CHAPTER
4
ZAP! ZAP! ZAP!
The angry robot relentlessly pursued the Teen Titans, shooting its laser cannon at the heroes as they ran from one room in the Hall of Justice to another. The Titans somersaulted and jumped through the air to avoid being hit by the robot’s laser blasts.
“I’ve got an idea,” Cyborg called out as the Titans ran past an open door. “Follow me!”
Quickly slamming the door shut behind them, the Titans paused to rest for a moment. Looking around, they discovered that they were now standing inside a large locker room. Multiple copies of heroic outfits were dangling from hangers inside the lockers.
Cyborg gathered his teammates around him. “Okay, that robot won’t stop for anyone but the Justice League,” he said. “So we’re going to suit up!”
Robin rolled his eyes and said dismissively, “We’re not going to fool the robot by putting on these costumes. What a dumb idea…”
As he said that, Raven dove for the locker that contained Batman’s uniform. “Dibs on Batman!” she called out.
Robin jumped in front of her and pulled her away from the locker.
“Slow down there, Raven,” he said, “I’m Batman!”
POP!
Beast Boy transformed himself into a tiny green bat and flew up to the locker. He grabbed Batman’s cape with his tiny, green bat-claws.
“Yo, I can be a bat!” he squeaked. “Let me be Batman!”
Starfire rushed over to the locker and declared, “I wish to be the Batman!”
BLAM!
Raven emitted a force field that knocked the other Titans out of the way.
“I already called it! I’m Batman!” she said as she slipped Batman’s cowl over her head.
Within seconds, her eyes widened with grossed-out discomfort.
“Ugh, so sweaty,” she moaned as she removed the cowl and tossed it to Beast Boy, who had transformed back to his regular body.
Beast Boy sniffed the cowl and grimaced.
“Ugh, it smells like vinegar,” he said as he handed the cowl to Starfire.
“And the sweaty cheese,” Starfire observed.
Robin stepped up and grabbed the cowl.
“Of course he sweats! He’s Batman!” Robin said as he slipped the cowl over his head.
“Or should I say… I’m Batman!” he declared in his deepest voice, only slightly gagging from the rancid smell of the cowl.
Cyborg handed a small packet of clothing to Beast Boy.
“Beastie, you be Martian Manhunter,” Cyborg said.
“Who?” asked Beast Boy.
“You know, the cool green dude from Mars who hunts men all the time!” Cyborg said.
“Sweet! I wanna hunt me some men!” Beast Boy said happily as he slipped into the costume.
Cyborg then handed a star-spangled outfit along with a few accessories to Raven. “You can be Wonder Woman!” Cyborg said.
Raven frowned and said, “Great, so all I get is a swimsuit, some bracelets, and a rope?”
“That rope is the Golden Lasso!” Cyborg declared. “Those bound by it are forced to tell the truth!”
A smile spread on Raven’s face as she said, “Oh, really?”
The Golden Lasso flew through the air as Raven expertly lassoed Robin.
“Hey, Robin,” Raven said. “You remember that wet spot on your pants you said was water?”
Robin struggled within the Golden Lasso. Against his will, he was forced to tell the truth.
“Okay, it was pee!” he admitted. “I said it was water, but it was totally pee. You try fighting crime after drinking too much cranberry juice!”
“Cool,” said Raven with a contented smile as she quickly unfurled the lasso and freed Robin.
“Who shall I be?” Starfire asked with excitement.
“How about the Flash?” Cyborg asked as he handed her a shiny red outfit.
Starfire quickly donned the Flash’s suit, and within seconds she was running around the room. She zoomed up one wall, ran across the ceiling, and then sped down the other wall.
“I am the Flash!” she called out. “Flash! Flash! Flashy Flash!”
Cyborg stepped to the middle of the room. He was now wearing the Green Lantern uniform.
Beast Boy stepped up to him to admire the green ring on Cyborg’s right hand.
“Sweet ring, bro!” said Beast Boy.
“This ring is the most powerful weapon in the universe,” said Cyborg with pride. “It can manifest anything with the willpower of its bearer. Witness its power!”
Cyborg closed his eyes and started to concentrate. The ring gave off a glow. Suddenly, a blinding green ray shot out of the ring. As the green ray faded away, it was replaced by an elderly lady, glowing green. The woman stood next to the astonished Teen Titans.
“Um, is that a grandma?” asked Raven.
“You know it!” said Cyborg. He reached over to high-five the woman. “What’s up, Bea?” he said happily as they slapped their palms together.
Robin shook his head with dismay. “That ring can manifest any weapon imaginable, and you choose a grandma?” he asked.
Cyborg looked offended as he said, “This sassy old gal is the toughest lady around! When the chips are down, you want a grandma in your corner!”
Robin shook his head and sarcastically said, “Wow, you’d make such a great member of the Justice League.”
Cyborg turned to the glowing green woman and said, “It’s okay, Bea. Not even your sardonic one-liners can make Robin a pal and confidante!”
BLAM!
Just then, the robot came crashing through the door. It rolled toward the Teen Titans.
“Okay, now, be cool,” Cyborg whispered to his teammates. “Play your parts or this won’t work.”
“Area restricted to Justice League members only,” the robot warned as it waved the laser cannon on its right arm. “Intruders will be detained.”
“Intruders? Whaaaaat?” Cyborg said with surprise. “We’re the Justice League, baby!”
The robot raised its left hand and emitted a scanning ray that covered Raven from head to toe.
“Scan complete,” the robot said. “Welcome back, Wonder Woman.”
“Uh, yup. That’s me,” Raven said with a nervous smile.
“Well, then, we are clearly the Justice League,” Cyborg declared. “So you can stand down.”
The robot turned to Cyborg and ran its scanning device over his body.
“Identity unconfirmed,” the robot said. “State your name.”
Cyborg frowned and said, “Green Lantern, obviously! Check out the ring!”
“Which Green Lantern?” questioned the robot. “There are several.”
Cyborg looked worried.
“What? Why would there be more than one?!” he said. “I’m… I’m, you know, uh… Steve?”
The robot again raised its laser weapon and said, “There is no Green Lantern Steve. Intruders will be detained.”
ZAP! ZAP!
Suddenly, the robot started firing its laser cannon at every Titan except Raven.
“Yikes!” yelled Cyborg as the Titans jumped through the air, trying to avoid the laser blasts. “Raven, help!”
“Raven? Never heard of her,” said Raven as she casually walked back toward the kitchen. “Hmmm… I think I’ll try one of those yogurts in the fridge.”