Disclaimer: By this means, I rightfully claim ownership to this FanFiction story and my original character within it, by my trademark signature T.M.O at the conclusion of every update. Any other characters that may appear in this work and are new, these are the rightful properties by their creators as well and cannot be reproduced, or duplicated without their individual consent. I do not own anything within the DC Universe, from Warner Brothers, or on Cartoon Network. The only original character and the name that I created for him; that I accept half ownership on is Falcon from this telling. Scififanfreak222 owns the second half of him as well, for drawing him upon a collaboration of various new designs and sketches within the year of 2010; and cannot be knowingly placed into another literary document, writing community, comic book series, and or televised broadcast without either of our written or verbal consent in front of legal consultants. TheForceIsStrongWithThisOne, Scififanfreak222, xSaffire55x, Novus Ordo Seclorum, and RavenxIsxAxBlackxRose; each of these fellow writers have helped me to press onwards with this story, every-time I have come across writers block. Without their outstanding guidance, the updates would have taken me even longer to complete.
Chapter 39 is done! Cyborg and Delphi confront a grave threat, Robin and his allies explore The Old Stadium, while the final maneuvers are set into motion. "No sin is hidden to the soul." -Bengali proverb on conscience-
Chapter 39 - Unrestrained Atrocities
"This is not going to be easy, but we don't have any other choice." Cyborg spoke over his wrist communicator. He was breathing heavily, as he had just raced to another hiding spot.
*Well then, it's a good thing that you have me here.* Delphi's voice carried over his receiving end.
"Very funny."
*Think of me, like your guardian angel.*
She was trying to calm his nerves as well as her own, they had a lot to accomplish, and they were going into a very precarious situation. Anxiety was high, and their bodies trembled, which was do to more than just the snow.
A tremendous fear enveloped the both of them, yet they pressed on. He took an inhaling breath of oxygen into his burning lungs, while he crouched low, behind a mound of rocks to reassess the situation.
"What are my odds?"
*Not knowing how many attacked The Tower, or the strength of the enemy, that is a problem. Well, at least they don't know we're here.*
Back on the hill and inside of her airship, she tapped her chin while she looked at the dashboard, and she watched him on the computer screens. The red glow emanated from the controls, and it gave her reflection a haunting aura within the confines of the cockpit.
*Come on Cyborg, you've got this.* she whispered, as a means to offer comfort.
He glanced back ahead of him with close inspection, to observe the bright search lights, from a multitude of angles that guided the incoming and exiting aircraft. All seemed normal, even at this small airport, yet he knew that a devious plot had already begun, where he was being drawn deeper, and deeper inside of a maze.
A snow swell rippled across the wintery landscape before him, and he shivered. The cool air was refreshing to breathe, as he wiped away the droplets of sweat from his forehead. Many yards beyond, the long chain-linked fence that acted as a barrier to the runway stood out.
There was an anticipation gnawing away at his steadfast confidence, and he knew that she wanted to be with him, but this was the better approach. There was a lot depending upon this, and if he did happen to draw out an enemy, she could counter the attack from a place of strength.
The act of surprise worked best, only when revealed at the proper time. Now, it was still too soon. Delphi would have to sit back a little longer.
*Hey . . . you are almost in range of the outer perimeter.* The girl's voice picked up from his built-in communicator.*You just have a little further to go, and you'll be there. There is a small gap, just up ahead of you, at your four o'clock.*
"I see it."
*Keep your head down! There are some vehicles that you can utilize for more cover.*
"Thanks mom." Cyborg mimicked another of her team that he had overheard, with a glare at the far away hill.
*This was your plan, remember? If you had listened to my idea, we would have flown right over the top and dropped in, but you didn't like that approach, did you?*
He was resolved that in order for this to work, they needed to space apart their approaches, and ever so slowly, he felt a stiff soreness against his muscles. It was a subtle sign, that his strength was weaning, and that he was becoming increasingly more hungry.
"We only have one crack at this, one. Now is not the time to debate."
*It's nice to hear you still haven't lost your touch Cyborg.*
He cautiously raised his head over the rocks, barely peeking around the jagged sides. His attention was drawn to his left wrist, and a wrinkled scowl appeared.
He was contemplating various readings that his internal scanners could uncover, where the T-Car had expanded upon the thermal images of his surroundings, however, he was left without comforting answers.
"There's no sign of that blasted jamming device! It's got to be inside. I would guess, that the closer I get to The Control Tower, that we will probably lose contact between even ourselves."
*How so?* Delphi questioned, with a sudden peek of curiosity in her tone. *I thought you changed the frequency we have been using just between us? That the transmitter is primarily blocking the main line from Jump City, and not here up close.*
"Do you remember telling me, that you had a bad feeling?"
*Yeah.*
"I feel it too. Tell me, how are the scanners in your ship fairing? Any better?"
*. . . *
"Can you read me? Delphi?" There was a lingering pause of zapping and popping static, that cut-into the dialogue, and he was deeply concerned. "Delphi, are you getting this? Report!"
*Your end is . . . starting to get choppy.* There was a bit more of the garbled feedback, and the image of her face became distorted on his wrist.
"It seems, we have even less time than I feared. If all else, wait for my signal once I get inside. Copy?"
*Understood. I'll remain at a safe distance and keep watch.*
"Very good. Now, the first priority is to locate and destroy that device. I'm on that objective, where if something threatens my approach, you will intercept, but ONLY to stop the threat from reaching me. Step two, we can re-establish communications to home base, which I'll contact you to meet me. Third, we make our way to the remnants of The Titans East Tower together, and carry on with why we came here in the first place."
*Very well. Happy hunting Cyborg.*
After her feed went dark, The Titan's Co-Captain had become completely distressed. Noticing the levels of his own power-supply being exhausted, well below forty percent, a somber reality hit him.
He was not going to be as effective, or as alert like he normally would. The standard green and yellow bars, that was typical for an average morning, had transitioned to an ominous red and orange glow. His stomach grumbled, and he became rigid.
Recent injuries were still painful, and he had not fully replaced his battered armor. The still visible slashes, caused when he had battled the shapeshifting White Creature, deep within the bowels of the Jump City sewer system, were easily seen.
"I can't turn back now." Cyborg smirked after saying this, as he shook his head with the readiness that any poker player had, when putting all of the remaining chips into the pot.
An overdrawn bout with a concealed enemy, would only exacerbate the struggle, and he was determined to save his friends. Stealth was the most advantageous tool at his disposal, and he needed to salvage as much of his power-supply that he could.
He was trekking into the unknown, without his ultimate trump card at full capacity, he was already fatigued, and racing in with barely any food or sleep, to have replenished his stamina.
Alone, and out of time, he decided to make his push.
"If you can hear this . . . stay where you are! Do not commit. I repeat, do not commit! Wait for my signal. Cyborg out."
He looked up at the fence, locating the split in the metal mesh wide enough for him to squeeze through. It was just as Delphi had informed him. He got back to his feet, while another gust of wind picked up.
A powerful jet was heard starting its engines, the hypnotic roar of the ship was sucking air in through the turbines, beneath its wings which captivated his attention. The largest Teen Titan utilized this deafening rumble to hurry across, and to sneak inside.
After ducking around a parked baggage truck, the hero glanced over his right shoulder, to observe the flying aircraft, traveling incredibly high and fast. Cyborg watched a black and red striped blur, soar up and over The Control Tower, and then vanish into the clouds.
It was Delphi, and the girl made him feel a sense of comfort, of relief.
The lights were flashing red and blues, all around him on the tarmac, where the complete absence of people, the cold flakes of snow cascading down, and the chilling atmosphere, this made him shiver.
It was moments like this, that truly defined a person, and the Teen Titan was not going to give up.
"I've made it this far, now to finish task one." Cyborg quipped after he transformed his right arm into the sonic cannon, and he dashed around another bend, nimbly fitting behind walls and other parked vehicles. "I will only have enough power for a couple of decent, well placed shots. I better make them count."
The shadows were his greatest asset, where if he were discovered, it could compromise everything. So, it was best decided not to alert anybody, that could slow down his progress as the garrison stationed at The Jump City Penitentiary had done.
"This sneaking around in shadows business, it sure has its uses." Cyborg smiled a much broader grin, as he pressed forwards while the lessons from Robin's tactical playbook, were a difficult thing to shake from his thoughts.
Battle plans that ninja warriors and assassins used, trickery of both fear and deception, were powerful agents to the uninitiated.
For Cyborg, he was the largest member on the team, the confident one to charge head-first into the fight, to draw fire away from his teammates as all enemies would converge onto him, while he would allow others to perfect their stealthy craft.
That was what he was most well known for, where the method here however, was not his typical style. He considered himself as part of a shock-and-awe stratagem, like The German Stormtroopers, busting through the British and French defenses of World War One.
The gearhead did it for many reasons, but primarily it was done, so he could just get the fear out of his mind. In a strange way, by charging in as he would, there would be nothing to stop him as he poured everything into the attack.
The stars were only just beginning to peek through the cloud-cover across the sky, and the thick smoke from the variety of chimneys, right in the heart of the industrial city, spewing outwards and blanketing things into a depressing gray fog, made him feel sorrow.
Whenever the moonbeams would pass through, the soothing melody of Moonlight Sonata would start playing in his mind. The cords on the piano would rise and fall, setting a very tranquil mood for the muscular teenager, when he was so adjusted to a heavy percussion for everyday activities, such as when he preformed his workouts in The Tower's gym.
The reality of something deadly having harmed his friends, started to swell inside of his rapidly beating heart. He did not know what would be awaiting for him once he got to the top, but he was positive, that some villain was patiently set to spring a trap.
His eagerness like that of a concerned parent, unsure of the harm but knowing deep down through intuition, that this was of a most grievous concern. The Co-Captain was going to do everything in his power, to find his friends.
The knowledge that he had abandoned his teammates in Jump City, the pressure to hurry through this important task in Steel City was mounting. A tremendous weight was pulling on his heart, and he felt as though every step in either direction, was bound to make matters worse for the other group of friends.
He wanted so badly, to head straight to the ruins at The Titan's East main base. That approach was being watched, and he was not going to fall for another trap. Cyborg could not avoid the obvious problem either, which was the looming threat that overlooked the location in the bay.
That mental torment was eating away at his spirit, but he knew there was more to this quagmire than what he observed on the surface alone. There was still no sign of a single person, and the crucial element of time, it continued to tick precariously away.
Cyborg began to pick up his pace, as he ascended up the long stairwell. Up the many levels, higher and faster he climbed within The Control Tower.
This structure was separate from the main facility, where people could board the aircrafts from the gateways, that extended from the long building, on the opposite end of the runway.
His breathing was almost a heavy wheeze, yet he pushed through the intense burning of his lungs, the jabbing ache of his back, and the twisting cramp in his side. It was only when he reached the door at the very top, that he came to an immediate halt.
Typically, there would be security guards, stationed around the various levels of any important infrastructure such as this. It was eerily quiet, where the lack of airplanes and jets taking off or leaving, was also keenly noticed.
For there to be no workers around, this brought the little hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end.
The Titan's Technician was well adjusted to a variety of threats, yet the previous battle on the bridge, and how he ended up being captured by Slade, this only enraged him further. The slight noise from a camera, turning in a servo motor caused him to glance upwards.
His reflexes took over his movements as he leapt behind a pillar, and he waited until the camera rotated away.
His shadow reflected back to him, and he became perfectly still. This mission was going to test his limits, beyond every other event that he had encountered, and deep down there was no denying this.
Why would they be attacked? He asked in his mind. If Slade is truly behind this, then there is going to be something here that I overlooked. There is always more to his motives, than just what he wants us to see.
"Focus." he said out-loud. "Your friends are depending on you, and I can't let them down!"
Following a brief pause, he bypassed the camera and kicked in the door, causing it to swing wide, to crash against the back wall! With his weapon primed and ready to fire a short burst, to conserve his power, he scanned the room looking for a target.
There was nobody to greet him, and his heart began to beat at even faster intervals. Where were The Control Tower operators?
Dread consumed all corners of his mind, his heartbeat thudded rapidly, feeling like it would burst as he walked in. He closed his eyes momentarily to calm himself.
The Air Traffic Control Tower was devoid of any personnel, only the glow of the computer screens, and the video monitors. Now, the possibilities of a concealed attack against him was increasing by the second, but the reason he came here, was all he could think about.
"Dang it, where is everybody?!" He threw his hands into the air, feeling like he just barely missed the party. "I need to find that device! I know it's here!"
He paced around the room, where a faint glow from the computers gave an alluring color to the tower. Massive windows were noticed along each of the walls, as chairs were left in their stations.
There were weather reading monitors, radar displays, and countless video footage across the entire airport. It was deeply troubling to be standing here without a single employee of the facility.
In the middle of the room, a large table had spilled food, and the scattered remnants of glass that was sprinkled across the floor. Coffee mugs were left upended, where the liquid contents had formed a pool.
Cyborg knelt down touching the substance, analyzing the now cold drink, to piece together a timeline of when things happened.
"A few hours cold . . . hmmmm." The Titan looked about his surroundings once more, and he sighed. "Something happened here alright, and I don't like this. Not one bit."
The bright glow from his flashlight, protruded from his left shoulder, and he continued his investigation. He did observe the light switch, yet he was not ready to draw any more attention to himself.
The cone of illumination expanded across the consoles, until his attention was drawn towards a bulky flash-drive, protruding from one of the many computer ports. It was out-of-place, and there was a design of a skull with crossbones drawn in white marker along the top.
"Bingo! Now then, this is not supposed to be here, and I bet every dollar that if I pull it out quickly, it might trigger something far worse." Cyborg stepped back, and he rubbed his chin. "This was no ordinary attack. I don't want any evidence to be erased due to my work now."
He plugged into the computer, and he immediately focused in with his craft, one of his many talents that made him the computer expert that he was. He cracked the code bypassing into the system, and he carefully executed the program that would disrupt the flash drive.
"There now . . . just a few more seconds a-a-a-a-a-a-a-n-d . . . done! Boo-yah!" Cyborg pumped his free arm in the air, as the alien device shot out of the port, spitting sparks as it was deactivated. "I'll keep this for forensic analysis, once I get back to The Tower."
As Cyborg placed the flash-drive into a compartment on his hip, a strange and unexpected flare spiraled upwards across the hillside, followed closely by several more at their own varying intervals, traveling one after another up and into the sky.
Squinting his eyes he looked on, as the piping hot ends slipped into the clouds, leaving behind a thick cloud of smoke, dissipating ever so slowly behind them.
KA-BOOM!
"Oh no!"
In a matter of seconds, the numerous burning flares that had sailed upwards after the first, one by one they had collided with something big, and a monstrous rumble, like the cry of a dying beast sent shockwaves across the heavens.
A flash of light broke through the dark, followed by a repeated clash of thunder, and then a burst of flames which had seeped outwards through the dense fog.
It was like a mighty crescendo to a firework display having reached the climax, and it now captivated his complete focus.
A faint red glow expanded, and it gradually became brighter and more intense, as it drew closer to the ground, but the object was too heavily engulfed by flames to see clearly what the shape was.
He knew, and his fears only became confirmed as a wing to the vessel careened off.
"Delphi!"
Bright sparks scattered and trickled downwards, it was comparable to the fluttering fireflies on a hot summer eve. There was no sense of direction, no grasp of comfort in what he was witnessing, and the illusive foe had not gone after him as he believed, instead his ally was the target.
The engulfed wreck spiraled out of control, where it began to pick up momentum. Down, down, down, it tumbled and folded in, while other portions splintered away as gravity did the work.
(~)
The pitter-patter of someone running, echoed in the dark. It was mystifying, where the external life of the city, was slightly muffled from the walls and concrete. The distinct noise of one person however, began to ripple through the long chasm of tunnels, and underground channels, carrying a haunting reverberation which had no distinct place of origin.
A black bird pecked at its tail feathers, rummaging against a mite that had embedded itself into its backside, while watching a shadow move down below. It cawed, to alarm its kin of the unexpected interloper into its abode.
In a strange way, The Old Stadium felt like an abandoned crypt, a rotting wound of despair and forgotten ambitions that had long been considered a blight on the city. Cobwebs and dust were noticeable upon the surface of many things, while a murder of crows, made various trusses and the upper brackets their homes.
The decades-old features of decay, of rustic paint peeling away, left the unmistakable stains across multiple areas, and a mold-like stench that clung to a persons clothing, was difficult to ignore. It was thick and overpowering on the senses.
A mouse scurried along the ground, scavenging for morsels to eat, while the uneasy feeling of being watched from above, stuck with anybody brave enough to enter. An owl hooted in the dark, and the scavenger darted back into the shadows.
Robin stopped dead in his tracks, while the nightly predator made its familiar call, he turned around as a slow dripping of water splashed in a corner. Squinting his eyes behind the black domino-mask to hone into his environment, the sound of footsteps was again heard.
He was not alone.
Was it an ally, or perhaps his bold strategy had once again been thwarted, and Slade's henchmen were about to strike?
He waited, he needed to gather his stamina. The Boy Wonder was prepared, in body and mind he was ready to fight whatever it was that was approaching.
Terra had laid bare the truth, and in her explanation of all that transpired, an opportunity emerged. When a great despair had shrouded so much, the renewed strength to fight on, had been rekindled. Robin was not going to be thwarted in his efforts, and the ultimate desire for vengeance from the cruel Mastermind that had evaded and slipped past him after all these years, this burning hatred only propelled him further.
It was a desire beyond what his mentor had warned him could happen, a folly to allow everybody around him to become consumed into his own goals. Members of his team, had paid too high a price, now there was no turning back.
They were left with very few opportunities to make maneuvers of their own accord, and after Robin made his decision, to enter The Old Stadium alone, the superheroes uniformly agreed to join him. All except for Beast Boy and Terra, who were not going to be able to offer any fight in their current states, this pair had elected to remain back at Titans Tower.
Deep within their hearts, they knew it was only a matter of time before things would become worse, and nobody wanted to let another deadly attack weaken their ranks. The rubicon had been crossed the day Slade had announced his return, the day Falcon was taken from them, and all bets were off.
It seemed like so long ago, the anger and hatred was what drove him to press forwards in his quest.
As the long shadow of the other person gradually emerged, Robin breathed a sigh of relief, as he noticed from afar, that it was Avatar. The intrepid Titans and Squadron members had entered at completely different points, and now, slowly, two of them were making progress towards one main place in the massive arena, the concourse hall.
Whether by luck, or random coincidence, of the six who had left Titans Tower, the two captains were the first to converge before anybody else.
Robin looked about the overturned tables, as Avatar hurried to catch up with him. The duo nodded at each other, pleased with their progress. The teenagers waited a moment, catching their breaths to re-evaluate their situation.
"Well now, that wasn't so bad - was it?" Avatar panted for oxygen, as she rested both of her hands upon her knees.
"You need to be more mindful of your surroundings." The Boy Wonder spoke as he reached for his Titan's Communicator, attached to his belt. "Robin to Titans Tower, we have entered the main hall."
*From the trackers in your communicators, it looks like from the schematics of The Old Stadium, you should be right where Terra last saw Slade.* The voice of Beast Boy piped in, as his face emerged on screen.
"Good."
The Squadron Leader smiled broadly into the screen, as she leaned over her companion's shoulder, "You should be here with us Terra. I would say, that you've got the makings of a Squadron member yet!"
*Thanks, but my days of being in this line of work, are well and good behind me.* Terra commented over her end, while standing alongside Beast Boy.
The changeling and Geomancer agreed it was best to remain behind, to monitor the others and to guide their friends. It would not help anybody if they were in the field. It had only been a few days since their return from the hospital, and this was the more reasonable approach.
Avatar cocked her eyebrows upwards, causing her domino mask to reveal a befuddled expression. "Funny, that's exactly what Press said, right before I kicked some sense into that thick skull of his."
"Cut the chatter." Robin hissed while revealing a stern glare. "The whole point of this operation, is to gather evidence. We haven't got much time."
"Alright, no harm done." Avatar spoke while pulling away from his shoulder. "Jeez! I was only trying to lighten the mood."
"Not now." Robin continued, while revealing his cold stare at Avatar. "Beast Boy and Terra can handle things just fine in the Common Room, don't make me regret my decision, by allowing you in on this."
While she took this moment to reflect, a pang of guilt was felt on multiple sides, and they all became very quiet. The manipulation by Slade was a very potent tool, and his wounds cut deeply into the hearts and minds of any adversary, willing to challenge him.
"So. This is the place?" Robin asked, he was quick to carry on with his primary task. "Terra, where were you when you first came here? Where did Slade emerge from, what direction?"
There was a new lingering silence, then the ex-Titan finally looked up. She pointed for Beast Boy to find the spot of interest on the screen. Slowly, her right index finger gestured towards another hall, as a flash in her memory of the rising mist, of the clanking of metal footsteps, and then remembering her collapse, this caused her heart to beat steadily quicker.
It was unnatural, and something made Robin become tense with apprehension, while he observed her face becoming contorted on the screen.
*It was over there . . . just ahead of where you are standing from now.* Beast Boy answered.
Robin walked forwards as he was guided by the blinking light on his device, and as he approached the place, he clenched his fists.
The illumination from the stars seeped around him, like a blanket. To be standing right where his greatest enemy had once been a short time ago, it only made him feel deeply aggravated. His senses were heightened from his persistent training, and his left hand was poised to retrieve his trusting staff for any attack.
In countless instances, he was so very close, and still just out of range from overcoming this hurdle. The humiliating failures, the traps he walked into were racing through his mind, the years of being on his nemesis's heels, only to fall short, and he felt a rage that he had never before embraced.
Terra sighed heavily, as she leaned against the desk for stability. She was not used to the overexertion on her body, after such a precarious event having landed her in the hospital. She had not recovered completely, and by all accounts, she should have remained in bed for a few days longer.
There was something that burned deeply within her spirit, a surprising quality unlike anything she had experienced. It had been ignited, and it enveloped her entirely, where she was focused on making up for her downfall.
She slowly walked backwards, her mouth agape, and she trembled while she stood alongside Beast Boy. She winced, and The changeling reached over to support her from his wheelchair.
"Thanks." Terra whispered while raising a hand, she did not want to cause her voice to echo for the others to hear.
"Easy Terra, easy. Breathe." Beast Boy rubbed her back. "You've had one heck of a day, don't over-due it."
"I'll manage."
Terra's heart was pounding away like a machine-gun, while the stitches to her chest felt like a horrible itch that would not leave. It felt like getting a rash from poison ivy. She clutched at her shirt, trying to ease her heart rate back down to normal, as a bit more sweat clung to her forehead.
*That's it. That's the place.* Terra found the strength to speak up over the communicator, while the two superheroes looked around the wide open concourse.
"I know this is still very painful for you." Robin acknowledged, where he knelt down to stroke the floor, rubbing the dust between his green gloved fingertips. As he glanced over his shoulder he continued, "This has been a lot to ask. I would have you with us if I did not think -"
*It was there . . . right in that very room you are in now.* her blue eyes had tears swelling as she looked from the ground, back to his domino mask, then down to the cold floor in shame once again. *Look, I know that this is important, and believe me . . . this is the last place I want to be looking at, but if . . . if I can help in some way . . . if I can get us to some clue that will lead to his secret base, if we can stop him, then it will be all that matters.*
"Terra." Avatar interjected. "You did more for us than you realize, where your being abducted at this place, it is going to help."
*Just . . . be careful.* Terra rasped.
Robin nodded in further appreciation, he retrieved a gadget from his belt and he began to scan the area. A blue glow emanated from the device, and he started to wave it back and forth, while a slight humming noise vibrated from it.
*What is that?* The blonde asked.
*This is an active crime scene.* Beast Boy whispered. *Robin's looking for anything that Slade was too careless to consider. Even the scuff markings on the floor, to a certain extent can be of valuable asset to a seasoned forensic analysis.*
"So Batman's shadow still hasn't left you, has it?" Avatar quipped with a light chuckle.
"We are right where we need to be." replied Robin, ignoring the jab while he turned to confront The Squadron Leader. "Now you get to witness, how a real detective does their job."
Avatar planted her hands onto her hips prior to speaking. "Time is a constant thing Robin, what matters is the health and well being of our friends."
The Boy Wonder replied vehemently. "This is not Gotham! This is not like anything you have dealt with before!"
"Granted. But I don't know what you hope to learn?"
"There was a struggle here, and I aim to see this through. Go on, head back to The Tower, any remnants of evidence can help me to put the pieces together, with possibly locating where Slade may be in hiding." Robin continued walking around the area, where the device was busy beeping and humming in one hand, as he held the communicator in his other.
There was another lingering silence that held over between these teens.
*The others are about to arrive.* Beast Boy interrupted, and the duo resumed their focus on the walls and passageways about them, where multiple figures began to emerge.
Tables and wooden benches from the foodcourt were overlooked, as the escalators and stairs are noticed around the middle and upper floors. They were not currently in operation, but when the city would have home games, the entire stadium would be crammed full with people.
The booming chants, the stomping of feet, the clapping of hands would resonate and expand all throughout the wide tunnels and halls. At one point, it was a magnificent creation of great pride for Jump City, yet now it was nothing more than an empty ruin.
The tattered banners flapped in the breeze along the outer tiers, while lights from infrastructure were on a dim setting. The Old Stadium was built like the iconic colosseum of Rome, where the arched windows of each proceeding layer, let seep in different angles of the world outside.
A flutter off in the distance from a flock of bats, nesting in the higher tiers departed from the structure, they squealed back at the intruders, causing the teenagers to observe the winged aviary predators take flight. Terra looked up from The Common Room, and she watched with a slight smirk having returned to her.
She envied them, and the ability to just fly far away made her feel so small and helpless, in her current predicament.
The echoing of feet, again rippled across the deep tunnels, while the moon shined brightly through the gaps and slits for windows of the long colonnade, exposing much of the enormous sporting arena.
"Ah! There you guys are!" Press exclaimed in joy, as he jogged towards his friends, followed up by Raven and Kimiko. The waist straps to his brown trench coat were flapping in the breeze, with the collar popped up around his neck.
"Be still!" Robin motioned for everybody to look around them. "This is an active crime-scene! I don't want anyone to trample over anything that may have been left behind."
Press held up his hands in defense, his trusting weapon sheathed within the cane, was noticed in his right hand, and he nodded towards the others.
"Thank goodness you guys made it." Avatar patted her two teammates on the shoulders, as they formed a half-circle. "I was beginning to get worried."
"What, you didn't have faith in us?" Press quipped with a grin beneath his mask.
"Of course I did. What kind of leader would I be, if I didn't have faith in my own team now?"
"Not a very good one." answered Kimiko.
"Robin . . ." Raven's familiar rasping pitch, caused him to turn and to focus on the group.
The Titan's Leader looked up, and after glancing around the multiple faces he became worried as someone was missing. Ignoring the blue cloaked Enchantress, The Boy Wonder asked to nobody in particular, "Where is Starfire?"
"She's still checking out the upper levels." Kimiko sighed. "Although it has merits, but I don't know what she could learn that we don't from down here? She told me, she had a few more places to investigate."
"The press box?" The rorschach masked teen asked.
"Hmmm." Raven deadpanned.
"Well then, now that we are here, what would you like me to do?" Press rested his cane against his right shoulder, as he looked to Robin for orders.
Kimiko slapped him up the backside of the head.
"Ouch!" Press turned to the Shinobi warrior. "What the heck was that for?"
"Shhhhh!" Avatar scolded her crew, raising a finger to her lips.
"What gives?"
"We are in a giant echo chamber, and we need to remain focused." Kimiko pointed up at the ceiling, and the gathering became very still.
Robin turned off the device, and after placing it back onto his belt he sighed.
Raven deadpanned quietly. "After checking out my designated area, I found no traces of anything left behind."
*Cyborg's gadgets could be pretty handy about now.* Beast Boy's voice was heard over The T-Comm in Robin's other hand.
"Yeah, and Delphi would be able to help in other areas too, but they are not here, are they?" Press replied in with a snarky tone. "This is going to be a problem, if we can't find a trail to go on!"
"If my teacher taught me anything, it is that even a seasoned warrior can forget their first lessons." Kimiko said while rubbing her chin. "We should proceed with caution."
*What does that mean? How does it help with finding where Slade went?* Beast Boy asked.
"It means . . ." Robin smiled. "That even someone who seems impossible to beat, one who is elusive and slips by unscathed, a mastermind who evades capture by every measure of the law, of every power or force at my disposal, a man who always plots five moves ahead . . . he . . . only presses his attacks, without thinking much of his enemies. This can easily let overconfidence blind them."
"Well regardless of this nice gesture, I didn't find anything. Nothing but empty seats, and some scraps of garbage." Avatar deadpanned. "I wonder if Starfire is having any more luck?"
A long silence had befallen the heroes, and it was in this moment, that Robin felt the hairs on his neck rise. "We are just scratching the surface . . . wait . . . something -"
"What is it?" Raven interrupted while uncrossing her arms.
"Something doesn't feel right." Robin walked towards the middle of the group.
The mood for the heroes had become steadily ominous, as they acted upon his orders, and they were entering a place that in all rational understandings, and purposes was abandoned. Yet through the harrowing reveal of the ex-Titan, now nobody was entirely sure.
They had looked over maps, the layout of nearby structures, the blueprints of the facility and multiple angles of traffic cameras, of countless hours upon hours of footage from the previous few days, before they had even departed The Tower.
Nothing seemed unusual, but, there was still a place in the backs of each of their minds. A look in the eye, a way that each of the heroes stood; they were revealing a dark and unsettling area that they all could somehow understand, without speaking a word of it.
The optimism for uncovering any leads of where Slade had gone was fleeting, and they were feeling drained in all manners, both of mind and body. The combined forces were worn down from constant battle, sluggish, due to the overtaxing work, the exhaustion of not getting enough sleep, and the belly aches of near empty stomachs.
Some had forgone any dinner meal, others brought a granola bar with them on the journey, but it was very apparent in how the lethargy was making the heroes feel like they were in a continual uphill race, and that they were being led into a worse game.
"Being a hero isn't easy." Press whispered to nobody in particular.
"If you wanted a different line of work, you could have chosen it back in Bludhaven." Kimiko deadpanned.
Press shook his head in a befuddled expression. "You never listen to what I am saying."
"Quiet, the both of you!" Avatar snapped to her teammates. "Robin . . . what is it?"
"Sure mom." Press mocked his leader. "Look around you, nobody is here!"
"I wouldn't be too sure of that!" Kimiko's voice brought instant alarm, while she stared off to the upper levels.
It shook them to their hearts. She pointed towards a rectangular box, that was placed high and directly between a tight nook of a corner, in the gap of a balustrade overlooking the open court. It was a camera, and a little green dot below it revealed, that it was transmitting a live feed somewhere.
Someone had been watching them, and they did not have to wait long to figure out who the culprit was.
"Slade!" A few of their party said in unison, quickly jumping to full alert.
"I've got a bad feeling about this." groaned Raven.
The camera was aimed directly in the middle of the room, they had been watched the entire time! Before anybody could say another word, the faint hiss of a gas was heard, seeping in and a murky green cloud, gradually bloomed and expanded outwards, in every direction.
The thick blinding fog began pouring in through the vents, up and around their feet, behind them, above their heads, and across the drains from multiple places, all along the floor and ceiling! It was covering the entire area, and their peripheral line of sight had become completely obscured.
It was a trap!
"Great. Now what?!" Avatar's voice wavered.
"Titans! Form up!" Robin belted, as he took charge in his commanding voice.
He retrieved his bo-staff and spun the weapon, causing the familiar whooshing sound to become heard, while Raven who was standing closest to him, levitated with her arms at the ready while the black aura emanated around her hands.
"What the heck!?" Press sputtered, with a notion of fear in his voice.
"I can't see a thing!" Avatar cried out, "So much for trying to find Slade, aye Rob?"
The horror at how Starfire and Terra had been defeated, quickly gripped their minds. Was it only a distraction, like many of his theatrics in confusing his adversaries, in a quick effort at escape? Or was it of the same toxic chemicals, that crippled two of his friends?
At the far ends of the atrium, a multitude of figures began to emerge through the overwhelming greenish colored smoke, all wearing gas masks. From what could be observed, their steady approach only brought a more perilous concern for the heroes, who were caught once again unprepared.
"Steady!" Kimiko's voice was heard, where the sound of a sharp blade being unsheathed was unmistakable, it revealed that she was prepared to fight. "Stick together!"
The superheroes spun round in circles in utter desperation, hoping to be facing the enemy and not have their backs exposed. The visibility was now, totally lost.
The camera scanned the area back and forth, as the green smoke had enveloped everything. What had been unclear, suddenly became crystal. The fight they had tried to prepare for, the unknown enemy from the fear of so much, was finally unleashed.
(~)
The shadow of the great metal hands, had just landed at one o'clock in the morning, it was visible to all who looked up and across the outer facade, of the magnificent windows of The Old Clocktower's steeple. The long impressive columns, the smooth stone and intricate carvings of strange hieroglyphs, only gave the implication of vast wealth having been spent.
DONG! The haunting sound echoed outwards from the very heart of the metropolis. Meanwhile, far in the distance, a spreading shroud of ominous rainclouds began to emerge, while a distinct rumble of thunder, was heard in the night.
It was going to rain.
The towering structure was brightly lit, where many of the buildings nearby were dark as pitch, but there were a multitude of lights all over the base, to captivate its awe and magnificence that rose like a monolith. It resembled the image of Big Ben, famous in London England yet it did have distinct differences.
The architect of The Old Clocktower, was British from birth and he paid homage to his many wealthy patrons from his native homeland.
It took many decades to create this historic landmark, during a lifetime of many upheavals, and serious expenditures having to be gutted, due to the various construction projects across the whole of Jump City. Across the lower levels of the historic clock, plaques were engraved to commemorate the engineers and sculptors who designed it.
The Old Clocktower was directly alongside a Lutheran church, which had a gothic-style graveyard surrounded by both brick and stone. The earliest settlers had established this to be the center hub of their thriving community, where over time, the increasing demand for more apartments and complexes, a continuous expanse caused many towering structures to rise up and around the temple.
In the many years it took to get the proper permits, and deeds of ownership vetted, of passing the title from one hand to the next, it had taken millions of dollars to construct. As well as the lives of many carpenters, brick and mortar layers, and city planners.
Some of the residents considered the entire place to be haunted, for it was constructed on hollowed ground, while children dared their friends, to sneak inside and play pranks on one another, for All Hollows Eve.
The illumination from behind the long gilded windows reflected a gold tint, while the shadows caused the long hands of time, to spread across the nearby tombs, and mausoleums in the courtyard below. There was something ominous about the placement of this medieval tower.
The aforementioned church, had only gained more notoriety as the seasons changed, and the years passed steadily by.
Because The Old Clocktower overshadowed the religious building, rumors and conspiracies spread like wildfire, as to the origins of why it was built here in the first place. Stories of such wild imaginings, of dark cults and secret societies, to claim their own methods for rituals had been the gossip of those who lived closest.
Some had said, people utilized a place that buried the dead were later exhumed, for unimaginable purposes. This only aroused greater fears, whereby the truth had become totally obscured, and lost in tales even Edgar Allen Poe could take heed.
Deep behind its layers of brick walls, past the H.P Lovecraft gargoyles, perched so terrifyingly and menacingly on their ledges overlooking the populous, a great evil was hard at work.
The heavy metal gears, the churning of weights from the internal pulley system, twisting, crunching, stretching and tugging the multitude of thick brown ropes and gears, all of these mechanisms were delicate, yet continued their calculated movements.
The eerie melody was constant, whenever the bell would be struck at every hour, while the candles spread along nooks and shelves, emanated the guiding light for the inhabitants. The sudden flutter of a single crow that nested within the belfry, caused one of its black feathers, to cascade downwards at the feet of the housekeeper, who was dressed in a nice white suit.
He was busily sweeping dust into a pan. While this building was not his first choice if given the opportunity to make into a home, yet he did not complain once.
The structure was ancient, but it did its faithful job, as the elderly chap and butler known as Wintergreen, had been the sole proprietor at winning the deed at an auction. His master was quick to make it their base of operations, and there was not a day that passed, when he was not busy keeping the place in pristine order.
So as to not arouse suspicion from the outside world, the balding man made sure that the gears were properly checked. That the ropes were tight, that the engine which also generated electricity was always working. If parts wore down, they were replaced when needed.
While leaning down to pick up the feather, he was suddenly made aware of the new light that seeped in behind him, from the main doorway. He rose to his feet, snapping at attention as his etiquette in the military never left him. He bowed his head, with the usual routine he preformed whenever his master had returned.
"Welcome back sir. I take it, that the latest maneuver is going to accelerate the next stage in the operation?"
The muscular figure slowly emerged into the room, while the door closed behind him. His hands were clasped behind his back, as he strolled steadily forwards, not looking at his servant.
"Hmmm." Slade replied. "There are a few calculations that I overlooked, but rest assured my old friend . . . everything is going as planned."
The one eyed Mastermind tapped his faithful servant on the shoulder, and the two walked on.
"It took time." Slade monologued, while keeping a few steps ahead. "Years of plotting, sleepless nights of salvaging, from acquiring an insurmountable number of recourses . . . we have come to it. From endless hours of tweaking every step of this grand stroke, to ensnare Robin and his friends. Now, everything is at last . . . clicking into place."
Wintergreen nodded in delight. "It is as you planned. Now, the latest scheme of Gotham's criminal elite added into this mix, the test will surely unravel what hope they cling onto."
There was a lengthy pause, where the mastermind leaned against the handrail before saying, "We shall see."
The long central column spun in its platform, directly beneath their feet. The crunching tempo of cogs turning into larger brackets from within very heart of The Clocktower, the shaft which ran the entire length of the building, it caught their attention.
A raven cawed in the belfry, while the strange mist of night seeped into the cracks, hovering about the upper levels. A faint glow emanated near a bench, coming from a small burning candle, and this gave both men mystifying shadows, that stretched across the walls.
"Phase Five has commenced." Slade deadpanned.
Wintergreen checked the box along the paper, and he stated the objective: "Phase Five, to create countless diversionary tactics across the whole of Jump City, to unleash chaos in multiple ways. As the enemy becomes gripped in fear, the knife can be dug deeper, causing any ounce of strength to be whittled away."
"And -" Slade jumped back in. "The Titans with their newfound allies, are eagerly stepping right where I knew that they would land. Exactly as I said that they would, where this is only going to make their choices all the harder to avoid."
"Precision was a keen specialty of yours." Wintergreen answered with a coyish grin.
"Precision is everything, in the art of war." Slade glanced with his only eye behind the mask, towards the small table alongside his throne, down just below him. The chessboard and its pieces had not been moved.
"But of course." Wintergreen acknowledged.
Slade slightly turned saying, "To defeat The Teen Titans, there enlies the greatest thorn that has always been. But to destroy everything they stand for, everything that makes them . . . them, we must first force them into a situation that they can never overcome."
The faithful majordomo had been hard at work, fulfilling numerous tasks and seeing that his master's check-list was continuously being crossed off, one item at a time. He held a clipboard and a pen, making notes while he was ready for his next line of orders.
Slade walked down the long winding steps, the sound of his boots clanking against the metal platforms thudding in the dark. He walked without a single word, as his humble servant followed closely behind.
The Master Destructor pulled out a remote from a pouch across his belt, and the many large televisions before the throne, began playing dozens of recorded footage. Nothing outside of The Old Clocktower escaped his sight, and the war he had been unleashing upon his most challenging rivals, had been deeply rewarding.
One flatscreen revealed the destruction of The Titans East Tower, it was played on a loop as the building toppled over in chunks, where the massive shockwave of dust, covered everything. The footage revealed the massive plume seeping upwards across the bay and into the clouds. The monitor directly alongside this, revealed a mound of rubble in Steel City, showing the aftermath, while news anchors were still talking about it, from dozens of televised stations across the country.
Other monitors were showing the faces of the intrepid heroes, being consumed in the green gas at The Municipal Stadium, as yet another played the explosion which destroying the aircraft in Steel City Airport, and yet another screen revealed the crumbled ruins of The Jump City Railway.
Further down the row, the images of Bumblebee, Aqualad, Speedy, Ma's Y Menos, and Tramm, were revealed as captives that were unconscious, and they were strung up with their arms and legs locked in brackets. They were alive, broken and defeated, but the true master stroke of everything, was how Slade was going to make use of them even now.
Wintergreen turned his head from one jumbo screen to the next, where the maelstrom of images, from witnessing this unhinged raw power was on full display. His master's abilities were always pushing limits, he wanted this to be a victory of epic scale, and this violent orgy was the opening salvo, for what was yet to be unleashed.
"We are close now. So very close to achieving what has long been denied!" The great strategist rasped in an almost demonic voice. "Distracted, divided, weakened from within their own ranks, they have every reason to fight on and yet . . . the hearts and minds of the very people they strive to save, shall fail them."
"Splintered, but not without their merits of course. They are still considered heroes to the people."
"Hmmmm." Slade commented. "We have given them reason to suspect the attack is going to be against the entire city, which it is only part of the larger plan. Let the hammer blow strike hardest, and the ultimate delight shall be truly rewarding to mine eyes."
The muscular figure cloaked in darkness, began his steady ascent towards his impressive throne, while the old man patiently waited at the base.
"The resourcefulness of these youngsters . . . it is a remarkable quality that one such as myself, cannot help but find an admirable respect in." Wintergreen quickly cowered a little, as the glare of fire in the left eye of his master, was felt to be a weapon all on its own. "Um . . . forgive me."
"No. That is a fair assessment." Slade stroked his chin, after turning to look down at his aid, he continued speaking. "The tactics and challenges only force them to improve upon themselves. Tell me, what is the greatest strength our enemies possess?"
There was a long pause. After looking to the floor in deep thought, Wintergreen looked up with a eureka moment, saying, "The Teen Titans have many abilities, and their most advantageous strength, it would seem, is their unyielding devotion to this city. To each-other."
"Correct." Slade leaned back in his comfortable seat, retrieving a remote control from his back pouch, and he waved it in the air. "Pandoras box is finally ready."
He clicked a button, where various cameras suddenly switched to focusing upon him.
"Begin the preparations for Phase Six."
{{End Of Scene}}
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~~T.M.O~~