Teen Titans © DC Comics
60. Exhaustion
Hot Spot really hated life at the moment. He looked over his shoulder, panting heavily as he continued to run. His breath came in short gasps, and his arms pumped back and forth, slicing against the pressuring wind. Hot Spot swerved around a corner, stopping to relax briefly.
If there was another thing Hot Spot disdained it was Robin. He glared down at the Titans communicator, blaming it for the entire charade. That crazy French lady was after him just because he was a Titan. Now he wished he never took that communicator in the first place. If only those two elemental guys or the Russian or that Japanese swordsman went instead to fight in that stupid tournament instead of him!
"Vhere are you, little boy?"
He flinched, remaining still as sweat ran down his face. There was no way he could fight anymore. Robin, where was he? Did he run away, that coward? His muscles ached, bones stiff and joints cracked with the simplest of twitches. Hot Spot could have fainted at that moment if fear itself hadn't kept his eyes open.
"Come and play."
The Moroccan hero gulped audibly, but covered his mouth with a slap. Suddenly, an extended arm ripped past him and clasped tightly around his waist like a strong wire. Hot Spot cried out as he was ripped out into the open, glaring feebly at Madame Rouge as she smirked.
"Vell, it zeems zat ze rat has finally come out of hiding," Madame Rouge snickered.
"You're not getting me!" Hot Spot barked.
"You're tired, I can tell. Though, it iz too bad," she cooed.
"What're you talkin' about?"
"Robin abandoned you. He left you behind to rot." Madame Rouge's ruby lips widened wickedly as Hot Spot gasped in shock. "Zis is vhy you cannot trust children of your age, little Hot Spot."
Hot Spot groaned in her grasp. He was in his human form, having deactivated his powers from sheer exhaustion. Glancing over both shoulders many times, he deduced it was about twenty paces to dash into an abandoned apartment building. Sands surrounded him. Maybe he could kick some up in her eyes, blind her to escape.
"Look, lady, I don't care what you're up to, but this is my town," Hot Spot snarled, and his powers suddenly activated, burning Madame Rouge. Smirking as she shrieked and backed off, he snapped, "Now get out!"
Hot Spot slammed his hands together, and a thick stream of flames embellished around Madame Rouge. She screamed, trying to get away, but he was relentless. Wave after wave of flames crashed down onto him. Her body seemed to melt like the Wicked Witch of the West. Hot Spot roared, flying over her and grasped her face.
"Say g'night, sweetheart!" he sneered before setting her on fire.
"You…mizerable-!" Madame Rouge cut herself off, elongating her arm and bashed him across the face.
Hot Spot smirked as he skidded across the ground. While he felt slight guilt for burning her, he remembered how horrible she was. She nearly killed him, and, seriously, where the heck did Robin go? Did she slay him? Was he dead because of him? Hot Spot's mind was muddled, and he deactivated his powers, panting heavily. Turning away from fiery woman, Hot Spot walked back into the city.
He was drained. He collapsed against a building, crying out. His entire body was one giant bruise. It stung every time he moved. A twitch, a cringe, any sudden movement sent waves of agony surging through his mind. Groaning, Hot Spot leaned against the floor. Everything was quiet; no one was around to help him.
Robin?
Wildebeest?
Anyone?
Would no one come to his aid?
…So…tired…
Hot Spot felt his eyes begin to drop, but he won. Somehow, he would find his way back home. Maybe grill something, a steak tomorrow, for his victory. Hot Spot smiled blearily, revelling in his victory. Finally, some sleep. He would worry about Robin and the Titans and the Brotherhood later. For now, he won, and it was that knowledge eased his disturbed mind.
…Wait…
Hot Spot blinked, staring at the black whip that seemed to cut through the night sky.
"Oh…no…" Hot Spot murmured.
Milliseconds after he spoke, Madame Rouge appeared out of nowhere. She had survived, completely revitalized and brand new. She sneered, corners of her mouth expanding insanely. Punching him across the face, she laughed wickedly at Hot Spot yelped and crashed to the side. Hovering over him, her fingers expanded like an enormous crab pincers. Hot Spot lost his voice, mouth opening in shock. The wind howled, taking his cry for help.
Robin…Robin…Robin, darn it, where are you when I need you the most? he thought, sweat dripping down his face.
"It vas an amusing time, little boy, but all good t'ings must come to an end," Madame Rouge chuckled, and the last thing Hot Spot saw was the black reaching down for his face.
He was too powerless, too gone in his turmoil to fight anymore. Hot Spot felt all the energy release from his body, and he went limp. There was no more reason left to battle anymore.
She won. He lost. She was strong. He was weak.
And he hated himself for it.