Darker Days with Brighter Nights
Read Darker Days first! - As Slade takes the upper hand Robin has to fight to keep the big bad villain from taking over the 'once a video game, now a reality' world. With help from an outside source, can Robin defeat Slade or will Slade complete his evil ploy?
Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans. I do own the plot line to this story.
Chapter 2 – Absence
"So you mean to tell me that you guys have been out looking for people?"
"Yeah, sounds about right."
"Who exactly?"
Robin leaned back on the couch, looking right at the green changeling as the male answered his questions. Beast Boy sighed, rubbing the back of his head. Cyborg rolled his eyes, happily taking over for the stumped green teen.
Cyborg sighed, "Listen, you were hurt Robin. We couldn't tell you what we were doing because you had to get better." Robin looked at the half robotic male and didn't speak as he continued, "We were looking for Slade. We followed him all the way to Mexico. This game goes on forever… It's literally a full world. On our way back here after losing him, we ran into various people like us."
Looking over, the Boy Wonder watched as different heroes much like them chat among themselves. They all looked worn and tired, but all seemed happy to be in each other's company. Looking back at his friends, he let out a long sigh.
"Nothing has been the same since you guys left. You guys didn't even bother to leave a message or something?" The male asked, crossing his arms.
"With what working system?" Raven countered. "None of us have T-Communicators and you were just released from the hospital the other day."
Robin thought back to his days in the hospital. The blade had pierced through his heart, a death blow. Hours were spent working to keep him alive. Flat lining occurred a few times, but Robin pulled through. His chest ached at the thoughts of his long agonizing nights lying in the hospital bed. Feelings of being useless and alone took over him many times. What helped keep him alive? He had no clue.
Beast Boy stood, letting out an audible yawn, "Well, I'm beat. I'm going to get some rest."
"I need time to meditate." Raven said standing and walking towards the door. Stopping, she turned at met eyes with Robin. The boy smiled and she returned one as well. Turning away, she left. Beast Boy followed closely behind, cracking one of his many jokes that failed to make the gothic girl laugh.
Cyborg stood, turning to the group of people standing around. "Alrighty, well I'm beat also so you all must be. Let me show you some of the spare rooms and I'll get some blankets and stuff." Motioning towards the hall, the group of people walked in that direction. The room grew quiet and the remaining hero never budged.
Standing, the teen slowly walked down the hall. His eyes remained forward, but slowly his body came to a halt. Turning his head, his eyes landed on the door with a name written on it.
Starfire.
The boy stepped forward and watched as the door opened. The purple and pink themed room was the same as always. Robin walked over to the bed, sitting on it and letting his hand run over the sheets. Looking over, he smiled as he saw the three dozen stuffed animals littering the bed. Aside from the littered bed, the room was nearly empty and clean. It broke his heart.
His chest tightened and he felt his body leaning back and the sudden feel of the bed under his body made him relax. His eyes slowly began to close and his mind was escaping reality as he drifted off to sleep.
I opened my eyes and was met by darkness. I had never seen darkness like this before. Closing my eyes, I imagined myself at home, lying in bed and realizing that this had been one bad dream.
Robin.
Opening my eyes, I turned around. My eyes widen as I store directly into those bright green eyes of hers. I stepped forward. Her body seemed to glow in the pitch darkness surrounding us. Her eyes were sad, but her smile as bright as ever.
"Starfire…"
"Forgive me Robin."
I took a few steps closer, reaching for her. I felt myself forcing tears not to fall as I watched as she began to cry. She reached for me, but as soon as we touched she disappeared in a fog and blended into the darkness. My knees felt weak and I fell to the ground on them. I stared at my hands. Why was this happening to me?
Robin.
I looked up, expecting to look into her beautiful face. She wasn't there. Maybe I was going crazy and imaging her voice?
Robin, wake up.
Robin sat up quickly, his chest pounding. The smell of her scent filled his nose and he looked around the room, expecting to see her. She wasn't there. She was dead.
Suddenly the alarm went off. Robin jumped up and ran out of the room and into the Op room. The screen lit up and video footage of the warehouse near the pier appeared on it. The familiar man rushed by the screen and into the building. The Boy Wonder glared, slamming my fist onto the desk in front of him. The others rushed into the room and all looked at Robin.
"He's nearby."
Bruce Wayne let out a long sigh as he leaned back on his chair. He stared at the picture frame that sat on his desk of Richard and his friends at his sixteenth party. The only thing he could think of was Richard. It had been days since the boy had been home. He and his friends had all disappeared and this caught the billionaire's attention. The sound of the door opening caught Bruce's attention and he turned to look at the older man that entered the room.
"Would you like some tea sir?" The butler asked with a tray in hand. Walking over, he set the tray on the desk and turned away. Stopping at the door, he turned over his shoulder and spoke, "Master Dick and friends will show up." Without another word, he exited the room. Bruce never said a word.
'It isn't just Richard and his friends… Teenagers all over this side of the world are going missing. Even some adults.' Bruce thought. Standing, he headed out of the room. He had some business to take care of. Opening the door, he froze. His eyes widen slightly as the sight before him.
