Teen Titans Roster Day Off (7)

Original Sin

The seven deadly sins. This is a convention, everybody knows the list. A set of emotions listed by the church automatically defined as bad, each with a corresponding virtue.

For centuries, people have agreed on these terms. Although some would argue there is such a thing as, for example: righteous Wrath, or pride in your work and that the terms are dodgy as heck, the bigger argument is what came first.

The Original sin.

Those who believe in a one true god claim Pride. In one classic tale a man filled with Pride tried to claim the first sin was Curiosity.

But as so Lilith questioned her creation, could not the first sin be Doubt.

Robin

Miss A vanished in darkness and lightning, with whatever working she had conjured taking her away! The suddenness of the spell left the entire Bat Family on edge, billowing void of darkness still spilling into the blue and purple lighting of the lair! As the smoke began to clear we hung tense, weapons still drawn.

"That foolish chit of a brat! What did she think,  saying that her butchered spell effectively set me free!" The crisp clean accent-less voice cut through the expanding cloud of darkness like a knife, as a gust of air pushed the remaining darkness out from the mess of magic. "Where did that idiot drop me out!"

He sat on a chair at what remained of a bench, then beside and in front of him the remains of a table that balanced on two legs, very slowly swayed and fell with a loud clatter!

"It's the Original!" I told everyone, circling around to take guard of the escaped prisoner. "Miss A's teacher and mentor. He was on trial but-"

"But that is well and truely done. My girl has clearly got me free, and I can start sorting out this mess!" Straightening from his chair, mustache twitching and showing everyone a stiff but warmly smile, his eyes twinkled as the man lifted a piece of fruit to his mouth.

"Original, You are under arrest!" Kate stepped up, taking the initiative. "While it was your apprentice who dragged you from the trial, this is still seen as escaping arrest! Come quietly or-"

As if from some ASMR video, The Originals teeth bit through the fruit with a soft munching sound, followed by a soft swallow, and I relaxed, without intending to.

Everyone relaxed as a smooth silky voice spread across the space - "Oh, I see I am in a hovel of junior heroes right now. This makes sense. You have accomplished your goal! Thank you, I will take my leave now!"

Of course this made complete sense. He was an established hero wasn't he? One of the old guard? Automatically I stepped back. "Of course 'Sir! That makes perfect sense!"

"Would you like us to show you the way out!" I nodded, Bernard was taking the initiative here, and I smiled.  Or, wait,  is that actual the best option? I baulked, stepping around in front of The Original.

"Are you stupid! He's an esteemed guest! Shouldn't we show him around!" I argued.

"I um, oh no no. Don't we have,  I swear there were security pro-" Bernard looked at Kate in confusion, The original quietly and simply side-stepped around us.

"You silly children are all rather pointless I'm afraid. Which one of you is even in charge!" He was dissapointed in us! No, I couldn't allow that!

"Batwoman! Isn't he an esteemed guest! We should show him around the base!" I demanded, she recoiled from me only a moment before rallying.

"No! He's right, this is my headquarters and I am the one in charge!" She hesitated, running back in front of the original. "Baron Winters, I demand that we show you around our base!"

"Another time perhaps, I'm very busy. The nuisance of a trial has disconnected me from the altar way to long!" The old man gestured with his staff. It took a second to realise he pointed at me, and I stood to attention.

"Yes sir?"

"Restrain this woman,  and you!" He pointed to Bernard. "Open the door. I'm going to take one of these quaint bikes off yours!"

I nodded, pouncing to duty and attempting to restrain my foster sister.  "I'm sorry Batwoman, orders are Orders.

"I do not understand this.  What are all of you doing! And what is that din of voice this thing makes!" We'd forgotten about Starfire. She had clearly been sitting in the back of the group, and now she clutched her head. "It's like hundreds of voices singing, but all out of tune! What Are You, and what are you doing to my friends!"

Starfire moved in front of The Original, raising herself up so her head floated at the same height. "What are you?!"

The demand caught us all off guard and I clamoured to answer! "He is the Original and an esteemed guest! That's correct isn't it?"

"It sounds right!" Bernard had fetched the key to his cycle and lightly tossed it to the Original as he spoke.  "Except, isn't he meant to be on trial!"

"Don't be silly! Original, would you autograph my head!" Batwoman gushed.

The look the Original was giving Starfire worried me, like looking at a cockroach crawling across your food.  Growling, he shoved Star aside making for Bernard's Bike.

"Robin, this is not right! He is doing something to our minds!" Star cried out,  and I found myself mimicking her, clutching my head in pain.  I released Kate as I marched over and attempted to grab Star by her arms! "Every thing is gonna be alright. It's all gone wrong but it'll be-"

The motor on BatBoy's bike kicked to life as Baron Winters mounted and drove out of the parking garage, cape flapping behind him.

The effect left as he did, and one by one we all dropped to the floor, slumping where we stood.

"What was that!" Starfire demanded.
It took several moments for the choir in my head to fade.

I answered her when I felt ready, "Some kind of Mind Control. I dint know, I've never felt anything like it."

"Shouldn't we go after him?" Bernard asked, doubt still creeping into his voice.

"Do we have anything we can even do about it?" Kate stiffly got to her feet. "I'm going to call the league, let them know what happened here.  You kids go find food.  I think you're fine for the day!"

"We'll do our action reports in the kitchen!" I declared automatically. "Do you have any chocolate? I feel like chocolate for some reason!"

As we picked each other up, Bernard graciously helping both of us to our feet we talked idly, rummaging the kitchen while Batwoman reported the escape.

Starfire immediately ran to the fridge, looking for anything digestable. Which honestly could probably include the fridge for itself. "What's Chocolate?" She asked instead.

"Oh do we have a great gift for you."