A Spy Team's Rescuers

Prologue: A Child's Heart is Darkened


Twenty years ago….


BARCELONA - 3:43 PM


The world's wonders kinged Teresa Santos' heart the minute she read a book in her tiny hands. The books filled with topics from how computers were built to how jewelry was made enthralled her. Teresa desired to be an engineer or mineralogist when she grew older.

Five-year-old, black haired-and-eyed Teresa sat on her red carpet in her small bedroom, completely engrossed in a book about precious jewels and metals. The pages came alive with vibrant pictures of shimmering gemstones, glossy gold pieces, and pure platinum rings, captivating her young imagination.

Unbeknownst to Teresa, her parents quietly entered her room with disapproval sitting in their eyes. Mr. Alejandro and Mrs. Maria Santos had noticed the book, repulsed by it as they believed that a woman's place was in the home, learning the skills of a seamstress like Mrs. Santos. They could not fathom why Teresa would waste her time reading about such frivolous subjects. Her livid father stormed over, snatching the book from Teresa's hands, leaving Teresa stunned. Mr. Santos scolded Teresa, "Teresa, deberías centrarte en asuntos más prácticos y olvidarte de estos libros TONTOS!"

Mr. Santos marched out of her room with the book in his left hand. Teresa desperately pursued her father, aiming to rescue her book, but Mrs. Santos grabbed Teresa's arm and pulled her to the living room, wanting her to sit on the couch and watch television with her elder sisters. In the space that was between the living room and the kitchen, stood Mr. Santos over the trash can, tearing out the book's pages and throwing them into the garbage can as if they were disease-laden tissues. When Teresa noticed the misdeed, her heart sank and tears filled her innocent, black eyes. The book had been her gateway to a wondrous and beautiful world, where her imagination soared. She turned to her mother, yearning for solace, "Mama…?"

Sadly, Mrs. Santos stood silently and lifelessly, refusing to give her daughter even a hug or a small smile.

In the living room, on the pink-and-golden-rimmed couch sat Teresa's two older sisters, 17-year-old Isabella and 13-year-old Sofia, who were talking about the handsome male celebrity they saw on last night's soap glimpsed at the scene of Teresa in distress and their parents being Teresa's harmers, but turned away, fearing that their parents would harm them also.

Abandonment's hand touched Teresa, loneliness' finger pressing upon her tender soul. As two of Teresa's tears fell to the ground, Teresa quickly vacated the house and plopped herself down under the lush, green tree that was a block away from her home. Teresa sadly hugged her knees, comforting herself, but resilience's spark ignited in her young spirit. She refused to let her family's actions smash her dreams. With determination brewing inside her, she silently promised herself: I will never let go of my love for knowledge and I will destroy anyone who tries to destroy my ideas!


Twenty years later

BARCELONA - 9:54 PM


Four men were on their knees, with their hands tightly bound behind their backs in the middle of the steel warehouse they were apprehended in. The first one appeared to be the youngest, with fair skin, emerald green eyes, and sharp black hair hidden under a police officer's hat. Jaden O'Riley. The second man had fair skin also, hazel-golden eyes, a straw hat covering his black-dyed and blonde hair. Keoki Washimine. The third man was skinny, his straw blonde hair tied in a ponytail, and his eyes were as golden as the second man's. Mario Smyth. The last man was heavier than his companions; he bore a cinnamon tan as his bleach blonde hair appeared jagged like an iceberg. Warren Wessyn.

Behind them was a platinum-colored, lollipop-shaped device that was lined with blood-red orbs.

A curvy, young woman strutted up to the four men, before setting her black gloved hands on her hips. The young woman was almost twenty-five and was runaway-model tall as her shimmering black hair was up in the tidiest bun; her eyes were as dark as the night sky. Her dress was made from the finest red silk, stitched to the brim with the finest rubies, as a long slit exposed a portion of her left leg and golden, silk high heel.

Teresa Santos.

Santos lightly chortled, her orange-painted lips facing the sky. Santos eyed her four captives like a snake to a mouse. "You poor guys, trying to dismantle my machine; guards!"

The four men jolted.

Santos pointed at Jaden and Keoki, ordering, "Take these two to the cell underneath Ibiza!" Santos then pointed at Smyth and Wessyn, ordering, "Take these other two to the cell underneath Madrid!"

Instantly, a guard with a nasty smile came, lifted Jaden up to his feet by his left shoulder as Jaden's teeth were grit as he tried to fight against the restraints on his wrists. However, the guard ordered him to march to the closest yacht. Another guard roughly grabbed Keoki's chin, making Keoki blush violently and whimper as he was clearly uncomfortable with his current debacle. Meanwhile, the guards who were ordered to send Smyth and Wessyn to underneath Madrid had put dog collars and leashes set on Smyth's and Wessyn's necks and were tugging them along to another nearby yacht. Smyth tried to stabilize himself on the concrete but it was fruitless as the guard holding onto him punched Smyth's gut, making Smyth double over in pain. Smyth's guard tugged the leash far, making Smyth walk forcibly. Wessyn tried to reason with the guard handling him, but the guard sprayed a gas in his face that made Wessyn scream in shock.


LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

WHITE STAR HEADQUARTERS - 8:43 A.M.


A large, O-shaped table stood in the middle of the white walled and black carpeted room. At the back of the O-table, was a caramel skinned, black, gel-slicked duck-tailed man in a black suit, sapphire blue tie, pearl white shirt, and black dress shoes. Around him were six other formally dressed individuals, his advisors.

"The rest of our agents are either busy with their own missions or personal matters. We must ask an outside entity to help rescue Team 12." Director Dimitrios Mounaros voiced to his advisors. "Any ideas?"

A gray sleeved arm shot up in the air. "The Teen Titans." answered Advisor Benjamin Paul, standing up from his seat; Advisor Paul was a brown-haired and blue-eyed young man, decades his superior's junior.

"The Teen what?" Advisor Kenneth Fisher spat, looking at his far younger peer in pure disbelief. Advisor Fisher was a male Caucasian with a gray handlebar mustache.

"The Teen Titans, everyone," Advisor Paul looked at his peers, before pulling out a tablet and showcased a group of five, oddly dressed teenagers standing proudly in front of their Tower on the screen behind the Director. "I have seen their skillset in crime fighting and it is about as formidable as ours; they have defeated many malevolent entities such as a mercenary named Slade, an organization called The Brotherhood of Evil, The Hive Five, and so forth."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" beckoned a dark-skinned woman, Advisor Crystal Forest. "Let's call the Titans!"

"Easy, Advisor Forest," The Director set his palm before Advisor Forest; the Director looked at Advisor Paul, "I would like to learn more about these teenagers; what are their names? Are there any recordings of their prowess in combat?"

Advisor Paul nodded before he walked up to the screen showcasing the Titans. Advisor Paul pointed to the young man in red and green, "This is Robin."

Advisor Paul pointed at a red-haired and purple clad teenager, "This is Starfire,"

Then, the young man spun himself around and pointed to the half-machined person. "This is Cyborg,"

"This is Raven," the young man pointed to the young woman in dark blue.

"And lastly this is Beast Boy," Advisor Paul's forefinger pointed at the green-skinned teenager.

Advisor Paul then showcased many videos of the team: the first was of Starfire firing a green bolt at a glass statue of a young girl, who in turn fired her own at a black-and-white villain, who was holding Robin hostage in an orange orb. The villain was then sent into the snow like a bullet, before his suit emitted a ray into the Aurora lights as his suit was now in shambles, insinuating that he lost. The second video showed a clip of Robin beating a masked man with solely two mere poles with pure ease, skill, and confidence; next, the third video showed a clip of Beast Boy chucking the Brotherhood of Evil's leader into a machine that converts entities into life-sized popsicles. The fourth video showed Cyborg hurling a larger, red-and-golden robot into a set of overgrown trophies, winning in the end. The last video showed Raven using her dark powers to wrap up a laughing imp in his parachute as he slowly fell to earth.

Director Mounaros rubbed his chin in wonder, looking at the Titans' prowess. "Not bad, not bad for several teens." The man dipped his head down, registering these teenagers in general into his mind.

Director Mounaros then stood up, the rest of his advisors performing the same. "I have made a decision: Advisors Brown and Park, ready the cameras! We will ask these teenagers to rescue Team 12."

After said Advisors nodded and went to ready cameras, Advisor Forrest asked her superior. "Sir, I must ask: what do you plan to give these teenagers as a reward for rescuing Team 12?"

Director Mounaros rubbed his chin, before deciding with his head nod, "I shall make them honorary White Star agents!"


JUMP CITY, CALIFORNIA

8:58 AM


Robin, Cyborg, and Starfire were at the nearby supermarket, grabbing the week's groceries and Beast Boy was in Snore-Town on Titans Tower's roof.

Raven removed her cloak, unceremoniously setting it onto the couch, before putting on black, white-buttoned, cotton cardigan she knitted herself. Raven levitated herself onto the table and with her powers, made the TV play an all-time classic: Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock".

At the start of the song, Raven held her left arm up as if uppercutting someone as her right leg sat on its big toe, making her leg look slightly awkward. However, Raven made her right arm appear to be punching someone and placing her weight on her left leg. As Elvis sang, Raven performed these two poses a few times, before Raven lifted her right foot up and stomped it a few times in the air. Raven performed her first two beginning poses a few more times. Raven rocked her hips from side to side, putting her weight on one foot before placing it on the other, losing her body to the music. Raven carelessly spun around on the table, moving her arms and fists vertically, as a minor smile sat on her face.

Suddenly, the sound of a dozen trumpets replaced the King's voice. The screen became sky blue, and in the middle was a pure white five pointed star with a yellow-flowered, and dark green-leaved wreath underneath the star itself.

"AHHHH!" Raven shrieked, her body up in the air, her limbs moving around erratically not anticipating the sudden occurrence behind her. Raven fell on her behind, grunting, before facing the television.

"Greetings Teen Titans. I am Director Dimitrios Mounaros of White Star," greeted a man who looked similar to the King of Rock and Roll himself.

Raven stared at the video-message with wide eyes, silently wondering what the message that this man was sending to Titans Tower was all about.

"One of our most valuable teams has been captured by a female threat in Barcelona, Spain. We humbly ask that you five rescue this team before it is too late." Director Mounaros explained, face appearing stony but eyes appearing desperate.

Director Mounaros' image was lifted upwards, allowing a large picture of four men with different hairstyles and different attires to appear. Next to it, was a picture of an attractive-looking woman with sleek black hair and deadly black eyes.

"If you accept this mission, call back. We will give you further details. Farewell."

The screen went black after.

"White Star…?" Raven pondered under her breath. "Who the heck are they…?" Then, Raven quickly pulled out her communicator from her cloak, calling the other Titans.


"White Star?" Starfire inquired, a brow up, "I have never heard of them."

The five Titans were in the living room, Robin pacing back and forth between the screen and his fellow Titans, who were all on the couch.

"I've actually heard of White Star," Robin admitted, as he stood before the Titans with his eyes slightly enlarged. "I thought they were pure bluff, until I saw their repertoire of agents, missions, and gadgets."

"Such as?" Cyborg inquired, sitting between Starfire and Beast Boy.

Robin began, "A ring that can turn you into another person, a line of perfume and cologne that can obliterate steel, a crochet hook that can emit lasers, a small button that can disable security cameras within a five mile radius, a ray that can slow down any moving entity, and a belt buckle with a cord that can propel you to any height."

Starfire and Beast Boy were enthralled as Cyborg appeared rather impressed.

Raven inquired, "Not bad for those guys; are we going to rescue these agents or what?"

"We should. I'd love to handle that shapeshifting ring," Cyborg inputted, evilly envisioning himself shapeshifting into Beast Boy wearing a coconut bra and hula-skirt while wearing the ring solely to tease Beast Boy.

"We will rescue those agents," Robin vowed. "White Star fights and arrests evildoers like we do; we crime fighters must look out for each other."

Robin called back to White Star, stating that the Titans will not quit until those agents were found and rescued, safe and sound. Shortly, the Director gave the Titans the promised further details. According to the trackers embedded in the agents' garments, Jaden O'Riley and Keoki Washimine were located somewhere underneath Ibiza; Mario Smyth and Warren Wessyn were located somewhere underneath Madrid.

"Ibiza?" Beast Boy pondered, a question mark popping out of his head. "What's an 'Ibiza'?"

"An island off the coast of Spain," Raven answered flatly, leaving to pack up for the rescue mission.


The Titans' ship loomed over the brightly lit city of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Starfire stared at the Sagrada Familia in pure wonder; Beast Boy and Cyborg gazed at the beaches, hoping that maybe sometime in the future they would visit the beaches and swim in its beautiful waters. Raven, on the other hand, read a book that told the history of Spain.

Robin commanded over the Titans' headsets, "Cyborg, Beast Boy, and I will go to Ibiza and save Jaden and Keoki. Starfire and Raven, you will head to Madrid and save Smyth and Wessyn. Titans, go!"

The ship then divided into five miniature planes, the female Titans flying into Madrid's direction and the male Titans flying into Ibiza's direction.