He continues his desperate flight, weaving through the trees. Each footfall is a gamble. Every rustle of leaves could signal his doom. The Totem Vikavolt is relentless, its electric blasts carving paths of destruction behind him. He vaults over a moss-covered log and glances back, wincing at the sight of the smoldering crater where he'd stood moments before.
This oversized bug is not giving up.
He spies a narrow ravine. A risky maneuver, but he sees no other option. Robin activates his grapnel launcher, firing a line at a sturdy tree branch on the opposite side. He swings across the chasm, narrowly avoiding another blast of electric energy that shears the branch he was aiming for. He lands hard on the other side, stumbling but maintaining his balance.
His breath comes in ragged gasps. His muscles scream in protest. This aerial bug is relentless.
He utilizes every trick he knows: sliding under fallen trees, scaling rocky outcrops, and even using his smoke pellets to create temporary diversions. But the Totem Vikavolt is too fast, too perceptive. Its electric blasts keep coming, each one a near miss that leaves him shaken and singed.
An hour crawls by.
He is exhausted, his body battered and bruised. His suit is shredded. His hair stands on end from the lingering electric charge. But finally, he sees a break in the trees. He bursts into a familiar clearing, the place where he and the other Titans had split up. He collapses against a tree, panting. The Totem Vikavolt is nowhere in sight. For now, he is safe.
Well, relatively speaking.
He surveys the damage. His Robin suit is in tatters, exposing patches of scraped and bleeding skin. His usually impeccable hair resembles a bird's nest after a lightning storm. He reeks of ozone and singed fabric. He brushes thorns off his arms.
"Tt. This is not ideal."
He leans heavily against the tree, catching his breath and replaying the encounter in his mind. The Totem Vikavolt was unlike anything he'd faced before, a creature of raw power and untamed aggression. It was a valuable lesson. The Pokémon of this world are not to be underestimated.
He needs to report this, but first, he needs a new suit. And perhaps a stiff drink.
"I should probably let the others know about the giant railgun beetle before they also become charred crisps."
He straightens, adjusting his tattered cape. The encounter was a setback, but it has only strengthened his resolve. He will not be deterred. He will learn everything there is to know about these Pokémon. And he will be prepared for anything they may throw at him. He sets off to find his teammates.
"It is time to convene with the Titans."
…
The clearing hums with newfound companionship. Starfire cradles Togepi gently, her face alight with a joy that could power a small city. "Friends, I have found the most precious of eggs! And now, a most precious of friends!" Togepi chirps in agreement, nuzzling against her cheek.
Raven stands nearby, Misdreavus hovering ethereally at her side. "It is… acceptable. The gem has been returned, and its cries are not as grating as I had feared." A faint smile plays on her lips, almost imperceptible. Almost.
Cyborg presents the timid Whismur. "Check it out, Titans! This little dude is super shy, but I think he's gonna fit right in." Whismur peeks from behind Cyborg's massive frame, its eyes wide. "He's got a voice that could shatter glass, apparently."
A collective "aww" rises from the group,
Beast Boy, in his human form, playfully wrestles with Rockruff. "Check it! A furry little dude with rocks for a collar! We're gonna be unstoppable! We can be friends!" Rockruff barks happily and tries to rub against Beast Boy.
Orion smiles, observing the scene with Pikachu at his side. "Ah, it warms my heart to see such bonds forming. Seems like the universe is unfolding the way it should."
They trade stories, each recounting their adventures in the Sanctuary. Starfire tells of the Heracross and the perilous cliff edge, and the Phantump who wanted to play. Raven describes her journey to find Misdreavus, and finding the lost gem. Cyborg explains his encounter with Aggron, as well as the stampede.
The moment is wholesome.
A sudden silence falls over the group.
Beast Boy frowns. "Uh… where's Robin? Did anyone see him?"
Starfire's brow furrows. "Now that you mention it, I have not observed his presence since we departed from this location."
Raven's eyes narrow slightly. "He said he would return promptly. It is unlike him to be delayed without reason."
Cyborg taps his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe he found a super rare Pokémon and is tryin' to catch it?"
Orion strokes his chin. "Hmmm, not returned? I can only assume Robin is lost within the thick fog of his own intensity. But, I am sure he is safe, as long as he did not agitate any Beedrill."
Just then, Robin emerges from the portal, looking like he wrestled a chainsaw and lost. His cape is torn, his uniform is covered in dirt, and his hair is a mess. He trudges forward, clearly not having had a good time.
Beast Boy barely manages to stifle a laugh by transforming his face into a green chimpanzee. Starfire covers her mouth, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Cyborg whistles, trying to play it cool, but a smirk creeps across his face. Even Raven's lips twitch ever so slightly.
Orion approaches Robin with a gentle smile. "Ah, young Robin! Seems you have faced the trials of the Sanctuary. A true test of spirit, I say. But, fear not, my friend. Not every seed takes root, not every Pokémon finds its master. Perhaps you need to look harder and soften up to make it."
Robin's eyes narrow, misinterpreting Orion's words as a jab at his failure. "I did not 'fail'," he retorts, his voice tight with annoyance. "I merely assessed the situation and determined that none of the Pokémon were suitable partners."
Starfire pats Robin on the shoulder, her smile unwavering. "Do not fret, Friend Robin! You shall find a companion in time, perhaps a creature of shadows, like Raven!"
Beast Boy chimes in, "Yeah, dude! Maybe you just need a Pokémon that matches your personality. Like, a Grumpy or a Grouch Pokémon."
Cyborg adds, "Or maybe one of those dark and scary types, like a ghost or something!"
Robin's eye twitches. "Cease," he snaps, his voice dangerously low. "I do not require your patronizing sympathy. Nor do I require a Pokémon that matches my 'personality,' as you so eloquently put it." He glares at each of them in turn, his frustration palpable.
He sighs, running a hand through his already messy hair. "Just because I did not form an immediate, sentimental bond with a wild animal does not mean I am somehow deficient." He turns away, his back to the Titans.
A silent communication passes between the friends, Beast Boy failing to resist a giggle, Raven using her cloak to hide her face. Starfire pats Robin's shoulder again, a little too hard. "We jest only, Friend Robin! It is our way of showing affection." The Titans exchange sly glances, laughter threatening to bubble.
***
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Advance chapters in P@T0n Najicablitz.