DC: Legacy of Cycl⦻ps

Cyclops and Robin push open the door to the small, dimly lit establishment. It appears to be a cozy bar with a few patrons scattered around.

yclops and Robin, who stand out in their colorful superhero costumes amidst the ordinary patrons.

Cyclops and Robin exchange a nervous glance, realizing they've drawn attention to themselves.

The bartender, a burly man with a bushy beard, raises an eyebrow and gestures for them to approach.

Bartender: You two lost or something?

Robin steps forward, trying to maintain his composure.

Robin: Uh, just passing through. Our car broke down.

-FLASHBACK-

Robin: Destroy it.

Cyclops' visor glows as he unleashes an optic blast, obliterating the Robinmobile. The car explodes in a burst of energy, debris flying.

Robin and Cyclops stand in front of the smoldering wreckage. Cyclops looks at Robin, confused.

Cyclops: Now what?

-END OF FLASHBACK-

A few of the patrons murmur among themselves, eyeing Cyclops and Robin skeptically.

Cyclops clears his throat, trying to lighten the mood.

Cyclops: Yeah, we were hoping to find some shelter for the night. Maybe a place to charge our... devices.

The bartender eyes them suspiciously but then nods towards a corner booth.

Bartender: Take a seat. I'll get you something warm to drink.

As Cyclops and Robin make their way to the booth, the other patrons continue to watch them with curiosity, unsure of what to make of the unexpected visitors.

Suddenly, a group of tough-looking individuals approaches their table, their swagger echoing through the bar. The leader and his gang, a burly man with tattoos snaking up his arms, locks eyes with Cyclops.

Gang 1: Hey, aren't you Cyclops from New York?

Ignoring Robin, who's sitting beside him, the gang leader taps Cyclops on the shoulder, a grin spreading across his face.

Gang Leader: Buddy, you're that laser boy from the TV, right?

Robin mutters under his breath, realizing they've been recognized.

Robin: Oh, great...

Cyclops shoots a quick glance at Robin, then stands up from the booth, facing the gang leader with a guarded expression.

Cyclops: Laser boy, huh? What do you want?

The gang leader chuckles, pulling out his phone and gesturing towards the wall where a framed photo of Cyclops hangs proudly.

Gang Leader: I'll tell you what I want. Could we get a picture with you? Everybody in this bar loves you, man. And I mean, hot. Just a quick photo?

Cyclops shrugs, a resigned expression crossing his face.

Cyclops: Whatever...

The gang leader nods eagerly, signaling to his crew. As they start to gather around Cyclops, he holds up a hand defensively.

Cyclops: But don't touch me.

The gang leader complies, and they begin taking photos one by one, each member posing beside Cyclops with grins on their faces.

At first, Cyclops remains stiff and unsmiling in the photos, but as the session goes on, he starts to loosen up. In one shot, he even makes a funny face, causing the gang members to erupt into laughter.

After the impromptu photo session, the gang leader hands Cyclops a piece of paper and a pen.

Gang Leader: Can we get your autograph, too?

Cyclops hesitates for a moment, then smiles warmly, taking the pen and paper.

Cyclops: Sure thing.

Cyclops scribbles his signature onto the paper, adding a little doodle of his visor shooting out a beam of light.

Handing the autographed paper back to the gang leader, Cyclops nods gratefully.

Cyclops: There you go. Thanks for the... hospitality.

As the gang leader and his crew prepare to leave for the night, the gang leader hesitates at the door, his hand resting on the frame.

Turning back to face Cyclops and Robin, the gang leader's expression shifts to a more serious tone.

Gang Leader: Before we head out, I gotta warn you two about something.

Cyclops and Robin exchange puzzled glances, unsure of what to expect from the gang leader's sudden change in demeanor.

The gang leader leans in closer, his voice dropping to a hushed tone.

Gang Leader: There's been talk about a skinwalker prowling around these parts lately.

Cyclops and Robin both furrow their brows, the mention of a skinwalker sending a shiver down their spines.

Cyclops: A skinwalker? What's that?

The gang leader's expression darkens as he explains, his gaze steady on Cyclops and Robin.

Gang Leader: It's... something you don't wanna mess with. Just keep your guard up out there, alright?

With a solemn nod, the gang leader turns to leave once more, his gang following closely behind him.

As the door swings shut behind them, Cyclops and Robin are left alone, the weight of the gang leader's warning hanging heavily in the air.

Robin: What do you think a skinwalker is, Cyclops?

The bartender returns to Cyclops and Robin's table, carrying two steaming mugs of hot cocoa.

Bartender: Here you go, boys. On the house.

Cyclops accepts the mug with a grateful nod, taking a sip of the warm drink.

Cyclops: Thanks.

Robin looks up at the bartender, his curiosity piqued by the mention of the skinwalker.

Robin: Hey, bartender, what exactly is a skinwalker?

The bartender pauses, his eyes flickering with a hint of concern as he considers Robin's question.

Bartender: A skinwalker... It's an old legend around these parts. Some say it's just a story, but others swear they've seen something out there in the dark.

Cyclops and Robin exchange a wary glance, the seriousness in the bartender's voice sending a chill down their spines.

Cyclops: What kind of something?

The bartender leans in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper as he speaks.

Bartender: They say it's a creature that can take on the form of any animal it desires. A shapeshifter, some call it.

Cyclops and Robin exchange a nervous glance, the weight of the bartender's words sinking in.

Just as the bartender begins to walk away, Cyclops calls out to him, a hopeful expression on his face.

Cyclops: Hey, wait a second!

The bartender turns back, curious about what Cyclops might need.

Bartender: Something else you need?

Cyclops hesitates for a moment before speaking, his voice hesitant.

Cyclops: Do you happen to have an extra room here? We could really use a place to stay for the night.

The bartender's eyes soften with sympathy as he considers Cyclops's request.

Bartender: Normally, we're all booked up, but... I might be able to make an exception for you two.

A relieved smile spreads across Cyclops's face as he thanks the bartender profusely.

Cyclops: Thank you so much. We really appreciate it.

The bartender nods, gesturing for Cyclops and Robin to follow him as he leads them towards a staircase at the back of the bar.

Bartender: Follow me. I'll show you to your room.

Cyclops and Robin follow closely behind the bartender as he leads them up a narrow staircase at the back of the bar.

The stairs creak under their weight as they ascend, the dim light from the bar below casting long shadows along the walls.

At the top of the staircase, the bartender stops in front of a plain wooden door, reaching into his pocket for a key.

With a click, the bartender unlocks the door and pushes it open, revealing a modest but cozy room inside.

Cyclops and Robin step into the room, taking in their surroundings with grateful smiles.

The room is furnished with a couple of twin beds, a small table, and a window overlooking the quiet street below.

The bartender steps inside behind them, holding out a key to Cyclops.

Bartender: Here's the key. Make yourselves at home. And if you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask.

Cyclops takes the key with a nod of thanks, his expression filled with appreciation for the bartender's kindness.

Cyclops: Thanks again. We really appreciate it.

Once the bartender has left and they're alone, Robin glances around the room, a slightly uneasy expression crossing his face.

Robin: Um, Cyclops... is it just me, or is this a little bit creepy?

Cyclops furrows his brow, looking around the room as if seeing it for the first time through Robin's eyes.

Cyclops: What do you mean?

Robin gestures towards the lone bed, which is positioned directly in front of the window, leaving little space between the bed and the wall on the left side.

Robin: Well, there's only one bed, and it's right in front of the window. And there's hardly any space on the left side. It just feels... off.

Cyclops considers Robin's observation, nodding thoughtfully as he realizes the somewhat unsettling layout of the room.

Cyclops: Yeah, I see what you mean. It is a bit strange.

Despite the odd layout, Cyclops tries to reassure Robin, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Cyclops: Come on, Robin. Nothing's going to happen. Let's just get some sleep.

Two hours later, the room is bathed in moonlight filtering through the window. Cyclops is fast asleep in the bed, while Robin sits upright, wide awake, his eyes scanning the room.

Robin glances down at his own suit, which lies crumpled on the floor beside the bed, his expression troubled.

With a sigh, Robin reaches for his pajamas, deciding to change out of his superhero attire.

As Robin changes into his pajamas, he casts a concerned glance towards Cyclops, who sleeps peacefully beside him.

Finally dressed in pajamas, Robin settles back onto the bed, his mind still racing with thoughts of the skinwalker and the strange layout of the room.

Robin's gaze drifts towards the window, drawn by a movement outside. His eyes widen in surprise as he sees an owl perched on the windowsill, its eyes fixed on him.

With a sudden jolt of fear, Robin lets out a sharp scream, his voice echoing through the room.

Robin: Aaaah!

Cyclops jerks awake at the sound of Robin's scream, his eyes snapping open as he bolts upright in bed.

Cyclops: What's wrong?!

Robin points frantically at the window, his voice trembling with fear.

Robin: There's an owl staring at me! It's right there!

Cyclops follows Robin's gaze to the window, his expression puzzled as he sees the owl perched outside.

Realizing it's just an innocent owl, Cyclops lets out a relieved sigh and shakes his head.

Cyclops: It's just an owl, Robin. You scared me half to death for nothing.

Robin's cheeks flush with embarrassment as he realizes his overreaction, but he can't help feeling relieved that it's just a harmless bird.

Robin: Oh... right. Sorry about that.

.

.

.

An hour later, Cyclops stirs awake, blinking groggily as he adjusts to the dim light filtering through the window. He glances over and sees Robin still fast asleep beside him.

Feeling the urge to use the restroom, Cyclops slowly climbs out of bed, careful not to wake Robin. He tiptoes towards the door, trying to be as quiet as possible.

As he reaches for the door handle, something catches Cyclops's eye outside the window. His heart skips a beat as he sees the same owl perched on the windowsill, its piercing gaze fixed on him but more creeper.

Cyclops's breath catches in his throat as he watches the owl, a sense of unease creeping over him.

Unable to tear his gaze away from the owl, Cyclops takes a step closer to the window, his mind racing with thoughts of the skinwalker and the bartender's warning.

Suddenly, a wave of panic washes over Cyclops as he realizes the danger they might be in. He turns towards the bed, his heart pounding in his chest.

Cyclops rushes over to Robin's side, shaking him urgently to wake him up.

Cyclops: Robin! Wake up! There's something outside! We need to get out of here!

Robin groggily wakes up at Cyclops's urgent shaking, rubbing his eyes as he tries to make sense of the situation.

Robin: Huh? What's going on?

Cyclops's voice trembles with urgency as he explains, his eyes wide with fear.

Cyclops: There's an owl outside, Robin. But it's not just any owl... We need to be ready for anything.

Both heroes turn their attention back to the window, but to their surprise, the owl is nowhere to be seen.

Cyclops's jaw tightens with determination as he turns to Robin, his voice firm.

Cyclops: Suit up, Robin. We can't take any chances. Something's not right here.

Just as Robin begins to reach for his suit, a low, menacing growl echoes through the room, sending shivers down their spines.

With a sense of urgency, Robin quickly retrieves his suit and starts to put it on, his movements swift and determined.

As Robin finishes putting on his suit, both heroes stand ready, their senses heightened as they prepare to face whatever danger lurks outside the window.

Robin's eyes widen in shock at Cyclops's words, his mind struggling to comprehend what he's hearing.

Robin: What?

Before Robin can react, a sudden commotion erupts behind them as Cyclops is attacked from behind by the skinwalker.

Cyclops staggers forward, caught off guard by the sudden assault, while Robin springs into action, his instincts kicking in.

With a swift, decisive movement, Robin delivers a powerful kick to the skinwalker, sending it staggering backwards.

But to Robin's astonishment, the skinwalker disappears into thin air before his eyes, leaving behind nothing but an empty space.

Robin stands frozen in disbelief, his heart pounding in his chest as he tries to make sense of what just happened.

Cyclops: (urgently) Run!

Without hesitation, Cyclops and Robin leaped from the window, landing gracefully on the pavement below. They wasted no time, their feet pounding against the asphalt as they sprinted into the empty street.

Robin: (breathless) Did you hear that?

Cyclops glanced back over his shoulder, his eyes wide with concern.

Cyclops: Yeah, something's following us.

As they ran, the sound grew louder, a rhythmic thud echoing through the stillness of the night. Robin's heart raced as he stole a glance behind them, his eyes widening in horror.

Robin: (panicked) Cyclops, look!

There, emerging from the darkness, was a figure shrouded in shadow. Its movements were unnatural, its form twisting and contorting with every step.

Cyclops's grip tightened on Robin's arm as they both recognized the chilling truth.

Cyclops: (grimly) It's a skinwalker.

With a surge of adrenaline, they pushed themselves to run faster, their lungs burning with exertion. But no matter how fast they ran, the skinwalker remained hot on their heels, its malevolent presence looming closer with each passing moment.

The street seemed to stretch endlessly before them, the distant glow of city lights offering little solace in the face of the relentless pursuit. Robin's mind raced as he desperately searched for a way to escape, his thoughts consumed by fear and uncertainty.

Robin: (frantically) What do we do, Cyclops?

Cyclops locked eyes with the menacing skinwalker, its malevolent presence sending a shiver down his spine. With a sharp intake of breath, he focused his mutant ability, unleashing a powerful optic blast aimed at the creature.

The blast erupted from his eyes with blinding intensity, searing through the darkness like a bolt of lightning. But as the smoke cleared, Cyclops's heart sank as he realized the skinwalker had vanished into thin air.

Cyclops: (frustrated) What the fuck?!

His voice echoed off the cold brick walls, his mind racing with confusion and disbelief. As he turned to face his surroundings, his gaze fell upon not one, but two identical figures of Robin standing before him.

Cyclops's breath caught in his throat as panic surged through him, uncertainty gnawing at his mind.

Cyclops: (panicked) Oh my god! Which one of you is real?!

The two Robins exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions mirroring each other with eerie precision.

Robin: (urgently) I'm real, Cyclops! Shoot him!

Robin:(insistently) No, I'm the real one! He's the impostor!

Cyclops's head spun with indecision as he grappled with the impossible choice before him. Each Robin pleaded their case with equal conviction, their voices merging into a disorienting cacophony.

Cyclops: (desperate) I don't know who to trust...wait a second!

Cyclops stood with a mixture of apprehension and determination etched across his features. Flanked by two identical figures of Robin, his mind raced with uncertainty as he sought a way to distinguish friend from foe.

Cyclops: (tensely) Alright, I need to know something only the real Robin would know. What color is my hair under my mask?

The two Robins exchanged a glance, their faces a mirror of each other's uncertainty. But before either of them could respond, one of the Robins spoke up with confidence.

Robin: (assuredly) Your hair is black, Cyclops. I've known you since childhood, remember?

Cyclops's brow furrowed in doubt as he turned his attention to the other Robin, silently urging him to speak.

Robin: (insistently) No, Cyclops. Your hair is magenta. I've seen it countless times.

A flicker of recognition sparked in Cyclops's eyes as he processed the conflicting answers. The memories of their shared childhood flooded his mind, and he knew instinctively which response held the truth.

Cyclops: (resolutely) Magenta... That's right.

Without hesitation, Cyclops raised his hand, unleashing a focused optic blast at the Robin who had claimed his hair was black. As the blast struck its target, the figure let out an otherworldly shriek, its form contorting and shifting before dissolving into wisps of smoke.

Cyclops's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the illusion fade away, revealing the skinwalker lurking beneath the guise of his friend. With a heavy sigh, he turned to the remaining Robin, relief flooding his senses.

In the Titans Tower, laughter and excitement filled the air as the Teen Titans prepared a welcome party for their newest member, Cyclops. Streamers adorned the common area, and the scent of freshly baked treats wafted through the air.

Raven floated gracefully, her dark cloak billowing behind her, as she levitated decorations into place with a flick of her wrist. Beast Boy, ever the prankster, transformed into various animals, adding an extra touch of whimsy to the festivities.

Cyborg, with his mechanical prowess, had rigged up a sound system, filling the room with upbeat music to set the mood. Wonder Girl, radiating strength and warmth, greeted each guest with a welcoming smile as she helped arrange the snacks and refreshments.

Kid Flash, his energy palpable, zipped around the room with lightning speed, putting the finishing touches on the decorations with a mischievous grin.

As the party kicked into full swing, the Titans eagerly awaited Cyclops's arrival, their anticipation building with each passing moment.

Meanwhile, back in the shadows of the city streets, Robin and Cyclops found themselves locked in a fierce battle against the relentless skinwalker. Their punches landed with precision, each strike fueled by determination and the shared goal of protecting their home.

Robin: (gritting his teeth) Keep it up, Cyclops! We can't let this thing win!

Cyclops: (nodding) Right behind you, Robin. Let's finish this.

Suddenly, a sinister growl echoed through the night, and the skinwalker lunged from the shadows, its grotesque form twisting in the moonlight. Reacting with lightning speed, Robin pulled a batarang from his belt and hurled it with deadly accuracy. The batarang struck the skinwalker, pinning it against a nearby wall with a guttural howl of pain.

Robin: (urgently) Cyclops, now! Burn this thing alive!

Cyclops didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he focused his energy. A brilliant beam of red light erupted from his visor, bathing the alley in an eerie crimson glow. The optic blast struck the pinned skinwalker with unrelenting force, its body writhing and convulsing under the intense heat.

The creature let out a final, bone-chilling scream as the energy consumed it, its form disintegrating into ash and smoke. The alley was filled with the acrid scent of burning flesh, and then, silence.

Cyclops lowered his gaze, the light fading from his eyes as he turned to Robin.

Cyclops: (breathing heavily) Is it over?

Robin nodded, his eyes still fixed on the smoldering remains of the skinwalker.

Robin: (relieved) Yeah, it's over. You did it.

The two stood there for a moment, the weight of their victory settling over them. Despite the lingering fear and the darkness of the night, they knew they had triumphed over a formidable foe.

Cyclops: (firmly) We make a good team.

Robin: (smiling) That we do. Let's get out of here before anything else decides to show up.

Robin and Cyclops walk side by side down the street, their steps heavy with exhaustion. They head toward the small, rustic hotel where they've been staying, their mission finally complete.

Robin: (rubbing his neck) Man, that was tougher than I thought it would be.

Cyclops: (nodding) Yeah, skinwalkers are no joke. But we got it done. The town should be safe now.

As they approach the hotel, they see the bartender from earlier standing outside, smoking a cigarette. His eyes widen with recognition and gratitude when he sees them.

Bartender: (smiling) Hey, you two! I heard what happened. Thank you for taking care of that skinwalker. You saved us all.

Robin and Cyclops exchange a tired but satisfied look, then turn to the bartender.

Robin: (smiling back) No problem. Just doing our job.

Cyclops: (nodding) We're glad we could help.

Bartender: (extinguishing his cigarette) Well, I appreciate it. If you ever need anything, drinks are on the house.

Robin: (grinning) We'll keep that in mind. Thanks.

They continue into the hotel, nodding goodnight to the bartender. Inside, the warm, quiet lobby is a welcome contrast to the cold, chaotic night they just survived. They make their way up the creaky stairs to their room.

Cyclops: (unlocking the door) I don't know about you, but I'm ready to crash.

Robin: (yawning) Same here. A good night's sleep sounds perfect right about now.

They step into their room, dropping their gear and kicking off their shoes. The beds, though simple and unremarkable, look incredibly inviting.

Robin: (collapsing onto his bed) We did good tonight.

Cyclops: (sitting on his bed, nodding) Yeah, we did. Sleep tight, Robin.

Robin: (already half-asleep) You too, Cyclops.

The room falls into a peaceful silence as they both drift off to sleep, the weight of their mission lifted, at least for tonight.

The room is silent, the stillness of the night wrapping around them. Suddenly, the shrill sound of an alarm clock breaks the peace, ringing loudly from the nightstand between their beds.

SFX: BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Robin groans, pulling a pillow over his head in an attempt to muffle the noise. Cyclops stirs, his eyes still closed, but a scowl forming on his face.

Cyclops: (grumbling) Not now...

Without opening his eyes, Cyclops lifts his head slightly and aims in the general direction of the sound. A brief flash of red light fills the room as he fires an optic blast at the alarm clock.

SFX: BEEP—CRACKLE—POP!

The alarm clock is instantly destroyed, reduced to a smoking pile of plastic and metal. The room falls silent once more, the remnants of the clock flickering weakly before going dark.

Robin: (muffled from under the pillow) Nice shot.

Cyclops: (dropping his head back onto the pillow) Thanks. Now, back to sleep.

Robin adjusts his position, settling back into his bed with a content sigh. Cyclops shifts slightly, making himself comfortable again.

Robin: (sleepily) Let's hope there's no alarm clock next time.

Cyclops: (already drifting off) Agreed.

The room returns to its quiet state, the only sounds now being their steady breathing as they fall back into a deep, well deserved sleep.