You're shocked, I know, but I don't really own Teen Titans. This fic would be an actual episode if I did. Enjoy.
Parked on the side of the highway leading to downtown Jump City, the exhausted Traffic Cops slept away the late-night speedtrap shift in their patrol car. The thin midnight traffic breezed lightly by, the simple presence of a Police Cruiser incentive enough to obey the speed limit- even on the nearly deserted road.
But the night's calm was flushed away by the rush of static from the Police Radio, abruptly rousing the bleary-eyed traffic cops.
"Attention all units, we have a robbery in progress off of Garret and Route 47. Suspect is fleeing the scene by motorcycle and is moving down the I-47 overpass towards Jump City. Be advised: suspect is to be considered extremely hostile; Repeat: suspect is fleeing by motor-"
The officers jumped in their seats when a sleek black motorcycle crashed through the concrete guardrails of the winding overpass just ahead, freefalling as chunks of rock scattered in the air. There was a noise like extremely heavy hail as the debris dented the cruiser, and then the car's roof crumpled when the fugitive cycle used the conveniently-parked police car to lighten its fall before bounding off and resuming its ride down the highway to downtown Jump City.
Their car wrecked, the otherwise unharmed officers could only sit in shocked silence.
"Report Updated: suspect has moved off the I-47 and is now headed East on Route 35…"
Chuckling to himself beneath his mask, X sped through Jump City, taking deliberate, pre-planned turns down alleys and more commonly deserted roads to evade any lingering police pursuit. His plunder- a humble, shoebox-sized black case- was secured in a harness of leather straps that held the box near his hip like a sidebag; leaving his hands free to navigate his motorcycle. Making another right into a wide alley, X rode on like a black blur, the thief confident his way was finally clear. The job had been almost laughably easy, performed flawlessly and without a hitch-
X's tires squealed piercingly as the bike's brakes locked, fishtailing the motorcycle with a reluctant stop that threw up refuse newspaper and other such garbage.
Now this is more like it, he thought gleefully.
Robin blocked the opposing mouth of the alleyway, mounted on his blazing red R-Cycle as its engine purred like an idling tiger.
"X", Robin regarded coolly.
"Hey, what's up Big Red?" X greeted jovially. "Nice night isn't it?"
The Boy Wonder ignored him, cocking his helmeted head to X's black case. "What have you gone and stolen this time?"
"Aw, come on, you know I can't just ruin the surprise like that," the skull-faced thief chided, lightly tapping the satchel at his side. "You're gonna hafta read the Police Report like everyone else." Looking around expectantly, he added: "By the way, where's the rest of you Saturday Morning Cartoon reject Titans?"
Glaring at his rival contemptuously, Robin's green-gloved hand pointed accusingly. "They aren't here, and they don't need to be. This is just between you and me X. I'm taking you down myself!"
The boy-hero's determined declaration only earned a mocking laugh and sardonic shuddering from his opponent. "Ooooh…that gave me chills. I can tell you're dead serious now. If you had said that when we first danced, I would've surrendered outright and given up my life of crime…"
"I'm warning you, X!" Robin warned sharply. "This is your last chance to surrender peacefully."
Another mocking chuckle. "Peacefully? You've got weird ideas of fun, kid. This night started out as such a bore, why would I wanna spoil it when it just started getting good?"
"Have it your way," relented Robin, slapping his helmet's visor shut. He could almost imagine a wolfish smile on X's skull mask.
"Let's play."
The black cycle's tires spinning wildly, X rounded around and drove back down the way he had come, Robin's R-Cycle immediately behind. The motorcycle engines roared loudly as they turned out of the alley onto a main road; surprised motorists blared their horns as the teen riders cut dangerously in front of their cars.
The game quickly became more of a test of skill than an actually pursuit, the caped boy in black and the other in red weaving in and out of every lane-even into oncoming traffic. The bikes squeezed dangerously between cars, the city and its buildings one solid, blurred wall in a canyon; cars nothing more than inert obstacles compared to speeds they rode. Robin half-expected one (or both) of them to be killed instantly over such a reckless chase, but fortune stayed with them.
This time, at least.
X eventually braked to trim his speed, sharply turning onto a narrower, less congested road. Pressing his advantage, Robin pulled alongside X as his staff telescoped open. Left hand still dedicated to driving, Robin batted at X with blow aimed to clip the shoulder.
The harmonious sing of slender steel rang over the rumbling engines. It even rang through the rushing air that clogged Robin's ears.
The Bo staff had been stopped half-way along its journey, held struggling in his place by a luminous, curved Japanese sword with a pommel of twining black and red patterns.
Robin caught a glimpse of his own reflection in the blade of X's katana. "I don't remember including a sword with the Red-X suit."
"Your toys are for ages eight and up," X replied. "This baby here, she's new. You like her?"
"Yeah," the Titan agreed. The Bo and the blade ground against one another, sparks skidding between them. "It'll look great in the Police Lockup too!"
The two rode on, weapons wielded precariously in one hand as they relentless beat at each other's guard, hoping to disarm the other. It was a dangerous game, constantly shifting attention from the duel to the road, then back to the duel again as a sword or staff grazed by. Fortunately, it was a game where Robin had an extra trick.
Free hand tapping at the R-Cycle's controls, the self-navigation device Cyborg had installed only a few weeks ago claimed the driving responsibilities, leaving Robin with two hands free.
Planting his staff on his bike's nose, Robin pole-vaulted himself toward X, Bo whirling as he came down. For an instant, the Boy Wonder seemed to be suspended in the air, hanging over X as their weapons frantically collided in an endless string of attack and defense. In the end, the force of X's blows pushed Robin back onto his own bike, allowing him a moment's respite to pull further ahead of the pursuing Titan.
Shifting his motorcycle's gears, Red-X one-handedly turned his bike about, bringing him and Robin literally nose-to-nose as the vehicle's engine pulled it blindly along in reverse. "Sorry to end the fun so soon kiddo, but I've got other arrangements to run off to."
He waved goodbye offhandedly with his sword.
And then hit the brakes.
Leaning all his weight forward, the tail of Red-X's motorcycle lifted high into the air as Newton's momentum took over. The entirety of the bike was balanced on its front wheel, the dangling rear wheel swinging clockwise as X tilted to the side. The two's bikes ran parallel with one another, the R-Cycle's speed already carrying its rider past X's almost inert black motorcycle.
But not before X made one last, low chop with his katana.
Before Robin had even reacted to X's insane feat, the sword had already cleanly sliced the R-Cycle's front wheel.
"Later, kid."
The R-Cycle crashing face first into the pavement, Robin was thrown careening from his bike, saving himself by firing his grappling hook onto a nearby streetlight to lighten his fall as he rolled painfully onto the road.
Bringing himself to his feet, Robin wrenched off his helmet and looked frantically around the street. Save the annoyed honks of passing cars, the road was silent.
X had vanished.
"Dammit!"
Driving casually up the dock, X parked his motorcycle and killed the engine. Checking to ensure his 'package' survived the journey, the thief used his foot to flip out the bike-stand before dismounting. His new sword was secured in a sheath that ran diagonally under his cape, running down his right shoulder to the left hip- pommel low and hidden for quick and easy drawing.
The warehouses that coasted the pier were deserted at such a late hour; X freely striding towards a dark, unmarked depot nearby to where he had parked. The heavy door was unlocked, he let himself in.
X's skilled footsteps made a hushed, almost indiscernible sound in the cavernous room. The white skull mask hung isolated in the air like a ghostly face; the rest of his black suit blended indiscriminately with the deep darkness.
"Yo! anyone here?"
A large spotlight beamed down onto him, answering his question. His night-eyes ruined, the darkness scraping the fringes of the light seemed to deepen. X felt exposed, reaching instinctively for his katana's handle.
"You're late," a voice from the darkness hissed.
X visibly relaxed, his hand lifting slowly away from his sword. "Sorry, ran into a little traffic on my way here."
"I trust no one managed to follow you here?" the voice asked.
X snorted, insulted.
"Forget I asked," it relented civilly. "Do you have it?"
"Wouldn't be here if I didn't."
"Show me," it commanded.
Calmly unbuckling the straps of his harness, X held the case out to present it; sliding the case across the floor to the barest reaches of the spotlight.
A heavy, armored boot stamped out from the darkness, trapping the black box beneath it. The owner, while hidden in the shadows, gave a powerful, imposing presence. "So…," the stranger asked inquisitively. "How did it handle?"
The katana sang its gentle song as X slowly unsheathed her, cutting the air as he made a few practice cuts. "Shames silk into sandpaper, my man. I can hear the air hurrying to get out of the way when the blade moves."
"Well then, do we have a deal?"
"We sure as hell do," X replied.
"Splendid." The man shifted in the shadows, armored gloves reaching down and picking the little box from under his boot. Slade's dark eye appraised box thoughtfully, the rusty red half of his mask glimmering dully as he stepped into the light. "Excellent work, Red-X. Our transaction is completed. You are free to go."
The thief cocked his head curiously. "You aren't gonna open the case and see if it's the real deal."
"You proved your honor when you brought what I requested after I gave you the sword," Slade said evenly. "And, if it turns out you betrayed me anyway, you would be better off using that nice new blade on yourself before I caught you."
X could scarcely hide his shudder. The promise of violent torture had rolled too calmly off Slade's tongue for comfort. "Then, I guess I've got nothin' to worry about." Cape fluttering behind him, he turned to leave, offering a considerate salute as he departed. "See ya around, Cyclops."
Bringing his gaze back to the unassuming black box, Slade chuckled lightly to himself. "For your sake, my boy, I'd pray that we don't."
This fanfiction was born when a Teen Titans fangirl evilsangel issued a challenge for anyone willing to write a kickass Raven/Slade story. If the next few chapters turn out to be a success, I will continue the plot as planned. To my Evil Little Angel, this is dedicated for you. Reviews are greatly appreciated!
Until next time,
-ShinobiCyrus