A/N: Hey guys! Welcome to the prologue and first chapter of my newest fic! As you can see this is a Teen Titans fanfiction! It will be told entirely from Raven's perspective (with tie-in side stories that are told by others). As usual this is a first draft so expect some spelling/grammar errors in it. I hope you like it! Art for this story coming soon to my Deviantart page! 3
Oh! And normally the prologue would be in a separate chapter, but it seemed silly to me since it was so short, so they're in one!
Prologue - Changes
As life goes on, people grow and change. This is something that everyone learns sooner or later, regardless of who they are. I guess, I just learned it sooner than most people. Most teenagers think they're invincible, think they know everything, think...that nothing can ever change. Most teenagers aren't me. I know that I'm not invincible and I've almost died a few times to drive that idea home. I understand that I don't know everything so I read because I want to know all that I can about anything...and I know things change. That's why I'm not with the Teen Titans anymore, because things changed, at least they did for me. After Tokyo I just sort of...left. I wonder how long it took them to notice. After all, I did have the habit of spending a lot of time alone in my room. I left them notes sitting on my desk and part of me wonders if they ever got them, or if they hate me. It's not good to be hated by the Titans, as many have found out over the years.
They can't rightly be called the Teen Titans anymore I guess. Robin would have just turned 20 last week and no one really knows how old Cy's human parts are but I think he's the oldest. It makes me wonder if they dropped the Teen part. I wouldn't know. When I had left Jump city almost 3 years ago I decided that I would never return, I was gone and it was time for me to make my own way.
In spite of all that, I floated over Jump city, staring at the big lone T on its little island as though it were the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. At that moment, it was. I wondered idly how much had changed. I wasn't 16 anymore and neither were my former teammates. A chill wind blew my cloak out around me and I floated up before the moon, letting my shape show in the center of that snowy orb. I was back. "That's right..." I whispered, my voice low and husky. It might have been Serendipity as a single lone bird flew past me and landed on the roof. I studied it, and then laughed when I saw that it was my own namesake, a Raven. "I'm home."
Chapter 1 – Black Magic
As I approached the entrance to the tower the first thing I noticed was the lock. It was definitely newer and more high tech than the last we'd had. I doubted the old code still worked but I stepped in front of it anyway and gasped as a blue light surrounded me and a mechanized female voice spoke. "Identifying...please speak your name."
For a moment I was speechless, and then at the repeated request from the computer generated voice I finally found my own. "Raven." I said quietly.
"Please wait one moment. " The light abruptly disappeared before the voice returned. "State position, Titan, Honorary Titan, or visitor."
I had no idea what to say, so I simply answered with what I felt. "Titan."
"Please show communicator."
The small round object was easy to unclip from my belt, I often did just to look at it and remember. I held it up, the yellow painted metal with its large black T prominent on the front. When the computer did not respond I opened it and held it up again. The light scanned the walkie this time and I saw it turn itself on in response, coming to life in my hand. Finally the voice spoke again. "Welcome. Due to identity inconsistencies you have been labeled as a visitor. Please know that you will be watched upon entering the building. You have been warned." I didn't know that computerized voices could be so intimidating, but this one was at that moment and I nodded before stepping in the now open doors.
"Brr..." I muttered under my breath, turning the communicator off and re-clipping it to my belt. An elevator stood before me and I punched a button I knew well, even though the floor number had been long worn from its lit surface by countless touchings. It felt good to see something familiar either way and I almost smiled as the elevator rode me up to the common room. As soon as it opened blue light surrounded me again and a harsh male voice spoke, definitely not computerized.
"State your name and business. We weren't expecting visitors today." I knew the voice, though it was deeper than last time I'd heard it.
"Cy..." I almost used his nickname, but instead I continued to the full word, afraid he'd take familiarity as an insult. "...borg. It's me, Raven." I had to close my eyes against the glare of his blue-lit plasma cannon but I trusted the half-machine not to shoot once he heard my voice. Unlike his, mine hadn't changed very much at all in the years.
From behind closed lids I saw the blue light vanish and when I opened my eyes his face was close to mine, studying me from all angles through both his human and cybertronic eyes. Somehow, he'd grown taller, and he now towered well over six feet. If I'd felt short before it was nothing compared to how tiny I felt standing in his shadow. "Holy shit...Rae! It is you! You shrink?"
"No, you just grew and I didn't." It was true. Sadly I'd remained decidedly petite and it was doubtful that I'd grow much more. My hair was slightly longer than it had been, now just past my shoulders but otherwise not much had changed. Even my uniform was pretty much the same, except that my leotard was now fully black on my arms and legs with the dark blue part on my torso, gloves, and boots. My old belt had broken a while back, so I now wore a silver one instead with amethysts that held energy and matched the stone in my forehead set into it. "I'm glad you're still here."
He seemed speechless and I found myself caught up in a tight half mechanical hug that nearly shattered my bones. Normally such physical contact wasn't exactly something I liked, but in this case I simply hugged him back with a small smile on my face. He'd always been like a brother to me and it was great to see him again, even I had to admit I was happy. "I can't believe you're back! Aw man...the others are going to freak. Star and BB are out but Robin's in the gym, he sent me to check out the unidentified visitor alert. C'mon!" His excitement showed plainly all across his face and I nodded, unable to do anything else but be led back into the elevator. He hummed a tune as we rode down and chattered on about everything that was happening with the Titans. It seemed like nothing had changed at all, except for me being gone, and that lifted my spirits greatly.
The sound of iron met us in the gym and I saw a shape move itself from the shadows, resolving into a shirtless young man with a pole arm in his hand, ready to defend himself. "It's alright man, it's Raven!" Cyborg cheered, stepping in front of me so that the team leader wouldn't lash out.
"Raven? No way!" As usual Robin wore his mask, leaving his eyes completely covered. As an empath, I could sense his surprise and disbelief, so I stepped out from behind Cy and waved. If his eyes were visible I may have called his gaze calculating as he looked me up and down but in all honesty I have no idea. Finally he put the pole down and smiled. "It really is you." Something told me that it wasn't the last time I'd be hearing those words today. "You're back..."
"Yeah.." I stepped forward and he held out his hand to shake mine, but changed his mind midway through and pulled me into a strong brotherly hug. "Good to see you're still around." Our minds met between us, a link reforged after so long of being severed. I had been inside of Robin's innermost thoughts and he had known my deepest secrets. Ours was a mental bond that would never fully vanish. It could snap but the moment we were near each other once more that connection reset itself. Even I had no idea what that connection was or could do but it brought me comfort to realize that someone in the world could be that close to me without feeling fear.
Like Cyborg he'd grown quite a bit and I had to look up more than before to meet his covered eyes. His hair was also a bit longer, but still spiked as though gravity had no effect on him. Considering how he fought, it could be close to the truth. "Like I'd leave. This is home."
Somehow that felt like a direct barb at me and I looked down. It was always Robin who showed me why I was wrong, and this time was no different. "I'm sorry..."
He slapped his own forehead. "That's not what I meant Raven...it's great to see you again...are you..." He seemed not to know how to say the rest for a second. "I mean...Are you back for good? You gonna be a Titan again?" It was odd, looking up into that masked gaze as I had so many times before, but I didn't particularly mind the deja vu'.
It was the question I'd hoped for since the moment I stepped into the building and I nodded with more enthusiasm than I usually showed anything. "If there's room for one more, I'd like that."
"You're in luck, it looks like we've had an opening for a while and something tells me you'd fit perfectly." Cyborg joked, ruffling my hair. In the spirit of homecoming, I didn't glare at him for that. A loud crash resounded upstairs and Robin looked up before pulling a shirt over his head and glancing at the half metal man, who just chuckled. "Looks like BB and Star are home; c'mon...we'll make you a into big surprise for them."
"I know one person in particular who will be very happy to see you..." Robin muttered.
Of course I assumed he meant Starfire. It had to be lonely being the only girl and though I wasn't exactly the ideal companion for her, we had grown close in the years I was with them. I was eager to see her too in fact, even if I hid it with my usual expressionless mask. Somehow though, hers wasn't the face that popped into my head. That face was young, childish, fanged, and green. I shook the image away quickly and instead nodded up at the both of them. It had been wonderful to see Cyborg and Robin again but the idea of seeing those two upstairs was even more exciting to me and nerves jittered in my hands. Would they resent me for leaving or be happy I'd returned? Desperately I hoped for the latter. It was in Starfire's nature to be forgiving and sweet. I guessed she would simply want to hug me and chatter about old times. Beast Boy however had a tendency to hold grudges, especially when he felt betrayed. I couldn't blame him for that, many people had used and mistreated him in his life. As an empath only I could feel the pain and resentment that so often churned beneath his joyful exteriour. Maybe knowing that it was possible he'd be angry at me was why my heart was pounding faster than usual.
As we rode up the elevator both of my brother figures continued to shoot glances at me and I wondered what was going on in their heads. The emotions radiating from both of them were confusion, excitement, anticipation, and happiness presumably at having me back. I was curious where some of those came from but refused to let it bother me and instead stared at the ground. It may have been the longest elevator ride in my life. When the metal doors opened Robin stepped out first and from behind Cyborg I could see him hug and kiss Starfire shyly. The sight made me chuckle on the inside. It was good that they'd stayed together, I was never worried though. Robin and Starfire were made for each other; any of us who know them would say the same. I didn't know why my eyes were searching for someone else, or if I did I didn't acknowledge it, and instead watched the half machine walk out, still cleverly using his bulk to block me from view. Apparently someone wasn't fooled. "Who else is in the elevator?" A suspicious male voice asked. The speaker was hidden but something about the tone was familiar. "I can smell someone."
Starfire's emerald eyes widened. "There is someone in the elevator? Please Robin, tell us who it is! Do we have a guest? I could make some Umglorf for dinner to welcome them!" As usual the alien princess was all boundless energy and joy, swaying this way and that as she floated a few feet above ground.
"Wait, is Umglorf that stuff that was green and kind of smelled like Mustard and chocolate mixed together?" I asked suspiciously, choosing that moment to reveal myself. Utter shock registered on her face and I could tell that she recognized me instantly. Girls were more observant, either that or Starfire was just particularly good at realizing that someone who looks like an older version of your friend probably is.
Cyborg nodded in response to my question, making a disgusted face at the mention of one of the disgusting dishes that hailed from our resident princess' home planet. I barely saw that face as a shape hurled itself at me. Unsurprising from the girl who could technically fly at the speed of light Starfire had crossed the distance between us in an instant and was hugging me tightly to her. For the second time in less than an hour I was almost crushed until she remembered her Tamaranian strength and loosened up to a slightly more human level. I hugged her back happily, finding that she had also grown, though thankfully not by much. I was still shorter than her, but smelling the familiar scent of exotic sweet fruit that always came from her I really didn't care. It was good to once more be near the person who could probably be labeled as my "Best Friend" if anyone could. Her deep red hair was the same as always, though currently held in a low tail and she seemed to be wearing a white sun dress. "Oh Raven! It has been so long! I have missed you, we all have missed you! Beast Boy seldom goes one day without mentioning you in conversation and we all have wondered where you were! Please please tell us you are staying to join us once more!" A stream of words came from her with almost no pause for breath in between and occasionally interrupted by a foreign term. That was just her way. An excited Starfire is a talkative one.
I chuckled and nodded, a gesture I realized she couldn't see since her arms were still around me. Luckily Robin spoke up for me. "She's staying Star. Raven's decided to be a Titan again."
Finally she let go of me and I turned to the area I'd been unable to see from inside the elevator with a small smirk in place. Faced with the Alien's enthusiasm at seeing me it was impossible not to smile. Beast boy stood there, leaning against the wall and looking at me with narrowed speculative eyes. He was taller than Robin, I realized, and as green as ever, but somehow staying completely quiet and not even twitching. At one time the changeling had been unable to sit still, had that changed? His slit-pupiled gaze surveyed me dispassionately just as I studied him with carefully veiled curiosity. He seemed to be dressed in civilian clothes consisting of black jeans with a grey top that had purple vines trailing over the right shoulder. Green muscular arms were crossed and the most colourful of the Titans simply stared with no expression on that face I'd so often seen smiling. After what felt like a lifetime of silence, he spoke. "Welcome back. Try not to let the door catch on your cape on the way out." With that, he turned and walked into the elevator revealing that his hair had grown as a long ponytail swung behind him. I stepped forward, reaching out just as the doors closed and I heard the machine move him up towards the living floor where his room was. I didn't realize how close I was to tears until I noticed my hands shaking violently and quickly shut down the leak on my emotions. Once more putting up my emotionless wall I turned back to the others, who all looked on with concerned expressions.
"He's probably just tired..." Cyborg said quietly. His human eye was looking at me, but I could see the mechanical one focusing on the elevator after the shape-shifter. His concern was twofold. In his emotions I felt worry for me and the green boy both. Considering how close the two of them were it wasn't surprising.
"Don't worry about him Raven, you know Beast Boy, he'll be grinning and joking with you again tomorrow, it's just a shock to see you, that's all." Robin attempted. His cool head prevailed as usual and he put a large hand on my shoulder.
Starfire nodded rapidly. "He was most deeply affected by your disappearance. I am certain that he is happy to see you on the inside!"
I smiled. "It's okay guys. He has every right to be angry at me. Who wants pizza? I'll buy." Hoping to break the tension, I walked to where the phone had been and ordered delivery, our old usual set of two large pepperonis, one large Veggie Pizza, and One large supreme pizza with gumdrops, anchovies, pudding, and skittles on top. The last was of course Starfire's favourite and she never could understand why the rest of us were sickened by it. Luckily she could eat the entire thing by herself, so I didn't pity her too much. They all smiled, obviously glad to see that his resentment hadn't deeply affected me. At least that was how I played it because in reality it hurt more than I could admit to them, even if I did deserve it. On the other end a man told me that our pizza would be ready for pick up in half an hour and Cyborg drafted me into going with him to get it, eager to show me the "new and improved T-car". As much as I had feared my homecoming, it almost seemed like things were normal in Titans Tower. Well mostly. Time hadn't stopped when I left and I'd be stupid to expect it to, regardless of how much I could want that. Either way, it may not have stopped but time certainly hadn't left as big of a mark as I'd feared on my friends. There were changes of course. Everyone changes in those teenage years I'd missed, but we were still the Titans. Yes, Time hadn't left any irreparable marks on the people I cared about most, but what about me? Had I been scarred beyond restoration, beyond realization, beyond...redemption?
ooo
With empty pizza boxes littering the kitchen a few hours later I sighed and watched as the others slowly fell to drowsiness and finally migrated to their rooms, each wishing me a good night and stating once more how happy they were to see me before vanishing away. After seeing how they acted around each other it shouldn't have surprised me that I sensed both Starfire and Robin disappear into his room, but it was amusing all the same. One box of pizza stood untouched however and I put the veggie pizza in the oven, warming it before carrying both the box and a plate out of the kitchen. I phased upwards in the hallway, through the ceiling to the corridor that held our bedrooms. It seemed like yesterday since last I'd been in the tower and finding my destination was effortless even in the darkness. There, beside the door his name was prominent and I traced the engraved words with my hand then knocked quietly.
"Who is it?" Called the deep voice inside.
"It's...me. Raven." I answered very softly. It didn't matter, his keen ears would hear me no matter how quietly I spoke. Silence answered, so I tried again with something more enticing than that. "We got pizza, I brought you some. It's Veggie pizza, no meat at all, I promise." I felt foolish, cajoling him from outside his door as he had done to me many times, but the empath in me needed to feel resolution. If I was going to be a Titan again bitterness couldn't exist between myself and any of my team members, even the grass stain. I hated to admit it, but I also craved resolution for myself. Beast Boy was my friend, or had been, and it was distressing to feel so shut out by him. Was that how he'd felt all those years that I'd been cold towards him? Suddenly I didn't want the answer to that, guilt is not my favourite emotion.
Finally I heard him sigh and stand on the other side of the door, then suddenly sit back down. "Come in. You don't need me to open the door." Was I not worth the short walk or did he just feel like it was pointless seeing as I could go through walls? Why did that even matter to me?
Surrounding myself with dark energy I once more phased, this time through his door. Looking around the room I was half surprised to see that it hadn't really changed since last time I had been there. It was still messy, that was for sure. Comics were stacked in precariously balanced towers in the corner and Clothing was strewn on the floor. I navigated my way through without stepping on a single pair of boxers or bit of trash. It took some skill but eventually I stood before him. He looked up at me from where he sat on the bottom bunk of his bed with his hair down and falling over his shoulders. Again I shouldn't have been surprised he still had that childish piece of furniture. He slept alone and yet he'd always insisted on that impractical bed, perhaps some sort of compensation for his lost childhood or something.
It seemed like time had stopped. Either that or we were looking at the floor in silence for a long time. Either way, eventually he spoke. "Hey."
"Hey." Deep conversationalists that we were, those two syllables rang in the empty air for more painful moments.
"Thanks for the pizza." There is a difference between comfortable and uncomfortable silence. I believe it should be obvious which this was but just in case it's not, the silence was torturous and even those four words were a welcome relief.
"You're welcome. Want company?" I noticed he didn't look as though he was asleep when I arrived. His computer screen flickered, and it looked like there was a video game paused on it. "Um...if you're busy I could..." The sentence died in my throat. Screw that. I wasn't leaving until this thing was solved. Bitter silences like this could not ensue every time we saw each other for the next who knew how long.
"Stay if you want." It seemed like he was trying desperately to act like he didn't care, but something told me he hoped I would leave. Out of stubbornness I floated over and perched on his computer chair, letting my power wheel it in front of him and holding out the plate and warm box of pizza. "Thanks." He looked over to the black mini-fridge in the corner. "Want something to drink?"
Normally I would have declined. I tend to drink only herbal tea and water most of the time, but instead, desperate to keep him from going quiet again I just nodded and he stood and walked past me as though I were invisible, opening the icebox. "Root-beer, Grape Soda, Iced tea, or water?" He asked.
"Water would be nice." I'm not a talker. I don't make useless chatter and breaking silences isn't usually my thing. I prayed to every deity I had ever heard of that he would say something else.
He grabbed one, along with a Root Beer, and walked back to the bed once more sitting on it and this time taking the plate from me to exchange with the bottle of water he held out. For a while we said nothing and even my usually active inner emotions were silent in my head as he ate his pizza and I alternately sipped on my water and stared at the ceiling or floor. When there was only one piece left in the box I saw him look up at me from the corner of my eye, though I didn't turn to him. It felt like I was dealing with a scared child and If I looked at him, he might spook and drop whatever he was about to say. Instead I just waited until his deepened voice blessedly split the silence. "So...you're staying?"
Mutely I nodded, once again cursing my inability to come up with an actual worded answer. My face remained impassive as always however.
"You sure you won't just slip out one night for no reason?" That was a direct dig, but I deserved it. No indignation passed over my mind, instead a simple feeling of hollow guilt. I hate guilt.
Again, just a nod. How was I supposed to answer that one?
"Hmmph." He took a long swig of his root beer, crushing the empty can easily in one hand and tossing it to the recycle bin he kept by his door. Unlike the trash strewn everywhere I saw not a single can or bottle out of place. Beast Boy seldom took things seriously but environmental issues were different for him. That kind of stuff he cared about and I guess he should since he turned into animals all the time. "So where were you? Guess they didn't have paper there...or phones...or computers...or maybe they just had too many reasons to forget that you had friends who cared about you."
I held my emotions in check, barely. "I...did a lot of traveling...went to lots of different places." There were some things that couldn't be told. Not yet...maybe not ever. Hopefully not ever.
"I helped save our home, multiple times, and then I wondered if a certain creepy friend of mine was even still alive. Bet you didn't wonder the same about us." He sneered. Resentment. My empathy felt it everywhere, resentment, rage and an emotion I couldn't name, all tinged with a deep sorrow. He was hurt, deeply, and it was my fault.
This time I couldn't help it and I felt the tears build up behind my eyes, pulling the hood of my cloak up and standing. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea. Resolution could wait until he was more used to me being here. It could wait until I could look into his eyes without feeling guilty. It could wait forever. "I should go to bed..." My voice shook and I knew it. I think he did too because I suddenly hear him sigh and stand, setting the empty plate aside. There was no being impassive this time, not even for me, and I was glad my back was to him so he could not see my eyes clenched shut as I bit my lower lip to keep from making any sound. I would not cry. I could not cry.
"Rae...I'm sorry. That was uncalled for." His quiet voice spoke. "I know you missed us or you wouldn't have come back. I'm sorry for being a jerk, please don't..." I knew he wanted to say not to cry, but he obviously didn't want to offend me. At one time even the idea that I would cry over anything would cause me to snap his head off. Not much had changed, but now I knew that my emotions weren't something to be ashamed of. I still hid them of course, but I no longer took offense at the mere mention of me having them. Ashamed or not, I didn't want to cry.
"I deserved it...it was cruel, but I deserved it." I answered him, wrapping my arms around myself. "Just because you're the one who said it doesn't mean that the others aren't thinking it. I left. I ditched out on you guys. I ran away like a selfish stupid child."
He sighed. I didn't realize how close behind me he was until his arms were gently around my shoulders and his chin rested atop my head. "That doesn't matter. I'm sorry for being rude. It really is great to see you again, ya know? I guess I was just sorta surprised." Beast boy had once hated seeing anyone hurt. It was his nature to try and make people smile and be happy even when he wasn't himself. That hadn't changed obviously.
A part of me enjoyed the contact with him and counted the beats of his heart behind my head. A part of me was annoyed at the contact because physical contact had always annoyed me. The rest of me was simply glad that he was happy to see me. I stuck with that part and relaxed slightly. He trembled slightly and I found myself looking up to his laughing face, fangs showing clearly. "Um...Beast Boy, you okay?" His sudden descent into laughter kind of worried me.
"Fine. It just strikes me how much things have changed. I remember when hugging you would have gotten me swallowed by a dark hole of black magic or something." The green boy, more man than boy now, chuckled.
"Not completely true. I hugged you once, remember?" I noted. "After the whole Malchior fiasco..." I looked down and placed one of my hands over his arm. It was true. I would probably have had the same three inner reactions before, but back then annoyance would have won. Why did acceptance win now?
"That bastard deserved more than he got. If I got my claws on him..." Beast boy's growl got my attention and I found myself blushing at how much I liked the sound of it. Shaking the thought of that noise from my head mentally I lightly freed myself from his grasp and faced him with a small smile in place.
"Thank you...Beast Boy. I'm glad...you don't hate me." The words were completely true, if hard to say aloud. "It's late though..." As much as I hated to admit it. I was tired.
He nodded. "You're right. Sorry again for being a jerk...see you tomorrow?" the way he looked at me, almost as though he was afraid to wake up and find me not there, twanged in my heart and I nodded.
"Definitely...although..." My eyes found the clock on his computer screen. "It's already been tomorrow for a couple of hours, so I guess it's see you later." With that I waved and floated towards the door, phasing out and down the hall until I faced my own room. The worn lettering was the same and I was slightly touched by the fact that they'd never removed my name. Inside everything was as I'd left it, yet somehow untouched by dust. Someone had been cleaning in here. None of my books or objects were there since I'd taken most of them but the bed, desk, dresser, and a large ornate Armoire I favoured were. Concentrating I floated and mumbled to myself. "Azarath...Metrion...Zinthos." A large sphere of black power formed beside me and from it gently emerged three suitcases and a box. It felt a bit like cheating to put everything where it belonged using power, but I did it anyway and soon the room was almost exactly as it had been before I left. Books and strange objects filled the shelves that lined one wall while my clothes – casual and uniform – filled the armoire and dresser. A large mirror mounted itself on the last uncovered wall and I looked around in satisfaction before pacing to the large window and peeking out through heavy black velvet drapes. Jump city was a sea of beautiful lights and sleeping people right now and I enjoyed the sensation of familiarity for just a moment longer before changing and slipping into the familiar bed. It was odd, but my last thought before sleep was how BB's heart sped up when he pulled me close. I'm not sure what I dreamed, since I don't often dream unless it's prophetic, but whatever it was, I was smiling.
ooo
The sound of a familiar buzzing alarm woke me from my sleep and I sat up immediately, floating to my closet and dressing in a clean uniform before pulling on my cloak and phasing into the common room. I was the second one there, behind Robin, but the others all appeared within a minute and we stood ready in a half circle as he told us what was going on.
"Looks like Plasmas is wreaking havoc again downtown." He spoke with rolling eyes. "I swear someday we will find a way to keep that guy fully locked up without escapes."
"Fat chance. Every time we design a prison for him someone or something breaks him out." Cyborg commented, shrugging. Starfire just nodded and Beast Boy stood silently with his arms crossed. His uniform had changed slightly over the years from black with a purple shorts-suit over it to gray with a black shorts-suit, boots, and fingerless gloves. Jagged purple stripes almost like claw marks ran along the sides of the black. His dark green hair was once more in its ponytail, but I recalled how he'd looked earlier with it down, and decided I liked the long hair on him. He must have noticed me looking at him because his eyes suddenly met mine and I looked away quickly though he smiled.
"Alright Titans, either way we have our full team back together so we should be better than ever. Let's go out there and show Plasmas why he should be afraid of us!" Robin cheered. It warmed me to hear that I was part of the team still and we headed out as we once had. Robin mounted his motorcycle while Cyborg mounted a similar one that was obviously his by the tech used in it. Meanwhile Star, Beastboy and I took to the skies as the three who could fly.
The Tamaranian soared along beside me and I recalled how she had once taught me the way Tamaranians fly. Unbridled Joy of Flight, that was what she felt every time she left earth to cut through the air in that way she did. So much emotion would have exhausted me, but our powers worked in polar opposite ways. She worked with her emotions completely whilst I had to control mine or risk my power going out of control. It was strange, but perhaps that accounted for so many of the differences between our personalities. Even so, we were friends.
On my other side Beast Boy rode the currents of the air in one of his favoured forms, that of a pterodactyl. It was good to see that he still retained his boyish fascination with dinosaurs, or perhaps it was a matter of convenience. Either way the green form of that extinct creature was a blast from the past and I found myself smiling at him in an oddly contented manner until I noticed one green eye focused on me and my empathy sensed a touch of amused confusion coming from him. Immediately I turned my attention away and back to the task at hand.
When we landed the slimy form of Plasmus was there before us, complete with radioactive glowing eyes. "Now that is a face I didn't miss..." I muttered, watching for a moment to reacquaint myself with the fighting styles of my friends so that I could fit back into the attack patterns without creating problems. It may have been a good thing that I did that in fact since things had changed at least a little. Robin still charged right in with his gadgets, carried by Star even though we all knew that it wasn't often one of those toys of his actually left its mark on the liquid mass that was Plasmus. She launched him from the air and he tossed some of his exploding disks. They made a boom and bits of goop flew all over the street, enraging the charging monster as Starbolts hit him from the Tamaranian girl's eyes and hands. Cyborg braced himself, holding his right arm steady as a stream of blue cannon fire launched towards the creature and gouged a hole right through its gut. Next the green form of a mammoth charged, tearing into the slime with its tusks only to have the thing regenerate. That meant it was my turn and I intended to show the team what I'd learned in my time away.
I've never really studied my own fighting, but I've been told that my eyes glow white or black depending on what I'm doing. I'm certain they were black as I soared high above Plasmus and concentrated power in both of my hands until it crackled in sparking black spheres around them. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" I hissed. The power flew from me and wound its way around plasmas before it formed a full dome over his grotesque form. "Return to your human form!" My power twisted and obeyed my mental commands, striking in at him from every angle of the dome and wrapping his body in tendrils of darkness and pain. Within moments he was overcome by them and he fell, shrinking as he went until the passed out form of a normal person was on the concrete. It hadn't been a particularly difficult battle but this villain was always one I could beat if I put my mind to it. Seeing the looks on their faces I felt my cheeks heating and secretly couldn't wait until we faced someone who would take more thoughtful means of destruction. As I landed on the street Robin clapped and smirked at me.
"Well done. You seem to fit the team as well as ever, I'm glad." He chuckled.
Starfire flew in circles around me, gushing about my improved control but I wasn't done yet. With concentration and the chanting of my mantra I focused my power on the street and all the damage we'd caused righted itself. Cracks in the street were mended, cars were turned back the right way and damage done to them erased as though it had never been. Street lamps righted themselves and once more glowed happily on until it appeared as though we'd never been there, but for the sleeping form of human plasmas at my feet.
Beast Boy, back in human form, smiled and nodded at me, causing my cheeks to heat further until I shook the feeling away and tilted my head. Luckily I was saved from having to speak by the arrival of the police van. They bound the villain and placed him into the chamber full of sleeping gas prepared in the back of the vehicle before thanking us and driving away.
I pitied Plasmus to tell the truth. In human form he was no threat and obviously hated his monstrous secret, however the only time he remained human was in sleep. It was a curse far worse than any of our powers. When the sleeping soul had been removed from our sight I sighed and followed the others home to the tower. It was strange perhaps to realize that it was like so many other days we'd defeated some criminal and gone home afterwards, and yet I was entirely grateful for it. What I didn't know however was that we were being watched, all of us.
