Another chapter for the wonderful readers. Hope you like it. Just a reminder I do not own Teen Titans... Too bad, too bad. :)
P.S. sorry for the confusion but this is the start of the little arc, I mentioned before, because the next few chapters focus on Slade, Kiara and Robin. Just so you know.
Chapter 18: Master Plan
Officer Ramon was being chewed out not for the first time by the Chief of Police. He had used unauthorized fire arms against a suspect that could have been seen as a teen committing a misdemeanor not a criminal on America's Most Wanted. His blatant disregard for his inability at setting his priorities straight unnerved the Chief. She expected more from her officers. With an angry grunt Ramon stormed out of the room.
It was the end of his shift and he had nothing to do. Going back to his one bedroom apartment was a not a good idea. He wanted to lock up those criminals and vigilantes that dared to take the law into their own hands. Rachel wanted to avoid upsetting her violent older brother, but she knew any words from her would set him off. Ramon was on a dangerous and uncertain path and she felt it was wrong to take out his frustrations on the Titans who were on the same side. Rachel did like Blackfire and Terra she never wanted to believe that they were villains and meant harm to anyone. Kiara seemed misguided if anything but Slade was a menace and needed to be stopped.
Rachel drove to her brother's apartment when an announcement on the radio made her pull over. "A dark day for teenage superheroes has come. All around the world heroes like our beloved Teen Titans and Titans East have disappeared left and right. We will keep the citizens of Jump City and the rest of the world updated as details become available. Citizens are advised to be alert, cautious, and remain hopeful that whatever has taken them away will be defeated." Rachel could not believe her ears. Looking out her window women and children, business men and homeless persons, the elderly and students alike would weep and mourn the loss of their beloved super heroes until some change occurred.
Rachel could imagine how this news would affect her brother. Ramon felt happier than he had in a long time. Those meddling brats were gone and the people of the law could continue their jobs without being upstaged by little children running around in tights who thought they were special just because they could lift cats, shape-shift, control waves or the wind, and knew some fancy kicks and punches.
Wintergreen strolled down the darkened corridors of the Haunt. He knew that Slade needed to hear this information. As he walked into the main control room with the giant TV screens and computers he noticed something out of the ordinary.
Where had he seen that woman with the long black hair and French accent before? Her name was Madam something or other. Why was she talking to Slade? Kiara flew over to Wintergreen; blue-green (fear), turquoise (dedication), yellow (happy) and violet (friendship) swirled around her wings. Wintergreen placed a comforting hand on her shoulder to reassure her. The woman stepped aside to reveal a strange room filled with a giant machine.
The machine looked like a dispenser for coffee or ice cream in a shop. The French woman smiled in a cruel and triumphant way. A talking gorilla demonstrated the machine's power by pushing a button. A talking brain with metal "eyes" on the front of the glass dome explained the technique of the machine. The gorilla then froze a teen in ice. Slade kept his interest to a minimum but in reality he was intrigued. The frozen teen was then placed inside a metal cylinder and put on display.
Slade could not believe that these three, this supposed Brotherhood of Evil had conquered all of the Titans. He did notice that Beast Boy was not among them and a few others. He chuckled to himself leave it to the comedy-tofu-lover to save the day. Slade for once was rooting for the shape-shifter. It would be boring if all the Titans disappeared for too long. The talking Brain offered Slade to come and see the machine in person. The French woman guessed that there was one person he would want to see on ice. The gorilla laughed for a moment before someone directed the camera to a close-up of one hero.
The camera stopped in front of one image. The muscular build the slender waist, the long legs and most striking the person's face. All of this flashed in front of Slade's face in an instant. The possibilities of this moment make Slade grin beneath his mask. The talking Brain needed some confirmation of what the armored man wanted to do. Slade preferred to take care of his own business and leave out other annoying people like Brother Blood. He would be a fool for passing up this opportunity. Slade gave no other indication of what he wanted other than a slight nod of his head.
The gorilla and the French woman- with the ability to shape-shift into anyone she wanted grinned at his choice. They made a promise to deliver the 'gift' before the end of the week. Slade told them that was acceptable and closed the connection.
"How long have you been standing there?" Slade asked as Wintergreen walked up to the blank screens. "Sir I know that an interesting event took place. When shall we expect the visitors so I can make the necessary preparations?" Kiara hung behind Wintergreen wondering what was happening. Slade gripped his old friend's shoulder and said, "I expect our visitor in about a week's time no later than the end of next week. Is this enough time for you to prepare or did you need some input from me?"
"I do think I will need your input. However I do wish to discuss your plans for this gift? If I may be so bold as to question your thoughts." Kiara had never heard Wintergreen speak in such a formal way to Sensei. What was this gift or visitor and why was Sensei so excited? Slade noticed Kiara standing off to the side and motioned for her to come closer. Kiara skipped up to him a little cautious but more curious than anything.
"Kiara I have neglected to ask you what your thoughts were on your living arrangements here. You have yet to complain about your room or the general feel shall I say of the Haunt itself. It leaves me to wonder, so I ask, are you lonely here? Are you happy here with me and Wintergreen or do you want someone your own age to interact with? You can tell me I won't be angry or threaten you. Tell me what you are feeling."
Kiara was stunned the one topic she never expected to come up would be now. Kiara asked Magnet for help because her sister was much bolder and confident than her. Magnet's advice was the same as Wintergreen's: tell him that you are lonely. Kiara stared at the ground for a moment and she looked up after sensing his lack of impatience. Slade held her hand and gave her a one-sided hug which Kiara returned. "To be honest Sensei I have been lonely at times. I wish I had someone to play with and hang out."
"Why are you just bringing it up now?"
"I did not want to be a bother to you Sensei. I thought it would be rude of me to complain about a little loneliness when I have so much to be thankful for. I have a roof over my head, good food to eat, clean clothes to wear, a kind and caring teacher who gives his time to teach an abandoned orphan like me, and his equally kind friend who also takes care of me. For me to be ungrateful would be an insult to all the gracious things I've been allowed to have in life. I could never do that, so I don't mind Sensei being rough with me or taunting annoying cops, it is the least I can do and I will be forever grateful to you Slade-sama."
To say that Slade was stunned would be an understatement. He glanced at Wintergreen for his input but he was looking at Kiara and would not meet his gaze. Slade felt an unfamiliar desire to make his apprentice happy, to give her a companion. As if he was thanking her for her devotion and dedication. Renewed with this desire Slade made a silent vow to get Kiara and Magnet a playmate someone they could have fun with. The person he had in mind would resent this union with every cell of his body but Slade would not give up the idea that he needed him. It was one of the qualities they shared: they were both way too stubborn.
In the outside world of Jump City the atmosphere remained tense. There was no sign of their beloved Titans anywhere or around the world. While there were no riots in the streets, shops broken into and raided, fires out of control; all the same Jump City felt like a ghost town. All the joys of the city seemed to have dried up and blown away in the breeze. A lone black sedan drove through the deserted streets. Traffic was almost non-existent as the sedan travelled over the wooden planks before resting at one of the warehouses of Pier 41. A middle-aged man of about mid 30s stepped out of the driver's seat.
The man wore a navy blue jacket, light green shirt, and navy blue pants. His broad shoulders and general body language suggested a possible military background. Dark gray eyes scanned the empty docks observing the quiet area with a critical eye. The man in the passenger seat was an elder-man near his 50s. In contrast to his companion his expression gave off a tone of expectancy and patience.
The elder gentleman wore a silver and black suit; his right hand inside his upper right pocket pulling out a gold watch. The last occupant appeared the most out of place. A young girl no older than 13, with light mocha skin; short curled pink hair stepped outside. She held a black metal chain necklace in between her right hand and twirling it in a circle. She wore a blouse resembling an upside down rose petal and a sunset orange skirt.
The man in the navy blue suit walked up to the warehouse marked number 17 and unlocked the door. The daylight flooded the room to reveal upon first glance an empty space. With the room illuminated figures were shown to be standing in the middle of the room. The young girl clutched her necklace to her chest in a tight embrace. The elder gentleman observed a strange glowing tank in between the figures delivering it. It looked similar to the tank Victor Freeze aka Mr. Freeze kept his ill wife inside.
"I assume you are the client who requested this particular tank?" Monsieur Mallah spoke standing next to a woman in a red and black outfit. The woman smiled to the newcomers. The elder gentleman stepped forward reaching into his coat to remove an item. The woman tensed beside her companion. The little girl stretched her necklace until it became a rainbow colored chain with a metal ball at the end. Monsieur Mallah and the other man stood their ground and did not speak.
"I can trust that the subject in question was not harmed during this transfer? It would not bode well for your business if an accident were to occur." The woman smirked by transforming into the young girl and speaking without her French accent. "Yes that would be unfortunate. However that has not happened. The boy is quite safe and we look forward to continuing to do our business with you and your colleague. Relax little one we mean you all no harm."
Kiara did not calm down until her teacher placed his hand on her shoulder. Kiara did not mean to be so skittish but she felt so out of her comfort zone she didn't know what else to do. Wintergreen pulled out a wallet and retrieved $550 in cash. Madame Rouge shifted into her normal form to accept the money. Monsieur Mallah moved his fore-paws to unlock the tank and set the occupant free but before he could unscrew or push any of the buttons a white hand stopped him.
"I would like to know how this machine works. Care to give a demonstration?" Slade asked. Monsieur Mallah nodded his head and pointed to each lever, screw and button. Madame Rouge showed off her ability to shape-shift and to mimic the powers of any one she had come in contact with. She had transformed into Kiara. Kiara stared at the doppelganger who chuckled at her. She did not like this.
While Madame Rouge mimicked Kiara Slade unfroze his new apprentice. Wintergreen hugged Kiara from behind as a comforting gesture. She shifted back to her original form. "That was quite lovely my young friend. I like the wings and your chain that can shift into any weapon you want. You have such a wide range of potential with this ability like that, so don't waste it."
Monsieur Mallah and Madame Rouge waved to Slade and his companions as they moved the tank to a waiting truck and drove out of the pier. Slade said, "Thank you both for coming here. Now let's go home."