The Headmistress's office was exactly what you'd expect from H.I.V.E.—sterile, imposing, designed to make students feel small. It didn't work on Jinx. She stood at the front of her team, with perfect posture, while Mammoth took up enough space for three people behind her.
"You wanted to see us, Headmistress?"
The woman behind the desk didn't look up immediately. She finished whatever she was reading first, because of course she did. Power play 101.
"You five are H.I.V.E. Academy's top prospective graduates this year." The Headmistress finally met Jinx's eyes. "Well-organized, highly trained, and combat-equipped. We have trained you to be the perfect fighting force."
Jinx felt Gizmo puff up beside her. She resisted the urge to elbow him.
"However, robots and obstacle courses only prove so much. H.I.V.E. needs operatives who can function in the real world." The Headmistress tapped something on her desk. "So you all will have to pass one final exam. There has been a group interfering with our operations."
A holographic screen flickered to life.
Jinx's eyes narrowed as footage played—a team in colorful costumes taking down street thugs using high-tech weaponary. She counted quickly. Eight of them. The one in Christmas themed colors barking orders, the speedster in red and yellow, the half-robot, the green shapeshifter, the girl in the cape radiating darkness, the Amazon with the lasso, and—her eyes lingered on the bird guy who literally glowed.
Eight against five. The math wasn't great.
Jinx studied the newest footage more, seems they picked up a new member, an orange-skinned girl shooting green energy blasts. She watched how they moved together. The one in the domino mask gave orders and they followed without hesitation. Coordinated. Experienced. The kind of team that had fought together enough to know each other's moves.
Still. Jinx was confident in her own team. Mostly. But she knew better than to underestimate anyone who'd made H.I.V.E.'s radar.
"The Teen Titans," the Headmistress said, like the name should mean something. "They've been taking out our customer base, there have been complaints that are new weapons aren't worth the price."
Behind Jinx, See-More's helmet whirred as he zoomed in on the footage.
"Jinx, you are taking lead for this task."
Finally. Jinx kept her expression neutral even as a sense of satisfaction began to bloom in her chest. All the late nights running combat simulations, all those times Gizmo complained about her "bossing him around"—it was paying off. The Headmistress had chosen her to lead.
"Your mission—eliminate the Teen Titans. Complete this and you five will graduate with flying colors."
She could feel See-More shift nervously beside her—he always got jumpy before big assignments. Mammoth punched his palm, eager as ever for a real fight. Gizmo scrunched up his face in that annoying grin that made him look even more like a goblin. Shimmer kept still as she continued to analyze the footage.
At least someone knew how to look professional when it mattered.
"We won't let you down, Headmistress."
"I hope you don't." She turned her attention back to the papers on her desk. The dismissal was clear.
The door had barely closed behind them before Gizmo threw his arms up. "Hah! Those chumps won't know what hit 'em!"
"We're gonna crush 'em!" Jinx swore Mammoth's enthusiasm shook the hallway.
"Easy win," Shimmer added, already examining her nails.
See-More nodded along, his helmet's eye cycling through different colors.
Jinx said nothing. Her team was already celebrating like they'd won, convinced this was going to be simple. Just another obstacle course, just another simulation.
But Jinx had watched that footage and was already formulating strategies to make that future win her team was so sure of, into an inevitability. She'd seen how the Titans moved, how they covered each other's weaknesses. Her mind was already working on how to capitalize on those exact weaknesses. The Titans had powers she'd need to account for. Eight of them. But they had the element of surprise on their side.
They might've been lucky so far. That was fine. All Jinx had to do was what she did best—turn their own luck against them.
The afternoon patrol had been uneventful—a couple of jaywalkers, one attempted bike theft that ended when Robin just looked at the guy, and absolutely zero actual crime worth the name.
Hikaru was starting to think Jump City's criminal element had collectively decided to take the day off.
"I am experiencing the hunger," Starfire announced from where she hovered beside him, hand pressed to her stomach.
"Same," Kid Flash groaned from street level. "I haven't eaten in like two hours."
"That's normal for most people, dude," Beast Boy pointed out.
"Yeah, well, most people don't burn through calories like a jet engine."
Robin glanced at his wrist computer, checking the patrol route. "We're ahead of schedule. We could grab lunch."
Cyborg perked up immediately. "There's a pizza place two blocks west."
"I vote pizza," Donna said.
"Seconded," Raven added flatly.
Hikaru grinned. "Motion carries."
The pizza parlor was one of those local joints that had probably been around since the eighties—checkered floors, red booths, and the kind of smell that made your stomach growl on instinct. A few patrons glanced up when they walked in, but most of Jump City had gotten used to seeing the Titans around by now.
They claimed the largest booth in the back corner. Hikaru ended up wedged between Starfire and Donna, which wasn't exactly a hardship. Kid Flash immediately grabbed three menus and started flipping through them like he was speed-reading.
"Okay, so what're we getting?" Robin asked, looking at his own menu. "Black olives and mushrooms?"
Beast Boy wrinkled his nose. "Onions."
"Pepperoni!" Cyborg pumped a fist.
"Anchovies," Starfire said brightly, like she hadn't just suggested the most polarizing topping known to man.
Raven sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Can we please just order something?"
"Seconded," Donna muttered.
"As long as it's vegetarian," Beast Boy insisted, crossing his arms.
Hikaru leaned back in the booth, smirking. "How about pineapple?"
Cyborg turned to him with a look of utter betrayal. "Come on, man, how can you deny me the all-meat experience?"
Beast Boy's eyes went wide. "Dude. I've been most of those animals!"
Kid Flash raised a hand. "How about all five?"
"Five pizzas?" Robin blinked. "That's—"
"I suggest a large pizza with pickles, bananas, and mint frosting!" Starfire beamed at her own idea, clearly proud of the combination.
Beast Boy looked like he might actually gag. Robin, Cyborg, and Raven wore matching expressions of horror.
Hikaru leaned closer to Starfire, lowering his voice. "Uh, Starfire? Not everything on the menu is a pizza topping."
Her face fell. "Oh."
He patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it."
"Why don't we just go with Kid Flash's idea," Hikaru suggested to the table, "and leave the leftovers to the bottomless pit he calls a stomach."
Kid Flash grinned. "I can live with that."
Robin nodded. "All in favor?"
A chorus of agreement followed, even from Raven, who just looked relieved they'd finally made a decision.