Back again! Look, relatively short gaps between uploads! How long can it last? I don't know!
Everyone seems happy with the last chapter. You guys seem to like Cassie quite a lot. This makes me happy.
A few of you also like the Beastboy I'm building, which is very gratifying as I've given him a lot of thought.
Review Responses:
EXNativo - Dude! It's been ages! I need to catch up on 'Flow.' I'm glad you find him intriguing, I may have went slightly overboard in some of his character facets, but it'll be what it'll be. With Beastboy and meat, it'll all about his relationship with his powers and a picture I'm trying to illustrate. It'll be a very big part of this story and I want to get it right. A thousand thank yous!
tsk91 - Comparisons will be drawn in the future. May not be for a while, though. Glad you like Cassie, me too!
JasonVUK - precisely the reaction I love! I have no idea what she is like in the comics, but probably not like this. And 'THAT' is an idea I may be stealing from you in the future ;)
The Flying Frog - Why, thank you Flying Frog. I like that you like that stuff. And I can only apologize. Short, sweet and steady is how I try to go about updates.
iamking - Excellent! I am glad you approve O king of mine.
Nightmare Sired Muse - Hopefully the pattern of relatively fast updates shall continue! I also share your views and hope that everyone can get along. Except Robin probably. You have a very good and very dark name by the way. Did you get it from somewhere?
Sperance - That's actually something from my own experience I integrated into his character. I used to feel so satisfied at people saying I was a bad liar when I wanted them to. Not quite sure what that says about me though. I totally agree. Yay,I am happy you like her!
To the chapter then, chaps!
Chapter 22 – Bring Back The Sun
For the most part, it was the standard laboratory of a stereotypical mad scientist.
Glass beakers loaded down stainless steel desks; half full of brightly colored, bubbling liquids. Large, convoluted machines belched black smoke that stood out from the otherwise sterile environment. Loose notepaper scribbled with complex mathematical formula and molecular calculations were strewn all over worktops in front of gently humming computer screens.
The very non-stereotypical part was that the entire high tech lab was surrounded on all four sides by ancient and filthy stone walls. High above the experimenting tables that are best left undescribed, thick oaken beams supported a thatched roof that had began losing its fight against the elements long ago.
A figure stood just inside the once intricately carved, 12 foot high doors and looked upon the scene with a quiet satisfaction.
It had taken vision, determination, intelligence and just a touch of madness to attempt to install a cutting edge lab into a 200 year old catholic church. Not to mention an expendable workforce that was currently decomposing in the conveniently adjacent cemetery.
But it had been worth it.
No one was finding him here, over 50 miles from any sort of residence and completely off the grid thanks to a bank of generators that ran off of a coal vein a mere 100 meters from the ancient building.
It was the perfect facility.
To build the perfect weapon.
The first test had exceeded expectations; the prototype had performed flawlessly. The titans had been unable to damage it, leaving it free to attack. The notion had even crossed the creator's mind that the machine may actually go too far...
But it hadn't.
It had failed.
And it was taking far too long to find out why.
Four strides later and the figure was in the heart of the lab, standing silently behind the sole scientist in the facility.
"A report Professor, if you please."
The scientist whirled around in surprise, almost falling off his swivel seat, grubby white lab coat fluttering around his bulky but decrepit frame. Beady, bloodshot eyes narrowed in annoyance at the interruption from the middle of a flabby, liver-spotted face.
"I told you! This takes time! The sample has been contaminated and I don't have the equipment here to do a full scan of it. Instead of pressing a button, I have to visually compare your sample and the original material! My eyes are killing me and I'm almost out of whiskey! You need to get me more before I can get started on improving the substance."
The figure stood silently, enduring the irritating man's tirade. He was necessary and could not yet be disposed of.
"You can make all the improvements you want to this facility after it becomes yours, Professor Chang." The figure's voice smoothly intercepted the scientists. "In the meantime, you will perform the task I am paying you for and you will receive as much alcohol as I deem necessary for doing that. Now report."
Chang's face curdled like old milk at the imposing figure. If the man wasn't offering such a good deal, he wouldn't be here. The work bored him, the employer annoyed him and the limit on booze was infuriating and terrifying. But if he did this, he wouldn't be in want of another drink in his life. It was this thought that compelled him to turn around and put his poor, aching eye back to the lens of the microscope. He heaved a dramatic sigh.
"There is definitely one single component that has been integrated into original compound. The problem is separating it in order to identify it. As far as I'm able to tell, it's a destructive bacterial protein of some sort. At this point, I'm fairly sure it's a poison. My best guess is a toxin of some sort.I can't specify beyond that. And taking into account the team the prototype was combating, it's all I can come up with that matches all the evidence. A snake perhaps."
The figure stood unmoving as he absorbed the information.
The scientist leaned back on his chair. He quickly removed a silver drinking flask from deep inside his clothing and expertly flicked the top open before tipping the contents into his waiting mouth.
"What effect did the poison have on the compound?"
The scientist coughed violently, cursing the loss of alcohol as some dribbled past his rosy cheeks and down his unshaven chin, adding a fresh layer of grime to his coat. He replaced the bottle before addressing the figure.
"Due to the very nature of the material that composes the prototype, the poison, if that's what it is, spread quickly. I'm guessing it was just a few seconds before it had found its way into every cell. It interfered with the signals coming from the blackbox and the entire structure collapsed. To the observer, it would have looked like it was just melting. Those cells are organic after all. Introduce a component like snake venom and they're not going to respond well."
The figure showed no response.
Deciding to make up for the spilled drink, the scientist again pulled out his bottle. He had just popped the top when it suddenly disappeared out of his hand. "Hey! I need that."
"You need discipline, incentive and a liver transplant Professor. You do not need more of this." The figure held the flask away from itself as if it was contaminated. "Finish analyzing the sample and then you can have this back full. It will be a few days until your services will be required again.
Professor Chang's eyes lit up at the news and he immediately turned back to the microscope, eager for a night of oblivion.
The figure stared at the back of the scientist with disgust. But he was needed. For now.
Turning away, the figure swiftly moved out of the lab, mind calculating like a supercomputer. A conclusion was soon reached.
He need to examine his first test subject again.
The four heroes were silent.
In front of them was a plaque, lit with the eery green glow from Starfire's hands.
'Terra. A Teen Titan. A True Friend.'
Above the engraved plate, a fossilized Terra had once stood.
Now, however, there was a distinct lack of stone superheroes.
"She is not here." Starfire ventured in a muted voice.
'Thank you captain obvious.' Raven thought with an unusual bite of annoyance. She felt and saw a nearby rock become encased with her demonic energy.
She closed her eyes to the scene in front of her.
'Deep breath. Relax. You're not annoyed with Starfire. You're annoyed with this whole situation. You're more than annoyed with it, but biting off her head isn't going to do anything. Stay calm, think rationally.'
Azar, if someone could read her thoughts, they would think she was insane.
"We need to find her." Raven voiced, eyes still shut.
"Obviously." Came the sharp response from Robin. Apparently he was not as disciplined with his tongue as she was.
'Can't really blame him to be honest, though.'
Raven had been treated to a ten minute lecture from the Boy Wonder after she had healed him of the injuries she had inflicted. They had been a bit worse than she had intended. Over and over he had reiterated the point that just because she was unhappy with the decisions he made, it was no excuse for physical violence.
Raven had sat with a blank face as she listened to him. She could see the change.
He was nervous of her.
'And rightly so.'
Her actions against him had hit home. He was more acutely aware of his responsibilities and role as leader of the team. Simply because he realized that the title of leader could be taken away from him at any time.
It was all she could do not to smirk as he gave handed out the punishment of a six weeks of laundry and additional physical training. He had been scared she would fight him on it.
But Raven had no intention of being rebellious to his leadership. Unless, of course, he screwed up again. In which case she would have to punish him again.
And again and again until he learnt.
Like a pet.
Like a pet dog.
Raven, opened her eyes to the unwelcome scene in front of her, reflecting the harshness of her simile.
She was well aware of how her view of Robin had changed.
She was beginning to see more 'Red X' than 'Robin.'
His treatment of Beastboy during the Beast incident had disturbed her deeply. Maybe it because she could relate so much to Beastboy and what he was going through. She certainly felt closer to the green titan than she ever had before. They were more alike than she thought...
"Raven."
The empath blinked. The only sign of her snapping out of her thoughts. "What?"
Cyborg glanced at Starfire before repeating, "Did you see anything in Beastboy's mind that could tell us where he saw Terra?"
She shook her head slightly. "It was just the idea of Terra that I saw. No actual memories of her."
"Then we're out of ideas," Robin mused, tapping his foot. "No way of tracking her, don't know her real name, could have altered her appearance. And we can't assume she triggered Beastboy's transformation accidentally."
"Such thoughts are most unpleasant." Starfire reflected morosely.
"We'll just have to keep our eyes open." Cyborg sighed. He wasn't happy with the situation. He hated being powerless to help.
"We'll discuss a plan of action on this later but right now we've got other things to think about." Robin declared, turning away from the empty monument to address his team.
"We need someone to fill in for Beastboy." He folded his arms decisively and didn't wait for any reaction. "Batman," he spat, "has already contacted some heroes for us and many have reacted positively. So we have a few options, but we can contact anyone we want. This needs to be done as soon as possible."
His team looked on silently.
Starfire , as usual, was the easiest to read. The sadness and pain could be seen in her face as well as her feet slowly descending to touch the ground.
Cyborg was slightly harder. Robin could see him trying to mask his unhappiness with resolve, but it didn't really work. It was clear he didn't want a replacement, but also knew it was necessary.
Raven was of course the exception. Cold eyes regarded him the same as always since Beastboy had left; with a blank indifference that pierced deep.
Robin knew who he wanted. The problem was bringing his team around to his way of thinking.
"This is going to be an open matter. I know it's going to be difficult to adjust to a new member, both socially and professionally. We need to make a decision as a team."
Raven turned her head fractionally to stare in disbelief at team leader as the the rest of the team looked away, faces cold. She had heard enough.
'...I miss him already. The team seems so...dark.'
"Let me know."
She was halfway through a portal when Robin's words stopped her.
"Are you not a member of this team Raven?"
Robin watched her head slowly turn towards him. The white fringe of the portal gave her a sort of demonic halo that he found not a little disturbing.
He was playing a dangerous game here. He knew that. But it needed to be played and won.
As team leader, he had lost a lost of face being chucked through a window. That hadn't been the ending he had planned. And it was a disaster. No one had ever done something so disrespectful to Batman before. It had been a spectacularly failure on his part. And one that he needed to recover from quickly. The new member he was going to draft would help somewhat, but for now he needed to let Raven know who's team this was.
'Can't underestimate her.' Robin thought, tightening his brow. He couldn't do anything about the shiver running down his back though. She certainly looked from another world as she addressed him, face hidden is the unnatural darkness of her hood.
"Yes I am Robin." Her dead voice spoke flatly. "And so is Beastboy. Whoever you choose to recruit will not be a 'new member' as you put it. They're just a temporary substitute and my lack of interest is absolute."
And with that, the half-demon passed through her portal, eyes fixed on the leader until the darkness consumed them.
Robin felt his face drain of blood.
'...Whoever you choose to recruit...'
It appeared his manipulating hadn't gone as unnoticed as he had thought.
Cyborg looked on, trying to pierce through the back of Robin's head to see the thoughts that swirled within.
'Somethins goin on. Ever since BB flipped, Robin and Raven have been at each others throats. Robin attacking BB and Raven defending him. Huh, it's like they've reversed roles... They're both acting out... I gotta think about this...'
He briefly considered trying to reassure Robin that she did actually care about who joined and that she was just upset with Beastboy leaving. But he didn't. For one, he didn't know if it was true and more importantly; he still didn't know how he felt about Robin at the moment.
"Well I'm outta here."
Robin turned back to address him. Cyborg noticed he looked a bit paler than usual and he didn't think it was the murky green light Starfire was providing.
"I gotta say, I agree with Raven. I don't really feel like choosing someone to take BB's place for a while. I leave it up to you guys."
With that, he turned and started making his way out of the cave.
Starfire watched him leave. He didn't look back.
There were so many different emotions and feelings rushing around inside her. She didn't know if she wanted to go wrestle with Plasmus, curl up on her bed and cry or fly so fast the wind tore tears out of her eyes.
Everything was wrong. Tension between her friends, suspicion in their eyes and fighting with words. She didn't like any of this. It reminded her too much of her home planet, the life she thought she'd escaped.
And the worst part was turning to look at her now.
Robin.
Kind, heroic, handsome Robin. Her introduction to the world she had come to love. Someone she could always count on. Who would never let her down. Who would never hurt anyone.
Except...
She still remembered his reluctance to follow Beastboy into his battle with the white monster, 'He's dangerous...he could kill you!'
His hand barring her way forward to Beastboy as he strained against the shackles binding him during the Beast incident, 'No!'
His words after the Changeling incident that had turned out to be totally false, 'It's okay... Everything's going to be fine...just needs to let it out. He'll be fine...'
His deceit as Red-X. Letting them speculate foolishly as to the villains identity. Going so far as to even fight them and exploit their individual weaknesses. His heart breaking reasoning, '...Needed to fool Slade...you would've held back...doesn't matter anyway...'
Trying to deny his error with mentioning Terra to Beastboy, '...I made no mistake...'
His conversation with Batman. His rage and anger. His words.'...will not allow you to steal my team members!...unacceptable,I will not allow it!...
His screaming anger directed at the team shortly afterwards, 'Why the hell did none of you speak up?!... Why did you not follow my orders?!...Public image would be destroyed...'
And worst. The words he had spoken in their recent meeting. So definite. So harsh. So hard and cruel, "I cannot afford the luxury of blind trust...To me everyone is a potential threat...'
'Yes Starfire, everyone."
"So just us Star. Is there anyone you want-"
"Answer me Robin." Starfire cut across. She stood tall, chin up, hands tight. Eyes hard and dangerous. The cave brightened as the glow around her hands intensified.
'...No...' Robin felt his blood freeze.
"Superhero Batman made mention of words you once spoke. He said you talked of hero Beastboy as a 'liability' instead of hero. Could you explain the word for me?"
One look at her face and Robin knew she knew what the word meant. He didn't know what to do, he had never expected anything like this from Starfire. She had never questioned him in the past. What was going on? The whole world was falling in around him. What could he say, what could he do-
"Worry not leader Robin, I will inquire of our friends and I am sure they will be aware of what the word means and shall not respond with silence."
And with that, she turned and walked, back straight, away from him. Her heart felt like it was swirling around like water down a drain. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she strode away, knowing she was in no state to fly.
'Have I been a Flarnop? A fool? I know not what to think.I...I...feel empty...'
She held her stomach in a vain attempt to ease the feeling as she hurried toward the sunlight.
...
Robin, leader of the Teen Titans, stood alone in the darkening cave.
Everything he had worked for. Built. Created. All of it.
Was crumbling.
The situation was critical.
Beastboy had left.
Raven was the most volatile, independent, disrespectful and outspoken she had ever worse, she was at least partially aware of his manipulations.
Cyborg was conflicted. And it was almost inevitable given their history together and his friendship with Beastboy that he would oppose Robin when he had enough time to think everything through.
And Starfire...
Robin felt his knees give way and sat heavily on the cold, unforgiving ground.
She had always supported him. Always trusted in him, never questioned him. And now...
Now the innocent, gullible girl had been replaced with a Tamaranean warrior.
He was so close to losing all of them.
He cursed and dropped his chin to his chest. It had been a long time since he had felt so tired. So defeated.
'What do I do? What's the next move? Where do I go from here?'
The last few years had been the best of his life. No doubt about it.
He had done it. Achieved his dream. Formed one of the best superhero teams on the planet and been a part of a proper family. He had been happy and successful. While Batman had only ever been one of the two.
Now, it appeared he had to choose one over the other.
Because, at the moment, he was losing both.
The chain of command was failing. His position as leader was becoming more contested and tenuous by the day. He had been blasted through a window by one of his team for Christ's sake.
And that was directly linked to the relationships of the only people in the world that made him more than Batman. His friends were drifting ever further away. It hadn't just been a team member that had smashed him through a window; it had been a friend.
'Was...was Batman right?'
He shook his head violently, cursing himself for letting such a thought enter his mind.
'No! I have other friends. I have a whole network of titans I consider friends. I am not alone!'
He forced himself to his feet in the darkness, mind resolute and steeled. He again cursed himself for his moment of weakness.
'I have an opportunity here. I can use it. I will use it!'
Robin lifted his chin, his path decided.
'I'll prove him wrong.'
Things getting pretty tense back home while a menace rises on the horizon.
Whatcha say?
See you soon hopefully/maybe!
CJB