The Apprentice

Why So Serious?

The tension in the room is pulled tight. Batman's doubt in their security seeds inside of Cyborg, and he scratches his bald head, checking the monitor in his arm.

"Who the hell does that guy think he is?" Beastboy demands suddenly, and the tension snaps. He makes bat ears on his head with his fingers, scrunching up his eyebrows. In a deep voice, he mocks "Business. Your best friend is being an idiot."

"Not now, man." Cyborg groans, turning off his monitor for the third time that minute. Beastboy hesitates, and glances at Starfire as she hugs herself, her feet planted on the ground. When's the last time he saw her laugh? It makes his heart ache.

"Dude, now is the perfect time!" The metahuman cries defiantly, throwing his arms out. "If you don't loosen up, you're gonna bust a bolt!"

"This is serious!" Cyborg shouts back in a flash of temper, "What about that isn't getting through your tiny green skull? Robin messed up so bad even Batman stopped trying!"

Raven's outstretched arm separates the two bickering Titans, her frown digging into her cheeks. "It's not a death sentence." She reminds them rationally. "Batman said we would discuss him. So let's discuss him."

Cyborg checks his arm monitor sulkily. "Yeah, like we can discuss anything with him."

"We. can. try." Raven replies testily, lowering her arm. Cyborg turns away, clinging stubbornly to his frustration, but after a resolving breath, he nods. Raven relaxes a little, and glides to the tin man's side.

"Gotham is... pretty far." She croaks softly, "We'll need a good set of wheels to get us there."

Cyborg catches on and chuckles, a smirk returning to his face.

"Booyah."

He leads them down to the basement of Titans Tower, eyes set squarely ahead. Anticipation fuels Cyborg's stride, but he's the only Titan to find something to be happy about. Beastboy grabs at the fabric on his chest, catching quick looks behind him as they leave Starfire in the dust. He scrunches his face up with determination and shifts into a crow, flying ahead to land on Cyborg's shoulder.

"Star's not doing so good," he whispers. "I don't think she can fly."

Cyborg's next step falters, and he not-so-discretely checks over his shoulder. Starfire drags her feet, eyes low, arms wrapped around her torso.

"C'mon Cy, you think I don't know this is serious?" Beastboy demands, ruffling his feathers, "But then I look at her face and... and she was trying so hard last night to cheer us up. Dude, I just want to see her smile again."

Cyborg feels a pang of regret in his stomach. He was focusing so hard on the empty spot where Robin once stood that he didn't notice his friends fall apart around it. Starfire is the glue of the Titans, if she loses her stick... Robin might not have a team to return to.

"Here she is!" Cyborg announces, stepping through the doorway into his garage. His rebuilt car sparkles under a new coat of shine, begging to be taken out and shown off. He can't help but point out all his favourite things about her all over again, dancing around the car. "One hundred thousand horsepower plasma turbine engine, all-terrain hover jets, air brakes— and an onboard computer that links with my systems! My baby is the coolest, hottest, baddest—"

Cool! Robin's voice echoes in their minds, a happy smile on his face.

Cyborg turns around, and sees that his teammates aren't exactly brimming with enthusiasm like they were the last time. He gives a little cough, and opens the passenger side door. "After you, Star."