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#20
MAR 10 |
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“Welcome to the Jungle” Part One
Teen Titans Roll Call
Robin, The Boy Wonder
Impulse, The Fastest Boy Alive
Wonder Girl, The Young Amazon
Damage, The Human Explosive
Omni, The Power Mimic
Risk, The Thrillseeker
Offspring, The Shapesifter
Apart they’re just sidekicks and illigitimate children; Together they’re the TEEN TITANS! Proteges of the Justice League, whippersnappers to the JSA, and all around annoyances to the Outsiders!
The UCLA Campus, Early Morning
The sun was beginning to rise over the campus of the college as a green skinned girl stood just outside of the border, just staring in. She held her hand forward as the grass under her boots started to grow.
"Soon, my friends," the girl said as she stepped onto the canvas, as flowers and leaves started growing, following her as she walked along.
Later that morning
Grant Emerson, Cameron Weinberg, Cody Driscoll, Cassie Sandsmark and Luke McDunnagh were all hanging around the campus pool, just relaxing after having survived midterms, a task that was more difficult than fighting any super-powered villain.
"Finally, it's all over," Cameron said as he floated on his back in the water. "I never thought I'd pass that pysch course."
"YOU take pysch?" Cody laughed as he jumped in, splashing Luke and Cam.
"I-I thought it was a course about that show on USA," replied Cameron shyly as Luke climbed out of the pool. Cameron looked over towards Grant, who was just splashing his feet in the water, wearing a pair of swim trunks and a white t-shirt. "Dude, you've been sitting there the whole time. Get in already."
"I think he's afraid to take off his shirt," said Cody as he noticed a shadow over him. His eyes widened as he saw Luke jumping into the water, now in the form of a large anvil. The ensuing splash sent Cody flying out of the pool, landing him on the high dive ladder.
"I'm fine where I'm at," said Grant nervously. "I just…don't want to get my hair wet. I just got it the way I like it. And FYI, I look better shirtless than you, Casper the Unfriendly Ghost."
"Hey, it's hard to get a tan when I can't leave my room without Robin's blessing," Cody replied as he jumped back into the pool. "Between school, going on missions and flipping burgers for extra cash to pay you back--"
"--which you wouldn't have to do if you hadn't stolen my car and DESTROYED it," interrupted Grant.
"Boys, stop arguing, we're here to celebrate," Cassie said, walking out in a small two piece bathing suit. Cameron, Luke and Cody all stopped to stare, almost forgetting to stay afloat. Grant's head tilted as she walked past, feeling the sudden urge to dive into the water to hide his own excitement over her form as she passed him.
Cassie got into the water as Luke looked around. "Hey, where are the others? Bart and Tim aren't here."
"Bart's bringing his boyfr--his roommate home today," said Cameron, correcting himself. Cameron and Luke had been let in on Bart's secret and promised not to tell the rest of the group until Bart brought his boyfriend home from the hospital.
"Tim's probably brooding somewhere," added Cody.
"I'll give you 20 bucks if you can tell me what brooding means," challenged Grant as he stayed perched on the side of the pool.
An awkward silence filled the air before Cody spoke again. "Fuck you, that's what it means!"
Bart Allen was helping his longtime friend and current love interest, Cody Wyatt, home after a brief hospital stay. They were heading back to the dorm room as Bart kept looking over at him, feeling even more protective of him now.
"Are you sure that you're not in pain?" asked Bart. "I can go to Europe and get some pain killers. The good ones. Are you hungry? One word and I'll be back from Italy with some fettucine--"
"Bart, I'm fine," Cody laughed, despite his arm being in a sling and a bandage on his forehead. "Really. I'm going to be okay. The doctors said I'm going to be better than new soon. Although it would be nice to have some pasta from Italy..."
"I'll race there as soon as we get you home," assured Bart as they walked along.
"Bart...I've been meaning to ask you," said Cody as he looked at the young man. "Are you sure you're ready to...tell everyone? I know Robin, Cameron and Luke took the news okay, but what about your other friends?"
Bart stared down at the ground as he thought about the words he wanted to say. "Cody...I've had a lot of time to think. I've been a hero all my life, I've risked my life to save others and, well, let's just say I've lived up to my code name on numerous occasions. But this whole thing, you know, being in love with a guy. It's the first thing that's really kind of scared me, because it's the first thing in my life that I've ever really had to well...slow down and think about. But I'm tired of hiding. I almost lost you, and I want you, hell, everyone, to know how much you mean to me. It's time I started treating you like my boyfriend and not just some dark secret."
Cody was about to lean in for a kiss when he saw Robin sitting on the rooftop, just watching for any activity. "He never found the guy who beat up my attackers, huh?"
"No," replied Bart with a sigh. "And frankly...I'd like to thank the guy for doing what I should have done."
"Bart, I don't want you thinking you have to avenge every little thing that happens to me," replied Cody as they walked along. "I've faced this kind of hatred for a few years, and so will you once you come out. You just have to learn to let go. Don't let those bastards drag you down to their level, because at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what they do, because you'll still have me here with you."
Bart blushed as the two shared a kiss, while Robin watched. He was glad to see Bart was getting past his anger at what had happened, but he was still going to find out who put Cody's attackers in the hospital.
As Robin turned to walk away, he was unaware that a creeping vine just below was making it's way up the side of the building, and that they were starting to grow all over the campus. As Robin landed on the ground below, ready to call it a day, he thought he heard something yelp.
"Okay," said Robin as he looked around, finally noticing the plant life that was sprouting up all over. "This is new."
As Robin stepped closer to the creeping vines, he didn't see one sneaking up, wrapping itself around his ankle until it was too late. By the time he noticed, it yanked at his boot, pulling him to the ground.
"You have got to be kidding me," Robin said as he reached for a pocket knife in his utility belt, but as soon as he got ready to cut into the vine, a green boot stepped on his hand, forcing him to drop it.
"Now, now, you're not going to hurt my friend, are you?"
"You," said Robin in surprise as he looked up, just in time to be knocked unconscious by a kick to the head.
"Come on, Grant, get in," said Cassie as she floated in the water. "You're missing all the fun."
"No thanks," replied Grant as he just sat there, watching the others have fun. "I just don't want to--"
Before he could protest further, Cameron grabbed his hand and pulled Grant in. As soon as Grant was in the water, almost everyone realized why he had refused to get in, as he started gasping for air while trying to stay afloat, but sank under the water after a few seconds.
"He can't swim!" laughed Cody as Cassie dived under the water to get him. After another few seconds, she resurfaced and pulled Grant to the side of the pool. Grant pulled himself out of the water, running towards the locker room in embarrassment.
"Dude, it's not funny," said Luke as he started chucking a bit himself. "Well, maybe just a bit."
Cassie just rolled her eyes as she got out of the pool as the others couldn't help but notice her wet form walking away.
"Hey, guys," noticed Cameron as he looked at the windows, which were getting darker. "Isn't it only noon?"
"Either that or the janitor's doing a really shitty job of keeping the windows clean," replied Luke as the three Titans climbed out of the pool. Cody and Luke headed for the locker room as Cameron stopped. He sensed something was really wrong and made his way to the door, unsure as to why.
He slowly put his hand on the door, not sure as to what was on the other side. As Cameron opened the door, a vine reached in and quickly grabbed him, pulling him out of the door before it slammed shut.
"Are you sure you're comfortable?" asked Bart as Cody laid on the couch.
"Perfect," replied the young man as Bart held up his speed force ring, letting his Impulse costume jump onto his body. "You're doing way too much for me."
"Because I lo--," said Bart before he paused. "I just want you to get better. I'll be back from Italy with your pasta in a few minutes," said Bart as he raced out the door, not even taking notice of the vines that were overtaking the entire campus.
Having dried off and changed, Cassie found Grant sitting outside, still wearing his swim trunks and wet t-shirt.
"Why didn't you tell us you couldn't swim?" asked Cassie as she sat down next to him.
"Do you know how embarrassing something like that is?" replied Grant, looking away. "I mean, I've got all these cool powers, I run around with the Teen Titans, hell, I helped restart the universe during Zero Hour, but swimming is the one thing that terrifies me."
"You know, I was the best swimmer in my high school," said Cassie with a smile. "I could teach you."
"Really?" asked Grant as he looked over at her. "You'd do that?"
"Hey, you're part of the team," replied Cassie as she gently punched his shoulder. "Plus I really want to help out a friend."
Grant smiled as he felt something crawling up against his back. He looked back at the building and saw the vines climbing the walls. "The hell?"
"Looks like someone's science experiment got out of control," said Cassie as Risk and Offspring, in the form of a bird, showed up.
"These things are all over the campus," said Offspring as he returned to his normal form. "They're spreading fast and overtaking everything."
"Then let's get suited up and--" Grant started to say as Cassie spun around at a hyper speed, as the sound of a thunderbolt was heard. Once she stopped she was in full costume as Wonder Girl. Grant looked down at his swim trunks. "Well, I feel even lamer now than I did a few minutes ago."
"Luke, scout around and see how much of the area hasn't been covered," Wonder Girl ordered. "Grant, go get changed. Cody, go find Tim, Bart and Cameron. I'm going to see if these vines have any weak spots."
"I love a woman who knows how to take charge," Offspring said as he morphed into a falcon and took off. Risk rushed off as Grant followed Wonder Girl to the gymnasium doors. She started pulling the vines and ripped some off, allowing Grant to get into the building to get to his clothes. But as soon as Grant was through, more vines grew in their place.
Wonder Girl sighed as she pulled on more of the vines, but the more she ripped at them, the more grew back, stronger than before.
"What in the world is doing this?" Wonder Girl asked herself as a kick landed in her back, sending the Titan flying forward. She laughed it off as she turned around to see a green skinned girl standing there. She had leaves for hair and clothing made out of organic materials. "You think that hurt? Wait until you see what I'm going to do to--"
Several poison tipped darts came flying at her, but she held up her bracelets and blocked them all, just in time to see her attacker rushing forward.
"I don't know who you are, but you obviously don't know who you're messing with," Wonder Girl said as she punched the person in front of her, sending the green skinned girl to the ground. She started laughing, holding a flower with poppy seeds as Wonder Girl came closer."Whare you laughing abou--"
As soon as she got close enough, the girl blew on the flower, sending the poppies into Wonder Girl's face. She started coughing as she passed out onto the ground. The green skinned girl stood up as the vines started dragging her away.
"Three down."
Offspring flew over the campus, seeing just how far the vines had gone, noticing that they'd spread pretty quickly over the last few minutes.
"This is bad," said Offspring as he flew back toward the gymnasium, where a vine reached out for him. "Oh, no you don't."
As the vine grabbed him, Offspring morphed into a lion, forcing his weight to fall to the ground below. He clawed and swiped at the vines that were coming at him fast and furiously. The lion morphed back into Offspring, turning his hands into machetes to swipe at them.
"The Jolly Green Giant's getting a letter of complaint over this one," said Offspring as the vines wrapped around his arms, pulling him down to tie him up before he could get away.
Grant had made his way to the locker room and gotten dressed in his street clothes. They'd have to do until he got back to his dorm room where his costume was. As he tried to open the doors, he found he was completely trapped.
"Hello? Cassie? Anyone?" Grant asked, trying to make contact with the outside world.
Robin, Wonder Girl and Offspring were all unconscious, hanging upside down from a tree as the green-skinned girl looked at them.
"You seem to have this all under control," Poison Ivy said to her protégé. "You've got Robin, who was the main threat to this plan. As long as you keep him under control, you'll have no problems."
The green skinned girl smiled. "Will I ever see you again?"
Poison Ivy looked at the girl and put a hand on her shoulder. "My sister, of course you'll see me again. And one day, when this world is cleansed of those would destroy Mother Nature's precious gifts, we'll rule side by side. Until then, I must return to Gotham to oversee some things there."
The two hugged as the girl smiled, looking back at her captives. She looked at the vines and smirked.
"If they try to escape, kill them."
Risk had made it to the top of one of the campus buildings, dodging the vines as the they tried to grab him. "Grabby little bastards, leave me alone!"
Risk jumped and avoided more of the vines as they shot toward him, vaulting across the rooftop, looking for any signs of the other Titans. "Where the hell are the others?"
After dodging the vines on the rooftop, Risk found himself cornered on the ledge, with a sea of vines below, waiting to grab him. As one of the rooftop vines shot toward him, Risk jumped off the edge and grabbed a flag pole extending from the side of the building, hanging on as the vines came toward him.
"In retrospect, this was a bad idea," said Risk to himself as the vines shot up towards him.
Impulse arrived just outside of the campus, seeing the vines that had overtaken everything.
"And I said I didn't want any garnish with the pasta," said Impulse, looking at the sea of vines. He was about to investigate as he saw Risk was in trouble, hanging from the flagpole. He rushed forward, sped up the side of the building and grabbed his teammate before the vines could get him, taking him back outside of the campus, just out of the vine's reach. "I go away for five minutes and the whole place becomes a satanic garden?"
"The others are still in there, along with all the students and teachers," replied Risk as he looked around. "And I'm guessing that we're on our own since I didn't see of the others fighting these things off."
"Cody," Impulse whispered.
"Yeah?" replied Risk.
"No, I meant my roommate," said Impulse shyly.
"I'm sure he's fine," said Risk as he looked at the concern on Impulse's face. "I'm guessing that whoever's trapped in the buildings are safe. It's the ones on the outside where the vines are that have to really worry."
As the vines creeped over the buildings, they were also starting to get into the air ducts, sending the poppies that had knocked Wonder Girl out through the vents, putting everyone who breathed them in into a deep sleep.
As Grant looked for a way out of the gymnasium, he saw a mist coming through the air ducts. He looked around for a way to keep from breathing in the poppies and only saw the pool. He dived into the shallow end, holding his breath, hoping he wouldn't drown before he could get out.
Cameron opened his eyes and saw he was being held by vines. He was hanging right side up, and was in the campus greenhouse. He struggled to get out of the vine's grasp, but he couldn't move an inch.
"Hello?" asked Cameron as he struggled. "Is anyone here?"
The vines around the greenhouse gave way, allowing entrance into it. Soon after, the door opened as the green skinned girl entered. "You're awake."
"Who are you?" asked Cameron as he looked at the girl, who was standing in the shadows. "Help me out of these vines, I have to help my friends."
"Cameron," the girl smiled as she stepped forward. Cameron's eyes went wide as he looked at her, recognizing her instantly. It was his sister.
"It can't be," said Cameron in shock. "Chloe?"
"It's me, brother," the plant girl said as she touched his cheek. "But Chloe's the earth name you chose for me. You may now call me...Mistress Vine."
To Be Continued...
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