CHAPTER ONE:
i don't want your money, i don't want your crown.
see i've come to burn your kingdom down.

"I swear to God, if he aims that thing at me again, I'm gonna shove it up his-"

Another bang echoed to the left of Juliet. She ducked with her hands covering her ears. An ear-piece was situated in her ear, to give her commands. She was instructed to throw it away when she was in.

She let out a scream for help. "Someone! Help me!" She screamed again.

This was the worst idea ever. Like they'd just invite her to hang out with them. Well, they had done it for Terra, but that was different. But then, she knew exactly what Slade expected her to do. He wanted her to manipulate them into accepting her. She would wait a month and then Jenny would make her move. It wouldn't take long to make the Teen Titans bend to her will.

She was well aware of herself. The boys would be easy. She could charm her way into their lives with her beauty and intelligence. The girls would be a lot harder. It was a good thing that Robin talked about all of them all the time. She knew exactly how to get the girls to like her.

"Help!" She yelled as part of a building next to her nearly crushed her. Where are the Titans when you need them? She thought bitterly.

"Scream louder."

She didn't even have to fake a scream as one of the bullets hit her in the arm.

"Ow!" She screamed, holding her arm. "Asshole." She said, quieter this time. It was only a one-way connection so he couldn't hear her. But it made her feel better to say it. Small little moments of defiance went a long way to someone's self esteem. It was the only way she could stay herself.

"Then scream louder."

She rolled her eyes. "It's not like I'm not trying." She said to herself. "It's been a while since I've used my full volume." She took in a breath as she ducked around a corner. She took an even deeper breath and let out a loud scream.

Almost immediately as she started screaming again, another bang happened and Juliet threw herself to to the ground. She scratched up her arm on some debris and held her arm tightly to her chest.

A orange blur flew over her. A green bird was behind it. To the side of her was a motorbike and car. A large bird-like shadow appeared out of the ground and a girl replaced it.

"Hey! You alright?" A guy stepped out of the car. The first thing Juliet noticed was that he wasn't a full person. He was half-robot. This revelation filled her with two types of feelings.

One: She knew him. He was Cyborg, one of Robin's close friends.

Two: She knew him. Victor Stone. She remembered his face, though now it was marred with metal and wires. She recognized him from her time in school. They were once friends too.

Small world.

Juliet looked at his outstretched hand with caution and uncertainty. He looked offended for a second before she slipped her hand into his and let him help her to her feet.

"I-" Her breath caught in her throat.

"Remember, Amethyst:" The voice brought her back to reality. The name brought her further. "Play nice."

She swallowed thickly, tossing aside her guilt and reservations.

"Yes." She said. "Yes, I'm alright. Thank you." Remember your manners.

"Jules." Jenny's voice came over the speaker this time. Juliet bit back tears at the sound of her friend's voice. "Jules, you know what you have to do. Bring them home." Juliet couldn't respond. Not with the Titans watching her.

Cyborg smiled at her. "Good to hear. Now, step aside and we'll take care of Slade." In an instant Cyborg's arm turned into a cannon. Juliet's eyes widened as she stepped back. The orange skinned girl landed beside her and placed an arm on her shoulder.

"You are unharmed?" Juliet met the alien girl's eyes.

Starfire. Robin's girlfriend.

Juliet smiled and nodded. "Mostly." She motioned to her arm. "Almost missed me." Fresh blood still bubbled on the surface of her scarred arm. "Thanks. He would've killed me."

She played on Starfire's compassion and used her ability of charm-speak to convince Starfire that things were much worse than they truly were. She made Starfire think that if they didn't help immediately, Juliet would die.

It worked. Starfire's eyes glowed a bright green as she looked towards Slade's machine. She shot off before Juliet could say another word. She almost smiled in triumph, but held it back when Robin looked at her.

Her guilt and fear quickly became replaced with anger and a passion to carry out this mission. They had taken her friend from her. Her only friend at one point. He didn't remember it - Juliet had made sure of that. But when Slade had taken him, they had formed a connection. She would do anything for him. To protect him or ensure that he was happy. But she wanted him back.

In the distance, Juliet could see Slade nod at her and disappear. It's time.

When the machines began falling apart, Juliet fell to her knees as sobs wracked her small frame. She held herself together. "Thank you!" She exclaimed. "Thank you so much, he was going to kill me!"

Starfire helped her to her feet and Juliet leaned into her embrace. Part of her enjoyed the touch. She hadn't been held in a long time. It wasn't like there was much time for comfort and emotions when you worked for Slade. It was awkward though. She had a lot of resentment towards Starfire. Starfire had been the true reason for Robin to leave her. Still, Juliet felt safe in the alien's arms.

"How'd you get involved with Slade?" Robin asked. Just the sound of his voice made Juliet's heart skip a beat.

Was it out of longing or fear? Juliet wasn't sure. "He wanted my power." Juliet said at last when all of the Titans were staring at her. "I can make people see things." She admitted.

The Titans stared at her a moment longer in shock.

"Like?" The green one - Beast Boy - said.

Juliet shifted uncomfortably and held her hands out. She waved her hand in front of Beast Boy. His eyes went wide as he began looking around widely.

"Woah! Cool!" He exclaimed. "Dude! This looks exactly like that time we went into Raven's head!" He grabbed Cyborg's arm as if to show him. "You know! The Happy Raven!"

Juliet tilted her head to the side in confusion. "Interesting. I only meant to show him something happy." She shrugged. "I guess he considers that a happy memory."

Starfire clapped her hands together in glee. "Show me!"

Juliet waved her hand again and Starfire began twirling around. She spoke in some strange language that Juliet couldn't understand. (And neither could the other Titans, judging from their looks.)

Robin placed his chin in his hands for a moment, contemplating. Juliet took that time to watch him. He'd changed a lot since the last time Juliet had seen him. It had been a few years since he'd been trapped with her in Slade's lair.

"What's your name?" Robin finally asked.

Juliet was taken aback. Something flashed across his face. Did he remember? Impossible.

"Juliet." She said. "Juliet Belrose. But.. my friends call me Amethyst." That was half-true. Amethyst was what Slade called her. It's what Jenny called her. She glanced over her shoulder with fear in her eyes.

"Look, I don't know how to thank you guys for chasing off that Slade guy."

Robin shook his head. "It's our job. Who knows how bad he'd get if he had someone like you."

Juliet couldn't help but smile.

"How about you come with us to the Tower? Maybe we can help you figure out your power. Slade's not one to give up so he'll probably come back after you. We can keep you safe."

Excellent. She was in.

"Really? You think he'd come after me again?" Robin nodded. "Okay.. Yeah that sounds like a good idea."

Starfire hugged her again, this time harder.

Juliet's eyes widened. "Ca- Can't.. Bre-Breath!" She managed to get out.

Starfire let her go with a sharp and gleeful apology. Did she ever stop smiling?

"Well, that's Starfire. That's Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven, and I'm Robin." Robin pointed to each of them in turn. They waved to Juliet. Juliet waved back, giving them all a small smile.

They led her back to the Tower. Juliet managed to trail behind them a few feet. She paused and took the ear-piece out of her ear, as if she was taking out a barrette.

She pressed the button on the side as she dropped it. Before it could hit the ground, it disappeared into a puff of smoke.

"Amethyst's communicator went offline." Jenny reported.

Slade smiled behind his mask. "Excellent. Now for your assignment."

Jenny turned around in her chair. Her Ruby pendant hung from her neck. "Yes, Master?" Jenny asked obediently.

"Infiltrate the Titan's East. They may be far less accepting, especially when they learn of your.. ability. But charm them. You know how to do that."

Jenny swallowed thickly. She had hoped she'd be assigned to the same team that Juliet was.

She finally nodded. "Of course, Master. Anything you say." Once she was prepared, she left the island and didn't turn back.