Chapter 10: 10 Again
Hey everyone! I'm back with a new chapter! I want to wish you all a Happy New Year! I hope you had a Merry Christmas as well. I wrote this chapter for two reasons: one, I was bored, and two, I wanted to create something funny. Anyway, sit back, relax, review, and enjoy!
It was a beautiful night in Jump City. Two mysterious figures moved with incredible speed and agility, leaping between rooftops and slipping in and out of houses and buildings undetected. They stole jewelry and artifacts without alerting the owners, breaking a single object, or even setting off any alarms.
One of these figures was Swipper a 3-foot-tall, 35-year-old male (in fox years)/3-year-old (in human years) talking fox. Swipper had piercing blue scleras with black pupils, a pair of orange ears with black insides, a prominent orange snout with a black nose, and sharp yellow teeth, including four noticeable fangs. His slim, agile body was covered in orange fur with a black stripe down the center, and his big, fluffy orange tail sported a black tip. He had slender, five-fingered arms and five-toed legs, both orange in color.
Swipper's outfit was striking: a blue mask that covered the top half of his face, a long blue cape that wrapped around his legs and reached down to his feet, blue gloves, a blue utility belt, and matching blue boots. Swipper was a master thief, a cunning and agile partner to his boss, Mara.
The other figure was Mara, a 5'8", 35-year-old French woman with light green eyes and long, flowing, curly dark brown hair that cascaded down to her waist. Her thin, dark brown eyebrows framed her sharp, piercing gaze, and her big, pointy nose, red lipstick, and sharp chin gave her an elegant yet commanding appearance. Her tall, muscularly slender build was accentuated by her light skin, and her heart-shaped, curvaceous figure added to her striking presence.
Mara's outfit was equally captivating. She wore a large black fedora with a red band, a pair of black sunglasses with red accents, and pearl earrings. A red scarf wrapped around her neck, covering the lower half of her face and trailing down to her legs. She was dressed in a long-sleeved, high-collared black trench coat that concealed her body, with a red tank top underneath, long black pants, and a pair of black high-heeled shoes.
Mara was a mysterious and commanding superthief, orchestrating their heists with precision. Together, she and Swipper formed a formidable duo, leaving no trace behind as they plundered the city.
"Señorita, what's our next stop?" Swipper asked, his voice laced with excitement as he adjusted his blue mask.
"Let me see," Mara replied, pulling out her holographic map. The device flickered to life, projecting a glowing image of their next target. "The next stop is The Eternal Compass, an artifact said to control time and youth."
"Time and youth, huh?" Swipper smirked, his sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light. "Sounds like a pretty powerful trinket. I bet it's well-guarded."
Mara's lips curved into a sly smile behind her red scarf. "Initially, it was dismissed as a cheap knockoff, but recent studies confirmed its true power. If we can get our hands on it, we'll control more than just the museum's treasures."
"Control time and youth? That's like stealing from the universe itself!" Swipper chuckled, twirling his fluffy tail. "I love it. So, what's the plan?"
Mara narrowed her green eyes as she studied the map. "We'll move swiftly and silently, just like always. The Compass is located in the museum's central chamber, secured behind layers of defenses. I'll handle the security system. You—" she pointed at Swipper, "—distract the guards and make sure no one interferes."
Swipper gave a mock salute. "You got it, boss. I'll give 'em the ol' slip in classic Swipper style."
"Good," Mara said, rolling up the holographic map. "This heist is too important to fail. Stick to the plan, and we'll be unstoppable."
"Stick to the plan," Swipper echoed with a sly grin. "Got it. But when do we get to actually use this Compass? A little youth wouldn't hurt, you know."
Mara chuckled softly, her dark curls swaying as she turned away. "Patience, Swipper. All in good time. First, we take it—then, the real fun begins."
Meanwhile, at the Titans Tower, Jake and Beast Boy were perched on the couch in the command center, furiously mashing buttons on their controllers as their chosen characters battled it out on the screen.
"Ha! Gotcha!" Jake cheered as his character landed a devastating combo, sending Beast Boy's character flying across the arena.
"Dude, that move is so cheap!" Beast Boy groaned, leaning forward as he tried to counterattack. "You've gotta let me breathe, little man!"
Jake smirked, his focus glued to the screen. "No way, BB! You taught me to go all out. I'm just using your own advice."
Beast Boy laughed. "Oh, so now you're a pro, huh? Don't forget, I've been gaming since you were in diapers!"
Jake chuckled but didn't lose his focus. "And now I'm wiping the floor with you. Feels good to be the champ!"
Suddenly, the screen flashed with the words "KO! Victory!" in bold letters as Jake's character struck the finishing blow.
"BOOYAH!" Jake leaped off the couch, pumping his fist in the air. "I win again!"
Beast Boy slumped back into the couch dramatically. "Ugh, I let you win. I mean, who wants to crush a kid's dreams, right?"
"Yeah, sure," Jake teased, sticking out his tongue.
Before Beast Boy could respond, an alert blared through the tower, and the large monitor above them lit up. Robin's voice came through the intercom.
"Titans, we've got a situation. There's been a break-in at the Jump City Museum. Two culprits, a man-sized fox and a woman, were seen on security footage stealing an artifact. Suit up and meet in the main room now!"
Jake and Beast Boy exchanged glances.
"A fox? Like, an actual fox?" Beast Boy raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe it's one of your long-lost cousins," Jake joked, already getting up to grab his gear.
"Ha-ha, very funny, dude," Beast Boy replied, rolling his eyes. "Come on, let's go before Robin has a meltdown."
As they hurried to the main room, Jake's mind raced with curiosity. Whoever these thieves were, they had to be pretty skilled to pull off a heist like this. Little did he know, this mission was about to change his life in a way he could never have imagined.
In the main room, Robin stood at the center, his arms crossed and a determined look on his face. Starfire hovered nearby, her radiant energy glowing faintly, while Raven leaned against the wall with her hood up, her usual calm demeanor masking her curiosity. Cyborg was already analyzing the incoming data on the main computer.
Jake and Beast Boy jogged into the room, slightly out of breath.
"Yo, we're here! What's the scoop?" Beast Boy asked, leaning casually against the back of the couch.
Robin didn't waste a second. "Alright, Titans, listen up. There's been a major break-in at the Jump City Museum. Two culprits—a fox-like creature and a woman—stole an artifact called The Eternal Compass."
"Fox-like creature?" Jake asked, tilting his head. "You mean, like, an actual talking fox?"
"That's what it looks like," Robin confirmed, tapping a button to display security footage on the main monitor. The grainy video showed Swiper and Mara skillfully bypassing the museum's security, with Swipper flipping acrobatically while Mara disarmed the alarms with ease.
"That is no ordinary fox," Starfire remarked, her eyes narrowing. "He moves with the grace of a skilled warrior."
"And what about the lady?" Beast Boy added. "She looks like she just walked out of a spy movie."
"She's the brains of the operation," Cyborg chimed in, pointing to the footage where Mara studied the museum's layout on a device. "She hacked into their systems in seconds, like it was nothing."
Jake squinted at the screen. "What's so special about this Eternal Compass, anyway? I mean, it's just another artifact, right?"
Robin shook his head. "Not this time. According to museum records, the Compass isn't just a relic—it has the ability to manipulate time and youth."
Raven's eyes widened slightly. "Manipulate time and youth? That doesn't sound good in the wrong hands."
"Exactly," Robin agreed. "If they figure out how to activate it, they could reverse their own ages, alter the flow of time, or worse—turn others into children or elderly people with a single touch."
Jake blinked, the words sinking in. "Wait… turn people into kids? Like, permanently?"
"It's a possibility," Robin replied grimly. "That's why we need to stop them before they figure out how it works. Cyborg, do we have a location on them?"
"Working on it," Cyborg replied, his fingers flying across the keyboard. A map of Jump City appeared on the screen with several red dots indicating potential hideouts. "Based on the museum's security footage, their escape route suggests they're heading toward the industrial district. I'm narrowing it down now."
Robin nodded. "Good. Titans, we'll move out as soon as Cyborg locks in their location. Gear up and be ready for anything."
Jake hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Uh… just curious, what happens if they do activate it before we get there?"
Robin's expression hardened. "Then we'll have to be prepared for whatever they throw at us, including any… unexpected transformations."
Beast Boy clapped Jake on the back. "Don't sweat it, dude. We'll take 'em down before they even get the chance!"
Jake tried to smile, but the thought of being turned into a little kid again made his stomach churn. He nodded and followed the others, silently vowing to make sure the Compass didn't fall into the wrong hands.
We find ourselves in a dimly lit parking garage where Mara and Swiper are walking toward a parked car. They each carry two bags stuffed with jewelry, with one of Mara's bags holding the Eternal Compass.
"You know, this was the easiest heist ever," Swipper said in his thick Spanish accent, a smug grin on his face.
"I know. All thanks to my genius and your swiping hands," Mara replied confidently, reaching into her pocket for the car keys.
Just as she was about to unlock the car, a Batarang flew through the air, striking her hand and causing her to drop the keys.
"Sorry, but your big heist ends here," Robin said as he and the rest of the Teen Titans emerged from the shadows, striking heroic poses.
Mara and Swipper exchanged a quick glance before Swiper bolted in another direction, leaping out of the parking garage with surprising agility.
"Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven, Starfire—go after the fox! Jake and I will handle her," Robin commanded, pulling out his bo staff and spinning it into position.
"Got it, dude! Let's go, guys!" Beast Boy said, transforming into a falcon and soaring into the air. The others quickly followed, chasing after Swipper.
"Alright, time to do this! Let's go Humongousaur!" Jake said, activating his Omnitrix.
Before Jake could transform, Robin grabbed his shoulder. "Jake, look around. This parking garage is full of cars. If you go Humongousaur, you'll wreck everything. Pick something else—something smaller and precise."
Jake hesitated, then nodded. "Right. Sorry." He pressed a button on the Omnitrix, making the dial pop up. After turning it to select a different alien, he smirked. "It's hero time!" he declared, slamming his hand down on the Omnitrix.
In a flash of green light, Jake transformed
A burst of green light illuminated the parking garage, and Jake's body began to morph. His form melted into a glowing, green, gelatinous substance, reshaping itself into a humanoid figure.
His new body wobbled and stretched like liquid but retained a distinct humanoid shape. Bright green eyes emerged on his featureless face, glowing with intensity. At his center, the Omnitrix symbol shimmered on a small Anti-Gravity Projector, which kept him hovering slightly above the ground.
Jake flexed his new limbs, his gelatinous form rippling with each movement. "Oh yeah, this is perfect!" he said, his voice slightly distorted as it resonated through his gooey body.
He grinned and struck a ready stance. "Say hello to Goop!"
Mara raised an eyebrow as she sized up Jake's new alien form. "What is this? A pile of sludge? You think that can stop me?" she sneered, her hand subtly reaching for a hidden weapon inside her trench coat.
Robin twirled his bo staff and stepped forward. "Don't underestimate us. You've got nowhere to run."
Mara smirked and suddenly threw a smoke bomb to the ground, filling the area with a dense black cloud. "We'll see about that!" her voice echoed through the haze.
"Robin, I've got this!" Goop declared, his gelatinous form bubbling with energy. Using his Anti-Gravity Projector, he hovered upward, spreading his body wide to dissipate the smoke and clear the area.
As the air cleared, Mara was already on the move, scaling a nearby pillar with impressive agility. Robin leapt after her, using his staff to vault onto a higher level. "You're not getting away that easily!" he shouted, swinging his staff in a wide arc aimed at Mara's legs.
Mara dodged with a graceful flip, landing on a car roof. She pulled out a grappling hook from her trench coat and fired it at a beam above, swinging toward another part of the garage.
"Not so fast!" Goop shouted, extending his gelatinous arm to grab the grappling hook mid-swing. His goo latched onto it, yanking Mara off course and sending her tumbling onto the concrete floor.
She rolled to her feet, unscathed, and pulled out two baton-like weapons that crackled with electricity. "If you want this compass, you'll have to take it from me!" she taunted, spinning the weapons with expert precision.
Robin charged in first, his bo staff clashing against her electrified batons. Sparks flew as they exchanged rapid strikes. Mara was fast, but Robin's precision and technique kept him on equal footing.
"Robin, keep her busy!" Goop called out, his gelatinous body shifting into a massive shield-like form. With a swift motion, he slammed into Mara, sending her skidding backward.
"Nice move, Jake!" Robin complimented, twirling his staff.
Mara gritted her teeth and pressed a hidden button on her belt. A burst of energy radiated out, forcing Robin and Goop to retreat momentarily. "You're both annoying pests!" she snarled.
"Annoying? You're about to find out how annoying!" Goop retorted. His body morphed into a whip-like appendage, slinging toward Mara's baton. The gelatin wrapped around it, yanking it out of her grasp.
Seizing the opportunity, Robin somersaulted over her and landed a solid kick to her back, causing her to stumble forward.
"Give it up, Mara," Robin said, leveling his bo staff at her.
Mara wiped a bit of sweat from her brow and glared at the two heroes. "You've got spirit, I'll give you that. But this isn't over." She pressed another button on her belt, releasing a flashbang that temporarily blinded them both.
By the time the light cleared, Mara was already sprinting toward a stairwell.
Robin groaned. "She's getting away!"
"Not for long," Goop said, his body shifting into a thin, snake-like form to slither quickly after her. "I've got this!"
Meanwhile, in another section of the parking garage, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Starfire, and Raven were hot on Swipper's trail. The crafty fox dashed through the rows of parked cars, moving with astonishing speed and agility.
"You think you can outrun us, little guy?" Cyborg taunted, his sonic cannon primed and ready.
Swipper looked over his shoulder, a sly grin on his face. "Oh, you Teen Tontos have no idea who you're messing with!" he quipped in his Spanish-accented voice. With a quick leap, he vaulted over a car hood, spun mid-air, and tossed a smoke pellet toward the Titans.
The pellet exploded, filling the air with thick, acrid smoke. Raven quickly raised her hands, her eyes glowing. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" she intoned, summoning a gust of dark energy to dispel the smoke.
When the smoke cleared, Swipper was scaling a concrete column, heading toward an upper level of the garage.
"Not so fast, furball!" Beast Boy shouted, transforming into a cheetah and bolting after him. The green feline bounded up the column, gaining on Swipper.
Swipper reached the top and saw Beast Boy closing in. "Oh, no, you don't!" he said, pulling a small grappling gun from his utility belt. He fired it toward a beam above, swinging away just as Beast Boy lunged at him.
"Missed me!" Swipper teased, his laughter echoing through the garage.
Starfire flew up, her eyes blazing with green energy. "Your mockery shall cease, mischievous fox!" she declared, hurling a volley of starbolts at him.
Swipper twisted in mid-air, narrowly dodging the glowing projectiles. "Nice try, princesa, but you'll have to do better than that!" he called out, landing gracefully on a support beam.
Cyborg aimed his sonic cannon. "All right, let's end this. Say cheese!" He fired, and the beam struck the edge of the support beam, causing it to shake violently. Swipper lost his balance and fell, only to catch himself on a lower beam with his nimble reflexes.
"You guys are persistent, I'll give you that!" Swipper said, scrambling toward an exit.
"Raven, can you cut him off?" Cyborg asked, keeping his cannon aimed at the fox.
Raven nodded, her cloak billowing as she teleported in a swirl of dark energy. She reappeared near the garage exit, her hands glowing with power. Swipper skidded to a halt, his eyes darting around for another escape route.
"Nowhere left to run," Raven said coldly.
Swipper smirked and pulled out another gadget: a flash grenade. "Never say never!" he declared, tossing it at her feet.
The grenade exploded, forcing Raven to shield her eyes. Swipper took the opportunity to dart past her, only to be met by Beast Boy, now in his gorilla form, blocking his path.
"Not so cocky now, huh?" Beast Boy said, pounding his chest.
Swipper hesitated, looking between Beast Boy, Cyborg, and Starfire, who had all surrounded him. "Uh... how about a deal?" he offered, holding up his hands.
"Too late for that," Cyborg said, raising his cannon. "Hand over the loot."
Swipper sighed dramatically. "Okay, okay, you got me." He reached into his bag, but instead of surrendering, he tossed a handful of marbles onto the ground.
The Titans slipped and stumbled as Swipper made another dash toward a stairwell.
"Somebody stop that fox!" Beast Boy growled as he transformed into a hawk, taking flight to pursue him.
Meanwhile, back in the depths of the parking garage, Robin and Goop stood ready, facing off against Mara, who had donned her red scarf over her face and cracked her knuckles menacingly.
"You think you can stop me with your little toys and a blob?" Mara sneered, her French accent dripping with disdain. "I've taken down far worse than the likes of you."
Robin spun his bo-staff expertly, his eyes narrowing. "You're not leaving here with the Eternal Compass, Mara. Surrender now, and this doesn't have to get messy."
Goop stretched his gelatinous body into an intimidating stance, his glowing green eyes narrowing. "Messy's kind of my thing, though," the alien quipped, his voice gurgling slightly as he shifted into a towering, blob-like figure.
Mara smirked, pulling a sleek electrified whip from under her coat. "Then let's dance, messieurs."
With a crack of her whip, the battle erupted. Mara lashed out with lightning speed, aiming for Robin first. He dodged the electrified weapon with a backflip, landing gracefully as the whip struck the ground with a sharp zap.
"Goop, flank her!" Robin commanded, rushing in to engage her up close.
"You got it, bird boy!" Goop replied, melting into a puddle and sliding across the floor at incredible speed.
Mara anticipated his move and snapped her whip toward the green puddle, but Goop reformed behind her, wrapping her legs in his gelatinous arms. "Gotcha!"
Mara growled, flipping herself backward into a somersault, freeing her legs while landing a sharp kick to Goop's Anti-Gravity Projector. The device wobbled but held steady as Goop reformed again, grinning.
"Close, but not close enough," Goop said, reshaping his arm into a massive hammer and swinging it toward her.
Mara ducked just in time, the gelatinous hammer smashing into a nearby pillar. Robin took the opportunity to leap in, landing a spinning kick to Mara's midsection. She stumbled back but quickly recovered, sweeping her whip in a wide arc.
The electrified whip grazed Robin's staff, sending sparks flying. He gritted his teeth and pressed the attack, spinning the staff in a flurry of movements to keep Mara off balance.
"Impressive," Mara admitted, sidestepping his strikes. "But you'll need more than fancy footwork to best me!"
Goop seized the moment, extending his body into a web-like net to ensnare her. Mara snarled as she was caught, the gelatinous material clinging to her arms and legs.
"End of the line," Goop said, his eyes glowing brightly as he tightened the net.
Mara smirked, pressing a button on her belt. A surge of electricity coursed through her body, shocking Goop and forcing him to release her.
"Not bad for a blob," Mara said, brushing herself off.
Robin lunged forward, striking her whip-hand with precision. The whip flew out of her grasp, clattering to the ground. "Your tricks won't save you now," he said.
Mara backed away, glancing toward her escape route. "This isn't over," she hissed, pulling a smoke bomb from her pocket and slamming it to the ground.
The garage filled with thick smoke, obscuring her from view. Robin coughed, waving his hand in front of his face. "Goop, can you track her?"
"On it!" Goop replied, spreading his body thin across the floor to sense her vibrations. "Gotcha!" he shouted, surging toward a shadowy figure attempting to flee.
Goop grabbed her ankle, pulling her back toward Robin. "You're not going anywhere!"
Robin stood ready, his staff raised. "It's over, Mara. Give up!"
Mara scowled but finally raised her hands in surrender. "Fine, you win this round. But don't think this is the last you'll see of me."
Robin cuffed her with a pair of restraints. "We'll see about that. Titans always finish the job."
Goop reformed next to him, giving a thumbs-up. "Nice teamwork, bird boy."
Robin smirked. "Not bad for a blob."
The two prepared to regroup with the others, Mara in tow.
Meanwhile The rest of the Titans continued the chase, following Swipper as he darted through the labyrinth of the parking garage, dodging pillars and vehicles with remarkable agility. Beast Boy, now in cheetah form, sprinted alongside Cyborg, who was using his thrusters to close the distance. Starfire flew above, her glowing hands ready to unleash starbolts, while Raven floated with her black energy cloaking her like a shadow.
"He's heading back toward the lower levels!" Cyborg shouted, scanning the area with his sensors.
"Why would he go back there? He's cornering himself," Raven said, her voice laced with suspicion.
As they reached the garage's lower levels, Swipper came into view. Standing defiantly next to Mara, who was still handcuffed and under the watchful eyes of Robin and Goop, he pulled something out of his bag—the Eternal Compass.
"You fools should've stayed out of my way!" Mara yelled, her voice echoing in the confined space. "Swipper, activate it now!"
Robin's eyes widened. "Don't you dare!"
Swipper smirked, pressing a hidden button on the ancient artifact. The Eternal Compass began to glow with an eerie golden light, humming with an intense energy.
"What's it doing?" Starfire asked, landing beside Robin.
"It's building up energy!" Cyborg warned, scanning it with his arm-mounted computer. "If that thing goes off, it'll release a temporal wave! It'll—"
"Change everyone into kids!" Raven interrupted grimly, her eyes glowing as she prepared her magic.
"That's not happening!" Beast Boy growled, shifting into a gorilla and charging toward Swiper.
But it was too late. The Eternal Compass released a massive burst of energy in a wide arc. The Titans braced themselves for impact—until Goop acted.
"Not on my watch!" Goop shouted, his body expanding rapidly as he leaped toward the Compass. He enveloped the glowing artifact entirely within his gelatinous form, containing the wave of temporal energy.
The Compass pulsed violently inside Goop, and the green alien shuddered as the energy surged through him. With a final, blinding flash, the wave dissipated.
When the light faded, Goop's form wobbled and collapsed into a puddle. Slowly, he reformed—but something was different.
"Jake!" Robin called, kneeling beside his friend.
Goop's shape solidified, and then, with a spark from the Omnitrix, he transformed back into his human form. Only now, Jake looked… smaller. His hair was slightly messier, his face rounder, and his clothes noticeably oversized.
"I—I'm ten years old again?" Jake stammered, his voice higher-pitched. He looked at his hands, turning them over in disbelief. The Omnitrix on his wrist flickered weakly.
Mara and Swipper stared, dumbfounded.
"Guess you didn't think this through, did you?" Jake quipped, though his tone was laced with frustration.
Robin stood and pointed his staff at the pair. "Your plan failed. You're both going to jail."
Swipper glared, his ears twitching nervously as Mara tried to formulate a backup plan. "We're not done yet!" she snapped.
"Yes, you are," Raven said coldly, trapping them in her black energy tendrils.
Beast Boy shifted back to human form, snickering as he looked at Jake. "Well, little dude, looks like you got a bit younger."
Jake folded his arms, looking both embarrassed and annoyed. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, BB."
Starfire floated down, her eyes full of concern. "Friend Jake, are you unharmed?"
"I'm fine… just shorter," Jake muttered, glancing down at his baggy clothes.
Cyborg stepped forward, examining the Omnitrix. "Looks like the Compass messed with its settings. We're gonna need to figure out how to fix this."
Robin nodded. "First things first. Let's get these two to the authorities and secure the Eternal Compass. Then, we'll figure out how to get Jake back to his proper age."
Jake sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Guess I'm the kid of the team now… again."
Beast Boy patted him on the shoulder. "Hey, you're still cooler than Swipper."
"Not funny," Jake muttered, though a small smile crept onto his face.
The Titans regrouped, ready to clean up the mess and plan their next move, as Jake adjusted to his unexpected transformation.
As the Jump City Police escorted Mara and Swipper away in handcuffs, the Titans regrouped outside the parking garage. Jake, still stuck in his ten-year-old form, tugged at his oversized shirt in frustration.
"I feel like I'm swimming in my own clothes," Jake grumbled, trying to roll up his baggy sleeves.
Robin smirked. "We'll stop by the corner store and grab something that fits. Can't have you tripping over your pants in the middle of a mission."
The Titans made their way to a nearby store, drawing some curious stares as they entered. Starfire, ever excited to explore Earth customs, grabbed a shopping basket and eagerly began filling it with clothing options for Jake.
"This one is most adorable!" Starfire exclaimed, holding up a bright yellow shirt with a cartoon octopus on it.
Jake raised an eyebrow. "I'm ten, not three."
Beast Boy snickered, picking out a shirt with a dinosaur. "What about this? Says 'King of the Playground' on it. Pretty fitting for you, short stuff."
Jake groaned. "You're not helping."
Cyborg chuckled as he spotted a rack of Teen Titans merchandise. He pulled out a shirt featuring the team's logo. "How about this? Keep it in the family."
Jake sighed, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Fine. At least it's better than dinosaurs and octopuses."
As Jake went to the changing room to try on the shirt, Raven leaned against a display rack, watching the scene unfold with mild amusement. "You realize he's never going to hear the end of this, right?"
"Totally," Beast Boy said, grinning.
Jake emerged from the changing room wearing the Teen Titans shirt, which fit perfectly. He adjusted the hem and looked up at the team. "How do I look?"
"Like a true Titan," Robin said, giving an approving nod.
Starfire clapped her hands together. "You are most magnificent, Friend Jake! It suits you wonderfully."
"Yeah, yeah," Jake said, rolling his eyes, though he couldn't hide the slight blush on his cheeks.
Beast Boy leaned over with a teasing grin. "Aw, look at the little guy all grown down."
Jake shoved him lightly. "Don't push it, BB."
With Jake's new clothes secured, the Titans headed back toward the tower. The young hero adjusted his new shirt again, glancing at the Omnitrix on his wrist.
"Guess I'll have to figure out how to fix this soon," Jake said, looking up at Robin.
"We'll get it sorted," Robin assured him. "In the meantime, you're still a Titan, no matter what size you are."
"Yeah, and now you're officially repping the merch!" Cyborg added with a laugh.
As the team walked into the sunset, their camaraderie unshaken, Jake couldn't help but smile. Even if he was stuck as a ten-year-old for now, he knew he was in good hands with his team.
Back at the Titans Tower, the atmosphere was a mix of casual and focused. Beast Boy was sprawled out on the couch, a controller in one hand as he mashed buttons furiously, his eyes glued to the screen. On his lap rested a comic book he occasionally flipped through during loading screens.
"Ha! Take that!" Beast Boy exclaimed as his in-game character pulled off a finishing move.
Nearby, Robin sat at the central computer, meticulously analyzing data from The Eternal Compass, his brow furrowed in concentration. He muttered to himself as he worked, clearly frustrated.
"How can something that looks like a toy have such advanced technology? This thing is beyond anything I've seen," Robin said, rubbing his temples.
"Relax, man," Beast Boy called out without looking up. "You'll figure it out. You always do."
Robin shot him a glare. "Not helpful, BB."
In another corner of the room, Cyborg was at his workstation, tools in hand, helping Jake examine the Omnitrix. Jake sat cross-legged on the table, fidgeting slightly as Cyborg poked and prodded the alien device.
"Hold still, little man," Cyborg said with a chuckle, using a scanner to analyze the Omnitrix's inner workings.
Jake sighed. "I'm trying, but it's hard when this thing keeps locking me out of half its functions. I mean, I've only got 24 aliens now, and it's like it doesn't even recognize me."
"Probably because it's synced to your older bio-data," Cyborg replied, tapping at a holographic screen. "When that compass zapped you back to ten, it messed with the connection. I might be able to reset the calibration, but I can't make any promises."
Jake looked at the Omnitrix on his wrist, his expression a mix of frustration and hope. "Thanks, Cy. I just... I want to feel like myself again, you know?"
Cyborg gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "We'll get there, kid. This thing's way too cool to stay broken for long."
Meanwhile, Raven floated into the room, her book in hand, and took a seat on the armrest of the couch. She glanced at Beast Boy's gaming screen. "Still playing that?"
"Yep," Beast Boy said, grinning. "And still winning!"
Raven smirked. "That's debatable."
Robin let out a sigh, leaning back in his chair. "I think I've hit a wall. Without more data on how the compass works, I can't figure out a way to reverse its effects."
"Then maybe it's time for a break," Starfire said as she entered the room, carrying a tray of snacks. She placed it on the coffee table and gave Robin a hopeful smile. "You have been working very hard. Perhaps you should relax with us."
Robin hesitated but finally nodded. "Maybe you're right. A fresh perspective might help."
As everyone settled into a more relaxed rhythm, Jake looked around at his teammates. Despite everything, he felt a warmth in the camaraderie around him. Even as a ten-year-old, he was still a part of the Titans—and that made all the difference.
Later that night, the Titans Tower was quiet, the city skyline glowing softly in the distance. In his room, Jake tossed and turned in his bed, frustration etched across his young face. The oversized blanket was tangled around him, and his mind refused to settle.
"This is so annoying," Jake muttered, sitting up with a huff. "How do ten-year-olds deal with all this energy?"
He slid off the bed and started pacing the room, his small feet padding lightly against the floor. The glow of the Omnitrix on his wrist cast faint green light across the walls.
"I can't believe this," he grumbled, rubbing his eyes. "One minute, I'm helping fight supervillains, and the next... I can't even sit still long enough to sleep."
Feeling restless, Jake wandered over to his desk, where a few scattered items lay: a picture of him with the Titans, a half-finished comic book, and a stress ball Cyborg had given him earlier. He picked up the ball and began squeezing it, though it did little to calm his nerves.
A light knock at his door startled him. "Hey, kid, you still awake?" came Beast Boy's voice.
Jake sighed. "Yeah, come in."
The door slid open, and Beast Boy stepped inside, holding a mug of warm milk. "Figured you might need this. Heard you pacing around from the hall."
Jake gave a small smile and took the mug. "Thanks, BB."
Beast Boy plopped down on the edge of the bed, watching as Jake took a sip. "So... what's up? Can't sleep?"
Jake nodded. "Yeah. It's weird. I feel like... I don't know, my body's all jumpy, and my head's full of stuff I can't stop thinking about."
Beast Boy grinned knowingly. "Ah, yeah. Classic ten-year-old energy. Trust me, dude, been there, done that."
Jake raised an eyebrow. "You? Hyper as a kid? Can't imagine it."
Beast Boy chuckled. "Oh, I was the worst. My parents practically tied me to my bed some nights. But hey, it's not all bad. You get to have fun, be goofy, and nobody really judges you for it. Perks of being young."
Jake frowned, looking at the glowing Omnitrix. "Yeah, but I'm not supposed to be ten. I miss being my normal self. I feel... I don't know, out of place."
Beast Boy leaned back on his hands. "I get that, man. But you gotta roll with it for now. Maybe try to enjoy the little stuff. You've got all of us here to help you figure it out, and we're not going anywhere."
Jake managed a small smile. "Thanks, BB. That helps... a little."
Beast Boy stood and ruffled Jake's hair playfully. "Anytime, bro. Now, try to get some sleep, okay? Big day tomorrow. You never know when some villain's gonna try to pull something dumb again."
Jake laughed softly. "Yeah, okay. Night, BB."
"Night, kid," Beast Boy said as he left the room, the door sliding shut behind him.
Jake climbed back into bed, the mug of warm milk helping to settle him. As he stared at the ceiling, he let out a deep breath. "Okay," he whispered to himself. "One day at a time. I can handle this."
Eventually, his eyes grew heavy, and he drifted off, the glow of the Omnitrix softly illuminating the room.
The next day, the Titans decided to spend some time at the park, hoping the fresh air would lift Jake's spirits. The others were scattered around, enjoying themselves—Beast Boy and Cyborg were playing catch, Starfire was admiring the flowers, Robin was keeping an eye on everyone, and Raven was reading under a shady tree.
Jake, however, sat on a bench, his hands in his lap and his feet swinging slightly above the ground. He stared at the other kids running around, laughing and playing. A part of him wanted to join, but he felt out of place, his thoughts weighed down by his predicament.
As he sat there, a young boy, about Jake's apparent age, walked over. The boy had messy brown hair and wore a brightly colored superhero t-shirt, complete with a cape.
"Hey!" the boy said cheerfully. "Why're you just sitting here? Don't you wanna play?"
Jake glanced up, startled. "Oh, uh... I'm good. Thanks."
The boy tilted his head, clearly unconvinced. "You sure? You look bored. My name's Eli. What's yours?"
Jake hesitated for a moment before responding. "Uh, Jake."
Eli grinned. "Cool name! So, Jake, what do you like to do? Tag? Soccer? Oh! Do you like superheroes? I've got a whole collection of action figures at home!"
Jake couldn't help but smile faintly at Eli's enthusiasm. "Yeah, superheroes are pretty cool."
Eli's eyes lit up. "Awesome! Who's your favorite?"
Jake rubbed the back of his neck, trying not to laugh at the irony. "Uh... I guess I'd say the Teen Titans."
Eli gasped. "No way! Mine too! I wanna be like Robin when I grow up. He's so cool and brave. Hey, do you think we could play Teen Titans? I could be Robin, and you could be, uh... Beast Boy!"
Jake blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. Before he could respond, Eli grabbed his hand and started pulling him toward a group of kids.
"Come on! It'll be fun!"
The other kids noticed them and immediately began assigning roles. Jake was too stunned to protest but found himself slowly smiling as the kids started playing. For a brief moment, he forgot about the Omnitrix, the Eternal Compass, and all the complications of his situation.
From a distance, the Titans watched the scene unfold.
"Look at that," Beast Boy said, nudging Cyborg. "Our little guy's making friends."
"Yeah," Cyborg agreed with a grin. "It's good to see him acting his age for once."
Robin crossed his arms but smiled slightly. "He needs this. A bit of normalcy will do him good."
"Indeed," Starfire chimed in, her voice warm. "It fills my heart with joy to see Jake engaging with the Earth children."
Raven glanced up from her book, her tone neutral but tinged with approval. "It's about time he let himself relax."
As the Titans watched, Jake started to loosen up, laughing and running around with the other kids. For the first time since the transformation, he felt a sense of belonging—even if just for a moment.
As Jake laughed and ran with the other kids, a loud crash shook the park, sending birds scattering into the sky. A massive, segmented, insect-like robot slammed into the middle of the park, its metallic limbs digging into the ground. Its glowing core pulsated menacingly, emitting a low, droning hum.
The robot's head swiveled, its crimson eyes scanning the area. The smaller robotic units that composed its body buzzed like a swarm, detaching and reattaching as they moved, forming new configurations. The park descended into chaos as parents grabbed their children and fled, leaving the playground eerily empty.
Jake froze mid-step, his heart racing. The robot's gaze locked onto him, its movements deliberate as it began to approach.
"What's it looking for?" Beast Boy asked, already transforming into a cheetah and rushing forward.
Robin's expression turned grim. "The Omnitrix," he muttered.
Jake looked down at the device on his wrist, glowing faintly. "You've got to be kidding me," he whispered.
The robot lunged, one of its limbs striking the ground near Jake. He jumped back, narrowly avoiding the impact.
"Jake, get out of here!" Robin shouted, sprinting toward the scene.
"No way! This thing wants me—I can help!" Jake yelled back, activating the Omnitrix.
The dial popped up, spinning through silhouettes as Jake quickly selected one. "It's hero time!" he shouted, slamming down on the device. In a flash of green light, Jake transformed.
His body elongated, shifting onto all fours as orange, spine-covered skin replaced his human features. His face flattened, losing eyes, ears, and a nose, leaving only sharp, defined teeth that jutted out from his pronounced bottom jaw.
Spines sprouted across his body, twitching as if they were alive, sensing the environment around him. The Omnitrix symbol embedded itself on his left shoulder, glowing faintly against the rough, tactile texture of his skin.
Jake let out a guttural growl, his voice replaced by primal, animalistic sounds. The transformation completed, leaving him as Wildmutt.
"Whoa," Beast Boy remarked, skidding to a halt. "That's... intense. You good, dude?"
Wildmutt growled in response, sniffing the air with the gill-like nostrils on the sides of his neck. He crouched low, his spines bristling as he locked onto the faint mechanical scent of the robot.
"Guess that's a yes," Robin said, gripping his staff. "All right, Wildmutt—track it and let's take this thing down!"
Wildmutt leaped forward, his movements apelike but ferociously agile, charging toward the massive insectoid robot. As he closed the distance, his claws dug into the ground, and he unleashed a snarl that echoed across the park, signaling the start of the battle.
Wildmutt barreled toward the robot, dodging a massive metal limb as it slammed into the ground, leaving a deep crater. He leaped onto one of the segmented limbs, digging his claws in as the robot screeched and swung its limb wildly, trying to shake him off.
"Hold on, Jake!" Robin shouted, vaulting over debris and throwing a barrage of birdarangs. The explosives struck one of the robot's joints, causing sparks to fly as the limb faltered.
Beast Boy, in the form of a gorilla, charged from the opposite side. "Time for some monkey business!" he yelled, grabbing a chunk of the robot's leg and pulling with all his might.
The robot retaliated, splitting into smaller drone-like units. They swarmed the Titans, buzzing and zipping through the air.
"Looks like we're dealing with a hive mind!" Cyborg said, activating his sonic cannon and blasting several drones into scrap metal. "You want a fight? Bring it!"
Raven floated above the chaos, her hands glowing with dark energy. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" she chanted, creating a protective barrier around a group of fleeing civilians. "Can you all focus for five seconds without cracking jokes?"
"Where's the fun in that?" Beast Boy quipped, now in falcon form, dodging drones as they fired lasers at him.
Wildmutt, meanwhile, was weaving through the smaller drones, his spines twitching as he sensed their movements. He lunged at one of the larger pieces of the robot, ripping out a crucial wire with his teeth. Sparks erupted as the drone crashed to the ground.
"Nice work, Jake!" Robin shouted, sliding under a swinging drone and using his staff to trip it up.
Starfire unleashed a flurry of starbolts, her eyes glowing fiercely. "You will not harm my friends!" she declared, blasting a path through the swarm and flying to cover Wildmutt.
"Guys, it's reforming!" Cyborg called out as the drones began to merge back into the larger robot.
"Seriously? That's cheating!" Beast Boy said, now a rhino, ramming into the reassembling mass and scattering pieces again.
Wildmutt snarled, his spines standing on end as he smelled the core unit glowing brighter. He growled and motioned toward the others with his head.
"Jake's onto something," Robin said. "The core! That's the weak spot!"
Cyborg nodded, aiming his cannon. "You got it!" He fired, but the robot blocked the shot with a newly formed shield of drones.
Wildmutt roared, leaping onto the shield and tearing through it. Starfire and Raven followed up, blasting the remaining drones away with their powers.
As Wildmutt reached the core, he clamped his jaws around it, the glowing sphere sparking and pulsing. The robot thrashed, trying to dislodge him, but Wildmutt held firm.
"Finish it, Jake!" Robin yelled.
Wildmutt growled, his spines bristling as he wrenched the core free and tossed it into the air. Cyborg fired a precision shot, obliterating it in a massive explosion of light and metal shards.
The remaining drones fell lifeless to the ground.
The Titans regrouped, panting and covered in dust. Wildmutt shifted back into Jake, who wobbled slightly before grinning.
"Well," Jake said, brushing off his shirt, "that wasn't so hard."
"Not hard?!" Beast Boy exclaimed, throwing an arm around Jake. "Dude, you just wrestled a robot and won! You're officially cooler than Robin now."
Robin raised an eyebrow. "I'm standing right here, you know."
"Can we please agree to avoid parks for a while?" Raven deadpanned, brushing a stray piece of rubble off her cloak.
Starfire clapped her hands excitedly. "This calls for a celebratory feast of mustard and sardines!"
Jake blinked. "Uh… I'm good, thanks."
Cyborg laughed, slinging an arm over Jake's shoulder. "Come on, little man, let's get you some real food."
As the group walked off, Beast Boy whispered to Jake, "But seriously, mustard and sardines? You should try it once. It's… an experience."
"Yeah, I'll pass," Jake said, laughing.
Later that night at Titans Tower, Jake stood in his room, staring at the set of pajamas the Titans had picked out for him. They were bright green and black, with a big, cartoonish "T" on the front. He held them up, sighing.
"Really, guys?" he muttered under his breath. "As if the shirt during the day wasn't enough…"
Still, he couldn't help but smile. He slipped into the pajamas and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked… well, like a ten-year-old. A ten-year-old hero with an Omnitrix strapped to his wrist, but a ten-year-old nonetheless.
As he climbed into bed, he shuffled awkwardly under the covers. It had been a long day—fighting robots, saving the park, and, somehow, adjusting to his new (old?) body.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Jake called softly.
Robin stepped inside, his usual stern expression replaced with a softer look. "Hey. Just wanted to check on you before lights out."
Jake sat up, hugging his knees. "I'm fine, I guess. Just… weird being this age again, you know? Like, my body's all… jumpy."
Robin chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "I can imagine. You handled yourself pretty well today, though. That was some impressive teamwork out there."
Jake grinned, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thanks, but… it's hard not feeling like I'm back to square one. I'm supposed to be older, stronger. Not this little kid who can barely reach the top shelf."
Robin walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. "Jake, you're still you. Age doesn't change that. Whether you're ten, twenty, or a hundred, the same heart, the same hero, is inside you. You proved that today."
Jake hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, I guess. It's just… gonna take time to adjust."
"You don't have to do it alone," Robin said, standing. "We've got your back. Always."
As Robin left, Jake settled back into bed, feeling a little more at ease.
A few minutes later, there was another knock. This time, it was Beast Boy. He peeked in with a mischievous grin.
"Yo, Jake," he whispered. "You awake?"
"Yeah," Jake replied cautiously. "What's up?"
Beast Boy held up a plate. "Midnight snack raid. Cyborg made nachos. You in?"
Jake's stomach growled audibly, and he laughed. "Okay, yeah. I'm in."
Beast Boy beamed. "That's my boy!"
The two snuck out of Jake's room and tiptoed toward the kitchen, dodging Raven's looming presence in the hallway.
"Shh," Beast Boy whispered as they rounded a corner. "She's like a ninja at night."
"Pretty sure she heard that," Jake whispered back, trying not to laugh.
By the time they made it to the kitchen, the plate of nachos was almost glowing with cheesy goodness.
"You earned it, kid," Beast Boy said, sliding the plate toward Jake.
"Thanks, BB," Jake said, digging in.
As they ate, Jake realized something: being ten again might not be so bad after all—not with friends like these to make it fun.