Teen Titans Season 6
Episode 1: Reckoning - Chapter 2
Robin almost fell out of his chair. How could this have happened? How did he hack into Titan's mainframe? Cyborg made sure it was "untouchable." Yet there he was, staring at him with that one eye. As if that eye could follow them wherever they went, and haunt every corner of their mind. Whatever thoughts he had next were interrupted by the sound of Slade's voice. "Hello Robin. … As you are probably aware… This is merely a recorded message." A sigh of relief entered out of Robin, he checked his face. His mask was off. What an idiot he had been, had it not been a simple message. His identity would most likely have been compromised. "I can see that you've been busy as of late. Can't ever seem to let go can you? What was it I told you so long ago? How we were both alike? Obsessive. Stopping at nothing to achieve our intended goals. But I digress; this is not meant to be a social call. I know you've been searching for answers. Answers that elude you just as I do." Slade continued.
Answers? What does he know? Or perhaps, the better question would be what doesn't he know? The video kept rolling, "To prove this, just look at the screen in back of me." Slade pressed a button from his wrist-guard and a screen behind him rose showing footage of the White Monster lumbering at a distance."
"There's no way…" Robin whispered to himself. How can this be? They destroyed it. He was sure of it! "I've been watching this creature for some time now. You've made the mistake of declaring an early victory over an enemy you clearly underestimated. I also know a little more about a certain lost little bird." He adjusted something on his wrist again and the screen changed to a viewing of Terra at her high school.
Slade then proceeded to turn off the screen behind him, "I am willing to share those answers… For a simple exchange of course... Here are the coordinates; you'll find it once this message has served its purpose. Come alone, and if you refuse," The screen in back of him went up again to a video of Terra entering her house. With one of his robotic minions aiming a pulse rifle at her head. "I'm sure you could think of a few reasons why that would be a poor choice. I'll give you until tomorrow to decide, if not I'm afraid you'll have more blood on your hands" With that the screen turned black, and the computer rebooted itself. Just as Slade had spoken, a file revealing the coordinates of his location was appeared on the screen.
Robin kept staring at the screen blankly. For what seemed like an eternity, he just stared at the screen. Not moving an inch of his muscle, as if he had lost motor control for a moment and was paralyzed, stuck to his seat. The leader of the Titans was in deep thought, taking in what he had just witnessed. Slade knew just how to play him, like a puppet on strings. Robin briefly considered not showing up, but for what purpose? His weeks of research and investigation had yielded vain results. It also would put Terra in harm's way. It occurred to him that Slade was opening a legitimate way of finding answers he so very much needed. Then there was that White Monster. Curse that abomination! There is no way it could have survived. Slade must have a double. Was he building an army of those things? No… No that made no sense. "Get it together Grayson." Robin thought to himself. The creature had struck at random locations, and it seemed to flee every time they encountered it. This was unlike what Slade would have the capability to build. Everything Slade did had a preset goal, this seemed to be drawn by an instinctive desire. But what could that be? What did he mean by "more blood" on his hands? Every answer Robin came up with only raised another question. What if he came alone and it was all a trick to catch him off guard. Slade could easily kill him and the Titans will be unable to stop him. But it could also cost the life of Terra, an honorary Titan at that. Sure, last time he saw her she wasn't one of the "good guys." "But she did ultimately sacrifice herself for the sake of us all" he reminded himself. This was a true fact and he owed her that much, even if she cannot or won't remember who she was to them.
There was no question he had to meet at the designated location. Slade had made his move… It was time he made his.
The next morning, Robin called the Titans in for a meeting. One by one they entered in, not a minute behind schedule. Beast Boy being a heavy sleeper slept right through the Tower's alarm. Raven gladly volunteered to get him up, walking into the corridors she knocked, but no answer came. Persisting She knocked again, this time a bit more firmly. But again there was no answer. Sighing, she phased into his room and the first thing she noticed was how surprisingly neat his room had been for once, Gar had come a long way from the typical irresponsible boy she knew and learned to care greatly for. She then turned to see him lying in his bed with his purple pajamas, snoring slightly. For that moment, he seemed to be like a child wrapped in a blanket without a care in the world. It felt endearing to see him in such a harmless state. As she was about gently awake him, her eye turned to see a framed photo of he and Raven that was took during their trip to Tokyo. It was during a festival thrown for the Titans saving the town, now normally she disliked pictures, unless she had her usual hoodie covering her face. So as an immediate reaction, she tore the picture to shreds with her telekinesis. She felt a small pang of regret when this seemed to upset him as he had acted simply out excitement within the moment, catching her off guard. So she told Garfield if they were to take a selfie, it wouldn't be with a hood over her face so they retook the photo. That made his day and afterwards he always kept it. She allowed herself a brief smile that quickly faded when her eyes veered to see the heart shaped trinket next to the frame along with a row of photos of he and Terra when they visited the theme park.
Vexed, she unleashed her telekinesis and grabbed Garfield, phasing him through the wall and dropping him on the cold floor.
The sudden change in temperature awoke the green teen. "Whoa!" Beast Boy yelped as he suddenly awoke to see Raven standing over him. "What's the big idea?" Beast Boy cried a little startled.
Raven looked on as Garfield lazily picked himself up, "Robin called for a meeting, you slept through the alert. Had to find some way to wake you up from your coma."
"You know Rae, you could've just knocked," he said as he stretched and yawned. She was about to tell him that she indeed knocked but decided to let it go.
"Let's just see what he needs," Raven said as she walked ahead of him.
Entering the briefing room, Cyborg sat on the left and Starfire was on the right, naturally sitting next their team leader. Robin stood in front of the table, arms folded with bags under his eyes. His hair was a little less groomed than it normally was and he had that look. The look Beast Boy was so familiar with. It was the look he had when he had just encountered a massive problem and was still deciding what to do about it.
"Thanks for coming. If you didn't know, I was up all night on an investigation to find any kind of lead on Slade...But instead. He came to me." The Titans suddenly tensed up, looking like they half expected an attack to occur at any moment. All but Beast Boy, who just sat in his chair listening closely.
"It turns out he somehow hacked into our mainframe. If only for a moment, just to send a message. He told me that the thing we fought two weeks ago is still alive."
At this Starfire spoke up, "Are you certain Dick? He may very well be pulling the fur over your eyebrows." After saying this, everyone began scratching their heads in union.
"I think Kori means 'pulling the wool over your eyes.'" Raven translated, "He could be just trying to throw you off track and onto a wild goose chase."
"I thought so too… Until he showed video footage of the thing wandering somewhere near the factory where we cornered it." Robin replied.
"He also told me that he is willing to exchange information on it and Terra; even telling me his location." Robin continued.
Cyborg stood up quickly, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's nab that one-eyed creep! It's about time for a little payback if you ask me."
Robin did not look as thrilled. He looked down briefly and let out a sigh, "If only it were that simple. There's also a catch."
"Aw man, why's there always a catch?" Cyborg said as he sat back down with disappointment.
"He also showed me that he has his minions on Terra. Watching her every move. He threatened to kill her if I didn't meet with him as of today." Robin said this and turned to look at Starfire, "Alone…" He stretched his hand to grip Starfire's hand into his. She squeezed it tightly.
"Uh uh. NO way. No deal. You are NOT going there without backup." Cyborg responded.
"I agree with Garfield, Dick. It's too much of a risk. A risk we cannot take" Raven added.
"Don't you think I know that? But we have no choice. Every minute that passes is another that puts an innocent's life in danger!" Robin said with growing tension in his voice. "This isn't a vote. I am doing this. But I'm not stupid either, if Slade has back up plan so will we."
"And what might that be?" Cyborg inquired.
"Simple. I'm not going in alone. Here's the plan. Victor and Kori will be joining me in secret. Raven and Garfield will be on patrol, guarding Terra. If Slade makes one move, we'll make ours. Now, is everyone all for this?"
"Sounds good to me. Anything goes wrong, I have your back Rob." Cyborg said confidently.
"As do I." Starfire concurred.
"You got it" Raven confirmed. Beast Boy did not say a word in response. "And you Garfield?"
Beast Boy looked up and dryly replied, "Good a plan as any."
Empathetically Robin walked up to him and in return said, "Look Garfield. Believe me I know how this might feel. But you have to understand, you're too close to this. I need you to be there for Terra, she'll need you. Can you do that?"
Beast Boy just nodded in answer. He then put a hand for reassurance on his shoulder.
"Good, we leave in an hour" Robin declared.
Raven and Beast Boy flew in silence. As they landed on a building nearby overlooking the school below them, seeing the students of Murakami High enter. Beast Boy got out a locator, and pointed in a general direction slightly above him. Cyborg had programmed it to specifically detect Slade's robotic troops within 500 meters of a single area. No sooner had they arrived when Terra appeared. Her supposed caretakers were dropping her off. Raven used her empath abilities to focus on Terra's emotions, if she sensed a kind of anxiety to which meant her life was in danger, she would know. With that they were all set, Beast Boy watched carefully, watching Terra as she enjoyed the company of her friends. It wasn't long before Raven broke the silence, "I'm sorry."
Beast Boy turned to her and asked "What for? You didn't do anything."
"For how difficult this has been for you." Raven said.
"I'll be alright." Beast Boy said with sincerity before adding, "You know, I almost thought you were going to apologize for dragging me through a wall to get me out of bed." He said with a smirk.
Raven sneered, "Oh that... No apologies needed there".
This made Beast Boy giggle a little saying, "well… I had to get up sometime."
As Terra disappeared from view, Beast Boy put down his binoculars. He turned to Raven. "If you don't mind me asking. How is she?" Beast Boy asked curiously.
"It's not my place to say, but…" Raven paused then said, "She's… happy. That's not something I ever really felt from her time with us. Not to say there wasn't a time where she was ever happy. But this is the first time where it's at its purist. She is content, she's no longer at war with herself… It's a peaceful feeling." Beast Boy rubbed his eyes as they watered. Raven looked down at him, and asked "Are you okay Gar?"
Beast Boy looked at her and smiled, "Yeah… Thanks Rae."
Just then the scanner started to beep loudly, Beast Boy immediately glanced at the tiny screen and 4 red dots appeared on the screen. "Alright Robo-Slades… It's ShowTime.," said Beast Boy as he morphed.
Back at the location of Slade's base, Cyborg had cloaked his car and hid it carefully behind a wall opposite side of the entrance to Slade's old hideout; which was an abandoned tunnel that leads to the sewers.
"Okay Cyborg and Star, this is strictly stealth. I will be entering through the elevator that leads to the lower corridors of the maintenance shaft. You will be entering through the tunnel which connects just slightly above the floor I will be entering to meet him. Stay out of site and stay close, I have the tracer attached to my costume so you'll know my location at all times. If anything goes wrong, I will give you my signal." Robin explained. They had already heard this before, but he recited it just to be sure. Robin was the type to take chances, especially when dealing with the likes of Slade. "Now did I miss anything?" He asked as he prepared to leave.
Starfire grabbed him gently by the arm and said, "This." before kissing him on the lips.
"Be careful." Starfire said, as they broke off the contact.
Robin held her head affectionately saying "I will. I promise." Reluctantly pulling away.
"Right on Rob, we'll be right behind you" Cyborg iterated as he patted his back. Robin nodded and proceeded to depart with much haste.
At a half-constructed building facing the opposite site of the school a Slade bot took aim at the window of Terra's class. It awaited orders, keeping its cold fingers resting on the trigger, getting ready to fire the moment its master willed it. A green bird flew by the scope; the bot had little reaction but sat unadjusted. Then a massive green hand grabbed the scope, jerking it out of its hands, before slamming its fist into the face of the Slade bot, sending it flying across the room. Grabbing the top edge of the window, Beast Boy swung in legs first and landed forcefully on the bot, crushing it with his weight. Morphing back to his human form, Beast Boy took out his communicator and radioed, "Beast Boy to Raven, One down - three to go."
Rolling her eyes a little, "I know it's you Beast Boy, and I already have eyes on the two other bots" Raven radioed back as she flew over a truck parked across from the school. The two appeared to be on standby, unmoving as statues. "You'd think Slade would make it more obvious." Raven thought to herself, as she whispered her mystical words, "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos". An arm made of shadow extended from her wrist and phased through the roof of the truck grabbing the two in one grip, the two bots struggled greatly but it was no use. Phasing again through the roof, she levitated them and smashed both their heads together with such force that it cracked their masks in half, revealing the ruined hardware underneath. The bot's went limp and she tossed them into the dumpster. Smirking she imagined that maybe one day she'll do the same to the original version. Picking up her comm-link, she radioed back, "Taken care of. Where's the last one?" Raven waited for a response but got nothing but static. Sighing, "Raven to Beast Boy, did you find the last one?" still static. "Beast Boy?" Raven said his name again. "Something's wrong." she said to herself as a knot formed in her stomach. "Something isn't right," She said again as she flew toward his location.
Beast Boy lay unconscious next to his communicator and torn pieces of a Slade bot. The White Monster stepped on the comm and it crumbled beneath its foot. It moved to the open window and jumped out, landing heavily on the street with a rumble. No sooner had it done so when a bell rung, attracting its attention. Curiously the creature advanced toward the source of the noise: Murakami High.