32 Productions Presents…

A Teen Titan Fan Fiction The Teen Titans in…

"There's Something about X"

Chapter Four

Chemical Warehouse

Chemistry was not Red X's forte…but he had little choice in the matter. After finding out who was robbing the place he got splashed under, Red X tracked Gremlin down to the asylum. Using the suit's invisibility, he quizzed the demented inventor. Eventually he caved in, confessing the entire plan. He confessed mostly because it had failed miserably. The chemical DID induce love at first…but it was actually supposed to progress into hatred. Gremlin had planned to douse Raven with the chemical. First, Robin would fall in love with the empath…but it would quickly become an unquenchable rage. Robin would murder Raven and, in turn, Shade would murder him. Shade would be arrested for the murder of Robin. The Titans would be finished. And Starfire…poor Starfire…having lost her love, her oldest friend, and….um…whatever Raven was to her, she would be easy pickings. It was sick, twisted…and would probably have actually worked. Three members gone…the Titans would be finished. Everything would have gone like clockwork…except the clumsy fool had dropped the spray. Now it was on him…and that hatred was now directed toward him. Gremlin was an odd sort. Since this wasn't what he had planned, he chose to help Red X. He could have let Robin murder him and get him arrested instead, but he chose to help. Oh well. Something whizzed passed his head. Uh oh. …that was a birdarang. …this could end badly. He turned in time to dodge the metal pole aimed at his head. Robin swung continuously. X wasn't even given the time to ask how he was found. Finally a respite came in a most unexpected fashion. The staff refused to budge anymore. Turning, Robin found that Raven had a hold of it with her powers.

Raven: Robin, listen carefully to me. You're not yourself right now. This hate you're feeling…it's not natural.

Robin: What do you know?!

Robin hurled a birdarang at her. She dodged it, but at the cost of accidentally letting go of the staff. Robin swung the staff at her, trying to knock her out quickly. He was picked up by Cyborg before it could connect.

Cyborg: Listen to her, man! You're not thinking clearly. You could really hurt somebody.

Robin: You're all turning traitor on me? Fine, I'll take you all down too!

Hmm…sounded like X's cue to scram.

Starfire: You are not leaving.

Starfire stood in his way, eyes glowing.

Starfire: If you are defeated before Robin can harm you, maybe his madness shall fade.

Red X: It's not that simple, Babe. I got doused by a chemical that only works on him because of a blood sample. That Gremlin guy made it and now I've got to get the antidote. The crap sunk into my skin so just ditching the costume won't work.

Starfire: Where is this antidote then?

Red X: I was trying to make it myself here, before your wacko boyfriend tried to club my skull in.

The other Titans were trying their hardest to stop Robin from getting to Red X. Biting her lip, Starfire nodded.

Starfire: …then get to work. I shall help keep him away. …but if you turn and flee now, I shall not be so generous the next time we meet.

With a heavy heart, Starfire dashed toward Robin, grabbing his arms.

Starfire: Why will you not trust us on this, Robin?!

Robin: Why are YOU protecting HIM?!

Shade: We TOLD you why! Our job is to take him to jail, but you're trying to kill him!

Red X got busy mixing the chemicals he needed. Finally he had it. Just before he could spray himself, however, Robin got free of his friends and leapt at him. His bo-staff got Red X right on his knee with a loud and disturbing CRACK! It was fairly certain that his kneecap had just cracked down the middle or something. Both the noise and THE MIND NUMBING PAIN were pretty clear indications. That said, he found it very difficult to remain standing. And once Robin wrapped his hands around his throat, it became very difficult to breathe. Thankfully Cyborg managed to get to the chemical mixture and threw it at them, dousing them both in it. Robin let go off Red X and backed away, coughing. The fumes were horrendous. Unable to breathe, Red X grabbed his mask and ripped it off, taking in the fresh air.

Terra: Holy crap!

Shade: No way! Why didn't I notice that?!

Raven: Unbelievable…

Cyborg: …eh, I kinda saw it coming.

Red X was a girl. Hispanic, with short hair which was matted to her skull with sweat. She smirked at Robin as he reeled over what he had intended to do.

Red X: What's the matter, kid? Upset that you got your ass handed to you more then once by a girl? Nngh…

Her voice had a very slight accent, barely noticeable, which was why it didn't show up in the voice changer. Laying down, she gingerly touched her knee. Yep…she was going nowhere. With a shrug, she put her arms behind her head and stared at the ceiling.

Red X: Looks like I'm done.

Cyborg: Kind of laid back for someone who could be sentence to attempted murder.

Laughing, Red X shook her head.

Red X: Do that and I'll press the same charge against Robin. Your little "agreement" with the city only covers civil suits and minor offenses. Given that the cameras all saw you trying to stop your crazed leader, I'd say it's twice as likely that he'll be convicted then I will. So stick to the B&E and robbery if you want a decent case. Hell, I'll plead guilty to that. …hey, Legs, I don't suppose you'd heal my knee, would you?

Raven snorted and covered herself with her cloak again.

Raven: Live with the cast. I'm not chancing you running off when I'm done.

Red X: Fine, fine.

Hospital

Raven grumbled. The perfect end to a perfect day. …sarcasm.

Raven: I'll pay you when you get home.

Beast Boy: I told you she was a girl. It totally just came to me one day.

Why oh why did she bet Beast Boy two hundred dollars that Red X was a male? Why? She was going to buy books with that…and more candles. She NEEDED more candles. …well, okay she didn't NEED more candles…she wanted more.

Beast Boy: So…was she hot?

Terra: No, she was an ugly, hideous cow, not at all worth your time.

…well, she did have slight case of acne, but that was about it.

Shade: …I just don't understand. How could she have hid it from me? My nose detects everything!

Beast Boy: You even know when the girls are going on the rag!

Shade: Exactly!

BONK.

Shade: …please tell me you didn't hit me with a bed pan.

Raven: I would, but my mother told me never to lie.

Shade: …I feel soiled…

This seemed like the typical happy ending…until Cyborg noticed Starfire in the corner. He got closer.

Cyborg: You okay, Star? Where's Robin?

Starfire: …I do not know. Perhaps he has returned home. He is rather ashamed of himself at the moment.

…okay…that made sense…but one thing was out of place.

Cyborg: …so why aren't you with him? Usually you're the first to comfort him.

Starfire's eyes watered and her fists balled up.

Starfire: Because I am sick of it. Surely you noticed. How very little the chemically induced enraged Robin differs so little from the norm? I want to forgive him…I truly do, but…it does not stop. …look at Shade and Raven. Though they quarrel constantly, their relationship never seems to suffer…rather it becomes stronger with each adversity they encounter.

The alien went silent for a moment before shaking her head, forcing a smile.

Starfire: But listen to me. I am talking sadness in a time of joy. We have captured the Red X, the injured are on their way to recovery…all is well.

Cyborg: Starfire, if you feel like this, you need to talk to him about it.

Starfire: …I cannot. He has had enough on his mind of late. I do love him, Cyborg...and yet, though I loathe to do so, I cannot help but wonder if he returns these affections.

Beast Boy: Dude! What are you guys whispering about over there? Are you talking about me?

Cyborg: Yep. Some of the most embarrassing stuff we can think of.

Beast Boy: Aw! Don't pick on the infirmed, Cy!

Raven cleared her throat.

Raven: Beast Boy…if we can discuss this prank of yours…

Beast Boy: Hmm…? What prank, Raven? Whatever are you talking about?

That's it. Raven had enough.

Raven: Where is it? Is it in my room? Did you go in my room? I'll KILL you if you…

Beast Boy started laughing.

Beast Boy: I totally pranked you already, Raven!

Raven: …you what?

She studied herself. Nothing on her…

Raven: What, is there something on my face? A sign on my back? What is it?

Beast Boy: Did you really think I could empty one of Robin's pellets and put detergent in it? I totally made that up, just so you'd freak out about it and try to figure out where I put it.

Terra burst out laughing. That was genius! Raven had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker! The others couldn't help but join in. Raven clenched her fists a moment before sighing. She chuckled faintly.

Raven: …alright, you got me. I'll admit to that. Good job, Beast Boy.

Beast Boy: …wow, thanks, Rae. Didn't think you'd be able to take a joke so well.

Raven: In fact, Beast Boy, you did so well with this prank, you've inspired me to try a prank of my own.

Beast Boy paled. Not again…last time it was that goo monster…

Beast Boy: Er…um…remember, Raven, mine was completely harmless and didn't even stain your clothes this time.

Raven: Oh, I know, I know. Don't worry. Any messes made won't come from me.

Patting him on the head, Raven turned and headed for the door. She had to find her summoning spell books. Maybe an imp under his bed would suffice. Oh she'd make sure it was harmless first. …well, maybe mildly harmful. …but damn it all, it WAS a good prank. She was freaking out. Hmm…didn't Raven learn something about summoning monsters into Beast Boy's room…? What was it? Something about socks and Plasmus…oh well. It probably wasn't important.

A few Rooms Down

The girl that was Red X sighed, tugging pointlessly on the handcuff that kept her from running. Feh. If she wanted to she could pick the lock…but with a busted knee, what good would it do. …the fact was, it was doubtful that she'd ever walk without a cane or something…or so the stupid doctor said. …heh. How foolish. She'd be fine…just wait and see.

Voice: How's my little sis?

Red X: Not bad, considering.

Red X appeared and…wait, what?! …er…well, he was leaning against the wall.

Red X: Want me to sign your cast, Shannon?

Shannon: Bite me. The damn thing is chafing.

Red X: I should have been there to help…

Shannon: Don't be stupid. That would ruin our big surprise.

There had been two of them all the long. Shannon may not have looked it, but she was pretty techno suave. All she had to do was copy Robin's design and she created another Red X suit and belt for her older brother. All their lives they had it easy. Hell, Shannon graduated college before she was old enough to drink thanks to all the tutors her parents hired. …and it was freaking BORING. So the pair decided to steal for kicks. They didn't need the money…but all the training their parents made them do to look good (vain bastards that they were…) had to be used SOMEHOW. Might as well be doing something that would give ol' Mom and Dad a heart attack. And the two were so damn good, they broke into Titan's Tower. Honestly, Robin should have figured it out…one person disabling the security AND grabbing that suit without being seen? HA! So go ahead…let the Titans think the threat of Red X was over. She couldn't wait to see Robin's face when her brother did his next gig. She just knew he'd come by to ask what was going on. She'd feign innocence, naturally…and then all the fun would continue from there.

THE END