Sorry for the late update, I got sidetracked IRL. But, it's starting to settle again, so I managed to get back on track with this fic. I am not abandoning you, faithful readers!
So, here's the chapter, as promised, and I ensure it's juicy!
Before I forget: Disclaimer! I don't own the Teen Titans! Seriously, I wish I didn't have to write it every chapter, cuz that's just plain annoying. But I do, so here it is.
Anywho, new chapter of Wykkyd Shadows, and I have to say I really enjoyed writing this one.
So, Please READ & REVIEW!
Thunder pealed over the Jump City skies, and the girl looked out her window, staring at the swirling clouds and flashes of light that rippled through the night's sky. She sighed, and leaned back, hands propping her head up as she fell to the bed. It was a shade of light purple, with accents of pink, and was rather fluffy. She liked it being fluffy. One might say she was lucky to be living here.
Yeah right. She was always Bad Luck.
Her skin was pale, almost a light grey, her eyes and hair pink. Her pink mane styled into twin horns with two bands of black. She wore little makeup and her slender figure was clothed in a small dark dress. Her long boots had been kicked off on the side of the room. She looked up at the clock again, for the umpteenth time that night, and sighed again.
He was late. Just her luck, she supposed. She guessed she had just gotten used to the redhead always showing up on time. She felt secure, knowing he cared for her. So, the young woman wondered what was keeping him.
Groaning from impatience, she hoisted herself up, and went to the kitchen. The petite woman felt a bit hungry, wrenching open the small fridge. It was stocked full of food. He was always hungry, for whatever reason. Drawbacks of moving so fast - you had to eat a lot. The girl sighed. At least he was never fat. He just… wasn't there.
She pulled out a box of cookies, and began munching on one. She turned, kicking the door of the fridge close, and was about to head for the bedroom again when she heard something behind her.
"Miss me?" the sly, cocky voice of the redhead sounded from behind her.
She jumped at the sound, box of cookies falling from her hands. It never hit the ground, a flash of yellow blurring by her, and then gone again. She spun on her heel, face swelling with anger. The redheaded speedster was leaning against the fridge, munching on one of the cookies, as if without a care in the world. He was rather taller than the girl, but not by much, and was lithe, agile, quick. He wasn't dressed in his usual costume, of yellow and red, but in more formal wear. Slacks, a black dress shirt, and jet sports jacket, no tie. His yellow mask was hanging from the pocket of the jacket. His blue eyes twinkled, cheerfully.
"Damnit, Wally! I told you not to do that!" Jinx yelled at the speedster, who just grinned. In a blurring split second, he was next to the young pink-haired woman, arm around her shoulders.
"Aw, Jinx, you know it's my deal. I just gotta flash!" Kid Flash smiled. A rushing speed of movement later, and Jinx was seated in a chair, box of cookies on her lap, and music started up. It was a slow jazz number, the sort Jinx liked to listen to when she was alone. Or… with him. A rather romantic piece, actually, but she was still always surprised by the sudden changes his speed let him make.
And there he was again, just in front of her, extending an arm, with a bouquet of red roses in hand, slightly wet from drops of dew.
"A rose by any other name…" He said. She smiled, and grasped his hand lightly, pulling him closer. He could smell the faint perfume on her.
"You're too sweet." She whispered as she drew him in for a kiss. He smiled as they collapsed into their embrace. It was passionate, loving, full of intense emotion. A pink spark escaped from Jinx's hand as she grasped his back, and the roses' thorns fell to the ground in a clutter.
He broke it off after a minute or two, and stared into her eyes. Her's were full of love and desire. His, concern and worry.
"You sure you don't want us to be at the Tower?" he asked her.
She turned her gaze from him, a little hesitant. "I… I can't…" she finally admitted.
"Well why not?" the fastest boy alive pouted.
"It's just… I…" she struggled to get the words out. Kid Flash finished her thoughts, guessing at the answer.
"You're still uncomfortable with them, and Kyd was once your friend." he nodded, understanding. He stood up, pulling her along, as he drew her towards the window. It was a large window, giving a great view of the city from it's height, and looked over the lightning flashing above Titan's Tower. Jinx stood, and looked at the beacon of hope in the city, a beacon that had been dulled. She found the boy's arms encircling her, his face just by hers, looking out to the tower. She leaned into it, touching his hands gently.
"Yeah…"
"It's a nice service, you know."
"Hmn?"
"The memorial. There were others there, but when Thunder and Lightning started their tribute, they headed inside."
"Oh."
They stood there in silence, as the thunder and lightning flashed all about the Tower and city. The lights were very dim in the apartment, dull and the flashing lights from the heavens were all that illuminated the two in the small place. Jinx looked up to the boy, to find his eyes fixed on her expression. He was worried.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Argent was there… she hoped you would know something." he admitted. She sighed with frustration.
"I told her already - I told everybody! I don't know where they are. I already showed them the usual haunts, and told them of his habits, his tactics… I'm… I'm not one of them anymore, I don't know where they are…" she stated angrily, then got quiet. She pressed into his arms more, seeking his warmth. He let her press into him tighter, his arms bringing her closer in.
"I left them to be good, to get away from that life." She looked up at the young man. "I left them for you…"
He smiled, turning to come in for a kiss. He held her in his arms, and she let him console her.
Some time later, they were collapsed on the couch, Kid Flash's arm around his as they snuggled together, the smooth jazz playing in the background. They were both almost asleep, satisfied in their company.
A knock came at the door, stirring the pink haired luck manipulator. She mumbled something, and nudged the boy. He woke with a start, muttering something about Mirror Master, or some such. His eyes finally settled on her, curious. She looked up at him with a bit of worry.
"What's up?" he asked.
"Someone's at the door." she answered softly.
"So? Let them be. Probably not important." He snuggled back closer to her. "Besides, why would I leave a lovely girl like you all by her lonesome?" She laughed, pushing him off of her.
"Just get it, and get back here." she laughed. Wally smirked.
"Back in a Flash!" and he zoomed to the door. Jinx just rolled her eyes. She could hear him at the door in the other room, opening and shouting, "Hello? Hey, who's there?" Then the zoom of him zipping about to check for pranksters just knocking and running, and came back to her, frowning. There was something in his hand.
"What is it?" she wondered.
"A letter. Propped on the ground, top of a black rose." he answered, scratching his head.
"Well, who's it from?" she demanded, curiosity and impatience getting the better of her.
"Dunno…"
She groaned at him, and demanded, "Then who's it for?"
He paused, something Kid Flash rarely did.
"You."
Jinx found herself sitting at the table, the lights bright overhead. The envelope and letter inside were solid black, and the pen used to write the letter was something silvery, and a bit hard to read. On the envelope was the simple description, "To Jinx." She could tell from the spidery lettering who it was from. An old teammate, whose handwriting spoke volumes about his character, when his voice wouldn't. The lilting angle indicating his ease of flow, the jagged and sudden changes his changing nature, and the overall unusual nature of the script indicative of just how strange the boy who wrote it was.
It was as follows:
"Dearest Jinx,
I know I should have kept in touch. But, you turned traitor to us. You betrayed us Jinx. And we did indeed hate you for it. You left us, Jinx, for one of our foes. This, we all knew, and we accepted. Words were muttered in anger - and in resentment - but only because we missed you.
Things haven't been the same since the Brotherhood incident. We have all had to change a bit to adapt. We never really picked a leader again, not after you. We just knew that no one could do it but you. Gizmo had the plans, See-More the guile, Billy the tenacity, Mammoth the drive, and I… I guess I had the skill. But, that isn't of much importance.
Our crimes, of late, became more ambitious, more cunning. We tried to aim bigger. The Hive Five had to prove that we were still a force to be reckoned with. We had to prove that, not just to the world, but to you. We aimed for the stars, and knew that if we made it big enough, we would finally have the reknown you had once wanted, reaching the goals you gave us. The last venture was a success. The device stolen, which I believe Robin and his superiors have neglected to inform you of, is rather powerful. We are still working with it, and I just want you to be careful in the near future.
But, of course, I get to the crux of the matter. I am Wanted. Dead or Alive. I am rather sure Robin, Cyborg, and Beast Boy would prefer the former, despite being 'heroes.' I don't know.
What I do know is that I took Starfire and Raven from this world. They aren't coming back. This much you are aware of, no doubt. It's the reason my face has been plastered everywhere, and why the Hive Five have gone into hiding. It's not our usual style of digs, but it's safe.
You and many others have wondered what happens when I warp someone away. Well, it was different those times, rather then when I usually do so. I sent them… away.
Now, they are not dead. Let me make that clear. I did not kill Starfire nor Raven. You should know me better than to ever believe that. Right? Remember?
I mean to apologize for what I did. The guilt is too much to bear. I want to bring them back, it's just… I can't. This is not to say that I do not know where they are - that I know perfectly well. I just can't bring them back. Not that I shouldn't, or someone is preventing me from doing so, but I am incapable of doing so.
Of course, you may choose not to believe me, for I am a villain. That is true. But, I am telling the truth. I wish to bring them back, but I can't do it myself. I want to apologize to everyone… but I can't. I just can't.
But, I know how to bring them back. I just need something… I'm going to Titan's Tower to get it. If I have it… I think I can bring them back.
Wish me luck, my dear Jinx."
She put the letter down. There was no signature, but she knew the writer.
"Oh shit." she swore under her breath. Kid Flash zoomed up next to her, quickly reading the letter before huffing.
"Who does this joker think he is, huh?" he mumbled among other things, a hint of jealousy in his mutterings. Jinx turned to him, a serious, worried look on her face.
"He's going to Titan's Tower… today."
Kid Flash obviously didn't get what was so serious about that, drawing a sigh of exasperation and worry from the pink haired girl.
"Most of the Titans from all over the world are at Titan's Tower! And he's gonna break in! It's suicide!" she shouted at him. His eyes showed understanding then seriousness. He took her hands.
"If Kyd Wykkyd, one of the city's Most Wanted, is going to be at the Tower tonight, they need to be warned. We might finally be able to catch him. They're mourning Starfire right now, but she's still alive. Raven too. They need to be told."
Jinx hesitated, unsure of what to do. On one hand, she was honorbound as a Titan to let Wally tell the others, and have them capture Kyd. On the other hand… that was her former teammate heading into the lion's den. She could still remember his antics, and the way they brought a smile to her face on even the most dreary of days. It was but a moment before she finally caved.
"Go," she whispered. Kid Flash nodded, and the blur was gone from the apartment, headed for Titan's Tower. JInx got up, clutching the black rose in one hand as she went to the window. She stared at the tower as lightning flashed above it, the dull roar of thunder sounding in the night's sky.
"Good Luck, Kyd." Jinx whispered.
I really like this chapter. C'est jolie, n'est pas?
So, hope you enjoyed this chapter, and would greatly appreciate it if you read and reviewed it, or simple favorited and/or followed this story (if you haven't already).
So, yeah, Read & Review, please!
