Fan Fiction ❯ Of Flesh and Steel ❯ Dude, Where's My Friends? ( Chapter 7 )

 

Chapter 7

 

“Dude, Where's My Friends?”

 

**ENERGY LEVEL HAS REACHED SUFFICIENT STATUS. AUTOMATIC SYSTEM REBOOT PROGRAM INTIATED! ALL CRITICAL SYSTEMS STABLIZED. ENERGY ALLOCATION WILL BE SET AT MINIMUMAL CAPACITY**

 

{JOOOOLT}

 

WHOOOOAA!!

 

(Heavy wheezing perfectly fit for a clueless and high strung half-droid)

 

Man! That gets me every time. EEEER What a rush!

 

(Yet some more heavy wheezing, surpassing what is fit for a clueless and high strung half-droid)

 

Wowie! Never gets old either, always shakes me up a bit whenever I get rebooted… if ya couldn't figure it out already.

 

(By the way, I'm officially done with the heavy wheezing)

 

Heh. I'll never and I really mean NEVER, get used to that! Hmmmm, how to describe it… how to describe it... how to describe it… how to describe it… OH! I got it!!!

 

Well I guess it's sorta like getting those `butterflies' in your stomach. Ya'll know all about that right? Come on! Just because I'm a super hero and mostly cybernetic doesn't mean I can't relate to some `things' ya'll. Everyone has had those moments in life that make ya feel a bit queasy yet excited at the same time… yep… even us super powered Titans.

 

I mean seriously, who hasn't? You get em whenever you're taking one of those big drops on a roller coaster. Or uh… before you ask someone out on a date even! Or… oh yeah! When you're waiting for your turn to take your very first Driver's License test at the DMV! Ugh man that is the worst isn't it? Even with my computer precision when it comes to driving I was still hella nervous. Fine I'll admit it, I may be the most awesome driver in the world but a lot can still go wrong ya know? Plus ya'll know how much I hate those red lights… grrr worthless I'm tellin' ya.

 

Anyway, no one can ever get used to those tingly moments. Dude even I still get that feeling more often than I want. And although it might not be the `real deal feeling' by your `normal human' standards, I still get the jitters that's for sure. Heh, just ask Jinx about the first time I tried talking to her, as a friend… embarrassing really. I was stuttering, tripping, spazzing, acting like a total idiot, freaking out. Oh boy… uh ya know what? Actually cancel that. I never said a thing! (Cue that large cartoon smile)

 

So yep, yep, yep no matter how many times you go on that `Viper' ride, or how many times you bumble like an idiot in front of someone you `like', that feeling still gets to ya every time as it seems! That tingling is just so unusual and unwanted but at the same time is totally necessary in your life. Keeps you grounded I guess. Sorta like me right?! Uh huh! You betcha! Can't live with me, can't get rid of me!!

 

Or at least that's what Raven would say.

 

Heh, wait hold on a sec…

 

Hold the God damn phone!

 

How the hell am I even rambling this crap to you guys? I'm supposed to be… well uh… you know… what's the word I'm looking for? Oh right…

 

Dead!!

 

Harsh word I know. But that's where I thought this was heading towards. Good thing I'm not though eh? Heh, gee well what do ya know? It took me awhile to realize this (Surprise Surprise) but I'm alive ya'll!

 

I'm still wheelin' and dealin' baby! Heck yeah I am! (Cue that `I Will Survive Music!') Sweetness dudes and dudettes! This has to be a good thing right? Right?!

 

Er, never mind. Don't answer that. Who cares? I survived! Woohoo! I'm a survivor! Ain't gonna give up! Not gonna stop! Gonna work harder! Yea!! Or however that song goes. It don't mattah!

 

Booyah baby! GO CYBORG!! GO CYBORG! GET BUSY! GET BUSY! Do a little dance. Make a little love. Get down tonight! OH YEAH!

 

**MAIN ENERGY CELL IS NOW FULLY RECHARGED. ENERGY ALLOCATION WILL NOW BE SET AT 50 PERCENT**

 

Ah man feels good to be `alive'.

 

Alive! Alive! Alive! Alive! ALIIIIVE!

 

You know, it feels `good' just to even say that word doesn't it? Heh, to think all this time I've been moaning and groaning to you guys about being able to `live'. Sheesh, it's really moments like these that make ya look at life in a totally different light. I guess it takes `two' near death experiences to knock some sense into this half-droid.

 

Okay so what if I'm not what you would call `normal'? I may not be the exact way I want to be but now that I think about… who in this crazy world really is? It may be a little more extreme in my case but ya know what? I don't care…

 

Bah… honesty kicks in…

 

Well I do care but I think it's okay to feel that way… as long as I am realizing how `lucky' I am in so many other ways. And seriously I think I'm going to start that realization right now.

 

Fine, so I may never `feel' in the same exact manner like I did before the accident with my parents. But at least I still get to `feel'! Whether it be completely natural, or some what artificial. I'm still alive to feel and that what's important.

 

I'm just grateful to be alive man. And that's really all I can and `should' ask for. Shame on me really… Cyborg you just don't know how good you have it sometimes… you just don't.

 

Alright, I gotta promise to myself, no more droning like a whiner okay Cyborg?! You're alive, and be grateful. NO MORE WHINING! Hell Yea!

 

SAY IT LIKE YA MEAN IT CY!

 

NO MORE!!!!NO MORE!!! NO MORE!!

 

Whew, now that I got all that frustration out let's see, uh what happened again?

 

Okay, don't tell me. I was probably `whining', as usual. And then me and the Titans were kickin' major butt right? Yea, wait a sec. That was what happened! But whose ass were we taking down to China town again? Let's see what I remember… bike… dog… greaser…

 

Oh right on. It was Rancid and his Mecha-Clifford. That's it! The memory is becoming clearer! And then… and then… uh… and then…

 

We all went out for some donuts and coffee!! Uh huh! Am I right? Or am I right? Yes? No? Maybe so?

 

(Head shakes in abundance)

 

No? Bummer! Uh, don't worry guys the memory will kick in ANY minute now. Just gotta be patient. Let me concentrate for a bit... it'll just be a sec.

 

(1 Minute)

 

I said any minute now… it's coming just hold on.

 

(2 Minutes)

 

Uh… remember kids, patience is a virtue.

 

(3 minutes)

 

Um I said any second now!? Think Cyborg! Think!!

 

(10 minutes)

 

ALRIGHT THAT DOES IT! LOOK I SAAAAAAID ANY MIN-

 

(The infamous `fake' real light bulb returns in all its glory!)

 

Oh cool! Teehee, never mind! I think… yep, it's definitely back… and uh-

 

**EXCUSE ME CYBORG, BUT WELCOME BACK**

 

Uh thanks. Ya know I'd never thought I'd say this, but I appreciate you my monotonous female robotic voice built into my head. Hearing your voice just brightens up my day.

 

**EER… AND I `APPRECIATE' YOU TOO ANNOYING, OBNOXIOUS MALE CYBORG I AM BUILT WITHIN. YOU HAVE GROWN TO BECOME QUITE `ACCEPTABLE' AS WELL**

 

Wow that's nice of you to… HEY! Wait a sec… THAT'S NOT COOL!!!

 

**SYSTEM CAPABILITIES ARE NOW AT 100 PERCENT. OUTPUT POTENTIAL IS AT FULL CAPACITY. NORMAL FUNCTIONS WILL BE REACTIVATED IN T-MINUS 55 SECONDS**

 

Eeeer okay… oh well, sweet, sweet, sweet. For a minute there I thought I was a goner for sure. But hey, who am I kidding right? I was as cool as the other side of the pillow against Rancid wasn't I? I probably showed him and his mutt to never to mess with the Teen Titans ever again! Woohoo! Hehehehe… heh… heh… heh…heh… yeeeah…

 

Okay, er, I know, I know, I know. I probably didn't `save' the day. But it was Jinx wasn't it? It had to be. It must have been! Who else could it have been? Silkie?! Yea sure, that would be pretty cool I guess… but I really don't think so.

 

Guys, it was Jinx.

 

It had to be her! Yes `her'! It was my Jinxy pie. There's no question in my mind. I mean I saw her face, that pretty pretty face of gray of hers right before I went into that turbulent shut down. Besides, I couldn't have taken out that greaser and his mutt with my empty power reserves, no matter how much of a `direct hit' I gave them with my Sonic Canon of doom. I mean without my friends…

 

Wait my friends…

 

Aw man!

 

Dammit!!!! Oh no…Raven, BB, Robin, Star. AARGH!!!!! Sorry guys! I am really sorry… I hope they're alright. GAH! Please let them be okay! Please… just please…

 

**VISUAL RECEPTORS POWERING ON, YOU ARE NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL. HAVE A NICE DAY CYBORG**

 

{JOOOLT}

 

My one red eye starts to glow again, those blue emotes in my transparent areas start to light up signaling that my energy level is back at working power. I hear a couple of gears start to reactivate in my body making those `clinking' sounds keeping my systems running smooth. The sounds slow to a murmur and I feel like my `not so normal' cybernetic self again. My vision comes back and that my friends, is a perfect system reboot.

 

So I'm back up and running. Yay.

 

Hmm what now? What now? Oh yeah! Dude where's my friends!? Last I saw… well… uh… I don't even want to think about that. They're alive. They have to be! I mean we've gotten out of worse situations than this…

 

Who am I kidding? This isn't good!!!

 

Okay keep positive Cy. Calm down, we need to think this through… think… think… think…

 

I GOT IT! Let's just take a look around and see the surroundings. That sounds like a good start. Alright! I got a plan!

 

Cool that's the hard part, now let's slowly take a good look around.

 

I am now officially `looking'.

 

(An awkward moment of my oblivious gazing)

 

Still looking… still looking… still looking… still looking… and now I am a bit surprised and uh a bit worried at the same time. Hmph.

 

I mean you would be too if I told you I was lying in the same spot where I just went into `shut down' mode awhile back. And honestly ya'll, that is exactly what I am doing right now. I'm still `here'. Wherever `here' is! Hmmmm interesting… very, very, very interesting.

 

Ya'll a bit surprised too eh? Told ya so!

 

But like I said this is totally not right. Really, it is! This is not making any sense at all, not to mention it does bring up a couple of important questions that need answering ASAP.

 

First off, where the heck is Rancid?!? Secondly where's his mutt?!? Thirdly where are my friends and are they okay?!? Fourth, where's Jinx!? And last but not least… just how the heck did I reenergize myself without my re-charge technology that's sitting back at Titans Tower?

 

What? Am I like magic now? I know, I know I know, that'll be pretty sweet. But that's just not gonna happen! It's not like I can `magically' turn myself on at will or if I was forcibly disassembled, `miraculously' pull myself together again. Now that's just too funny. No, let's be sensible for once in life Cy. There has to be a totally reasonable explanation for this. There always is!!

 

Wait… actually no. Heh, I'm wrong. I know… no surprise there. But uh… things having a `reasonable explanation' isn't always the case now that I think about it.

 

When BB turned into that werewolf thingy and Adonis did too, that wasn't sensible or reasonable. When Gizmo went into my body to get rid of my virus problem and miraculously got out on his own power, that wasn't sensible or reasonable. How me and Jinx fell for each other… (My eyes turn into Hearts) that isn't completely sensible or reasonable. But what I realize too is that it doesn't always have to be!

 

Heh what do ya know? I guess I am magic! Booyah! Sorry… getting serious again.

 

I looked down towards my chest plate and you guessed it. There was my oh so needed `reasonable' response. Why oh why do I ask so many God damn questions to things where I know the answer is gonna totally suck? Bah!! I'm not magic! Bummer once again!

 

I reached down towards the `answer' and pulled it out of my re-charge socket. It was a battery of some sort. But this wasn't any ordinary battery, let me tell ya. And no! It's not the battery with that damn bunny that keeps going and going and going and going. I'm being serious here believe it or not.

 

Anyway, on the back of this gadget was a crest that I am way too damn familiar with. Ya'll are probably familiar with it too.

 

Look at it… sitting there with that golden edge binding, that artsy written H in the middle of a black and white checkered pattern, and that banner that stands out so well with the words `H.A.E.Y.P' inscribed across the bottom of the crest. Yup you know what that stands for.

 

`The Hive Academy for Extraordinary Young People', sigh.

 

I remember that acronym all too well as you can see.

 

Yuppers, it was the good ol' H.I.V.E. crest I've come to know all too well. I guess Jinx must have planted it on me… how sweet of her… I think.

 

I hope this isn't some kind of bomb… it is a `H.I.V.E.' device heh, that would totally… oh boy…

 

I reared back to toss the battery away and hit the deck. But I paused.

 

Wait a minute. Come on! Jinx wouldn't do that to me. We're friends… no we're more than friends. She's changed. She… wouldn't do that…

 

Would she?

 

I shook my head and relaxed. Bad thoughts Cy! Don't think of her that way. Shame on you!

 

Okay, okay, okay I just gotta calm down and just think this out again.

 

Alright Cyborg you got your `reasonable' answer. This should be only a good thing. Sigh, too bad this still leaves me pretty much clueless to what exactly happened here. Where's my pals?! Where's Jinx?! Where's-

 

(Cue the `When there's trouble you know who to call!' melody in ring tone form)

 

Ack there goes my arm phone. Hmmm, a phone call eh… gee I wonder who it is.

 

I open my arm cover to my Nextel satellite phone receiver with live and real time video camera capabilities. Oh yeah! Only the most hi-tech stuff gets installed to me baby! Nothing less for this sly guy!

 

With a press of a button a picture shows up and for some `crazy' reason I really think I should've just let this phone call go. With white hair and darkened eyes that gave off a red glow, I knew I was in for a `treat' for this convo. The big bad `Brother' himself spoke.

 

“Why if it isn't my favorite teenage `cyborg'… Cyborg.” The bastard said to me with his usual `I'm so proper' type talk. I hate that type of talk by the way!

 

Grrr! This guy makes my `blood' boil! Wait I have no blood… never mind. But I am definitely getting a bad feeling about this whole situation. Alright, don't show your `worried' Cy, keep it cocky.

 

“Hey, hey, hey! If it isn't my favorite senior citizen Brother Blood! How ya doin' buddy? How's the old H.I.V.E. school `holding' up?” Sarcasm rules don't it!?

 

“My Cyborg, you are quite the smart mouth. Hehe, but for that very reason, it will only make what I am going to show you that much sweeter.” Blood said with a chuckle.

 

Cool I am a smart-ass! Alright time for that `Robin' super hero tone.

 

“Look I'd love to sit and chat with you, believe me! But I got bigger problems to sort out. So cut the crap Blood. What do you want from me?”

 

He only laughed.

 

“First off Cyborg I am your problem. Secondly the question isn't about what `I' want. But it's about what `you' want my old bionic friend.”

 

How the heck did he get my phone number and hmmmm `What I want huh?' That's never a good thing to hear from a bad guy's mouth. I tried to reply but he kicked in before I could say diddly squat.

 

What? You don't believe me? Okay fine. I'll prove it.

 

`Diddly Sq-'

 

He rudely cleared his throat.

 

(INTERUPTTED)

 

Told ya!

 

“Looking back now, it seems that you have taken a lot away from me Cyborg. First it was my swagger when you tricked me to believing that I actually had you under my control. Then there was my beautiful H.I.V.E. base that took years and countless amounts of resources to build. Then you stole my ion amplifier, my brilliant piece of technology that my students and I have worked so hard on! By the way… YOU MAKE ME SICK!”

 

Yes! I make him sick! Who knew I could cause so much trouble? Teehee. Let's reply with that good ol' Cyborg might baby!

 

“Oh man I've really made your life a living hell haven't I? What can I say Blood? I just got a knack for that kinda thing.” I replied smoothly.

 

Cyborg you are one bad mother… SHUT YO MOUTH! What? Ya just gotta love that `Shaft'!

 

“Yes, yes you have. But Cyborg even after all that. You… you… couldn't stop there could you? You had to step over the line yet again! And this time you will surely pay dearly for doing so!”

 

Man, he seems kinda pissed off. SCORE! Oh well. As the great Charlie Murphy would tell me, `You're a habitual line stepper!'

 

“Um, sorry Blood but that's my job. I'm the good guy and you are the bad guy remember? Making your life a living hell is one of my top priorities.” I replied.

 

I think it's a bit weird how I gotta remind him this stuff. For a master mind he seems totally `out of it' sometimes. Go figure.

 

“While that may be the case `hero', this has gone on far enough. Not only did you take all of those prized possessions away from me. But now you're trying to take one of my most prestigious students away from me as well. And that is the final straw my former scholar. It ends here. This is where I take it all back!”

 

`It ends here' `This is where I take it all back!' Bah he thinks he so darn cool with his bad guy talk! Well he's not! He's just an old cranky… Wait…

 

Taking away his students? Dammit he knows about Jinx? Oh boy…

 

“Heh, I find it amusing really. I couldn't believe it until I saw it with my own two eyes.” He laughed. “You've turned one of my top students into a pathetic goodie two shoes. You've undone all of what I have taught her. Years and years of studying and teaching all flushed down the drain. Because of you! Do you realize what you've DONE!!?”

 

Dude this guy needs to take a chill pill. A goodie two shoes? Jinx? Riiiight.

 

“I have no idea what you're talking about.” GULP!

 

He laughed that annoying laugh as I scratched my bald head doing my academy award worthy `acting'.

 

“Heh, foolish child. Rancid and his dog were just a set-up my old friend. It was only a test! A test for your apparently new dear `friend' Jinx; I was examining her to assess her allegiance. To test her loyalty to me and my school and she failed miserably to be quite honest with you. She actually attempted to save you and your friends. It sickens me really. I had such high hopes for her.”

 

“So it was her…” I mumbled with a light smile.

 

She saved my friends too? I knew it! I just knew it! Jinx I am so proud of you! You are something else girl. (LARGE SMILE!!!!)

 

“Yes it was Cyborg. She fought valiantly and she did succeed in freeing your friends, and apparently reviving you. But like always there's a catch, and this scenario is no different.”

 

I ignored him. I still had to take this in!

“Go Jinxy baby!!!” I yelled with my smile still radiating from my face. Wait hold on… a catch?! There goes the party.

 

“Blood… what did you do?”

 

“Hehehe. Why don't I just show you?”

 

He pulled away from the screen.

 

“Recognize anyone Cyborg?”

 

Gulp again!

 

There they were, all unconscious and strapped down on steel tables. Raven, BB, Star, and Robin. Damn… he has them. Well at least they're not dog chow… Wow you weren't looking at something with that `glasses half empty' point of view for once Cyborg. Sweet! I haven't done that in awhile.

 

I was kinda speechless as you could imagine.

 

“I'm sure you do. Heh heh heh.” He said. I growled.

 

“Blood if you do anything to them I'll-“

 

“You'll do what? Please tell me! Hah! You're hardly in the position to give commands Cyborg.”

 

Uh good point… my mouth is shut for now. DARN!

 

“Not such a loud mouth now are you?” He laughed. I sighed. We cried. Okay, that last one was just another cheap rhyme. I apologize.

 

He snickered. “But it doesn't stop there my friend,”

 

Well duh, it never does.

 

“Because as much as I loathe you? Heh, I hate traitors just as much.” Jinx…

 

He pulled her up to my view as two purple hooded H.I.V.E. students held her. She was tied up like the others with some kind of red rope. She looked so… helpless…

 

“Yes I have your little `girlfriend' as well. As you can see Cyborg no one betrays me and gets away with it. Sweet little Jinx here will be made an example out of. That's for sure.”

 

NO!

 

“Blood I swear if you do anything to her you'll regret it!!” I yelled, it sounded tough but… man I feel helpless too.

 

“No I think you'll be the on regretting it Cyborg. I suggest you listen and listen carefully if you want to see any of your so called friends alive.”

 

Bah, my hands are tied.

 

“I'll do anything.” Funny really, considering I said the same exact thing when he tried to manipulate me the first time.

 

He smiled. “Good. I'll make this short and simple.”

 

Oh please just out with it already!

 

“Go back to your `tower' and fetch my ion amplifier and bring it to Warehouse 24 at the bay area pier. If you do not comply, let's just say you've seen your friends for the last time. You have thirty minutes. Use them wisely. Come on Cyborg! Your `friends' are counting on you.” It's always a damn Warehouse!!!

 

A voice shoots from across off screen. “Sir, `Days of our Lives is on'.”

 

`Days of our lives'? He watches that soap opera crap?

 

Blood kind of gave a nervous chuckle and I only sweat-dropped. “Uh I will be right there.” He turned to me with a scowl. “What are you staring at? Time is a wasting.”

 

“Wait Blood…”

 

(CLICK)

 

And all I hear is ring tone…

 

Well at least I know why he gave me thirty minutes…

 

Great this is just great. (Sigh) What should I do? I mean this has `trap' written all over it! I ain't no fool. I'm just walking straight into the eye of the storm.

 

But my teammates and Jinx they need me. Dammit! I can't ad I won't let you guys down! Oh hell no! I am not screwing this up.

 

Let's get pumped up! Yea turn up that `Rocky' music! Ya know… It's the eye of the tiger and uh… the earth and the fight… and it's the eye of the tiger… and the blah blah… it's the eye of the tiger… and the… and the…

 

I just butchered that song didn't I?

 

(Awkward stares)

 

Well that's great now I feel less pumped up then before.

 

Oh whatever man you get the idea!!

 

Alright Cyborg! Time to pull out all of the stops! The good guys always win! And I'm not gonna break that tradition! Hell no. That Blood thinks he so damn smart? Well I got a few tricks up my sleeves too. You're going down. Booyah!

 

I tossed the battery in my hand to the floor and I couldn't help but smile a bit reminding myself of who `saved' me. If it wasn't for her, me and my friends would definitely be history.

 

Jinx is the one for me. She is my one and special someone! There is a girl out there who I love and I'm not going to let anyone take her away from me. This is going to have a happy ending if I have anything to do with it!

 

Heh, man I just realized I'm going on a suicide mission for people I love and care about… I know… hehehe… what's more `human' than that right? So, I guess under all this metal Vic Stone is still running strong… well what do ya know? There might be more `human' in me than I thought. And it's all thanks to my friends and of course `her'. Thanks guys. I'm not going to let you down!

 

Alright guys hold on tight. Cause Cyborg's on the way to save the day!

 

Man too bad I can't fly. Wouldn't it be totally cool if I just took off like Superman or something? Oh well, the T-car will definitely do.

 

I open my wrist and I press a few buttons. Remote control car capabilities is a must have ya'll.

 

In a few minutes my `baby' arrives in all its beauty! I stare it down.

 

“Alright `baby'. You know how we do it! Let's go get our friends back…”

 

I swear to God I think my `baby' nodded back at me. Hehe… Oh well it's time to put up or shut up and ya'll know how I hate to be quiet. Oh yeah…