Teen Titans © DC Comics

38. Burning

So far, the day was seriously sucking. These morons were taking an eternity, and he wanted to go. Why did it take The Herald four hours to make up his mind about a freaking tuxedo? Same for Jericho! They were just simply black suits with maybe a tie. The decisions were so few that just waiting outraged Hot Spot after the first few minutes. He could understand if they were changing, but that, at the most, should have taken only thirty minutes.

"You guys are so slow! Hurry it up or I swear I'm gonna-!"

"Shut up, Hot Spot," Herald snapped, poking his head out the changing room door. Before Hot Spot could punch him, he slammed the door shut.

Hot Spot crossed his arms, impatiently waiting. He was just in ordinary street clothes consisting of baggy, gray pants and a white tank top. He drummed his fingers against his arm, grumbling obscenities to himself. Why did he agree to go to the mall with them? If he had known this would happen, Hot Spot would have run away on sight of the troublesome, musical duo. Leaning against the racks of clothing, he subconsciously unleashed flares of his power due to his volatile nature, setting expansive clothing on fire. Instantly, the sprinklers came on from above, and he screamed in outrage, powers useless now that he was wet and drenched.

I'll kill you both! You're not gonna live to see tomorrow! Whoever comes out first is a goner!" Hot Spot roared, waving his fist furiously. "I should've stayed with Pantha and helped baby-sit Wildebeest, even though he's not in his kid form. Maybe that would have been less stressful."

Herald peeked out of the door. "You're saying you want to baby-sit a teenaged, furry behemoth with the intelligence of a toddler?"

"Mal Duncan!" Hot Spot roared, lunging at the door, but Herald yelped and quickly slammed it in his face. Clawing at it, Hot Spot screamed, "You and Joey are so dead when you two come out here! So dead! Charred, burned, and black corpses! You hearing me? Open this door!"

"After you said that? No way," Herald muttered, locking the door. He glanced back to a silently snickering Jericho, patting his shoulder. "You know what to do."

Nodding, Jericho opened the door to find Hot Spot aiming a punch at his face. Gingerly grinning, he instantly possessed the fiery youth, making him gasp and falter. Taking full control of Hot Spot's body, Jericho sighed in relief.

"The things I do for you. Nearly get my head chopped off," Jericho growled, crossing his arms.

Herald laughed, stepping out in his casual attire of jeans and a dark blue, long-sleeved hooded jacket. Patting his head, he replied, "Oh, c'mon, Jer. Don't be like that. We gotta get back to North Tower and prepare for our surprise."

"Do you think he'll kill us?"

"Probably…"

…

Hot Spot groaned, head throbbing as he slowly came to. The next time he saw Jericho would end up by throwing him in the washer, he vowed. Rubbing his eyes, he staggered to his feet, falling around in the darkness. Previously, he had been possessed by Jericho before when he was becoming "too much of a jerk" in said mute's signing. This time, it stung his mind in a painful, stabbing migraine lashing across his mind. Gripping his forehead, he threw his hand out, trying to find a switch for the lights, but he only hit walls.

Panic swept through him like he was struck by lightning. What was going on? Was this some sort of sick, twisted punishment? He could not think of anything he had done wrong to Herald or Jericho. Well, he might have made them cuddle into each other on the couch to look like a couple, but they never found out! Or did they? Cursing underneath his breath, Hot Spot pounded on the concrete wall, shrieking for someone to help.

"Wow! You really are pathetic."

"Pantha!" Hot Spot cried happily as she opened the door behind him. Embracing her tightly, he wailed, "Oh, Pantha, you're my light, my savior! I could kiss you!"

"Please, don't," she grumbled, pushing him away. "How did you get in here?"

"Jericho possessed me! I have no idea why, but he did. Probably under Herald's order since he's the freaking leader, but still! Why would they do that?" Hot Spot barked, crossing his arms.

Pantha hummed in thought, knowing Jericho to be good in nature, if a bit mischievous. Pausing, she noticed something strange on his face. Inspecting it as he ranted in the dim lighting, she suddenly snorted on laughter. Covering her mouth, Pantha leaned against the doorframe, holding her stomach with sly chortles ripping from her ruby lips.

"What? What's so funny? Hey, stop laughing!" he shrieked, raising his fist.

"Have you looked in the mirror lately?" Pantha snidely questioned, laughing wickedly.

"No, I…oh, no." Hot Spot gasped. "What did they do, Pantha?"

"You should see for yourself. If I tell you, you will think I am lying."

Hot Spot rushed by her, bolting into the bathroom. Delirium coated his vision, almost not seeing himself straight as he desperately searched for the mirror. Once he rubbed his eyes to regain his sense, he looked at the mirror above the sink. His mouth flopped open in abrupt horror. His entire face was painted white with two rosy blobs on his cheeks. There was bright green eyeliner ringing his chocolate orbs along with dark purple lipstick coating his lips and parts of his chin and cheeks. His hair was dyed blonde like a bimbo's, and he gagged at his appearance. What was this? He looked like a deformed clown!

Backing away in fright, he nearly toppled into the shower. His body slacked in terror, dropping in front of the sink. Desperately, he tried to wash his face and remove the impurities, but the hideous, clashing paint and makeup remained put. Grasping towels, Hot Spot feebly scrubbed at his face, but only removed smidges, making him look insane with small portions of his kin poking forth.

"Hey, Isaiah…"

His head whirled around to find Herald and Jericho at the door. They pointed at the same time, smirking with their shining, white teeth.

"…you got owned, sucker!" Herald jeered. "That's for making us cuddle together and posting the picture on the internet! By the way, the other Titans loved the new look, especially Robin. Think you got a drinking problem."

He's not very happy, Jericho signed, shoulders shaking in amusement.

"When is he happy?" Herald wondered, scratching his chin. "So, Hot Spot, you learn your…? Oh, boy. Jericho, I think we better run."

In all of his flame-headed glory, Hot Spot's rage exploded as he empowered his body in a torrent of flames. Beseeched by rage, Hot Spot lunged out and promptly beat the crap out of them. Jericho and Herald never pranked Hot Spot again. However, they managed to spread the lone photograph around the internet, cementing Hot Spot's "drinking problem" in Teen Titans' history.