Ashborn had always been a man of peculiar habits. Despite commanding one of the most powerful corporations in the world, his whims often led him to unexpected places. Today, it was Jump City.
Officially, Shadow Corp had a chemical laboratory here, primarily researching treatments for issues like hair loss. But Ashborn's visit had nothing to do with business. He came for pizza.
When his assistant, visibly baffled, asked why he was traveling so far just for a slice, Ashborn simply replied, "I told you before uncle Rex, I enjoy the process of things."
The answer, vague and philosophical, left the old assistant more confused than ever. But it wasn't the first time. Just last month, Ashborn had flown across states to Central City, all for a cup of coffee from a shop he'd read about in an obscure blog post. No meetings, no deals. Just coffee.
Today was no different. Dressed in gray slacks, a black button-up shirt, and dark sunglasses, Ashborn walked through the streets of Jump City, admiring its simplicity. The skyline wasn't as tall or glittering as Metropolis, but there was a casual warmth to it.
Eventually, he arrived at the famous pizza shop. It was a small place with barely enough room for more than a dozen people, but its reputation was legendary. Ashborn took a seat by the window, ordered a classic combination, and took a slow, appreciative bite.
[Delicious,] he thought.[I might return someday.]
That peace didn't last.
Five figures approached his table. The one in front was a pale girl with pink hair, her confident stride marking her the leader. Behind her came a hulking giant, a boy in a black cape, a short green-suited teen, and a man in red spandex with a division symbol across his chest.
Ashborn recognized them immediately: Hive Five.
The girl stopped by his table and asked, "Are you Ashborn Black?"
Ashborn didn't even pause between bites. "I am."
"Told you it's him," the green-suited boy said excitedly. "That's the Shadow Corp guy!"
The girl's smile widened. The rest grinned. Ashborn met their expressions with a pleasant one of his own. "And you five must be the Hive Five."
They blinked, slightly surprised, then smirked. Recognition always stroked their egos.
"You've heard of our deeds?" the girl asked, clearly glowing with pride. "That makes things easier. We're kidnapping you for ransom."
Ashborn chewed slowly, then said, "A ransom from whom?"
The smile never left his lips.
"I don't have any family. I own Shadow Corp, so no money moves without my approval. Asking the authorities would just make both heroes and villains target you, heroes want to save me and villains want to carry favor with me. Not exactly profitable for you."
The girl's expression faltered. She opened her mouth but couldn't seem to find the words. After a few seconds, she awkwardly said, "We'll… figure the details out later."
Ashborn nodded, sipping his drink. "I don't see that working well for you. But that's your decision. For now, why not join me for lunch? I'd be a terrible host if I let my kidnappers work on empty stomachs."
Hive Five blinked again. The boy behind the leader stepped forward, confused and annoyed.
"Do you even understand your situation?" he snapped. "We could kill you!"
Ashborn looked up at him, still smiling. "I'm a high-profile hostage. Killing me would defeat your purpose, wouldn't it? It's in your best interest to keep me safe. So no, I'm not in danger."
Silence fell over the group again.
"…I'm hungry," the giant finally muttered. "We can eat first."
The pink-haired girl and the short green-suited boy turned to him with an exasperated, "SHUT UP!"
Then they turned back to Ashborn with a firmer tone. "You're coming with us. Now."
Before Ashborn could respond, a sudden dome of black energy burst open nearby, warping the air as five new figures stepped out. Each clad in vibrant colors and distinct uniforms. Their leader, Robin, pointed directly at Hive Five.
"This is your only warning," he said sharply. "Surrender, and maybe avoid the beating."
Jinx, the pink-haired leader of Hive Five, spun around and glared at Ashborn. "You were buying time!"
Ashborn kept his smile. "No, I wasn't. I sincerely invited you to eat."
Jinx didn't answer, her eyes began to glow.
"Get them!" she barked.
Chaos erupted as Hive Five launched toward the Teen Titans. Beast Boy morphed mid-air, Cyborg fired a plasma cannon, Raven summoned dark tendrils, Starfire let loose bursts of green energy, and Robin charged head-first into battle.
Ashborn remained seated at his table.
He calmly lifted another slice of pizza, took a bite, and leaned back in his chair.
The battle of heroes and villains played out just beyond his table.
Ashborn? He is simply going to enjoy the show.
Ashborn watched as smoke curled up from fractured pavement and shattered glass sparkled across the street unaffected. The chaos around him barely earned a second glance as he calmly raised his hand and called the waiter.
"Could you prepare a few more pizzas?" he asked politely, watching the battle unfold outside like a theater performance. The waiter, trembling from the sight of Teen Titans and Hive Five turning the block into a warzone, nodded hesitantly and ran back inside.
Outside, the confrontation ended as expected, with Hive Five lying defeated and tied up with mechanical locks, bruised and groaning amid the debris. Teen Titans stood tall, their chest rising with adrenaline and exertion.
Ashborn took that as his cue. With his hands in his pockets and the same ever-calm smile on his face, he walked toward the downed villains.
"Dude, this is dangerous! Stay back!" Beast Boy called out when he noticed the stranger approaching.
Ashborn barely slowed his pace. "It's fine," he said softly, still smiling. "I just want to talk to them."
The Titans exchanged uneasy glances. All except Raven, who furrowed her brow. There was something… strange about this man. She couldn't quite place it. His aura was quiet, almost dull, but beneath it, something stirred. A sliver of something dark and familiar. She frowned, the idea forming in her mind: Was he like her? Did he have demon blood too? Her expression shifted, eyes narrowing in suspicion and a strange, involuntary interest.
Ashborn stopped in front of the restrained Hive Five. He looked at them without condescension, just quiet contemplation.
"You're not suited for crime and villainy," he said bluntly.
The five glared at him. Jinx managed a growl, "Wait till we're free. Then you'll see how 'unsuited' we are."
Ashborn raised a brow, still smiling. "No need to be angry. I'm just commenting on the facts. Kidnapping for ransom? That's weak. The proper approach would've been: kidnap me, torture me for money, then execute. You didn't think that far, did you?"
Jinx blinked. The sheer absurdity of what he said froze her mind. Her team wasn't doing much better. Even the Teen Titans looked stunned.
Ashborn chuckled lightly. "As I said, you're not suitable for villainy. But…" his eyes softened, "I see potential in you elsewhere. A bright future."
Confusion spread like wildfire among the listeners.
Then Ashborn's gaze zeroed in on Gizmo.
"Gizmo," he said, "I offer you a job. Work for me, I'll give you all the funding and resources you need. No amount of crime can offer you what I can."
Gizmo's eyes widened. "Wait, Are you serious?"
Ashborn nodded. "You're smart. It's a shame to see that intelligence wasted on petty crime."
He turned his eyes to the others. "Billy, Mammoth, Kyd Wykkyd. I have similar offers for you three. I can use your talents in different areas. I'll give you a home, good food, money, and respect. The pay will be better than anything crime offers, and the work might even be fun."
The three stared at him, stunned. No one ever had offered them something like this. Especially not someone they had just tried to kidnap.
"What do you think you're doing?" a sharp voice cut through.
Ashborn turned to see Robin, arms crossed, frustration bubbling beneath his usually composed exterior.
Ashborn tilted his head. "Apologies. I thought I was being clear. I'm offering them jobs."
Robin's eye twitched. "They're criminals. They're going to prison."
Ashborn kept smiling. "And what is their crime?"
Robin frowned deeply. "They tried to kidnap you!"
"I forgive them," Ashborn said with a shrug. "That's allowed, right?"
Robin waved a hand at the rubble. "They destroyed property! They endangered civilians!"
Ashborn looked around. "And you participated in the destruction. You fired the first shot, didn't you? You carry half the blame. But that's fine. I'll pay for all the damages, plus extra, as a formal apology."
Robin looked like he just swallowed a mouthful of lemon juice.
"They're dangerous," he insisted.
Ashborn nodded thoughtfully. "I agree. I was nearly kidnapped." The words were calm, factual, yet carried a quiet, unnerving logic that made Robin clench his fists.
Then Ashborn turned to Cyborg.
"Would you mind releasing them? I'll have my assistant pay for everything before the day ends. If not, you're welcome to take them to the station. I'll just post their bail."
Cyborg glanced at Robin, unsure.
Ashborn added gently, "I'll cover everything. No tricks."
The Titans looked among each other. All five of them were thoroughly annoyed, Raven still suspicious, Beast Boy confused, Starfire outright frowning, Cyborg hesitant, and Robin glaring daggers.
At last, Robin spoke. "Let them go," he said tightly. A part of him hoped Ashborn would regret this decision down the line.
Ashborn bowed his head slightly. "Thank you."
As the restraints were removed, he turned back to the bewildered villains.
"My offer still stands. If you refuse, I'll walk away, pay the damages, and forget today ever happened. If you accept, we'll head back to sign contracts." He grinned and gestured toward the nearby restaurant. "After lunch, of course."
The Hive Five exchanged uncertain glances, the world around them slowly beginning to shift in a way none of them could have predicted.