When the Robin's away…

Tally ho readers! I managed to squeeze this in. May be a while for the next update though! I'll try to keep in touch!

Happy Writings!

Short Introduction:

This follows the events after 'The Joker' by Shekron Kaizar. The Titan Tower was destroyed by a sneak attack by Jinx, Gizmo and Mammoth on Valentines day. This resulted in the Titans moving to Mad Mod's old mansion in the city as the repairs went on, as well as to try and boost confidence in the house's potential buyers. The Joker, arch nemesis of Batman, turned up and made utter chaos on the city, killing hundreds, but with the arrival of the Batman himself, he was defeated. The last battle resulted in Starfire breaking both her legs by the mad fiend. The Tower is still being rebuilt and what damages the Joker had done to the mansion were fixed…

…

"Friend Robin I cannot believe you are going so soon after our last adventure!" says Starfire, half angry, yet pleading. She follows him out in her wheelchair. "You need a long calming rest, not adrenaline pumping and dangerous labours of toil!"

"I'm really sorry Star!" says Robin, trying not to upset her too much. He really wanted to stay to help her in her condition, but he knew where he was really needed. He packs his stuff in the Batmobile. "But Batman really needs help in Gotham, and I'm the only one who can really work with him as an effective team. I won't be long. I'll be back in two weeks!"

"BUT THAT IS SO LONG!" cries out Starfire, suddenly grabbing his arm. Robin blushes as Batman smiles. The wheelchair is pulled along by Robin like a little wagon as he tries to get out of the grip; round and round in circles on the pavement and between a lamp post and post-box, trying to separate the bond.

"If you really want to stay…" says the Dark knight, eyeing them amused.

"I'm going Batman." says Robin, struggling out of her vice grip. He turns to her. "It's going to be fine! I've dealt with these guys before! I'll keep in touch every day!" he reassures. Starfire sobs.

"Man! I wish we could all go!" says Cyborg, looking over the batmobile in awe. "I bet this baby runs like a breeze!"

"Just make sure the city is safe Cyborg." says Robin, getting into the car. "I'm leaving you in charge okay Cy?"

"Was there any doubt?" says Beastboy sulking a bit.

"I'm just glad you're not in charge!" remarks Raven. Beastboy sticks out his tongue.

"Leave it to me Rob!" says Cyborg saluting.

"The place got fixed well ahead of schedule," says Robin. The mansion was indeed back to its original splendid form. The Titan Tower was still being constructed again as Fixit accidentally shot the construction site with weapons he was adjusting. "But I don't want total pandemonium after one hour!" says Robin with a glare.

"Who do you think I am?"

Robin looks doubtful, if not worried. The batmobile engines roar out their ion energy.

"And make sure Starfire doesn't get into any trouble!" shouts Robin as the car zooms off into the distance. The beginning of a very tiresome adventure…

As the vehicle disappears from sight, there is a mixed reaction…

…

"Boo-ya! Boo-ha! Bwahaha!" shouts Cyborg ecstatically. "Who's in charge?" he dances.

"You're in charge!" dances Beastboy.

"What's my name?"

"Viiictor Stooone!"

"WHO'S IN CHARGE?"

"CYYYYYBOOOORRRG!" and they do a jumping high-five.

"BOOHOOHOOYAH!" yells Cyborg and bounds in to make some giant waffles. Beastboy jumps to the T.V. and gets on the phone for some vegetarian pizza.

"That was disturbing!" mumbles Raven, rolling her eyes.

Starfire is bawling out tears by the bucket-load. "WHY DID HE HAVE TO GO AWAAAAY? Why? WHHHYYY?"

"I think I'll be staying in my room for two weeks…" says Raven, stepping away from the gushing tears. She floats into the house.

In the batmobile, Robin relaxes a bit as he feels a little comforted that his friends are responsible enough and smart enough to avoid trouble while he was away. Things would be alright. He needn't worry a bit…

…

One hour later there is total pandemonium…

…

Starfire is drowning her sorrows in litres of mustard. Beastboy lies down sick in the stomach in front of the TV, with what pizza remaining is being hungrily devoured by the pet worm Silkie. Cyborg is busy carrying leaky engine parts down to the garage, adding to the cluster of mustard bottles, pizza boxes and other debris all over the floor.

"I should have guessed…" says Raven, looking at the mess in some weird horror. For some strange reason, the table collapses. Silkie had chewed on a leg that had a pizza on it. "Don't you think we should clean up a bit?" she says as Cyborg munches on some waffles, dropping crumbs everywhere.

"Two weeks Rae!" says Cyborg with his mouth full. "To weeks of total calm and relaxed laziness. No training, no bossy… um, boss or any bad-guys to lock away! We have plenty of time to cover up! No sweat…!"

"NOOOOO!" cries out Starfire and Cyborg gets startled and starts choking on his waffle. Beastboy doesn't sound so good either. "WE HAVE NOW BEEN DEPLETED OF… OF… MUSTARD!" and she pelts out tears.

"Well, I wonder who's responsible for that?" says Raven sarcastically. She gives a great thump to the choking Cyborg's back and the piece of waffle flies from his mouth. Silkie catches it in a leap and swallows.

"Eew!" remarks Cyborg and Raven.

"E…Eew… oh no…" says Beastboy weakly. It is followed by regurgitating sounds that are not so nice to describe…

Cyborg looks at him palely, "Maybe we should start cleaning just a little…" he agrees, watching the convulsion. "Man that's not nice!" and he walks to find a mop.

Starfire pathetically begins inhaling from the mustard bottles. Raven pulls them away quickly with her mind. The desperate Tamarian just cries some more and rolls her chair to the fridge. Raven stops her from eating everything in the house.

"You really have to calm down Starfire." she says, upset by her friend's behaviour. "Try to get your mind off Robin for a while…"

"Robin?" says Starfire with tears. "I… I was only thinking of the… the mustard…" and her eyes well up and she begins to tremble. "I MISS HIM SOOO MUUUCH!" and she cries on Raven's arm.

"Is she talking about Robin or the mustard?" says Cyborg with a mop and bucket.

Raven gives him an angry glare and pats Starfire on the back nervously. He has been gone for about an hour and five minutes…

…

"Are we there yet?"

"Do you want to walk the rest of the way?" replies the Batman. Robin sulks in his chair.

A quick stop at a gas station and they were on the long highway to Gotham. Back home… Home, it was weird thinking about it for Robin. He had been gone for such a long time, that home was now really starting to feel like being with the Titans, rather than the luxury estate at Wayne manor. Maybe he should have stayed a bit, just until Starfire was back on her feet. Nah! She would be fine. He watched as a large bug hit the windshield.

"Do you want t know what we're in for?" asks the Batman, activating his laser windscreen wiper to disintegrate the mess.

"I've heard there is a lot of gang warfare, so I'm guessing a few are already apprehended without our help." says Robin, turning on the computer.

"Correct. Clayface got in a fight with Poison Ivy, leaving Clayface drifting to the ocean and Ivy in the asylum with a few broken bones. Mad hatter fought Scarecrow, controlling his mind, while at the same time; the Scarecrow scared the hatter witless. They're still recovering under close observation."

"Killer croc is in intensive care, alongside Bane who had also participated with him in a grudge match." says Robin, reading the screen. "Harley Quinn is looking for the Joker in utter most Mongolia, last seen in Scotland. The Ventriloquist caught the chicken pox, the Clock King was late for a robbery and went mad, The Firefly flew into Mr Freeze…"

"And the list goes on…" says Batman pressing another button. "Aside from a few small gangs, these are the only big shots left to handle…"

Robin looks at the screen disappointed. "That's just great…" he sighs.

There is a pause. Batman waits for Robin's comment…

"Are we there yet?"

…

Edward Nigma, The Riddler sits on his chair crossing his right leg over his left, and then his left over his right, then left again, wondering which position is best; pondering what questions to ask. Harvey Dent, otherwise known as Twoface, is getting annoyed on both sides, sitting down a few feet next to him, flipping his trademark coin. His darker mutilated side is half hidden in the shadows. The Catwoman, Selina Kyle yawns, cross legged in her respective seat and starts picking at it with her nails, all of them waiting patiently for their host for today's meeting. A door opens and the short round figure of Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot waddles in with an umbrella under arm, tipping and taking off his top hat to his guests. His monocle and bald head gleamed in the dim lights of the well furnished office.

This was the meeting of the last major villains still at large in Gotham. The location; the Penguin's casino headquarters in the dark depths of the metropolis-tic city, home of over 6 million citizens and many others unregistered, and others preferring not to be seen…

"You're late Penguin!" remarks Twoface; the sound of his coin tinkling in the dark.

"What kept you?" queries the Riddler, twirling his cane.

Catwoman just yawns and scratches the chair.

"Terribly sorry my guests; a most unfortunate accident on the road," says the Penguin in his upper class tone, shuffling onto his seat at the desk. "A simple matter with a certain parking space with some old foggie standing in it, but that's enough of me. How are you all coping with the chaos of today?"

Twoface growls. "Aside from your men trashing and taking over half my operations, I'm quite…" and he flips the coin and looks. "… I'm quite fine actually."

The Riddler twiddles his thumbs. "Bored a bit I think… maybe a bit lonesome without the Batman to question? I don't really know?" He always tried to speak in questions; that was his gimmick. It was also ticking off Twoface who wasn't good with questions, just straight decisions and quick answers.

"A simple problem that may be remedied quite soon." says the Penguin smiling. "How about you dear Selina?"

"Tired from waiting fish breath." she says. The arm of her chair is in tatters. "This had better be good."

"I'm a busy and angry man Penguin, I have a lot of preparations to make before the Bat comes back." buts in Twoface. "If you hadn't had over half the gangs in Gotham, I wouldn't even be here! He could be here any time now. I have to get ready."

"Don't we all?" smiles the Riddler. Twoface gets agitated.

"Listen here Twiddler! Answer in a question again and I'll blow your brains out you green larrikin!" he snarls, tightening his fist.

"Really?"

Twoface draws his pistol. Catwoman raises an eyebrow, the Riddler gets his cane ready and the Penguin tries to restore order.

"Please gentlemen!" says the Penguin, rising from his seat. "This is a time of business! Let us put aside our…"

Twoface flips his coin and points the pistol at the Penguin and fires. Oswald is saved by a quick opening of his bullet-proof umbrella and all six shots are diminished.

"Well, what do you know? It was a shield!" smiles Catwoman. One hand behind her back has a whip ready and clenched.

Twoface grumbles and sits back down in his chair as if the whole incident didn't occur. The Riddler grins and the Penguin peeps cautiously behind his umbrella before he resumes his role as host. He shakes his brolly to shake off the flat lead pieces to the dustbin.

"Now that incident is behind us, let us get on with the meeting." and he puffs himself up like a balloon. "As we all know, our dear nemesis Batman will be arriving shortly after defeating the Joker in Jump city. Therein, I hoped to draw us together in some alliance of a sort to prepare a proper reception for his return."

"You don't think you could take him on by yourself?" observes Catwoman.

"May I ask; have we ever succeeded? Have our solitary works benefited us before? A greater majority of the time; no; which is why I am offering an open hand, with a plan, that may secure our foothold in Gotham and put the Bat out of action for the greater part of this century; relatively speaking; for the rest of our lives."

They all ponder a while.

"Well…?" says Catwoman with her chin on her hand.

"Get on with it!" snarls Twoface, looking at his watches.

"Oh, I can't reveal my plans if I don't know your commitments!" replies the Penguin, shrugging his shoulders.

"The prospects of this deal intrigue me." says the Riddler, twirling his cane. "The queries arising from the question of if I had not done so; far outweigh the small insignificant questions that would arise if I had done so. The answer is simple if not confusing? I wonder what fun we will have?" and he nods his head, the Penguin bows.

"Just a second." says Twoface and he flips his coin. He grimaces. "It looks as though I'm in the club." he says. The Penguin smiles. A fifty-fifty success rate with no haggling.

"Hmmm." ponders Catwoman, but she shakes her head. "No thanks Penguin. I prefer solo work."

"Not up to the challenge eh?" says the Penguin.

"It's not really the work as much as having to work with creeps like you!"

"Don't think that I like it either burglar." says Twoface. "You've aided the Batman enough times to make us question your allegiance."

"Please leave the questions to me won't you?" says the Riddler.

"Oh please!" groans Catwoman stretching. "I only ever help him if there's money involved. That's that. It's just that I've been in the business long enough to know that alliances like this don't often end happily ever after."

"That's all part of the risk." smiles Twoface in an evil smirk. The others shudder a bit.

"Now I'm definitely not in guys!" says Catwoman, getting up. "I think I'll just leave if there is no problem with that?" and she looks at the Penguin with whip ready.

"That is all fine and dandy my dear. You may leave." says the Penguin. "And you may take the chair if you like it so much." he says grimacing at the mangled seat.

"Keep it as a souvenir! Ta-ta boys!" she says and jumps out the open window, disappearing into the night. A lot of astonished voices and car horns are heard below.

"Women!" snorts the Penguin, closing the window swiftly and pulling down the blinds.

"Ah! One of the greatest mysteries in the universe is it not?" smiles the Riddler.

For the sake of the plan Twoface restrains from strangling him.

"It is no matter. Even if she doesn't join us, her activities will still be beneficial to our plan. She just won't get the added backing of our little huddle. Now our triumvirate is settled, let us begin discussion…" says the Penguin putting his hands together. The future looked very promising indeed.

…

Starfire looks at the small garden bed at the back of the mansion, sipping at some soda. Her sixth or seventh can. Raven is looking concerned.

"Don't you think she's taking this a bit far?" she asks Cyborg.

Cyborg is busily playing Race Racers against Beastboy and doesn't notice.

"Did you say something?" says Cyborg to Beastboy. They both swerve to the left.

"Wasn't me!" says Beastboy, and they both swerve right. "I thought it was some annoying bird or dying animal..."

"Good grief!" she moans at the two zombies. Maybe having Robin around wasn't so bad. She floats off to her room. A few seconds later she catches on to Beastboy's slight remark. Beastboy smirks as he can hear her muffled curses through the floorboard. He munches on some more candy popcorn.

…

"How can Robin be so heartless?" sighs Starfire, petting Silkie. "Why did he leave me, abandon me to face this immobility alone? Why do I miss him so much in such a miniscule amount of time? Why did I drink so much of that carbonated water? Why oh why am I talking to Silkie?"

She pulls out her rolling pin and starts to roll it upon the grub. Silkie belches.

"Ha! Belch! That's so funny!" laughs Beastboy from inside the house.

"That's enough candy corn for you!" says Cyborg. "Now pass me those m and m's."

"How can the others be so joyous on such an occasion?" sighs Starfire confused. "These earthlings have such confusing customs. Robin maybe facing perils beyond our deepest nightmares. Horrors past the vortex of the next realm, injuries and scars of great size and depth, agonies and pains far beyond mortal comprehension…"

…

"But I REALLY need to go!" whines Robin.

"You should have gone when we stopped earlier. Just hold on! Only another five minutes." says Batman, trying not to sound a bit worried for his car.

"This is urgent!" says Robin, restlessly in his chair.

"I'm still not going to go past the speed limit. And I'm most certainly not pressing the red button. Just hold in there… we're almost there…"

"You can say that again!"

Batman hurriedly presses the red button and the batmobile zooms across the highway.

…

"… Though I hope he is still thinking of me though; wherever he is…" sighs Starfire. Silkie bounds in the weed mangled garden.

…

Robin looks a bit guilty as Batman confronts the booking officer in front of the rest station…

"Well see it doesn't happen again Mr. Batman" says the officer, handing him a ticket. "But seeing your very good record, I'll let it pass as a warning. Have a good day!"

…

Raven sat contemplating the day's events. From the dreadful singing of Beastboy and the mixture of fusing metal and munching; Cyborg was definitely going to have to learn the hard way that leadership and responsibility came at a price. It was if he hadn't learned since last time he left the Titans to start Titan's East. She would have stepped up to take charge over him, but she had other things on her mind, in particular; Trigon.

When the Joker had her locked up (Chapter 3-4 of 'The Joker') the strength of Trigon had almost very nearly consumed her sanity and soul. If it wasn't for her friend's rescue, she could have well perished away into the shadow; or worse; destroyed the world as a dark demented demon…

She knew that she could not hold off such a powerful and awesome foe forever. Her reliance on her forbidden powers was dragging her under the realm of darkness. The price of such powers was costly; and evil. Only her good side, the side that had thus so far harnessed the immense powers for right had kept her from crumbling down. But as the power got stronger, the influence longer and the temptations of domination higher; the end was soon near. If she was to escape the horrible fate destined for her she had two choices… to die now as a hero before evil takes over, or to abandon her powers forever…

Both choices seemed horrible and difficult for her to accept. Although dying was the most difficult to come to terms with, it was ironically the easier to accomplish. Although losing her powers would end the matter without bloodshed, it was not the fear of reverting into a powerless girl that was difficult, but how to lose her powers? She meditated and thought hard. She would need to find some way out before it was too late. She needed to be resolute, calm, cool and totally at peace…

"OH IM SO LOOOST WITHOUT YOU!" sings out Beastboy aloud with his stereo beside his ear. He had a very bad habit of walking by Raven's door when he does this. She notices, and her eyes flicker in a pale white inferno. Beastboy's voice was not exactly soothing to the ears (or eyes if you see him singing) "HOW AM I GONNA BE STRONG WITHOUT YOU, I NEED YOU BY MY…"

"OOUUTSIDE!" yells Raven opening her door with great force with her mind. Beastboy almost falls over the railing of the first floor.

"Wow! Great voice Rae! Such power!" he says smiling away the fear, pulling the stereo back over the railing. "I can turn it up louder if you want to sing along…" Raven's eyes flicker and split into four glowing slits. Beastboy yelps and drops the radio over the side. A large 'Ka-lunk' and few shouts from Cyborg call back up.

"Sorry about that!" calls Beastboy.

"Just leave me to meditate okay!" says Raven, calming herself down. "I'm really busy!"

Beastboy is too full of energy to take this warning seriously. "Maybe you just need a different song! Something that anyone can join in!" says Beastboy pondering. Before Raven can say something, he starts out… "OH! THIS IS THE SONG THAT DOESN'T EEEND! IT JUST GOES ON AND ON MYY FRIEEND! SOME PEOPLE STAARTED SINGING…!"

…

Outside you could see the form Beastboy getting flung out an open window like a rag doll from the first storey, transforming into a bird and coming back in through the open door.

…

He is a glutton for punishment…

"Maybe that was a little bit too repetitive! Hey; it's almost lunch time, so maybe something to work up an appetite!" he says, undaunted. What he was trying to do was to work out the energy of a good load of sugar he consumed by trying to cheer up the seclusive Raven once again. And once again he was only managing to almost pop one of her blood vessels… "This is a good one! ONTOP OF SPAGHEEEETIIIII, ALL COVERED 'N CHEEEEESE! I LOST MA POOR MEEEAAT 'A BAAAALLL (Yuck) WHEN SOMEBODY…"

…

Outside you could see the form Beastboy getting flung out an open window like a rag doll from the first storey, transforming into a bird and coming back down meets Raven who slams the door in its face. The bird falls flat on the steps.

…

"A shrewd plan my dear Penguin. But is it enough?" says the Riddler at the Penguin's dining lounge. Peacocks roam around the place along with similar adorned waitresses. The Penguin was not like the Riddler, for he was not in the driving purpose of humiliating Batman. He was also unlike Twoface, who was sipping his two favourite wines, a person bent on their insane violence. No. The Penguin was only in it for one thing and one thing only… a rich life; such a life that it would have to be illegal for his tastes. An orgy of all things vile, yet balanced by his class and his own hatred of the Batman. Such was his business.

"It will friend." replies Cobblepot, smoking his long cigarette, his plates licked clean and his napkin spoiled. "As long as we play the cards correctly; we should have Batman out of service before the month is out. I make no rash promises"

"I prefer the good old slaughter myself Penguin, I'm glad I get to do a little in the action." says Twoface with coin glimmering in the light. A few peacocks run away. "But this twist in his fate is a good runner up to shooting him down the old fashioned way."

"Ho-ho!" smiles the Riddler, rubbing his hands together. "A good set of questions of identity and purpose for the goody-two-shoed Man-bat. What fun we shall have?"

"Then it is settled! Our men are ready, and the timetable is full. We begin tomorrow." says the Penguin happily. He waffles off in his squawk like laughter (probably aggravated by the smoke), joined by the giggles and cackles of the Riddler, and the course roaring of Twoface that echoes around the high roofed suite. And in the beams of that roof, sleekly moving back from whence it came; was the Catwoman. She sneaks off undetected, nothing but a little shadow in the night, with much to think about.

…

"Now let's all dig in to the chow!" says Cyborg happily at dinner.

Raven sips her tea and nibbles on a biscuit. Her appetite diminished by her meditation in the shadow realm. Beastboy is still rubbing his sore head as he tries to put some mustard on his vege-burger, but it's all gone. Starfire, in a gloomed state, twiddles the mustard covered spaghetti onto her fork in a few sigh, and takes the whole serving in one mouthful. Cyborg stops eating to observe the shallow depression.

"What's eating you guys?" he says. "I thought you'd be a bit more cheerful since we didn't have to train today? You know Robin can take care of himself! Brighten up a little!"

"Are you not concerned?" says Starfire with full cheeks. "Robin is our friend. He is facing many a peril in Gotham! And he has not yet communicated back to us yet." she says, looking pleadingly at the silent phone.

"I would be a little happier if I didn't have this lump on my head!" mumbles Beastboy, still agitated by the door incident.

Raven just sips at her tea. "If someone was a little less hyper, a little bit smarter and a little less tone-deaf, maybe you would get thrown out the window a bit less often…"

"How was I supposed to know you were going to do that?"

"Don't angry shouts and four demon eyes get through to you?" retorts Raven and she puts her tea down with some gusto. There is a slight tension across the table. And it isn't just Starfire trying to get her mouth-full of spaghetti down.

"Just calm down you two!" says Cyborg with arms outstretched to separate them. "It's the first day for crying out loud! I'm supposed to keep order around here! I'm supposed to make sure everything is OK! I'm in charge now; SO JUST STOP!"

"Like I'd listen to a lazy tin-head like you?" drones Raven, rolling her eyes. "How are we meant to survive around here when you act like a cyber zombie and human dustbin most of the day?"

"Like YOU did any training?" says Beastboy. Silkie sneaks out and takes his vege-burger.

"A LOT more than you did, that's for sure!"

Starfire just swallowed her food with great difficulty. "Friends, I think I shall retire. My digestive system is…"

"YOU TWO JUST EASE OFF!" shouts Cyborg as Raven and Beastboy itch for a fight. "I know I was supposed to have… should have been a little more responsible, but it doesn't give you reason to start acting like baboons!"

"Which is easier for SOME of us!" drones Raven glaring at Beastboy.

"Why don't you just go lock yourself up in your mad house again?" taunts Beastboy.

"Maybe I will!" she says, floating off.

"This anger is very unpleasant…" says Starfire below the increasing voices.

"Just leave her alone BB!" says Cyborg, giving up on the whole thing. "She needs her space!"

"Space? Huh!" snorts Beastboy, rubbing his sore head. "She needs a black hole!"

"I HEARD THAT!" says Raven, glaring from the top of the stairs.

"GOOD IDEA ISN'T IT?" calls Beastboy, trying to find his vege-burger.

"YOU'RE REALLY ASKING FOR IT; DO YOU KNOW THAT? DO YOU GET A FLING FROM GETTING BASHED ALL THE TIME?"

"I BET YOU FEEL REALLY GOOD WHEN YOU HURT PEOPLE!"

"I DO NOT!" and her eyes flare with a small tear, but she makes sure they cannot see it. She covers up with volume and rage. "I THINK IT'S JUST THE REALLY ANNOYING AND STUPID ONES THAT I ENJOY TO WATCH SUFFER!"

"I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO LOCK YOURSELF UP?"

"I AM THANKYOU!"

"NO! THANK-YOOUU!"

Raven slams the door, all the get-lost and warning signs falling to the ground in the impact. Beastboy storms out the door to take himself for a walk. Cyborg holds his head in slight pain. Starfire stares bleakly at the phone in worried fear…

Day one…

…

…

…

Author's note:

I don't know… I'm not sure if this comedy/action will match the Joker, or the unparalleled quality of 'The Lord of Time' chapter. (Which I'm having a REALLY hard time to beat). Please review and tell me if I should continue?

A sneak peak at The Lancer (Story of Robin and Starfire's kid)

Bad guy Profile

Number 6

Name: Fresco Kafka

Alias: The Leech

Series: The Lancer (TBA)

Height: 6"4'

Eyes: dark

Hair: Brown/orange

Strength: Medium

Intelligence: Quality scheming

Data:

Fresco Kafka was an ordinary man of pale skin and tall figure, who was entertained by the brilliance of many criminal minds. To join the fun, he too became a criminal and used all sorts of gimmicks to try and imitate the many villains of the world. Though many of his aliases that he took were interesting (i.e. 'The Hair') they were ultimately failures and low level crimes. His continual stealing of gimmicks quotes and styles had him branded 'The Leech' by other criminals who mocked him in his run of crime flops.

Infuriated, Fresco was pushed to a new level of scheming and planning, surprising his enemies and even himself. He took revenge by using this branded title in his next series of crime; murdering his enemies by poisoning them with a blood draining toxin in their sleep. Placing a large leech upon their necks, he made it seem that they were killed by the blood sucking parasite. To HIS astonishment, the leeches were also effected by the toxin, making them drink MORE blood than usual to add to the gore. The hype that the murders caused was so successful that Fresco stuck with the name to become one of the scariest and notorious villains of Jump City.