin stumbled into something, waving his arms around in an attempt to regain his balance. Starfire grabbed him and steadied him.
He knelt down to look at what he'd tripped over.
A glass tank, full of a strange neon green liquid. It was squat and about knee high. Robin mused for a moment. This did not look good… He glanced up at the crop dusters. His eyes widened.
He stood up quickly. "We've got to find Scarecrow now."
The Titans shivered as a voice rasped through the air. It sounded like death, like dry dead leaves scraping across concrete in a blustery wind. Starfire felt a shiver run through her spine and she clutched Robin's arm.
"Looking for me?"
"Scarecrow," Robin muttered. "Come out and fight, Crane!"
"Boys…"
Robin immediately assumed a defensive stance when he saw several hulking figures looming through the fog.
"Titans, go!" he shouted.
Robin drew his bo staff and leaped through the fog at one figure. A long lethal dagger clanged against his weapon. He dodged the man's strikes as he used his staff to block, jumping and diving out of the way, kicking the man in the arm, attempting to make him drop the blade.
Starfire charged up her starbolts and sent a barrage at her own opponent.
Raven sent blades of energy towards her foe, picking up various empty crates and hurling them.
Cyborg grinned as a thug punched his armor plate. He withdrew his hand, shaking his bleeding knuckles.
"Bet that hurt, didn't it little man?"
The thug became angered, running in again to fight, and Cyborg grappled with him, clearly overpowering the man.
Beast Boy utilized his stock of animals, turning from wolf to bear to tiger in rapid succession, jumping and clawing at his opponents. He leaped off one man, snarling, as the thug sat up.
Beast Boy drew back frightened however when he heard the deadly click.
Directly in front of him Raven surged up through the ground, her shield spreading wide from her fingers as the shot rang out. An ebony cloud dove into the gun and dismantled it piece by piece in the man's hand. Then a crate came down upon his head, knocking him out cold.
She turned around as Beast Boy reverted back to himself, looking pale.
"Thanks, Rae," he said shakily.
Raven nodded solemnly, gliding off to attack another man who had just joined the battle.
Beast Boy continued to fight, noticing a lackey with a metal baseball bat was about to hit Starfire in the back, who was tossing starbolts at another thug. He turned back into a tiger and leaped at the man, sending him clattering to the floor.
Starfire knocked down her foe and turned around.
"Many thanks, friend Beast Boy," she said, zipping up over the battle. She spied figures loading something into the planes. She watched for a moment, seeing the tanks of green liquid disappearing into the aircrafts. She flew down to Robin's side.
"Robin, they are putting those vats of liquid into the planes!" she called to him.
Robin effectively pushed his opponent away. "What?!" he hollered.
"They are loading them! Please, this is bad, yes?"
"Very bad, Starfire! We have to stop them before they take off!"
Beast Boy sniffed, but suddenly the men were backing away. Cyborg was only punching air.
A maniacal laugh rasped through the hangar. Appearing through the fog was a tall lanky figure, with thin hands and long fingers. Two yellow glowing eyes seared through the mist. From what they could make out, a strange burlap sack, messily stitched with twine, was covering his head, a wide gaping grin with stitching laced over it. Long yellow teeth leered from behind. A thick cord noose was wound around his neck.
Starfire gasped and flitted behind Robin.
"Is that the Scarer of Crows?"
"That is him," Robin said grimly.
He appeared more fully now, the mist clearing around his form. A straightjacket hung loosely over his body, a faded and torn suit underneath.
"My plan is finally taking shape," he hissed. "And you can do nothing to stop it. My toxin will cover the city, and the people will tear themselves apart with fear."
"You won't get away with this, Scarecrow. Those planes won't be leaving the ground!"
Scarecrow seemed to consider him. "I have not seen you in a very long time, Robin… but though your appearance has changed, your attitude has not."
"Kicking your ass hasn't changed either. We're bringing you down."
"You can try," Scarecrow grinned. "But I think you'll be honored to know that you will be my first test subjects. I need to see how long your bodies will convulse and wither with fear, how loud you'll scream before you expire."
He disappeared behind the white film again. Robin moved to chase him when a sound stopped him. A hum started up, a distinct hiss as he heard fumes being poured into the room. The mist turned green, and his eyes widened.
"Fuck!"
Before they could move, each of them began coughing.
The familiar wooziness began to cloud Robin's senses. He choked, his lungs clogging as he wheezed, trying to clear them. His eyes stung, his mind spun, the room began to fade away. He fell to his hands and knees, felt his lungs burning as the cracks in the concrete floor swam before his eyes. Pain and fear constricted his chest, making it hard to breathe. He looked up, his senses whirling as bright lights from below blinded him.
--
Batman hurried to the hangar, fearing the worst. Peering into the massive shed, he swore under his breath when he saw the filmy green fog hanging in the air and heard the distressed moans and screams from the occupants within. He checked his stock of antidote and looked grim. He did not have enough for all of them.
He quickly pulled out a respirator and placed it across his nose and mouth before darting into the hangar.
Once he found them, all of the Titans were distraught. Cyborg was clutching his head, down on one knee. Beast Boy was rolling on the ground, groaning, his face contorted. Robin's mouth was twisted in distress. Starfire's eyes were glowing green, and she was screaming, huddling on the ground. Raven's eyes were red; she looked frightened and despaired as she crossed her arms across her body, holding herself tightly.
At a loss, Batman was about to inject his only vial of antidote into Robin when suddenly things got very intense.
White filtered into Raven's eyes and her power aura, a strange white with a blue tinge, began to swirl around her like a vortex. It dove into each of the Titans, making their bodies jolt, then seemed to suck away from them, flowing back into Raven. After a moment the four Titans began to calm and recuperate. They each groggily sat up, recovering from the effects of the toxin. Raven was now floating in the air above their heads, becoming more and more distressed, her powers agitated.
Robin shook his head, attempting to clear his murky senses. He looked up at Raven.
"Raven! Oh no…"
"What's going on with her?" Batman asked. "Why have you all suddenly recovered? This batch of Scarecrow's toxin is fatal."
"Raven's an empath, as well a healer," Robin explained, holding his aching head. "Her powers must have absorbed the traces of toxin from us."
He looked up at her contorted face with a worried frown, as the realization dawned on him.
"And our visions as well…"
And it gets intense.