Teen Titans: Feelings Involved

[EternalShadow]

Two, make that three days late, but here it is (Hey, I Am improving). For those of you who couldn't get enough of Teen Titans: Darkest Before Dawn, comes Teen Titans: Feelings Involved. If you haven't read Darkest Before Dawn, or would like to freshen up your memory, simply click on the link above. So without further adeu, here is chapter one. As always Feedback is appreciated.
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Teen Titans: Feelings Involved

Chapter One: Thinking About You

The rain fell loudly upon New Gotham, a desolate city with a name that beckoned crime to its streets. These atrocities were minor, but abundant. The town woke to the piercing wail of sirens daily and hardly slept out of fear. A forsaken town to many, but utopia for those without morals. Even now, the streets were aglow with the red and blue of police cars seeking the source of gunshots. The town was quiet but frequently shaken by the rolling thunder in the night sky.

He wandered the streets alone, listening to the downpour of rain. His shadows were cast in two directions from the neon lights which weaved through the town like veins. Even his presence barely caused noticeable change in the crime rate. Was he even needed here? Did this city have a future? He never bothered asking these questions. It was a duty he was in no position to complain with. As he arrived at an intersection, a car sped by splashing a puddle in his direction. The wave was averted by an all too familiar shield of darkness. He scoffed, and continued walking.

He came across a bus stop bench and gazed at the crying stars above as the rotting bench creaked from his pressure. What a town... he thought. All it's missing is some colorful villain suffering from severe psychosis. Shadow had always loved to have fun, but this city could never define the word. He bowed his head as the rain fell from his face to his cloak. Behind him was the nightclub The Night Is Young, bustling with the city's youth. Among the clamor of rainfall and the driving bassline, he barely made out the lyrics to Outkast's "Hey Ya" blasting in the club.

We get together, Oh, We get together,

But separate's always better when there's feelings involved,

If what they say is, "Nothing is forever,"

Then what makes, then what makes, what makes, what makes,

"Love's the exception,"

So why oh why oh, why oh why oh why oh,

Are we so in denial when we know we're not happy here...

A smirk came across Shadow's face. Man Outkast, you have no idea how wrong you are... If separate was better when there's feelings involved, then how come every night, his emotions would eat away at his better knowledge. Always wondering; Is she ok? Is she safe? ...Is she thinking about me? But one thing was for sure. If nothing is forever, love is definately the exception.

He let out an exasperatted sigh. He truly wanted to be with her. In this town, his reputation surely lived up to his name. He was a shadow, always there but never noticed. The locals never even glanced in his direction, probably from habit from living in a hopeless town. With that thought in mind, he made his decision.

His destination was set, and he would set out at first light. He rose to his feet and spilled the collected water from his drenched coat. Within the club, he heard shattereing glass and frantic shouts. He entered to anonymously give one last unmentioned deed to the town.

He slept easily knowing he would soon be with her, but he was in for a rude awakening.

[Crowgirl]

Firsties! Boo yah!!


This is really sweet. I loved how you incorperated the song, and I love how Shadow's back. Buh, buh, buh..... But the setting is different, New gotham eh? This, is gonna be fun.

Crowgirl

[Vivace]

Noooo!!!! Another sequal up good enough to read the orginal. Now I have too much to read on my list. First I'm dedicating to read what the people on my fic have done so I have a good list. Then I have to read the great fics already in production. And now you...

Great Job off to Read Darkest Before the Dawn.

[Sproxie]

Originally Posted by Crowgirl

Firsties! Boo yah!!


This is really sweet. I loved how you incorperated the song, and I love how Shadow's back. Buh, buh, buh..... But the setting is different, New gotham eh? This, is gonna be fun.

Crowgirl

I agree.
...Except I wasnt first. Third ain't bad though Right?

[Rae]

yay, not only are you back but you give us a great first chapter to a new story!

Keep up the good work!

Rae

[rrarbecy]

Is it even possible? Are you really back ES? With a sequel to one of the best stories on this forum? LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!! So is this story. "A rude awakening." Sounds awesome.

[EternalShadow]

Guess who's back...back...back... Back again...gain...gain... Naw, just kiddin'. Ok, after much procrastination, I finally found the time to finish my next Chapter. (What? It's a LONG one!) I hope I wasn't forgotten or anything, but I guess that's a risk that comes with procrastinating. Anyways... here it is, Chapter 2, enjoy...

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Chapter Two: One Rainy Night in Jump City

Jump City hadn't faired any better in escaping the torrential rains. Crime was at an all time low which both enlightened and disturbed the Titans. Everything was slowly but surely returning to normal. The rain lightly fell on the panes of Titans Tower. The heavy thunder was muffled to a quiet rumble by the thick windows of the tower. All was quiet with the exception of Beast Boy.

"Aww, MAN!" he cried out. The storm had downed the town's electricity for the third time that night. He began to wonder if he'd ever make it past circuit 7 on Gamestation Wipeout Racers II. He threw the controller down in aggravation. The other Titans busied themselves as well. Cyborg was busy in the garage surveying the damage on the T-Ship. He estimated it would be atleast twelve weeks before he got it up and running again. Starfire and Raven were out patrolling the city. The boys rathered the girls not go out in the storm at night, but Starfire insisted.

Robin was in his room analyzing the tremendous events which had occured in the past. It was almost too much to comprehend. Slade hadn't shown up since the epic battle took place. On Robin's wall hung two boards. On one were the rosters of every villain ever confronted still at large (the list had now diminished to a select few), and on the other board were the rosters of every defeated villain. No matter how many facts were present, Robin just couldn't bring himself to put Slade on the second board.

The lights in the Tower flickered back on but BeastBoy was far to frustrated to continue playing. Cyborg came into the kitchen with an oily wrench and an appetite. He was discouraged however to find an abbundance of tofu. Beast Boy snickered. Robin later joined the other two Titans in the room.

"Are your sure it was okay to let Star and Raven patrol on a night like this?" Cyborg questioned.

"Dude, relax." Beast Boy responded. "They'll be fine. The crime rate is lower than your high score on Wipeout Racers II." Beast Boy erupted with laughter.

"Yeah," Robin answered. "But I was hoping this patrol would give them some time so Raven could get some feelings off of her mind. I asked Star if she'd talk it over with Raven."

Meanwhile, Starfire and Raven flew past the pizzaria just as it closed for the night. So far, Starfire hadn't been able to confront Raven yet. Raven kept a straight face, but would let out a discontent sigh every now and then. Starfire had to do something.

"Raven?" she meekly began. "We are friends, yes? And friends tell each other what's on their mind, yes?"

Raven stared at Starfire. The answer was obvious, but Raven didn't like where this was going.

"Raven, are you okay? Ever since Shadow's departure, you have seemed rather uneasy."

They floated to a stop at a four-way intersection. The streets were dead. Their patrol time was almost up. Raven found no harm in taking the rest of their time to chat, but this was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

"Though I cannot say exactly what happened on that day he left," Starfire proceeded, "I guess we wouldn't be here if fate hadn't brought him to us. He was truly unique. His sense of justice. A comendable Titan. How I wish he could have stayed. Though I know not whether we'll ever see him again, he will always live in our..." she paused. "Raven... are you okay?"

It was difficult for Raven to stand by and listen to. Her hand rested on the pole of a nearby street lamp. Her breathing grew shaky. Tears began to collect at her eyes, though not enough to drip down her cheek. She choked them back.

"Raven..." Starfire whispered consolingly. "Do you love Sha--"

"Do you love Robin?" Raven abruptly interrupted.

Starfire was caught off gaurd. She soon learned how difficult a question it was to answer. She felt guilty for asking. The two teens could mutually sense each others feelings.

The conversation was instantly cut short by a streak of crimson. They barely managed to dodge the laser. A shadowy figure fled down a dusky alleyway as the girls gave chase. Starfire pulled out her communicator.

Back at Titans Tower, Robin's belt began to beep. His heartbeat increased when he heard Starfire's terrified voice. "Robin, we were ambushed at 5th and Main. We're following the criminal right now though we haven't discovered who it is."

"Be careful Star, we'll be there as soon as we can." Robin answered back into the communicator. "Titan's, lets move!" he ordered Cyborg and Beast Boy.

The Titans me up at an all to familiar fork in the alley. Robin, Starfire, and Cyborg shot left as Beast Boy and Raven veering to the right.

"Raven, are you okay?" Beast Boy foolishly spoke up noticing her tear soaked lashes. "Have you been crying?"

"It is of no concern to you," Raven responed irritably. "Can you not see that we need to catch--"

"RAVEN, LOOK OUT!" Beast Boy screamed. It was too late. The neon red beam hit Raven sending her plummetting towards Beast Boy. Beast Boy was knocked to the ground. He rubbed his head then locked eyes with the mysterious villain. He let out a short gasp before the beam fired once more. Beast Boy's world went black. The figure let out a muffled laugh, then made his way to the remaining three Titans.

The others came to a widened area of the alley. Robin slowly fell behind, an evil feeling creeping up on him. He could have sworn he heard footsteps, amplified by the puddles of rainwater. He turned, but the moon didn't provide sufficient lighting. He squinted barely catching a glimpse of what looked like an eye. He heard a shot. The beam whizzed past him and struck Cyborg in the back.

"STARFIRE!" Robin shouted, "TAKE COVER!"

However there was no answer. He anxiously waited, crouched in the rain, listening. The next moment, he became petrified with fear. Starfire screamed in the distance. She went silent at the sound of two beams firing. Then the footsteps began drawing closer. He pulled out his bow-staff. Thunder clapped in the night sky. Suddenly, the footsteps grew to a steady sprint. Where were they coming from? The left. No, no, the right. Robin spun around, but all he saw was darkness.

Then a powerful strike from a fist struck the back of his head. His vision became blurred as he fell to the ground. The stranger walked away with much satisfaction leaving Robin unconsious in the dripping backstreets.

[rrarbecy]

NOT GOOD! Oh, I don't mean the chapter, I just mean where it's leading. Something tells me this is a really powerful villain. As you hold a special place in my heart as the second person to ever review my story, I shall read this whole thing. Not that it matters, since it's awesome anyway...

[Rae]

you are back with a vengence!

Awsome chapter, but i expected nothing less!

Keep this up as if you don't i will hunt you down and force you to!

(wow, that was my first threat in months!)

Rae

[Mystery fan]

WOW! That was awesome!! Can't wait for more!

[Matt A]

Funnily enough, neither can I. Even though it's been a month and half since the last post.

Shadow is one seriouly cool character, and his relationship with Raven is touching without being over-played. I'd like to see who this new villain is, and also how Shadow fits into the grand scheme of things. Oh, and I'd like to see both of these things soon.

Get my point?

Ta,
Matt A

[starfire0639]

I agree with Matt and Im sad to say Thast all I have to say>im not one to complain so I wont and there isn't really anyything to pull out and critisize so I won't and I wouldn't.Obviously this post is going nowhere so I'm gonna say this.........The chapter rocked and I want you to write more soon!!






the ash

[EternalShadow]

Inconsistent- adj. (in con 'sis tent) Displaying lack of consistency; especially: irregular behavior, lacking logical relation, and overprocrastinated posts. Example: see EternalShadow's chapter postings. Sorry for the inconsistency- noun. (in con 'sis... naw just kidding. My apologies for my lack of attentiveness to my fic, but I believe this chapter will quench your thrist for action. Enjoy!

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Chapter Three: Welcome Back

The Jump City soil was still damp from last night's showers. It made for a fresh, lush dew coating the thick grass. It was like returning to a home he had never know. He was overcome by a feeling of anxiety. Simply arriving, he sensed a vibe of certain change. But that didn't matter. He would see her soon, he thought. Very soon. He felt nothing could ruin his happiness. With great haste, Shadow made his way to Titan's Tower. The tower majestically rose on the horizon. Only but a few steps from the door, an explosion shook in the distance, averting Shadow's gaze. A plume of smoke rose above the bank in downtown Jump City. Crime was scant, but still present.

Heh, No doubt the others will be there soon, Shadow thought to himself. Might as well meet them there. Surprise them with the help.

The bank was a stately building. It towered with large marble pillars and had a glass dome roof, partly disrupted from the blast. The sun grimly shone into the building filtered by partly cloudy skies. The situation on the inside seemed stable, quiet. Perhaps no one would have even bothered to assess the matter, if it weren't for the explosion. It was as if the crooks were just asking for trouble.

Shadow descended onto the white stone steps which rose to the bank's front entrance. Using his mastery of time and space, he teleported into the bank, silently hiding behind the empty bank tellers' counter. His senses were bombarded with omens of the dangerous condition at hand. The room still lingered with the scent of explosives. The majority of the odor came from the blast, but could there be more? He heard muffled sobs, condolence from one frightened person to another, the metallic clack of mutitions in the hands of the outlaws. Shadow peered around the edge of the counter and caught the glimpse of the true horror presented. The hostages were gathered in the center of the floor. There were three identical lowlives in sight, each in a dark trenchcoat, two patrolling around the cirlce of hostages, each carrying a shotgun. One, the leader of the crew, sat atop the tellers' counter, fiddling with his pistol. They were all just far enough away to remains faceless to Shadow. But the one sight, or lack of sight rather, that starlted Shadow the most was the absence of the Teen Titans. He continued to wait.

Then the two brutes near the hostages came to a stop. They began conversing in a monotonous, almost robotic voice.

"Ten minutes it has been. Perhaps we should abort."

"No," the other began. "We have our orders, lure Robin out."

"And what if he doesn't come?" the first asked back. "What if he leaves this up to the police departme--"

"He will come..." the leader interjected. "After all, the disappearance of his fellow heroes is driving him to the brink of insanity. How hard can it be to take down one Titan?"

Disappearance? Shadow thought. One Titan?

"I say we help him along a bit," a crook with the shotgun stated, cocking the guage on the weapon.

"Mommy, I'm scared." a little girl said, clenching her mother's arm. Her eyes began to water.

The thug lowered the shotgun barrel aiming two feet away from the mother and daughter. He glimpsed back at the leader. The head of the operation simply slammed a magazine of rounds into his pistol and rended the bullet cylinder; then glanced at the thug and gave a nod.

The trigger happy villain looked back at his target. "Heh, if this doesn't draw him out, nothing will..."

The parent and child embraced each other firmly, shutting their tear covered eyes. The gun fired, causing the hostages to gasp and wince. All went horrifically silent.

But something strange happened. The shrapnel blast froze, only inches from the frightened victims. The salvo echoed through the room, now decimated to a dull roar. The villain, frozen in astonishment, released his shotgun, clattering to the marble floor. He examined the blast; petrified in an efferent aray, each and every round coated in an omniscient dark energy. Then they fell dead to the ground, chiming against the stone tiles.

The leader felt a taction at his right shoulder from behind the counter. His head swivelled at the abrupt contact, but was met halfway by a cogent blow from a right fist. He was sent tumbling onto the ivory floor as a voice spoke up.

The punch was onerous on Shadow's part as well. It was as if he'd hit steel. His hand was left with an aching sensation, slowly relieving itself with each passing second. Shaking his hand to dull the pain, he announced, "Robin's not here, so I guess I'll be the one to deal with you."

The astonished criminal hastily picked up his shotgun and joined the side of the other crook. They let fly a volley of blasts until their munitions were depleted. It was futile however. Shadow had suspended every round in mid-air. Then the outlaws hurled the useless guns at Shadow, but he skillfully caught one in each hand. The rogues then blitzed in a mad rush towards him in a fury of erratic attacks. Despite their diminutive size, they were moved quickly and attacked quicker. Using the pair of emptied shotguns both defensively and offensively, Shadow kept up a strict guard, delivering a heaving swing here, a rifle butt there. Seizing an opportunity, Shadow struck with impressive force at one of the thugs. The impact gave off a metallic clang, sending the criminal to the ground. He reared the shotguns, preparing to go for the second villain, but the leader had regained conciousness and fired two shots from his pistol. His incredible marksman shot the makeshift weapons out of Shadow's hands. The leader took aim again and fired at Shadow's head. In hesitation, he grabbed the collar of the other thug's trenchcoat and forced him into the bullet's trajectory.

But Shadow underestimated something. The criminal was heavier than anticipated. What normally whould have caused the wrong-doer to be shot in the shoulder, instead was too weak and cause the bullet to pierce the crook's skull. Shadow was shocked; for all of his vigilantism, he had never killed a sould. Now he had blood on his hands. Wait. Blood. There was no blood. The villain's body fell limp and dropped out of the trenchcoat in Shadow's grip. Shadow caught a glimpse of who, or rather what, the criminals were. The body was completely black, with bands of silver metal here and there; around the wrists, ankles, and neck. The face had a copper mask, and the eyes were stark white. They were henchmen; robotic henchmen. Very familiar to Robin, but unbeknownst to Shadow.

Shadow then made his move. He used his anti-matter, and grasped the last remaining one by the gun and neck, raising him above the ground. "Who are you working for?" Shadow asserted himself. "What do you want with Robin?"

"It is of no concern to you...." the leader aswered without a strained voice, for he didn't need to breathe. "And you won't live to find out." He pushed a button on his utility belt. A deafening blast shook the bank. There were explosives in the bank; lined along the glass dome roof. The crowd of hostages screamed as the debris of glass and stone fell. Acting quickly, Shadow caught the deadly hail in a field of anti-matter, but it broke his concentration, freeing the leader from Shadow's grip. The hostages were safe but only momentarily. The broken glass fell upon Shadow, slicing through his garbs. It was excruciating, but he had to bear it just to keep the hostages alive.

He opened his eyes to find the leader with the pistol raised to Shadow's face. "Any last words?" the leader asked.

Shadow's clenched teeth turned to a smile. "Heh, nope." he took a breath. "How about you?" He motioned his head to someone behind the leader.

The leader gasped. Robin threw an explosive disc, which detonated on impact. The third villain fell. It was over.

Several minutes later, paramedics arrived to tend to the hostages. Robin was busy consoling the frightened and speaking with the police who arrived; trying to find a lead.

"I'm fine." Shadow said to an in-training paramedic. She was cute, he thought. Beast Boy would probably busily flirting with her if he were here. In that thought, his attention was pulled back to the situation at hand. Beast Boy wasn't there. Neither was Starfire. Nor Cyborg... Nor Raven. "I believe there is a little girl over there that could use your help. Thanks," he told the paramedic.

Movement over in the corner caught his attention. It was the leader of the crooks. Despite the explosive power of the disc, it was a wonder he was still alive. Shadow took him aside. "You want to tell me now who you work for?"

The robotic henchman scoffed in an electronically failing voice. "Ask him..." Shadow turned and looked at Robin.

The leader's circutry ceased function as his body fell numb. Shadow release the body and walked towards Robin. "You can be sure I will..."

[Crowgirl]

Wow.....

No critisms. Everything's too good to be corrected.

You seem to be jumping into things very quickly, which is a very unique writing style, yet still a very good one. Shadow's back, back, back. From outerspace, space, space.... And now he's kickin' villian butt from place to place to place....

Heh, heh, heh....

Ah well, keep up the great work!

Ciao,
CG

[Rae]

Yey new chapter!

No critisims other than it was a long wait, however it was well worth it!

Rae

[Matt A]

Exactly! Oh, and you are officially a bastard for giving us that ending...

Ta,
Matt A

[RavenofAzerath~]

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whoa, last person i'd expect to say that,
but i'm deprived,
so i agree without the quoting