Tales of the Teen Titans: Shadows of the Empire

by Nitebreaker

Sequel to "Resurrection" as well as "The Lonely." More in the expanded universe of the Teen Titans. This will include OCs, because they're pivotal to the story. Rated for language and situations. BB/Terra, Rob/Star, and Raven Please read and review. I don't own the Teen Titans. Now complete.

3. Chapter 3: Preparations

Tales of the Teen Titans: Shadow of the Empire, chapter 3: Preparations

I don't own the Teen Titans. If only.

Raven didn't know if it was time to scream or not. But she thought it was getting there.

The whole thing had started, innocently enough, when Starfire had asked her what she should take on the cruise. Raven, herself something of a stranger to such things, had absently replied words to the effect that changes of clothing would be needed, as well as formal attire, and possibly swimsuits. Looking back, she admonished herself: she really should have known it wouldn't be that easy.

The first two didn't trouble Starfire much. But it seemed she was having a very hard time wrapping her mind around the concept of swimsuits. Evidently, they didn't employ such garments on Tamaran.

So she proceeded to parade one set after another before a reluctant Raven, completely oblivious to her friend's discomfort and lack of first hand knowledge on the subject. Tamaranean eyes must use very different color receptors than humans did, or else it was a difference in culture, because some of the color schemes she'd selected were truly abominable. The two were in Raven's largish room.

Raven sighed and closed her eyes, resolving to place a mild curse on whoever had planted the notion of polka dots in Starfire's fertile brain. She seemed fascinated with them. "No, no, no, Star. Believe me, solid colors work much better for you. You….might wanna try green. That would match your eyes."

"Oh. Like this one?" She held up one for inspection.

"Uh, Star? I've seen bandaids that cover more of a person. Maybe something just a tad more…I mean, something that actually gives you some…support..up there." She gestured, loosely, at Starfire's upper torso. "Something you aren't in danger of falling out of."

Starfire looked blankly at her chest, obviously not comprehending. "But the saleslady recommended it so highly!"

"I am sure her intentions were honest, possibly even noble. But the truth of the matter is, Starfire, if you wear that, you'll cause accidents."

"I do not wish to cause the harm. What do you mean?"

"There's such a thing as too much distraction. Wear that, and Robin will have his hands full, just keeping the other males, and maybe even a few females, off of you." Starfire still looked blank. Raven sighed, again closing her eyes, putting her head in her hands. "You won't get to spend as much time with him as you'd like, in other words."

"Well, I certainly do not want that! I will select one with more material." She looked at Raven. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Are you not going to select a swimming suit?"

"Ah, that's not…..really my style, Starfire. Such suits are mostly employed for what people call 'sunbathing,' and I don't get along with the sun all that well."

"Hmmm." Starfire looked at her friend with a puckish expression on her face. She slowly circled Raven, looking her up and down, measuring her visually. It was beginning to make Raven a bit nervous "Star? What, er, what are you up to?"

"Just thinking." Suddenly, she held up the green micro-kini against Raven's chest and eyed it appraisingly.

Raven's eyes almost popped out of her head. "Oh, no you don't, Star! No way!"

"Yes way!"

"Ehn oh. I am not wearing that! I'd be practically naked!"

"But friend Hank would love it so!"

"Believe me, he doesn't need that much encouragement! Besides, I would be chased all over the ship."

Starfire pulled back, a sly grin on her face. "Why would you wish to be chaste? Where is the fun in that?"

"Chased, Star, not chaste. They're two very different words." She backed away. Starfire, however, wasn't giving up so easy. She stalked forward, an expression of mischief on her countenance, still holding the almost-not-there suit. "But you would be looking the so cute in this!" And with that, she pounced.

"Ack!" Raven didn't quite get out of the way in time.

Cyborg was walking down the hallway when he heard the commotion. Up ahead; it was coming from Raven's room. He sprinted/jogged forward a little faster.

Now he could make out individual voices coming from within: Raven, yelling like a banshee, with Starfire laughing delightedly in the background. Hm. If he didn't know better, he'd almost have sworn it sounded like they were-*

But nah. That was crazy.

It was possible that one or more of them could be in trouble, so he keyed in the security override code to open Raven's door.

They were both on the floor, seemingly engaged in an impromptu wrestling match, with Starfire on top and winning. At his appearance, they both shot bolt upright and froze. "Oh! Friend Cyborg! I did not know you were out there." They were both red-faced from exertion.

"Everything okay in here?" He noticed Raven hitched her cloak around her, sealing it in front. She had her hood up.

"Of course! We were only playing the horse!"

Playing the horse? Oh. "You mean, horseplaying?" Okay. Sometimes, Starfire's speech patterns were a little hard to decode. Strangely, the picture that flashed through his mind was of Starfire Velcro-ing a paper tail onto Raven's backside when the latter wasn't looking. But he doubted that was what it was, though. "Well, anyway, just dropped by to let you two know that Robin's called a meeting in," he looked at his watch, "actually, like right now. So come on, both of you. You can 'play the horse' later."

"Oh, of course, Friend Cyborg! Come, Friend Raven, we must attend the meeting!" She giggled and guided a blushing Raven out the door.

I'm going to get you for this if it's the last thing I do, thought Raven, even as she allowed herself to be ushered out. Starfire had managed, somehow, in the space of just a few seconds, to strip her and get the micro-kini on her, so that, beneath her cloak, she was essentially…don't even think about it, Raven. Just keep your cloak closed and nobody will ever know the difference. I hope.

Hank sat down by her. "Hey, Raven. Aren't you hot in that thing?"

Starfire giggled some more, her eyes bright, her smile merry. "Yes, Friend Raven! You must be terribly hot in that heavy cloak! Here, let me take it for you!" She reached out…..

"That's quite alright, both of you! I'm fine." Grinning overmuscled alien amazon, wait'll your hair turns green. She got up quickly and moved to the other side of Hank, away from Starfire, settling down in Terra's usual seat. Those two weren't back yet, anyway.

Hank looked at her quizzically for a moment. What had that all been about? Then he shrugged. Maybe he'd find out later.

"Anyway, people," Robin was saying, "I assume you're all up to speed about Kitten's shooting?" They indicated they were. "Omega? Anything to report on that?"

"Yes, Robin. Monsieur Mallah is not a suspect. The footprint was wrong. I am now focusing my suspicions on Gorilla Grodd."

"Hmm. Another good choice. Last time I spoke with Batman, Grodd had sorta fallen off the radar. Nobody seems to know his whereabouts, or what he's up to. But he usually doesn't run in the same circles as Kitten and her dad. Why would he break into their basement? I mean, mutant moths aren't his style."

"Perhaps I will ask him. When I find him."

"Uh, Omega? I hope you aren't getting, you know, too involved with this. I mean, we do have laws for this sort of thing, you know."

"Of course, Robin. I am aware of that." The Osiran's face was a study in neutrality.

"Well, alright. Moving on…."

Hank caught up with Omega outside, after the meeting adjourned. Raven had disappeared with absolutely remarkable speed, he thought. Well, maybe she had to go to the bathroom or something. "Omega! Hold up!"

"Yes, Hank?" The Osiran turned to the human he'd formerly been soul-bonded with.

"Let's talk." The two proceeded down the hallway to Omega's quarters. Once inside, the Osiran fiddled with something attached to the Matrix generator, then knelt on the floor, in a relaxed posture, as he normally did. Hank chose to flop, bonelessly, into a nearby armchair. "You know what Robin's asking you, don't you?"

"If I am aware of human laws and protocol?"

"Wellllll, yes and more. Actually, what he's asking is, if and when you find Grodd, and if he turns out to be the culprit, what will you do? In other words," he paused, leaning forward in his chair, trying to find the right words to convey his thoughts, "Just how are you taking this whole thing, Kitten, a girl you've been dating, getting hurt? Are you likely to….allow your emotions to overcome your common sense in this issue? Come to think of it, just how do you feel about Kitten?"

Omega thought. It was a fair question, he guessed. "I regard her as a friend. I know she has a history of causing trouble, and I know she is trying to use me to acquire information on the rest of you, but this does not bother me greatly. She has never done anything to hurt me, personally." He thought some more. "I suppose my intentions, at this point, are to bring the party or parties responsible to justice. As alive and whole as they will permit themselves to be taken."

"Well, good deal. See, Omega, in humans, well, we sometimes allow our feelings to get the better of us. And you once told me you don't have a lot of practice controlling your own emotions, so there could be legitimate cause for worry, see."

"I see. So what you are saying is, you are concerned that I would find Grodd and rip him limb from limb, in an effort to avenge my lady fair and thus win her heart forevermore?"

Hank colored, scratching his head and looking at his feet. That was actually exactly what he'd been thinking. "Well, I wouldn't have put it quite so colorfully, but yeah. Basically."

"Then put your mind at ease. I have no plans at this time to exact my own version of justice on anyone. I am still becoming acquainted with the human concept. Besides. From what everyone is telling me, I seriously doubt Kitten has a heart to win; therefore, any such action would be somewhat pointless on my part. Not to mention rather foolish. Would it not?" It was impossible to tell if the Osiran was serious or not.

….

Grodd worked feverishly to fill in the gaps in the data he'd stolen from Killer Moth's files. The Master hadn't been too pleased with him, that he'd shot someone, and thus sparked what would surely be an investigation of some sort. No, the Master hadn't been at all pleased with him, even after Grodd explained that it was only a human, and such things were commonplace among them. There should be nothing to point a finger at Grodd, or his Master. {{AND YET,}} the Master mused, one hand rubbing his mask where his chin would be, {{I HAVE SENSED A DISTURBANCE. THERE ARE OTHER OSIRANS UPON THIS WORLD. THE PROBE WAS DESIGNED TO SEED A NEW WORLD WITH ALL THREE CASTES, YET SOMETHING IS BLOCKING ME FROM DIRECTLY SENSING THE OTHERS. IF THEY ARE THINKERS OR WARRIORS, IT IS OF NO IMPORT, BUT IF WHAT I SENSE IS ANOTHER LORD….IT IS PREMATURE TO REVEAL MYSELF YET. YOU ARE SURE YOU CONCEALED ALL EVIDENCE AVAILABLE TO THE HUMANS AS TO THE TRUE NATURE OF THE DEED?}}

"Yes, Master. As I said, humans shooting other humans is nothing new to them. And the weapon I employed was a common enough one; virtually anyone could acquire one like it. That is why I carried it along on this expedition. Its usage should raise no suspicions of an undue nature."

{{VERY WELL. I WILL ACCEPT YOUR ACTIONS AS WISE REGARDING THIS WORLD AND ITS INHABITANTS. DO NOT DISAPPOINT ME, GRODD. I HAVE GREAT HOPES FOR YOU.}}

Grodd bowed low, a gesture that, only a few weeks ago, would've been anathema to him. "Thank you, Master. And you will see: barring any unforeseen complications, the matter will most probably result in only perfunctory action on the part of the authorities. The individual from whom I acquired this data is what is termed on this world a 'super villain,' and therefore, not in good standing with the established authority. In all probability, they will simply file a report and then proceed to forget about it. Killer Moth himself is, well, virtually a joke among the people of Earth. He lacks sufficient resources to even begin seeking vengeance for the death of his daughter. You will see. I will not fail you, Master."

{{SEE THAT YOU DO NOT.}} The Lord stood up from his improvised throne, all nine feet of him, both awesome and terrifying at the same time. {{FOR YOU WILL ONLY DO SO ONCE.}}

…..

"Honey? You in there?" Killer Moth hesitated outside his daughter's room. Even though he'd changed her diapers (it seemed like only yesterday), he still didn't wish to burst in on her if she was indecent or something.

"Yeah, Dad, C'mon in." He opened the door. She was sitting at the vanity, in her slip and bra, brushing her hair. "So. Going out again tonight?" he asked.

"Yeah. Omega's taking me to this new place, downtown. Supposed to be totally retro, psychedelic and all that. Should be interesting."

"You sure are…seeing a lot of him, lately."

"Well, of course. I haveta build up that rapport with him, you know, so he'll tell me stuff. That just doesn't happen overnight." Continuing to brush her hair.

Killer Moth looked at his daughter through narrowed eyes. "Ah. And, of course, that's the only reason you're continuing to see him."

"Well, of course." She paused in brushing her hair. "Okay, I admit it: he's…kinda cute. But definitely just not my type. I mean, the world is full of cute guys, who aren't goody-goodys, y'know."

"That's true." He went over and sat on her bed.

She finished brushing her hair, and selected her clothes for the evening. Halfway in the middle of putting them on, she paused, and came over and sat by him. "Dad? I know I….haven't been too curious about all this, but, but….tell me about Mom. What was she like?"

Killer Moth patted his daughter's hand. "Beautiful. Just like her daughter. And a spitfire, too." Also like her daughter. "We met in college. I was already studying advanced entomology, while she was rounding out her field of study in comparative biology. Her goal was to work for the government, attempting to save endangered species." He paused, remembering. "The first class we had together, I couldn't keep my eyes off her. Of course, to her, I was just a face in the crowd, but I kept at it. It took me a solid six months to get her to go out with me. But she was more than worth it."

Kitten sighed, sitting by her father. "Wish I'd known her. I mean, there's so many questions I could ask her, questions she'd know the answers to."

Killer Moth put his arm around her. "I wish you had, too, honey. Believe me, you'll never know how much I wish she was still around."

They sat in silence for a few more moments, each of them lost in their own thoughts, their own feelings and memories. Then she stood up. "Well. Guess I'd better get dressed. He'll be here soon."

At the club, Kitten took advantage of her new-found good health to dance to several fast dances. Omega hadn't been too clear on just what dancing was, when she first met him, but he was a quick study. And she didn't have to worry about him getting tired.

They were taking a break between songs when a frenemy of Kitten's happened by: Paula. Paula had a tendency to target other people's dates. "Hey, Kitten! Long time, no see!"

Oh, God, not her. But Kitten smiled a cool smile and replied, "Hey Paula. What's up?"

"'Bout to ask you the same question." Paula was eyeing Omega appraisingly. "And aren't you gonna introduce me to your friend here?"

Maybe she'll go away. "Paula, this is Omega. Omega, Paula. We had gym class together at reform school." Hey, Omega, set phasers on boring.

Paula rounded on Omega. "Omega, huh? Interesting name. Say. Aren't you one of those Teen Titans I see on TV all the time?"

"I am included in that group, yes."

"So tell me a little about yourself, why don't'cha?" Uninvited, Paula casually sat down in a chair at Kitten's and Omega's table. She hitched her chair over towards him, so that she was now closer than Kitten was. Kitten found herself growing increasingly annoyed by that. "Word is, you're not from Earth?"

"No. I am of extraterrestrial origin."

She giggled in what was supposed to be a seductive way. "You sound like a science teacher. So you're from outer space." She kept on running her eyes up and down him. "I love the skin color. It totally works for me. Ever thought about gettin' a tattoo?" Kitten found herself getting more and more hot under the collar. "Hey, Omega. They're about to start the music again. Wanna dance?"

"Ah, perhaps I'd best not. I am, after all, here with Kitten."

"Aw, I'm sure she wouldn't mind. Would'ja, Kitten? Besides, I don't see any ring on anybody's finger….."

Enough is enough. Kitten stood up, leaning over the table so that she was right in Paula's face. She balled up her fist. "Would you settle for stars?" she asked, in a "don't fuck with me" tone of voice.

"Geez Louise. Lighten up. I was only tryin' ta be friendly. Okay. You feel that way about it…." she stood up to go. Turned back to Omega. "Maybe I'll see ya around. When you're not with Miss Jealous here." And went off in search of easier prey.

Kitten sat back down, breathing a sigh of relief. "Sorry 'bout that, Omega."

The Osiran looked puzzled. "Er, what was all that, anyway?"

"Just Paula being Paula. She, er, has a tendency to recruit other people's friends. And dates."

"Why?"

"'Cause she can't get any of her own. Trust me on this one, Omega. She's bad news looking for somebody to happen to."

"Well, then. It would seem I am in your debt. After all, you rescued me from the clutches of The Evil Paula. How may I make it up to you?"

Jackpot! Kitten smiled a positively wicked smile. "Hm. Let me study on that a little bit. Meanwhile, why don't you tell me about this girl warrior you knew, back on Osira?"

He looked blank. "What do you wish to know?"

"Well, I mean, was she happy, carefree, serious, down-to-Earth, what? What was she like?" In other words, what sort of girl do you go for? Normally, Kitten would do almost anything to avoid talking about other girls while on a date, but this was more than a date; this was chemical and biological warfare.

He considered. "I would say she was very serious. Very competent in her field. Our fields of study overlapped, so our respective Lords deemed it a good idea to combine our expertise on a weapons project."

"A weapons project?" She took a sip from her punch, eyeing him.

"Yes. It was supposed to be what I imagine you'd call a Doomsday weapon. One so terrible, that its usage would be avoided at all costs."

"Hm. I see. What was it supposed to do?" Kitten didn't really care, as Doomsday devices were really not her specialty, but this was interesting. After all, if she really wanted a doomsday device or weapon, she'd do like everybody else and shop for it on Ebay.

"Basically, it was to destroy the universe."

Kitten got outside of some more punch while considering that. She knew Omega well enough by now to realize that, if he'd meant "world," he'd have said "world." Ditto with solar system, galaxy, etc. "Really? The whole thing? How can any one device do all that?"

"The details are lengthy and largely unimportant. It was supposed to drop the false vacuum of my existing universe down to what human scientists have come to call 'true vacuum.' The end result would be, well, basically, the destruction of all that is. Matter, energy, space and time."

She considered. Doomsday weapons really weren't her style. Threatening to use Doomsday weapons, now, that was a different matter. "But, I thought you said your people ruled pretty much all there was. Why destroy it?"

"It seems there is an extra-universal threat, an alien entity that feeds on universes. In most cases, the standard procedure for combating it is to move to another universe—and destroy the old one." He paused, a far-off look coming into his eyes. "Though, come to think of it, there may be another way…."

Gad, he was worse than those eggheads on The Big Bang Theory. If she didn't corral him soon, he'd drift off into some limbo of esoteric particle physics or something. Like Pepe LePew wafting along in those old Warner Bros. cartoons. "Well, anyway. Getting back to the girl…"

"Oh. Yes, she was very knowledgeable in her area." He paused again while remembering. "Perhaps a bit accident-prone."

"Accident prone?"

"She once mistakenly combined two elements that she really shouldn't have. The results were, uhm,….unpleasant."

Kitten chortled. "Had the same experience once in chem class. Blew something up, did she?"

"I would have settled for only that, yes." Kitten let it pass.

"What did she look like?"

"Watch the table. I'll show you." Kitten moved her glass and stared as the table they were sitting at came alive in three-dee.

It showed what at first glance looked like the inside of a giant goldfish bowl, black all around, with lights arrayed around the walls. Lights that moved and flickered. The floor was a spotless white in color. There was a large empty space over by one side, and, as the point of view moved, Kitten realized that she was seeing the…place, laboratory, work room, whatever it was, from Omega's perspective, as if he were holding a camera or something. Over towards the center of the room knelt a figure, apparently working with several large machines, coupling them together and making adjustments.

A figure with a thick shock of shoulder length milk-white hair. Kitten had to remind herself that, among Omega's kind, white hair was no indicator of age, and the next moment revealed that to be the truth. The figure looked up at the one approaching, and smiled.

Well, thought Kitten, he's certainly got good taste. The female warrior proved to be an exceptionally lovely young woman, with high, fine features and a heart-shaped face. Her face itself, while just as white as Omega's, bespoke of intelligence, emotion, and animation. The eyes, dark like his, nonetheless seemed lit with a certain inner warmth and sensitivity. Kitten stared hard at her. This was no bespectacled lab mouse; she could have been a supermodel. Except Kitten doubted they had such things on war-torn Osira. Also, she lacked the generic, standard look of many models. No, there was no doubt in Kitten's mind that this was a very unique individual, perhaps a very emotional one, even. She would remember that look, that smile, that face, for a long time. I almost wish I'd known her.

She was wearing a standard Osiran black-and-silver outfit similar to what Omega currently had on, tailored, of course, for her. It fit her like a glove. Kitten couldn't tell, from this angle, what her figure looked like, but she had a hunch the Osiran woman was "stacked." I'm glad she's not my competition. She looked young, but Kitten found she could not adequately judge her age. She could have been anywhere from late teens on up. As she watched, the female's image seemed to reach up towards the one approaching. Her mouth did not move in speech; odd, that. "Silent movie?" Kitten asked, glancing up only briefly.

"We did not use spoken speech in the Empire. All communication was done through Link."

"Well, what's she saying, what're you saying?"

"Basically, 'You're back. Is that it?' And I am replying, 'Yes. Here.'" The girl took the bulky object from him—it seemed to be some sort of addition to the machine she was assembling on the floor—and immediately began connecting it, making adjustments all the while.

"Say. That isn't your doomsday machine, is it? I mean, you maybe shouldn't be waving this around all over the place."

"No, that is not it. Only another project we were working on."

"Another project? How many projects did you two work on together, anyway?"

Again a pause. Then, "As many as I could believably come up with."

She burst out laughing in spite of herself, and applauded. "Waytago, champ! There's hope for you, yet." The holographic slide show—or whatever it had been-faded out.

"Well, that is what she looked like."

"What was her name?"

"She didn't have one. Neither did I. Only a numerical designation. In Link, such things are not needed."

"And what did you say happened to her?"

He spread his hands. "I truly do not know. There was a battle; rumor had it she was killed. But her body was never recovered."

"Bummer." Kitten thought for a minute. There was a time to be bitchy and there was a time to be sweet. "Hm. What did you call her—oh, right, no names. Geez. That's kinda hard to work with. Maybe we should give her a name." At his look, she softened and replied, "I know she's gone, Omega, but she's still a part of you, of your memories. As long as you're alive, and can remember her, she'll live on there, inside you. Maybe giving her a name would help you remember her, somewhat."

"You….think so?"

"Yeah, I do. Hey. Show me her picture again." He complied, the table top coming alive again with the still picture of the woman looking up and smiling at his approach. "Hm…what would be a good name for her? My latin sucks. OH! Got it in one!" She pointed at the picture on the table. "You, milady, are now Athena, goddess of knowledge and wisdom." She looked up to see his reaction.

He appeared to be mulling it over. "Athena. I…like it. Yes. That…is a very good name for her. Thank you, Kitten. Thank you very much."

She laughed. "No prob. I'll just put it on your bill. Now, come on. They're starting the music again. Let's go!"

Yet, much later on, after he'd taken her home, and she'd gotten ready for bed, the memory of the warmth of that female warrior's smile lingered on. She couldn't help but wonder, as she drifted off to sleep: Had her mother ever smiled like that?

To be continued….

R & R!