CHAPTER

3

After several hours and a few wrong turns, the Teen Titans finally landed on the glowing red planet of Apokolips. The Titans looked around apprehensively as they stood on the barren red soil and glanced at the deep red sky above them.

“So this is Apokolips,” said Cyborg. “It sure is red.” He looked behind him and noticed Beast Boy was missing. “Where’s the Martian Manhunter?” Cyborg asked.

Beast Boy’s voice called out from the invisible jet. “Still on the invisible toilet, bro!” he yelled.

“Can you at least shut the door?!” Raven asked angrily.

“You’re out of invisible toilet paper, Mama,” he said.

“Ew…” muttered Raven.

Cyborg gathered the other Titans around him.

“This is the most dangerous planet in the universe,” Cyborg said. “To save the Justice League, we’ll have to use all our powers together. Robin, you will have to…” Cyborg looked around. There was no sign of his teammate.

Suddenly, Robin appeared from behind a red rock. “I’m Batman!” he said.

Cyborg turned to look at him and said, “Listen, I need you to…”

But Robin had vanished again.

“Where’d he go?” Cyborg asked.

Robin dangled upside-down from the invisible jet. “I’m Batman!”

“Listen, I just need…” Cyborg began, but Robin was already gone. “Stop disappearing dramatically!” Cyborg shouted.

Robin popped up behind Starfire. “What was that you said?” he asked. “I’m Batman!”

“Stay still and listen!” Cyborg shouted angrily.

But Robin had already disappeared. Seconds later, he appeared on top of Cyborg’s shoulder.

“I can’t stay still,” Robin said. “I’m Batman!”

“Say ‘I’m Batman’ one more time,” Cyborg said ominously. “I dare you. I double-dare you!”

Robin paused. Then he whispered, “I’m. Batman.”

Cyborg pointed his power ring at Robin. Suddenly, a glowing green grandma emerged from the ring.

BLAM!

The scowling senior citizen drew back her foot and kicked Robin in the stomach, sending him tumbling through the air.

“Oooooooo!” said Beast Boy. “You just got beat down, son!”

“Thanks, Bea,” said Cyborg. “Is there nothing your deadpan sass can’t fix?”

Moments later, the Titans nervously approached Darkseid’s giant palace. The glowing red building was shaped in the form of Darkseid’s scowling face, and the Titans climbed through one of the eyes on the face to enter the palace.

THUMP!

Each Titan dropped as quietly as possible onto the rough stone floor of Darkseid’s throne room. They followed a jagged path along the rocky floor that eventually led them to the edge of a steep chasm in the middle of the room. The Titans peered cautiously over the edge of the chasm. Below them was a swirling pool of glowing green acid, violently popping and boiling as evil-smelling fumes wafted in the air.

Cyborg suddenly looked up and gasped. “There! It’s the Justice League!” he said.

The other Titans looked up and saw five green metallic pods dangling from chains attached to the ceiling. Each pod was about seven feet long with windows on the sides. With horror, the Titans realized that five members of the Justice League were imprisoned within the pods. It appeared that all five of them were sound asleep. The pods swayed dangerously a few feet above the acid.

“Robin, quick!” yelled Cyborg, “Use your Batarangs to free them!”

Robin reached into his Utility Belt and extracted two Batarangs. He launched them through the air toward the pods.

ZZZZZAP!

Both Batarangs were bombarded with fiery red Omega beams and dissolved into pieces.

Suddenly, the ground shook as a deep, booming voice filled the air. “How dare you enter my home and try to take what is mine?” it shouted.

The Titans spun around and gasped as they beheld the imposing figure of Darkseid. He towered over the heroes and started moving toward them. One hand was stretched out, and his eyes glowed, ready to blast the Titans with more deadly Omega beams!